The Abyss was endless, it was darkness, the humanity littered the area, Menma and Ciaran had methodically made their way, killing everything in sight, into the mouth of darkness itself. They'd journeyed in, thanking Menma's chaotic enhancements for providing light, the great demonic mouth upon his shoulder like a small sun, Ciaran was initially off put but the Chaos Vessel just pet his sword and smirked. Apparently he thought he was being mysterious, Ciaran thought he was being insufferable.
He was fine with this.
They'd spotted a fat cat-mutant of some kind, Alvina apparently, that led them to a dog. Sif, also apparently, Menma shooed away the humanity sprites and carried the pitiful hound out of the abyss, a nearby elevator leading up to the surface, Ciaran took a moment aside him and instead of returning to join him, opted to look after the beast. Menma knew why, she was afraid what the Abyss would do to her, after all if someone as 'mighty' as Artorias couldn't take it, what hope did she have?
"I am not suited to prolongued combat, I can be of very little help." She admitted, Menma could hear the slight shame in her stoic voice, he wasn't sure wether to be amused that she had to face a fault or annoyed that she bothered coming at all. Not to say he didn't enjoy the company, it was just a bit odd.
"That's fine, I'll meet you back up here?" Suggested the Chaos Vessel, Ciaran nodded offering a hand, Menma looked at her for a moment before taking it.
"I wish you luck...For what it's worth." She said, from her body language it would seem that was something very out of her nature, considering how stiff her body was.
"You're a sweetheart, I'll be back soon." He said with a grin, Ciaran bristled as he let her hand go and returned down the elevator, Sif barking at his fading figure.
"Prick..." Muttered the Lord's Blade, though her words lacked any true rancor.
Menma didn't really mind it that much, he was more than happy to go alone. He was used to it by now, and if nothing else it would give him a good chance to loosen up, being around all this darkness was itching at his mind.
Menma found a ledge, spotted several glowing red eyes and took a leap of faith, with a howl he sunk into the darkness and landed before the great abomination that was Manus, Father of the Abyss.
Manus was an enormous creature, rib cage like spines protruding from his back, a large, asymmetrical hand made for crushing and pounding, the same disgusting thing that touched him, ugh, he was repulsed that the thing ever came into contact with him to begin with.
In his other goofy fucking arm, this one much more average in size, clutched a gnarled scepter that dripped with Dark. With an axe-head of all things just strapped right on there, fabulous really, and to finish it all off was a whipping tail ready to flay a normal man.
Menma cracked his knuckles as he looked at the big creature, "I boxed a fucking Bijuu, bucko. Whatcha got?" Asked the man with a narrowed gaze, Manus merely roared in response, Orange appeared.
"The broken pendant." Menma rose a brow but presented the small idol to the creature, Manus' body went still, it reached forward to the pendant, Menma placed it on the outstretched hand, the beast looked at it, clutching it tightly, as it curled in on itself, still standing obviously, Menma watched as the creature seemed to radiate a thicker miasma of dark, all the eyes on its spines glowing brightly, once more Manus roared, with newfound vigor, Menma had to dash back to avoid being hit by the axe-staff.
"Right, so helpful. Let's do this." Menma drew Quela and infused his body with the Chaos, his 'Demon Form' melding around his body, bright sunset orange eyes penetrated the darkness around them, Menma matched the beast with his own roar, wisps of flames lifting off his body.
Manus launched another strike with his staff, Menma dodged to the side but didn't account for the beast being able to use Dark Magic, an explosion of darkness followed Menma as he was flipped about in the air, Manus, with agility unexpected of such a lumbering beast, Manus spun and smacked the demon back towards his front, then the big abomination grabbed Menma then proceeded to smash him into the ground repeatedly, only to howl as flames overtook the form of the smaller creature making him reel, Manus felt pain blossom over his face as a searing blue orb of flame struck him in the chin, Menma handspringed away and tossed Quela, the blade becoming a spinning circle of death that struck directly into Manus' shoulder.
Menma summoned up his Flame and engulfed his hands in a blue blaze of glory, leaping forth the Demon struck the Dark Father in the joint of his larger arm, a thunderous crack was heard as black bones pierced the skin, grey blood falling onto the small arena they fought on, Manus swung around and smacked the Demon away Menma backstepped to avoid taking the hit but was given sight to the giant beast snapping its bones back together, the wound healing, drawing miasmatic darkness into itself. Menma frowned beneath his helmet but persisted.
Lunging forward he unsealed his claymore, the blade inflamed during the downward arc, Manus took the blow to the head, Menma smirked only to 'tsk' as Manus shot him back with a powerful shotgun blast of dark energy, he went soaring across the arena, an orange trial leaving the Chaos Edge and repairing his fractured armour, Menma smirked at the blade, even though it couldn't be seen he could hear her.
"Pull me out of this beast, it's disgusting." Ordered the Witch, the Demon chuckled under his breath, this time he summoned Monolith, the giant reforged Demon Machete glowed ominously as heat began to gather around it, disappearing into the darkness Menma red slash strikes began to appear all over Manus' body, Menma appeared in a crouch behind the creature, the blade sealing away as he came to a halt, streaks of fire crossed the beasts body, it roared in agony, Menma took this time to jump over Manus' shoulder and snatch Quela from her fleshy resting place.
"That took entirely too long." She scolded, Menma chuckled once more. "You forgot your other sword." She informed, and so he did, his claymore lay staked into the creatures skull, Menma sweatdropped but Manus was already recovering, so he'd need to wait for another chance to get the weapon. Manus flared his power and rained Dark upon the arena, Menma was forced on the defensive as he rolled constantly to avoid the drops of solid, possible, death.
"Time to switch it up." He said, pushing the Chaos out of his body, the sword glowing as it ate up its power again, Menma clutched the dragon amulet and crushed the stone between his fingers, his flesh turning to stone and revealing his third eye, all three glowed a sickly saffron yellow, he cracked his neck and flexed his wings, his form lifting off the ground for a moment as he flapped them, "Don't blink, big fella." Becoming a golden streak of death, Manus felt his body buckle and soften under the furious assault of the draconian. It screamed as a large gash opened up in its skull from the claymore being removed.
"No more playin' about biggun." Menma took in a deep breath, his body becoming charged with streams of electricity, "Katon: Gokkamekakyu no Jutsu!" As the wall of flames left the dragon so too did the lightning leap from his body, Manus howled, roared and bellowed the injustices that had befallen him in his own bestial, guttural manner but Menma cared little, the beast had the power he wanted and so he would pursue it.
As though fueled by his own greedy desire Menma's flames strengthened, reducing Manus' form to ash, all that remained was the soul of the beast, Menma took a moment to shake off the buzz that came from using so much Chakra, with a small pulse into the amulet, it repaired and took with it the dragon form. Now clad in only his black clothing he slid Quela back into her sheath and strode up to the soul.
"I suggest caution." Input the Witch, Menma brushed her off in favor of consuming the soul then and there, picking up the hot, solid, soul and biting into it, literally devouring it in seconds. He felt that same thick, tar like sensation in his veins he felt his skin crawling and his heart beating like a furious drum. Menma felt his skin peel off as he collapsed against the dark floor, the abyss responded to the new host and rushed back into the souls' new host. The humanity sprites dispersed into nothingness, the residence of Oolacile imploded in on themselves leaving red stains in their places. The abyss 'goo' dispersed into the air, leaving only the ruined city in its wake.
Menma's body was broken down before being reformed, he was face down on the ground, sword by his side and unconscious, looking completely fine. Beside him appeared Princess Dusk, the pitiful weeping Princess crying into his side as she saw the first familiar person, that was human, for what felt like years.
A howl alerted the princess to a large wolf, a sword sheathed on his back, grey as ash padding towards the downed black clad man, it sniffed at his head before licking the mans hair, in attempts to wake him. Ciaran dropped down into the arena, the drop apparently expanded by the abyss's power, it was only a few feet without Manus to displace the distance.
"Princess." Greeted the woman, "I saw the darkness receded, it would seem out friend has succeeded." She knelt next to the man and rolled him over, the black whisker marks on his cheeks had mirrored down onto his neck, going to his collarbone, black lines running along the top of his eyes, and a diamond around his third. Ciaran's own eyes widened at the sight of the third, closed, eye. "What are you?" She whispered, confused.
"Will he be well?" Hiccuped out Dusk, confused at the new markings on her saviour's face.
"I'm sure. He is Undead after all, if his body was too damaged he would have already returned to the Bonfire, it appears he's just unconscious. Come, we will away." Ordered the assassin. Dusk nodded, wiping away her tears and following after the wolf and the Lord's Blade.
Oolacile Sanctuary
Menma awoke, bleary eyed and sore all over. His head was laid against what felt like soft legs, groaning he hissed as his whole body felt tight, "Thou art awake..." Said a familiar voice, looking up he saw Dusk, looking down at him, "...It warms mine heart, to see thee well." Menma smiled serenely.
"And you, Dusk. Glad you weren't hurt while I fought Manus." Menma leant up, a mess of grey greeted him a wet tongue lapping at his face. He chuckled and tried to pushed the beast away only for in to lay itself across his legs, "Quite clingy, aren't we, Sif darling?" Asked the man, he'd fed off the positive atmosphere this little cutie was giving out. "Oh but that's ok, I love puppies, who's a pretty girl, you are, yesh you are!" He cooed, picking up the big wolf and cradling her over a shoulder, the wolf barked and nuzzled against the side of his head.
"Good, you awaken. Now you can explain." Said Ciaran's clipped voice, Menma turned to see the woman, minus her helmet, she was quite the sight, sharp features but not without it own gentleness to it, her eyes were sapphire blue, and frosty enough to pin a Hollow. She was a blonde, but it was short and incredibly soft looking, he felt the need to touch it, but kept it in.
For now.
Menma set Sif down and stood up properly, stretching out he rubbed his eyes, just the two, to clear what sleep was left in them, looking around he actually gave a slight jump in surprise at the enormous man that was seated in one of the more shaded area's of the Sanctuary. "What do you want to know?" He asked innocently.
"The abyss, where did it go?" Pressed Ciaran, getting in his face, "Why do you bear a third eye? Why does your sword house the soul of a Lord, speak or I'll tear you to ribbons until you do." Growled the woman.
"Long answer or short answer?" Asked Menma, only to feel the bite of her daggers in his side, he shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, "Very well, sit your fine little ass down and I'll spin the story one more time." Menma continued stretching out until the woman did just that, the cracks and creaks of his bones were slightly disturbing but he didn't mind at the moment.
"When Manus' body was destroyed all that remained was his soul." Began the man, idly stroking Sif's fluffy head, "So I ate it." Said the man, getting shocked looks from all those around, the giant paused his carving for a moment to look in the direction of the sound only for the sound of knife meeting wood to return, Ciaran narrowed her sharp gaze upon him as he continued. "You see I'm not from this land, and I intend to return home soon, but I wanted to collect as much power as possible before I did return so when I did I could stop all the current nonsense that was going on. Invasions, crippled fathers, other such fun things." He rattled off setting Quela against his thigh as he did.
"I'd say I've got quite a lot already but a few more couldn't hurt, so the next big bad I kill I'll just pop on home and Deus Ex Machina the shit out of the place." That aside he was quite enjoying slaughtering what people around here considered to be God's.
"You...Ate, his soul." Stated Ciaran, trying to wrap her head around this.
"Yep. Unlike Quela's soul I didn't tie his to a weapon, so I took the power directly into myself. It was...Interesting to feel the entire manifestation of Darkness coalesce into myself, I swear it was like going through a grinder." Ciaran spat a curse only for him to click his tongue and shake his head, "Now-now, Ciaran. No need to get all huffy, It's not like I'm going on some grand crusade to beat up everyone you know, what's with the face?"
"The Dark Soul, is my problem. If you wield it and are not crippled it means the light is waning." She hissed darkly, Menma blinked, looking at his own hands it's not like he felt the Soul was about to explode with power, if nothing else it felt dormant. Like it needed something to set it alight and pull the trigger to release all the power stored in it.
"This is indeed quite the pill to swallow." Murmured Dusk, fear in her eyes, not at Menma so much as what he bore. The dark markings on his face set her on edge.
"Could been worse, I coulda transformed into that mess." He said referring to whatever had become of Manus, he looked over his shoulder to the giant, "So what's your name big fella?" He asked curiously.
"I am Gough. And if what Ciaran has told me ring true, twas thee who slew Artorias. I suppose thanks are in order, for even if thou art human, thou must have a strong heart to contain such darkness. Stronger than even our dear comrade." Menma, smiled up at the giant before questioning.
"Why do you have, what looks to be, tree-sap in your eye holes?" Asked Menma in confusion.
"I am blind. But this helmet was forged for me under the command of Lord Gwyn, it is with honor I wear it, when I felt my sight leaving me long ago I packed the eye holes with resin and retrained myself to shoot without sight. That is why." Informed the giant, happily whittling away another 'Hello' carving.
"So what is to be done now? The Abyss has been repelled, and rests within out small friend here, but Oolacile lies in ruins." Said Gough, to the others, curious as to their next move.
"We...Return to Anor Londo. And inform them of our Failure to rescue Artorias and the City." Said Ciaran, like it was a bitter dose of medicine.
"And what of you, young one?" Asked Elizabeth, from the side. Menma turned to the giant mushroom and smiled lightly.
"With Manus dead I should be able to return to my time..." Said the Vessel of not one but two Lord Souls, he strode to the fire and attempted to return to Firelink, only for it to lash out at him and push him back a few feet. Landing on his back he groaned, "Or not..." Rising to his feet he rubbed his wrist, for some reason that backlash really fucking hurt.
"That shouldn't have happened." He murmured, looking at the flames intently, "I'm undead, don't fuck with me fire!" He snapped at it.
"Perhaps with the entirety of the Abyss flooding your body you are no longer undead?" Theorized Quela, just as confused at the entire debacle.
"If you cannot return to your time you will have to come with us, nothing else is to be done. We cannot simply leave you unmonitored." Said Ciaran, pulling him to his feet, "We away, come Gough. Princess are you willing to come with us or do you wish to remain with this Sorceress?" Asked the Lord's Blade, she'd had quite enough of this place and was ready to return home.
"The city of the gods in all its splendor, eh? Doesn't sound to bad." Admitted Menma, wincing as he felt his eyes sting, Ciara watched as the sclera turned black, making the pastel red of his iris pop with more intensity, after sighing he felt relief, his body posture slackened.
"I will remain here, tis my duty..." Said the Princess with a morose smile, standing she took Menma's hands into her own, "I thank you friend, for your heroism in the future and the past." She said softly, before leaning forward and kissing his cheek. Blushing slightly as he touched the spot with a grin.
"Come now." Ordered Ciaran, Menma giggled at her annoyance before waving farewell to the Princess and the Mushroom, Gough stood and followed after them.
End
Stuff is indeed happening.
Raxychaz!