"It is true that I am a giver of power. I can resurrect the dead, you've seen that for yourself. However, my soul is not for me to give. I was sealed hundreds of years ago, even now my soul in binded to the man who sealed me. Although he has died long ago, his descendants maintain the seal on me. The death of Jordan of the Whirlwind Spear, the descendant, will be the beginning of my life." He said to Steel.
"Besides, a pact with me? I'm more than willing to do it, but are you sure you want to live with what could happen to you?"
"Don't be coy. I'm not an ignoramus. Much of the power in your soul may be sealed, but I can feel that enough is free to perform the pact I have in mind. One which, incidentally, requires only that I accomplish one task for you. No danger to me is involved. Do not think to manipulate me, it can only end poorly for you. Now," Steel tapped his foot impatiently. "Do you agree or no?"
"He is sharp. Perhaps a pact with this man could prove to my advantage." he thought.
"Sharing strength, sharing weaknesses and perhaps more. A pact for your service and a pact for mine. Please understand that our lives are about to be bound together. If I die, you shall surely lose your own life."
Crowe took his hand, glowing a dark violet color and reached out for his soul. There was a sharp pain, but he could bare it. His face didn't even flinch. He vanished and reappeared in front of Steel. He took his other hand and reached inside for Steel's soul. He had gotten a firm grip on the mass, all too familiar with the process of taking someone's soul out. The pain was agonizing, but Steel surprisingly took it well. Although, it was still obvious he was in pain. Crowe removed Steel's soul, his own soul in the other hand. Comparing the two, you could tell which was human and which was obviously not. Crowe merged the two of them together, a brilliant light shone from the impact.
The light faded, the two souls were gone. Crowe stood there, smiling as horribly as before.
"Pact complete." He said to Steel.
"Did you think that pact require blood? Ah, such nonsense. Merely a rumor made to scare weaker men."
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 02 December 2007 - 09:45 PM
"Oh, I don't doubt it..." Shadow said. "Actually, I've had the feeling I was being watched ever since we left the Fortress. I wonder who..."
----------
Z was still watching Shadow, laughing to himself; he still hadn't figured it out? "Uhh... Seth? You might want to look at this..." Koran said in a nervous tone.
"What is it?" He asked, stepped away from the dark cloud he'd formed an walking over to another one that Koran and Hali were looking at. It showed Crowe and... "Steel Samurai?" he said, blinking. "That damned swordsman again. What could Crowe want with him...?"
And so they watched, making sure to get every detail of their conversation. Steel had made a pact with Crowe, to kill Shadow. "Well... crap." Hali said. "If Steel gets Crowe on his side, he'll no doubt come after us eventually. We can handle one of them, but both?"
However, Z wasn't nearly as worried as Hali and Koran were.
He was laughing. Laughing like a madman.
"Sethy, are you alright...?" Hali asked, concerned for his sanity.
"Crowe, you damned fool!" Z said, very enthusiastic. "He must not see the opporunity he's given us!"
"Penny for your thoughts?" Koran asked.
"The pact consists of Steel killing Shadow..." Z began. "However, that pact will be broken if Shadow dies before Steel cuts him down. You, Hali will be the one to do that. As for you, Koran... you will use the Water Key and finish off Steel and Crowe after the pact is broken, leaving them in a weakened state."
"You want Hali to do it? She's Fire Elemental! Shadow could just turn her fire back on her!" Koran warned.
Z chuckled. "Hali, it's time to show Koran your little surprise..."
Hali smiled sadistically and took something from her cloak; a red gem. It bared a major resemblance to the Key of Water, only shining red. Koran pulled up his cloak to shield himself from the heat, eventually taking out the Water Key to counteract it. The key's energies and lights filled the room. "I fetched it a while ago. Shadow won't stand a chance."
"Heheheheh..." Z laughed. "This is perfect... we can use this two-pronged attack to eliminate three of our main problems in one fell swoop... waste no time, we have no idea when Crowe will catch on to us."
"What about Shadow's running buddies?" Hali asked.
"Do as you wish with them; killing them would help." Z said. "Now... GO!" he ordered.
And so they did. Hali flew teleported off into Shadow and co's direction, while Koran teleported to a remote area nearby Crowe and Steel; he went far so he wouldn't be noticed early. Z looked out the window and laughed madly.
The pieces were set. The scenario was in action. The last round of the game was about to be played. Jordan of the Whirlwind Spear, Ken and Shadow on the offensive. The wraith Crowe and his pact partner Steel Samurai on the defensive. Even the Sins Hali and Koran would serve as a third party. As they all traveled to their destined locations, a battle to determine the lives of countless people was to fought, cloaked by the shadows of history.
Jordan and his party travelled throughout the rest of the day and into the night. They rested on the way in a forest they had entered. As they all sat around a make shift campfire, they bide their time until the moment came to move out once more. But where exactly were these people going to? A lost sanctuary in the heart of this forest. It has served as a holy place in days gone by, and after that a home to the ancient dorm of valiant warriors, the Hall of Heroes. It was there that Jordan was traveling to, in order solve the mysteries behind Crowe when he first met him back in Plentrich. Sure enough, he had figured out who his was during the journey. But he still needed to go to this place, to settle things once and for all between Crowe and Pharos' line.
Jordan remembered about the original note Crowe had given to him back in the tavern in Plentrich. He took it out of his boot, unfolding the worn message.
"Some called Pharos a hero. Don't you think it's time you find out whether you are a hero too?"
Jordan placed the message in his pouch rather than his boot.
"Heh, stupid ghoul. I'm not a hero." He said to himself as he looked up at the night sky.
The party woke up the next morning early. The sun had yet to rise. They collected their things and began their journey again. The moved fast and reached a large clearing in the forest. The eye of the storm perhaps, as it was at least another mile on all ends till you reached the forest again. A large stone building lay on the horizon, the sun beginning to rise. Jordan bore a solemn expression, knowing he might be walking to his own death. He didn't care about that though, as hard as it was not to care. He would finally come to terms with what exactly it meant to be a blood descendant of a man who was once called a hero.
Crowe sat in his stone seat patiently, waiting for Jordan. He looked over to Steel, standing by near the exit of the large chapel room.
"He is close." He said to Steel, rising from his seat. Steel moved from his place and headed towards the exit.
"Steel, you can hear my traveled thoughts now because of the pact. Please remember that with this pact you may have become stronger but you also rely on me to live as I also rely on you. Don't die."
Steel left the room, as if he were ignoring what Crowe said. As he began to walk around, he noticed another shift in his domain. Someone had also arrived in his territory. It seemed as thought they arrived much sooner than he had noticed. He smiled, taking off his cloak and revealing his face.
"Z, you sent more flies into my home? I suppose it can't helped, pretentious fool."
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2007 - 09:22 AM
"I would watch who you are calling the fool, if I were you, or a fly for that matter... I've been watching your every move ever since your battle at Plentrich..."
Z was amused; it looked like Crowe hadn't even noticed that there was more than one intruder in his sancutary, and he was right behind him.
Z laughed. "You made a new pact, although I expected someone a little less... dangerous." he said. "I know Steel well enough that he can hold quite the grudge. Should he be unable to complete his part of the bargain, the first person he will seek to destroy... is you. With the intention of undoing the pact."
Z stepped closer to Crowe; he felt no fear from this wraith from what he did to Koran.
"And I have made sure of that. I promise you, Shadow will not live to see the light of the next day."
Then all of the sudden, Z passed right through Crowe. Clearly not the real thing, just a projection made by the darkness of this place.
"Just so you know that you can't do a thing to me."
Edited by Shadow_Link, 04 December 2007 - 09:26 AM.
"Seth, you actually thought out your arrival. I'm ever so proud of you. But you must be mistaken, I never did any battle in Plentrich. It seems that I've called your bluff." He said to the projection.
"Steel's true disposition is the reason why I chose to make a pact with that man. Someone who doesn't fear death and who can do whatever his sword calls him to do. A perfect warrior. I don't care even if he tries to kill me without the pact being broken, it's not like I'm living right now."
Crowe sat back down on his seat.
"As much as a child like you annoys me, please feel free to watch. You might just learn something new."
Outside, Jordan and the others continued to walk towards their destination. Only the sounds of birds and the breeze where heard in that large plain, truly the calm before the storm. Sadly, this peace couldn't be appreciated, for only battle would await them. Everyone was silent, most likely thinking the same thing an mentally preparing themselves. However, there was a change. The wind took a new scent, the smell of ciders and ash consumed Jordan's senses.
"Damn, and here I thought we could waltz right in." He said as his took out one of his spears.
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2007 - 01:46 PM
(I didn't know where the golem fight was, I thought it was Plentirich. >_>)
"You forget one important fact, not having a real body doesn't mean you're not alive. You still have a soul; that's all that needs to be killed, and that's going to happen to you or Steel eventually... just wait and see." Z said.
----------
Shadow drew his sword on instinct, his senses suddenly aflame. He'd down a poition or two which he'd bought from that old merchant town way back when, although his arm still wasn't totally healed. He tried to ignore it. "I can feel it... something very strong is heading this way!"
As if on cue, a large ring of fire sprouted up from nowhere, surrounding all three warriors. The power he sensed was getting closer. A human-sized fireball flew in from the west, stopping just above the ground inside the fire. The fireball dissipated, and in its wake was a rather beautiful woman with a red cloak. The red cloak, and a strong control of an element. Shadow put two-and-two together and gulped.
"The Sin of Fire, I'm guessing?" Shadow said, trying to sound calm. This one was way different from Koran; he sensed a power way stronger than his coming from her. Why, he didn't know, but it frightened him.
"Why, yes I am; call me Hali. The pleasure is all mine..." she said, taking a bow. She was still hovering. "Sorry, kiddies, but I can't let you go past this point." she said, taking something out of her cloak. A red gem, illuminating the whole area with a strange light. "Consider it an honor to be done in by a piece of the ultimate power."
Shadow stepped back; he now knew where the power was coming from, that gem. And there was a LOT of it. "The... Key of Fire, right...?"
Hali smirked. "So you know how I'm going to kill you. I'm so FLATTERED!"
With those last words, the key suddenly started glowing much brighter until it dissolved into a mist that clinged onto Hali's body. All of the sudden, an orb of white hot flame surrounded her whole body. Shadow stepped back again, this time not of his own will; the force of this action was so great that he barely kept his balance. He'd never felt so much magic power released at once!
The orb of fire suddenly parted by a pair of flaming wings batting it away from the inside out. There was now a different Hali inside this ring of fire with then; instead of her cloak, she wore a shiny red, full body armor with a red gem in the middle. She also had a visor on her head that covered her green eyes, and the helemt it was attached to trailed off into three spikes at the back, allowing her long blonde hair to flow.
Only one thought went through Shadow's mind, which he spoke aloud to Jordan and Ken. "This is gonna be hell..."
(Want battle music? xD )
Edited by Shadow_Link, 04 December 2007 - 01:47 PM.
Location:I have been where I have been, I am where I am, and I shall be where I shall be.
Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2007 - 02:58 PM
Ken was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the fire ring, and then after that by Hali's transformation. However, he got a grip on himself. This person was definitely trying to keep them from reaching Crowe, and that meant she had to me moved out of the way.
"I don't have time for you!" he shouted.
Ken snapped into his fighting stance, drawing his sword and stomping down his foot to brace himself for it's heavy weight. He took in a deep breath of the hot air around him, though his one-track thoughts did not mind the heat. He ground his feet to the dirt and charged as fast as he could, swinging the mighty sword in a long, horizontal swipe.
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2007 - 03:23 PM
IMPORTANT OOC:
Remember that Hali is NPC; you can control her in this fight, but bare in mind that with the Fire Key in her possession, she is by no means weak. As for her attacks:
-2 flaming katanas (main weapons) -Flame Sphere (throws them) -Eruption (spawns flaming pillars where ever she wishes) -Fire Spin (rolls around the edge or bounces around the fire ring like a large, flaming pinball) -teleport (duh) -flight (not usually, but since she now has the wings, she can do this and quite fast at that)
Got it? Good.
end OOC
----------
In a blur of red light, Hali had vanished, Ken's sword slicing through the air where she once was. Shadow looked around; the ring of fire was still here, so she wasn't gone. Hali reappeared a few feet behind Ken, now with a flaming katana in either hand and one hand pointed at Ken. "You should take this a bit more seriously; do you realize the danger you're in? FLAME SPHERE!"
A ball of fire spawned in Hali's outstretched hand, which then shot off like a missile at Ken. Shadow reacted by taking out his Fire Rod in an attempt to divert the ball away, but he only did so barely; there was so much heat in that attack that he almost exhausted himself in moving it away. "Damn, what power!"
OoC: Plentrich is where the story started, the last battle was fought in Sornaiid.
The heat was intense. Jordan didn't want to make any careless moves, but what could he do? The ring of fire was too large to scatter as long as this Hali had maintained it. He could fan the flames with wind, but Hali could most likely control fire better than he could. And on top of all that, she was using some sort of power to enhance her strength. In other words, a very lousy situation.
Jordan held onto his spear, gripping the weapon as hard as he could. Using wind manipulation, he leaped into the air at an unearthly speed. 20. . 30. . . 40 . . .50 feet. He was well over the ring of fire that had surrounded Ken and Shadow. The clean air above the ring of fire was cool, a refreshing change compared to Hali's magic. Jordan took a deep breath, inhaling what could be the last bit of fresh air he would have for a while. He exhaled as he began his descent downward. His speed increasing, the wind forming around his and his weapon like an aura.
Hali saw the attack coming and came to meet her attacker in the sky, her armor's burning wings propelling her up. The two of them met in midair, her flames and Jordan's wind colliding into each other as their weapons clashed.
"She has the strength to hold up my accelerated attack? This Key of Fire is really something." He thought as he struggled to maintain his position.
Jordan let up his attack and landed in the ring of fire, Hali still above them in the air. He called out his second spear, the weapon leaving it's sling and floated by Jordan's side. He grabbed the weapon briskly and swung both of them in different directions horizontally. A large gust of wind was called forth, scattering most of the ring of fire and blew Hali back. It didn't do much damage to her at all, but at least mobility was now a certain thing. Jordan released his second spear as the wind he controlled placed it back into it's sling.
"Technically I'm at an elemental disadvantage here, but even an underdog like me can do something to piss you off." He said, bearing a familiar grin of determination and ambition.
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2007 - 08:28 PM
(k)
Shadow was busy thinking of a way he could get into the action. His Fire Rod was definately out of the question, since his foe was not only fire-elemental, but wicked strong in that department as he had just learned. Hookshot? No, she'd melt its fragile metal into slag. He hadn't quite figured out how to make freeze bombs yet, so explosives were out of the equation as well. His metal hammer?
Perfect; tough enough to at least give Hali's spiffy new armor a rattling. His sword could help in parrying her katanas too. He'd decided how he was going to battle. Shame there was nothing in the immediate area to use for backup, though; it was going to be an all-out slugfest for him.
"Let's see if I can't cave in that new helmet of yours, huh?" Shadow said, regaining some of his confidence. If Jordan could hold her off, he could too. He drew his sword and took out his hammer, then went on the attack with a sprint.
"Can't find out if you can't get to me. ERUPTION!" Hali fired back, tossing a katana into the air and snapping the respective hand's fingers. As she regrabbed the katana, the Earth began to rumble. A pillar of flame sudden blew out of the Earth between Shadow and Hali
"WHOA! BRAKES!" Shadow said in alarm, barely skidding to a stop before he ran right into the pillar of death. But the shaking hadn't stopped; was Hali not finished her attack? Shadow looked around, seeing two more pillars of fire sprout up around the area. And there were more coming. "Move it or lose it, guys!" he warned, jumping away from where he was standing just in time to avoid a flame pillar that sprouted there.
Steel stood on the tip top of the tower of the Sanctuary, his feet planted on a narrow chimney. His long hair blew out beside his face in the breeze. The sun was about to come up. Up here, he could focus his thoughts, quiet his heart, and prepare mentally for the battle to come. He had not felt this peace in the years since he had lost his sight. Despite what he had told Crowe, it was good to be able to see again. His ability to sense auras and what was going on around him had been good, but made it difficult to climb and therefore perform actions such as this. Not impossible, but difficult. A bright flame lit up the sky behind him, revealing a battle in progress, but he paid it no mind. There would be blood on his blade tonight, whose it would be he did not yet know, but the fact was a certainty. He slowly undid the cloth around his waist, holding his heavy linen kimono in place, then, with a sudden movement, flung the article of clothing from him, revealing black, skin-tight shirt and trousers underneath. Steel pulled his mask up over his mouth and nose, and then let himself fall backwards, twisting like a cat in midair to land upon his feet. He picked up his swords from where they had been lying on the ground, barely an inch from his feet, and strapped them on, then rose. Steel, personal assassin and bodyguard to Dark Juno and second in command of the Forsaken Fortress, had returned.
Location:I have been where I have been, I am where I am, and I shall be where I shall be.
Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2007 - 11:17 PM
Ken cried out in pain, clasping a hand over his arm where a small, smoking hole in the cloth revealed a third-degree burn. He clutched the wound and watched as the fight ensued. He eventually stood up, but made another cry of pain as he tried lifting his sword. He could only fight two-handed with the heavy weapon, and the burn did nothing to help.
"What's the matter little boy? Can't take the heat? Hali taunted as teleported just behind Ken.
Ken gritted his teeth in a snarl and fought through the pain long enough to deliver a slash - to a now empty space of air. He regained his composure, trying to ignore the pain.
Jordan looked over at the pillars of fire that came from the ground.
"Attacking like this is a cheap trick!" Jordan shouted at Hali.
"Cheap? It's called strategy!" She replied.
Jordan leaped into the air once again to resume the mid-air battle. Hali saw his attack coming and countered with her own charge. Jordan lunged his spear at her, only for Hali to swiftly dodge the attack and counter with her own. Jordan quickly avoided her attack using the wind to accelerate his speed. Hali kicked Jordan as he avoided her first attack, sending him towards a recently sprouted pillar of fire. Jordan couldn't maneuver while being propelled towards the ground by her kick. He released his spear from his grip and began controlling it in midair via wind manipulation, using it to create a gust to blow him off course so his body wouldn't hit the fire directly. His body grazed the pillar, inflicting some burns on his arm and side, but at least he wasn't dead. As his body impacted on the ground, he used the momentum of the crash to help himself to his feet faster.
"Oh, it seems you are quick on your toes." Hali said mockingly.
Jordan only smiled. Hali became somewhat confused as to why someone would smile when they are burned.
"Wait. . . where is his second. . . "
Right as she realized it, Jordan second spear came crashing down from the sky, using her "Eruption" as a cover when it was released. She barely managed to avoid the projectile, even with her increased speed and teleportation abilities. Jordan spear missed Hali's body, but managed to knock one of her swords out of her grasp. As the flaming katana fell to the earth, the weapon became disenchanted as its flames died away. Jordan charged with his spear and lunged it at the falling weapon, shattering it into several pieces before it could hit the ground. Jordan recalled his spear which had fallen to the ground and leaped backward to avoid anymore "eruptions".
"Well, it's a start." Jordan said with a smug look on his face. Hali's patience was beginning to wane as Jordan continued to pester her again.
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 05 December 2007 - 10:30 AM
Hali shrieked with rage. "That sword was in my family for generations! How dare you! FLAME--"
"Behind you!" Shadow said in a singsong voice, having used his magic boots to jump up where Hali was. Being so enraged and proeoccupied with preparing her Flame Sphere attack, there was nothing she could do to prevent Shadow's sword and hammer smashing into her head. His earlier hopes about caving that helmet in went unfounded, which annoyed him, but there was obvious damage since Hali screamed with surprise as she spun towards the ground. It was then that her damn Eruption attack had finally stopped.
Shadow used this opening the moment Hali landed. He let loose with his hammer and sword, still not getting through her armor; what boggled him was that it wasn't even rattling, and yet Hali was still screeching in pain. When the Sin of Fire had finally managed to jump away, she was beyond pissed. "That's it! FIRE SPIN!"
She suddenly turned into a fireball again, similar to the one she'd arrived in, but this one was bigger and spinning faster. Without warning she launched at Shadow, who jumped out of the way but got a burn to his already injured arm. His largely audible curse was sign of the pain as he dropped his sword. Hali's attack didn't stop, however; she was still spinning, using some unknown law of physics to bounce off of the ring of fire that surrounded them. She'd turned this battle into a pinball game, and Shadow and company were the bumpers.
Humans would not make good bumpers for a flaming ball of death, Shadow knew this right away.
Edited by Shadow_Link, 05 December 2007 - 10:30 AM.
"You've got to be kidding me. . ." Jordan said as the ball of fire headed straight towards him.
He tried to back away but accidentally tripped on a crater created by Hali's previous attack. He fell backwards into the hole, which was far deeper than he had anticipated. He fell head first several feet down and landed on hot earth. He had enough room to get to his feet and watched as Hali's attack passed over him. To anyone on the surface, it seemed as though Jordan had disintegrated in an instant.
Moving his feet up and down as the ground burned the bottom of his boots, he noticed that this hole had several smaller holes along its walls. Could all the craters Hali's eruption caused be all connected? Jordan decided to stick around below the earth, formulating a plan.
OoC: As much as I hate to double post, meh. Might as well give this message a reason to exist:
Jordan's attacks:
Wind Manipulation: The act of controlling one's body and/or various weapons with the wind. Can hold them in midair, turn them into projectiles etc. Gives Jordan an increase of speed and weightlessness, which result in him being able to jump high and dodge abnormally quickly. Current Control: Allows Jordan to create gusts and twisters with his spear strikes The Flying Techique: Using constant gusts of wind, Jordan can propel himself in midair for extended periods of time. One of his more dangerous techniques for him. Sandstorm: By collecting wind with his spear (Rotaing it like a windmill blade) and sending it into the sandy ground, Jordan calls up a large wave of sand. Earth Dragon's Fang: By collecting wind with his spear(s) (Rotaing them like windmill blades one on each side) and sending it into the ground, Jordan creates twin twisters that convene at a single point, creating a larger maelstrom that may also contain large chunks of stone and earth. ???- yet to be shown. IC:
Hali continued her assault on the surface, Ken and Shadow swiftly dodging her attacks by the mere hairs on their heads. But what of Jordan? He remained below ground, planning his next strike. He looked around his surroundings of his hole, there wasn't too much room to use his spear but a decent amount of space to walk around in. He took his spear and and held it straight up, the sharp point facing the light coming from the surface. Several small currents of air began to flow into the trenches created by Hali, all of them meeting at Jordan's location. Jordan closed his eyes, calming himself for the next and possibly final attack.
With his sight gone for the time being, thoughts of Gwen came to his mind. They proved to be a distraction for Jordan, who tried to drive them from his mind to focus on the battle. A sensation of intense heat drew near, the attack would occur soon. She arrived directly above his location, Jordan launched himself from the hole using the wind he had gathered to increase his jump. It was a direct hit, Jordan pushing back the giant ball of flames away from the ground and back into midair. The flames were too intense for Jordan, the flames scorching him from a distance as the two of them lifted into the air.
Hali extinguished the flames around her and attempted to strike Jordan down with her second katana. Jordan moved his spear in front of the fiery weapon, holding it back as best as he could.
"You. . . I'm going to kill you for all the trouble you've caused me! Flame Sphere!"
Her free hand's attack hit Jordan, sending him downward. However, his armor had taken most of the strike, protecting him from most of the damage. As Jordan fell, He called out his second spear again, using it to create a tailwind behind him with his wind manipulation, propelling him up for another strike. He lunged his spear at Hali, who teleported seconds before the edge made contact and reappeared behind Jordan
"Flame. . ." She chanted as her hands began to glow with fire.
"CHECKMATE!" Jordan cried before she could finish.
His second spear came rushing up from it's lower point, it's edge facing upward. Hali saw the attack coming, and teleported again. Jordan caught the traveling weapon with his hand as Hali reappeared in front of Jordan.
"Did you think that attack would work on me twice? You Fool!" She cried, taunting Jordan as he landed on the ground.
Jordan relesed both of his spears and began spinning them like windmill blades on each side of him, the same way his strongest attack were often started. They sped up quickly, almost at full speed in a matter of seconds.
"I'm not giving you the chance to attack me with your magic!" She cried as she rushed down from the sky.
With her katana at hand, she attempted to cut Jordan down before he could finish the attack. She swung her sword, Jordan using one of the spears his was spinning to block the attack. However, the other spear had continued spinning. Hali noticed this and had prepare for other attack. Jordan slammed his weapon flat of the ground as Hali's hand glowed with fire.
"Flame Sphere!" "Earth Dragon's Fang!"
The attacks where launched at the same time, creating a tornado of Flame and Wind on the grassy plain. The phenomenon only lasted for a few seconds, leaving the two of them standing on that battlefield both feeling the power of two elements at once. It was a miracle either of them had human appearances. As his wind protected Jordan, Hali was protected to some extent by the flames. They both appeared worn to the very bone.
"My attacks. . ." Jordan said.
"They are not magic. . ."
Jordan looked up at his opponent, who appeared to want nothing more than Jordan's death. The clenched katana was proof of her intentions.
"Why do they call you a Sin?" He asked her. Hali chuckled.
"That is because I was born from the unforgivable acts of men. We all were."
Jordan raised his brow in question. We? Was she talking about Z and the other sins?
"Doesn't matter really. You are going to die here anyway." She replied as she lifted her sword up.
Jordan took up on of his spears that remained in his hands and grabbed it with both of his hands.
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 10 December 2007 - 11:25 AM
"I suppose it's true what they say about you evil hellspawns..."
A black sword suddenly pierced through the back of end of Hali's armor to the other, having been pounded in quite hard. Shadow's sword, and he was holding it firmly.
"You have no brains." Hali's face had contorted into a mixture of shock and pain, her head turning back to Shadow. "Forgetting that you have more than one opponent is a dangerous mistake... not that you'll have the chance to correct it. Ever."
Shadow removed his sword from Hali's chest, leaving a hole in both sides of her armor. She dropped her other katana and stumbled forwards, gasping for air. A red light suddenly burst from her body, or rather her armor. It was so bright, Shadow had to shield his eyes. When it died down, the red gem that was the Key of Fire was on the ground, and Hali was on her knees; her cloak was in tatters, and her face was pale. Shadow noticed that the flames had totally died down around them. "You... idiots..."
Shadow looked at his sword. He didn't show it on his face, but he was slightly horrified. "Idiots? THIS coming from a dying woman..." he said to mask his fear. The blood on his sword... wasn't red. It was deep black. Shadow recognized this as the blood of a demon. Were these Sins even human?
Hali chuckled, before coughing up more black blood. She then smiled. "Heheheh... so clueless... do you think the death of a Sin will go unnoticed?" she said, struggling to stay conscious. Her body appeared to slowly fade in and out of existence, red tassles of light swirling around her. "They'll immediately know that I'm gone... they and our army will hunt you three to the ends of the earth... in other words... see you soon..."
With those final words, Hali's body completely faded out of existence, leaving a red mist that dissipated quickly. The only thing left of her were her clothes and whatever possessions she had on her. Shadow tried walking over to where she was, although since the adrenaline was now out of his system, it was more of a limp; this battle had taken a hell of a lot out of him. As he reached the cloak, he noticed a bracelet of some sort. Each had seven crystals, glowing brightly; red, blue, green, brown, white, black and yellow. The red one had slowly stopped glowing, then shattered to pieces on its own. "Could this be what the Sins use to keep track of each other?" Shadow thought aloud. Thinking it might be useful, he pocketed the bracelet.
He then looked at the Key of Fire, glowing its red colour as it had been before. Despite the intense battle, it hadn't so much as been scratched.
Shadow picked it up and looked at it, but almost immediately dropped it out of reflex; it wasn't so much the heat as it was its sheer power that hurt his hand. He picked it up again, feeling the power pushing against his palm. "So much power... it's like it's all fighting to get out... and to think that there are more of these..."
Jordan placed his spears back into their slings. His body was sore with burns, along with Ken and Shadow. The three of them sat on the charred ground for a while, letting their bodies rest for a little before they finished their work. Jordan looked over at the Key of Fire, which was placed neatly in the center of Shadow's hand. Jordan took the small sphere and looked at it carefully, feeling the pressure it expelled. As he examined it, he noticed tiny inscriptions were carved into its sides, encompassing the entire object. It was fascinating, to say the least. Jordan threw the Key back to Shadow, who caught it with his free hand.
As his hand clasped the Key of Fire, a bright light shone from it, blinding the three of the warriors in a red light. The light faded quickly, the surrounding environment resurfacing from the glare. The three of them stood there, dumbfounded at what had just occurred.
"Umm. . . guys?" Jordan asked with a perplexed look upon his face.
"Is it just me or did that magic toy from hell just cure our burns?"
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 11 December 2007 - 10:29 AM
"Yeah, I think you're right... I feel like new life got burned into me. Pardon the pun." Shadow replied, equally confused but nonetheless grateful. "Such great power condensed into this jewel no bigger than my fist... we can't let it fall into the wrong hands again."
With these sentiments, Shadow put the jewel in his tunic.
"So, we ready to go?"
Edited by Shadow_Link, 13 December 2007 - 08:31 AM.
"Shadow, that pun. . . was absolutely horrid." He said as he placed his hand over his face.
In the sanctuary, Crowe remained in his seat watching the events unfolding. He looked over to the projection of Z, who appeared slightly distracted.
"It seems your subordinate has died in battle, not to mention the fact that your precious key has fallen into dangerous hands. Do you have any remorse for sending that weakling to her death or is it that you just lost a precious item?" he asked Z.
He turned from Z and focused his thoughts elsewhere.
"Steel, the enemy approaches. They will be at the entrance soon, you know what you must do. Dispose of Shadow and then regroup inside the sanctuary once you have finished."
Crowe looked up at the sky, the sunlight beamed through the holes in the ceiling as clouds flew by overhead.
" 'Tis a wonderful day for a finale. . ." He muttered to himself.
They all arrived at a stone entrance, the white stone exterior reflected light like a precious metal. Jordan walked ahead of the others, about to enter the sanctuary first. He stopped in mid step, his eyes widened as the foreign breeze blew past his face. Another enemy? A monster? No, this one was more human. Jordan backed away a few steps, trying to figure out who it was.
"Show yourself." He called out to the darkness inside the large building.
Steel stepped out of the shadows behind the pillar he had been leaning against. His black eyes flicked from Shadow Link to Jordan, his gaze alighting momentarily on Ken before returning to Jordan. So. Ken. This changed things. Slightly, anyway. He knew there had been something familiar in the auras at the battleground, but the amount of magic being used had made it difficult to read clearly. He would need to tread lighter than he had thought, if he was to accomplish his intentions. He could see no light of recognition in Ken's eyes, it was possible the boy had become very good at lying, but far more likely he didn't know who Steel was. It would remain like that, for the moment. "So. It comes down to it at last. Crowe has told me some of your journey, though I discerned there were some matters he had not revealed to me. One way or another, things will end here. You now have two options before you, two plans of attack. Choosing the wrong one may lead to defeat, but there is no certainty that the opposing plan is any better." Steel paused and sighed. "Option 1: Fight me here, all of you together, and, if you defeat me, which is by no means certain, then you fight one of Crowe's minions waiting in the courtyard. An easier battle than myself, but still quite difficult. Assuming you are victorious, you then go on into the sanctuary itself and fight Crowe, albeit likely with at least one of you dead, and the rest exhausted from battle. A possible win, but by no means certain, you have a higher chance of defeating each individual combatant due to there being 3 of you and only one of it. Option 2: Jordan goes straight to the Sanctuary to fight Crowe, who insisted that I come out and give you this message while he hid in the recesses of the chapel like some boss. I really don't like being relegated to the semiboss position, but I finally relented just so he'd stop yammering on about his evil plan and so forth. Also that foolish ex bounty hunter Z was starting to get on my nerves with his arrogance and evil machinations. Fool thinks he can take over the world. Idiot. He only keeps his little island because Dark Juno can't be bothered sending anyone after him." Steel sighed. "Regardless, Jordan can go straight to Crowe, Ken goes to the courtyard to fight the second combatant, and Shadow Link stays here to fight me." He stretched. "Whoever wins can go help one of their allies. You have far lower odds of winning each individual battle with this option, but in this way you have better odds of defeating Crowe. Whatever your decision, I hope you make it quickly. I really do need to get back to Van'Duras."
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 12 December 2007 - 11:20 PM
Z was very happy that he couldn't feel sorrow right now, this being thanks to when he was given his powers. He'd lost the love of his life.
"...Seth...?" Koran said through his crystal, rather hesitantly.
Z whispered into his own crystal. "Return to the sanctuary, Koran... the mission has failed, there is nothing we can do..."
Koran said nothing; his crystal just stopped glowing. The water mage was no doubt making his way back to the tower, so Z kept his thoughts to himself.
"This is a disaster... not only have one of us been slain, but we've now lost a key to the enemy..." Z thought. He pondered what could've went wrong. "Hali had been practicing with the key... there was no flaw in her form of the key's power... perhaps I've greatly underestimated the power of those three..." He looked out the window. "However, there may be a way to salvage part of our plan... I just need Shadow and his friends to remain true to form..."
--------------------
Shadow listened well to Steel's words, or at least what mattered to him. "So the old relic is siccing you on me? That's a twist..." Shadow snickered. He knew full well who he was from his aura; not much magic, but a great confidence in his own abilities.
Steel Samurai. What he was doing siding with Crowe?
Shadow's eyes shifted to his comrades. "Jordan, Ken, go on." Shadow said to them, his hand reaching under his cape and eagerly fingering the hilt of his sword. "I'll deal with you myself."
Shadow hated this situation, though not because of who he was facing; he knew full well that he couldn't kill Steel even if he wanted too. He wouldn't kill a good person. What made him mad was that he and Ken were in the same room; if not for that damned Crowe, Steel could inform Ken of his past. Another reason to beat the old relic down, he supposed.
Edited by Shadow_Link, 12 December 2007 - 11:28 PM.
Jordan didn't like this answer one bit. Shadow was able to take care of himself, but separating the group would only help Crowe's plan.
"Damn it." He muttered under his breath. "Shadow, you better not lose."
That said, Jordan and Ken both began to walk into the territory of their enemy.
He kept looking on at his comrade from the corner of his eye, perhaps to get one last look at him. It wasn't long before not even his peripheral vision could see the two of them standing there. Jordan kept facing the hallway ahead, his fist clenched out of fear and determination. It seemed to go on forever, stone hallways of white stone with natural growth seeping through. Time had not been generous to this place. A large archway appeared before Jordan and Ken, possibly a doorway a long time ago. Jordan passed through the arch, finding himself in a large room that looked like a great hall of sorts. It was dark, but a yellow dull light penetrated from the windowless openings in the walls. Crowe stood in the middle of the room, his cloak off and his face revealed. After all, it wasn't like he had anything to hide anymore.
"Good day to you gentlemen." He said with a small smirk. That smile of his never seemed to leave his face, but when it did it was possibly the most horrifying thing imaginable for Jordan.
"I see you have found your way here, but wait. . . where are XI and Shadow?" He asked with a singsong voice.
XI was still at the Forsaken Fortress, safe from all this trouble and everyone in that room knew where Shadow was. Jordan was beginning to become aggravated.
"Shut up, you damn ghoul." Jordan responded.
"Oh, temper temper." Crowe said as his smile grew.
"I thought we already discussed that I was more than a ghoul. After all, I took Gwen away from this world."
Jordan flinched.
"Shut up."
"You couldn't do a thing to help her."
"Shut up."
"And you'll never be able to help ever again."
"Shut up."
"And here you stand powerless to help the rest of your friends from their inevitable deaths."
"SHUT UP."
"Some heroic knight you turned out to be."
"I SAID SHUT UP!"
Jordan took out his spears and rushed at Crowe at incredible speed. In the blink of a eye, Crowe had received Jordan's attack but blocked the weapons with his own hands. A large gust of wind blasted from the impact, dust a dirt rising into the air. Tears ran down Jordan's face, his frustration manifesting itself as sorrow. Crowe gazed at his opponent, his smile growing bigger.
"I didn't think you had this much strength left." Crowe said as he knocked the spears out of Jordan's hands. After disarming Jordan, he vanished into the darkness and reappeared next to Ken.
"How about we show you your opponent, eh?" He said to Ken.
The room shook violently, something big was approaching. From the ceiling, a large mass burst through. A dragon landed right behind Jordan. It had a lanky build covered with red scales. It's green eyes glowed in the semi darkness it was in, looking down at Ken.
"I decided to liberate your mother's soul from the golem in our last battle. She now resides in my final pact beast, the red dragon Arcus. The dragon's soul had become weak over the years as it became dangerously close to becoming petrified. Your mother proved to have more than enough life to bring the dragon back on it's feet and serving me once more."
Crowe vanished and reappeared next to Jordan, who had reclaimed his spears from the ground.
"We should let these two have some quality time. You and me will have our fun elsewhere." He said as both he and Jordan began to vanish.
"Damn it! Ken, run! That dragon will. . ."
No more words could be uttered. Jordan and Crowe had left the great hall, leaving Ken to fight a beast several times his own size.
Steel watched the two figures walk further into the sanctuary with a bored, almost lazy stare. When they disappeared into the darkness, he turned to Shadow Link. He sighed, loosening the straps on his scabbards for easy drawing of his blades.
"Come on then. I haven't got all day. Come at me or something. Remember, your friends will die if you don't."
He drew his 5 foot long Odachi and took up a rather lazy fighting stance.
Location:My workshop, making fanfiction, sprites and miniature weapons of mass destruction.
Gender:Male
Posted 13 December 2007 - 02:16 PM
"Sheesh, you don't seem too enthusiastic... I thought you loved the thrill of battle, Steel." Shadow said, drawing his sword. "Your mask can't hide your identity from me."
Shadow ran through methods in his mind about how best to combat the Fortresses finest warrior. From what he remembered during their brief meeting at Valhalla Prison, Steel was as agile and precise with his attacks as he was. This ruled his ranged-weapons and his shield out, since he probably would hit him with the former or stop him with the latter. And he didn't appear to have much armor on his person, so his hammer would only weigh him down in this case since he had nothing to smash through. It looked like this was going to be a full-out steel-on-steel duel.
Shadow wondered why Steel of all people would be aiding Crowe as charged at him quickly, but erratically so as to try and confuse Steel's sword. Then Shadow noticed something; his eyes... he HAD eyes. Well, that explained it; Crowe gave Steel his eyes back in exchange for Shadow's head. He didn't know how much Steel valued his eyesight, but right now he couldn't be bothered with that. Now was the time to battle, and he'd been waiting to settle things with this samurai for a long time.
Edited by Shadow_Link, 13 December 2007 - 02:19 PM.
Jordan and Shadow reappeared in the center of the sanctuary, the place where Crowe spent most of his time. Jordan looked around him, taking in the unfamiliar sight. The broken stained glass windows shed both colored and natural light into the stone room while vines and growth covered portions of the walls. The ceiling was broken in a various places, so it seemed as though he could use large scale attacks here after all. Jordan looked beyond the wooden pews and saw Crowe, sitting in a stone seat where a holy alter should be.
"Do you know why I made pacts with Steel and Arcus?" He asked Jordan as he laid his head on his hand.
"With pacts, the strength of the partners are increased drastically. I've gained much strength from forging pacts and have never had to suffer to consequences for them, using other souls instead of my own."
Crowe rose from his seat.
"And the man outside, the one Shadow is fighting as we speak has more power now than your little friend. The same goes for Arcus. I wonder, if you defeat me, I wonder what will become of my pact partners?"
What was he hinting? If Crowe where to die, then his pact partners would die or at least become weaker? I suppose it didn't matter much what the mechanics were, all Jordan came here for was this battle. The souls under Crowe's control were the last things on his mind, after all, he couldn't do a thing to help them anyway. Jordan readied his spears.
"Thanks for the hint." He said.
Crowe raised his hand into the air, a large black sphere forming directly above it.
"Let's begin." He said as he threw the dark mass at Jordan.
Location:I have been where I have been, I am where I am, and I shall be where I shall be.
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Posted 13 December 2007 - 03:07 PM
Ken looked up from his place in the dragon's shadow. He was frozen with fear and uncertainty.
"No, no this can't be!" he uttered.
"Ken . . . Please . . . Run away . . ." the voice of his mother strained from somewhere within the dragon.
The dragon lifted it's claw high into the air.
"Run . . . !"
The urgency of the situation caught into Ken's legs -- he ran as far as he could before that mighty limb slammed down to the ground behind him. The floor shook from the power, making Ken stumble and fall over. Debris in the ceiling fell along with unsettled dust. Ken dared a glimpse and saw that a large dent was made into the floor.
For a brief moment he glimpsed at the potential exits. The hall he walked in from was blocked by debris from the dragon's entrance, and the only other door was blocked by gates.
He was trapped, blocked in.
Ken looked up again as the dragon turned, it's sinister green eyes boring through.
I can't win...Even if I found a way to kill it, Mother's soul would be destroyed. There's nothing I can do!
There was a gleam in the dragon's eyes, and it started to open it's mouth.
"Run . . . ! . . . Fire . . . !"
Ken heard the words and ran again. He eventually came close to one of many pillars in the hall and rolled behind it. The fire came. The heat was unbearable for the ten seconds that it lasted, but there was no damage other than some singed clothes. Ken peaked out to see the dragon roar in what must have been dissatisfaction that it's target was not on fire.
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