The first embrace

Reality converged and imploded- Depravity quickly leaking out into the vicinity of the Yokai Citadel. A vortex of swirling weird, purple matter began to take shape, the life stream itself torn apart for but a few seconds- But within those few seconds, a figure would appear from within the tear in the life stream itself.

Adorning the usual green armoury of the Bulwark, the Avenger Celeana Feuer took a step out of the Rift- The Rift itself quickly being corrected by Eternia itself upon her exit, closing the gap in the air itself. Should one pay a glance to the Oscuri's face, they would see nothing but a satisfied grin and sapphire blue eyes filled with confidence.

At her side rested her blade still drowning in Darkness- Eclipsed only by Durendal in sheer Darkness, Nightmare Tyrfing was a blade befitting the aspiring Rift Mage who now reeked of Depravity herself. She was on her way to glory and nothing could stop her in her path- That was how she saw her current situation and her life alike now. She had failed at nothing so far, why should she start now?

"Is Aita around?" Sounded her voice, the Oscuri probably having drawn quite the amount of attention towards herself with her clearly "bragging" entrance.
(Celeana Feuer)

Since the hubbub with the prisoners the previous night, Gorandis had ended up being... ignored. He'd come asking for help, Dumuzid said he would show him the true path. And then... they sort of stopped caring about him after the prisoners kicked off. Understandable, yes, but... Well, Gorandis wasn't exactly in the best state of mind to be ignored.

And the spirit he had forcibly quelled... It was fighting back and its whispers crept through the cracks in his mind. Every waking moment he had to put all of his effort into silencing the words. But everytime he faltered, everytime he closed his eyes to try and drive off his fatigue, the voice returned. And the voice was very, very angry.

He needed a distraction, just someone or something. His urges of destruction had been building. The place seeped occultism into the air and you couldn't help but breathe it in. And now it was affecting his mind once more. Thankfully. He wouldn't be alone for too long. "Ah, Miss Feuer is that you?" His voice creaked out. It was weak and frail.

Nothing like when they had first met in New Alteros. He pulled his hood back to reveal his pale and sickly face. Sunken eyes were framed by heavy bags of sleeplessness. "It's me, Gorandis... we met in New Alteros.... I don't know who this Aita is, let alone if they're around..." He paused for a moment before speaking far too quickly in an almost pleading tone.

"But perhaps you could help me with my own problems?"
(Gorandis Fester)

She had been approached, though much to her dislike it had not been by Aita- Sapphire blue eyes were laid upon the rather familiar figure, though soon enough her gaze of confidence started to fade and become one of pity. She had a few guesses of what had happened to him since their meeting in New Alteros and none of them were truly pleasant- Perhaps he had truly attempted to fight back his Occult mindset? Poor man...

"Ahh, yes- Gorandis. I do remember you. You seem... Rather pale though? Compared to last time we met." Her question was almost sarcastic on its own, yet it beckoned an explanation for his new appearance- It wasn't like she truly cared though, it was more so curiosity and him having piqued her interest.

"Do tell, however- I would like to help if I can." Arms were extended out to each side, the cape pushed aside as she did so to reveal the armoury and the blade that is usually hidden away by it- "I am a member of the Bulwark, after all- We help all fellow Azraelites."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Ah y-you want to know what happened?" He shrank back a little, his hands fidgeting before him as he avoided eye contact. His lips moved wordlessly as his mind raced to find a suitable answer. Before coming up short. "Ah, w-well you see... I, uh... I didn't want to become an inhuman killing machine." He smiled weakly, still not making eye contact.

"And, well, I ended up contracting with a spirit. Shhhh." His head snapped to the side as he let out the sharp shushing noise. "And he was to look out over me. A-and then I ended up meeting Lorelei and she gave me the advice to head here..." The fidgeting only got worse as he looked out over the crystal pool that held Dumuzid's little secret.

"So I came here and, well. I've started to put a clamp on the spirit. I've been told to dominate it and so I am doing so." One side of his mouth curled up into a concerned smile as he finally looked Celeana in the eye. "Dumuzid also told me to let my, my, my... occultism out. To embrace the madness... But he sort of hasn't told me how..."

"So now I'm sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place." The weak smile faltered again as he lost eye contact once more. Throughout his speech his right ear seemed to be twitching occasionally, as if listening to someone else.
(Gorandis Fester)

"Embrace the madness? Haha!" His words alone almost made her burst into a laughter- Only almost. What truly did allow her to enter a state of nigh-never ending laughter though? His next words- He hadn't told him how to let it out.

"H-he haven't told you how? Y-you need someone to tell you? MY WORD!" She had even begun stammering, the laugh in between each word slowly removing her ability to properly speak. A hand inched down to touch the hilt of her weapon- She had long allowed her own Occultism to come out and the madness to take over. Why? Because it mattered little. Sadness came from sanity, so with insanity she was quite frankly "immune" towards sadness.

Eyes were laid upon his figure once more, the laughing slowly dying out as she would attempt to regain her composure, "Simply stop fighting it, Gorandis! If you wish, I can aid you in becoming drunk in madness if you wish- It is truly quite simple! And very, very refreshing- Enlightening even. Liberating. It is the absolute best."

"Is that what you need help with? Because if so... I would be more than happy to aid!" A little mischievous smile curving her lips at the end.
(Celeana Feuer)

"I-I... I just don't know how to just... let go of this. I've been fighting it for so long I don't know how to... how to just let it pour over me." His fidgeting had gotten worse. "I just want all of this pent up... everything to go, to be let out. But I don't want to... I don't know. I don't want it to go wrong... I... perhaps I need something to... something..."

He lapsed into silence again as his hands groped the air near his chest. "I need something to hit, to kill, to destroy..." The hands suddenly became rock steady, curling into fists with a flash of crimson lightning. "Something to just annihilate... I need to let this out. I..." Her laughter had been starting to get to him, truthfully, but he kept quiet about it.

"I don't want to lose who I am..."
(Gorandis Fester)

Her laughter had completely ceased by now- Instead, a stern gaze was given to the older man. She took a moment or two to simply look at him in silence, her head even tilting slightly to the right with a sigh following it but a second after, "You won't lose who you are. You will become who you were meant to be. You are suppressing your true self- Your innermost desires. You are locking yourself away, chaining every desire in you to the walls within your mind!"

The Oscuri inched closer, her gaze shifting into a more green-esque colour- Rieka was surging through her, though clearly more corrupted than before. For each passing moment the blade's darkness and depravity threw her further into the swirl of madness, depravity and darkness alike- Her newfound ability to utilize Rift Magic certainly not helping her in this case. It was only a matter of time before her Oscuri heritage no longer aided in keeping her sane.

"Look at how pitiful you are because you limit yourself- Letting it out is just admitting to yourself that... You truly want it. That you don't want to suppress yourself anymore."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Who I truly am... Yes so many people have said that to me since I got here... you can't all be..." He faltered, catching himself before he said anything damning. "It's not like there's some sort of big conspiracy or anything." He muttered half to himself and half to the voice whispering in his ear. "I-- I don't... I don't know how to just let it out."

"I... I need. I don't know. I need something. Some..." His frustrations began to mount. Unable to put how he felt or what he was thinking of into words. His fists began to crackle with the red current once more. "I just... I just want to break something... No, someone... I want to see the light fade from their eyes again. it was so beautiful..."

"It felt so right to snuff out someone's life with my own hands..." His voice gained strength as the lightning around his hands grew in intensity. But soon after the energy and his voice faltered once more. "But how can I do that?..."
(Gorandis Fester)

A person getting drunk in Occult madness that wishes to kill others? Surely Gorandis would have spelt danger to anyone had he been worthy of notice in terms of power- Those who could not resist killing others was of no use to anyone, truly. But it was interesting to see someone succumb to their own twisted desires- Perhaps she should stick around for a bit? She was starting to see why Lucien was approaching random people for entertainment, there did exist some who were not completely boring.

"It is no conspiracy- Simply the truth. Though if you need to kill someone... There is sadly nothing I can do to help you with that. There are plenty of rebels to kill, though that would require you to catch some. But... There actually is one person..."

Her gaze once more settled on his figure, a moment once more taken to ponder on some thoughts, "Have you heard of Samael? It matters little if you have, however he misses a tongue- If you find him, feel free to end him and give me his body. He is exiled for heresy against Azrael in public. He should be an easy target! Find him and you got yourself someone to kill."
(Celeana Feuer)

"I-- To kill someone... To end another's life. It...I don't..." He sighs, sagging greatly, before suddenly perking back up as if he was shouted at. "It's not just killing it's... I don't know what to do with this madness, with this... It's an aching need for destruction... You are part of the bulwark are you not? There are no prisoners in New Alteros that could go... missing?"

"N-no, I..." He gripped at his hair, pulling it taut and sending pain through his scalp. "I just..." He bent forwards, almost curling up. "I just want this to stop..." His voice cracked as tears began to well up in the corners of his eyes. "I want to have my own mind again. I don't want to kill anyone... I don't want to just destroy and maim and conquer. That's not who I am!"

The final words were shouted as he crumpled into a heap on the cold stone of the citadel. "I just want to be normal again..."
(Gorandis Fester)

"Ahh..." The man had yet to truly succumb to his Occult desires- Even whilst within the very citadel of the Imperfect Yokai, he was still fighting back his desires? It was laughable- If not for the sheer amount of pity she held for the man, she would have laughed once more. It was sad to watch someone struggle like that. No matter what he did, he would be forced to succumb to his madness one day. No one could live with darkness within them forever without being affected- Absolutely no one.

"But it is who you are, is it not?" She inched closer once more, her head tilting again with eyes laid upon him with a glare, "Why do you resist? Why do you not want to kill? Why do you not want to destroy? Why is it not who you are? Why do you want to be 'normal'." Her voice was angered, yet she remained calm in her body language- A little smile even curved her lips, her glare turning into a soft gaze filled with pity.

"You were taught killing is wrong, no? Though... That is simply the reasoning of those who are not enlightened by lord Azrael! Who says killing is wrong? You enjoyed it too! It is 'clearly' who you are- There is no denying it, it is your innermost desire after all. Stop resisting it already, Gorandis Fester."
(Celeana Feuer)

He rocked gently on the ground, still clutching at his hair as Celeana spoke. Eventually and quietly, he began to speak again. "I don't want to be a monster... I don't want to be someone who strikes fear into the heart of those that hear my name. I don't want to be cruel. I just wanted to be a Magi, someone who could make a difference..."

"Someone who people went to for help and advice. Someone better than who I was." He relaxed slightly, unfurling into a sitting position, his hands dropping to cover his face. "And now look at me, breaking down and grovelling in the heart of the citadel, the heart of darkness itself..." He went quiet and still, his hands eventually, slowly dropping from his face.

"But it's too late for me to be normal, to be kind, to be a good person... I've already... I've already done things I regret. Things that keep me awake at night. Things that have even driven me to summoning wayward spirits to just make sure I never do it again... And yet none of it has worked. Here I am, still ready to take the plunge..."

"No matter what I say, no matter how much I try to fight it... this is who I am isn't it..." He looked up at her, his tears had stopped but there was still a pained look on his face.
(Gorandis Fester)

Alexander would sigh walking around holding Nyx. The current situation he was in was... well... Probably the worst he had ever been in before. The real parents of the child in his arms were dead. Slain by Dumuzid and his pawns. Pale fought hard, and even won one round in his battle with Dumuzid, but in the end he was crushed under ruble... Then Zuzana was killed by Nahele and Hakai. No chance, not even a chance to fight back...

Alexander couldn't do anything... Even if he had maybe helped Pale... Then they wouldve won... But Alexander was too much of a coward too much of a petty little peice of nothingness compared to the two forces he saw clash that night... And Alexander cursed himself for that... As he walked around, carrying, rocking the baby side to side as his holy flames gave it a sense of security, keeping her happy, and scilent.

When he reached the middle of the area he saw a familiar face.... Celeana? Or at least he thought that was her name. It was such a while ago when she had come to watch him fight the doll. It was faint but he remembered someone calling her Celeana. He made a confused face and would stand by the side lines... for now of course. He would also have to... convince Dumuzid of something. A long shot, and it would probably get himself and the baby killed, he had to gain his trust first...
(Alexander Draconis)

"You already started it... So why not finish it?" Once more, she inched closer- He was burdened by what he believed to be a sin he had committed, yet in her eyes it was sheer charity towards the Morning Lord. What Gorandis needed was not to be drunk in madness, but instead being enlightened by Lord Azrael!

"It is because of mortality that you took a life... If Kraus had not created such a flaw, then you wouldn't be able to take a life- You would have never done it in the first place. Truthfully, it is all his fault! What you need to do now is continue, so that this flaw can be fixed... By Lord Azrael. You need to make amends for starting to take lifes by aiding Lord Azrael in reviving everyone as Undead to become immortal forever!" Being a zealot to her very core, it was not uncommon for Celena, or any Oscuri really, to use any situation to preach about Azrael in the various ways one could. This world was flawed and Azrael sought to fix all of them, no matter how one tried to argue, it was clear who was the better 'God'.

"Stand up strong, Gorandis! You can stil-..." Though she halted her words, her gaze slowly turning towards the arriving Alexander- She had no memory of who he was, though that mattered little given how weak and fragile his flames were- Tainted by the holy light. "You..."

She took a complete turn, eyes laid upon him which quickly turned into a stare, "Turn off that light-show- This is the Imperfect's Citadel, there is no place for such magic here."
(Celeana Feuer)

"I... what? You..." He looked down as he contemplated her words. Azrael, the fallen angel, yes he had hear a lot about them of course. Azraelism was the primary religion in the world. He himself had never been too zealous yet he had always worshipped him. And now... now he could actually do something for the morninglord...

"I don't know if I can..." For a few minutes now there had been the gut wrenching feeling of nearby exorcist magic. He had ignored it at first, believing it to be part of the mental turmoil he was going through. But no, now his physical body was going through enough pain to match how his mind felt. His muscles tensed, disgust racing through his body.

The crimson lightning flared out as he got to his feet, scorching to ground around him as the power began to earth itself. All that bottled up emotion, all of the anger all of the want to destroy, to decimate... It was coming out in full. But, with the barest hold of control he had left, Gorandis stayed where he was. Before he did something he was going to regret.
(Gorandis Fester)

His eyes would narrow and Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Afraid I can't exactly do that. Nahele told Hakai to give the child to me to take care of it. Meaning I have to keep it calm unless you want a baby screaming at the top of its lungs for the next hour. Trust me, all this deprivity hurts me just as much as my shining light hurts your eyes, although, I can go outside if you please." Alexander would inform them.

He would then look down at the baby and rock it side to side a little more smiling. Then looking back up to the two. "I'll leave, but only if I'm told to do so." Alexander would once again inform the two. He had a good example from Pale. See no fear, just have peace. Yes, he was dead now, but still an amazing example to what Alexander strived to be.

Suddenly an idea clicked in his head. Maybe he didn't have to convince Dumuzid to leave, maybe he coud just write a letter. To Kamille his mother. Would that do anything? He didn't know, but he had to at least try. It was really his only chance. Considering everyone around him here was basically stronger than him. Really the only one who showed even a little concern for him was the cyclops who broke his arm. That wasn't a really good sign either... He knew that if he made one slip up it could be over for him and the baby. So he had to be smart about what he said and did.
(Alexander Draconis)

Gorandis was put on hold for now- His presence and situation was merely entertaining, it held no true value for the Oscuri outside of sheer entertainment as it stood right now. Alexander however? His very existence itself annoyed her to her very core. Not only did he have the audacity to not do as he was told, he also continued speaking as if he was an equal?

"Then move yourself out. Now. Or that baby will have to find itself a new caretaker." The Oscuri had no care in the world for Nahele and her apparently authority within the Citadel- She might have been in as much charge as Dumuzid couldn't be arsed to intervene, but she held no authority over the Azraelite- Was she not a dog of all things too? A dog whose life Celeana had, arguably, saved from a poisonous Yokai.

"I care little for whether or not it screams, I care for your obnoxious filthy magic. Cease it at once or leave." As she spoke, her gaze slowly returned to Gorandis who now clearly tried to resist his own urge to kill once more- It was clear to see from the uncontrolled crimson lightning alone, he was clearly struggling. "I don't understand you, Gorandis- It pains you so much to keep struggling, so why do you attempt to persevere? Give in and become a true warrior of Azrael."
(Celeana Feuer)

"You absolute fool."

Came the voice of absolute authority as his body pushed across the waters of The Citadel. Those who chose to wear the colors of their enemies held not a ounce of respect in the eyes of Lasswell, yet here they demand only the very same level of respect as Nahele would command. Nature itself twisting to his command alone as it tear from the earth only to force itself to the side of this Knight, so desperately seeking to serve him alone as gravity compress around his being. She who held not a ounce of power in his eyes held no right to command the actions of those who held the child of the woman he followed. Held not a ounce of power to demand a single thing from a soldier that roamed these halls.

"Allow me to make this clear. You hold no power here, you have no right to dictate what happens to my partners child or the one who cares for it." He spoke with a sneer as a glare was shot towards this woman alone. The amount of disrespect shown in the presence of Dumuzid was one that had escalated too far in these short few moments she had been here, the amount of absolute weakness she had shown by cowering in The West as they had all fought alongside The Citadel had proved her own worthlessness. She was nothing more than a nuisance allowed to roam these halls out of kindness from those who had earned their rights.

"Do not act as though you hold authority. You have none here. You have done nothing to aid The Citadel."

These were his final words.
(Lasswell)

"All this senseless arguing..." his words were punctuated with flashes of crimson as his lightning magic earthed itself wildly. "You. Boy who just interrupted. You are, what, ten years old? Do not think to lecture anyone. especially calling them a fool. If she holds no power her then you hold even less than that. So shut up and get out of my way..."

He growled and shot past, a crimson streak as he disappeared where he was and appeared by the holy magic user. The intensity of their magic was enough to make him sneer with disgust. "I do not care what happens to this child. The child of rebels and of prisoners. Why is it even still alive? It'll take far too long before it can even be considered cannon fodder."

"So get out, this place is not something for your magic. So leave..." The final word was growled and Gorandis had a gleam in his eye. It was animalistic and most certainly threatening. He had gotten to the end of his rope and found that someone had set fire to it. All of his anger now had a target... an outlet.
(Gorandis Fester)

Would watch as Gorandis came by. He would smile. "I'm afraid I can't leave. The Citadel at least, yes, while this is no place for someone with holy abilities. I cannot leave it. Not without lord Dumuzid's permission, when I said I'll go if I am told to, I mean by my superiors. Authority wise that is. Even if I were to go outside, my escape would be quite simple for the lack of... Well, no disrespect, but most of the guards here are simple mega and tera yokai. Both of which would litterally die if they stood by me too long. If you wish for my to leave this place so badly, please consult lord Dumuzid. Or ask for someone, who is again my superior to guard me. I'm afraid I cannot do much else to aid you." Alexander would once again inform. His eyes and face were without emotion.

Everything that had led up to this point wouldn't matter. If he died here he died here, but just maybe, he could survive. Just maybe if his words would work, he could get out of this. Taking a deep breath he would wait for what came next. Death and pain were probably the most probably of the outcomes. Then again, how would he have avoided it?
(Alexander Draconis)

How obnoxious- All she wished for was Aita's presence and yet he was nowhere to be found? And now a little brat of all things showed up to try and question her? He was blatantly ignored- It would seem a girl of around the same age had showed up for his attention to be diverted to. His words meant nothing to her regardless, she had done nothing for the Citadel? If only he knew- Though he was too young to know of such things.

"You cannot leave the Citadel? What are you talking about, you... Urgh. Whatever." Her words were stale once more, the woman's hand once more resting on the hilt of her weapon- There were plenty of opportunity for her to teach them all a lesson, however the place was not exactly on her side. Perhaps with Dumuzid's presence? Surely he would not have minded her teaching his underlings how to fight properly.

Her free hand was raised and her Rieka began to surge once more- "If Aita is nowhere to be found, then I have no further purpose here." Behind her reality began to converge and implode with depravity leaking out- until it was forced outward in small explosion that forced a vortex of depravity to open. It would take several seconds, her mastery nowhere near that of both the demon Lucien and the Lich King Ryan after all- Plenty of time to carry on the conversation, no?

Her gaze shifted from Alexander and the now angered Gorandis onto Lasswell, "May I ask for your name, Nature Magi? I like your attitude." Sounded her words, a response finally given to the flying child. Of course, whether or not her responded was of little to no corner to the woman, for once the vortex had completed she would take but a simple step into it and vanish from the scene.
(Celeana Feuer)

Alexander truly did serve no purpose here.

This was the thought that pushed throughout his mind as the words of Nahele came spoken. Vines that bent and moved to his very will now twisting over and dying the very instant he was regarded as nothing more than a leech now. The Child was no longer Nahele's, it served little purpose in these halls aside to act as a soldier of Dumuzid the older it became. Those without loyalty or reason to stride throughout these halls held no protection from those that proclaimed themselves soldiers of Dumuzid. It was here he paused, with his lips coming to purse as though his mind wandered in whatever attempt he could create to allow such actions to go unnoticed.

"If he... Isn't useful anymore... Then I'm sorry I got mad at you. Nahele didn't tell me he was only some dumb baby holder now..." He murmured with his features coming to press firmly into his cloak once more. The pull of gravity that would of otherwise kept him aloft now pushing him back down to the floors of The Citadel once more, even he could atone for such mistakes. Yet still The Oscuri showed no anger or hatred towards Lasswell. No blade had been drawn against the vines which he created with ease in every movement, only a simple question left needing answered.

"I'm Lasswell. Knight of Nahele an' Soldier of Dumuzid."

Quite the amount of titles for some kid.
(Lasswell)

"It's funny. You've hardly spent time here, and...you're telling Lasswell that he holds no power?" In merely a second, her body fades away into little more than fog, only to be transported away in a flash a lightning- and appear directly behind the hellstorm magi.

"He's fought for the Citadel, plenty of time- and he's a Knight, directly under me." The rather short Ookami, barely matching up to four feet and eleven inches, glares daggers into the man.

"He's noisy. A bit rash. He-...has his faults. But, he's useful. He's proven his use...and you?" She raises a brow? "Impressing Lorelei is amazing, really, but...that doesn't give you power here." She snaps her fingers, growing rather annoyed with this entire situation. "Lasswell, you're to defend your honor. If you can't beat him, then...

I won't force him to take back what he just said."

She's annoyed, but it isn't her honor that needs an aegis. "...and you? I told Hakia to give it to you for a reason. We have more important things to deal with--

Shut that baby up."
(Nahele)

Brilliant.

These were the actions of a man who held not a single word of power when it came to The Citadel. These were the actions of a man who so foolishly thought himself above the likes of Lasswell. Winds that push around his body no longer pushing against the boy now, swirling around his being as though the winds themselves were apart of him. One who had only succeeded in gaining the favor of Lorelei was one who would also be able to understand defeat when it stood before him. This was the thought that crawled and festered in the mind of Lasswell as he stood before this man with a twisted grin upon his features. Fighting was truly what he lived for, serving as nothing more than a warrior his entire life.

"Victory... Victory... Another victory here..!" He mused as though never once believing in his own failures now. Gravity that compress and push around his body wielded only by himself was the very magic that would bring the downfall of this Hellstorm mage. Would he end up just as Alistaer had? Being nothing more than a common nuisance who had believed himself one powerful enough to stand before Lasswell as though he held a certain right to do so? As though he held a certain right to talk down upon this boy? It would all end the same for him, no matter.

"Nahele... When I beat him down... Can I be the one to make him apologize?"

He was certainly confident.
(Lasswell)

It was all... why was everyone so damn grating? Did they want him to snap? To let loose himself? He had been holding back for so long, oh so long. He didn't want to be a monster, someone who only lived to destroy and yet people just. Kept. Pushing him. And now? Now he didn't care, this child wanted to fight? So be it, he wanted to defend some kind of honour?

"What does a child know about honour...?" He turned, his sleepless eyes aglow in the red light that sparked around his body. He held his hand out and the very air began to coalesce as the spirit was dragged out from its prison, from its mental chains. Gorandis didn't even look at it now, it was his servant, not some kind of partner nor equal.

"I've had it with you all... All this pushing and prodding. All of this lording it above everyone else..." His fists clenched and the red lightning cracked against the stone floor. "You want me to apologise? For what, seeing you as you are, a child? You seem to think that you are destined to win..." He growled in his throat and threw his hood up, shading his features in darkness.
(Gorandis Fester)

And so he cracked into action, he didn't manage to get the first hit in.. But he damn well got in a good second hit. Rushing over, crimson sparks streaming from his hand as he ploughed it into the boy's chest. This was only his second ever fight against a magi, the first being part of a group battle, and to say Gorandis was unskilled would be putting it lightly...

However, that didn't stop him from pressing the offence. Shock after shock would pour out, it seemed to act oddly in this lightning infused place but they still struck true. And he could see them doing damage to his opponent. And, even if this was just a boy. It brought so much joy to Gorandis to see others in pain. He'd been holding back on this?

The spirit was doing its job, thankfully, and so Gorandis was free to focus on the fight. As it continued, picking up pace he began to cackle. It was an odd, off beat sort of thing. The laugh of someone who's more than lost his grip on things. But the ferocity of his assault never let up under another lightning infused punch sent the boy skidding away to the edge of the pool.

"To think I'd been holding back on this." He giggled as he forced the spirit over again. "Come on, get up boy. Let's do some more of this."
(Gorandis Fester)

Failure was simply impossible in his mind.

Even as lightning of crimson design continued to strike against his form he could think of no better to go all out on. Nature that simply erupted all around him each seeking to strike down this man as though he was nothing more than a obstacle who would become nothing more than a simple nuisance in his eyes. Lasswell who had believed himself able to lord over all those who had not yet entirely submitted to Dumuzid, this overwhelming faith in himself in every battle he went into came as nothing less than a simple design by The Imperfect himself. He could never truly fail against the likes of this man.

"You're stronger than I thought! I was thinking you'd be as weak as Alistaer!" He mused as his body lifted from the ground it had been struck into. Lightning that course throughout his body and fingers that twitch against the electrical current that had been continually struck against him. He wasn't finished yet, he wasn't nearly at the peak of his power which he had hoped to achieve in this fight alone. He who had been taking victory after victory against those who stood before him, the war in his mind now nothing more than a minor mishap in the grand scheme of all that was to come. This just as well would not result in the very same failure.

"I'm not losing to someone who doesn't know his place, though."

How fierce! He truly seemed fired up now.
(Lasswell)

That same, sick and twisted joy that she sees on Hakia's visage whenever she causes pain and torment- it's plastered upon the features of the hellstorm magi. "Oh?" She raises a brow, seemingly fascinated with his sadism. Perhaps- this is why Lorelei took an interest in him. She may very well have a keen eye for talent!

She is disappointed in Lasswell's loss, but truthfully...

This were a test.

She needed to see if he were ready to join her for escapes that were prone to be dangerous, or....

If he still needed more time to bloom.
(Nahele)

Second verse same as the first. Though this time Gorandis at least managed to get the initiative. A bolt of lightning to start with before diving at him with another infused punch. And this time his assault was far more brutal than the last. Gravity and nature magics both tore at his body yet he pressed through it, this time in dead silence.

More bolt and sparks finally laid the boy out. "Brave words... very brave words..." He walked over, the lightning grounding itself all around him as it rose in ferocity. "You know I didn't think my hand would be forced quite so... spectacularly. I do have to thank you. I have been looking for an out... something to get rid of all of these urges within me..."

"And you have served as an excellent target. I feel better." He smiled and sighed contentedly. His face, from what could be seen underneath his hood seemed to regain some life to it. He turned to look at the spirit and with a wave of his hand, dismissed it. They could have their little talk later. "Now, what to do with the boy who wants to teach people their place."

"Perhaps, first, you should learn yours?" He looked over to Nahele before smiling once more. "It seems your little friend here has not regained his honour... I like to think myself a kind man and, as much as I do wish to see the light fade from his eyes with my hands around his throat--" He stopped himself, clearing his throat before smiling placidly again.

"I think his shattered pride is more than enough pain for him. Infact, boy, I don't even know your name."
(Gorandis Fester)

Tch.

Once more it seemed to end in nothing more but simple failure. Lightning that had continually struck against him pushing aside all that had once stood in the way of this Hellstorm Magi. It was this strength that threatened to irk Lasswell, such power that made him only annoyed by the sheer amount of power he was able to pull into every blow. It came as the final strike had knocked him down, forced him from the domain in the air in which he believed to entirely control. It was this strength alone that truly made him realize once more how powerful others could become despite his young age. Nothing about this man was fair in that sense of strength he had not yet matched.

"You... Hmph." No, he hadn't even deserved a word from Lasswell. With only a glare to be sent towards this hooded figure who continually overstayed his welcome, his constant expectation to win was something that once more came to backfire. His constant faith in himself above all others was something that continually allowed for his own anger and defeat after bitter defeat to settle in upon his mind. Boots that remain firmly upon the ground only attempting to turn away from the duo that had now gathered before him, both only here to look down upon his failures despite the strength he willed throughout his body.

"I'm leaving."

With that he would begin to storm right out of The Citadel, if allowed.
(Lasswell)

"It seems to be that way." Her fingers snap, and she appears next to the both of them. Lightly, her body descends, no longer letting her feet be held up by little clouds. Her boots make contact with the stone, making a little clicking sound upon contact.

"I can see why Lorelei takes an interest in you. You have power- and potential." Her gaze averts to Lasswell, as she merely lets out a sigh. "Let this be a lesson, Lasswell: Confidence is important; cockiness gets you killed. Never underestimate your opponent." She nods. "You're strong, but you can always get stronger. And no matter how powerful you get, there will always be someone, or something that is stronger than you.

Look at how far I've come, and look at how easily the Imperfect could strike me down...as an example."

As Lasswell attempts to depart, her body is transported again in a flash of lightning- only to arrive at the entrance of the Citadel.

Suddenly, she shouts, forcing her voice to boom throughout the heart of the Citadel.

"NO!"

"Storming away like an angry child who just had his sand castle kicked over....will only prove is point. You will take defeat in stride, and use it to grow stronger. Use it as a fuel to take back your honor. You should be thanking him for giving you someone to defeat- for giving you someone to surpass.

If he weren't on Lord Dumuzid's side, then this could have ended in your death. If you're so angry about your loss, then do something productive, don't run away.

Are you what he says....just another child magi roaming around Valmasia, or are. You. My. KNIGHT!"
(Nahele)

Twitch.

Never once did he ask to fight if only to defeat loss after loss. Even as Nahele stood before him the rage that bubbled inside of him only served to act as another example of his own failures. Those who were nothing more than a dog to some other, this was not who he had ever anticipated to lose to. Even as the flash of lightning struck infront of his body, Nahele appearing in his path he could feel no greater hatred continue to grow. He was meant to be powerful, to stand above any that would dare to oppose the will of either Nahele or Dumuzid. Yet still he lost to one as weak, as foolish as this man alone. His words could not come clearer.

"I hate him." His proclamation.
"I hate him." His words repeated.
"I hate losing." His final retort.

Yet even with these words his own gaze came to narrow. Nahele stood in his way, she stood blocking his path as though she alone held such a right. No matter the loss it would always settle the same, no matter the failure it would always come to be nothing more than the very same thoughts repeated in his mind. He hated those he lost to, he despised them and now wished to see them slain before his eyes. The word of Dumuzid was battle reigned true above all else, what was expected of him upon failure after failure? What was expected of him if he was to lose against one who he believed stood not a chance against his strength cultivated inside of him?

"I'll grow. I'll not take anything though from this disgusting vermin, however. I'm not going to even give him my name."

How angry he had become.
(Lasswell)

Gorandis crossed his arms across his chest as the final spark of the crimson lightning went out, removing the magic from around his body. He sighed, looking over to the boy. At least he himself was feeling... better now. Though he felt off, really, like something had clicked inside of him but he didn't know what, it was concerning but...

Well he didn't seem to even care too much. "If you didn't want to lose perhaps you shouldn't have challenged me..." He shook his head, his own voice coming out smooth and slick. "He might be your knight, but he still is very much a child... And children tend to throw tantrums when they don't get their way. But, yes, he does have promise indeed."

"And if I am disgusting vermin... what does that make you, the boy who is beneath me?" He grinned at him. "What does that make you if you are below what you consider dirt?" He laughed quietly before turning on his heels. "Perhaps I will have a good time here... to think an hour ago I was still clinging on to... hmph." He shook his head at himself.

"I'm going to need to talk with some people later..."
(Gorandis Fester)

She only nods towards Gorandis. While she wanted to argue for Lasswell's sake...she couldn't. Not with the temper tantrum that he seemed to be having. "A Knight wouldn't have any issue giving their name. While names are important, and good to keep to yourself in most situations....

It's honorable to give your name to the person that you're to kill, or in this case, defeat." She looks down at Lasswell for a moment, and sighs.

"Give him your name. That is an order."

Despite his anger, she couldn't just let this go--

"But- you have the right idea! Get angry. But don't let that anger control you. You should control it. Use it as fuel." She nods. "If you let it cloud your judgement, and make poor decision- it will lead you to becoming weak. If you control it, embrace it, and use it to better yourself? Then losing...eventually, won't be much of a concern."

With that, she only has one more order to give him- "Anyways. You have a mission. It's why I came down here to begin with- in three months, you're to lead some of the members of Ragnarok into the Whispering Willows. I have a map, and it hold the location of a research facility that I'm interested in.

You're to locate it. Going inside would practically be suicide. I just need to confirm that it...exists, and-...this map is rather old, so it may not be entirely accurate. The place was ove run with plant life and...whatever." She shrugs.

"There are plenty of times where loss and failure can teach you to grow- but with this...

Failure isn't an option.

This could help both Ragnarok and I, greatly..." Though, she wouldn't go into the details. Even Lord Dumuzid hadn't been informed of what she'd been plotting. Not yet, at least.
(Nahele)

So be it.

Even in loss it seemed as though he was still to submit to those he had lost to. He who did not care for the name or even story of this vermin was all of little concern to Lasswell, simply meeting the needs of those who he served time and time again. It was here that his words came to a pause, focusing upon this man as his body mind seemed to churn at how exactly to approach such a vermin. Even he who had bested him, he who had struck him down was still nothing more than a lesser in the eyes of Lasswell. Nothing more than a obstacle that could certainly be crushed when the time was to come, all it truly took was time in the end. Time and more patience than he had available.

"I am Lasswell, Vermin. I don't care about your name." Came as his only reply as he turned back towards Nahele. Once more they were tasked with adventures to be undertaken, areas of exploration not yet touched by the hands of any. The simple job of locating what truly didn't matter in his mind, the thought of going against what Nature had overtaken seemed something overly trivial to him. Nature bent to his whim, it all moved to his strength and followed in the path of destruction he alone wished to carve. Surely he could of simply gone along, with no need for those of Ragnarok to follow alongside him.

"I'll go. It doesn't seem that difficult to just locate something..."

It really wouldn't be that difficult, would it?
(Lasswell)

"Sure thing Lesswell." He smiled again, mispronouncing the boy's name on purpose. "Though you do need to expand your vocabulary, I suppose it's an age thing... but you really should try to learn more insults than vermin. Vermin barely even scratches the surface of insults. You are worse the crusted excrement of a cockroach on the sole of a filthy beggar's foot."

He nodded to Nahele before finally stepping away. "Perhaps I will find Dumuzid or Lorelei later... I have a feeling I'm going to be hit with some withdrawal symptoms later..." He winced slightly, the expression was hidden in the depths of his hood but the sharp intake of breath was not. He was going to have some things to do...

"I'll be back later." And with that, he disappeared in a flash of crimson lightning, seemingly melding with the great storm above. A good way to travel around he'd discovered...
(Gorandis Fester)