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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 20, 2023 21:27:54 GMT -5
Falling...
Falling....
Falling...
Eventually his feet found soil, a familiar and harsh Sunlight cascaded over him as he'd look to where he stood now. Where he stood now was on a beach, a vast ocean stretched before him for miles, yet it was cold and dark. There he saw the young trio, each of them bearing their keyblades, panting heavily as they looked to a being of pure malice. It was a massive heartless with blades for hands and feet, a maw of daggers and an axe settled onto the top of its head. It was clear the trio needed help, but in an act of desperation the large one stood up and channeled a dark force, purple energy coating his blade and hands as he rushed at the creature and sliced it in twine.
"Ruvok! Y-You can't use the darkness like that! It's not safe!"
Turning to look to the fatigued Helinara, he'd sigh heavily.
"It isn't what I wanted. But we're in a desperate situation. Scala is gone, Odin is missing, no one has even contacted us. We don't even know what the hell happened to Machiko, I'm not going to lose you too! I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe!"
"But if you succumb, we will have lost you."
Ruvok grunted, both of the woman standing to wrap their arms around his waist and hold him for a moment.
"We're in this together. Now get ready, we have another world we need to check."
Vasch knew their true problem however, it's that they weren't truly in another world. No. He knew what this place was, he had been stuck here for a near Millinea. This was the Realm of Darkness. An echo of a world lost to time, sleeping within its dark realm, perhaps to be reborn again; but this would mean one thing. They were stuck here like him once before. They'd walk off, continuing their fruitless endeavors.
"How naïve we once were."
The soft voice spoke, her armor once sleek gold and black now just entirely black, a symbol of the Ourboros on her chest as she produced her keyblade which seemed to be more of a whip as she flicked it forward, it had a weighted head and seemed to crackle with electricity.
"Show me, ex-master. Show me your pain."
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 21, 2023 11:09:26 GMT -5
Vasch's voice didn't echo as he shouted out. Instead it seemed like it was swallowed whole by the abyss around him. It took a moment, fighting instinct, but he soon let himself free fall... Machiko...Henoke... Why were these two connected? Why was he dealing with his past now, or all times? When he'd finally made peace with his present?
He didn't know how long he fell before his armored boots touched ground again. Straightening himself, the man in the dark haori looked around—freezing and going rigid as he took in the world around him. No...! Vasch stood on marred sand, stained black from taint and shadow. Murky water lapped idly beyond, reflecting a moon that basked an eerie glow from above.
Why is am I—?! He turned on his heels, whipping his head back and forth as his usually lifeless eyes widened in recognition—in fear. Vasch stood on a familiar shore, it had been one he'd been stuck at before. He was in the Realm of Darkness! No—it isn't real...it's not the same shore...! His breathing was ragged as he lifted a hand to his head. The ex-Master was forcing the reminder onto himself, feeling panic grip his heart.
He'd been stuck here, fighting endless waves of Heartless, until finally freeing himself—only to find nothing but ruin outside...
"Grrrrraaah!" Hearing a shout and the sound of battle, the ex-Master spun around in time to see Ruvok and the others. The mountain of a man had felled a massive creature of darkness, though their own weapon was shrouded in the murky energy of evil. Watching with a mildly stunned expression as the trio seemed to express sentiments Vasch himself could vaguely recall once feeling, the lightly armored man began to scowl and clench his fists.
There they are! It was a memory...but these three were the Triad. Now he knew what they looked like—he wouldn't make the same mistake again. To the ex-Master, it didn't matter if the group had shared a similar nightmare—he'd seen everything he needed to see in this moment. They'd wound up here, somehow, but unlike himself—they had used the darkness around them to survive.
It just wasn't something Vasch could respect, or forgive. Not when he'd viewed them as victims, too... He'd originally thought the Triad were similar to Machiko, experiments with little say—pawns in this 'Xehanort's' game. Even if that were true, though, now he knew another aspect of the truth. They'd allowed darkness into their heart willingly—even if the reasons were 'good', it had been a conscious choice.
"How naïve we once were." Just as Vasch was about to chase after the trio, who had begun to walk off further into the horrifying realm, a soft voice echoed throughout the shore. Spinning in the dark sand, the ex-Master grimaced as he turned and found himself face-to-face with a different Helinara. This one's armor was all black, the sigil of the Ouroboros engraved on the chest. "Show me your pain." She carried an odd Keyblade, one that dragged in the sand, weighted down by its head that crackled and sparked with electricity...!
Taking a step back towards the dark water, Vasch grit his teeth and readied a stance. The White Dwarf had abandoned him during his battle with Machiko...he was defenseless! His heart still thundered in his ears, pounding in his chest. The very scenery of this realm was a heavy reminder of all he'd gone through—of all he'd lost. "Sorry...I prefer to keep to myself, thanks." Sweat bead down his brow as he forced a sarcastic remark. It was an old habit, one he had used to do whenever he got nervous...
No Keyblade, no magic. What are my options, here? His mismatched eyes darted around him before something in his heart spoke to him. It was something that cut through the fear and anxiety he felt—an urgency that he'd nearly forgotten. "You can do me a favor, though..." He took a deep breath, calming himself as he focused. His face had fixed into a serious expression, his left hand reaching out in front of him as a bright ray of light erupted in the darkness around them.
"Get the hell outta my employee's heart, huh?" The White Dwarf appeared, though it wasn't in its 'flawless' state like it had been before. No, Vasch had returned to 'reality' so to speak. His connection with the Keyblade wasn't perfect—he'd made mistakes that he could never recover from...he'd acknowledge that. What the middle-aged man was determined to do was to make sure he didn't repeat those same mistakes. The rust marks, dents and chips in the Keyblade he carried were painful reminders—one's he couldn't, and wouldn't remove, in order to hold himself accountable and make sure he didn't stray from the path he'd made for himself now.
"This place is just a memory. Nothing more. There's no pain here for me—" Vasch's eyes flared with a menace they hadn't held in a decade or more. "But for you there'll be plenty!" Moving with blinding speed, the lightly armored man closed the gap within the blink of an eye, using his Vortex ability to close the gap between the two with a powerful spinning attack!
The fight was on!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 21, 2023 15:12:28 GMT -5
A light echoing chuckle rose from her lips as he burst forward. She was no longer there, then all of a sudden there were several of her, seven, all wandering around spinning her whip. The scenery seeming to darken all around him as the memory bled away. Only darkness remained, eventually all seven of them flicked their whips to clash across the cold ground as bolts of electricity all crashed in his vicinity. Although as the bolts formed, each of the copies did in their place.
Attempting to all slap him with their whips at once, another laugh erupted from Helinara; although this time it was only one of them.
"Oh my pain is stretched upon these walls! LET ME SHOW YOU!"
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 22, 2023 16:55:00 GMT -5
Vasch felt his Keyblade slash empty air as his spinning attack whiffed completely. Helinara's laughter echoed throughout the darkness, though her figure had vanished within the short time he'd closed the space between them... She controls the environment, too... Grimacing as darkness closed in and seven of the armored warrior's emerged from the shadows, the ex-Master readied themselves. This battle wasn't going to be easy.
"LET ME SHOW YOU!" All seven closed in at once, flashing towards the man through bolts of lightning before lashing out with the bizarre Keyblade-whip! Bzzzt! Snap! Electricity crackled and sparked light across the darkness as Vasch began to move, closing his eyes and trusting an instinct long forgotten to him. He couldn't trust what he saw, both because of the disorienting patterns of light the electric whip attacks caused as well as the fact he knew the mirage warrior could alter the scenery at any moment.
Instead, Vasch relied on an instinct only those tested by years of training, time on the battlefield and lurking near the shadow of Death could achieve. "No thanks. I'm not interested in how you feel." As he spoke, the lightly armored man in the dark haori ducked, rolled and weaved as the sparking heads of the Keyblade whips shot out at him. His voice wasn't harsh or filled with the earlier distaste it had—instead it was filled with a cold indifference.
"Argh...! Finally..." He'd waited until he had finally pinpointed the one who'd spoken—using the arm that was guarded by a hefty silver gauntlet, Vasch reached out with his hand and took the brunt of one of the shocking Keyblade heads. The initial zap hurt like hell...but the ex-Master had been swift enough to dodge the bladed end and instead allow the whip-like weapon to wrap around his protected forearm. "Now I've got you...!" Gritting his teeth through the pain as his body was overcome by a powerful electric blast, Vasch grabbed onto the blocked weapon with all of his strength.
The White Dwarf shone like a beacon, a star in an otherwise empty night sky...
His eyes were open now, mismatched colors gleaming in the darkness with an icy defiance that seemed to freeze the earlier fear and indecision he'd felt. While using the whip-like weapon as a guide to the Helinara that had laughed and spoken out loud, Vasch sprinted full speed while pulling with all his might toward himself. His aim was to yank the warrior off her feet towards him while meeting her halfway.
Once the two met in the middle, he'd strike with the energy stored up in his own Keyblade. It was an unorthodox way of doing so, but this was how Vasch was delivering his signature move—his Zantetsuken 'X'!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 22, 2023 17:19:22 GMT -5
Always the brute force types, so quick to get lost in the moment and overpowered by the simplest mind trick. Before long she'd probably have him on his knees and begging for mercy, wouldn't that be a delightful scene? Each strike was filled with the deepest despairs she could muster, the terror of this place, the pain of being lost, the sorrow of losing one's home, it was all there. Although there was a problem she began to notice, the man was weathering each strike but not acting, don't they usually flail about uselessly? Or maybe he was attempting to determine her location, fat chance he'd be fast enough to even do it.
Just as she was going to strike again she got a firm grip on him, but that wasn't what she wanted. Crap! She tried to unwind it and pull back to the shadows but it was too late. The powerful slash caused her to fly and collapse onto the ground with a gash across her chestplate. Sitting up with a gasp, the sharp agony of steel pushing through her senses, a pool of shadow forming beneath her body as she gave a hiss.
"You won't be so lucky next time."
She'd retreat, the wisps of her heart seeming to connect to a bright and glowing sphere in the center of the dreamscape. The one beneath his feet began to crumble again, more than likely about to fall into another world.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 24, 2023 11:19:15 GMT -5
CRACK! Vasch fought through the pain of the zapping electricity, feeling and hearing his swift and powerful Keyblade strike connect! Seeing Helinara fly across the darkness, a wide gash forming in her armor from where the blow had landed, the wavy haired man gave a sigh of relief. Wincing, Vasch dropped to a knee, his body smoldering and smoking from the harsh voltage he'd endured. "You won't be so lucky next time."
As shadows formed beneath her, a bright wisp of a heart emerging and floating high above him, Vasch watched with an annoyed expression. "I don't consider myself lucky, now..." If he was, would he have been involved in any of this to begin with? Forcing himself onto his feet with the help of his Keyblade, the ex-Master would stagger as the ground began to crack and rumble once more. Similar to the last dreamscape, it seemed this one was giving out!
"One down, two to go." Looking back up at the bright glowing sphere that housed the first heart, Vasch prepared himself as the ground broke away—
This time he didn't shout out or flail as he plummeted through the dark...
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 24, 2023 11:48:44 GMT -5
Falling...
Falling...
Falling...
Again he found footing, this time in a familiar sight once again. It seemed these weren't exactly sleeping worlds, but sleeping memories of worlds housed by the Triad. This environment seemed to be similar to the one he had actually taken Machiko, the Radiant Garden labs. Each of the triad standing ragged and covering in darkness, a reserved Xehanort looking them all over. Another man in a labcoat came by with blonde hair, murmuring into his ear and nodding.
"I will seek a means of purifying your hearts. But you will remain within these chambers until the process is complete. Meanwhile, we will look for your friend, Machiko."
The three of them looked relieved at Xehanort, all of them acquiescing and moving to settle into their respective pods. Pondering for a moment he'd place his hands over each chamber, glancing over to his assistant.
"I'm assuming they will be the catalyst for our next experiment? Quite cruel of you, y'know. To give them hope like that."
Xehanort shrugged, beginning to adjust terminals nearby to render each of them docile.
"In the name of science, I will do whatever I must. This...Machiko they speak of, do you have any idea where they might be?"
The assitant gave a click of his tongue, pondering as he tapped at his chin.
"There were rumors of a wandering keyblader in the city. But they have since departed."
"Track their signature. I'm certain we can find them."
Time would move on, each of the triad would have been fed even more darkness. Each of them becoming near images of malice, their armor didn't seem to protect them; it instead mutated to grow over it. Xehanort looked over the trio, then toward the skies.
"We have found your Machiko. She is currently wandering the Keyblade Graveyard, hoping to find you three no doubt. Your objective is to capture her. Do not eliminate her."
The trio gave a nod, stepping out to then launch themselves to the skies with their keyblades and travel to the world. The world again shifted, but this time Aevlenne, she'd stare at him for a long while before moving to simply snap her fingers and vanish, her trail heading toward the glowing star. It seemed she didn't quite enjoy the idea of fighting him alone. All the while the world would crumble beneath his feet, once more beginning to fall.
Falling...
Falling...
Falling...
A familiar place, one he more than likely dreaded to be within, a wasteland covered in keyblades and sorrow. The Keyblade Graveyard, clangs of steel and magic could be heard in the distance. Should he investigate a lone Machiko stood in a clearing, her armor battered and broken as she held each of her keyblades, blood trailing down her forehead and matting onto her protective attire. The grip on her weapoons only growing weaker as she breathed raggedly as the triad stood before her. Tears trailing down her cheeks as she gave an angry cry.
"Why?! Why are you doing this?! Stop it! We're friends!"
Machiko lifted her keyblades but it didn't matter, all three of them struck at once and she cried out and slammed into a nearby dirt wall. The force nearly making an outline of her body as her keyblades fell from her hands, plummeting onto the ground unconscious. Approaching her, Ruvok would slinger her over his shoulder and they began their trek back. In the end Ruvok stared at Vasch before he too also faded to the glowing center he needed to get to. The world beginning to fade, dropping him into the glowing center of it all.
There they stood in a city where it eternally rained, tall spires of buildings with inky black roads. The world felt eerily close to darkness, on the precipice but not entirely there. Neon signs on at all times along with most of the buildings around them. There was a path forward, and there three silhouettes stood over a white capsule.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 28, 2023 13:53:33 GMT -5
Vasch wasn't sure how long he'd been falling. During the time, he'd readied himself for what was to come—though of course he had no way of knowing. Machiko... She had forced her way into his rather mundane and easy life, all too suddenly. The fact she was somehow connected to his old apprentice...the ex-Master couldn't help but feel that perhaps this quest of his was truly his comeuppance.
This time, things will go differently. Vasch reassured himself of this, his grip on his Keyblade tightening as a familiar world began to construct itself below and around him...
Standing in the Radiant Garden labs, the man in the dark haori found the next scene to be different from the world before. Instead of being an active participant—it seemed like he was an observer in the memory. Though he stood there, it was like others couldn't see him, his body hovering slightly above the ground as a faint light aura shimmered around him. Is that—?!
Seeing the exchange between who he didn't recognize but knew to be Xehanort and the Triad, the ex-Master grit his teeth in indignant anger. To toy with others hearts and emotions...it was despicable. Though Vasch wasn't quite ready to absolve the Triad of guilt, the memory certainly shed new light on their situation...
Hearing where Machiko was from the lab assistant, Vasch's heartbeat froze in his chest. Before he could fully recover, Aevlenne stood before him—shattering the memory and the world as she dissolved and rose into the same core he witnessed before. "Wait—!!" This time, there was fear in the ex-Master's voice. Reaching an armored hand out to the figure as the ground beneath him broke apart and he was once more plummeted through the darkness, Vasch gripped his Keyblade tighter and let out a scream that was swallowed by the emptiness.
He was willing to go anywhere but back there...
Sure enough, by the time Vasch felt ground beneath his feet and his heart held enough courage to allow his eyes to open—he was filled with regret and agony.
"Why...?" The ex-Master stumbled and nearly collapsed as the memory unfolded a world he could never forget around him. Dry sand whipped cruelly against his eyes as the wasteland sprawled before him, old and discarded Keyblades sticking out of the marred and fissured ground mockingly. It was indeed the Graveyard he'd lost everything in, where he'd relinquished his title as 'Master' and abandoned his duties as one who carried the Keyblade.
It's not real...it's not real... Trying to calm himself and regain control of his ragged breathing and pounding heartbeat, Vasch clutched at his chest and shook his head. He remained propped up on one knee, his own Keyblade helping to keep him up as he tried to shake off the memories flooding his own mind. Clang! Smash! Bang! It was then he heard the sounds of battle in the distance...
"I thought...I buried these feelings here." Pushing himself to his feet, Vasch glared at the countless Keyblades surrounding him before looking down at his own. "That's right...the past is the past." What was he doing? Getting so worked up over his own failures, when he had a goal right in front of him? This world, much like the others, was not really there...but an echo of what was left. A piece of a memory in the heart of Machiko.
"I won't let you down, too." Being surrounded by his deepest regrets, the ex-Master had lost himself to his own past for a moment, but he'd reminded himself of what was important now.
"Stop it! We're friends!" A voice—her voice, echoed throughout the wasteland, out of view. CRASH! Crunch! Vasch went rigid at the sound of a sickening slam that followed. Within seconds, the lightly armored man was running with all of his might. The insane speed that the man displayed in battle aided him now as he became a blur of silver and blue, making it to the clearing where Machiko was fighting the corrupted Triad and losing within the blink of an eye.
He was too late, still. Just as he reached the clearing, readying his Keyblade to strike—the ex-Master would slide to a halt. Ruvok stood, the mountain of a man, with Machiko slung over his shoulder. Damn it! Vasch was close enough to touch him, but seeing Machiko in such a state had caused him to freeze. "Put 'er down...!" Readying his weapon, the ex-Master would be disheartened to find the mighty looking opponent fade and dissolve as the world began to break apart once more...
As Ruvok rose up into the familiar 'core' and the Keyblade Graveyard broke apart, Vasch was left slashing out at empty air as he plummeted once more...
Where...am I? His eyes opened as he stood in a world unfamiliar to him. Vasch looked around at tall strange city building littered in neon signs as rain fell in a quiet rhythm. The ex-Master could feel the strong presence of darkness all around him, causing his hair to stand on end and his hand to grip his Keyblade tightly as sweat mixed with the rain on his brow.
His mismatched eyes widened as he finally saw the alley before him—mainly the three familiar figures standing at the end. All of them stood over a lone white capsule. Machiko! That had to be her! Pointing out with the White Dwarf, Vasch's usually blank face had a surprisingly dark expression as he began to stalk down the alleyway, his armored boots clanging! and giving away any element of surprise.
"Oi, back up—you failures." Sighing a bit, the man in the dark haori almost seemed more annoyed than genuinely angry. "Y'know...we really are too much alike. You were pawns, betrayed your ideals—now you aren't even recognizable." Narrowing his eyes, the ex-Master seemingly vanished as a streak of blue and silver ricocheted across the buildings forming the alley. Suddenly, Vasch was standing on top of the white capsule the Triad were surrounding, his Keyblade glowing with shining aura.
"This'll probably be therapeutic, then..." The blank expression had returned to his face—he'd regained his focus. Releasing his Intrepid Stars shotlock, an explosion of bright blue stars erupted in a cyclone point-blank from atop the white capsule to wash over the three opponents at once! Due to the close range, Vasch was damaged as well, though the ex-Master was used to his own attacks harming him. His Keyblade was fickle, after all.
He'd save his new employee and make sure the Triad would regret making him deal with feelings from his past!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 28, 2023 14:07:04 GMT -5
Aevlenne and Helinara were caught up in the residual blast, while Ruvok lifted his keyblade in a guard which formed almost a phalanx of flames in front of him to absorb most of the blow. Then in a familiar flourish his keyblade extended and turned into a halberd, the same one Machiko had used briefly; although Vasch hadn't been there to see it. The pod was also damaged, although not nearly as much as everyone else; it was showing its wear. Aevlenne thrust her hand forward attempting to form a prison of ice around him and were it successful Ruvok would follow up with a slam of his spear upon the cage to make it explode in ice magic. Helinara however was heavily injured due to her fight from earlier, not quite recovering, she was down and on the ground after the explosion.
S̵͓̫̔̈̈́͐̏̒̆̕̚͜͝ť̵̲͕͕̝̥̭̯͖̓͊̈́̄ͅo̴͚̪͇̙̟͍͈̱͙̗̯͍̝͖̒̋̔̓̾̄̉͋̍̆́͝p̸͉͖̱̩̜͚͓̟̫̙͈̟̆̔̍͐̐̊̿͑̔́ ̴̧̢̛͎̦̹̺̯̣͉͓͙̥͜ṃ̷̉e̶̥̜̭͘d̷͇̱̞̼̰̝̿̓̎̌̽̐̃͛̓̎̽̿̊̕͜͜͝d̶̡̖̦̞͕̝̳͔̖̠̭͓̤͐̇͜ͅľ̶̛͉͐̄͋̽͝͝͝į̶̧̯͇͉͕̞͙̗̘̞̞͉͔̮̄͆́͒̎͌n̸̢̮̦̩͕̲͙̓̀̋͑̍̓̋̈́̈̆̆̽̈́̾̀g̶̫̃̿̉̊͛̈́͌̏̑͘͝,̸̩̞̰̮̱͖͙̩͇͉̦̈́̿̐͘ ̵̧̪̝̤̻͕̅̌̅̈́͊̓̂͆̊̽̀̈́͝f̵̛̛̱̙̘͕͍͔̫̱͙̱̦̘̗̺̰͊̂̓̀͋̒̅̆̓͛̀̚o̷̤͍̹̐͒͛̌̍̽ǒ̴̢̪̖̟̰̥͒̔̍ļ̷̥̺̦̮̉̾̓̌̎̌!̵̢̙̹̘̻̭̙͈͙̆̓̂͐̌̈́͊͊̈́͋̂̓̓̉͘"̵̡̳͙̗͍̞̜͙̟̺͖̤͕͋͐͋́̋
All the while the pod began to slowly turn a pitch black from the bottom up.
Machiko will fall to darkness in five rounds.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 30, 2023 13:05:56 GMT -5
Vasch sighed in mild annoyance as only two of the Triad seemed to be swept up in his shotlock attack. Ruvok, the mountain wearing armor, simply seemed to guard the brunt of it without much effort—even performing a Keyblade Transformation! Well, that isn't good... It wasn't just the man's size, but raw strength that he worried about. He reminds me of Leader Aced. It was settled—the man in the dark haori knew who he would be targeting first.
"Freeze!" While one of the Triad had collapsed and another seemed to be preparing a spell, Vasch aimed his Keyblade directly at Ruvok. The White Dwarf's rusted tip began to shine with a radiant light as suddenly a Pyramid erupted and formed around the mountain, trapping them. That'll only hold for so long... The ex-Master noticed the damage to the pod he stood on. For a moment, it made him flinch—he was nervous that harm would befall Machiko...until he saw and sensed the darkness creeping forth, contaminating it. He'd have to either break her free of the contraption, or release the darkness with his Keyblade. Maybe both?
Brrr...when'd it get so cold? Ice and snow had begun to creep up around him as Aevlenne's spell came to fruition. Distracted by casting his own spell, as well as focusing on the pod, Vasch had been left prone to the ice prison that had formed around him! Suddenly finding himself surrounded by large shards of ice as snow fell around him, the ex-Master grimaced as his mismatched eyes narrowed and focused on the opponent ahead through glacial bars.
He'd successfully managed to contain Ruvok and their bizarre halberd...but he knew the darkness was still growing around Machiko. He had to act fast. "Stop meddling—fool!" The fiery mountain man's distorted voice bellowed from the Pyramid, their slam attack thudding uselessly against the walls made of shimmering light that surrounded their large form. Hopefully none of the remaining opponents figured out the true nature of his trap...
"F-funny...I was g-going to say...th-the same to y-you." Vasch's body, especially where he wore armor, was beginning to freeze over and crystalize from the icy magical prison. Using more energy than he'd otherwise have to, the ex-Master slowly forced his way into a fighting stance as he readied his assault. SMASH! Chunks of ice flung from the wavy haired man's body as the snowy prison broke into pieces while he spun like a tornado—performing his Vortex ability!
"I may not look like much—but I was a Master, you know?" Within a moment, Vasch's spinning assault had freed him from the prison, launching shards of ice across the alley as he flung himself directly for Aevlenne! Despite his blurring movements, the woman would most likely notice that the man's Keyblade had a few sharp shards locked into the teeth of the weapon—he was using her own element against her with every slash. ((OOC: Idk if I've mentioned this, but Vasch fights with a one-handed style with his Keyblade teeth facing the enemy, similar to Riku but his stance is different.))
Closing the distance, Vasch went low with wide spinning attacks aimed at her legs before aiming a direct uppercut with his Keyblade vertically! It was a nearly impossibly fast combo, considering the physicality of it all—yet somehow the lightly armored man moved with the swiftness and grace of a jungle cat ((OOC: lol I had to make the Union joke)). His attacks were most likely not as heavy as someone with the raw power as say Ruvok—but the ferocity behind every blow was amplified by the succession of them.
Clang! CLANG! CLANG! His Keyblade struck out like lightning—there one second and gone the next.
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 31, 2023 21:04:28 GMT -5
The icy prison wasn't strong enough to contain the ex-master it seemed, Aevlenne had actually not accounted for this. Normally she would be supported by Helinara should there be any kind of close quarters, but she was not so lucky. Her keyblade moved to respond but it was far too slow, the feint connected and her armor fell to the ground as her dark yellow eyes began to fade as she collapsed onto the ground. She'd reach out to Ruvok who was currently trapped within his barrier before collapsing. He stared at them for a long while, his eyes staring down at each of his comrades as rage began to build within his heart. Darkness filling the prism of light akin to a cloud, spiraling around the center of the barrier.
A low rumble of fury began to build, monstrous energy beginning to fill the pyramid until it all burst as a wave of dark energy exploded from the space.
"Ơ̶̧̢̛̳̳̭͍͉̩͈̯͍̝̟̪̭͎͉̰̘̖̯̗̥̠̲̼̻͉̖̦̬͙̒͗́̒͗͋̄̉̇̃̀̒̍̍̀̄̈́͌̍̄͛̔͒͆̌͑̌̎̒̚͜͠͝͝ͅͅͅB̸̧̡̨̨̨͔͈̦͓͇̗͕͕͎̝̙̲̻͖̙̠̺͖̣̜͛̌́͌̏͋͋̊͗͗̿͒͒̾̈́̄̃̊̿͑̒̒̀͛̂̽̿̅͛̐͂͗̏̂͑̈́̉͊̚͘̕͠͠Ļ̷̱̣̬̞̹͔̜̯̠̙͔̰̯͈̻̫̮͕̜̬̰͙̭̞͖̯̹̬͔̱̳͉̼̮͓̠̈́̾̾̄̋͗̓̈́͂̓͂̆̈́͋̑͐́̉͑̽͋̀̎̀̋͗̋̋͌̚͘͜͝͝͠͝Į̷͕̙̫̤̣̯͉̝̬̻̦̩̼͇̻̳̀̓̔͑̈̇̅̀͗̂͛́̊̀̃̀͘͜ͅV̵̨̨̡̨̧̛̛̛̛͔̹̠̲̩̝̼̖̰̫̪͖͕̻̜̮̺̩͉͇̣̮̳̺̹͙̘̠̹͙̩͈͕̫̘̱̳̑̾̋͌̇́́̀͑̆̃̄́͋̆̈́͐̀̓́̄͂͋̆̃͑͒͆͂̋̿̽̆͛̅̋̉̚̚̕͘͜͠͝͝͝ͅͅĮ̸͔͈̱͕͓̻͚̫̦͎̝͉̤̫̝͈̳̱͕͕̺̹̝͚̙̞̜̖̲͔̼̼̞̹̍́͌̈́͆͊͆̀̎͝͝͝͠͝͠͝O̶͔̦̹̰͎̹͌̉̓͋̌̀͌̐̅͂͜N̴̨̛̛̩̼̠̮͈͚̤̭̙̤̤̹̞͂̈́͗̿͑̈̾͒̿̉͗͆̈̌́̓͋̊̏̉̾͊̈́͛͒͌̌̀̉̔̓̍͐̈́̕̕̚͝͠͝ͅ ̷̧̳̜̪̤̙̺̭̪̝͇͉͚͖͍͍̞̳̜̫͚̖͚̳͇͈͍̟͉̗̠̮̹̜̗̟͈̦̺̰̤͉̗̣̥̙̤̒̎͊͗̈́̔͆̊͌̏͊͛͂̋̄̆̂̀͑̽̐͂̏̀͗̊̎͆̊̐̆̋̀͌̕̚̚̕͝͝͠ͅͅͅŞ̷̧̡̡̨̢̧̪̥̙̲͕̖͕͈̜̱͇͍̲̬̱͙̫̯̙̳̫͉̪̯̩̠̯̞͉̺̰̱́̈́͛͒́͆͗̒͐̽͊̀̌̋͋̓̽̒͒̄̎̂͛̋͘͘̚Ḣ̴̛̟̮͊̀͆̋̔͆̂͌̇͐̌́̓̈̔̍̇͂͒͒̈́̒́͂̍̽̂͗͊͊̈́̕͘͘͜͠͝A̵̢̢̛̛̛͔̼͎̳̪͉̙̺̬̪͉͈̭̰̲͓͉̳̺̖͖͇̦̘͖̲̫͉̩͆́͂͌̈́͗̓̐͑͊̉̈̀͊̿̋̄̈́̋̂̎͒̊̈̿̕̕͘͝ͅḺ̵̢̢̨̡̢͔̹͚̖̠̳͈͔͙̗̣̘̼͔̦̦̟͉͓̭͕̺͚̤̳̜̱͙͚̥͚͖̣͚̪͖̺̬̗̤̘̤͒͒̊̉̏̃͋̊̚̚͠ͅĻ̴̨̢̡̛̞͓̭̹͙͔̻̜̣͕̩̞͚̘̩͇̟̞̤͇̜̙̠̥̤̮̞̙͕̙͍̘͕͓͓͚̰̥̟̝̈̓͐̈́́̈́̒͒͂̈͌̍̈́͒̄͒̈̆͒̒͊̔̓͂̀̈́̑̔͋̅́̔͛̾̏̚͜͜͝͠ͅ ̶̢̹̤͓́̔̒͜Ṭ̷̢̡̛̪̱̱̲͖͇͈͕͈͍̫̻͇̠̳̥̣͖͔̮̠̄̈́̏̉́͆̾͐͑̓͑͑̈́̀͒͗̍͑͒͊̿̓̏͑͌͌͊̓͂̌̑̚͜͝͝͝͠͠ͅA̶̛͉̣̳̲̬͐̈́̓̾̆̌́̏̓̃̓͂̎̈́̇̎̃̊̈́̓̕͘K̷̨̨̡̛̪̠̳̯̯̭͍͕̖̥̜͚͉̠̀̉̍̓̿́̒̑͊͂ͅͅĘ̸̡̡̢̛̛̘̣͙̥͓̞̮͖̗͙͖͔̣̖̮̮̺̠̮̗͓̞̱̜͈͈͈͈̞̣́͑͋͋̿͂͌͌̓̋̅̀͆̀̌̾̄̓̿̃̊̍͑̍͒̀͑̒̽͊͆͑̽̊̂̆̓͛͊̓̕̕͘͘͝͝ͅͅ ̷̢̡̡̡̳̯͖̺͉̥̭͈̖̠̮͕̼͖̥͚͖̲̱̟̖̦̘̱̖̬͈̜̪̱̳͚̟̱̗͓̪̦̗̟̞̊͋͜͜Y̵̢̨̢̛͍͓̗̝̠͔̗͓̤̪̲̞͈͔͖͔͚̻̺͔̼̗̩̺̯͇̗̙̱̯̹͖̣͍̼͋́͌͗̓̍̑͂̏͑̑̆̄͛̈́̊̆̔̾͛̑̔̾̒̐͑́̅́̇͂̓̆̇́̎̆͘͜͜͝͠͝͠͝ͅỜ̴̢̢̞͉͓̠̥̬̮̙̬̮͔͖͉͓̼͑̒́̾̏̏̒̊̍̀̅͂͋̊͆̃́U̸̢̢̨͚̘̦̙͓͍̲̜̩͎̜̖͇̰̮̣͙̪̖̹͊͋͒̅͑̾̐̌͂̍͂̇̑̔̊͐̔̽̃͆̍͂͑̍̾̇́͌̎͊͆͘̚̚̚̕͜͝͠ ̴̡̨͙͍̹͙͎̞̳͍̹̜̯͆̄̔͂͗̑͐̀̉̏͝W̷̨̨̛͚͉̱̝̲̰̟̟̭̘̜̪̳͔̟̤̙̗͕̪̹̲̿́̑́̇̀̔͌̄̆́̂́̎̈͋̍͂̈́̍̏̏͑̎̍̈́͆̓̑̈́̓͌̓̊̉͒̇̄̓̀͑͛̑̈́̚͘͝͝͠Ŗ̸̧̡̢̨͍͕̜̩̹͔̜͔͓͓̥̲͚̪̳͈̞͆̔̅̏̚͜͝͝͝E̸̢̖̞̮̻͉͇͈̠̩̤̘̮͈̱̪͍̗͍͙̰͑̍͘͜T̴̬̣̮̖̯͕̹͔̩̟͈̣̳̟̟̼̠̖̪̹̘̹͍͒͑̓̇̎̔́͆̽̎͆̌̀͛̀̔͛̍̋̏͘͜͠͠͝C̴̡̡̨̢̛̬̥̼̙̙̮͍̪̯̲̘̼̥͙̠̩̪̯͖̬͚̣̯͔̘͓̖̪͖̫̜̹̥͎̝̞̣̗͑̈͐͋̀͂̃́̅͆̌͒̑̿̃̋̅̇̊͐́̄͛̑̀̽̀̉̓̈́͆̊͑́̑̉̄̓͒͂̿̚͜͝͝ͅͅͅH̵̨̡̟̦͔̱̳̱̭͓͎̿͋̀̓̀̏̽̃͛̾͋̅̂̊̏̾̒̑̏͊̒̎̚̕͘͠͠͝ͅ!̷̧̨̨̧̨̬̥͍̭̣̻̗̥̺̜̲͕̺͖͉̻̘̬̼̜̥̥̬͈̫̻͈͖̜̤̺̭̞̫̻͗͋̄̐͛̒̆̿̕͜ͅ"
His halberd now a dark color, purple and black flames spiraling around each blade as his eyes were a constant bright red behind his helmet. Launching himself toward Vasch, he was still rather slow in comparison but the risidual impact of his power would be far reaching as his halberd aimed to slam into him. Were it to hit him, a massive amount of shadowflames would erupt from the blade and surround the area; were it to hit the ground the same would apply.
Machiko will fall to darkness in four rounds.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 2, 2023 15:52:31 GMT -5
Vasch shouldered his Keyblade with a weary sigh as Aevlenne's form shuddered and began to collapse. As she reached out for Ruvok, the armor falling to the ground and the light within the eye slots disappearing, the ex-Master grimaced and shifted his gaze to the imprisoned mountain. "Don't expect any sympathy. Pawns aren't victims, you know..." The last comment was a reminder to himself, more than anything.
He'd been a pawn, too. That's what led to his own present.
Turning to face the slowly corrupted pod, Vasch was all but ignoring the remaining trapped enemy until a sudden presence erupted. Darkness was flooding the Pyramid as the man in the dark haori spun on his heels, staggering as Ruvok let loose a bellow befitting a monster more than a Wielder. How is he—?! Vasch's eyes widened in surprise as his spell was broken—the Pyramid shattered as the darkness within and the man controlling it exploded forth...!
"OBLIVION SHALL TAKE YOU WRETCH!" Despite the mountain's sluggish movements, the raw force and immense darkness behind them caused Vasch to stagger and trip as he moved. Quick despite the rumbling beneath him, the ex-Master managed to throw up a battle stance and leap to the side just as Ruvok's halberd lashed out! CRAAAAASH! Shwooooom! As the bladed polearm split into the earth, dark fire erupted and roared out from the fissured cracks.
Urk...! This strength... Vasch had managed to avoid the direct blow, but had been blasted against the alley wall from the force of the explosion. Wincing as he picked himself up off the floor and staggered to his feet, the lightly armored man's form was singed and the edges of his haori, shirt and wavy hair were lit with embers. Thankfully, the steady rain from the world they fought in put out the remaining flames and caused the recovering Wielder to be left smoldering...
"How...pathetic. Still acting...indignant—like you...have the right!" Having brushed himself off, Vasch rolled a shoulder and cracked his neck before fixing Ruvok with a stern gaze. Behind the mountain was the pod that housed Machiko—corruption slowly seeping its way from the bottom. She's really gonna owe me, after this. Taking in a deep breath as he returned to his battle stance, the ex-Master readied his counter attack.
If only his items came with him during a Dive...he could use one of his potions, right about now.
Readying his aim, the White Dwarf began to radiate with a bright aura against the night as Vasch threw his Keyblade! While his Strike Raid spun out for Ruvok in a chaotic arc, zig-zagging as it banged against the alleyway and ricocheted against the tall buildings, the ex-Master blurred and ran full-speed while mirroring the weapon like a shadow.
Whether the ranged attack hit or missed, the Keyblade would be recalled to its Wielder in a blinding ray of light—just as Vasch leapt from one of the building walls directly above Ruvok. "Just like the falling rain...!" Readying a stance similar to one drawing a sheathed weapon, the wavy haired man's form began to shine as a bright aura surrounded him and his weapon. SHOOM! Within the blink of an eye, he was gone—a single thin blue and silver streak left in his wake as he landed on the ground between the large armored man's knees.
A massive 'X' of light would erupt where Ruvok stood—signifying the impossibly fast and powerful slashes that had been performed. It was Vasch's signature move...Zantetsuken 'X'! Though capable of breaking through most guards and barriers, it also harmed the user...evidenced by the ex-Master staggering and falling to a knee as the aura faded from their form.
They'd be left wide open as they regained their stamina from the toll the ability took!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Apr 2, 2023 17:00:38 GMT -5
Ruvok took his own weapon and slammed it against the one assailing him, refusing to be struck by it as his weapon returned to the form of a keyblade. Lifting it up into the air and toward Vasch, he'd make a twisting unlocking motion as he seemed to reach directly into the realm of darkness. Normally there was no way to weaponize a simple thing such as making portals or doors, but Ruvok found a way. Pushing his keyblade into the realm it would dip into the black ichor of darkness and as he pulled it out it began to flow throughout his armor, his eyes turning an even brighter red as it nearly consumed his entire being. Then with a loud cry of pain and anger the darkness would explode from himself and the doorway, a dome of darkness burst from every direction and demon towers would erupt from the earth all around them, spiraling and crashing down onto the ground.
Although he struck true, Ruvok stumbled and fell to a knee, keyblade embedded in the stone. He looked worse for wear, but his goal was to preoccupy the ex-master, until the process finished.
"Ş̷̧̢̡̛̛͖͇͙͇̗͕̯̺̪͓̼̲̬̩̣̖̱̳̞͖͈̩͇̳̹̣̞̞̱͖͎̰̯͒̓̔͛͆̄́̈́̎̐͊̾̓͆̓̌̊̔͛͊̽̔̉̓́̀̅̀̽̀̎̎̊̕̚̕ͅh̶̨̡͖̠̞̬̜̦͎̣̟̗̦͓͚͉͕̜̘͙̼͚̳̞̥̳͈̲͍̹͚͙̫́̔̓͒͑͌̊͛͜͜͜͝͝ȩ̵̛̲̝̲̺̭͓͙̜͚̠̦̠̟̼̦͚̮͂̔͋̽̿̒͆̊̈́̔̌̑̈́̔̍͆̔͂͒̽͘͠͠ͅ ̴̨̡̥͉̭̠̯͖̜͇̳̣̲͚̘̲͈͍̼͕̪̭̤͈̺̼̜̩̙͚̥̩̜̦̬̜̳̰̼̪̤͚͓̥̼̉̀̄̃͗̈́͌̆̊̔̌̈́̐̄̈́͘͜͝͝ͅw̷̡̢̧̭̠͚͕̗̳̤͓͉̹͔̯͓̞̥̜͉͙̠͍̣̻̖̺̥̝͓͓̬̘͔̮̹͓̦̝̥̞͉̭̋̈̉͗̍͊̄͊̀̑͒̀̈́̄̒͘͘̕͜͝͝i̸̹̜͉̱̱͇̩̓̂̄̓̄̎͛͛̅̉̀́͂̇̿̅̌̓̓̎̌̊̍͒͒͘̕̕͘l̶̢̨̨̢̩̥̹̯̫̞̤̠͈̣͈̜̞̙͇̙͕͔̜̲̳̯̰͙̤͓͖̹̦͉̪̭̦̳̄̓͗̀́̆̆̀͘ļ̴̢̮̥̯̣̭̮͓̣͇̻̤͍͈͙̙̟̟̲͍̻͖̖̭̲̗̭̻̻̹̗̪̦̗̰̻̺̱͒̔̽̀̿͆͐̿́̓̐́̓̚͜͝ ̸̢̧̛̯̰̳̭͕̰̣̲̜̮̦̻̹͓̩̣̬̻̣́̈̍̊̒͜ͅͅb̵̢̡̨̮̠̜̯͉̻̞̼͓̜͙̞͈̹̰̖̦̫̲͍̠̘͈̰̯̼̹̠̩͚̮̻͙̳̖̞͋̈̐͆̃́̏ͅͅe̸̡̛̱̦̠̺̦͍̭͔̬͂̾͑̈́̊̿̓̈́́͛̉̍̐͆̇̓̍̈́͐͘̕̚͝͝ ̷̢̨̛̣͕͔̙͓̦̻̱̥͇̻̺̖͎̺̬͙͈̥͚͎̙̲̭̲̖̞̹̦̹͕̣̝̗̘̳͌̾̑̈́͆̿̆̄́̋̃͋̽̆͂́̈͆͑̔̀́͌͐̔̏́́̓̃̍̌̀̇̈̚͘ǫ̶̛̛̜̰̟͖͎̟͕͙͈̮̪̟̩̖̼͉̺̥͓̘͙̟̟̫̎̇̽͋͑̈́̒̊̆̀̅͗̐̅̒͛̉͛͊̆̆͒͒͘̚̚̚͘͝͝͠ͅͅu̸̡̧̧̨̮͖̥͎̭̮̩͍̫͍̺̙̰̰̠͉̤̖͈͇̰̼̮̤̣̝̝͇̝̙͎͇̺̖̩̺̗̘̭̪̝̿͌̍͒̽̉̋̒̇̑͆̇ŗ̷͈͕̥̹̣̱̞̼̥̰̫͚̱͈̜̰̭̯̞̝̩̩̊̆͛́̃͐͂́͑̀̓́͝͝s̵̞̣̯̯͍̩̻͍̞̙̠̟̮̑̓̉̍͗͋̿̓̈̊́͛̆̀͂̊̒̏͛̕̕͝"
Machiko will fall to darkness in three rounds.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 2, 2023 20:00:08 GMT -5
Though his attack had landed, it seemed Ruvok had other goals in mind. While Vasch focused on recovering himself from the toll of his signature ability, the mountainous Wielder before him reached into the darkness. The sheer force of it caused the ex-Master to stagger, nearly retching as they took a few steps back and regained their battle stance. "You're always fighting with such abandon." Vasch's tone was cold and scolding, disapproval clear as the large dome of darkness bloomed.
Grrrrr...Boom! Staggering as the alleyway rumbled and a handful of Demon Towers broke through the surface of the dome, the man in the dark haori crouched low and cursed loudly. So—this is his plan... How gruesome. The armored remnant of the Triad didn't seem to care about winning the fight at all, so long as they could stall Vasch long enough.
"She will be ours." Ruvok's distorted voice cut through the tension in the alleyway, causing the ex-Master to look away from the snaking Heartless creating chaos. Frowning, the crouching Odd-Jobber clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"How are you always so far from the mark?" Fixing Ruvok with a stern look, Vasch's jaw clenched as his muscles tightened. Despite the Demon Towers going wild around him, he focused solely on the mountainous Wielder before him. "Nobody can be anyone's anything. The moment you put expectations on another person—you're just hurting them and setting yourself up for heart break."
Talking was pointless. He knew the armored man lost to darkness wouldn't hear him.
Vasch's Keyblade seemed to duplicate in after images as his form blurred, only an outline remaining where he had once stood. "I'll be the villain in your story...that's the least I can do." Blue and silver exploded in front of Ruvok as suddenly Vasch was there, using his Flash Step ability to seemingly warp and close the distance between the two within a second and slash out with blinding speed. Ignoring the Demon Towers around them, the ex-Master slashed out with the blinding attack that could break through guards and pushed back at the colossal Wielder—though his eyes were looking past him.
They were focused on the pod, where Machiko was steadily losing herself...
No matter if the mighty Wielder would fall to the surprise attack or not, Vasch knew he wouldn't be able to waste too much more time fighting. He'd have to do his best to try and shut Ruvok down and avoid the Demon Towers, using what little time was left to focus on halting the corruption of the pod!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Apr 2, 2023 20:14:51 GMT -5
Each of the demon towers would flock to Ruvok as the powers at be came that struck him. They all began to spiral around each of his limbs, it was clear that Ruvok was now unconscious as his body seemed to be limp. But the writhing mass used his body as a conduit to form a body. The body would begin to grow and grow, forming something of a colossal tempestuous cyclone of darkness. In this time, it began to raise each of its massive arms, and moving to crash down onto Vasch. But he has enough time to get to the pod and do something if he desires, or somehow combat the overwhelming darkness.
The dwarf would begin to shimmer, as if saying it believed in him to make the right choice. The pod was now entirely black, but the center seemed to still be shimmering.
Machiko will fall to darkness in two rounds.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 2, 2023 20:44:24 GMT -5
Vasch's strike landed true, causing Ruvok's body to go limp as the mountainous Wielder went unconscious. Finally... Sighing, the ex-Master shouldered their Keyblade before realizing their 'victory' was hardly such. The Demon Towers began to flock to the massive unconscious man, wrapping themselves around his form and overtaking it completely. "Tch—typical. He's lost himself..." Having jumped backwards to gain some distance from the monstrosity forming before him, Vasch watched with a mix of disgust and disbelief as Ruvok began to fuse with the Demon Towers—somehow growing even larger in size!
Behind the massive being of Darkness that had once been a Wielder, the pod was now shrouded completely black. The corruption was nearly complete. It's now or never! While the fused Demon Ruvok was readying a massive strike with both large hands, Vasch gave one final look to the monster they'd become. In their lifeless mismatched eyes was the faintest glint of pity. "I may not have the time to save you, too..." There always were sacrifices, when it came to situations like these.
Feeling a sudden warmth in his hand, the man in the dark haori looked down—the White Dwarf was glowing bright! It was time. Help me out, old friend. I won't lose Machiko—but these were her friends at one point, too! He knew this was foolish. There wasn't any time to gamble like this...so why was his heart yelling at him so loudly? As the Keyblade in his hand continued to glow and shine so bright it threatened to blind even him, Vasch began to run.
Dashing forward closer to the massive Demon Ruvok, the ex-Master slid across the ground to avoid the slamming attack and leapt. Using the massive enemies own size against them, he jumped from knee to shoulder to building wall—zig-zagging into the air and raising high above both Demon Ruvok and the corrupted pod housing Machiko. For a moment, the lightly armored man rose into the night sky with his shining weapon like a star...
"I'll save you Machiko—and show your old friends the mistakes they've made!" Putting both hands on the White Dwarf, Vasch took aim at the corrupted pod, which was directly behind and below the Demon Ruvok. He aimed the tip of his weapon, pointing it directly at the colossal enemies chest... ShooooOOOOOOM![/b] Light had continued to gather, concentrating all around the Keyblade until it was brighter than a full moon.
Focusing at the tip, Vasch summoned the Power of Waking as all of the light was gathered into a massive and blinding beam of energy that shot forth! SHIIIIIING! Lancing through the night and rain, the beam continued to grow in size as it sliced through the air, directly aimed for Ruvok's lost heart and hopefully going through It to the corrupted pod housing Machiko behind them.
If it worked, there would be an explosion of light and a loud click! while the ex-Master fell from their spot in the sky towards the ground...
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Apr 2, 2023 21:11:18 GMT -5
It worked.
The massive beam pierced the heart and a bright light shined throughout the area. Hitting the pod as it exploded in enough of light that it could be mistaken for a Sun being born into the galaxy. Rays of magical light shining in the entire area as the demon towers are disintegrated by the harsh power. The entire area was cleared of darkness, including the pod which began to open. Machiko would float within the open pod, the triad all stand beside, all of them infused with light; spirits more than likely.
"Hey, you did good kid."
Helinara said with a smile, giving him a thumbs up.
"Your resolve is impressive. Well done."
Aevlenne said with a smile, nodding her head.
"Take care of her."
Ruvok said as he approached Vasch, patting him on the shoulder, then walking past him. All of them walked past him, vanishing into thin air.
Machiko has been saved from Darkness.
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Post by hoodwink on Apr 2, 2023 21:55:16 GMT -5
Erupting into a horizon of light, Vasch sighed in relief as he landed in the now bright alleyway as his Power of Waking landed true. Shouldering his rusty Keyblade as he watched the Demon Ruvok dissolve and the darkness in the area fade, the ex-Master walked towards the pod as it began to return to a clear white and open.
The Triad surrounded it, all appearing as shimmering auras of their former selves. Vasch's mismatched eyes fell over each and every one, wary at first until they began to speak words of encouragement—which took him off-guard.
"Hey, you did good kid." The wavy haired man staggered a bit at Helinara's carefree comment. Wasn't he clearly older than her!?
"Your resolve is impressive. Well done." Scratching at his cheek a bit, Vasch remained silent and bowed his head to Aevlenne. He couldn't help but feel he didn't deserve the praise...
"Take care of her." Ruvok was the only one to approach him, placing a shimmering hand on his shoulder before walking past. Turning to look at the three as they walked away, Vasch gave a faint smirk before looking back at the shining pod.
"You all rest easy now." As the Triad faded away, the man in the dark haori made his own way to the pod. He wasn't sure what the future held. Deep in his heart, Vasch knew he would look out for his new employee...but he was still hesitant to make promises. At least we didn't fail...this time. His words were aimed at himself and his Keyblade as he stood beside the pod, gazing down at the slumbering and suspended Machiko within.
Resting a hand on the side of the vessel, the wavy haired man took a moment to take it all in. Henoke... Could his old apprentice see him now? What little he'd managed to accomplish, after all these years? The light he'd managed to take back, after so many years lost in the dark? Huh? Something wet on his face caused Vasch to jolt a bit, raising his hand from the pod to wipe at it...
"Damn rain." Shaking his head, the older Wielder had to chuckle at how foolish he was. Raising his Keyblade towards the sky, his hand fell back down to the pod where Machiko lay. "C'mon, Machiko. It's time for you to wake up..." His from beginning to shine with an aura once more, the White Dwarf followed suit as Vasch summoned forth his Power of Waking once more to take him out of the Dive. Shooting a ray of light up into the sky, a faint click! could be heard as the blinding aura grew and surrounded the alley, consuming everything...
He hoped to awake back in Radiant Garden, to find Machiko stable in the lab—
But only time would tell.
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on May 9, 2023 2:32:54 GMT -5
The bright light, eventually coming to the laboratory where he sat on an opposite bed from Machiko. As he did, Ienzo approached him and began to do some form of diagnostics.
"Everything seems to be in order, no fractures, nothing left behind, a job well done. I unfortunately didn't account for the possibility of a dampener in place when you went in place. Xehanort certainly left nothing to chance when it came to this girl."
A silent groan began to form from across the way, Machiko began to stir from her deep sleep. Yawning silently and rubbing at her ears, it was a bit difficult to make heads or tails of any of this. Although it all rushed back into her head all at once, her time from long ago, her old friends, her current employer, faint memories of a life that wasn't hers. She couldn't help it, so many memories flooded into her head that she began to cry, tears rolling down her cheeks and onto the bed. Sniffling as she covered her face, Ienzo moved to adjust the systems as well to make certain she was alright.
"I've been gone for so long..."
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Post by hoodwink on May 14, 2023 14:34:58 GMT -5
Coming to, Vasch squinted his eyes against the bright light as he found himself on a bed in the lab. Though he started as he came to, seeing Machiko caused the older man to sigh and relax. Allowing Ienzo to begin their diagnostics, the ex-Master sat up, feeling slightly groggy and disoriented after the Dive. "Everything seems to be in order...a job well done." The White Dwarf leaned against the bed, just as chipped and rusted as ever—though for a moment, the ex-Master could have sworn the metal exposed beneath the tarnish almost seemed...brighter?
With a grimace, Vasch crossed his arms and gave a small scoff. "There were more surprises than I bargained for..." Not only had he learned about a bizarre connection between his new employee and his old apprentice, but the Triad and added corruption he'd had to fend off had hardly been part of what he'd expected or planned on. Truth be told, the Odd-Jobber felt like he'd gotten himself roped into some extra troublesome events.
"Xehanort certainly left nothing to chance, when it came to this girl." An understatement Vasch found himself nodding in agreement easily with. Machiko's groan from across the room caused the ex-Master to jolt in alertness, pushing himself from the bed as she began to wake. Though he'd made his way towards the bed she rested on, the older man faltered as her tears began to fall—a mixture of emotions clear on her face before she covered it.
"I've been gone for so long..." Silence weighed on him as Vasch found himself at a loss for words. For a moment, he simply stood awkwardly at the foot of her bed while Ienzo began the same diagnostics previously performed on the Odd-Jobber. He wanted to allow her the space to feel her feelings, not diminish them with empty reassurances or platitudes.
Waiting, he chewed the inside of his cheek thoughtfully before finally finding a response that seemed to meet in the middle. "Welcome back." Vasch wasn't one to get too sentimental—at least not if he could help it. Most of his emotional space had been buried in that graveyard, some years ago... "Y'know, you've got an annoyingly tough heart..." The ex-Master wore a small smirk as he rested a hand on his hip.
It was somewhat dry and sarcastic humor, but it was how the older man got by in somewhat heavier moments. Truthfully, he was beyond relieved that Machiko was okay. Vasch also felt like he understood her better, after diving into her heart...there were still some questions he had surrounding the connection between her and his old apprentice—but those were things he'd investigate on his own. For now, it was his job to watch out for her, even if the ex-Master's awkwardness and jaded heart didn't allow for him to convey such feelings easily.
"Rest while you can—you'll be working a ton of jobs when we're back. You can't afford my price otherwise..." Ah, there it was. His usual gruff and apathetic tone had quickly made its way back. Wait—had that really been all the 'sweet talking' he could manage!?
Yeesh—the man really was uncharismatic.
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