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Post by Vincent Valentine on Sept 19, 2009 9:59:46 GMT -5
Nothing felt more cold than this moment.
Black raven hair whipped around his face in the sudden wind, his cloak flared out and away from his body as it's fabric rippled into non-existance, and all Vincent could feel was the world getting colder and colder around him. Like all the color and warmth in the world had died away, leaving only tones ranging between black and white, leaving only an post-apocalyptic world around him. He still had his gun leveled on the Heartless before him, and the scenery around them was that of Radiant Garden under siege by the Heartless, and yet all that Vincent could feel was detached and alone. Maybe that's how the Heartless wanted him to feel, so it would be easier to fight him, separate from his friends. And yet, it was not the Heartless that had influenced this emotion, but the image of Kairi looking helpless and bursting with tears before his eyes.
He had been like that at the very beginning.
Vulnerable, anguished, and tormented at the loss of control of his own body, he had gone through months and maybe years of loosing consciousness and waking up inside a different nightmare. The nightmares when he slept, and the ones he awoke to, never having any control over when it any of it would end. There was so many times when he just wanted to give up and die just to have it end, so he could pay for what he had done, and he was ashamed of himself for doing so. But more than that, in the times when he just wanted to wake up from the nightmares to do something about it, and he failed himself and everyone he cared about in doing so, trapped within the confines of his own mind and felt extremely powerless because of it. And in that moment putting her to rest at the doorway, Vincent had seen himself in Kairi, and he felt saddened she had to endure one moment of the excruciating pain he had gone through for almost an entire lifetime.
But where Vincent had started, Kairi was beginning her journey of discovering her own strength, a glimpse of which had only been seen here in this battle today. That which does not end us makes us stronger, and it certainly proved true for Kairi, and that is why Vincent had put her at the precipice of the battle so she could leap right back into it when she was ready. The keyblade only chose those with a strong heart, and Vincent didn't even have to look at her to feel the potential she had, like a light that was slowly giving itself permission to shine more brightly than it was. His tainted heart would always be bound to the powers of darkness, but the Princess of Heart had a light that was going to outshine him, one that could even scorch him if it wanted to. All it needed was a little time, a little patience to unlock itself, and the light of those around her that gave her light a reason to shine so brilliantly.
Vincent was modest in thinking he was not one of those, and even if he was, he did not want the keyblader to consider him one to rely on him that way. Or Sera, or anyone, for he was a dangerous man who only brought about danger and destruction around him. He did not to hang around them, for he would only bring them more threat and fear with his presence, that which he had felt almost his entire life. It was also that reason that gave Vincent something to fight for in return, for as long as the people he cared about were alive and breathing, he would fight for the end of their nightmares by becoming a living nightmare himself. He would endure the darkness and the pain, not because he was reborn of it, but because he would spare others of it and would have it no other way.
He watched as, out the corner of his eye, the battle of minds between the two psychic females had come to an end, and that there appeared to be no clear victor yet no deaths either. The orange-haired man spoke to him and he turned back to look at him with piercing crimson orbs, as he raised his hand, then reacted as a wave of tremendous amount of energy at him. Vincent crossed his gun back over his body to block the seemingly powerful attack, but when he blinked, he realized the exertion of energy was simply an illusion to cast them into another world. It had to be a trick of the mind, because the landscape his mind had brought him to could not in any other circumstances be real, and certainly impossible considering his condition. The cold remained condensed into his pale skin as the sky above them turned to twilight, and all Vincent could smell was mako. He turned his head up towards the sky above them, looking at the monstrous looming entity that towered above them.
Omega Weapon.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery had changed to the city of Midgar on his home world of Gaia, green tendrils of Lifestream energy impaled into each of the giant Mako reactors from the Planet's Weapon. The fail safe of the planet glowed the same ominous green of the Lifestream itself as energy pulsed through the tendrils into it's body, providing the twilight over the doomed ruins of the forgotten capital to be basked in it's foreboding light, and extending to that of the extended population of Edge nearby. Vincent had felt powerful in the moment Valerius had shot him, and this memory of standing at the foot of Omega Weapon had triggered the fabric of reality around him, the monstrous sight empowering Vincent more than intimidating him. Still glowing with the same red energy aura from before, Vincent did not answer Valerus, preferring to let the battle speak for him as he leveled his gun to point back at the human Heartless once more.
He wanted to end this madness. At least, that's what he was telling himself, and that he wanted a future where the people he considered his friends had a chance to shine their light.
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Post by kairi on Oct 4, 2009 11:51:12 GMT -5
Kairi was quickly back within the fray.
Never one to stand idly by--not ever again--she ran back into the town square. It seemed Maurelle and Sera had both awakened from whatever trance they had been in. Kairi had no wish to fathom what mental battle had commenced between them, and within that flash of light, her keyblade came forth once more. The Princess wanted to battle, needed to prove to herself that she was strong. Not just in heart, but in body and mind as well. Always waiting, and always rescued. Never fighting by her friends, never helping the way she wanted to. A self pity Kairi had never rid herself of, and even with that burning light within her, she could not help but doubt if she was as pure as everyone thought her to be. Dark thoughts plagued her more often than not, but maybe it was the strength to resist such darkness. Maybe that was the meaning to being a Princess of Heart.
Resisting the darkness of her own mind, and trying to be strong.
Glaring up at Maurelle, Kairi suddenly shot off a Blizzaga spell to distract the witch. She would not let Sera become a puppet for her to do with as she wished. Without even waiting to see if Maurelle dodged or countered her spell, she cast a Firagra spell, the flames swirling around her, and soon incinerating the remaining Heartless. Her oceanic orbs glittered brilliantly, and without thought, the young woman stood before Sera. Glaring up at the woman Heartless, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Running quickly, Kairi slashed her keyblade in front of her in a widening arc, a crescent shaped beam of light aiming at the Heartless. Wincing at the feeling she had from letting go of her own energy, Kairi skidded to a halt before jumping back.
Kairi could only hope Vincent was faring well enough.
Landing by Sera, she inhaled and exhaled deeply. Her chest rose and fell, and maybe it had not been such a great idea to run right back into battle. Oh, well, she was just too stubborn for her own good. There was no way she would let her home world fall to these Heartless, even if this was not her home anymore. Kairi just hoped everyone could pull through.
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Post by sera on Oct 5, 2009 18:33:33 GMT -5
Her body was shaking uncontrollably and the witch knew it. Sera had not done a technique like the one she had just done and it frightened her at how well it was performed. The woman knew that she would have hurt herself from the strain even more if the mental torture was continued but she was willing to die if it was possible to take down the Heartless Horsewoman with her. Fortunately for the both of them, Sera had fallen for the other psychic’s lie.
Sera was caught off guard when she felt Maurelle take control of her body for a few split moments but regained control as soon as the blizzard then a fire spell from Kairi was cast. It was too close and the psychic can still feel Maurelle pushing against the worn and possibly cracking barriers of her mind. The witch closed her violet eyes and concentrated on keeping Maurelle away from her mind.
Unconsciously, her hand lets go of her katana and falls limp against her side but the weapon itself, floated in midair, instead of falling to the pavement because of the laws of gravity, due her telekinesis.
The witch had felt her hand numb and reopens her eyes to see the katana hanging there without anything (no strings) but her mind holding it in place. Thank you. spoke Sera through telepathic means as a small smile forms on her face, “Move.” Her violet eyes were blinded momentarily from the Princess of Heart’s arc of light maneuver but recovered quickly.
When Kairi lands by the human psychic’s side, Sera takes her chance and grabs the hilt of the floating sword before running towards Maurelle. The fight could end in numerous ways but she had planned to slide out of the way to get behind her if the Heartless woman should decide to use the deadly whip. Her hand held the katana tight in her hand as she slashes at Maurelle’s back then her side before jumping away.
The witch had noticed Vincent’s absence though was unable to see him or his opponent, and silently hoped that his battle against the orange-haired Heartless Horseman would end well.
Panting, Sera was struggling against Maurelle for control of her own body that could be used to the Heartless’ advantage or worse if she figures out what abilities That alone was a frightening thought (and possibility) to behold and should never happen if the witch could help it. Her body was shaking as her mind managed to hold up the barrier that she feared was starting to crack and the grip of the hilt of her katana tightened though the witch knew that if she failed to push the Heartless away, she should somehow keep it away from herself. It was simply logical to keep a weapon away from a person when that person becomes ‘possessed’. Sera hoped that Kairi would be strong enough to take her down without hesitation if Maurelle succeeded in taking over her body. The witch might be strong enough to hold herself in place but taking her own body back would be another struggle altogether. Grace prayed inside her mind that this certain future won’t ever come.
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Valerius
Heartless/Nobody
The Harbinger
You? Kill me? I decline.
Posts: 46
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Post by Valerius on Oct 6, 2009 15:01:13 GMT -5
If there was one thing Valerius could say about the new playing field, well, he would say that this guy had quite the imagination. Valerius never knew what to expect when he used this particular trick, but generally it was something a little more mundane. Of course that could be because he had used it on more mundane people, the red-cloaked man was certainly the most interesting person he had ever used this power on. After glancing around to get a good view of the scenery he looked back to Vincent, who had his gun aimed at the Heartless. He couldn't help but smirk at the man, this guy was quite the character indeed if he wasn't shaking in his boots at the large creature towering over them.
Valerius couldn't feel fear even if he wanted to, he was heartless in more ways then one. He never understood what the real difference between being a Heartless and a Nobody was, either way you couldn't feel anything. He supposed that of all things Heartless had the urge to mindlessly destroy, Valerius could feel it even now, and Nobodies felt nothing, not one damn thing. He raised his sword so that the blade rested on his shoulder, placing his other hand on his hip as he stared down his opponent. "Not impressed, huh?" He didn't make any move on Vincent, the point wasn't to fight as soon as possible. No, the main point of this technique was to learn more about his opponent, get inside their head.
Unfortunately it seemed that this guy wasn't one to leave the door to his mind open. It sucked, Valerius wanted to learn more about him. He didn't even know the guys name, but so far he had put up on heck of a fight. "So I guess you don't get scared?" Valerius let out a small chuckle at the question, he knew he probably wouldn't get an answer from the red-cloaked man. Of all the things Valerius had learned from fighting this guy, he had to say that the strongest impression he got was from his lack of talking. This guy never said a word, barely even grunted when he got hit. He knew pain, and he knew isolation.
"You know what? I think I get it." Valerius raised his hand from his hip to place his fingers on his chin. "I think that you're afraid, I really do." Valerius dropped his arm to his side and moved his blade so that it pointed at Vincent. "I think that you're different from normal people though, I think that you draw strength from that fear." It was all becoming clear to Valerius now, it seemed it really was learning something about his opponent after all. "How many people have you let down in your life, that you would be so afraid to fail again?"
Valerius leaned forward, his smirk now gone. "You don't live to be happy like the guy, you live to make amends." Valerius stood up straight again, his sword now pointing at the ground. "Am I wrong?" As much as Valerius was enjoying this conversation, he knew that it was only a matter of time before the fighting started again. To his surprise though, he felt something that changed everything. The battle was pointless now.
The Heartless had won.
Valerius placed his hand over half of his face and let go of his blade, causing it to vanish into the darkness he summoned it from, letting out a laugh that looked a little too enjoyable. "Looks like it's over, pal. The higher-ups did their job, just like I've been doing mine. It's been fun though, look for me the next time you're on the battlefield, yeah?" With a wave of his hand, Valerius dismissed the illusion he had trapped Vincent in, causing them to come back to Radiant Garden and the others. Generally when someone left the illusion they were disoriented at the sudden change, though Valerius wouldn't be entirely surprised if this guy was tough enough to not even be phased.
He looked over to Maurelle as he waved his hand again and opened a dark portal behind him, so that if Vincent tried anything he would just have to take one step back. "Mara, let's ditch this scene!" He knew Maurelle would have recieved the same feeling he had, that she would know what had happened, but he felt inclined to tell her anyways. He looked back to Vincent one last time, giving him a small salute. "Later dude." With that Valerius took one step back and left Radiant Garden.
{Valerius has left the thread}
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Post by Maurelle on Oct 6, 2009 15:22:37 GMT -5
Maurelle had managed to get full control over Sera. But this power didn't last too long. Mara was so focused on Sera and controlling the psychic that she had forgot the Princess of Heart. Mara didn't understand why the Princess had stopped her assault on the heartless attacking her to advance on Mara. But, obviously the changes in Sera's demeanor proved something was wrong. This Kairi figure made a good judgment call this round. Valerius seemed to be handling his fight well enough that he was keeping Vincent away from her and the two females she was fighting. But, the blizzard magic hit her hard and pulled all concentration off of Sera. Mara was knocked back with a growl. Thankfully only the outside of her right arm was frosted over lightly. It was nothing deadly. Mara took a second to shakes her arm to get the ice crystals off of it and from preventing any other effects. This time she was ready for the Princess's attack. Maruelle jumped back and put her hand out to take most of the blow. With a irritated face she shook her hand and blew on it. That was actually warmer then she had expected it to be. She was also ready for the keyblade being swung at her. She used her whip to simply block the blade from making contact. She was not seriously damaged in the slightest. That's when she stepped forward again and felt the same wave that Valerius had experienced. This fight was over. Maurelle looked squarely at Valerius as he appeared. A grin was strewn across the Enchantresses face as she looked back at her targets. 'Mara, let's ditch this scene!' "I'm coming, Val!" Was her reply as she began to back up towards Valerius's position. "Well, seems we kept you distracted long enough to achieve our real target world." The Heartless smirked. "You've lost and you don't even know it. It was a pleasure fighting you, I suppose. Good day." Maurelle bowed low before portalling out right after Valerius. [Maurelle has left the thread]
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Post by Vincent Valentine on Oct 8, 2009 4:23:15 GMT -5
His opponent started talking, doing enough talking for the both of them, and the man in crimson recognized it was the kind of talk that was aimed to distract and get into his head. Vincent kept his focus on the man's blade pointed out in front of him, waiting for when he would strike unexpectedly and half-listening to his banter, but no aggressive movement came. It was not until the man started to leave in a portal of darkness did the gravity of what the man's words meant sunk in, allowing his mind to process them now it was safe to be lost in thought, as he lowered his gun and watched the two Heartless leave. He let out a short, brief sigh of relief. The red aura that pulsed over his body ebbed and slowly faded away, Chao's power retreating back into the depths of his rugged body. There was no point in pursing the enemy now, he had prevented their assault on Radiant Garden, even if that had not been their main intention. The wind softly tugged at his raven hair and red cape, silence falling once more, the Heartless all disappearing back into the shadows they had appeared from.
The battle was over, but the war was just beginning.
He calmed his breathing, and felt his heartbeat slow. He did not dwell on the orange haired man's words much, as he was only making guesses, having tried to find some kind of weakness of his to take advantage of the situation. The man had been partially right - he did draw strength from his weaknesses, his fear. But he was wrong that he let people down in his life... it had only been Lucrecia, whom he had felt guilty having done nothing to stop the creation of Sephiroth, and another woman he didn't deserve to think of in this situation. He had let her see past his hard and weathered stone-washed skin, and she had was hoping her memories would fade of that she no longer liked to see anymore... that of a monster. Whatever he had done, he was sorry, but that would never be enough. He wasn't afraid of letting them down, not anymore... he had made his redemption to Lucrecia long ago. Moreso, he was afraid of loosing the people who had chosen to include him in their lives, and those he cared about in return.
And those that were left.
Considering this, he remembered the brave and powerful women that had been fighting alongside him, and broke out of the thought to jump from the rooftops to check on their status. He found Sera nearby and calmly strolled up to her and the Princess of Heart, noticing she was shaking from the battle she had with Maurelle, but otherwise she appeared alright. Vincent nodded to her in respect, and then turned to look at Kairi with deep amber-red eyes, who's chest was rising up and down as she breathed in and out deeply. She seemed fine, but there was a fierce glint of determination in her eyes, that she would protect this world with all her strength. "You both did exceptionally well. You were willing to give your lives to save this world, and the people who call it home... you both are stronger than you know." he told them simply, confident he was leaving the world of Radiant Garden in safe hands, and with a whirl of his tattered cloak behind him he turned around and slowly walked away.
Vincent has left the thread.
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Post by kairi on Oct 11, 2009 11:22:59 GMT -5
Oceanic orbs widened as Valerius suddenly appeared out of thin air.
Well, that certainly had to be a useful trick. Something did not feel exactly right. Yes, they had all prevented Radiant Garden from being taken over, but had it been the real target all along? A realization came upon the Princess, and she wanted to stamp her feet and shout in frustration. What world had been taken over? Who had been hurt? Had any hearts been lost? Kairi felt the worry and stress eat away at her heart once more, but there was no time to linger on the possibilities on what could have happened. Even if they had taken on a world, she had to stay positive. Everything would turn out as it should in the end, even if it was not what she would have liked. The future could always change, and she watched with a cautious expression as the Heartless suddenly created a dark portal. This did not bode well for anyone in the end.
Her fears were confirmed by the vile woman.
Kairi felt her heart drop, and even with this small victory, she still felt like she had done nothing. Perhaps she was being too hard on herself, but she was always to pessimistic about her own capabilities. All the Princess could do was continue in her own journey to become stronger. Glancing to Sera with a gentle smile, she raised her keyblade into the air, casting a hasty Curaga spell. Perhaps the loss of energy was merely from the mental exertion, but it would be comforting to have some curative energy to revive her~! Kairi allowed her keyblade to disappear within a flash of light, and she looked to Vincent as he came over to them. Forcing a smile on her lips, his words felt empty to her. Not that what he said himself was empty, but Kairi knew she could have done better, but they did little to raise her confidence. "It's not enough, though," she murmured quietly.
Without another look, Kairi departed, left to her own thoughts and musings. There had to be a way to gain more strength--to help all of her friends. The Princess would find the answer, and she was determined more than every to continue her endless path.
[Kairi has exited the thread.]
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Post by Larxene on Oct 12, 2009 15:42:29 GMT -5
People Who Still Need To Exit Seraphina Grace
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Post by sera on Oct 12, 2009 19:20:17 GMT -5
Despite her shaking body's protest, Sera herself had been about to strike Maurelle again when her words about this now meaningless victory had distracted her mind away from thoughts of battle. Her violet eyes glared daggers, if not swords and flaming pitchforks, at the female Heartless. A different world had truly fallen while we were protecting Radiant Garden?wondered the psychic as she took a shaky step forward but fell to her knee with her katana as her support like a knight would kneel to his king though there was none. The witch was glad that the Heartless woman had disappeared through a portal of darkness (da**ed things) before her moment of weakness. The witch did not know how well the Princess of Heart and the crimson man will take the news (She had completely blocked their thoughts away from her own and now her mind is dwelling in blissful silence.) but she knew that it would be more than likely not a positive reaction. Usually a carefully planned tactic (Unless this whole fiasco was fluked and just plain Fate playing with her stupid voodoo dolls again.) that was almost performed to perfection meant that there was either a huge battle or a long lasting war heading their way. Hopefully it would not be the latter. Frowning with her mind obviously in thought, she had been staring at the black pavement until Vincent walked over to them and told them that they were stronger than they knew before leaving the battle scene but Sera's instinct felt it was out of sympathy. The witch would have made a sarcastic comment to his statement if it weren't for the fact that it was true. The psychic had never known that she was this strong until this fight and her own strength had scared her to be honest. Her mental exhaustion was, even if temporarily, relieved by Kairi's Curaga spell and she was correct. It was caused by mental exertion from the sucidal technique that Sera had willingly forced upon herself and Maurelle. Vincent was correct that the witch would of given her life to take down the Heartless Horsewoman to give Radiant Garden, Gaia, and the unknown world that had just fallen a fighting chance. The mind cannot live without a body but the body itself cannot hold more than one. Thank you and take care.said Seraphina to Kairi through telepathic means for the reason that she feared that her voice would be still shaking when her body wasn't for the time being. She stood up and turned her back away at the opposite direction from the two departing comrades. Her eyes studied the night sky that was beginning to awaken to a new dawn and day. Had they really been fighting for that long? Her eyes closed as her mind reached over to check the mind's of the citizens of this area and it would appear that other than the three of them, they were all still asleep. Their fight had surprisingly not awaken them and the battle would not be recorded in the history books that Maurelle and Vincent so desired but it would be recorded in the history book called Memories of Universal Time. Seraphina glanced once more at the sky before departing from the battleground as well. It wouldn't hurt to spend a little of the munny she was saving at a hotel to sleep the exhaustion off. Walking away, the witch glanced back and shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts of a future war that might come as result to this small victory and the fallen world. This battle was over and should be buried in the darker depths of her mind for the time being. And it would appear that the citizen soldiers of the worlds decides the fate of this universe. ((OOC: There is no book called the Memories of Universal Time.. I just made it up though it would be cool to have one in existence.))
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Post by Larxene on Oct 13, 2009 18:26:13 GMT -5
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