An audience with the Queen [Chapter V]

[Luca Valentine]

Sazan inhaled sharply. She couldn’t believe the things Clash were saying to them after everything, everything they’ve been through together. The Hybrid tried to remind herself that he wasn’t in his right mind, even a strong mind can be bent to the will of her mother after a time. Though her words had very little chance of breaking through, maybe they would lay the ground-work for snapping him out of it after what Amoura and Sparda had said.

“Clash, I took you in when you had nowhere else to go! I fed and gave you shelter like you were family! This is the way you repay me after everything we’ve seen and experienced together? This is the way you repay us? Open your eyes, goddammit! You’re being fed lies! You’re a victim of the silver tongue!”

“Now, now, know better manners.”

Luca snap her fingers and the opposing group was knocked back. Her own little way of reminding them who dictated this encounter. Whose domain they were standing in uninvited. She smiled, the same kind, gentle smile that Luca Valentine has became known for before looking back at Clash.

“Your frustration is understandable, Clash, but let not allow ourselves to stoop to their level. Calm yourself.”

Luca looked back to the others. She was a part of Maricul, in some new way that still remained a mystery and yet, she was so unlike her. To the point where many who knew her secret still didn’t believe they had any connection with each other. Simply by her mannerism. It was easy to see why she made more appearances than Maricul herself.

“Would anyone care for a cup of tea?”

“Skip the pleasantries! You know why we’re here!”

“Oh yes. Ms. Firestone.”

Luca shook her head disapprovingly.

“What happens between two consenting adults behind closed doors is their business. Really, Sazan, I thought you knew better.”

[Miracle]

"Consenting?"

Zira barely got those words out through grinding her teeth and they left a bad taste in her mouth long after they were gone. Her encounter with Maricul was anything but consensual. She was seduced, manipulated, Zira had told her no several times through body language and she never stopped. It might as well have been rape by that point. Without thinking the Firebird drew Ebony and aimed it's barrel towards Luca, right between her eyes, ready to blow that stupid smile right off her face.

"I should blow your brains out right where you stand, you bitch!"

"Zira, no! Stop!"

The High Priestess got in the way of Zira's gun, pleading with her to stand down. A battle would do them no favors and Miracle wasn't ready to take this woman's life yet, not until all attempts at reason has failed. Zira let out a grunt and lowered her pistol taking a step back while Miracle turned to face Luca.

"Yes or no; are you Maricul?"

[Clash]

Amoura hefted Clash into the air with those psychic powers of hers, and as always the Devil May Cry crew had a lot of self righteous hot air that he really didn't bother listening to. The fact remained the same; They abandoned him. They left him behind when they all ran off to Genesis from their homeworld and they abandoned him to go play peek and poke somewhere else while he was still swimming around on the ground. And hey, they didn't appreciate each other but he deserved some damn real respect, they were just another pack of run-of-the-mill bump-in-the-night dime store bogeymen. A group of Vampires and Demons and Ghoulies. He was a shark, he still lived and breathed without some damning stigmata of satanic origins or nosferatu necking.

As Amoura held him, his flashlight eyes narrowed, their beams growing sharper and glaring at her face, he hoped they blinded her. When she walked up close to him, his teeth revved and grated loudly in his mouth, he was about ready to snap at her. Before she dropped him she could hear it, the sound of clicking, of metal plates moving. Her little telekinetic hold on him broke of Clash's choosing as he reverted to his human form, all it took was just beginning the process and Shark and Awe came into play, that broadsword of his snapped Amoura's hold, grounding him in normalcy and blocking her malicious abilities. Clash looked to Sazan though, her point was a strong and valid one, and he gave her a rather sad look, an almost apologetic tone in his voice.

"It is true, I crawled to your doorstep hurt and broken, and you gave me exactly what I needed to recover, and you put me to work as anyone else did. I hold you no ill-will."

He turned his head back to the others, his lips pulling back into a threatening sneer, his human form seeming almost more intimidating than his shark form with that basket hilted blade in his hand. "But the fact still remains that you..." He pointed his blade to Amoura. "...and you..." Sparda. "...and you..." Michael. "...and you..." Zira. "...and- Seriously who the hell are you?" He stopped at Argus. "Like... DUDE, where did you come from?"

Clash gave Amoura another angry look.

"Another thing, you never introduce me to your friends! But back on topic" He returned his glare to everyone else. "A whole damn lot of you, myself included, DON'T BELONG IN THIS WORLD!"

Then He heard it... HEAVY IMPLICATIONS, he glared at his former friends.

"That's what this is all about? Your 'sister' got some action and had lover's remorse then made you call the charge of the light-headed brigade on this place?! You even brought along a child and Chloe, AND CHLOE SHOT ME DOWN!"

Clash looked ready to brandish his sword, to show these ingrates just what they had spurned, then he stopped. "I'd like some tea please, Earl Gray, two lumps?" He turned to Luca with a polite smile, speaking softly.

[Luca Valentine]

Luca resisted the devilish grin that wanted to curve her lips at Zira’s reaction to her words. She could still remember indulging herself in everything The Firebird had to offer, hearing the moans reach her ears and feeling her skin shiver beneath her fingertips during it all. Knowing that deep down inside Zira enjoyed every second of it, her body aching for more but knowing it was the wrong thing to do. Taking that anger and frustration out on both herself and Luca. It ended up causing a frown to appear on the Aqua-Haired female’s face instead. If she was anyone else, this wouldn’t even be an issue but because she was connected to someone they all despised, it was suddenly a bigger deal than it would normally be. And to think Luca offered Zira true, unconditional love back during her stay at the manor. Miracle then asked her question, the question on a lot of people’s minds. The frown washing off her face as she answered.

“Yes and no.”

Not the answer one would want but the truth is rarely ever wanted to be heard. That is why lies existed since the beginning of time but the truth was always stronger than the most well-crafted lie and always easier to remember.

“I was created by Maricul but as time went on and fate played its hand, I evolved, much like she. We are inseparable yet at the same time two completely different individuals.”

Luca headed over to her throne and clapped her hands, servants dressed in black and white entered the room with tea in their hands and gave it to Clash, exactly the kind he had requested in a matter of seconds while she sat down upon her throne and looked to the others, crossing her right leg over her left.

“Together we created Utopia; the humble beginnings of a universe united. All are welcomed here but if they intend to threaten the continuation of this land they will be dealt with swiftly and without mercy. We are the first, last, and only line of defense against the impending Arashi threat and anyone else who threatens all of mankind. Together we will accomplish what no sentinel being has ever accomplished. World Peace.”

[The Blind Assassin]

The moment those words parted the lips of Luca Valentine a small gust of wind would blow past her ear, a single shuriken that shined from the light of the suns through the windows stabbed the wall next to the throne as further down to the entrance was the half-demon clad in pink, white bandages covering her brown eyes. Another shuriken already bare in her right hand as she stood a good fifteen feet away from the group led by the Night Angel. A woman she's never met but has heard all too much about since her battle with Maricul in both Jherrazad and Isafaro. As her "would-be" field of vision came on Luca a single word slid down the Blind Assassin's tongue and echoed through the walls of the throne room, forcing their way straight into the eardrums of the living deity.

"Bullshit!"

[Darius Rulios]

After Clash had made his hasty decision, Darius went back to keeping an eye on things. No need to get himself involved in this mess yet. Several interesting things were happening, but he had no interest in taking a side, then it seems one of Clash’s snide comments sent off an explosion. Darius continued watching to see if the situation would change itself, but it did not. At this point they were as good as dead when he came to a fight. With a sigh Darius let his bubble collapse sure his mental defenses could handle anything Maricul might throw his away and suddenly appeared in the room with all the rest of them. He nodded towards everyone.

Then turned his attention to Amoura. ”It is disappointing to see you upset so easily, Amoura. If the opinion of one person who does not understand upsets you so easily, you may yet find that it may cost your life.” he said pausing to turn his attention to Zira. ”You needn’t let past events concern you. Remember them, but do not let them interfere with the present. Getting mad about something in the past is no way to live.” he said taking another pause.

He turned to face the group as a whole now. ”As it stands now your anger makes you even more vulnerable then when you first entered this world.” he said. Lu Bu had proved this theory many years ago in China. Anger made people do stupid things. He turned to address Luca and Clash. ”As for you two, your part in this is not much better. Stating ones opinions is okay, but when you refuse to take into account the consequences of your actions, it will eventually get the better of you. Perhaps not today, but one day.”

The first and final line of defense? He didn’t believe that for a single moment. And then there was the newcomer. Someone he did not believe grouped with either side. ”You do not help this situation much either. Truth is an elusive thing. What she says may be true if only to here, it is not the decision of others to decide the truth for them.” he said. That took care of most everyone he thought. Of course at any point he could simply mess with everyones emotions to calm them down, but what would be learned by that? Absolutely nothing.

____________________________________________________


Tag: Person to post next
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”

[Silver Eyes]

"And this matter does not concern you; you have no right to come out of the blue to tell us what we are doing wrong or of your disapproval when we don't even know you. Get out," came Amoura's cold, calloused response to Darius' long winded speech. If Clash was to betray and stay with Luca, well, no point in sticking around when their emotions could be toyed with. The shark fell for it.

"And I already died."

The Night Angel looked at Argus, who wasn't the least surprised to know that more of their history was the same. The two vampires locked their silver hues and didn't move from where they stood.

What's the point of staying here? Maricul won't take responsibility. Something doesn't feel right and I'd advise we leave."

"I'm not walking away from this."

"There's nothing we can do right now. I know you care about your sister, hell, she's my sister too but what could be done? You tell me that."

"For one we could show her that it's never a wise idea to do ANYTHING to family like that! She knew what the fuck she was doing and that it would lure us HERE!"

"What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?"

"Because my sister was raped. No one touches her and gets away with it."

The conversation was ended and Amoura glares at Luca, "I find it interesting how you are all about manners. Yet, when my sister was here, no manners were shown towards the fact she refused sex repeatedly. She was seduced. Rude, wouldn't you say?" Amoura folded her arms in front of her breasts and continued talking. "It's going to take more than a cup of tea or a simple apology to make this right. You are going to make it up to my sister for what was done to her and you are going to do it starting right now."

[Luca Valentine]

Luca turned her head and gazed upon the shuriken that has been thrown into the wall right next to her, missing only by a few inches. No doubt intended as a warning shot as Luca knew all too well just how perfected Fukari’s aim really was. She pulled the shuriken out of the wall and looked it over some more before redirecting her glance to The Blind Assassin herself.

“Ms. Kallaway, it is a pleasure to have you with us. How have you been since Isafaro?”

All of a sudden Darius, a man who stayed out of their business, for the most part, up until now, appeared. Speaking to each one of them before he was flat out told off by Amoura. She looked over to Clash, already knowing that he wouldn’t care what Darius said, neither would a lot of people in the room.

“Welcome to Utopia, Mr. Rulios. I hope you have been finding everything you need well enough so far. I would advise to save your “words of wisdom” for another group. It will only fall on deaf ears here.”

Luca turned her attention back to Amoura right in time for Amoura to turn her attention to her. She was still greatly upset about what had happened to her sister but instead of defending her stance, as Maricul would have done, Luca Valentine remained relaxed, never once losing her temper or raising her voice to anyone in the room.

“I see. Is that what she told you? Well I know better than anyone how strong the bond between sisters can be and since you’re emotionally compromised in this situation you will believe Zira over anything I say to the contrary so I will only say this – you need to put your personal feelings aside. I am not your enemy. Isafaro, Jherrazad, Lord Beelzebub, The Arashi, the beings of Maya’s realm, those are your enemies and every second you waste with me here you give them all more time to plot against you.”

[Miracle]

Zira glared at the new-comer, narrowing her eyes over him before speaking.

"Shove off!"

She didn't give him so much as another glance while walking up next to Amoura and turning her hateful glare over to Maricul/Luca/whatever she was right now.

"You're laying it on a bit thick don't you think? Believe it or not we're not just here because of me, we're here to stop your plans that will only serve to further the current imbalance. If anything the Arashi will back off when we got rid of your sorry ass!"

Diplomacy didn't seem to be in these girls vocabulary. Miracle frowned and then went up in front of them, giving them a look that told them both to stand down before turning her attention over to the reason for their being.

"Maricul, I am imploring you to see reason! Your plans will only lead to more suffering and death. You now have it well within your power to stop this before anymore people die as a result!"

[The Blind Assassin]

The Blind Assassin didn't respond to Darius or even acknowledge that he was in the room as she walked on by and moved in closer to Luca Valentine's position. As far as she was concerned nobody in this room was her ally, let alone a friend she could trust so Fukari would stick to her original plan no matter what. The way she was staring at Luca would've made anyone believe she was faking being blind but if they only knew how foul her scent really was when you had no sight to rely on they'd understand. Luca was still keeping up her act, becoming the polar opposite of her Maricul persona. Atlas the cold reply would finally exit the Blind Assassin's lips.

"Busy."

While Maricul was doing whatever the hell she wanted Fukari was the one forced to suffer the backlash from Isafaro's government. They had sent several of their top agents to take her out for the damage she helped caused back in Isafaro. Each opponent growing more difficult than the last and just when you thought they couldn't get any harder to defeat, they do. But as it stands Fukari was still alive and Isafaro's forces stood defeated as she sent the agents back in body bags for them to do as they pleased.

"As have you by the looks of it. You're a hard woman to track down."

[Clash]

Clash sipped his tea and responded pleasantly to Darius. "You talk as if you're some form of cybernetic marine biologist, you don't know anything about the emotions, histories, or machinations of robotic sharks, you just want to see the status quo restored. These ingrates won't have their shark to kick around anymore, and this tea is damn fine!" He took another sip, then stuck out his tongue slightly, having burned it and giving a small pained whine.

Clash then sighed and looked to Zira and Miracle. "You both talk like these stupid little sock puppet bogeymen have some form of magical religious backing. They're just flesh and blood like any other biological life form. If you think it'll end the world I would've normally proved all you wrong, but in this case I think I'll let all of you try to clean out this little hobgoblin." He finished his tea. "Delicious, Thank you Miss Luca."

He then turned to Miracle. "I'm serious, these cats are bad news, they can't even keep their own world together, they'll just wipe their taints on yours." He then looked to Fukari and blinked a few times. "How can you see through that cloth on your face?"

[Ayen]

You are going to make it up to my sister for what was done to her and you are going to do it starting right now.

“Listen to you, speaking like you’re still important.”

Standing at the entrance of the throne room, to the surprise of anyone who was just starting to accept Maricul and Luca Valentine was two minds in one, stood “The Seductress” Maricul in robes of blue and silver and wearing white sandals on her feet. Her brown eyes taking a glance at everyone in the room before finally falling upon the only one she saw as an equal.

Amoura.

“Now, now, my Lady, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

“Not this time, Valentine. Not this time.”

“Wait a minute! What the hell is going on!? I thought---!”

“Don’t think too hard, Sazan dear. You’ll only hurt yourself.”

“Sazan, I wish I could say it’s good to see you again. Still denying who you are I take it?”

“On the contrary mother I’m discovering who I am and I am nothing like you!”

“We’ll see.”

Maricul began to slowly approach her throne, stopping to look at each person on the way starting with Darius.

“Darius Rulios. For someone who claims to be wise you certainly are naive. You wish to stop the cycle am I correct? Well it just so happens that my plan would end the cycle. One life, one world, one purpose.”

Maricul took another step forward and this time turned to face Sparda.

“I see someone’s finally learned humility. It’s a pity you left your son behind to die from The Arashi’s power beforehand. Don’t worry though I brought him back to life. He was right here in Utopia last I checked but, you know how he likes to travel.”

Not even waiting for much of a response she turned her attention to Chloe and Argus.

“Always nice to see new faces. Chloe is it? You’re very beautiful…. and Argus…. very handsome. Shame you’re the counterpart of a woman who’s been dead in the sack for centuries.”

Maricul only whistled and eyed Michael as she past him, causing Sazan to growl at her mother while she moved over to Clash and caressed his cheek for a moment.

“The hero of Hallowton. It is no easy feat beating one of my own, from any dimension. Bravo.”

The Seductress smiled and lowered her hand as she looked over to Fukari.

“Why do you insist on limiting yourself when you know how to bring sight back to your eyes?”

With that Maricul finally made it to Zira and Amoura, the daughters of Mundus. Her eyes of course mainly went to Amoura.

“Interesting isn’t it? After all the power you’ve attained, all the things you’ve accomplished in your lifetime, you’re still only a bitch of The Arashi.”

Upon saying that coldly her brown eyes moved over to Zira.

“And you’re mine.”

Maricul then walked around them and crouched down right in front of Miracle, going as far as bringing both her hands up to her cheek and looking deeply into the child’s eyes, no longer harmed by the protection spell of Yahweh upon her skin as she kissed her, like a mother kissing their child after having not seen them for days. It was enough to cause a small spark of jealousy to shine in Sazan’s eyes. She had never kissed her like that, even when she was reformed back in Dominion City.

“It is always good to see you, Miracle. Let me ask, what do I have to do to have you swear your allegiance to me? What miracle do I have to perform for you to praise my name instead of his? Tell me and I’ll gladly do it.”

[Darius Rulios]

Darius slowly shook his head. If he was one to be that easily swayed then his opinions would mean nothing. ”And yet you have still learned nothing through your death Amoura.” he said. ”Will you have to die again for such a lesson to sink in?” he asked. It seemed Zira had made her decision. Her past would determine her future it seemed. He briefly turned his gaze to Luca. "You know as well as I that if I had found what I was looking for I would not be here." he said.

It was doubtful that Kallaway had taken his words as he had hoped, but Clash had done exactly what he had thought. Assumed with little evidence otherwise. He turned his gaze to the shark. ”Quite the contrary Clash, I seek to upset everything. Perhaps even cause the very thing you all so seek to avert.” he said not hiding what might happen. It was unknown what might happen after the cycles had come to an end.

He himself had no idea what might await beyond, but he did not care. He just wanted them to end. To not watch those he cared about die time and time again unable to save them. That was his reason for seeking an end. He turned his attention to Maricul as she came in. And listened to her address him. For one who claimed to be a living Goddess she wasn’t that bright.

”You are wrong Maricul. I have never claimed to be wise. Most would call me a fool for pursuing such a pursuit. And for one who claims to be a living Goddess you make many assumptions. Your world is no way to live. It is not for others to decide the fate of others, if they choose to pursue another purpose that is their choice, Maricul.” he said pausing to listen to her address the others.

Darius eyes narrowed as she got done. She was going to rile some emotions with that one. It seemed Darius’ hope of solving this situation with words had disappeared. He quickly weaved a spell. Despite everyones best attempts they would all feel calm now. There would be no acts out of anger, perhaps they may even take the time to think things through. Instead of letting it go he held it. There was no telling what might happen after it was releashed. Darius didn’t say anything for now, but just let events unfold themselves. He wondered who might notice him as the disturbance of everyone being calm. Even if they did, he would be able to handle anything they might try. He was sure of it.

____________________________________________________


Tag: Person to post next
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”

[Silver Eyes]

"I can't die." Amoura curtly replied, "Death has escaped me and no matter what happens I always come back. You have the Arashi to thank." The vampire fixed her eyes on Maricul and her fingers clenched into tight fists. It's about time she showed up.

“Interesting isn’t it? After all the power you’ve attained, all the things you’ve accomplished in your lifetime, you’re still only a bitch of The Arashi.”

"Interesting, isn't it? That you decided to become a god when that was the one thing you were against and feared." Amoura replied in a venomous tone. Argus quickly put his hand on Amoura's shoulder to pull her away from the Seductress but a low warning growl made him immediately back off. Maricul was pushing all of her buttons, say for some of the most important ones, but it was enough to begin the chain reaction.

Michael glared at Maricul and to emphasize where his heart belonged, he drew closer to Sazan. Due to the situation, he didn't make physical contact with her but the message was clear. There was nothing appealing about Maricul in his eyes.

“And you’re mine.”

Crimson immediately began to pour into her silver irises, her fangs elongated; it was taking her full willpower to not try to rip this bitch from nose to navel. Then, the final button: she kissed Miracle. Before the priestess could reply, Amoura made her move.

Her sharp talons ripped into her flesh, severed muscle from bone; she had mangled the Seductress' arm beyond recognition in those seconds and splattered her blood all over the room. Amoura knew it wasn't going to last but it was a warning that her words weren't going to be taken lightly. The hybrid's aura was unstable, probably the worst it's been; was she losing control again?

"Funny how power corrupts, isn't it? You were screaming and crying within my dreams about your greatest fear: yourself becoming a god. Now here you are. Just when I thought trash couldn't sink lower, you surprise me." Amoura was at the verge of screaming while she spoke. "My sister doesn't belong to you! She belongs to herself and Miracle will never give up her faith in Yahweh for a manipulative, selfish, ignorant bitch like you!"

Before something terrible could happen, the calming spell began to take its affect. Her fluctuating aura ceased flaring, crimson seeped away from her irises and she stumbled back. Whatever was going on, she didn't like it and it wasn't going to stop her from putting down a threat. Logically, it was necessary. It's clear she wasn't going to back down.

[Sparda]

Before Amoura could take another step towards giving the Seductress her due, a familiar hand gripped her shoulder with far more authority than her alternate self had commanded. Said hand pulled her away from Maricul, and into her view stepped Sparda. He silently stared her down, the mere look in his eyes bidding her voice be silenced and her flaring temper quelled.

"There will be a place and a time, Amoura," he spoke sternly. "But not here and not now."

He had seen first-hand what happened when Amoura's anger got the better of her. When such primal emotion took over, it was not the vampire within her that became the instrument of her wrath, but the demon; and the demon still had yet to be brought under control. Those powers, which knew no subtlety, were as much a danger to her as to everything and everyone else in situations such as these.

It was then that he chose to respond to Maricul's words towards him, and he did so with a sharp glare turned in her direction.

"Save the mind games for someone who'll play them, harlot," he shot back. "I might be a terrible excuse for a father, but I know my youngest boy well enough to be certain he can take care of himself."

He pulled Amoura away from the object of her bridled wrath and stepped in front of her to interpose himself between them. Time for some more pertinent talk.

"You've come a long way since Dominion, I must admit," he sneered. "From the snivelling little vampiress trying to claw her way out from beneath her sire's shadow to... well, this." He waved an almost dismissive hand in her direction. "Tell me, how would you describe yourself, if not as some kind of god?"