[center][color=yellow][h3]Mad World[/h3][/color] [@zarkun][@lazo][@kapuchu][/center] Slowly, the spread of shining golden ichor across the ground grew dull, mixing with the ankle-deep pools littering the battlefield like an oil spill to produce a dimly shimmering sludge reminiscent of opal. In this liquid's surface, the brilliant glow of the Seal reflected, but it wasn't the only light. Little bursts of teal and what appeared to be rainbow speckled its surface as well. Souta, shedding his armor and ready to be relieved that the fight with the Creatrix had ended, furrowed his brows. As he brushed the last of his stony armor off his shoulders and head, revealing his flushed but otherwise normal skin beneath, he tilted his head straight back to look upward. Once the brightness of the Seal ceased to dazzle him, he could make out something happening above. High above in the air around the Seal, two shapes danced back and forth. One, a blot of wispy darkness that chiefly discharged waves of emerald fire, he suspected was Panoptos. That could only mean that the winged, lustrous bronze figure that accompanied him was another enemy. From so far below, Souta couldn't discern any details, but traces of bright, cool blue around it reminded him of ice, and the rainbow light fired off in beams and explosive orbs invoked the splendid spectacle known as the aurora borealis. Souta wondered whether or not he and the other agents should be helping. If he were in better shape, and Panoptos hadn't been so abrasive during the entire time the smith had known him, Souta might have jumped to do his duty, but for now he merely settled for pointing the aerial battle out. [color=teal]”Hey, look way up there. Our ol' buddy's fighting someone too.”[/color] No sooner had the words left his mouth than a particularly large burst of prismatic energy exploded far above. Souta watched as Panoptos was blasted downward toward the group, cannoned downward by the force of a beam from his unknown assailant. The watcher drew closer and closer until he slammed into the ground, dissolving in a burst of black smoke. Souta, equals parts unconcerned by the bothersome geist's apparent demise and shocked by the power of what was certainly an enemy to be able to facilitate it, didn't know what to think. Regardless, Panoptos reformed from his figurative ashes only a moment later, glowing at the group. [color=50C878]”Finally done with the looney, are you all? In case you haven't noticed, I've been having a problem up there.”[/color] Despite the contempt in his tone, he gave every impression of sniggering. [color=50C878]”Heheh...well, joke's on him. I finished before he arrived, so he has to take me down before he can get at the Seal to stop the shift. Plenty of time for you layabouts to knock him down a peg or two, I should think.”[/color] Souta wasn't paying him too much attention. Instead, his eyes lay upon the being floating downward toward the Agents at a steady pace. If he had to pick any one word to describe this mysterious threat, it would be 'bizarre'. Possessing a male physique molded out of what appeared to be burnished copper, he possessed a rather demonic set of horns and tail as well as a pair of black wings. Lines and loci of icy-blue power festooned his form. This being gave no indication that he was going to attack—in fact, despite being a part of what Souta could only assume to be a fierce battle, he looked completely at ease. Light as a feather, he landed, careful to place his talon-sporting blue feet on dry ground. Eerily calm, and wearing a curious look he stared at the group. [b][color=B2FFFF]”So, you are this watcher's allies? I am not unimpressed to see you up close. A caught a glimpse whilst you fought the poor soul, this realm's Deposed Creatrix. Good work. It is a sorry task to put a rabid beast out of its misery. You must understand, I am not here to fight you.”[/color][/b] He tilted his head to the side and slightly back, holding his hands close to his neck with his fingers splayed in an odd pose. His tail curled and uncurled like a cat's, its every swing leaving behind a split-second misty trail. [b][color=B2FFFF]”Allow me to introduce myself. I am...Aeon! A spirit of preservation wholeheartedly dedicated to the pursuit of a perfect, unchanging world, beautiful as a rainbow on a rainy day and as permanent as the polar chill. I was here to secure the Seal, for my mission would be undone if Hell's plot to bring Armageddon succeeds.”[/color][/b] A sour laugh burst from Panoptos. [color=50C878]”I'll bet! Why then, my flamboyant friend, did you assault a servant of the Charred Council? What reason could you possibly have to convince me to not sic my pets on your shiny hide this instant?”[/color] Breathing a sigh, Aeon shrugged. When he spoke, he talked past the watcher, addressing the Agents directly. [b][color=B2FFFF]”Pets? He doesn't even try to hide that he is manipulating you. His stone-faced bosses are a little better, but all the same, can you not see you are being played for fools?”[/color][/b] He clasped over his chest. [b][color=B2FFFF]”I got a little rough with shady here because having the Seals in the Council's possession is no better than having them in demons'. Had you any awareness of the Council's actions taken to enforce their authority over the eons, you would be as wary as I.”[/color][/b] The sneer of Panoptos turned into a vicious bark. [color=50C878]”Enough! No more sweet-talk! These warriors are here because they know they're doing the right thing for all of creation! We're the ones doing the hard work to save it, not letting someone else do the work and then jumping in to steal the show. Could you be act any more like the typical villain?”[/color] Around his fist, a torrent of ash swirled. Far removed from his typical holier-than-thou attitude, the watcher seemed defensive. A heartbroken look entered Aeon's face. He frowned and took a step back. [b][color=B2FFFF]”Alas. If you all have gotten this far, though, it means you truly think you are fighting for what is right. I hope when we meet again you will have seen the truth of my words. In the spirit of understanding, I will leave this seal to the Council for now. Farewell.”[/color][/b] Barely had the word left Aeon's mouth than [url=http://img01.deviantart.net/aa99/i/2008/329/c/e/thunder_player_by_akakuma.jpg]he[/url] vanished in a shimmer of multicolored light, like a mirage. Panoptos killed his magic, then crossed his arms. [color=50C878]”So what if I don't give you all enough credit? You know what you've accomplished. I know you're too smart to be taken in by that...that [i]saboteur[/i]. Come now, the demons will be here any minute.”[/color] The golden light flooding Wit's End blinked off and then on again, causing Souta to glance up. Seeing this the watcher said, [color=50C878]”It'll be in the Council's private space in just a few moments. We'll be warped along with it, then I'll patch us through to the Citadel.”[/color]