The Valley of Death [Chapter I]

[Miracle]

It was Miracle turn to take a step forward and allow her holy powers to do their job to the guards and soldiers that defended the city. Through Yahweh's powers the seemingly weak looking men now wielded great courage and possessed the strength of twenty men, becoming formidable foes against even the likes of the Arashi. Miracle turned her head once more as Sparda came up on the scene, that hybrid still not far behind as it looked they would have help from what the men saw as the least likely of allies, but they couldn't complain. That would be foolish.

"We force it back."

Miracle returned her gaze to the Arashi, eyes dead set towards its as when even the powerful words were spoken she still stood there unshaken, her faith making her stronger with each waking moment. It would be easy to forget her age in such a situation, her wisdom and power made her a woman before her physical form would support such a status.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

Miracle began her march, it started out slow but soon it would increase in speed towards the Arashi, the men with their polearms raised close behind and she knew that the others who stood by her side would not waver.

"Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations!" she shouted at Aper before her march turned into a run, sword held up high and it sharp edge ready to cut down the Arashi where it stood.

[Silver Eyes]

The righteous shall fall upon the wicked...

Those words; where did she hear them? No, Amoura knew who said that specific line: a being in a white mask with black, hollow eyes. But something wasn't right. It was akin to walking into a room you were familiar with with only to find the vase was placed by the bed rather than the window. Amoura blinked rainwater from her eyes, gritted her teeth against the cold and managed to push aside her discomfort to remember a certain portion.

The righteous shall fall before the wicked, and all of Creation shall tremble before the burning standards of Hell. She recited; how could she forget after hearing it for so many sleepless nights?

Before not upon--that was the difference! But was that simple change really worth thinking over?

'Upon' and 'Before' are two different words all together. Are you really that primitive towards your key language?

I thought the nightmares had shut you up, Other.

Just stating a fact. Now excuse me, there's a corner with my name on it and a bear to cuddle with. Where'd you put the ice cream?

Amoura rolled her eyes and just as the conversation had ceased, Miracle began the charge to Aper. Looks like her thoughts on that one word difference will have to wait.

Though on a serious note, you really should be cautious with this.[/i]

The hybrid didn't reply and ran with everyone else to meet their foe head on. Conversation was not on her list of things to do especially with Other's fascination with dairy products.

You...do know what you are doing, right? I can eat this ice cream in peace without worrying you'll do something foolish?

Again she was ignored. Since Amoura was the one who woke Aper, she may as well make the first attack. Problem is she wasn't sure on what she could do to cause any damage against him.

Idiot! You're clueless as to what you can do! Here, I have an idea and then I'll eat this chocolate mint. It's quite delicious.

Amoura stopped running and became rooted on the spot. Then, against her will, she sprinted towards Aper but at an angle so she ended up running past him.

Other what the fuck are you doing?! The proper question would be "How the hell are you doing that?" but Amoura was more concerned on what her tactic was.

Just shut up and let me stop making you look stupid.[/i]

You're already making me look stupid! You're going the wrong way!

You want to learn about more of your abilities? Then again I request you remain silent.[/i]

Amoura was a reasonable distance from Aper and the rest of the fight when Other halted her body. This was becoming more and more puzzling by the second.

This may hurt.

Wha--ouch!

Other had dug Amoura's claws into her forehead, tearing away the flesh at the center and threw a bloody chunk of it down to the rain-soaked soil. Left behind was a bloody hole and the now pissed off hybrid was close to demanding answers in a not-so-lady-like manner. Other wasn't all that interested in explaining what she was doing but merely extended her hand to bring out what Amoura hadn't seen in a long time: her seal. With simple movements of her digits, large portions of it faded away until nothing existed--the seal had been banished but she wasn't shifting to her demon side.

The questions she had were answered in the form of an eye that grew out of the bloodied hole in the center of her forehead. Sight from it was blurred at first considering it was still growing in but all became focused in a matter of seconds. Seeing with three eyes was every bit as normal as two for her, strangely enough, but something had drastically changed.

It was difficult to describe, but everyone had a color flowing around their bodies in the likeness of a smooth, silk-like fog. Every time someone used a power they had at their disposal, the steady flow abruptly changed course at a certain portion of their body then resumed its usual direction. Here came the questions again.

You see that? Good, now listen closely: what I just awoke was your 'Third Eye' that you had hidden under your layers of seals. Also, stop worrying, I'm helping to keep the balance between your two halves until you learn how to do it yourself. What you see around them is their aura but it's more than that. When someone uses power of any kind, that flow is disrupted to allow it to happen. If you pay close attention you can stop that from happening. Any disruption you see, you merely have to cut through it with your weapon since you see it clear as day. Or, if you wish, interrupt the natural flow all together. It's difficult to say what may come to pass for the Arashi if you do this but I imagine it'll at least distract him long enough for the others to do some damage. Now go.

Amoura directed her full attention onto Aper and charged. That flow was around him but there's no telling what her attack will do to something of the divine. Still, it was worth a shot! Soon as she got close enough, Amoura raised her sword and cut through it with a loud battle cry. If it was at least a distraction, it may be worth it.

[Aper]

They charged. A city of warriors empowered by Yahweh: Like a great wave of light, their advance was awe inspiring – overwhelming – threatening to swallow all that stood in its path like the hand of God, and the Arashi stood before it as a solitary bastion of darkness. The lone sentinel had united a holy vigour like none had ever seen in millennia. The earth shook with the cries of a thousand man. The skies torn themselves apart with the roar of thunder. Still, the screams echoed not far away in the reaches of their minds.

‘‘Lux, Umbra, Vita, Mors, Concordia, Chaos…’’ The words carried themselves in the wind.

"At last the storm surges forth from the holy lands…’’ He began, head bowed, walking to meet the assault. ‘‘…and the hand of destruction reaches out to undo the workings of the creator.’’ Eyes flaring, the shadow’s grip tightened around its swords, their length tracing the silhouette of their wielder before being ceremoniously drawn at each of its sides. ‘‘The tides of judgment surge – ready to smash down upon the shores of the mortal world – to drown the guilty and the innocent alike." It continued, the tips of its weapons slicing the earth before noticing the woman’s devious attack. ‘‘The Arashi shall mete out his vengeance upon all flesh.’’ Gracefully, the two swords were brought in line before the warrior, ready for what was coming… but then something happened.

The sentinel’s guard dropped.

‘‘And blood shall run as great torrents.’’ The words silenced all else.

The demoness’ blade struck the Arashi’s energy and became electrified with darkness before shattering against the sheer density of the beast’s aura. Black wispy tendrils surrounded the being before a devastating shockwave erupted. The seemingly liquid shadows followed suit; spreading out like grotesque tentacles, impaling and maiming all those who had blindingly charged at the sentinel. It was then that their ears heard it.

''Only then, shall they be saved.''

The screams.

[Silver Eyes]

Amoura could feel the blade slicing through something thick--chords were being severed and whipped about her. Was her attack victorious? No, something was going wrong! Terribly wrong! The aura was fluctuating in ways she never imagined. All of it was in disarray and switching directions in unpredictable patterns--predicting what could come to pass was impossible.

Then it happened.

Amoura's sword shattered from the sheer force of the Arashi's power and shards plunged into her torso, neck, right shoulder, throat and an especially large one became lodged into her skull. The demoness stared ahead in disbelief at what just happened--even Other was too stunned to speak. After the remains of her weapons made contact, her blood sprayed out and the shockwave threw the already weakened demon away from the oncoming tentacles into the mud.

Before she made contact with the wet earth and skidded away, Amoura was dead to the world. The hilt of her sword sank into the earth not too far from where she laid moments later.

[K. O.!]

[The Blind Assassin]

The Arashi words did not go unnoticed but there was no time to think of anything else except the battle at hand. Solomon stood by Miracle side as the army of undead came to take the temple, when the machine rose from the ground and when that damned gray beast brought a hell demon into his body and now he would stand by her side once again against an even greater foe, bellowing a great battle cry as he followed the charge being led by the prized jewel of Aircano.

The attack by the older purple headed female was about to bring about the group with serious consequences as he would feel the least worse part of the approaching shockwave before seeing half the city's defenses get destroyed by the liquid shadows. Evasive maneuvers were used for Solomon to avoid them as he was now face to face with the beast bringing the great white sword down for it's head.

[Aper]

It rained again. The screams ripped through the darkness like the sharp limbs of the Arashi. Lightning sliced the monstrous scene in segments. Bodies were torn, ragged, crushed and flayed. The blood curdled themselves shrieks themselves paled in comparison to the psychic pressure the being had exerting on the area in the preceding blast. The protection the child offered had done its work to a fault – some of the men who were spared the terrible designs of the sentinel had instead dropped dead instantaneously; their minds shattered from the pulse.

But not Solomon.

The man’s actions did not go unnoticed by Aper even as the barrage of dark vines laid waste to his men. With unshakable resolve, he held his sword high – ready to strike at the object of the city’s ruin. The tentacles began to retract…

‘‘Deus Mortis.’’ The words were deafened by a metallic clash.

The Arashi had brought up one of its swords and halted the mighty blow of the captain an inch away from its head. With a single arm, the warrior held Solomon’s blade without any sign of strain or effort. Quickly, it pushed the man’s blade back up as naturally as it had stopped it, using the Captain’s own momentum against him, throwing him back into the avaricious grasp of the shadows .

‘‘Spiritus illius producit Mortem...’’

It rained blood.

[Sparda]

While everyone else charged into the fray, Sparda elected to linger and wait for an opportunity. The carnage that ensued struck him dumb; with a single mighty blast of energy, the beast had thrown back his attackers, seemingly knocking Amoura unconscious and proceeding to assail Solomon with the innumerable black tendrils that emerged from him as if part of his being.

But the darkness would not claim the knight.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a disc of black and purple smoke whirled into being between Solomon and the shadow - and he fell through it, vanishing from sight. At the same moment, he would emerge from another such portal about ten metres away, out of harm's way for now.

The Arashi would be unwise to allow its attention to linger on the knight, for his next attacker would come charging through the darkness in that instant. The very darkness he had spawned was cleaved in two, withering away before a wave of demonic force; and into the breach Sparda charged, a fleeting blur of violet streaking into the fray. Clutched in his hands was a monstrous claymore, constructed of his demonic power and given solid form, and its blade was enveloped in a field of raw supernatural energy which hardened it to a monomolecular edge.

He ignored the incessant screams, shrugged off the mental torment wrought by the beast as if he heard nothing, and focused only on his opponent. The massive blade was brought down upon Aper in a mighty downward swing...

Before the Dark Knight's power, the very ground exploded around the Arashi.

[Miracle]

This was where her small form was truly a blessing. Miracle was able to evade the wrath of the tendrils more easily than her comrades. A silent prayer would go out to the lost as the High Priestess came to a stop to witness more allies being knocked back by the Arashi's power, a power she could not grasp much like her own god's infinite abilities. Miracle was about to assist her friend and captain of the army here until Sparda intervened so the High Priestess now turned her attention on the fallen hybrid, running to her side and continuing to dodge the tendrils while approaching the hybrid's position.

Miracle got down to one knee, her short sword still in hand as she brought the free one over Amoura. A white glow burst forth from the female's palm as Miracle whispered, "Lord Yahweh, give this warrior the strength to continue this battle." Yahweh would hear her prayer for the strength of her faith, see through the obvious impurities from Amoura's powers and allow the healing to take place, bringing the hybrid back up to 100% conditioning. They would need all the hands they could get, neither one of them could afford to be down and out for too long.

[Shai]

((Going to Jump in to give everyone an epic fight Hope thats okay!))

Kyal banked across the landscape, following the trail of destruction below. It was certainly impressive if nothing else; and yet all the same rather on the small side. He did not know the creature that had caused this, but if Kyal wanted anything else he would certainly have tried to get him on his side.

As it was? He planned to simply atomize him.

His white wings curled as he dived, soaring through a crack in the mountains before he came face to face with the thing that was apparently trying to murder everyone. And for a God that wanted to rule everyone, that wasn't exactly helping, was it?

He noted from beneath his hood that this thing was powerful. It had decimated half of an army and what appeared to be several strong fighters with a course of seconds. Even so, there wasn't a thing below that could compare to Kyal, for Kyal was a living embodiment of creation - which also meant he was very effective at killing things too.

As he got closer, his wings vanished into his back and he landed gracefully a few hundred yards behind Aper, knees bent to absorb the impact, the ground cracking from the force. He straightened himself.

"So you are the one causing all of this mayhem?" Kyal spoke clearly, addressing the creature before him "I must say, I am impressed. Unfortunately I cannot allow you to continue. You see, It is my wish to unite everyone beneath me..."

A large bright orb was forming between his palms, so bright it hurt to look into. It grew brighter and brighter until it was almost a miniature sun, brimming and crackling with pure energy. It illuminated his black cape and he unfurled his wings fully, raising it in one hand.

"AND YOU ARE JUST AN OBSTACLE!" He roared with a voice like thunder, throwing the orb towards Aper with all of his power.

Even if it was blocked, it would still do quite a lot of damage even if only to the tendrils, exploding in a massive flash of bright light and probably blowing a crater in the ground beneath where it hit. At the same moment he snapped his fingers and a large golden spear grew in his hand, expending to about six feet in length as he took to the air once more.

[The Blind Assassin]

Just when all hope appeared lost a miracle occurred. Solomon was safely transported away from the wall of tentacles and in another location before the Legendary Dark Knight finally made his advancement on the being that threatened the city at the gates. Then there was another who would get involved as the ground around Aper exploded. "Everyone get back and hold your ground!" The remaining soldiers still empowered by Yahweh backed away as now a blinding white light erupted onto the battlefield. Solomon used his cloak to shield his eyes from the bright light as he stood with his men, as the light began to fade he would lower his cloak to see the state their enemy was now in before deciding his next move.

[Aper]

Solomon had been saved: The Legendary devil had caught Aper’s attention – that much was certain, but then another source of energy divided his focus elsewhere. The impressive display of power drew the Arashi’s gaze like a beacon, as surely as Sparda did for those unaware of the angelic figure’s approach in the sky. The air rippled around the warrior, twisting his shape into an amorphous mirage before his assailants. The devil’s sword was only an inch away. The god’s projectile illuminated them in crystalline light.

‘‘Deus Exitii…’’

It had been long since the shadow had fought such foes…

The conflagration lifted dust and hid the scene amidst a veil dirt and powder. The earth caved and cracked beneath Sparda. His target, however, did not. For a moment one could wonder whether it had been the angle – if the strike had been expertly thwarted by the Arashi’s blades. No. Sparda’s prey wasn’t even there. There was only the blinding light, and a strange image of a clear-cut horizontal line in the distant, although visible church of the Yahweh where the refugees were being held. Slowly it became apparent that the line also extended to the trees, and the walls of nearby buildings – even the smoke around Sparda – until finally it became apparent that the Arashi was standing far behind the devil, beyond the veil, with one of its swords far extended to its side.

‘‘Tenebrae illius devorant omnia.’’ It spoke at length.

In the face of the Arashi’s power, even the might of a thousand suns was insignificant, and all of Aircano was cleaved in half. In utter silence, the flash came from above and swallowed them in light.

[Miracle]

The temple of Yahweh was sliced in half cleanly at the Arashi's power. The right side of the temple fell down, crumbling to the ground as the screams of the refugees could be heard beating into the eardrums of the High Priestess. Her eyes grew wide at this show of strength but soon, very soon, did they narrow in anger as Miracle made her charge for Aper once more. Jumping over falling trees nothing seemed to be able to stop the girl's advance, not the cries of the innocent nor the overwhelming power that their enemy showed on this day.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."

Holy energy began to radiate off of the child as she drew closer to Aper while his attention was still on the Legendary Dark Knight. Her task was simple, take the attention off of Sparda, Amoura, Solomon and all those who fought on their side away from the enemy and put it solely on her, giving them all a chance to sneak in a decisive blow and turn the tides of this seemingly impossible battle to their favor. She showed no fear even in the face of death. Her faith was strong and it raised up her strength and will, the holy energy threatening to destroy all those who couldn't handle it.

"He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

The blade now pointed for the Arashi, Yahweh himself guiding the girl's hands as she drew near.

"The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul."

She was now before the Arashi with the blade aimed to plunge into his black heart. If he even had a heart. Either way he would feel the devastating holy energy that no human could wield without powerful faith in the Lord threatening to destroy him while the blade came for his flesh.

"The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore!"

[Silver Eyes]

A soothing warmth began to rouse her from unconsciousness and this was further spurred by the cold torrent of rain falling onto her healing body. The blood that had been lost from earlier quivered in the mud and slivered into her open wounds, bringing her further from the brink of death. Despite the healing she had received, Amoura remained still, her eyelids twitching as a sign she was alive.

Then, something happened.

From her back, soft, white, glowing tendrils began to curl out and force her to her feet. This took some effort since she was still very much limp but she straightened out. Amoura was still waking up from that brink but somehow remained standing as they straightened out and continued their growth to the left and right of her; after reaching a massive span, a transparent veil rained down from the frame to form wings that couldn't possibly allow flight due to the immense size. Finally, after that little display, Amoura managed to open her eyes to reveal golden irises just as the rest of her hair faded to white.

Her Devil Trigger had been activated and yet she was aware of everything. Amoura looked down at her hands and silently came to a comical conclusion: If I had smaller wings I’d do well on top of a Christmas Tree.

Do you really have the time to muse over a silly holiday when you’ve got to pitch in?

…no.

Think, Amoura. Think! What should you do?

Already her reactivated mind was busy at work to help turn the tide or at least assist. Amoura scooped up her mud covered hilt, held it out and waited. Small orbs of light quickly rushed to the broken portion of her weapon and rapidly rebuilt it to its former glory. Good thing too, because she’s going to have a need for this very soon.

You know what to do?

This time, I think I’ve got it covered.

Good! Now I’m gonna enjoy this here ice cream and offer pointers when needed! Mmmm…cake. Put on a show for me.

With its repair complete, she held it up towards the sky, muttered under her breath, and turned towards those who have fallen from the black tentacles that had erupted from Aper. What good was a stand if so many had to perish? Amoura didn’t know how she was capable of all this—it’s as if she had known this all her life. The demoness –hard to say she was that given her current appearance—pointed her sword at them and the edges pulsated with a white glow.

Rise up, champions of Yahweh!

From the tip, the light burst forth and divided to dive into the corpses, mending their wounds and bringing life into them again. To return to life to resume fighting was entirely their choice. To ensure the safety of those who want to return from death, barriers surrounded their bodies and would remain there. Soon as that was cast, that white explosion erupted and she squinted her eyes to avoid any blindness that may occur. Good thing she had thought to put shields on those bodies. So, another has joined the fight against Aper. Good. This gives her time to do one more thing before joining in.

She faced the partially destroyed city and frowned, trying to think of a way to protect it from another attack like that. Rather than wonder on what could be possible, it may be easier to just do it. Resolved that what she had in mind will work, she moved her arm back and threw the blade in that direction. The lightning beamed off the swirling weapon until it disappeared near the destruction…
---
When its journey came to an end, it sank into the sacred ground’s soil and from its hilt came a pillar of light that shot towards the clouded sky, chasing away some of the dreary weather. The light didn’t stay in that form and began to move out in a circular direction towards the ground along the outskirts of Aircano. A barrier had been formed to help protect the city.
---
”Holy--! It worked.”

Barriers are easy to put up. If you were expecting fireworks I’m sorry that you’re disappointed.

”Not in the slightest! Can I fly with these though?”

I dunno, can you?

Amoura grunted and raised her wings as high as possible before flapping them once—she immediately shot to the sky and flailed around in a state of panic.

You can shorten them, you know.

”You could have told me that!”

After that nightmare bought, I need entertainment. Now just shorten those pretty lil’ wings of yours and you’ll do just fine. Lemme eat this candy!

Amoura concentrated on shortening her wing span and the changes were made accordingly. There was still so much to learn and no time to do so. With a sigh, Amoura brushed back her wet hair and flew back down to join the fight. She still needed a weapon and she knew of one person that may have that…

[The Blind Assassin]

Either through divine intervention, a stroke of dumb luck or pure skill on the part of the holy knight of Yahweh, he was able to evade the horizontal line that has just inflicted major damage upon the holy city. Ironically it would be through the beast's power that Solomon and his brigade would be saved as a piece of a nearby home fell before them, shielding them from the blast of the unknown god. In amidst all the chaos Solomon has realized one thing that the Arashi has done with his power.

He's given them a way out.

With his sword Solomon pointed to the destruction that has torn down the walls and offered the survivors a means to escape the wrath of the great beast, all that remained was to make good use of Miracle's distraction. "Find what few survivors you can and lead them through the new exit!" The brigade was quick in action as they rallied up the survivors they could and made their way out of the city, as they were not evil in origin they were able to pass through the barriers set up by Amoura and make their escape by the lead of Solomon. As he led them out of the city he prayed that his allies would succeed against the growing threat within the city itself.

[frosty225]

My... what a show, it almost made him want to jump in at any second but every time he tried, or thought he was needed... someone else came in a picked up the slack. Though he had to admit he didn't particularly like sitting there being drenched in blood, it didn't smell right and of course with it getting in his hair... it made him look like a ginger. He sat there, perched quietly on the ledge of one of the walls, leaning to the side as one attack split the wall to his left, and in the face of that big blast he didn't falter, just simply kept his same coy demeanor as a royal block was raised, creating a barrier in which to protect him from the onslaught of the attack's power.

'Flashy.' The thought drifted through the male's mind before all that energy was released at one of the tentacles that decided it had enough guts to attack. It seemed like a few familiar faces were here too, Amoura and Sparda mostly. They could handle it... he hoped... ah fuck it... it was getting boring just sitting there and watching. Pay check be damned, he wanted to have some fun.

He stood up, the familiar red coat tails flapping as two pistols were whipped from their holsters and twirled into position, one glistening brighter than a full moon on a clear night, the other it's polar opposite, as dark as the sky with no moon in sight. Ebony and Ivory stood ready and waiting, flaring with red demonic flames as the Red coated devil held him in their famous position crossed over one another.

His lips opened, his words seeping out like sweet honey, "This party's getting crazy..." Everything suddenly fell silent...

"LET'S ROCK!"

The triggers were squeezed and the thunder in the area was dwarfed by the sound of Ebony and Ivory firring, the sheer power of the bullets spiraling out of the muzzles was enough to shake the earth around him for a good few feet. The kinetic force behind the helixing bullets was enough to create a vortex that sucked in the falling red liquid forming it into a perfect funnel that chased the bullets packed with demonic energy. God help whoever was standing close to where the bullets were going to impact, it was going to be loud... and it was going to hit really, really, hard.