Fantasy [Private] El Stories

[Heavengiver]

Rena's training was going surprisingly well. When they first started out, Rena was constantly caught off guard by Rain's ability to read every single one of her moves. It seemed like each step she takes has a dagger waiting for her. Every time she can close the gap, the siren managed to upset her footing.

"T-This is ridiculous!"

"I did tell you that my Rena was a Wind Sneaker. Now, up on your feet again. Your stance needs work, and your kicks need power. Fight as if you're going to kill me!"

Their training often went from the middle of the afternoon to late at night. There really wasn't much for them to do when Oblivio and Add were constantly working on perfecting Unification. Raven and Lara would often watch them, but they don't seem to want to join in. Honestly, Rain's a bit relieved that she doesn't have to interact with Lara as much as she should. There's some sort of tension in the air, as if it's ready to ignite the moment one of them step out of line. The last thing she needs is to die by her hands without having her wish fulfilled.

One evening, when Rena finally manages to force Rain to block, a mana orb separates them and dissolves their weapons. Lara addresses them in an irritated way as she calls them in for dinner.

"Ah, I didn't notice the time. When you see fast progress, it makes you want to keep going, right Rena?"

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry, Tureen, we'll be there shortly."

Rena runs off first, thanking Lara as she goes and joining the rest of the group. Now alone with just the two of them, Rain heaves a heavy sigh that she didn't think she was holding and stares straight at Lara.

"I apologize if this sounds rude, but I'm not really hungry. If you want to join me and look at the stars for a bit, then feel free to."

She had hoped that her anxiety didn't show. The Soul Priestess didn't look like she wanted to do anything with her yet, but then again, she could be waiting for the right time: the moment when hope becomes despair, and betrayal cuts itself cleanly into her heart once more. Rain lets out a light chuckle at the thought, one that's more bitter than reminiscent.

"Even though it's a different dimension, I still can't believe I'm training a Rena like I am. You know...I wonder how everyone else in her dimension is doing. Did they enter Elysion yet? What sort of new things that they encountered? I wish I knew, but here I am, just waiting to die. What was I thinking, still hanging on to my wish of living when the world I want can't be mine anymore...?"

MementoDei

 

[MementoDei]

Lara​

The Soul Priestess ate a small portion of the tasteless and odourless food she had cooked. Well, that's how it was to her now that her shell was losing to the corruption inside of her. As far as the rest of living comrades were concerned, her talents as a cook were good and no one ever complained of never seeing meat on their plate. Lara did it out of respect for Rena, but the Soul Priestess missed the texture of meat on her mouth. She looked at the siren and, after finishing her meagre supper, she went ahead and found the siren talk about something that hit her close to home.

"In the end, Rain, I think neither of us can't stop themselves from giving up on hope. I lost everything the day Henir tricked me. Yet, here I am, just like you, living in a world that I don't even like. I could end my days anytime, but that would mean that I'd be back to be tormented by Henir in another dimension, possibly killing your other self. Or being killed by her."

Lara walked to the siren's side and sat down, without lowering her guard. She felt that the siren wouldn't trust her, but the Priestess needed at least to tell her that she wasn't the same mindless Soul Priestess she or her other self might've known.

"I don't know how Henir or whoever created you planned your death, but it seems like it can be permanent for you. It must be nice, dying forever, resting at peace with yourself and let your heartbeat stop completely. I've known death countless times. I died to Ran, I died to Henir, I died to you, I died to Elsword, to Glave, to Luto, to Dust..."

Lara chuckled. "At this rate, everyone will have killed me at least once. But I keep coming back to life. I keep coming back in a different dimension to live my normal life until I form a pact with Henir. I can't remember that I've lived those events before, unlike you. I'm completely clueless about my curse and I can't save Elkashu in Velder, I can't save Resiam, I can't purify the Underground Chapel and I can't escape the Void until the demons have the upper hand. I'm powerless despite having lived those things time and time again, with slight variations, of course."


She glanced at the siren and then looked up at the night sky. "This time, in this world, I wish to change things. That wish has backfired a little on me, but I'll keep aiming for that sole wish. This world...might not offer what I want, but that is why I seek to take my wishes and sculpt them with my own power. I'm still bound to Henir, but, to put it in his words, he's letting me play a little more freely with my fate this time around. I'm guessing that he has plans with someone else, my best guess would be Oblivio, but, who knows really? This dimension is too different."

Heavengiver

 

[Heavengiver]

"I see, so that's your story. I admit, ever since I've been sent here, something about this world is different."

Rain stares up at the bright and twinkling stars. She wonders if Elsword and the others are watching her now, waiting for her to come join them. "I am an anomaly. I've defied the laws of nature for a single selfish wish. When I realized that the world I was in can never be mine, I believed that it was punishment for breaking that law. And so, I forced myself to believe that I need to die. I still have to die, but my wish is preventing me from doing so, and it's hurting me more now than ever. I bet...in that dream-like dimension, I've lost sight of my true wish. What is my wish?"

"Why is my will so strong that it can defy what is absolute? I can't even use the reason of humanity's potential to explain it because I'm not human even when I was alive."

The siren, sitting and staring up at the night sky with Lara, felt a light breeze flick her hair, and she reaches up to calm the web of strands. "Henir has toyed with your life? I can see now why you were out to get me before. To be unable to truly die...if I've been you, I would have crumbled early on, but I believe part of the reason you haven't is because you haven't remembered what your original life was or what your other lives were, and I think that's a blessing in a way. You might not think that though."

"Back when we talked to you, I'm afraid my other self said something a bit misleading. She isn't Henir's creation, but Glave's. My world is already destroyed, but in that void, Glave has made a miracle. Henir and the other gods have nothing to do with it." She wasn't sure if she should be telling the Soul Priestess this, but Lara is a person who has gone through a more extreme version of the siren's life. If Lara didn't insult her doubts now, after only dying once, then maybe Rain trusted her a bit to listen to her.

MementoDei

 

[Phant0m]

Phantom had just put down a batch of wood when a man had run out of a tent. "I need a healer!" He yelled in a panic, and the priest didn't hesitate to run towards the man, his staff at the ready.

"What's the matter?" Phantom asked, his voice free of his usual attitude. It had gone sharp and cold, professional and very calm. HIs expression was the very image of composed as a million different situations raced through his head. Is someone convulsing? Severely wounded and bleeding? Or was this just an overreaction to a simple cold?

The man gripped Phantom's arm. "My son...please..." He dragged the priest into the tent, and Phantom stared at the scene before him. The mother was sitting on the ground beside a mat where a pale teenaged boy was laying. Phantom almost couldn't see where the pale skin ended and the white blanket began. He listened to the boy's breathing and it sounded as if crumpled parchment was shoved into the teenager's lungs with an irregular rhythm and an occasional spasm.

"We don't know what to do," The father whispered as his vice-like grip tightened on Phantom's arm, "He was fine with resting..."

Phantom grabbed the father's hand and eased it off of his arm. "May I examine him?" He requested in the calm tone of his.

The father nodded and Phantom promptly went to the mat and knelt beside it. "Hello, my name is Phantom." The priest introduced himself with a small smile, and the teenager looked over at him. The boy's brown eyes were glazed over, and his expression gave the priest the impression that the boy was struggling to be cognitive. "What's your name?"

"E.." The boy wheezed.

"His name is Elijah," The mother quietly sobbed.

"Alright Elijah, I'm going to be taking care of you, ok?" Phantom didn't wait for the boy's nod before placing his staff down and grabbing his free wrist and resting his fingertips on the pulse point there. When the priest had trouble finding the pulse, he placed his fingertips on the side of Elijah's neck and quietly counted how many beats he felt.

The heart rate was weak, and not the ideal speed and Phantom already felt his stomach drop. This boy looked no older than 13. So young.

Still, the priest went through the motions: he judged Elijah's temperature by placing his wrist on the boy's forehead and cheeks-Elijah was cool to the touch-and then placed his ear on Elijah's chest to better hear his breathing, even though it was pointless to do so. All the while, Phantom felt the parents' stare bore holes in his clothes while he examined their son. Usually, Phantom would have sent them away so he could conduct the examination in peace, but this was an emergency and they were survivors-separating them would be cruel.

"Well?" The mother demanded as Phantom grabbed his staff.

"Elijah is very ill," He concluded, "And I can't do much for him."

"But-you're a healer! There has to be something!" The father demanded.

"I can make him more comfortable for his fin-"

"HE'S NOT DYING!" The mother screeched, tears cascading down her cheeks as she slapped the priest across the face. She leaned over the matt to get into Phantom's face. "The other healers were able to help! THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP ON HIM!"

"I know that this is very difficult news for you both, after losing your home and now your son, but anything I can do to try and make him better would not be beneficial for him. I've seen this illness before, and the length that one family went through had a woman's husband forever chained to his bed, subject to having the liquid in his lungs magically drained out of him in the most painful spell imaginable every day. He couldn't eat solid food, he was forced to drink his meals and then later vomit it up because there was too much fluid in his body that his body was trying to remove. If that is what you want to subject your son to, then be my guest. I'll find another healer to meet your requests."

"There's no other option?" The mother pleaded.

"The other option is I ease Elijah's pain. Make his final moments as comfortable as possible so he can pass in his sleep. I can give him his funeral rights, and if you want a different priest to oversee his funeral then I will help," Phantom answered looking into the mother's eyes, "That is the best that I can do."

The mother looked over to her husband, who had frowned.

"He's in a lot of pain," The father pointed out, "I agree with the second option."

"But-I don't want to give up on Elijah," The mother protested in a weak voice.

"You're not giving up on him," Phantom assured, "I promise, you're not. We're giving him peace. You're letting him go as comfortably as he possibly can, and you'll see him again when it's your time."

The mother leaned back and after a moment of her mental debate, she finally nodded.

Phantom waved his staff over Elijah's body, the gem and boy glowing a bright fuchsia as the priest muttered the spell in the strange tongue of his. Everyone in the tent watched as Elijah relaxed against his pillow, the spasms calming into twitches and the boy closed his eyes. The priest didn't stop the spell until the boy's breathing had evened out before stopping altogether.

The father walked over to the mother, openly sobbing with her as Phantom pulled the blanket over Elijah's face. He spoke the funeral rights for the newly deceased and he watched the mourning family. Comforting them would break the professional relationship between patient and healer. "I am sorry for your loss," He offered his condolences.

The family expressed their wish for a different priest to arrange a funeral, and Phantom dutifully found one. He then walked to where Cornelius was resting and he silently sat beside the dragon, hugging his knees to his chest and concealing his face as his body frame trembled.

Late

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Ash
When Adel left Ash looked to the window. "I must see what's this bad feeling I have." Ash jumped out the window and headed for the Altera Plains.

When Ash arrived their he immediately equipped the Ares armor. He began to channel his energy to hest up his body to 300°C. But nothing.

"W-what the..." Ash said to himself. He tried one time, two times, four times, eight. No matter how many times he tried it wouldn't work. Ash was stunned by these turn of events. "Why can't I use it..." Ash said.

"That's because it's gone" A voice said, Ash turned atound to see Ares standing their. Ash looked at him with a blank expression. "W-what you mean by gone?" Ash asked. Ares sighed, "You've changed Ash. Once you where a proud warrior with plenty of skill, people looked to you for protection. Up until receentlI thought you where the same person I had given my title to, but it seems even you rely too much on a borrowed power." Ares said his arms crossed showing how displeased he is.

Ash shook his head in disbelief. "H-how did I change? I trained to achieve my strength-"

"Ash!.." Ares yelled cutting him off. Ash was taken back by this. "You stopped training to earn your power..you relied on feats that cost lives of many. I myself didn't notice till recently. You may have pleased Athena with your first battle in Feita, hell I asked her to help you. Even Cronos handed you his power...but after Feita, Cronos has slowly been sealing your powers away. That last training session with Athena was the last straw. Cronos has sealed the blessings that Cronos, Athena and I have given you." Ares said as he stepped forward closer to Ash.

Ash himself couldn't believe that he was going through this. "H-how am I supposed to fight off the demons?! Repel Ishmaels control over me?!" Ash yelled. Ares was silent.

"So that's what's important? Fighting off Ishmaels magic? Fighting some demons? What about the people?! Back in feita you left them to die! Luckily someeone planned ahead! We where going to let that slide, but then again at Velder, Cronos gave you the power so that you may protect those retreating. No! You used it to fight against the demons. Cai Er had to struggle to evacuate the city because you didn't follow suit and be their shield." Ares said walking up to Ash picking him up by the shoulder plate. He inspected Ash up and down.

"Look at this...you call this my armor...? It's just a tad bit stronger than a standard humans...disgusting.." Ares pushed Ash away. "From here on out you're on your own Ash..." Ares said as his figure vanished into the wind.

Ash sat up on the ground in disbelief. "I've lost everything huh." Ash said, still armored. He looked at the ax and shield. "This is all I have now huh..."

Ash looked towards the old rusty nasods. He picked up his Ax and Shield. "What can I still do?" Ash ran up to the nasod, raising his ax above his head ready to bring it down, he felt like it was his but he was completely wrong.

With unremarkable speeds the nasod struck Ash on the side causing him to get sent flying to the ground. The pain flowed through his body faster thasn before. "T-this really hurts...!" Ash looked down at the spot struck to see that it penetrated his armor. Blood flowed from the opening causing Ash to apply pressure on it.

When he looked upwards, Ash saw that bevause of his little feat he alerted all the other nasods in the plains.
​

Heavengiver MementoDei

 

[Late]

So far, so much was done within a day. The lizardmen and the lead soldiers of Feita gathered together for a meeting to discuss plans on how they can try to save those in Velder or even Hamel. Both shared different tactics and strategies, sparkling up some sort of excitement to try something new for the greater good. They plan to move out of the camp once everything was set up for people to have a safe environment they can live in.

Meanwhile, the dragons did their best to help the people to cut up the woods and carrying most of the heavy stuff. It didn't bother them too much, as they were able to rest whenever they need to. Thus at the end of the day, they rested together in peace. Cornelius did not mind Phantom sitting by him, yet he didn't want to bother asking what's wrong with the lad. It's something Phantom probably need to deal with on his own.

Meanwhile, Octavia was busy gazing up the stars, still feeling a bit sad that Xavier was separated from her once again. Komodo sat close to her, feeling down as well that he was unable to lay on his trainer's lap for a nice scratch under his chin or even his back. It was really the first time they have been separated like this. The small dragon had troubles to fall asleep.

 

[MementoDei]

Lara​

She glanced at the Siren and let out a sigh of relief. The siren wasn't as heartless as she once imagined. "We aren't that different, after all..."

"All of us, even those who have still a beating heart, must one day die. It's the natural cycle of life. Sometimes, it is disturbed, but it inevitably comes for anomalies like us too. In the meantime, we must not reject our wishes but embrace them and try to accomplish them, despite not knowing why we have them in the first place."

Lara scoffed and clenched her left hand into a fist. "I've always thought my existence was a curse, until I was able to be at peace with myself by doing things to redeem my regrets. I may have been unable to protect Resiam, but after freeing the souls I condemned to be the demons' puppets, I felt...liberated. I didn't plan on freeing them, but I think there's always a time when you realize what you truly desire and that is what makes this life worthwhile, despite being so fleeting and despite our hardships. That's what I came to realize after being in so many worlds...well, I needed the help of someone from this world to open my eyes to this way of thought. Before, I... simply did what Henir or Ishmael wanted from me, it was easy and it was like telling myself it was my punishment for letting so many people down during my life."

Lara got up and dusted off her dress from the dry leaves that had dirtied it. "I...I'm not sure anymore if I ever had an "original" life, Rain. It's been too long. Far too long for me to remember in which of all the dimensions I was truly born in. It's not a blessing, but it's maybe what keeps me focused on my wish. I don't believe for one second on the Gods' benevolence, but I think I believe now in the power of our souls. Each one of them wants us to ultimately end the road in peace with ourselves, so we greet the final Void with a smile and with calm. Not in fear, nor with regrets. I guess this will seem a little odd for me to say but, it doesn't matter if you feel like you're an anomaly, a simple creation of someone else or a real living person, Rain. Life was meant to make us defy what we define as impossible, unreachable and prove life itself wrong."

The priestess looked down at her feet and felt some tears begin to form on the corner of her eyes. She had said the same words she wanted to hear. The hope that she once felt from Lento's soul had made her speak. It had been a long time since she had cut their main sort of communication. She knew that the blacksmith might never forgive her, but he had been the reason why she chose to save people instead of hurting them and destroy things simply to make her power grow and cure her boredom. Now that Darhan was under the influence of Ishmael, she needed that hope more than ever.

Only light could conquer the status quo.

Heavengiver

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Cai Er

Cai Er was making her way back from the grocery. "A nice meal for Adel is the least I could do for him." Cai Er thought.

When Cai Er arrived at Adels house, Adel was wondering around the house as if he lost something. "Adel, hey is everything okay?" She asked, Adel stopped pacing around turned towards Cai Er. "Your friend is gone,pong!, i-i went upstairs to c-check on him a-and he was gone, pong! The window was left open,pong!" Adel said, Cai Er almost dropped her groceries. "W-wait he woke up?" Cai Er asked, Adel nodded his head, "H-he seemed down before he left, I don't k-know where he would go,pong." Adel said. Cai Er immediately set down the groceries, "I'll make dinner when I return, please wait for us." Cai Er said.

Cai Er left sprinting through the village, putting her mask on. "Equip Shinobi.." Her arm guard shined red as another arm guard formed on her left side, her outfit turned black as a mask formed on her lower face. "Wait for me master, I'll find you." ​

 

[Heavengiver]

Rain sees the Soul Priestess in tears and understands the weight of her words. She stands up too and embraces her, letting her cry on her shoulder.

"How lucky you are, Lara, to be able to cry like you can. Did you know that mermaids can't cry?"

She didn't say anything else, but her mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Rain still believed that she must go soon before she ruins the order of balance even more than she already had. Her strong will would then deny it, further fueled by Lara's words that even though she feels like she should die, she must live. Live for the sake of the miracle that she's been granted.

"What is this world trying to teach me? Why am I still here? My mind and body do not understand, so maybe...I must find the answer myself. What is my true wish?"

Unfortunately, she can't dwell on her questions anymore, for the sound of mechanical whirls near their base disrupts their moment. Rain reaches over and absorbs Lara's tears, silently savoring the salty content.

"Lara, how about we beat some of our thoughts away? Let me show you what the queen of Ambrosia can really do."

Rain nods slowly and begins to hum a soft tune. The trees seem to shake in accordance to her song, and the wind come to listen. There's a light shaking that Lara can feel, but the siren only smiles at her and points her in the direction of the mechanical noise.

"Go first. I'll be right behind you."

MementoDei

 

[KizayaTaishuro]

"d%3 d%3 d%3"

It sounded like an incessant buzzing in his ear, a language he couldn't understand. It was telling him something, but his mind wouldn't lock onto the words itself. Sound, but not sound. Words, but not words. He felt like these persistent symbolic words would drive him crazy if kept long. Nonetheless, he focused on the Nasod machinery in his body, further improving his operators and skill set. He would ignore the sounds until his shoulder was tapped. There were now mechanical sounds near the base.

Heavengiver

 

[Late]

Xavier

About Four Months In Ishmael’s Kingdom
​

One thing for sure, Xavier wasn’t such a big fan of change. Ever since he left behind Elrios, they were very quick for him to start his training yet it was different from what he was used to. Such as fighting techniques, for example. They confiscated his gauntlets, telling him that they’ll improve the weapon and give it back when he is ready to use them. Now he was learning defense tactics with a staff. Just a wooden staff. His teacher in this area was rather pushy on him, scolding whenever his stance is wrong and having to hit Xavier’s arms to get them right where they supposed to be. It was hard to not be angry, especially since his original fighting style wasn’t being improved but Eosfóros told him to be patient.

The other thing of change was his appearances. No, he actually doesn’t mind the new clothes they gave him for training or any other casual attire, but they gave him a hair cut. Dare he say he felt naked. His hair was cut short, getting rid of his long strands of hair. It felt weird to stare at himself in the mirror and Eosfóros tried to cheer him up by giving him more training to forget about his hair cut. He can’t say it didn’t work.

The third change isn’t necessarily a change but it was something for sure. Xavier always felt cold. Not like his body is freezing up, but his mental thoughts. He find himself slowly obeying whatever Eosfóros asked him to do, or even Ishmael’s wishes. It was alarming him in a way that he feels like he needs to talk to someone about this, but it starting to become a habit to keep his mouth closed.

This was just the first four months. Xavier expects a lot worse things coming at his way.

 

[Fume]

"Sir, are you certain that you wouldn't prefer to have someone accompany you? To scout the enemy right on top of their camp is suicide!" One of the glitter soldiers questioned him, out of concern for him.

"Yes, I'm certain. Plus, being accompanied with a demon will draw too much heat on me, not to mention killing my guide off in a instant. It's better to go alone and slip in undetected, fooling them to think that I'm a normal human." He responded while grabbing a brown cloak to cover his body and a white cloth to cover his face. He wasn't sure if he should use his helmet or not, but then decided that having eerie red eyes made a person unsettled, that's not what he wanted.

He grabbed a set of citizen clothes from the dead that were executed, this would make him seem more like a survivor to the forces, with the holes and such. The only problem was that his Rebel armor shone with the reflected light. Maybe he could fabricate a lie for them to know that it was a cursed armor, one where he couldn't remove or he'd die from the part of the demons, that could work... probably for the foolish.

Not needing to hide his gauntlets or his boots or even Samael since he would be under the cloak, he made his way through the palace.

"Don't get caught." Chloe warned him with her back against the wall to his left. He looked at her before continuing his track, raising his left arm and giving her a thumbs up. Just his way of saying 'Don't worry, I can take care of myself'.

It would take a while, lot of ground to cover, not to mention he needed to pass through the bridge and the 3rd District in order to reach the resistant camp. All in all, it would take around a week to reach it not to mention he would need a way to convince them that he was trustworthy enough to hang around, he needed a plan for it.

"Commander Dust!" One of the dark elves under Chloe called him, making him look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What is it? I'm about to leave on a scouting mission." He told her with an hushed tone, meaning he wanted to leave as soon as possible to reach it quickly.

"I just wanted to ask if you have enough rations to reach the camp, it's a long walk to it, you know? I made the trip myself once with my sisters."

"I should have enough for five days."

"That's... not enough. We needed to bring another 3 days supply, just in case. I suggest that you take a few more supplies before going."

"Hmm... Thanks for the warning. Continue with your current duties if that is all." He instructed while walking to a nearby storage box and grabbing a few more rations, mainly vegetables and some meat, though he did not dislike it he wasn't very fond of it. Probably due to his elf heritage.

"This should be enough." He put it in a bag and wrapped it on his back from one shoulder around him. He then jumped from broken structure to the other, making his way to his new destination.

 

[MementoDei]

Lara​

Lara nodded and transformed her wand into her rapier and went towards the source of the noice. A group of Nasods were fighting against a single person and the combat was drawing to their advantage. She sighed and talked to Rain.

"I wish I could show off my full potential, but I'm afraid this body of mine is drawing to its end. I'll help you with...45% of my power. Ab Æterno."

A big sphere of mana swallowed five Nasods and their systems began to go crazy, producing weird beeps before being slowly melted away.

Heavengiver NinthSomnus9029

 

[Heavengiver]

They slipped away from the others without them noticing. While Lara broke through the ranks of Nasods, Rain launches herself up and once again begins to sing. At first, it only sounded like two melodies in harmony with each other, which already is impossible for a single person. Then a third melody, one that is a lower register of one of the existing two melodies, joins in, and the shaking of the ground increases drastically.

A flood was coming.

The siren waves her hand and envelops her comrade in a bubble. The first wave hits the plains almost out of nowhere. Nasods were swept away by the sheer force of the wave, but more and more water keeps piling up until the field became an ocean.

"Don't worry. This won't reach our camp."

Diving into her natural territory, the siren summons a storm of daggers around her. They glint in the water, but the Nasods cannot track her daggers, almost as if they disappear and appear while her enemies are being washed away. Rain swims with the current as if she's gliding through the air, unleashing a powerful high note that only drove more and more chaos in her watery playground.

...
​

"Hey, do you hear that?"

"Yes, I did. Nasods...and...rushing water?"

Rena and Raven both dash out of the camp with weapons in hand when they're greeted with a wall of water expanding out and engulfing the plains.

"W-What is this?!!"

"W-What is this?!!"

"What's the ruckus-! HOLY SHIT!"

MementoDei NinthSomnus9029

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Ash
His eyes widened by the rush of water. He raised his shield. "Come on dammit! There must be something I can still work with!" Ash screamed to himself. He tried his hardest to channel his mana. "AURA BARRIER!!" Ash slammed his shield into the ground as he released his mana out into a small bubble to protect him from the flood.

Fresh blood spilled off his helmet, he knew he over did it being already wounded.
Soon the waves arrived, Ash felt his mind drifting away. "Oh shit...." he thought as he lost control of his body. Sinking into tides.

Cai Er

When Cai Er was closing in on the noise, Cai Er could hear a loud rush of water, "What's that?" She wondered.

When she reached over the hill top she saw her master holding his hip casting a barrier around his self. "Master!" Cai Er called out, she jumped high off the hill, "Hear my calling! Awaken the demon blood within me, Altar of Evil!" With a burst of energy, Cai Er turned into her demonic appearance, she flew directly towards Ash, reaching for him in the tides. She noticed that he was unconscious because slowly he was beginning to get heavy, this caused Cai Er to land near two females she's never seen before.

When she landed she reverted to her normal form. Cai Er inspected Ash's armor to find a big opening on his side, blood was flowing out of the opening causing Cai Er to freak out. "M-master! H-how did this happen...i've never seen him get hit this bad..." cai er said pulling off her cloth belt using it to apply pressure to his wound. She looked around to see if the two females would give assistance, "Please..can you help me." She asked.
​

Heavengiver MementoDei

 

[MementoDei]

Lara​

Lara looked at the demon girl who was talking to them. She coughed some blood and got closer to the two people that had asked for help.

"I didn't expect you'd flood the whole place, Rain...and neither did these people."

Lara looked at the demon and recognized the armour of the person that had doomed Feita. She took a deep breath and glared at the demon girl.

"Why should I waste my health and magic on someone that condemned seventy-five people to their deaths? Hey, Rain. Can you still heal up people? If you don't mind healing criminals."

She hissed an insult in elven and looked at the hurt man. He had it coming.

Heavengiver NinthSomnus9029

 

[Heavengiver]

Looks like the Nasods didn't stand a chance.

Rain had her fun though. It's been oh so long since she can freely berserk like she did. Once she was certain that she had washed away the majority of the robots, the siren empties her ocean and reabsorbs the water back into herself. When she finally caught up to Lara, the Soul Priestess comments on her unexpected attack.

"Well, apologies for the lack of heads-up."

She turns towards their new guests and instantly recognizes the man bleeding. "Ash...the god of war."

Lara doesn't seem too happy to see him though. She hisses out something about letting a large amount of people die and then something intangible. The siren glances at the demon girl next to him, staring into her terrified and pleading eyes.

"It looks like a lot of things happened while I was gone. Unfortunately, I'm not a healer anymore, so..."

Instantly, a whip of water with a sharp pointed dagger wraps itself around the both of them. It holds them smugly, not enough to invoke pain but enough so that they can't move.

"How about this? You're officially the prisoners of the siren, Rain. Better not do anything risky, or the dagger at the end of my whip will end you~ Answer my questions, and then we will patch you up and let you go. Lara, make sure dinner is ready for them after they cooperated with me fully."

Rain flashes a wink and drags both of them back to their camp.

...
​

"A-Ash?!"

When Rain and Lara returned with Ash and a demon girl bound together by a rope of water. The elf runs up to them, but the blue-haired maiden shakes her head.

"It's best if you leave this to me. Lara looks like she's about to snap, and honestly, you don't want to be in the presence of that."

"Rain, that man is bleeding though."

"Yeah, I know. Help me with that after my interrogation."

Her tone demands them to leave. Rena and Raven glance at each other nervously, but leaves them be. Add had already gone back to working with Oblivio, not caring about their captives.

"Now, explain to me what happened while I was gone."

MementoDei NinthSomnus9029

 

[MementoDei]

Lara​

The priestess looked at Rain and she quickly replied:

"I'm fine, Rain. In fact, I could tell you what happened in Feita without you having to interrogate them. You see..."
She briefly summarized the events leading to Feita's destruction. "Dust was going to let us evacuate more people, but this son of a bitch just had to put his great sense of justice against us. To make things worse, not only this bastard is a mass-killer, but he also dragged a demon into his idiotic combat. As expected from a fucking God."

She took a deep breath and made her anger disappear of her face and replaced it with a calm smile. "But you're right Rain, I'm in no mood to have a calm chat with our precious guests, so I'll leave that to you. I'll prepare something when you're done. We can't have them die on us, can we?"

Heavengiver
NinthSomnus9029

 

[Heavengiver]

Rain wasn't expecting to hear the destruction of Feita. Neither was she expecting that Dust of all people was leading the charge. Her first thoughts went to Rena, and how she'll take it when she finds out about this. Her first choice: whether to let Rena know or not.

"Lara, please do not tell Rena what you just told me. Not unless you can convince her not to pursue the demons. I know from experience...that I couldn't. The last thing I need is for this Rena to make mistakes that she will regret."

With that said, the siren turns back to her captives, inspecting them. Her whip morphs into handcuffs that held their hands back, but Rain summons small orbs of water to press against Ash's wounds.

"To be honest, this behavior reminds me of the Chung that I know, and that is unacceptable to me. It doesn't help that you're a god, an existence above us mystical beings and humans."

A dagger spawns in her hand. She twirls it absentmindedly, peeved that she and her other self was drawn in by this man. "I only have two questions. One: why are you here? Two: How do you suppose you get the people of this world to get off your back? Because I won't be helping you. I have responsibilities elsewhere, and I will not paint a target on my back. If we ever find ourselves on the other side of the battlefield, know that I can swallow you without breaking a sweat."

MementoDei NinthSomnus9029

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Ash

Ash looked up at Rain. He couldn't believe she was okay. When she presented such hostility, it left him heartbroken, from the way she was acting he could see it was the other Rain. No matter, to Ash they where equal. "Leave him alone! He didn't know that his actions would cause such an event! He tried to stop all of it! He tried to convince Dust to leave Feita, but he denied everything!" Cai Er yelled.

"Leave it Cai Er!...." Ash looked up at Rain. "It's....good to see you again Rain..." Ash said with a slight smile.

"I can see you're mad...I'll answer your questions but..one thing you should know, onr thing that everybody should fucking know. I'm not a damn god! I didn't choose this path, it chose me! I wanted to live a life of peace with my wife! But war just followed me even after I retired...I promised her too protect the innocent. Yes, I messed up at Feita..the gulit clouded my actions..and because of those actions, my powers have been sealed." Ash said looking down at the ground.

Cai Er looked shocked at what Ash stated. Ash looked back up at Rain. "I seek no pity, never had but during those days that Ishmael tortured me, raped me..my goal was to return and find you. Find my friends...because of my journey, Ishmael has put the church on me...that's why I have many people after me. So I came here to Altera..a hidden island in the sky where the church can't find me....to answer your next question, as long as Ishmael wants me...I can never live in peace with those I care for...I already tried to once you know? But Ishmael destroyed it all..." Ash said, clenching his fist. "She killed all the lives I've tried to save and my men...over 1,400 of those I saved died...only 700 remained...I asked a friend to find then homes all across elrios where the demons haven't reached. Because I can't protect them anymore." Ash said as he disengaged his armor state revealing his nasod arm which shined brightly a blue color. Ash groaned in pain. "M-master!" Cai Er shouted.

Ash shook a little, letting out a yell as the light dimmed. He let out a gasp, panting from the pain.
​

Heavengiver MementoDei

​

 

[Heavengiver]

Rain grits her teeth at his answers. Sure, what he went through with Ishmael was horrific, enough that her will for revenge once again burns with passion. And yet, Rain was upset with something else. She finds herself unable to express it, and as compensation, she slaps Ash across the face.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"

"When will you be a man, Ash?!"

The gateway in her eyes shifts dangerously. Her shout attracts the heads of Rena and the others, but hearing the siren snap was enough for them to cower in fear.

"There are so many things wrong with what you just said. I don't even know where to begin, but I'll say this. I do not care if you were chosen against your will to become a god. You are one now, and you need to make due with what life has thrown at you! Even if you want none of it, that's not the case anymore. I've seen men more cowardly than you take responsibility for the things they've done, the things they've become, and confront the things that plagues them. You are a failure of a god, and that's something, considering that Ishmael is the worst of the worst."

"What matters is the choices you've made while you cursed your fate. You are running, Ash. No wonder your power is sealed off. Who would trust someone with that power when he's worse than a coward? If you don't want to be a god, be a man who sacrifices everything."

Rain walks over to Ash and heaves a heavy sigh. Five daggers spawn around the two, and a small healing circle bathes them in light. Ash's wounds slowly repairs itself, but it seems like Rain is struggling with healing even more than absorbing Oblivio's energy. Once she finished as best as she could, she tries to speak to them in the most threatening voice possible.

"You...should leave now...the sight of you disgusts me. Demon girl...you better whip him into shape. Now go...go...and I hope to never see this pathetic side of you again."

"And another thing...the Rain you want is gone. And she's never coming back."

She gives the best glare that she can muster, but the act of healing that incredibly tiny wound was enough for her body to rebel against her. The energy inside of her tries to stabilize her, but her eyes have already closed, and her body has already dropped to the floor. Before she lost consciousness, she finds Ash and the demon girl dashing away from the camp.

MementoDei NinthSomnus9029

 

[Late]

Xavier

One Year in Ishmael's Kingdom
​

Days go on by, thus his training gets harder. Eosforos began to pressure him to go beyond the boundaries with his El energy, yet Xavier is only human. Often when he pushes himself too far, he received a shock throughout his nerves and giving him blackouts. Every once in awhile, he would hear Eosforos saying "don't worry, you're not destined to be imperfect" after coming back from his blackouts. Xavier wasn't sure what it means yet he felt like a rat in their lab. Trying to make him perfect for their own needs of the war.

It was rather frightening too, as Eosforos' main job was to make sure he excels in his training and other lessons that are necessary. Making sure his body was in shape and his mind was empty from any personal memories. Every week Eosforos would do an evaluation to see where Xavier loyalty lies and making sure it stayed in place. Xavier would have to go through procedures, answering questions and doing tasks that he normally wouldn't dare to do.

Like killing a lion cub barehanded.

That part seems to thrill Eosforos to bits yet the only issue was that Xavier was very hesitant about doing the job. When Eosforos tell him to take his time, Xavier will literally take his time. There was a moment when it nearly lasted a day of hesitation so Eosforos had to force him to do it with manipulation. It somewhat angered Ishmael that Eosforos had to do that but the angel didn't receive a scolding. Only a stern look. Though it gave Xavier depression to kill a significant animal.

Yet it didn't stop him from continuing his training with his teachers, such as Kilis who taught him about the staff and Durahan with alchemy classes. Xavier was able to form a mini ball of El energy thanks to Durahan's teaching. The man gave him an advice as well for his blackouts, advising to let the El adapt in his body and to not forcefully use it. It will come naturally and eventually, Xavier will learn to adapt along with the El. it strangely gave him hope that he can get through this.

Though obviously, it shows he needs to drop what Perkisas taught him. Rather frustrating to think about how far he went through that. The strange thing for him was that he still has the mark of passing his first trial, and it especially still burns whenever he trains under awakening mode. It made him wonder if Perkisas was still conscious through the past days.

Besides that, what excites him the most was sparring duels. Even though he was unable to use his own personal weapons, he already got better with the staff. Thus usually Xavier comes up with different strategies for each duel, confusing his opponent because of his various fighting styles. It entertained both Ishmael and Eosforos whenever they were watching the fight against other contenders.

By the end of the year, he got himself a sparring match against his own teacher Kilis. Kilis wasn't much to look about, always having a hood over his head and wearing a plain, white mask. Yet his skills weren't something to laugh at. Xavier was ready to finally throw back pain he received from training under him. As the match goes, Xavier does express some sort of impatience when trying to hit the man yet Kilis was fast to block out the hits and hitting Xavier back with the end of his staff. Obviously, Kilis had more experience than Xavier, yet near the end of the match was when Xavier snapped. He puts his alchemy lessons to good use finally and used the remaining of his mana onto the staff he was holding. The staff transformed into a sturdy weapon with a blue energy bursting through at the top of his staff. Thus when Kilis hit again, his staff bounced back from the force of the El energy that was surging through Xavier's weapon and the student quickly cut Kilis' staff in half as the man was in shock. The spar ended from there with Xavier having Kilis' pinned from where he stands. It was hard to tell but from the body language, Kilis was a bit pleased with the results. Yet no one else was just as pleased as Eosforos who swooped down to congratulate Xavier for the victory.

"It looks like you're getting used to things around here! Ah, but I do have something completely different planned out for you. Just so you can consistently have the El energy to be ready for use," Eosforos purred, smiling at Xavier. "You may not like it...but it'll be worth it in the end. Take it as a prize for making it this far."

Xavier was introduced to a cold, isolation chamber. He wished he has said something before or anything really about the coldness that seems to grow bigger around his heart. Though after looking at both Eosforos and Ishmael who only offered a smile at him, Xavier walked into the quiet room without asking any questions. He was already given instructions on what he should do. After the doors closed behind him and taking a position on cold, hard floor, he suddenly felt like he was right in home. The harsh temperature caused him to shiver continuously yet after focusing long and hard, the El energy helped him to relax and adapt to his environment.

He wasn't sure how long time passed, Xavier only listened to his heartbeat and breathing, nothing else. Often his mind wanders off to his past allies and the dragons. Wondering how they were doing, if Komodo was eating enough food, and if everyone was safe. He even wonders about Perkisas, trying to tap through the celestial beast. Though whenever his mind wanders, the El energy wavers against the disruption. Thus earning him frostbites around his hands.

"As if my hands didn't have enough scars to carry..." Xavier muttered under his breath and refocus back to keeping himself alive and having no thoughts about anyone else. Forcing him to forget.

When Xavier got out of the room, Ishmael's servants quickly treated his frostbites. He had faint memories of his allies and his heart was colder than before. Though one thing for sure, the El energy felt somewhat easier to work along with.

 

[MementoDei]

Lara
​

"Hmph. Demon girl, I don't know how you grew up in the demon realm, but no soldier who comes to negotiate a cease-fire goes to the negotiations pointing his weapons at the enemy. That's just-!"
"Leave it Cai Er!...."

She glared at Ash as he interrupted her but didn't say anything more. The priestess listened to what he had to say. It reminded her of what she had done with her life before deciding to change for herself and seeing that very same attitude now disgusted her. She told herself that she would now, more than ever, resist whatever the gods tried to impose on her. She wouldn't allow herself to become like him. Just as she clenched her fist with rage, Rain walked towards Ash and slapped him. Lara smirked at her gesture and nodded in agreement at her words. She mentally applauded her, but once the siren collapsed on the ground, she rushed by her side. Henir's energy was acting on her. Lara knew what she had to do, but it would accelerate her current shell's decay.


"This is bad, but I must be certain that no one else gets in danger by what I'm about to do. Lunæ Lumen."


A portal opened and she took the unconscious siren in her arms, carrying her like a bride, towards her dimension. She put gently the siren over a dune of sand and called forth the only healing spell she knew. She'd have to use Luto's knowledge to modify her spell so it could stabilize a little the corrupting energy inside of Rain. She took a deep breath and began to search for Luto's soul so she could call it forth. She opened her eyes and her left one had now the same colour as Luto's eyes.


"Sky Burial...for the weak who were shunned, for the lost ones that wondered off..." Lara coughed and vomited some of her own blood as her fingers' flesh began to turn to ashes, leaving only the bones intact. Her dome of light took a turquoise shade and the energy inside Rain began to go even crazier.


"No...I won't give up. I can do this. I can heal her."


"Sky Burial, for those who broke the cycle or were thrown into the pit of Sacrifices. God of Darkness, hear my plea and let this chaos turn into the Void we all seek. Final...Sky Burial."


The dome began to shine even brighter before turning into a pitch-black dome. Henir's eye appeared in the centre of it. The eye sent a ray of blue and warm light over the Siren and Lara fell to her knees, completely exhausted. The eye disappeared after a minute and so did her dome. Rain was still unconscious, but now the worst for her had passed. Lara sighed in relief and felt so dizzy that she fell over the sand.


She heard some steps approach her and, after some seconds, a raven-haired soldier faced her. He had kept his hair well-cut, had a little more muscles and his aura seemed stronger. His gaze was as cold as ice. She formed again, with her last strength, a link between his mind and hers.


"How ironic for me to die in the same place I brought you back to life."

"Have you truly changed, Lara? Or was all this also powered by your own greed?"

"Hahaha, I'm not too sure myself. I...did this on..the...spur of the moment. Lento...how...are they going...out there? Are they...safe?

The man didn't answer and went away, leaving her to slowly regenerate herself in her own world. It would be her tomb until its high concentration of mana could regenerate her wounds. If it was even possible.
Heavengiver NinthSomnus9029

 

[MementoDei]

Durahan​

Ishmael had often told him that she had blocked his memories because he had died a cruel death and that his power could go berserk if he remembered everything. As far as he was concerned, that was the truth, because every time he dreamt of his life as a living alchemist, his power began to rise and go beyond his control. He was grateful towards Ishmael for being so merciful to him. In his free time, he dedicated himself to train his powers and take complete control over the power Ishmael had bestowed upon him.

One day, he was put in charge in a human child's training. He didn't like the idea, specially because he was still an apprentice too. He couldn't compare to Eosphoros or other divinities that had followed Ishmael for centuries, his power was still too weak to be put with the responsibility of teaching a new member. He brought his concerns to Ishmael, who listened attentively to his every word.

"Durahan. It is true that you have been reborn as an angel for less than anyone else here, but your power is something many have obtained after decades of training. You have a huge potential and you have the dedication to convert that potential into a great power. I want you to teach what you know to that boy because he's the same as you. I can't have anyone else teach him how to control his gift."

Durahan kneeled in front of his goddess as he heard her answer

"I understand, my goddess. I won't fail your expectations. I'll train that boy to the best of my knowledge."
Ishmael smiled and nodded, it was her sign to tell him that he was dismissed. Durahan got up and walked towards the library to study once more anything that could serve him as a method to make the human child learn to control the power of the El and his mana. After three weeks, he had filled the three quarters of a one hundred page notebook with notes on pedagogical methods. It felt like a chore, but he was given that mission by Ishmael herself and had promised her to accomplish that mission the best he could. This was his best for now.

He entered the classroom where Xavier sat in front of a wooden desk. There was a black board behind a wooden table where the angel put his notebook. He looked straight at the red-head.

"Good morning. You must be Xavier Necro, the new apprentice. My name is Durahan Ishmael, I am an angel, or guardian if you prefer, serving Ishmael. I will be your alchemy professor."

Durahan presented the content of his course and realized that Xavier was staring at his ears. The angel frowned a little, but explained to him that he was an elf before becoming an angel before bringing back the subject of his course. After two months, Darhan noticed that Xavier was progressing very slowly despite being very attentive to the master courses he gave him about the analysis and control of mana circuits. This got him a little frustrated and he came to see Eosphoros to tell him that Xavier wasn't a prodigy in the most basic mana control. The god frowned and told him that magic isn't something that can be easily grasped by mere theory.

This lead to a complete revamp of his original notes. He incorporated more practical exercises, without neglecting the theory, which he believed to be at the core of his teaching. The following weeks, Durahan came with his revised course and he took Xavier to a training Arena for magic a magic combat. Weeks passed, months passed, and Xavier was now progressing more after practicing the skills and theory Durahan gave him.

A year had finally passed by and Durahan went to the combat arena to watch Xavier's duel with Kilis. When the boy used a basic mana manipulation to put Kilis to the ground, Durahan was almost tempted to applaud him, but he contented himself to smile at the boy's progress. Eosphoros glanced at him and told him it was rare to see him in such a good mood.

"I suppose it is. It's not everyday I get to feel so proud of a student."

Durahan left the arena and continued to study on his own to master his power with a new motivation in his mind.
Late

 

[NinthSomnus9029]

Ash

Ash and Cai Er stopped running after they neared Altera itself. He looked back at where the camp was. "She..doesn't know that you hold feelings for her does she?" Cai Er said. Ash shook his head, "She never knew I cared for them both." Ash then began to remember back to what Rain said.

"If you don't want to be a god, be a man who sacrifices everything." Those words rang in Ash's head. Ash clenched his hand into a fist. "A man who sacrifices everything." Ash couldn't understand the meaning behind her words but it was a start.

"Master, I left Adel without making dinner. I'll be heading back first." Cai Er said. She went into Shinobi mode, dashed away leaving Ash to have a moment to himself.

Ash sat down on the grassy field. The sun was high in the blue sky. "Day's like these where her favorites.." Ash said, thinking back to his life with Violet.

Earth: 468 AD

"Ash! Come on, it's just over this hill!" Violet waved at a slow Ash who was carrying a basket.

"Haa, so much energy this woman has." Ash said as he neared the hill top. Violet chuckled, "Ohhh don't be a downer, this is one of the few chances we have together Ash, we gotta enjoy it fully." Violet said as she pulled Ash along. When they reached the hill top a vast field of sunflowers that seemed endless was visible. "Isn't it beautiful?" She asked, Ash nodded his head, "One of the few beautiful areas safe from the war.." Ash mumbled, admiring it's beauty. Violet then pulled Ash to a spot under a tree, their they both sat up admiring the flowers.

"I wanted to show you this. Every time I see you off I come here every week. Thinking that somewhere out there you're protecting this and other places like it, you're protecting the lives of our people so they can enjoy a, sight like this instead of the horrors of war." Violet said as she laid back on the grass. Ash fell into deep thought from her words. Violet ran her hand across Ash's chest. "I'll never forget the wound you took for me the day we met. If you didn't place your life before mine...I've never would've fallen in love with such a man." She said. Ash smiled softly, "I swore to save others before myself, afterall I am.."

Present:Elrios

"A spartan..." Ash summoned his shield as if he remembered something. A memory he long forgotten flooded his head. The day he recieved his sword and shield. “This is my shield. I bear it before me into battle, but it is not mine alone. It protects my brother on my left. It protects my city. I will never let my brother out of its shadow, nor my city out of its shelter. I will die with my shield before me facing the enemy." Ash immediately stood up. "Before a demi god, before a man, I am a spartan, one who sacrifices all they are to see there brother live, to see there city prosper. If I am meant to die I will die protecting those who can't protect themselves! Before I am a Spartan, I am the peoples Shield!" Ash yelled into the air. He looked at the shield of Ares in his hand.

"If I can't protect others with my own power, how can I regain my honor as a spartan.." Ash threw the shield into the ground, "sealed power or not, I'll find my own strength." Ash said as he began walking back to Altera, a fire burning in his eyes.
​

Heavengiver MementoDei

​