Ikkaku - The Knight of Somnus Illiaron (6/1) (CoI)

[22:51] -- Destruction, how close it still lingered.

Flames having consumed what was once a proud city now standing before the man who had ruled it all. Tainted all the very same by that touch of occultism, burning away the very ground beneath Lucan as he moved through these plains. Illusions creeping into the mind of those who stood near, creating only a field of darkness that would slowly work to eat away at their gaze. Not a single word spoken, a familiar presence having instantly found himself there to greet this Dread Lord.

"... You who stole Somnus from me. You, a man who stole my purpose now having witness his city burn down. I feel compelled to ask, was your foolish nature worth it?" His question lingering in the air as idle hands raised upwards, fingers curling around the grip of this blade burning with that same taint of occultism. The hellish glow it gave off illuminating these plains like a beacon, almost as though calling for any and all to come and challenge him.

"You have to understand I can't allow you to exist. No, I refuse to allow you to exist. You act as a blockade to my power, to my ascension. So, I'll ask one final time! What say you to your very nature?"

His question there, left to hang in the air as he stood idle facing this man.
(Lucan Illarian)
[22:57] It had burned, the city of Ardent. Perhaps Ikkaku was still in shock, or perhaps the lack of recognized faces made them worry. There had still been some who they recalled whom they had not seen returned. Cassius, Amane, Artarius.. And it was for this purpose that the winged Regent had returned towards the mountains, searching for where they had last be seen.

It was a hard sight. Although they had personally won, it appeared that a great many didn't. A small sigh escaped Ikkaku at this, closing their eyes and meditating, focusing on the laylines. A benovlence could be felt in the air, hoping their souls would find peace.. However, they were soon approached.

Sky blue eyes looked towards the one who came in silence as they spoke. But finally a sigh escaped them.

".. Nobody else will stand against the Archons, stand against the monsters. I do not intend to be like them. I'll be more. I will fight against Aetherius, and I will fight against those who serve them. Not because of 'foolish' nature.. But because innocent people should not be lorded over by malevolent creatures."

Slowly the staff would rise from Ikkaku's back, the weapon of Somnus but.. altered. Changed somehow.

".. I know not who you are. Nor much about you. But if you served Somnus, you are of Gaiar. And as a result.. I will capture you. If you raise a weapon to defend them, I will defeat and destroy you.

My nature? It is that of a Solider. Someone who does things nessarcy so that the light can keep growing. There is something bigger then me, or the Archons. The Divine War. And I can not focus on that and helping the Emperor all I can while Archons murder innocent people."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[23:04] -- Ideals, clashing against one another.

His words doing nothing more than pushing out that hatred which had festered inside of Lucan. Wielding a staff meant only for Somnus, acting upon those base instincts as though he was attempting to draw them out. Dragging, this blade clutched in his hands would scorch the very earth as he pushed himself closer towards this man. He spoke of so much, though his purpose and reason for existing was the exact opposite of everything he had been taught.

"You are foolish. The masses, humans can not think for themselves. They are mindless sheep, desiring only to be awoken by those who stand alongside Archons. Your very logic, your way of thinking is flawed! It is a wonder as to how you have survived so long." His words like a vile poison as they snapped back towards this hooded figure. Blade, raised upwards as flames running across such would only continue to push outwards.

"I, am Lucan Illarian. Knight of Lord Somnus, soon to be ascended as a demon that will guide the masses all the same. All I need, is your head."

Such a proclamation made without hesitation, now lunging forwards as the tip of this blade aimed for the heart of this man. Despite the massive distance still between them.
(Lucan Illarian)
[23:08] Blood crawls out of vials, the caps being removed by invisible non-existant strings as Lucan had begun to dive forwards. Around Ikkaku, blue fires flicker, spirits to act as aid to him. Sky blue eyes stared Lucan down as a small sigh escaped the Regent.

"I am Ikkaku Ukitake. Killer of Somnus. Survivor. You say that you are soon to be ascended, but that is not what I see. What I see..

Is another who has lost themselves to darkness and chaos. Another who is beyond cleansing. Another who I will make disappear so that they will not harm innocents in this prideful way.

Farewell Lucan."

The blood forms into bullets, flying towards the other mage as Ikkaku takes staff in hand, the battle beginning.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[23:14] ** Ikkaku Ukitake has inflicted an injury upon Lucan Illarian. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
[23:23] "It is clear that those of Aetherius will not stop coming for me. But that is fine. It is my duty to defeat those who would harm innocents.. I am here so I can protect the remainder of my people. I will not let monsters like you take control."

The fires were hot but soon Ikkaku would begin to make headway. Blood flows, turning into spikes and lodging themselves towards Lucan. They connected, slowly taking down the pyromancer's defenses until Ikkaku could get close. At this point Somnus' staff would be raised. The end of it was brought down, hard upon the side of Lucan's temple to knock them groundwards before sky blue eyes stared towards him.

And then the last move would connect, a telekinetic blow centered only upon Lucan's leg. It would be twisted in ways that it was not meant to be, blood flowing down upon the nearby grass. It would likely be quite a while before they could walk more again. Time heals all wounds however.

"Lucan Illarian. You are bested. You will never be a demon as you seek; Accept honor in your defeat.

Accept honor in your death. May your next life be more pure then this."

A whip of blood was produced, and began to be sent downwards, the intent to sever their head from their body, akin to how Somnus had been killed. But would Lucan be fast enough to dodge?
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[23:30] -- No, he would not fall here!

Twisting his leg a sudden burst of this same power Lucan wielded had struck his legs. Illusions still twisting all around, darkness seeking to push into the mind of Ikkaku though all the very same it refused. This man almost acting like he had a choice in this matter, as though he had a say in who lived or died in his life. The beating of his heart, sounding off like a drum as those words struck his mind time and time again.

"I accept nothing! I reject you! I despise your filthy, putrid existence! You're a human, a sheep! Stand where you are MEANT TO!" His voice booming at such a proclamation as a sudden push outwards of that hatred inside him had coiled around his heart once more. Telekinetic energy striking back against Ikkaku as the whip of blood came crashing forwards, smashing into the ground at his side all as Lucan rose even upon this twisted and mangled limb.

"Me! I will kill you! You... You can only rest, only sleep easy for so long! You absolute... You..."

The sound of bones snapping as he put pressure on the limb ringing clearly, blood spewing outwards as a wall of flames exploded all around Ikkaku. As a trail of blood led him off, back towards the direction of Crafthold.
(Lucan Illarian)
[23:37] The illusions attempted to push into Ikkaku's mind but.. They would find it nearly impossible to. The blue glow around the once-Regent did not fade, nor did it falter. Determination was unhindered as those eyes looked down upon the leader of the dreadguard.

" You are correct; I am human. And so are you. I stand where I am meant to; As a solider of the Emperor and against the Archons and their horde. I am one man.

But even one man can do incredible things if they have the will to."

Lucan had created a wall of flames that was quickly doused by water, yet it appeared that the other fighter had made their escape. A small sigh escaped the Regent.

"You are wrong. And the next time we meet.. I will stop your vileness from further spreading across the lands."

With that it appeared things were finished. The wings fluttered as sky blue eyes looked around. A dejected sigh left Ikkaku.. Still no sign of friends lost or vanished in the conflict.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)