Darkness.
My eyes opened slowly.
The sky stared back at me.
Glimpses of sunlight broke out amidst cloudy layers of blacks, grays, and darkened reds above.
I stumbled upward.
The "ground" felt murky and wet underneath my feet.
Varying shades of crimson made up what I stood in like a pool.
It reached up to my knees, stretching into the realm of infinity.
I felt myself drenched from head to toe in the substance.
It suits me.
And yet, it doesn't.
My legs refused to respond.
My heartbeat was pounding in my ears like rapid cannonfire.
The harsh smell of copper and iron filled my lungs and burnt away at my nostrils.
"M-Mom…D-Dad…?"
There was nobody to reply, for the corpses that floated and bobbed around me couldn't speak.
I recognized every last one.
And yet, none of them at the same time.
Only a sword radiated with life, hovering above the red in the distance.
A blade.
Death.
A tool.
Destruction
A weapon.
The End.
Wings aligned its cross guard and a myriad of yellow symbols I barely recognized found themselves etched across the blade's surface.
A mix of reds, fresh and dry, marred its used surface.
Yet it seemed to suit its appearance like a well-suited glove.
I have never seen such a blade before in all my years of living.
And yet, I have. I know it better than I know myself.
I should be terrified.
And yet…
Before I realized it, the gap was closed enough for me to grab it.
There was no reflection when I stared into it.
There was nothing.
Nothing but a voice whispering into my ears the longer I hesitated.
A familiar and unfamiliar voice. One that I could barely make out, yet it boomed all the same.
"▂▂▃▃▅▅ーーー！！"
It called out to me.
My hands shook.
My soul trembled.
I reached out for the hilt.
And that's when I felt a hand clench my shoulder, inches before I could graze it.
My body instinctively snapped around.
Nobody.
I didn't imagine it, right?
A loud crash of lightning slammed down where the sword once was, flinging my body back amidst a tidal wave of viscera before I could turn.
Splash.
Like a stone, I sink into the abyss, beings of all shapes and sizes dragging me down under.
I expected it to be dark this time, fading out of consciousness. It still kind of was, but…the sky.
For the first time, unimpeded by the clouds…
A clear blue. The true color.
How nice.
…
Though, I swear I saw something else amidst my blurring vision.
Someone. The shadow of someone? I wasn't sure who.
Their open hand would extend downward as if beckoning me to take it.
I didn't feel my arm raise, only a tug of war between my body being pulled up and dragged down.
From there, the figure became visible.
I saw-!
== No POV / No BGM ==
"-GOD!"
"BWAH!?"
One loud yell followed another, a noisy torrent of thunder amidst pouring rain drowning out the loud bump of hardwood and near inaudible cursing in the darkness.
"...and a good morning to you as well...ow..."
"The dream! The one with the sword and dark skies I keep having a weird feelin' about! I saw something different in it!"
"...Oh? That's new."
"Mhm!" Box springs would creak above, delight never leaving the voice. "God's lightning! It slammed down from Celestia this time! There was a loud "BOOM!" and the clouds parted way to a blue sky, and-!"
"The weather has been rather stormy for a good while. Perhaps that affected the dream this time arou-?"
"NO!"
An exclamation. One that wouldn't accept any other outcome, no matter how logical.
"No. It was far too clear to be manipulated by anything else. Fate was calling…no, screaming out to me! A crucial sign that we're getting closer to the answer!"
Merely a yawn of affirmation would respond, the sound of feet slowly pacing following in tow.
"...You believe me, don't you?"
"...'Course. The dark can tell you're not lying about this."
"Today's the day everything changes. I can feel it in my soul, a great inverse calamity…"
"A better thing you can be feeling right now is breakfast. Mom's making that Spicy Dark Omurice you like~."
"Yeah?! The hell're we sittin' 'round for then?! It's about high time to stuff our faces!"
One sudden landing across the wooden floor later, the energetic voice spared no time in flinging open the door, glints of light creeping into the now silent interior as they darted out.
"...A 'great inverse calamity', you say…"
The boom of thunder and steady crackle of flames far from the windowsill would reply.
"...Yes. This accursed eye can feel the stars hath aligned properly..."
== ?'s POV / Location: [Carnage Dimension] Land of Carnage - Cave of Ordeals / No BGM ==
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Alright. Now, I think I might be lost. My mind strayed off for one measly second, and now I'm here…in this dark…secluded cave…"
If anything, it's just my luck that I haven't met anyone yet. Maybe it's too early in the day for "carnage" to start ramming its ugly head into the limelight…
"...Or maybe…I might've jinxed it, a-ahaha…"
With my tired laughter echoing across the cavern, the back of my brain started to wonder how deep I was in if not a soul was here, head turning to meet more sharp rocks in every direction. I was jogging through most of the expedition, that I can remember, blindly following that-
"Butterfly!"
Whiter than the freshest coats of snowfall. It gleamed far in the distance like the speck it was, brighter than any mineral or stalagmite that adorned the rocky interior. An aura of light surrounded its perimeter, illuminating whatever it flew past for a moment before disappearing out of view, bringing the darkness back with it.
"W-Wait! Come back!"
"Backtracking can come later" were the last thoughts in my mind before it went into auto-pilot for this singular task. Every time I felt myself come closer to catching it, its wings only seemed to flap faster in response, distance between us never allowed to close.
Ah, this rush of wind across my face. How I missed it so…
On all fours, a steady jog turned into a full-on blitz, paws tearing through the layers of abstract minerals with reckless abandon as my body turned corners and leaped across seemingly endless pitfalls that my prey flew past without much a care in the world like it was…invested in playing this game of Cat and Mouse.
…Er, Cat and Butterfly?
However one describes it, the radiant beast would flutter off through another narrow aperture, but through the glimpses of light that cracked through, the aura it gave off would remain stationary. A dead end! Now's the proper chance to strike!
"Don't you move! I've caught you red-handed, mister!"
Squeezing myself through with relative ease, my suspicions were confirmed upon spotting it near the cliffside edge, wings gently swaying up and down. Taking a careful step, my focus lingered for a moment before shifting itself, eyes catching a far more vast sight in the distance that dragged my outstretched claw away...
== BGM CHANGE – Minor Labyrinth III - A Cave of Exciting New Encounters (Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan) ==
A castle. One that shone brighter than the rest despite its almost withered exterior, various magical wards coating the stone and bricks aligning its form with a rainbow-like gradient. Heightwise, I couldn't discern exactly how tall it was, even through the light show. Towers and turrets came in spades, endlessly stretching like skyscrapers into the darkness above. It wouldn't be wrong to assume you'd be able to see it from outside the Cave and in the outdoors of the Carnage-filled land still going upward, but given I hadn't, it only led to more questions than answers. Less about how something like this could structurally exist, but more about how and why it did. Something like this would have much more…anything around to tear everything off the hinges, but nobody! Nobody but myself! It was as if I'd found myself in a place lost to history, kept to the deepest and darkest depths of the cave…
"O-Oh my…"
As if responding to my awe, the butterfly would start to flutter off straight for the Castle itself. If I skipped a beat now, I'd never be able to catch up!
"H-Hey!"
Caution became an afterthought leaping down into a thicket of unexplored territory. Rotting, unstable wood eerily creaked and groaned as I raced along the drawbridge and past where the large gate should normally be, silence all but ripe in the damp air. Snowy wings flapped to and fro with little effort across spires and up towers, forcing me to watch from below as it went higher and higher up, the white blip of a butterfly steadily losing focus.
…So it's like that…how was it done again?
Discern the angle, take a step back, focus the strength on the legs, tense, and-
JUMP!
I didn't need to think about the lack of ground under me, or my paws gripping into the stone. I just needed to follow the light before it disappeared. Just needed to keep climbing. Keep climbing. Leap to the next spire and keep climbing. Don't stop moving. Just keep on climbing and leaping. Keep on climbing. Keep-
"-Gotcha!"
I spotted it just sitting there along the edge of the window, turning to my presence. Keeping to our staring contest for a moment, as soon as I extended a paw, it'd flutter inside the tower proper. With a quick push, I stumbled through the window and onto the marble flooring, small clouds of dust kicking up under my feet.
"Nowhere left to hide now, Mister…Miss-"
As soon as I looked up through adjusting my eyes to the light, dread threatened to choke out whatever noise I could muster.
Lost to time, the interior looked to have been untouched for years. Faded tapestries, a chandelier above coated in dust and mold, decaying portraits and carpets, dressers, and cabinets reduced to wooden splinters, a fancy mirror attached to the door; The works. However, all my focus remained locked on the one thing that could certify this place as a "bedroom". It looked to be the only thing untouched by the elements, condition pristine and fluffy as a king should have it.
Perhaps the perfect condition was due to the heavy flow of magic circulating through it, countless chains attached to a rusty lock wrapping like overgrown vines atop the cover and down the sheets, traveling along the floor and through the crack under the door to who knows how further down this place is. A black glow pulsated across each shackle with the pace of a beating heart…slow, yet very much steady, like they were alive…
The butterfly seemed to be calmer than I as it sat atop the lock itself, idly stretching its wings.
"...N-Nothing to be scared about. It's just…weird chains! Yeah! Nothing…nothing at all to stress about…just need to nab it…"
Nothing but confidence as I cautiously took a step forward. Then another, and another, and another. With each slow tap along the marble, the more my dread seemed to multiply…as if the room itself was telling me to stop right there and return the place to its forgotten state. However, the closer I got, the more I swore the sheets seemed…bigger than they should be. With a stop above the bed, I could see why. A pair of floppy, spiky ears, as white as the freshest coating of snow, nary a scratch or scar. A lean over to the side showed off a bit more of their furry head, eyes closed in a seemingly blissful slumber. No matter how long I bore a hole into their head, my gaze seemed to not register…
…I think I may have stumbled upon a grave…
"...Ah…"
That anxiousness of mine multiplied by the thousands the more I stared, my right arm moving for the sheet. I'll just push it up a bit more, and-
== No POV ==
It had happened in an instant, the tapestries adorning the walls beginning to shake as a low rumble shook up the cave.
Then…
KA-BOOM!
An explosive roar from the heavens sent violent tremors all along the castle. Dressers rumbled and jittered, and stalagmites outside could be heard falling to Earth; The dusty chandelier that'd once held stalwart atop the ceiling would crash onto the marble, glass shattering alongside its fragile frame on impact.
"AWAWAWAWA-?!"
SMASH!
Out of sudden reflex, the cow's outstretched hoof had sharply jabbed down onto the lock, fracturing it into a myriad of pieces as she dropped low to the ground and slunk underneath the bed. Magic violently sparked to and fro before fizzling out, chains that were once sprawled like vines following the same pattern as they too faded into nothingness.
CRASH!
The sounds of chaos and panic would continue rocking the cave for what seemed like an eternity before everything came to a standstill, merely the sounds of rocks falling occasionally echoing from outside.
"...I t-think it's all over now…" With an uncertain sigh of relief, the bovine from under the bed slowly shimmied back into the limelight, rushing over to the mirror to check if everything was alright from top to bottom. Albeit covered in a layer of old dust, her black and gray fur was still intact…orange horns weren't chipped any. Looking at her front hooves, the closed eyes across the soles would open wide, a mixture of black, orange, and white staring right back at her.
"Perfect…perfect…that'll be enough of this for today…gotta find a route back…" The reason she'd arrived here seemed to have been forgotten entirely as she whipped back around for the window, carefully maneuvering over the pieces of glass…
"Nnn…"
"Hm?"
But in that second, her attention quickly shifted yet again as she stopped, slowly turning back around to the shuffle of bedsheets now covered in bits and pieces of rubble. Once asleep, the room's assumed owner locked up to the bed would stir to life, sitting up with a stretch of their arms and a quiet yawn to boot.
"...w…ho…?" It didn't look like they noticed the intruder nearby, slowly rubbing their half-lidded eyes with a paw before looking to their left, then their right.
"Oh, you're awake!" Surprise and awe were etched into all four of their starry pupils as they dashed up right in front of the awakened one, nearly butting heads in the process.
"I'd thought you were sleeping on a deathbed or something in here but I'm really glad that's not the case! My name's Bronwyn! What's your name? Is this your room? Is this your castle or something? Are you the King? Why's your Castle in a cave? How come it's so dusty? Do you have any maids to clean? Do you have any subordinates or subjects or prisoners to maintain everything? When was the last time you went outside? When-"
"...out…side…" They'd mutter out, breaking the bovine's question streak as they began to fall over to their side, sheets shifting to the floor along with their consciousness, petering down and out into another slumber.
"W-Woah there!" Bronwyn's reflexes were still sharp enough to catch them before they hit the floor, their body now nestled in her hooves. From there, she could see exactly what those floppy ears belonged to for certain as she stared down. Snow-white fur, a short yet matching tail, paws, defined hind legs, not a hint of age shown on their features…nor anything like a name tag either…
"..."
Nope. She didn't have a single clue what or who this was.
"...Maybe the elder can explain." Gingerly, she'd take the rabbit by the paws before hoisting it up onto her backside, wrapping them across her neck. "It'll be a better excuse than bringing back a butterfly…wherever it went…though…it looked like a real exotic oneeeeee~…"
Steadying that discouraged spirit of hers, Bronwyn'd make doubly sure the passerby was locked in tightly before she broke into a running start, leaping straight out the window. Height became a nonfactor with the air rushing against her face, hooves clamping to spires and vaulting her elsewhere with a spin and leap as she treated the Castle much like a Jungle Gym on her way down.
"Now, I just gotta find a proper exit and-Huh?!"
With a firm landing on the drawbridge, it was there that she'd see something new. The rocky cliff she had leaped down, alongside what seemed to be miles of rock, had been excavated straight ahead as if a drill had torn through everything! Chunks of the cave, both clean and unclean, made up the hole-shaped path and the more she remained quiet, the more she could hear its echoes still going in the far distance.
"...Huh! Luck is looking up for us, sleepy!"
Not one to waste a good chance, she'd make a break for it, her voice echoing and fading down the new path.
"I'm coming, guys! Don't count me out just yet!"
Bronwyn had yet to notice the white butterfly had found a new home atop one of her orange horns…
== [Medic]'s POV / Location: Vaeteoria - Deep Underneath 7th District - Bones' Unfiltered Combat Zone! - ICU/Emergency Room / BGM CHANGE – Pause Menu (Mario Strikers Charged) ==
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
Whatever nonsense was airing went in one ear and out the other, crowd chatter and the distant drove of footsteps centering my train of thought.
"Y'know, staring at the clock isn't gonna make time go by any faster."
10:30 a.m. Just an hour to go now…
"Neither is double checking everything over again…unless you want to sort through all the medical supplies a fifth time. Dozens of sharp instruments to work with…"
"...I'll take a raincheck on that, G. Pops?"
The ambient crackle and pop of flames got me to spare a glance back to Rei, a bright wisp of blue blinking right back at me.
"Gehehe…don't bring me into this, lass. I can't even feel any of 'em!"
"But Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~d! Those scalpels hurt, y'knooooooooooo~w!"
"You've got another set of hands, quit being a baby about it." A less-than-quiet scoff underneath the breath got the whiner to rush up to my face, lightly battering me with the lantern.
"You're the devil! A blonde devil!"
"Ah, I try, I try…"
"I hate to interrupt your family bonding, but we've got company coming down the hall here. Just one, from the sound of it."
Rei's pouty scowl didn't phase my icy heart, merely a hum of recognition given as I pushed the hood up.
"Tch. This isn't over, muchacho…"
"Yeah, yeah. Back in here."
Huffing and puffing into my breast pocket, he'd finally show up with a slam of the door, body quietly rattling with every step inside.
"Hey-hey, my best Doc' made this time! Buongiorno, buongiorno!"
"You've been saying that for a while now, Boss." A tip of the hood. "Sounds like you've got a bigger turnout today than usual, huh…"
"Pfft, please, no need to be formal! Y'ain't employed, so please, just call me Bones!" Materializing rows of documentation, the lanky undead start to pace across the room, idly flipping through file after file. "And you're damn right we've got a turnout! Awful weather, Overlord morale low as always, and a Title Defense on the line? Ooooh, I can hear the HL flooding in like a tidal wave, Doc'!"
"Been a while since that's been done. The champ's still undefeated last I checked, right?"
"Mhm! Always manages to be the draw of the house, and for good reason! The bastards tryin' to grab the belt are some tough S. , kehehe! Makes for some good bloodsport!"
"Dare I ask if I can get a sneak peek of the pick you've got tonight? According to this,-" I reached into my hood, swiftly pulling out the damp match card of a poster. "you've got a hell of a surprise in store."
Bones'd stop, minuscule white pupils staring at the poster, then me, before giving me a wide smirk. "Non si può fare, lad. Can't spoil the business, even for my best-"
Just then, the intercom flared all along the halls and rooms, Bones' pre-recorded voice slamming into my eardrums.
"COMBATANTS, MAKE SURE YOU'RE PREPARED FOR TONIGHT'S EVENTS! AUDIENCE, PLEASE FIND YOUR SEATS IN AN ORDERLY FASHION! THE SHOW WILL START AIRING LIVE IN UNDER AN HOUR! YOU DON'T WANNA MISS IT!"
"...Sounds like my cue to quit the chit-chat…" The skeleton hummed, making his way to the door.
"Y'think?" I was about to say before he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
"...Although…since you and I are here…"
Here we go with this again…
"Payment is still on-"
"No." Quick, firm, to the point. "Like I said, this is a free thing. Independent. Solo. The minute I get paid, I'm working for you."
"I know, I know, but…you and I both know with the way you work, going a hundred and ten percent for free is-"
"What's expected to be done? What's supposed to be done? What has to be done? Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. I do my job in making sure people don't die, you do yours in selling the idea people do die, and the whole world is happy spinning a bloody tad longer as idiots bash their heads in. If that's all, then please, leave me to my soon-to-be job."
"..."
Wasn't as quick, but it made the point clear, the skeleton slowly flinging the door open with a weary nod.
"...Wouldn't want ya to worry any, but…I've heard from the grapevine those antics of yours…they're pissing some people up there off if you get what I mean…"
"Oh-ho~? That sounds like quite the problem~!" I lied as naturally as I breathed.
"It ain't too late to leave, y'know. Ring up the DA, change some stuff around, erase some records, get a train ticket to leave this Netherworld…"
"That does sound nice, but…"
"Don't you even think about it…"
"Scared or something?"
"As long as the source and the byproduct are still here, stopping won't be on my bucket list any time soon." With a sigh, I'd slump myself into a nearby swivel chair, switching my gaze back to the TV. "Going 'a-hundred and ten', as you said, Boss."
"Honestly…you're gonna get yourself killed at any rate…"
Before he could say anything more, the buzzing of a phone caused his bones to suddenly rattle.
"S-Sorry! I've got a show to run! Try not to die any time soon, Medic!"
Rushing down the hall, the sound of the door closing behind me would let Rei and Pops wriggle out of the pocket, the former none too pleased with, of course-
"Why didn't you take the money?! That's free HL right there! A free payday!"
"What? Too grown for home food now?"
"Don't start pretending you don't wanna try Netherworld cuisine for itself, Gardine. You'll make the youngin' bust a vein at this rate!"
"I'm older than he is by human years, Dad!"
"Could've fooled me good, gehehe~!"
Letting out a satisfied hum, I picked up the nearby remote and began to flick for the right channel. Couldn't miss the surprise to start us off…
== ?'s POV / Location: Vaeteoria - Deep Underneath 7th District - Bones' Unfiltered Combat Zone! - Private Locker Room #1 / No BGM ==
Tick.
What a restless day…
Tock.
The crowd's out for blood this time…this "surprise" of his…
Tick.
Overthinking it like always. It'll be another walk in the park…
Tock.
Don't psych yourself out. That's the last thing you want to do before-
"Y-You've got that tense look in your eyes again, M-Master…" With that calming voice calling out from the ever-present darkness, I feel my brain starting to settle.
"S-Sorry to worry you like that. You know how it is, pre-match jitters~!"
"Shall I cast a cheering spell to help you fight jitterless?"
"E-Eh? N-No, I'm-" Before I could protest, they'd already started, humming right behind me.
"今日の試合ファイト、 Torva Messor!
あきらめないで、 Torva Messor!
を信じています Torva Messor!
自分のものを見せる、 Torva Messor!"
"A-A-Alright, a-alright, I get it, I get it, y-you're in my corner! My blush is gonna be visible through the helm at this rate, Melly~!"
"Exactly, Master. You've got nothing to fear…"
I could feel that satisfied smile of hers pierce through my back as her voice faded out, soon leaving the room silent enough to hear footsteps nearby.
Showtime.
== No POV ==
Rows of maids clad in black stretched down the hall as the door slowly opened by itself, a chilly purple miasma leaking from the inky darkness. There was a brief silence before one of them piped up, their voice shaky.
"M-Miss Messor? The match is about to start…"
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
Footsteps rang out from inside before a being clad in black and blue armor from head to toe stepped out into the limelight, only the dim, brown glints through the visor an indicator that someone remained dormant inside the regal hunk of demonic steel. A glance would be given the maid's way before she nodded, making her way down the hall as they followed behind.
Clank.
With every step, worries were but a thing of the past.
Clank.
The rumbling. The cheers. The faint smell of blood.
Clank…
It all began to flood her senses as she walked into the light…
== Location: Vaeteoria - Deep Underneath 7th District - Bones' Unfiltered Combat Zone! - Arena / No BGM ==
"SALVE, SALVE! I HOPE WE HAVEN'T KEPT YOU FANS FOR TOO LONG, BECAUSE YOUR FAVORITE DEATH SPORT-"
"U-"
"-C-"
"-Z!"
The crowd deafeningly chanted in unison.
"-IS BACK TO OUR SCHEDULED LIVE BROADCASTING! I'M BONES, YOUR EVER-DAPPER HOST, AND WE'VE GOT A STACKED-UP CARD FOR YOU TONIGHT!"
Not even the booming of the weather above could hold a candle to the thunderous hollers and cheers as the lights proceeded to dim, leaving the place in darkness.
"Of course…to kick us off…there's nothing better than an explosive Title Match, no?"
Clank.
Purple miasma started leaking from one of the entrances, silencing the crowd as they watched the now misty Arena with bated breath, distant footsteps growing louder and louder…
Clank.
"From parts unknown, our longstanding U.C.Z DeathMatch Champion…"
Clank.
Standing in front of the entrance with arms crossed, pyrotechnics would go off as the spotlights put their focus on the star attraction.
"THE [GRIM REAPER], TORVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~ MESSORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR~! GIVE 'EM A WARM WELCOME~!"
A large, golden belt materialized in their hands, the champ holding it up to deafening applause.
"I LOVE YOU, TORVA!"
"I'VE GOT A MORTGAGE ON THE LINE WITH THIS!"
"FUCK 'EM UP, REAPER, FUCK 'EM UP!"
"And…the challenger…"
Stomp.
It felt like the Arena would collapse in on itself with each step, the pressure in the air forcing a wave of everlasting silence. No jeers. No oohs or aahs. Just complete focus.
Stomp.
Black and red miasma thicker than the worst fog oozed from the entrance across Torva, making her nonchalantly toss the belt to the crowd as she stared it down.
They could all see it. The intent to kill…
"Hailing from the Stellar Graveyard, he has no name to speak of, not that he needs it! The blood permanently encrusted to his fists says it all! The fight is what he lives for, and the weak is what he culls!"
Stomp. All the spotlights were placed on them…
"WILL THIS MUTE MAJIN TAKE HOME THE GOLD?! OR WILL HIS PATH OF FIGHTING SOON COME TO AN END!"
Surrounded by about six bouncers, there the Chaos Soldier stood, nary a twitch as they watched their opponent like a hawk, solid yellow eyes staring deep through the armor and into their flimsy soul. Beads of sweat began to form the more they stood by, unsure who'd be the first between them to act…
Until Torva raised a hand forward, gesturing for him to come at her.
"OH-HO~, SORPRENDENTE! IT APPEARS OUR CHAMP HAS NOT AN OUNCE OF FEAR IN THE TANK! THIS IS GONNA BE A SLOBBER KNOCKER, FOLKS!"
Like that, a yellow aura started to envelop the Majin, forcing the Bouncers to quickly retreat through the entrance as a thick layer of magic enveloped the Arena like a dome, shielding the crowd watching on in awe.
"NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY, LET THE FIRST MATCH OF THE DAY…"
The pair didn't look the part at that moment, but every muscle in their respective bodies had tensed…
"BEGIN!"
== BGM CHANGE – The Foolhardy are Bathed in Blood (Etrian Odyssey Nexus) ==
Impact. Square in the middle, their arms would collide, dirt kicking up like a storm from under their feet.
"Melly, what do you remember about Majins? Every millisecond counts here." Before she'd get a response, the Majin pushed her off with merely his aura alone, slamming the champion into the protected wall. Not skipping a beat, the gap closed itself in an instant as they dashed forward, forcing her to quickly raise a finger. "Togabito!"
Another loud impact shook the underground, and the dust that kicked up cleared to reveal a translucent figure standing in front of the champ, their fist pushing against the Majin. Large cuffs were locked to their wrists and ankles, bandages and red markings adorning their body. However, what stood out was the lack of a head, having cleanly been severed from the base of the neck.
"Excels in handling any weaponry,-" With a low grumble, the Majin quickly pulled their fist back and flung again, prompting Torva to shift her finger, the Sinner matching his movement with another booming impact. "-has a well-rounded resistance to all the elements,-" Before long, the two would go at it as Torva stood still, sparks clashing all across the arena. For every attempt the Majin made to get close, the Sinner was there to keep distance and force the breathing room back. "-and outright scary physical strength when alone. A single good punch is all it will make to put you out of commission, Master."
"One hit kill, huh? Aren't I the lucky sort…" Humming to herself, the ground started to shift and distort and bodies began to rise much like zombies from the grave. "Wind Spinner! Fury Fatalist!"
Two more translucent figures would enter the competition, albeit sporting different injuries, leftover swords and arrows planted into their ethereal bodies from their past lives in battle. Despite their states, however, Chi circulated through their fists and palms as with a swipe, they turned into blurs, joining the flurry of attacks with their own.
"Do you have a plan, Master?"
"...Yeah, but it's a risky one. I'll need your support for whittling him down, Melly."
"Understood."
The purple miasma began to leak down her helmet as Torva took a couple of steps forward before breaking into a dash just as the Majin flung aside the three units, ducking underneath the incoming kick before rocking his chin with an uppercut, lightning violently sparking from her knuckles. Just as quickly as he impacted the dome's ceiling, he slammed back into the ground and for his foe like a bullet, matching Torva kick for kick, punch for punch, each parry making her bones shake something fierce through the armor.
"Star Mage! Star Skull! Return, Togabito!"
The sinner would vanish into the aether as the two fighters slipped to the sides of the arena, quickly transforming into their respective class to tap their staffs against the wall. Hundreds of magic circles adorned the dome to their intensifying glow, soon shooting out a bright volley of stars all across the Arena like a hailstorm of bullets with no end.
"It'll take roughly a minute before any debuffs start to show, Master."
However, not even as they began to slam into him would the unemotional Majin pay it any mind, continuing to throw punch after punch while Torva wove and shifted through both the onslaught of elements and the monster refusing to let her so much as breathe.
"That'll be the difference between life and-"
A feint.
It'd happened so fast, she could barely finish her sentence. The anticipation for an overhead shot to the skull had led to him suddenly morphing into six like a runaway blur, then to a surge of pain traveling along the course of her legs with a sudden sweep. The bright ceiling lights. The trails of stardust glittering about. The faces in the crowd looked on mixtures of anticipation, shock, horror, and excitement. The Majin's stone-cold glares. All of it flashed before her eyes before it was obscured by a sudden shift in the yellow aura and the outline of multiple fists heading right to her helmet, fully intent on caving it in before she landed.
"-!"
But suddenly, the demon had stopped, his fist mere inches away from colliding with the steel armor as Torva's back hit the ground. Looking over his shoulder, the translucent Wrestler grabbing his torso from behind let out a toothy grin as all at once, he leaped back into the air with his captive and sent impacting through the ground with a harsh bridging German Suplex.
"...Death. Did you-"
"Yes. 45 seconds."
A massive spike of aura blew the brawler away, prompting the downed champ to scramble back to their feet as the Majin, now baring their irate fangs, rose from the ground like a phoenix.
"Right. Switch from spread fire to focusing all the output on 'em."
"Understood, Master."
"Lightweight, return! Green Slime, to me! Magichange!"
The magic circles would suddenly stop their fire before locking onto the Majin now running right for Torva, glowing once more before restarting their lightshow of stars. Even as his blood trickled into the ground below, he remained unfazed by it all, nearly obliterating both the vomit-like Sludge that adorned the champion's fists and arms with a single furious blow. His palm hissed smoke, the vague sense of something burning other than anything he could produce flowing through the veins, yet his attempt to retract the hand proved too slow with the monster stuck to him like jelly. Like that, Torva cracked him across the jaw with another round of lightning, sending him flying back into the dome wall.
"30 seconds."
Torva began to rush right for the Majin again, only for the blur that made his form clutch her by the helmet and clench his left hand tight, caring not for the stars that slammed into his immovable stature as he went to outright crush her skull. Her bones screamed as steel began to crack and warp, yet she would not go just yet. Not without a bitter fight to the end.
"F-Fighter, now's not the time to fail here!"
On command with a raise of a finger, from the hole in the ground did the ax-handling translucent Warrior leap out spinning like a runaway top, forcing the Majin to whip around and raise his leg to punt the apparition aside as he held the champ tight.
That was the idea, anyhow…
SLASH!
Instead, blood began to gush like a fountain as the arm holding Torva hostage fell off to the side alongside her and the Warrior, completely bisected. Sparing a glance to the leg he swore he was reeling, a translucent pair of arms reeled back into the ground, what looked like a face staring up at him blowing a raspberry in response. By the time he registered it and turned to the warrior, the meathead had rushed in yet again, forcing an ax into his abdomen he was barely able to stop with just one hand alone.
"15 seconds."
"Catsabers, file in!"
As a lone fist clashed against a lone Ax, dozens upon dozens of translucent scarred Slumber Cats would materialize in front of Torva, racing across the battlefield and pouncing onto the Majin, attacking all the wounds stuck to his body. For every burst of aura that sent them flying, more came flooding in to take the prior's place, quickly smothering him in a pile of cats that only grew and grew…
"10 seconds. Now would be the time to move, Master!"
"Got it! Mages! Fighter! Come back!"
They wouldn't get the chance to themselves as a yellow aura forcibly spiked to its limit forcing not only the pile of Slumber Cats to be vaporized, but the nearby units as well, leaving only Torva and the Sludge still linked to her.
"5 seconds!"
Reeling his sole arm back, Torva took it as a cue to hold her ground as the bloody Majin burst forward like a jet.
4 seconds. It had to be a perfect shot.
3 seconds. Torva reeled her left hand back, tensing every muscle in her legs.
2 seconds. She clenched her fist.
1 second. She stepped forward…and then…
KA-BOOM!
All at once, it happened. The power flickered out. Then, it was as if the entire Netherworld was tearing itself apart, violent tremors rocking the underground to the point where the structure itself began to collapse, equipment beginning to fall as the underground fell apart. Hearing anything other than the sudden pandemonium of screams and terror was a blessing, Bones' voice echoing across the place telling everyone to evacuate…
That's what a fan would've said, anyway. Nobody would see the result inside the Arena, given one of the falling rocks had effectively destroyed the only satellite airing their show! Who would've thought it?
'Course, when you have me narrating, it's a bit easy to fill in the missing gaps, so back to what matters.
In that one second, what was happening outside of the fight matters not to either of them. It was life or death, and one of them would die. That was all the drive they needed to see it through. Attempting to mitigate damage with her right arm, the Majin's fist had fully barreled through the buffer of sludge, shattering not only that but impaling her clean through the torso. Blood began to seep down both the chest piece of shattered armor and the visor of the helmet exponentially as the Majin tried to pull out…
However…
"0 seconds! Debuffs are circulating!"
Torva would not go that easy, those same small, translucent arms that had grabbed his leg now forcing his arm still with a grip of iron. All at once, she'd muster all the strength she had before stuffing her left through the Majin's chest, loudly shouting-
"Heal!"
Green light would start enveloping him in warmth, quickly healing his wounds, which…didn't make much sense at first to him…until that warmth turned into a scalding. Then that scalding into a harsh burning. By the time he realized what was happening, the light became blinding, and he was turned into nothing more than ash, nary a soul left to take.
"H-Ha…aha…s-shit…"
Torva attempted to laugh off the adrenaline coursing through her veins for a moment before coughing up what felt like the remnants of her lungs and ribs, falling face-first into a pool of her blood.
"M-Master!"
"M-Mell…?"
Everything began to feel wobbly. Dark. Coldish. The world was shaking, spinning, warping, wobbling, quaking, and she wasn't exactly what caused it…or why? Were they too destructive or something?
…Maybe she could afford a quick power nap…at least until the ringing in her head stopped…
"...no…ssoult…ease…n't…"
The demon's vision began to fade out, slowly but surely. However, before those eyes of hers closed, she felt her body rise from the ground, specks of blonde filling her vision…
…Blonde…?
Darkness would take hold before the gears in her brain began to turn…
== Sieghardt's POV / Location: Vaeteoria - 7th District - Sieg's House - Aria's Room / Research Lab (Basement) / No BGM ==
How long was it now since Aria had left? About 5 or so hours? The weather hasn't gotten any better since then. If anything, it's only grown worse with how hard the rain's coming down…
"So, Ginny. Who'd you think has a better chance in a fight t'da death? Krichevskoy, or da Most Badass Freakin' Overlord In The Entire Cosmos?"
"Former."
"Hah! And you say I'm a heavy drinker on air…"
"Can't go slouching on the young bucks. They just might surprise ya…and that's how you win bets, Mitch. The surprise…"
"You and I both know you don't live for that long, give yourself a title like the 'Overlord of all Overlords', and lose."
"Well, let's go over it piece by piece since you wanna have a debate-"
The radio felt like white noise as I watched the rows of dusty, linked computer screens, lines of code adding to what felt like billions never ceasing for a second. She couldn't be arsed to stop typing on that thing, even when she was supposed to be in the middle of teaching a class…
"Get ready for the signal, she said…"
I looked down at my phone atop the desk and tapped the screen. No new messages…
"...Any moment now…"
It was just another matter of patience as I stood to my feet. Trial and error. We've been through it countless amounts of times, far too many for most to consider it a pipedream. We just had to keep on trying…for their sake…
Unconsciously, my body dragged itself into the pod situated square in the middle, countless wires running along the ground to the computers and generators nearby and throughout the walls and supporting structure of the house to the lightning catcher above. That whole setup there basically made up all of our bills with the electricity it siphoned, but it would all be worth it for what remained inside…
"...Let's do another double-check, alright?"
Flipping through the switches and pressing buttons along the pod, the basement began to hum to life as I walked off and up the stairs, shuffling through the halls to head to the second floor, then up to the attic. The cold air immediately smashed against my uncovered face as soon as I opened the door to the balcony, but I remained unfazed, closing it behind me as I traveled up the roof.
The superpowered hivemind of thousands of Tesla Coils and connective wiring fused into one "Neo-Lightning Rod" stood tall against the fury of the wind and rain, its hum audible enough to give me some reassurance. Some. Aria always joked about the possibility a bird might vaporize themselves and their reincarnations five times over if they touched this thing after a strike. I fear sometimes that she completely underestimated the number…
"Looks all locked down from here. That's good…that's good…"
With all that settled, I hopped on down past the balcony and to the front door, sifting through the mailbox across it. Nothing but the usual, it seems…
"Bill. Bill. Bill. Another bill. Bi-"
"A fine salutation for a gloomy morrow, Sir Sieg'!"
I hadn't heard her footsteps amidst the pattering rain, the ambient yellow light from her angelic wings reflecting off my armor making me cringe just a tad as I snapped to attention.
"...T-That makes two of us, Shamsiel…though can you please stop adding Sir. It's gonna make me feel old at any rate."
"Nonsense! Thou looketh naught a day over our first encounter way back when!" "That felt like decades ago…", my lesser judgment would've said, instead opting to watch her rifle through the rucksack she carried. "And what of thy kin? Did they receive that early Christmas gift I sent over the mail?"
"Enough HL for a nice vacation, yes. They appreciated it, by the way,"
"Tis' naught a problem! I've nary a clue whether I'll be kept up for the holidays, so I say that an early start is in order! Ah, before I forget, one second here…" She struggled for a moment before dragging it out, a hardcover leather book that stood up to her waist with enough thickness for it to be classified as a weapon, if not a shield, slamming to her side with a thud. "A gift for thou and Dame Aria, a collector's edition KJV Bible signed by the Lilliel Saotome herself!"
"A-Ah…you…shouldn't have-"
"Nonsense!" Before I could stop her, she'd attempt to lift the book herself…to a varying degree of success, her wings frantically flapping the more she struggled. "Tis' h-harder than it sounds…to stay… cooped in line…for hours…f-for a signature…!"
This was getting hard to watch.
"N-No, I mean you shouldn't have pulled that out yourself…" The growling of the skies seemed to grow louder the minute I knelt to slink my hands underneath the Bible, lifting both it and the angel as if they weighed nothing at all. "There we go. Easier, right?"
"...I-Indeed…my thanks, Sir Sieg'..." Floating back down to her feet, Shamsiel would very frantically bow. "Even if our souls are fated to be opposites, may the word of our lord bless thy demonic hearts with good fortune and opportunity a-thousandfold!"
"That makes two of us, and thanks for this. Try not to catch a cold out here, yeah?"
With a quick salute, she'd dart off into the outskirts of town, a sigh I didn't realize I'd built up leaving my voice as I stared down at the Bible in my hands. As she said, Lilliel's signature was plastered across the bottom of the cover in white, its soft white glow signifying the "holy" authenticity.
"Any moment now, I'll be bursting into-"
KA-BOOM!
It was a miracle I didn't go deaf from the sudden nuclear explosion that echoed in my ears as a shockwave of pure force threw me back onto the porch. The entire Netherworld felt like it was threatening to tear itself apart when I got to my feet, turning back to the sight of the Neo Lightning Rod up in a plume of blue flames, waves of electricity encompassing it like a barrier.
"...F-Flames…o-oh shit…"
I wasn't sure how long I stood there watching the sight, but my body moved before my brain as the Bible dematerialized, rushing inside past the newfound mess, and to the kitchen, swiping the Fire Extinguisher. Ignoring the world fighting against me with every rumble and tremor, I rushed for the stairs and to the attic, nearly ripping the balcony door off the hinges on my path up the roof and to the source of the fire. In a matter of seconds, my vision became clouded in white, an acidic smell ripe in the air the longer I held down the handle until the crackling of flames was replaced with the hiss of smoke amidst the quaking of the Netherworld.
I didn't stay to watch, leaping back down to the porch before rushing through the door. Given how much power was concentrated into the thing, there was no telling whether or not the lab had outright exploded, and to be quite honest…
No! Don't think about that! Never think about worst-case scenarios beyond failure! Just head down the stairs and-
…And…
"...W-Wha…?"
== No POV / BGM CHANGE – Satorl Marsh (Night) (Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition) ==
The basement had remained perfectly spotless, seemingly unaffected by the now steadily decreasing tremors. However, the most glaring difference that'd gotten the Armor Knight to lose his grip on the extinguisher was what lay in the middle.
It glowed.
The pod, wiring, computer screens, generators; All of it emanated the same soft white glow as Lilliel's signature, the hum of electricity still in his ringing ears, beckoning him to approach. The rampant buzzing across the desk didn't register as he slowly made his way down the steps, transfixed entirely to the pod. He would only be a few meters away from being able to touch it before a sudden hiss stopped him, the latches along the pod's interior door unlocking, allowing it to slide open by itself.
"SIEG! ARE YOU STILL ALIVE!? IT SAID YOU DIDN'T SEE MY TEXTS!"
Another voice bellowed from upstairs and down into the basement, but not even that broke his gaze from the now open pod, the brain simply unable to register it.
"The shaking could be felt straight from the…"
As soon as Aria flung herself downstairs, her voice stopped dead as she stared at the knight, then at the glowing pod, a sense of both apprehension and bubbling excitement growing in her stomach.
This was it.
Everything she'd worked for…right in front of her…
Her passion…her effort…
Billions of thoughts swirling all at once would be cast aside with a low yawn breaking the silence, a figure with scruffy, pale white hair sitting up from the pod. Warm, orange eyes would slowly flutter open, glancing back at the two for a moment before staring down at their body, then the rest of the basement without a word or sound.
"...S-S-Sieg. D-Did it r-really…"
"...I'm…just as shocked as you are…"
The two continued to stare before looking at each other, the Armor Knight gently nudging the Professor still clad in her PJs.
"...Well? Go on."
"...Y-Yeah…"
Aria's body slowly obeyed her brain's will with every step forward, small crackles of electricity buzzing underneath her feet as she squatted down by the pod's side, staring straight at the figure that glanced right back at her, pupils zooming in and out much like the lens of a camera.
"H-Hey. It's been a long time, hasn't it? I…held to my promise…like I said…"
"..."
Sieghardt had silently stomped his way over to the Professor by this point, crouching behind her. An uncomfortable silence lingered in the air as they continued to stare, Aria's brain unable to figure out whether or not everything was in working order as she turned to the knight, confusion and worry etched onto her face.
Before a timid voice piped up.
"...Ritornello?"
"!?"
"That's-!"
Their breathing hitched as they whipped back to the figure now tilting their head, gaze still transfixed on Aria as they spoke their first words.
"...N-No. Close enough to look-alike, but…that's…my Mom. I never did get around to changing her username on her laptop…oddly enough…" A pang of sadness flashed for a brief moment across those gray eyes of hers before they were replaced with relief as she shook her head. "I'm her daughter…Aria. Aria von Fürstenberg…"
"...Aria…daughter…"
Continuing to study her for a moment, their head glanced over to the demon in armor, their eyes briefly squinting before flashing wide with recognition.
"Sieghardt?"
"...That…would be me, yes."
"Heh! Recognized you a lot faster than me, buddy."
"Aria…Sieghardt…Aria…Sieghardt…"
They'd repeat those names for a good while before slowly pushing themselves up, idly stretching their limbs every which way as the two stared in awe.
"...A-Ahaha…I really can't believe it myself, this…"
"That makes two of us." Muttering to himself, Sieghardt 'd be the first between them to get to his feet, making his way for the stairs. "...What now?"
"Clothes. After that…" Was the first thing Aria spat out, slowly getting back to her feet as she glanced back at the demon. "Just leave the rest to me, alright?"
"Understood..."
Outside, the rumbling had finally stopped, dark and stormy clouds finally dispersing as the bright autumn sun began to shine down on Vaeteoria's soil.
== No POV / Location: Evil Academy - Assistant Dean's Office / No BGM ==
A beeping from the landline would break the monotony of graphite against paper, the speaker crackling to life with the push of a button.
"Miss Cornet? You have two visitors requesting to see you at the front desk."
"Who?"
"Miss Aria-"
The secretary wouldn't be able to make it past "Aria" before an exhausted sigh echoed down the line.
"-...And…someone wearing far too many coats at once. I apologize, but I can't make out their physical description."
"...It's fine. Send them up."
"Of course."
A click, then silence. For a moment, her gaze went to the computer monitor atop the desk, watching the pair as described march down the hall side by side and to her door. Before Aria would even knock, Cornet'd be the first to speak.
"No need. Come in."
Slowly, the door would creak open a tad, a tuft of lilac poking its head through the crack to flash a toothy grin her way.
"...Dare I inquire what the creepy look is for?"
"Take a guesssssss~!"
"I don't-"
"Guess."
No wouldn't be a suitable answer from her shift in tone, Cornet now sitting up in her seat with a roll of the eyes.
"It's the person you've brought along, isn't it…"
Gleefully humming to herself, the Professor would push the door open, motioning to her coated companion. They'd remain motionless for a moment before slowly shuffling inside, their gaze glancing around the office before stopping at Cornet.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, you'd be right! Do you wanna know who they areeeeee~?"
"I have a feeling you're gonna tell me anywaaaaaayyyyyy~!" She'd falsetto, motioning for Aria to take the floor.
"Right-o!" With a quick step inside, she'd give the walking coat rack a good nudge. "Hey. You can take that off now."
"Affirmative."
Layers would dematerialize into the aether one by one before there was only a light-brown robe left to drape across their body, eyes atop the stitched hood lifelessly glancing back at Cornet. From top to bottom, the figure looked no taller than the average Skull Magician…no…rather, the whole getup was akin to that of one. Were it not for the bionic-looking eyes past the glasses gazing into the bronze eyes of the Dean's, you'd be hard-pressed to find an external difference at a glance between the average demon and…whatever this could be called.
"..."
Silence enveloped the room, Aria's impatient tapping of her feet as she tried not to combust from sheer pride forcing Cornet to awkwardly turn away from the patent-pending Skull.
"Alright, you've got me. What is this?"
"This, my colorfully buxom friend, is the years upon years of research my Mom, Dad, and I, have devoted our lives to! This, right there, is the peak! The Epitome of Netherscience! The golden standard that was fabled to never be touched by demonkind in a million years! The lights seemingly dimmed by themselves as she stood behind the figure, holding them up like one would a cat. This, right here, is-!"
DING-DONG-BING-BONG!
"-The two-minute bell!"
"...Eh?"
"Don't "Eh?" me, Corny! I'm gonna be late if I don't rush to the Senior's Building right now!" Aria would quickly set them down before rushing out of the room and down the hall in a flash, her voice echoing across the perimeter. "Just enroll them for me, they'll figure out the rest in no time!"
"W-Wait a sec, Aria! What's their-" By the time she leaped out of her seat to bolt after her, the Professor had already disappeared…
"..."
"...Name…that girl…enroll this…enroll that…"
Cursing under her breath, she let out a sharp huff before turning back to the proclaimed "Epitome of Netherscience", their gaze still locked onto her.
"...Corny?"
"Cornet." Despite the newfound smile on her face, the strained nature of her face didn't make her seem all that cheerful.
"My apologies."
It'd only last for a moment though before the dean let out a sigh, motioning them to follow as she walked out into the hallway. "A student enrollment form's out by the front desk. Fill it out and we can start an impromptu orientation…unless she programmed a way around the place in you or…"
Before she had even finished, a gust of wind nearly blew the bow atop her head off as they stood in front of her, a fully completed form up in hand.
"Will this do?"
"..."
Gingerly taking the form, they'd look it over for a moment before letting out a brief hum, their feet slowly plodding down the hall. Before long, the skull followed behind them in tow.
"Let's get to your orientation, shall we?"
"Affirmative."
APPLICATION FOR STUDEN ENROLLMENT - Must be completed by Parent/Legal Guardian
== DATE - 11/3/XXXX ==
== SCHOOL - EVIL ACADEMY ==
== GRADE - UNKNOWN ==
== FIRST NAME - MUGEN ==
== DATE OF BIRTH - 11/3/XXXX - 11:33:27 AM ==
== HOME PHONE - XXX-XXX-XXXX ==
== SEX - MALE ==
== NETHERWORLD - VAETEORIA ==
== CLASSIFICATION - ANDROID ==
== PARENT(S) / GUARDIAN NAME ==
== MOTHER - DECEASED ==
== FATHER - DECEASED ==
== FEMALE GUARDIAN - ARIA VON FÜRSTENBERG ==
== MALE GUARDIAN - SIEGHARDT ==
== Current Party ==
Name – "Aria von Fürstenberg"
Title – "Lone Prodigy"
Class - "Professor/Magician"
Description – "Last of the von Fürstenberg family. Senior Delinquent Teacher at Evil Academy. Natural Insomniac."
Evility – "Arithmeticks - Employs arithmetick algorithms to control the supernatural forces of magick."
Weaponry – "Emotion Engine (Internal Operating System) – Knowledge is Power, don't waste it."
Accessories - "G[raphic] S[ynthesizer] Endoskeleton (Armor) - With magic, technology. With technology, magic. | Nerd Glasses (Glasses) - Makes you look smart."
Skills – "Black Magick (Star) | White Magick (Heal) | Overclock"
Name – "MUGEN"
Title – "Esteemed Creation"
Class - "Android (Skull)"
Description – "The "golden standard" of Netherscience. Has much to learn about himself and the world he resides in."
Evility - ?
Weaponry – ?
Accessories - ? | Nerd Glasses (Glasses) - Makes you look smart.
Skills - ?
== Note ==
procrastination-chan…school-chan…let me go please…i'm dying underneath the weight of your asses…i wanna be autistic and type stuff…
hi! bye!