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

[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.