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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 18, 2023 11:56:14 GMT -5
The portal opened from Traverse Town, placing them within the vicinity of the researching facility. Merlin had great accuracy for his portals, which is why sometimes they took longer to conjure.
"Now, behave."
Merlin pointed his wand to Vasch before opening a portal back to Traverse Town. Stepping out from the building was a man with a long white lab coat. Long gray hair with obscenely long bangs that covered one of his blue eyes. Aeleus and Dilan, massive men in fanciful guardsman clothing stood on each side of him; clearly protective.
"Master Yen Sid told me of the situation. Simply fascinating, I assume this is Machiko?"
He'd gesture to her, turning and walking back toward the laboratory.
"Come along, we don't have a lot of time."
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 18, 2023 12:16:57 GMT -5
Vasch stepped through the mystical portal, squinting as fresh light hit his lifeless mismatched eyes. For three years, he'd grown accustomed to the eternal night and soft glow of lanterns Traverse Town was known for. "Now, behave." Merlin's comment caused the armored man to scowl, glaring at the wizard who magicked himself away before catching an insult. Looking up at the research facility ahead of him, the man in the dark haori sighed and glanced to Rocker, the small red panda on his shoulder(?).
"Well, here goes..." Where had all that confidence gone? The Keyblade resting on his back felt heavier than it had when they left. Just as he went to step forward, two people he didn't recognize exited the building, surrounded by guards! How much had changed since he'd last been to this world!?
"Master Yen Sid told me of the situation. Simply fascinating, I assume this is Machiko?" Vasch scowled, taking a step back as the man turned and head back towards the facility. Fascinating?! This bastard...! He calmed himself. Taking in a deep breath, the ex-Master followed the men in fanciful clothes and guardsmen. They were right, after all, they didn't have time...
"Er...so, who're you? What's this chamber going to do?" Carrying Machiko inside the building, Vasch couldn't help but feel protective and ended up asking the questions unceremoniously. He wasn't a Master anymore, or a Mercenary. He could ask questions and he didn't have to worry about formalities.
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 18, 2023 12:26:16 GMT -5
"Apologies. I am Ienzo, I am Ansem' the Wise's apprentice and oversee quite a few of the facilities here. As it turns out, Kairi only recently had pulled from the chamber leaving a place for Machiko to settle within. This will open her heart to influence, but only within the room so no need to worry about potential heartless. The automatic defense system within Radiant Garden tends to make most of the grounds quite safe."
As he wandered into the facility a smooth chrome vessel sat within the center of the room with a glass capsule to keep them within the pod. There were plenty of holes and means of having oxygen cycle, next to it was a terminal. The guards settled at the beginning of the room.
"Now, you may settle her down within the pod. We'll prepare her vitals and open state for the delve. If you'd like you can ask more questions, or wander till we're ready. But it shouldn't take too long."
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 18, 2023 12:54:24 GMT -5
Listening to Ienzo's introduction with a mixture of interest and confusion, Vasch followed them inside the research facility until they stood in a large room housing a bizarre looking pod of sorts. "This will open her heart to influence, but only within the room..." The ex-Master was thankful for the precautions Radiant Garden had for outside threat. Still, part of him still wondered just how the machine compared to Merlin's magic...
"We'll prepare her vitals and open state for the Delve." Gulping a bit, Vasch suddenly felt like his mouth was dry. Shaking his head as Ienzo mentioned him being able to roam if he wished, the armored man glanced around the room.
"No, thank you...I'll just prepare myself." Walking over to an empty area that seemed out of the way, the middle aged man sat cross-legged and placed the White Dwarf across his lap. Focus, Vasch...focus. Closing his eyes, the ex-Master took in deep breaths as he began to meditate, focusing on centering himself and thinking about the bond between himself and the Keyblade.
Even when it wasn't abandoning him now, the connection wasn't whole. His powers were hardly what they once were. The armor he wore and the state the rusted weapon was in was a constant reminder of that. Still...even if I'm only made up of half-measures, I'll do this. He continued to focus, steeling his heart for the task ahead. He had a job to do.
Waiting for Ienzo and others to prepare what they needed to, Vasch would prepare his own heart for the Dive.
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 18, 2023 13:55:50 GMT -5
The time it took to actually prepare Machiko wasn't too long, she was set within the capsule, an IV connected to her, no medications were necessary at least. All the while Vasch went to dive within his own heart, diminishing from existence to do so. He'd dive down into the depths of the abyss to see a mural with himself laying backward. In the background a tall spire signifying the world of Daybreak Town, although the surrounding landscape was covered in wasteland and keyblades. His former apprentice being one of the four people noted beside his portrait along with the Union Leader he combatted, Chirithy being another, and one final one which seemed rather fresh was Machiko. There was a door that was transparent on one end, the White Dwarf settled upon a pedestal.
You come to earn me back. It is not that simple. You have not atoned for the sins of the past. But I will linger, for your heart is in the right place...this time.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 18, 2023 19:09:25 GMT -5
Vasch felt the sensation akin to falling into a dream. As darkness closed in around him, it felt like he was falling...fast at first—then slow. Seeing the spire that appeared below, the ex-Master felt a wave of emotions wash over him due to the faces that greeted him on the stained glass. It's been a while, since I've done this. Landing on the surface of the spire, the armored man grimaced as a door and pedestal appeared.
You come to earn me back. It is not that simple. Perched on the pedestal was the White Dwarf, though it was free of rust, dents and the marks it had in the real world. Listening to the silent voice echoing in his mind and around him, Vasch stared at the weapon with a serious expression. Hearing it consider his heart was in the right place, the ex-Master gave a huffing sigh that seemed torn between relief and mild annoyance.
"Well...we're in agreement on all of that." He didn't consider himself 'atoned', or his hands cleaned of his past. But none of that mattered now...not when there was no one else Machiko could rely on. Not when Rocker had confided in him and both of them had put their trust in him—no matter how ill-advised he considered it.
Walking over to the pedestal, Vasch reached out and grabbed the Keyblade. Wearing a faint smirk, the middle aged man looked into its reflective surface that shined like a silver star. "Here today, gone tomorrow...right?" That was fine with him. So long as he could help who was in front of him, it was enough for now.
Looking down at the stained glass floor he stood on, Vasch's eyes lingered on one portrait in particular. Gold-brown eyes that seemed to hold a blazing fire within, spiky orange hair to match—the face of his old apprentice. This is how you felt too, wasn't it? He recalled often scolding the young Wielder about not thinking far enough ahead, being too focused on just saving those in front of them.
Maybe it wasn't such a bad trait, after all...
Shouldering the shining weapon, the armored man turned and headed to the looming door that had manifested fully after he retrieved the Keyblade. Pushing the ornate white portal open, the man felt much more determined and confident than before.
Opening his eyes, Vasch returned to himself and straightened up from his sitting position in the facility room. Taking a moment to readjust his eyes, he looked down at the Keyblade in his lap. It's rusted and marred form was a signifier that he was indeed back in the real world. Grabbing the weapon and standing up with a stretch, the ex-Master saw Machiko hooked up and ready in the pod. The sight caused him to grimace, though he knew it was only helping her in her current state. Hang in there, Machiko... Turning to find Ienzo, Vasch shouldered his Keyblade and rested a hand on his hip. "So...is everything ready?" He was as ready as he'd ever be. Once the researchers had prepared everything, he was going to make the Dive.
There was no time to waste!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 18, 2023 20:42:06 GMT -5
Ienzo nodded, there was actually even a space for him to stand for when he made the ritual. Ienzo began to type into the terminal nearby, an open display of the hearts lingering within Machiko shown.
"We actually updated the parameters of the simulation. Before when Sora and Riku dove, the only ones who were able to monitor them reliably was Master Yen Sid. Now, with a connection to the subject's heart and in-lieu, yours, we should be able to give you useful information while you are diving. I'd assume you are already ready for what's to come?"
An insignia of a crown beneath Vasch's feet began to glow, signifying he should ready his keyblade for the dive. Once he did so, Ienzo would give him a two-finger salute as he made the dive.
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The first world he would dive into was curious, the heart connected seemingly to a world he had not been to. People wandered the streets, whispers, despite it being so busy he found himself within a silent district. That was of course until he saw a girl sitting on a bench flanked by three people, she'd chuckle and talk to them, it seemed like...Machiko. The three flanking her were of varying heights, one was a massive man in crimson armor with glass covering most of his helmet, must have been 6'10 with his proportions. Another was a woman with blonde short hair and green eyes, also wearing armor of similar make and the third being also a woman with silver eyes and darker skin tone, black hair and a rather pensive expression.
Machiko was wearing something similar to the three of them.
"Oh, hey! You must be new here! I'm Machiko, nice to meet you!"
Machiko would stand up, holding out her hand with a big smile.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 19, 2023 1:26:00 GMT -5
Seeing the raised platform by the pod, Vasch followed Ienzo's indication and stepped onto it. "With a connection to the subject's heart...we should be able to give you useful information while you are diving." Nodding as the device was explained, the ex-Master examined the platform he stood on before raising his Keyblade, pointing it towards the pod housing Machiko.
"Alright, I'm ready." Gripping the rusted weapon with both hands, Vasch closed his eyes and focused his energy and heart. It took a moment, but soon there was a dim aura of light emanating from the armored man and the Keyblade. Steadily the light intensified until it became a blinding flash...
When his eyes opened, Vasch didn't recognize the world around him. It seemed to be crowded, but the area he was in was more spaced out and quiet. For a moment, the ex-Master took a moment to simply take in the sights and sounds around him...it had been quite some time, since he'd done anything like this. So—this is the world in her heart...?
Just as soon as he'd taken a few steps, gathering his bearings, a familiar voice rang out and found him. "You must be new here!" Sitting on a bench surrounded by strangers of various sizes and colorful armor, was Machiko! Coming up to greet him, the skater was outfitted in armor similar to that of the company she kept, but otherwise looked the same.
Well, the first part was easier than he thought it'd be. But just who are they? His mismatched eyes fell on the strangers for a moment. Were they ghosts from the woman's past, or part of the Triad's hearts? He'd have to play along to find the truth... "Er...yeah. The name's Vasch—I go where there's work." It felt weird, doing introductions with someone he knew—even if he knew to expect it.
"Machiko...who're your friends?" The man in the dark haori casually assessed the others. Their armor reminded Vasch of the kind Masters and experienced Wielders used during his own world's era...but it seemed more high tech. "Maybe you'd all be willing to give me a tour...?"
He's try and lay low until things became more clear. After all; the Realm of Dreams was a dangerous puzzle to dive into...
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 19, 2023 1:37:46 GMT -5
Machiko was about to introduce herself when all three of them stood. Looking over Vasch, it was almost as if they could tell he didn't belong there; but they were silent for the time being. As they looked to one another it was as if they were talking to each other via mental link. Or maybe they just understood one another, regardless each of them stepped forward. The massive one placed his hand on Machiko's head in a gentle fashion.
"Ruvok."
His voice was deep, it seemed he kept his helmet on no matter what, strange. The other two came up beside Machiko with snickers, lightly bumping into her shoulders, although one of them seemed to have something of a more somber disposition.
"Helinara. Nice to meet you."
The darker skinned woman spoke, hand on her hip while the preppy blonde gave a warm smile.
"Aevlenne. We were all congratulating Machiko on her mark of mastery. She just got back from a trip, we're probably going to be going on our own soon enough."
Machiko glanced up to Ruvok, pulling his hand from her head and brushing it back into a decent state with a light chuckle.
"Maybe once you guys stopped bugging me. You shoulda been gone since yesterday."
"We wanted to say goodbye."
Machiko snickered, crossing her arms beneath her torso.
"Won't be for long. We'll see each other again, I'm sure. Anyways, shoo, you got places to be and I gotta get this guy up to speed."
The trio shrugged, waving Machiko off before leaving the scene.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 19, 2023 10:51:57 GMT -5
For a moment, Vasch straightened—uncomfortable under the eyes of the three strangers. It had been briefly, but the way they'd looked at him had caused him to think his cover might be blown. Sighing in relief a bit as introductions were made, the man in the dark haori was surprised to hear congratulations were in order! "Your Mark of Mastery...?!" Vasch looked at Machiko with a mildly stunned expression.
He hadn't anticipated that.
He'd expected to learn a few things about the skater during all of this, but still... Watching as the four friends had their own bantering goodbyes, the ex-Master crossed their arms and waited patiently. Vasch's face remained expressionless, though the sight had caused a mixture of emotions to stir. She seems...content. The life of a Master was hardly a happy one, though. The moment he was witnessing was already one lost and piled beneath a road of hardships. He thought of what Rocker had told him, back in the Waking Realm...
"Anyways, shoo...I gotta get this guy up to speed." Bidding the armored trio farewell, Machiko seemed ready to deliver the 'tour'. Giving a small nod and wave in goodbye to the strangers, Vasch readied to follow the skater's lead, looking around the busy world littered with tall buildings that seemed to stack on top of one another.
Everything feels so...familiar? He didn't recognize this place, so what was this feeling? Was it simply because it was Machiko's heart? Shaking the thought off, the lightly armored man focused on the task at hand, focusing instead on how to find the Warring Triad lurking somewhere within this Slumbering World...or perhaps another.
"So, Machiko...where are we off to, first?" He'd follow her lead, for now. At least until he felt what he needed to from his Keyblade...
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 19, 2023 11:08:48 GMT -5
"Well, I'm sure you'll want to know where the square is. That's where most of the shopping happens, I can grab ya something to eat if you want. I prefer stir fry, but there's lots to choose from."
She'd smile over to him, they'd move through a good portion of people but it almost seemed like they weren't even there. Machiko eventually got to a stand where a shadowy figure stood, she'd speak to them about their food and eventually had it handed out. She'd turn and hand off a pizza slice to him in a box along with a drink, she had her stir fry and began to walk toward the large building in the center.
"That's the academy, where most of us tend to learn about the outside worlds and all that. But I mean, you seem like you already know how all that works. Seeing as you have a keyblade and all."
She'd hum silently, looking him over again.
"You sure I don't know you? You seem familiar, like I've seen you a long time ago but I can't place it..."
She'd hum and eventually shrug, moving to lead him to another area. Deciding she was somewhat bored she'd conjure her keyblade to swing about and juggle. Although what probably would startle and cause the most alarm for Vasch was...oddly impossible.
Her keyblade looked exactly like his missing apprentice's.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 19, 2023 14:19:42 GMT -5
Moving through a somewhat blank crowd and towards a lively square, Vasch couldn't help but feel a constant anxiety at the back of his mind. The Realm of Dreams is dangerous, indeed... As Machiko spoke of stir fry, the ex-Master was still looking around at the Slumbering World. Considering he had dove into Machiko's heart, it was one she had a strong tie to. All of the worlds in this Realm have practically been lost, though...
Or at least, so far gone that there were only specific and scarce options of intervention for saving them.
On top of that, there was the fact that the Triad's hearts lurked within somewhere...meaning there could be worlds tied to their hearts, too. Sighing from the weight of so many puzzles to solve in such little time, Vasch was grounded back to the false reality he took part in as Machiko handed him a slice of pizza and a drink.
"That's the academy, where most of us tend to learn about the outside worlds and all that." He absentmindedly nodded along, barely listening as he sipped at the bubbling drink that had turned out to be a powerfully strong cherry-tasting cola, to his displeasure. "You sure I don't know you?" Looking at him earnestly, Machiko seemed to be on the edge of remembering...but he didn't need that now.
Right now, he needed to find out more about her and her heart. Specifically, what its layout looked like and where the Triad might be hiding within it. Otherwise there was no hope for saving her...
"Er—maybe in passing...I used to teach, once upon a time." He'd wave off the question, using a half-truth still befitting the nature of the Slumbering World. As the two continued to stroll through the crowded square housing dozens of stands, Vasch noticed how most they didn't interact with seemed...shadowed. They lacked features and despite him hearing the sounds of a crowd, he couldn't make out any distinct conversation or voices in particular.
It might be easier to find the Triad than I thought... Truthfully, it made him much more suspicious of the initial trio of 'friends' he'd been introduced to when he had first arrived. He'd done his own Dive into the Heart before...he'd even explore Slumbering Worlds and helped restore a few from a recovering state, like Traverse Town. But this seemed different. "What the—?!" All of his thoughts stopped. Vasch halted in his steps, his breath catching in his throat as his heart skipped a beat.
Machiko had summoned a Keyblade, beginning to idly juggle the weapon as they roamed. It wasn't just any Keyblade, though. "Why do you have that?" His voice was choked and cold, far different than how he'd ever spoken to her before, real world or not. On the man's usually lifeless and dull face was an expression of recognition, astonishment, and for a brief moment—dark suspicion.
In Machiko's hands was the Steel Heart, a hefty and bandage-covered tumbler styled Keyblade that his very own apprentice had possessed all those years ago. It even had the same bright orange heart keychain glinting in the light, beaming as though the sun. "How do you...have that...?" His brain had nearly shut down. His thoughts had flooded back to the Graveyard, a wasteland littered with Keyblades and buried Wielders.
It had been there that Vasch had confirmed he'd been too late to save his apprentice. Too late to save anyone. He'd left the young Wielder's weapon there, half buried in the sand. He was in the Realm of Dreams, inside a world lost through the cracks of Light and Dark...
How could Henoke's Keyblade be here?
Something—something...isn't right. Vasch felt dizzy, his balance unsteady as he staggered. An ache passed through his temple as painful memories flooded his mind, causing him to wince and groan as he clutched at his head. "Why—?! You shouldn't have that. That shouldn't be here...!" He was losing his grip on things...
Had he made a mistake already!? Was this the Triad's doing, playing a trick on him to get him vulnerable...? Anything can happen in this Realm! That's right, he couldn't trust what he saw or heard...his own senses could already be being used against him. Vasch eyed Machiko with a new suspicion as he clenched a jaw, readying a stance—though his hands hadn't found their way to his Keyblade, yet.
"Answer me, Machiko...why do you have that?!" There was no way the woman should know about that Keyblade. It certainly had to be some kind of trick or trap that the Triad was behind! Scanning the area with his mismatched eyes, the man in the dark haori took a step back, preparing to defend himself at any moment...
It was clear the sight of the Steel Heart had shaken him—stirring something deeper in his core.
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 19, 2023 14:33:16 GMT -5
Machiko turned to look over at the man, his trembling voice, his stance, it was all beginning to freak her out. Was this guy going crazy or something? Her hand gripped the keyblade harshly, eyes locked upon Vasch's. She could see his eyes focused on her keyblade and then darting all around them as if something was going to happen. Honestly, this was getting spooky; how did he even recognize her keyblade?
"It's...mine. Steel Heart, been using it since I was able to call a keyblade. You uh...you okay? You're kind of freaking me out..."
There she went saying it, she really needed to get better with talking to people; like Helinara said.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 19, 2023 15:32:42 GMT -5
No. This didn't make any sense. "It's...mine." Machiko looked at him warily, readying a stance of her own in defense. No—Machiko can't have that Keyblade! How did that line up!? Out of all the things he'd expected to see...just what was happening here?! "You're kind of freaking me out..." The look on her face caused him to flinch.
It hurt, really...but it was his own fault.
This world is a reflection—just a mirror shadowing what once was. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Slumbering Worlds showed reflections of the denizens how the world remembered them, back before the world and those inhabiting it had fallen or fled. If this was a trick, he'd handle it...even if it wasn't, this Machiko wasn't the one he was trying to save. It was just the world's projection...but still, it made him think.
Just who was Machiko? Did he know?
Why, in this Slumbering World, did she carry his old apprentice's Keyblade? Why had it been with her since the start of her training? Would this help him solve anything, really...? "If that blade is truly yours..." Vasch had made up his mind, a way to solve all of his anxieties at once. Reaching up and grabbing the White Dwarf from his back, the ex-Master's Keyblade resembled the flawless and original state it had reflected in their last Deep Dive.
In the Realm of Dreams, the Keyblade wasn't tarnished and battered—even if the connection still was. "...then you'll be able to show me it's true form!" Bursting forward like a strike of lightning, Vasch slashed out with a mighty horizontal wave. The Keyblade in his hand seemed to roar out with power as it shined against the light like a radiant star in a night sky. If this is a trick the Triad laid for me—I'll deal with it now! If the Keyblade really does belong to her, she can prove it...
What would he do, then, though? It wasn't a full-proof plan by any means. Considering the man's once high-ranking status, it was actually somewhat crude. Despite this, the Keyblade in his hands hadn't abandoned him yet. Something in his heart felt sure about one thing: The Steel Heart belonged to his apprentice.
That wasn't Machiko—no matter how badly he wanted to save her.
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 19, 2023 15:53:50 GMT -5
Machiko adopted a very similar stance to Heneko as well, holding her massive keyblade and turning it slightly within her hands. As soon as the man burst from his position, she'd do much of the same. Electricity also flicking off of her form and trickling across the stone in tendrils. Instead of attempting to get out of the way she instead weathered the storm so to speak. Magic cascading over herself along with the impact of the White Dwarf on her keyblade. Gritting her teeth as she stood within a deadlock, but instead of pulling back for recovery her hands began to spark.
An explosion of magic would erupt from herself, which would course through her own armor and cause an intense amount of pain; but she was accounting for that when she wanted to lock Vasch in place for the brunt of it.
"I am a keyblade master, I have nothing to prove to you!"
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 19, 2023 19:44:41 GMT -5
Vasch grunted With effort as Machiko met his sudden attack head-on. Her stance...that energy—it was all too similar to a different person's. A different time. What the hell's going on?! He glared at the Keyblade locked against his own, sparking and clashing against the White Dwarf's silver. It was the Steel Heart alright, no doubt about it! How could she really have it...?
Bzzzzt! Seeing the woman's hands spark, Vasch countered the brunt of the sudden explosion of magic with his Flash Step maneuver. "I have nothing to prove to you!" Though his swift blade-work had allowed him to parry the worst of the damage, the ex-Master had skid back and staggered, steaming and singed from the rough display of raw power.
"That's not for you to decide, anymore..." Straightening himself and rolling out his sword-arm, the middle-aged man grimaced at Machiko's defiant glare. "If you're really a Master, show me the real power of that Keyblade." Taking aim with his own, Vasch's weapon began to glow with a vibrant light before a torrent of stars erupted from it! Releasing his Intrepid Stars shotlock, the lightly armored man would be buffered by some of the ranged attacks blow-back.
Spiraling in a chaotic stream of light, it came for Machiko as though a whirlpool!
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 19, 2023 20:00:06 GMT -5
Every single one hit her. She didn't even move or step away from it, as it all crashed into her armor she glared daggers at the ex-master. Bits of her armor sheared off, her helmet which had drawn upward shattered to expose one of her eyes. A shoulderpad flying off, another one, casting off the cloak she had been displaying. Dents and scorch marks across the material, steam rose from her armor as blood rolled down her forehead. Heavy labored breath pushing past her lips as she took her keyblade, into both of her hands, reaching out to unwind the cloth wound about the thick steel.
Splitting into two keyblades, one of them turning into a mess of colors of purple, light blue, and pink. The other one remained the flat steel color, more than likely signifying the two different souls within the user. An aura of crimson coating his body as the berserker state began to build within Machiko. Breathing increasing exponentially as she took one stomp forward and then suddenly burst from her position at an absolutely alarming speed. Both of her keyblades overhead as she aimed to crash them down onto Vasch.
"I'll show you!"
She'd cry out as she attacked him.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 20, 2023 10:44:59 GMT -5
Vasch watched with a grimace as the cascade of stars careened into Machiko head-on. Blasting off sections of her armor, leaving behind welts and wounds, the ex-Master paused as the woman's eyes were exposed and caught his own. Tch—it's just a reflection... He reminded himself that this wasn't the 'real' Machiko as the shotlock's assault washed away. Is she giving up...? He didn't think so, seeing that look on her face...but she wasn't moving?
Understanding dawned on him as she reached for the bandages wrapped around the Steel Heart's blade. No...! It was a simple transformation—so much so, he'd joked with his late apprentice that it wasn't really a 'transformation' at all. It was so simple that it was counter intuitive. Most Wielders wouldn't think to unravel the wraps and yank apart their own weapon... How is this—?! Vasch felt dizzy. It really was the Keyblade of his old apprentice, in the hands of his newest employee.
Just how had that happened?
"I'll show you!" Stomping forward, a sickly red hue had begun to shroud Machiko's form. Exploding towards him and leaping into the air, the woman leapt at Vasch with such a familiar ferocity the man could only stare up at her in astonishment.
Henoke... A memory flashed in his mind, of a scene similar to this one—a young boy in the middle of his training had lost his temper and awoken a power that had been sleeping within him all along. Why does she have your Keyblade? Snapping back to the situation at hand, Vasch blinked and shook his head, going to raise a hasty guard in order to try and protect himself from the raw force coming his way...
"What?! Why now—?!" He hadn't even noticed. The White Dwarf had vanished! Both of the ex-Masters hands were empty. Gritting his teeth as he realized he would have nothing to defend himself with, Vasch tried to leap out of the way of the double overhand strikes while putting both hands together—summoning forth magic power. "Freeze!"
CRAAAAAASH! Debris and sections of the earth erupted as dust and dirt clouded the area. Once it all settled, Machiko would find herself trapped within the borders of a shimmering Pyarmid, the large triangle of light standing firm against the dust—fitted perfectly to their size. There was a massive crater in the ground from her assault, expanding beyond the borders of the magical prison. "Urgh...why does everyone with that Keyblade have to be so reckless?"
Vasch was nearby, covered in dirt and dust and on one knee with both hands clasped together and one eye closed shut to protect from the flinging debris. There were multiple marks littering him, clearly from the rubble and tossed earth the attack had caused, though he had seemed to slip away from the blades slashes themselves. That was close...! He had to hand it to her...she was strong!
"I don't know why you have someone else's Keyblade...but it looks like you weren't lying. It chose you, now—you can indeed draw out its true form." He gave a heavy sigh, pushing himself up onto both feet with a grunt of effort. Dusting himself off, the wavy haired man walked over to the edge of the conjured Pyramid, studying Machiko and the Keyblades they carried. "Looks like it even changed a bit, to accommodate you..."
Scratching at the back of his head, the ex-Master looked around the area. Guess it wasn't a Triad trick, after all. Still, he'd never expected this... Had the Steel Heart really chosen a new Wielder, during his time away? Not like the original could reclaim it, after all. "Well—I'm sure you're confused...I am, too. Just trust me when I say that weapon's got a lot of history to it, alright? Take care of it." Wasn't much he could do about it here, anyway.
Raising a hand to the wall of light, Vasch dismissed the Pyramid, causing it to shatter and break apart into countless tiny pieces. The shards would dissolve midair, disappearing into rays of light. "Here. For your trouble..." Handing over a Hi-Potion from his belongings, the ex-Master wore a vague frown.
He'd let his emotions get the better of him. He was supposed to be here on a mission—a job. Instead he'd catered to his own curiosity and misery. Some help he was. "Sorry." He couldn't look her in the eyes, at the moment.
Why did his heart ache like this?
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Post by Machiko Tetsu on Mar 20, 2023 11:35:29 GMT -5
It was all a blur. Her keyblades crashing into the stone yet she could feel the inertia and solid strikes of steel on something rigid. Unfortunately it wasn't who she was aiming for, panting heavily as she glared over at Vasch while encased within the pyramid. The hell was this guy talking about, seperate owner? This was hers, and why was he being so candid after he just picked a fight with her? This just pissed her off more, but all of it began to fade away as she realized the entire section of this area had been damaged.
Dropping from the pyramid she fell onto her ass with a wince, taking the potion in a rather irritated fashion and chugging it down. Handing the bottle back as she sighed and looked over the crater, winding her keyblade back up as her armor faded.
"Ughhhhhhhhh Odin is going to absolutely kill me."
She'd say with a defeated sigh, turning to look over at Vasch with an irritated look.
"Well...that's the tour. Now I'm gonna go see my friends off. Don't do anymore crazy things."
And with that Machiko would move to leave. As she did so the world would stop, the three people he had seen earlier appeared before him but radiating an inky black. This was the triad, the friends she had been seeing off.
"M̶̲̰̠͉̱͗̃ả̛̬̣̤̼̝̳̈́̓̐ͅͅc̰̤̻͛̈͢h̸̙͉͑̋̚i̺̻̣̝͌̾̽ͬ͜k̸̺̫͓̪͈̱̑ȍ̼̥̈́͢ͅ ̶̳̗̱̗̪̫̑̉͆i̢̘͚͍͙̝̰̯̣̊s̢̻̹̠̮̪̤͗͌ ̸͔̮̯͇̦͍̹̰̇̍͗̐H̷̤͈̠ͯ̈́ḛ̲͈͔ͥ́͛̔͝n̡͎̱ͣ̂o̳̳̜͍͇̬͉ͣ͢k̫͙̦̗̜̪͉̦̐͂ͥ͠e̷̥̗̠̳͕͛ͅ.̦̟͋̉͡ ͈̯̘̰̼͓ͯ̾͋͝ͅT͍̲͍̠̬ͣ̏̽ͣ͞ȟͦ҉̦͙ͅe̛̖̺̻̘̗̫̹͑͊́y̷͎̟͕͙͚̪̠̩̒ ̢̤͈̼̦̜͇͚̇̎̔̍a̝̮͓͆̀r̩͔̀͆̎͡ȩ̥̣̼̪̜͚̉͐ ̢͍̠̗̽ͭ̅̓oͪͤ̇҉̞̲̭̩̘̘̳̭n͈̗̘͉̟͎ͤ̒͡e̲̩̖͔̩̳̤̓͡ͅ ̳̖̰̜̖̯̭ͨ́͘â̵̹̜̭͇͕̾ͫ̍n̫͇̣͍̙̹ͨͫ̍͢ḍ̷͓̥̦͖̮̺̥̌ͯ͆̚ ̡̳̳̩͖͚͇̩̀t̶͕̟̜͗͌̐h̟̯̤̙̞̝̱̿ͭ̕ͅe̵̬̺̺̼̽ͫ́ ̬̫͙̍ͭ̕s̵͙̥ͭ̿͐̎a̐҉̦̳̝̘͕ͅm͔̝̰͈͚̤̮̮ͤͩͮ̕e̦͖͙̰̺̮ͪ̓́ͅ.͔͕͉̼͔̪͓̤͌̾́̋̀"
The glitched voice spoke from the massive armored man, Helinara chuckled and waved a single finger.
"It's why we need her. Henoke had a heart of Light from what we were told by Xehanort, and Machiko is much of the same. Pure. The darkness that is drawn to it though is intense, the brighter the light, the bigger the shadow."
The last one, Aevlenne stood and gave a light chuckle as she'd raise her hand, the stones all beginning to crumble beneath his feet, everything was actually until he eventually would fall into presumably one of the Warring Triad's hearts.
"Do be careful on your way down!"
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 20, 2023 20:18:23 GMT -5
Vasch gave a faint smirk as he watched Machiko chug down the potion he had handed her. She was upset, understandably so, but the older man couldn't help but view the display as a mild example of sulking. "Odin is going to absolutely kill me." He wasn't sure who Machiko spoke of, but it was refreshing to see the woman show a mixture of guilt, annoyance and mild fear—like a student in trouble with their teacher.
"Don't do any more crazy things." Still seeming somewhat bothered with him, she bid Vasch farewell, leaving him alone among the ruined square. For a moment, the ex-Master wondered what he'd do in this world without a guide, left to his own machinations...but then everything slowed into a still. Even Machiko froze, her back to him and mid-gait! The three 'friends' he'd been introduced to before appeared, radiating a murky abyss around them...
So, his hunch had been correct, after all.
"Machiko is Henoke. They are one and the same." The tower of a man clad in bright red armor spoke up, their voice a distortion that Vasch vaguely recognized but could surprisingly clearly make out. Staggering in surprise at the sudden appearance and the words they spoke, the wavy haired man grit his teeth, looking between the three with a new clarity. But what did they mean? Machiko was Henoke? How did that work? Henoke was from Vasch's old life...a different time entirely.
"Henoke had a heart of Light from what we were told ... Machiko is much of the same." One of the others had spoken up this time, alluding to but not fully answering the question echoing throughout Vasch's entire being.
A heart of Light? Pure? Henoke did?! That short-tempered and thick-headed brat who could hardly ever see beyond their Keyblade?! How did Xehanort even know about them?! Just who was this mysterious enemy of the past...this Triad standing before him...? "Well, you can't have Machiko—!!" Just as he went to take a step towards the group, the last and most quiet of the three had risen an arm, the stones beneath Vasch's feet beginning to rumble...
"Do be careful on your way down!" The mocking chuckle echoed as the entire ground and world around the ex-Master seemed to shatter and break away. Shouting out, Vasch's feet kicked and his hands reached for footing and support that wasn't there. All around him was empty nothing—
He plummeted down.
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