Capturing Arista

[21:40] While the army mobilized at Osrona's gates and the battle approached a state where it would grow from a mere 'raging' to 'disastrous' the Supreme of the Twilight Coven managed to slip within the Shimmering City's walls much like he had during the coronation of a certain someone. Bold declarations and loud promises were never his type after all. Despite how he'd presented his cause the truth of the matter was that all of Moxtli's goals were but a second thought to him.

Obviously so.

His goal had always been to reach a certain woman. A woman too bright. Too hopeful. Too happy. Too caring for her city. A woman who had tortured herself to live up to expectations. A woman who'd laid her heart in his palm only for him to be...

.. patient.

For she was not Queen back then.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

The sound of his footsteps echoed within the halls of the castle which stood emptier than ever, every knight, guard, radiant, and cadet on the spot had been called for the greater battle. Though Hypnos had a feeling that the Queen herself would remain near her quarters.

After all she knew he was coming.
And she knew what he wanted most.

The door to the throne room was pushed with a single hand.
Its creak alerting all within of his presence, veiled beneath illusionary arts and a cloak he peered in.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[21:45] On her throne, she waited. Sheathed sword pressed into the floor beneath her, blue hair framing her features as she stared at the door down the audience hall. Even those who would've stayed behind to protect the Queen had been sent away.

Knights would be an inconvenience at worst for Hypnos.

The door creaked, and a shimmer of magic around a cloak met the gold flecked eyes of the Queen, distant, and yet already close.

"You just couldn't stay away."

She was angry, that he'd come. That he'd failed in exactly the way she knew he would.

"They could live a better life than the fate you've cast yourself to. Exhausted I might be, but I found what I want. And I'm happier for it."

Standing, sword drawn and coated in light as she descended the steps from the throne.

"Let them live a happy life. Without having to worry about a throne they may never sit on, without having to worry about the conflict between what we are.

Without making them choose a side.

You can still walk away Hypnos."
(Arista rei Petrakis)
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[21:59] The cobblestone beneath his feet were the perfect medium to echo each and every step he took closer to the throne, eventually being muffled by the red carpet that led up towards Arista who had been seated.

Waiting.
Knowing.

His lips did not part, though the cloak upon his shoulders slipped off of them in a rather dramatic fashion as if pushed by the very light surrounding the Queen's blade. The corner of his mouth was tugged upwards as his right hand reached off to the side. Sienna eyes fixated upon hers.

And through a bond they share he spoke within her thoughts.

"Let them live a happy life. Without having to worry about a throne they were never given a chance to sit upon, without having to worry about the conflict between what we are.

Without making them choose a side.

You can still let me take them off your hands."

He had made a single promise to her, and while the path he proposed was likely to lead down to that promise being broken she could hardly accuse him of breaking it before it truly was done. After all those big words, those bits of dedication and hope she spoke of the Queen stood at her throne because she knew him best. Because she knew he would appear before her again.

And yet she trusted him.
She'd predicted as much, just as always.
She was giving him a chance to walk away, just as always.

Too soft.
Too kind.
Too good for the people who took years to give her respect.

At the very end of his extended arm hellfire made its presence known as from the very depths of his soulless husk was drawn the very scythe his mother had left him, carrying a weight so potent, yet so... empty. The weapon's presence hardly made sense.

As the flames drawing it forth fizzled out a thin miasma began rising up around the man's feet, suffocating, horrifying and straight from Hel itself.

His weapon was directed towards Arista and the words within her mind were clear.

"Surrender. You do not wish to fight this battle. Give up on the child and keep the city you put above them rather than risking it all for the second most important thing in your life."

He was not hiding it. This sensation. This feeling. This curse- this hex cast forth from the tip of his scythe aimed to win the battle before it even came.

Compelling the Queen to give up on what should be theirs, yet was only hers.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[21:59] You have hexed Arista rei Petrakis
[22:10] Her fists clenched, her mind wavering for a moment. The city in so many ways, was her child, over her own blood. She did value it more. It'd be so easy to turn away.

Yet it was the value of that city, and what that child was to it. She faltered, the grip on her sword shaking.

She doesn't want to fight him, it's true. Was it what she wanted, to give up on the child? To shove it away?

What was theirs, but was hers...

No, that was a mistake. It was still theirs, a fact that had haunted her every step. In their other approach, by that same reasoning it would only be his, and not theirs as well. The truth of one's blood ran deeper than mere ownership.

Giving up the child wasn't an option, because that child was a part of the city. Was the biggest blessing, or threat the city could ever face. She couldn't give up on one, without putting the other in mortal danger.

To safeguard the city. To safeguard their child.

"They will be given the chance, to sit on the throne. The same as every other heir."

She remained shaken, but her golden eyes flared.

"I cannot surrender. Everything I am, Queen, Mother. Our child is just as much a part of this city.

To protect one, is to protect the other."

She wanted to vomit, her mind torn apart to speak even those words. But spoke she did, her blade still gripped. Tears pouring from her face as she burdened her resolve once more.

"I cannot surrender one, without surrendering both.

I love you. I love them. And that's why I have to fight here."
(Arista rei Petrakis)
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[22:19] It was her kindness, her joy, her hope, and her love that allowed her blade to shine brighter than ever as she rose to face even the forces of Hel to keep her life in balance. She refused to see him rob away what they'd both come to want with the passing years. Her love for him remained even after all of those years.

How soft of her.
How weak of her.

And yet he stood before her for a reason that was similar. Out of love? Perhaps. Love could be expressed in such a twisted way after all. His entire being hoping that she'd been recognized earlier. That he would have been allowed to sit at her side.

Even back then he vented his frustrations over the city not looking up to her as they should. The warlock, despite all that, was faced with the greatest light of them all. One that could not be denied.

I love you.

Hypnos stood before Arista in complete silence for a while. His eyes searching that love of hers as the room only seemed to get brighter from the blade within her grasp. His lips parted, then came shut. He could not speak, after all. His mind reached into her thoughts, leaving many words to be replied with only a few, far fewer than the man had in his heart.

"I suppose I'm the same."

Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay.
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say.
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow.

His scythe shifted. He invited her approach.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[22:25] Hypnos Valentino's voice (to Arista rei Petrakis): Is that all you have?
[22:25] Hypnos Valentino's voice (to Arista rei Petrakis): For years you were angry. For years. They did not recognize you.
[22:25] Hypnos Valentino's voice (to Arista rei Petrakis): And this is all you can offer?
[22:26] {Won Dangerous RPB against Arista rei Petrakis}
[22:26] ** Hypnos Valentino has inflicted an injury upon Arista rei Petrakis. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (2 days)") **
[22:50] The floors of the throne room were quickly covered in blood coming from the both of them. The woman's own ichor being used against her over the course of the ensuing conflict between them both. And yet it was not only her pain that struck against her, but his as well. Each drop of blood that escaped his lips from her blunt strikes would then be used to strike against the Queen.

It would not be long before this lover's spat turned into much, much more than a simple battle. The Supreme's intensity showed that he was far from being as weak as her, far from being as soft. Her approaches were met by tendrils of blood driving her away, injuring her for daring to even strike with her blade.

Illusionary arts turned her very existence into a nightmare, each and every spell cast coming from impossible places as the floor itself became an enemy. And so, bit by bit, the Queen's own radiant glow was suffocated by the forces of Hel themselves overtaking mind and body alike.

It's with a sweep of his scythe that he tripped Arista, allowing her to fall down on her back right against the hard floor, only for Hypnos to violently press his palm against her forehead.

She would never have treated him this way.

And then... It came. Images. Images of what could very well be the truth. Of him leaving her for dead behind. Of him taking their child over his shoulder, slipping out and away from the greater battle that came. Of their child growing up. Of their child bearing the mark of the Dark Lord. And so these nightmarish thoughts would link her back to the land of the living as this burning insignia manifested itself upon the Supreme's throat burning red. Her thoughts were invaded once more.

"Ahh... Arista...

When I met you you ensured you'd keep my attention. You charmed me. You made me believe that you were worth a bit more... effort. You made me chase you. You forced meto do some... nonsensical things to earn your trust. You nearly had me convinced I'd succeeded when you were at your lowest point, yet after that night? It all got worse.

It took years for me to regain the trust I'd lost. It took even more years to convince you that we could be a family. And all of it... out of love?"

He smiled. He grinned. He laughed, silently.
He shook his head.
His lips did not part and yet she could hear him.

"My mother, wanting me to prove my worth, instructed me to hurt you. She had a grudge against the Pelleaux, I'm not sure why but... Back then I laid out my thoughts to her. I would push you further. I would act as your greatest supporter. I would believe in you. I would make you fall in love, make you trust me, make you rise up as high as you could rise, Arista.

.. And then?
I'd crush all of it.
All of your hopes.
All of your dreams.
All of your love.
All of yourweaknesses.

Ahh... Back then I foolishly believed that when you would inevitably fail your rise to Queendom you'd see the right path, the path which I walk. I believed we could truly be happy. Together.

I suppose I truly did love you.

Yet we both know it's far too late for you to turn your back upon the life you've chosen. So before the end comes I felt you should know the truth. You once complained you knew far too little about me for us to build a family together..."

He slowly rose up from her body laid upon the ground. The blood scattered about the room began pooling at their feet, twisting and changing as it traced itself into a shape most familiar. A reversed pentagram. The very same that laid upon the Supreme's skin.

And she, at the center of it all.

Left to stare up towards Hypnos. His smile. His gaze. His thoughts piercing hers once again.

"Here it is.

This is who I truly am, Arista."
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[22:56] Looking to it around her, and up at him, there was no malice, even now. No hatred. Perhaps this was her time, yet, as her golden armor faded, she could only stare.

"I'm not the only one who knows...

If you kill me, your dream, can never happen."

That was the truth. If she died, her child would never see the throne. Claim or not. The truth would come out, the child would lose any chance they ever had.

"I still, love you. Be what you are. Believe what you wish...

My death will not bring you happiness Hypnos."

But she would not beg, she would not plead. At most, she would struggle to sit up once more, to face her fate with dignity.

"Take the child, kill me, and the result will be the same. That vision you hold, will not come to pass.

That is my promise, amongst the stars, under Leonaus."
(Arista rei Petrakis)
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[23:06] Perhaps there lied the difference between them. She was too soft. Too kind. She still believed that the man who stood above her was one worth loving and cherishing. His grin couldn't be wider. Her thoughts were assaulted as the circle underneath her finally took proper shape and this... suffocating miasma slowly rose once again.

"This vision? What vision? My child sitting atop a throne? You're such, such a fool. Do you really think I ever cared for this throne? Do you really think I care if our child decides to rebel against me? I don't.

I'll sacrifice them the moment they think about being anything like you are.

I do love you, Arista, but you truly are, and will be a hopeful idiot right up until the end, won't you?"

He shook his head slowly. His body swaying with the motions of the room as he circled around her. And from his actual lips erupted words in a language all too unknown to her.Speaking through him were the forces of Hel forcing his throat to produce those sounds even if they could normally not.

A trick Jianyu herself had forced him to learn.
It hurt like nothing else.

"Dominus hodie benedictionem quam attuli tibi sit speciale donum. Et erunt tibi regina Osrona oblata, diripuit. Animae ad suos mactari nomen tuum. O, Tenebris Domine, aperi portas receperint ex Inferno, et quod unus ex Petrakis sanguine."

The circle of blood began giving off an eerie glow...
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[23:18] She smiled ever so slightly. Still, if he thought she'd be done so easily?

She had a city, and a child to protect. Her holy glow encasing her once more. In the throne room, under the eyes of Leonaus and Malziel.

"I've always been a fool. But that is the purpose of the Crownless Queen.

I am worth no more than you. Than anyone else. And everyone is made of both, the best and worst. You are no different.

Everyone can find redemption Hypnos."

Her purpose now? Not to overpower. But to buy time. Hypnos was on a clock after all. It'd be only a matter of time before someone returned.

The forces of Hel against the golden armor of the Crownless Queen. A hopeless fight in the long term. Yet one that she would never stop fighting so long as she had strength.

Her prayer against his ritual.

"Lord Malziel, Divine Spirit Leonaus, protect this city against the forces of Hel and wickedness. Hate not the one before me, for he is merely a soul who has lost his way, who was given no other chance. Hate not my child, for they are an innocent who has had no chance to choose the right or wrong.

Let your light shine in every corner of Osrona. Let it show us the path to righteousness, mercy, and truth.

We are all born of sin and error. We must live our lives trying to spread the light, to accept it into ourselves.

I beg you, protect my child. Protect Osrona. No matter what it costs me."
(Arista rei Petrakis)
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[23:25] And so they fought. Even as she laid on the ground, even as she was as vulnerable as she would ever be the warlock, rather than taking her head then and there, opted to overpower her with this ritual of his. To deal more than mere death upon Arista but to ensure she would have all of eternity to spend with the man who'd taken her life.

All of eternity to regret the first time she told him she loved him.

All of eternity in servitude of a Lord who answers prayers.

The intensity of the circle's glow grew as did the volume of her voice. The thick miasma filled up the room more and more, leaving but only a few options for the Twilight Coven not to score another victory by taking the life and very soul of the new monarch of Osrona:

Heroic Timing or Divine Intervention.
(Hypnos Valentino)
[18:24] The room itself was filled to the brim with foul miasma, twisting and corrupting even the carpet at their feet. Despite the ceiling having been torn off the room still felt so full. Suffocating.

The Queen's prayers were being spoken and stood as the last line of defense between reality and her soul being forced down to Hel. Laying in the middle of this sacrificial circle was none other than the monarch of Osrona, surrounded by blood which had not only taken a pattern of its own but an eerie glow to go with it, showcasing the ritual had long begun.

And then came the knights, the saviors, those who vowed to protect the city at all cost. Those who came for revenge. Those who came out of worry. They were all met with this wide smile from the Supreme, scythe in hand and in the process of reaping the fruits of his labor.

The pain on Arista's end was terrifying. Horrible. It would take all that she had to resist the Dark Lord's growing pull towards the underworld. The shimmering lights descending from the heavens stood as the only bastion of hope against the oppressive force the leader of the Twilight Coven had summoned forth.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[18:25] Eliza lei Vel Kruger says, "... Didn't this guy fight Nidaz and the Docro before..."
[18:25] Eliza lei Vel Kruger asks, "Why is he sucking toes?"
[18:31] Within the bloody pentagram, the miasma sought entry into her essence. Her existence. aiming for her soul at the core of her being, to draw it out and away.

For now, it had been held at bay by a glowing holy armor ensconced around Arista, as plate mail.

How long had they been at this stalemate...

Minutes, hours, days? She had long since lost track of time. Prayers forcing their way from her lungs as the hel magics continued to press inward. Yet, despite the pain, despite the situation.

She was still smiling, ever so slightly.

"Under the stars, within the embrace of Angels, we wait lord Malziel. We strive, we push forward. I am a poor guardian, a poor vessel of my people's will. Humble in your gaze, even this, I'll accept.

Protect my people from my failures. Show them the way forward-"

Yet she could see them streaming in. That sight, gave her the strength, to fortify her armor one last time. Cracking under the pressure, her mana having long since pushed beyond limits. Powered only by will, faith, and duty, she maintained, for her people.

"-and teach them not to hate."
(Arista rei Petrakis)
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[18:34] Ael raced through the streets as soldier's on either side clashed throughout his city. It was like Hel, a nightmare come to life. Then the flash- the memory of Osrona burning. A curse of possibilities that tainted his mind years ago, after an encounter against Jianyu.

Had he and the others failed to prevent it, so?

Entering the throne-room, Ael aimed to move with as much speed as the older man could muster. You're not done yet, old man. He reminded himself, fingers twisting around the handle of his gun, clamouring soldiers and shouting from the keep.

Ael rushed inside then, directly to the Throne-room. There he came across something he wished not to see- and so soon after the Monarchy's attempt upon a return. Ael never cared for politics particularly. But he sure as shit loved his people and his city.

This was out-right war. Moxtli would pay.

Within there, the miasma of occultic anddark energies could be sensed immediately, the sound of the Queen's whispering prayers- or maybe shouts. It was hard to tell in the chaos.

His barrel rose then, eyes noting the sigil below the Queen, sighting the man with the Scythe commanding the spell around them. "Yield, or die. Your forces have lost." Ael warned with barrel trained upon Hypnos, his only chance at ending this with less blood.

But he knew deep down, it would not be so easy.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[18:35] Thyme was totally the first to arrive- but

She'd stare forward, seeing the Queen laid out in a demonic circle, a ritual. The Queen was-... in agony.

It was in this moment that Thyme would realize, she had failed her job.

When she didn't see Arista at the war front, she should've known there was a problem, she should've went looking.

But instead she stayed at the war for far too long.

Long enough for the enemy to infiltrate and defeat the Queen...

Thyme had been looking out for the Princess in the Queen's absence, doing what she knew the Queen would want her to do- yet...

She should've been here long ago.

Thyme's eyes would lock on to Hypnos, studying him, his every feature. His height, his face, his eyes, everything she could... As- she was going to remember him. She already knew where he lived, where he resides. His people.

Why was she doing this, though?

For if he succeeds, of course.

But-...

At Arista's words, Thyme's immense hatred for the man would suddenly pause... Followed by a blink.

"Please don't die..."

Is all she could muster up in this moment. A quiet plea in the Queen's direction.

Thyme's faith was forced onto Ael, the only one close enough to stop this.
(Thyme Pualani)
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[18:37] The Captain had spent most of her time around the dockyards, smacking and crushing any who approached their ships. However, after dealing with the mindless things that rushed the ships, the Knight made her way through to the middle of the city, rushing towards the sudden light as well.

"Feckin' Hel..." She muttered upon arriving, gripping her stave tightly while she looked around.

"Some un get thet second rate witch."
(Eliza lei Vel Kruger)
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[18:39] Aelrin could sense the magic coming from the castle. Hel, he could see it. And it didn't look good. The battle had started and he had joined late, so he was left to deal with minions and soldiers that had pushed their way into the city. But something else was happening.

He zipped to throne room, pausing not even for a second as he approached a large group. And up ahead, Arista. Trapped inside of a pentagram.

"Vile! Step away from Lady Arista!" he said as he prepared to rush forth but noticed Ael already on the case. He stepped back, confident Ael needed no assistance. Right now, the best they could ass do was make sure he wasn't distracted.

He looked around. The air was heavy with darkness and evil magics. The worst possible outcome was happening right in front of their eyes. Would they have the strength to stop this?
(Aelrin ven Astor)
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[18:40] The battle was intense and savage. It was his first real war he had ever been in. Though he went in confident he couldn't do much at all.

The walls fell, the air smelled of ferrous. It was a scene of utmost carnage and brutality. There had been soldiers being cut down. Magic flying around in a flurry, the clashing of metal scrapping against each other creating an eerie sound. His breath was heavy now. Bodies lay scattered around. A man cut down next to him. It was all very hypnotic in a sense. Though everything moved so fast it as well seemed as if time slowed down for a moment as he looked around. It was as if he was looking at a painting. There was screaming and hollering yet it all felt quiet. Next thing he knew everyone was retreating. Closer to the inner part of the City.

What had happened? Was this how war was? He followed the crowd of Knights retreating. It was obvious to him the outcome of the battle at hand. It would seem Osrona would not hold.

"Ha...."

Now he caught his breath and next thing he knew he was in the throne room. This was not the place to be in a battle. It was too cramp.

And in front of him lay a scene. Something... it was not blood. Yet a worse smell lingering in the room. And now he laid his eyes upon what captivated everyone else. A sinister circle lay in the middle of the room, a puddle of blood, and a single woman in the middle of it all. Laying there still.

He didn't know the woman. But he could only assume it was some one of great importance.

Yet a slight smile came across his smile under his hood. Was this apart of the Dearest Mothers plans? Or had the blinded decided to change her fate.

Only watching he would now. For his original orders had only said to observe the situation at hand. Was that all he could do for the Dearest Mother? It frustrated him. It was all frustrating.

What would the fate of the realm be? Who wouldcome out victoriously. Who would perish. And how would the people of Osrona recover? Would the Blood Suckers, Coven, and people of Moxtil combine forces to rule the continent and gain power? Or would they fight each other after this joint venture.

And how would Renfry carry out his repentance. How would he carry out the Dearest Mother Nyx's plans.

Only the Dearest Mother knew the Truth.

A likely Gruesome truth for the world to come.


(Renfry)
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[18:43] As more and more people stormed into the room the Supreme felt it. This sensation. The open skies. The dark clouds. And beyond it all? Them.

They were watching.
They always were.

His Lord would be granted another soul to his collection and the Void would be granted the entertainment it so desired. All at once and in a display of might that would echo through generations. One after the next. His lips remained shut tight and yet the whole crowd could hear his thoughts at once, his talent with telepathy pushed to its limit.

"My forces have lost? Yield? Hahahaha...

This isn't about those who fought outside. This isn't about you, either. This is hardly about Osrona. My mother gave me a task to accomplish long before she was murdered in cold blood.

And tonight?
Tonight it will be accomplished.

I pity the Shimmering City for believing their greatest foe would ever fall."

The weapon within his grasp exuded this foul emptiness as it was spun within his grasp. The circle underneath Arista grew brighter as her light died out.

Yield or die?

He choose neither.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[18:44] 'Greatest foe'?

Just a quick action as Eliza made a certain motion and rolled her eyes.
(Eliza lei Vel Kruger)
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[18:46] Eliza points to her own eyes and points at Illythia. I see you.
(Eliza lei Vel Kruger)
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[18:54] Osrona's forces clamoured in behind Ael- each paused to take in what had been going on before them. The Supreme in his glory, ready to harvest at the soul of Arista. They spoke not a word, but instead seemed to pierce the mind of Ael. Still the barrel did not motion or sway- it was true to his target, years of lifting the practical hand-cannon it was.

He mocked Ael's words, first- the Pyromancer's brows furrowing as fire erupted at his feet, flame unwavering with his control. IT seemed then, Hypnos made mention of a task given- from a mother killed in cold blood. That neither Osrona, or he- or anything else mattered but the one task before him.

Ael worried if they were too late. He hoped not.

At the final line given, Ael's expression simply continued to sour- another step taken to close the gap. Just that extra bit of aim.

It was evident that there would be no yielding here. Ael would need to fight his way through to Hypnos. And he sure as shit would try. "Get back from her!" He shouted out, squeezing the trigger of Imbrixus, the whir of the power-cell coming to life. Pure siphoned Chiron, commanded.

'SNAP!'

The plasma-charged bullet tore through the throne-room, piercing everyone's ears. Aimed for Hypnos directly, a headshot.

One Church. One God. One Queen.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[19:00] The tension mounted and the sacrifice of Arista rei Petrakis was nearing its end, though none of that mattered as the older man realized just how little time they could afford going back and forth. There was not an ounce of Hypnos' body that moved as the bullet came closer and closer, hoping to wrap things up before—

The Scythe of the Black Star sliced forth, focus switching as the Chiron-empowered shot was met with the foul stench of Hel at the tip of the Supreme's weapon. Ael was going to buy Osrona some time, yet there lied the question:

Would it be enough?

With his weapon pointed at the fire magi Hypnos' drew forth from the Queen's gathered essence to cast a spell like few others. A compelling, discouraging thought that gnawed at the Gelmont's heart.

If only to bring doubt in what may have been the most important fight of his life.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[19:00] You have hexed Ael Gelmont
[19:09] The black mist and darkness began to envelope the room, the inscriptions applied by Hypnos spell began to glow with life upon the runework around Arista- the spell was reaching its peak moment. He couldn't waver his aim, not now- the bullet sped- closer and closer. A direct hit, truly? Yet as it neared, with blinding speed did Hypnos weapon moved, a cloud of darkness that filled the room with the stench of death and sulfur.

The bullet had failed. Hypnos was reacting swiftly as the aging gunslinger raced up the stairs, he noted Hypnos preparing for an attack, arm stretching as the other cocked the hammer back with as much speed as his aging arms could muster.

Yet this magic was different, this was magic channeled from Hel itself, powered by the essence drawn by the Queen.

For a moment, everything around him shifted- vision tainting to fire, black fire. The same nightmare faced when Jianyu's beast once marked him. Here, Hypnos drew upon falteringhis will and mind, tapping into the doubt within his soul.

A man who had been driven by will for years on end, patiently waiting for his moment of revenge. One's who's soul was shattered to save the life of a dying friend. Ael would face such horrors head on.

His arm began to shake and quiver, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. Left eye, wide in shock and surprise, the Ifrit's simply burning brighter than before. He could not forget his goal. Not here, not now.

They were aiming to take everyting away. His family, his city, his life.

The Pyromancer continued to fire, closing the gap while commanding flame.

Maybe, just maybe he'd be able to buy her some time.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[19:30] And Ael surely seemed capable when it came down to unleashing a massive amount of damage in mere moments. The Supreme found himself quickly driven back from Arista's body laid upon the floor, forced back by wave of fire after wave of fire, only heating up further to reach a plasma-like state and unload unrecognizable damage upon the warlock.

This was nothing like anyone he'd fought before. This was a madman. One with no concern over his own health and who'd push everything forth with as much strength as he could muster. What a terrifying opponent to say the least.

Quiet huffs escaped the man's lips as he slowly rose up again, as he brushed the sweat off his forehead and laid his eyes upon Ael and Ael alone.

He couldn't afford being distracted by a ritual, by a what-if, by playing around. This single man could tear apart everything, every bit of plan and hope that had been poured into this moment.

From the day he met Jianyu to today. All of it was right within his reach he just needed to...

.. grasp it.

.. And that's when it came.

The lights surrounding Arista had been completely eaten away. The world grew darker. The skies begged for relief, and yet none would come. The ritual needed for Hypnos to merely step into the circle again to be complete. And this one. This man. This being was in his way. Deeper breaths. Deeper than space itself.

Ael would feel it first. It was more than Hypnos' gaze alone. It was more than just a look, a glance, a thought brought forth. They were watching. By the dozens. By the hundreds. By the thousands. The illusionary veil was stripped away from the Supreme's form as nothing remained.

Nothing but their watchful gaze. Nothing but their wildest needs. An orchestra of voices came to life at once, echoing within the hearts, minds, and ears of all. The Supreme's own voice lost in the crowd, for he was no longer alone.

"You understand nothing. This is the truth. This is how things will unveil. This is how it was always meant to be. A young noble falls in love with a warlock. She hopes. She prays. She believes. She trusts.

And eventually she becomes family.

Her rise was always meant to be. Without this rise she would never have been able to fall from such heights.

Heed our words!
Witness the truth!"

Lightning straight from Hel struck at the heavens again.
Hypnos Valentino needed not to look upwards to see the storm brewing. He had called for it. He had called for history to repeat itself.

For soon blood would rain upon the Shimmering City.
Once.
More.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[19:37] Adjusting his glasses he looks at the fighters stats database and then looking at both of the fighters present. The throne room was a mess, and yet? He couldn't have found a better moment to have spotted someone at the top of the totem pole, a fighter he'd not expected.

"It seems he's the unknown power source I detected earlier."

Taking a moment to breathe in, he notices everyone around is tense, battles still rage, individuals seemingly distraught over the state of the city, yet Peri?

Elated.
(Peri)
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[19:46] Ael could feel it, tugging at the little remnants of his soul. Doubt that had been casted into him- yet when most emotion had been voided, Ael still held one thing true to heart and soul. His absolute hatred and rage, his desire to undo the mistakes made past. Like how he had failed Roland and Priscilla/ Would this old man succeed, where his younger self had failed?

Another whisper, tugging at his mind.

'You're too weak to do anything, old man.'
'Too slow to catch up, to slow to draw.'
'Your aim is off, ever since Blair had cut your arm near-clean!'
'Better run old man, run away! Give up!'

He could hear the screeching words begin to tug at him. Yet with each word spoken, found his feet moved forward still. Where he had seen Arista, was the visage of Priscilla's fallen form, then of Roland's final moments- before being consumed whole by Andromeda. Each image flashed before his mind, the hairs at the back of his neck rising still.

As their battle continued, and fire filled the field- had he managed to push Hypnos back. Just barely. Lights flickered all around them as a mist of darkness ate away at the light surrounding Arista's form. Ael was a candle-light in the darkness here. The last flame before Hypnos and his goal.

Would it be enough?

Then, Hypnos stared into him directly, a rise in darker magics further, the stench and reek of Hel. Yet as Ael neared his goal of keeping Hypnos back, something about the field had shifted, had changed.

Greater power was commanded now, the chorus of a thousand voices, souls of the damned, wailing and calling out with Hypnos words. He heard the story, what Hypnos spoke. Of the Noble girl falling in love with someone who had true ill-will for her.

The lightning struck from a darkened sky above, thewindows and panes that directed towards the city began to be tapped with streaks of red.

Ael was grumpy, his body ached, his arm was sore. He just wanted to get a damned good nap in. Maybe he'd earn it.

"A mistake that will never be made again. I'll make sure of it." He had little left to say to Hypnos, he didn't know the ins-and-outs, maybe he'd be more involved after this day.

"Just shut up!" He barked back, gun firing at Hypnos once more. This was likely going to hurt for a few months.

(Ael Gelmont)
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[19:56] The bullet's rung through the throneroom, taking chunks of stone with each miss that struck against the wall around, or behind Hypno's, the rise of dust and absolute chaos that could be brewed with a gun-slinging fire magi and a warlock.

The throne-room looked like absolute Hel by this point, another scene added to the battle-field outdoors. Besides, maybe Arista was desiring renovations at some point?

Yet as Ael took hold of Hypnos focus, there it was where he would face his full wrath. The gaze of the warlock locking onto him as darkness formed and gathered onto the field. His aim was off, words whispered in his head as paranoia spiked.

He was shooting at shadow's, with Hypnos commanding his confusion further, breaching his mind. Where he thought he saw Hypnos- and shot, only seemed to be air, absolute nothingness.

He was being made a fool of. Even as he filled the area around him with fire, the assault at Hypnos command had neverfaltered, and Ael found himself clamouring with back to a wall and gun pointed out. Like a wild wolf, backed into a corner.

"Come and fight me head-on, you coward! No more tricks!" Ael shouted, trying to draw Hypnos onto him.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[19:59] Silent spells. Debilitating magic that took ahold of Ael's mind and completely purged it of all and any ideas were the leading cause of the warlock's success in this moment. The boon granted by the Void and the blessing that befell him was something that could not be ignored.

Coward.
No more tricks.

The Supreme was no fool. Even before the angry provocation that came to be Hypnos kept his distance from the flames, from the blazing inferno that threatened every single moment of his life. If there ever was a man strong enough to stand between him and the accomplishment of his greater goals it would be Ael, certainly.

And so, the bloody rain that descended upon them both would be used as a weapon, coalescing at the man's fingertips and being unleashed all at once towards Ael.

For the truth was the only thing that would come from this.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[20:02] Ael Gelmont exclaims, "HOLLLEEEEEEEEEEE! BRING ME MY ASHFIRE WINE!"
[20:03] It could never be this easy, could it? Even as the elements themselves were at his side the warlock refused to bow down to the infernal flames that threatened his life. A simple breath escaped his lips.

A thousand gazes grew more intense.

No more games.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[20:05] The gaze intensified, the pressure on the field began to rise and mount. Ael could feel it, the mana drawn from Hypnos- he commanded the darkness few men dared to look upon, or face. Commanded the darkness of the Void.

As Hypnos aimed to charge back it him again, Ael's barrel lifted for another strike upon Hypnos, left hand consumed in fire as he waved a 'field of fire' around and between the two.

This was no game, no common foe. This was a man determined to meet his goal true. The heaven's rained above with blood, hissing at the touch of his wings. Whatever dark magic this man commanded, Ael needed to be rid of it.

The heat was on.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[20:14] 'Too slow, you old fool!'

Another bullet shredded through an illusion, the crack and snap of stone faltering below the bullet's strike, more of the outdoors exposing above them as the strike forced a pillar to crumble. The ground shifting red, cloth of white being dripped with blood commanded to rain from the skies.

The rain began to soak his coat and hair, the scent of smoke, gunpowder and death. The taste of iron upon the tip of his tongue. Hypnos last strike knocked him into the wall, gun sliding out of his grasp and onto the throne-room floor. His finger's clamored forward, feet trying to gain some friction to rise as a battered body rose.

"Don't give in you old bastard." He half muttered to himself.

He caught sight of Hypnos again, and took another shot. There was nothing to hold back anymore, it was do or die, here and now. Arista and the others would forgive him, he'd hope.

Ael then mustered it all, every ounce of mana, every drop of power he could draw. Flames emboldened, burning away at the blood and shifting it to steam, like a billow of smoke rising around him.

A shout then from Ael as he raced on towards Hypnos, bullets ringing through the room. Left hand drawing every spell he could think of. "Die, damnit! Die!"

If he could just manage to bring him down. Maybe, just maybe he'd make up for it all.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[20:18] Those unfamiliar with the scent of blood boiling would have a perfect demonstration of it all as the skies themselves pour more and more. The Warlock stood tall, refusing to fall, to lose, to be defeated in the face of Osrona's hopes and prayers.

All of his life had led up to this and as Ael's old body began giving up on him the youth he still had a firm grasp upon allowed Hypnos to tear the man down through lashes of blood, inner ruptures, and phantasmal illusions.

More and more did the desperation held within Ael's heart gnawed at him. And Hypnos could see it. He could see all. His lips remained shut, yet the chorus of the Void spoke in his stead.

"There is only one who dies today.

Allow me to show you who it will be."
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[20:19] {Lost Dangerous RPB against Ael Gelmont}
[20:19] ** Ael Gelmont has inflicted an injury upon Hypnos Valentino. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (2 days)") **
[20:38] There were seconds, only mere seconds left.

The room howled with a million voices, souls of those called and commanded by the Warlock, Hypnos. How he found himself, here and now? Fighting for the Queen's life. How such a mess got to this point. Where had Arista's Father been?

The old pyromancer found the right angle, it must have been. The bullet carried through through the red-rain, past an illusion aimed to be formed at his command, one that struck at Ael in response- almost as if it had come to physical form. All to desperately stop him in this moment.

Both magi moved at rapid speed, blood poured from above blocking Ael's sight as he tried to aim true. Yet he could hear the grunt, a cry of pain perhaps from his foe- a wailing soul. It was hard to tell, yet he did not falter in firing.

Even after striking Hypnos back, a wave of heat commanded which he avoided being consumed within.An injury he wished he could deal to his foe, marks forf him to remember Ael by. To remember this day.

He doubt it would be forgotten.

The Void screeched and called, shadow weaving with Hypnos as he gained ground against Ael, bullets flaring towards his direction. "Back to the hole you crawled out from! I'll burn every one of you to ash!" The gun lifted to the air then.

"Get the Hel out of my city!"
(Ael Gelmont)
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[20:46] And so the truth manifested itself. By all means Ael should have fallen before Hypnos, it should have been all done. Yet a single shot of enhanced plasma erupted from the weapon right as the warlock prepared himself to step back into the circle and finish this ritual caked in red.

Straight to his gut.

The warlock found his body keeling over. His eyes growing wide as the Void's presence was lifted from his person, for their will had been executed already.

Ael merely stood strong past the moment where his old body gave up, leaving the Supreme with little time to think. To try and brave what was ahead, and lose his life to take Arista's soul or...?

A glance befell a single, particular individual among the crowd.

Thyme Pualani was granted a smile.

The Supreme stumbled back on his feet, further and further. One hand holding his scythe like a walking stick while the other covered the wound upon his abdomen. He backed off from the crowd. From the threat. From his own defeat where he should have stood up, stood strong.

And a single message was sent to the young woman's mind directly.

"I told you...
.. to watch the windows."

Hypnos leaned back, crashing through the glass behind himself and allowing for the only escape that remained to be taken.

His great goal.
His life's work.

Jianyu Xi was right in the end.
Right to be disappointed by all of her children.
(Hypnos Valentino)
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[21:02] It was true, at this point- the old Pyromancer was defy all odds, even commanded with doubt in his soul and mind, aim faltering, hand and arm wavering under the weight and heat and pain. He grit his teet, left eye closing as he focused only truly with his Ifrits. Yet blood, had been drawn. Finally, the bullet carried forward and into Hypnos stomach.

Yet had he made it? Was he on time?

The gun followed Hypnos as a smile crept, the wailing voices and Void-like commanded over dissipating from around him. Another bullet aimed to follow Hypno's as he made his escape, yet the sound of shattering glass from above had given way to his escape.

The rain around Ael dissipated to steam as he approached the unconscious Queen. He knelt down, holstering his gun as he approached, a deep breath drawn as he aimed to wake her up, a shake of her shoulder.

"Wake up, your Highness. It's over, for now." Yet the feeling of foreboding still remained,another brewing calm before a storm. The first of many assaults to come, yet. "The threat has been pushed back." A hand reached down then, the scent of boiled blood reeking upon his coat, hands rough with years of artificing and practice with fire magic. Offered to aid the Queen to her feet.

A moment of hope in a pervading darkness, finally.

Maybe he could sleep a little more easily tonight. Though deep down he knew that would likely not be.
(Ael Gelmont)
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[21:02] Thyme had felt her heartstrings tugged all about throughout this entire encounter, she had full faith in Ael- but at times? It terrified her that he may lose- that...

The Queen might die.

But in the end..? Ael was victorious, a shudder of utter adrenaline running through her body. Ael had saved the Queen..!

Yet here Thyme was, in the back, in the crowd- unable to help... She had absolutely failed the Queen.

And then-... She would hear that.

Thyme's eyes would widen...

"You did..."

She'd whisper, seemingly to herself. A realization suddenly overcoming her. The man from the book showing... The man at the coronation... It was all him. This had all been orchestrated from the beginning, a long, tedious and-... utterly terrifying plan...

She'd watch as the man crashed through the window pane, Thyme's eyes practically glued to the now broken glass, a quiet gulp taken.

She'd take a deep breath- then swiftly look down towards the Queen.

"Is- She okay?!"

She'd call out to Ael, attempting to push through the crowd to go check on them both.
(Thyme Pualani)
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[21:13] A second, a minute, an eternity. Time long since had lost meaning in this struggle. Her armor would crack, she'd mend it, and then it would crack again. An endless cycle. Illusion magic, gunfire, plasma, blood, they all cascaded around her but she was lost to it. None of it registered.

The fight concluded. Hypnos was pulled away. The ritual had lost the one sustaining it, and those around had broken through to end it.

Yet, she continued to mend the armor. Unaware of what was happening. For another moment.

But then her mana gave out. She had outlasted the ritual, and that was her only saving grace. Her holy armor shattering in a cacophony of screeching.

Wake up your Highness...

Her sapphire gaze fluttered open. She was exhausted beyond belief. But she had survived. Smiling through it all. And helped to her feet.

Osrona had lost, but it was still standing. She wasn't dead. Her child, was safe. This was the timeto speak yet...

There was little she could voice. Looking out at the people before her, her people.

"We're...not...done."

Leaning into the old soldier, it was all she could voice in her condition. She was okay.
(Arista rei Petrakis)