Arc 5: The Stars Against Anarchy
Across Walgonia, wrath took hold. The hate, the pure flaming emotions of so many swung against each other. And even with all of the battles happening, another had been planned alongside Symbol. Where across the Capital, and in a town similar to Symbol, Lincoln moved all by himself. Breaking through waves of Sect forces like a charging tornado, sending anything and everything that came toward him flying. Even if he had to stop and take hard breaths after on his knees, wipe his brow, and get right back into the action. Screaming, drinking, laughing, and accidently punching the tops of buildings off. Although, with the anarchists inside them, he just made it look like it was on purpose, and leapt to do it again.
Lincoln: "COMME ONN! SHOW ME SOMETHIN' COOL AT LEAST! YALL MAKING THIS BORIN'!"
And nearby in his castle, spinning in desperation with a Sect communicator blasting in his hand, was the King himself. Sweating, looking out at the tremors far in the distance past the walls of the Capital, and ready to hang up any second now.
Arthur: "ARE YOU CRAZY!? If I go out and fight Lincoln he'll just rip my head off in a second! You guys gotta handle this, or call an Upper Pillar! If ever Lower Pillar went up against him we'd only last a few minutes! Hell if you sent all the Lower Pillars in history he'd crush us!"
With attention stolen, for the time being, Symbol was in the dark. The valley, the sudden attack, and the separation of Leo's group was allowing them to hold down the town without any interference. These were true anarchists, not fledgling recruits. Charging through the darkness, through the pushes, using magic and daggers from behind them. And yet Carlos still brought them down with stolen arrows, Leo's lighting burst through the trees, Walter continued to bash through buildings with his shoulder, Dershia's ice spells lit the air with frozen spikes, and Yui moved toward them as fast as she could with her blade slashing every which way. Through sides, faces, trees, or creating a dense layer of purple corruption she could send whistling through multiple bodies at once. Staring through their screams, flinging flesh, with her aggravated and focused blood red eyes.
Yui {Those kids better have that mansion shit sorted out! If they get some Upper Pillar sent after me I'll take myself out, maybe I could prove a point before they just kill me anyway.}
The Sect still had random marks, magic, and Demi-human traits. Where they grouped up to fire a massive ball of fire, only to be destroyed by a mix of Leo hurling his spear, Yui sending out a slash, and Walter sending a few trees flying all into the sky to erupt it like a fire work. Flames that only rushed back onto the people that cast it. Burning opens a hole for a large burst of miniature ice needles to tear through their bodies from the black forests inside the town. Leaving the half-burnt anarchist to fall to their knees, backs, or flat on their face after getting sliced and stabbed to pieces.
Dershia {How are the others still kicking so hard? I feel like I'm gonna be runnin out of mana soon! I better not be some sittin duck!}
And running into the rest of the crowd from right behind her was the massive Walter, and the lighting lit Leo. Into the fray. Where the tight town arose in smoke, soon to circle the land around the manor. But crashing toward them, and making Leo feel all too familiar levels of might, forced all their eyes at the sheer power in the forest.
Carlos: "MOVE IT!"
Yui: "DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT!?"
Carlos had lunged across a tree, screaming at the nearby Yui, then quickly leapt away from the large wave of pressure heading toward them. Ripping past the sides of trees, thick branches, the earth and roots, while spiraling right toward them. Before bursting out of the forest and into her own Anarchists. However she just took a runners stance, and kicked off with all she could, before pivoting again. Her eyes, her fists, her anger, and herself, all closed in on Walgonia's Stars.
Togi {Without Kioshi, Lincoln, nobody can save me now, ever again!}
She slid across the dirt toward them all, surrounded, and ready. Carlos arrows broke against the thick metal bolted into her flesh, Yui ran forward with two air slashes flying, Walter attempted to swing his tail down, but Leo took the lead. Zipping past them all, to throw all he had against Togi.
Leo: "BACK OFF!"
Screaming at the top of his lungs, his intense and sudden stream of lighting bursting from all across his body was pushed back by her swinging arms. Barely breaking Yui's air slashes apart so she could punch right through them, and look up to catch Walters' large scaled tail to swing him right toward Yui. Before looking up to punch Dershia's flying mace with all her might, and completely shatter it. Before Dershia went flying backward toward the Sect in the massive influx of pressure.
Dershia: "SHIT SHIT SHIT!"
Leo {She's not as strong as Raylice, but her control, her focus! She doesn't want to break us or destroy everything, she'll only be focused on us! SO WE CAN'T TAKE ANY CHANCES -
Leo, with lighting veiled all across him, stayed right in front of Togi. Dodging, bursting, clashing fist to spear, before continuing to move around her. She was barely keeping up, struggling to stop him with kicks and swipes of pressure. But he just bolted to the side, over her, into the air, before spinning and throwing out all the built up lighting right into her face. Surging back through her, her broken body, the metal plates and bolts all across her large body. And left her open, smoking, for the sprinting Yui to strike with all her might.
Yui {COME ON!!}
Using her curse, she turned the surrounding spirit mana into a pure and powerful corrupted mana, and let out enough pressure to crush the ground beneath them. But still Togi caught her slash, until her blade broke through Togi's metal fingers. Allowing Yui to slip down, and give Leo the chance to smash his surging spear against her face. All to unleash another massive burst, and send her flying back through her anarchists.
Leo {IF I COULD BEAT RAYLICE, EVEN IF SHE WAS WEAKENED, THERE'S NO DOUBT I CAN BEAT YOU!}
Like Gordon had said, they didn't need to destroy the town. Kill or defeat every anarchist. Because, as long as nobody died, even taking out a single anarchist would be a victory here. So with the piles lost, the piles yet to come, and multiple Pillars of the Sect strength? They couldn't stop, they wouldn't stop. Because right here, when facing an army never known for their infinite numbers, they couldn't lose the opportunity to crush that. Even a few Pillars, a large sum of their forces, could topple their complete control. As long as the Siege worked to take it back.
But deep in the center of this destruction. Staring over it all, through its many windows. Through The Looking Glass. The screams spread through the darkness that connected them all.
Gray: "ROOOSEMARY!?"
He charged head first through reality, his eyes closed, and his heart pounding. But with flashes of Muther, unable to find him. Save him. Stop his bleeding. Figure out why he attacked him, why he was so scared.
Gray: "PLEASE ANYBODY!? ANYTHING!? CAN ANYTHING HERE ME!? EVEN THIS HOUSE!? AN UPPER PILLAR!? THIS CAN'T BE THE END THIS IS GOTTA BE SOME SICK DAMN JOKE! I JUST NEED SOMETHING ANYBODY ANYTHING!"
Running through that same darkness was Soku, Rosemary, Muther, and who knew who else. But Rosemary pulled herself along desperately screaming, Soku drug her finger across the stone to try and create a trail that went nowhere. And Muther, pulling himself along in the darkness while bleeding more and more. Trying his best to find the light in this endless darkness.
Rosemary: "GRAY!?"
Without anything, she just closed her eyes and kicked the wall. Before hearing that constant yell -
Gray: "ROOSEMARY!!??"
And she opened her eyes, and heard nothing yet again. Just a changed wall, hall, and shape.
Rosemary: "NO! NO NO NO! I WAS SO CLOSE!"
She got to her knees, desperately trying to think of anything. And yet again in that same darkness, she heard him. When she opened her eyes to nothing, and closed them to that loud voice in the distance. So with her eyes closed, gritting her teeth, she began to walk. And then to run, as fast as she could, screaming back toward him.
Rosemary: "I HEAR YOU! GRAY JUST KEEP RUNNING! GRAAY!"
But in that crossing path I walked, hummed, and looked at Soku. Far in the distance at a swaying cloak, calling out in the hall.
Gray: "Rosemary!? Where are youuu? Rabbit guyy? Sokku!?"
Soku: "Gray! Gray, I'm here!"
Running forward about to burst into tears of joy, she tugged tightly on his cloak. And strangely, instead of feeling extremely cold or slick. Oozing. It was pure cloth. And when Gray turned around, his eye piercing into her soul, she saw the crescent moon shape of the charm was flipped the wrong way. Under his own carved crescent grin deeply across his disgusting, putrid, agonizing face.
"Hellooo there."
Soku went to fling her arms forward, and yet they were caught tightly. And before she knew it, in that flash of intense fear, he kicked her right below her ribs. For an intense pain, an intense shock he could take advantage of, to force the air out of her lungs. In the perfect stop to force her down, where he could slam his forehead against her to get fully on top. Crushing her tired arms with his legs and his full weight, while holding her throat as tightly as possible. Stronger and stronger, hotter and hotter, burning and digging deep into her flesh. His rough nails drew blood as he sunk them deeper, and her eyes jotted everywhere as she desperately tried to move.
Soku {Cant - can't use my wind - can't - I have to -
Gray: "DO YOU FEEL IT ARE YOU DYING ARE YOU DEAD YET HOW DOES IT FEEL IS IT NICE!? IS IT SCARY ARE YOU MAD SAD REGRETFUL SINFUL WHAT ARE YOU!? TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME IT'S YOUR JOB TO TELL ME! DIE DIE DIE LOOK INTO MY EYES DIE HAHA DIE PLEASE DIE JUST DIE ALREADY DIE ALREADY DAMMIT WHY AREN'T YOU DYING!?"
Her mind was falling so quickly. Her strength, her bloodflow, her ability to even try and breathe. She shook and shook, tried to use the little power she had to shove him normally. But she could only gasp. Try and find her Mark. Her OD. Her mana. But Gray, no "Grays", no, this monster's face just got happier. His smile broke wider, his eyes narrowed closer. His hair waved deeply, greasy, getting closer and closer to her last breaths.
Gray: "GIVE IN REST FOREVER GIVE IN DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE -
With the light closing out, all she could do was move her fingers. Back and forth, against the wind, to fling a small, thick blunt blast of wind into the doppelgangers side. Leaving him screaming and crashing into the wall, while Soku flung upward to find the area completely different. The doppelganger gone, the scars in the wall she carved were gone. The only thing that remained were her screams of terror and relief. The pain, blood, and bruises across her throat. And the harsh tears following that panic. Where she would just lay down against the stone in the dark, in the endless hall, and just gave into it all.
Soku: …"If It was for not saving Ophelia…our mother…for being a thief…I'm so sorry…but all of this war, these anarchists, people dying over and over…people trying to kill me over and over. I'm sorry, I swear I'm so sorry…I thought I was really doing something…"
With her eyes closed full of tears. The cold floor dripped small bits of blood mixed with sorrow. She quivered, for anybody to hear her words. Ophelia, a Great Spirit, a Knight, a Hero. But all she felt was the hand of somebody just as scared, but still, he forced a smile when she fearfully turned to him.
Gray: "Are you okay!?"
In a panic, just like Muther, Soku went to push Gray away. But this time Gray used mana to hold Soku's arms, and try to show Soku it was really him. Then, just before she kicked away with all her might, she saw his wide eyes. His hair. His Cloak. So she squeezed herself as tight as she could, until Gray sat her down.
Soku: "...You're you, right?"
Gray: "So there is somebody running around - You're throat! Are you okay, are you sure!?"
Soku: "I'm fine! Had a run in with somebody who looked like you, somehow he was uglier."
Soku still had a horrid feeling sunken through her body. Through the bruises she kept rubbing, trying to hide, trying to not think about. How close she was to dying, even with her blade. Her wind. Her Mark. How, as long as you're not prepared, even the smallest thing could break you. It didn't matter if she beat Ju'stone. Beat Warriors. All it took was one knife to the back, and reality would take over.
Gray: "Yeah alright. Well I ran into a fake Rosemary before I got sucked into all this. But I figured it was just a vision or something, but somebody or something really is trying to trick us all. But I figured it out. We just need to close our eyes, and find each other. So come on, and we can go to Rosemary right now!"
Soku: "...Well then let's go! I'm tired of the Sect always putting us through stuff like this! Always one step ahead, with some stupid trick! If you've broken that trick, then we gotta find the trickster who set it all up."
Seeing Soku try to force that same smile, that same loud and vigorous voice, made Gray stand up right beside her. Without that burden. Together, ready, and willing to do anything. Especially now that this place had really put a terrible taste in their mouth.
Gray: "And if the trickster is the mansion, not a guy?"
Soku: "Then we pull a Sect, and burn their mansion. It would pay back anyway. I think Al and Musashi would appreciate it, especially Edward."
Gray: "Then you're right! Go go go! Here we gooo!"
Even if Soku felt embarrassed, Gray immediately grabbed onto her hand. And looked back, before closing his eyes alongside her.
Gray: "Just make sure not to let go. If we lose each other, we might never find each other again. If you're scared, if you hear something. Please, make sure you keep me with you."
She nodded, and went into the darkness. Where they ran, not with mana, not as fast as they could. But together, toward the desperate voice so close to them.
Rosemary: "....Gray!?"
She still ran, about to open her eyes out of desperation, before she heard something brighter than just Gray's voice.
Gray & Soku: "ROOOSEMARY!?"
Both of her lights, and she picked up. As hard as she could. As fast as she could. Through the maze. And fell right into them. Causing the maze to reform around them, but still, it was them. All three, in silence, just staring in awe. Before Gray rushed to hold Rosemary's hands, while the Cloak pulled Soku closely.
Gray: "We're back."
Rosemary: "But how do we leave!? And who else is here!? What's happening!?"
Gray: "I don't know, I'm sorry! All I saw was Muther, but if we're able to break this spell, we could free everybody! We just need to find a way out, and destroy the corruption lining this place. Did Ryo's boot camp teach us anything about that?"
Soku: "Maybe if you found where it connected to. A lot of complicated magic has some kinda base structure, or something to power it right? If we find that, or find the person connected to it, then we crush it. Or we just burn the mansion, and take it all down."
Rosemary: "I think destroying the spell is a better choice, if we destroy the manor the people still inside could die! So, let's go find something! Anything!"
Gray looked toward both of them, before grabbing both their hands tightly, and tried to use his Spirit senses.
Soku: "Hey what are you doin!"
Gray: "I'm feeling your ODs, and…it kinda feels like you both have some kinda hot stuff over it. It felt harsh, red. But more like something around your OD."
And then, trying his best to feel his own OD, felt the same harsh pain from before. Like his connection to the Spirits, reality was being blocked. Trapped wherever this was.
Gray: "I think it's a curse or something! Or a spell! We just need to break it! -
Edward: "And just how are you gonna do that?"
They all jerked their heads back, and noticed his missing eye was on the wrong side instantly. So they readied their mana, to destroy whatever this thing really was.
"Oh nooo fun! Why -
Gray: "WHO ARE YOU! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO US!? BREAK THIS DAMN SPELL!"
Filled with rage, trying his best to force Spirit mana into his body no matter the harsh pain he was filling, and still mindful enough to hold both Soku and Rosemary with his Cloak, Gray let everything out. And "Edward" could only stare forward as stern as ever. Before he jerked, before his smile arose and sank and arose again. Until he finally burst out laughing, so he could just run toward them in full desperation. Yet, still holding their wrists, Gray leapt forward without a thought. Screaming in pain from the Spirit rejection, all while his mana rushed forth, and landed a punch across "Edwards" face instantly. Throwing him back, but in a panic Gray looked back to make sure Rosemary and Soku were behind him. So when he looked back, he saw Rosemary in front of him instead.
Gray: "YOU WON'T TRICK ME!"
And instantly kicked the doppelganger down. With Rosemary and Soku, the real Rosemary and Soku sterling down at the doppelganger in a rage, ready to use their own mana to bring them down.
Rosemary: "Disable this magic before we're forced to take your life!"
Soku: "Uhh yeah, she'll take your life! Hell, I'll do it after you just tried to kill me!"
"JUST STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
The doppelganger screamed and shook under their grasp. From Rosemary, morphing to Edward, to Soku, Muther, Lanner. Still their strength, wind, pushed him against the stone. The eyes and mouth of Rosemary, shape of Edward, the hair of Rosemary and Gray, the nose of Soku, the ears of Soku. The scars of them all. Breaking open and open, but Gray's mana, Rosemary's stages, and Sokus wind kept the weak monster down.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!"
Without any idea of what to do, Gray took out his wrist talon. And went to strike the doppelganger in the chest, before the doppelganger closed their eyes -
Gray: "CLOSE THEM!"
It tried to erase them. To fall out of reality. But they all closed their eyes, still connected by the Cloak, and fell alongside him. There, where only their screams could be heard.
Falling
Deeper
Deeper
Deeper
Up
Around
All around
The doppelganger's eyes opened once again, but not into reality. Instead they lit the darkness with the bright red corruption, the only way it could escape Gray's wrist talon. And the Looking Glass shattered around them.
Rising
Rising
Reality shifting
Shattering
Crumbling
To Rebuild
All around
Into Reality
Then, in a circular room will pillars all around, carved deep by blood with circuit-like streaks toward the massive Sect crest in the center, corruption lit red. And in that dark stone room, sat a single, massive mirror connection to it all. Once that cracked, and opened up, for them all to fall out, and the mirror to return to normal with a flash of corruption.
Gray: "WHERE!?"
In a panic they all stood straight, looking toward the still doppelganger against the mirror. It looked exactly like Gray, sounded like Gray. But that bloody dagger was not his. That smile, that look in his eye. It was all too much. But all he could do was try and back away toward the Looking Glass, until his arm was snatched tight.
"WHAT!?"
They reached to the mirror, trying to rip it open, until Gray pulled him by the Cloak right toward the three of them. But in this case, right into a slash of his wrist talon.
"YOU DIRTY CREATURES!"
Its eyes tore open with a pure red and pink corruption, instantly throwing Gray into a trance. Then every pillar, every inch on the floor, the massive Crest all caused the room to flare in its brightness. It's power. To take them all. Before Rosemary's third stage fist crushed their side, a wind blade from Soku cut its arm open. Allowing Gray to snap out of it, pull back his leg, and kick the doppelganger as hard as he could with a surge of mana and Spirit mana. Sending him bouncing into the floor, and smashing into the Looking Glass. Yet, instead of folding open, it just shattered.
"WHAT KIND OF KNIGHTS ARE YOU!? WHAT KINDA KIDS!? DIRTY UGLY NASTLY FILTHY! A HELSING!? AN ELF!? A CORRUPTED BOY!? A GOLDENWIND!? YOU'RE ALL AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL PUTRID!"
Gray: "And I don't even think you're a Lower Pillar, are you? Just another pawn for them to use, another game. A potential Pillar, a set up to kill himself like Ceasar, some vessel? You don't even have a name, a face. A purpose? We broke that. I know Leo's team hasn't fallen. And I can hear the mansion shaking, probably Edward or something. We haven't lost. We just had to make our way to the end. So thanks, for making it so easy."
Soku wanted to scream out and tell Gray to stop, but all it did was throw the doppelganger into a rage. So they'd run head first, crawling, dragging, bleeding screaming crying laughing morphing between them all. Before Gray, not with his blade, not a wrist talon, not even his fist, stopped him. But pushing Spirit mana toward the Cloak, and encasing his body in its thick mass. Trapping the weak Potential Pillar tightly in its grasp, Gray could raise him into the air.
Soku: "You're getting good with that thing, that's bad right!?"
Gray: "I deal with that when it comes to it. Right now, it is what can end things the right way. But it's gonna hurt so I'd watch out for Mr. Doppelganger."
Doppelganger: "THAT'S NOT MY NAME! MY NAME IS -
Before he could speak, Gray sent him flying against one of the pillars. Knocking out the doppelganger, and leaving them to rush with corrupted mana. Burning away like skin, bulbing and building from all of the transformations. Before all they saw was a small, old, large wart covered nosed, old snow white haired woman. Wearing a large Sect robe, and a cracked white mask over the top half of her face. One with a bright red Sect crest carved into the forehead. Something Soku took hold of, before throwing it on the ground. So Rosemary could give one hard kick, and crush it to pieces.
Gray: "Nice! Hopefully we destroyed -
The moment it broke, the pieces began to sizzle a bright red. Connecting to the circuits in the room. To every crest tucked away in the corners, the walls, ceilings, furniture, art of the house. Before it all began to scream aloud. Bursts of fire, rooms crushing in, and large quakes surrounding it all. Ready to bring down everything. And then came the Looking Glass. Breaking. Breaking. Everywhere.
Every single mirror, reflection, shattered over and over and over. Leaving Muther and Lanner to be thrown out from the mirror in front of them, bleeding but together, and staring toward the others. Then right toward the unconscious Pillar of some kind.
Lanner: "Did you guys do it!?"
Gray: "We think so but we gotta get outta here! I think this whole place is gonna come down! Horror Puzzle Mansion style! The count down has already started!"
With Muther bandaged and held by Lanner, they ran as the circuits of corruption began to burst into flames. Out through the large set of wooden doors, and through the manors basement. Yet up above, smashing the moon lit bathroom to pieces, was a roaring Edward and the silent Titan. Even if the stone was cracking under the quaking manor. Even if the upper halls were beginning to break open, decay into rot, burst into flames. Edward swung his blade, smashed Titans arms back, or took the hefty blow straight to his chest.
Edward {I can't keep wasting time with him! Before I needed Peter's help, but I was injured! All of that training, the healing! I know I'm more than ready! I just have to focus on my emotions, control and use them like I did against Moro! I need to use the Dragons Fist, and I could end it all in a single strike!}
Titan moved forward like he was in a trance. Stepping, stomping, swinging his arm exactly where he should with all of his might. Forcing Edward back, smacking his blade away, trying to crush Edwards foot to step forward. A boxer, a martial artist, a true wall Edward just couldn't break past without giving into his Warriors Spirit. Warrioring, and throwing everything into his leaps. To lean just under his punch, dash to the side away from his kick. And leap over the overhead swing, to finally slash Titan across the face. Opening him up for a slash across the back, where Edward spun to slash his arm clean off.
Edward {COME ON -
Yet, his sword was stuck half way through. Giving Titan the chance to smash his fist across Edwards face, then again, before finally kicking him back. Sliding and crushing the tiles, and forcing Titan to sprint forward. Where Edward was hardly able to roll out of the way, and cause Titan to fall into the deep tub. To stare up at Edward, before squeezing his body tight. Resisting his wiggling, growing flesh from his wounds.
Edward {I don't wanna risk him facing the others! But it sounds like this place is gonna break down any moment now!}
Before Edward could think, the windows letting in the moon crash opened. To let in the disgusting, melting, pink flesh covered dogs. Three headed, Low Tier, completely mad Ceaberus. Rushing toward Edward and Titan without thought. And while Edward instantly slashed through them, Titan grabbed hold of their bodies to crush them. And ended up coating himself in a burst of their acidic blood. Burning against his snow white skin to his deeper pitch black flesh, burning away at his thick coat, and burning away at his attention long enough for Edward to rush away.
Edward {No, even if I'm strong enough I can't waste time there! What if somebody stronger is around!? I can't be broken then! When we're together we can be stronger,that's what so much of our training was for!}
But the moment Edward burst through the wall, he realized just how hard that regroup was going to be. As the corruption lining the walls had to flap, crumbled, or already turned to ash. Leaving the halls in disarray, breaking down deeper, or having the upper floors crashing down. Mixed with spreading fire, decay, and the bright corruption of the Looking Glass spell. But with his arm and his sword forward, he swung through the debris, and charged past the fire. Screaming for his companions, while he stomped floors and floors above them.
And down below, Gray and the others moved past the burning halls in the basement. Charging together, and trying their best to look for a way out. Before Rosemary finally stopped them, and looked straight up. Bursting into the fourth stage so she could leap, and smash right through the stone roof. Opening up the center of the mansion right in front of a large staircase leading to the second floor. Where Rosemary was able to help Muther up, while Soku and Lanner moved forward. Gray waited to jump until they'd left, but he couldn't help but stare backward at the collapsing tunnels. At just what might have happened to the doppelganger, and who else might have been down here. Yet when he tried to use his Spirit sense, the erupting corruption made it far too painful. However, he looked forward instead, at the only life he could sense down here.
Gray: "Who are -
At first he thought it was the doppelganger. But he knew, yes it had to be, definitely.
Rosemary: "Gray what are you doing!?"
Gray: "WE GOT A PROBLEM!"
In dark purple Ravorian armor, holding the unconscious doppelganger in her arms, with pure white hair and ice blue eyes, and even Godricks cursed charm. The Egg of Sin. Before she even spoke, Gray had leapt out and ran toward the front door. Not paying attention to the burning halls, the crumbling ceilings, or the rumbles of Titans movements around them. As it was all so much easier, than the devil that had just stepped foot into Symbol.
Gray: "IT'S ROSINE DAMMIT RUN RUN RUN!"
For a moment it was confusing, especially for Lanner. Rosine, Rosine Voria, the daughter of Elizabeth Voria. The soul princess of Ravoria. And also, the woman they'd come to understand as the Upper Pillar, Pandora's vessel.
Rosine: "Been a while since I've seen you all at the Knight Exams. I expected better, but alas, what could become of such sinful creatures."
Before they could do anything, all of their mana seeped away. And when Gray went to use his mana, Soku her wind, or Rosemary her stages. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Pandora's charm, alive, and starting toward them. Forced to watch, powerless, as Rosine leapt to face them. And yet Lanner moved almost just as fast, swinging his blades widely toward her in desperation. And yet she followed his strikes, side to side, over and over, before sliding around him and sweeping his leg at the same time like an anarchist. And ending it with a hefty palm strike to his side. Breaking him down like a true Ravorian Elitie, before twisting him around to be kicked back toward the group.
Rosine: "And to think I didn't win the exam! Is this really all you have!?"
And then, a few floors up, bursting through a wall, was Edward. Flying toward the floor, forcing Rosine to dodge as he collapsed. Screaming and pointing his blade back where he'd been hit from.
Gray: "EDWARD WE GOT A VESSLE -
Edward: "AND I GOT ANOTHER PROBLEM!"
Blasting out of the top floor, and landing right beside Rosine full of rage. Bursting out of his trenchcoat from Edwards attacks, as he grew and grew further into a beast. Breaking through his skin, muscle, bone, to become why people really feared Titans.
Rosine: "It seems Symbol is gone. A loss for sure, but what, maybe a single Lower Pillar lost? In the grand scheme, this is a recoverable loss. For you all, it just happens to be the end."
They stepped backward together, bit by bit, as the manor screamed in flames around them. The two towers soon to fall, the entire mansion soon to fall, and yet they were frozen in panic. Before they heard the large doors creek open behind them, toward the large courtyard in the front of the home.
Julius: "We must flee!"
Without a second thought, without looking back, without any style or technique. The sprinted. They ran over top themselves, toward the moon light, while Titan and Rosine burst behind them. Forcing Edward and Lanner to swing their blades back with full force. And stab right into Titans chest, before he sent both of them flying into the group with a dual set of strikes. Hitting everybody out of the home, to stand over the stone brick, and in front of a large broken fountain. To face the burning manor, to face the horrors about to exit.
Rosine: "Now, lets -
And in what seemed like the only piece of good luck they've ever had, the manor fell onto itself. Rosine stood annoyed, but Titan attempted to leap forward. Only for Rosemary to feel her OD awaken, and send a large punch of fourth stage pressure against the Bounty Hunter. All so he could remain inside, before the massive blast of the manors collapse sent them even further backward.
Gray: "DAMN! THE HOLE PLACE JUST ATE ITSELF!"
Rosemary: "That magic must have been holding it all together!"
Soku: "Really now!?"
Soku slid with wind, Rosemary her stages, Julius and Edward without care, Lanner held Muther tightly, and Gray rolled around panicking and scrapping himself. So they could all stand, and actually sign in relief. Staring on at the massive pile of burning debris still falling onto itself, before hearing the quakes of battle far behind them.
Gray: "So uh, what now?"
Edward didn't budge, he just tightened the grip on his blade, and got ready for the inevitable.
Edward {Here it comes -
Blasting through the debris, two feet taller, in flaming black flesh. Roaring with two long arms with incredible claws, sprinting faster than them all on two legs, and had its flaming eyes focused directly onto the Dragon stoned avenger running head first toward him.
Edward: "TAKE HIM DOWN NOW! NOW DAMMIT!"
Without a second thought, Rosemary and Soku sent a large wave of airforce together. Pushing against the massive transformed Titan, stalling him for Gray to pull his leg out from under him with the Cloak, for Julius to slash his dense leg open, and so Edward could put all his might into a cleaving slash across his body. But when Titan just smashed Edward away with his swinging arm, Julius slashed his back over and over. Causing him to turn around, and get hit by a few wind blades and pressure blasts from Rosemary.
Gray: "BACK OFF DUDE, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"
And ended with Gray leaping into the fray filled with a dense layer of Spirit mana, to slash Titan's face open with his Wrist Talon. Before landing and shooting the Cloak back into his face, Edward cut force his blade right through Titans chest while Julius leapt to impale him through the skull, and out through the jaw. And still, growing larger and larger, Titan moved to smash them all back with the stomp of his foot. Where he got slower, taller, wider. And all of his wounds flexed open, to show off the red beating heart in his chest. But when he attempted to take a step, he just fell onto his knee. Trying not to lose himself to his body, lose himself to his rage. Before it was over for him.
Edward: "Now rest, forever."
Inside of his broken, twisted, melting vision, was Edward. Holding a blade right through his chest. So finally but this beast, this man to rest, and let him fall backward. Finally unable to heal any longer, before Julius took the initiative to pull him right into the enormous pile of burning rubble.
Lanner: "Are we good!?"
Muther: "If we are, I think we've gotta go to Leo and the others!"
Rosemary: "We need to treat your wounds first! Or think of a strategy!"
Soku: "And what about that Rosine chick!?"
Rosine: "WHAT ABOUT HER!?"
Instantly taking everybody's attention toward the manor once again, was the blood curdling screams of Rosine herself. Bursting from the rubble to stand ready, covered in dust and a few scratches, while her eyes looked ready to bleed. With each tense step to move, she couldn't help but take hold of her charm. Taking everyone's mana in a flash of purple mana, before her laughs began to sink deeper and deeper. Into another voice entirely.
Rosine: "You fools have come too far! To think you can win, to think you can live, after all you've done!?"
The corrupted charm, the Egg of Sin, broke around like a large egg. Stretching to wrap around her, so when she continued walking forward, it would coat her body in a dense black armor. Around her feet, her arms, her torso. While large wings folded out off her back, for the large birdshaped helmet to seep around her face. And take her pitch black eyes, into bursting purple lights. That only grew when she launched into the sky with a loud, instant burst, and stared over the powerless knights filled with hatred.
Pandora: "You…YOU ARE ALL TRULY SINFUL!"
With a large wave of her connection, all of their locked and focused eyes began to glow alongside hers. Sinking into the depths of themselves almost instantly.
Rosemary: "WHAT IS HAPPENING!?"
Filled with so much hate, bloodlust. The memories of her mother, father, all of the GoldenKnights. The Sect. They were coated in the flames of rage. Flames rose through her eyes, her mouth, her body, her voice in an instant. Consumed entirely, by her wrath. But right beside her, without a word or a breath, collapsed Soku. Her eyes dead, her mind dead. The only thing she wanted to do was cry and hold the ground for everything she's lost. While doing nothing at all about it.
Gray: "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?"
Rosemary's eyes were wide, filled with wrath, and yet Grays pierced like a snake. Not of anger, but of sheer disgust. How could Pandora use her ability, how could she make him scared, how could she make him cry or try or scream or panic or feel or put his friends in danger. Why did Rosemary think she could speak first, why was Soku not doing anything at all? How could she just sit and cry and whine like a Slothful brat??? Why was Lanner losing his mind to Lust? Sweating, breathing, collapsed on his knees with a mind racing of everything he absolutely needed, people, things, to fulfill his endless desire. It was unfair, it was disgusting, it was putrid. Gray's eyes got tighter, more jagged, his body grew and froze and snapped out. Because how they were all managing to crush his pride.
Edward {WHY AREN'T THEY DOING ANYTHING!?}
But quivering in terror, in his own mad sense of hatred, was the boy who needed it all. Gray had the mana, the Spells, the Spirit connection, the partner, the life. Musashi's admiration, Kioshi's, Als. Over and over and now he was freezing!? Rosemary is a prodigy of the Goldenwinds, the commander's daughter! Soku has a damn Mark of Providence!? Julius is a prince, with a weapon of Alfheilm! Mastered the Dragons fust, won at the Knight exam, and has survived so much easier than any of them at every turn. Even Peter was smarter, more useful, actually saved them. But here he was. Without anything a true Helsing would have. A knight, a warrior, a Hero. And with all of the power in the world, the love, everybody around him was even more useless.
Gray: "STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT STOP IT STOP IT! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ANSWERING ME WHY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TOO GOOD TO ANSWER!?
Rosemary: "SCREW YOU SCREW YOU SHOULD ALL KILL YOURSELVES YOU NEED TO DIE YOU NEED TO!"
Soku: "...go away go away….go…away….go away go…"
Edward: "GIVE ME YOUR STRENGTH GIVE IT TO ME NOW! I NEED IT ALL PLEASE PLEASE I NEED IT I'LL DO ANYTHING!"
And then they all saw each other, at themselves, into the air, or even toward the ground. They didn't care about names, memories, or faces. It was only fuel for the fire. Where Soku tried to bury herself with flicks of her fingers, where Rosemary began to leak the stages, where Gray began thinking of endless ways to attack. To make himself took as strong as the Spirit Gods knew he was! He had to be! But Muther finally fell to his own desire, smoking on his pipe to take in as much as possible. And stab anybody who wanted to take that from him. So he could take all they had. The years in their life, their hands, their armor, their recognition, their power, their money, their food. He'd take, use, eat it all until he finally felt happy. Leaving Julius to stand perfectly still, smiling harder than ever. As all he could see, was everything he needed to take, to control, to have all for himself. And kill anything that came to take it.
Pandora: "Sad to see such creatures so young. How corrupted this world is. But it's obvious that creatures that could do something as horrific as this, would be filled to the brim with their sins. You only needed a nudge, to fall completely into madness, and tear your own faces off."
Rosemary desperately fought the urge to attack, alongside Gray and Edward. But she finally gave into the screams, and charged head first toward Gray.
Gray: "AT LEAST YOU'RE SMART ENOUGH TO PICK ME!"
But between their attempted attacks, swung Edward, sweating and crying at the fact they didn't go for him first. But, stopping his next swing, was the adrenaline. For most it had no help against Pandora's gaze, her grasp. But a Helsing? An unawakened one at that? With their Warriors Spirit, more angry and flaming than any point in a Helsing's life, Edward broke. He shifted. And held his Sword so tight his Dragon stone dug into his thick skin. As he put his entire being into giving into his rage for once, to break this envy.
Rosemary: "AHHARAHAH!"
Despertate, breaking, ready to bleed from every part of her face. Absolutely melting to the maddening feeling of Wrath. And yet, the pain of her overwhelming stages sent her to the ground. And let her see reality for just a moment. The broken Soku, Lanner trying not to tackle her, Muther smoking as much as he could, Julius harsh smile awaiting to take everything from them, and Gray. Sitting there, with the same look in his eye as the Doppelgangers. His mana flowing, his wrist talons out, and he moved to attack the straining Edward. Until he instinctively pulled forth Spirit mana, and screamed in viscous pain. As the Spirit senses, the overwhelming Spiritual flow through and around his form, broke that hold.
Pandora: "... -
Before she could even understand it, amidst her constant gaze, the three all looked up at Pandora amidst the madness. Where Rosemary punched, Edward threw the broken stone around them, and Gray sent out a spiraling bright blue Breaker. Forcing Pandora to flash like a streak of darkness around them, before sliding to face them all. Breaking that gaze, and causing everyone to puke the second they were free.
Gray: "Even if you kill us, at least we know, you're definitely the weakest of all the Upper Pillars. But the way you speak, how you handle your vessel, you have to be the smartest too, right?"
Pandora was frozen. Ready to send large slashes to cut him in two. Ready to send them all into a permanent dream. Another wave of madness. Scream so loud their heads burst open. Cut their throats with her talons, crush their skulls with her wide foot, or simply bite into their face with her beak. But his words caused the deity she wished to listen to so badly. And all of his friends, hardly able to stand after Pandora's gaze, couldn't believe what they were hearing. From fear, from confusion, to thinking Pandora could get more angry than she already was. Until Gray stepped forward, and spoke from the bottom of his heart. He had mana left. He had spells to use. Power, armor, friends. A Siege to attend. But after the horror of the manor, running through The Looking Glass, breaking the doppelganger, collapsing the manor. And now, facing off against an Upper Pillar he thought he probably had something to do with, he put his hands out and his head down. Before falling to his knees.
Allowing his drained, sweating, cut and bruised face to fall to the shadow of the moon. Allowing his hair, his Cloak, the Mask tied to his belt to flow in the wind. And his voice, to drip forward.
Gray: "...Then please…since the beginning you all wanted me. The Slums, The Mansion, even at the Castle, at Athens. If it means their lives, then…I'll let you take me as your prisoner."
Rosemary: "GRAY -
Pandora unleashed her glare once again, washing over them all in a thick wave. However it didn't unleash their sin. It just created such an incredible burden, that reality faded black. Leaving Gray and Gray alone to look on, and watch in absolute horror as Pandora began to rise into the air.
Pandora: "We've been awaiting you. Dear Vessel."
Wrapping around his neck, his ear, was an all to familiar darkness. Staring right toward her younger sister in anarchy.
Azalea: "But are you my vessel? Or are you a hero, huh?"
And somehow, for some reason, even if she meant to or not, it caused Gray to immediately rise. And scream out with all he had.
Gray: "I'M NO VESSLE, AND I'M NO QUITTER EITHER! I'M GRAY KYOJIN DAMMIT, AND SYMBOL IS FINISHED LIKE YOU SAID! DEFEATED, TAKEN BY WALGONIA! JUST LIKE ALL OF THE SECT! ALL OF YOUR UPPER PILLAR DEMON KING BASTARDS!"
Pandora: "YOOOU DARE!???!?"
Her voice cracked, ready to unleash a massive wave of sonic pressure across the land. Until she unleashed a different, closer, deeper. More painful scream, without the powerful theatrics. Instead, those theatrics came from the blazing blue lighting blasting against her. Surging, burning, tearing against the screaming Bird of Sin while all of his friends gasped for air. Out of the trance, and looking on as an Upper Pillar was crying out in pain. Before she finally broke free in a large wave of purple mana, a pulse from the charm to temporarily stop all the surrounding magic, before she was able to fly even higher above them. Staring out, as Leo almost collapsed to his knees. Having shot out his volatile blue lighting by pushing his Mark to his limit, with a little help of the Dragons fist. Breaking and burning two left fingers, and hurting the rest of his arm so much it felt like it had to be broken, but still. It managed to leave Pandora breathing hard, smoking, and uncertain just what to do next.
Leo: "IS IT TIME TO BAIL!?"
Gray: "I THINK SO! AS LONG AS WE CAN'T BEAT HER, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TOWN!?"
Lanner: "YEAH WHERE ARE THE OTHERS!?"
Leo: "STILL FIGHTING NEARBY! -
The ground was rumbling from Togi, against Dershia, Walter, Carlos, and Yui all fighting together through the forest ahead of the manor. Leaving large eruptions of force, earth, and ice, while the Sects remaining forces roared behind them to join the fight. And Gray, Rosemary, Soku, Edward, Julius, Lanner, and Leo all stood out of breath facing such an incredible monster. But Muther finally collapsed from his wounds, still bandaged, but without the strength to stand anymore. But, with a look and gasp between them all, and even with Pandora building with rage just ahead of them, all prepared. To protect and save each other, to survive, and look into the air toward Pandora. Ready to take on her madness, and push on to the Capital.
Pandora: "YOU ALL ARE TRULY NOTHING, NOTHING BUT SIN INCARNATE! AND I'LL MAKE IT TEAR ITS WAY OUT OF YOUR SOULS!"