teehee~

It seemed as if time had been ticking down in both an agonizingly slow way and a hectic fast pace. Perhaps, that was part of the wonders of Arcadios. After many.. ahem, frustrations, and awkward movements. There were some who were victorious in their sexual conquests. While others.... fell a little short.

Each person who felt the cold steel against their neck would suddenly find themselves drifted into a sleep. Whatever they were doing, they were now knocked out. However, in their little sleep -- a figure would appear.

"Your deepest desires unfolded, didn't they?"

A succulent, soft and seductive voice would speak to those slumbering. There was a deep tone beneath the alluring sound, one would know didn't sound quite normal...

"Worship, quests, purity? Who needs that when you have lust and pleasure. Sophia's kept all her children busy with activities, it's as if she's attempting to dehumanize you. Treat you like common animals."

"But, no fun and games for you all, right? A party here, a get together there, is all you have? Children, just like children."

The figure would finally become clear, a completely nude Dolos -- female form, mind you -- visible to those dreaming.

"You can thank me for those beautiful little collars. I thought simple, but bold! I know all that -- mmmm -- pleasure you've had was quite enough to stir my muse to try harder for some entertainment."

"But, you all must be curious. For those who failed to meet the little standard given... are your fates really dangling in the balance?"

The serious, seductive tone was enough to lead everyone to believe so. The collars began to heat with a burning sensation -- one that would leave a mark for a day. The metal was tightening, pressing against the skin that now sizzled.

"Naaaah~ I just wanted to see how stupid you all can be. You really fucked the first person who spread their legs or bent over? This turned out better then I expected."

Maniacal laughter slipped past Dolos' lips. Echoing, pounding inside of the brains of those who were slumbering.

"Why would I kill my favorite toys? It's going to be fun watching all this drama unfold. It'll be like a soap opera. I don't have anything better to do for the next thousands of years~"

"Awaken, silly fools. And bask in the power of trickery!"

[ No energy to do so was true, wasn’t it? Shizuo had at last finished his fight with Chrome, and… he wanted to start a fight with Endrance, but the girl who had been the victim wouldn’t let him. Needless to say, that alone made someone feel… helpless? Nah, that wasn’t the word to fit with the bartender. In any case, any sort of feeling like that would surely be laced together with irritation as well. His expression wasn’t the most saddest or happiest of one, anyway.

But at least he had a victory. At the end of the war, he was standing, albeit bloodied all over and bartender suit shredded. Shizuo was starting to get himself treated by Yukio, but the clinic of course had been destroyed by Vanitas. And then that same figure that had been the one who hurt Dizzy, the one Shizuo deeply might have wanted to kill in that instant.

Still, he had no means of knowing his name.

But what were those kind of needless thoughts…? The next moments later, the crystal cracked. What happened was the scenario Goddess Sophia had called upon ‘warriors’ to prevent the scene from happening. But Shizuo really didn’t give two shits about the Goddess. He could hardly give two shits about what was just happening right now, either, could he?

Protesting didn’t happen from Shizuo as he just watched the scene unfold, his look getting more and more angry. Someone noisy had showed up now.

…When one thinks about it, Shizuo still, at this point, had no idea Dolos existed because no one really told him the story about the Goddess and the opposite, evil form. Only of the Goddess. Which was why he thought that just then when the form of a woman appeared from the image of a mischievous little boy.

…What, this annoying scum is what we get for losing? The end result of this event they had lost to?

Maybe he could just settle with murdering them a bit, instead. It no longer was a kid, after all. Shizuo did not care about the outcome of the event as a whole, but what truly pissed him off was the fact that he couldn’t help Dizzy who had gotten so very hurt. Just… simply, a personal matter of his own. Dolos— this was not a happy sound of his own. But of course, Shizuo was the one who needed to be warned this time around.

Shizuo, the monster bartender who one should never talk or involve yourself with for good reason, stood no chance against someone who was something of a REAL God of Destruction. ]

--------------------------------------------------

Beaten, scarred, burned and bruised, Flynn struggled to just keep himself up as he leaned heavily upon his left knee. The knight was sure everyone was just as mentally and physically scarred as he, but so far no one had managed to kill the Goddess’ barrier of warriors. A light rain had begun to fall over the land torn asunder, however every single drop felt like another punch to Flynn’s sore skin.

Surveying the battlefield, the Commandant noticed something through the light mist of rain. Movement in the center of the still Central District. Flynn’s tired eyes strained to analyze who still had the strength to be moving. His fatigued mind was too slow to register who it was. No, he couldn’t recognize the unfamiliar man… But he was grasping something…

That faint glow was of the fountain crystal. How the blue-haired man stole it away with the commandant’s noticing… No, every battle was hectic, but still to have been blindsided in his time of weakness-! As the man fainted forward, Flynn could only protest from his far position as the gem fell with him.

“Wait, no!”

His voice cracked as he screamed, his throat protesting any more use. No spell, noarte, no move he could make would prevent Endrance’s destruction of that precious crystal. No amount of yelling could change the fact that he had failed. And Dolos had won this war.

Turning his face away from the blinding light, screeching laugher filled the knight’s ears as another child’s shadow appeared before him. Tch, why would a kid even be near here..? But that laughter… Surveying the boy skip towards the pulsing light, he watched in awe at the transformation taking place before him.

“A… woman?” His cerulean eyes widening and his jaw dropping at the new form. Flynn eyes furrowed as it all set in. So this was what h-… she was aiming for. She was what they all risked their lives to prevent from appearing. Damn it! After all this she had the gall to even insult those who fought for her!

“You..!” He growled in a completely rage filled and feral voice. ”How dare you cause all of this..!” Whatever happened to him, he didn’t care, but for every other citizen of this world placed in peril. He mustered up the fiercest glare possible in his pain. He didn’t even have the strength to raise his blade anymore, but he couldn’t stop him from spitting out those words.

It felt good to be home. A home that was her own. That rotten little child's body left her bounded. Disgusting and frail. Now, here Dolos was -- in all of her true glory. Little did anyone suspect. That made everything so much more fun, did it not?!

Fingertips ran against her bare skin, examining it's texture as she caught sight of a moving frame. No -- two?! Oh ho ho! Both of the blonds stared daggers, enough that would make her shiver -- in excitement.

"Me? Oh, I am rather beautiful in this new form, huh? Wanna go, cutie? This body is a little rusty and needs some... loosening up." A evil cackle slipped past the darkened lips of Dolos, her form stepping closer to the two. A modern man and a man caught in the soldier motif? Hm, looked like something straight outta a porno. She liked that.

The sadistic grin grew wider and wider, her skin tingling in excitement. Her bare feet stepped harshly on the bodies of those fallen -- one of them including poor Yuri Lowell. That had to rev one of their motors, now didn't it?

"Don't you get it, boys? You lost. You were picked for the wrong side." Eyeing the tattered and sore bartender, her hips caught a sway, keeping a few feet of distance. "Such a shame, coulda used some nice servants like you where this place is goin'."

Within a flash of instance, a harsh strike forced the skin to tear and rip through Shizuo's chest. Fingernails pushed past arteries and veins to clutch roughly at his heart. Each pulse tingled her fingers, causing her to lick at her lips. Another sharp jab, piercing past the metal armor of Flynn -- right into the same exact spot.

Two hearts.

Two pulses.

Two firm grips.

Dolos let out a witch-like cackle, lightning booming triumphantly behind her. "I always wanted to try some double penetration." Blood seeped from their wounds as Dolos awaited the beating to cease and their frames to fall limp but -- ?!

A harsher squeeze was given and it seemed the beating was only pushing harder. Faster. Quicker against her palm.

"Wh-...why aren't you both dead?!" Teeth gritted as her voice screamed out her hands pushing deeper into their chest wounds. "DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE~ THAT'S HOW THE STORY ENDS THIS TIME!"

A rabid screech forced past her lips as she stared in shock at the men's frames weakly remaining upright. Their wounds... seemingly to begin to heal themselves -- albeit rather slowly! Either way, she continued to squeeze at their hearts as if trying to bring water from a stone. Death to those who had light....

Brilliant light burst through the area, causing Dolos to scream to the heavens...

"SOPHIIIIIIIA! WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME!"

As seconds trickled into minutes and minutes had painfully boiled into hours; our heroes and our villains continued to battle onwards until there was no energy left to do so.

Fighting for their ‘God’. Fighting for their own motive. Fighting for the faith they dared to believe in. Each person that were chosen put their all into the fight. Some, more successful then others.

While it seemed as if the line in the sand remained the same as it ever was, there was some obvious advantages. The body count continued to rage, weakened frames scattered amongst the battle ground. Be they good or bad, it didn’t matter. The pain that swelled inside of their muscles and the aching sensation that stiffened their bones left it hard to breath. After all, everyone tended to ‘bleed’ the same on the battlefield.

However, as the rain began to sprinkle down a cooling splash of water, a figure was seen crawling towards the statue. A flash of lightning lit up the man’s form. Endrance the Temptress. Blue strands were soaked with blood and gore, almost unrecognizable for those who dared to get on his good side. Limp fingers dug into the marble of the statue, hoisting his weak and sore body upwards.

Clutching, holding, begging for the statue to support him for his deed against her. But, it was all for Her, wasn’t it? Sympathetic eyes looked upwards, viewing the clutched hands that hid the crystal against her heart snuggly.

“Forgive me, I will accept my fate…” A cough, spattered with blood escaped as a harsh fist was sent forward. It was the last bit of energy he had left, his knees trembling as he still held on. The crystal, shimmering a faint lilac hue was clutched against his fingertips, but… still pulsed in life. The stone fingers crumbled to the ground, exposing the gaping hole in the statues chest. However, his eyes would shut, unfulfilling his deed.

His form fell forward into the murky water of the fountain, his hand barely letting the crystal fall forward and CRACK! The gem would burst against the edge of the fountain, exploding in a burst of light.

There was a silence.

A mourning.

A loss for the good.

Alas, even if evil had won there was a silence. The soft patter of rain dulled out until an exposed laughter carried on as loud as the ears could pick up.

Ha ha ha ha

HA HA HA HA

HA HA HA HA!!!

The tiny boy who had planned this whole event stepped forward, looking over the damage. Dolos, masked in darkness and proud of the chaos that unfolded in Arcadios simply clapped. A playful skip was given as he rushed over to the light, feeling it embrace against his grey skin.

“MOMMA’S HOMEEEEE!”

The light burst around his frame, engulfing the small boy in the only light he would ever appreciate. Yes, his power. His power in Arcadios had officially now matched Sophia’s, making the deity all giggly. The insane laughter carried on but… over the course of time, the light increased. The laughing grew more and more high pitched until it would vaguely recall a woman.

Of course, the light would begin to dim and the powerful figure was now exposed — but not in a form they’d recognize. The mischievous little boy had cast away his depowered state and revealed his true form.

It just so happened that form was that of a woman. Bare except for the few strands of fabric that covered her naughtiest areas, the darkened form yawned, stretching to feel her skin move against her bones. “This feels so much better."

You all knew it was coming. Could feel it in the air. That electrifying sensation crawling over your skin and causing your hairs to stand on end. The red death hung in the air like an awkward silence, scarlet fluff clogging the sky and promising a sweet and slow demise to those that dwell on the ground below. The Watchtower was disabled; uselessly floating through the sky completely unable to do anything about  the utter destruction that was about to kiss the land of Arcadios.

The cardinal thunderclouds rumbled, a crackling boom that echoed across the land. And if you listened closely enough? You'd heard a sinister cackle riding the coattails of the explosion, a sickeningly sweet giggle that fell upon the world like a monsoon. All you knew was coming to an end...

---FLASH---

A flare of bloody white, as sizzling tendrils of electricity came bursting from the depths of the smog and striking the ground near the fountain, leaving a scorch mark on the tile. Another, and then another, until there were twelve, star-shaped marks making a perfect circle around the monument.

The crystal clutched firmly within her bosom began to hum softly; a warning to those that would heed it.

The Temptress --- Join me, and you will be united with Her again.

The crystal hummed louder, glowing a luminescent blue as it attempted to hold back the coming darkness.

The Masked Boy ---  It's gone; Only through me will you find yourself.

A whisper in the dark. The summoning of the Twelve that act in the name of the One. Each given a promise, told of endless power and unimaginable wonders should they act in his name. Kill Her Champions. Destroy the crystal. Release unspeakable horror upon this world. Become the tools of Dolos.

The Tempest --- You seek death? I will be your salvation.

Ring-a-ring o' roses♫

Sophia's prized Labyrinth hedge maze was the focus of our attention. Glorious, proud, and bubbling with life and happiness. Butterflies fluttered through the air, gracing the tops of the brightly colored flower petals. Lush green plant life and perfectly cared for grass showed the detail of the garden.

A pocket full of posies♪

The soft sound of crisp grass crunching underneath dirty soles would barely be heard between a soft hum. A soft song rolling succulent off a youth's lips. The tiny form inspected the area as it continued onward, a cloud of darkness emitting from the very being that dared to walk the brightened land. Creatures began to run in a panicked state, the boy -- simply continuing his walk towards the center of the maze.

Ashes! Ashes!♫

The form, shrouded in darkness and humming a familiar old children's tune continued to walk through the corridors of the maze. He'd finally find his way to the center of the maze, which housed a small private sitting area next to a tiny pond. The humming continued as the crimson red eyes overlooked the area. Tiny hands pulled back and with a loud clap, the life in the area began to die. Like a diseased plague, the greens were replaced with grays and blacks of decaying life. Animals, plant, and earth began to die, wilt, and crumble under the boy's wishes. The cloud above began to crash red lightning downwards around the boy, as a soft voice giggled out...

We all fall down!♫

What do you dream of as you lie in your bed?

What thoughts trickle down your spine as you rest your pretty little head?

Visions of sugar plums and fairies dancing through your mind.

Rest, my little refugees. Sleep, as your world beings to unwind.

The tendrils creep across the landscape, cold fingers hoping to wrap around the pulsating, gray matter in your skulls and dig as deeply as possible. Clawing through the flesh and ooze and goo, searching for the things that make you tick.

Tick. Tock. Tick.

What are your deepest fears? Your darkest insecurities? Those deliciously sweet secrets you hide away in the corner of your mind, praying that they never get brought to lie. Skeletons dying to be dragged out of the closet in all of their mottled, bone bleached glory.

Sophia’s best and brightest, the creme de la creme that each of those ill-fated realms had to offer. So proud she is, so happy to see her little pets in all of their perfect glory.

But what if things weren’t perfect? What if all one had to do was… say… send a little bad weather, and turn things topsy turvy around this joint?

Break a mirror here. Skin a couple of black cats there… sprinkle in a little spilled salt…and what do you got?

A hell of a Friday night. Get it? Like Friday the 13th? You know, bad luck… aw, come on!

Pffffft, everybody's a critic. But that’s the name of the games this week, kiddos. Thanks to yours truly, you’ve all been infected with a little (oh who am I kidding? a lot) of bad luck.

What does this mean, exactly? I don’t knooooow. ♪

Can't you hear it?

A whisper in the dark. The ice-cold tendrils of the darkest black slithering into your ear, oozing through the nooks and crannies with tantalizing allure of great things. Forbidden things; power and glory beyond human understanding. The darkness seeps into your brain, filling the empty spaces with even emptier promises, dragging you deeper and deeper into the abyss.

Can't you taste it?

The lies on her tongue. The bittersweet words falling from the mouth of the temptress, as she summons you to this 'paradise' with reassurance that you're safe from harm. Safe from destruction and dissonance, when in fact...the greatest of all evils is closer than you know. Motives hidden within agendas; the destruction of the universe a mere precursor to the end.

Can't you feel it?

Radiating from the trophies that you fought oh so hard to obtain, all at the whim of the Goddess. Twelve relics of untold power, representing the celestial might of the constellations. A supreme force for the side of good. But...as we all know, even the most righteous can be corrupted, can't it?

The Hair of Virgo.

The Fin of Pisces.

The Claw of Cancer.

The moment the chosen came into contact with these three artifacts, it had already begun. Corruption of the most vile degree would seep into their hearts, twisting and corroding them; calling out the deepest and darkest parts of their souls and bringing them into fruition.

Link: Hero of Time. Warrior of Courage. Oh, how your bravery will falter when faced with the long shadow left by your legacy.

Barnaby: Champion of Justice. What will your fans say, when their cool-headed hero is persuaded by the call of villainy?

Raven: Enigmatic Old Man. Your past will finally catch up with you, as the secrets left hidden in the dark finally tear your apart from the inside out. Or...is it Schwann, now?

Yes, yes...a whisper in the dark, Dolos might be for now. But rules were made to be broken, weren't they?

Besides...it would be so much fun watching these three become possessed by those shadowy inhibitions.

reaping the harvest.

The soft, ribbon carrying breeze carried a faint hint of apple cinnamon and strawberries throughout the festival, sending a mouth-watering sensation rippling through any and everyone that happened to catch a sniff of the delicious aroma.  But after smelling something so delicious, why did their stomach seem to twist and turn, as the horrifically strong urge to vomit seemed to fill their lungs?

Perhaps it had something to do with the aftertaste. After all, some people just couldn’t handle the…peculiar combination of rotting flesh and sulfur. Maybe it was something of an acquired taste? Or it could have been the metallic tang of hot blood that fell upon their tongue soon after, oozing down their throats in all of its imaginary glory.

Like rainclouds overtaking a sunny side day, something…sinister seemed to slowly be overtaking the festival. The plump watermelons and juicy grapes began to swell to gross proportions, taking on morbidly obese size as bubbles and boils began to rise on the once glossy skin. Sizzling meats began rotten and fly infested, as tiny larvae began to incubate within the depths of the once delectable meal.

The joyful music became tinny and warped, a haunting tune that sent shivers running down ones spine, as though the claws of death had begun to sink into your tissue before slowly pulling it from your body. It was an ode to the destruction of the universe, a melody of melancholy terror.

And yet one boy seemed to be oblivious to it all.

His name is death, and the end is near…♪

Softly, barely audible, he sang to himself as he skipped alongside one of the linked fences that blocked off the festival grounds. Tiny little fingers were extended off to the side, running through the linked metal and making a ka-chink ka-chink as he playfully moved along.

He’ll have mercy on your soul…♪

His lips spread into a wide smile, sightless eyes hidden behind the mane of black that fell into his face. Behind him, the fence began to become a strange copper, rusting away in mere seconds before crumbling into a glossy, red dust/

It was almost that time again, wasn’t it? For him to finish what he’d began with the Original Sin.

It was almost time for the end of everything.

Again, the boy smiled.