(BGM: Persona 4 – Who's There?)
Kairi…
The redhead blinked. This was the twelfth time today she heard the strange voice…
It had been six months (Radiant Garden time) since the destruction of the First World's remains, and the sundering of the bond between her and the enigmatic Zero.
I hope Alicia's ok…we haven't had the time to go see her…
While Zero's plan to draw out the Rampant Goddess worked, the destruction left behind was a bit greater than they'd expected. His strange summons, both the "ADR" creatures and the "Mugan" as Fay called them did a great deal of combat against the Genma. But still…there were casualties, and a fair bit of property damage. Nothing that couldn't be rebuilt, but the loss of life was a tad more than they'd wished.
For the past week, Kairi would hear a strange female voice call her name on occasion. She couldn't place it, and it always showed up at inopportune moments.
Kairi…
Like now. The sudden appearance of the voice caused her to make a misstep and she walked through a wall.
Wait…through?!
The girl looked at her surroundings…she was on one of the strange platforms of stained glass. She examined this one, and it had an image of a nude black haired fair skinned girl knelt in prayer. Her hair covered anything important, but behind her was the symbol of Chaos.
"Who is-
Kairi…you finally came.
"What?"
A glowing flame appeared before her. Its violet radiance nearly blinding the redhead.
You have wasted too much time Kairi…
"Wasted time? What are you talking about?!"
He's waiting for you…all of you…
"Who…!"
She felt it. A strange feeling in her chest. This…this is…!
You feel it don't you? The light of His soul…
"He's…alive?"
He never died. I can say no more…for it is His story to tell…gather the ones his light touched.
"Everyone?"
Every single one. It is imperative that not one is left behind.
"But…the town-
This…is far greater than the needs of a single world. This effects the Fate of ALL worlds.
"…alright. I'll go."
Good…hurry Kairi…your chance to see him is running out…
The Thirteenth Order
Ascension
(BGM: Okami – Giving Kushinada a Ride)
With a loud BOOM, the engines of the newly remade Shiki, fired up as the ship launched itself from the Radiant Garden.
Hang on…we're coming…
Wonderland…
"Ahh…this is the life Fred…"
"Tell me about it. No rampant Queens…no Genma…a Dee could get used to this."
Suddenly there was a loud boom. The bikini clad Queen Alice leapt from her position on the beach of the Lake of Rage as they called it.
"What the bloody hell was that?"
"Language Alice."
"HEY! ALICE!"
She looked up and saw a GIGANTIC black gummy ship hovering overhead.
"Holy Shit…"
"Now who's swearin' Fred?"
"GET ON!"
"Sure…HOW?!"
A beam of light was her answer as she felt her body become lighter than air. Her molecules were shuffled around as the Transporter did its duty.
Minutes later, the Shiki took off with another loud BOOM.
Spira…
A loud noise surprised the villagers of Besaid. Many of them stepped out of their homes to find out what the source was, only to gasp as a giant black ship appeared in their view.
"Holy crap!" Tidus squinted at the vessel, whistling in amazement. As Yuna, Rikku and Paine all gathered next to him, a wave of light washed over them and they were transported to the Shiki.
"WAKKA! KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS HERE FOR THEM WILL YOU!? WE GOTTA GET GOING!"
Before the baby carrying ex-guardian could answer, the ship blasted off again.
"Well geez ya? Could give a brudda a warnin before ya just up and leave like that ya?"
Devil Never Cry Office Building…
Kyrie, Lady and Trish were all gabbing away about stuff that girls do. Dante and Nero were having an arm wrestle while Vergil sat on a nearby recliner, absorbed in an interesting book.
Trish, being originally a Demon given the form of the Sparda Twins' mother, snapped her head to the side a full half minute before the telltale booming sound of Dimensional Barriers being temporarily broken, shook the building.
Immediately, Dante and Lady became enveloped in a swirl of emerald green particles before vanishing in front of the other's eyes. Trish jumped to her feet, gently pulling Kyrie with her. Vergil stood, Yamato in hand while Nero looked on puzzlingly. Without saying a word, Vergil had placed his hand on Nero's shoulder.
"What are-
Nero was cut off by a sense of vertigo as his world turned black. A few moments of the unusual sensation and his eyes opened to see the inside of a strange ship, in the middle of a room filled with people.
Vergil spoke quickly. "Many apologies…but I surmise you are going to see the one who fought the incarnation of Fate…we, would like to accompany you."
Riku blinked. "Uhh…sure?" He gave an uncertain look to Kairi. She simply nodded.
"Punch it Nami, we've still got to pick up the Princess."
Valhalla…
It was strange. Not long after the Original was finally put to rest, Alicia's body became a pillar of light. When the pillar receded, two were standing where once there was one. The True Valkyrie was now freed from within Alicia's body. Alicia herself, while saddened at the loss of Valkyrie's presence in her mind, was strengthened with resolve to become far stronger under her own strength.
Unknown to anyone, time had become unified for all worlds under the Rule of the Universal Being. The six months that passed for Kairi and the others, had passed for everyone.
Alicia however, was no older than she was when she was returned to the Universe, for though her origin was Midgard, her Reincarnation was due to the use of the Seal of Creation, which placed her within a body outside of the flow of time. As such, she did not age as long as she called no world her true home…and with the erasing of not only her once growing love Rufus, but also the assumed death of her love Zero, she called no world her home, though her place of residence was the Realm of the Gods within Valhalla.
The time of Ragnarok was still far off from now, and the realm of Midgard was for once, in a collective state of Peace. As such, Alicia had taken up the time to train with her Valkyrie Sisters, her learned skills from Zero slowly granting her victories as she grew used to the fighting styles of the Sisters. The only one that could match her was Valkyrie herself, who was 'born' from her body's template, aged and formed as a Perfect Being, inheriting all of Alicia's Knowledge and Skills.
But even then the former Princess was beginning to gain ground.
The Einherjar feared Alicia, calling her the Dark Valkyrie, a title once held by Hrist. As it was, due to her continued exposure to the power of Destruction radiating off of Zero, along with the constant subconscious reminders of how alone she was in this universe, her personality had taken a bit of a downturn. While not horridly quick to anger, some had to learn to mind their words around her, lest they find themselves challenged to a duel, and summarily beaten to a pulp. Yes, the honor instilled within her not only as a princess, but by being reincarnated through the love and memory of Zero himself, did not allow her to simply strike out at someone who had angered her. No she beat them down in an honorable match, further increasing her reputation as a True Warrior.
It was one of the many days where she simply sat to the side of Odin, silently contemplating the events of her second life, a morose look on her face, did she hear a voice.
It is time…dear princess…
"What?"
She looked around confused. The four Valkyrie looked at their pseudo-sibling in worry.
"Alicia? What's wrong?"
"I…heard a voice…"
It was then that the doors to the great Hall slammed open and the sound of rushing feet rang through.
"ALICIA!"
The black-streaked-blonde stood immediately.
"Kairi?"
"Alicia come on, we have to go!"
The not-princess sputtered confused.
"W-what are you talking about?"
"He's alive! We have to go NOW!"
It didn't take much thought to understand what the redhead was getting at. She jumped from her position, appearing in a flicker of motion next to Kairi. Seconds after, the three sisters and true Valkyrie ran up behind her, Freya trailing them.
"We are coming as well."
Freya began to protest but was silenced by Odin. "This world needs not their services at the moment. I am in mental contact with you Freya, so I ask you accompany them."
"As you wish…Lord Odin."
Unknown Space…
"Alright Kairi, where now?"
"…I…I don't know. The voice only said to gather everyone…it didn't say anything else…DAMMIT! Of all the times…"
Alicia's eyes narrowed…when suddenly the entire room grew dark.
(BGM: Chrono Cross – Tower of Stars)
They all heard it…the sound of bells tolling. The gonging rings of giant bells swinging back and forth. Darkness covered their surroundings, as if they were standing in a dimly lit corridor.
A girl appeared. She looked to be no older than eight. Clad in a red sweater and a dark murky brown skirt, the barefoot black haired girl strode forward from her position in front of the surprised Leon. Suddenly, like a bad television image, her form flickered and blurred, until a taller, older, completely naked girl stood before them. She continued the slow, almost torturous pace the young child began…before flickering as well, turning back into the child.
For a few moments, with each few steps, the presence would flicker between forms…before stopping on the child. The child lifted her head, and though her hair covered her eyes, she offered a brilliant smile to Kairi, before turning around and flickering again.
The new form seemed to be in between the two. She still looked young, younger than the much older, almost adult form, but still nude. Her hair reached the floor, framing her face, and hiding her intimate areas. She gave a soft smile and spread open her arms, appearing to take a deep breath as she did so.
Moments later, six glowing orbs of light shot from her chest and spiraled around her. After three revolutions the ring of color stopped, and the large group could see her figure illuminated by the multiple colors. The orbs hovered around her, one in red, one in blue, one in yellow, one in green, one in black and one in white. She raised her right arm gently and the six orbs began slowly revolving around her again. She turned, flinging her arm to just behind her, pointing at the space beyond the cockpit. The orbs immediately rocketed away from her, flying through the glass as if it weren't even there, slamming into an invisible wall and stopping. Faint lines of energy connected the orbs, forming a six pointed star, before they began to rotate, forming a massive glowing multicolored gateway.
The room returned to its normal light, and as it did so, the girl turned to Alicia. As her form faded her mouth moved, but no words came.
None…that any save for Alicia could hear.
"Take care of him for me…"
After a harrowing experience where for a while, they feared their ship was going to be attacked, they found themselves confronted with a small group of teenagers…two boys, and two girls.
(BGM: Chrono Cross – Optimism)
The first girl was clad in a simple light orange t-shirt that clashed horribly with her bright pink hair, which was arranged in a ponytail. A pair of black jeans and a pair of sandals adorning her feet completed her outfit. Brilliant blue eyes appraised the group, as unbeknownst to them, she wondered why her and her friends were sent to escort and if needed defend these people, especially considering most of them had visible weapons.
The second girl had long violet hair, also in a ponytail, only hers had much smaller bangs framing her face than the first. She wore a light blue tank-top and a pair of arm-bands of a light gold color. She had very faint violet eyes that quickly roamed over the group, assessing their skills. Her left hand nervously fingered her skirt however, showing that like her accomplices, she was uncertain about the task afforded to them.
Then came the boys. One was blue haired, spiked upward, wearing a dark blue long-T with dark blue jeans. A pair of nunchaku were attached to his belt, a basketball tucked under his left arm.
The other was the epitome of dark. Black everything from a black long-coat, to black boots and black pants, black shirt, black, black, black. His hair was black, hell some of the group guessed even his eyes were black, which they couldn't tell considering he was wearing, you guessed it, black sunglasses. Unknown to them, he had what some girls called the most beautiful green eyes they'd ever seen.
"So…these are the guys?"
"Sure is a lot of them."
"She wished it done, and that wish is in Sensei's favor."
"Still…they don't look like they need protecting. Escorting maybe but protecting?"
"That one dude has an epic looking sword."
"…his sword, though 'epic' as you put it, doesn't have that which the other one does. THAT one looks like it's got a damn motor in it. I would think that would out epic the other."
"Wait what? Where?!"
The pink haired girl shook her head. "Ugh…boys…"
"As fun as it is to watch you two banter, we do have guests. And we also have a job to complete."
The two responded in unison. "Sorry princess."
The violet haired girl rolled her eyes at the response and gave a small bow towards the group.
"My apologies. I am Princess Schala Zeal, elemental of Time and Heir to the Throne of the kingdom of Zeal."
The pink haired girl gave a small bow as well. "My name is Claris Sinclair, elemental of Light and…well…"
"Best friggin singer in all of Twin Seeds!"
"Shut up Elliot I am NOT!"
"Sorry…but I would have to agree with the loudmouth. I've heard you out-sing even some of the local pop-stars."
The pink haired girl simply flushed and 'hmph'ed. The blue haired teen that seemed to embarrass her spoke next.
"Elliot Edwards, dual wind/water user and best damn B-ball player in the city."
"…until Sensei gets tired of loosing and Shunpo's out a victory."
"Yeah well that's cause he cheats!"
Schala shook her head. "It's not cheating. If you were using it he wouldn't call it cheating. It's not his fault you haven't mastered it."
"Also note I said 'shunpo' and not 'Shukuchi.' If he were using Shukuchi you wouldn't stand a chance."
"FINE! Fine outside of speed boosts."
"That is acceptable."
"Fine, go and introduce yourself o king of Emo!"
"Might I remind you I am NOT Uchiha Sasuke."
"…shut up."
"I am Koji Miyamoto. I am of the element of Darkness."
"And he also has intense eyes."
"…I am not even going to bother."
Schala spoke up again. "We're Sensei's best students. Someone…I think her name was Fay, asked us to meet, escort and protect you on the way to him."
"Still don't know it's them Kidd."
"How many times have I told you not to call me that?! Besides…she said, and I quote: 'The group will have a Dog-man, a duck-man, a couple mouse people, a dude in a red coat with white hair and a big sword, a blonde who frequently wears so little she may as walk around naked, and a Waddle Dee.' And since I see all of the above, Dee included, it's obvious they're the ones we're looking for."
Alicia spoke. "Where are we?"
"Twin Seeds' Airport. We've been charged with taking you to the Castle of Eternal Dreams to see Sensei. Since the only gateway directly to the island the castle is on is through the Tower, we can show you a bit of the city on the way…"
The group found themselves in a strange void.
"…ok why are we here? We shouldn't be here unless…"
Suddenly, a group of Heartless, accompanied by strange creatures with pink cords coming out of them appeared.
"Ok, the shadow demons I can understand…but why are ADR's attacking us?!"
"Perhaps Sensei lost control of them?"
"No…they have his seal on them. Shit, don't tell me he's testing us now of all times?!"
"What better time is there? Even the strange girl-woman said we were to protect this group from harm, perhaps she planned this."
A glowing light appeared in Claris' hands. The light formed into a small sword and a shield.
"It doesn't matter, we've got a job to do, and a rep to keep up! We'll kick their asses and cut through!"
"Damn right baby!" Elliot got into a fighting stance.
(BGM: Tales of Vesperia – Fury Sparks (BEST GODDAMN BATTLE THEME IN THE GAME!))
A sickly black glow appeared in Kouji's hands and a demonic looking scythe materialized. In Schala's hands formed a glowing violet spear. She turned to the group.
"I've no doubt you can defend yourselves, hell together you'd probably wipe these things out before we can…but our job is to keep you all from harm. Why we were tasked with that I can't say, but dammit we'll do it."
A sudden yell stopped her from continuing.
"CURLEH MUSTASH!"
BOOM
A heavy impact sounded through as Elliot slammed a wind charged fist into the gut of a Knight.
Kouji paused. "Did he just say…"
Schala sighed. "Yes…yes he did."
"We have GOT to stop Sensei from teaching him any more absurd battle cries."
Another yell, this time of "WHERE YO CURLEH MUSTASH AT?!" caused them to sigh again before Claris back-flipped out of the way of a Pendulum Feet's whirling blades.
"Damn, I know I'm hot but you don't need to let your head spin…Raijinken!"
The pink haired girl lunged forward with a stabbing thrust, electricity covering her blade. She followed it up by twirling on her left heel and lunging again for a Fuuraijinken, a stab that channeled not just electricity, but wind energy into the strike as well. The ghost looking ADR flinched as the volts rushed through its body, only to fall prey to a Senkuushoureppa where the girl spiraled into the air with her blade extended, repeatedly slicing into the target before landing with a falling thrust, reducing the ADR to pink liquid that quickly vanished.
Kouji was making very large sweeping motions with his scythe, waves of dark energy accompanying each swing. Hoards of Heartless and ADRs fell with each movement, each calculated maneuver, executed to perfection. As a group attempted to attack him from behind, he faded into shadow and appeared next to Alice.
"Come forth o avaricious netherworld and crush the evil before me!" Energy swirled around his body.
"NEGATIVE GATE!"
A massive orb of dark power erupted into being. The orb seemed to suck in everything in its radius before collapsing upon itself…and then detonating in an impressive blast of dark energy.
Sora whistled. "Damn, look at those guys go!"
Kairi nodded. "Amazing…do you think they were trained by him?"
Alicia piped up. "Definitely…they have his movements…his style…and his penchant for bad puns."
"…Oh that is IT! YOU RUINED MY FAVORITE TOP YOU LITTLE SHITBAGS!"
"Uh oh…the princess is Royally Pissed now!"
"…Elliot…what is it with you and bad puns?"
Schala began glowing violently as her body raised up into the air.
"Damn…is it time for those already? Alright then…"
Claris' body suddenly shined a brilliant white.
"KAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
She raised her sword to the heavens, three silvery strands of energy spiraling down from the sky to engulf her blade in a radiant brilliance of power.
"KOURYUU…"
She pulled her sword arm back, the world pausing for a moment as a faint image of her smiling face appeared in everyone's minds.
"METSUGASHOU!" Thrusting her arm forward, she launched the light forward, the energy taking the form of three spiraling dragon-headed energy streams that engulfed the massive group of Heartless and ADR's before her.
"HOLY SHIT!"
Alicia smirked at Dante. "Quite literally, at least the holy part. There was Light energy permeating every inch of that move."
Kouji appeared in the center of another group.
"Come to me…"
Dark energy swirled around his body.
"…I summon…"
He raised his fist where a massive orb of darkness had formed.
"ETERNAL PENANCE!"
He slammed his fist into the ground, from which a massive glyph of Destruction formed, before a pillar of black erupted, engulfing and destroying everything it touched.
Vergil nodded. "Simple…yet very effective."
Rikku squealed. "Ooooh…he's sexy."
Many people just looked at her and blinked.
Elliot flipped over the swing of a knight, deftly evading its claws, and positioning himself in the center of a large group of monsters. The blue haired teen smirked as he waved his hands towards the ground.
"Hope you don't mind a little cold…"
His body flared an icy blue before what looked like ripples of water wafted from his feet. The blue rings stopped just outside the group of moving monstrosities, a small rumbling engulfing the area.
"CRYSTAL GLACIER!"
He rose his arms over his head then brought them down. Milliseconds after the motion was completed, a series of massive lances of ice shot from the ground, tearing into the creatures and reducing them to nothing in seconds…
"Almost like Million Carats! That kid has style!"
Trish commented. "And he didn't even use a devils arm…interesting…"
Finally, it was Schala's turn. The entire time she was building energy. The world they were in seemed to distort.
"It all starts…and it all ends with this…"
The area changed to show a spiraling wall of stars.
"This…is how the world began…and this…is its end…"
A glowing light began shining in the center of the spiral.
"Collapse…"
The light grew blinding as strands of energy shot from its center, the collective becoming horridly unstable.
"Big Bang…"
In a massive wave of light, the simulated universe exploded, the force shredding every single remaining monster.
"…fuck…me!"
"Can…can that really happen? DID that happen?"
"She claimed to be mistress of Time…the universe's memory of how it began…condensed into an attack…what a frightening opponent…"
The world returned to its original appearance.
"Everyone alright?" Claris asked. She was holding a panting Schala. Kairi stepped forward and was about to speak for the group when suddenly her head pulsed.
"Ugh…"
(BGM: Persona 4 – Borderline of Madness)
There was a shattering noise as a black clad figure shot from a hole created in the worlds.
"Whoa! That's not normal!"
The figure slammed into the 'ground' and skidded close to the group, groaning.
The pounding in Kairi's head grew stronger. This is…it has to be…
The figure slowly got to its knees. It was then that the group slowly began to realize just who was in front of them.
"Ze…ro?"
Suddenly, in a blur of motion, another being appeared. This one holding a wicked looking double ended spear, with an almost insane look on his face. Blinding yellow hair reflected the dim light of the area as his grey cloak fluttered from the movement.
"ZERO!"
The young warrior simply looked up at his attacker…and sighed. And with a loud squelching noise…the spear was sticking out of his back…coated in his life.
I'm not going to win.
I can't win. For once…victory cannot be grasped.
It is impossible.
I have denied it. I have ascended above it…but I am still mortal.
I can weaken him. Hell I probably COULD beat him…if I wasn't stuck in this mortal body.
The final test. The last thing I have to do…and I failed. I failed because I face an opponent that as I am, cannot be beaten, even boosted by this world's strange mechanics, even strengthened by the place I always believed was my true home.
The difference is simple. He is immortal…and I am not. All it takes is a brief moment and then he's recovered…while with me…as deep as my reserves go…they have reached their end.
This is an impossible battle. His classification as "Divinity" allows him access to abilities that either would have a time limit for me, or would cost me far more than him. As Divinity he can simply pause for a second, and the world, no matter what, would respond to his will and refresh him. The longer the pause, the more is returned…
I understand now…I am not meant to win this battle…Zero Shinzaki cannot win the fight against Mortality…
I'm sorry Alicia…everyone…I wanted to see you all again…to show you my students…my home…
But now…maybe…I'll be with Miranda…finally…
His body burst into particles. Horrified looks on the faces of all present.
"Sen…sei?"
Schala was frozen in terror…before that terror gave way to anger. Within seconds her energy had flared around her, the Deity of Time shuddering as she drew forth more and more Temporal energy to her body.
"You son of a bitch."
It was then…that it happened.
For so long…her darkness had been filtered between points. Negative feelings would barely be registered by her mind, those emotions energies transferred to her Nobody, and her Love respectively. And then she met him. And slowly but surely, the flow of darkness began to stream towards him as well. But then he unleashed it all in Wonderland…and being so close to the darkness…calling the name of her inner Nobody, summoning her power to access the darkest part of the universe to save herself, and her friends…it changed her.
She never realized it. None of them did. Her inner darkness now given form as Naminé, the Nobody born both of her and Sora…that pathway had closed. After Roxas had returned, the pathway to Sora had closed as well. After that, she had been left with one. It halted when she thought him dead after the battle against Fate…started when she learned of his survival…
But now…it had completely stopped.
Everything came back to her…her mind flashing through the memories of everything that went wrong…
All of it…because of them. The so called "Deities" of this universe. Vastly powerful immortal beings governing the essences of existence. They took her home…her family…her friends…and now…they took him.
The pounding in her head finally stopped…
Everyone drew their weapons, ready to avenge their fallen ally.
All she did was blink…
And everything changed.
(BGM: Persona 4 – I'll Face Myself –battle-)
Everyone looked around confused.
"Alright where the HELL is this music coming from?!"
And then they felt it. A massive wave of dark energy ripping from Kairi's body.
They saw the redhead slowly lift her head…and in a split second the once smiling God of Mortality was engulfed in a black flame, a roar of agony ripping from his throat.
Their momentary distraction made by the burning Deity allowed the transformation to take place. When they turned back to her…Kairi was now engulfed in wisps of black smoke. Her hair had turned black as night, her outfit now transformed into an open black cloak revealing her body for all to see…if not for a pair of black undergarments that left very little to the imagination. Her skin seemed to pale considerably, her body giving an unearthly black glow.
And then…something strange happened. She strolled forward, hair covering her eyes. She seemed to stretch before speaking…but that was when the unusual stuff started.
A 'window' appeared…and in it, text as she spoke, an image of her face inside a small blue circle.
"I am…a Shadow…the True Self. You…who have stolen my love…face the power of Destruction."
Alicia blinked. "Wait…LOVE?!"
But she would get no answer. A wall of black seemed to appear in front of their eyes as the black mist seemed to grow stronger.
Omnipotence
She seemed to stretch, and a wall of multicolored light surrounded her for a few moments. Another "window" appeared, this time saying the following:
All stats WAY up!
Elemental resistance greatly increased!
Status Effect resistance greatly increased!
Critical hit rate WAY up!
Gained MP Regen Effect!
Gained HP Regen Effect!
Gained Auto Life Effect!
"FFFFFUUUKKIN WOOOORD!"
Everyone turned to Elliot, who looked like he was about to crap himself in excitement.
"She just Fuckin GOD HAX'D! Did you SEE that?! Shit I wish I could see the stats!"
Almost as if answering his request, another box appeared.
Anti-Kairi:
HP: 9999
MP: 9999
ATK:?
DEF:?
MAG:?
SPD:?
LUK:?
Fire: Null
Water: Null
Ice: Null
Earth: Null
Wind: Null
Lightning: Null
Nature: Null
Dark: Absorb
Light: Absorb
"SWEEEEEEEET!"
Amaterasu
The dark version of Kairi blinked at the now recovered Deity, who quickly jumped out of the way as a pillar of black flame shot from the ground where he stood.
Impossible…this mortal…this GIRL has tapped the powers of the Gods! How…how can this BE?!
He ran at her, vanishing from view.
"Pathetic…"
She pivoted on her heel and everyone heard a loud BOOM as he literally ran into her foot.
H-how?!
Demon's Lance
She flipped backward, a raspy sounding breath emerging from her throat as a massive spear of dark energy shot from the sky and slammed into the Deity.
Violent Pain
She gestured and six curving walls of darkness emerged from the small puddle of black beneath Mortality's feet from the Lance slammed into him.
Thunder Blade
A massive sword of electricity crashed into the ground. A loud whirring noise like the sound of a powerful generator being activated rang through the area as a dome of energy seemed to be sucked into the impact point…before exploding in a wave of violet lightning.
Another window appeared.
"You call yourself Divinity…how…how is it a worthless creature like you could defeat my love?"
He slowly got up.
"Ahh…I see now…it isn't you who defeated him…simply your status. Very well. I understand what must be done."
The window vanished. Black and red mist began surrounding her body.
Ultimate Technique:
A black keyblade appeared in her hand.
"Wait that's the thing Ansem's heartless used against me when he took over Riku's body!"
She vanished from view. Suddenly, Mortality lurched forward, impaled on Kairi's keyblade. She finally lifted her head for all to see. Glowing red eyes with three strange looking comma marks stared back.
Kaleidoscope: Copy Wheel Eye
She ripped the keyblade to the side, creating a wicked gash in the God's chest before spinning on her heel and swinging downward, the keyblade suddenly awash in black flame. Mortality stumbled backwards.
She flickered again, appearing in his face with her right leg pulled back. She slammed it into the side of his face, knocking him over and forcing his body off the ground from the strength of the blow. Before he could finish falling though, she quickly followed up with a twirl followed by a second lash from her right leg, knocking him upward slightly, where she hopped off her left foot and spun, slashing three times into his body before landing behind him. Immediately upon touching the ground she whirled right around and launched a crescent shaped wave of energy at Mortality's falling form. Flung away by the attack, Mortality was stunned at how much power this girl, who's natural state was nowhere NEAR the power of the one he'd just slain, was putting out.
Kitetsu
Kairi banished the keyblade. She flung her right hand to the side and seemed to grip something. A second later, in a wave of darkness, a gleaming katana appeared. She flipped it around her wrist a few times before letting it lift into the air slightly, where she crossed her hands by the hilt…and split the sword into itself…and a glowing red phantom version of it.
Immediately she began her assault.
She slashed downward with her left blade, followed by a diagonal-down right to left slash with the right blade, which was echoed by a diagonal-down left to right, creating a glowing K in the air for a brief moment.
K
She then rose both blades over he head and crossed them, slashing down along both sides of Mortality, before bringing them together and doing a spin slash horizontally.
A
She followed that with a horizontal slash with the right blade, a straight vertical slash with the left, and another with the right.
I
A vertical slash with the left, followed by a stab with the right. From the stab, she seemed to carve a half circle in Mortality before slashing out diagonally and down to the right.
R
She ended the combo by slashing to the left with her left blade and to the right with her right, before bringing them together and swinging them both down.
I
"Can someone tell me why she just carved her name into that guy?"
Elliot practically growled at Cloud. "SHHHHH! She's not done yet!"
The letters seemed to hover in the air for a moment, before splitting up and forming a five pointed star.
K.A.I.R.I. Murderous Princess
She jammed her blade into the center of the star, causing it to collapse as the five letters of her name spiraled into the point of the blade, before releasing a massive beam of black and red energy.
The black and red light grew blinding and covered the sight of everyone around…
Mortality slowly got to his feet. The grey haired man stumbled for a moment, completely overwhelmed by the assault of Kairi's Inner Darkness.
Impossible…simply impossible! How?! How is it these mortals can force us to the point of no return? How is it that they can cause such damage to our divine forms that we must actually FOCUS to regenerate it?
…it must be his influence. I knew his presence had been in this universe for far too long! Mortals should not have this kind of power! To reduce me to such a state…inconceivable! I have rid this world of his taint…and now I shall do the same upon these fools!
"I know what you're thinking."
Everyone looked at Anti-Kairi.
"You think that you can stand against us. You think that your classification as 'divine' makes you somehow special. Well, you are wrong. There is one being who is truly worthy of the title special. And you are NOT it."
"Silence yourself Mortal!"
"Mortal? You fool. I am one of Seven Keys of this Sector."
"Wh-what?! Impossible! You can't-
"Poor misguided fool. And you claim to be lord of Mortality…how pathetic. You cannot defeat me, for I am far more important than you. There can always be another Lord of Mortality…but there can only be one incarnation of a Key."
"The Seven Divine Maidens…chosen by the Great Mother herself…to wield her power…"
"Pity how it is not my destiny to destroy you here…I would much gratefully enjoy ripping you limb from limb…"
"Wait…Explain yourself!"
"There is no need…the answer is just about…here."
(BGM: Wild Arms Advanced 3rd – The beginning of the End)
A brilliant light shone from between Kairi and Mortality. The sphere seemed to grow for a few moments, before suddenly vanishing. Seconds after the sudden disappearance of the glowing light, smaller particles of light seemed to shoot towards its source, gathering together, and slowly grafting themselves onto a singular point.
The multicolored glow took the form of a human…
"I bid thee welcome…O Lord of Dreams."
"WHAT?!"
The glow solidified.
"ZERO?!"
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
Silent as a ghost…the form of Zero Shinzaki stood.
"No…you cannot be the Lord of Dreams…I will not permit it!"
Mortality glared heavily at the revived form of his once hated subject, charging at near blinding speeds…directly into a wall of Earth that seemed to appear from nowhere.
"What?!"
Particles of light were still grafting themselves to Zero…his return not yet complete. Mortality charged again, this time taking to the air...only to be slammed to the side by a massive vine that seemed to grow from a small green distortion next to the still forming Zero.
"How?! There was no incantation, no movement!"
He launched his spear, watching as a dome of Light suddenly blocked it, gazing in shock as a literal hand of Water grasped it, and a wall of Wind smash into it, sending it rocketing through Mortality's chest, forcing him to cough up a small puddle of blood…which then seemed to ripple as small lances of blood red Ice raced from the small splatters and jammed themselves into his form.
"Interesting…This world itself is responding to his will…it strikes out against you to protect its Lord…who hasn't even finished being 'born'…"
"The…lord…of Dreams…How?"
"He has always considered this world his home…preferring the land of sleep to the realm of the living…tell me…how long has it been since this world had a Lord?"
"Over…five…no…"
"Yes…lady Yume, the original Lady of Dreams left, and returned to the Cycle of Souls to be reborn as a Mortal, as was dictated by the Great Mother herself. She left five hundred years ago…in anticipation for his appointment as Lord of Dreams. Your foolish actions…your stupid adherence to a rule that doesn't even EXIST, caused untold damage to the Universe, and to this, one of the Three Core Worlds!"
"See?! I TOLD you He made me do it! It was all His idea!"
Everyone, save for the still forming Zero, turned to the new arrival. Six females were at the edge of the group, watching the events.
"Alright Clo, we get it. We're sorry we didn't believe you. But you still-
"I KNOW what I did alright? I also know I tried to fix it. And now, things are finally going the way they should have been."
"Well…if it isn't Lady Death, Lady Destruction, Lady Creation…and the three Sisters of Fate…"
Death was confused by the speaker. She blinked and then whirled her head to Destruction, her white hair almost slapping Lachesis in the face. "You never told me Kairi was an Enlightened."
"I…never knew…I knew she was a Key but and Enlightened as well?"
"Kairi…is not. I…am her inner darkness…echoing the will of the Great Mother…Formed of Her knowledge…and His as well…"
It was at this point, a wave of light washed over the group.
"It is time…"
Zero was finally complete. Streams of energy seemed to waft off of his reformed body. Seven glowing orbs of light materialized around him.
"WAIT SEVEN?!"
The group looked at Claris. "But…but…SEVEN?! I thought there were only FIVE!"
Schala was equally shocked. "I thought there were six…"
Creation giggled. "It's always been seven…it's just that most people only exhibit the true qualities of the first five. Some, manage six…but someone with all seven hasn't been seen in half a millennium…"
Sora spoke up. "'scuse me but…a little explanation here?"
"Those seven orbs represent the Virtues of all Sentient beings…in their purest form. The Yellow orb represents Hope. The Red represents Courage, the power to take one's fears and face them with a calm mind, and a burning resolve. The Green one represents Wisdom, the ability to predict, to analyze and to perceive. Blue is Intelligence, the knowledge of events, the skills to utilize said knowledge, and the ability to act multiple tasks at once. Black is Desire…true desire in its rarest form. Not want of a material thing…but Desire beyond known limits. This is one of the rarest of the seven. White is Purity. Purity of mind, body, soul or will. Just because its alignment is Light, doesn't mean it cannot mean Purity of Hatred either. It is pure, untouched."
She smiled.
"And the last…is Comprehension. Understanding of oneself, the world around one…the Universe around one. This is the rarest of all, only seen in very, VERY special souls. It takes a vast amount of Comprehension before this one appears…let alone glows as brightly as it does for him. It is the ability to believe, the ability to feel to be. To have it, means you are able to take the pain of others, their TRUE pain, upon yourself, and equate yourself to it. To be able to see what they are going through, to know how they feel. Such things must be Instinct before one is granted this Light."
Alicia quietly smiled.
"Each orb not only represents an aspect of the Soul, but also has ties to an element. Yellow has ties to Earth and Lightning, Red has ties to Fire and Magma, Green has ties to Wind and Nature, Blue has ties to Water and Ice, Black has ties to Darkness, Shadow, Gravity and is overall the sign of Destruction. And White is connected to Light, and is the sign of those who favor Creation."
Kyrie was the one to ask what was on everyone's minds. "Umm…what is the seventh then?"
"Chaos."
Everyone that wasn't a Deity blinked at that. Clotho sighed. "Stop being over-dramatic Kairi…She means 'Chaos' as a Force. The compilation of all other elements, the fusion of Destruction and Creation. Water and Earth make Darkness, which is the sign of Destruction. Wind and Fire make Light, which is the sign of Creation…yet…it's Earth and Water, with a bit of Fire mixed in that hold the keys to Creating life…while ALL of them hold the keys to Ending life. Which is why the seventh is Silver most of the time…but when it's in action, it glows like a Prism, reflecting all the colors."
Kairi had no retort…for she was now hanging (almost literally) off of Zero's shoulders.
"My dear Zero…you've become even more handsome than before…"
Zero blinked and raised an eyebrow. Kairi giggled. "I've not much time left my dear, her reserves of Dark Energy are depleting rather quickly…it's a pity...but…Sora will always be my true love…despite my feelings for you."
That got both eyebrows raised. Now Zero was confused. Kairi giggled again. "Don't you worry about it. Now…the Great Mother has asked me bid you something…useful…it seems your good friend Mortality has overstepped his boundaries…and needs to be taught a lesson."
Zero nodded.
"I have been asked to do something on behalf of the Great Mother…your favorite Goddess, Tiamat."
As if they could rise any higher, Zero showed genuine surprise.
"Come my dear…these Ideya aren't just for show you know…it is the will of the Great Mother…and this World."
"NO! No being can be allowed two designations! This is a rule set by the Great Mother herself!"
"And Goddess Lady Tiamat is temporarily revoking this rule to teach you, ALL of you, a lesson!" She placed her hands on Zero's chest almost lovingly. Alicia simply sighed and rolled her eyes as Kairi got a little too close for just a friend.
"I swear, what is it about him that makes other girls kiss him even though he's mine?"
Naminé was the one to answer that. "He's just that sexy I guess." Clotho giggled. "More like Kissing is the way mortals show affection when they feel close to one another…well, most of the time. Best way to unleash a shitton of power? Go make out."
A massive wave of light erupted from Zero's body. Kairi began floating back towards Sora as she spoke.
"By will of the Great Mother, I bid thee this form. Henceforth, in this form you shall be granted the title God Slayer, and shall be known Circle of Xen! Go Forth my love, and purify this wayward God!"
There was a blinding flare of light.
When the light cleared, they saw a giant multicolored object fire rays of light at Mortality from behind him. The wayward deity screamed in agony as his
existence was reduced to nothing.
"…well that was anti-climactic."
Even Clotho frowned. "Strange…I could have sworn I saw something completely awesome about to happen just before he ascended…"
As the particles of the wayward Deity of Mortality faded, Alicia stepped forward. "I know why."
In a flicker of…something, Zero's ascended form floated before them.
His skin had turned a deep brown, almost pitch black. Glowing silver eyes shone brightly within the dark portals that were his eye sockets. Brilliantly glowing white hair flowed behind him, riding the faintly visible currents of energy swirling around him. He wore a flowing tattered gray robe, illuminated by the multicolored glow of the seven glowing Ideya that surrounded his body.
He stayed silent, doing naught more than floating in place, feet barely touching the 'ground' beneath them.
"You understand don't you? You really do understand me…"
No response.
"You don't have to say anything. I know you do…I can't pass up this chance. You understand that…right?"
A very very slight nod.
Alicia smiled. "Good…I'd hate to do this without you understanding why…it just wouldn't be right."
Everyone else was confused.
"Alicia…what's going on?"
Their response, was Zero floating backwards, and stretching. Six of the seven Ideya, Red through White, stopped revolving around him, and all floated to his back, where the orbs seemed to shatter, and then re-form into glowing swords, almost like a cape behind him.
The seventh floated to his outstretched hand…and formed into a cross tipped staff.
Alicia drew her own blade.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
Kairi screamed at the blonde. "You're gonna get yourself KILLED!"
"I'm not. I know what I'm doing. More importantly he knows what I'm doing. He wont kill me. And I know…I know I can't kill him…but I'm not trying to. I just want to see…"
She prepared herself.
"I want to see where I stand."
(BGM: Wild Arms 5 - Persephone IPCC-3927)
She vanished. Zero calmly rose his staff, blocking the suddenly appearing Alicia's swing. She flipped back and swung her blade again, only to have it repelled by his weapon. Turning with the deflection, the leg part of Beowulf appeared on her left leg as she swung her heel at the Ascended warrior. With a quick flick of his wrist, a small field of white surrounded his free hand as he deflected her foot up, forcing her off her feet.
She flung out her left hand, turning the fall into a backward handspring, before launching a lightning quick crescent wave of energy from her sword. Zero's form flickered to the side with a blurry twirl, as the crescent seemed to phase right through him.
Undeterred by her miss, as he was re-appearing she flickered from view. With a speed nobody expected, she threw a solid punch to his face, only to have the arm pushed aside by his right hand, which was now mysteriously devoid of weapon. Going with the motion she once again brought up her left leg, only to have it slammed downward. However, she surprised everyone by going with that motion as well and swinging her right foot in an overhead arc to try to crash upon Zero's skull…only to be evaded.
"Wait, is she keeping up with him?" Lenneth was impressed.
"Holy crap I think she is!"
"Looks almost like your demon form Dante."
"Almost…doesn't have my style Trish."
Lady couldn't help but quip. "You mean the fact that there actually IS style in his look?"
"Does anyone else get the feeling he's holding back?"
"Tch, obviously…she'd be dead already if he weren't…"
She bounced backward, repelled by Zero's extended arm. She flicked her left wrist around for a few seconds, silently incanting her wish. Alicia then spun her body around, releasing small orbs of light in a ring around her form. She then flung her arm downward, intoning for the orbs to scatter, and scatter they did.
Suddenly she appeared in front of Zero, blade clashing with his staff, in a block nobody saw him perform. He thrust her backward with a heavy push, the former princess flipping backward as a result of the force put into the maneuver. She landed and vanished, Zero turning to the side to block a horizontal slash, then just standing there as one of the swords from his 'cape' blocked the next, and then turning to block an overhead slash.
"Alicia'd better pick up the pace…He's blocking her too easily." Kairi was worried for her friend.
Valkyrie placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "She knows what she's doing. Just look. Doesn't that look a bit suspicious to you? She's making obvious movements…she wants him to block her."
"…I see it. Interesting plan she has set up there…she's using her movements to disguise the energy signature of the spell she cast…and is waiting for the right time to release it."
"Vergil…I didn't know you better I'd say you were impressed."
"She is interesting…for a human."
Wait for it…wait for it…
Ducking under a slash, Zero responded with a fist to her chest, knocking her away. Alicia smirked as she went flying backward.
"She got him. I don't know what she did, but she pulled it off."
Zero blinked confused as to why she was smirking…when he suddenly felt a series of energy spikes coming from around him. The world seemed to slow as a group of blue-white orbs seemed to shimmer into existence for a moment, before forming into energy lances. He blinked in surprise as they all seemed to angle towards him…
He jumped left, evading roughly half the lances, before the other half suddenly shot to where he was going to land, impaling him repeatedly.
They launched at him from above, all moving as one, leaving nary a space to avoid their charge.
Now he jumped right, dodging the first set, and then spiraling backward to avoid the next…only to have another set impale him from behind as they shot from the ground.
The projectiles grew even closer as he seemed to just stand there, not moving.
A slight series of movements allowed him to narrowly evade the impossibly fast projectiles. But then another set appeared surrounding him, causing him to leap in the air as they all shot for him at once. His aerial evasion was cut short as he was forced to flip to the side to evade a much larger lance shooting from the ground in an attempt to impale him…
The projectiles were practically right on top of him now, a wide eyed look on his face.
"NO! YOU WILL NOT TAKE HIM!"
Suddenly, the air rippled around him as his eyes widened even further, confused by the sudden voice that ripped through his mind. The lances all crashed into him, from above, from below from all around him, even as one huge one slammed into him from the ground…
"Holy crap did she get him?!"
Clotho stared. "No…just look."
What?! But how?!
They all watched intently as Zero's form seemed to fade from view…seconds before another ripple of air appeared next to where the lances had struck.
Zero stood, confused…and unharmed. Alicia swore in irritation, assured that she was going to land a strike…when he spoke.
"Hit."
Her head snapped to him in shock…and then she smiled.
"Wait…what does that mean? Why did he say that?!" Kairi was confused.
Death smirked. "It seems…even he doesn't have full control over the amount of power Tiamat gave him…something intervened and got him out of the way of that attack without him commanding it. This world must not want anything to happen to him."
"Ok…doesn't explain why he said that though."
"Foolish Cloud…don't you realize? He's acknowledging that her attack would have struck home. As lady Death said, someone must have stepped in and moved him out of the way. He's classifying that as a connected strike, due to the circumstances." Sephiroth noted.
Alicia shook her head. Damn…he's way to powerful…and he hasn't even really attacked yet!
Alright Miranda…you said you left me a gift…time to see what that gift is…
(Stop song)
Zero took a step forward…then froze.
"What the-
Claris' body was overcome in a wall of white energy. Everyone's attention snapped to her as something seemed to happen. When the light faded, she was practically floating in place, wearing a flowing white gown.
"Princess Mode? Hey, Claris, why did you-
"I didn't do anything! It happened on its own! I don't know what's-
She froze…a sudden blank look appearing on her face.
(BGM: Ar Tonelico II - METHOD-REPLEKIA)
"H-hey…Claris? Claris!"
Energy began building around her as a glowing symbol suddenly appeared beneath her feet.
Lets see…just what it is you wanted me to have…
xA harr hLYUmLYUmOrO eje/.
xA sorr kLYUvLYUr du qejyu/.
xI rre fIrIlU hIlIsUsU ayulsa dazua/.
xA harr nAtLYInO hymmnos/.
xA sorr mLYOrArA du sphaela/.
xO rre mLYOtOyOyO giz wOsLYI du giz/.
xN herr v.t. ess dazua/.
xN herr v.t. goa balduo sphaela/.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
A massive wall of energy erupted from Claris' body after she spoke the strange unintelligible words.
More unusual windows suddenly appeared. The first contained an image of Alicia, showing glowing red portions where she had taken damage, and numbers indicating the percentage of damage inflicted upon her in total. A long horizontal window was next to her, consisting of a single bar that had a small pink center slowly rising as numbers next to the bar rapidly counted upward.
It was the center window that got the Deities attention. It held but one message.
REPLEKIA ACTIVATED
xN rre hLYImLYUmOrO a.u.k. zess quesa/.
xN rre hLYUmLYUmOrO byui q.l.s. du sechel/.
xA harr nAtLYInO hymmnos/.
xA sorr mLYInLYUgO dn z.z.x./.
xA harr nAtLYInO hymmnos/.
xA rre mArArA sphaela/.
xA rre mArArA balduo ouvyu sphaela/.
xN rre hNmNmNrN ayulsa/.
xN rre hNmNmNrN ayulsa/.
xN rre hNmNmNrN ayulsa/.
xN rre hNmNmNrN ayulsa/.
BOOM
Everyone's attention was taken from the singing Claris, and the strange windows to see Alicia rocket backwards from a massive pillar of energy that shot into the sky. She landed safely only to have to roll away again as the glowing form of Zero brought his staff down upon where she stood.
As the numbers continued to rise, Alicia slowly became faster and faster, each evasion became less of a close call and more of a total miss. The swords were now extended like wings, and the staff was quickly flipped around in his hand to be held by the cross. Zero made a horizontal swing which was blocked, and then twirled and punted Alicia backward before pressing the blow and slamming his weapon down upon her; an attack she just barely defended.
xA harr hUmmOrO eje ag dazua/.
xA sorr kUvUr du qejyu dn balduo/.
xI rre cEzE fIrIlU hIlIsUsU ayulsa dazua, vega ouvyu giz sphaela/.
xA harr nAtAnO hymmnos, ut ouvyu/.
xA sorr mOrArA du daedu ag ujes/.
xO rre mLYOtOyOyO giz wOsLYI du giz/.
xA harr jOzOtO ouwua giz hymmnos/.
Alicia flung out her right hand, repelling him backward with a wall of light, only to have to flip out of the way as a pillar of stone shot from the ground where she stood seconds before. She jumped over a sweeping kick from just after Zero appeared within a ripple of air, and then gasped as she was narrowly sliced in two by a neigh invisible slash of wind that she just barely bent backward under, the razor sharp wind cutting a few strands of hair.
DAMMIT MIRANDA! THIS ISNT A FUCKING GIFT IT'S A CURSE!
Six glowing orbs of light appeared around Claris' singing form as the song continued. The orbs spiraled around her and formed one massive sphere of energy that seemed to form into a claw.
The window holding the activation notice of "Replekia" suddenly expanded.
Free Souls: 01
02
03
04
05…
xA harr hLYUmLYUmOrO eje/.
xA sorr kLYUvLYUr du qejyu/.
xI rre fIrIlU hIlIsUsU ayulsa dazua/.
xA harr nAtLYInO hymmnos/.
xA sorr mLYOrArA du sphaela/.
xA harr vIsIkI dazua/.
xA harr tAhAsA siann/.
xA harr lAkAkA maen/.
xA harr hAmmrA byui eje/.
Spears of ice suddenly formed next to Alicia. She ducked under their attempt to impale her and then twisted out of the way of a thrust from a charging Zero. She cart-wheeled to the side, evading a slash from his blade, and then flipped over a crescent wave of energy. Alicia flung out an energy charged fist, pushing a wall of light energy at the Ascended warrior, forcing him to fling his weapon to the ground, summoning a barrier of energy around him for a brief moment. He then snatched the staff up again, twirling it around. A series of sharp snaps were heard as small bolts of electricity seemed to surround the blade as he launched it at her like a spear. The princess summoned Beowulf and threw both her hands out in front of her, creating her own defensive field. The launched sword slammed into the barrier and then flipped off as the repulsing force from her defense overcame its thrust.
She dropped the shield, and then found herself rocketing back to the ground as Zero had appeared in front of her and slammed a foot to her chest.
xA rre wArAmA maen a.u.k. zess titia/.
xE rre hAkAtt nafan ouwua siann arhou/.
xA rre sEnEkk mirie, ag hEmmrA eje/.
xE rre lAnAcAaA eje/.
xA rre hLYAmLYEmLYErA sphaela/.
xA harr mLYErErA aje tafane sphaela/.
Alicia recovered in mid-air, flinging her legs upward so she would be falling at the 'ground' head first. She summoned Beowulf and made a fist. Alicia slammed into the ground, fists first, and then quickly forced herself away as a pillar of flame tried to engulf her.
Unfortunately, that evasion led her into a trap. A series of vines rocketed from the ground and wrapped themselves around her arms and legs, binding her in place. Zero had shifted to where his weapon was falling and grasped it, pulling it back as the Sword-wings fanned out before he launched forward.
Oh shit he's trying to kill me.
Her eyes widened upon that revelation…and then she slammed them shut summoning as much energy as she could.
"I KNEW IT! HE'S TRYING TO KILL HER!"
The strange window showing the bar had a number that was past three-hundred-thousand…and was still climbing rapidly. The screen showing the number of 'Free Souls' had reached fifty…and was also still rising.
"It's the song…this song is severely boosting her abilities…and has made her now a threat to his existence, and this world."
"Song magic…I thought Miranda was the last human to be able to wield it…"
"Alright…what the HELL are you two talking about?" Silmeria had gotten annoyed watching Zero try and damn near succeed to kill Alicia.
"EXEC REPLEKIA is a very very old spell. Sung in the language of Hymnos, it summons the power of the very World it's sung on to gather energy for one attack. Much like Son Goku's spirit bomb, only far stronger." Death explained.
"Its use is a very closely guarded and monitored secret. It combines the wills and powers of all those tied to the singer, or in this case, the Activator, who would be Alicia, and preps them for one very strong attack. That cannon, above Claris' head? When she's done singing, which will be VERY soon, it's going to release its energy, firing upon Alicia, which will temporarily charge her with all the power within it. One attack from a properly charged Replekia on specific worlds could wipe out a galaxy." Clotho finished.
"…holy shit."
"Yes. It's no wonder Lord Xenmaru is trying to stop the song."
xA harr hUmmOrO eje ag dazua/.
xA sorr kUvUr du qejyu dn balduo/.
xI rre cEzE fIrIlU hIlIsUsU ayulsa dazua, vega ouvyu giz sphaela/.
xA harr nAtAnO hymmnos, ut ouvyu/.
xA sorr mOrArA du daedu ag ujes/.
Her energy flared, shredding the vines holding her in place. She stepped to the side, the blade sliding through the space between her torso and her right arm, and flung her hand out, slamming an energy charged palm into Zero's chest, which stunned him, and sent him flying backward.
She pulled her arms back behind her, and cupped her hands together.
"Ka…me…"
"WAIT WHAT?! HOW THE HELL DID SHE LEARN THAT?!" Clotho exclaimed.
Lachesis wiggled her pinky inside her ear. "Damn…loud much?"
Zero recovered from the blow, noting what she was doing. He flung his arms out to his sides, sending a command to the Ideya blades behind him. They sprung to action as he slammed his wrists together in front of him. The swords placed themselves around his arms, the hilts facing his wrists, the tips pointing outward. They then began rotating, three clockwise, three counterclockwise. A massive well of energy began building between his palms as the swords spinning became so fast they looked like two multicolored rings around his arms. The final weapon, his staff, positioned itself in between his hands, sliding between the small space created from both arms, and his hands grasped it as the cross shaped tip seemed to split creating an orb. Energy gathered at the orb.
"Ha…Me…"
Similarly, energy started gathering between Alicia's hands. A small sphere of light appearing in the space created by her cupped palms, growing with every passing second.
Free Soul: 100
xA rre cEzE hymmnos/.
xE rre sAlE sphaela arhou/.
xE rre lAnAcAaA eje/.
xA rre hLYAmAmArA sphaela/.
xA rre cLYAzE tafane arhou hymmnos/.
xA rre yAzAtA aje tafane nEmElA sphaela/.
"HA!"
Alicia threw her hands forward just as the cannon fired its energy upon her. The power of one hundred reborn Einherjar charging her attack. The pure white beam of energy ripped through the air, straight at Zero.
"Chaotic Requiem…"
The ascended warrior launched his own attack, the sphere collapsing and ripping forward as a gigantic multicolored beam of energy at the same instant that Alicia's beam fired from her end.
The two beams, one white, one prismatic, roared towards one another. For a moment, it looked like the two attacks were going to clash. But the sheer amount of power in both of them created enough of a distortion around each beam that the two attacks seemed to bend around the other, and continue on.
Two massive explosions accompanied by two fiercely blinding waves of light tore through the in-between world as the two attacks collided.
Numerous groans of mild pain and irritation rang through the area as everyone slowly stood. The twin explosions generated enough force to knock everyone off their feet…even the Deities.
"…son of a slut princess you pack a mean punch."
"…the same…could be said…for you Zero…"
Everyone watched as the two fighters got to their feet…and then fell back to the ground simultaneously.
"Bloody hell woman…Kamehameha wave? When did you learn that?"
"Miranda…taught me…just before you finished Ascending."
"…how?"
"I'm guessing that song she sung…she left a bit of herself behind to teach me a few things…she'd been showing up in my dreams for a while, when I was back at Valhalla."
"…dammit Mir…can't stop doin shit even when you're supposed to be resting…"
"SENSEI!"
Zero's four students all jumped over the small river that had seemed to suddenly appear after the light cleared and ran to his side.
"I'm fine, I'm fine…girls, go help Alicia up."
"Hai Sensei!"
Schala and Claris dashed over to the former princess' side and both held an arm as the girl climbed to her feet.
"Well shit…we're right outside the castle…" Zero mused.
Clotho tapped her foot. "Can we go in now?"
Zero chuckled. "Yeah yeah…lets get this done."
Zero opened the doorway to the castle, only to be bowled over by a black and purple blur.
"DADDY!"
WHAM!
"Gu-hoLY fuck what the shit?"
There was a little girl wearing a pink and white t-shirt with a brownish cookie looking duck creature on it, and a pair of violet pajamas squatting on Zero's stomach with a bright smile on her face.
"Hi daddy."
Zero groaned and looked at the girl for a moment. "…when the hell did I get a kid? And why the FUCK wasn't I informed?"
Slowly, unseen to anyone the Deity of Creation started to edge away.
"You're so silly daddy. You know who I am."
"…I got nothin'."
The girl just smiled brighter. It was the Deity of Balance that answered.
"Odd…her presence is…very large. Almost an entire world's worth…wait a minute…"
Creation backed away a bit faster.
"Zero…this child…she isn't a child…she's…the very essence of this world!"
"Dramatic much?" Zero quipped from underneath the smiling girl. "Anyway, how d'ya figure?"
"Her very being…it's radiating the same pulse as this realm! I would know, I kept an eye on things here during the last few centuries."
"Again, how?"
Rather than speak, she looked at Creation…who freaked.
"Oh look at the time-gotta run!"
Immediately the Deity dashed off, taking to the air to attempt to flee.
"What the shi-DAMMIT GET BACK HERE!"
Almost as if sensing Zero's quickly growing ire, the smile dropped from the black haired girl's face, before she vanished in a flicker of motion that not even Zero himself could track.
A half second later…
CRACK!
BOOM!
A massive crashing sound cut through the sky as the form of Creation hurtled back to the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of dust upon impact. The dust cleared and she groaned, trying to stand when suddenly there was another cracking noise as the little girl suddenly appeared above her, and slammed her foot down on Creation's chest, violently pinning the Deity to the ground.
The Goddess' form coughed out a trickle of blood, showing that SOMETHING had been broken. Everyone stared at the little girl who's hair was still fluttering from the obscenely fast movement, whose eyes had made a drastic change to a very violent cold anger. She pointed her hand at the Deity's face as it took on a sickly black glow.
Zero had but one thing to say.
"Whoever she is…she's frickin awesome."
"Shall I kill her for you Daddy?"
Zero blinked, completely blindsided by the speed of the child. "Uhh…huh? Wait…no. No leave her alive…I think she's learned her lesson."
The girl almost seemed to frown. "Pity."
"…ok, fuck awesome, my kid is a goddamn badass."
He got to his feet, stretching slightly. "Damn she hits hard…alright, c'mere Mikoto."
Doing a complete emotional 180, the girl whirled to face Zero and seemed to tele-skip over to him. Yes, tele-skip. It's teleporting while skipping.
Yep. Total badass.
She appeared next to him, arms spread. He kneeled down slightly and she jumped in his arms, the newly crowned Dream Lord hefting her up and holding her in position as she smiled brightly.
"So…dinner?"
"Sushi!"
"Good taste."
Claris jumped in.
"I've been meaning to show you that one place next to the Tower sensei. We can go there!"
"Sound good Miko?"
"Epic."
Both "father" and "daughter" smiled.
"Alright Andrea, what's the deal. I know she's not really my kid. Miranda's been dead for over five hundred years and it's been around that long since the last time I got any action."
Slowly, the Goddess of Creation stood, wincing. Damn…she broke a couple ribs from that kick…and I'm lucky she didn't crush my damn lungs from that stomp!
"She's…this world, given a form. The personification of the Dream Realm, channeled into the body of a little girl. Since you're now the Dream Lord, the Realm decided to take an extra precaution to keep you safe, and happy. She's born from your knowledge, the late Miranda's essence, and this world's power. She IS this world, and you are her Lord, or in her case, her 'father.'"
"…I'm lost."
"I'm born from this world wanting a closer connection to its guardian, and a fragment of your soul that was almost lost in reconfiguration. She stepped in and grabbed that fragment, merging it with the will of this world and creating me. I can act on this world's behalf to protect you, its guardian."
"…so technically you are my daughter."
"Yep."
"So you were the one who kept knocking Mortality around."
"Yes. I kept that worthless scum from setting finger upon daddy. This world wanted that, and I am essentially the child of this world, and part of Daddy's soul."
"Fuckin weird."
"Yep. But I'm happy, cause I have my daddy with me!"
"Mentality of a child…a psychotic killer of a child, but a child none the less. Damn I couldn't ask for a better kid! You kick as much ass as I do!"
Mikoto simply smiled brighter.
Alicia just stared. Well…damn. What do I do now?
"You get your but over here that's what Mommy."
Everyone blinked. Zero looked at Mikoto. "Point."
"That one." She pointed to Alicia.
"You sure?"
"Momma Mir said so before she let go didn't she? You picked her. So I pick her."
"Yeah…but…"
"Momma Mir may have pointed you to her but you're the one that followed. You made the choice, she just showed you a possibility."
"Yep. You're definitely my kid. Well, you heard the girl Princess. Want the job?"
"I…what? Mother? Me? I don't- I can't-
"You think I'm father material? Pfft, don't make me laugh, I'm far from it. But, you gotta remember, she looks and acts like a kid…"
"But I'm not really a child."
"I…alright…I give up. You win. I can't argue with that."
"Damn right. Ok…now, we've got one thing to do before we can go party."
"FINALLY." Clotho exclaimed. "For the love of Tia I've been waiting for this part."
"Alright, now, if I remember the layout of my castle…"
"Which you don't because you only just thought it up."
"…you're in my head aren't you Miko?"
"It's cozy in there."
"Right…anyway, the room I need should be on the…"
"Top. There's a warp pad in the center of the hallway about thirty seconds from the door at walking pace. Zero-point-one-five if you use the third stage of Shukuchi or a mid level Shunpo."
"Damn you're good."
"Only the best for my daddy!"
"Warp pad has a maximum load of ten before it chances messing up and throwing you to a random point in the castle."
"The destination is 'Crystal Keep.' The warp will take you straight outside the room we need. Daddy and I will be inside the actual room. Outsiders have to stay outside during the ritual or their energy will be sapped by the song."
"…wait, Song? You can sing?"
"Before Momma Mir severed the connections to Ruined Earth, the Dream Realm was connected to all the worlds through Earth. Since I'm basically this world…"
"You know the songs…Sphilia?"
"I think that will work. It fits both the situation, and you, quite well Daddy."
"Yeah…it does. Inherited her ability for it huh?"
"Well…the part of her that helped make me refines it."
"Nice. Alright. The room doesn't really have visible walls, so you'll see exactly what's happening from our end."
"Daddy we'd better hurry, the longer we wait the harder it'll be to pull off."
"Right. We'll see you after."
The two vanished in a wall of violet orbs. Alicia raced for the teleporter. "Come on!"
(Final BGM: Ar Tonelico II - EXEC SPHILIA)
"…she sounds almost exactly like Miranda…"
Zero and Mikoto were surrounded by all seven of his Ideya. A glowing glyph of Chaos was beneath their feet as the little girl began singing while Zero, eyes closed, focused his energy upon the seven orbs.
"Originally this song was used to have someone's heart's pain and suffering take form. I'm…impressed with his plan." Creation stated.
Naminé asked. "What do you mean?"
"This song was made for one-on-one contact…but Zero is stretching it to the hearts of the worlds. It's amazing how much power and control he has for a brand new Deity." Atropos answered.
"Of course he does. He was practically born in this world. Don't you remember? His mother wasn't supposed to be able to have children and poof, there he is. I mean, human doctors have been wrong multiple times before…" Clotho said
"I remember that…he could have had a sibling, but she wasn't able to produce another kid…it terminated long before the egg could develop properly…" Death responded.
"And then, years later…just before his world discovered magic…he met Miranda. You know if his world wasn't destined to stumble upon the other forces of the universe, he'd have ended up with someone else? He would have been happy either way, but even as Weaver, I still find it amazing how the slightest change can make a big difference. The girl he would have fallen for actually became one of the first people to believe him when he started warning everyone of the Genma's return, and…my attack."
Alicia nodded. "And she sung him this song. He was surprised she knew it from that game, but she sung it perfectly. It was one of his favorites. Actually that's what saved her life."
"She gave you her memories?"
"Some of them…just the important ones pertaining to their relationship. His natural affinity for Destruction was about to overload him, like it did on Wonderland…only this time it would have taken much more than just a small field. But she stopped it by singing this song for him. And then she herself gained her massive amount of power…the only other being in the universe besides him to have the potential to unlock the full power of Chaos."
"And now that title belongs to you."
"Wait what?"
Valkyrie smiled. "She has a point. Or do you not remember flipping out when you thought he was dead?"
"That was…?"
"Chaos responded to you that day. Born from Zero's power of Creation…and tapping nearly the full power of Destruction…Chaos found you interesting, and granted you its power."
"…I never realized."
"Soon…the song will end. And the links between worlds will be re-forged. When that happens…this world will be connected to every one of your worlds. And since you all have ties in some way to this world's master…"
Leon finished. "…we'll be able to come and go almost as we please."
"Exactly. You'll all have to leave almost immediately though, to solidify the connection."
"NOT UNTIL AFTER WE HAVE FOOD!" Claris yelled.
Death chuckled. "Alright alright…we can hold the links open for a while."
"Good…"
"She's almost done…"
"We'll be going then. We've done what we needed to do here…and besides, the triplets have to find a new Mortality."
"Balls…I was hoping we could put that off a while…I wanted sushi too…" Clotho moaned.
"You can join them after!"
"Oh fine…"
"Well…its time. Let's head to the gates. We'll meet up with Sensei there."
And with that, they all turned and left…all except Alicia.
"You really want me as your mother huh? …alright."
She walked off.
I'm glad…I finally found a place I can call home…
…and that's it.
It's all over. I hope you all enjoyed the ride.
How long has it been since I started this? It was going to be small. Man…I gotta stop letting things blow out of proportion…I thought I'd never finish this. Hell this final chapter alone is over fifty four pages.
I'll put links to the lyrics and subsequent translations to the hymnos songs in my profile after I post this.
But yeah…it's all over. I hope you liked the battle between Zero and Alicia. Makes up for a lack of Zero v. Fay I think.
Chasingfireflies: Well here it is kit. The last chapter. I've teased you with it for so long. Enjoy kit.
Dragon and Sword Master: final chapter so I'm typing out your whole name. Here it is. Months in the making. After tons and tons of thinking, planning, and lots of writer's block…here it is. I invite you to play the Ar Tonelico series. It's really fun, interesting story, and tons of sexual innuendo. But not only that, but the music is SUPERB.
You two have stuck with me through this whole thing, and I couldn't be more grateful. Even only having two people reviewing, I still have fans, and dammit I couldn't be more happy than to know I've made others happy with my stories.
Thank you. To everyone who read, regardless of whether you reviewed at all or just skimmed it. Thank you all.
And since it is still currently February 14th where I am, here is my Valentines gift to you all.
Thank you all again…
See you next story…