o p e n.

[madannoshashu]

Who: Xigbar's Nightmarish Creation, these lovely people, and YOU!
When: Tuesday, October 9th through Thursday, October 25th.
Where: Anywhere the creature finds you.
Summary: Plot info posts - [1] and [2]. If you want to have a random encounter with the monster or be an investigator, please check in on Plot Post #2.
Warnings: Violence, gore, horribleness. Also copious amounts of darkness.

[ The day has finally come.

He raises his head, a stark, hooded figure peering across the slate-gray waters as the sun sinks slowly below the waves. It's an hour before evening sirens, and everything is set. He has his list, as well as the instrument of judgment. Whether or not it succeeds is up for debate, but truly, he cares little for AGI's agenda. Entertainment, curiosity, and keeping himself appropriately positioned are the really driving components behind this little escapade. The old man heightened his understand of the power he now holds, and this is the perfect opportunity to put it to the test.

The call is silent. He doesn't even have to snap his fingers for the monstrous shadow he's created appears at his side. He turns, looks at it, and rests a hand on its muzzle.

The targets appear one-by-one, seared into the mind's eye of the "hound" he's created. The creature softly snarls, and butts its head against Xigbar's palm.

Xigbar merely smiles. ]

Happy hunting.

[ A feral rumble sounds in the twilight, and the Heartless vanishes without a trace. Xigbar stands for a moment, unmoving, before darkness wraps around him and carries him away. ]

~~~~

Comments

[dawnward]

[The light's moving. It's a good sign, he assures himself, as he keeps going after it. He's vaguely aware that it might be a trap to ensnare him, something to be used to keep Riku thinking there's someone in danger. But if it's someone who needs help and he turns back, they could die. He refuses to let that happen.

He goes up a fire escape and takes to the low rooftops, moving as fast as his legs can carry him. Something in the darkness catches his eye as he passes and he slows, climbing down. There's a few small Heartless looking for something...following the light.

The Keyblade comes to his hand and he follows them instead, eventually cornering them just before they can get to Eraqus.]

Watch your back!

[hikari_no_kundou]

[ It is good for Riku to be wary, given that those of opposite alignment aren't above baiing traps with tasty light morsels. That he presses on in spite of the potential danger says a great deal about his character.

Eraqus is, dimly, aware of approaching light and darkness, but his own reflexes are slowed by his current state. So how much of a jump the little Shadows might have managed, were it not for Riku's yell and sudden appearance is unclear. His stance is only a little shakey as he turns aboutface, but it is abundantly clear he is ready for whatever may be attempting to follow him.

Or at least pretend. Whatever the case, at the yell, there is a flash of light as the Master Keeper materializes in his right hand; stuck between two keyblade wielders (even if one is injured), the purebloods definitely do not have the odds in their favour.

There's no disguising the surprise at finding his 'rescuer' also wielders a keyblade, however. Were he not so tired, the poker face would be easier to assume. ]

[dawnward]

[No, these Heartless will be little match for them, especially when one of them has more experience killing them. Riku's innate darkness, locked away inside and tamed into a strange sort of a new light, attracts their attention for a moment before they turn back to the 'easier' prey, golden eyes glimmering in the dark.

Riku charges straight in, fast for his size, and sweeps his blade through the dark bodies with surprising ease. He twists around to engage the few beginning to emerge behind him, goaded into a fight.

He looks back at Eraqus briefly before lifting a hand, casting a Cure for him.]

[hikari_no_kundou]

[ With his own magic stores somewhat depleted, the Cure is helpful. If nothing else, it eases the pain around his ribs and restores at least some of his energy; the fingers of his left hand flex slightly, but the arm itself is still very sore.

Fortunately, Eraqus is not left handed.

Respite gained, the older man lunges forward with a strike of his own, neatly slicing through a pair of Shadows rising to Riku's right hand side while the younger wielder handles those ahead; stepping into the next strike, the Master Keeper whirls as it follows through a three swing pattern. Only once he is back to back with Riku does he deign to speak - you'll have to forgive him if he's been saving his breath. ]

...My thanks. [ A nod follows. ] We'll need to rid the area of these before more follow - or summon back their superior.

[dawnward]

[Riku watches him out of the corners of his eyes, flanking him to provide assistance. He makes certain to move himself so Eraqus can watch his back, as he will do the same, as he slides into stance. Magic pools at his fingertips, a fire spell, and he launches it into the darkness. Two Heartless catch fire and burn into nothing.]

It's the least I can do.

[If the Heartless are after him, Keyblade or no, he's a friend.]

We can take them. We just need to do it quickly.

[hikari_no_kundou]

[Riku's actions are more appreciated than the young man knows, the older Keyblade user maintaining his own stance with stiff but practiced ease. He nods at Riku's words, before widening his stance and closing his eyes.]

On my mark then.

[A faint aura of white rises along his body, extending along the length of his Keyblade; weak, compared to what he is truly capable of, but he dare not risk overextending. His body has been taxed enough as it is. There is a faint hiIiIiIIssSsSsss from the Shadows, lured in spite of themselves much like flies to honey.]

[dawnward]

[He nods, keeping his eyes on the monsters. When the light begins to gather around Eraqus' Keyblade, he waits patiently, his fingers curling around the hilt of his blade. He doesn't want to strike too soon.

Riku gives them a moment to get closer, creeping towards Eraqus. Then, and only then, does he finally spring, slicing through them with a speed that might seem odd for him. He carves through them with an experienced hand, getting behind the group so he and Eraqus can take them together without fear of getting attacked themselves.]

[hikari_no_kundou]

[The light pulsed once, as though acknowledging Riku's choice in time mark. A flash of pale blue lights up the Master, a circle forming beneath his feet. Then, multiple spinning blades seemed to spring forth from the channeled light, the conjured magic spinning around him protectively. They don't look anything like the Master Keeper; if anything, they might remind Riku of Terra's Keyblade.

Only after Riku moves, does Eraqus let his sore left hand flick forward, signalling the release of the blades. Each seems to streak forwards randomly, weaving past one another to circle and them dive at (and through) the heartless. They whisper past Riku too; whatever pulse of power they possess, it won't affect him - thank goodness for being on the same team, eh?

Whatever the case, they seek and dive, and occasionally explode in white bursts of fire, driving the lesser shadows back towards the younger keybearer. Eraqus, for his part, doesn't make any immediate moves to follow-up. Too busy doing his best not to slump over from exhaustion.]

[dawnward]

[It does, and he responds to the Keyblade's pulsing light gladly, knowing it won't hurt him. The power behind them brushes him, faint brushes of energy that he can feel. If this is just a hint of the Master's power, he knows he never wants to have to fight him in a true battle, especially if he's injured.

Riku brings his Keyblade back and lashes out with his own attacks, the half-dark responding to him. His attacks have lightened over the years but they still ring true, ripping through the Heartless just as surely as his Keyblade does.

A quick glance to Eraqus tells him this needs to end and now. He jumps back, drawing the creatures to him, and summons up as much power as he can for another strike. His Keyblade cleaves through them with expected ease and despite the fact that he isn't side-by-side with Sora and unleashing the true potential they both share, it's still enough to destroy the few stragglers left.]

[hikari_no_kundou]

[The last of the purebloods are dispatched, and after an intermittent pause, the darkness that houses the Heartless seems to dissipate entirely from the area. For now, perhaps, they are safe. Or at least 'safe'. The Darkness of Siren's Port is a threat all its own, after all.

But they might come back. Or the Beast may. ...Or perhaps not. The Beast had run, and Eraqus had been in no fit state to follow.

There is a slight chime of magic, a faint rush of green-tinged energy as Cure is cast; the point of Master Keeper then strikes into the ground, Eraqus finally allowing himself to sink to one knee and use the blade to keep his balance. Injured arm is cradled carefully against his side.

One eye remains trained on Riku, sharp brows pulled together in puzzlement, and perhaps, a hint of wariness. Those attacks.. While Xehanort has always mocked him for his absolutes, each residing at the end of the spectrum, he has never encountered someone who wielded power in such a manner.]


You have my thanks.

[dawnward]

[The moment they disappear, Riku casts his senses wide, trying to gauge where there may be more. They've rescinded for now, leaving them with just a few moments' worth of a respite. That'll have to be enough until Eraqus is ready to travel; Riku has stopped using Corridors since his fight with Xigbar and Master Xehanort, too wary of running into them on the offchance that they sense him.

He goes to the older man's side, kneeling in front of him. He lifts his hand and another Cure is cast to help him, though he won't feel ready to give him a full cast until he's sure they're inside and safe.

Riku frowns tentatively, slowly nodding.]

It's fine. You needed help.

[Keyblade or not, he refuses to allow anyone to be taken by the Heartless. Not while he's around.]

Can you stand? We need to get you inside or they might want to come back. They can sense the light in your heart.

[As can he.]

[hikari_no_kundou]

[Eraqus would not likely agree to using a dark corridor as it was - aside from being entirely the wrong element, who is to say that the monster did not lurk within the dark pathways? Meeting it in such a narrow space, where it had even more of an advantage, would be tremendously unfortunate to say the least.

There is a definite slump to his shoulders as the Cure spell works its restorative magics through his system, bolstering the healing that he had begun earlier. He is in a great deal of pain, more than he would prefer to show, and the question regarding standing earns a grimace.]

Hnn. Only one way to find out.

[Planting the Master Keeper a little more firmly in the ground, Eraqus struggles back into an upright position; some of it is exhaustion, there's simply no getting around that - it was a long, hard fight, and he was very fortunate to get away from it at all. He may well need help walking, but once he is unsteadily upright, he does his best to keep his left arm tucked against his side.]

They've been out each night. But this was the first I met one of their kind larger than a Neoshadow. Faster.

[Grey eyes fix on Riku, exceptionally serious.]

No light is safe while that Heartless roams the City.