Domitorem Corvo

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Castle Sanctus
Zaak's cloak of Umbra scraps the ground behind him like a blanket of knives. His movements almost placid.

Vincent is quiet for a moment. He look at Lotus then turns further to look at Alistair. Alistair's eyes go slightly wide and he almost reaches out as if to stop him. Vincent closes his eyes and turns his face forward to Zaak.

Vincent drops the shell of compliance be been wearing and starts to speak in agreement with Lotus. Before the words leave his mouth Zaak is there. The Umbra has twisted into many arms and hands that seize Vincent and pin him to the wall. Zaak's hand has pierced Vincent's body. His long spindly fingers return and wrap around Vincent's chest abs shoulders. With a snap Zaak crushes Vincent who bursts apart into silvery threads which are quickly absorbed into Zaak.

"Your thoughts betray you, Emperor. Worry naught, I will quell your fickle heart." Zaak speaks. He wheels on Lotus.

"You are not my enemy Lotus. You are not even a nuisance. Our war ended and eternity of lifetimes ago. Help me or don't. It doesn't matter." Zaak strides away.

Alistair approaches. He is visibly shaking. With fear or rage isn't apparent through his stoic mask.
"Lotus, follow Omega. Please."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

No one budges at her gaze. Omega lets her pull away and sighs. As she bears down on Allistair, who shrinks away from her they exchange looks amongst each other.

"You" Alistair attempts to speak but can't bring himself to say what he needs to.

"You, are dead." Sin speaks up. His resolute unwavering voice cuts across the room like a scalpel though soft skin. "Just a fading memory in a shell made by a petulant child. Look at the bigger picture. We're a room full of ghosts and undead things. This dark Reality Matter is the only reason why we're here. But we all agree that Galen hasn't been living up to the mantle he's received. Lilianna's rule, though harsh, would be preferable to this overgrown mess Galen has failed to keep orderly."

Saedysm slops down into a chair. "As much as I hate to agree. Their right. I mean, even my festivities are more put together than this."

"It's no way to run a kingdom." Vincent agrees. They all nod in agreement.

"So fall in line. Do your job. And we can all go back to our rest." Sin orders.

One by one the Core Existences file out, starting with Zaak, until only omega remains.

He draws a sword rippling with radiant energies and gently pairs a gateway in reality. The door leads to their next target. A soft and placid countryside hamlet at a junction point in a river.
"We've work to do Lotus."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Zaak, Umbral Lich
Oasis
Li-Li's attack connects solidly and obliterates Zaak's head from his shoulders. The body stands there for a second as she gathers her fathers armaments. But the body does not fall. Instead it floats up and shrugs off the death. A scaffolding of Umbral Thorns replace the space where his head was. It speaks in every voice to have existed.

"You are strong, Daughter. But I am beyond strength. I am beyond life and death and the end of all things in existence." Zaak sits down on a nearby stump and gestures to the oasis. "This is my gift. My legacy that I pass onto you. I regret that I could not give it to you while I still lived. But you are more than I could have asked for. My beautiful precious daughter. Your tyranny will ensure a utopia that lasts forever. Yours is the hand that will grip reality. Reshape it. Disregarding its screams. I have seen Oh Daughter, Mine. The terror you will become."

Zaak ends his rapturous speech and stands. "But I have much work to do until then." With his nonexistent eyes locked on her he commands her being with his voice and the Umbra.

"Sleep."

As Lilianna slips into a peaceful slumber Zaak picks her up and cradles her in his arms. "My sweet girl. When you wake it will be to a new world. A plaything, all for you." Zaak carries Lilianna to her room and lays her in her bed. Planting a gentle kiss on her head he leaves and seals the room in a Blackout preventing escape or interference."

I turn my attention to Lotus.

"Shade, seek Umbra for our daughter. The sooner we amass the necessary fragments the sooner our dearest child can rule." I clench my jaw and she is thrown into the War Room of Castle Sanctus. I recall the Engrams of my Existences. They gather around. "Keep an eye on her. I know she disapproves of my methods."

Omega places a hand on her shoulder. "I will watch her. No treachery will occur under my watch."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Zaak
Li-li attacks me. I knew this would come but didn't expect it so soon. A child playing at control and power. The very image of my younger self. I won't kill her. She will still sit upon the throne when I am done. But I am done with her for now.

A spire of Umbral Reality impales The First Lotus's shade and scatters her existential threads like leaves before the storm. At the same time a tendril erupts from my left eye and wraps around Li-li's arm. lifting her into the air and disarming her at once. The Umbra within my body erupts forth and pushes the length of my limbs outwards making them long and spindly. Even more Umbra erupts from my back and writhes in time with the heartbeat of the Oasis. One such tentacle brands Li-li's neck preventing her from accessing both the Oasis and it's powers.

As I break free from my restraints and stand the Umbra creeps up over my eyes like a viscous black tar. Trillions of eyes form on it's carapace and sharp choir filled Nails of Umbra push through the tips of my fingers. When I speak my voice is muddy and garbled like a growl echoing though the memories of all the sins of the world.
"Oh sweet daughter. You mother hasn't been teaching you with as much discipline as I'd hoped. Worry naught. I'll remedy that." I reach up and bury the ringing Nails of Umbra into the flesh of her abdomen. "I'm sorry sweetest daughter. But you must learn." The Nails become all the pain in existence.

The Umbral limb of my eye detaches and embeds into the ground forming a tree which entangles Li-li's limbs in it's own, becoming her prison.
"Now then, where was I? Oh yes. More Umbra. Must have more sweet sweet sweet Umbral Nectar."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Shadow Hold
Valkyrie slumps to the ground as though dead. From far above ships boom into place above the battlefield.
"We have nothing to fear from these trespassers! They may be powerful but our Lady Valkyrie is the next true ruler of Karna!" The sky is filled with the armada. A cacophonous roar fills the battlefield as explosions materialize on the ground. The remaining forces of Shadow Hold as well as the Resistance Army scramble to find cover from the devastating Barrage.

Throne World: Liberation.
The large statue turn its attention from a absent minded gaze to focus on the foxling that has managed to invade it's Sanctum.
"Oh? What is this?" Kara's voice seems to come from all directions at once. The Golden Idol shifts. As it does the golden plates of armor adorning it clank and clatter. It stands 12 feet tall and is seemingly covered entirely in armor that hides it's discernible features.

The Umbral Supression that negated Flame's powers in Karna isn't present here. The Idol stands. It begins to descend the staircase towards Flame. In it's hand is Valkyrie's Three Headed Spear.
"Since you are the first to arrive here I will allow you to challenge me. I am Karasviel, Sun Progeny and daughter of the Old God Loki. This is my true form given to me by the grace of my father. The Father. One true ruler of all. State your name so I may burn it upon my memory before I slay you."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

The Commander
Razz's words hang in the air for a moment. The Commander doesn't say anything for a few seconds.
"That doesn't mean anything to me." The Commanders tone seems to go taut with annoyance. "I am The Commander. Acting Imperial Regent on this continent, Karna. You say you are a simple warrior. But you and your friends have slain or turned my viceroys. You have thrown the empire into disarray and brought wild banditry to the commoners of the land. This group of five or six people have destabilized an entire continent." The Commander pours more wine for Razz.

Nevermore.
We don't have time for this. Razz is talking with the enemy. Gale is slumped on the floor where Razz set him. I still can't move. This power has locked the very fabric of my existence in one place. Such an oppressive power must have a draw back. A time limit? A lapse of concentration. I don't like that I can't see his eyes. Or rather I can't know his face. My mind muddies when I think about his features. Is he even a he? A fear pierces deep into me. Does this thing even have a true physical existence? Is this just a featureless avatar with which it interacts with the world. What eldritch monstrosity are we dealing with?
"Ra... Razz, Gale." I manage to speak. My eyes go to Gale's lifeless body. "Please."

The Commander turns its attention to me.
"That is an impressive will you have." It speaks. "What about your friend?" The Commander speaks to Razz once more.

Eternal Realities: Umbra

The Meadow of Emergence
A note gently floats down to rest on the ground before Li-li. It reads. "Now is not a good time. Trust Alistair." On the opposite side there is more. "Nice toy doll, by the way. Really captures my golden age glory."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

The Commander.
"You speak as though you are someone of importance." The Commander says as though they are about to remind Razz of his place. "Tell me, where you're from, who are you?" The commander waves to an aide who comes tentatively over. A few seconds later there is a table with a pitcher of wine between the two of them. The Commander sits at the table and pours Razz a glass of wine. "From my personal vineyard. Please be honest about how it tastes."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Valkyrie
As Blaze engages Valkyrie she scoffs. But on second glance her revulsion diminishes.
"Not to break your heart but I've no interest in being one half of star crossed lovers. I can do with a pet. A cute little puppy properly collared would do me well." Valkyrie grips her spear and two soft pulses reverberate within it. It passes harmlessly through the tail of Blaze. With a grand sweeping flourish she swings the pronged blade at his leg attempting to hobble him.

The Whispers.
From within Flame the soft voices of the blood gem call to her.
"We can aid you. You are banished to the only world between worlds here in this eternal night. But you are closer to her throne of power than she realizes. Here in this banishment laws are malleable." We draw her attention to the thin veil opposite her view. Where the Throne World can be seen. "Yet beware. In such a place she is at her strongest. And her most vulnerable."

Eternal Realities: Umbra

Zaak
I've been missed.
"It's hard to say. I've not mastered this power yet. I'm not sure I can be." I turn my gaze to where the blackout my friends are trapped. I wonder how far along they are with their escape. Or rather I worry. "I think the blackouts are connected in some way. We'll have to wait and see if they can free themselves. I'm not yet strong enough to face that large of a blackout."