The Valley of Death [Chapter I]

[Miracle]

Description: Aper is on his way towards Aircano to kill the refuges from different worlds in the city. All protagonists and those wanting to stop it are welcomed to join.

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He is coming!

Miracle's heart sank as the light in the holy temple began to go damp. Her prayer increased in intensity as she clamped her folded hands hard up against her chest and held her eyes shut. Sweat poured down the High Priestess' face and her body shook violently as if there was a world shattering earthquake and she was the only one being effected by it.

The prayer ended and Miracle was on her hands and knees before the altar catching her breath. The horrors she was just shown was unlike anything she has seen before. All those monsters trying to tear down the village, all those battles, they were leading up to this very moment. She grasp her heart, it was still beating alarmingly fast as after a moment she caught her breath, recollected herself and then returned to her feet.

"He is coming," Miracle repeated. It appeared to have made her face pale just thinking about it. "I must warn them!" And with that Miracle came running out of the holy temple.

[Silver Eyes]

Of course she was wrong. Just when she thought she was making the right choice for once, it turned out to be one of the worst she could have made. Not only had she awoken the demon, she unleashed its wrath and it was heading for a town filled with innocent, unaware people! Still, backing off and going to warn them was probably the best she could have done.

Dust clouded towards the sky as Amoura made her exit from the desert towards Aircano. The bike itself was achieving speed that couldn't have been possible by any normal means and if Amoura made one mistake in steering, it could result in a nasty accident. A long way's behind her, a blackness was looming in and tainting the sky in shadowed, wispy tendrils that eventually took on the form of normal, lightning-filled clouds. Gusts of wind picked up behind her and the demon started to slow her vehicle down to avoid loss of control.

The town was coming up fast and she had outrun the oncoming chaos for now--maybe there's time to warn enough people to escape or take up arms against him. The divine being probably knew of her interference.

The engine of her bike roared while she entered town until she parked near the temple and shut off the engine. Someone was running out! Maybe she could warn her first and get assistance in evacuation.

HEY! Something really bad is coming this way and people need to leave this place right now! They'll be killed if they stay!

[Miracle]

"The Arashi?"

Just utterly the title of such a beast left a sour taste in her mouth. Yahweh had made it a point to show the young priestess what it is exactly she was getting into. The stranger, who she sensed to be of dark supernatural background but felt nothing to warrant being treated as a threat, was correct. They had to evacuate should the village fall to the hands of the Arashi. But where would they go?

"You're right. We have to get the people out before he arrives. Will you help? I need to inform the soldiers of what's coming. We need to prepare a defense for the city."

[Silver Eyes]

Yes! Amoura snapped her fingers as best as one could whilst wearing leather gloves. He said a few things. Uhm... The demoness rubbed her head while trying to recall the exact words. It wasn't easy to forget but considering the tense situation her mind was on other matters.

‘‘Within the mass there is one who is the vessel, the harbinger, and... Amoura blinked and was thinking as best as she could to remember the rest. ..."if the Arashi does not intervene he shall send forth his terror into all of the realms.’’

Shocking that she remembered that word by word but that was the only portion of the Arashi's lecture that struck her to the core. He also said...something about if they don't leave then he'll demand a sacrifice of blood for the cleansing of this world. I can't remember all of it but I can't be too certain about what amount the sacrifice could be either.

That's the most of what I could bring to mind. Do you want me to assist in evacuation or start helping with a defense?

[Aper]

Tales of a dark cloud moving towards the holy city from the desert in the outskirts of Jherrazad had reached the walls of Aircano. At first the people believed the Red Devil had finally made her move to conquer the nation, but it was sooner than later that whispers of something far more sinister began to run on everyone’s lips; a wave of flames and shadow marched, killing all that stood in its way with no distinction for man, woman or child. Villages were razed, bodies turned to ash… The very earth was glassed in its wake. No one understood what matter of thing could unleash such wrath: No one survived, not cattle – not life.

And it was coming.

The previous night had unveiled a red moon, a total eclipse, with the horizon marred with a distant darkness that only seemed to intensify and grow as the hours passed. The unnatural nature of the shade was uncovered only when it carried unto the day until the moment it finally stretched its tendrils, like ink in water, over the entirety of the sky – blotting out the revitalizing rays of the sun, as well as the holy city’s access to the heavens. Then in the obscurity beyond the city walls a single man could be seen walking: Despite the distance, it could be easily distinguished that he firmly gripped a sword in each hand, with shadows encircling him like a ravenous mist and eyes that pierced the near-opaque night like two singular, azure torches . Most disturbing of all however, was the faint sapphire glow in the distance...

Beyond the mountains an inferno followed the footsteps of the Arashi – ravaging the land – leaving nothing but a crystal path behind the scion of balance.

[Miracle]

The hybrid's words grew faint until they were all but silent when Miracle saw what was on that horizon. Her eyes looked up once darkness overtaken the city and the warm rays of the sunlight no longer smiled down upon the city's surface. As she took a few steps forward stepping past Amoura the priestess knew yet one thing were certain now in the face of the approaching storm.

There was nowhere left to run.

Miracle quickly kept her wits about her, having faith in her Lord that he would grant them the strength to fight this new enemy as he did so with all the previous supernatural forces that threatened to collapse their city and leave it in ruin. Her hand ran against the hilt of the short sword on her person as she drew it into her right hand and began a slow march towards the source of this darkness. Whispering the word of Yahweh to herself.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

[Silver Eyes]

Amoura could feel it coming closer. Fear's icy grip took a strong hold on her, sending chills through her body; and she dared to turn her head to see the oncoming bringer of chaos. Amoura's vampiric senses kicked in and her vision raced out to see the Arashi making his way over--it was worse than she could imagine. The sun's warm rays were choked out by the black, wispy tendrils she had seen in the very cave she had awoken this creature and she looked to the darkened sky in dismay.

There wasn't enough time to evacuate the city--any and all had to stand and fight him! So much for avoiding the divine. The odds have been faced in the past and if more join in, they may have a chance. Surely there were others in the city that could contribute to standing against this.

The hybrid took note of Miracle drawing her weapon and she removed the large sword that she had strapped to her back. To protect this sacred ground, the fight will have to be taken to him and this time backing out wasn't an option. Amoura followed in suit, silver eyes fixed ahead. No words had to be said on her part.

All they can do now is all that they can.

[The Blind Assassin]

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Now was the time to act or lose all that you worked to gain. Amongst the defenders of the city was a tall man in silver armor with a blue cloak over it. His eyes looked around to the darkness covering the holy city as he reached for his sword and shouted out with a booming voice to the soldiers of Aircano. "Form a perimeter! Get the refugees into the temple where Yahweh magic can protect them!" His voice carried authority as the soldiers in white all ran to escort the innocent into the temple where they had faith their Lord would protect them from the evil on it's way. One of the soldiers stopped near the knight and looked up at him, amazed at his confidence in the sight of death.

"Sire, do you really think we can combat this enemy? Look what it does outside the walls!" "David was only a child when he slayed the giant. Have faith and we will succeed. Now go!" The soldier ran off and the knight moved to join Miracle and Amoura in their war effort against the unknown entity that dared challenge them.

[Sparda]

"Well, you seem most informed as to what's going on..."

Stepping into the unfolding mess, calm as could be, came Sparda. His eyes were upon Amoura, indicating that his passing remark was directed at her; in his gloved hands were Luce and Ombra. Imposing as the incoming threat was, he had deigned to reserve his Devil Arms for if and when their power proved necessary. He looked as if the darkness that threatened the city didn't concern him in the slightest. Anyone who knew him, however, would know that this facade of nonchalance was merely an expression of his confidence.

"Care to share, Amoura?" he asked the vampiress, absently twirling Luce around his trigger finger. Nothing to be done now but wait a moment and see what defences were mustered against the coming storm.

[Aper]

Step by step, the walls of the citadel grew before the Arashi. Beyond it laid his objective; the intruders – the perpetrators of chaos – all unwittingly masquerading as simple refugees. None of them could understand the things they had put in motion by setting foot in a world that wasn’t theirs: They did not belong, and in return their presence affected the very fabric of existence. They had to leave or be erased by his hand. Part of his mind had hoped the woman he had allowed to live and sent as a warning would be able to settle this crisis before is intervention… but mortals were impulsive and foolish. Reason would tell them to protect the innocents, even in face of their own demise, thinking one’s hand was always moved by principle and justice. Fate possessed notion of neither – it simply acted.

All who would stand in its way would perish, even if it meant the world itself.

Drops of rain began falling from the sky before gradually growing into a violent torrent. Lightning pierced the night, casting ominous shadows through the labyrinthine walls of the city. The clash of thunder was heard soon after, sending a shattering tremor through the earth announcing the approach of the sentinel.

[Miracle]

Miracle primarily focus was on the right hand of destruction and chaos. The single dark being that wished to bring about a similar fate as the Lord laid down to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Her eyes narrowed in the darkness direction as nature began to speak its opinion of the events transpiring in the ever turning wheel of history. A storm had further the fear wrapping itself tightly around the city like a serpent around a human body but Miracle showed no fear over the intervention of nature for she served a power greater than it.

At the command of the brave knight the guards with their polearms formed a perimeter around her position but even then she could feel the fear in their hearts and the doubt in their mind. The roars of thunder in the literal storm alongside the one by the Arashi only further their fears and doubts but there was no room for either. If they were to hold victory over the Arashi then they needed to have full faith in the Lord and their abilities as warriors. It was time to remind them who had command over the storm.

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?"

Miracle voice grew louder so that the surrounding allies could hear her recite the word of their God. Until finally her voice carried across Aircano with such power it was all too obvious that she acted as a vessel for Yahweh himself as even the Arashi would be able to hear her now.

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still!"

The rain, thunder and lighting all came to a complete stop the moment she shouted out "peace be still" into the sky.

"And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Miracle then turned her head to the doubters.

"Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"

[Silver Eyes]

Quietude settled on the already distraught hybrid. Sparda always caught on quick but he didn't know of the details. Amoura swallowed and looked at him--guilt and fear were etched in her visage. It was best to just admit her careless mistake rather than die --if she does die--with the guilt on her shoulders.

It's...it's my fault. She finally admitted and diverted her eyes to Aper again to watch him come closer. The nightmares were returning full force and he was the source. I accidentally woke him up. I was a coward--I didn't stand and fight him. I decided to run and warn everyone of his coming. I didn't make it in time to help others that have already died.

Amoura looked to her sword and turned it so she could stare at her drenched reflection. More had joined in this stand so there was no need to feel that all hope was lost. Will she revert to cowardice again or resume her goal to help?

I won't run this time. Amoura glanced back at Sparda, You were right, back at Devil May Cry. The hybrid pointed her sword in Aper's direction and narrowed her eyes in determination. I won't be powerless anymore.

[The Blind Assassin]

"So it's a standoff then?" The knight drew the great white long sword from his sheath and now gripped the hilt tightly around his right hand. His eyes looked up into the air being covered by darkness and like Miracle he remained unshaken in the face of the storm that acted to announce the enemy's arrival. Those who feared God had nothing to fear while those who did not should fear everything that existed around them. It was Miracle who would stop the storm and this knight would protect the girl with his life as would the rest of the village's defenses and the legend who brandish the colors of silver and violent.

"Hear me now, beast. I am the head defender of these walls, named after the wise King Solomon! Turn back now or be cut down by my blade!" He held up his sword and took a single step forward making point not to stand in front of, but beside the child who was the closest thing to Lord Yahweh on this entire continent. "Your efforts to intimidate us with your mere presence will not succeed. The fury and wrath of the Lord thy God awaits you should you come any closer!"

[Sparda]

"It's my fault."

At these words, Sparda merely blinked at the vampiress and listened to her explanation. Whatever this being was, she had apparently awoken it and set it on its rampage towards the city. What worried him most, however, was her notion that he was the source of her recurring nightmares...

...Because it was Veran who had first brought them upon her.

"Nightmares... So this being has some kind of connection to Veran, as worrying as that thought is..." The demon holstered his guns - enough of his flippant tough guy facade - and laid a comforting hand on Amoura's shoulder. "Don't blame yourself. Facing it this close to the city is a risk, yes, but one we may have had to take regardless. Let's just be thankful we all can stand against it together, and that you didn't risk throwing your life away in single combat where no one could have come to your aid."

He had had to lean towards the vampiress to make himself heard over Miracle's bellowing recital of scripture. He could feel the immense holy power that flowed through the child, a surge of hallowed strength rising from seemingly nowhere; she had indeed been endowed with greater power by her god in order to keep the storm at bay. Her guard captain, indirectly introducing himself as Solomon, drew his blade and took his place at the young priestess' side.

"We should go out and meet it before it gets much closer," the demon piped up from behind Miracle. "The further away from the city we can keep the fighting, the safer it will be. Your orders, Miracle...?"

[Aper]

Aper paid no heed to the words of the child, as much power as they held, and continued his march towards the city gates under a silent shroud. The peace was all but delusory; a bright light blinded the mass before an ear-splitting dissonance exploded in the sky, shattering the fragile serenity that had established itself like a hammer upon a mirror. When the flash had receded however, all eyes had returned to the Arashi whom now stood at the very gates of Aircano, faced by a barricade of spears and blades.

He stopped.

The faceless one turned his gaze to all those present; the mask’s burning stars looking past flesh and bone – carving the soul. They dropped upon the opalescent blade of Miracle, following its length all the way up to the hand, and from the hand to the master; the one who would guard her faith even against the gods. For a long moment, nothing happened. Were it not for the moving shadows across his form, Aper would have surely been mistaken for a statue, and the lack of response offered no respite of tension. Faintly, like the suddenly distant rumble of thunder a disheartened pitch could be heard, then like a wave it crashed upon the shores of the mortal’s minds. Screams. A painful chorus even more horrifying than the hellgate itself boomed over the holy city. The last moment of countless beings echoed through every single soul present, an eternity of death in an instant… then one could realize, they were but the words of the Arashi.

‘‘The war amongst the celestial kingdom shall not be contained; the sons of man shall be engulfed in the flood of conflict, and all hope shall be lost unto them.’’ A voiceless rasp whispered to their ears, the phonemes of the words barely distinguishable from what seemed to be the cries of a mass. Even after the words had ended, the laments were still very audible. ‘‘A child will cradle the seed of destruction in his breast as the heart of man falls under the shadow.’’ It bellowed. The words were mind-raking to the crowd, but to the soldiers standing guard around the creature, the sheer pressure of the reaper’s power was like an invisible hand that clutched at their throat, preventing the air from penetrating their lungs.

‘‘Fate shall make war upon the heavens, and the heavens shall gird themselves as for battle. The righteous shall fall upon the wicked... and lay siege to the very gates of the house of the creator. It shall take peace from mankind and loose great destruction upon the world.’’