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Post by GX1997 on Jul 8, 2015 16:45:18 GMT -6
While the other three were talking, warning, and threatening each other Eden had landed back on the ground and had the time to divine. After she had seen something she rushed towards the other three, placing herself between Orion and the Aboleth Tentacle members just as Orion finished speaking. She took a second to cast her bubble spell, holding the enemies inside it.
"Grigori, stop this! Don't you see that what you're helping Aboleth do now is just as bad as what they-," she emphasized the word to let him know she meant Siren Scale, "did to your home? Do you want others to live with the pain you have to live with? Stop this!"
Eden then turned to the woman, and her tone turned from pleading to searing. "And you, you aren't who you seem to be, are you? We all come out of this battle alive, and I can already see that you aren't going to be treated harshly. Who are you really, and who do you work for, Ilya?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 8, 2015 17:12:27 GMT -6
Shogun turned her head towards Eden and was about to answer before Grigori cut her off.
"If you saw the outcome of this battle than you'd already understand." The jester attempted to plead with Eden a bit. "There's something much bigger at stake here, and he..."
Grigori turned towards Orion to point a finger at him.
"...is the cause of it."
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Post by Neo on Jul 8, 2015 19:15:09 GMT -6
Orion's silver aura abruptly faded, and all of his magic seals and spears of light vanished, as if all the fight had suddenly left him. He turned ghostly pale, and the calm rage that had possessed him mere moments before turned to a look of utter horror. At first, he was merely... Stunned. Too stupefied and shocked to truly react. Then everything clicked in his mind, and all his many walls and masks and facades came tumbling down, leaving his turbulent emotions plain as day. At least... For a few moments.
I... I made a grave mistake. I spent too much time in one place, I used too much of my power, and I allowed myself to forget what I am, why I was running... I let myself get too close to others... I thought, that just maybe, I could finally rest. But I was a fool, and now after all these years, they've finally cornered me. I... I should have known better. But all I wanted... It was only a month... All I wanted...
Suddenly realizing his hands were trembling, Orion raised his right hand and stared at the mark of Silver Chimera on it. Was it too much to hope for?... What do I do now? Do I disappear again? Spread more false rumors and tales? No... That won't work anymore, will it? She can track me now... Or can she? My true power was unleashed only briefly... It's possible she wasn't able to fully lock onto me... So if I... If I vanish now, and be extra careful, then there might be a chance-
Orion's eyes wandered to Eden, and his train of thought scattered. He turned to look back towards the town, and the other Wizards fighting to protect it. All of this is my fault. And if I stay here, I will only place everyone in danger... But even so... I'm tired of running. I... No. No more. I won't let them take anything else from me. I don't care if I'm being selfish anymore.
He turned back to the Jester and Warrior, and suddenly clenched his fist. The look of vulnerability was suddenly replaced by one of grim determination. If I kill them, if I send a strong enough message... Then they might not come for me yet. They'll hesitate. And that will give me the time I need to formulate a plan. That's right... All I need is time. And these fools are in my way.
A brief flashback assailed him as Orion slowly, menacingly drew his katana, and closed his eyes.
"Again! Attack me again! Use all your strength! I am an obstacle blocking your path, preventing you from attaining your greatest prayer! And what do you do with an obstacle?! You shove it aside, and never look back! Now come at me like you mean it!"
"My greatest prayer," Orion whispered softly, as he flashed back to the present and opened his eyes. His eyes, that had been so filled with fear and sorrow before, were now brimming with grim resolve.
"Demon Slayer's Secret Art: Hand of Twilight," he said darkly, as an immense beam of blinding black and white light engulfed both his sword and his arm, stretching high into the sky, turning his entire right arm into a giant sword of incomparable might and energy. A large windstorm kicked up as Orion moved his arm. His eyes were almost pitch black and devoid of all emotion as he prepared to bring his arm down on the enemies still trapped in Eden's bubble.
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 8, 2015 21:26:24 GMT -6
"Orion, no...!" Eden cried as everything seemed to slow to a crawl, her eyes fixed on him as he was clearly trying to kill the others. She could tell his actions were out of desperation, but she was just as desperate to ensure that no lives were lost in that battle, and to save him from having that blood on his hands. To do so, she was prepared to push the limits of her own power no matter the consequences there might be for her doing so. Befitting a water mage channeling a water spirit, and then a water goddess, a stream of tears fell from her face as a sigil made of water appeared below her.
"Curse of the Water Goddess: Divine Puppet."
Eden raised her hands, and with a look that showed a mixture of determination and regret she began to move them in various motions. Orion's attack suddenly ceased, and his body seemed to go limp, falling to the ground. As she saw the fight leave his face she stopped the spell, clearly exhausted, and she knelt by his side. Grigori and "Shogun" were still inside the bubble, and they didn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
"I hate both of you for trying to destroy so many lives. I hate you! Grigori, you had a chance to get out of this life, and you didn't take it. You're hurting people the same way you had your life taken from you. How could you do such a thing? I don't understand you. And you, Ilya, you're not even really working for any dark guild. You're undercover. But now instead of destroying it like you signed up to do, you're trying to murder an entire town and guild of people, and for what! Nothing! Whatever sent you down the path you so hated before, it's not worth it! You've become what you hated. And as someone who lost everything before to a dark guild, I know the reason for anything lost when you're working with one always comes back to the dark guild itself. So instead of doing something to the real evil, you're just adding more to the problem. How much have you destroyed for others already today? Does it dull your pain? It will never do that. There is no vindication. There is no revenge. All there is at the end of this path is death, of innocent people and the person you used to be."
Eden had to stop to breathe for a few minutes, and she had become a frightening presence. Her normally dull, dark, empty eyes had changed to fierce eyes, black as night and seemingly capable of seeing right through a person and the very deepest part of their souls. Her hands were clenched in fists, and she was fixated on the captives in the bubble. She was vaguely aware of Orion sitting up, but she knew he wasn't going to charge at the others, at least not yet. She continued to berate the others as they were still unable to escape from her. "If either of you continue down your paths, you'll lose all right to even be called by your names your family gave you, because that person will be dead. You'll just be an apparition of malevolence. And all the things you've lost will be forgotten, because if the only person left to care is dead, than who is left to remember them? You'll be killing what's left of them. Give up. The rest of us here have already figured that out, and so we choose to do something worthwhile with oursleves and hold on to what's lost, so even what was lost is still remembered and now has meaning and purpose. You'd do well to grow up and see that for yourself. But for now, you're not going anywhere. You'll have to deal with these words now, and as you face the judgement you're given for your actions here today! That... is the only justice."
While the others had been distracted Eden had used what little magic power she had left to strengthen the normally weak bubble until it was strong enough to hold together even under the fiercest onslaught of attacks. Finally done she leaned her head on Orion's shoulder, crying and in need of comfort.
Zalia... Where are you...?
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 8, 2015 22:00:02 GMT -6
"Eden..." Grigori held his left hand against the edge of the bubble and slowly began vaporizing the water as he spoke. "For someone who can see the future, you don't seem to see that much."
As tiny bubbles of steam formed on the outside of the big bubble, Grigori continued talking.
"I don't know how far you can see into the future, but try ten minutes from now and focus on my hands. There's a message for you."
Meanwhile Shogun reverted back to her normal samurai gear and daisho before sitting down and waiting.
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 8, 2015 22:05:21 GMT -6
"I don't have the strength left to divine. Grigori, if you really need to tell me something, you'll either have to say it now or not say it at all. It's no use otherwise," she said.
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 8, 2015 22:13:34 GMT -6
"I can't say it now." Grigori shook his head as more steam fizzed out of the bubble. "I've said too much already."
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Post by Neo on Jul 8, 2015 22:38:44 GMT -6
I see... That pretty much confirms it, I guess. The decision's been taken out of my hands now... Whether I like it or not, my time here is limited... I knew it wouldn't last. All things come to an end... But I had fun while it lasted... I really did. So thank you Eden... For everything.
Orion tried to stand, but his limbs were still weak, and his knees buckled. He collapsed, landing on his side on the hard ground. A groan of pain escaped his lips. He stayed on his side and didn't attempt to move again. His breathing was ragged, and his eyes were dark and empty. Only traces of resigned sorrow could still be seen in his once vibrant eyes. From that position, he watched as a large scale teleportation seal appeared on the near horizon. What appeared to be dozens of soldiers, probably a full Company, appeared out of thin air. They were clad in glistening white heavy armor, with winged helmets and winged boots, and their chestplates were adorned with the insignia of the High Council, the ruling body of all Wizards in Aselia. Orion recognized them immediately.
The Seraph Knights... Their arrival is both a blessing and a curse... Heh. This world truly is full of paradoxes...
"Forgive me," he whispered to Eden before he closed his eyes, as the Seraph Knights marched towards town. At the head of the formation was a tall man with long emerald hair in a long silver coat.
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 8, 2015 22:46:20 GMT -6
"Orion...?" Eden whispered, worried by the look that was in his eyes before they closed. When he didn't answer she pulled his head into her arms and pressed his head against her collarbone, as she looked down at him, her tears falling into his face. "Orion, please... Orion!"
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Post by Neo on Jul 8, 2015 23:21:22 GMT -6
Orion's eyes remained closed, but he smiled weakly as Eden held him close, her hair falling into his face. He felt an odd... Sense of serenity in her embrace. But he knew it wouldn't last. Once she learned who- no, what he truly was...
He reached up to briefly cup her cheek in his palm, and wipe away her tears. "Can you forgive me?" He asked softly, his voice barely audible.
It was a question with a double meaning.
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 8, 2015 23:26:46 GMT -6
"As long as I have you with me, I could never even be mad at you to begin with," she said, then dropped her voice to a whisper again. "I need you, Orion. I need you to be part of my life."
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Post by Neo on Jul 9, 2015 20:30:08 GMT -6
Orion could hardly breathe as Eden's words sank in. Eden... If you only knew just how much that means to me. I know I should leave... I'll only be endangering you if I stay. But I'm so tired of running... And now that you've shown me what it's like to have a home again... I just can't bring myself to leave. Especially not if it would make you cry... I've been the cause of so many tears in my life, and I've hurt so many people... I can't bear the thought of adding you to that list.
His eyes opened, and some color returned to his cheeks. There was a great, immeasurable sorrow in his eyes, a sorrow as vast as the ocean, and as their faces were merely inches away from touching, Eden could see it as plain as day. But there was also a trace of hope in his eyes, and a desperate yearning that was truly heartbreaking.
"I'll stay," he whispered back. "I won't leave you, Eden."
-------
As the Seraph Knights neared the town, their forces split. The bulk of the force, commanded by General Auron, marched towards the city itself in order to secure the town and help rescue any remaining citizens, while the smaller half, commanded by Captain Senna, rushed towards the Wizards in the park.
"Eden! Orion! Are you two okay?!' She called out to them as she ran over, while the Seraph Knights surrounded Grigori and Shogun. Using their magic, the Seraph Knights nullified Eden's bubble spell, and nullified both Grigori and Shogun's magic. They then secured Adamantine- a special metal engineered by the High Council to be completely immune to magic- handcuffs around Grigori and Shogun's wrists.
-------
After the evacuation was complete, Cenric contemplated going to help Velia, but after what happened before in the forest... He was afraid he would just get in her way, so he remained with the townsfolk in the underground shelter, keeping everyone calm and using his telepathy to check on everyone else, and make sure they were okay. Something Jurian had once told him when he was a boy played through Cenric's mind. After his brother had refused to allow him to accompany him on a quest, because it was too dangerous, Cenric had gone to Jurian and asked him to train him to be a better fighter and a stronger Wizard. Jurian had agreed, and after six hours of harsh, almost brutal training, Cenric had collapsed onto the grass and sobbed in frustration. That fateful day, he hadn't even been able to land a single hit on Jurian. Jurian had knelt beside him and smiled, and he said something that day Cenric would never forget.
"Being a Wizard isn't about being the strongest fighter, or having the best magic. Being a Wizard means finding your place in the world, boy. And sticking through it until the end, no matter what happens, so that when you return home to your family, you can hold your head high. Not everyone is meant to be a champion fighter, and you are not your brother, Cenric. You need to find your own place in this world."
I've found my place, Jurian. I just wish you were here to see it.
Lucian and Rhys had just dropped the barrier they had been maintaining to protect the town. Cenric had some difficulty contacting Eden and Orion at first, though after a few tries, he managed to get through.
"Eden, Orion, can you hear me? It's Cenric. What's your situation? Are you both alright?"
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 9, 2015 20:43:07 GMT -6
"We'll be okay," Eden said to answer both of the concerned wizards. "But... does anyone know where Zalia is?"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 9, 2015 20:50:36 GMT -6
"I'd advise against doing that for now." Shogun told the Seraph Knights who had placed the cuffs on her and Grigori. "You're going to need our help against the others."
"She's right." Grigori turned his head to look at Senna. "And we don't want to cause any shakiness between countries as well."
The Jester paused briefly before turning to Eden.
"Your guildmaster is safe as well, or at least she should be if they followed Abyss' plan."
---
"-anctuary!" The forced cries of an aged voice rang through the guild hall of Silver Chimera as a drained and unconscious Zalia fell from the ceiling before colliding with the ground with an echoing thump.
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Post by Neo on Jul 9, 2015 23:31:22 GMT -6
After checking Eden and Orion for wounds, and having a couple of the Seraphs heal them, Senna arched a single, perfectly sculpted eyebrow at the prisoners. "We have an entire Company of Seraph Knights," she replied coldly. "Each one of them is a Wizard equivalent to a S-Class Wizard, and they have the combat abilities of a Special Forces Commando. They can nullify magic at will. And we have General Auron with us, one of the Four Keys of Solomon, the four greatest Wizards in all of Aselia. His power is beyond your comprehension. So no, we don't need your help."
Her eyes suddenly narrowed. "Do you honestly think I am going to trust you? You killed my men, attacked a town full of innocents, and now that you've been defeated, you suddenly want to switch sides?! No, you both are staying right here. And as for the... Shakiness between our countries... You are members of a Dark Guild who have illegally trespassed into Aselia. You are charged with Capital Offensives, including murder. After this is over, you will be brought to the High Council and imprisoned. You will have a trial- but don't get the wrong idea. The trial will only be a formality. You will both be spending the rest of your lives in a maximum security prison."
Orion reluctantly pulled himself away from Eden's embrace, and rose to his feet. He offered Eden his hand to help her up, then, knowing she would understand, he gave her a look that said, It's not my place to interfere.
-------
While Rhys stayed on the lookout for other enemies, Lucian walked back to the Guild to double check everyone had gotten out. However, when he walked inside, he found the last thing he expected to see; Zalia, unconscious on the floor. He cursed, and rushed to her side, and his face paled with fear. He wasted no time rushing into Zalia's office, and using her Communication Lacrima to contact Cenric. "Cenric! We got a Code Red! I don't know how, but Zalia is here, and she's unconscious and injured! Her right arm is broken, her left leg appears to be broken, and she has a head wound! We need Orion ASAP!!!"
-------
Cenric sighed with relief. He started to check on Velia, until a crackling hologram of Lucian appeared right in front of him. Cenric's eyes widened in fear and he immediately focused on Orion, teleporting to his side. He suddenly found himself surrounded by the High Council's legendary police force, as well as Captain Senna and the Jester who had stolen the Scepter of Aeolis, but he ignored them and turned to Orion and Eden.
"We need help! Zalia's back at the Guild, and she's injured pretty badly! Orion!"
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Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 9, 2015 23:53:48 GMT -6
"Actually, neither of us have committed any crimes on Aselian soil--and any crimes we are attached to have been under coercion." Shogun made her case against Senna. "In addition, we are both under the protection of the Pergrande Kingdom as undercover, though that part went to hell when you got here, operatives investigating Aboleth Tentacle, which is a Dark Guild located in Pergrande, i.e., our jurisdiction. That guild is currently the one attacking this town, has collected various powerful artifacts that we plan on putting in specialized vaults, and is under the direction of an even more powerful guild threatening Aboleth Tentacle with severe punishment. You can confirm this with my superior officers in DGESOU using your communication Lacrima. If you still wish to put us under trial, Aboleth Tentacle primarily operates and is based in Pergrande soil, meaning that by international law, any and all trials related to the Dark Guild Aboleth Tentacle would have to take place in the courts of Pergrande. If that's not enough to convince you to let us go, at least until you receive confirmation on the validity of my statements, the guild master of Aboleth Tentacle, Gavrila Tolmachyov, codename "Abyss" is a powerful mage possessing the most powerful artifacts the guild has collected. You're going to need someone to surprise him."
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Post by Neo on Jul 10, 2015 0:29:55 GMT -6
Senna practically sputtered in indignation. Then her eyes suddenly darkened, and narrowed. "Very well. I will allow you to aid us. However... Until I can contact the High Council, my standing orders remain unchanged. And I will not be opening a channel to HQ until the town is secure, and there is no risk of battle erupting. You will both be treated as prisoners until this is over and resolved. If you so much as make me think you might turn on us, or pose a danger to anyone here, you're going to be in for a world of hurt. Do you understand me? And if you think Pergrande will risk making an enemy of the greatest superpower in the entire world just for two undercover agents who made the mistake of getting in too deep, then you're on a whole new level of stupid. If things get hairy between "our countries", your superiors will abandon you both in a heartbeat."
She thought for a moment, then added, "Oh, and you can forget your whole jurisdiction argument anyway. Per that same International Law you mentioned, any undercover operations on foreign soil must be approved by the host nation's Government. That means Aselia's High Council and the Imperial Emperor. Neither the High Council or the Royal Family received any such information from your superiors, otherwise we would have been notified. So as of the moment you crossed onto our soil without any prior notification and approval, you became a rogue agent. Furthermore, Aboleth Tentacle is attacking a city that belongs to the Empire. Even you should be able to understand what that means. Pergrande has no jurisdiction anymore. Both of you belong to us now. So if we decide to lock you both away and throw away the key, what do you think your superiors will do about it? As I said, they'll throw you both to the wolves without a second thought."
Her eyes darkened even further, making her seem quite terrifying, and she would have said more, until a familiar young Wizard she recognized as Cenric from Silver Chimera teleported behind her, bearing grim news that made even Senna's eyes widen.
I-Impossible... They were able to injure General Zalia? THE General Zalia? But that's...
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 10, 2015 9:29:25 GMT -6
After Cenric appeared Eden's nerves only got worse. Even though she knew Zalia was safe, to know that she was injured... it was just too much. "Orion, go. Help Zalia, please."
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Post by Neo on Jul 10, 2015 16:24:34 GMT -6
Orion hesitated for a moment. ...I may be able to heal her, Eden, but I'm not the one she needs...
But he understood what she was feeling. After everything that's happened... Seeing Zalia in that condition would be too much for her. He nodded in understanding, and placed a comforting hand on Eden's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'll be back to get you once she's healed, alright? I won't be gone long."
He turned to Senna before they left, but she quickly shook her head before he could say anything. "There's no need. I already know what you're going to say."
She turns to the Seraph Knights behind her, and motions to the same two who had handcuffed Grigori and Shogun. "Jameson, Enrique, free the prisoners and go with the Wizards Orion and Cenric, in case they need help."
Both of the Knights immediately obeyed, and walked over. Just as Cenric started to teleport, one of the Knights shook his head. "Don't. Your magic power is obviously low. Allow us. Just picture your Guild Hall in your minds."
Orion and Cenric did so, and a teleportation seal suddenly spread out below the four Wizards. They flickered for a moment, and then vanished.
-----
As soon as they teleported into the center of the Guild, Orion rushed over to Zalia's side. She was lying in a familiar medical stretcher with Lucian tending to her, but as soon as the calvary arrived, Lucian immediately stepped aside.
With almost uncanny speed, Orion quickly diagnosed Zalia's injuries, his eyes and mind working a million miles a second. He placed his staff over her midsection and a warm golden light spread out over her. As he healed her, he waved the two Seraph Knights over.
"I'll need your help," he said quietly. "My own power is running low, and I'm not sure I can fully heal her by myself."
Both of the knights nodded, practically in unison. "That is why you asked for our help, is it not?" The Knight called Jameson answered, standing next to Orion while his partner stood on the opposite side of the stretcher.
The two knights held out their hands, and a bright green light merged with Orion's golden light, creating a beautiful aurora that washed over Zalia like a cleansing tide. Her wounds healed instantaneously right before their eyes, which was a miracle even to Orion. The glow faded, and Zalia's breathing evened out, so she appeared to be sleeping peacefully.
Orion stared at the knights with a newfound appreciation, and gave a deep bow of gratitude. Cenric opted to stay with Zalia, while Lucian went to find Rhys, and the two knights teleported Orion back to the park.
"She's fine," He said to Eden, upon seeing her worried look. "She's resting now. Do you want to see her?"
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Post by GX1997 on Jul 10, 2015 17:07:53 GMT -6
For Eden, in the minutes after Orion and Cenric left until Orion's return, everything seemed to stand still. She continued to sit exactly where she had been on the ground, and even though her eyes were opened she didn't really see what when on around her. She didn't hear anything. She was just left in a very lonely, empty place. It wasn't until she felt Orion's hand on her shoulder and his soft, gentle voice that she snapped out of it, only then realizing what she had done. It was the second time that day, and the third in the past week the he had been able to bring her back to reality, which was a feat very few, if any, others could match.
"Yes, I need to see her. Orion, you're coming back to the guild with me, right?"
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