Grand Utopia Begins - Event [Chapter XI]

[Maya]

Maya smiled as she was finally given the permission of her mother to get in on the action. A cackle left her lips in spite of the blade now aimed at her throat by one of the many of the council member that now stood on the top of the tower. Soon, a great darkness would surround not only his vision but Ranko as well. To the others they would slowly start to fade away, as if into nothingness but they weren't taking any trips into nonexistence, well in a manner of speaking maybe. The Joy had in fact transported them away from here so they could do battle in a place where time and space...

[Tajna Rasha]

Tajna Rasha remained still even as the two other incarnations of itself faded from view and into oblivion. The spirit blade instead remained fixed on the Seductress, whom now stood in the absence of her two strongest servants.

The occurrence had obviously been expected.

[Ayen]

An eery silence hung over the top of the Downward Spiral, the large beam of energy at the center continuing to tear realms apart and them reshape them into Maricul's own image. Centuries worth of creation by the gods and The Creator alike being undone in a matter of minutes. All because of her. Dark brown eyes dripping with lust found the Ghost's gaze, a strange allure radiating off of The Seductress like an unholy light as she walked towards the Ghost without hesitation. Calling out to him as if they've been long-term lovers separated for decades.

“Tajna!”

Though she did nothing to the others standing there, it was as if they were the only two on the tower now. A small fragile looking hand ran against the side of the angelic skeleton corpse's face. A look of longing came from her now as she walked right through the spirit sword free from harm, her cloak wrapping around him, the embrace of her body providing him with a warm he had never felt before as pieces of her clothes impaled into him like spikes to hold him in place. Her lips inching closer to his mouth, brushing off it softly as her hands now massaged his cheeks and her eyes closed, kissing him as if she was kissing The Firebird. A strange rush would come over the Ghost, a rush that would have been thought impossible for a devil such as he to feel. An emotion that has destroyed more lives than any demon in the universe. Love. In the wake of a battle that threatened to tear the very fabric of space and time, Maricul gave her enemy a small taste of heavenly bliss. Before an unbelievable amount of pain would course through him, rising to the surface.

For through the kiss, centuries worth of souls came pouring out of his mouth and his essence along with them as they formed a circle of bright green that could have blinded the average man. It was the only thing now separating their lips. The green light turning a dark orange and then a bright red, as an explosion erupted between their mouths, sparks flying through the air as Maricul released her grip on the Ghost and allowed the skeleton form to fall and crumble into dust.

[Raal]

He was thoroughly confused, to say the least. Raal had no idea what was happening, and he wanted answers. It looked like he was going to have to get them somewhere else. Well, at least he knew what happened on the roof of the tower. He had also escaped the wrath of one of the most powerful beings in the merging dimensions.

The demon made another blind teleport, disappearing in a purple haze, not caring where he went, so long as he wasn't on the Downward Spiral!

[Exit Raal]

[daimonsilver]

Silver slipped into his thoughts for a a few moments everything around him ceasing to exist while in his thoughts.

"This could be my paradise but I would have to fight for it. I was made/born and breed to be a fighter so I will fight and get strong enough that I will never be suppressed again. That my life will have new purpose for me."

" I will say yes! But on this condition I answer to no one. I choose what I do!I may be asked to do something but I have the choice to say no. I choose my purpose in this life no else." Silver said looking to Maricul." If this is my paradise chosen for me that is my choice to live." Silver's eye were full of seriousness and passion.

[Chloe/Kat]

"We see your inability to comprehend what you are remains." A voice not unlike that of Tajna Rasha touched the ears of the Paradox with its haunting melody, only this one with a smooth feminine pitch that remained dominant. The Empress of Jherrazad now standing at the top of the tower before Maricul and her chosen few. Kasul still in hand and letting off a thick crimson glow like that of flames from the black blade as Chloe glared into the eyes of the Paradox. "You can only get by on trial and error for so long."

[Ayen]

A frown appeared on the Paradox's face as Raal departed. Disappointed by the lack of conviction either which way but she could only think about it for a brief moment before she returned her focus to the task at hand. Bringing about Utopia.

"I will say yes! But on this condition I answer to no one. I choose what I do!I may be asked to do something but I have the choice to say no. I choose my purpose in this life no else. If this is my paradise chosen for me that is my choice to live."

“Welcome.”

"We see your inability to comprehend what you are remains."

Maricul released what could be conceived as an irritable sigh as she turned, fully expecting to see yet another Tajna Rasha in her presence but as her head turned it would not be Tajna Rasha that would meet her gaze. It would be Chloe with Kasul in hand, Maricul's eyes growing wide at a most unreal event growing before her.

"You can only get by on trial and error for so long."

“Y-you idiot!”

For the first time since activating the tower and manipulating the universes Maricul was beginning to lose her cool. Not only has Chloe taken the essence of the Ghost of Legion, but she has claimed it as her own and snatched his power within her own grasp. But what frightened and enraged the Paradox more than that, was the thing that came with it.

Kasul.

“Have you any idea what it is you have done!? Have you!? You just assured that parasite a lifetime of leeching off all of creation!”

[Chloe/Kat]

"We know." Chloe spoke at length as she took a couple of steps closer to the Paradox, Kasul raised, her eyes showing no concern for the new found power in Maricul's grasp. In fact, there was a hint of dullness found in her eyes and on her face instead. Not at Maricul's power but her own. The Paradox could see this was not the first time Chloe has lived this moment and knew it would not be the last. Already the weight of what she has become was beginning to show but still, the Empress had a job to do. And it needed to be done no matter the sacrifice, as Amoura and Superwoman before her, so would Chloe do what was in the best interest of those she loved. "The conversion was necessary. We cannot allow you to succeed."

[Zabuza Midareta]

Graecus stood there a little dumbfounded by the event unfolding before him. He watched as Raal disappear in a blink of an eye, he watched as the ghost split into multiples, one vanish with that creepy little girl, another somewhat explode when Maricul kissed it, watched as another woman appear in front of him as fast as Raal had, when he vanished. He listened to the conversation and wasn't sure what to, wasn't sure how to move, but then he remembered what he were to gain, if this war on Maricul's side was successive.

Graecus in one swift movement grabbed out his Spatha from the sheath on his back and have it in both hands to cut off this mystery woman from Maricul. "Ma'am, you forgot that I am still here, and I swear on the River of Styx that I will fight for you til this war is over." Graecus spoke with sincerity for the promise to Maricul, but he had a vicious tone toward this woman in front of him

[Linx]

From a pool of darkness, yet another figured arrived on the tower, standing beside and slightly behind Chloe. Clad in armour blacker than midnight, the tall man stood regal. Black hair kept back by a blackened circlet set with a single blood red ruby, his eyes were a brilliant and piercing green. His face was impassive as he arrived, only a small, cold smile dancing along his lips. He was shrouded by a cloak seemingly woven of darkness, the edges seeming to drip onto the ground behind him, and he made not a whisper of sound as he moved to stand beside the Empress. In his left hand, he clenched a staff of blackened wood, archaic and arcane symbols burning with an unholy light across its surface. In his right, he bore the Blackblade, its blackened silver naked before him, unholy light pulsing from the runes dancing along the metal, twisting and melting sinuously, making those unused to such sights nauseous on more than one occasion

"I too shall stand against thee Maricul, and you, mortal. I neither know, nor care for your name, so do not bother uttering it to me." he says, his voice as cold and dark as his soul and demeanor. His blade was held loosely at his side, seeming to indicate he was rather inexperienced with melee combat, preferring instead the mystical onslaught he could unleash with his staff which now began to pulse with it's own unholy radiance as he gathered his power into him. "While I agree with your ideals, that gods are flawed and we should make our own choices, you threaten my realm with your war. That I will not abide. I too, shall stand and fight against you, no matter the cost." he continues. His eyes lock onto Maricul, ignoring the human standing beside her, deeming him unimportant and not any amount of a threat to him, nor would he be. Many times his better had tried to kill him.

"Hmm. I suppose I should introduce myself then, that way we shall at least know the names of the victors and vanquished here today. I am Nicodemus Archleon, the Necromancer King of Outland." he says and with a gentle thump of his staff on the tower, undead rose up behind him. They were the risen bodies of the soldiers slain on the field below in the countless battles fought here. He had ample amounts of fodder, and would not hesitate to use them. "Perhaps when we finish Empress, we could discuss something to our mutual enjoyment and benefit. I am unaccustomed to living in squalor, and you by far seem the most pleasant of these rulers. I would be happy to offer you my services and alliance." he remarks off handedly, not the least bit concerned with the war erupting all around them. He was ready. Come what may, Maricul would not be allowed to succeed.

[daimonsilver]

Silver watched the many strange event unfold be form. Two more had stepped forward to challenge the woman who had promised him paradise. Silver was confused by their babble of god but he could care less. They threatened his promised paradise so he would fight them. He drew his blades from their holster on his back.

"I will fight both of you if I have too." He also stepped beside Graecus to face the two new comers.

[Tajna Rasha]

A distortion shot through the air before a blue-white flash erupted at the top of the tower. A horrifying vision appeared as soon as it receded, with an incandescent blade of energy impaled through the torso of the Empress of Jherrazad. Great, torn wings spread behind her in the wind revealing the skeletal form of her assailant – the Ghost of Legion. Before long, Chloe’s soul would begin to unhinge itself from the rest of her body, contorting into a radiant shadow of the woman.

‘‘Empty promises.’’ It spoke in answer to all their pompous boasts, making no effort to hide the callousness in its voice. Eyes glowing with deadly purpose, Tajna Rasha jerked the spectral blade out of Chloe – pulling her essence with it – ending her life. Drawing back the brownish cowl on its face and revealing the jawless maw underneath, the Empress’ specter was devoured instantly by the Ghost of Legion as though absorbed by a great vacuum.

Only after did her body fall silently to the ground.

After re-arranging the ragged scarf around its head to hide the grotesque bottom-half of its visage, Tajna Rasha took a moment to observe the expressionless shell of the woman it had just consumed – understanding the oblivion she experienced in her last moments. Aware of the crowds’ eyes diverting to observe the scene, its attention quickly turned to the weapon in the corpse’s hand. Extending one of its talons, the Kasul began floating towards the member of the Council of Legion who took it in its grasp. It had been an eternity since Tajna Rasha last laid its hands on the blade. Still it remembered what had occurred… A pulse began to emanate from the sword like a beating heart – thin fractures appearing along the entirety of its length. Bright azure flames began radiating from the cracks before engulfing the Kasul completely. The metal eroded and the flames grew brighter slowly revealing the weapon’s true nature. The energy expanded and coiled itself around the phantom’s arm, attaching and imbuing Tajna Rasha with a soul-devouring wraith blade. The same the Ghost of Legion was always seen wielding. For the second time today the demon reverted back into its mind, reliving the past.

The cycle was complete.

‘‘Free will is an illusion.’’ It repeated from a time it knew Maricul would remember before turning on its heels to face the witch. Sheathing away the spectral weapon back into the darkness, a long pause came between the two. ‘‘We will indulge you.’’

Maricul would begin to feel a sense of paradoxical elation heaving at the back of her mind like a splinter. A sensation not unlike what she had felt on the slopes of the Spiral when Sincara had nearly killed her that day. Unexplainably, though irrefutably – her powers were gone – with only the ghost’s unforgiving gaze letting her know he was the one responsible for it. It was only then that finally the reason made itself clear; the trap her enemy had an eternity to lay out for her…

‘‘History is ours to dictate.’’ Tajna Rasha controlled the tower.

As though on cue, a deafening shriek traversed the tower – the same terrible screech that had echoed throughout all of Jherra when Maricul had first activated the tower. A great tremor erupted before the skies ignited as though set ablaze with a great white inferno. The countless dimensions that had begun to collide started to unwound and the storm clouds disperse. The light converged onto a single point, and in an awesome detonation that shook the Crystal Expanse with a violent tremor, the wave of energy came back down amidst the labyrinthine halls of the Downward Spiral.

‘‘We renounce you.’’

[Ayen]

"Ma'am, you forgot that I am still here, and I swear on the River of Styx that I will fight for you til this war is over."

“Graecus, stand down! I will deal with Chloe myself.”

"I too shall stand against thee Maricul, and you, mortal. I neither know, nor care for your name, so do not bother uttering it to me."

“Your ignorance is seen if you sense him human...”

"I will fight both of you if I have too."

The top of this tower was starting to get too crowded for her own liking.

“Graecus, Silver, deal with the new comer. Empress Chloe and I will battle alone.”

‘‘Empty promises.’’

And just when things couldn't get any more complicated, Tajna Rasha returned. The Seductress only watched as he drained away Chloe's very essence and watch her fall to the ground, dead. That took care of one problem but the overwhelming complication of Tajna's very presence made Chloe and the others who challenge her look small and insufficient. It irritated her.

‘‘Free will is an illusion.’’

“You just keep telling yourself that.”

‘‘We will indulge you.’’

“I grow tired of your bullshit, Tajna!”

Maricul moved towards the Ghost but before she could even raise a hand up against him she felt a horrible sensation at the back of her mind. It made her feel weak, vulnerable. Just like when Sincara nearly claimed her life. The Seductress fell down to her knees, not able to understand what it was that made her weak, but when she looked up to the Ghost it became all too clear.

‘‘History is ours to dictate.’’

“Damn you! Damn you to the lowest pits of hell, Tajna!”

‘‘We renounce you.’’

And just like that, it was gone. All that power, all that control. Gone. It was never rightfully hers. She had been played, used. Manipulated by Tajna into believing she actually mattered regardless of his words that spoke otherwise. He knew she would be stubborn, thick headed. He knew she would charge head first into his plans with no hesitation. He knew everything. The shock betrayed her anger and soon there was only sorrow as the great Queen of Utopia was found weeping on top of the tower for all to see.

“I just wanted to matter. I just wanted to be loved. Like Amoura. Even the Arashi are loved more than I. Why? Why can't you just let me have this one victory! I-I could have granted your wish. I could have given you death! Why do you love her more?”

Her will was broken. And just as the cycle was doomed to continue repeating itself, the impossible would occur.

Kasul denied him.

Tajna's essence would be absorbed for what felt like the tenth thousandth time. His body falling down beside the blonde vampiress as the demon blade remained in the air above the corpses, shinning a bright red hue around the blade of ebony, remaining as it was.

A sentient being.

The cycle has been broken!

Maricul looked up in disbelief, slowly getting up to her feet and smiling at the demon blade. Never before has she been happier to see its shine. Never before has it appeared so beautiful.

“Kasul, you did it! You broke the–!”

Maricul's words came to a screeching halt as Kasul impaled her, absorbing her essence like Tajna before her.

To hell with you, wench!

The life in Maricul's eyes finally faded away, her body collapsing to the ground once Kasul released her and erupting into a puff of black smoke as Kasul remained, shinning.

Let all of Genesis, the Downward Spiral and Utopia know that Kasul has but one Master and it is not Tajna Rasha, nor is it Chloe.

It is the Crimson Devil; Ranko!

And with that, Kasul left in another flash of red light. Tajna Rasha has saved the realms from a cruel fate.

Kasul saved them from another.