Deity's Cry (Finished)

[yizel]

Kina turned her head hearing someone speak to her, she was silent for a moment as she stared at the man trying to place a name.
Reaching up she put her hand on her head thinking back.
"....Jazz," she said remembering.
Turning towards him she gave a small smile before catching his question, blinking a few times she held her hand out causing a purple butterfly to appear.
It flew in the air before flying in a direction.
"That will lead us to her," she said pointing at the butterfly. "We'll walk so you can catch your breath. I'd also like to know your relationship with my sister. Mr. Jazz."
Kina gave Jazz a small smile and started walking in the direction the butterfly.
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Kalan turned back around to see Emilian with Hana, he reached up and rubbed the back of his head.
"You could have at least moved somewhere else," he mumbled sticking his hands in his pockets.
He watched the two a sad look lingering in his eyes as they kissed.
His hand clutched the necklace as he watched Emilian pull out the blade, he didn't move as he continued watching the two.
"You can still stop him."

Kalan turned to see Reaper leaning against a nearby wall, he glanced over at him causing Kalan to look at the ground.
"It's not my place to do that."
He watched as Emilian fulfilled Hana's second wish and clutched at his chest.
"What's your opinion on it Kalan...this love thing."
Kalan glanced over at Reaper seeing the small smile on his face, he turned back towards them his eyebrows drawing down as a sad expression crossed his face.
"Sometimes you do crazy things for love...." Kalan said trailing off at the end. "So I suppose....complicated..."
Reaper glanced over at him and walking out put his hand on Kalan's shoulder and nodded in agreement.

"Hey Reaper...when you escort Hana...can you tell her goodbye for me?"
Reaper stared at him before shrugging his shoulders, he turned back into the alleyway and faded into the darkness leaving only his answer behind.
"It's a pain but alright."

Kalan silently thanked him before turning back before his eye twitched, he saw Mirela standing near the two, he quickly jumped into the alleyway Reaper was in.
He glanced around the corner at her and ran a hand through his hair as he looked over at them.
"Of all the times....."

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Luck stumbled out of the tavern before leaning against a nearby wall, he put his hand over his mouth and walked into a nearby alleyway.
After a small release he looked up to see a horse staring at him. He smiled at it before he reached up to pet it when Kalan's face appeared on it.
"What are you doing annoying deity?"
Luck stared at the Kalan horse, he peeked past him to see the horse's body before looking back at the glaring face.
"...You've got to be kidding me?"
"Listen here deity, don't you think you've done enough."
"Oh please tell me you're not my conscious. Why couldn't it be a hot babe....though this would still be awkward."
"Would you rather I change into Mirela?
"No thank you, I don't want my last memory of her to be as a horse."
"Oh but you're fine with me as one?!"
"Well this is an improvement..."
"Anyway," the Kalan horse said moving a few times. "You need to go back with your family, they're important aren't they?"
"I tied my sister to a pole. Which isn't easy in the heavens mind you. They're rare up there."
"Aren't they Luck?!"
Luck lowered his head and took out the contract, sighing he ripped it in half and dropped it.
"Don't litter...."
Luck glared at the horse and bending down picked up the ripped contract and stuffed it in his pocket.
The Kalan horse nodded.
"Good decision. Take care Luck oh and you just talked to a horse. Get help."

Luck nodded and stumbled past the horse before walking down the road.
"Was gonna rip it anyway, stupid horse."  

[Waka_in_the_Zash]

Jazz walked silently behind Kina, trying to catch his breath as his eyes fixated on the butterfly. As he walked he thought, what exactly was his relationship with Tsuliria? It'd seemed like even when he was at his lowest, she was there guiding him to get back the strength he once had. Strangely enough as it seemed, Jazz considered her a friend, but he knew he had to face her one day, that was inevitable.

"I suppose I am to your sister as Birth is to Reaper. We coincide with one another, growing stronger for the day that we will one day face each other."

Jazz gave a small smirk to his words. He felt he had grown a bit. His younger self would have just said his mortal enemy, but deep down, he knew he needed Tsuliria to keep moving on to become stronger.

"You're her sister right? Has she always been so....brutal?"

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Akina walked alone, her tired eyes focused on the road ahead of her. Zeros had left her a few streets back to attend to his business, she didn't find this to be a blessing but at least she could get her next pickup without explosions.

"You're lucky I married you...Otherwise I would've had to beat the hell out of you back there Zeros."

Akina gave a small smile before she heard a familiar tiny voice. She turned the corner to see Virtue wide awake, bowing and apologizing to Birth, only to turn around and scold Seven. Confusion came over Akina.

"Pardon me Lady Virtue and Mistress Birth....but what the hell are you screaming about?"

Virtue turned, her ears perking up as Akina made her way closer. She quickly turned and ran behind Birth as Birth began to speak.

"I suppose it's our time then Akina?"

"Yeah, then I have to go pick up Luck."

Birth gave a small smile before nodding at Virtue behind her. Virtue slowly stepped out, in her hands a small box. She handed it to Seven before turning.

"Seven, be a good boy and deliver that to the envoy, that should be the backup he needs."

Seven nodded as Akina gently poked Virtue's forehead. She made a slight face before rubbing her forehead as she was enveloped in the blue light. She slowly lifted back to the heavens as Akina approached Birth. Birth smiled softly as her hand met Akina's. As she ascended her eyes slowly shut, her smile radiating from her face.

"Be safe...my child. As for you Jazz, don't give up."

As Jazz walked behind Kina, his eye caught one last blue light in the sky. A smirk came over his face as Birth's words filled his head.

"See ya around, Birth."

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As the last two lights filled the sky, Zeros stood alone atop a lone building.
His hood concealed his face in darkness as his eyes glowed brightly. A smirk adorned his face as well as Birth ascended.

"Be safe.....My child"

"Of course Lady Birth....of course"

Zeros began to chuckle as the lights dissipated into the sky. His laughter filled the charred remains of the cathedral below. Alone in the charred remains stood a charred cross. It's black sheen cast a shadow over the destroyed remains of the cathedral.

"Soon envoys of light and dark...very soon."  

[Miss-Ran]

"How... How could you..."

Mirela's words pierced through Emilian's heart. Letting out a small sigh, he kissed Hana's forehead before setting her on the bench she had just left. Collecting himself, Emilian turned to face his eldest daughter. He saw that Mirela had dropped to her knees, the violin and bow at her sides. "Mirela... Mirela I'm sorry."

Lowering her head, Mirela's hair fell over her eyes. She began to shake and tremble as tears cascaded down her face. Her mother was gone. Gone, right before her eyes. She had told herself repeatedly that she wouldn't have to go through the pain of losing her so suddenly ever again. As Mirela's mind flashed back to the fateful day that sent her on her search, she collapsed forward, weakly catching herself to prevent from her face making contact with the cold, hard, cobblestone.

'Mother... I'm so sorry... I couldn't protect you... Why did I leave... Why...'

Emilian let out a small sigh as he watched Mirela cry. He didn't plan on her seeing it happen. "Mir--"

"Why..."

"She wante--"

"Liar... Why..."

"I had no choice, sh--"

"LIAR! Stop lying to me!" Shooting a glare at Emilian, Mirela bounded up off of the ground, running to Emilian and picking up his blade on the way. With tears rapidly falling from her eyes, Mirela threw herself at Emilian, slamming him up against a building wall. Knife in hand, Mirela began to shake him violently, knocking his head against the wall repeatedly. "You killed her! You KILLED her! She was your wife! My mother! She loved you and you killed her!"

Taking the knife, Mirela quickly reached up and dug it into Emilian's neck. Yanking it out, she repeated the process, with the knife penetrating the man's flesh in a different spot each time, his blood splattering all over her. She didn't stop, even as Emilian stopped resisting.

Mirela took a few steps back and took hold of Emilian's shirt and pulled him off of the wall before kicking him to the ground. Her teary eyes stared down at Emilian, at her father. Her eyes were empty, Mirela was not present in her mind. However, after watching the last bits of life leave Emilian's eyes, Mirela's eyes grew wide. Her face paled, the knife dropped from her hand and onto the ground beside Emilian. Taking a few steps away, Mirela took hold of her stomach.

"I feel sick..." She turned her head to the side, clutching her dress as she dropped to the ground. "Oh god..."

"Looks like you have a violent streak in you." Inae stood at eye-level with Mirela, utterly disgusted at the sight she had just witnessed. "Idiocy and violence don't mix well, barbaric harlot. I don't understand why you would kill our father." Reaching down, Inae lifted her dress slightly to retrieve the knife on her leg. Holding it to Mirela's cheek, Inae applied a little pressure and drug it forward, watching as a small stream of blood began to trickle down her cheek and mix in with the tears.

Shaking her head, Inae pulled the knife back and licked the blood off, chuckling. "Such a pretty face, its a shame that its gone to waste on someone as pathetic as you. I hope that man you enjoy clinging to so much is around to see this. You've been a thorn in my side for too long, Mirela."

Reaching forward with her other hand, Inae took Mirela's chin into her tiny hand before raising it gently. Rearing her other arm back, Inae prepared to slash forward until she found herself down onto the ground. Placing her hand on her cheek, she couldn't help but laugh, finding it entertaining. "So you find yourself at knife-point, and all you can do is backhand your assailant? You really are stupid."

Shaking her hand gently, Mirela rose to a stand and made her way over to her violin. Picking it up, she moved into playing position as Inae stood and drew a card from her pouch. "I don't want to fight you, Inae... I've done enough to hurt this family as it is. He killed my mother... I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry..."

"As if your words matter," Inae held up the card in front of her, ready to end Mirela. "You've shown that you can do violence. Deal with the consequences of your actions. You're not worth my time, but I can't let this go. You're going to die here."  

[yizel]

Kina remained silent when Jazz explained his relationship with Tsuliria only responding with a nod.
"It's good to see Liria making friends, she never went outside the family in terms of communication."
Hearing his question she smiled a little as her mind thought back to the past.
She shook her head to avoid daydreaming and glanced back at him before answering his question.
"Not really, Liria used to be quiet and she only got into fights to protect me. She didn't start them if I wasn't involved."

Kina turned forward and held her hand out allowing a purple glow to hover around her hand.
"It must have been her time in death that made her that way. Still my sister is in there, I can feel it."
Kina closed her hand the darkness fading before she continued.

"Reaper gave me Liria's power, I didn't realize it till we met. I had nightmares of my sister suffering after her passing...I see now that they weren't dreams. However Liria's mental state couldn't handle the darkness, I could barely handle it. If Reaper had just given it to her like he did me it would have consumed her entirely.
Which is why he gave her an item forged from darkness, while I received the darkness itself and formed it into butterflies."

Kina pointed to the butterfly as an example before continuing.
"Liria didn't birth the power thus why it resists her sometimes and why her control over it can be...limited. Although it is still a part of her thus why she's still powerful, if she released her seal and allowed the darkness to run through her body I'm sure she would be extremely strong. I don't think I'd be able to stop her. Thankfully Liria hasn't done that."

Kina put her hand over her chest and let off a small sigh.
"Since we share parts of the same power we have a connection to each other, since Liria doesn't use her darkness too often it's a weak one."

The butterfly stopped and Kina looked forward to see Tsuliria staring at the two, her eye twitched seeing Jazz standing next to Kina.
"Hey Liria!" Kina yelled waving at her.
"Kina...would you mind explaining why you're with Jazz?"
"I was just talking to your friend and bringing him here."
"Jazz isn't my friend."
"Well...what is he then?"
"He's my rival."
"....no...it seems more than that. Be honest sister, you can't lie to me."
Tsuliria's saw Kina's smile and felt her defense broken, she wasn't getting away with this one.
Lowering her head she clutched at her chest feeling her chains staring to respond.
"...envy...."
"...what?" Kina said leaning to the side a little bit.
"He's someone I envy! He's my rival...but I confused hatred for the envy I feel towards him. It's stupid, I actually appreciate this man's existence. No matter it ends here anyway. Kina....move."

Kina stepped to the side as Tsuliria pulled her chains out and looked at Jazz.
"Are you ready Jazz? I trust you'll live up to my expectations, I'll be irritated if you disappoint me."

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Kalan watched the scene between Mirela and Emilian feeling something tug at his heart to run towards them.
He shook his head and stayed back though, Emilian made this decision, he had to honor that...even if it hurt to watch.
His eyes widened as Mirela stabbed the knife into Emilian, his hand closing into a fist as he watched.
"You got the easy way out Emilian....join Hana in the afterlife and be happy...."

Seeing Inae his eyes widened as the promise came back to mind, Kalan sprinted out from the alley as Inae pulled out her card.
He slid in front of Mirela and held his arm out in front of her as he looked at Inae.
"Speaking of idiocy and violence in such a fashion yet you resort to it so easily. You're still a child Inae."

Kalan opened his closed hand slightly causing the necklace to fall out and dangle.
"Mirela," Kalan said keeping his attention forward his eyes narrowing a little. "Emilian gave this to me to give to you from Hana....I won't support his actions but his conviction...he was a man who followed his heart even when it hurt and that's saying something. He was a good man."

Kalan took in a deep breath to control his emotions before continuing.
"Anyway, I can't let you two fight. There's enough blood here already. Inae please put away your card. Mirela I trust you won't make a move either."  

[Waka_in_the_Zash]

Jazz was silent as Kina spoke. Their powers a strange on indeed.

"So...Reaper gave her those chains to conceal the shadows...Then maybe she's still in there somewhere, like my inner self."

Jazz gave a small sigh thinking back to his inner darkness, the side of him that Birth locked away. He knew that one day the seal would be broken and he would again have to face himself. Jazz perked up as they came to meet Tsuliria. There she stood in front of the burned cathedral. As her chains fell Jazz sighed once again.

"You know very well that I can't fight you here, there are too many lives in danger."

As he spoke, the glove on his hand pulsated as he neared Tsuliria. The blue light from it glowing softly. Jazz looked down at it then back at Tsuliria.

"So...that's what you meant..."

"There, atop that mountain. We can fight in peace without anyone getting harmed. Just...there's one thing I have to know...who is Zeros?"

"You're asking far too much boy. As if the envoy of darkness would know anything about who I am."

Jazz turned to see the cloaked Zeros, his light once again rampaging inside of him as he grew near. Zeros gave a small smirk as he approached the three, his eyes locking on Jazz.

"I'm afraid the boy belongs to me before you can have him envoy. If he were to fight you now he'd die without hesitation, allow me to...toughen him up for you."

Zeros gave a small chuckle as Jazz grit his teeth as Zeros spoke, the pain within him swelling. Jazz turned and walked away towards the field towards the mountain.

"Once I kill him....I'm coming for you Tsuliria....and I won't hold back.."

Zeros chuckled once more before following after Jazz, stopping before Tsuliria.

"Can't you feel the darkness within him? It's up to you...envoy of the darkness."

Zeros walked on, a small smirk on his face.

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Akina walked through the city streets until she stumbled upon the drunken Luck, sitting against a wall.

"You're a disgrace to your kind you know that? Look at you drunk and stumbling through the streets. If you were my son I'd smack the stupid out of you."

Akina gave a small sigh at the site before her, a deity brought down this far was just sad.

"I take it you've made up your mind then?"  

[yizel]

Tsuliria withdrew her chains and scoffed a little bit, he was too nice for his own good.
She was getting tired of all this interruptions.
When he pointed at the mountain she nodded before listening to his question.
She started to respond when Zeros appeared and answered Jazz's question, Kina moved over to Tsuliria and the two stared at the two as they spoke.

She watched the two walk away and hearing Jazz's comment her eyes narrowed a little.
"Just try not to die, only I have that right."

She glanced at Zeros as he spoke to her, she remained silent as he continued walking, she crossed her arms as they faded into the distance.
"Kina do you have a place to stay?"
Kina looked at Tsuliria hearing her question and nodded.
"Yeah I have a place here, the house you woke up in is my home....why do you ask?"
"Please wait there for me."
Tsuliria started to leave when she felt something tug on her sleeve, looking back she saw Kina gripping her sleeve with her head lowered her eyes focused on the ground.
"Let me come with you..."
"It's a matter I have to handle on my own."
Kina lifted her head as she glared at Tsuliria her grip tightening.
"I'm not letting you go alone. You'll get hurt...and you might not come back."
Tsuliria stared at Kina for a moment before gently pulling her sleeve from her grip, walking forward she leaned forward and moving Kina's bangs out of the way pecked her forehead.
She rested her forehead against Kina and closed her eyes.
"I can't protect the both of us this time...I'm not strong enough...so please stay behind. I promise I'll come back."

Kina stared at Tsuliria before lowering her gaze, she wrapped her arms around Tsuliria in a hug
Tsuliria returned the hug before backing away, she turned and walked away.
"You'd better come back Liria, I'll never forgive you if you don't!"
Tsuliria raised her hand as a goodbye before fading into the distance.
"....please return safely."

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Luck opened one eye and looked at Akina before standing up, he stretched and let out a small yawn before grinning at her.
"It's not like we can come down here often. I wanted to enjoy myself a bit....that and it was free...well for me anyway."
Luck walked closer to Akina and took out his pocket watch checking the time before stuffing it back into his pocket.
"Well let's get this thing over with it...before we do though...can you change the color I go up to green...blue clashes with my suit oh and does it sting? I mean it doesn't look painful. Wait when you touch me is anything left behind...wait no can I take items with me? If that's the case I wanna take some drinks with me. The babes up there would get a kick out of this stuff. Wait wait hold on, can you make horses go up there? That would be weird wouldn't it? A horse flying through the sky."
Luck continued his barrage of questions more forming with each passing minute.
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Kervani stood in the center of three spinning pentagrams in a dimly lit room.
Four candles rested around the pentagram as Kervani opened his book the shadows flickering with the dancing flames.
Kervani started speaking the words in the book, an unintelligible language leaving his lips as the pentagrams started spinning faster causing the fire to dance more wildly.
Kervani's eyes took on a red glow as the red candle flames turned into black flames that grew larger with each passing moment.

The book in Kervani's hand slowly lifted in the air until it hovered above him as dark lightning started striking the pentagrams turning them into a black color.

Kervani took a dagger out and cut his palm before holding his exposed hand out, the blood leaked onto the pentagram causing a dark glow to emit from it.
More shadows started to flicker around the room as a small smile formed on Kervani's face.
"Welcome."
He spoke the words before an explosion of dark energy blew out the candles as holes opened in the Pentagrams.
"Extinction is inevitable now....haha....HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  

[Waka_in_the_Zash]

(And that officially ends chapter 3, Now chapter 4 The Reaper Arc)  

[Waka_in_the_Zash]

Jazz stopped in the field just outside the city, the large mountain looming over them. It's top wasn't visible from the ground, just a layer of dark clouds. The air went stale as a dark force seemed to blanket the city near them as Zeros made his way into the field.

"Who are you Zeros...why do I know you?"

"So you've forgotten your own father have you?"

Jazz was speechless, in his heart he knew he had recognized him, but he just couldn't accept it. He killed his father over six years ago, the night he had awakened to his powers, so how was it this man, his own father, was here.

"How...there's no way you can be alive.."

"If you're referring to the night you slain your mother and I, yes we are dead. Now enough talking, show me that power of yours, the power that was able to kill the child of Birth."

Jazz turned to face his father, a lone tear running down his cheek. Six years of pain and nightmares, only to meet his father once more. Jazz shook his head as he subdued his anger, his pain.

"No....I want answers...How are you alive?"

"Please Jazz, If I told you that it'd be no fun."

Jazz looked down a small smirk forming over his face as his eyes slowly began to glow as his fist clenched.

"Fine....when I beat you into the ground...then you'll tell me everything I want to know....Child of Birth."

"Interesting....Come then Envoy of Birth, let's see how that light I gave you handles!"

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Akina gave a small sigh as she felt Zeros, she knew that he had spoken to her son...her Jazz. As Luck rambled on her irritation grew, her hand clenching into a fist.

"Luck.....shut the hell up!"

A hand flew across Luck's face as he began to glow blue and lift towards the heavens. Akina shook her hand as she began to walk to her husband and her son. It had been so long since she had seen his face. A tear formed in her eyes as she thought back to living with him in their bakery. The sun was beginning to set as the battle field between past and present had begun...the Child of Birth against her Envoy, Father against Son.  

[Masaruu]

Upon entering the capitol, Yama tool a deep breath of excitement to find a training partner. As the air filled his nostrils, the scent of blood swept into his nose.

"Bloodshed.... already?"

Following the scent, he bolted with the breakneck speed to the area of the bloodshed, the fountain. As he got closer, he slowed when there was just a building between him and the people there.

"One... two dead? Did the green one kill them? Wait... the small one is holding a knife...."

Upon his conclusion, he decided to stay clear of them as he thought all women are crazy and walked away in search of a sparring partner.
"You won't find a partner just by wandering around." The wolf spirit inside Yama, Kiba spoke to him. "You will need to converse and ask around. Maybe go to a local tavern. Get a drink and ask around."

He nodded and went off looking for the nearest tavern, taking heed of Kiba's advice. Within a few minutes, he found himself at the doorway of a pub, with no specific name or special banner. He opened the door and walked inside as a blast of smoke escaped the doorway. He stood near the counter and asked for a cup of water to quench his thirst.  

[Miss-Ran]

Mirela took a step forward to fight Inae, however stopped once Kalan kept them separated. As the necklace was presented to her, her eyes softened. Emilian had actually done that? Mirela lowered the violin. Setting it down on the ground beside her, she reached over and took the necklace with a small nod before placing it around her neck. Feeling the warm metal against her skin, Mirela felt new tears begin to well up in her eyes.

Inae shook her head. She felt that the display was simply idiotic. In her eyes, Kalan just didn't understand. Returning her card to her pouch and the knife to its place on her leg, Inae turned her back to the two of them., folding her arms across her chest. Turning her head slightly, Inae shot Kalan a glare.

"Such a shame you interrupted, I was planning for the barbaric harlot and I to do some sisterly 'bonding.' It doesn't matter now, I'll come for her when you're not around. Goodbye, Kalan. I sense the lack of a future for you if you interrupt again." Bringing her gaze to the street in front of her, Inae began to walk away. As she watched the setting sun out of the corner of her eye, Inae vowed to herself that Mirela would not be able to live long enough to see the quick approaching blanket of stars fade with the glow of morning.

As Inae took her leave, Mirela quickly moved in front of Kalan before throwing her arms around him. "Kalan!" She began to shake once more as she nuzzled her face against Kalan's chest, crying into it. "Why did this have to happen... Why..."

Mirela held onto him, though she felt as if she didn't deserve to. She gently took small clutches of the back of his shirt into her grasp. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to calm herself before speaking again. "I'm... I'm sorry that you had to see what I did... Just... I saw what he did to her..." Closing her eyes, Mirela took another deep breath. "I just couldn't control myself... I feel terrible, Kalan..."

Slowly re-opening her eyes, Mirela tilted her head to look up at Kalan. Her tears had slowed tremendously, and even though they still stained her face, she wasn't as upset as she had been. "I... I understand if you don't wish to be around me and if you want to leave. You're a good friend, Kalan. I mean that. I don't want you to leave, but if you truly wish to after what just happened I will neither blame you nor stop you."  

[Waka_in_the_Zash]

As the stars above began to blanket the sky, Jazz met eyes with his father. He knew without the sun this battle was going to be a hard one, every hit had to count. His hands began to glow softly as he summoned a blade in his right hand. Zeros gave a small chuckle as he stared at his son.

"That tiny thing is the best you can do? What exactly has Birth taught you?"

Zeros threw his robe from him, revealing his crimson red outfit underneath. His jacket almost matched Jazz' as it was white with a red trim to it. Zeros' eyes filled with light just as Jazz' did, only to throw an orb to the sky. The orb exploded in the air, forming an artificial sun that lit the stage for their battle.

"I'd prefer if you went all out if that's alright."

Zeros flexed his hand, a decorative blade forming in his hand. The white hilt was clearly visible in his hand as the pure white blade formed outward. Jazz gave a small smirk, Zeros obviously had the same ability he had, just far far advanced than he or his inner self. With a flash Zeros was gone.

"You can't win boy. You're far too slow to keep up with me. Why not just call on that power you have inside you."

Before Jazz could respond, Zeros had planted a foot into his stomach, launching him into the air. Zeros quickly followed, slamming Jazz back into the ground. Jazz coughed as his body hit the ground, his blade vanishing as he couldn't keep concentrated. Jazz' eyes widened as Zeros appeared above him, he quickly rolled out of the way as Zeros' foot slammed into the earth. Using his hands he vaulted up, launching two spears at Zeros. Before he could snap, Zeros had caught the spears in one fail swoop. Jazz skidded across the ground as Zeros launched the spears back, one grazing Jazz' cheek, a thin line of blood running down his cheek.

"He's good....but how..."

Again, Zeros was in Jazz' face before he could respond. A fist collided with his face, throwing him into the ground as a flurry of more collided with him, burying him into the ground.

"Come on Jazz! Show me that darkness that you hold! Release your true power!"

Zeros sat above Jazz, his fists not giving up as he pummeled the boy into the ground, light flying off as his fists made contact. Jazz, unable to move slowly began to lose consciousness, the light in his eyes slowly fading under the onslaught.  

[yizel]

Screams echoed the village as people ran down the crowded streets, red adult sized creatures with beady black eyes and fangs let out loud screeches as they ran after them.
Their claws reached for whatever was unfortunate to get in its way as the army of creatures ran through the streets.
Using the sheer force of numbers they brought things to their knees and cut them into pieces before feasting on the remains.

Some with dark bony wings flew above the village and swooped down to pick up citizens only to drop them onto the streets moments later for their grounded brethren.

Kervani stood atop a nearby roof with his book looking down at the army of demons, a red glow in his eyes and a smile on his face.
"Go my children....clean up the trash in this village."
Kervani's laughter echoed through the village over the screams of the people.

The demons turned into a nearby tavern and started attacking the people inside.
Two demons turned their attention to a man with grey fur on his arms and claws on his hands, he looked different then the others in the tavern and caught their attention.
"Food! Must...EAT!"
The two demons jumped towards Yama an insane blood lust in their eyes.

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"Disappointing."
Tsuliria turned hearing a familar voice behind her, Reaper shook his head at her his arms crossed as he arched his brow.
"She was right in your sights and yet you let her live."
Reaper walked closer to her as Tsuliria's chains started reacting the closer he got to her.
"Weakness is something I don't condone Liria, mind explianing?
Tsuliria flinched as Reaper called her name, her hand closed into a fist before she spoke.
"You promised....if I called you master you wouldn't call my name."
Reaper's eyes narrowed at her before he reached forward and took hold of her chin, Tsuliria felt her chains burn more as he leaned down to her.
"Things change...Liriana."

Tsuliria knocked Reaper's hand away as she stared into his eyes, her hatred growing stronger the longer she met his gaze.
"I sensed my own darkness in Kina. What did you do to her?"
Reaper only smiled and shrugged his shoulders not bothering to respond.

Tsuliria's hand closed into a fist seeing the smile on his face.
"I should blame myself that it took this long."
Reaper tilted his head at Tsuliria before watching her jump away from him.
A dark aura hovered around her body as her chains left her sleeves, she made all four appear as the distorted faces started to appear along them once more.
Her eyes let off a yellow glow as rocks started hovering around her.
"This hatred...it wasn't for Jazz....it was meant for you!"

Reaper grinned as his eyes let off a red glow, black flames hovering around his hands as the ground around them started to crack, his grin slowly turned into a toothy one.
"Finally acting on your emotions are you?! Good!"
"That day you woke me up to fight Jazz....you were directing my hatred at him so you could use me further!"

Reaper laughed as Tsuliria's rage reached new peaks watching that all knowing smile.
"I'll make you pay, you piece of garbage!"
"Direct all that hatred at me Liria! Rebel against your master!"

The ground around them started to shake as the darkness leaving their bodies started to swirl even further around, the field around them started to stain black as the two kept each other's gaze.
"I won't be used by you anymore!"
A large burst of energy exploded from Tsuliria causing Reaper to grin as he released more of his darkness.
"Come then! See if you can cut your own strings puppet!"

The two dashed at each other Tsuliria's chains dancing wildy and Reaper's dark flames flaring up before an explosion of darkness surronded the two as they collided.
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Kalan wrapped his arms around Mirela listening to her in silence, he didn't like that Inae ran off again but Mirela was more important at the moment so he didn't pursue.

Kalan pet Mirela's head and nodded his head as she apologized, when she looked up at him his eyes widened a little as she spoke.
He smiled a little before shaking his head, he tightned his hold on Mirela and closed his eyes.
"You should see the things Tsuliria's done in front of me, I'm not going to leave you alone because of what happened. You cared for your mother...I can't hate you for that."

"Kalan!"
Kalan turned to see Kina run up to them, he hesitantly released Mirela and asked what was going on.
"Demons! The orphanage! Children in danger, I put up a barrier but it won't last long. Can you escort the kids?"
Kalan nodded and making a motion summoned a sword of straw, he turned to Mirela and smiled.
"I have to go do hero stuff so I gotta run away for a bit."
Kalan reached in his pocket and pulling out a golden locket with a moon on the back and the engraving 'EV" on front.
Turning he hung it around Mirela's neck and smiled.
"My mother gave me this when I needed to be strong. You need it more than I do at the moment, hold it for me till I need it again...which will probably be soon."
Kalan gave Mirela a quick hug before turning and running off with Kina towards the orphanage.

Pet walked out of the shadows and walked over to Mirela.
"Mirela...Kervani's on the loose and he'll probably come for you. He...is no longer the father I respected...let me stay near you for a while until he comes."
Pet's eyes quickly moved to the side as she saw seven red demons appear their forked tongues out as they cracked their necks while walking towards the two.
Pet's eyes widened before her claws extended.
"I don't have enough blood to summon so we'll have to fight. Can you defend yourself? These demons are the lowest in command so they shouldn't be too hard to kill."  

[Masaruu]

He took a drink of his water as the demons came rushing in and attacking. Before he realized it, he was being attacked himself. With his speed, he threw his glass into the air while he stood. As he stood up, he punched his bar stool, as it split in half, he grabbed the counter behind him and kicked both halves at the the demons. as his feet made contact with the stool halves, they shattered, causing sharp debris to fly towards the demons.

"Geeze! I just took a drink!"

Reaching out with his right hand, he caught the glass that he threw, the contents undamaged.

"Swing batter batter, SWING!"

Drinking the rest as fast as he could, he drew out his handaxe. he tossed the glass up a little and swung his axe like a bat, hitting the glass with full force, causing it to shatter into a thousand pieces, all flying towards the demons. He licked his lips as his instincts started to take over, he waited for his opponent to move, so he can find the slightest opening, and kill it.

'Has my training readied me thus far for demons? Well, let's hope so!'  

[Waka_in_the_Zash]

As Zeros continued his onslaught, Jazz held on to his consciousness, the black scar on his light growing larger. Jazz grit his teeth as blood ran down his face, slowly lifting his hand to stop a punch.

"Screw you....old man."

Jazz gave a slight smirk as the glove on his hand began to glow softly. Blue lines slowly ran up his face under his eyes as the blood poured from his forehead. Zeros was speechless as he was thrown into the air by an unknown force.

"Activate....Loyalty.."

Jazz slowly stood, the sign of diligence once again etched into his glove, the ethereal blue glow running up his arms. As he stood there, his breathing was heavy and low, his energy slowly returning to him as Zeros grinned.

"Well that's certainly new."

Jazz gave one last smirk before vanishing, reappearing in front of Zeros, his fist planted in his stomach.

"Now that I can match your speed, you're screwed old man."

Zeros flew back as Jazz began his onslaught. Spears flew at high speeds as his body flashed in and out of visibility. Zeros quickly retaliated with his own great speed, the two clashed in the air as their energies were now evenly matched, father against son in a battle that tore the earth beneath them asunder.

"I'll never forgive you for this pain you b*****d!"

"Good! Let that hatred for me fuel you to be stronger!"

Jazz summoned his spear, Gungnir, as Zeros summoned his own weapon. It was unlike anything Jazz had ever laid eyes upon. A long chain made of light wrapped around both of his arms, a long scythe attached to the end of it. As the two dashed at each other, the two weapons slammed together, light exploding between the two. Zeros gave a small chuckle as he pulled the end of the scythe away from the top, the chain wrapping itself up Jazz' spear. He jumped back, a snap ringing as the chain exploded, sending Jazz flying into the air.

"Interesting..."

Jazz smirked, quickly catching himself as two spears formed in his hands. Slamming them together, a bright light flew from him, two clones at his sides. They too had the ethereal blue glow running through their forms. Zeros chuckled, lifting his hand to the sky. The sun he had placed began to pulsate as more light poured into it.

"So let's end this shall we boy?"

"Gladly...Dad."

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Cries rang as Seven ripped through the seven demons before Pet and Mirela. As he skidded to a stop, his hand flew back in front of Mirela's face, a small black box and a note attached to it in his hand.

The note was written in cute little letters with smiley faces over the I's.

"Dear Mirela,
Birth said you guys needed some back up to deal with the new threat that was coming so I ordered seven to deliver you Love. Love is one of my favorite weapons and it's almost perfect for you since it's a Viola. Love feeds off of the users emotions to enhance their powers. Basically the calmer and more sincere you are, the stronger your abilities will be, anger and hate will just distort Love into a dark weapon that will eventually devour the user so please keep this in mind. Please treat it well ^-^
Virtue heart "

Seven gave a small grunt as the black box began to shine bright pink, a small viola forming in his hand. It's white sheen shone in the night. It was fairly cute for one of the legendary weapons of Virtue seeing as it had a tiny heart with a tiny wing as the head of the Viola. Seven stood there, his sword drawn as he waited for more assailants, the blue flame in his eyes bright.  

[Miss-Ran]

Mirela felt a small pain in her chest as Kalan left her once more. Gently taking hold of the locket he had placed around her neck, she felt a small smile come to her lips. Closing her eyes, Mirela nodded to herself before re-opening them and giving her attention to Pet. Before she could say a word, Mirela quickly jumped back as Seven disposed of the demons.

As she was presented with the note and Love soon afterward, Mirela blinked and took it from Seven, holding it gently. 'Of all instruments, it had to be a viola...' Giving a small nod at Seven, Mirela inspected Love before speaking. "Thank you. I'll be sure to treat it well."

Shifting her gaze and attention to Pet, Mirela began to realize the situation at hand. Looking around to see all of the demons running around, her eyes softened as she thought of Kalan's safety. 'Kalan, please be careful... I don't want to lose you, too.'

Thinking back on what Pet had told her, Mirela shook her head slightly. "Pet... Are you saying that Kervani is responsible for all of this?" However after pondering a bit more, she thought back to what Reaper had said back when she was reunited with her family. "If so it doesn't surprise me that he'll come for me. Thank you for offering to stay near me, I appreciate it, and I welcome your company."

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As demons started running amok, Inae stopped walking and shook her head. 'I didn't even get ten feet away and now all hell has broken loose.' Turning her head back to check on Mirela, she saw that both Seven and Pet were with her. "Now is not a good time to go back there... At least Kalan is gone. All I can do now is hope that it stays that way. Now, I believe that I've rested enough..." Reaching into her pouch, Inae drew a card and held it up in front of her, closing her eyes before speaking.

"Tarot VIII - Strength."

As the words left her lips a purple, wispy sword left the ground before her. Around the hilt of the sword, a wispy hand began to take form. From the hand came an arm which soon grew into the wispy form of a woman. Inae opened her eyes and brought the card forward, placing it in the opposite hand of the figure. Within moments the figure shone brightly and took on the appearance of a young woman with long, straight blond hair with soft blue eyes.

A gentle yet stern expression was worn on her face, and she was dressed in a long, soft pink, formal dress that hugged the curves on her body. Hanging from her left ear was a long, silver sword shaped earring with a wing that dangled from a cold, blue, gem.

Around the woman's neck was a silver ornate necklace set with gems similar to the one set in her earring. Resting upon her head was a silver tiara. Her sword was a rapier with a silver hilt. As she opened her mouth to speak, her eyes gently shifted down towards Inae.

"What is the reason you summon me?"

The woman's voice was gentle and quiet, yet proud at the same time. Inae bowed before her, refusing to lock gazes with her. "For protection, m'lady. Slay the enemies that threaten myself and the innocent."

"Very well. I will use my sword for this reason, and this reason alone."

Inae returned to an upright position and watched as Strength unsheathed her sword, holding it in front of her.

"May all that threaten this woman and the innocent feel the icy feel of my blade, any opposed will know no mercy."