[center][h3][b][i]Flashback[/i] [u]The Quest For Answers[/u][/b] [i]Hell - The Western Realm 20 years ago[/i][/h3] [i]Collab: Synthorian and yoshua171[/i] [h2][/h2][/center] The Western Realm, a strange yet calming visage for a man like Solus Grim. Its massive black bubble that turned the demonic country into a prison oh so long ago stood strong, but not as strong as before. It was slowly wavering, losing its foundations right from underneath, right from the source. That much the man that gazed upon it could tell from the distance he was standing at. Truly, one of Hell’s many wonders. It was funny. He felt like he was the only one in the universe that seemed to appreciate demonic inginuity, magical or mechanical, while others viewed it as something monstrous, grotesque, or both. He has always seen potential in their kind, unlike with the Angels, who had everything gifted to them by Aaurus on their first day of creation. Angels always lacked the smarts to build something useful or even compelling. The chimeric being continued forth, approaching the semi-sphere with his ragged and dusty robes flapping about in the harsh winds of Hell, and his new sword at his hip. Purposefully built for killing anything and everything, even a capable Nightwalker in a single swing. Last time he was here, he wasn’t as prepared as he is today. Last time he was here, he failed. His first true defeat. And he has learnt from it. And today, unlike before, he was here for a different reason, a search for answers. Aaurus had sent the man to this forsaken place with a cryptic message. Solus seeked to decode it. And the key to unlocking that message, was within that black bubble. His steps quickened with newfound purpose, and soon enough, he was an armslength away from the wall of darkness. He already knew what lay beyond, he has been beyond it before, afterall. Nekro, as he was now known, slowly drew the blade. An ancient 16th century Muramasa blade, forged by the Great Muramasa, the Japanese Demon Smith, enhanced by a piece of hex-technology, making it into a powerful, high-frequency sword. Bolts of green energy arced up and down the menacing glowing blade. With a single slash, it cut a man sized hole in the barrier. Solus quickly entered just as the barrier repaired the hole. Sheathing his sword, Solus looked upon the dark landscape. Already, he could sense curious and hungry Nightwalkers approaching. Two wardens, though only one responded, immediately took note of the necromancer's presence, many nightwalkers began to form in the shadows nearby, which was easy considering the entire place was drenched in night. The Western realm had always been a place of darkness, even since its very founding by the First Lord of Chaos. It, upon initial inspection, always appeared something of a wasteland, but in truth it was rife with life. Most of the Western realm's foliage and denizens lived beneath the surface, venturing up for conflict or curiosity only. Solus ignored the shadows, and continued to walk. But if they dared to challenge him, they would die, just like the others that had faced him. Sensing the power of this one, most of the demons stayed out of sight, or at a distance, knowing better than to attack the Chimera. However, after he'd been walking for several minutes a demon appeared 3 meters before him. There was a small jutting rock formation where the demon had appeared, it seemed to be a chair of some sort, though hardly a throne. The demon was perched atop it, his feet on the seat and his body resting on the [I]armrest[/I] if one could call a rock formation by such a term. The demon's expression was largely blank as he stared down at the Chimera, for the demon was nine feet tall and his chair large enough to accomodate such lofty heights. [b]"What are [I]you[/I] doing here?"[/b] The warden queried, his baritone voice seeming to send the air ashiver. The surrounding demons seemed to gain morale from the warden's presence, drawing closer, causing the place to darken further in Solus' vicinity. [b]"I hope you do not intend to extricate anyone this time, for if you do I will not be as [I]kind[/I] as I was prior, demon slayer."[/b] The demon's white eyes flared golden before fading back to their original color once more even as his body shifted forwards slightly as he rested his arm upon his knee. His head tilted as he regarded Solus, then a smile crossed his lips. [b]"You've come far from back then, I am curious to see whether or not you are a more competant warrior now. Perhaps you may serve as more than a brief excercise this time,"[/b] he chuckled lowly, his armor grinding hellishly against itself, as if it were poorly made--such was not the case. However, the armor was plainly dented over the entirety of its surface, appearing to be more dent and scratch than actual armor. Avnisae, the warden, never changed it, and though he could, he did not repair it with magic. He merely reinforced the damaged areas, allowing anyone who dared set foot in his region to see just how many others had challenged him and fallen at his hand as a result. Perhaps this one would be the next, or perhaps he would be the last to put a dent in his armor. Or not. "Wearing the dents I left last time well I see, Avnisae. Maybe I should add some more to your fine collection, before I kill you this time. You will resurrect of course. So no harm done..." Solus said coldly towards the old warden that sat before him, as smug as he was before. But Solus' time in the Plane had changed him. Avnisae won't feel said changes, he will only see them once Solus shows his new found wrath. His smile persisting, and his eyes appearing almost friendly, inviting, Avni stood, and stepped down from his perch. The rock formation quickly shifted and sunk back into the ground, leaving no trace of its presence. [b]"Oh? Well aren't you confident, of course I must warn against it. You are hardly the first to think yourself beyond me. Nonetheless, I again inquire as to the nature of your visit. Why are you here,"[/b] the demon, as he spoke, had taken several steps towards Solus, covering a meter and a half over that time before he stopped, looking down at the man. Glancing to the side slightly, the warden looked upon the slayer's blade. He was not sure the man had possessed it in their last duel. It was familiar though. Odd. His eyes trained back to the hunter's disfigured face, which was more demon than human. Granted, the man was a chimera, something that Avni had long known. It was rather obvious after all. At his side the ground began to twist, as if it were a small sinkhole, before refined carbon and diamond rose in the form of a lance almost as tall as its wielder, who swiftly took it in hand, leanings it over his shoulder as he looked down at Solus. There was no hesitation, no fear, and no worry in his posture or his eyes. However, there was also no hostility in his actions, despite his creation of a weapon. He would not fight unless necessary, for while he enjoyed such, it was silly to use time unnecessarily, even if one was biologically immortal for all intensive purposes. As such he waited for the slayer's response. "Aaurus sent me..." A small smile appeared on Solus' face. [i]Bang![/i] The sound of what seemed like a gun echoed around for miles in the empty space around the two. But the sound did not come from a weapon, it was infact, the sword's sheath. Right before Avni's eyes, Solus drew his blade faster than he had ever seen the Chimera even move. 10 times as fast. Before he knew it, the blade was already heading for his chest. Eyes turning to a deadly red, Avnisae rapidly shifted the shaft of his lance so that it would slam into the surface of Solus' blade, blocking it. The force was more than he expected, forcing the warden to brace himself with one foot. A smile was on his lips despite the crimson of his eyes, [b]"Very good, had I not reinforced my weapon it would have been cut just like the veil upon your entry."[/b] Taking into mind the slayer's prior statement, the demon vanished, reappearing two meters away, out of the slayer's range. [b]"Aaurus? Now how does one such as you get in contact with a god?"[/b] A brow raised in question before he glanced at the spot where Solus' blade had struck the shaft of his lance. "Desperation on his end. All just to save his own skin." Solus replied, casually spinning the Muramasa in his hand. [b]"Interesting, do tell,"[/b] he teleported again, reappearing before him, the blade of his lance slamming downwards through the air. Solus stepped aside. In their last battle, he would have dived out of the way. But his response to such a powerful strike was strangely stoic, as if between now and then, he has seen battles far greater than this. "You can ask him yourself when you pass through the Void." His lance hurtling downwards, Avnisae instantly reacted, his right hand free, summoned a lance from the ground, grabbing it even as he let go the first. He spun, slashing at Solus from the front. Solus moved again, but this time kicking the lance away with his foot. He never displayed such physical strength before, not in their previous encounter at least. "Two," Avni stated behind him, stabbing another lance for Solus' chest at high speed. Solus disappeared. "Three..." His voice echoed out behind him. It was no teleportation for sure. Avni would notice the green flames left behind by his rapid movement, drawing a burning path to where he was now. Dangerously behind him. Solus's blade headed for his unguarded right leg, with the speed and precision necessary to cut it off. The lance struck the ground, but kept moving, as Avni jumped and slammed his legs towards Solus' chest. Solus quickly diverted his sword, the point of the blade colliding with the sole of Avni's left boot, piercing the armor parcially, the point just cutting into his heel. He vanished, reappearing the same distance away once more, now looking Solus over. He had certainly increased his talents. "I think not, though you have certainly improved," he spun his lance once as he approached, now slower. His foot began to heal, as did his armor. "You did well to cut through my armor, but I shall not be venturing to the void this day," his eyes went from red to golden once more, pupils forming as solid white in their centers. His armor shifted, going from dented and scratched to whole and properly maintained. It was temporary, but it would remain as such. Raising his right hand, which was lanceless, Avnisae summoned essence to his palm and lengthened it, before extending it outwards into a twisted looking shield. It possessed spikes on the outer portion and strapped to his arm on the other side, causing it to align. On the edge facing his hand there were two blade-like protrusion which went two feet past his hand on either side. "Shall we?" The area distorted around them and the darkness vanished as he erupted forwards, much faster than before. Solus immediatly sheathed his blade, and channeled his essence into the pommel. The pulled the trigger on the gunsheath again, just at the right moment. His blade slammed into Avni's shield, creating a powerful blast resonating from the vibrations of the sword, throwing Avni away from Nekro, maintaining his desired distance. Yet again he sheathed the sword. But instead of holding onto it, he threw his hands forward, towards Anvi. Two sets of large green flaming chains flew out of his sleeves, straight towards Avni's head. Surprised, but undeterred the warden slammed his foot down, sliding to a stop even as he felt the build up of essence. He dropped to all fours, under the chains and raised his shield arm over his head, to block any heat or maneuver from the chains as his lance became a blade and slashed at them, hitting them off course. Once out of the way, Avni rose, walking towards Solus, the glow of his eyes narrowed now. Essence began to roll off his body continuously, turning to a mist of sorts as it dispated around him. He began spinning his weapon once more, waiting for Solus' next assault. "New tricks I see. You've yet to utilize your magic, quite impressive. Were I a less honorable warrior I would utilize my control of this realm to impale you with little effort, but as you know I enjoy the hunt," he grinned, his weapon still a blur from his whirling. Carbon and steel oozed upwards from the ground, forming his shield fully, the essence weaving itself into the material. "I'm not so honorable." Solus showed his left hand, which was bleeding. Below Avni's feet, Solus' blood receded, left behind earlier in the fight. Solus squeezed, and suddenly, crimson spikes rose from below the Warden's feet. Growling as a spike grazed his leg and another outright impaled it, Avnisae's eyes closed and both his armaments dissolved entirely, the mist coalescing over the surface of his body. "You do yourself no favors, mage," he growled out, a smile more akin to a grimace forming on his lips. The mist absorbed the blood spikes into itself, then converted it back to essence. "Do you know why the Qun are so feared and respected as warriors?" The mist was pulled into his armor, vanishing, before essence began to roll off of his form again to reform the mist. He continued walking, his leg healing rapidly, faster than it ought to given normal demonic regeneration. "Oh I know." Solus began to walk towards him. "They are feared. But have you asked them what they fear, Qun?" He smiled, making no response as he begun to spin his weapon once more, having reformed it as a lance. "What do you imply, Slayer?" The mist thickened around him. "Just ask your greatest Rival from the War in which you shamed your kind." Solus' voice turned into a grotesque demonic snarl. His flames had gone, a black fluid began to bleed from his face and pours. "Corvek." Avni's smile disappeared at the mention of his old rival. He stopped in place, standing stock still before he dug a claw into the palm of his hand, drawing blood. He was glaring to the slayer now, and his weapon was still in his hand till he moved, stabbing it into the ground blade first. "Aghk sher, Verah noghutar," he stated, the blood beginning to glow and rise from his hand, becoming pure essence. "I'm going to turn you into unrecognizable gore," the essence was even more dense around him and the formerly light blue mist , which had become a dark purple condensed into small shards now. "Now there is the true Qun within you..." Solus grinned in anticipation, awaiting the Warden's next strike. His eyes shifted color, turning an orangish red, looking as magma would in the mouth of a volcano. His patience had run thin and as it did the small purple shards gained a redish glow in their core, which became more pronounced over time. Raising his right hand before him, he splayed out his fingers in a sudden movement, causing the shards to arrange around him in what appeared to be a flower-like shape before they began to rotate each in their own circular pattern. It was at this point that Solus would become aware of a presence behind him, and two lances striking towards either side of his body. "Foul one, you should not have crossed me," he stated, the image of his former location fading after a moment, though the shards remained in place, moving as before. Solus' back was suddenly covered in numerous black tendrils. Black tar dripped off them like a liquid plague. His twisted serpent voice, sent familiar daggars into the Qun's mind, rekindling old memories of a fearsome, Eldritch Horror that he once faced. "[b]ThE bEyOnD aWaItS yOu![/b]" The Chimera turned quickly, his largest, thickest tendrils slapping the lances away with ungodly, horrifying strength. Tendrils crawled out of Solus' mouth and eyes. This beast was worse than something foul. From the palms of his hand, black fluid spewed out like a fire hose threw water at a burning firestorm, heading straight at the Warden Qun. Recoiling initially with surprise, then disgust, the Qun promptly vanished, retreating. "Vrekdrh," he growled, gritting his teeth, "It seems I'll have to kill you the boring way," he dropped his lances and slammed his palms together before pulling them apart. A rift half a mile in length and 100 feet from edge to edge abruptly opened beneath the abomination. However, that was not all, for Avni raised his arms, then slammed his palms together. In response the edges of the gorge rose 20 meters, nearly in a single instant, and slammed inwards, attempting to crush the monstrosity. There was no joy on Avni's face as he did it, not a single shred of dignity or satisfaction either. There was only hatred. He had hated Exmortis, for the demon had given him a terrible burden, a scar which ran from his right hip all the way across his back to his left shoulder. It had been a deep gash from one of the acolyte's tendrils, delivered by sharp teeth on its surface. Worse, the eldritch blood had oozed into his wound and while he had managed to seal it with acursed magic, it continued to weaken him even after all these years. With no ground beneath his feet, the monster within Solus immediately retreated, and Solus' flames returned as he fell into the underearth. He wasn't unprepared. His massive black wings burst out of his back. 22ft from one end to the other. Their incredible power didn't only slow his fall, but blew him 200 feet in the air, way out of the canyon's reach. It slammed closed below him, the grinding of the rock was like nails on a chalkboard, but much louder. "I haven't even shown you my worst..." "Likewise, hybrid," he pulled his lance from the earth and whirled it, throwing it through the air towards Solus. It changed in mid air, becoming one solid blade, which spun at high speed as it approached the winged man. Simultaneously, Avni made a pulling motion, almost as if he were clawing the air, causing the wind behind Solus to slam into him, pushing him roughly, and quickly, towards the spinning blade. His other hand drew a second, third, and fourth lance from the ground, throwing each sequentially so that they'd make a small square, but not actually strike the slayer. Had there been a light it would have glittered and warped around the flying lances, as purple mist surrounded them, mist which coalesced into shards as the lances became aligned with Solus' location, though they were parallel to it, and thus would not strike him by a long shot. The shards exploded, creating even more of their ilk and shattering the lances. The shards of carbon, and diamond dust, were then directed in four clouds from four directions at Solus. "Scum," the Qun spat out venemously. Solus' ego was on the verge of finally bursting out in full, this challenge, this thrill of the fight, he hadn't tasted it since Mephisto. His bleeding hand surged with energy as his wings painfully retreated into his body. A red spherical force field surrounded him as he flew through the air. The shards and dust harmlessly deflected off it. Once past the trecherous cloud, the field disappeared, and Solus redirected his power into his feet, and seemingly at the speed of light, Solus slammed into the Qun's chest. Slamming him into the ground with such force, the ground blow them both exploded, sending ripples throughout the area. Pinned to the ground, the Qun's chest inhaled deeply, and his claws readied to tear at Solus, raising his arms up to do so. The movement was an attack twofold, as not only did he attempt to slash at Solus' body, but diamond spikes rose from the ground, attempting to pierce the slayer, or at least fend him off. If Solus retreated the diamond would close around Avni's body, encapsulating him inside it temporarily. If he didn't move, the diamond would pierce him from multiple angles. And they did. Fuck the pain. Pain had no hold on Solus' body. He was relentless. Despite the punctures, his fists slammed into Avni's head with sledgehammer force, burying the Qun's head deeper into the soil with each blow. Gritting his teeth, then opening his mouth, he bit deep into Solus' fist, tearing at it roughly and drinking the blood that came out, using it to continuously heal. The diamond on the other hand shattered [I]inside[/I] the slayer's body, dispersing throughout his blood stream and tearing at his muscles violently. It was only a matter of time, or so the warden thought. But the Warden didn't just get a mouthful of blood, he got a mouthful of the parasite, the very thing that plagued him for so long. That knowledge alone, was enough for Solus to remove himself from this pathetic excuse of a demon. He leapt off despite the disabling pain that cramped his body. "You are bound by the Elder God now..." He squeezed his hand, and tendrils burst out of Avni's body, and slowly, began to consume him, keeping him alive, and killing at the same time. Solus dropped to his knees and groaned, something pushing it's way up his throat. The black soot blasting out of his mouth, throwing the diamond dust from his body. After a small coughing fit, the Chimera caught his breath and approached the dying Warden. "I'll give it two hours before the parasite kills you... Revel in your humiliation as you die. But hey. At least you get to come back later." Solus gave him a weary military salute, and began walking toward the Citadel. Eyes following the man, Avnisae spat at him before he turned away, his teeth gritting from the intense pain. Nonetheless, his body was extremely resilient. He'd not be fighting anytime soon, but he had no intention of waiting hours to succumb. "Darhlri Gresh, Solus," he swore at the man, clenching his fists hard. The diamond fully carbonized, becoming hardened, and then grew multiple thorns, piercing his body. "The Beyond cannot claim me," he yelled, madness in his voice. "You...have not won!" He tried to rise, but as he did a foot was upon his chest, for another demon stood upon him. Another warden. "Go, Nekro, you've earned your visit, I'll deal with him," Vaikrin snapped, sounding irritated. His clawed foot pushed harder and harder down on the Qun's chest, eventually fracturing all of his ribs, which pierced his lungs, ceasing his ability to speak or breath. However, as his first defeat in hundreds of years beset him, something occurred. Szayeis' dormant essence exited dormancy, and began its work. This time, the plague that was the Eldritch's parasite would not simply be sealed. Avni, reincarnated through his wardenship, would not be the same when he reformed, but perhaps he'd never know that. Szayeis would. --- As Solus approached the Citadel, which was the second obstacle that stood in his way, its essence reacted to the chimera. The structure, which was some strange mixture between biological or structural monstrosity, formed several massive arms, or tendrils, and slammed them downwards through the air at Solus, attempting to crush him in defense of itself. The structure was endlessly hungry, especially when its master was in such dire straits, and it had been tasked with the difficult duty of protecting Szayeis should the wardens fail, which they had. Solus moved aside, his injuries haven't healed fully yet. He couldn't afford to take more damage for the moment. So he weaved in and out of the tendrils, avoiding each blow it threw his way. He needed to think of a way to incapacitate the beast. Or find a way for it to grant him entry. A low rumble emitted from the Citadel as its massive tendril swept across the ground at Solus. When it got neared it split off into hundreds of smaller, though still gigantic, tendrils. The air began to hum before pure essence erupted from multiple angles and fire down upon Solus. The structure roared once more, the ground shuddering from its voice. Within, two took notice, one who was no one at all, and the other who made up for the Nameless one's lack of identity. Szayeis and the Aide were aware of Solus' presence, but neither moved. Szayeis could barely do so at all in his current state, and the Aide could not act unless Solus entered the Citadel's form. Such was the being's enigmatic nature. Solus pushed his hands towards the mass of tentacles, a red transparent wall formed quickly in the biomass' path, stopping the tendrils dead in their tracks. The impact created a shockwave that quaked the ground below Solus' feet. The pure essence realligned itself, aiming at a particular angle. The many beams of power slammed into one another, combined, condensed, and then erupted forwards and directly against the red barrier. The tendrils began to rapidly alter their form, going from bladed implements, to blunt objects, to spiked, to forming mouths, and finally they appeared to vanish entirely. The area darkened immediately as they disappeared. Solus closed his eyes. It was too dark to rely on his vision now. His hearing and 6th sense were now his source of perception. He slowly placed his hand on his Gunsheath, waiting for the Citadel's next move. The blast of pure essence began to [I]devour[/I] the red shield, eating away at it and spreading over its surface. As it did so, the darkness increased, becoming thicker and even more difficult to see through in Solus' direct vicinity. The Citadel began to emit a low ominous hum. His grip around the sheath tightened, his right hand placed itself on the pommel of the sheathed sword as Solus took his stance. [i]Come on...[/i] The barrier broke fully, absorbed by the beam, allowing the tendrils to strike. Then, from directly around Solus' feet, tendrils spawned from darkness, attacking Solus from close range. The tendrils had turned themselves into shadows and then remerged physically, revealing the chimeric nature of the Citadel. A sudden blast of energy sent the tendrils back, giving Solus room to begin to slice his way towards the Citadel with his sword. The lightning that arced along the blade and the golden plating was lethal to nightwalkers. Solus hoped that the Citadel shared their weaknesses. In short it did not, the Citadel was a menagarie of essences, demonic and otherwise, all mashed into one animate, and nearly sentient, structure. It was called the Chimeric Citadel for a reason, and it showed such as it began spewing flames, weaving its tendrils into walls, which then became solid stone, and even sending arcs of lightning at the chimeric necromancer. The ominous hum grew in intensity and following it the density of essence in the air increased, going up by the second. The Citadel's tendrils began to become bladed and clawed, some even growing advanced muscle systems to harm not just through weight, but also muscular power and strikes. The structure, even in its unmanaged state, was a powerful foe. It always had been. Who knew just how deadly it was when its Lord was in control.... Solus dodged and weaved, his body even became entirely liquid, formed from the [i]Filth[/i] that infected him, just to absorb the blows the Citadel dealt. He couldn't keep this up forever though. He had a few moves up his sleeve, but one stood out the most. He suddenly channeled his whole essence into his sword. The arcs of energy that spewed from the blade intensified as the sword's metal turned black. His soul anchored to the weapon as it shook and vibrated with the extra power. He charged forward, the supercharged sword pulling him towards the Citadel. The filth infecting the many limbs of the monstrous construct, the Citadel recoiled before a terrible earshattering shriek was emitted from within. Whatever portions of its body were infected suddenly deatomized, and then split further down to the essence level. After that the filth was transmuted and subsequently devoured. This all in several seconds. The contructs unaffected limbs attempted to slam into Solus only to be shocked by powerful arcs of electrical energy. In response the Citadel's shriek ensued then deepened into a low humming roar, shaking even Solus down to the bone. An electromagnetic field began to form in Solus' path invisibly, but the Citadel was not omnipotent or omniscient by any measure, it had not properly predicted the speed at which its adversary was moving so even as Solus began to slow, the blade pierced its outer hide, allowing the hunter into its form. As the chimera finally triumphed, or at least succeeded in his goal, the Citadel calmed, its walls healing behind Solus even as he'd find himself sliding across a seemingly normal hallway. Well, normal aside from the lightly pulsating and glowing walls. He had entered the belly of the beast, but he was lucky, for if his battle had gone on much longer, the Citadel would have began to pull from its higher arsenal, an arsenal that few armies ever saw. Solus sheathed his blade and caught his breath. "Now I'll need the guide..." He said out loud, seemingly to himself, but it was a summoning call for the Nameless Aide. Almost a moment before he spoke, for the being seemed to have almost been there already, the Nameless Aide's blank contenance found itself before Solus, standing at the end of the hall several meters away. [I]"You wish to see the lord, I presume,"[/I] the Aide's monotone voice asked rhetorically before the figure turned and strode around the corner, expecting the infamous hunter to be quick in following. While the Aide was largely without emotion, as he was without essence, the being appeared to be almost impatient. The conflict between Ancient and [I]Master[/I] had even the apathetic Aide filled with trepidition...and perhaps even something rarer: Fear. Of course, the hunter indeed followed with haste. Szayeis had answers to a cryptic message that Aaurus left him, and he needed to know what Aaurus was so afraid of. And why this realm had been locked down would be nice to know too. It took them only two turns down separate hallways to reach the throne room, whiched altered its position to suit them. As they reached the massive entrance to the throne room, the arched doors standing before them, the Aide stopped, appearing to hesitate in coming into contact with the door. [I]"Be wary, hunter, the master is..."[/I] the Aide shook its head in uncharacteristic hesitation and worry, things that the being should not have been able to experience to begin with. [I]"He is not well,"[/I] the Aide stated monotonously, its face appearing to barely hold its normally expressionless state. The being then pressed its hand to the door and pushed it open just enough for Solus to enter. Once the chimera passed the threshold, the Aide would close the door, its eyes holding a form of anxiousness. As Solus entered the room he'd find that it was lit only by the madenning blue glow, which emanated from the imposing figure before him. The being that was, and was not, Szayeis stood in the center of the room, its towering [url=http://oi62.tinypic.com/ffa891.jpg]form[/url] standing 9 feet in the air, its eyeless visage motionless. Then, an ethereal voice, barely a whisper, but still audible despite its airy quality, emitted from the lips of the body, [I][U]"Look who it is, Szayeis, that is if you can see at all anymore,"[/U][/I] there was amusement in the voice, amusement and mild surprise. This was not the Lord of Chaos that had razed the Council's Citadel almost 200 years ago, this was something else entirely. There was a time of silence before Szayeis' strained voice broke its way to the surface of their being, to be heard in the room, [B]"I am...alive and well, and can see just fine, [I]relic[/I]."[/B] Szayeis was confused, why was [I]he[/I] here? Perhaps he had come to slay him as he had Mephistopholes.... Twas an unfortunate idea. Hopefully that was not the case. [I][U]"So, Solus Grim,"[/U][/I] the mysterious voice began, [I][U]"what is it that brings you to my abode, perhaps you seek to placate me, oh esteemed hunter,"[/U][/I] a grin spread 'cross the body's mouth, mirroring the amusement of the Old one at its own sarcasm. Meanwhile, Szayeis began gathered his wits to break through. He could not allow this man to slay him, should he do so all would be lost and the Old One would hardly tell him that. After all, of the Game's master fell, then all would be brought to shambles and the ancient would finally have won. "That's none of [i]your[/i] concern." Solus stated towards the entity that seems to have turned Szayeis into a weak morsle. He could feel its power, and he should have been at least concerned by it, but something... dulled those feelings. Could be Aaurus' hand again, intervening in an ethereal way. Solus still didn't quite understand the deity, perhaps he never will. Aaurus never wanted to intervene before now, and he lead Solus here. Perhaps it was that being, that strange entity that crushed Szayeis' will like Lilith's ancient foot. The smile immediately vanished at the hunter's words. [I][U]"Deplorable, you mortal lot,"[/U][/I] the Old One growled in annoyance, [I][U]"...so self important, thinking yourselves empowered, indomitable. You will fall like all the others, hybr-..."[/U][/I] the room's darkness began to crack, and the glow shifted between the blue and a brighter, brilliant white. Then, after several moments, the blue glow subsided entirely and a faint white became the room's illumination. As this occurred the form dissolved down to a humanoid visage of normal height, but made entirely of darkness, with eyes the same color as the room's now dim glow. [color=#00001A][B]"Why...are you here,"[/B][/color] the nightwalker asked, sitting down at the base of the small stairs that led to the Western Throne. He would not sit on it, doing so only empowered the relic, and he could not afford to give the being any further advantage. [color=#00001A][B]"You best have a g-good...reason"[/B][/color] his voice was weak compared to that day it had resounded throughout Loom, speaking words of impending danger to any who dared defy him. He appeared weak now...fragile. In fact, he barely seemed able to hold his current form...let alone speak. What had happened to him? "The big man upstairs sent me..." Solus said, hoping Szayeis would get the reference. But he doubted it. Rubbing his temples, the nightwalker took a moment before he looked up at Solus, he knew the chimera could sense his essence, and so was sure that the hunter knew just how exhausted he was. At the man's words he raised a shadowy eyebrow, his form solidifying ever so slightly with each passing moment--he was feeding on the smallest bit of Solus' essence. He couldn't help it, he was so deprived that his demonic instincts were doing it and he could not stop them. Had he cared, he might have apologized, but he didn't. Szayeis was beyond caring about anything 'cept his own continued existence. [color=#00001A][B]"Aaurus?"[/B][/color] He queried. "The very same. He wants you to live. Didn't tell me why though..." Solus could feel his infected essence slowly being from him, but weakly. For a moment his expression did not change, then a tired smile formed and he laughed, albeit weakly. [B]"And so he sent you? That is hardly helpful. For a god he's awfulyl shortsighted. Do you recall what he s-..."[/B] Szayeis' speech cut off and he appeared to grit his teeth, his form flickering between the one he was holding and the one that he'd been in when Solus entered. After almost an entire minute, his body shuddered then solidified once more. Exhaling deeply, the demonic lord turned his eyes to the hunter again, attempting to recollect his thoughts. Failing initially, he started anew, [B]"Aaurus, what'd he tell you?"[/B] After he spoke his jaw locked in concentration as he did his best to listen to the response and hold back the apocalypse at the same time. "In the Western Realm awaits the beginning and the end. Yearning its escape. The Young Prince falters, under the hammer of the Black Maker. Seek the truth within the Prison, where its Warden locked his own away..." Solus repeated the words to the best of his memory, which luckily was spot on. He wanted to chuckle, but his humor had left him. Even Szayeis knew he was, at least in his current state, a shell of his former self. It disgusted him. Nonetheless, he nodded slightly, thinking, [color=#00001A][B]"I will waste no time. Clearly he intended you to do something, and for that you..."[/B][/color] the lord paused, inhaling deeply and using more essence to suppress the ancient for just a bit longer. He could not maintain this for long, [color=#00001A][B]"You need to know what is going on,"[/B][/color] he finished. Taking in another breath and then exhaling it, Szayeis began, [color=#00001A][B]"There is a being beyond Aaurus and Lucy, beyond any god. It is their father, it is their creator. We call it the Void, but that place is far from empty. It is alive. Part of its consciousness, which calls itself Inaniae, and who was the first Lord of the West, lives within me as it has within all my predecessors. The others, all fragments of Inaniae's consciousness formed long ago when he shattered himself--something which Aaurus orchestrated to give this world time--were unaware of their true nature. Myself and the one before we are different. We know what we are, but none before me had the power or knowledge necessary to combat...it."[/B][/color] The shadows seemed to shudder before Szayeis rose to his feet and walked towards Solus, his white eyes dimming with every passing moment and turning ever so slightly blue as they did. [color=#00001A][B]"He thinks himself betrayed by this reality, bored in it, and thus enraged by it. He would see it wiped out,"[/B][/color] the nightwalker had closed the distance, and now stood before Solus, the white embers of his eyes locking on Solus' fiery orbs. [color=#00001A][B]"I made this realm, my realm...the one that was once his, a prison."[/B][/color] his form became less physical and began to slowly disperse, but Szayies continued, his speech sounding rushed. [color=#00001A][B]"I've fought him for over 5000 years now, longer than all my predecessors, but the chaos of the gate's fall fed him, and I am losing. If I lose, my essence will be assimilated just like the others...and he will have the power to devour the other fragments, to complete his vessel, and then wipe us all off the face of creation. Hell, Heaven...Progaia, all dust, nothingness, reduced to pure void and taken into him once more. Only then will his rage be sated. I do not know how much longer I will last, but I may manage another 100 years if I am lucky."[/B][/color] He paused, his body entirely dispersed 'cept the glowing white embers, which burned like stars in the room shrouded by black. [color=#00001A][B]"I...hold no illusions as to how you likely think of me. However, this is a matter of importance beyond any personal spite. Find some way to stop him if I cannot. I...I will stay here as I have and keep him caged as best I can. I don't know how long you have, but if I were you I woul-..."[/B][/color] his eyes winked out, the darkness coalesced and the ancient's body reformed, plates on its face having slid away to reveal the maddening eyes of Praestrigia. The being took a step forwards, arm raising, essence gathering faster than the mind could track, before the darkness in the room pierced its body from all directions, narrowly avoiding the hunter as they pinned the ancient in place. The power dissipated completely, apparently pulled into Szayeis who barely managed a final sentence before falling silent, [color=#00001A][B]"Please...hurry."[/B][/color] The End of the World, something Solus once wanted to bring about in his younger life. Many things that he has witnessed have changed his reasons. But deep down, he realized that his old motives were perhaps the same as the Void's. He hadn't checked the Book of the Apocalypse for a while, perhaps it updated itself with new, grimmer entries. It was going to be a good read. "Then I guess I don't have much time, not like the world will lose anything by ending." Solus said with a strange smirk. The measly fact that the Apocalypse being so close didn't phase him was interesting to him. He guessed he had nothing to lose if he failed. Perhaps dying instantly wasn't on his top 10 list of "Scary Things". Or maybe there was something else he feared more. Solus agreed with himself that it was the latter, and turned to leave, approaching a wall and waiting for an opening. The Citadel opened before him, knowing his intent and no longer identifying him as an adversary. Behind him the Chimeric lord regained dominance of its voice. [I][U]"Know that when I dissolve this pathetic excuse for a cage, you will be first to go, abomination. Perhaps I will do it slowly, so you can feel your essence bleed into non-existence,"[/U][/I] it was clear that a form of rage had overtaken the ancient once more. He was tired of mortals foiling him, and the moment he was free, they would all pay for crossing their creator. He would make sure of it. "We'll see..." Solus said in a throaty whisper as he left the room, heading into the dark hallways of the Citadel. It would be a long trip home.