Note: This chapter contains super coarse language and nightmarish and eldritch details of Things-You-Shouldn't-Let-Your-Mind-Wander-To. I don't own the songs Blasphemer by Sodom and Apocalyptic City by Testament. I don't own the Legend of Korra.
Chapter XXXIII - Apocalyptic City
Intro
"Earth, Fire, Air, Water.
Only the Avatar can master all four elements and bring balance to the world" - Tenzin
"Audacity, the firmness of one's purpose, faith in oneself and creativity.
These, are four factors of the mind, which will decide one's fate: To be a Guardian, or to be guarded" - Esillith
...
Inside Uughigula ( Uughot + Agrigula )
Saudorn's p.o.v.
Nothingness, a thing so familiar, yet so alien at the same time. Familiar, because I'd been surrounded by this eternal blackness before; alien, because I knew I'd made it within Agrigula's body. Azara's plan worked. Though the sensation of death was a horrible thing to feel, and when I'd woken up, before I re-connected to my clone, I managed to ask Esillith if this was what Voldemort felt each time Harry Potter and his friend destroyed one of his Hocruxes. The answer was that it was not as bad as Voldemort's case, for I was telepathically and empathetically linked to my clone. And You-Know-Who? Each Hocrux was a part of his soul, his existence, so... let's just imagine how it feels when a part of your existence dies. You go ahead and imagine it whichever way you want, but I know that it's horrendously NOT pleasant.
Anyway, nothingness was me, and I was nothingness; and then, I, or my clone, that is, manifested to my existence as a whole, again; and I saw and traveled through weird crap all around me. It was like... I was on an alien planet. There were caves, deltas, valleys, hills, mountains and sky of super hideous flesh, and streams, pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans of acid, bizarre liquids, monster juices and who knows what else. Oh, and did I tell you that there were also huge, dark chasms with throbbing and pulsing edges, titanous walls of tissues that ground, grumbled, groaned and ululated, completely pitch-black areas that not even the light from the flames I created could penetrate, spaces unnaturally bright and filled with tendrils and vine-ike appendages, places of odd-colored and intimidating fungus-like 'trees', ball-shape objects glued to all surfaces, gland-like plants, flesh openings, and things seemed like digestive, hammering mounds, spiky egg-sacks and intestines-like tunnels that breathed, pulsated, pumped and surged, radiating heat, emitting cold, letting out poisonous vapors and secreting venomous fluids? No? Well, I just - did. And, oh Goodness, the smell... The smell was bad; like, really really, holy shit, Cthulhu-having-terrible-Diarrhea-from-eating-hippies-and-one-week-dead-skunks bad! Also there were A LOT OF strange, fucked-up creatures that acted like the giant organism's defen- Oh, forget it, I see that Chad over there is going to vomit already.
You don't have to ask me how frightened I was. I was scared existenceless! You know, like I just didn't want to exist right there, and right at that moment? Yeah, that's how I felt. I just wanted to quit, I just wanted to dissolve my clone away and never saw that abominable hell ever again. But there was a plan, there was hope and responsibility placed on my shoulders, and there was Korra... Therefore, I had to push on, I had to ignore my crawling fear and get to that place. The heart ( hearts, in this case ), the center. I didn't know where it was. I didn't know what they looked like. I just kept pressing on and on and on and on, until I heard the sounds of heartbeat. So peculiar and so otherworldly, yet fairly easy to recognize. Once I got there, into a great, very great, 'chamber' of living substances, I saw them, the hearts. Palpitating and undulating nightmare-and-horror-shaped organs in the dim, eerie and phosphoric light, covered by eternal, despair-inducing darkness of gargantuan Tartarus. Suddenly I heard another sound that drowned out the heartbeats, making the hairs on my arms stand up, cold chill running down my spine. Is that... music? And is that... the intro of Sodom's Blasphemer? Then, I heard a loud, sinister laughter, exactly the same as the tone of Tom Angelripper's laugh in the intro, with some dismal and abhorrent quality to it. Agrigula.
"Isn't it magnificent? The Uughot. It is one of the All-Lord's awesome creations, and it holds a kind of power you can never comprehend! Also, I knew you would show up, sooner than later, Father", Agrigula's voice addressed me amusedly, "how can I forget this as-old-as-Earth ruse, getting yourself 'killed' in order to enter my body so as to slaughter me from the inside? It sounds like... what my old buddy, John Landers, did, and succeeded. At your whim, of course". His tone, all of a sudden, turned deadly.
"Then you know I will succeed too, Agrigula", steadying my nerves, I countered, "You will die. And this time, for good".
There was a chuckle. "Hmm... I don't think so, Father. For you must, first, overcome... him".
That was when there was light; not really bright light, but light nonetheless. And the light was from the first of the hearts. After that, I heard a noisy series of moderate moans, human moans from... inside the pulsing thing? Next, the moans became louder and louder; and then, the right half of Amon, all disfigured save for his face, emerged, him still moaning painfully and somewhat... mindlessly? Bloody gory motherfuckin' hell.
"Amon?" was all I could utter.
...
Republic City, a good distance away from the Pro-Bending Arena.
Azara's p.o.v.
Once I'd gotten out of the Arena, I sent a message to my father, telling him to prepare a warfleet to be headed to the World of Benders as soon as there was one to spare; then, I was headed towards the tramstop some distance away from the great building. Next, I telepathically sent another message to Lieutenant Yunpei, telling him to cease the Special Force's search-and-rescue mission, warning the nonbenders to go into hiding as soon as possible and to move back to my possition in order to meet with the Legion of War reinforcement, no doubt led by Sojana, who would certainly advance forwards to where the Avatar ( and Furroh ) was.
The moment most of the Special Force finished falling in line behind me, was also the instant our enemies arrived. At their front, was Sojana riding on a... Is that- is that a Corpses Behemoth, accompanied by two others? Did she really go against the Conquest Campaign and brought them here? A-and how can they move? Corpses Behemoths are known to barely move! Their sole purpose is to be nothing but abominable, living toxic blood-turrets! Damn it, this must be one of Zulathulhu's foul works again. I hate it when he interferes with the order of things. Blasphemous bastard. Upon realizing what Sojana's mount was, I ignored everybody's shocked murmurs, seeing for the first time their true and darkest enemies, and immediately ordered them:
"Earthbenders, raise defensive mounds, now!".
Without hesitating, Lieutenant Yunpei raised one earthen mound in front of me, prompting other earthbenders to raise similar ones next to Yunpei's and some behind me, sparing spaces inbetween following my instructions. Then, I ordered the metalbenders and firebenders:
"Metalbenders, when it comes to melee, be ready; firebenders, and earthbenders again, when the enemies begin to attack, aim for the huge ones ( explosive cultists and Flamethrowers ) and give them your best, especially the explosive miscreants. Yeah, those with big, fat yellow pustules; there. I want you to eliminate as many as possible. None is to survive, do you understand?".
"Ma'am, yes ma'am!", the firebenders replied.
"Good. And when the Flamethrowers, the ones with mightily weird right arm; there, there, and there; discharge fires, I want you to use your firebending to redirect them and send them back to the monsters. Use your eyes, perform harmonically; this is not all about hitting targets. Get it?".
"We get you, ma'am!".
"Uh, ma'am, but what if we can't handle all the fires? I meant, there are so many of them", one of the firebenders spoke worriedly.
"That's when waterbenders come in. Waterbenders, your job is to use water and ice to douse the aggressive flames when no one else can manage them. If, and when I see fit, you are allowed to take the offensive; until then, you are just supporting rearguards. Is that clear?".
"Yes, ma'am!".
"Very well, then. Now we wait".
Following that, I looked at Sojana while the troops assumed defensive positions. You are not going to meet with Agrigula, Sazis ( a derogatory term for female Valcrees, a race of swamp-dwellers on Zassaro Prime, in the 45th reality. When used on outsiders, it means they either have a very hideous appearance or a very despicable personality, or both ). I'm here to take you into custody now and forever. When Sojana and her mount stopped about twenty meters away from me and my allies, she examined her opposing force, her eyes focusing on me the moment she sighted me. Grinning maliciously, she spoke aloud:
"So, this is the puny, ragtag army of my sworn enemy. It's even more pathetic than the last. Seriously, Azara, did you think these... bending humans will make a difference? They are no miserably weaker than these cheap snacks the Warslaves brought along like movie-goers did to popcorn".
Next, one of the Warrior Crusaders tossed a badly eaten corpse of a male civilian in our direction, hitting one of the mounds very hard, the impact making the cadaver splattering all over its surface with a sick, nasty thud. In the end, the poor human was nothing but a pulp of crimson flesh. The Special Force gasped out loud upon seeing such cruel treatment, some struggling hard to not vomit all over the ground. Gritting my teeth, I tried to not give in to anger, breaking out of formation and whooping that bitch's ass right then and there. These humans needed me, and I wouldn't jeopardize everything just because Sojana had attempted to rile me up. Instead, I said:
"You want to meet up with your master, Sojana? Dare to re-enact the glorious Hot Gates? We will fuckin' annihilate you!".
My second archenemy, then, laughed aloud. "Don't mind if I do! Warslaves, you get me fake Queen Gorgo, alive, and I'll let you play with her after I have enough of the cunt and discard her like a rag doll! Oh, and believe me, she has read about Vault 68, and she loves some gentleman touches. About the others, your food, you decide".
Following that, the Warslaves howled and roared with delight and excitement, beginning to rush towards us like a massive pack of hungry Helldogs. I turned to Yunpei and nodded, him nodding back, bringing up his right hand to signal for the earthbenders and firebenders to prepare to bend. Everyone was totally silent, collectively staring at the oncoming horde of monstrosities ahead, patiently waiting for Yunpei to allow them to strike, to crush the enemies with their military discipline, long-term experiences and prowessed training.
"Ready!", Yunpei cried out.
The monstrous foes were approximately sixteen meters away now.
"Steady!".
Fifteen.
Fourteen.
Thirteen.
Twelve-
"Now!", I shouted.
"FIRE!".
The earthbenders and firebenders started letting loose barrage after barrage of big, round and big, sharp rocks and fireblasts and a lot of lightning strikes against the charging wave of horrors, crushing and impaling and cutting and burning and making them blow up, bits and pieces of flesh and blood spattering and splashing everywhere. Once in range, the Flamethrowers began to discharge fires at us, causing many of the firebenders to use their firebending to guide the flames back towards the enemies, scorching them to charred remains. Nonetheless, the infernal horde kept advancing, caring not about their fallen comrades, mindlessly and aggressively stepping on the dispatched and dying ones so as to get closer and closer to us.
Damnation, there are truly so many of them! I guess it's time I lend my allies some help. Quickly, I utilized my time manipulation to freeze a great portion of the approaching things; next, I ordered the earthbenders and firebenders to bend forcefully, decimating more and more of Sojana's army. A while later, I heard my archnemesis announce:
"Quite feisty and defiant, aren't you? Not that it's gonna help you one bit". After that, her grin widened. "Wanna fight in the shade?".
Shit, she decides to use them! Alarmed, I addressed my allies upon knowing what Sojana had implied:"Everyone, fast, stay behind the mounds! Waterbenders, ice dome this instant!".
Immediately, the Special Force took cover behind the mounds, while the waterbending United Forces members created a giant ice dome to protect the ones who were unable to get in the mounds' ranges. A second later, vomited, toxic blood splattered all across the defensive mounds, some bespattering on a few of the United Forces soldiers and metalbending cops, burning ( like acid ) and blinding the former ( the latter had body-covered armors, so very few of them got hurt ) and onto the ice dome, with quite an amount melting several iced parts, dropping down and hurting a medium number of waterbenders.
It hurt me to see them like that. I wish I could do anything for them. Notwithstanding, the Corpses Behemoths were 'formed' by the Firstborn's magic, and I was way past my Prime; therefore, I couldn't even freeze or send the blood back to those huge, horrid shapes, and could only listen to the piercing, painful screams and moans of my allies. I shook my head when Yunpei urged me to do something, anything. I'm sorry, my friend. I... just... I didn't even expect magic-provided creatures- no, Corpses Behemoths to show up here. ( according to the intel we got when I and Saudorn had gone to his first ever meeting with Esillith and other beings, Zulathulhu ordered many, and I mean MANY, Corpses Behemoths, among other beasts and beings fused with magic by the Firstborn, for the conquest of Skyrim, the Witcher, Battleborn and Half-Life universe. Thus, we were assured that no individual with magic, including Bishop Maltheus St. Claire, from Clive Barker's Jericho universe would be brought to the World of Benders. But when I saw the Behemoths, I realized that we were wrong )
Once the bloody rain ceased, I looked back and saw that the Special Force was nearly in disarray. Fleetly, I turned my attention to the front, seeing that the Warslaves continued to press forwards. I don't have a choice, I need to make Yunpei the commanding figure of the Special Force again. Then, having decided what to do, I instructed Yunpei:
"I am going for Sojana. I will make her focus her attention on me. Meanwhile, you're in charge of the Special Force. Do NOT let them breach this pass. And about the wounded, I promise I will get them treated as soon as my reinforcement comes. You have my word. Do you think you can handle this?".
"Not really a King Bumi-ish task, so I think I can do that, ma'am". Yunpei nodded affirmatively.
I smiled. "Very good".
After that, I let Yunpei return order and discipline back to the Special Force, while turning into my She-Rulk form and jumped over the mound before me, heading straight to Sojana. Time to put an end to your course of action.
...
Over Yue Bay, a bit earlier.
General Iroh's p.o.v.
When I and Mako had gotten down to the the base of Aang's statue, we noticed that the rest of the Equalist airships from Air Temple Island were headed towards the Pro-Bending Arena; and knowing that Korra and Furroh were there, certainly battling with Amon and his Equalist forces, we resolved to get on the leading airship to take it down together with the other ones. Using our firebending, we flew forwards to the group of fast-approaching air vehicles, me instructing Mako:
"Now, to be able to avoid detection, we need to fly underneath the airships. Once we're near the leading one, we must move fast and get inside it, and then destroy it. Plain and simple".
"And what if they fight back hard?", Mako asked.
"Then we show them not to trifle with two firebenders". I smiled. "Let's go".
Speeding up, we closed in on the air transportations. The moment we were directly beneath the chief airship, I gave Mako the go-ahead, and both of us forced our way through two of the gondola's glass windows, taking out two of the Equalists. And then we saw that there were also about... a dozen of monstrosities, and there were some kind of monstrous growths on the spacious gondola's walls and ceiling as well! Agni, what are these things? Without hesitating, the small-numbered Equalists came at us, intending to subdue us, but we wouldn't let them do that. As fast as we were able to, I and Mako firebent all around us, aiming to ruin all the controls in the gondola, thinking that the instant the airship lost control, it'd come crashing down upon the water of Yue Bay. However, astonishingly, the growths suddenly sucked the flames into them after the Equalists were struck unconscious!
Shocked, I and Mako couldn't believe our eyes. Following that, we quickly got back to our fighting stances, preparing to face the human-shaped abominations. That was when we heard the sounds of slow clapping behind the horrors, them gradually parting, revealing a tall, thin man, in his early thirties, who was wearing either a black cloak or tunic, with a black hood over his head, a pair of black gloves and a pair of black boots, approaching us. As he stopped clapping, he said:
"Look what we have here, boys, it's the former famed Fire Ferret team captain, Mako, and the prominent General Iroh the Second himself". The monsters growled quite eagerly. "Welcome aboard the Atmosfear. What can I do for you? Oh, and by the way, nice firebending, but I don't think it'll matter much. The Corruption, which has been modified, loves consuming...". He halted. "Water. Earth. Fire. And Air. Your bending is useless". His voice became mocking now.
"So you must be one of Agrigula's cronies. You have to know where Sojana is", Mako spoke.
"As a matter of fact, I do, but I won't tell ya. Furthermore, she's, uh, busy right now anyway. How about I entertain you instead, huh?". He grinned. "Take these, you'll need them". He tossed what looked like two metal hilts towards us.
While we eyed them suspiciously, them slowly rolling towards us, then completely stopped just a step away from us, on the floor, he chuckled. "Ah, don't you worry, it's not a trap. Your Uncle Hank, or Manoward, is fair and generous, he just wants a nice, dueling showdown is all".
I and Mako looked at each other, puzzled.
"Well, come on, pick them up! We don't have much time 'til my Lord-Patriarch greets your Avatar friend. Because when he does... I need to play some music to get him in the mood... to eat; and it'll be really distracting by then, reall-".
Not letting Manoward finish his sentence, Mako briskly scooped up the hilt at his feet, and upon getting contacted, there was a flash of light and heat, a lightning 'blade' appeared, running towards our enemy, attempting to strike him down, ignoring my warning of not attacking him then. Fleetly, Manoward drew out a hilt of his own, next, from the opening, a sharp, big, bone-like scythe-saber emerged, with horrifically abominable, throbbing streaks of flesh and a couple of repugnantly strange, big-and-small, cyst-like biological structures attached to it, him using it to block Mako's slash. Concerned for the young man's life, I grabbed 'my' hilt, quickly seeing a black blade covered with flames, with small depictions of the Dragon Dance's positions on the surface of the metal-like skewer ( how is it possible? This bizarre sword clearly is not made by the Fire Nation. Yet, there are Dragon Dance carvings on it! Is this secretly made by Grandpa? If so, why did he make it in secret? How did Manoward come to possess it? If not, then what is this thing? ), and feeling its intense heat in front of my face, me rushing forwards, grasping Mako's shirt by the shoulder and pulling him back, my saber clashing with Manoward's, creating a fairly bright spark as the two sharp objects met one another.
Right after, we focused our weights against each other, intending to push one out of balance in order to deal a critical hit. To tell you the truth, I had an excellent figure thank to years of practicing military discipline; however, my opponent's strength was incredible! One minute after the sabers clashing against one another, I was in a losing effort just to keep myself from being pushed away. Then, Mako joined the struggle, adding his own weight to liberate me from excessing all my energy. Bold to the risky. My gratitude, Mako.
"Amazing, isn't it?", Manoward spoke, "these are called Mnavetharn Jrydiith - Manifesting Heritage sabers, made by a really really ancient race of energy manipulators. Once someone touches the hilt, the energy it emits will take on the form of either their cultural heritage, purity of beliefs, manifesting persona, or only concentrated imagination, the latter being introduced by said race's corrupt individuals. That being said, the ones you are holding now were only mildly corrupted, the more you hold on to them, the more you will be drained of your lifeforce". Upon hearing that, we froze. "But don't be worried, there is a way to get rid of them: You have to use your minds to trick them into sensing that they have fed enough, then, they'll let go... before you are completely void of life, that is". He laughed.
Next, Manoward became more gleeful, deciding to utilize more of his insane brawn, taking advantage of us taking in all the information he'd just given us, slowly gaining on us. Consequently, he shoved us away, managing to give Mako and me, each a pretty deep nick on the arm and cheek respectively. Shortly after, he extended his left arm, palm forwards, and all of a suddenly, we couldn't move! And then, we were flung against the end wall of the gondola, our backs feeling sticky upon contacting the disgusting growths.
Standing up pretty difficulty because of the impact we felt when our backs had touched the infested wall, and because of our hands being 'glued' to the sabers, Mako began to panic. "I'm feeling... something inside me is being sucked into the saber! What am I to do?".
"Stay calm, Mako", I advised him, trying to suppress the sensation of stinging pain caused by the nick on my cheek, "you heard what Manoward said, we must use our minds to mislead them, make them notice that they've had enough of our lifeforce. You stay here and center on that, while I try to defeat him. If you can't do it, at least make use of the saber and knock down the controls. That way, you won't die in vain".
Mako swallowed. "I'll try. But what... about you? You can't do two things at once!".
"Try hard, do harder. And who said I can't? My Grandfather survived alone for a long while when he was an exiled teen, without his uncle's help, and I have no intention of disgracing his blood in me", I replied before dashing straight ahead to face our enemy again.
"Oh, very noble of you, General Iroh. Do all the works and give the youth a break, eh? But it won't work. After finishing you off, he's next".
I clashed sabers with him once again. "Don't be so sure of yourself. As long as I still breathe, you are NOT to kill anyone!".
And for the following ten minutes, I and Manoward dueled intensely and aggressively, me applying fast maneuvers instead of taking on him directly, knowing he was much stronger than I was, recalling what my grandfather had taught me about sword fighting. Keep in mind, Iroh, dual swords, or singular one, are two in one and one in two. With dual swords, two halves, are of a single weapon. They are not separate. They're just two different parts of the same whole. And with one sword, the weapon is the other half of the swordsmaster. Don't think of it as just a tool for fighting, or for war; it is more than that. A single sword is how you express yourself, make your statement loud and clear.
For example, point it at a bully before you fight, "Let them go!"; or point it at their face after you defeat them, "Don't. Make. The same mistake. Ever again. I'll know". A sword is a part of you, and when your opponents see you with a sword, they don't see just a swordsmaster with a weapon, they see a confident and determined swordsmaster, one they should NOT trifle with, like one peaceful firebender who fights for order they should NOT... trifle with. Swordskills are important, yes, but if you don't grasp the true nature of a swordsmaster, you are but a man with a simple stick, pretending to hold a sword.
With the knowledge my grandfather had passed on to me, I dodged and strike, slashing and clashing and dancing, 'my' saber and I were one, the blade fiercely against my adversary's, me also concentrating on the mind ruse to make the strange thing let go, starting to infuriate Manoward greatly. Just when I thought I had the upper hand, forgetting entirely that my foe possessed some kind of a fearsome power, I was abruptly choked by an unseen force! He's using his trickery again! And before I knew it, the invisible, external pressure tightened its grip.
"I don't know what you did to outmaneuver me, for a short time anyway, but this is the end of you, General Iroh. Say hi to the other Iroh for me". Manoward growled, then smiled sadistically.
And then, there was an extremely loud, horrific and unearthly bellow from outside the airship. The grip on my neck, then, loosened a little bit, enabling me to take in precious air. In Spirits' names, what was that noise?
"Ah, there he is". Manoward's voice sounded half pleased, half irritated. "Time to kick the fun up a notch. Music, my boys, blast it!", he turned to order his abominable minions.
Loud and harsh music was blared forthwith, and I was taken aback by how similar it was compared to some of the songs Saudorn had played back in the Refugee Camp. Of course, I knew who Agrigula and some others were, through the young man's retold memories, but I had never realized how closely they all linked to each other until that very moment. They had the same taste, sometimes same demeanors and behaviors, yet they were so different from one another when it came to their purposes and desires. Is that what it is when something one created comes to life and hates them for it? But whatever the answer was, I needed to defeat Manoward, I needed to get myself and Mako out of this situation, and then demolished all the Equalist airships.
...
Inside Uughigula
Saudorn's p.o.v.
The poor fool. This is not exactly what I thought would happen to him, but it's a horrid fate nonetheless.
Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, I got into my fighting stance, then I spoke calmly:"Bring it on".
"As you wish". Agrigula's voice was mocking again. After that, he sang:
"Black metal is the game I play!
'cause no one shows me the right way!".
Amon, or the thing that once was Amon, howled with pain, and then he began to spurt forth a beam-like streams of either eldritch blood or hideous fluids, or whatever, from his mouth and... a big hole in his chest! And it smelled ultra awful! So, not wanting to find out what'd happen if I were hit by the forcefully gushing-out liquid, I dodge rolled out of the way. Next, I kept on dodge rolling as the Amon-Heart kept spewing after me; once the thing stopped what it was doing, I formed a big javelin, aiming and throwing it at the heart, the long spear going straight through it, almost hitting Amon in the shoulder, causing him to scream out loud in agony and Agrigula yelping aloud in irritating pain. Huh, so Amon feels what Agrigula feels then. That's the price of being merged with an abomination.
"Very nice aim. But that was NOT enough. For...
I am a bloody Antichrist, only believe in bad!
Spit at the church, Evil I get!", Agrigula growled, grunting, making the heart... consume the javelin!
Amon-Heart attacked me again, using the first same trick. However, it directed the streams faster this time, prompting me to double my speed, or I'd get it. Also, this time, the streams seemed to be prolonging; therefore, I decided to act quick and created a microorganism ball of sensitive chemicals, throwing it forwards to the heart's right, exploding upon contacting it, blowing most of Amon's exposed parts and a portion of the heart to bits. More painful screams. At least he goes to meet his brother in the other side now. Notwithstanding, I was wrong. Three seconds later, the blown-up parts of the first heart and Amon regenerated! You gotta be kidding me. Regeneration? That's cheap as hell!
"Surprise, surprise, Father!", Agrigula taunted me, "you think it'll be quick for Amon, huh? So arrogant. My turn.
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer...!
Rites - of death! Return - to Hell!
I am - Satan's child. Attack you - with spells!
B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b...".
Right away, Amon clutched the hole in his chest by his right hand, and pulled at the right edge, expanding the cavity a bit more, crying out with utter pain. Then, there was some kind of energy with bizarre color emitting from the hole, so bizarre I thought it could be the very color straight from H.P. Lovecraft's The Color Out of Space. Next, a beam of non-heat, alien energy was shot towards me! Lightning fast, I jumped out of the way, briskly standing up, fabricating hundreds of spiky microorganism barbs and discharging them forwards to the heart, one by one, like I was firing an invisible minigun.
Many shots missed, but the rest hit. Still, I had to dodge roll in order to avoid more beams of energy directed at me. It was not an easy task, controlling my clone and making him create more 'bullets' to shoot, but I must concentrate hard so as to destroy the first heart. Four minutes later, Amon built up another small sphere of colored energy in his chest to launch; once he started firing, I intended to dodge it. That was when I couldn't lift my left leg from the fleshy ground. Fleetly, I looked to my foot, and saw that the damn small portion of fleshy ground around it had sprouted little tendrils, them wrapping all over my foot! And then, the beam of energy sawed off the lower half of my clone's left leg...
"Argghhhhh!", I yelled painfully.
Ah, oh jeez! Oh fuck! Jesus fuck! Oh Jesus motherfuckin'- Fuck! Goddamn! Fuck! Oh Gods! Oh fuckin'... fuckin'- Gods!
I fell down on the ground, grasping at my wounded leg, eyes tightly shut, tears rolling away. It hurts. It fuckin' hurts. It fuckin' hurts like a fuckin' bloody bitch!
"Oooh! That's a nasty wound, eh? Glad I hit that. Now, while you're in pain, I think you're ready for... How To Be In More Pain 101.
I turn the cross upside down!
And read Satanic Bible with fucking growl!
My life begins at midnight twelve!
Masturbate - to kill myself!".
Struggling mightily to keep the sensation of agony at bay, I opened my eyes, turning my head towards the direction of the heart, seeing Amon-Heart charging up for another energy shot. Fuck it. You wanna play lazer beam? Let's play cocking lazer beam, you fuckin' fiendish son of a cunt! Groaning in suffering, gritting my teeth angrily, I began to construct a fairly big microorganism pyramid with the top, shaped after a Stormtrooper's E-11 Blaster Rifle Barrel, facing the first heart. The moment Amon discharged the beam, I moved my clone out of its range with effort; and when the 'Heart Blaster' was completed, I furiously fired the energy beams I'd used the microorganisms to produce with. The result was: The heart was punctured with lotta holes! Plus, it made Agrigula shriek more loudly than before! Quote Slayer:"Payback's a bitch, motherfucker!".
After that, I focused on growing my clone's wounded leg back to 'normal'. During the 'healing' process, I noticed that there was a lot of strange, colored light, released through the cavities, from something black, something pulsing inside the heart. Fuckin' fucker! That's why no matter how many times I hit the heart, Agrigula's still fine. He has a heart inside that heart! Devious bastard. Well, now, I've got one of your tricks by the balls, fuckface. The instant my leg was 100% healed, I immediately made my clone stand up and float, its whole body covered by flames just in case I'd be suddenly grabbed by summoned tendrils. As Amon-Heart fully regenerated, I stated, then sang:
"Time to get rid of one of your inner follies right. The. Fuck. Now!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer...!
B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b...
Rites - of death! Return - to Hell!
I am - Satan's child. Attack you - with spells!".
Agrigula, then, snarled with spite, making Amon crazily shoot short bursts of energy beams towards me. With speed, I flew low, around, occasionally dropping down to the ground to dodge roll, and to fire at Amon-Heart, then floating and flying again, to keep away from getting hit. Following that, I created a flying and self-rotating two-edged blade to deal with tendrils, assembled by Agrigula to cheat once again, sometimes utilizing the flames that covered me to burn away some that got too close. Nonetheless, while moving around to dodge the beams, I was almost hit, twice, this time, grazing the contacted parts, taking away a bit of my clone's right shoulder's skin and left earlobe! Still hurts like fuckin' hell. Fuckin' shit. Moments later, seeing that I'd caused enough damage to prevent the first heart from regenerating quickly, I guided the flames forwards, like a small firestorm, contacting and scorching away most of the heart's flesh, revealing the tiny one inside ( well, still bigger than a normal human; as big as someone's head ). Upon witnessing that, Agrigula gasped audibly.
"No".
"Oh yes, my son. Taste Dracon Beams, sucker!", I cried out triumphantly.
Next, I made the Heart Blaster discharge volley after volley of energy beams in the direction of the first true heart, endeavoring to fend off the tendrils as long as possible with my spinning blade. Finally, with too much devastation, the puny heart ruptured. Feeling intense pain, Agrigula roared in anguish and ire. One down, three more to go. And in the end, I am the Blasphemer, to your existence.
I love to drink my own blood!
My sin is my life in a war with God!
I talk to the demons tonight!
Making love and black masses in a dark-shadowed light!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
( I am a )
Blasphemer...!
Rites - of death! Return - to Hell!
I am - Satan's child. Attack you - with spells!
B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b...
Blasphemer!
Blasphemer!
Oh, blasphemer!
Blasphemer...!
...
Outside the Pro-Bending Arena, after Agrigula'd merged with Uughot.
Korra's p.o.v.
Upon seeing Agrigula and his pet monster rise from the water, capturing Amon, I was terrified. Very terrified. I had never seen such massive monstrosity before ( beside Sojana's pet, of course ), and the size of that thing chilled me to the bones. Next to me, Furroh was mumbling curse words now, being afraid himself. Yet I didn't even have a single thought about running away. No, I will never run away and abandon people who're in danger! Having made up my mind, I grasped Furroh's hand, intending to lead him down to ground below.
"Come on! Those people need us!", I shouted.
"No Korra, don't be crazy! You lost all of your three basic bendings, and just now you gained airbending, but you didn't even master it yet! You'll kill us both!". The former teenage Equalist tried to stop me, yanking his hand away from my grip.
"Then what? Turn our tails and flee like cowards?", I countered, "I was done with avoiding Amon, so I'm not going to hide from those monsters!".
"I was gonna say we use a safer mean of exit, like, the arena's entrance or exit", my new friend replied dryly.
I scoffed. "There's no time for that, Mister. We gotta get down there right at this moment!". I grasped his hand again immediately. "Just hold on to me!".
Next, I jumped.
"No, Korraaaaa!", Furroh screamed in fright, instantly clinging really tightly to me, causing me to wrap my left arm over his hip in case his fear made him let go.
Following that, I started airbending repeatedly towards the ground, hoping against hope that it'd break our fall, Simel's brother still screaming beside me. Notwithstanding, we were still falling very fast! Two more tries later, suddenly, I bent a long, great gush of air, greater than the other gushes! And then, it truly broke our fall. Once landing softly on the ground on our feet, Furroh promptly said:
"Korra, I know you look hot when you're determined. But, please, never EVER do that again!".
Momentarily blushing, I responded:"Sorry. And thanks". Then, I was determined again. "Let's go".
The instant we arrived among the crowd, the people were gasping and murmuring aloud; following the direction they were gazing at, I and Furroh saw that... Agrigula's monstrosity was sickeningly changing its form! But where is Agrigula? And where is Amon? After about one minute, the huge creature completed its transformation, looking like a gigantic tree with flesh, with protruding, sharp-looking, bending-upwards-and-downwards branch-spires, a dreadfully freakish, inhuman face near the end of the branches, at the center of the upper part of the monster's body, and two fiendishly familiar arms, one a blade, the other nearly normal, very big tendrils germinating all over it, waving and moving lazily about. Spirits, what an abominable... thing. The crowd looked really frightened now, crying out in despair. Not waiting 'til the monstrous beast began to attack, I quickly airbent at it while addressing the people:
"Everyone, get out of here, now! Run!".
Upon hearing me, the people were no longer 'under the spell' of the creature's hideous appearance, they started fleeing. Also, upon seeing me charging the thing, Furroh decided to join in, directing electric blasts forwards to our dark enemy. However, the combination of air gushes and electric blasts was not harming the giant horror at all! Growling and chuckling darkly, our foe lifted its left arm up a little, its fingers relaxingly pointing forwards; then, I heard screams of pain from the fleeing former Equalist supporters and citizens of Republic City. I and Furroh turned around then and there, witnessing them being... bloodbent? How is it possible? The monstrosity's evil voice made us turn our attention back to it.
"Am I not full of surprises?", it jeered, "now with Amon being a part of me". "Being a part of" it? That means Amon... Oh no. "I can utilize bloodbending properly. No one, not even Yakone, or Hama, could do it right. But now I'm showing you how it's truly done!".
"Let them go, Agrigula! I'm the one you want!", I shouted angrily.
It chortled. "You? Ha ha ha ha ha, don't make me laugh, little Avatar. You are only supper compared to the main course - this whole planet's physical and spiritual energy. Yet I'll make you watch, though, when the All-Lord is here, consuming everything he sees before his very eyes. After that, maybe I'll be generous and hand you over to Sojana; because, believe me, you don't wanna be near the All-Lord when he works up an appetite".
I gritted my teeth. "If so, why didn't you just subdue me then? Why them?".
"Oh, I just want to have some fun with you up to the moment He arrives. Tell you what, let's play a game: You and your friend there vs my little children. If you get knocked down, one of them innocent people will die. If your friend get knocked down, two will die. And if you eliminate every wave I throw at you, I'll leave them be. Whadda ya say, Avatar? Dare to win? or desire to lose?".
You... you vile, depraved scoundrel. I closed my eyes, trying to pick one of the 'options', choler filling me to the core.
"Korra, don't do it", Furroh spoke hurriedly, seeming to beg me, "there has to be another way! I-I... I can't! I can't handle it if those lives are on my hands!".
I opened my eyes to look at him.
"Please" was all he said next.
I returned my gaze to Agrigula, staring at its face intensely. "I accept", I stated simply.
Furroh breathed hard alongside me. I didn't look at him, but I knew he was spotting a look of disbelief on his face, not that I blame him. Shortly later, Agrigula spoke excitedly:
"Very well! Let the game begin".
Following that, one of its branch-spires moved to the ground, almost touching the concrete surface. And then, there were strange liquids dropping all over the ground beneath the big thing, forming ten blobs in total. Soon after that, without delay, the blobs turned into mud-like, humanoid shapes of all sizes. Spirits, they look so creepy. And it's true; without a distinct feature, all bland and eerily similar to one another, they looked immensely creepy.
"Wave one, start!", Agrigula announced.
Before I could even bend, Furroh silently rushed forwards, lashing one of his bolas left and right, striking and hitting and causing four of the humanoids to disintegrate, flexibly dodging the rest's attempt to smack him, backflipping and doing all sorts of crazy Equalist moves, slashing all around him with incredible speed! When all was said and done, all of the ten humanoids were entirely eliminated! Wow.
"Impressive. This'll be more fun than I thought", Agrigula commented, "wave two!".
Seconds later, the branch-spire lowered again, dripping more liquids this time, creating about sixteen or seventeen humanoids. As Furroh started engaging the new wave of enemies, I came to assist him, airbending three of them to oblivion, kicking and punching some more. When there were only five left, they, all of a sudden, became aggressive, and I barely dodged a blade-arm from one humanoid, it sharply grazing my right shoulder. At once, I heard one of the civilians scream aloud in agony, distracting me; when I focused again, a fist connected to my left cheek, knocking me down. Nevertheless, before I hit the ground, someone shouted:"Korra! Damn it!"; then, I felt hands catch me by my back and the nape of my neck. After that, I was guided back up, seeing Furroh using martial art kicks to eliminate two of the nearest humanoids that were about to assault us.
That was when I detected another one speedily coming up to us. Without hesitation, I pushed Furroh away and airbent at the oncoming foe, not noticing the last one discharge a blast towards my friend, knocking him flying away. Enraged, I butterfly kicked a strong gush of air against it, splashing it apart instantly. The next two seconds, I heard two horrifically agonizing and death screams, turning my head in time to witness two red mists of blood and splintered body parts among the bloodbent crowd, mortified. What have I done? Double-quick, I turned to Agrigula with outrage, then, upon remembering that Furroh had gotten hit by the last of the humanoids, I ran back to check on him, finding out that he was still alive. I let out a heavy sigh of relief. Furroh groaned, looking up at me, croaking:
"Now you see what you did?".
My eyes was filled with tears straightaway. "I'm sorry, I-I thought-".
He fiercely sat and stood up. "Well, you thought wrong! But it doesn't matter, for here comes the third wave. And you should do your best to NOT get yourself, or me, knocked down again".
Returning my vision back to Agrigula, I discerned approximately twenty-four humanoids, slightly worried. So the stake is raised higher. And if I fail totally, this city will become exactly what Saudorn's song 'Apocalyptic City' expressed. No, I'm not going to let that happen. For Republic City! For the fallen! For Saudorn...
Born - into a world of hatred!
Nothing to live for!
What started with a simple match
turned into something more!
The pain I felt inside my head
came on my day of birth!
Now the time has come for me
to burn the planet Earth!
I can feel the fire
burning inside of me!
The powers at my fingers.
Waiting, you shall see!
Burn! Ignite the population!
Burn! Causing mass cremation!
Burn! Feel no shame or pity!
Burn! Apocalyptic city.
Years have passed as I stood still
to plan the final blow!
I'll make the town go up in flames!
A hellish death they'll know!
As I pour on the gasoline,
I listen deep inside!
I hear the cries of all my victims!
Nowhere to run or hide!
I can feel the fire
burning inside of me!
The powers at my fingers.
Waiting, you shall see!
Burn! Ignite the population!
Burn! Causing mass cremation!
Burn! Feel no shame or pity!
Burn! Apocalyptic city.
Now my great assault is over!
And my life is done!
Staring at my great infernos
was my only fun!
So I leave you with my tale!
Here, my conscious falls!
Victim of myself!
So! Now I'll end it all!
I can feel the fire
burning inside of me!
The powers at my fingers.
Waiting, you shall see!
Burn! Ignite the population!
Burn! Causing mass cremation!
Burn! Feel no shame or pity!
Burn! Apocalyptic city. (*)
Note 2: Just wanna fix errors.