Holy High - IC 2 - Open

[Luminesa]

He sighed and crouched infront of her, taking her hands in his as he looked up to her. "That's why you have me now, Charlotte..." He said gently. "I'm here to pull you back up when you're being dragged down, to hold you when you're scared, to scare away the darkness...that's why you have me...I'm here to protect you so you can be happy without the pain..."

She went slowly to her knees, and then hugged him tightly, sobbing, but smiling through the tears.

As if there was hope for the first time in what felt like years.

She still had hope.

Arael watched them hug, and he smiled through his tears.

Please, Charlotte, never give up...Never give up like I did...Hold on to the ones you love and never let go...

Joaquin, in the meantime, finally walked over to join the group, and he watched Charlotte quietly. His normal snarky scowl had softened into a pensive gaze, as though he was wondering on all he had heard.

I wonder...if it's not too late for her...is it not too late for me?

Still standing in the distance, however, was Patriah, who was kneeling on the ground after having thrown-up. Xavier walked over to him and helped him up, seeing Patriah was so badly effected by everything happening around him.

"You alright?" Xavier asked, patting him on the back.

After a few heaving breaths, Patriah stared at him. "I dunno, what do you think? Do I look okay to you?" he asked, tiredly.

The angel shook his head. "We're not going anywhere any time soon, since Raven apparently went on vacation. Just take a breather for a few min-"

"It's not that. It's...It's this Adam-thing, and how Charlotte feels unloved, and how everyone here feels unloved, and...how...how this Adam-thing wants to break everyone. And he's good at it. And...I-I got sick just by being around Adam, what would happen if he actually spoke to me? What would he say? What does he know about me?" the Mage blurted.

Xavier continued to rub his back, trying to calm him down as he himself thought of an answer. "...I don't know what he'd say to you...but if you worry about that, then it'll only make things worse," he answered. He grinned and then explained, "You know who you are, Pat, and that's all that matters. You can fight him, and if you can't do it alone, you have your General-Eisenhower-In-Skirt-girlfriend and all of us to back you up. Though..." He turned away and thought for a moment, before adding, "That's not all you're worried about huh?"

Patriah stared at him in shock. The very same words he had spoken to Thana were now thrown back at him. "...Heheheh...I've spent so much time with Thana I even act like him now, I guess...kinda trying to hide what I feel..." he muttered, grinning.

"...Thana's gonna be fine, I promise. Whatever's happening, I'm sure he's taking care of himself. We're going to find him, and if we don't, Raven will and he'll bring him and Ianar back here...though...I have to admit I don't trust Raven myself..." he answered, ending on a dark note.

"If he does anything to Thana..." The Mage clenched his fists hard, imagining he beating he'd hand Raven for hurting his former Master.

"...And if you jump in against him, I'll be right beside you," Xavier assured him.

[Syrixces]

Raven sighed, rubbing the sides of his temples through the mask, before dropping his hands, and flipping his hood up, drawing in a deep breath with a second sigh, before crouching low, and snapping his fingers, disappearing in a whirl of feathers, appearing right next to Thana, grabbing his throat, and picking him up by the throat with a single hand, eyes glowing bright white beneath the bird's skull mask, voice, shattering through the silent plane around them.

Oh, do puh-lease shut up, you annoying little edge-lord. We get it. Your a too-spooky-for-me Death Mage, scythe and all. But you know what? I tried to be nice. I asked you all, out of humbleness. I admitted my mistakes. But you? You sat and thought up pitiful ways to turn this towards your favor. And, I, the so called, "manipulative" one, still gave you another fucking chance. So you know what? I'm not gonna play "Mr. Nice-Guy" anymore. Now, I'm playing God.

He grinned, as the snapped his fingers, Thana's scythe disappearing, unraveling, out of existence, gone from space and time, as the sliced birds, re-formed, fluttering back to him, his corporeal form, becoming one of a ghostly visage of fluttering wings and beaks, a thousand glowing white eyes, burning, while he maintained a humanoid form, still gripping Thana.

I'm not a cruel God. So you've got one last chance. One last chance, to confess your lies. So, repeat after me. "Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name..."

"YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER."

Thana went into his alternate Semi-Mage form, with his mask and body turning into a skull and skeleton draped in dark-purple robes. By doing so, he gained another scythe and slashed Raven across the chest. He then kicked him back, and he stood in the whirlwind of feathers fearlessly. However, as he glared darkly at Raven, the feathers turned black and then faded to dust.

"I am not lying. You seek to make me look as though I am insane, so I will break under you. I will not break. The Crown would never say such vulgar things as you say, He is not crass and uncaring as you are, and He loves His children. You? You say you have made mistakes and you are sorry for them, but at the same time you refuse to say what those mistakes are. You are a proud little coward, and you are only fighting me because I am right, and you cannot bear the truth."

His eyes glowed purple, he raised his arms slightly. As he did so, his miasma spread in a whirlwind around him, with the unearthly sounds of wandering ghosts echoing mystically through space. Above him formed a huge grey visage of a grim reaper glaring down over Raven. When it spotted him, it slashed at him, cutting him across the face, down the chest, and across the collarbone, slicing through the bone.

Besides, that is not the Christian prayer of repentance. If you were truly God, you would have known the very prayer millions of your own followers pray to you every day."

The scythe's blade went right through him. But didn't hit a thing. Raven grinned, holding out a hand, and catching the long end of the weapon on its path back up, the scythe, burning away at his touch, the feathers around him, burning off the coat of blackness, the Mage's power, not even singeing Raven's feathers. He smiled, as he tore the scythe from Thana's grip with ease, snapping it over his knee, and unraveled the existence if both ends, erasing the scythe. He began chuckling slightly, bending over, grinning beneath his mask.

You think your God cares? Bull. Shit. Look at Charlotte. Adam. Lilith. Fucking. Metatron. Michael. And tell me, he cares. Difference is, I accept my faults. You're right. I'm not a self-righteous asshole, like the rest of them. Sue me. Or do whatever you call this. Cause it certainly ain't an attack. And who said anything about Christian?

Raven's eyes went suddenly wide, as he began howling with laughter, snapping his fingers, and freezing Thana's action, walking up to him.

Did...did you actually think that Christian God was the only creator? Really? You idiot. I'm an Inuit creator, you moron. There is no white-bearded dude in this universe. There's me. Stupid.

He walked around to Thana's back, time still frozen, and grabbed the Mage's skull, gripping until an audible crack could be heard.

So maybe you should try again, Harry Potter.

[Luminesa]

"YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER."

Thana went into his alternate Semi-Mage form, with his mask and body turning into a skull and skeleton draped in dark-purple robes. By doing so, he gained another scythe and slashed Raven across the chest. He then kicked him back, and he stood in the whirlwind of feathers fearlessly. However, as he glared darkly at Raven, the feathers turned black and then faded to dust.

"I am not lying. You seek to make me look as though I am insane, so I will break under you. I will not break. The Crown would never say such vulgar things as you say, He is not crass and uncaring as you are, and He loves His children. You? You say you have made mistakes and you are sorry for them, but at the same time you refuse to say what those mistakes are. You are a proud little coward, and you are only fighting me because I am right, and you cannot bear the truth."

His eyes glowed purple, he raised his arms slightly. As he did so, his miasma spread in a whirlwind around him, with the unearthly sounds of wandering ghosts echoing mystically through space. Above him formed a huge grey visage of a grim reaper glaring down over Raven. When it spotted him, it slashed at him, cutting him across the face, down the chest, and across the collarbone, slicing through the bone.

Besides, that is not the Christian prayer of repentance. If you were truly God, you would have known the very prayer millions of your own followers pray to you every day."

The scythe's blade went right through him. But didn't hit a thing. Raven grinned, holding out a hand, and catching the long end of the weapon on its path back up, the scythe, burning away at his touch, the feathers around him, burning off the coat of blackness, the Mage's power, not even singeing Raven's feathers. He smiled, as he tore the scythe from Thana's grip with ease, snapping it over his knee, and unraveled the existence if both ends, erasing the scythe. He began chuckling slightly, bending over, grinning beneath his mask.

You think your God cares? Bull. Shit. Look at Charlotte. Adam. Lilith. Fucking. Metatron. Michael. And tell me, he cares. Difference is, I accept my faults. You're right. I'm not a self-righteous asshole, like the rest of them. Sue me. Or do whatever you call this. Cause it certainly ain't an attack. And who said anything about Christian?

Raven's eyes went suddenly wide, as he began howling with laughter, snapping his fingers, and freezing Thana's action, walking up to him.

Did...did you actually think that Christian God was the only creator? Really? You idiot. I'm an Inuit creator, you moron. There is no white-bearded dude in this universe. There's me. Stupid.

He walked around to Thana's back, time still frozen, and grabbed the Mage's skull, gripping until an audible crack could be heard.

So maybe you should try again, Harry Potter.

He howled in pain, as he felt the blunt trauma in his head, but he then he had the miasma-whirlwind throw him out, as he healed the wound with his magic.

"I never said He was the only one. And you claimed to be the God of Xavier as well, a Christian angel. And you claim to be mine, when I am an Altarian creation. What you are is a fraud. If anything, you sound like a petulant brat trying to change my mind, because you cannot take the time to change your own," he answered, as the broken scythe formed into his black, double-bladed scythe. "You can break my weapons all day, like a little boy breaking his toys in a fit of spite. It does not make me afraid of you."

He then focused his magic into making the atmosphere around Raven thicker, making it harder for him to move. Out of the thick blackness then formed an iron maiden of sorts, waiting to close on Raven. As he held him in the atmosphere, he walked around him, talking calmly with his hands behind his back, as he himself healed from his wounds.

"Why does God allow suffering, you ask?...Why, it is not because He is at fault...He joins Himself closer to us, in our suffering, and in return for the pain we are willing to endure, He gives us the strength to endure it. Charlotte has endured much, but her God has given her the strength to do so. He has given her Himself, so even when she comes close to breaking, she is able to get up again...But you cannot understand such a thing if you have no love in your heart. That is the difference between her God...and you. He understands, as mine does, that the worst pain can bring about the greatest salvation, that all light and hope can rise from depression and despair. You understand nothing."

He stopped in front of him with that last word, and his eyes glowed red.

"You're a foolish little brat playing God, because you think it's funny...I suppose we differ in our sense of humor as well," he suggested. He then outstretched his arms, and smiled sadly. Then he clapped his hands together hard, and the iron maiden shut around Raven, causing blood to spurt everywhere.

[SuperHappySmileyWorld]

"Where... what..." thought a man "Why... am I awake?... I am... Alive?"

He knew who he was. His name was Epsom. What he didn't know was how he suddenly regained consciousness. His last memories involved an insurmountable force sweeping the lands those who he once called worshipers lived. They were molded into the faith of another, it was safer to believe in the new god than to hold on to their old faiths. Remembering the memories rekindled a familiar spite within him, to think those who believed in him and his brothers would so easily turn their backs, as if they had done nothing for them.

Epsom noticed he has taken a humanoid form, he even resembles the ones who abandoned him. He knew not what clothes he was wearing but they certainly were not furs like the ones he recognizes. At his feet lay some scraps of something... A ring? Trying to get a closer look lead to a flash in his head, memories of long ago... but not as long ago as they should be. Glimpses of the in between. Visions of doing terrible things, abuses of his powers, abusing not only mortals but what feel to be even other gods. Extracting information, Torture.

Epsom shakes his head, he no longer wishes to know what lead from his height to this low he now finds himself. deciding he needs to get out of wherever he was, he decides to move toward a commotion that was occurring within ear shot

[Syrixces]

The scythe's blade went right through him. But didn't hit a thing. Raven grinned, holding out a hand, and catching the long end of the weapon on its path back up, the scythe, burning away at his touch, the feathers around him, burning off the coat of blackness, the Mage's power, not even singeing Raven's feathers. He smiled, as he tore the scythe from Thana's grip with ease, snapping it over his knee, and unraveled the existence if both ends, erasing the scythe. He began chuckling slightly, bending over, grinning beneath his mask.

You think your God cares? Bull. Shit. Look at Charlotte. Adam. Lilith. Fucking. Metatron. Michael. And tell me, he cares. Difference is, I accept my faults. You're right. I'm not a self-righteous asshole, like the rest of them. Sue me. Or do whatever you call this. Cause it certainly ain't an attack. And who said anything about Christian?

Raven's eyes went suddenly wide, as he began howling with laughter, snapping his fingers, and freezing Thana's action, walking up to him.

Did...did you actually think that Christian God was the only creator? Really? You idiot. I'm an Inuit creator, you moron. There is no white-bearded dude in this universe. There's me. Stupid.

He walked around to Thana's back, time still frozen, and grabbed the Mage's skull, gripping until an audible crack could be heard.

So maybe you should try again, Harry Potter.

He howled in pain, as he felt the blunt trauma in his head, but he then he had the miasma-whirlwind throw him out, as he healed the wound with his magic.

"I never said He was the only one. And you claimed to be the God of Xavier as well, a Christian angel. And you claim to be mine, when I am an Altarian creation. What you are is a fraud. If anything, you sound like a petulant brat trying to change my mind, because you cannot take the time to change your own," he answered, as the broken scythe formed into his black, double-bladed scythe. "You can break my weapons all day, like a little boy breaking his toys in a fit of spite. It does not make me afraid of you."

He then focused his magic into making the atmosphere around Raven thicker, making it harder for him to move. Out of the thick blackness then formed an iron maiden of sorts, waiting to close on Raven. As he held him in the atmosphere, he walked around him, talking calmly with his hands behind his back, as he himself healed from his wounds.

"Why does God allow suffering, you ask?...Why, it is not because He is at fault...He joins Himself closer to us, in our suffering, and in return for the pain we are willing to endure, He gives us the strength to endure it. Charlotte has endured much, but her God has given her the strength to do so. He has given her Himself, so even when she comes close to breaking, she is able to get up again...But you cannot understand such a thing if you have no love in your heart. That is the difference between her God...and you. He understands, as mine does, that the worst pain can bring about the greatest salvation, that all light and hope can rise from depression and despair. You understand nothing."

He stopped in front of him with that last word, and his eyes glowed red.

"You're a foolish little brat playing God, because you think it's funny...I suppose we differ in our sense of humor as well," he suggested. He then outstretched his arms, and smiled sadly. Then he clapped his hands together hard, and the iron maiden shut around Raven, causing blood to spurt everywhere.

Raven growled, the iron maiden phasing through him, as he flashed instantly in front of Thana, dropping low, and coming up with an elbow to the throat, leaping over Thana's shoulder, grabbing his robe, and dropping the Mage, Raven, maintaining both a solid, and intangible form at the same time, shattering physics. He grinned, tearing off his mask, revealing the tanned face of a boy beneath, wavy brown hair, and bright, solid purple eyes, glowing with power, as he gripped Thana's throat. He reached up, and tore off Thana's mask, before placing a hand on his jaw, and throwing the Mage to the ground. He snapped his fingers, triggering an aneurysm in Thana's skull shaped head, popping a blood vessel in the Mage's brain.

Pop.

He grinned one last time, and snapped his fingers, explosions triggering around him, Earth-quakes ripping the land apart around Thana, as a fire-storms and cosmic lightning descended from above, ravaging the Mage and the Earth around him, Raven, floating in the air above. Once the fire and quakes had died away, he floated downwards, and placed the heel of his boot onto Thana's throat, applying pressure.

Why even bother erasing you, when I can do that? This God you speak of? He's dead. I saved you. Remember that, boy. Next time you challenge me, I return you to the dust from whence you came. I understand this must be confusing for you, But take heart, for while I am mighty, I am merciful as well. I will give you a moment to readjust your old ways of thinking, and to bow head at my feet. Believe in me, for this universe is mine.

[Luminesa]

He howled in pain, as he felt the blunt trauma in his head, but he then he had the miasma-whirlwind throw him out, as he healed the wound with his magic.

"I never said He was the only one. And you claimed to be the God of Xavier as well, a Christian angel. And you claim to be mine, when I am an Altarian creation. What you are is a fraud. If anything, you sound like a petulant brat trying to change my mind, because you cannot take the time to change your own," he answered, as the broken scythe formed into his black, double-bladed scythe. "You can break my weapons all day, like a little boy breaking his toys in a fit of spite. It does not make me afraid of you."

He then focused his magic into making the atmosphere around Raven thicker, making it harder for him to move. Out of the thick blackness then formed an iron maiden of sorts, waiting to close on Raven. As he held him in the atmosphere, he walked around him, talking calmly with his hands behind his back, as he himself healed from his wounds.

"Why does God allow suffering, you ask?...Why, it is not because He is at fault...He joins Himself closer to us, in our suffering, and in return for the pain we are willing to endure, He gives us the strength to endure it. Charlotte has endured much, but her God has given her the strength to do so. He has given her Himself, so even when she comes close to breaking, she is able to get up again...But you cannot understand such a thing if you have no love in your heart. That is the difference between her God...and you. He understands, as mine does, that the worst pain can bring about the greatest salvation, that all light and hope can rise from depression and despair. You understand nothing."

He stopped in front of him with that last word, and his eyes glowed red.

"You're a foolish little brat playing God, because you think it's funny...I suppose we differ in our sense of humor as well," he suggested. He then outstretched his arms, and smiled sadly. Then he clapped his hands together hard, and the iron maiden shut around Raven, causing blood to spurt everywhere.

Raven growled, the iron maiden phasing through him, as he flashed instantly in front of Thana, dropping low, and coming up with an elbow to the throat, leaping over Thana's shoulder, grabbing his robe, and dropping the Mage, Raven, maintaining both a solid, and intangible form at the same time, shattering physics. He grinned, tearing off his mask, revealing the tanned face of a boy beneath, wavy brown hair, and bright, solid purple eyes, glowing with power, as he gripped Thana's throat. He reached up, and tore off Thana's mask, before placing a hand on his jaw, and throwing the Mage to the ground. He snapped his fingers, triggering an aneurysm in Thana's skull shaped head, popping a blood vessel in the Mage's brain.

Pop.

He grinned one last time, and snapped his fingers, explosions triggering around him, Earth-quakes ripping the land apart around Thana, as a fire-storms and cosmic lightning descended from above, ravaging the Mage and the Earth around him, Raven, floating in the air above. Once the fire and quakes had died away, he floated downwards, and placed the heel of his boot onto Thana's throat, applying pressure.

Why even bother erasing you, when I can do that? This God you speak of? He's dead. I saved you. Remember that, boy. Next time you challenge me, I return you to the dust from whence you came. I understand this must be confusing for you, But take heart, for while I am mighty, I am merciful as well. I will give you a moment to readjust your old ways of thinking, and to bow head at my feet. Believe in me, for this universe is mine.

Thana felt the pop, and he began to bleed immensely. Through the mouth, down the back of the spine, everywhere. If something was not done in minutes, he would die from blood loss. Then there was the fire and the lightning, which should have reduced his now-feeble body to dust.

No! No, I cannot die like this! I must...stay conscious...Please...good Crown of Heaven...

...Help me...

He closed his eyes, but he clenched his fists and focused on the wound. It was impossibly severe, and it hurt immensely, but he struggled to at least stabilize it with magic. His entire body glowed a bright-purple, as he fought to hold himself together.

I will not...I will not...

The amount of magic he had to use was immense. As Patriah had when he had fought Tharizdun, Thana began to turn pale, and his eyes, hair, and outfit began to turn silver. Even the blood he bled turned a shiny silver, though it was not bleeding as much anymore. Slowly, he turned his eyes back to Raven, and while he was too weak at the moment to speak, he was able to mouth a single word.

Never.

Before Raven could respond with a killing blow, however, a voice laughed and echoed around them.

Well, well. This isn't a very pleasant situation, is it? Adam appeared, taking the form of Patriah. He kicked Raven off, and then picked up Thana. You'll have to try again later. I believe you have a rebellion brewing amongst your following, anyway.

Thana was surprised to see the supposed face of his former Apprentice, and he stared up at him. "...Patriah..." he whispered, having regained a slight bit of strength, since Raven's foot was no longer on his throat.

Adam smiled down at him deliberately. Rest yourself, Thana. You've fought almost until death, and now you have left a wave of chaos in your wake. A brilliant wave of chaos. Nobody will be able to deny the truth now, will they? He then put a hand on the Mage's forehead, shutting Thana down and putting him into a coma as his body recovered. He then smiled at Raven. Fear not, I will put him back into your care once I am done with him. In the meantime, perhaps you should return to your flock, and examine the damage that has been left because of this Mage. He then disappeared, still holding Thana in his arms.

[Syrixces]

Hyperion

Hyperion grinned, snuggling up against her, holding up his hand, atoms and solar wind humming off in waves of power, the white form, emanating heat. He wrapped a arm around Nyx, cuddling next to her, as he looked up at the night sky, the darkness, glittering, surrounded by an expanse of stars.

Yeah, but you know what I prefer to all of that? This. This is all I want and need.

Tharizdun

Tharizdun sat there, mulling it over in his head, before suddenly, looking up, as the screams within his fortress, suddenly stopped, the red gore, not flowing as constantly.

Well, that's my cue. Tell you what though, I'll think about it. Insect.

And with that, he disappeared back into his keep.

Raven

Raven rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers, returning his mask to his face, and flipping his hood back up. Like he hadn't known that was Adam. Did they think he was stupid? They should be grateful for his mercy, not disrespectful of it. Fools. If only he had his old power. He'd wipe Adam right from existence, and his smug smile too, but, alas, that power, was still stolen. Instead, he'd have to get by on his remaining abilities. As for his so called "flock," well, they were of no real importance. He had lost his friends long ago, and these pale imitations, were of no comparison. Alas.

He snapped his fingers, returning to Earth, the dusty sands of the desert surrounding where his allies had encamped, the dust and quartzite grains flooding his robes and face, yet none touching his form. All around his edges, feathers fluttered, and beaks cawed, yet he maintained his human form, strolling through, to the center gathering.

He clapped his hands calmly, smiling beneath the mask, and looked at the men and women around him.

So. We ready to get a move on?

[Luminesa]

Hyperion

Hyperion grinned, snuggling up against her, holding up his hand, atoms and solar wind humming off in waves of power, the white form, emanating heat. He wrapped a arm around Nyx, cuddling next to her, as he looked up at the night sky, the darkness, glittering, surrounded by an expanse of stars.

Yeah, but you know what I prefer to all of that? This. This is all I want and need.

Tharizdun

Tharizdun sat there, mulling it over in his head, before suddenly, looking up, as the screams within his fortress, suddenly stopped, the red gore, not flowing as constantly.

Well, that's my cue. Tell you what though, I'll think about it. Insect.

And with that, he disappeared back into his keep.

Raven

Raven rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers, returning his mask to his face, and flipping his hood back up. Like he hadn't known that was Adam. Did they think he was stupid? They should be grateful for his mercy, not disrespectful of it. Fools. If only he had his old power. He'd wipe Adam right from existence, and his smug smile too, but, alas, that power, was still stolen. Instead, he'd have to get by on his remaining abilities. As for his so called "flock," well, they were of no real importance. He had lost his friends long ago, and these pale imitations, were of no comparison. Alas.

He snapped his fingers, returning to Earth, the dusty sands of the desert surrounding where his allies had encamped, the dust and quartzite grains flooding his robes and face, yet none touching his form. All around his edges, feathers fluttered, and beaks cawed, yet he maintained his human form, strolling through, to the center gathering.

He clapped his hands calmly, smiling beneath the mask, and looked at the men and women around him.

So. We ready to get a move on?

EARTH

Xavier and Patriah were the first ones to spot Raven, and they both marched up to him at the same time, while everyone else watched in horror at what was coming. The former jabbed Raven across the face with a fist, knocking him to the ground, and the latter picked him up by the collar and held his sword against his collar.

"You think it's funny to leave your own teammates suffering, punk?!" Xavier shouted.

"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THANA?!" Patriah screamed, his eyes turning red and dragonic from rage.

In the distance, Lux wanted to step toward the trio, but Hamiri held him back.

"Hamiri, they are going to fight," Lux told her, anxiously.

"Any other time, I'd say go ahead, but this is about to get really ugly, and I don't want Patriah to tear your wings off, when he's aiming for Raven," she warned him.

OBLIVION

Deep inside the dimension that was Adam, Thana floated unconsciously in a dully-lit, silver room. Lights floated above him, keeping him warm and still, so it felt as though he was in an incubator. However, the lights that floated above him were not fluorescent lights, but small burst of Adam's energy, which he orchestrated from a few yards away. Adam was still disguised as Patriah, and he continued smiling calmly as he watched Thana recover the color in his body and outfit.

Yes, sleep, Thana...Soon...I might have plans for you...and for them to work, I need you to be awake and well...

[Charlia]

Hyperion

Hyperion grinned, snuggling up against her, holding up his hand, atoms and solar wind humming off in waves of power, the white form, emanating heat. He wrapped a arm around Nyx, cuddling next to her, as he looked up at the night sky, the darkness, glittering, surrounded by an expanse of stars.

Yeah, but you know what I prefer to all of that? This. This is all I want and need.

Tharizdun

Tharizdun sat there, mulling it over in his head, before suddenly, looking up, as the screams within his fortress, suddenly stopped, the red gore, not flowing as constantly.

Well, that's my cue. Tell you what though, I'll think about it. Insect.

And with that, he disappeared back into his keep.

Raven

Raven rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers, returning his mask to his face, and flipping his hood back up. Like he hadn't known that was Adam. Did they think he was stupid? They should be grateful for his mercy, not disrespectful of it. Fools. If only he had his old power. He'd wipe Adam right from existence, and his smug smile too, but, alas, that power, was still stolen. Instead, he'd have to get by on his remaining abilities. As for his so called "flock," well, they were of no real importance. He had lost his friends long ago, and these pale imitations, were of no comparison. Alas.

He snapped his fingers, returning to Earth, the dusty sands of the desert surrounding where his allies had encamped, the dust and quartzite grains flooding his robes and face, yet none touching his form. All around his edges, feathers fluttered, and beaks cawed, yet he maintained his human form, strolling through, to the center gathering.

He clapped his hands calmly, smiling beneath the mask, and looked at the men and women around him.

So. We ready to get a move on?

EARTH

Xavier and Patriah were the first ones to spot Raven, and they both marched up to him at the same time, while everyone else watched in horror at what was coming. The former jabbed Raven across the face with a fist, knocking him to the ground, and the latter picked him up by the collar and held his sword against his collar.

"You think it's funny to leave your own teammates suffering, punk?!" Xavier shouted.

"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THANA?!" Patriah screamed, his eyes turning red and dragonic from rage.

In the distance, Lux wanted to step toward the trio, but Hamiri held him back.

"Hamiri, they are going to fight," Lux told her, anxiously.

"Any other time, I'd say go ahead, but this is about to get really ugly, and I don't want Patriah to tear your wings off, when he's aiming for Raven," she warned him.

OBLIVION

Deep inside the dimension that was Adam, Thana floated unconsciously in a dully-lit, silver room. Lights floated above him, keeping him warm and still, so it felt as though he was in an incubator. However, the lights that floated above him were not fluorescent lights, but small burst of Adam's energy, which he orchestrated from a few yards away. Adam was still disguised as Patriah, and he continued smiling calmly as he watched Thana recover the color in his body and outfit.

Yes, sleep, Thana...Soon...I might have plans for you...and for them to work, I need you to be awake and well...

At this point, Charlotte abandoned all restraint.

She turned into a screaming, almost demonic-looking figure, pure white except for the red of her hair and the blood that was now pouring from her eyes and mouth, rage transforming her into a monstrous... thing.

Something she, even with all her powers, should never have been able to become.

"ENOUGH!" she screamed. "If you want to fight amongst yourselves, do it when we're finished with this! When you're not leaving the rest of us watching as you bleed and die! When you're not wasting time and wasting lives nursing pointless grudges! If you can get some sense into your thick skulls and not waste everyone's time with your petty grievances! If you want to kill each other and yourselves, save it until you're not inconveniencing the rest of us!"

She was speaking in a manner that she would normally never even consider adopting.

Harsh. Cruel. And the words she chose... callous, cold, insulting, uncaring.

Words that seemed chosen to cut deep.

Not like her, at all.

[Luminesa]

EARTH

Xavier and Patriah were the first ones to spot Raven, and they both marched up to him at the same time, while everyone else watched in horror at what was coming. The former jabbed Raven across the face with a fist, knocking him to the ground, and the latter picked him up by the collar and held his sword against his collar.

"You think it's funny to leave your own teammates suffering, punk?!" Xavier shouted.

"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THANA?!" Patriah screamed, his eyes turning red and dragonic from rage.

In the distance, Lux wanted to step toward the trio, but Hamiri held him back.

"Hamiri, they are going to fight," Lux told her, anxiously.

"Any other time, I'd say go ahead, but this is about to get really ugly, and I don't want Patriah to tear your wings off, when he's aiming for Raven," she warned him.

OBLIVION

Deep inside the dimension that was Adam, Thana floated unconsciously in a dully-lit, silver room. Lights floated above him, keeping him warm and still, so it felt as though he was in an incubator. However, the lights that floated above him were not fluorescent lights, but small burst of Adam's energy, which he orchestrated from a few yards away. Adam was still disguised as Patriah, and he continued smiling calmly as he watched Thana recover the color in his body and outfit.

Yes, sleep, Thana...Soon...I might have plans for you...and for them to work, I need you to be awake and well...

At this point, Charlotte abandoned all restraint.

She turned into a screaming, almost demonic-looking figure, pure white except for the red of her hair and the blood that was now pouring from her eyes and mouth, rage transforming her into a monstrous... thing.

Something she, even with all her powers, should never have been able to become.

"ENOUGH!" she screamed. "If you want to fight amongst yourselves, do it when we're finished with this! When you're not leaving the rest of us watching as you bleed and die! When you're not wasting time and wasting lives nursing pointless grudges! If you can get some sense into your thick skulls and not waste everyone's time with your petty grievances! If you want to kill each other and yourselves, save it until you're not inconveniencing the rest of us!"

She was speaking in a manner that she would normally never even consider adopting.

Harsh. Cruel. And the words she chose... callous, cold, insulting, uncaring.

Words that seemed chosen to cut deep.

Not like her, at all.

"...Charlotte..." Xavier muttered, shocked by her tone.

Meanwhile, Patriah didn't listen. He was far too angry to pay attention to her, and instead he simply slashed Raven across the jaw, the only visible skin he could snag. "I'm not letting this die until I know what this punk did with Thana," he growled.

[Charlia]

At this point, Charlotte abandoned all restraint.

She turned into a screaming, almost demonic-looking figure, pure white except for the red of her hair and the blood that was now pouring from her eyes and mouth, rage transforming her into a monstrous... thing.

Something she, even with all her powers, should never have been able to become.

"ENOUGH!" she screamed. "If you want to fight amongst yourselves, do it when we're finished with this! When you're not leaving the rest of us watching as you bleed and die! When you're not wasting time and wasting lives nursing pointless grudges! If you can get some sense into your thick skulls and not waste everyone's time with your petty grievances! If you want to kill each other and yourselves, save it until you're not inconveniencing the rest of us!"

She was speaking in a manner that she would normally never even consider adopting.

Harsh. Cruel. And the words she chose... callous, cold, insulting, uncaring.

Words that seemed chosen to cut deep.

Not like her, at all.

"...Charlotte..." Xavier muttered, shocked by her tone.

Meanwhile, Patriah didn't listen. He was far too angry to pay attention to her, and instead he simply slashed Raven across the jaw, the only visible skin he could snag. "I'm not letting this die until I know what this punk did with Thana," he growled.

"What is wrong with you?" she hissed, and sent chains of pure darkness in his direction, restraining him and chaining him up. "Thana left on his own. He betrayed us. If he returns, then it will be by his own choice. Don't be stupid. No matter how hard it is for you..."

[Luminesa]

"...Charlotte..." Xavier muttered, shocked by her tone.

Meanwhile, Patriah didn't listen. He was far too angry to pay attention to her, and instead he simply slashed Raven across the jaw, the only visible skin he could snag. "I'm not letting this die until I know what this punk did with Thana," he growled.

"What is wrong with you?" she hissed, and sent chains of pure darkness in his direction, restraining him and chaining him up. "Thana left on his own. He betrayed us. If he returns, then it will be by his own choice. Don't be stupid. No matter how hard it is for you..."

"Wait...WHAT?!" Patriah stormed, still holding fiercely onto Raven, despite being tied-up.

Thana betrayed us? No! He would never do that!

He wouldn't! He wouldn't betray us...

...He wouldn't...

"This can't be right! Patriah and I know him, he would never betray our team! He's not an evil person!" Hamiri protested, anxious herself. She couldn't believe herself what she had heard, that her boyfriend's kind-though-mysterious teacher could possibly be a traitor.

[Charlia]

"What is wrong with you?" she hissed, and sent chains of pure darkness in his direction, restraining him and chaining him up. "Thana left on his own. He betrayed us. If he returns, then it will be by his own choice. Don't be stupid. No matter how hard it is for you..."

"Wait...WHAT?!" Patriah stormed, still holding fiercely onto Raven, despite being tied-up.

Thana betrayed us? No! He would never do that!

He wouldn't! He wouldn't betray us...

...He wouldn't...

"This can't be right! Patriah and I know him, he would never betray our team! He's not an evil person!" Hamiri protested, anxious herself. She couldn't believe herself what she had heard, that her boyfriend's kind-though-mysterious teacher could possibly be a traitor.

"I know. You don't want to believe it. But it's the truth... He and Ianar went to Thanakron and Tharizdun in an attempt to make alliances with them. Two of our worst enemies... Betrayal in its finest sense." As soon as she said 'Tharizdun', Charlie's face went utterly pale.

[Syrixces]

And Raven, completely lost it.

He roared, growing into a ten foot tall version of himself, with slightly humanoid features, composed completely of three-eyed, massive albino ravens, a swarm of the creatures, circling his body and form, while his voice came from the air itself, time freezing. He snapped his fingers, a thousand white raven's eyes glowing, as he leaned froward, grabbing Xavier's fist, and crushing it, snapping the bones with surprising ease, and grabbing Patriah's arm, snapping the bones inside. The sword thrusted at him, melted away into metalloid liquid, pouring to the dirt, as Raven grabbed Patriah by the throat, and threw him across the field, energy crackling around him. He then turned to Xavier, punching the Throne in the liver with the force of an atom bomb, and pushing a palm into his bent back, slamming him into the ground, weighing him down under thousands of gravitons, the ground cracking under the weight. He then turned suddenly to Charlotte, the swarm of eyes flaring wide, as the air around her flashed away, taking away her voice.

She speaks only the truth. He went to Thanakron. Tried to create a deal with him, in an attempt to betray me. After all he's seen. all the cruelty he has seen them pursue, the blood - mills, slave pits. And he still betrayed me. For Thanakron. His ally still lies with Tharizdun, attempting a similar union. So yes, he did betray us. All of us. As well as our mission. And I dealt with him appropriately. But now, you have the gall, the audacity, to attack me? How dare you. You're lucky I'm not returning you to the primordial slime from whence you came. And if you ever, ever insult me again, I will rip every nerve ending in your body apart at once, endlessly. Healing and screaming over and over again.

His eyes narrowed, as he walked over to Patriah's crone from, kicking back the fallen dragon's head, and slamming his other boot into his chest, with the force of an immovable object, pinning the Mage to the ground, with a trillion tons of pressure.

I am God. I am the immovable object. The unstoppable force. And. You. Will. Show. Respect.

And with that, he snapped his fingers, releasing his hold, and returning to his human form, the pressure on Patriah and Xavier lifting, and the air returning to Charlotte.

Understood?

[Luminesa]

"Wait...WHAT?!" Patriah stormed, still holding fiercely onto Raven, despite being tied-up.

Thana betrayed us? No! He would never do that!

He wouldn't! He wouldn't betray us...

...He wouldn't...

"This can't be right! Patriah and I know him, he would never betray our team! He's not an evil person!" Hamiri protested, anxious herself. She couldn't believe herself what she had heard, that her boyfriend's kind-though-mysterious teacher could possibly be a traitor.

"I know. You don't want to believe it. But it's the truth... He and Ianar went to Thanakron and Tharizdun in an attempt to make alliances with them. Two of our worst enemies... Betrayal in its finest sense." As soon as she said 'Tharizdun', Charlie's face went utterly pale.

Lux's eyes widened, when he heard Tharzidun's name. "...That cannot be..."

Thanakron...

Patriah fiercely shook his head. "NO! He wouldn't do that! He wouldn't! And how can you even claim to know what he's doing, since you can't see him?!" he shouted, struggling against the dark chains that held him in place.

[Charlia]

"I know. You don't want to believe it. But it's the truth... He and Ianar went to Thanakron and Tharizdun in an attempt to make alliances with them. Two of our worst enemies... Betrayal in its finest sense." As soon as she said 'Tharizdun', Charlie's face went utterly pale.

Lux's eyes widened, when he heard Tharzidun's name. "...That cannot be..."

Thanakron...

Patriah fiercely shook his head. "NO! He wouldn't do that! He wouldn't! And how can you even claim to know what he's doing, since you can't see him?!" he shouted, struggling against the dark chains that held him in place.

After Raven's attack, Charlotte just stood there, smiled, and laughed contemptuously at the fallen forms of Xavier and Patriah.

"You know nothing of my true power, do you, Patriah? How amusing. How... pathetic." Her eyes flashed, and she created an ice spike out of thin air that dropped from the sky and stopped directly before it would pierce his heart, essentially trapping him.

"You have no idea who and what you're dealing with."

[Luminesa]

And Raven, completely lost it.

He roared, growing into a ten foot tall version of himself, with slightly humanoid features, composed completely of three-eyed, massive albino ravens, a swarm of the creatures, circling his body and form, while his voice came from the air itself, time freezing. He snapped his fingers, a thousand white raven's eyes glowing, as he leaned froward, grabbing Xavier's fist, and crushing it, snapping the bones with surprising ease, and grabbing Patriah's arm, snapping the bones inside. The sword thrusted at him, melted away into metalloid liquid, pouring to the dirt, as Raven grabbed Patriah by the throat, and threw him across the field, energy crackling around him. He then turned to Xavier, punching the Throne in the liver with the force of an atom bomb, and pushing a palm into his bent back, slamming him into the ground, weighing him down under thousands of gravitons, the ground cracking under the weight. He then turned suddenly to Charlotte, the swarm of eyes flaring wide, as the air around her flashed away, taking away her voice.

She speaks only the truth. He went to Thanakron. Tried to create a deal with him, in an attempt to betray me. After all he's seen. all the cruelty he has seen them pursue, the blood - mills, slave pits. And he still betrayed me. For Thanakron. His ally still lies with Tharizdun, attempting a similar union. So yes, he did betray us. All of us. As well as our mission. And I dealt with him appropriately. But now, you have the gall, the audacity, to attack me? How dare you. You're lucky I'm not returning you to the primordial slime from whence you came. And if you ever, ever insult me again, I will rip every nerve ending in your body apart at once, endlessly. Healing and screaming over and over again.

His eyes narrowed, as he walked over to Patriah's crone from, kicking back the fallen dragon's head, and slamming his other boot into his chest, with the force of an immovable object, pinning the Mage to the ground, with a trillion tons of pressure.

I am God. I am the immovable object. The unstoppable force. And. You. Will. Show. Respect.

And with that, he snapped his fingers, releasing his hold, and returning to his human form, the pressure on Patriah and Xavier lifting, and the air returning to Charlotte.

Understood?

EARTH

"PATRIAH!" Hamiri shouted, running to his side.

Patriah did not listen to her, but he simply lay limp on the ground, staring at the sky.

This can't be true...it can't be...It can't be...

The words echoed over and over in his head, even as he lay as wounded as he was.

Meanwhile, Arael flew to heal Patriah, while Xavier was able to heal himself, though slowly. He lay silent for a moment, and then he smiled slightly. He then laughed loudly. He hasn't laughed like that since he had almost fallen himself, but now he was beyond furious.

"...You know what?...I don't blame Thana for doing what he did..." Xavier summoned his Staff and slowly got to his feet, holding it with his good hand. "...You're not God...you're a filthy little tyrant...YES, I SAID IT. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU'RE A TYRANT. I BET YOU DON'T LIKE HEARING THAT, DO YOU?! GUESS WHAT: NOBODY DOES, YOU PETTY LITTLE BRAT," he called, grinning madly. It was almost unlike him, but he had never seen a being he seemed more arrogant in his life. His eyes lit on fire, and he continued to smirk angrily.

"You see nothing wrong with allowing your teammates to writhe in pain, while you go after the two people who have wrecked your plans, because they, unlike the rest of us, saw through you from the start! How's that, huh? You know, I was fooled once, and I told myself I'd never let it happen again. But I did. I let it happen, inexplicably. I let two of my teammates get wounded because I chose to follow you. ONE OF THEM DIED, AN OPPONENT WHO LIVED AND BREATHED HONOR TO THE VERY END, WITH MORE HONOR THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. WITH MORE LOVE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. So yes. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU. NONE. AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE FROM THE START, BECAUSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVEN I HAVE MORE HONOR IN MY HEART THAN YOU DO," he screamed.

He then stepped forward, and he grinned right in Raven's face.

"There was once a little show I remember was very popular just a few years ago, and it had a good saying: 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their friends are even lower than that.' Except now, you have no friends. You're a God without followers. A fraud and a failure. If you are God, then I am Lucifer. AND I. WILL. NOT. SERVE."

Unfolding his wings completely, he turned to Lux. The latter's eyes were streaming with tears, as he absorbed everything he was hearing. Once again, he felt helpless and lost. He was on his knees, staring blankly ahead of him.

"Lux, come with me. We're going to rescue Thana and end this nightmare. For all of us," he told him.

The angel stared despairingly at him, full of earth-shattering sorrow and remorse. He had followed this wicked deity into battle, and now he saw the truth. Nothing was right, all seemed confused and grey. Yet as he looked up at Raven, the being who hurt his brother, he wiped his eyes and stood. "I stand against you as well..." he spoke brokenly, "because the God I love and pray to...has taught me to fear Him out of love, not to love Him out of fear...I have feared many things...I have lost so much...gained it back...and lost it again...but you are not my God...God is not dead, you fiend. He is alive...I...will be proof of that..." He also unfolded his wings, and he stood bravely, hiding how terrified he was. "You may come for us and try to kill us if you want...but if we die, we will die as martyrs...The first time I stood before a being like you, he tore away my dignity and made me think...that the darkness was my light...that I was hopeless and that I belonged to him...I will not fall for that again..."

Finally, Patriah stood, but he had no rousing speech. He was so crushed by what he had heard that he almost didn't have the strength. Hamiri had to clutch his shoulder, in order to hold him upright. "...Go ahead and try to kill me...because if I have to respect you, I have no point in living..."

Hamiri nodded, standing next to him firmly. "Congratulations, you can pound Bunny and Xavier into the ground. Lots of other villains have done that before. You're no different from they are. At least, my blade doesn't see a difference," she commented, drawing her sword. She then turned to Xavier and Patriah. "You two go save Thana, Lux and I will stay here and hold him back. Once again, I'll be cleaning feathers off my blade all night," she muttered. She then turned to Ryujin and shouted, "Hey! Fish-Face! Are you gonna help, or are you gonna let this scrub beat-up your best friend? Huh?"

Xavier nodded to her, and he looked at Patriah. "Let's go, come on," he told him. He then flew away alongside the Mage, who managed to get back into his Mage form. This way, he could sense Thana's magic more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Hamiri had her sword ready, and Lux stood with his Staff, tears still streaming down.

Arael watched the angel and the the Mage leave, and then he went to Charlotte and used a sleeve of his cloak to wipe her face. "...He hurt you, too...You have suffered enough, I will stand here against him and defend you...If you do not want that, please kill me. End me, because I am the one who first hurt you..." His own voice was full of sorrow and remorse for his actions, but seeing how hysterical Charlotte had become, he was willing to die so she would be satisfied.

OBLIVION

Adam sensed Patriah's Magic, as the Mage searched for them, and he smiled. How sweet...they are seeking their friend, but yet they despise me...What an unfortunate confrontation that will be... He turned to Thana and watched his body. He then flew over to him and smiled down at him, feeling his warming face. ...You poor, lonely creature...cursed with such a loveless life, such a loveless job...Do not be upset, you will be able to see your little student and his friend soon...just not now...

Another Angel of Oblivion entered the room just then, a tall and stately male with long green hair, and dressed in a long, red jacket and a black military uniform. The Angel immediately bent on one knee. "My Creator and My Lord..." he whispered.

Zeruel...So good to see you. Shall you go find Ianar and bring him to me? I would like to keep him here as well...Then please greet our guests for me. I would like them to know that they are safe here...at least for now...

"Anything for you, My Lord..." Zeruel answered eagerly. He then briskly stood and disappeared, going to find the rescuers.

[Luminesa]

Lux's eyes widened, when he heard Tharzidun's name. "...That cannot be..."

Thanakron...

Patriah fiercely shook his head. "NO! He wouldn't do that! He wouldn't! And how can you even claim to know what he's doing, since you can't see him?!" he shouted, struggling against the dark chains that held him in place.

After Raven's attack, Charlotte just stood there, smiled, and laughed contemptuously at the fallen forms of Xavier and Patriah.

"You know nothing of my true power, do you, Patriah? How amusing. How... pathetic." Her eyes flashed, and she created an ice spike out of thin air that dropped from the sky and stopped directly before it would pierce his heart, essentially trapping him.

"You have no idea who and what you're dealing with."

"You know what? Darn it all."

An enormous shot of lightning crashed directly into Charlotte, throwing her back until she crashed against a boulder.

Joaquin walked over to her from where he was standing, and he was grinning gravely. "I have never heard such an ungrateful little punk in my life. These two are standing up for you against a poser in a cheap Halloween costume, who just took away your voice, and you think this is a good time to show-off your powers. These people are willing to tear the world down to make you happy, Arael even just told you that you could kill him if it made you happy. Nope. You still can't be happy unless you get to demonstrate your power every three minutes, because you have the self-esteem of a dry slug. You know what? Adam just might have been right about you. You're a vindictive, spoiled little brat who can't take the fact that the world doesn't revolve around her, and that, hey, grown-ups can't spend all their time taking care of a little girl who would turn down even people who would die defending her honor. I hope that little angel who just saved you one day gets the nerve to slap you across the face...oh, but why wait?"

Joaquin walked right up to her and slapped her straight across the face, to the shock of Hamiri and Arael, who both gasped.

Lux merely watched in horror at Charlotte's evil, bloodied face.

"I hope that stings, Princess. I hope it stings with all the love you've ever turned down," he finished. He then unfolded his wings and flew away after Patriah and Xavier.

[Ranoria]

A low sound cut through the air. The way it seemed to reverberate was almost like a lawn mower, but there was no mistaking the sound as Ryujin's immense talons crushed the ground beneath them. His wings flared out as he came between Raven and the others, moving Xavier away on a whim, as well as the others, before turning to Raven, draconic eyes glowing with barely restrained fury.

"I have a question for you, hatchling." He was much larger than Raven, insanely, even, and his jowls were peeled back in a snarl. "If you have such power, why do you need us, little godling? Now you have two options, the way I see it." There was malice in his words, and when he laid out Raven's choices, there was no mistaking which one he'd prefer, "If you still need us, you can find another army. You will allow us to leave. Or," his pupils seemed to narrow slightly, tail flicking and talons curling at the thought, "We'll break what pitiful power you have, and once you're gone, we'll deal with the other gods."

Shen Lung watched from a cloud, which had now turned to a cumulonimbus as he prepared to leap down. "Ryujin, you stupid son of a bitch..." Mourir, of course, stood by silently, siding with the dragon, especially after hearing what had happened to Thana.

The dragon god's growl increased in volume, the earth itself shaking under its weight as the desert sands released the water below, slowly becoming soaked, "Now, which will it be?" It was an ultimatum, not something the ocean's king would allow Raven to back away from. He had revealed himself in this fit of rage, he was not the God, and he certainly didn't have the power to take them all on.

[Charlia]

After Raven's attack, Charlotte just stood there, smiled, and laughed contemptuously at the fallen forms of Xavier and Patriah.

"You know nothing of my true power, do you, Patriah? How amusing. How... pathetic." Her eyes flashed, and she created an ice spike out of thin air that dropped from the sky and stopped directly before it would pierce his heart, essentially trapping him.

"You have no idea who and what you're dealing with."

"You know what? Darn it all."

An enormous shot of lightning crashed directly into Charlotte, throwing her back until she crashed against a boulder.

Joaquin walked over to her from where he was standing, and he was grinning gravely. "I have never heard such an ungrateful little punk in my life. These two are standing up for you against a poser in a cheap Halloween costume, who just took away your voice, and you think this is a good time to show-off your powers. These people are willing to tear the world down to make you happy, Arael even just told you that you could kill him if it made you happy. Nope. You still can't be happy unless you get to demonstrate your power every three minutes, because you have the self-esteem of a dry slug. You know what? Adam just might have been right about you. You're a vindictive, spoiled little brat who can't take the fact that the world doesn't revolve around her, and that, hey, grown-ups can't spend all their time taking care of a little girl who would turn down even people who would die defending her honor. I hope that little angel who just saved you one day gets the nerve to slap you across the face...oh, but why wait?"

Joaquin walked right up to her and slapped her straight across the face, to the shock of Hamiri and Arael, who both gasped.

Lux merely watched in horror at Charlotte's evil, bloodied face.

"I hope that stings, Princess. I hope it stings with all the love you've ever turned down," he finished. He then unfolded his wings and flew away after Patriah and Xavier.

She stared at him, rage burning in her raw, bleeding eyes.

She didn't say anything.

She simply opened her mouth, and made a sound that could only be described as 'Hell'. With a capital H.

All of the rage, the pain, the fear, all the suffering and every bad thing that had ever happened to anyone, and ever would happen, all concentrated into a single sound.

And with that sound came fire.

A raging inferno that consumed her, and yet she did not turn to ashes. She simply burned on, and on, and on. A fire like the fires of hell itself, and yet she felt nothing.

Or did she?

The blood increased, pouring down her body, until it seemed that her flesh had been replaced entirely with blood.

Perhaps it had.

And through it all, the only sound that came from her lips was the sound that was the base of every nightmare, every fear, every bit of anger and pain that had ever entered anyone's mind.

A sound of pure evil.

[Luminesa]

"You know what? Darn it all."

An enormous shot of lightning crashed directly into Charlotte, throwing her back until she crashed against a boulder.

Joaquin walked over to her from where he was standing, and he was grinning gravely. "I have never heard such an ungrateful little punk in my life. These two are standing up for you against a poser in a cheap Halloween costume, who just took away your voice, and you think this is a good time to show-off your powers. These people are willing to tear the world down to make you happy, Arael even just told you that you could kill him if it made you happy. Nope. You still can't be happy unless you get to demonstrate your power every three minutes, because you have the self-esteem of a dry slug. You know what? Adam just might have been right about you. You're a vindictive, spoiled little brat who can't take the fact that the world doesn't revolve around her, and that, hey, grown-ups can't spend all their time taking care of a little girl who would turn down even people who would die defending her honor. I hope that little angel who just saved you one day gets the nerve to slap you across the face...oh, but why wait?"

Joaquin walked right up to her and slapped her straight across the face, to the shock of Hamiri and Arael, who both gasped.

Lux merely watched in horror at Charlotte's evil, bloodied face.

"I hope that stings, Princess. I hope it stings with all the love you've ever turned down," he finished. He then unfolded his wings and flew away after Patriah and Xavier.

She stared at him, rage burning in her raw, bleeding eyes.

She didn't say anything.

She simply opened her mouth, and made a sound that could only be described as 'Hell'. With a capital H.

All of the rage, the pain, the fear, all the suffering and every bad thing that had ever happened to anyone, and ever would happen, all concentrated into a single sound.

And with that sound came fire.

A raging inferno that consumed her, and yet she did not turn to ashes. She simply burned on, and on, and on. A fire like the fires of hell itself, and yet she felt nothing.

Or did she?

The blood increased, pouring down her body, until it seemed that her flesh had been replaced entirely with blood.

Perhaps it had.

And through it all, the only sound that came from her lips was the sound that was the base of every nightmare, every fear, every bit of anger and pain that had ever entered anyone's mind.

A sound of pure evil.

Hamiri heard it and stood in horror. "Oh my gosh..." she muttered, putting a hand over her mouth. "What is she doing?! Why?! What do we do?!"

Lux was shivering from head-to-toe. Not even in Hell had he ever seen something so evil.

Arael, however, was closest to Charlotte, and rather than running away, he rushed into the fire and hugged her. It was intensely painful, but he held onto her, tearing as he felt her pain.

"...Charlotte...I'm not letting go...if you burn, I will burn with you..." he whispered, crying.

[Charlia]

She stared at him, rage burning in her raw, bleeding eyes.

She didn't say anything.

She simply opened her mouth, and made a sound that could only be described as 'Hell'. With a capital H.

All of the rage, the pain, the fear, all the suffering and every bad thing that had ever happened to anyone, and ever would happen, all concentrated into a single sound.

And with that sound came fire.

A raging inferno that consumed her, and yet she did not turn to ashes. She simply burned on, and on, and on. A fire like the fires of hell itself, and yet she felt nothing.

Or did she?

The blood increased, pouring down her body, until it seemed that her flesh had been replaced entirely with blood.

Perhaps it had.

And through it all, the only sound that came from her lips was the sound that was the base of every nightmare, every fear, every bit of anger and pain that had ever entered anyone's mind.

A sound of pure evil.

Hamiri heard it and stood in horror. "Oh my gosh..." she muttered, putting a hand over her mouth. "What is she doing?! Why?! What do we do?!"

Lux was shivering from head-to-toe. Not even in Hell had he ever seen something so evil.

Arael, however, was closest to Charlotte, and rather than running away, he rushed into the fire and hugged her. It was intensely painful, but he held onto her, tearing as he felt her pain.

"...Charlotte...I'm not letting go...if you burn, I will burn with you..." he whispered, crying.

Now, she spoke.

Just three little words.

Three little words that sounded like the hissing madness of a thousand devils, whispering, screaming, thousands upon thousands of voices intertwined and all filled with madness and utter, demonic hatred.

"...burn... with... me..."

[Luminesa]

Hamiri heard it and stood in horror. "Oh my gosh..." she muttered, putting a hand over her mouth. "What is she doing?! Why?! What do we do?!"

Lux was shivering from head-to-toe. Not even in Hell had he ever seen something so evil.

Arael, however, was closest to Charlotte, and rather than running away, he rushed into the fire and hugged her. It was intensely painful, but he held onto her, tearing as he felt her pain.

"...Charlotte...I'm not letting go...if you burn, I will burn with you..." he whispered, crying.

Now, she spoke.

Just three little words.

Three little words that sounded like the hissing madness of a thousand devils, whispering, screaming, thousands upon thousands of voices intertwined and all filled with madness and utter, demonic hatred.

"...burn... with... me..."

Arael didn't move, though he was in immense pain. He clung even more tightly to her.

"...I love you, Charlotte..." he whispered, "Even if all is hopeless for me, and I can never be with you, I still love you...So let me take your pain from you..."

[Charlia]

Now, she spoke.

Just three little words.

Three little words that sounded like the hissing madness of a thousand devils, whispering, screaming, thousands upon thousands of voices intertwined and all filled with madness and utter, demonic hatred.

"...burn... with... me..."

Arael didn't move, though he was in immense pain. He clung even more tightly to her.

"...I love you, Charlotte..." he whispered, "Even if all is hopeless for me, and I can never be with you, I still love you...So let me take your pain from you..."

"What pain? There is... no pain here. We do not--I do not feel pain," she corrected, still in that hissing voice. "Your sympathy is misplaced. There is no suffering to relieve. There is no pain to take away. There is no one to love."

[Luminesa]

Arael didn't move, though he was in immense pain. He clung even more tightly to her.

"...I love you, Charlotte..." he whispered, "Even if all is hopeless for me, and I can never be with you, I still love you...So let me take your pain from you..."

"What pain? There is... no pain here. We do not--I do not feel pain," she corrected, still in that hissing voice. "Your sympathy is misplaced. There is no suffering to relieve. There is no pain to take away. There is no one to love."

He looked at her, still clinging to her despite the flames that burned him. His face was now badly burned, and his salty tears stung the charred flesh badly. Yet he still smiled sadly, and touched her face. "...There always is someone to love...Please, Charlotte...kill me, and my blood will put out the flames..." he implored.

"ARAEL, NO!" Hamiri called to him.

Arael kept his back to her, and continued to smile at Charlotte.