Holy High - IC 2 - Open

[Luminesa]

Lux heard the words, and his heart broke. "...Charlotte?...No...Charlie?" It was a child's voice, and it saddened him greatly. Wherever it came from, he wanted to find it and to stop this.

Adam continued watching, dazzling and beautiful, but equally as cruel as he was glorious.

I don't want to hurt anymore.

I want the pain to stop. Oh, God... why does it hurt so much...

...do You even care?

...it hurts... so bad...

...somebody help me...

A shrill scream, and then the silence was broken only by muffled, echoing sobs.

Lux stood, still holding Charlotte. "Charlie? Charlotte? Who is crying? Please, let me see you! I am afraid!"

Adam then walked behind Lux, and he put his hands on his shoulders. There is nothing you can do for her, little angel...Why don't you join her? You have endured plenty yourself...Arael told me so...

"Never. Get away from me," Lux warned him, shivering with both fear and with anger. "What are you?" he questioned, angrily.

Adam smiled. You all ask such similar questions...but perhaps it is because your hearts are so similar...I wonder, Lux...what hurts you the most?

[Charlia]

I don't want to hurt anymore.

I want the pain to stop. Oh, God... why does it hurt so much...

...do You even care?

...it hurts... so bad...

...somebody help me...

A shrill scream, and then the silence was broken only by muffled, echoing sobs.

Lux stood, still holding Charlotte. "Charlie? Charlotte? Who is crying? Please, let me see you! I am afraid!"

Adam then walked behind Lux, and he put his hands on his shoulders. There is nothing you can do for her, little angel...Why don't you join her? You have endured plenty yourself...Arael told me so...

"Never. Get away from me," Lux warned him, shivering with both fear and with anger. "What are you?" he questioned, angrily.

Adam smiled. You all ask such similar questions...but perhaps it is because your hearts are so similar...I wonder, Lux...what hurts you the most?

...Help me... the voice whispered in reply, and a faint form shimmered into view.

A little girl, appearing to be thirteen years old, lying on the ground. No. Crawling forward, slowly, practically dragging herself along, a trail of blood in her wake.

As she got closer, it became obvious that she had been severely wounded. Her stomach was bleeding heavily, and her legs were practically covered with blood.

...please... help me...

[Luminesa]

Lux stood, still holding Charlotte. "Charlie? Charlotte? Who is crying? Please, let me see you! I am afraid!"

Adam then walked behind Lux, and he put his hands on his shoulders. There is nothing you can do for her, little angel...Why don't you join her? You have endured plenty yourself...Arael told me so...

"Never. Get away from me," Lux warned him, shivering with both fear and with anger. "What are you?" he questioned, angrily.

Adam smiled. You all ask such similar questions...but perhaps it is because your hearts are so similar...I wonder, Lux...what hurts you the most?

...Help me... the voice whispered in reply, and a faint form shimmered into view.

A little girl, appearing to be thirteen years old, lying on the ground. No. Crawling forward, slowly, practically dragging herself along, a trail of blood in her wake.

As she got closer, it became obvious that she had been severely wounded. Her stomach was bleeding heavily, and her legs were practically covered with blood.

...please... help me...

Lux saw how she was wounded, and he broke free of Adam's grasp and ran to the younger Charlotte. He carefully put the older one down next to him, and he picked-up the younger one in his arms. He then began to heal her, holding her weak and bloodied body close to him. "It is okay, Charlotte. I am here. Rest, please..." He then stared at Adam. "What have you done to her? Tell me now," he demanded.

Adam sighed. I told the poor little girl the truth...but she could not take it. That is what happens when someone who has suffered wishes for a happy life...They do not want to take the truth, that this world is imperfect, and I plan to remake it. A beautiful world...that is what I will make...Where little girls like her will no longer suffer...

[Charlia]

...Help me... the voice whispered in reply, and a faint form shimmered into view.

A little girl, appearing to be thirteen years old, lying on the ground. No. Crawling forward, slowly, practically dragging herself along, a trail of blood in her wake.

As she got closer, it became obvious that she had been severely wounded. Her stomach was bleeding heavily, and her legs were practically covered with blood.

...please... help me...

Lux saw how she was wounded, and he broke free of Adam's grasp and ran to the younger Charlotte. He carefully put the older one down next to him, and he picked-up the younger one in his arms. He then began to heal her, holding her weak and bloodied body close to him. "It is okay, Charlotte. I am here. Rest, please..." He then stared at Adam. "What have you done to her? Tell me now," he demanded.

Adam sighed. I told the poor little girl the truth...but she could not take it. That is what happens when someone who has suffered wishes for a happy life...They do not want to take the truth, that this world is imperfect, and I plan to remake it. A beautiful world...that is what I will make...Where little girls like her will no longer suffer...

The little girl covered her eyes with one hand, sobbing. The other hand rested over the wound in her stomach.

I'm sorry, she cried, shaking. I tried so hard. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't stop him. I tried... so hard... but I couldn't...

[Luminesa]

Lux saw how she was wounded, and he broke free of Adam's grasp and ran to the younger Charlotte. He carefully put the older one down next to him, and he picked-up the younger one in his arms. He then began to heal her, holding her weak and bloodied body close to him. "It is okay, Charlotte. I am here. Rest, please..." He then stared at Adam. "What have you done to her? Tell me now," he demanded.

Adam sighed. I told the poor little girl the truth...but she could not take it. That is what happens when someone who has suffered wishes for a happy life...They do not want to take the truth, that this world is imperfect, and I plan to remake it. A beautiful world...that is what I will make...Where little girls like her will no longer suffer...

The little girl covered her eyes with one hand, sobbing. The other hand rested over the wound in her stomach.

I'm sorry, she cried, shaking. I tried so hard. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't stop him. I tried... so hard... but I couldn't...

"I know...I know you did...Do not cry. He will not hurt you now. I will not let him...Do not be afraid, Charlotte..." He held her head against his cheek, trying to soothe her. Unlike Adam's warmth, Lux's warmth brought a mystical, gentle wave of peace, like sunlight warming over a cold body. His wings were incredibly soft, like dove-wings, and they felt lighter than lace as he wrapped them around her, trying to undo the damage Adam had caused.

[Charlia]

The little girl covered her eyes with one hand, sobbing. The other hand rested over the wound in her stomach.

I'm sorry, she cried, shaking. I tried so hard. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I couldn't stop him. I tried... so hard... but I couldn't...

"I know...I know you did...Do not cry. He will not hurt you now. I will not let him...Do not be afraid, Charlotte..." He held her head against his cheek, trying to soothe her. Unlike Adam's warmth, Lux's warmth brought a mystical, gentle wave of peace, like sunlight warming over a cold body. His wings were incredibly soft, like dove-wings, and they felt lighter than lace as he wrapped them around her, trying to undo the damage Adam had caused.

I'm sorry, she whispered, as if to herself. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry... my poor baby...

I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.

[Luminesa]

"I know...I know you did...Do not cry. He will not hurt you now. I will not let him...Do not be afraid, Charlotte..." He held her head against his cheek, trying to soothe her. Unlike Adam's warmth, Lux's warmth brought a mystical, gentle wave of peace, like sunlight warming over a cold body. His wings were incredibly soft, like dove-wings, and they felt lighter than lace as he wrapped them around her, trying to undo the damage Adam had caused.

I'm sorry, she whispered, as if to herself. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry... my poor baby...

I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.

"She is in Heaven, Charlotte...she is safe...I promise you, she is safe...Do not be afraid...You did all that you could..." he whispered.

[Ranoria]

Mourir, being fully recovered, stood atop a sand dune, cloak fluttering in the wind, the flaps of his hood concealing his face even more than usual, red eyes only seen in brief flashes as the fabric covered and uncovered them, the desert breeze blowing it this way and that. He had strapped his studded mace to his belt, the weapon having proven itself more than useful for his style of combat.

As he stood in an almost meditative state, a tumbleweed rolled by, and he used his energies to propel it into the palm of his hand, where he held the dormant plant aloft before his eyes. It was a relatively old tumbleweed, and he eyed it up, deeming that it was its time. He was a god of endings, after all.

The plant, formerly full of life, began to change itself into ashes from where his fingers came into contact with its roots, gradually crumbling away into the wind. He watched it float away, the ashen remains soon indistinguishable from the sand that they were carried away with, and sighed, wondering if he had any more impact on the world than the doomed plant.

Not that he would ever bring it up. Talking wasn't exactly his thing.
__________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Ryujin was trying to contact the Watatsumi, not only to see if they were alive in this reality but to inquire as to their assistance, or, for that matter, the version of himself in this world.


Shen Lung was the one causing the winds to blow, having nothing else to do.

[Charlia]

I'm sorry, she whispered, as if to herself. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm so sorry... my poor baby...

I'm so sorry I couldn't save you.

"She is in Heaven, Charlotte...she is safe...I promise you, she is safe...Do not be afraid...You did all that you could..." he whispered.

I thought I wouldn't feel anything. I tried to stop feeling. I didn't want to feel anything anymore.

Why does it hurt so much? Why?

Why does God hate me?

[Luminesa]

"She is in Heaven, Charlotte...she is safe...I promise you, she is safe...Do not be afraid...You did all that you could..." he whispered.

I thought I wouldn't feel anything. I tried to stop feeling. I didn't want to feel anything anymore.

Why does it hurt so much? Why?

Why does God hate me?

"No, Charlotte, God does not hate you...I am His messenger! I know God does not hate you! He loves you, Charlotte...Adam has fooled you into thinking you are alone...Do not listen to him...You are loved, Charlotte..." he told her, beginning to cry. He knew the feeling, the feeling that he was unloved by everything, and he wanted desperately to take that pain away from Charlotte.

[Charlia]

I thought I wouldn't feel anything. I tried to stop feeling. I didn't want to feel anything anymore.

Why does it hurt so much? Why?

Why does God hate me?

"No, Charlotte, God does not hate you...I am His messenger! I know God does not hate you! He loves you, Charlotte...Adam has fooled you into thinking you are alone...Do not listen to him...You are loved, Charlotte..." he told her, beginning to cry. He knew the feeling, the feeling that he was unloved by everything, and he wanted desperately to take that pain away from Charlotte.

Why does it hurt if He loves me?

Why does it hurt so much?

...it's called 'love'. Did you know that? This pain... is called 'love'. I don't understand.

Love isn't supposed to hurt so much. Is it?

[Luminesa]

"No, Charlotte, God does not hate you...I am His messenger! I know God does not hate you! He loves you, Charlotte...Adam has fooled you into thinking you are alone...Do not listen to him...You are loved, Charlotte..." he told her, beginning to cry. He knew the feeling, the feeling that he was unloved by everything, and he wanted desperately to take that pain away from Charlotte.

Why does it hurt if He loves me?

Why does it hurt so much?

...it's called 'love'. Did you know that? This pain... is called 'love'. I don't understand.

Love isn't supposed to hurt so much. Is it?

"God is not...God is not the one causing you to hurt, Charlotte...That evil angel who...gave away his grace in order to do terrible things to you...he is to blame...God loves you...He sent me to help you..." he explained.

[Charlia]

Why does it hurt if He loves me?

Why does it hurt so much?

...it's called 'love'. Did you know that? This pain... is called 'love'. I don't understand.

Love isn't supposed to hurt so much. Is it?

"God is not...God is not the one causing you to hurt, Charlotte...That evil angel who...gave away his grace in order to do terrible things to you...he is to blame...God loves you...He sent me to help you..." he explained.

Then you're late.

I was a mother. I carried his child! But somehow I loved that baby... and now it's gone. That feeling, having a miracle growing inside me... it's gone.

And so is any chance of ever knowing that feeling again.

If God's so loving and all-powerful, why did this happen?

Why all the suffering?

Why all the hatred?

I'm so... so tired...

[Luminesa]

"God is not...God is not the one causing you to hurt, Charlotte...That evil angel who...gave away his grace in order to do terrible things to you...he is to blame...God loves you...He sent me to help you..." he explained.

Then you're late.

I was a mother. I carried his child! But somehow I loved that baby... and now it's gone. That feeling, having a miracle growing inside me... it's gone.

And so is any chance of ever knowing that feeling again.

If God's so loving and all-powerful, why did this happen?

Why all the suffering?

Why all the hatred?

I'm so... so tired...

Lux knew the little image of Charlotte was aching with horrible pain, horrible emotions, and he knew she was tired just by looking at her. "Sleep, then...I will protect you..." he told her, serenely.

[Charlia]

Then you're late.

I was a mother. I carried his child! But somehow I loved that baby... and now it's gone. That feeling, having a miracle growing inside me... it's gone.

And so is any chance of ever knowing that feeling again.

If God's so loving and all-powerful, why did this happen?

Why all the suffering?

Why all the hatred?

I'm so... so tired...

Lux knew the little image of Charlotte was aching with horrible pain, horrible emotions, and he knew she was tired just by looking at her. "Sleep, then...I will protect you..." he told her, serenely.

...thank you...

The little girl's eyes closed, and she faded into nothing.

[Luminesa]

Lux knew the little image of Charlotte was aching with horrible pain, horrible emotions, and he knew she was tired just by looking at her. "Sleep, then...I will protect you..." he told her, serenely.

...thank you...

The little girl's eyes closed, and she faded into nothing.

Lux watched her fade away, and then he wiped his own eyes. Folding his wings back, he stood and coolly faced Adam. "You think you are God? You are not my God. You do not care about my pain and my misery, nor do you care about hers. And if you think I am going to let you cause her misery for your selfish gains, I will have to force you to think again," he declared, softly-but-fiercely.

Adam frowned for a moment, and then he smiled again. Oh, but I do care about your pain. Very much so, he answered, walking over to Lux and standing inches in front of him. I know what you try to hide, and how you try to act strong in order to compensate. I can guarantee you, everything in this universe has a breaking point, including you. You have broken before, haven't you? It will be...interesting...to see how far you can fall by my hands.

He then disappeared, and the light vanished.

After looking around, Lux sighed, relieved, and he vanished as well.

MARS

Lux awakened from his trance and looked around, dazed from what he had seen. "What...What? Is everyone okay?" he whispered.

Xavier nodded, though he continued to look down at Charlotte with deep concern. "Is she okay? What happened?" he asked.

"Adam tortured her until she broke-down into her child-self, and I calmed her down, so she changed back," Lux answered. He felt a bit woozy after all that he had seen and felt, but other than that he was fine. "Is Raven back yet?" he inquired.

"No," Xavier answered, his voice darkening at the sound of the name, "and neither has Thana or Ianar. I don't know what's going on, but as soon as Raven gets back, I'm demanding answers."

[Charlia]

Charlotte looked up, her vision fuzzy.

"A-Adam? Is he gone?" She looked around, scared, and then calmed down.

So this is how Arael feels. Ohhh, that was awful... She shuddered violently, her entire body shivering for a few seconds before the tremors finally subsided.

...all the things he said...

...they weren't so wrong, were they?

I'm no child of God. I was foolish to think I ever could be.

How could I ever be good enough?

I'm a selfish, terrified child who lashes out at people she perceives as evil so she can feel good about herself.

And all my efforts just make things worse.

A broken tool who was meant to do great things, but was defiled and destroyed. And now look at me. I can't even function properly because I'm so controlled by rage and fear.

A vindictive child who can't see past her own pain and actually care about anyone else.

Even now, all I can think about is myself.

What's wrong with me...

[Luminesa]

Charlotte looked up, her vision fuzzy.

"A-Adam? Is he gone?" She looked around, scared, and then calmed down.

So this is how Arael feels. Ohhh, that was awful... She shuddered violently, her entire body shivering for a few seconds before the tremors finally subsided.

...all the things he said...

...they weren't so wrong, were they?

I'm no child of God. I was foolish to think I ever could be.

How could I ever be good enough?

I'm a selfish, terrified child who lashes out at people she perceives as evil so she can feel good about herself.

And all my efforts just make things worse.

A broken tool who was meant to do great things, but was defiled and destroyed. And now look at me. I can't even function properly because I'm so controlled by rage and fear.

A vindictive child who can't see past her own pain and actually care about anyone else.

Even now, all I can think about is myself.

What's wrong with me...

Arael knelt in front of Charlotte, next to Xavier, and he watched her carefully. He knew Adam could cause plenty of pain for whoever he controlled.

Or at least he knew that now.

"Charlotte, what did he tell you?...Did he hurt you?" he asked, timidly. He himself was still hurting inside, so he knew Charlotte had to be hurting even worse, since the torture was still fresh in her mind.

[Charlia]

Charlotte looked up, her vision fuzzy.

"A-Adam? Is he gone?" She looked around, scared, and then calmed down.

So this is how Arael feels. Ohhh, that was awful... She shuddered violently, her entire body shivering for a few seconds before the tremors finally subsided.

...all the things he said...

...they weren't so wrong, were they?

I'm no child of God. I was foolish to think I ever could be.

How could I ever be good enough?

I'm a selfish, terrified child who lashes out at people she perceives as evil so she can feel good about herself.

And all my efforts just make things worse.

A broken tool who was meant to do great things, but was defiled and destroyed. And now look at me. I can't even function properly because I'm so controlled by rage and fear.

A vindictive child who can't see past her own pain and actually care about anyone else.

Even now, all I can think about is myself.

What's wrong with me...

Arael knelt in front of Charlotte, next to Xavier, and he watched her carefully. He knew Adam could cause plenty of pain for whoever he controlled.

Or at least he knew that now.

"Charlotte, what did he tell you?...Did he hurt you?" he asked, timidly. He himself was still hurting inside, so he knew Charlotte had to be hurting even worse, since the torture was still fresh in her mind.

"...yes," she said softly, her voice hard, cold, and yet there was a cracking sound to it, like ice as warming water struggled to break through it. "He showed me myself."

She pushed herself to her feet, and dusted her hands off, drops of blood falling to the ground.

"I apologize. I'm afraid I failed."

[Luminesa]

Arael knelt in front of Charlotte, next to Xavier, and he watched her carefully. He knew Adam could cause plenty of pain for whoever he controlled.

Or at least he knew that now.

"Charlotte, what did he tell you?...Did he hurt you?" he asked, timidly. He himself was still hurting inside, so he knew Charlotte had to be hurting even worse, since the torture was still fresh in her mind.

"...yes," she said softly, her voice hard, cold, and yet there was a cracking sound to it, like ice as warming water struggled to break through it. "He showed me myself."

She pushed herself to her feet, and dusted her hands off, drops of blood falling to the ground.

"I apologize. I'm afraid I failed."

Xavier saw how hurt she was, and he shook his head. "Charlotte, you didn't do anything wrong. You tried to help Arael, and though it didn't work, you did your best. Don't be hard on yourself," he told her, hugging her. "We're just happy you're alright."

Arael nodded gravely. "...You were...not made to bear that burden, Charlotte..." he spoke. He then bowed his head sadly. "...That is...our pain...our pain to bear..."

Hamiri also hugged Charlotte, trying to comfort her as well. "Don't listen to whatever that jerk told you, Charlotte. He doesn't know you," she assured her.

[Charlia]

"...yes," she said softly, her voice hard, cold, and yet there was a cracking sound to it, like ice as warming water struggled to break through it. "He showed me myself."

She pushed herself to her feet, and dusted her hands off, drops of blood falling to the ground.

"I apologize. I'm afraid I failed."

Xavier saw how hurt she was, and he shook his head. "Charlotte, you didn't do anything wrong. You tried to help Arael, and though it didn't work, you did your best. Don't be hard on yourself," he told her, hugging her. "We're just happy you're alright."

Arael nodded gravely. "...You were...not made to bear that burden, Charlotte..." he spoke. He then bowed his head sadly. "...That is...our pain...our pain to bear..."

Hamiri also hugged Charlotte, trying to comfort her as well. "Don't listen to whatever that jerk told you, Charlotte. He doesn't know you," she assured her.

She stood there stiffly, enduring the hugs without a word.

No.

He knows me.

He knows me too well.

When they released her, she simply turned away, folding her wings in tightly so that she looked like a normal human.

*plip*

*plip*

All the while, the only sound was that of blood dripping to the ground.

*plip*

*plip*

*plip*

[Luminesa]

Xavier saw how hurt she was, and he shook his head. "Charlotte, you didn't do anything wrong. You tried to help Arael, and though it didn't work, you did your best. Don't be hard on yourself," he told her, hugging her. "We're just happy you're alright."

Arael nodded gravely. "...You were...not made to bear that burden, Charlotte..." he spoke. He then bowed his head sadly. "...That is...our pain...our pain to bear..."

Hamiri also hugged Charlotte, trying to comfort her as well. "Don't listen to whatever that jerk told you, Charlotte. He doesn't know you," she assured her.

She stood there stiffly, enduring the hugs without a word.

No.

He knows me.

He knows me too well.

When they released her, she simply turned away, folding her wings in tightly so that she looked like a normal human.

*plip*

*plip*

All the while, the only sound was that of blood dripping to the ground.

*plip*

*plip*

*plip*

Lux heard the blood dripping, and he looked around, concerned. "What's dripping??" He looked at the ground and saw the blood. "...Charlotte? Where is that...where is the blood coming from?" He looked at her with fear, wondering if Adam had physically wounded her somehow.

[Charlia]

She stood there stiffly, enduring the hugs without a word.

No.

He knows me.

He knows me too well.

When they released her, she simply turned away, folding her wings in tightly so that she looked like a normal human.

*plip*

*plip*

All the while, the only sound was that of blood dripping to the ground.

*plip*

*plip*

*plip*

Lux heard the blood dripping, and he looked around, concerned. "What's dripping??" He looked at the ground and saw the blood. "...Charlotte? Where is that...where is the blood coming from?" He looked at her with fear, wondering if Adam had physically wounded her somehow.

She turned slightly, and the site of the bleeding came into view.

Her eyes.

She tilted her head to the side and smiled in an odd manner, as though she was completely mad, smiling, tears of blood dripping down her face.

"Is something wrong?"

[Luminesa]

Lux heard the blood dripping, and he looked around, concerned. "What's dripping??" He looked at the ground and saw the blood. "...Charlotte? Where is that...where is the blood coming from?" He looked at her with fear, wondering if Adam had physically wounded her somehow.

She turned slightly, and the site of the bleeding came into view.

Her eyes.

She tilted her head to the side and smiled in an odd manner, as though she was completely mad, smiling, tears of blood dripping down her face.

"Is something wrong?"

Hamiri gasped, afraid as she saw her eyes bleeding. "Charlotte! Your eyes!" she exclaimed.

Lux stepped toward her, trying to understand what had happened. "Charlotte, why are you bleeding? Did Adam attack you?" he questioned.

[Syrixces]

Hyperion giggled, light emanating in time to his chuckling.

Well, one, it makes it easy to get your way, and two, you can have a little fun, scaring people. I mean, the scariest thing I can give people is a peel from a sun-burn.

Tharizdun

Tharizdun thought for a second, before sitting down on the air, thinking, the spikes slowly melting back into the ground.

Now you've caught my attention. Speak.

Raven

Raven growled, his form growing hazy around the edges, as he suddenly exploded in a column of light, heat and power, exploding into thousands of albino ravens, flittering through the air, while maintaining a solid, human, astral form. Each raven shot through a portal in space-time, a third eye, opening above their beaks, as they flew through the universe, one plain of existence at a time, Raven's astral form, tearing through reality, walking across the fabric of space, his mind, in trillions of places at once.

He grinned beneath the mask, walking out onto a flat, grey plain of salt, the remnants of a lost world, the first world, he had taken his allies to. Buildings lay crumbling around them, the flat, dull, blasted surface of the planetoid, plain, except for the sole figure in the distance.

Like you can hide from me. I made you. and you dare acuse me of evil? When all I've done, all I've shown you, has been kindness, and the acts of someone who wants to learn from their mistakes? Tell me, Thana, you who accuse me, when you have committed sins much greater than mine own. Tell me, Thana. What. Have. I. Done?!