driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Mikleo (

nerdeology), Sorey (

monolike), Allen Walker (

save_the_souls), Zaveid (

airily), Lailah (

sansseraph), Eithan Paine (

deviances), Stefan (

stefanged), MORE TO BE ADDED
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Solrius's surface
When: forward-dated to 9/11

[Despite the destructive nature of this dastardly duo, there have been surprisingly few resident deaths as a direct result of their combined rampaging. Still, the property damage is mindboggling, and Sorey and Mikleo both have spent the past few days soaking up and sewing malevolence like there's no tomorrow. The people in their territory are terrified, homeless, helpless and hopeless. Despite the steady streams of people hunting down the boy and his dragon, no one has succeeded in killing either of them.

Sorey, more hellion than human now and growing more unstable by the hour, is beyond reason, a mass of the anger and frustration in more than ready supply by the system's inhabitants. Mikleo is nearly mindless, is no longer content to listen to orders for the sake of keeping his deteriorating partner happy. Soon, it won't be enough to just rip up trees by the roots and brutalize those coming after them.

Soon, nothing will be enough.]

(( starters inside! ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[With Sorey not trying to rip her element from her very being, Lailah gets to her feet shakily. She stumbles her way towards Eithan. As the fire seraph walks, she pulls out a piece of her paper. It glows a warm red as it floats in front of her, gently keeping pace. The paper will be a physical representation of her pact with Sorey and Mikleo as she severs it.

The fire seraph takes a deep breath, the air burning her as she does, before swiping her hand through it. The paper disintegrates along with the pact. Sorey's personal malevolence no longer infects her like it used to, though it really doesn't matter given his domain. All she has left is her pact with Zaveid, Edna, and Rose.

She's never felt so cold. Lailah shakes her head to get rid of the feeling. It isn't the time.

Now, for Eithan. A brown glyph glows faintly on the ground as she mutters her incantation. It's slower because of it being a more powerful healing arte, but he needs it more than Imbuement.]

Refresh!

[A sigil appears underneath Eithan. The power of the earth will heal him and anyone near him, and will also heal any burns he may have received. It will also rejuvenate a quarter of Eithan's energy.]

[All impulse and no mind means when the hellion sees Allen jump back using a fucking jetpack he just kind of chases after him, as predicted, instead of geeking out over something completely and totally awesome.

Allen's plan works out well for him; the hellion uses the wind to snap after him, crashing ungracefully into Allen and sending them into a tumble. He doesn't wait for either of them to get their heads back; already he's slamming an ice-encrusted fist against the side of Allen's head as hard as he can. He grabs at the ribbons around his legs, ignoring the hissing of purification as the Innocense burns through his gloves and palms, yanking Allen toward him and forming the ice on his hand into a set of claws that he uses to try and cut through the cape, through Allen's clothes, through anything he can get through. Tear him apart. If there's nothing left, Lailah has nothing left. Tear, tear, TEAR-

SNAP

The hellion stops; the ice melts from his fingers; the storm overhead quiets instantly into a drizzle; the hellion finds and loses himself in the span of a single second, blood from his own wounds mingling with Allen's as he pants there, reaches, reaches and feels absolutely nothing.

Nothing-
Empty-
nothing-]

Ah, [the hellion gasps, fingers curling into Allen's coat as he shakes and shakes.] Don't- Don't look at-

[His strength is still more than a human's thanks to hellionization, but- but he's weakened. He's weak. He's so weak, and alone, and-

Toxic
Ugly
Impure

He fumbles for a rock, for his sword, for anything- he has to- Allen can see him, he still has his eyes, the hellion has to take them away like his, don't look-]

Don't look at me-!

[Allen struggles against Sorey's attack, getting dazed by the blow to the head and some of the clawing meeting skin, cutting into him. His legs, his abdomen, his face. It hurts, it hurts so much- and he fights against it- but he has to stall. He has to stall long enough-

The storm ends, the ice melts from his hands. Sorey is clearly reacting to something. The tendrils of malevolence that was reaching for Lailah sever. This must be the pact. While Sorey hovered over him, it was his chance to pierce him through, to end this once and for all-]

["Don't look at me-!"]

[For a second, Allen's not in the field on some alien planet fighting a fallen Shepherd turned monster. He's back on Earth, staring at a fallen Exorcist turned monster, screaming at Allen not to look at him. Screaming at him not to look at him, not to look so the one they loved would never-

-Alma never became an Akuma for revenge.]

Stop!

[Sorey never became a Hellion out of hatred for being a Shepherd.

He snaps back to the present. Allen reached up to him with his clawed hand. But instead of piercing him through, he gave a strong side swipe with the dull side of his claws with all his strength, to send him flying off him.]

[ Eithan finally has the strength to stand, thanks to Lailah's healing. It takes him another second to register the whole situation, how Sorey and Allen have moved away from them. But the storms have stopped, and there's a definite change that comes with it. Must have been the pact they'd told him about, and now that it's severed...

He turns to Lailah first, gives her a nod. ]

Thanks. What about you?

[ He's not gonna ask if she's okay. Stupidest damn question right now, honestly. And they're not out of the woods yet. ]

["Don't look at me-!"

Lailah wants to sob. Instead, she just swallows and shakes her head. The tears of pain from before are drying on her cheeks.]

The pain he's been causing hasn't been physical for me. Even still...it's nothing compared to what he's doing to himself.

[The fire seraph turns to face Sorey. She's still reminded of a child, and she knows that he's struggling. It's not for lack of trying that he's succumb to malevolence. Lailah has never believed that of Sorey. He's always tried, but...this time his try has failed in a terrible way.]

Go help Allen. My flames won't be able to purify, but I can at least help you both with my seraphic artes.

[Meanwhile, she'll begin to cast Imbuement on Allen. It's not a strong heal, but it at least isn't something he can move away from like her other healing arte.]

[Allen knocks him aside like a ragdoll and that's it. Hellions have survival instincts too; they'll run sometimes, the smarter ones, hide and try to bide their time. Try to grow stronger, will scrape and crawl and try to survive as they are.]

Lailah, [the hellion calls desperately, rolling onto his hands and knees in the muck. What was his name? He had a name, but it's- it's not as important as that one. She's supposed to be here with him. Where is she?

He- he can't see her. He can't feel her. All he feels is cold slick beneath his fingers, mud sliding up between his bloodied knuckles. He kneels tight and cold in the rain, reaching up with trembling fingers to his face, feeling for features he knows should be there. He can't feel them- He can't feel anything-]

Lailah, [he weeps, searching, feeling along the ground. The man with the domain is still here. He's- he's going to kill him, he's- She should be here, or-] Dezel? Edna? Zaveid? [The hellion sucks in a breath as a name comes to him, cold and crisp as the rainwater sliding down the back of his neck,] M-Mikleo?

[He hears the crunch of boots approaching and jerks back, feeling in the mud for his sword. Everything is so dark, he can't see, can't feel anything, no fire, no warmth, just a gaping wound inside where his heart should be, an edge upon which he teeters before a fall.] S-stay away- Stay back! I'll- [-kill you sticks its claws into his throat and refuses to come out.

I don't want to do that. I don't want to-]

Stay away from me-! [the hellion screams, scrambling back from the domain.] Lailah! Help! Help me! Lailah!

[Lailah flinches when she hears Sorey call out for her, for the other seraphim. She starts walking forward when he calls her name the second time, holding back tears at the way he asks for the others...for Mikleo. It hurts so much to hear and see him like this.

She keeps walking, picking up her pace so that she's closer to Allen. Lailah can feel her heart breaking at how he wants them to stay away. It almost shatters at how he calls for her help, and she chokes back a sob. She has to be strong for him. She has to.]

Sorey....

[The seraph wants so badly to hold him close, to give her Shepherd the comfort he needs. She can't, though. She has to deny him this just for a little longer.]

I'm here, Sorey. [Lailah tries to keep her voice steady, but her sorrow and guilt bleeds through. She can't help feeling responsible.] We're going to purify you. I promise it'll be over soon. Please, let Allen help you.

[Then she can start making amends. She can start helping him heal his hurts, and then later...much later, she'll give herself a moment of privacy.]

[Everything hurts, but Allen pulls himself up to his feet, staggering as he does so. He can feel himself bleeding from his wounds, the burns ache-

There's a warm feeling around him, as Lailah's spell takes effect. It numbs some of the pain away, warms away some of the chill that all the rain brought. She was still there, still helping him, even though he's sure she feels pain from all this. Yet she keeps going...

He lifts his head to look at Sorey as he cries out. Long gone was the fearsome foe. Instead he seemed so...feeble, so lamentable. The expression on his face, even if his eyes were full of darkness...he's seen that expression before. It wasn't hatred, or malevolent. It was pain, it was fear, it was...

" As long as Sorey's safe at the end of all this, I..."]

She is helping you, Sorey. We're...

[Lailah was giving it everything she had to try to save Sorey, just as Mikleo had done. They knew it would be dangerous, that it could be very deadly- but they had an oath to fulfill, a person to protect.

"We'll save him. No matter what...we'll save Sorey. I promise."

He moved his arms in front of him, his right human arm holding onto the rest of the left. He wasn't sure what would happen....maybe the augment would block him, maybe he'd break his Innocence from trying to force such power after so long. Maybe he just won't be able to do it. But he has to try. For Lailah's sake, for Sorey, for Mikleo...for his own sake.

"We're destroyers, not saviors."

He concentrates on synchronizing with his Innocence. 83%...85%...90%...95%-

BZZZT! The augment crackles in his head, giving off painful shocks. It's enough to cause him to wince and grit his teeth, he almost lets go of his arm to grab his head-

No! He has to focus! Everyone's counting on it! Just ignore the pain and invoke what you need! 96%...98%...100%...101%-

Suddenly, there's a burst of power and light that comes from Allen is. The domain that Allen's been emitting strengthens dramatically, full of purity that smothers Sorey's malevolent domain. Allen's left arm changes, transforming into a sword as his right arm draws it out and his feet shift into the old familiar stance.

"But I want to be a destroyer that saves."]

We're here to save you!

[The worst thing about being dragged away by the fucking wind: breaking at least a dozen bones. The second worst thing: having to explain to random strangers how the crap you spring back to normal later, with full HP and only a bloodied shirt to indicate what had just happened. The least worst thing: having said random strangers pack you a bag full of thermoses (??????) to take back to the battlefield.

Scarfing down a couple of lemon gels, another blur of wind descends upon the battlefield, screeching to a halt right beside Lailah. Good, the storms have stopped, his thermos is still full (and hot!), and - and that sure is Allen standing right in front of Sorey with the biggest sword Stefan's ever seen. Is that coming out of his arm????

....

........

.............

Stefan takes one, side-long glance at Eithan, then at Lailah, before just staring down at the thermos as if it would explain everything. It doesn't.]

Edited 2016-09-12 05:28 (UTC)

[No no, it is his arm.

And as Allen strengthens himself, as he pushes past his limits and as his domain engulfs the hellion's, something comes back.

The crushing, suffocating silence of having your senses abruptly and violently cut off. The hellion freezes, kneeling there in the mud, trembling so hard that his human teeth beneath his hellion face chatter. He can feel nothing, can see nothing, hear nothing. It's almost like it was before- When was before?

the basin

When there was nothing but fear and the knowledge that today, due to his own foolishness, he would meet his end. What he remembers is this:

The smoke of a pipe.

The smell of metal and leather.

The crackle of a warm fire on a cool night.

Too big boots on too small a girl.

A swinging pendulum, keeping perfect time.

A soft breeze beneath his arms, his hands.

And small, pale hands, cool water lifted to his lips as he ducks his head and drinks.]

Please, [the hellion croaks out, unsure of what he wants. Not knowing why he begs, but knowing he needs something. End it. Kill him. Give him water.

Please.

Please.]

[He hears that plea coming from Sorey. He walks forward, closing the distance, his steps strengthened by his iron resolve.]

Sorey...

[He lifts the sword. The weight feels different from all those steel swords he's been wielding all these years as a replacement. Even though he now lacks a second arm to give him balance, it feels right. This is his sword, his true power.]

May you find salvation.

[He swings the sword down on Sorey- it cuts right into him like there's nothing there. For a moment for Sorey, it feels painful, like burning. Crosses of light appear right along where he's cutting.

But there's no actual wounds on Sorey, and the painful sensation? Starts to fade as it burns up all the malevolence in him. Consuming it entirely in it's purifying power, leaving only Sorey the human behind.]

Edited 2016-09-12 05:59 (UTC)

[Lailah waits and watches as Allen purifies Sorey. Honestly, she'll ask about the sword made out of his arm later. For now, she's way more concerned about her beloved Shepherd. She waits as the malevolence is purified from his body.

The moment he turns human and senses no residual malevolence, the fire seraph rushes forward. There's so much mud on her and her dress, but she doesn't care as she throws herself to the muddied ground again. Lailah gathers Sorey up into her arms, cradling him, resting his head under her chin. The way she holds him speaks of both wanting to comfort him and wanting to protect him.

Lailah looks up at Allen, Stefan, and Eithan.]

Thank you.

[Words can't express her heartfelt gratitude adequately, but it has to be enough. Perhaps she carries enough of it in her tone.

Then, the seraph's attention is back on Sorey. She starts casting Refresh from her position, wanting to heal some of his physical hurt and restore some of his strength.]

[ Eithan's been watching. It's all that he can do. He'd been warned that there would be pain - the heartwrenching tear of watching someone suffer so much, so deeply. But no amount of warning could ever truly prepare anyone for something like that. He knows that much from experience.

It's done. Allen goes through the motions, purifies the boy who so desperately needs said salvation. Lailah rushes to him, and Eithan automatically runs right over as well. He's no healer, and the battle is over, but he's here for them all the same. And he does hear that gratitude in Lailah's tone, has no idea how to sufficiently respond other than to shake his head - there's no need for thanks. He did what he could to help in whatever way possible, for someone who needed it. That's all.

Still, he doesn't know specifics, so he has to ask... ]

Will he...? I mean, he's...

[ Will he be okay? ~~for relative values of okay yes sure but still~~ ]

[It burns, like someone had opened him up and lit him on fire, but Sorey doesn’t scream. He doesn’t scream because as the malevolence burns away he remembers things; who he is, names, feelings, people. The vast, terrifying cold of the emptiness inside him warms and fills and when he next opens his eyes, it’s to the soft hum of voices overhead, to the warmth of Lailah against his cheek, the comfort of her healing spells knitting up his leg and side. There’s too much there; his memories of the past week are hazy at best but Sorey knows, he knows there is too much. He’s scared to face it. He clings weakly to Lailah’s dress.

I did terrible things.

More important than his own guilt, however-] Is- [Sorey tries to swallow. Thirsty. Has he eaten or drank anything at all? It seems unlikely.] Is ev-eryone okay? St- [Stefan. Allen, Lailah, she’s here, and- his name, they said his name, Eithan? Allen purified him. Gods, his head is stuffed too full, he doesn’t know where to begin. He’s afraid to look but he forces himself to, turning his face away from Lailah. His eyes- are- Is his face-]

Mikleo. [Now Sorey pushes himself up, or tries to. He has to get to him. He was hurt, he was-

He’s a-]

[She looks at Eithan, understanding the question he wants to ask.]

The purification was successful. He just needs to heal, now. Unfortunately...Mikleo....

[Then Sorey's clinging weakly to her dress and Lailah's attention focuses on her Shepherd. She expects the struggle as he starts to regain more of his memories of what happened. It's hard to forget what's happened to Mikleo.

The fire seraph tightens her hold, but she doesn't restrain him. Rather, she gently starts helping him to his feet. Lailah knows that no matter what she says, Sorey will want to see this through. She can't deny him that, even though she desperately wants to shield his eyes from it.]

Sorey. [Her voice is gentle and she keeps a firm grip on him as they both stand.] We'll find Mikleo, but you have to promise that you'll stay with me. Alright? You're too hurt.

[At least, he'll need to stay with her until Mikleo's...last moments. There are no guarantees that the dragon won't attack Sorey on accident.]

[Allen meanwhile, notably doesn't respond to Eithan's question, Sorey's inquiry or Lailah's statement about Mikleo. In fact, he pointedly looks away from Sorey and Lailah, focusing instead on their surroundings as if he's seeing if he can sense Mikleo's location despite it still being just out of range. He even takes a few steps back, to give Lailah and Sorey space.

That's right, his job wasn't done yet. He managed to fulfill his promise to Mikleo, but now it was time to make sure he fulfill his promise as an Exorcist, and make sure Akuma is destroyed. Hopefully the other team was successful, but if not...]

You should probably take him to the shuttle. [he doesn't need to chance seeing this] I'll find out how the others are doing.

[So that's the true power of an Exorcist... Stefan squirms upon witnessing those blinding crosses. There's no denying the strength of that light, much less what effect it had on Sorey.

He doesn't deserve Lailah's thank you. The wind dragged him too far, and all he has to show for it are a bag full of coffee and a bloodied shirt that's seen better days. Shaking his head, he steps closer towards Lailah and Sorey, rolling up the sleeve of his right arm.]

Right. But before we do that, if it's healing he needs... [He goes ahead and nicks his own wrist, careful to leave only a small opening, before offering it up to Sorey.] Then let me help.

[It won't be enough to restore him to full health, but Sorey's current condition has him way too worried to think about anything else.]

Edited (i'm so sorry, dialogue nitpicking) 2016-09-12 17:47 (UTC)

[Sorey clings to Lailah as if she were the only pillar in a world of storms, but plants his feet as best he can. He can’t go to the shuttle. He can’t stay out of this- it’s Mikleo, it’s Mikleo and- And he destroyed so much, they both did- he turned Mikleo into that and then together, they-

Stefan holds out his wrist and Sorey hesitates only for a second. The idea of drinking someone’s blood is even more off-putting than usual as the memories strengthen with his returning clarity (parents screaming as they whisk away their bleeding children, Mikleo’s jaws tearing into a headless carcass, oh god, Nightingale’s face under his fist) but he swallows it down and leans forward, gripping Stefan’s hand gratefully and drawing his wrist to his mouth. Tears prick the corner of his eyes. He doesn’t deserve to feel grateful. He doesn’t-

Self-pity won’t do anyone any good.

Sorey closes his eyes and pulls away, wiping his mouth and breathing through the nausea. The lessening of his pain and weariness helps.] Th- thank- [He squeezes Stefan’s wrist and tries to meet his eyes. He can’t- Later, maybe, much later, he’ll- Properly, he’ll-]

Allen- Allen, please, I have to see him. I have to go. Please, I won’t get in the way, please, [he begs, still leaning on Lailah even as the strength returns to his legs. He has to see him. He must see him. If he doesn’t go to see Mikleo now when his need is at its most desperate then Sorey will never recover, never.]

[...Okay the blood thing with Stefan is pretty weird, Allen's gotta say. It's definitely enough to stare and wonder just what the heck that's about. I mean, he's glad to see his friend is alive and okay but...yeesh. But it's not the first time he's seen healing blood, so he won't panic. Still. It never stops being freaky looking.

But any reservations and thoughts he has about that are put aside when Sorey starts pleading with him. Pleading to go see Mikleo. He gives a pause before he looks at Sorey. He's not his boss, he can't order him. But...

"Run...Run Mana...!"

He sucks in a breath as he pushes aside the memory.]

Sorey...

There's nothing we can do to purify him. He's an Akuma- that means he's too far gone. The only thing we can do for him is to destroy him so he doesn't suffer anymore.

Do you realise that?

[Lailah's hold on Sorey is secure and tight. She won't let him witness it alone. He's been without her through most of this crisis and she'll be damned if she leaves him alone now. As Allen speaks, the fire seraph uses her free hand to touch one of Sorey's hands. The blood thing is going to be questioned, too, but later. Much later.]

Just like Eizen and Tiamet. Whatever you decide, I'm with you for it.

[She squeezes his hand, attempting to give him some form of comfort and support. The seraph looks at Allen.]

No matter what, I'll make sure that Sorey stays safe.

[There's a hint of danger in her tone as she says that, though it's for the most part calm. She has steel in her eyes that says she doesn't care if it's man or dragon that tries to threaten Sorey's safety. It will be dealt with...even if it costs her dearly.]

[Stefan keeps his arm steady as he observes Sorey. He doesn't waver, even as new memories echo back in the corner of his mind. He's done this thousands of times, he's coming to realize: not just with Sorey, but with Elena, with Bonnie, hell, even with his brother. This is one of the few abilities he cherishes, and perhaps the only one that swells his heart with pride. As he glances over at Sorey, Stefan's expression softens considerably.] No problem.

[No searing headaches this time, either. Maybe the gulf between Salvatore and Alesci isn't so deep anymore. As soon as Sorey's done, Stefan pulls away and watches his wound fade into his skin, as if he were never injured. Pushing his sleeves down, he turns back towards Allen.

He never wanted Mikleo to suffer like this, and well - he still owes them some back-up, no thanks to the wind.]

As will I. [Read: he's going wherever Sorey wants him to go, even if he'd personally rather follow Allen into the dragon's lair.] You tell me where you want me, akhi.

[ Healing blood... yeah, that's new. "Different vampires" has been quite an understatement so far. But he'll wonder more about that later - just add it to the ever-growing list of things to ask about that have gone down in the last 24 hours or so. Right now, there's more to be done. And also someone important to keep safe.

The others are already chiming in, and Eithan doesn't hesitate, either. ]

Me too. [ He nods. ] Sorey'll be safe, no matter what.

[I don't deserve this.

Sorey chokes back a sob and clutches Lailah's hand. Without the Shepherd's pact his strength is back to normal, and he's weak on top of that- he's absolutely a burden here, and still he wants to see Mikleo. And everyone is willing to help him do that, even after everything; Allen is being so kind, not wanting to give Sorey false hope and he'd just- He had just-]

Thank...thank you, everyone, I- I can't- [He can't thank them enough. But he can't agree to just stand back and let Mikleo be killed either; he doesn't know what he'll do, he doesn't know what will have to be done, but he still has to go. He would be denying himself if he didn't.

Trying to wipe his face try with his muddied, bloodied gloves is going to do more harm than good so instead he just turns to Allen, lifting a hand in concern, still clinging to Lailah like a child.] Allen, can you walk? Are you all right? [Sure, he looks like he's standing okay but his legs are still bandaged and the way he'd landed earlier, before Sorey had just- Okay. Okay.] Is- is everyone all right? Please run if you need to, Mik-Mikleo is my responsibility.

[There's a pause. Allen lifts his sword before planting into the ground carefully- far enough in to hold it steady for a moment. Why does he do this?

So he can lift his one arm to give Sorey a very rude gesture, of course.]

Are you joking?! Like hell I'm running from an Akuma! The only reason I went after you first is to prevent more from being made! But I'm an Exorcist! I don't turn my back on my duty because it's hard! I'll keep walking until I'm done!

And speaking as someone whose actually had to do what you're proposing? ...I'm sorry, but you don't have it in you, Sorey. It'd destroy you all over again.

Please, don't do that to yourself.

[Lailah is quiet through the whole thing, but now she'll say her piece. The look she gives Sorey is stern.]

I agree with Allen. [Her voice is firm.] This is not your responsibility, Sorey. I cannot protect you as a Prime Lord, nor do you have the strength physically and emotionally to do what needs to be done.

[She squeezes her Shepherd's hand.]

Please, Sorey, don't torture yourself and Mikleo like this. It's cruel to both of you.