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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 21:49:49 GMT -5
The portal that Smiles had opened in haste led to The Sorcerer's Loft. Arriving at the base of the tower, he was quite surprised to find that he had never been here before. During his time, Smiles had traveled to many places, but this tower he had not.
"It's up there Ivory! The answer to everything is up there." Smiles could barley hold his excitement. The smile on his lips were curved so high one might have thought it was painful. The Sorcerer's Loft had been abandoned a long time ago. It was considered a landmark, and so the condition was kept clean, and access to the loft itself was impossible. Well impossible for most people. It was not so for Smiles.
Leading Ivory into the tower, Smiles didn't even bother to look at the different things in the large room that led to the staircase. Smiles practically jogged through up those stairs. Coming to the top, a portal greeted them. Smiles didn't need to be told to walk through it. The portal led them further up the tower and into a hallway. There the locked doors greeted them. No one was allowed to go into any of the doors, having been locked a long time ago by a keyblade hero.
Smiles walked over to the door that was farthest away. It led to the study. He lifted his hand and shot a portal at the wall next to the door. Raising his other hand he shot a portal in between the space below the end of the door and the floor. The portal he created would get them through. Look at Ivory he extend it. "After you."
Going through himself, they found themselves in the Sorcerer's Loft. Smiles took the place in for the first time. Windows in shape of starts and smiling moons lined the back of the walls. A single long table with a tall wooden chair where the sorcerer no doubt once sat had dust collected on it and around it. What made Smiles smile though was the many bookshelves lining the side walls.
His eyes found a pedestal next to the table and a book sitting in it. Walking up to it he read the title aloud. "The Symphony of Sorcery." This was it! The book he had been searching for, the one that contained a world of the past inside. "Once I open this book, we will be transported to the world of the past for the last time. Here we will find our answers."
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Post by Sprow on Oct 10, 2012 22:28:42 GMT -5
Ivory had followed Smiles through the hasty portal he had created. When she had, she had found herself in a strange looking area. At a glance, she thought things were floating around them and before them was just a stairway leading upward. Smiles only seemed fixed on the way straight ahead of them. As he climbed the steps, Ivory followed his lead.
When he spoke to her, she looked over at him and her eyebrows raised a little. She never thought he could smile that wide and yet, he had been able to. 'That looks so painful...I don't know how his face muscles can stand smiling so much!' she thought. On top of it, she never saw Smiles so excited before. He just seemed capable of smiling a lot and nothing seemed to excite him. So, this was a first. Ivory returned a smile though not as wide as Smiles's.
They went up the stairs and through a portal. On the other side, they found themselves on yet another staircase like before but this time, it ended in a door. They had traveled up onto the top of those very stairs where a hallway lead them to these doors. Ivory paused and looked over to Smiles. He was the one capable of creating portals at will so she waited for him to create them.
Sure enough, he had and after doing so, stated that he'd go in after her. With a nod, she thanked him and headed in first. As she stepped inside, she took in her surroundings. There were books which was what Smiles had been searching for. Hopefully, he would find what they were looking for. Sure enough, Smiles stepped forward to read the title of a book. Ivory wandered over curiously in silence as she peered over his shoulder. According to Smiles, this book would take them back in time for one last time. 'So, this might have more answers on the fissures...' she thought.
"Or what answers that can be given..." she trailed off, looking at the book apprehensively. She then looked over at Smiles and gave him a nod. "I'm ready when you are, Smiles."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2012 0:15:28 GMT -5
Artemis couldn't help but feel that all of this felt familiar. He just wish he remembered how he knew this place. As he watched through Ivory's eyes, and they entered into the study, Artemis remembered why this place looked familiar. He had been here before. The study hadn't changed at all since he had last been here.
"He had taken over this castle.... That man in the strange past world, the Master with Red Hair, he took over this study. I came here only on three occasions. He sat in that chair." He said in Ivory's mind. Artemis remembered coming here the first time, getting the contract. He remembered the second time, being told that he could not turn the contract down. He would have to kill the boy. And then he remembered being dragged back here one more time. Then things got hazy.
Artemis had never heard of the book before, but he was prepared for whatever might come. He still didn't exactly understand why he was here. What was the point of him being here anyway? Why was he to help Ivory? He had yet to see any good he could do her. Perhaps time would tell.
Smiles opened the book and the world around them changed. They entered the strange world of the Symphony of Sorcery. They stood on a cloud walk that overlooked a forest below. In the distance Smiles could see a snowy path that led to a tall mountain. Glancing farther back from the forest, Smiles could make out the various colors of rows of flowers. In the snowy path Smiles spotted some light blue that could no doubt be pools of ice. What was strange about this world though was the music in the air. It was as if a classical orchestra was playing around them from a secret location. The notes of music floated everywhere in this magical world.
"Are you a part of this world? Or separated from it?" The voice came from behind them. Turning about quickly, summoning his gun between his hands, Smiles found the red haired Master behind them. He was clearly looking at them.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 13, 2012 21:46:30 GMT -5
As Ivory looked around the room in silence, she had the sense of familiarity with the place but she was certain that she hadn't seen this room before in her life. As she was beginning to wonder why it felt familiar, the moment she had set her eyes upon the desk was when Artemis spoke to her. Listening to what he was saying, she focused more so on the desk in curiosity. It had been where the keyblade master had sat a time long before now. Master Isaac had kept it as his personal headquarters for a bit apparently.
'Ah, so you've been here before? Dang, you must be old!' she mentally chortled. Still, the thought he had known the keyblade master was interesting. She had to wonder how he had gotten into that. Had he been technically dragged into a situation she had or had he gone of his own volition? Whatever the case, it was interesting. Artemis didn't really talk much about himself so she didn't exactly know the person sharing her mind right about now. In a sense, he was still a stranger to her that was forced into her mind like some sort of foreign invader. It still took a lot of getting used to the fact she had another person in her mind. At least she knew that she wasn't going crazy. Well, she hoped not but she figured it wasn't her imagination that she had someone in her mind considering the fact that she learned of things from Artemis that she wouldn't have known on her own.
Returning her attention onto Smiles before he saw that glazed look to her eyes whenever she communicated with Artemis, she watched as he opened the book. Already, the hairs on the back of her neck began to rise in alarm. She wasn't accustomed to things like this and before long, they found themselves in quite an interesting place. Glancing all around, she surmised that they were in some kind of mixed up world. How else was she to explain the flowers poking out of the snow and the puddles of ice? It really appeared as if the world were too confused as to which season it should have. Not to mention, there was some kind of melody playing through the air. It almost made her calm if it weren't for the sudden voice behind them.
Much like Smiles, Ivory turned on the spot and found herself looking back at that keyblade master. Master Isaac could see them and was talking to them. Confused beyond all measure, Ivory struggled to think of a response. Should she let Smiles talk? Smiles had his gun out, pointing it at him. Well, looked like she'd have to be the one to respond and warily. "Would it really matter which we're from?" she answered with a question and in a polite tone of voice despite her uneasiness.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 0:23:34 GMT -5
Artemis had never been to this world before. But he recognized the voice behind them. Seeing his employer when Ivory turned around, he was met with mix emotions. There was anger, pity, and even some respect for the keyblade master. All of those emotions could be felt by Ivory coming from Artemis. However there was no explanation as to why he had those feelings that she would be able to see. Artemis's thoughts were his own.
Master Issac glanced at the gun pointed at him. "Separate from it then." Glancing at the gun pointed at him, Smiles wondered if they could interact with the people of this world the same way that they could in Timeless River.
"It is so strange to see him again."[/i] Artemis told Ivory. Smiles must have deemed that Master Issac was not a threat because he made his gun vanish.
Master Issac walked past them to glance down at the view below. "I am no enemy to you. I was called here by my apprentice. Perhaps you two can help me. I know not of this world, but something tells me you have been here longer."
Smiles knew what an opportunity this presented. Everywhere they went this man seemed to be at the center of these worlds locked in the past. Giving Issac his general smile, he nodded. "It would be an honor. Where is it you need to go?"
Master Issac reached out his arm and pointed at the mountain in the distance. "There." He said.
Nodding, Smiles outstretched both his hands. The first thing they needed to do was get off these clouds. White shot a portal through the air at the ground below by the forest. From here the portal looked only like a dot as it struck the ground. Then he shot another ball of energy near them to create the adjacent portal. "We can use this to get to the ground Mr...?"
"Issac." Master Issac introduced himself.
Smiles nodded. "Smiles. And my apprentice." Smiles would let Ivory introduce herself. Once introductions were completed Smiles walked over to the portal and stepped through it. Master Issac didn't seem to question the strange portal for he stepped through it too. Once Ivory stepped through it, they would find themselves in front of the forest.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 0:54:04 GMT -5
Ivory followed Master Isaac's gaze as he focused on Smiles, making the correct conclusion about them. "Yes." It was strange, interacting with the past like this. She guessed it was sort of like Timeless River here. Unlike the previous past, they weren't being ignored or unseen here. Smiles had dismissed his gun after a moment. Ivory turned her gaze back onto Isaac as Artemis spoke to her. Her expression went glazed for a moment as she listened.
Refocusing, she looked back between Smiles and Isaac. She had a strange sense of pity, respect but most of all, anger towards this keyblade master. No doubt, it had to do with Artemis. She wasn't sure how else to explain these emotions. She hadn't known the keyblade master and where she had seen some dark things she didn't agree with, she didn't feel this much towards the man. Only someone that knew him could possibly feel this way. However, Artemis's thoughts were his own. She could only make the conclusion that within her that the mysterious emotions she felt had to be coming from him.
Master Isaac merely walked past them to look upon the view from where they stood. As he did so, he spoke to them about how he wasn't their enemy. He had been called here by his apprentice and that maybe they could help him. He knew nothing of this world and he believed they had been here longer. Ivory allowed her gaze to turn onto Smiles at that moment. Where it would be a perfect opportunity to fool the master into thinking they knew this world, it could land them into trouble depending on what this world could allow to happen to them. Still, she allowed Smiles to take the lead. He was, after all, the leading authority here and she would abide by what he said.
As Smiles spoke, she wondered how they were going to pull that one off. Where would this master need to go? She looked over at Master Isaac then as he answered Smiles's question. The mountain in the distance was where he wished to go. Without further to do, Smiles created a portal for them to traverse through. Once he was finished, he explained to Isaac that they could use it to get to the ground before prying for a name. Sure enough, Isaac gave them his name. Smiles soon introduced himself before addressing Ivory as his apprentice. Ivory gave an incline of her head to show respect to the keyblade master. "Nice to meet you, I'm Ivory." It wasn't actually nice to meet the keyblade master. In fact, she was quite cautious inside even though she knew for now that he presented them no threat.
Once introductions were over, Smiles walked over to the portal he had opened up. Watching him go through it first, Master Isaac soon followed Smiles's lead and then Ivory brought up the rear, exiting through the portal that Smiles had created. As she stepped out, she found that they had come out into some kind of forest. Out of curiosity, she glanced around to take in their surroundings more fully.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 1:12:50 GMT -5
Smiles knew that this was a giant opportunity. They had questions, that of course they wanted answered. But how could they ask them without making it seem suspicious. They had yet to know how much they could interact with this world, and how much this world could interact with them. The travel through the forest was mostly quiet, except for the melody that played around them.
"How did you two get here? From what I know there were only two versions of this book." This was a tricky question. One that could get them in trouble if they didn't answer correctly.
Smiles however was a smart person, and not easily overcome by such questions. "We have been here for a while. We were sent to map out this place for our master. I don't know how long we've actually been in here for. It might all be for naught by now." Smiles hoped the answer would be enough.
Artemis listened to all these conversations. He watched Master Issac nod and even seem to accept the answer that Smiles gave him. But Artemis knew Issac better then that. "Be careful. He knows that Smiles didn't tell him the truth. That man's intelligence is one of the things that makes him so dangerous. However he has no reason to hurt you two, yet anyway."[/i] Artemis warned Ivory.
The forest continued to stretch as they walked through it. They ran into no enemies surprisingly. "And what of your apprentice? Why has he asked you to come here of all places?"
Master Issac did not answer right away. When he did though, Smiles was surprised with how much the man was willing to share with them. "No doubt he thinks he has found power here that can make him stronger. Perhaps he is right, but I fear that he will find that it is not enough. I am thinking that something needs to be done. The way he is now... It will lead only to chaos."
Smiles could feel the potential in this. "I'm sorry, but you don't come off as entirely a hero. I may be wrong, but you seem more a villain." Smiles was fishing here. This could get them into trouble, but he needed to do something to open the lines of communication! This was their chance! He could finally get answers!
Master Issac glanced at Ivory and Smiles both. He seemed to study both of them. "I am what I must be. I picture a universe free of war and free of heroes and villains. But for that to happen, one must free the world of the power that drives both good and evil. For that I will be called a villain because I must use that very power on itself. I had hoped that my apprentice would share my goal. But it seems that he has not. Power is not for everyone. Power for power's sake corrupts."
Master Issac stopped because they had broken out of the trees. They found themselves facing the icy path that led to the mountain.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 1:34:48 GMT -5
Ivory couldn't help but wonder where that odd melody was coming from. If she hadn't been here with Smiles and Isaac, she probably would've considered falling asleep because of how calming the music was. Mentally shaking herself to get her focus back on track, she glanced over at the two men before her. Both were fixed on the path leading ahead and for the most part, their trek through the forest was quiet and uneventful. Well, save for that ceaseless melody but that seemed normal here for some reason or other.
Eventually, Isaac asked them how they had gotten here. Ivory wasn't sure how to answer that one without blowing their cover. She allowed Smiles the opportunity to answer that one, in which he did. However, as she looked over at Master Isaac when Smiles had answered him, she couldn't help but wonder if he actually bought it or not. Still, she did her best to act as if what Smiles had said was common knowledge between them and the actual truth.
Ivory felt an unpleasant chill go down her spine when Artemis spoke to her, warning her to be careful. According to Artemis, Master Isaac knew that Smiles had lied to him. Isaac's intelligence made him dangerous and where he had no reason to hurt them right now, that didn't mean he wouldn't later. 'Noted. I don't exactly like being in this guy's company either...although, I do prefer this guy over those fissures any day!' she replied. As they went, she kept a careful, watchful eye on Isaac the entire way.
Smiles eventually asked Isaac the question they had been wondering. Why had he been summoned here by his apprentice? The answer, she was surprised they had been given so freely. She had expected the man to conceal from them something but he seemed as if it didn't bother him whether or not they knew. Apparently, his apprentice thought that he had found power that would make him strong. Isaac said it could be a possibility but that it wouldn't be enough. He believed that something had to be done about his apprentice and that the way he was now would lead to ruin.
Ivory furrowed a brow slightly at this as she glanced over at him then. Why the sudden change? He didn't come off as the heroic type after the things she had seen the man do during their "time travel." It was Smiles that spoke his mind and Ivory had to look over at him in astonishment. He was really going out on a limb there! Still, she wasn't sure how else they were going to get their answers. 'I hope this isn't about to be-!' she thought but was cut off by Master Isaac's words. He had studied them for a moment before answering. It sounded genuine.
Isaac was becoming a villain to use the power against the one that drove good and evil. He was looking to end war, apparently but that was something Ivory knew to be impossible. Still, she held her tongue. No matter where you went, one way or another others wouldn't agree with someone and there would be war. No one could get along because the worlds were so different and even on the worlds, wars broke out. Meadows, before it was when Ivory and Darius were born, had been through a number of wars before finally settling to what it had been before it was destroyed by the Heartless.
After having said what he had, Isaac had stopped. Ivory looked at where they had come and noticed they had finally left the trees. They were outside of the forest and now some sort of icy path led towards the mountain before them. 'War...one can't stop war forever. Not everyone can get along because of everyone's differences. A nice thought but impossible.'
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 11:40:33 GMT -5
As Artemis listened to Issac's words, his anger came to a boil. "So that was the reason my friends and I had to die! That was the reason countless citizens across worlds had to fall so that this man could control it in some corrupt version of peace."[/i] Artemis complained to Ivory. It was the first time Artemis had spoken of his past.
They all had done what they had to defeat this sicko. Artemis very much remembered Sain and Red, the later who had fallen to Master Issac. "He is a villain, even if he tries to convince himself otherwise."[/i] Artemis said.
Traveling down the path of ice, Smiles went over what Issac had said in his mind. "And what of you two? Do you consider yourselves villains?" This brought a smile to Smiles and a laugh.
"I consider myself selfish. My actions are for my own purposes. I don't have a dream such as yours sir. I merely live for the challenge and the interesting." That pretty much summed up Smiles in four sentences. It was completely true. However Smiles was interested in what Ivory would say to that question.
The path rounded around a pool of ice. The atmosphere here was much cooler then in the forest. For the most part Ivory's description of the place was right. It was as if the world did not know what season it wanted to be in.
"How will you stop your apprentice?" Smiles asked.
Master Issac shrugged. "I will kill him if I must. But if there is hope that he might return to the time before my mistake corrupted him then I will do it."
This made Smiles's eyebrows perk up. "Mistake?"
Master Issac paused. They had made it to the base of the mountain and end of the icy path. The path in front of them continued upwards into the mountain. "I gave him access to power that I myself found. To gain that power I had to give half of my heart in exchange. Once I had this power for me there was no repercussions, but that is because the half of heart I loss still exists. It has become its own creature. I granted my apprentice this same opportunity. However I killed the half of heart he loss."
Suddenly things fell in place for Smiles. "His fissure." He thought aloud. The moment he said the word though, Master Issac had summoned his keyblade and had the tip pointing at Smiles's neck.
"What did you say?" There was menace in his eyes that Smiles very much recognized. However it was not from Issac that Smiles had seen that menace. It had been Skull.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 13:48:43 GMT -5
While Ivory followed the men, she could feel an ever growing anger filling her. Since she hadn't found anger in herself towards Master Isaac except maybe the child incident, she realized that the anger was coming from Artemis. How so? Well, his words in her head informed her why he was feeling that way. Apparently, it was because of Master Isaac that Artemis and his friends had to die. Ivory could feel anger towards that too but it was easily overwhelmed by Artemis's anger. On top of it, she was confused. She had assumed he was just gifted with eternal youth or something but in actuality, he had once died. Yet, in the trial ring, he had appeared to her to be very much alive. How had he returned to the living? Probably an answer for another day as Ivory focused on Master Isaac. If Smiles had been watching Ivory's reactions, he might've seen the obvious anger in her eyes that she couldn't control. Artemis's anger just seethed so much that it was even showing through her eyes.
It was a lucky thing neither of the men noticed it. She could still feel anger within her that wasn't her own. As she followed Master Isaac, doing her best to not end up trying to attack the man because of the sudden, powerful anger she felt, she heard Artemis speak. Master Isaac was a villain no matter how he tried to describe himself, fool himself into thinking otherwise. 'I'm sorry what happened to you, Artemis...I believe you.' She had to anyway because his anger in her was almost making her snap. Snap, as in attack Master Isaac but she barely managed to keep herself in control to prevent it. She couldn't blame Artemis for feeling this way. She knew that if she had ever returned from the other side and saw the one who had killed her, that she would feel anger of this magnitude. If Artemis did try to take over at this point in time to kill the man, Ivory couldn't stop him nor would she want to. He had a right to be this angry.
As they went down the path of ice, Ivory was careful to not slip. It took a while before the anger in her simmered down to a more manageable emotion. Master Isaac had then questioned them about themselves, if they believed they were villains. Ivory went quiet as she went in thought. Voluntarily, she wasn't but her actions spoke otherwise. She was an assassin, a hired hand. If anyone were to ask those whose loved ones she had killed, they would definitely think of her as a villain. She listened quietly as Smiles told Isaac that he had viewed himself as selfish since his actions were for his own purposes. He had no dreams like Isaac and that he lived for the challenge and interesting. Maybe, she too, was selfish? Yes, she knew she was selfish. All this time, her reasons for remaining was to live. In the process, she had hurt and killed others for it. Yes, Ivory was selfish.
"...I have made peace of what I am a time ago. Where others can call me a villain there are those that don't. I view myself as someone that is mostly neutral but with villainous tendencies only because of my fear of dying. Everyone dies but if I can prevent my death, I do my best to keep living. In the process, I have hurt others because of it. I will not hide the fact of what I am. I know I am no angel and I will not try to fool myself into thinking it. I have dreams but none of mine are centered around the sake for the greater good of those around me. Mine are more so centered on those I care about and myself so thus, I am selfish in that regards too. I am what I am." She said nothing more on the subject.
As the path rounded a pool of ice, she felt the air growing much colder. Despite that, there were trees here that were as if they had been around during spring time. Flowers were also in full bloom and didn't seem phased by the snow around them. As they walked, she heard Smiles finally ask Isaac about how he was going to stop his apprentice. Ivory glanced over at the keyblade master then as he gave a shrug. If he had to, then he would most certainly kill him. Ivory wasn't surprised by this answer since Isaac had seemed the type. If there was a way to reverse what had happened beforehand then Isaac would rather take that option at least.
Smiles inquired further about Isaac's mistake. Ivory glanced between the two in silence. They had come to a stop before the mountain's base. The path that they had been following now lead up the mountain's figure. For a brief moment, she thought that Isaac wouldn't tell them anything. Once again, he surprised her with answering them. How could he be so open about these things with them? She slightly narrowed her eyes in thought. 'I wouldn't put it past him if, these not being lies, the openness has to do with the thought of eliminating us once he finally gets to where he wants to be!' she thought. It reminded her of Skull.
It was revealed to them though that the power that had been gained had been half of one's heart. Fissures derived from half of your heart! Smiles then spoke aloud about Lakari's fissure. Yes, Isaac's fissure was definitely still alive. Skull was quite a prominent figure indeed. Unlike Isaac though, Lakari's had been killed before it could become much of anything. Isaac had killed it. The reaction to what Smiles had said though brought Ivory immediately to alarm. The fierce expression in his eyes spoke of Skull. It was so uncannily familiar that it sent a chill down Ivory's spine.
Already, she thought of ways to try and dissuade Isaac from harming Smiles. Not that Smiles would probably need it considering he was more skilled than she was but she would at least try. She owed that much to him. "Sir, please put your weapon down. We mean you no harm or insult." However, she was prepared to summon her armor and weapon at a moment's notice. Smiles was known to be feisty if he felt the need to be. So, she wouldn't be surprised if he did react violently in return to Isaac's threat but she figured he might not. Smiles always seemed to smile at others whenever they tried this sort of thing. Honestly, she didn't understand how he could be so amused by such reactions but never the less, she would be ready to back him up if he needed it. She didn't want him to get hurt, after all.
Ivory didn't dare mention fissures only because she didn't want to risk Isaac harming Smiles. He could even turn on her if she wasn't careful but she wasn't thinking about herself right now. Already, she had wrapped her hand about the dragon statuette. If she needed, it could be summoned at a moment's notice.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 18:07:16 GMT -5
Master Issac stared at them angry and confused. How could these two possibly no the name of something that he made up only in thought. That was the name he had given the creature that had been born of his trade for power. "How is it you know the name of something I only thought of and never spoke? Who is your master?"
Smiles hated to have to kill Issac. No doubt it probably wouldn't matter too much, but the thought of possibly loosing more information bothered him. He was not at all worried about the keyblade pointed at him. He easily could dodge an attack. At least Smiles thought so.
Artemis on the other hand was worried. He knew that both of these people were underestimating Issac. He had done that very thing, and it had almost gotten him killed. Of course even when he wasn't underestimating him, his abilities weren't enough to stop the man. He had fallen to Lakari, the apprentice that they no doubt sought.
"It is the old man isn't it?" Smiles had no clue as to who this old man was, but he saw the gamble in the question. Should they say yes or no?
"That is right. He sent us to check out this world." Issac said nothing at first, and Smiles held his breath. He really hoped he wouldn't have to "kill" the man.
Finally Issac lowered his keyblade and let it disperse. "I believe you." He spoke to Ivory, not Smiles. "Tell your Master whatever you learn. So long as he stays out of my way I shall stay out of his."
Seeing it fit to continue walking, Master Issac started forward up the path. Smiles glanced at Ivory. That sure was close. He gave her a nod of appreciation before he started off after Issac. "You are not going to kill us?" Smiles asked him.
Issac shook his head. "There is no need. I know the real reason why you have come here. I know your master and my apprentice have been talking. I want you to take back what you witness. Perhaps he will see that he should stay away from me."
Continuing up the path in silence for a while, when the path began to start to level into the mountain by the side of the cave he paused. "Wait here. My apprentice is just up ahead. Remember... tell your master what you see here."
Artemis didn't know exactly who Master Issac was talking about, but he had his suspicion. "I think he believes you work for the old keyblade master. I do not know his name, but he is in the history books."[/i]
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 18:39:12 GMT -5
Things were really getting intense. She wasn't even sure how to handle the situation. Ivory just hoped that Isaac wouldn't try to kill Smiles. Granted, Smiles was skilled but she wasn't sure how much skill Isaac had. They could be severely outclassed like they were with Skull if they weren't careful. The only advantage they had here if it did turn into a fight was their number compared to him but even that was bleak. Even now, she had no idea how much they were underestimating Master Isaac.
After a very tense moment, Isaac asked Smiles and Ivory if it was the "old man". Ivory looked carefully over at Smiles before looking back over at Master Isaac then. Who was he talking about? It was a gambling question, no doubt. Ivory wondered if Smiles was going to say they were. If they were, would he kill them? Even now, as she heard Smiles say they were, she tried to not look as if she went a bit pale. Her heart felt as if it were going to skip a beat at any moment before finally, Isaac spoke after letting his weapon lower and dismissing it. Ivory felt the adrenaline that had been running through her veins during that tense moment finally die down.
As he spoke, she wondered if he meant the old man that he had inquired from Smiles. Looking back at the keyblade master, she gave a nod. It was difficult to pull herself through the close call at first but finally managed to come through it and confirm that she had heard him. "Yes, sir." It was then that she looked over at Smiles. He had glanced over at her, the look on his face clearly saying it had been a close call. When he gave her an appreciative nod, she returned it before Smiles began following Master Isaac again, asking if he really wasn't going to kill them.
As Smiles went, Ivory gave an inaudible sigh of relief. Her relief was increased when Isaac confirmed to Smiles that he saw no need to kill them. 'That was too close for comfort!' she thought before following Smiles who was following Isaac. According to Isaac, his reason was to have them report what they saw and bring this information back to their master so that he would know to stay away from him. Honestly, after that incident, she felt a bit shaky. Well, at least now he had no intention to kill them just yet.
After a trek in silence, they made it to a point where the cave finally leveled out. It was now heading right into what appeared to be a cave. They stopped as Master Isaac paused. Only then did he inform them to wait here, his apprentice was just up ahead and that they were to report everything they saw here. Ivory gave a nod in response. As she did so, she heard Artemis speak his suspicions. Old keyblade master? She had remembered a few of them back in Timeless River.
'You mean...Master...uh....Xeha....Xeha-something?" she replied.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 19:27:42 GMT -5
Artemis recognized the first part of the name. "Yes. He thinks you work for him."[/i] Smiles, never aware of the side conversation going on in Ivory's mind, just watched the keyblade master head up the rest of the path. They followed at a smaller pace, making sure to stay out of the line of sight. Master Issac stopped in front of the entrance to a cave.
Smiles held up his arm and ducked down so that they wouldn't be seen. They could see everything, but it would be much harder to spot Smiles or Ivory, unless they looked down the road at the ground itself.
"Lakari! I know you are here. Enough of these games!" Smiles watched the elf from back in The Land of The Musketeers, walk out of the cave. While he was indeed had not aged since they last saw him, he looked different. There were dark bags under his eyes, and they had a stare that seemed lost. It was as if Lakari was focusing on nothing yet everything at the same time. He wore a warm smile that to Artemis, reminded him of a creepy creature called Silver. Of course Ivory or Smiles had no clue as to who that creature was. But that was the best way to describe it. The elf had a wildness to him that he had not before.
"Isn't it wonderful Master! The power that this world has given me! Ah he was right! The old man was right! To think the power over death could be find in a world of such life!"
"That would be the elf who actually killed me."[/i] Artemis informed Ivory.
If Master Issac was impressed he did not show it. His face remained blank, however Smiles and Ivory were not able to tell that from this position. His back was to them. "And is it enough my apprentice? Has it finally quenched your thirst?"
Lakari looked taken aback from his master's questions. "Is it enough?! How could it ever be enough?! It has given me knowledge of power of the sweetest kind! I am apprentice no longer Issac. We are equals now."
Master Issac didn't seem taken aback from these statements either. "What is enough apprentice? What is this power you seek?"
Lakari took a step towards Issac. "The old man is right! He was always right! Your foolish plan of turning Kingdom Hearts on itself will never work! Why destroy such potential power?! Why with it I could rule anything and everything! I could be a god! Seventeen Darknesses and Six Lights that is how you control it! Come to his side Issac! He can offer you power too!"
Issac shook his head. A look of sorrow crossed his face as his head lowered. "I am sorry my apprentice. I have caused this in you. I shouldn't have given you power. Your heart is too weak.
A maniacal laughter came from Lakari as he had to bend over clutching his gut from laughing so hard. "Weak?!!! I am Weak!" Suddenly Lakari's laughter cut off, as his head snapped up. "I WILL SHOW YOU WHO IS WEAK!!!!!!!!" Lakari shot toward Lakari faster then even Smiles could run. Energy gathered around his hands and as he charged forward it left a trail of broken earth following each hand behind him.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 20:05:27 GMT -5
Ivory had yet to learn how to conceal the glazed expression her eyes always took to whenever she was communicating to Artemis. If anyone ever did happen to keep an eye on her at some point, they would have noticed something off about her at odd intervals. Thankfully, no one had just yet. It wasn't easy to explain that she had another person in her head. In fact, she'd come off as insane and then she'd really be in a bind. 'Lucky thing he thinks so then or we might've been in more of a pickle!' she replied.
This time, they followed Master Isaac at a much slower pace. Their intention was to keep out of sight. As they went, she almost bumped into Smiles's arm when he suddenly brought it up to signify for them to stop. Obediently, Ivory ducked down to where Smiles was. As they ducked, Isaac demanded for Lakari to present himself. Quietly, Ivory and Smiles watched as Lakari came out from the cave. Where he hadn't aged any, his appearance certainly had changed. He looked as if he were staring at something none of them could see and his eyes had bags under them Just what the heck had he gone through?
As she remained hidden next to Smiles, she watched as the scene played out before them. Lakari then revealed to Isaac that he had gained power from death in this very world. As he had said this, Artemis informed her that this was the elf that had killed him. It sent a chill down her spine to hear that.
Isaac then questioned Lakari if that was enough. Had his thirst for power finally been quenched. Honestly, Ivory doubted that. Lakari, from the start, had been power hungry. Nothing seemed to satisfy him and he was always going for more. No doubt, Isaac knew that he would have to eliminate his apprentice right here and now. Did it really bother Isaac? She wasn't really sure. All she knew was that she hoped she'd never lose herself like that. Ivory had gotten stronger compared to the shy girl she used to be but she never thirst for power like that. If anything, her drive was just to continue to live. Even still, to see how someone could turn out to be still made her think how much she hoped she never found herself in a similar situation.
As the scene progressed, Lakari stated that the power hadn't been enough and that it only made him equal to Isaac. Only then did Isaac ask him what was enough in Lakari's books. Lakari simply retorted that Isaac's idea of turning the power of Kingdom Hearts onto itself would never work. The old man, no doubt that keyblade master, had apparently been right according to Lakari. It had such potential power to be used that he saw no reason to destroy it. In fact, he planned to harness that power to rule over all and that Isaac should join them instead.
Isaac, of course, refused as he shook his head in response to what Lakari was saying. Only then did he reply. The look of sorrow, they could see on his face only when he had turned his head to lower it. He apologized to Lakari and told him that his heart was too weak, that he had caused this in Lakari. Lakari seemed to laugh insanely at that very moment.
Cutting himself off from laughter, Lakari shot his head up to look abruptly at Isaac. Shouting at him, Lakari claimed that he would show him who was weak. At that very moment, he lunged for Isaac. As he did so, behind him the earth seemed to crack and break! Already, Ivory felt alarm. If Lakari's power reached where they were-! She had to refrain from getting too alarmed lest she clutch at Smiles in her alarm. There was something weird about the energy in Lakari's hands.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 21:18:30 GMT -5
Smiles felt that energy too. Surely if they could feel it all the way from here, Issac must be able to feel it as well. Whatever power Lakari gained here, it was something strong. The sorrow did not break from Issac's face as he summoned his keyblade. Lakari's fists pounded towards Issac, hoping to hit him with his energy infested hands.
Issac however merely blocked each fist with the side of his keyblade. He did not expose the sharp edges of his keyblade to Lakari, an action that Artemis took to be mercy. Artemis watched as Lakari continued to pump his fists, and Issac equally block each attack. While he watched he couldn't help but wonder how Lakari ended up working for Issac in the future? This couldn't have happened before he knew Issac or Lakari.
Issac finally seemed to have enough of Lakari's onslaught. "Stop this! There is no point in fighting." Instead of blocking the next pump of Lakari's right fist, Issac dodged the attack and shoved the side of his keyblade into Lakari with enough force to send him backwards ten feet. His feet never left the ground, but he did look stunned and angry at the attack.
"Never! Behold the power that I found in this world!" Lakari summoned energy around his hands once more, but this time he sent the energy into the ground in between he and Issac. A rumble shook the earth where the energy hit. The earth crumbled away as a skeleton rose from the grave, its eyes filled with a yellow light. "This is just a small hint of the power over death! Watch true power Issac!"
Lakari pumped energy again and again into the skeleton creature. As each ball of energy hit, the skeleton began slowly coming more and more complete. First decayed skin grew as the first of the energy hit. Then the skin began to gain more color, and the skeleton became more and more alive. Until finally the skeleton was replaced by a man in his early twenties. With short cut black hair and as nude as the day he was born he looked everything like a human being. Except for his eyes. There was no life behind them.
"He is mine to do with what I want. Powers and all he is mine. So long as I have control over his mind he is a walking soldier. Could you do this Issac?!"
Issac though was not listening. He had enough of this. His keyblade had vanished from his hands, and while Lakari was busy bringing back the dead, his keyblade had floated through the air and behind the elf. Arm held forward with hand outstretched, he closed it in a fist and pulled it back. His keyblade shot through the air and through the stomach of Lakari.
Lakari's eyes couldn't hide the shock as Issac's keyblade withdrew. Walking forward, Issac ignored the human in front of him. Free of Lakari's curse an with new found life, the man was a bit confused. Noticing the dead man behind him though, his eyes went wide and he dashed down the path towards Smiles and Ivory.
Smiles stood, summoning his gun. The man though ran right past them. He didn't even notice Smiles or Ivory.
Glancing up, Smiles watched Issac stand over his apprentice. "Come out creature.... I know you are here." At first Smiles thought that Issac was talking to them. He even stepped forward, beginning to walk towards the scene. But he stopped when he saw Skull from the past step out of the shadows. It wore no body and had the same humanoid like appearance.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 21:58:59 GMT -5
Lakari tried to hit Isaac but Isaac had blocked every attack of his. From the looks of it, Isaac didn't want to strike his apprentice. When they had first met, Ivory didn't think Master Isaac would have liked Lakari at all but yet he had felt sorrow for the man from what it looked like. It was almost sad to have to watch. However, with the energy alarmingly high in the air, Ivory couldn't help but feel uneasy. Should they leave their area and find a safer spot?
Before she could suggest it, however, something else happened. The energy was still overwhelming but Lakari was doing something different. It looked as though he were summoning something from the very ground! As she watched, she saw it take shape of some kind of human but the eyes were strange. It sent a chill down her spine to watch. It was even nauseating.
The fight turned out to be as what she had thought would happen. Isaac had finally managed to surprise Lakari. In himself, he had found the resolve to eliminate his apprentice. Sending his keyblade right through the back of Lakari and through his stomach, Ivory saw the shocked look on the elf's face.
When it happened, the figure that Lakari had brought to life looked about in confusion before running off towards them! Ivory shrunk away, going to draw her statuette out to use it while Smiles stood with his gun at the ready. However, he didn't see them and kept running past to who knows where. After that, Isaac spoke. Ivory blinked in confusion to look back at the keyblade master. Was he calling them out?
Before they could go far, a figure stepped out for them to see. Skull had arrived but it was the past Skull. Ivory watched in wonder. What was going to happen here?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 22:30:42 GMT -5
Master Issac watched the "fissure" as it moved in a sway animal like motion. Smiles watched its mouth open and it spoke. "Crea....ture....?" It said, repeating Issac. Artemis watched through Ivory, as surprise struck Issac. He had not expected the creature to speak.
"Yes.... you are a creature now, a being of your own will."
Skull glanced down at the bleeding Lakari and pointed its raised humanoid hand at it. "Eat?" It asked Issac.
Issac shook his head. "No... My apprentice is not yet dead. I could revive him.... but he would only continue to bring destruction upon everyone."
Skull glanced up at Issac and then down at Lakari. "A....ppren....tice.... Me be a....ppren....tice?" Issac was once again surprised at the knowledge of the creature. He thought about it.... for a moment. But Issac knew that to do such a thing could only cause him danger. Better for the fissure to live its own life. They shared a connection, but they were still separate beings. Still Issac did not like leaving his real apprentice to just die. There must be something he could do.
Issac thought of sending Lakari to the realm of darkness, where Issac himself had gained his power. However to open a portal for him to send him there would cause another piece of his heart. He could not afford such a thing. However he knew that the creature could arguably open it.
"I can give you power. Abilities to create creatures of your own kind and power to obtain a real body of your own. You a creature.... could become more. I can give you the power that could make you whole. I just ask you take my apprentice to the realm where you were born. Leave him there. If he is to live, it will be of his own will."
Skull seemed to understand everything that Issac said. Its yellow eyes brightened. Turning to the air next to them, Skull ran his finger through the air. The air parted around his finger like pulling separating a curtain. The fissure scooped up Lakari and disappeared in a rift in the air.
Smiles watched all of this, finally understanding. "He gave Skull the power to create more fissures. If we kill Skull, I think the rest of the fissures will be die as well." He told Ivory.
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Post by Sprow on Oct 14, 2012 22:56:40 GMT -5
Once again, as it had the last time they saw it, the fissure spoke. It repeated the word that Isaac had called it. It seemed to be learning English pretty well. As it approached Isaac, he told it that yes it was a creature and that it had a will of its own now. Skull then looked down at Lakari at that moment. Pointing his hand at him, or what resembled one, Skull then looked up at Isaac and asked if he could eat him. Ivory shivered at the thought. She didn't want to think what it would look like if a fissure ate a human.
Isaac, thankfully, decided not to allow Skull to do that. Instead, he told him that Lakari wasn't dead yet. He could revive him but Lakari would only cause ruin if he were. Instead of putting him out of his misery, Isaac was going to allow him to pass away on his own or survive. Either way, Isaac had nothing to do with him anymore.
Skull looked down at Lakari as he repeated apprentice. He was asking Isaac if he could be an apprentice or was one, either way the meaning was technically the same. Isaac had other plans though. Instead, he offered Skull power. If he were to bring Lakari to where Skull had been born then he would give Skull the power to create others of his kind and become more powerful, whole even. Ivory's eyebrows raised then in realization. Isaac had given Skull those powers to make him more than just a mere fissure! So, even before he became the Skull they knew now, fissures weren't like what they were now.
As the past Skull left, taking Lakari with him, Ivory guessed that in the realm Skull had come from was where Lakari had recovered. Somehow along the way, he recovered enough to eventually bump into Artemis somehow and then killed him. That's the only conclusion she could make. As soon as the past Skull had left, Ivory looked over at Smiles as he spoke. It really seemed like that was what they had to do but even then, how were they going to do it? They saw what strength the fissure had and had a brief idea of him being able to create others on a whim.
"Where that's the case, Smiles...how are we going to even do it? Skull's powerful! I don't think a mere gun shot would be enough to kill him. Even still, what doesn't add up, is the fact that only keyblade masters and wielders seem to create fissures. I'm sure that there have been masters killed and apprentices killed that didn't die by his hand before...So, how is that? Also, just how many deaths of masters and wielders does it take for Skull to become "whole"?" Honestly, she was scared of the fissure. She'd rather run away from him if she could than fight him. However, she knew that running from one's problems didn't solve anything. On top of it, even if Skull said he didn't care if they learned more about him, what then now that they found this piece of information? Would that change? Either way, they needed to think of something in order to handle this situation. She didn't think their organization could withstand the fissures as they were now. That is, if they were even alive by the time they returned to them.
Getting a grip on herself, Ivory finally stood, no longer crouching behind Smiles. She glanced around for the figure that had run past them. He seemed to have thoroughly escaped the given area with no intention of returning. Good, she didn't need to worry about another potential threat coming their way in this old, hostile world and merely because of the beings that were present at the given moment.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2012 23:18:19 GMT -5
Smiles was surprised by Ivory's negative comments. He was happy! He had finally solved the mystery to Skull's power. This was Smiles's moment! The part where he finally understood the mystery. Smiles felt anger start to come up, but only because he realized that Ivory was right. This didn't help them in getting rid of the fissure. And was that even something they should do? Smiles felt a rush of adrenaline at the thought of fighting the fissure. Who would be more powerful?!
A smile creeping up on his lips, Smiles did think that they needed to figure out there next move. "I don't think Skull is creating fissures to become whole. No matter what power he gained, I don't think it changes the fact that he is just the half of a heart. Perhaps by whole, he means to create a whole heart. Might the death of keybladers have something to do with that?"
He asked aloud. Artemis really felt like a fish out of water in all of this. He understood the gist of the fissures, but he did not know Ivory's entire past. They had just met each other really. Not only that but Artemis still didn't know his reason for being here. He could see the fear in Ivory. "There comes a point in every assassin faces a path. They can continue the path of the knife in the dark. Or they can chose the path to be the arm holding the knife. Ivory you must chose your own path."[/i]
"I hate to say this.... But maybe we should seek out your brother. See what effect these fissures are really having on the world..."
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Post by Sprow on Oct 15, 2012 1:01:25 GMT -5
Ivory wondered if she had talked out of place and spoiled Smiles's happiness at what he had discovered today. Still, she couldn't help but feel nervous about the fissures. She thought those things had to be destroyed or human life could be at serious risk depending on what things Skull had in mind for them. Their very lives would be threatened too since he had made it clear to Smiles that he had found his use waning. She worried about the sake of herself and Smiles. Not only that but others didn't deserve to have their bodies taken over by those things. It was a fate to her that seemed worse than death.
"Er...sorry to speak like that, Smiles..." Ivory apologized in case she had spoiled his moment. After all, he had been searching for some time to discover this information on the fissures. All the answers he had been looking for had been mostly found out. Ivory felt a bit sorry for bringing up all of these points so soon. She felt that she had to say them though before she forgot them.
After a moment of not smiling, and looking angry, a smile had finally crept up upon his face. The change relieved her only because it assured her that he hadn't found anger toward her about it. At least, she hoped not. It hadn't been her intention and she was always one to think of points that needed immediate attention if she saw them. It helped prevent complications in the long run and better prepared her for things in the past.
A moment of silence passed before Smiles finally spoke to her. He didn't believe that Skull could become whole. Like he said, no matter what, the fissures were still half of a heart. As for whole, he assumed that Skull meant a whole heart instead and that possibly the death of the keybladers had something to do with it. "You're probably right...I don't think he'd become whole like what we are..." she trailed off in thought. What was kingdom hearts though? She had heard of it but never saw it. Whole heart? Could there be a connection? She wouldn't know though, she didn't know much about kingdom hearts to know.
Still, it scared her to think what the fissures were going to do. As she felt that, she tried to bring herself to a much calmer state of mind. It was hard though, the fear was almost overwhelming. It was then that Artemis spoke. Every assassin faced a path. They could choose to be the knife in the dark or the arm holding the knife. She would have to choose her own path in that. Honestly, she wasn't sure what she would do. Ivory just knew that she didn't want those damn things taking over. They creeped her out enough as it already was.
'But what path will I even choose? When will I even know when that time comes?' she replied. It was just after this brief exchange when Smiles spoke. Raising her head to look over t him, she listened to what he was saying. The mention of her brother brought a bit of anger in her but not directed at Smiles. She was still mad with Darius but the whole thing was also complicated. It wasn't just anger she felt then. It was also uncertainty and some sadness. They had caused Darius and his friends pain. If Smiles was suggesting they team up with them, she didn't think that they would work with them cooperatively. They were going to see what the fissures did outside of their organization and what effects they had on the worlds.
"I...I..." she breathed in before focusing on Smiles. "If that's what you think we shall do...then I will do my best to help. I won't...let my personal issues get in the way." She was letting Smiles know that she would obey and support him. "When do you think we should do this? How? Would the others find out?"
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