Teen Titans New Generations; The Chaos Round Part Two – Against All Odds – Chapter 14:Twisted Fairytale for the Red Lord.

/

I seem to be "literally" smitten with Raku's complex, emotional state; how Lilu was more than a teacher he'd followed against the better judgement of the gods' wishes. She's going to crack more than just a whip onto his memories here, so please feel free to fire away with those favorite button presses!

On with the near finale, once more!

/

Raku's legs buckled beneath him.

I brought her here…

I, was the one…!...

Those words were not without form, as the toll it took to muster up that energy; of even thinking to manifest up his allies' pains as he had, it was far too much to bare witness. The Titans; their children and the Guardian dogs…. Lilu had gotten all she could ask, with him to guide her to this world –

She'd been rewarded. All but, Raku.

He was left with the reminder of the disaster; the unbound perils in sheet - cloth that had to be wound round every open sore, and the devastation that WAS his false life here on Earth…

In this reality, he'd lose the Chosen's pity. Yes, pity. He could not force himself to love a boy like Raku -for no one could! For, he was a nobody without his magic. Without Azag's gift, he'd be a crumbling rock from atop the mighty mountain's walls. Falling, and at a devastating drop below. As a glacier to its mother ends…The end to end all ends, was what they had called this catastrophe the boy brought.

He'd be just, dust. Nothingness…

And yet, Lilith had proven that magic could give Raku the upper hand always and forever – It could make a Demi – God such as he, into a new sort of, Breed of God. One that knew of humans and also…

That, was a daemon who COULD NOT FALL. He was borderline to all degrees of that word, that slanderous call to action – he was…

Who? Who was he?...

WHAT was, then he?

WHO then, was RAKU –

He was –

A CRIMINAL

A COWARD.

A WARLORD

A BEAST.

A SOUL – STEALER.

A RAPIST.

A MASS – MURDERING, KILLER.

A TYRRANICAL KING.

A, GOD. A fallen, fucking God! Dear GODS!

He felt his world come tumbling down. This was the fate of all those who'd managed to interest mistresses such as Lady Lilith. A power - source was no more of a catalyst, than a Chosen was to being a savior. Or the boy felt more so, that he was a rechargeable battery without limits…

It was a way the gods stopped mortals from guessing. From seeing and seeking out the Immortal classes, and beyond their sad little voids of lifelessness and hopelessness, that was why none could seek out the Dune Capital unless they were at the very brink of death - or if their blood was as Raku's own. Lacking validation from the gods.

Cursed and, undying. Only blood of blood could find God in the desert sands…

Now, Raku wanted to face her, and by himself. He WANTED to prove that a foolish son was not a king, but a soldier too. He, could not lift at finger as Lilith had her way with the Titans of Earth right before Raku's tired eyes. How she laughed and curled her fingers with a delicious sort of glee that only psychopaths could know about; that animosity towards one's enemies was, thrilling to watch...Once it had been a lesson, that she'd planned for her very first pupil. But…now?

He was once again, afraid. As he'd told Aiden; she was the one who'd let him off his leash, and she could gladly tug again. She could have her little pet fall still at her feet…

Because…She'd cursed him to never truly know love - because she'd tainted his heart and body in the past. None had known why Raku loathed lovers. He'd not told them enough to guess a few sentences off the topic of his head.

He'd been defiled by her, and now…

Raku had his lip tremble as Richard Grayson stared in the boy's direction. As if to say; "You are a menace. She and you both, you'll be better off gone and forgotten. Why did I let you become friends with my son? Why did I even WANT to trust you!? That evil – self you had once destroyed so many lives, it was unwise to think you could ever be –

~Why…~ Raku felt that question; words willing to bubble up through the mind -speak and hold him hostage.

Ami Grayson looked out and saw Aiden from behind the force field Koko and Kaede had erected; to both protect Amaterasu's newest vassal, and to save their own souls from losing face against a western -world's demon queen of the damned.

She frowned and felt more than the same sympathy as her brother; Raku was confused and just as unwilling to flee his abuser as Ami had been when the red dragon had controlled Amelia's world.

She recalled how he hesitated even then; Aiden was someone he HAD to trust! That was real! They could face her off, together!

~Raku! ~ Ami finally spoke his real, human name and did not flinch as the boy jutted up in surprise. His poor eyes were more than bloodshot. He was an ancient meta -human, well…In his time they called those figures Demi - gods or something. She wanted to speak through the telepathic link without inviting in any unwanted visitors, so she called to Amaterasu. She asked favors; that Raku could hear her voice and say what he wished to, without fear of being tormented by his demons.

She closed her eyes, and dragged him into the light.

/

Lilith remarked at the sun - child's ploy, while Charl reverted to his winged and larger Imp form. He swung his flurry of black miasma past Ami's head as she was lost in her trance – Raku's mind however, was still in danger.

~AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!~

~ Desine et desine! Vespertilio ad phialas tolle!~ Zan bit back as well, and tried to open a vortex that would suck in the bat freak with his tail tucked. He was a wild flapper and persisted forth, his will as strong as his mistress – in - crime's appetite for vengeance and destruction.

A crash sounded in the distance as the world around them cracked forth like an egg born of cosmic chaos.

Chaos. That was what had happened. They'd split the boundary. The world was a dual shape and image. No longer of what the Earth had once seemed to those inhabitants who'd thrived upon her soil.

Lilith had done as any good mother succubi might; she'd milked it dry, twisted it and broken its spirit. All out of love? Raku was starting to question her. While he'd known doubt because of Lily's compulsive grooming techniques, his own inner warrior was close to being granted its freedom.

And Ares, had played along as a simple way into that noisy scene - that no one had believed could be made possible. Raku could learn a thing or two about staying quiet beside the leading villainess.

Eris had lost her power and now Lilu was there to claim it; prior to this, Ares had kept it safe. If power was tangible, then it was as real as any known power – source "child" born throughout time and space.

Raku had that power she'd always kept by her arm. Just as Ares did with Eris's magic, it was that innocence that let the two be as powerful as their hearts and minds could handle.

Lilith again, wanted to sully that stupid emotion. The boy had feelings for the Chosen, he was attached as any god might to their chosen warrior prince or princess.

Ugly beasts, yet she was not as they…

/

Aiden dragged his body over to where Ami and Raku had been lost in their transcendent world. His eyes squinted by the dust and debris that Lil's magic had brought to "stale up" the humans' airspace. She wanted more violent matter to exist, more chaos. Aiden was sure Ares had been unaware of the strix's plan all along. Then Eris wasn't the only enemy the Titans had?...

He gulped and stayed low to the ground, until his hazel eyes spied Charl coming down in a "swooping round – about" from the air – directly right over his head!

Aiden rolled out of the way, but the collision with the ground did not stop Charl from attacking the Chosen.

~Lady Queen Lilith does not want you to associate with her prize! Have at you, wretch!~ The shrill screams of the now - dead harpies had been no match for Charl's blind devotion to his newest "under dog."

Lil had pulled this imp into a vortex of that same fearful want for attraction, so unfathomably deep that he didn't want to return to Marcus or Eris's side. He wanted to be liberated. His demon self had to be freed, or he'd not have the chance. After all that time, Raku was still a target he'd be willing to bring forth before his new mistress. Raku too, had been Charl's hero in the past. He'd looked up to the daemon dragon as Roku back then had taken hold of everything in his lying wake.

Lilu had decided that for he to exist, it was not enough. He had to repress that silly want for change; he'd be chopped to bits by her ego over his own if only Lilu had wanted the boy to break. She did not. She wanted him to submit, and that…

Charl might have held so envy in Raku. She grinned. That might come in handy later…

~Fire – storm!!~ A breath from the Aiden's fists had Raku flinch, as Ami attempted to bind the two in telepathic synchronization of mind and spirit. Aiden had swapped roles, and it was much harder to be a Guardian without a crew. Guessing now, he had to protect Ami and Raku from fighting alone. Because he WAS CHOSEN.

~Nice lines, little heroic! You think that I'm not ready to burn? The seas of eternal damnation await my admission! Lilly will rule over your lives once more! Give us the boy! He's not long for the same fate as –

~Ave!~ Aiden called out to his sister hoarsely, his eyes glued to where Raku and Ami were still stuck in –

~Ice barrage! ~ Ava had her own calls to give, as Charl shrunk back with his wing now blown through with holes from a thousand, tiny pokes.

~You witch! Haaah!~

Ava was not afraid like her brother, for Charl was a weakling in her sights. Not at all as Chris…. He was a superior warrior! There!

They clashed, and Aiden slunk over to complete his only task. To save Raku from losing to –

~I had to ask… -

~But you never had the gall! ~ Lilu dragged him forth into her grip as the goddess in her was becoming a big fat sore in Aiden's –

"Aide! Hang on! I'm –

~Fire- bird's protégé? I think you've missed that chance already! Pheasant! ~ Lilu laughed and swung Aiden in her grip, to a fro. Anna froze where she stood, her fists burning up. Her whole body was ready to pop. She had to control it…She knew how!

~What's this? No attacks? What stop NOW, little bird? ~

"Because, I already know what I'm here to do…It's to save…" She pointed over to Raku as he stayed safe with Ami inside an orb of magic. "Him. He's the one who has the power to end you. Not us." That was why Aiden trusted Raku, he was a tool, but he knew what he could do for them! He was an ally, just, a bit misguided…If only she'd –

~You hesitate, little fire – ant. ~ Lil mocked and dared not leave herself exposed for long. The drone – Titans had it coming as Lilu had her new servants to catch the fire – eagle's ally in the blitz. She wasn't going to play the hero, today. Not ever! No heroes would rise under HER ruling thumb.

~Take her down. Let her see the end with her own eyes, my children! Go! ~ Spirit bats and her own family had Anna in a corner. She wondered if this was the time to be brave. To overstep her –

~Don't make me gag, Bruja! ~ The skies were alit by a golden energy. A chariot raced forth to part the clouds a bit, before She had Anna to gaze up in surprise.

"Astarte!" She cried out, holding back her power no more. She materialized a staff of the Phoenix and got to work. Sara Santiago had returned. Nina was not for this war; she was instead looking for another outside of Berlin's walls.

/'

Nina dragged her body out of the underground. As far as bodies went, she saw too many to name. hopefully, no one she knew from a familiar platoon, but that could be anyone. She knew of quite a few bases as the second in command to Sara Santiago's private –

A coughing fit from some dusty fella in the muck. She plucked her victim's hand away from his face to see…

An eye patch, damaged but there, and she knew. She was actually glad to see a familiar face. This one owed her, big time. She grinned into a smirk as her mouth twitch, her anger as rough as sand paper and spikes on burning hot coals.

"Wilson. Shit! You…Sigh. * You are hereby –

"Cut that out. Where is Agatha?"

"A…You are not goanna listen! Rrgaah! You were tracked as a killer! My murderer! Piece of dog – shit! I should have put you-

"I'm willing to bet you haven't read my files, correct?" His head was tugged close as she gripped his white hair to seethe into the man's face. Her eyes full of an ungodly fury that the Strix's storm lacked in impact. Her eyes had a vision of his demise in them. He could read it all by how she did not loosen her grip once. Nor blink. He was pretty much dead if she caught on…

"Wrong, you are still not impervious to pain; and I mean "the blown - up - balls – deep" as hell kinda' -

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"How…. Dare! –

!BOOM!

A crash left the rubble to turn into a sea of sand as it dragged them in; a whirlpool that had some desire to swallow up the world into its jaws. Nina went right into action. She didn't need a pig to pull the trigger. That was under her jurisdiction. He'd die if she wanted it. But, right now it was too late to make Saturday dinner plans with the killer still in her sights.

"Fuck! Ay! Balls – deep, killer? Can you clear a path? I know you are as strong as those damn files said you were."

"I'm not Moses. I can't part the seas on command."

"What if I told you that was possible?" She got ready to shoot her canon at the sand. "Uno…. Dos…. -

Slade threw out in protest with one arm up. "That isn't! –

"Tres!" Nina let loose as her sure-fire way of clearing the room was a rather risky way, but it wasn't just gunpowder she shot from her arm. "I'm a part of them, you know…!" The girl grunted. There, in front of them, was a portal to the other side. A ray of light as the sand was delayed at her command. What a powerful –

"Go! Head in or I'll knock you out and leave you! Now, go!"

He didn't further encourage her aggressions as the crime lord tossed himself into the void. Nina let out a yell and soon joined him as the sandy plane vanished from sight.

/

And all he saw, was darkness.

Everlasting dark as it dripped from every pore, every angle they turned.

For, they were not alone in this place of mystery. Another had its eye on the two enemies.

~Are we out of that pit, and into this one? Was that your plan? ~ Slade kept sharp while the blood dried in flakes from his face, his healing had begun later than expected.

~It's fine. I got to you this way, anyway. ~ Nina shrugged and tugged the man to go first. ~I won't lose you, criminal. We are headed to have Interpol mark your ass –

~I'm trying to quit, I really am.~ Slade acted cute, as if it were a smoker promising that they'd shut the butt from their lives for good. He shook his head with a sigh. ~You think I'm not familiar with interdimensional travel, sweetie? I'm going to find my way before you can –

~Stop! ~ He dove down into the dark and it scared her to head on after him. He'd chosen the depths – the fucking worst place!

~Shit! Astarte is going to terminate me! –

~Then tell me where we are headed. ~ The roaring monsters were easy enough to deflect. He had to stay alert. This would buy Deathstroke some time to get his dues. He didn't want the slammer. It was a pain to find loopholes at his age. Well, he wasn't fond of the drawbacks, and at the end of the world…

Such a pain to negotiate with demons.

~Ok fine! Damn you…You and I are going to meet a friend, and your companions are safe. So just, trust me to get us out of this! –

~I want to, believe me when I say; but Astarte does not particularly forget faces…~ He said this as his body swam through the dark. A pool of water the color of ink. This, was a void of sorts that did not want him to perish, yet. Something else would first…

Nina called back with a groan in her throat. ~Aagnnnn…. Well….Come out then! I'll make you see it! I can get Sara to keep her cool more than –

~Is that all it takes? Promises? She's not Maya. She's your superior. You'd be nothing but a villain for trying to help me, you know that…~

~I do, but she should trust me to do the right –

~AAAnghaah!~

~Are you alright? Hey! What's going on down there!?~ Nina barked out to her convict friend. Friend, she hated what he'd done! No! this was a trick. He was trying to get away, scot free.

~Nothing, mind…. you…Toppled a shadow -beast…. A big one, just a grunt –

~Come out or I'm gonna blast you out! Hear me! Deathstroke! –

~Ulp! ~

He was up and out of the pool; tar tainted his body and his skin shone back as if he were the wild beast he'd slain. She had never been so afraid. Well, the time on the roof was…He was, too strong…

He panted slowly out as smoke came from his nostrils. His white hair was inhuman and also touched by the water's gunk as he refused to shake from it…He was…. Crap!

~Get that stuff off! You are going to –

He furiously brushed off the gunk as it fell in chunks from his flesh. It hurt, it cursed him back before turning to dust and receding back into the pit from whence he'd risen.

~We have to take that curse off. ~

~Why did you come this way? ~ Slade asked the woman a he fell to one knee and groaned. ~Ugh…My body is…~

~It's like a toxin. But you refused to just do as I told you. Don't worry. ~ Nina hoisted the man up some and helped him to follow in his deranged state. ~I don't want you dead here. This place is like a jungle so stay close and no more jumping into any "dead – pools." (That movie blew chunks by the way. The acting wasn't even close. Detective Pikachu for him did a better job. I don't know why, but it lacks character…Very off…To each their own!)

Slade chuckled and sent off a very "normal" vibe to Nina, which quite frankly, creeped her out. She held to her word and pulled him up to have them away from the torrent of fear and loathing that pool had provided. She frowned and started off ahead, possibly accepting this job out of pity, or for wanting clearance for her sergeant's death.

He was a sergeant, right?

/

Raku's reality wasn't so bleak. He had Ami; he had a goodness -to – gracious – goddess to guide him away from his sheltered state of being. She was very aware of him, since this vision was a false one meant to ring him free of any old woes. Cleaning wounds, the gods had tried to Isis, and with Lorelai Ainsley…Even with the lover -boy Ardius, who'd returned as Wizard Gregory from another dimension and time line.

Hermes, or something of that equivalent, was a messenger of the gods. Ardius had followed in the law and order of the Dodona sect and kept to the roads in which bent outside his favor. He'd not told Raku until late of what he'd done through the oath to have been tossed out as a traitor to his kindred.

~Are you thinking about someone important? ~ Ami turned to the boy with her blue eyes full of thoughtful emotion and a keen insight that she kept truly hidden from her siblings.

~I, was remembering the past of an old friend…~ Raku blushed. He still did not understand this emotion that waxed and waned before him. His flesh held heat and tingled as he recalled the red headed blonde's boyish pride in his pupil…He'd wanted to stay, to see himself become a healer like –

~We can't stay here forever. ~ Ami looked at the sky as it stayed light by her powers. ~Amaterasu told me that you can free the one who's able to corner chaos and cap it for good, well…~ Ami nervously chuckled. ~Actually, I added that part in for dramatic effect – but she's still not going to stop-

~The, witch…~ Raku shivered as his body grew icy again. Ami saw this swap and threw her light across the boy's frame. ~Aiden still cares about you; we all want you to find hope too. I know. Cause…. ~ Ami took a breath in, then let it go quickly. ~Because I saw what was in your heart when you'd captured me as Amelia that time! ~

Raku felt the flashback prod at him as it turned into a memory, he'd no sooner been hoping to…

~You aren't a monster, or at least…You could try…to be a hero –

~I…~ She was so sure, as if they had the battle won already! Raku shook his head then shook all over as he began to fall apart once more. ~Aiden, Aiden will be the one to set me on my path. Good or bad, I will commit –

~Stop being so serious all the time! ~ Ami's eyes shown just as Thoth's had, or Ardius's playful gaze back into his, with the Ibis's keen intellect not driving Raku to THINK outside of his current position.

~I'm…. ~ He could not counter it. He was truly to be a lord of the eclipse, of the cycle…If so, he had to always keep wa -

~Your mom is gone…I'm sorry we didn't see that had hurt you so much… But on the bright side? You have a new family who'd love to have you! ~

Raku gasped. Was she trying to –

The world shook as the time Ami had been drained away by an outside force.

~You….! ~ Ami deflected a chuck of the influencer's blow with her mirror relic from the sun goddess. She reminded Raku of the fox kitsune and spirit Kaede, due to her low growl and attentiveness towards sudden dangers coming from out of nowhere.

~I tire of our games…COME….OUT!~

Ami threw herself in front of the boy as his human shield. ~Stay away from my little bro! ~ Raku felt his mouth slip open, ajar. Brother? Was she trying to be killed by the owl's trickery? Did she wish to bring about her own demise so soon?

~I do not take to the likes of a vassal "unfulfilled." As to it seems, but my boy is as his "SELF" concludes…~

It was not Lilith. Ami held her breath as the smoke cleared around the visionary place – the miasma lifted to reveal a figure she'd thought only a falsehood; a farce, yet Raku and she recognized the character.

~Ro…. -

~Call me, Manifesto. Child…And you have something I want… -

Raku's will had shut down again. At this rate, Lil would find his safe place and tear it apart with her extra – long claws and talons. Ami wouldn't stand a chance…

They would be right back to when…

~I see that you're still fighting what you are to become. I'm living proof, boy. For you created this face I possess and always have…~ The spectre swiftly wafted over towards the boy. Not liking how Raku was next to tears by the flashback of all of his past time evils brought to the surface OF his consciousness; to amuse this "Manifesto, Ami let her arm out to send a sunbeam the enemy's way. Raku was tugged off as Ami materialize her own world to hide inside of.

Manifesto took to the brat's brought to life a horse with teeth razor sharp, in the armor of a god's chariot stallion.

He leaped onto its back and sped after the two preteens.

~You are so getting in my face right now, dude!~ Ami sent a flare or solar beams to disorient the horse. The rider was quite skilled as Raku shook his head and kept running with his helper Ami, the only one there to prevent his end from coming.

~Yah! ~ The ghost horse was up and faster than the wind beneath their feet. Raku knew his power was bordered once on order and as well, the unknown. But…. He had to do something! Ami was going to lose to a demon!

Him…. that was…Raku shook his head and growled. He wanted to see Aiden again. He wanted to protect his contractor's family. He wanted –

~You can run all you wish, little outcast! It will only bring you closer to me! Stop while you've still time! You can only manifest OUR destiny! ~

Raku recalled making well on his word as that face, then…He was not in control. Lilu had cursed him not to be able to see it. She'd been fed up with trying to corrupt a treasure such as a child of the Immortal and Eternal race. She'd forced his transformation into that….

Raku's face said it all as the bastard by force - came swiftly through the air. Ami screamed and let her hands heat up until they blistered. Raku shouted and had thought so well of his time…

~He's never going to have us…Give into your "self." ~ The face had won. Ami lain unconscious against the dirty earth; there she saw what was to come of the tween's future in the mortal realm…

~She is going to finally do it! ~ The godless, heartless creep crept up before the shaken boy.

~Oh, has that Ignito put your ambitions in a corner again? He's the one who's sided with HER! ~

Raku fell to his knees and crawled. He tried to find her, to find the one he needed to –

His head went to the dirt. The demon's heels hit the boy as he flailed, his arms withheld by the monster's masterful grip.

~N…. N…. No! –

~Shut UP! ~ The beastly spook pulled Raku up by his arms and twisted the kid's wrists with a snarl. Raku's body dangled in plain sight as the tips of his toes never once touched the earth.

Manifesto growled and finally, snapped.

~You had it all. I LOSt That BecauSe oF YoU! ~

Raku gasped and felt his captor's eyes grow as well. The boy had figured it out.

~Ignito…. you exist…. Because of –

~That'd be correct…. A little late. Nevertheless! ~ The demon brought up his hands and dropped the boy, then he clapped.

~Bravo, I'm here and if it matters –

~You…. Are NOT me! –

Raku lashed out, for Ami. For Aiden. The madness was done.

~I'm actually what you WANT. ~ Manifesto twirled his wrist and let the sands below their feet come up to capture his captive. The sand was deep enough to stall the boy. His powers would not be….

~You can't have them! I don't know…. I never will…. I don't want –

~I said…. Quiet! ~

The sand swirled and covered his lips as a bar of sandstone. Sand lord, dragon. He could fight back…This would be his element too.

The godless "Roku copycat" sat in mid seat; his seat was the same slab but right where none could see it. He laid his hands to his lap and craned his neck forward to peer in at the boy's doubt. He was real. He always was going to be the one first, that the child had chosen to liberate him…

~Raku, was it? Pretty. I knew him as someone else…A prince, no…A deal - breaker.

Raku made sounds of rebellion against his gag. He wanted to find the coward's weakness. Ami wasn't in this dream. It was a desolate one…A horror brought to life.

~Let's talk. Mano e Mano, my boy –

~Nnnhhh! ~

~What, did I just TELL YOUU? ~ The sky wavered, Raku saw a flicker and shrunk back.

~There. You made me lost my temper. What would my missus say to that, Hmm? You won't guess, she'd never once, tell her favorite. Not that I can't –

~Eris?~

/

Ami's eyes strayed up towards the sun. She saw in shade as Raku's figure had emerged that a long haired character was standing over the boy. She could not cry out. Her throat was parched and her lips blood red from a visible crack in them. She'd neve felt so dirty in her life. Not even when her world had ben overtaken by Amelia; her evil counter - double.

Raku...She held her breath and tried to stand.

~Lil' bro...I'm coming!...~ She winced at the cut on her side and by her shoulder blade. She'd have time to recover, but not enough to heal all of her broken bones.

/

~Excuse me?~ The demon craned its neck back, taken aback by that name. Raku was partly released so he could explain.

~Eris...We can't be wrong...I'm finally able to tell you...I was wrong! I'm sorry for everything I've done, and I promise to make things well between us...~ Raku's head dropped lower as he awaited his punishment.

~Beh! You are all wrong, boy! I...Had HER for a late night snack! You are only reading too much into -

~Impossible! You are no god! You can't kill-

~I can do what I please! And right now, to me...You are incredibly tasteless...~ Snide as it was, the godless one sounded hungrier than he'd been before... ~ I want flavor in this life and the next!~ Boomed the figure. It lstepped from is seat to the groudn and leaned over face made his skin crawl as the boy gulped back his inner hatred of the man. His face was far more calculating that he'd recalled from memory...

~I want what I DESIRE...What we lost, you'll get back for her, for me...You have no other choice . ~ The king copy - cat sat back into his mid - air seat and yawned into his palm.

~I always did! ~ Raku protested, but not loudly enough.

Ami grinned at those words. He finally had the idea! This had to pull the goat's chain. She hoped...

~Well, if you did..Then why am I still here. ~ The godless one cocked its head to the side, curiously eyeing his alte -self's needy frame. ~Have I not killed enough? ~ It stomped a foot down and made the earth rattle. Raku held on tight, as did Ami. ~You've killed. Are you afraid to kill me? Or her? Why do you stand so still? Your blood was once iron rich...Now, it lacks color...~

Raku tried to wet his lips. Right now, the heat of this false desert made it impossible to recover from the shock in time.

The demon waited, then continued to goad his "self" mercilessly where it hurt. ~I'd be ike you; human, dreadfully short on time...For your time was once cut thin...Eris will help it to remain. And the imp who hath joined the wretch goddess of chaos...For, ERIS was an alternate self. You can see...How a true goddess might have vanquished our queen -

~You are fooling yourself! We never trusted her! She will break every promise for the sake of control! ~

Another hit, as Ami could not help but become anxious. Manifsto was creating a "beat down" as the don. Ami applauded however Raku's newly found courage.

~I'll have her devoured later...~ The self concluded. He licked his own lips and moaned a light softly, ~ I'm saving the best for last...~ He drooled at her mere mention, the type of demon Raku...had...

~I won't pity her. I pity myself before that...That... -

~Go ahead! ~ The grinning king signaled back to the seething brat in the dust to let free his many frustrations. Ami gasped. That was bad mojo! He was trying to -

~Don't do it!~ Ami shouted out, finding her voice in the desert again.

~Ah! -

~No, go right ahead! We are all waiting to watch the fireworks go off! -

Ami was blasted back by a psychic wave from the evil self's palm. Raku's fists shook as his rage turned to create a web above his head.

~As spiders are, they are relentless...Why the worry? Did I take something precious from that witch? ~ The jerk yawned as Ami looked gain to see a black cloaked figure walking by her leg.

~Spiders, bats...What are you trying to do? I have a mission I'd like to -

~Tell the godless strix to face my army, herself!~ Cici let her webs wickedly twist and bind down the void to rip it apart at the very seams.

The bubble around them burst, as Ami and Raku had been set free from one wasteland to stand before another of greater purpose.

/