Old Friend

[01:13] He'd be... in Ardent? After the recent executions and installment of martial law, Saturno wouldn't have any intention of visiting the place. It was everything he claimed it to be and more. Regardless, his child and wife of dubious reciprocity would still reside within the city.

The Illuminated Shrine's dim light no longer inspired comfort, but an oppressive, eerie atmosphere instead. The masked man would stand under it's towering presence, almost like a taunt. There was something incredibly off about his idle stance, however. He'd twitch and spaz erratically.

Eyes, purple hue and dead. They'd slowly gravitate sideways to meet with a former acquaintance.

Nerzan.

Suddenly, the ominous gaze begun to shake, as did his body. A huskier, metallic-ring sounding voice would escape from behind the man's mask as his breathing had become significantly more agitated. He spoke without palpable emotion at first:

"Sad. This place has become... Sad."

(Saturno Petramurum)
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[01:20] "After leaving Ardent to join our enemies, you shouldn't be one to degrade my home. You used to be one of us Saturno, what happened? Did the existence of Archons scare you into joining them?"

If the light of the Jiuweihu shrine wasn't comforting, Nerzan's pink and golden glow surely would be. His iconic mask no longer resting upon his face, instead allowing for his turquoise eyes to stare into the Occultist's soul. Nerzan slowly unsheathed his Seabreeze katana, the nearly wild-life and foliage turning to face him paranormally.

"I believe the Saturno I used to know is still in there... somewhere. I will make no attempt to kill you, nor any attempts to capture you-- however, I do hope that you rise from the spell that Tragedy and the like have cast upon you."

It's a shame. Years of rule under Geese had made the people of Ardent too tolerant. Such behaviour was recipe for disaster, and now that Ikkaku was bringing change? People were leaving to join the demons.

It showed the world that those loyal to this place would never budge. Nerzan believed Saturno was never loyal in the first place, but hopefully this fight would show him that there was still one thing beaming in Ardent Cliff.

Hope.

"I won't let you harm the people here, though. Feel free to make your choice once you've been repelled from this holy land. You can join us again, and we'll welcome you with open arms. Or... you can witness defeat alongside your new demon masters."

Conjuring his magic, the Sarradian was prepared to attack.
(Nerzan)
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[01:27] Oh, the bird didn't seem to like that. His thoughts would fire off in the most toxic paths conceivable. Of course, they didn't seem naturally spawned. Something was inspiring them. The voice echoed in a chamber-like effect within the blue-haired man's brain:

-Nerzan is full of himself... Look at him preaching... Hope?... Were there hope left in this hellhole people wouldn't be leaving left and right... Now there's not even place for words... They're no better than the archons. -

The mighty staff Xeke had made was drawn into his hand by a magnetic-like force. A blurry, shapeless cloud of black energy would gather around and hover just above the man's back. He grinded his teeth for a moment before speaking and throwing a lifeless stare down the Sarradian's direction:

"To think you're the voice of the many... Deplorable."
(Saturno Petramurum)
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[01:28] Nerzan says, "Your words won't have any effect on me, old friend."
[01:28] Nerzan says, "The choice is still yours."
[01:40] ** Nerzan has inflicted an injury upon Saturno Petramurum. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
[01:49] "I'm sorry. I didn't intend on hurting you, rather sending you away again."

Nerzan frowns, sheathing his katana-- a satisfying sound emerging from his hip. Ss...shlink! He slowly walks toward the Occultist, but not close enough to startle him. Through the soles of his shoes, he sends purified Sarradian water to gently wrap around the broken ankle-- easing his pain and surely giving him enough courage to make it to Crafthold safely.

"My old friend... you don't have to leave. You can stay here and stray from the restrictive path you walk. With Tragedy and the like looming over your head, you're lacking self-awareness-- clarity."

From a distance, he extends his arm out, opening his palm.

"Join Ardent again. Hope courses through us all... and you must be blind or stubborn if you can't see it."

A soft smile is offered to the man.
(Nerzan)
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[02:00] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[02:05] The fight felt one-sided, Saturno's lightning flurries would rarely hit the Sarradian. As chaotic as the battleground ended up being upon the end of the fight, it would not be an accurate depiction of the intensity of such.

The real struggle would take place within the young man's very soul, and the sudden physical outbursts had only been leaks of the real battle.

"Urgh...! Why you..."

Now with his ankle broken, Saturno remained on his knees and in a motion that resembled a man ripping off his own skin, he removed his mask. Behind it was the reddened face of a straining man. His pain was palpable. His connection to Nerzan and his merciful approach, non-discernible.

Tossing his weight forward and smashing his fists down on the ground, the possessée grunted.

"Grh! My path is none of your concern, Soybean. I won't return here... I refuse to!"

In between panting and gutural chants, he'd allow the horrendous memories of the years Saturno and Ember had endured in Ardent. The abuse, the dishonesty, the adversity... Even Awá's recent condescending comments, and invasion of his own privacy. He wouldn't take it. The sum of them amassed into a ball and swallowed him whole.

"I hate you. The lot of you. I hate you all!"

Pulling strands of his own hair out, Saturno imploded into a burst of tainted lightning and propelled his incapacitated body out of Nerzan's reach. A final ominous gaze was tossed briefly over his shoulder in his former friend's direction as he now limped his way to Crafthold.

(Saturno Petramurum)