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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 15:09:04 GMT -5
(OOC: Thank you! ^_^ Cool new avatar by the way.)
::Natalia gives Rainii one last grin as both their power reaches its peak::
Indeed.
::Both swing the swords in the other's direction, sending two powerful waves of dark and light energy that collide in the air, trying to push the other back. They both finally give way, shattering through each other and creating a shock wave that seems to shake the entire island. It sends Natalia spinning backwards a couple feet, and when she rights herself she looks up in time to see Rainii who has soared over the explosion, her divine markings shining like the sun itself, and brings Iris down. Natalia raises to block, but Rainii has surpassed her at last. Iris clashes with Hecate and throws it from the witch's hand, sending it spinning back down to earth. With the sword's power no longer with her, Natalia falls. She manages to land in a crouch, but by the time she even has the strength to stand, Rainii is standing over her with Iris pointed at her throat. Hecate lands point down in the ground a few yards behind her. Natalia and Rainii's eyes meet as she rises back to her feet::
I'm proud of you Rainii. Now do it. You know how this has to end.
(OOC: How was that? Feel free to say something profound here)
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 1, 2008 16:07:55 GMT -5
::Rainii stands there, Iris pointed at Natalia. There are many things she could say, that she wants to say, in this final moment, but she's unsure of where to start. After a moment of silence, she begins to speak.::
"I wish...I could tell you that I can't do this, that I'm not strong enough to. But I can't lie to you, not now. I know what I have to do, even though I don't understand all of whats going on. What I want doesn't change anything, right?"
::She laughs at that last line, but it's almost bitter sounding. She continues to look Natalia in the eye, though she knows it would be easier if she didn't. She tries to push her emotions back, to appear detached. It doesn't work as well as she hoped, and though it doesn't show in her face, her emotions are shown clearly in her eyes.::
"I'm sorry, Nat. I'm just so sorry."
::And in one quick movement, she brings the blade down.::
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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 16:21:14 GMT -5
::Natalia closes her eyes in quiet acceptance:: Yes. That's how it should be. ::Then she snaps her eyes open again, but something is in them that Rainii has never seen in her before, not once. Fear. Iris comes down, almost sure to end her life, but it bounces back as though it hit a wall. Natalia shrinks back, holding both hands to her head and speaks in a panicked weak voice:: Rainii..... Hurry. ::Before Rainii can move the clouds above them turn completely black. A pillar of darkness descends directly upon Natalia, engulfing her completely. The sorceress screams in agony and despair. The darkness disperses, but lingers around her like a foreboding aura. Natalia speaks in a voice not her own, and when her eyes meet Rainii's, they're no longer the knowing amethyst color that she knows. They're slitted and the color of fire. And when she stares at them it's like gazing into an endless pool of hate that spans millenia:: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DrhJQVLu60&feature=relatedSo you're the one she chose. She must have great faith in you. I could feel that she wasn't holding back. Not even for an instant. Do you know who I am mortal?
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 1, 2008 16:31:26 GMT -5
::The first thought that arrives in Rainii's mind is, "What in the hell?!" and "Oh, come ON!", followed closely by, "This is not good". She looks at what used to be Natalia, curiously.::
"Umm...no?"
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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 16:36:47 GMT -5
Really? That's a shame. I suppose you didn't read her damned book closely enough. Look again.
::The shadows around Not-Natalia shift to reveal a new appearance. One that Rainii saw in the book. A fair elven woman with white blond hair in a dark robe-like dress. A long time ago she may have been considered beautiful. But the burning hate in her eyes shows what she truly is::
Recognize me now? And she honestly believed you'd be able to seal me. How laughable. It seems she's grown soft since she's been cut off from my presence. Enough to actually hope that I could ever be beaten.
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 1, 2008 16:49:16 GMT -5
"Ah, alright. I get it now. Jezebel, right?"
::She smirks::
"And why are you so RUDE? I mean, my god. Really?"
::She figures that she's probably angering Jezebel, but she doesn't care. She thought it was funny. It's after she 'chides' Jezebel for being...Jezebel, that she realizes what else was said.::
"Hold on. Natalia though I could seal you? Care to elaborate as to why?"
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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 17:01:32 GMT -5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtPe99o_RpI::Jezebel lets out a low cold laugh:: Not only naming the goddess, but you actually seek to stir my anger. Your bravery is commendable child of man. ::She smirks at Rainii's apparent concern for Natalia:: You know, I'm actually surprised you didn't figure it out sooner. But my daughter was always good at hiding things. Not even I could say for sure, but after she glamored herself as the old sorceress in Timber, purposely turning one of her own followers against her... Lillith I think her name was, I knew for certain. You see, Natalia never really wanted to fight you. Never wanted to start this war. Never wanted to serve me. But she had made the choice long ago to swear herself to me, and an oath made is not easily broken. Not only that, but she also knew that if I couldn't force her, I'd simply send someone else in her place. She's purposely tried to manipulate things so you would kill her in the Duel of Fates. She believed that her death was the most direct method of stopping me from taking power in this silly little world of yours. I suppose by now that you're realizing, no matter how much you and your friends have suffered in this fight against her, she was suffering the most out of all of you.
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 1, 2008 17:49:28 GMT -5
"I may not have figured the whole thing out, but I knew she was still her. I knew it..."
::And that knowledge changed her view on everything. Everything Natalia had done, how hard she had tried to get Rainii to stop believing in her...it made sense. But Rainii couldn't think about what Natalia had felt that whole time, how hard it must have been, because it hurt. ::
She had to do all that...I couldn't even imagine....All I did was whine...
::She frowns, angry at herself, and looks up at Jezebel.::
"Our suffering is non-existant compared with hers. I know that now.
But there's just one little problem we need to discuss....You're here, and that's not good. If I figure correctly, you want to take over this whole place, and I really can't let you do that."
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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 17:59:18 GMT -5
And what are you going to do about it little mortal? I'm a god remember. Think you can kill me with that? That sword is a mere child's toy next to my real power. Hecate only houses a fraction of it.
::Jezebel extends her arm towards Rainii who finds that Iris is suddenly very heavy in her hand. She closes her eyes as Rainii is forced to her knees::
Your hopelessness, your despair, it strengthens me. This world is rich with it. With it I will not only rule this world, but all the worlds, and my dear brothers and sisters won't be able to stop me this time.
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 1, 2008 18:09:00 GMT -5
"I still...have to try..."
::She tries desperately to stand up again, but makes very minimal progress.::
"...If I die while doing so....so be it..."
::She manages to raise her head, and looks up at Jezebel.::
"But I wont just stand by...and let you...I've come too damn far..."
::Her whole body feels heavy, like she's being pushed down on. But she refuses to stop trying, and still continues to fight it.::
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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 19:31:04 GMT -5
::Jezebel laughs darkly at Rainii's struggle::
Oh my, that won't do at all. You've fought so hard with such disdainful optimism, but now I'd like to see you break. Just like she did.
::She holds out her palm again and Rainii is suddenly engulfed in a wave of darkness. When she opens her eyes she can't see or feel anything. Not light, not her sword, not even the ground she was standing on. The only thing that seems real is her anguish, and Jezebel's voice::
Give up. You're alone. Your true love is long dead and he's never coming back. Your "big brother" is gone because you weren't strong enough. Your best friend has already failed, and now it's your turn. You are weak and pathetic and you have failed them all.
::Rainii can't fight the feeling of hopelessness now::
Why not just give up. I can stop the pain, just as I did for Natalia. All you would have to do is swear yourself to me, and give in to your hate. Don't you hate them for leaving you here alone? Just admit it, and then this can all be over.
(OOC: Just sit tight until Infin gets on. He and I have something planned)
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Post by Natalia on Aug 1, 2008 23:44:36 GMT -5
(OOC: *whew* Sorry. I got kicked off. But I'm back now)
::Just when Rainii feels about to give up, something grabs her hand to help tighten her grip on Iris::
What are you doing Rainii? You can't quit now.
::Though she can't explain it, Rainii can feel Natalia's hand help her grab hold of Iris again, and the blade begins to glow, though its faint in comparison to the darkness::
(OOC: Okay Infin, jump in whenever you're ready)
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Post by Infinity Paige on Aug 4, 2008 16:11:43 GMT -5
:Rainii's rings glow brightly from around her neck. They hadn't done so for such a long time since coping with Infinity's death. There were no words this time, only the feeling that he was there with her for support:
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Post by Natalia on Aug 4, 2008 16:15:38 GMT -5
::With Natalia and Infinity adding their strength to Rainii's, Iris glows steadily brighter, just beginning to illuminate the scene enough that she can see her hand gripping the sword, and though it's unclear, it looks like there are two hands helping her hang onto it::
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 4, 2008 20:26:26 GMT -5
::Seconds later, Rainii feels another hand grip hers, holding in firmly in place. She can't see who it is, but she doesn't have to. She already knows. Crohan speaks, and his voice sounds so close that if it wasn't so impossible, she would think he was standing right next to her.::
"Rainii."
::She would have been reasonably satisfied if that was all he had said. As it was, her mind was still coming to terms with the fact that, even in the darkness, they were all with her. Had they always been? Had she just been so incredibly stubborn all this time? Suddenly, his voice interrupts her thoughts.::
"I'm here. You can't give up now."
::That was all he had to say, and all she needed to hear. She nods in reply, and Iris glows brighter and brighter.::
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Post by Natalia on Aug 4, 2008 21:22:00 GMT -5
::The darkness begins to shrink back form the blade, and for an instant, Rainii can see all three faces with her, smiling with the warmth she remembers. The way they used to be. With the darkness in front of her growing thinner, The Island, and a still sneering Jezebel come into view. But once she lays her fiery eyes on Rainii, that hateful smile cracks::
How is this possible? Bend to my will filthy human! You have nothing left!
::Natalia whispers one last sentence in her ear::
Do it. We're all here.
::Then the three of them vanish in a flash of light. Though she can't see them, Rainii can still feel them adding their strength to hers::
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 5, 2008 13:06:25 GMT -5
::Rainii stands swiftly, Iris no longer weighing so heavy in her hand, and smirks at Jezebel.::
"I think you forgot to take something into account."
::She moves fast, darting to the side, somehow catching Jezebel off-guard. She's not quite sure what she's doing, but she hopes it works-- she quickly moves back in front of Jezebel, Iris raised to strike, and when she's in the right position, she brings the blade down. Iris continues to glow, brighter.::
"I have friends."
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Post by Natalia on Aug 5, 2008 13:24:04 GMT -5
::Jezebel's triumphant sneer turns to fury as Rainii swings Iris downward. The sword cuts through the darkness in a wave of light that shoots straight towards the dark goddess. It hits her head on and knocks her off her feet until she lands in a heap. Her appearance seems to have difficulty maintaining now, as her face and body changes from that of herself and Natalia::
How? That's not... I am a god! How could I lose to you?!
::Her fiery gaze searches in desperation for something that can turn the tide in her favor. Then she feels the weight around her neck. The Ark of Sacrifice hangs on its chain around her throat. She reaches up and pulls it free, holding it up so Rainii can see it::
You know what this is, don't you.
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Post by Rainii Loire on Aug 5, 2008 13:46:32 GMT -5
::Rainii knows she's seen it before, but doesn't think Natalia ever told her about it.::
And I never thought to ask....
::She thinks about her answer carefully before replying.::
"Actually, I don't. But I don't think it'd hurt you to explain, since you're going to do something with it anyway."
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Post by Natalia on Aug 5, 2008 14:01:42 GMT -5
::Jezebel laughs like a woman with nothing to lose::
You know, to tell you the truth I don't really know either. All I know is that she used it once, and in that short time she grew immensely powerful. It houses magic strong enough to rival the demon's prayer. I wonder why she hasn't used it since. It looks like its good for just one last use.
::She holds the vial up to Rainii::
Cheers.
::She smirks before downing whatever remains in the vial. She gets ready to stand back up, but chokes suddenly::
How... she can't possibly...
::She closes her eyes and then snaps them back open to reveal that they are purple once more, and that Natalia's face is back where it should be, and in her eyes Rainii can see the Natalia she knew. The one that was her friend::
Yes I can. The Ark of Sacrifice is a mixture of Crohan's blood shed to protect me, and my tears shed for his pain. It's a magic that's far beyond your understanding that strengthens me and me alone.
::A strange mix of white and purple energy form around Natalia, who with a pained expression, flings her hand outward. Something small and pale lands on the ground between herself and Rainii. To Rainii's surprise, it's Iole... but something's different. Iole has always been pale and thin, but never that frail. And she's dressed in a white night gown. Her sad blue eyes are sunken in and hollow. With a great deal of effort, Natalia seems to pull something black out of her, and send it screaming into the shell that looks like Iole. The little girl's eyes turn the color of fire and start darting back and forth wildly::
I've trapped her in Iole's old body. But I won't be able to hold her there for long. If you kill her while she's in this body, you'll have won the duel, and it should be enough to stop her from ever coming back into this world.
::The sorceress reaches both arms at the possessed body, sending that strange mix of dark and holy magic at it at once. The white energy forms a cage like barrier around her, while the dark energy wraps itself around to hold her in. Jezebel beats the walls of her prison, making it pulsate each time. Natalia appears strained, and drops to her knees::
Do it!
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