Meanwhile

Yusuke and Matthew would trail from the grounds of the hotel to land themselves in the Dead Forest, yet they did not know it was named that, for they could not spot a sign anywhere with the label. So to them, it was just a normal forest, and to Yusuke, it was deja vu. It reminded him of the Dark Tournament's hotel placement near its own set of woods. Quite a relief to see one near here. Made him more comfortable to say the least. Just he hoped he wouldn't run into some trouble while coming here to train.

For now, he wasn't here to train, not yet anyway. He and Matt were just here to check the place out and to find a good training spot for themselves for later times when they did choose to do some working out. So far so good, he thought. He just couldn't lay off the feeling that something was lurking in the shadows somewhere.

Sacros had followed the pair out the hotel, and now watched from the shade the larger trees produced. His body had melted into the shadows, become a part of them, and it was from this position he spied upon them. He recognized them only slightly, one of them seemed familiar to Sacros, the other was not so familiar. Had Sacros attacked them in the past, most likely he had, yet they were still alive. This puzzled Sacros, but he put it behind him, for today he would watch only.

As the pair moved so did Sacros, his body no more than a shadow on the ground, and a fast moving one at that, as soon as they became out of earshot, he would zip along the ground, a blur of darkness, before he reached the sanctity of another large shadow from a tree...

"Relaxation is something very necessary, especially for humans," said Matthew, "But there are times where one must put aside the now in order to preserve the future. Relaxation one day can mean the end of life the next. As such, it is good to know when one must relax, and when others must prepare."

Matthew continued walking down the path with Yusuke. "I don't believe we're being bossed around," he continued. "It's always been my duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is the charge of the strong. We use our strength responsibly against those who use it irresponsibly. I know well that you can't stand for any injustice done to people who do not deserve it...even if you do not realize it yourself."

Matthew went on. "But I guess you are right. If anything seeks us out in the forest and means us harm, we should give them a taste of what they shall witness in the competition."

"I have the fullest confidence in both of my teammates," said Matthew. "Umbriel and Kitsune are very skilled fighters, with their own degrees of experience. As long as they train hard, they will do fine."

"...and woe unto whoever feels justified in causing unnecessary harm to any of the participants," he added. Matthew did not mind losing, but he knew that some fighters liked to use the limitations of the tournament to their fullest and cause serious damage without necessarily killing. Hopefully, Team Urameshi and Team Shinimusha, among others, could bring honor to the tournament.

SMASH.

An eye peeps open, and he slams the dark shape looming above him into the tree he rests against. It was an incubus, causing him nightmares to feed off the negative energy.

Yaaaaawn~

Not far along the path ahead of Yusuke and Matthew, a lone figure has awakened from a nap. He quickly realizes that he's overslept, and nightfall has long come.

"This place was dark enough in the daytime," he grumbles, wiping the inky gore from his metal fist as he stands and swings his knapsack over a shoulder.

Sacros could feel the growing darkness, it gave him strength. He left the sanctuary of the shadows, appearing above the lone traveller, standing on a tree branch. "It's dark out here, and one should watch where they step in a place like this. It's not safe out after dark, in case you hadn't noticed, there are plenty of grizzly ghoulies that could attack." Sacros swung round on the branch, his claws digging into the bark as he swung, he was now upside down, looking at the strange person...

A shadowed figure sat high above the ground on the branch of a tree, looking down to the floor below, obsidian black eyes scanning the few other beings below. A rusty red colored fox tail swished lightly in the height of the tree, although, she didn't make any noise.

Hmm? Someone else?

The figure watched with interest as she watched Yusuke and Matthew from above.

Hiei enters into the Dead Forest, and would step down the path as he nears his comrades' locations. Yes, comrades. He saw only Yusuke, so far, as such a person, but he wasn't sure about this Matthew person, or any other friends Yusuke may have made here. For the time being, they were considered non-enemies to the demon. To him, respect was something earned from him, and not as easily, too.

Kitsune sat up in the tree, as she turned, laying on her stomach on the tree branch, using her wrists as a support for her chin, her ankles crossed one over the other behind her, fighting the instinct for her tail to swish as she forced it to stay still.

She'd never actually seen Matthew fight before, the only time she'd heard that he did, she was passed out from Norris' bite, along with her ill-sensed drunken disposition at the time.

Perhaps she'd watch a little longer, to get the inside look.

Umbriel would stand at the tip of one of the tallest trees of the forest silently and thoughtfully. It seemed she had been the only one to not appear at this place along with the others...However there were great reasons behind that fact.

After a moment of watching God's creation. She slowly sat down on one of the branches of the top and stared out into space silently.

The world before her spoke volumes to her about everything that occured with in the lives of humans, animals, and even plants. Unlike most she was gifted with the abilitly to directly speak and hear nature's words...As if it where a dear friend..And for great reasons as well.

With all of her powers to manipulate the elements...One had to suspect that she'd have to understand those elements well.

However today she could only hear the wind the best. The wind sprites were nervous just as she was.

Such was the pain of not gaining the full cooperation of the powerful and fearless east wind. As she was not ready for such power, and that power had also still needed to gain respect for her person. However gaining the cooperation of the east wind's familures...The japanese wind sprites and afew tengu spirits..She had at least still gained a sharp weapon to brandish.

With a gentle smile the child who looked no more then the age of 10 slowly raised her right hand and slipped it into something invisible, in a loving and caring manner. Slowly the outline of a strangely small humanoid figure, made entirely out of the whisps of the wind, would show themselves and show signs of being soothed by her touch.

"Don't worry little one....We'll be fine." She'd say with a light nod, dispite being unsure of herself as well.

Today she'd be brave. Just as she had pledged to herself back at the opening ceremonies.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Rain realized that he was lost. Dusk was upon him, and time to find his way back before dark was drawing to a close. But it didn't bother him as much as it should have; the scenery had its own charms, even the pricker bushes he had a tendency to wander into. Barefoot.

Okay, maybe not so much the pricker bushes, but the rest was good. But as lovely as it was, it did little to calm Rain's overactive mind.

At one point, he came to a large rock, approximately 6 or 7 feet in diameter. He stood before it, staring at the enormous chunk of stone, fixated on it completely.

"It wasn't good enough. I lost because I'm not good enough. No matter how good I become, I'm always runner-up." Suddenly, his hands balled into fists, his fingernails digging into his palms, drawing blood instantly. He sneered at the rock, his brow furrowing in frustration. "It wasn't good enough, and I might have blown my only chance! God DAMN it!" With his curse, he raised both fists sky high, and slammed them down into the boulder, causing large indentations in its surface. "DAMN!" He punched the rock with his right fist. "DAMN!" He punched with his left. "DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!" He swung again and again, pounding away at the boulder until his fists were bloodied from the self-inflicted damage of each blow. A process that took several minutes of venting his frustration until he gave way to fatigue.

Falling to his knees, he panted heavily, hanging his head down and staring at his hands, coated with blood and dirt. "I'm going to lose my chance. They're... they're going to get away before I get the chance to stop them..."

"I would have... come this far... for nothing..."

After a few seconds of silence, Rain's company gave away its location with the snap of a twig. Before he could even react, the creature that had overheard his fit leapt for him, jaws wide. And hungry.

The scene Tzenidaar would walk into was that of a savage animal attack. Except this was no mere animal. A large beast of a creature, sporting a feline tiger-like body, legs (six of them), and claws; a lupine head and matted coat of fur; and a large whiplike tail. It was in the middle of trying to kill the noisy person he had overheard.

It had pinned the man down, with his right forearm in the creature's jaws. The man was fighting to pull its jaws open, but was not succeeding. He resorted to using his free arm to start pounding away on the creature's throat, even when it began to rake its front claws across his arm and chest.

The man's identity was probably given away the moment the air around the battle began to crackle. His free hand had travelled around the proximity of the beast's chest, before it lit up like a roman candle, exposing its skeletal system briefly. A quick chop to its snout was all that was necessary after that point to free his arm.

Rain was literally caught off guard as a familiar voice piped up, out here in the middle of nowhere. Caught off guard enough for the creature to rear back on its hind legs, and rake with its other four paws, one side at a time. He was barely able to block with his arms in time to block his face, but either way, the force of the blow knocked him into the partially destroyed boulder with a loud thud.

The creature would fall back to the ground, before going for one more lunge. Rain managed to c**k both legs, and boot upwards into the face of the monster, with enough force to deflect the lunge and make the creature reconsider its options.

Rain leapt upon it before it could recover, wrapping his left arm around the large, muscular neck of the beast. He squeezed as it attempted to shake him off, but he brought his right palm up, thrusting his fingertips into the side of the creature's throat. He held it there as he squeezed with his other arm, slowly cutting off its circulation until it gave up the struggle to get free and would pass out.

He backed up from it once he was sure it was down, his hand retracting with an audible squishing sound. He stumbled a few steps, breathing hard, blood oozing from numerous wounds on his arms and torso, even a gash across his forehead from the final blow. He kept one wounded palm on the side of the rock, about 10 feet from the creature and 30 from Tzenidaar.

"Hah... hah... I... needed that... No, it's... it's all... yours..."

Rain caught it with one bloodied hand, the coldness of the steel stinging his flesh. He looked at it perplexed for a moment, looking back and forth from Tzenidaar to the can. It had been years since had a beer, when he thought about it. He wondered why he never quite noticed that fact before.

Popping it open, he looked back towards Tzenidaar. "Careful, its not done yet." he warned. Though unconscious, he doubted that... thing would appreciate being eaten alive very much. With that, he took a swig from the can to see what his guest would do.

The mammoth cat... wolf... thingy would have been a bit on the weighty side for Rain to drag along, but the sack and beer would have been easy enough. Though he considered discretion the better part of valor when it came to asking Tzenidaar to help him out, and simply tagged along. He kept a noticable distance behind him though, not saying a word as he decided to follow him where ever it was he was going. He continued to drink the beer he was given as he went though, letting the cold liquid refresh him and ease his pain.

Sure enough, as the lights of the city of Latent came into view, both of them would find civilization easily enough. Though a big hulking beast of a man carrying a dead creature, followed by a bloodied and cut up Rain would deter most people.

Shortly after stepping foot again onto pavement, Rain finished the last of the beer in his can, and looked for a place to dispose of it. Along the way, he deposited it into a trash recipticle as he continued to follow Tzenidaar, now curious as to where he was going, whether to the hotel or elsewhere.

It was either a trash bin, or a mailbox. He wasn't sure which.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrndrndrndrndrndrndrndrn...

Something was coming... not from the road, but from the direction Vahn had come from when he entered the wood; like it was following him. It was a good distance behind, however, and seemed to be drawing nearer by the second. The sound of a two-cylinder compact engine was easy enough to pick out through the woods by the high pitch compared to a larger engine.

In the distance, between the trees, it was finally close enough to be seen. A man and a motorcycle... no, it was too small for that, it was an offroading bike, having little trouble maneuvering through the woods on the trail of Vahn. The rider didn't even need to follow broken twigs and footprints in the mud, the FIGHTER was linked to GPS.

Drndrdrndrndrndrndrndrn- put.

The engine cut, and the rider dismounted, reaching for a bag on the side of the bike.

"Something's under your skin."

James tossed a bottle into the air. One of those ginsing green tea mixture things that people were going crazy over lately. Supposed to be good for you. It seemed like a good thing to stick in the cooler at the time since the records didn't really have drink preference in them... one thing that he might as well work on remedying once he got back.

His foot snapped out the kickstand on the bike and he leaned back against it.

"I don't recall getting paid extra for mileage," he replied, "but here we are."

It was the no-bullshit approach to bullshit. No 'hi, how are you' and 'fancy seeing you here'... he'd followed, and it wasn't to exchange pleasantries. Small talk, maybe, but not pleasantries.

While HoH was going on, all of his other duties to the company were on the back burner and his responsibilities shifted to doing what he did best: reading people. Each of the fighters here was world-class, capable of fighting off a small army on their own if it came to that. The secret behind that indomitable power was not just their meta-human blood or their magic items, it was their training and their attitude. It was an approach to life that was necessary to learn in order to achieve that level.

So President White had sent him to observe them, and to understand them.

With the others it was easy; they hardly left their rooms, or they would lounge about the hotel in luxury. Hamsters running on their wheels while someone was always watching... but Vahn, Vahn wasn't like them. Vahn was a recluse, and it was a hard thing to get any data on him.

"Something's under your skin," James repeated; knowing well enough what Vahn was experiencing simply from how he was lashing out... but not knowing what caused it and why.

He knew Vahn was feeling fear, and he wanted to know what it was that had shaken his confidence so much.

"Eh?"

James wasn't expecting that... not after what he'd seen in the matches. Vahn the devil, a man seeming more at home in battle than out of it. Doubts like that just weren't what came to mind when you saw a man like that in combat. You never think for a moment that it's not where he was meant to be.

"I've heard that one before..."

It was true... an all-too-common problem that no one can ever predict; the loss of purpose. True and familiar to himself. He'd been searching for a purpose in his own life for a long time, but whenever he thought that he had found it he realized that it was only fleeting; something that passed after a while. Fighting for friends who didn't need you to protect them, fighting for love that always tasted so bitter, or fighting for oneself just because you don't want to lose... it all ended the same, everything ended up hollow in the end.

Was that it? Was that the secret that made the Goddamn Vahn what he was? That he'd lost sight of his goals and lived only in the moment and the heat of that battle?

"Yeah, I've heard that one." James sat on the edge of the bike seat; removing his helmet and hanging it over the handlebars before swiping his fingers through his hair. "Then... don't you have anyone who needs you?"

"Is it worth it?" he asked.

James... laughed.

Not mocking, not even getting a joke, he just laughed whole-heartedly.

"Well... it sounds like you've got tougher things to think about than just what you're putting the pointy end of your sword into."

With a flick of the wrist he spun the helmet off the handlebars, spinning it once on a finger before plopping it right back onto his head. It looked like he was getting ready to leave... and why not? Deep, philosophical statements are the best kind to make an exit on.

He kicked the starter on the bike, and the engine revved up again as he straddled the seat.

"Maybe!" he shouted over the hum of the engine, "You're just thinking too hard! Screw the long run!"

With a mischievous grin, James Black looked back over his shoulder as he revved the engine once more; his voice barely breaking the sound of the engine roar.

"Do it for the smiles!"

She sat on the thick branch of an oak, her legs stretched out before her, her back leaning heavily against the trunk of the tree. She had inherited her mother's love of perches, and that appeared to be the only thing she had inherited from her mother. Her eyes scanned the ground below her as she waited, hoping that Vahn would take the same path out of the woods that he had taken going in. Someone else had been following him and she hadn't wanted to interrupt anything important.

Now she merely waited and watched, yellowed eyes almost burning with anticipation. Almost nine years it had been since she he had last said a word to her, not that she could really remember, she only knew what the clan had told her. The clan, she was sure one or two of them were hidden away in the shadows, watching her just as she watched for him. She never went anywhere alone, they had been given the task of protecting her and protect her they would.

Sighing, she slumped forward a bit. "I wonder how many other bastards he's got floating around." For a ten-year-old, she had quite the mouth on her and a less than appealing attitude, but maybe that was just her way of voicing her fears that he wouldn't remember her or even want anything to do with her.

He found himself sitting there silently, having finished off the rest of the bottle even as his FIGHTER began vibrating then finally emitting a series of three beeps.

So... it's going to be like that is it?

The team name was interesting, mostly because he knew who was on it. During his time out here, he had been fiddling with the FIGHTER, trying to discern all it's features and actually able to view available information on registered teams and past match outcomes.

He wanted to see the nature of the beast that could have even dared to try and...

His left hand clenched unconsciously even as he stood up from the ground.

Was there even any doubt that we'd make it this far...? Or is it just... that we shouldn't be here to begin with?

However it was in reviewing the data for TaT that he came over one interesting picture. The one called Joshua... and his striking resemblance to the man in his dreams... the fight that had ended in him actually dying...

"......" Raising his left arm, the blood dripping from his knuckles ignited into a swirl of blackened flames, even as he let loose and engulfed the shattered tree.

The man that had followed her father made his way back out of the forest and Serenity knew he was alone again, now was her chance. She slid off of the branch she had been sitting on, catching the next one down as she dropped and that brought her low enough that she could drop to the ground without worrying about breaking anything, not that she would have broken anything from her original height anyway.

Feet firmly planted on soil once again, she started off in the direction the biker had come from, the direction Vahn was in. It wasn't long before she broke through the line of trees at the edge of the clearing where Vahn was. Whether he had noticed her approach or noticed her presence now, she didn't know or care, she would speak first. "Fa..." she started before she thought better of it, no she wouldn't call him that just yet, "Vahn Kyonuske?"

"....?"

Turning at the sound of his name being called, he stared down the speaker, that single right eye giving off a light all it's own even as his figure was framed and silhouetted by the flames from the burning tree.

To anyone else, he'd have probably looked imposing, but she had grown used to those looks long ago. Something inside, some faded memory, made her smile as he stared her down, a smile that only the innocence of a child could produce. "You look grumpier than I remember," she mused, "but I suppose it was hard to be so grumpy then, with this adorable face looking back at you."

"But I'm not by myself, you're here... and I'm sure there are one or two of the Kyonuske Clan at least within hearing range." She was slightly disappointed, his own child and he didn't even recognize her. Apparently the parenting instinct just wasn't that strong in hers. She moved to close the distance between them. "You don't remember me do you?"

What's this?

Rubieus felt himself ask again, and this time he was certain he hadn't spoke it outloud, it was like a vibration from his mind echoing throughout the room he had entered. What a room it was too, Rubieus hadn't closed the door when he fully entered but as he looked behind him the door seemed to have vanished leaving a wall with a small picture frame, but no picture. He shook his head and looked towards the source of the odd inscense. Sitting beside a hearth, upon a rocking chair was an elderly man, or perhaps a woman, such long white hair over both shoulders, Rubieus wasn't sure if it was facial hair or just long hair. The person didn't seem to be looking at him or rather didn't even register him at being there.

He took a step forward then felt something walk by him, no, walk through him, a young apprentice walked to the elder person and held out a stick, it looked much like any walking cane but somehow it felt significant. Rubieus watched as the stick glowed and change as the cane was passed from the apprentice to the older person, suddenly it came to him, even something as unnoticable as a cane could become his weapon when he needed it.

Wake up son! You can't be sleeping on a bench!

Rubieus felt his eyes open and groaned as a street guard prodded him he sat up quickly and caught the nightstick with his hand instinctively as the guard attempted to poke him again.

Please don't do that again.

Just as Rubieus said it, he regretted it as the guard blew on a whistle and they were both met with two more men. Rubieus was quickly surrounded and by the looks of it, he could either cause more trouble or be taken to jail. He was not one to cause harm to officers of the law and would not do so even under these circumstances.

You've got it all wrong, it was just a misunderstanding.

Rubieus was now standing behind steel bars as he waited for the policemen to verify his identification. They would unfortunately learn absolutely nothing, for Rubieus Amrita did not exist on their world, and would not be registered as being born there. As time passed he wondered if this too was part of the mission.

"Stop."

He raised his right hand, moving away from the fire... feeling how chilling it was now.

It was winter in Gaia after all.

"You didn't come all this way just to say that. You'd have simply run away if thats all you had to say to me."

Serenity stopped as ordered. Despite her previous declaration of independance, she was still in a clan mentality and when Vahn Kyonuske told you to stop, you stopped. She didn't turn to look at him as she spoke. "I just wanted to see my real father, face to face." She lowered her head, eyes staring at the ground. "I wanted a clearer picture of the face that I dream about at night, the face that always reminds me of a grumpy teddy bear."

Looking at her, you'd never know she was holding back tears. He had loved her at one time, as a father should love a daughter. At one time, he had wanted to be her father and had tried to be her father. In Gaia today, families just didn't last, she had learned that first hand. She was the second b*****d child produced by her mother, and the gods only knew how many her father had produced.

'Am I dead...

Am I finally going to eternal slumber...

Have I done right by you father?'

His life began to flash before his eyes, everything from his birth in a cult. Sieg was said to be the reincarnate of one of the most powerful spiritualist on earth, yet his own soul fought the evil that he was born to spread through the world and he became his own man, even as a child. His mother was a martial artist, Sieg was training to fight before he could even walk and neither he nor his mother knew why they did it. Descendants of the great lu-bu, Siegs chinese heritage drove him fooheartedly into combat.

That is why he is in this mess.

Had it not been for the lords mercy and love, sieg would not have made it this far. Sieg moved to another realm, were vampires, demons, elves, and everything in between live in perfect harmony. Witch's and Magic were no longer dirty words. While Sieg was exposed to many religions, being exposed to such wonders at the same time shook your faith. This was especially true when you were a man who could also walk across water...

Yet, it took Sieg so long to figure it out. To find Faith.

He had only just begun studying theology and the evil he had just witnessed let him know why. The words of the good book were written by man but you must read in between the lines and find the truth for yourself. The truth was something Sieg had to feel within his own soul. Sieg did not learn the most by reading but through prayer and meditation Sieg had learned so much. His faith became strong...

Yet he was late in the game.

Still he had not been through the ceremonies that dedicated his life to one of christ...

Yet still, everyday Sieg fights monsters, and the lord loved him enough to allow him another breath upon this earth.

The lord gave him the chance to do something

but what was it?

'Recieve life anew

and figure it out.

Fight for Justice

Fight for Right

That is the way...'

The energy of heaven would flood through the 7th chakra. With the whisper of our heavenly father, Sieg would gain more spiritual strength strength. Even as his body was bruised and battered, his faith and will remained strong.

The camera crew had backed off of Vahn as he began to show signs of hostiliy towards those around him and as Rubieus watched upon the television set he, like the police officers who were still at the station, wished he could be there with Vahn, perhaps them he would learn why he was sent to Latent, and why only after HoH had started. Rubieus scowled as his jail door was knocked upon by a baton, the guard had returned from his sitting and watching of the show, it seemed now that others had arrived to fight along side their comrades, they weren't as interested and it might of been partly due to the fact that their commander had returned, and expected his men to work and not dawdle. He of course was in his office watching the tournament.

Eh you, let's go make that phone call.

Rubieus would have one chance, one call, he would have to make sure it counted, he only hoped the emergency number he was given would work, if not he would be stuck there for another day at the very least.

"Yes ma'am!"

A boy, looking nothing at all like a nurse or even wearing a uniform for that matter, turned on the overhead light for the surgical table and pulled open a drawer full of surgical knives and tissue spreaders.

...yeah, the security was clearly good enough here that they knew she wasn't one of the crew, but she had come in with the supplemental medical staff they had taken on in Gambino before coming to Latent; for all that they knew she was one of the 'healers' that had been added temporarily to the medical staff to facilitate a speedier recovery for extensively injured patients.

Not like they were going to let her wander around freely in the ship, but she certainly was given access to the patients despite her... demeanor.

The boy was just amused. It was like watching cartoons, and those always cheered him up when he was depressed.

An odd little girl, that was for sure.

However, magic instructions are magic instructions... and there were definitely a plethora of smelly substances around a medical facility.

Let the marinating commence!

Sieg was lucky he was in a coma, because that s**t was nasty.

((Technically, Ryugi could be maxed on energy by now, but for the sake of fair play, I'll give him less than that, and put him at about 50%.))

[10] Ryugi pulsed his heat energy, having gathered a decent bit of energy himself over the long trek to the city, and shot himself up onto the edge of an adjacent skyscraper. He glared at the dark man, eyes on him, hands gripping the handle of Ragnarok. By now, dozens of shining white crystals zipped around Ryugi's form, and his aura glowed powerfully.

I believe that I make my own fate. We'll see about this Revelation when the time comes...

[12] The dark man Sped towards Ryugi, and with a powerful show of force, Ryugi's own weapon sped up to meet the man's horizontal slash in a clash, a thunderous pulse of energy flying from both weapons as their auras connected with one another. One, an aura of darkness and viral infection, the other, an aura of determination, willpower, and purity. Ryugi's red eyes locked onto the blue-green slits of his opponent's and seemed to stare into his soul with a penetrating gaze. If the man looked closely, he might notice how Ryugi's own pupils were slitted, much like his own, hinting once more that he was not totally what he seemed...

Ryugi used his strength to hold off the man as he skidded backwards with his force.

Its customary for two opponents to know the other's names during a fight. Mine, is Ryugi Kazamaru.

Quote: *Saturation-

When Ryugi reaches his natural fully charged energy level (14-20) turns of energy, his body is said to be saturated with elemental energy. When his body is saturated, a thick burning aura of red and orange energy flows around his body. This aura is incredibly hot and can burn any unshielded/unresistant opponent who comes into contact with it almost instantly. The temperature of said aura in its beginning stages alone is even hot enough to melt stone, and weaken most metals. The heat coming off of this aura can be directed and forced towards any direction Ryugi sees fit, and can allow him to fly using the force as propulsion. He can also use the energy of the aura and the combination of it with the heat to attack opponents and defend himself without wasting any energy in the process. However, the aura only has a direct attack radius of ten feet in any direction, limiting its effectiveness to close range only.

[14] As the dark man broke the clash, his weapon sped in towards Ryugi, but Ryugi was prepared, and just in time too. His aura suddenly flared up, increasing in temperature significantly as his Saturation ability kicked in. With this ability, Ryugi would be even faster, and be able to hit even more strongly than simply with his Ascension ability in place. As the dark blade sped towards Ryugi, it would suddenly halt, as if stopped by an unforeseen force, however, it wasn't unforeseen for long.

Quote: *Light Manipulation-

This technique allows Ryugi to call on light energy to form any number of solid objects for attack or defensive purposes, much like a shadow elemental, but using light energy instead.

Using a combination of the heat from his aura, and a solidified chunk of light energy, He'd halted the powerful blade in its tracks with a counter force. Using the energy alone left his hands free to perform his next attack with his sword as the heat and energy flared, the crystals now zooming around him and the dark man...

Quote: *Lightspeed Dash-

Using the ambient heat from his flame abilities, Ryugi can dash in any direction at a high rate of speed, when coupled with sword attacks, it makes for dangerous, high-speed combos that Ryugi could not perform without assistance from his powers. The heat can be released around Ragnarok, allowing the blade to move at high speed for combo attacks as well, making this technique extremely dangerous when used correctly to its full potential.

The heat released around the sword allowed Ryugi to move the sword into a powerful stab towards the man's open gut with terrible force. The dark man's hands would be completely kept busy by the fact that he was using them both to attack Ryugi with his weapon. And, if the man's dark spheres of energy wanted to try and attack Ryugi...well, Ryugi's crystals weren't just for show either...

I want to know the name of one so blinded by pride!

((I'm just reliving that moment when Seph split the falling ShinRa building with his sword in Advent Children. Awesome scene. ))

[16] Ryugi wasted no time as his opponent glided off of the roof, and landed in the street to launch his attack at the defenseless kids and other civilians. Ryugi would have followed the man off the edge, falling off of the building himself, and literally jumping down towards the ground as his opponent hit the street and unleashed the shockwave. As Ryugi neared, he spun around, the ground cratering as his feet and body landed, sword at the ready, aura pulsing even fiercer, crystals speeding around his form...

Quote: *Erupting Flame/Light Cannon-

Level 2 Basic attack with Ragnarok. A quick burst of energy surrounds Ryugi, similar to his Limiter Release technique, then the energy is sent towards the enemy in an exploding energy blast with the swing of the sword -no charge, can be used in one turn-

The energy from the blast slammed into Sephiroth's shockwave, and spread out along it to lessen the shock, and weaken it just enough so as to prevent any significant damage from being done to the innocents around the pair of fighters.

Have you no honor!?

[18] If there was one thing a person should never do around Ryugi, it was kill or attack those that could not protect themselves. The reasons for this would soon become apparent as time went on, but the first few signs of Ryugi's inner strength were beginning to be unveiled as the dark man attacked once more. This time, Ryugi was unable to react in time to protect those attacked by the blast. Hopefully, the metal of their cars would protect them to a degree, because Ryugi was simply NOT fast enough to speed by and protect them before the attack hit its first victims.

The man's back was turned to Ryugi however as he sped around the corner and unleashed another shockwave. THIS, Ryugi could use. Ryugi felt that icy grip of guilt and anger that came when faced with an opponent so evil he'd kill innocent lives. And as if reacting to the feeling of righteous anger rising within Ryugi's body, the green gem of Ragnarok began to shimmer and glow white, the blade soon beginning to shine as well, as the inner power of the sword once again began to be tapped into. Only one other enemy had ever tasted this facet of Ryugi's sword, and he had been defeated...

As the man would dash off, Ryugi would burst after him, his image becoming a blur, an afterimage as he sped off towards the man, as he turned the corner, Ryugi's energy pulsed, and Ryugi was sent screaming towards the dark man, aura carving a massive pit into the ground from the intense heat as pavement was melted. The sword attack would start to begin, and the form of Ryugi would speed along, and as the sword attack would be coming to a close, the shockwave would erupt forward, and Ryugi would shoot past the man, and turn to face the shockwave as two great ruts were carved into the ground as Ryugi's feet pushed into it to try and hold off the shockwave with his aura and ambient energy to try and prevent any more injuries to the innocent people around him as he swung a thunderous horizontal slash directed at the shockwave.

The sheer force and the energy released from the blade would slam into the shockwave, stopping it from injuring any more individuals than it already had. Then, even as the blast from the strengthening sword stopped the shockwave, Ryugi would burst forwards, and speed towards the dark man. It was clear now what Ryugi had to do. If he did not end this monstrosity, by any means necessary, he would kill even more people. And while it might mean ending a life, this man's life was not worth trying to save, as this Sephiroth had already made up his mind, and would not change. The needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few.

[20] But as the blades met, something came over Ryugi. The energy around him would change immediately as the green jewel on Ragnarok would pulse and shimmer with pure, white, unbridled power. The sword had awakened once more as it had in the final battle with Ramiel. The entire sword shone as if the metal itself was luminescent, and the energy around Ryugi would double, nearly triple in strength as Ryugi held off Sephiroth's strike with hardly any effort at all, the dark man's energy being overcome by Ryugi's own will and drive to protect the innocents around him. Ryugi's charge rate would double as well, and his attacks would be boosted to nearly double their regular strength as well. This was Ragnarok's true hidden power, and it was only released under the purest of intentions.

Quote: (Hidden Special) *Death of the Gods-

Ragnarok awakens to unleash its true power, granting its wielder a massive boost in all stats, as well as the ability to harm otherwise invincible or invulnerable beings. The wielder is not immortal while under the influence of this ability, but the sword gives them a fighting chance to defend that which they deem most dear. -Lasts until Ryugi is defeated, or battle ceases-

The power of the strike from the man was caught, and then shoved aside in a massive display of force, strength, and power. The man would be hurled into one of the buildings as if he were a rag doll, as the crystals sped around Ryugi's form, hundreds of them, each one razor sharp, and forming a field of protection.

You dare call yourself a god?!

Ryugi did not think of himself as a god, far from it. This man was so blinded by his power that he believed himself to be a god, and Ryugi, would fight to prove him wrong...

And lemon was squirted at Sephiroth's eyes as he was looking at his oppenant.

In very epic squishy and a citrus manner.

It was HELL LEMON JUICE.

A cartoon sparrow swooped in on the hell lemon, squeezing it into a glass full of water and sugar.

LMAONAIDE!

((Well s**t. I wasn't expecting that. I've got one thing to try. Cue Armageddon Theme ))

[24] Ryugi's magic sense felt that. Oh BOY did it feel that. It isn't every day something the size of a house or larger suddenly appeared and threatened to wipe a large chunk of population off of the map. It is said that every dog has his day, that everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. Well, Ryugi hadn't really ever been famous, and he never really ever knew much about dogs. But he DID know a thing or two about maniacal lunatics trying to destroy something. He just couldn't have that. That giant mass of...whatever it was just posed too much of a threat to the people of Gaia to be ignored. The fight be damned, Ryugi had bigger things to worry about now.

With a massive burst of energy, Ryugi wasted no time in blasting off into the sky, and into the firestorm of turbulent air above him. Even as he flew higher, white tendrils of holy energy began to pour off of his form as he rocketed higher and high, the flaming visage of rock and destruction coming into his viewing range. The fiery red energy flowing around Ryugi would simply do him no harm as Ryugi's fire element protected him from the intense heat that would have to radiate from something this massive. The air was getting thinner as Ryugi traveled higher and higher into the sky. Closer and closer Ryugi flew towards the massive chunk of destruction. The energy of his sword grew stronger as Ryugi's will and determination shot to levels he'd never experienced before. And then, suddenly, it all happened. Before Ryugi knew it, he was upon the front of the titanic force, and it was met with a massive upward stab by Ragnarok, the power and aura from the blade carving into the rock as if it were tissue paper.

Ryugi's intense heat melted the rock of the massive rock, allowing him to move into the center with relative ease as Ragnarok's increased cutting power made it even easier. Ryugi could not deflect something as big as this attack. He could not BLOCK against something this big. He could NOT defend himself from something this big. But all of that was already known, however, nothing is impossible. Ryugi's mind drifted back to the techniques he'd learned as a child, fighting in his training class. Even the toughest of armored opponents were soft on the inside, and while most people would try to deflect the massive meteor, or shatter it with a massive blow to the outside, Ryugi already knew he didn't have enough power to do either of those things, however... a battle with a certain Angaran Water Siren would ring a bell in his mind...

Inside the meteor, Ryugi would spread his arms out at their sides, close his eyes, place Ragnarok on his back as he shouted out, forcing all of his energy into a single massive attack...

PLANAR BIND RELEASE!!!

Quote: (Special) F/L-H *Planar Bind Release -

Level 2 Limit Release. Ryugi locks his body into the power coming from the fire and light elemental planes, offering nearly limitless power for a short amount of time (3 turns). If Ryugi fails to achieve victory in three turns, the planar lock collapses, leaving Ryugi exhausted and without any energy for 15 full turns as his body recuperates.

Ryugi's body would turn white, his eyes glowing red for a moment before the full and unbridled power of both the elemental realms of fire and light shot from his body at their maximum power. But this wasn't like his Limit Release that had barely charred Joshua in his final HoH fight. It was infinitely more powerful and devastating. The Limit Release worked by allowing a massive amount of energy to flow from Ryugi's body, in a massive torrent. The energy was unrefined, and raw, and it exhausted Ryugi's body quickly. The Planar Bind release removed the middle man by forcing the energy to uphold Ryugi's body, and filter the otherwise raw energy into useful energy. The energy essentially prevented Ryugi's body from being destroyed by the massive torrent of energy, and allowed him to use nearly limitless power for a short time before he could no longer hold the planes open.

The meteor would find out just how powerful the initial release of the blast was as the sheer force from the elemental planes erupting into the physical realm tore the meteor a new one. Or several thousand new ones. The force ripped the meteor apart, and at the same time, the oxygen rushed towards the area where the meteor would be, pulling in debris to prevent them from scattering too far. Then, after the initial blast, the massive temperature would first flash fry the rock in the meteor, then break down the molecules into more basic elements as the severe temperatures literally forced the bonds to be broken. If the sheer force from Ryugi's power alone didn't stop the remaining outer chunks of rock to be destroyed, they would burn up in the atmosphere, as Ryugi recovered from the initial blast and shot back down towards Sephiroth, Ragnarok once more in hand, and ready to finish this...

[0 of 3] [24 energy in reserve]

Clothes tearing and ripping behind him, Kichiro more or less flew into the grasslands. A streak of flame behind him, anger and sadness in burning crystal green eyes. He was only a few feet off the ground, but it was a rather new experience. As Kichiro sped through the grasslands out of the city, his mind would eventually begin to cool.

I don't know these people.

That doesn't make them any less deserving of life.

But what if the tournament had this in fine print.

Are the tournament's rules greater than life?

Life wasn't really in danger.

How does one know that?

"AAARRRRRRGGGHHH!!!"

Kichiro fell in a circle of burning grass, flashes of metal over him from the weapons he carried. His overcoat was in tatters, his shoulders were scratched from someone's claws. The Chimagin was not in the best of moods.

Or the best of minds.

Meanwhile at a nearby hospital Acacia had come in with a very nasty bite of some kind on her leg, it was purple and a little orange around the edges and it was starting to swell. She didn't really know what bit her because she had been napping when it happened but it didn't look healthy so she decided it was probably best to get it looked at.

"Hello miss, and what are we in for today?" A very nice lady at the front desk asked as Acacia approached.

"Umm, something bit me." She indicated to her leg, the woman leaned over the desk to see it properly, shrugged as if she'd seen the same sort of thing before and handed Acacia a clip board with a ton of forms on it.

"Please fill these out and return them to me, be sure to let someone know if you don't feel well." Acacia blinked and then stared at the woman who smiled back at her in a sort of 'have a nice day' manner, she had expected a bigger reaction.

Just then some paramedics came rushing in with a new patient, a man who appeared to be unconcious. Acacia glanced his way briefly then did a double take, it was that Ryu guy again! He seemed to be showing up everywhere she was these days. She looked at the forms, then at him as he was rushed into the elevator by the medics, then she shrugged at the forms and decided to go after him.

Kanashimi Kurai Wrote:

Serenity stopped as ordered. Despite her previous declaration of independance, she was still in a clan mentality and when Vahn Kyonuske told you to stop, you stopped. She didn't turn to look at him as she spoke. "I just wanted to see my real father, face to face." She lowered her head, eyes staring at the ground. "I wanted a clearer picture of the face that I dream about at night, the face that always reminds me of a grumpy teddy bear."

Looking at her, you'd never know she was holding back tears. He had loved her at one time, as a father should love a daughter. At one time, he had wanted to be her father and had tried to be her father. In Gaia today, families just didn't last, she had learned that first hand. She was the second b*****d child produced by her mother, and the gods only knew how many her father had produced.

"I....am not...."

The words came out even as the silence stretched on.

This was it.

She wanted her freedom. She wanted out, and she had come to do what she needed to; to see him.

He was a b*****d and he hadn't exactly treated her right... let alone her mother. However he was a different man back then... a haunted excuse of a man, that a woman had decided to pick up and piece together.

At best, she would face expulsion from the remants of the clan, considering their sect had been entirely wiped out in Guldor. There was nothing left save the few in Latent that chose to live the rest of their lives as peacefully and normally as possible.

The days of the Kyonuske Clan were over.

With bated breath... he would finish his sentence now... telling her simply...

"....a grumpy teddy bear."

Unfortunatly Acacia had lost track of Ryu along the way as a doctor spotted her bite and yanked her into the nearest room to take a look at it. Aparently he had never seen someone walking around like they were fine with so much poison in their system and after alot of fuss and yelling at the woman at the front desk he finally let Acacia go with the bite bandaged up and some pills she was supposed to take with food.

"Okay.. Now where would they have put Ryu.." Acacia mumbled, then she spotted a nursing station and managed to sweet talk it out of a very cute male nurse who also gave her a juice box.

Finally she arrived at the room they had put him in and peeked around the door.

"Hello? Ryu?"

"That's me." She smiled, came in and sat down next to the bed. Her violet eyes giving him a once over, he looked okay to her just a little tired maybe.

"I saw the med's bringing you in, what happened?" She leaned in a little and perked her ears foreward. Today she was in an outfit that highlighted her figure very well, the tank top was tight leather with a gap in it to show off what little clevage she had to offer and the shorts were, well lets just say Acacia had a very nice pair of legs.

Kichiro sat on the flaming circle of grass, cross legged and looking up at the sky.

((((AAARRRRRRGHHHH KAMEHAMEHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))))

"Not really, I didn't get hurt badly from that. This is from something else though." He sighs some then looks down.

The thoughts telling him that he should be ready in time.

"So... what brings you here?" His head looks up then directly at her face.

"Oh!"Her eyes dart back to his.

"Its nothing really I just.." She was careless, she looked down at her leg, something yellow was soaking through the bandage.

"Something bit me and I didn't see what it was but the bite looked kind of weird so I came here, the doctor who looked at it says its poisoned but I think he must be mistaken, I feel fine." She looked back up at him.

"Over a year since that wedding with Lenne... around a year since my first suicide..." Kichiro spoke to his thoughts, as it had been about that long since he ran into Ryu.

"I've never had the chance to make ammends for my folly..." Kichiro tossed him a small box, "Chocolates... not much, but heh. I'm sorry."

Hands were stuffed in Kichiro's pockets, and his crystal green eyes flashed to the other in the room.

"Don't worry about it, Kichiro. I forgiven you for the past deed. There's no need to relive past pains." Ryu's eyes look directly into the crystal green orbs of Kichiro, then he gives him a nod.

"We'll talk later." He exclaims to the man while turning his attention towards Acacia.

A slight chuckle comes from his lips as he leans over upon the bed then looks towards the wound. A brow raises as he looks up from the wound towards Acacia, "Well then, if you insist." He begins to tear bit by bit the bandage around her wound then notices the pulsating bruise.

Opening his mouth, showing his pearly white fangs, he digs his teeth into the wound in a harsh bite, but not too harsh due to the fact that she may be delicate then begins sucking on the wound. His body would notice the poison if it enters into his body then he turns around and spits it into a container that was at the side of his bed, and continues the process.

So the angel had come.

Rubieus felt Ryugi's heart cry out to him, perhaps he was not an angel in the truest of words but he if he wasn't yet, he could become one in due time. He slowly sat back down upon the metal bench that was bolted to the concrete floor. His eyes closed slowly as he felt the dome of energy wrap around the city. As long as he was within the dome it would not harm him, but Rubieus wondered, what if he were on the other end, holy was not a power used for common enemies. He frowned a little just then, if his mission wasn't to stop such a being from destroying the world, what could is possibly be.

Since Rubieus was still there and had not been called back, his reason for being there hadn't been solved yet. He slowly laid on his back with his eyes closed and sighed softly as he overheard the police officers talking about the strange dome that had appeared, they spoke of Latent's defense systems and how great they were. Rubieus wondered if they knew and just decided not to talk about the guardian angel or if they were really clueless.

He had fallen asleep again, this time however he was not dreaming of a strange room with an old man and a young boy, he was not dreaming at all.

Ryu continues to suck upon the wound until he feels the taste of blood in his mouth, then spits the rest out into a jar. He quickly begins bandaging the leg then places his right hand directly upon Acacia's wound.

The Eternal Flames ignite within his hand, giving off healing properties while closing the wound itself. Hopefully, the poison didn't go too far into her body, "So, do you think you'll be okay?"

He looks to her then tilts his head while he notices her speech.

"I'll be fine." He smirks to her then looks off the side of the bed, "I'll be out in another day."

((6 vs 2. My luck is as rotten as ever. Anyway, I'm assuming THAT is the size of Meteor from FF7. That way I have a size reference.))

Ryugi couldn't believe it. With all the power he had unleashed with that last blast, the massive attack had STILL not been adverted. This was it. This was where it was all going to count. Would Ryugi succeed in defeating this foe? Or would he be defeated and more people die for this man's dark ambitions? The answer was clear. Ryugi would win. He HAD to, he could not bear to think of the destruction that would befall this city, or the other people that would die as a direct result of him failing. He wouldn't, couldn't let them down. This city was depending on him, and though Ryugi wished he didn't have to face this situation alone, there was no one else who could help him, no one in sight.

He looked to his side, and saw a little girl, huddled under her mother's arms, as she looked up at the massive shape looming overhead. The little girl turned to look at Ryugi, fear in her eyes. This man...that's all he was. Fear, ignorance, and ego, fueled by power and hatred. That was all HE had been. HE had been just like this man... But...could Ryugi do it once more? He stood there, surrounded by white light, the pure holy light and the calm warmth of passion's flames, as he seemed to tune out of the world, and the battle at hand, almost in a world of white, a void with tall grass below...

How... How can I stop that... That which seems unstoppable? I am...not a god. Just a mortal being... I've fought so hard, fought to protect everyone, and now...to face this...what do I do...? Am I...truly alone in all this...? I've been there...in times of great need for others, but where are they...my saviors...my friends... Someone... Help me...please...

Ryugi looked up into the white of the void, his eyes closed, in what seemed like pain and despair... But then, he felt something...something warm, soft, and gentle. Someone was standing behind him, facing away from him, their hands gently grasping his own...

After all of this time...you haven't changed all that much...have you...Ryugi?

Ryugi's eyes opened wide inside the void of white as he stared up, too afraid to turn around to see if the voice he heard, the arms he felt, were real.

...Kara... Can it really...

The hands wrapped more softly around Ryugi's body, and the back leaned in a bit against Ryugi's own. The sweet scent of the young woman, and the tickle of her hair on his neck...it was all so real... But...How could it be...? A soft chuckle came from the voice behind him.

I told you... when I left... that I would always be with you in your heart... I've always been with you since then, Ryugi... Watching over you...

Ryugi couldn't turn around... He was so afraid he'd lose this moment. Like it was a dream, and that if he turned, it would all be over.

Kara... Back then... I... I never forgave myself for failing you like that... I should have been there... I should have been stronger for you... I'm...so sorry...

Ryugi bowed his head, his hair shrouding his eyes in shadow as he spoke. He may never get this chance again, and he wanted to say what he couldn't before.

What are you asking forgiveness for...? Ryugi...I never blamed you for anything, and I never have...

But... I wasn't strong enough to save you! Just like I'm not strong enough to stop this now... I will have failed to protect everyone again... And this time...the cost will be too much for me to bear... I... I can't do it alone Kara...

...Ryugi... You're never alone... Because...you have all of us...

You've got me ya bum! I told you to be strong and live for the both of us...and I've never left yer back. Not for a damn second...

The voice of Garret, Ryugi's companion from his days as a mercenary spoke up from behind him, mirroring the soft voice of Kara.

And you have us, Ryugi. We're with you...

We're by your side, no matter where you are, or what you do. We've never left you...

The voices of Ryugi's father, Arlian Kazamaru, and Lillian Kazamaru, his mother, spoke behind him as well...

Do you see now...Ryugi? You're never alone... We're all fighting beside you...

Ryugi turned slowly, and came face to face with the amber eyes and blue hair of Kara, who moved in and hugged him, who was soon followed by Garret, and then his mother and father.

Everyone...everybody... I...

The forms of the others faded away after glowing bits of blue-white energy flowed across their forms, gathering along Ryugi's body, strengthening him, and his resolve... He looked up, to see one last form above him, Kara moving slowly towards him, her hand outstretched...

Here...!

With a final flash of bright light, Ryugi was brought back into the real world, his consciousness returning to him, as a new surge of energy flowed across his body. Inside the white energy, a bright blue glow now surrounded his form, and then, with a thunderous pulse, Ryugi's eyes burned with passion and a fire unlike any other he'd ever felt before, except when fighting against HIM... The form began to take shape, moving around Ryugi's body, glowing bright blue and white...

My beliefs will NEVER become just a memory!

The energy around Ryugi burst away from his form as a new, stronger level of energy erupted from his form as the image of a humanoid dragon came into view burning around him as Ragnarok pulsed in his hand, glowing with its fully unlocked power!

Quote: An even more powerful form of Ryugi was once seen in the battle with Ramiel. Nicknamed "Soul-Dragon Form" it is theoretically the most powerful form Ryugi will ever attain in his lifetime. When all else has failed, and the outlook looks bleak, Ryugi's righteous anger, drive to protect the one's he loves no matter the cost, and his pure soul erupt into a massive torrent of energy around his body, forming the image of a white-blue humanoid dragon around his form. The strength of this form is dependent sheerly on Ryugi's will and desire to win and protect that which he cares for, and can only be broken when Ryugi's will and energy is exhausted. When in this form, Ryugi's bond to the elemental planes is locked open, causing a massive torrent of energy to be used for his goals. However, the cost for such a powerful state can severely weaken Ryugi's physical body to a point so near death it can and WILL result in a coma or even death. The coma can last for an extended period of time until Ryugi recovers.

Then, in a massive jump, Ryugi soared upwards, blade in hand at its full power, amplifying his already MASSIVE supply of energy, and boosting the power of his Soul-Dragon Form to levels unheard of in his battle with HIM... The bright glow of Ryugi's form would then streak upwards towards the giant rock, as a massive cloud of shining crystals followed in his wake, and formed a massive spinning barrier high above the planet's surface. The shining cloud of crystal created a massive eroding force against the falling meteor as it swirled around, the crystals shearing away at the massive rock. The closer the rock got towards its goal, the quicker it was eroded away by the severe heat and massive grinding power of the crystals. It was like a sandblasting from hell, and the meteor would be utterly obliterated and held off by the shearing forces created by the shining force.

As the massive barrier annihilated the falling meteor, Ryugi sped up, dashing along the side of the meteor and towards the form of the man called Sephiroth. His meteor destroyed, he would have no choice but to face a fully powered, fully determined, and very angry Ryugi. The only thing keeping Ryugi alive in the vacuum of space was the energy from the planes. which upkept his body and allowed for him to survive without air, food, or water as it energized his body directly. As Ryugi neared Sephiroth, he cried out angrily, as Ragnarok and Ryugi's aura of energy struck out towards the dark man with a thunderous strike.

Kanashimi Kurai Wrote:

Serenity didn't know what she had been expecting, but it wasn't that. She turned, staring at him blankly for what seemed an eternity to her. She started to open her mouth to speak only to shut it again, doing this several times. "I... umm..." She blinked. Serenity didn't know how to respond to that.

((Ergh! Brain death. I don't know how to respond to that post... it was so... unexpected... ><  I r speechless.))

"Um what? If your just going to waste my time with standing around and doing nothing then do it in another part of the forest."

He was still barechested after all, and he'd come out here to finish getting the feeling in the dead side of his body back.

--! He watched as she took off and moved, surprised at her actions and even more surprised with the tenacity and balls that she had chosen to act with.

Of course while there were several things he could have done-- what he ended up doing was merely side-stepping her at the last possible moment, so her right hook went wild.

And with him on the side, it was easy to let his right foot stick out, tripping her and turning her world upside down.

"Scary. A brat like you with spunk like that."

"The futility of your will makes me laugh. How perfect this is. Soon, all that power of yours will belong to me."

The meteor now turned asteroid was plunging downward against the power from Ryugi, the beam not being enough to subdue a rock this size, controlled by the great power of Sephiroth. He was standing there over the planet as if he commanded all. And soon, he would end all life upon this miserable planet and add it to his own, where he would then surpass even a true god, becoming an unimaginable being with unimaginable power. These thoughts alone was Sephiroth's will, making his justifications for his cause just as strong as Ryugi's cause to protect those he cared dear for.

That is when cracks would run across his large doomsday weapon, crystals of light shooting forth to tear his rock to pieces. Sephiroth was not pleased by this, the crystals starting to graze it down. Though the rate of the decimation wouldn't be as fast as Ryugi hoped, as the power from them would be going against the surrounding power that Sephiroth had engulfed his asteroid with.

And thus, it was between him and Ryugi yet again, finding a much greater power and change to his opponent flying past the asteroid and right toward him. Sephiroth wasn't pleased, but he smirked with a joy of seeing someone powerful enough to challenge him.

"Where did you get this new strength," he asks in the calmest of tones, as if they were casually talking yet again. He would let his left hand move forward and his right hand move past himself to the back, where his katana was extended toward the right. The dark purple aura around him would boom into full release, preparing for the direct assault from Ryugi. With a flap of his single dark wing, he would zoom down right toward Ryugi, showing no fear of the newfound strength. And when the aura and Ragnarok are struck forward like a beam, Sephiroth would let it strike into his body. He could feel the surging energy trying to obliterate him, but continued forward, the energy being directed off to the sides of his own aura, like a ship's hull moving through the waters of an ocean.

Sephiroth could feel pain moving through his body, but he did not stop. His body would allow him to last long enough to at least get close enough. And with the slash of Ragnarok came a clasp onto the blade with Sephiroth's left hand.

"Hmph."

Without a second thought, he stabs his six foot blade toward the chest of Ryugi, aiming to impale him and have his sword slash through out the back of his transformed foe. Despite the scales this dragon may have, Sephiroth's sword would be able to pierce such defence, as he has taken down many dragons in his lifetime once before with his blade, finding this one no different from your normal beserk beast. But Sephiroth would not be aiming for the man's heart. Rather, a bit to the right of it, only so that he could cause internal pain that would make him seem as if he had just gotten struck to the vital organ, and also leave his foe alive.

But with the impale of his blade, he attempts to implant his own "virus" into his foe, to try to infect his energy network, and cut off the sources that were fueling his body. As great as the power was coming from Ryugi's body, Sephiroth only saw it as a faucet running out water on full. And to stop that water, you either have to shut off the source, or plug the opening of the faucet completely. Shutting off the source was the first intention. But if that would fail, then the next alternative would automatically happen. Being in such a direct proximity, Sephiroth believed he would be able to accomplish this task, and have the very power of Ryugi backfire against him.

The end result would be the complete self infliction of his own power, which may destroy his body if he doesn't relinquish his ties to the planes immediately. But if the ties would not go away unless he runs out of energy or his will leaves, which neither seemed to be showing any stop to themselves, then it was likely this would cause Ryugi's body to be obliterated by his own power, creating a powerful force that would erupt through space, though Ryugi's transformed body may survive, unconsciousness for him was likely. Sephiroth would be struck by this explosion, too, but he would use ethereal defensive tactics that would allow him to get away from this sudden possibility without having to be obliterated himself. Yet himself, too, would not be left unscathed.

[16]

Light, dark, good, evil, they were all the same. As righteous as Ryugi's cause was, the evil of Sephiroth was considered the "right thing" in his mind. The philosophy of good and evil was something based on an alignment created by man and used by man to show the common likes and dislikes of this era. Saying that his energy was pure was no different than saying Sephiroth's energy was evil. Both were the same, only acting in different natures. While Ryuig's was direct and forceful, Sephiroth's was more calm and cunning. The evil, good, no matter which was in their hearts, to affect Sephiroth because of his beliefs would be simply a futile attempt by his opponent.

But, the energy that shoots from his blade, now that was something that he would be affected by. His entire body would be engulfed by light as the attack shoots through. And his sword, now lodged into Ryugi's body, would show no effect in doing what he intended to. But, Sephiroth was satisfied with his actions, as he smiled within the burning chaos that was the light shining from his outrageous opponent.

"This is not the end. We will meet again. And next time, your biggest fears would be placed right before your eyes...."

With a deep chuckle, he would start to be fully engulfed in the light before his wing covers over his body, suddenly bursting into thousands of black feathers as the energy from the sword shoots past him and straight into space, the form of Sephiroth now gone before the other assaults would arrive. The rock trying to bear itself into Gaia's atmosphere would soon be destroyed, now that its creator was gone, the disturbance he caused drifting away. Although, the city would now be under a good rain shower from the clouds that stood above, as the power of the god continued to leave the area.

Everything would show a cease. The only presence of Sephiroth's existence still going was now the seven foot katana stuck in Ryugi's body, very close to his heart. A small gift from the man himself, a reminder to who he had fought today. Removing it would cause it to disappear if it is removed. But kept there, even Ryugi would feel the energy trying to take over his body and send him into a deep slumber until someone else could take it out.

[17 - End]

Silence. The air was calm again, not that it mattered anymore, if Rubieus was anything, he could never be called upon to renounce his faith in his Lord. The angelic presence he had felt was no longer there, but neither was the driving force that was behind the assault in the first place. He wondered who his Lord had sent, with those thoughts, Rubieus quickly fell asleep, the days adventures starting to affect him.

The sleep would not last long, fortunately for him, the Captain of the Police Force had read over his arrest file and find it to be quite odd, having yelled at a few people, he not only forced them to release the jail bird but also to apologize for any inconvience, for it was not uncommon for names not to show up on their record, for not only was Latent the home for the HoH this year but it also had a strange way of drawing an odd crowd, which made it hard for them to keep track of everyone.

As Rubieus stepped outide, the warm rain begain to trickle down upon him. He sighed softly and began to walk, where? It was not in his nature to ask, but to allow his faith to lead him blindly. That was who he was, and he trusted his Lord to show him the way. With each step, Rubieus would move closer to the Crimson Hawk Hotel, with each step, he felt a reassurance only those with faith could understand.

Rubieus had a goal now, and until he could speak to the man in person, he would do all that he could to gain an audience with Vahn Kyonuske, the man he had seen on the television set.

"If you say so, but take it easy just the same." Acacia got up to leave but paused, her head felt a little weird, she blinked it off.

"I'll see you around I guess, don't be a stranger." She gave him a smile and headed towards the door, did her legs feel heavy? She must have been sitting too long she thought to herself, and hospital rooms were far too stuffy and hot in her opinion. Too hot? That can't be right.. Were her last thoughts before hitting the floor.

((8:52 AM, the day after round 2))

Disbelief.

There was no way this could be real, and yet here he was. He went to the EXACT spot where he had landed and hidden the Dragon Raider, and all that was there to greet him was a neat pile of sand. Fine, metallic sand. Sand which was already being spread across the the lands by steady winds. Grabbing a hadfull of the filament, he let it run through his hand like an hour glass. Only substantial magic could have done such a thing to a ship that size, and what would be the point? A childish prank? What in the world could have disintegrated a ship into such fine parts?

Nanotech-whatchamacallits.

He remembered the Nanobots from the Black Hospital during a lesson with the doc. After having a pen rammed through his hand, these helpful little machines repaired the injury as if it had never existed. Logically speaking, why couldn't they dismantle something just as efficiently?

But that was something that would have to wait a moment. Silver was due for his magical suppressant. He was pushing himself WAY too far with his current output of magika, and he needed the pills to survive. Shaking, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the familiar black canister. It felt... lighter, somehow. Fumbling with the lid for a good moment, he finally got the damned thing open.

Moonblade wasn't enthralled by the empty contents of the container, to say the least. Slightly over a year ago, he had been given quite the stern warning about taking his medicine.

During zhe process of a day it vill seek to fill your body vith arcana yet again...but your body cannot process said arcana...and you vill die. Vone of zhese pills at exactly 9am sharp, vill supress your infections growth for the remainder of the day. You have a zmall vindow between 9am-11pm in order to take your medication if you fail, you have until about 1pm to take a second pill to make up zhe slack. If you fail again...you vill die. A third pill vill snuff out all vestiges of "majik" in your body, zhis includes the spark of life vhich your parents created at conception...Of course zhese times are estimations, but I vouldnt test your limits too far.

He ran his fingers on the insides of the cylinder, hoping to find at least ONE pill...

The pozitive side is zhat, as time goez on your body vill adjust. By my calculations in about a year zhe side effect of missing your medication vill no longer be fatal but instead crippling.

Which was very reassuring. If the system shock didn't kill him, the agonizing pain would immobilize and cripple him. If the capsule merely stopped function and still had a few lingering pills, he would immediately down one. Either way, it was only a matter of time...

And You can rest assured if zhe medicine did not vork you vould already be dead. And if it fails, zhere is really nozhing zhat I can do for you.

What exactly happened? If the Doc had grown angry with him, he couldn't very well show up at his front door. Was Silver not modest enough? Had he relied on his arcana far much? Had the nanobots been commanded to destroy everything, he would merely be killed when he got within the vicinity of the Black Hospital. Provided he could even get out to Guldor in time, which he couldn't without his ship.

Silver doubted that the Doc would be so merciless to destroy Angelous, especially if he had been disappointed with Moonblade for some reason. Could something have happened to the Tower? Maybe the creations couldn't keep form if the tower didn't exist. Or possibly some sort of malfunction caused everything to disintegrate. This seemed more likely, but he really had no idea. He couldn't exactly get out there in time to find out, either.

The least likely option was that Tzenidaar caused this, somehow using Dragoonair as a conduct to destroy... no. The thought was ludicrous; he doubted the man had THAT sort of power. Though he whole-heartedly intended to get his weapon back... if it didn't break down like everything else.

Maximos Wrote:

An old saying suggest thats one meaning "business", should talk quietly yet carry a big stick. Moonblade talked large...and now, he needed a new stick.

Nothing could be accomplished by just standing around, so he slinked off back towards the hotel. He needed to get a weapon and search for a solution, and fast. Too bad Theodore Roosevelt had such a sick sense of humor.

[All up in Owle's head]

"That's because that boy's always looking for an excuse to tear something apart."

He shook his head with a sigh. For a telepath, this woman was pretty dense. They didn't make 'em like they used to. Why, back in his day all telepaths were humans. They were also men. Dinosaurs walked the lands and...

Well regardless, he still stared at her like she was dumb. Because that's what codgety old people did when they got into a bit of an argument.

"Only reason that boy hasn't killed himself is because I've been there to stop 'im. But unless he can do it on his own, I haven't done anything. He's gonna have to learn some day how to control his anger."

Hands on hips, his eyes never leaving Owle's.

"So don't tell 'im I'm alive just yet. If he hasn't calmed down soon, come get me. I know what'll fix his wagon."

And then the old man did something rather creepy. He tossed his head back and laughed. Not a regular laugh, but the high pitched 'HeeHeeHee', crazy old guy laugh.

Ominous, for sure.