Afterimage 4

[19:03] War.

A three letter word that can obliterate everything.

Something which is enough to tear people apart, turn them into monsters, make people look over their shoulder in even the safest places.

They seemed quite frequent on Agartha, didn't they...? Even after the fall of Avalon--- the fall of Azraelism, the wars never stopped.

The winds which shower his features are chilled--- harsh, tugging along the frosted hair which sways about. The Chieftain's features remain relatively neutral, however... almost expressionless. Slowly would he close his eyes, taking a deep breath--- the cries of soldiers, the deafening marching--- everything more than audible as it echoes across the entire battlefield.

The opposing army already in sight.

"Kayeliun," it's mumbled out-- likely not reaching her ears, but as yellow hues stared directly into her own eyes, the Drakanite shouldn't have trouble understanding who he's addressing. Finally, the Ezmaran would raise his voice.

"Three decades on Agartha. I've seen countless marches such as this... and here we are again. Peace can't remain when people like you aim for greed--- going against your ideals, going against everything we stood for, siding with likes of Tragedy and aiming to horde all the power to yourself--- to your tribe. Honestly, I was expecting it to go this big... I was just hoping otherwise."

A pause, yet another deep breath.

"This is the final war. A war to liberate Agartha. A war for salvation of its people--- a new system where everyone is represented equally. A system without the chaos and greed which likes of you bring. We're going to end it all now... really didn't want to face you in such a way."

Finally, a smile.

"Suppose you'd have things to say?"
(Karma Vindict)

[19:12] This was it.

The slaughter was about to ensue. The Death would reap Agartha's population on all sides. The armies marched. And yet, there was an odd... silence. The silence before the storm. Those in the lead of armies could have an exchange of their words - for some, perhaps their final ones.

But the Archon did not seem to be all too glad to engage in this. For one reason or another, he felt no usual excitement to the battle about to happen, no drive for bloodshed. An oddity. His gaze met that of Karma, deeming others less relevant, for the fact alone that they were not known to Zaruma.

"Karma. I hoped I'd not see you here."

Was it fear? Not even close. It was a pinch of regret resting in Archon's heart. It wasn't meant to end like this, and yet it did. The fate sure has cruel devices to steer events.

But he could not falter or doubt his actions, not now. His eyes were closed, only for a moment, before they re-opened once more, gazing upon the trio this time.

"I watch you and I see nothing but last ditch effort, Karma."

Mix-matched with the speech, a telepathic message breached his mind.

["When I needed you, you were not there..."]

"Nothing, Karma. Misery and desolation. I fight for something bigger now-- for this civilization to rise again."

"Do you know what strength it gives to me?"

["Even if we met on the battlefield..."]

Languidly, Zaruma stared at his allies - Xococan, Kayeliun, Tragedy. There was... disturbing gaze in his eyes, detesting this whole situation.

Yet, he continued through.

"This is the bed you made, Karma."

"Try and make sure you will not fall into sleep on it, for eternity."
(Zaruma)

[19:55] The fighting broke out.

Out of all possible people, the Archon was dealt the 'luck' of facing versus Karma. He did not feel easy at such notion--

But not because Zaruma was unconfident in his abilities, or because he was certain that Karma poses a large threat, even if such was actually true, no. It was the fact that he was to deal with someone who had sheltered his kind, someone who had been a friend rather than a foe.

The fate can be cruel. That much the Tempest has learned.

"Karma. You've decided to take part, after all."

The scythe was slowly drawn. Unlike the usual self that would typically indulge in the fight as much as possible, he was unhappy with this. His eyes were closed, a sigh was drawn out, and he spoke out while opening his eyes.

"I suppose this cannot be avoided."

"Odd how fate decided to make us cross each other's pass, is it not? I still remember the days we've shared together."

Fell Winds began to gather around him. That much was evident, he was preparing himself for combat. Albeit reluctant, he still had to do it.

"Good luck. Try to not... die."
(Zaruma)
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[20:01] The war broke loose, and so did all hell.

Magic was all over the battlefield, from blazing flames, to slicing winds, to heated lightning... to call it intense would've been an understatement. The skies continued to rumble, hot streaks of lightning zipping across the ashen clouds all the while--- a Storm... but this one didn't appear to be a gift of nature.

It was way too powerful to be considered that.

But, of course... he had to run into Zaruma.

"Zaruma,"

It's mumbled out--- a greeting of sorts.

"You've picked your sides, Zaruma... and honestly? Both of us know that Tragedy is using Kayeliun--- it'd be natural for you to pick a path which eventually leads to an era where your kind dominates Agartha... I just merely hoped you'd prefer a place where both the Agarthans and our kind could live peacefully--- more or less as equals."

With that he'd come to a soft halt, hand reaching out for his staff-- fingers grasping along the Arcanium and then he glances back at him.

"Good luck. Try not to die."
(Karma Vindict)

The battle between Tempest and Storm was something to behold.

Two powerful magi razed the entire battlefield, with no soldier daring to come even close- not from Aetherius or Ardent. No- it was much akin to two forces of nature battling against each other, their energies combined being that strong.

But as the battle progressed, Karma was the one to be worn down; purple and crimson blood covered them both, a cocktail that showed both of them were fighting for their lives, even if they used to be friends.

There was an opening, a mistake that Karma did. He allowed Tempest too close to him- and before he knew it countless slashes began to cover his body, viciously cutting him with the scythe that Archon wielded - if that weren't enough, Karma was launched into air, followed up by Zaruma who flew right after him.

Flying foot first into Karma's chest, a barrage of kicks were sent towards Chieftain's body at inhuman speed and strength alike; the cracks of ribcage, of countless bones could be heard, each strike resonating like an artillery strike itself upon Karma's body.

If it were any other magi, a lesser of their kind, they'd immediately die- but not Chieftain. Perhaps he endured worse, or perhaps he was prepared for such, considering he battled the Archon, but he was still breathing, even if barely.

Defeated, Karma was sent flying down on the ground. Zaruma landed nearby gracefully, if only to grasp the Chieftain by his cheek - an engraving that resembled Gryphon, a legendary monster that preyed upon the lands was placed upon his cheek.

And on that note- he was flung away, to safety.

"Know this, Karma."

"I never intended to kill you. I never intended to fight you either."

"But my current role forces me into this. I do what I must, if I wish for my people to have a chance. Ardent would have my people genocided, but so Cruxati have betrayed me in the past."

"If you're smart-- you'll figure out why I'm doing this."

"And I hope you are..."

The Archon prepared for take-off. His crimson hues were pointed towards Karma, almost wishing he'd speak. But perhaps the wounds were too much..?
(Zaruma)

[20:27] What started out with great intensity ended up with so many mistakes. Mistakes on his side, as evident.

Their battlefield was razed beyond recognition, land embraced within blazes instead of the soft grasses which were once present. Skies rumbled, lightning broke through the heavens--- but was matched by equally strong, depraved winds.

It seemed that Chieftain was the one to go down here, though... a couple fatal mistakes and Karma found his whole body on fire--- slashes and cuts from every direction and he couldn't even scream it was so intense.

Blood oozes out and before he has time to register what even happened, a foot comes crashing down into his chest, followed by another one--- and yet another--- too fast for him to comprehend until his body finally hit the ground, gasping for breath, embraced within blood.

The scar embraces his cheek and Zaruma's words are distant--- audible, but oh so distant-- and as things stood, Karma momentarily couldn't comprehend anything... his mind is completely blank. Completely blank except for a single thought which kept on repeating.

He couldn't die here...

He couldn't leave her behi---

A bit of groan as the Chieftain musters all the mana he possibly could, almost unconsciously a heated bolt of lightning tears the heavens apart, crashing right into the ground between them with a thunderous boom--- his own body turning into pure mist, aiming to fly off amidst the chaos regardless of what Zaruma said.

He couldn't die here.

As much as he was prepared for anything, he just couldn't.

The Stormchaser made a promise of lifetime and more, after all.

By the time the smoke would be cleared, only blazes were left behind.
(Karma Vindict)