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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on Feb 26, 2006 18:59:59 GMT -5
The necromancer put his hand to his forehead, Sulok! Metallica! To me! "It's not right, you would be correct. And if you know anything about how these Obelisks work, feel free to assist." Mortiorchis and his skeletal mages had already breached the barrier around the main Obelisk in key places and had inscribed various runes and circles there. "Now... What to do with the souls..." A gate then appeared with a red light that looked sullen and pale compared to the tainted Obelisk. Sulok stepped through and looked at the crowd that had gathered, and then to the Obelisk, "Oh my..." "That's putting it lightly. I need you to open and maintain a gate to one of our Obelisks, the skeletal magi will activate the release and help me maintain a barrier to funnel them through to you. Where's Metallica?" Sulok looked from the towering stone to his master once more, "She felt something strange as well as a shift in one of our Obelisks. She was proceeding toward them both last I saw her; I expect she will be doing the same even now." "Woah, woah, woah, wait a sec here... There are more of these things about, and another one's gone haywire," Exor cut in. Sulok nodded. "Master, who are these -" "No idea, but they don't like the idea of Nightmare anymore than we do." "...Nightmare...?" The group quickly filled in the undead sorcerer while Eugene stood there and grinned under the keep of the brothers.
"We do this, then, and then we protect our Obelisks. When this one is powered down enough, I will destroy it. But now, hold him," he directed Exor and Lore, "We begin! My minions! Empower our spells!" Sulok opened a gate the size of a pair of double doors and set within it runes of power and holding as well as a circle of protection. A larger resilliant sphere came into being around the Obelisk and the gate, and only moments later did sould come shrieking out of the giant stone. Eugene was beside himself as the necromancer and his entourage began draining the Obelisk of its immense power and diverting it to another. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, eyes wide with shock. Exor, Lore, and Skye stood in awe of the sheer number of souls heading into the portal, and the evil magi struggled to maintain their spells. Already the light of the Obelisk had begun to dim and the rock started to shrink with it.
It was working.
On the other side, Sulok's Obelisk to Rebirth shone a vibrant green as it began the intake of so many pure souls. All was going according to the necromancer's last ditch plan to stop this final darkness from coming to be and to serve his master's wishes.
Meanwhile, Metallica found herself soaring toward a very strange feeling as well as the misaligned Obelisk her master had created.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Feb 26, 2006 19:16:35 GMT -5
Nightwing reached the second oblisk and smiled as she plunged her sword into its bowls causing it to shriek as the curruption spread and consumed it. That task done she stopped feeling the shift in the world as soemthnig began to syphon the power of the central oblisk. she turned and growled stopping and turned her attention to the previously currupted Oblisk of her work and felt that strange feeling heading towards it. she shifted uneasily and continued ot follow it until the feeling shifted nad turned heading towards her at a phenominal rate until the thing ccame into sight. Nightwing felt her whole being trembel at the sight of it then she settled as her senses aligned with the thing that came towards her. it was familiar a feeling that made her feel incomplete but repulsed her. It was soemthnig she no longer needed. 'too late creature,' she called The oblisk is already mine and the only way you'll make it otherwise is if you kill me... but i think i'll just kill you instead...' she raised her hand and called hte shadows they reached up like spears threatening ot lance the approachnig angel but they stopped short, shuddering as if they couldn't approach her and fell appart. Nightwing sneered and watched as the angel landed then felt that strange feeling redouble as she looked over the face, a face and body so familiar she knew every corner ofit. Slowly Nightwing lowered her mask and met the angels equally shocked yet defiant stare. 'This cannot be right... you look, you feel...' Nightwing chuckled as understanding flooded her and at the same time released her from the strange feeling. 'Oh yes... I do feel but thats only becuase I am what was ocne your soul. You are without one now a puppet to a necromancer who will meet oblivion at hte hands of my Master, the one who saved me because flesh was too weak. I'm what was once your soul, but I am my own now I have no need of such a thing as you...' Nightwing lifted her hands and sent another wave of darkness at her but the shadows fell appart again as they reached her. Puzzled nightwing waited and watched. Suddenly the one called Metalica sent shards of metal flying at her but liek the shadows they fell appart and became harmlesswithout Nightwing even needing to raise a hand. It seemed the powerrs were polarized. they destroyed one another within a certian radius. 'Your powerless against me cadaver for mine is notr limited to the power we once had in that form....' she slammed her right hand into the ground and unleashed a volly of abyssal power that struck the metal angel and sent her flying inot the dirt. 'Catch me if you can cadaver and stop me from currupting the remaining two. Even if youre master is draining the power of the oblisk it won't be long before Nightmare comes and consumes both the oblisk and anythnigat the foot of the oblisk. I've weakened the heavens for his coming and nothing cna stop the chain of events that is to come....' she laughed and turned taking flight towards the third oblisk. Thier corruption was linked ot her and the gates to Dark Dream to the hearto f nightmares power were also linked ot her. She was the key and the door and she was using htem to open the door. When the remaining two oblisks were activated nothing but nightmares power would work within that field. All would be helpless against her master.
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Archangel
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And thus did the Archangel descend from Heaven itself...
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Post by Archangel on Feb 26, 2006 23:17:06 GMT -5
"We are safe for now, dear. But things are moving ahead faster than anticipated. Things are not what they seem, and there is trouble afoot."
Kiruu's voice was calm to Samantha's ears, even though the situation was anything BUT calm. Samantha shook her head, and sighed. Now what? What was there to do? She knew her mission. She knew she was supposed to find the things that were wrong in the world and make them right. She was the Second Coming, wasn't she? But just because she had all this power, didn't mean she knew what to do with it. There was so much she could do. Right now, she could walk up to the Obelisk, and Cleanse it of evil. It would take time, but it would work. She had an instinct that it would. She also had an instinct that that would be suicide. She'd be ripped apart before she even got close to any of the Obelisks anywhere. Plus, what was the good of one clean Obelisk, when there were dozens, hundreds, maybe thousands more? No, that idea was foolish. She wouldn't even attempt that one.
She turned to the great white wolf, and spoke.
"Kiruu, I need a moment. Do you mind if I go off by myself for a minute?"
The wolf nodded, and simply sat there, unmoving. Samantha made her way off to the right, away from the wolf. It seemed that they were in the sewers, because there was minimal light from gratings above her head, and the place was dank, dark, and smelled bad. She was by herself soon enough, and softly called out.
"Lysette? Lysette? I need you."
"I'm right here, Sammy."
The voice surprised her, because it came from directly behind her. She turned around, and there was the angel, her pretty face solemn, her body poised. Samantha had no idea how she got...well...wherever she got to. But she did it. Like a ghost, the angel could move silently through anything. But that also came with the disadvantage that she couldn't touch. Not in the real world. In the In Between place, what had appeared like a subway station, she had been solid enough. Here, she was nothing but an ephemeral.
"What do you need?"
"Well...I'm confused. I didn't know what was going on, even before Nazael and I...well...you know. Died. What is happening here? And...and where do I go next?"
"Yeah, I guess that would be a problem, wouldn't it? Not knowing what to do. Ok, lemme explain to you." The angel girl was considerate, and spoke slowly. She told Samantha what was happening, updated her on everything. She could not see the future, but she was a keen observer of the present. She knew that there were multiple Obelisks in the city now, but that they were being subverted. Nightmare, a creature far more powerful than Rebirth, was sending out his legions through the Obelisks that he had subverted. He had some followers, among them a resurrected angel named Nightwing and a mysterious human named Eugene. Rebirth was still actively trying to erect more Obelisks, and drive back the forces of Nightmare to complete his own agenda. He had many followers, as Samantha already knew, but there were only a few she needed to worry about. And basically, there was something happening, something that had stopped the Nightmare troops, something imminent on the horizon that Lysette couldn't quite grasp.
"That's the story. I don't know what's going on with Nightmare's troops, but whatever it is, I doubt it's good. And as for what to do next..... Well. I think that maybe we should ask the Archangel about that one. Because honestly, I don't know. I'm just an advisor. I don't read the future." She smiled, which put Samantha a little more at ease.
Suddenly, a voice spoke up in her mind. "Lysette called on me, Samantha. It's Michael. I know you've got problems, and He figured that you'd need my help. So He gave me a little glimpse into the future. All I can tell you is this: you've got a lot of beings on your side. Nightmare must be stopped, and even Rebirth wants Nightmare dead. There is one called Ranog. I can guide you to a place where you can meet with him, but only through the most arcane of rituals. Are you willing to shed blood for the help you need?"
Before she could answer, his voice was gone. She turned to Lysette. "Take me to this Ranog. I think I need to meet him."
Lysette looked uncomfortable, her manner nervous, her body wriggling. "I don't know, Sammy....I mean....you don't know about Ranog like I know. You haven't heard the stories. This is...not something you should do without some...."
"Just take me to him. Please, Lysette. Please. If the Archangel said that's where I should go, then that's where I'll go."
Lysette, even though she still appeared uncomfortable, nodded her head. Samantha sighed, a heavy sigh, and then walked back to Kiruu.
"Kiruu, I think I might need your help. I need to go on a trip, a very dangerous one. I need your help. I need you to go up to the streets and find out everything you can about what's about to happen. I need everything, do you understand? And...if you know anyone, and I mean anyone, who would be willing to fight against Nightmare and, once he's gone, Rebirth.... well, I think we'll need their help too. Meet me at my apartment, by the wharves, as soon as you can. And bring whoever you can. Would you do that? For me?"
The wolf looked at her, a profound look of wisdom and compassion in her eyes. "I will do what I can." she said, and suddenly, she was gone. Hopefully to do what Samantha had asked of her.
With a sigh, Samantha let Lysette quietly guide her through the sewers. They were heading for an abandoned building, somewhere in the outskirts of the city. In the basement of that building was a door. The door was no ordinary door. When a certain ritual was done correctly, the door would open a portal anywhere one wanted to go. And to see Ranog, she would have to shed blood. She sighed, worried, and made her way through the maze of tunnels, until she reached a certain ladder going up to the street.
"This is the way, Sammy. Go up, and head to your right. Two houses up, the abandoned one on the left. That's the one. But be careful. There are Nightmare legions above us. I'd be prepared."
Sam nodded, and started her way up the ladder. She had no weapon on her, and wasn't quite sure how to summon the Sword of the Archangel. But she would do it, she had no doubt. Given enough time, she would figure it out.
She got to the top, and carefully pushed at the manhole covering the ladder. It moved aside with a rough scratching squeak. She used her arms to pull herself up out of the hole, then resealed the cover, placing it heavily over the hole. That was when she looked around.
There they were. Nightmare troops, the horrible things that had killed her, the terrible nightmares of everyone's minds that hovered just on the brink of insanity. They were all around her, not 50 yards away. And they weren't moving. They were all staring up at the sky, as if contemplating something. Every one of them was doing this, lost in thought.
Samantha shook with fear, but decided that bravery was her only option. She quickly asked Lysette how to summon the Sword, but got no answer in reply. So, instead, she acted intuitively. Placing her hands together, as if in prayer, she shut her eyes and bowed her head. She was about to say a prayer to God, or the Archangel, or whoever would listen.... But instead, she felt the cool metal sliding against her in-turned palms. It was so shocking she opened her eyes....just in time to see the Sword of the Archangel expanding from her clasped hands. It stretched out, as if called out of nowhere into somewhere, expanding from where her hands peaked, until she was easily grasping the hilt. The Sword glowed with a Holy Light, and she felt calmed by it. It whispered to her, the soft song of a sword, as she swung it lightly through the air. She could use this.
Stepping forward, she approached the nearest Nightmare creature. The thing finally noticed her, turning toward her. It snarled, and the others around it noticed her too, snarling themselves. Slowly, they made their way towards her, cautiously, as if stalking prey. They were like wild animals, but they weren't stupid....they knew what a sword was. They made their way towards her....and suddenly, as they took one final step...they stopped. She stared at them, Sword lowered, ready for an attack. But no attack was forthcoming. Instead, the creatures stood there, their heads cocked in awe....and then, they disappeared. One by one, the simply melted into the ground, their shadowy forms becoming one with the Earth, until they simply...ceased to exist.
That was when Sam realized the power she possessed. The power of Cleansing. These mindless beasts, these creatures of Nightmare, were nothing but dirty lies and dangerous sins come to life. They were the essence of a bad dream, and bad dreams were rarely True. The Cleansing aura from her body had done its work. It had gone into them, stopped them, cleaned out all their lies and all their sins. It had forgiven them. And they had simply ceased to exist. Once their lies were taken away from them, once their power to frighten was destroyed, they simply had no meaning anymore. They disappeared.
Confident now, Sam made her way through the Nightmarish crowd. She walked with a slight strut in her step, as the creatures in her immediate vicinity noticed her, snarled, stepped forward, and disappeared. In no time at all, without any further complications, she made her way to the house......
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Post by Caligo [Inactive] on Feb 27, 2006 10:23:57 GMT -5
Vergil, Anima, the angel and the rest of the resistance Metallica had led filed out into the green light. Before them, a massive spire of stone was rising ever higher, fed by a stream of souls. The devil bolted, visions of Timen-Ni-Gru shooting through his mind. Anima and the others followed, the Obelisk an obvious symbol of Rebirth to them. But what would they do about it...?
Shadow creatures were upon them without warning, but Yamato saw quickly to them. Its darkness allowed it to strike them; its power enabled it to destroy them. The angels behind and those of hell coming up took up whatever stragglers, but a solid clink got everyone's attention. A girl? Here? With a sword? Nightmare shades dissolved about her and Vergil felt himself weaken in her presence. "What are you," he offered as he went around her, out of the immediate area of her Cleansing. Her power was attuned to rid all evil, and that doesn't mix well with a devil.
Across the sprawling city, the wicked Obelisk condensed more and more, great fractures appearing in it as it shrunk. "Come on! We've almost got it now! Hold on but a few minutes more!" The resilliant sphere was cracked and its irridecence blemished by the sheer power of the souls flooding form the Obelisk. Nightmare's taint had made it harder to control, but the barriers and gate were holding. Whirlwind's control Obelisk dwindled to a height of 12 feet and kept shrinking. The flow of souls slackened and almost came to a halt. When they were all but finished, the sphere came down and a few souls escaped, and a few more went into the gate to the Obelisk on the other side. The skeletal magi crumbled to dust in a flash, their power no more. Baron Nightshade managed around the faintly glowing Obelisk, barely able to inscribe the runes and sigils on the air about it. He then spoke in a tongue mortals were not meant to hear and the glyphs lit up in time. He pressed a pale hand to the Obelisk and its glow stopped. The stone turned ashen and crumbled to the ground. "So...?" The weary necromancer turned to the gathering, "We did it... But now... We must... See to... The other...!" Mortiorchis stumbled through the gate, followed closely by Sulok. Exor turned to Skye and Lore and shrugged before he, too, vanished into the swirling blackness.
They emerged to the remnants of a very cautious Nightmare faction, a woman in white, and a decent sized group of various demons, devils, and angels.
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Feb 27, 2006 17:32:41 GMT -5
Nightwing felt them bind the central Obelisk but smiled and then laughed as she reached the last of the lesser Obelisks. She had bound and held three and with this last Obelisk.... Nightmare would be able to Anchor a part of Dark Dream in reality and bring forth his nightmarish city X into the world. Or rather it would become Tokyo-X a nightmare of Tokyo where darkness roamed free, where Nightmare would manifest inb his full glory the moment all was strong enough. Reaching the last Obelisk Nightwing landed and like the last three drove her sword into its heart infecting it with Nightmares will until it was utterly under his control and hers. She paused and looked ot the heart of the zone. “The Third if doen but the anchor is failing..."
In response the sky screamed over head and then slowly fragments of it appeared to fall like glass as more darkness spilled from the heavens as Nightmare started to break through. In response the three lesser Obelisks blazed with darkness as beams of dark energy fired up towards the point above where the central obelisk had been. Nightwing then headed for the centeral oblisk feeling the power Vanish. She found the crumbled point and frowned but it didn't matter. Taking out the soul Sword she drove it inot the heart of where hte obelisk had once been and fed her power her strnegth inot it .The ground shuddered and lurched wraping around her legs and under her skin as she pouredh er will into creating a new centeral anchoring point that Nightmare would beable to hold onot the world.
Like a plague the poison of Nightmares will and power began to spread across the ground and then shuddered as it cast all within the field of the Obelisks to the untainted city beyond as the black shadowish slime of Nightmare's Dark dream infested itself into the earth and pavement of the city. Buildings shuddered and then changed.... everything within the field of the four lesser obelisks began to change becoming a shadowish twisted torment of what it had once been. Nightwing gazed skyward as her anchor took hold. Nightmare was coming and nothing would stop him. The three anchoring Obelisks then began to shudder as the darkness spread in them an began to sink into the darkness pooling beneath them until they were gone and in their place black spires began to rise, the nightmarish version of the obelisks.
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v
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Post by v on Feb 27, 2006 18:09:05 GMT -5
Ranog couldn't describe the gnawing sensation at the core of his being. Deep within the Prison of an Unlocked Door, for the first time in living memory, he found himself pressing his chains, all that reamined of his once majestic body, pressing against the granite walls. He could feel the hot fury of hell, still seap through the walls. A feeling he had long since forgotten.
His brother was afraid, the slight mental link he had forged gave him an inclination of what his brother was thinking. Not visions or accurate feelings, but a faint idea of how he was feeling.
The Scimitar Man had perplexed him for a time. It was simply a construct, but far beyond anything he could have created. Something more powerful than he, yet it didn't stink of corruption, or of holiness. It simply, exsisted. That made it something even more dangerous.
He pressed slightly harder against the walls, the souls and energy Somniculose had sent him was proving useful, he could literally feel a miniscule amount of his original power begin to course through his body. The sensation continued to build in his soul, leaking into every part of his mind, the strange thoughts clouding all reason. He couldn't remove it, an all consuming emotional maelstorm, tearing through his mind. His vision blurring, he felt like his whole body was burning, trying to pull itself apart, the atoms of his exsistance ripping free from each other as the energy sped through them.
When his vision finnaly returned, something even more powerful entered his conciousness as sensory infomation was clarified and processed by his mind.
He had raised his skull away from the altar. The huge silver chains that once ran across the whole of the Prison were gone. Instead, a small pool of constantly writhing oil drenched chains were beneath him. One extending outwards, forming a neck to support his skull.
He reared back, roaring in triumph, his voice shaking the very walls of the Prison, dust falling down from the ceiling. Now he would wait for Somniculose to send him more energy. Yes. He would need much more to manifest upon the earth.
And when he had that power? Whoever, or whatever created the Scimitar man had alot to answer for...
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Archangel
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Post by Archangel on Feb 27, 2006 19:01:24 GMT -5
"What are you?" The voice did not take Samantha by surprise, as the appearance of so many angels and demons did not. She had watched them as they emerged from the house, in fact the very house she was heading towards, and seen how they moved. She had also noticed the fact that, with her Cleansing power, she could sense the evil in them, or at least some of them. Especially this demon here, the one with the Japanese sword. She responded carefully, holding the Sword out in front of her in an easy defensive stance. Since she had summoned the Sword, she found herself more and more comfortable with it. And its slight white glow calmed her nerves considerably. In fact, she felt much better, now that she held it in front of her.
"A human, more or less. But I fight against Nightmare. I know what you are. But who are you? I do not wish to fight you."
"Could have fooled me, holding that sword like that." Vergil responded.
Slightly chagrined, she did not lower her weapon. "That is for my safety. You would not begrudge me that, would you?"
Vergil looked at her skeptically, but spoke once again. "We too fight Nightmare. However... how do we know you are what you say you are?"
She looked slightly satisfied. "You fight Nightmare as well? Then at least we are not enemies. However, I have some important business to attend to. You do not need to trust me...you only need to know this: I shall fight Nightmare as long as I can, and you may fight beside me, if you would. Wait here, please, for only a few minutes. I will return soon. And when I do....I may have something which could very well help us with our quest."
Before any of them could respond, she turned away, and slipped into the little house. She heard at least one cry of irritation at her disappearance, but she ignored it completely. She made her way quickly down into the basement, which seemed strangely dark. However, as she held her Sword, her entire body seemed to glow, lighting the way through the dark basement as if it were fully light. She searched quickly, and easily found what she was looking for. A door. But it was no ordinary basement door. She could see that it was securely locked, and all around the outside were written strange and conflicting runes. It was what the Archangel had meant, when he talked about the transporting door. This door was designed to take her anyplace she wished to go, if she only knew the coordinates. And Lysette did.
The angel girl appeared again, and Sam stepped back a step. The girl moved forward, and began touching runes. She touched at least thirty seven of them, although after a while Sam had lost count. It was a complicated procedure, and took some time. But as soon as she was done, she stepped back and faced Sam.
She looked very, very uncomfortable. She spoke in a quiet voice, a bit tremulous, as if she was nervous. "Your turn, Sammy. Do exactly as I tell you, and you'll have exactly 5 minutes with Ranog. First, you must approach the door. Then, you must cast aside your weapon. Don't worry, once it goes from your hand, it will disappear. But before you throw the Sword away, you must.... cut yourself. A deep gash, to either the wrist or the throat. It must be deep, and it must be deadly. I know, I know! Dangerous. But once you do this, once you prove to those that rule over this connection that you are willing to spend your life to visit your destination, you will be allowed through. And, while the blood will not be returned, your wound will be healed. Do you understand the consequences? If you are NOT willing to spend your life for this cause, then you will not be allowed through, and you will not be healed. You will die."
Sam nodded, her eyes troubled. "I'll do it."
Lysette stepped aside and Sam stepped forward. She approached the door, and it vibrated in response. Carefully, she took the Sword of the Archangel. Her heart was singing with fear, and her mind was gasping with worry. But she knew she had to do this. And suddenly, she heard the voice in her head again, the voice that had started all this.
If you sacrifice enough....anything is possible.
She slit her own wrist.
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The Prison of an Unlocked Door was not a pleasant place. Nestled in the deepest depths of Hell, it was anything BUT pleasant. But she made it. She stepped through the unlocked door, and her face was white, her breath panting. The pain...it had been intense. But she was through the door now. Her wound healed itself, knitting it back together, but leaving a deep and lasting scar where the blade had passed. She stood now, weaponless, in the dark room, and peered around. Her body did not glow, because she didn't have the Sword of the Archangel. But still, she could see.
It was a skull. Bound to a pedestal with strange chains. She stared at it, her sense of awe and terror reaching new heights, but softly she spoke.
"Hello? Ranog? My name is Samantha.... I come to...to ask your assistance. On behalf of God Himself, I come to ask your aid...in the destruction of Nightmare. Are you...there?"
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v
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Post by v on Feb 27, 2006 19:19:17 GMT -5
The chains unravelled themselves from the pedestal at her voice, the skull being lifted away from it and focusing its empty sockets on her. The chains underneath it formed a strange writhing mass, a body of sorts it seemed, while one thicker chain acted as a spine, holding the skull aloft. The chains seemed to be coated in a strange black oil which sucked the light into itself, just like the sword Somniculose weilded. As its vacant sockets locked with her eyes, she felt a sensation in her chest. She felt vunerable, cold, lost and alone. Unconciously, she wrapped her arms around herself as if to try and warm herself, or give an illusion of someone else being presant.
It began moving towards her, the mass of chains pulling it along across the floor. She noticed that none of the oil seemed to be left behind as it moved. It didn't seem to be making any hostile gestures, but neither was it making any attempt at being friendly. When it got close, it ran one chain across her face. Every fibre of her being recoiled in horror at the things touch, such was the feeling of absolute cold that left its chains. Yet she was immobile. Her legs simply refusing to follow her commands.
"I am Ranog. And know that I was the first." Its voice seemed to resonate from somewhere deep within the skull. An ancient voice, filled with power and hatred, she was sure. Yet, perplexingly, even now Ranog stood so close to her, there was no evil resonating from him. Just an overwhelming, crawling sensation of being completly alone. "Satan has stripped my body." He moved closer, there bodies almost touching now. "But he cannot destroy me." The very walls of the Prison shook at his words, as if angered that Ranog now defied them, and hell entire.
"Your Nightmare, he made this?" The Scimitar man fell from the roof of the prison, bound in chains and quite dead. "Somniculose works against both him, and that rebellious dolt Rebirth. He will supply me with the energy to manifest, unless you know of a quicker way?" Ranogs skull was literally inches away from Samantha now. She was Gods own, her purity should have kept it away, yet Ranog evidently wasn't bothered by such trivalities. Or maybe it was the prison?.
"I will fight for your God. So too will all of those whom call me ally. Just give us another chance!" His last words seem to resonate across the entirity of hell. Within seconds, Samantha could feel the ground beneath her shake under hundreds of foot and hoof falls. War cries in ancient languages being roared and bellowed in equal measure as the few creatures who had fallen out with Satan, or those that identified with Ranog, began ploughing through the legions of hell towards the Prison.
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Post by Archangel on Feb 27, 2006 23:16:18 GMT -5
Samantha was nearly frozen with terror. This was just a little too much for her. She felt overwhelmed by the strangeness of the being, the sheer loneliness that was Ranog. It was as if she was lost in the pit of the Abyss, with absolutely no one by her side, for a thousand thousand years. She couldn't imagine what it must feel like to actually be Ranog himself! The thought was terrifying, and yet intensely pitiable. She felt herself keenly sorry for this creature, for his fate and his future. No matter what he had done, nothing deserved a fate so lonely, so cold and lost, as what he was punished with. Nothing.
That pity was what brought courage back into her bones. She felt bad for the creature, and this, in turn, reminded her that it was her job to avoid such pains for whoever deserved it. It was her job to save them. And thinking about her duties reminded her about what she was here to do. She faced him with renewed determination, and the fear fell away from her face as she spoke.
"Ranog...I think I know a way. A way to free you. A way to get you the energy you need. And with your promise to fight for God and His cause, I know it will not be in vain!"
She spoke with vigor, and Ranog could tell that what she said was what she truly believed. And so, standing in the pit of Hell, with the sounds of eternal torment all around her, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and prayed. And her answer came almost immediately, from a voice she was getting to know very well. However, it sounded distant, as if it was very far away. And, in essence, there was no farther place from Heaven than Hell, except maybe for the Abyss.
What you ask is...not easy, Samantha. Much would have to be given up for something like that. Ranog is a demon, and a denizen and prisoner of Hell. He is under the control of Satan, and unless the Almighty Lord wishes to start a war with Satan, it will be tricky. But....we shall see. Take that as our answer, for now.
But Michael, how will Ranog know when it is time? How will he know if God has decided his fate for him?
He'll know, my dear. He'll know. And let me tell you this: we here in Heaven will do our best to try and free him for you. Because we know how influential he may be to our cause. And because you asked it, Samantha, we will seriously negotiate. Farewell.
She sighed as the voice left her. Ranog waited there, seemingly immobile. The entire exchange had taken merely 30 seconds. She looked into its sightless eye sockets and spoke, her face weary.
"Ranog....we will do our best to get you free. God knows your plight, and will respond. As soon as He can. Ranog...if it is allowed, we will get you free. And once you're free...you can help us. You are the first. Hopefully, you will be the last. With your help, we could rid the world of pain, at least for a little while. I feel the door tugging now...I cannot stay. But know this...if you can, come and help me! You know who I am...and I will find Somniculose. Then, God willing, we shall defeat our enemies together!"
With that, she felt a tugging on her skin. It was insistent, and she couldn't resist any longer. Her time was up. Seeing Ranog one last time, his skull perched atop a string of chains, she was pulled backward through the Unlocked Door, and into the basement of a little house in Tokyo, Japan.
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Samantha stepped from the house, and looked at the angels and demons gathered there. There were more now, for the Necromancer had joined them, along with Exor, Lore, and Skye. The place seemed to be teeming with people. And now, as she walked out, she realized why. The Obelisk, which had been close, had been changed yet again. Now, instead of an Obelisk, it was a black spire, coated with shadows. And now, the space between the spires was filled with a liquid blackness that seethed and stretched as if it were alive, as if there was an intelligence behind it. It could only be Nightmare's doing.
Samantha turned, and looked out over the people. There were many of them there, scattered in the street, and the Nightmare legions seemed to be strangely absent. She sighed, and placed her hands together. The scar shown out harshly on her wrist. Her Sword, the Sword of the Archangel, stretched out from her clasped hands, and extended out until it reached its full length. Then she stepped forward, but holding the sword towards herself, not aiming it at any of the people gathered there. She spoke, and her voice seemed unnaturally loud and strong, even though she didn't seem to be speaking above normal.
"People gathered here. Demons, angels, humans, and everything in between. I come to you now as a Crusader, but not for some meaningless goal like the Crusaders of old had. No, I come with a goal that we may all embrace. The destruction of Nightmare, and the banishment of his presence here on Earth. Some of you may work for Rebirth. Some for Satan. Some of you may even work for my Lord God. Some may not even know who they work for. I don't know, and I don't care. Because it is up to all of us, those forces in the world that do not wish to see Nightmare succeed, to stand together. It is up to us to join as one, forget our differences, and to fight the most evil force this world has ever seen. I don't expect you to follow me, nor do I want to be your leader. But I have aid coming, and I have powers that I can use. And maybe, just maybe...we can win through. But we have to work together. Anyone who wishes to may stay with me and the others, and we will do what we can to fight Nightmare. After that....we'll decide what happens next."
Her speech done, she stepped back, and waited, to see if she would have anyone join her.
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Post by odi on Feb 27, 2006 23:32:53 GMT -5
Strong arms wrapped around Nightwing Darksoul and she looked back, confused. "Let's do it," Eugene said. "Right!" His hands joined hers.
The sky shattered.
Tokyo shook as if on an axel. Buildings crumbled as appendages collapsed in Tokyo. The monsterous appendages of X - Nightmare's pet - encircled all Spires. Maelstroms of dust and rubble kicked up and X descended. The gigantic mass, a manifestation of pain and lies, dropped atop Eugene and Nightwing. The souls which made up it's body screamed and screamed and screamed. But it just let out an Earth-shattering "AUUURRROOOUUUGGGHHH!!!" and let out more appendages. The appendages destroyed what little civilization remained in all of Japan.
"AUUURRROOOUUUGGGHHH!!!"
Organic, X would crystallize into a 'Citadel of The Gods', an inpenetrable Fortress known as Adgard which would serve as Tokyo-X. And each Spire would be ruled by a Demon Guardian. These angelic FIENDS of TAINT would represent what Nightmare wroughts: Chaos, Despair, Fear, and Hate.
And X would make itself a Tower in Tokyo-X's center; a Tower where Nightmare resides. And waits. He waits and gathers power. Yes. This would mark a day in history.
The day Tokyo stood still under a crystalline night sky...
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Post by Kai! Kai! on Feb 27, 2006 23:34:40 GMT -5
The sky screamed and screamed as more fragments of the heavens fell, turning black and being absorbed by the twisted world of Tokyo-X even as dozens of thick ropy tentacles of darkness flew earthward imbedding themselves into the surface of Tokyo-X and coiling about the three anchoring spires. Then Nightmare began to descend, laughing within at the feeble attempt by the Necromancer to halt his coming by destroying the central obelisk, they never counted on his Angel, Nightwing. Loyal, unwavering Nightwing, who even now created a bridge that, would hold his power to the world. And there standing with her strengthening the bridge was Eugene; both stood holding firmly to the Soul Sword gifted to his angel and used it to mesh their power. Nightmare fell, descending until it’s touched the ground and then sank engulfing Nightwing and Eugene in the shapeless for he had chosen for this decent coating them in the pain, deceit and darkest natures of the mortal heart and then slowly sank into the heart of the new realm that was Dark Dream and what was now Tokyo-X. The tentacles that held the spires strengthened and crystallized forming veins of dark power that rooted nightmare to the plain, pulsating with energy they drew in form the world around as Nightmare rooted himself deep within this new Dark Dream, it was but a fragment of his true reality but it would suffice until all was ready. When the anchors were truly secure Nightmare began to build a fortress around himself spearing his mass back upwards and like the veins of dark matter crystallized and hardened it to create a dark crystal like tower that looked horrifyingly organic and yet alien with its long blade like spikes and shadowed evils of the darkest fears took up residence to protect Nightmare while he gathered strength and awaited. Then slowly from the walls of that dark fortress tower did Eugene and Nightwing step forth unharmed and rejuvenated from giving their strength to Nightmare.
Nightwing Stretched luxuriously as if she had just arisen from lovers arms and smiled spreading her wings wide and looked to Eugene. ‘That was fun,’ she purred then turned to look back at the tower. The wall they had stepped out of rippled like dark water and then solidified and grew its long black sword sharp blades. Nothing would break that crystalline shell, nothing, and no one would enter the tower unless Nightmare wished it.
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Archangel
Recruit
And thus did the Archangel descend from Heaven itself...
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Post by Archangel on Mar 2, 2006 19:16:15 GMT -5
The sound of the falling X and the subsequent destruction of the city was enough to blast the entire assembled group of humans, angels and demons backwards, slamming them into the buildings slightly off to the side. All was chaos as the roaring filled the air, and clouds of dust and debris flew through the sky, filling it with blackness almost as deep as the disgusting organic fortress. Samantha lay against the building behind her, her body gasping for dirty breath, as the city seemed to be disappearing around her. And then, a large chunk of mortar hit her on the end, and she blacked out. *********************************************************** She woke up, and she was alone. Or at least, she thought she was alone...she could hear no breathing. She was also not where she had been before. The street was gone. Instead, she was inside a creaking, moving, lurching room that couldn't seem to sit still. It was dark, very dark, and she couldn't see a single thing. Her head hurt like hell, and her stomach didn't feel too good either.She felt like throwing up, actually. Groaning, she moved her head to the side, and leaned over the edge of her...what was this? A hammock? Well, whatever it was, she hung her head over the side of it, and prepared herself for a monstrous vomiting of everything she had eaten in the past month. That was when she heard the voice. "Why don't you summon your Sword? It would do you some good...and you'd probably be able to see a little bit better."She couldn't throw up now. She might hit whoever was in the room with her. She choked back on her last meal and spoke, almost gagging. "What...the...hell...? Who are you? Where am I?" "Summon the Sword. Your questions will be answered, just trust me."Putting her hands together, she concentrated on praying. The Sword grew out of her hands, just like it had done twice before. She was getting more used to it now, and it didn't feel so strange anymore. As she finally gripped the hilt, her entire body lit up, glowing brightly. The power of the Sword let her see in dark places! That made sense...it was a Holy weapon. And as she glowed, she felt the Holy Light spread through her body, easing her sickness, calming her headache. It was a healing light, its touch soft and its action quick. She immediately felt 100% better, and the need to vomit disappeared. Also with the light came better understanding of her surroundings. She was in the belly of a ship. Not a very big one, by the feel of it, but big enough, as ships went. That was the reason the entire room was lurching drunkenly. They were sailing. And beside her, sat an angel. He was obviously an angel...she could see the faint shadows of wings that folded against his shoulders. Beside him leaned a hammer, a huge monstrosity that looked big enough to be wielded by a giant. It was propped against the wall, and stood at least 4 feet high. The angel smiled gently at her, and she looked back at him. "There. Now don't you feel better?"She nodded her head, a little chagrined. "Yes, thank you. But you still haven't answered my questions. Who are you? And where am I?" "The where question is easiest to answer. You're in a ship, the Lotus Flower, and you're swiftly sailing south-southwest, somewhere past the tip of Sri Lanka. You've been out for quite some time, actually. We were starting to worry about you.
As for who I am, well...I guess that can be answered simply, but it may require some explanation. My name is Gabriel. I'm an Archangel.... Michael's younger brother, in fact. Maybe you've heard of me?" She nodded her head. "I seem to attract a lot of attention up in Heaven, don't I?" she asked ruefully, and shook her head, smiling wryly. He smiled at her, and chuckled a bit. "That you do, Samantha. You have no idea how many resources have been diverted to your cause up there. And you have no idea how much hope is riding on you. You've got some big responsibilities, young lady, and so do a lot of people you would be working with. Not all of them may be people you call friends, however."She shook her head. She knew what he was talking about very well. Those she had met outside of the little house in Tokyo had been an eclectic mix of demons and angels, and not all of them (actually, none of them) had looked very nice. "So what are you doing here, Gabriel? What's your job in this big mess?" "Oh, I'm just a temporary piece in this chess game. I came to rescue you from Tokyo-X, and I'll probably be heading back up to the Big House soon. Consider me the knight that the player sacrifices to make a better move." He smiled a rueful smile, and sighed. She nodded her head. She knew what it was like to have an insignificant role in a big game...even if that wasn't exactly her position now. "What about everyone else in the street with me? What about Somniculose? And Kiruu?" The Archangel stood up, and looked down at her kindly. "Get some rest. When you feel better, call for Lysette. She'll guide you above deck."With that, he turned and walked out the cabin door. She lay there, holding the Sword and glowing softly for a few minutes. Then, without putting the Sword away, she lay down with the blade against her belly and tried to fall asleep..... She had forgotten to ask where they were going. (OOC: Ok, here's the deal. I decided to move ahead a little, since nobody else was. I'm in a ship, heading west towards the UK. You can either be on the ship with me, if you want to, or you can find another way to get to the UK. Matt said something about teleporting there, but that's not my deal. And I'd like it if Kiruu was on the ship with me, but that's your call Nish)
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