An audience with the Queen [Chapter V]

[Miracle]

The young High Priestess of Crystal City, Miracle, stood upon a cliff looking out towards the large fields of green in Utopia. A realm created by a woman she to this day still called her friend, Maricul herself. It astounded both Miracle and Zira that someone who created so much destruction could make anything this beautiful. From the ruins of worlds rise Utopia, just like the woman has said. But at what cost? And for what purpose did Utopia exist? Maricul was always the clever one, even when others thought her a fool. Sly and cunning, resourceful even with limited resources. Neither Miracle nor Zira wanted to think about the things she could do now that her only limit is her imagination.

"This is Utopia?" asked Miracle.

"Yes. Remarkable isn't it?"

"It truly is," replied Miracle.

The Firebird looked over to the others and pointed her finger towards the castle, which looked small from where they stood, beyond the field.

"There's the castle which dwells Maricul just over yonder. Next to the mansion of the refugees and temple where they worship the woman like a god."

"Like a god?"

"Well.... when she isn't killing them for it."

Miracle's heart sank. This was one confrontation with Maricul she wasn't looking forward to.

[Sazan]

Miracle and Zira weren‘t the only ones astounded at the sights they were witnessing. When news reached Sazan‘s ears of a paradise made by Maricul naturally The Hybrid thought of what her mother would see as a paradise. She imagined dark skies, a lack of color and sex orgies as far as the eye could see. But there would be none of that. Instead everything was beautiful. Every single time Sazan thought she knew all there was to know about her mother she went and kept changing the rules.

“Well then? Very little point looking at it.”

Without further ado Sazan lunged from the cliff top and landed down on the fields below, beginning to march straight towards Maricul‘s castle, slowly though as to not leave her comrades too far behind. Even with her strength The Hybrid knew taking on Maricul alone would be a suicide mission. That why there were so many of them there. That, and they had no idea of really knowing what all lied in Utopia.

[Silver Eyes]

Most would expect Amoura to follow in suit after Sazan or even rush ahead of the others to give Maricul a piece of her mind for seducing her sister. Instead she stood behind and surveyed the land they will soon tread upon. Everyone had entered through the door at the top of the spiral, walked through the ivory rooms and now they stood before what could easily be described as "heaven". It was lovely, Amoura wouldn't doubt it, but the leader left a lingering taint to her.

There were people, plenty of them but they didn't seem to pose a threat for the time being. Unfortunately from this distance it would be impossible to assess just what dangers lie in store for the "heroes" and Amoura finally joined Sazan by stepping off the cliff. Her knees bent from the impact and she followed closely behind the hybrid. There were no threats still; that alone made this suspicious.

Maricul probably knew they were coming and wanted to make sure they arrived unscathed or for her to take them on herself. Amoura wasn't aware of what The Seductress had become yet.

[Clash]

Clash's head peeked out of the cliff, his body followed as his head vanished again, a fin glinted in the light then his tail flashed by as he was gone again. A blink of the Shark. It felt odd, he was working with his friends, those who had let him into Devil May Cry. He was their weapon, back in their world. He was a part of that world, now an interloper in Genesis like Amoura and Sparda and Sazan. Yet he was twice the intruder now, actively invading this Utopia with friends from Genesis and from his home world. His "home" world... He'd not considered many places home, Genesis least of all. It already had a shark.

Clash emerged from the ground, having caught up with Sazan and Amoura, once again he merely broke the surface and showed himself. He was merely providing positional data for his friends, not wanting to trip them up. They were after Maricul, someone who was supposedly from his world as well, though he never met this being. Shame he didn't, she sounded easy. Clash's eyes scanned ahead, seeing through the ground from underneath like staring at the sky from underwater, he moved quickly with the others, keeping pace and listening. Their silent sentinel was always ready to play the cavalry.

[Sparda]

Though most of the group would have no trouble descending the sheer cliff they had found themselves upon when they first stepped into this mysterious realm, Miracle was still very much human; she could hardly just step out into empty air and expect to come away from the drop unscathed.

To that end, there came a pulse of violet light at the lip of the cliff before the High Priestess and the Firebird, and a large hovering platform of hardlight energy materialised at its very edge. Were they to step onto it, it would float down to the ground beneath them, moving out across the field to deposit them next to Sazan, Amoura and the silently prowling Clash.

The creator of this hovering pedestal of energy would soon place himself next to the Night Angel. Tendrils of black mist began to rise up from her shadow, collecting in an opaque cloud next to her as she walked. By the time it stopped growing, it was trailing along the ground and reached almost six feet in height... then dissipated as if blown away on a breeze as Sparda strode out from within, falling into step beside Amoura.

"About time we got some answers from her," he muttered, as if thinking out loud. "I'm almost looking forward to whatever awaits us inside that castle..."

[Chloe/Kat]

In this group Chloe definitely felt like the odd one out. The third wheel, fifth, or in this case, seventh wheel as they moved along closer to this "Maricul" person everybody kept talking about. What she wouldn't give for Dianne to be here right now. At least having one person she knew better than the others would help calm down her nerves. But no time for that. The Night Angel trusted her enough to bring her along for this mission so it was time to earn that trust from the others. Without thinking very much on the matter the vampiress lunged off of the cliff to join the others, but she botched her jump and landed flat on her face. Anyone else would have been dead, in Chloe's case she was just in a lot of physical pain and they haven't even reached their objective yet. Oh well, at least she still had her hair.

Chloe slowly pulled herself up to her feet and rubbed her face, snapping her nose and other such body parts back into place as she followed Sazan, Amoura, Sparda and Clash towards the castle. She kept a fair distance away from Clash. After some explaining Chloe understood it wasn't the same Clash that she has met before, and that it was the one the other damned shark tried framing, but she still had a bad feeling every time she got close to it. So for the sake of her sanity, the remnants of it anyway, she wouldn't get very close to the shark just in case. Chloe reached Amoura's side, giving a quick glance to the beauty that surrounded the place before looking back at her. Whoever made this certainly had a taste for art, if nothing else. Speaking of who made it. "I don't suppose I could hear anything more about this Maricul person before we reach our destination?"

[Miracle]

Zira was about to guide Miracle down the long way from the cliff until the shortcut in shape of a platform appeared next to the ledge. Grateful, the young High Priestess smiled over to Sparda before he rejoined with the others. Eight of them would be all to confront Maricul and hopefully it would be enough. Though she didn't quite know where Michael was at present. Solomon and Yuna was back in Crystal City in order to defend it against any who wished to cause trouble. As for Hallowton the male incarnation of Amoura and three warriors Sparda mentioned was taking care of it. She had faith that the two cities would be safe while they were away.

Miracle and Zira stepped up on the platform and it was lowered to the ground the moment it felt their weight. They then made haste to catch up with the others as they drew closer to the Castle Town that awaited them. Overhearing Chloe's question Miracle spoke while pushing to the front of the group. Zira opt to stay at the rear and watch their backs.

"She was an old friend that chose a path none of us could follow. I strongly advise caution."

Miracle didn't know the other stories too well but that was hers. Even though they only met once or twice before the battle in Aircano the High Priestess had considered Maricul a very good friend. Now it was becoming more and more apparent that they would be enemies. Miracle began a silent prayer while leading the group into Utopia's Castle Town.

[Sazan]

Sazan remained quiet on the subject of her mother, having absolutely nothing to say on the matter. The Hybrid’s silver scythe rested on her back and both the 9mm Bloodlust and 11mm Blessing, which she got from her mother back in Dominion City, were tucked away in her blue trench coat. Many people underestimated the 9mm Bloodlust when compared to the firepower of the 11mm Blessing. That was their mistake. Sazan decided to use her enhanced vision to get a visual of what awaited them up ahead. She found two guards standing watch at the entrance of Castle Town. Nobody Sazan immediately recognized.

Jill Valentine looked out to see yet another group heading towards the main city in Utopia before speaking into her radio.

“New arrivals on their way through, over.”

The other woman on guard was the same one she about nearly killed upon arrival in Utopia, only in her civilian attire. Ra Constantine. She had long raven black hair that fell to her sides, black eyes that seem to be void of emotion and was dressed in a white dress shirt, black slacks with matching boots, a black trench coat over her shirt and a black hat atop her head. At her waist was a Katana comfortably sitting inside of its sheathe. Jill Valentine walked out to greet the approaching group while Ra Constantine chose to remain anti-social.

“Welcome to Utopia, I'm Jill Valentine. Is there anything in particular we can assist you with or do you just seek shelter?”

Immediately Sazan picked up on something off about the woman’s scent. It was neither vampire nor devil which has become the norm, instead some type of mutation that flowed through her bloodstream. Needless to say, she was no mere mortal woman. Sazan spoke mentally to the others.

Careful. This one’s less than human.

The Hybrid stepped up next to Miracle and looked at Jill.

“We’re here for an audience with her Royal Highness!”

Sazan spoke the last words bitterly. Finding the very idea to be ridiculous. Jill looked back over to Ra before signaling them to give her one moment. Jill walked away from them and started speaking quietly into the radio. Little did she realize that would be for naught. Sazan could hear the conversation from here. So could the others if they were paying attention.

“The new arrivals wish to see Ms. Luca Valentine, over.”

“Let them through.”

The Hybrid’s eyes widened when she heard the voice on the other side of the radio. A voice she would recognize anywhere.

“Ranko!”

She looked to the others.

“Ranko is here!”

The gates to the town came open and Jill motioned the newcomers inside as she and Ra made room for them to pass through.

“I have a bad feeling.”

[Silver Eyes]

"Answers would be preferred more than what I'm expecting." Amoura had a good feeling a fight will break out and the more who show up to aid in this cause, the better. Speaking of showing up not only did Chloe make her timely arrival--and in a not-so experienced manner at that; she'll have to teach her to land better--but so did two others.

From the corner of her eyes she caught black mist curling up from the ground and it took the form of Argus, her alter self from another dimension. The hybrid promptly joined the others and took his side by Chloe.

"Well, if this doesn't end in a fight-"

"-it'll end in her attempting an orgy or annihilation. I know."

Argus leaned forward so he could lock gazes with Amoura, "...stop finishing my sentences."

The Night Angel gave him a smug grin, "Stop thinking what I'm also thinking."

"Touche. Again. And to answer your question we don't know what we're up against, Chloe. Maricul is a powerful adversary." Argus leaned back in time to see The Crow sailing through the air, his black wings blotting out the sun briefly while he passed over the others. Michael had chosen to remain in the sky to give everyone a better layout of the "lair". Images of what he saw were projected to the others. Albeit, it definitely paled in comparison to what Clash had given his sister during the fight against Maya but it'll at least give an idea on what they will soon be entering.

While that was handed out, Amoura extended her hand and in a puff of smoke, a gun dropped into her palm. "You're not going in there unarmed. Here." She held it out to Chloe, "I know it looks a little on the large side but it packs quite the punch. Your strength as a vampire can easily handle it."

They were all stopped by someone less than human. Argus and Amoura both reached the same conclusion Sazan had--she was quicker to announce it.

"Wait, Ranko? The Red Devil? Aw, great. Probably a bigger bitch as a woman." Argus complained out loud.

"I'm sure..."

"I'll be down in a moment everyone. Keep going without me."

[Clash]

Clash listened to their banter, remaining quiet. The talk would give them all away, then Clash'd pull their bacon out of the fire. Mmmm... Nice greasy bacon with some hash browns and two moist, poached eggs. Clash's drool caused a patch of dirt to darken as he thought of a succulent English breakfast, his mind was wandering from the task, head back in the game Clash! His flashlight eye pivoted up and gazed at his friends seeing how they were all moving, Miracle was moving with the group, he worried about bringing her. If they were gunna go see an easy chick would they want to bring a kid with them? Ah well, they could confess their sins when they were done.

Birds were overhead, one of them was theirs. Clash wondered what kinda world this truly was. What agents were watching them at this time? What powers conspired against these interlopers? Did his friends even have the audacity to fool themselves into thinking they were not being watched? Ooh! A mole! Clash detected the small burrowing mammal up ahead, he rolled over, belly up as he neared the surface. Nom. A large scoop of dirt and the mole were taken away, as if poofed from reality as Clash ate the creature. A pothole formed in the road up ahead as Clash dove deep and resumed his silent service, following and monitoring his friends from below.

[frosty225]

((My post isn't all that important just Daikus at the castle talking with Maricul.))

"Would you look at that." Daikus spoke, watching from a window as a group of people were off in the distance. Some familiar, some not so familiar. "They seem pretty pissed, what did you do? Have sex with one of their companions?" He joked, turning back around towards the throne.

"What are you going to do, hm?"

[Sparda]

A two-man welcoming committee. One didn't see such a light-handed welcome very often, which meant that Maricul was either intending to lead them into a trap or simply didn't wish to start a fight.

Fat chance of the latter, really.

Whatever was off about the woman who came out to meet them, Sparda couldn't quite detect it by aura alone. She was human, certainly, but fundamentally altered in some way... Before he could subtly sniff at the air to test her scent, Sazan's voice piped up in his mind, warning of this Jill Valentine's inhumanity. Shame she couldn't offer specifics.

He too chose to listen in on her radio communication, quiet as she kept it. The voice that answered he thought vaguely familiar, despite the distortion, but Sazan beat him to the recognition once again - it was Ranko. What was Jherrazad's leader doing here, and apparently in service of Maricul?

"Seems our old friend Maricul is waiting to get us inside before the festivities begin," his voice echoed in the minds of his companions, "and no doubt she'll invite these lackeys of hers. Stay alert."

His next words were directed solely at the shark lurking underfoot. "Clash, can you accurately map building interiors from underground?" The Dark Knight began a paced, almost wary stride through the gates and into the city. "We'll need a fast way out if things go sour."

[Chloe/Kat]

A former ally turned enemy? Interesting. Chloe became quiet when Argus appeared and smiled his way, offering a lustful eye or two when he wasn't looking in her general direction. The vampiress, not having much to say at present, kept her current silence going when the others conversed with the guards of the place. So far everything was strangely civilized considering the nature of their mission. During this transaction and mental conversations that Chloe would NEVER get used to, the woman felt a gun enter her hand. When she looked at it she was surprised at how heavy it looked when it felt light in her hands. Chloe looked over to Amoura puzzled. "Is this really necessary? I already have physically enhanced abilities what do I need a gun for?" Chloe was confused, having a gun on top of everything else just felt like overkill. The vampire wouldn't have much time to think over it as the gates were opened and the guards were motioning for them to enter.

[Miracle]

Miracle sensed no malice intent from either of the guards at the gate so the High Priestess did not worry about them. It looked like if they was to be guilty of anything, it would be following orders blindly, depending on what exactly Maricul has been having them do since the creation of Utopia. Zira turned around just in time to see her sister's male counterpart. Whistling quietly to herself.

"Well Amoura, you make quite the man I must say."

Miracle turned around and looked over to Argus, confused as to why he was here.

"Argus! I thought you were back in Hallowton. Why aren't you there?"

The High Priestess sounded concern, Hallowton wasn't just the backup city they could go should, god forbid, anything happened to Crystal City but she also had an emotional investment in that place as many of the refugees from Aircano opt not to return and remain at Hallowton. Miracle waited for his reply, soon after she would turn around and lead the group into Castle Town. If Maricul was still the same woman she met back in Aircano then she was certain the woman would wish to speak with them before any possible battle broke out. Good. That would give her a chance to get answers and hopefully make her see reason. Miracle also planned to inquire as to why Jherrazad's leader was here of all places. Unless, it was not the same Ranko from Genesis. The High Priestess has often wondered how many other worldly incarnations did she herself have out there.

[Sazan]

Sazan couldn’t help but chuckle at Zira’s comment before looking up to the sky and smiling at her fiance before following Miracle into town. Up ahead The Hybrid would spot somebody that she definitely knew from the past. Quite frankly one of the last people she ever thought she’d see.

“Well, well look what the cat drug in.”

“Kedara?”

“Oh you remember me? I’m so touched!”

“This can’t be. You died.”

“Well funny thing about death, it’s not as eternal as everybody makes it out to be. Never fear though I’m not here to start a fight. I have a message from The Genius.”

“The Genius is here too?”

“Not the one from our world. They say she’s supposed to be superior to ours in every way, but I can’t agree. Our Genius, my Genius, was the most beautiful woman in the universe. Anyway…. she says to meet up with her in the mansion next to the castle, on the last room right of the main hall. There’s something important she needs to talk to you all about concerning the prophecy most of you are familiar with. That’s all.”

Kedara turned around from the group and walked away without giving them another glance. Sazan then looked back over to Amoura with a cocked eyebrow.

“The prophecy?”

---

Luca looked over to Daikus from her throne, showing very little concern about the group that were heading for her castle. Her “trademark” smile never wavering once through it all as her eyes moved towards the window. In truth, she didn’t have to look through the window to see them. She could see everyone in Utopia regardless of origin. Hear their every thought, feel their every emotion. Nothing remained hidden from Luca for very long. They were in her world now.

“We wait.”