The Coming Darkness

Montesque raised his hand grabbing Enzo's calf and halting time recurring for Enzo. His flames and body were completely frozen, as if in stasis. Enzo's actions were gradually going in reverse until he was reverted back to his original state. It was then Montesque resumed time and held the book of Aurora out to Enzo. "I'm not your enemy, Enzo. I'm here with Volitaire. I also need to speak to Kenji." He wasn't expecting such a quick offense from Enzo, though he was able to tell he improved greatly since he last saw him back in the destroyed castle.

W-what is this?! Enzo's body slowed to a halt, then was reversed back to where he was standing. He had forgotten the part about Montesque being a time lord. Quickly, he turned around to face him again. "Not my enemy?! You-" His sudden rage was cut off when he saw Aurora right before his eyes. "I thought Aurora was destroyed.. It was! I saw it with my own eyes..." His voice trailed off as he remembered the events of Castle Aurora.

He quickly shook his head, denying the flashback, and redirected his attention to Monte. He lowered his guard, and thus, his flame was put out. "What do you want?"

"Kenji and I spoke in Gaze after the fake Prom. We agreed to use the book of Aurora as a last resort against Darkness and his forces within Gaze. I can tell by your bamboozled expression you're wondering how I got this... From that day in the castle when the book was destroyed I've been working on a copy, though not as strong. Only strong enough for one wish and one wish only. I also spoke to you friend Volitaire on it during his mission with Silver to kill Venciersio a couple of months back. This isn't really what I want, this what you all need." Montesque placed the book on a alter he crafted his his earth magic, flipping to the page of the main incantation where the wishing spell can be cast. The inscriptions began glow a bright white, waiting for the caster to recite the words.

"I-.." Kenji knew about Monte and Aurora? As much as Enzo dreaded this confrontation with an old enemy, he trusted Kenji's judgement. If only the Council could do the same. The energy the book was giving off alerted the entire island. The energy was rare, only to be found when using Aurora.

A stream of mages flooded through the entrance, taking positions so that they could fire deadly spells if need be. The last person to emerge from the entrance was Captain Azure himself. He stood in front of the large group. "Montesque Viravichi?! What's the meaning of this?!" He shouted.

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Enzo stepped in between the mages and Monte. "Stop!" The mages couldn't fire if it endangered their only chance of survival. "Step back, Enzo. That man is a wanted criminal."

In the mist of the chaos, Kenji pinched the bridge of his tiny nose.

"What's this? I can understand my criminal past dealing with the affairs of the other Viravichi catching up to me, but I'm no enemy. I came here with a artifact that can be used to aid your battle against Darkness." He pointed to the radiating book on the craggy stone pedestal, walking towards it and showing it to the flood of council members. "This, is a crafted copy of the Book of Aurora. Only one wish can be used from it, and that one wish can greatly turn the tide of this battle. Only I know the incantation necessary to cast the wishing spell. Killing me would not prove well for any of you, my magic is also bound inside. So if you do choose to kill me, the book will be destroyed along with me."

"I know the details. You're been charged with killing an entire village of people, tampering with ancient magic that nobody should possess, and the destruction of property. On top of that, we've got the only working copy of Aurora." What? The Council's got one too?! Just how many copies of this spell were made?

Enzo looked between Monte and Azure. It was clear that no matter what the time lord said, it wouldn't waver the Captain. "I saw the damage. The blood of the innocent people that your hired men, working under your command, have done. Now they have either fled or died. That leaves you to own up to their sins and offenses."

Montesque sighed. There was no doubt he was at fault for all those murderers. The man was in a darker place, carrying out Venciersio's will. Though, meeting Enzo and Volitaire made him have a change of heart. But that wouldn't convince the Captain, he knew this well. "I understand." The book warped into his grip, closing itself shut in his palm. He slowly walked towards Kenji, placing the book in front of him. "I would still like for you to take this, Kenji. I didn't slave away for it to be in your hands for nothing." He turned to face Enzo. "Give Volitaire and Silver my deepest apologies. You can't run away from your past forever."

Godhands-
As if JD hadn’t been through enough there was yet another obstacle that stood in their way; another test to pass, another fight to be had, and inevitably more suffering to doll onto them. They were kids. It was as if the entire world had forgotten that and thrust them into the whirlwind of battle without a single prayer for their success or remorse for their death. JD wondered why they were so special, and then found himself sighing.
It wasn’t as if they were special- it was Enzo.
He was the special one.
And they had just been drug into his fate by association.
JD had a decision to make.

Yet as soon as the presentation ended and bodies began mulling about- he wasn’t allowed his same fuming exit. Those eyes pressed against Silver, and maybe his dour look eased up. It was apparent she was ill, and he was a bit too self-absorbed to do anything for it. She had worried herself sick in vain- he figured.
“Why Silver?” JD remarked. “Why in private? Look I know you want to end it- it is fine- and I accept. It is apparent that-“ His arm reached for his shoulder- and that missing appendage twitched in phantom pains once again “-I’m not attractive as I used to be. And I’m more a burden now. And I know everyone is going to bloody treat me that way. I don’t need you to as well. So go- find someone else- and leave your ‘close friend’ alone.”
JD should have stomped off about that time, but he hesitated. He loved her, but she would do better without him- and dammit it was the truth.

Kenij took the book and nodded. "Alright." His voice was low and defeated. Azure stayed quiet this time, only narrowing his eyes when he saw Kenji had some sort of connection with Montesque, but still, stayed quiet.

After he had said what he had to say, a pair of magic nullifying handcuffs were swiped onto man's wrists, and he was being taken away by the captain and escorted by his men.

Enzo felt bad for his old enemy. Sure, he may have did those wrong crimes, but he wanted to repay humanity by presenting Aurora. He wanted to stop them, but to disobey an order from a higher-up in the Council could mean life in prison.

Azure took Montesque out into the airstrip. Word had already sent that transportation was needed for the transfer of a criminal, and soon enough, a plane was already there and waiting on the landing strip. Azure walked the time lord to the plane, and just as he was getting ready to board him, he whispered something. "That kid sees good in you, but I don't. I'm only doing this because of their trust in you." The magical cuffs hazed. The nullifying effect was turned off, yet the cuffs remained. It would allow for Montesque to easily advance time for his restraints, and break them off when they were rusty.
"Now get out of my sight."

He shoved Monte into the plane, gave the pilot a nod, and thus, the plane's hatch was closed. The jet powered up the engines and quickly took for the skies, leaving the base, and the entire island, in the distance.

Azure wondered what he had just done. He freed a wanted time lord from the Council. If his actions were seen by any, that would put his own self in jail.

Silver stared at JD as he spoke, a sad look coming over her face. He got the wrong idea entirely. "JD, what? No, that's not it at all... I-..." She hesitated with what she was about to say, and glanced around to see if there was too many people around. Lucky for her there wasn't. She grabbed his hand and held it close to her, leaning in so she could whisper and he could still hear. "JD..." She bit her lip, still hesitating.

"I'm pregnant."

The sudden remark from Kira made Sully freeze where she laid. "Oh... heh heh... you're up." She replied, trying not to sound too shook up by what she said, or the position they were in. It was then that she heard a knock on the door followed by a familiar voice. "You've gotta be kiddin' me..." She muttered under her breath, bringing her free hand to her forehead. "Who do ya think?" She said in reply to Kira's question.

With a groan, she reluctantly pulled herself from bed, letting Kira's limbs fall to the warm mattress. "I got it." Her bare feet patted against the cool wooden floor as she made her way to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open. Her morning look wasn't the slightest bit elegant, eyeliner smeared below her eyes, her hair was a mess - but the morning look also made her skin flushed and gave her a softer expression. "What can I do for ya, Specs?" The door wasn't open far enough for him to see Kira, unsure if the girl was alright being seen in her sleepwear by a guy.

David was about to turn and leave when Harley answered the door. "Oh, hey there Harley... Were you asleep?" Her appearance didn't really surprise him too much. He frowned, feeling a little bad that he woke her. Only a little though. "Sorry, I'm just bored. Everyone else went off to do 'official business' or whatever, I got nothin' to do." He pushed up his glasses and smiled sheepishly at her. "Uh, but I can find something to do, s-so I'll just uh, come back later, if that's okay, I mean."

Kira yawned, nodding. David. "Right." She almost made a face at having to let go of Harley. Damn. Now the bed felt empty without Harley in it. Laying down on her stomach, she stretched, arching her back into the mattress. Falling back down, she tried to get her thoughts straight. She was just wearing a t-shirt, long enough to reach mid-thigh and a pair of boxers. If she were to stand up, it'd give the illusion she wasn't wearing anything under the shirt. Whether or not David saw, she didn't care. Listening to Harley answer the door, along with David's response, she sat up and reached for her phone to check the time. Unable to stop another yawn, she rubbed her eyes. "Aaauh.. So, early." She honestly could sleep another hour or two. But, since they were all awake, she figured it was time to get up. "Did he bring cookies?" she asked, almost smirking. "Cause, if he did... Then he May be able to stay."

Adorra realized what she had said about the knights not being completely invisible, "Alright, perhaps I should try summoning smaller invisible things..."

She decided to try summoning invisible few rabbits instead, they were simple and small so it didn't take much to bring them into being. Though, she hoped with them being invisible, no one would step on them. So she summoned a cage with both food an water and placed the three rabbits inside of it.

"Can you see those, Enki?"

JD was ten second from stomping away when Silver grabbed him. She was extremely small for a girl, and that always caught him off guard.
“JD” she pleaded and he could just feel the bile rising in his mouth.
“Don’t you-“ he started, and that was as far as he got. What she said next made him nearly vomit. While that might have been an overreaction to the entire situation- it was not something would have ever expected to roll from her lips. Of course it was the feasible outcome to what they had done, and he honestly shouldn’t have been surprised.
But he was.

Immediately the tension slipped from his shoulders and he glanced over Silver’s face for any lack of sincerity. But this was Silver. The girl didn’t make jokes like this to see someone’s reaction, and she definitely never looked this emotional just to be tugging on his heart strings. So it was true.
“I-uh,” he stated ‘eloquently’. “Really?” JD blathered out some more his inability to further the thoughts on this situation were obvious. “Silver- I- I’m sorry. I mean for bloody yelling at you- not for impregnating you. Well I’m sorry about that too- if you are pissed. If not- then- we should talk about things. Yes. Things. Like the fact that we are going to be young parents. I’m not- ah- fit for that.” He paused. “How is this conversation supposed to go? I don’t know. Where is E?” He honestly didn’t know why he wanted his sister at that exact time other than she was usually the one to redirect his thoughts into the proper response.
As much as JD was a social butterfly he sometimes lacked the ability to properly react to situations given the fact that he had desensitized himself to so much.

These summons were much smaller then the knights he had taken care of. It's presence was there, but was harder to detect. "See? No, but I can feel them, somewhat." He hadn't known of the cages, however. "Now if only you could think of something small and battle worthy...."

Silver frowned at him, almost feeling like she was going to break down into tears. But he seemed so confused and caught off guard it almost made her smile a bit. She put one hand over her mouth and shrugged. Clinging to his arm, she shook her head slowly. "It's alright, I understand... I'm not mad. Just.. Confused.. Wh-What do you think? What should we do?" She had never been in a situation like this, nor had she imagined herself ever being in one. All she really knew was being this young and pregnant was something generally frowned upon. Perhaps it would be a good idea to find Eos.

"Hmph. I'll slowly let these cuffs take thier course, Captain. I would thank you, but I know what you're trying to make this look like. I will admit that all of my crimes were not masterminded by me, I was under the lead of a higher mind. But he's taken care of. One of the Guardians did him in a couple of months ago." Montesque felt he should say something in his own defense while he still had the free priority to. He slowly let the cuffs age, using so much time magic at once would cause a much longer cool-down time. Browning slowly showed on the cuffs, the edges were crumbling into a dust looking almost like a mound of brown sugar on his robes. During the long precess he sighed, with a defeated look on his face. Thinking about all he has done to people just to satisfy Venciersio and not incur his wrath filled his already aging heart with guilt, he still felt the most trouble for plaguing Volitaire's life at such a early age, wishing he was able to prevent the disaster that permanently damaged him.

She grinned, "Well, you couldn't see them at least." She bit lip gently, then grinned, "Funnel-Web Spiders that I can control--though I will give them wings!" She giggled at the thought of flying spiders as she thought of flying monkeys. "The spider's themselves can kill in under 15 minutes."

She summoned up over a two dozen of them around her feet and made sure that they couldn't be seen or 'felt' by anyone except herself, she then looked down at them.

"Alright, how about now, Enki," Adorra asked curiously.

“I don’t know- Silver. To be honest I didn’t think this would ever happen- much less at this age.” While JD was romantic at some intercourses- he was far from the kind to find himself settled down so abruptly and without a finite plan. He felt confused, scared, unsure, but most of all- he felt something else warm and churning in his heart. “First things first- let’s not tell anyone. We need all the manpower we can get- obviously- if we are to face these Godhunters. Though I think we should mention it to E- at least- she is by all means a healer, and also my twin. On occasion I think she can read minds- so we- yeah we couldn’t keep it a secret from her for long anyway.” It was then he exhaled. “And then- after all of this is over- and we can mention it to others- we should get married. I mean. It seems only right- really. Not going to at all give you the idea that you would have to fend for yourself with this. With the future prospect of me being a dad and you being a mom- no no I’m not going to think about that right now. Thoughts for later.” So in an attempt to get that out of his mind JD kissed her on the lips quite passionately, and pulled away in a deep exhale. “Now lets’ go find E.”

Silver stared at him as he spoke, nodding in agreement to the things he said. She didn't even want to imagine how the others would react if they told them. She closed her eyes, trying to shake off that thought, when she was suddenly greeted by JD's lips. She blushed quite a bit and opened her eyes, blinking a few times as he pulled away. She brought her hand to her face, feeling how warm she felt, and looked at him again. A smile spread across her face. Could she be anymore in love? She quickly wrapped her arms around him, almost jumping on him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She wasn't even sure of what to say. All she knew was that she was glad she had him to help her through it.

The past week had felt like a complete blur to Marcus, last thing he remembered was sitting on the beach while the building crumbled, the next, he was laying in his bed. It was so warm and cozy, which made it all the harder to pull himself from it when the voice on the intercom echoed through his room, abruptly yanking him from the semi-erotic dream he was having. With a loud and whiny groan, he dragged himself out from under the covers and did his morning bathroom routine.
After a shower that lasted until his skin began to prune, he wiped away the fog in the mirror, examining himself. Although he wasn't that old, he felt it. It was made clearer by the beard starting to grow on his face and a couple of grey hairs forming on his temples. He sighed and picked up his razor, only to place it back down hesitantly. Turning each cheek to the mirror, he examined himself again. Older? No, more mature. The thin beard growing on his face made him look a bit more distinguished opposed to the thick mat of chin scruff he was accustomed to. Yes, the beard will do nicely. He picked the razor back up and shaved the areas under his chin, along his neck, and trimmed the rest of his facial hair neatly. It was kind of vain of him to check out his own reflection for another five minutes post-shaving, but damn, he was looking fine.
Looking out the window, it looked like a beautiful and warm day, good enough to lounge on the beach and enjoy himself before things got too serious again.
He threw on a pretty casual attire, muscle shirt, sunglasses, swim shorts and a pair of sandals. His past self thought it would be pointless to pack those things, but his future self thanked him for it.
As Marcus made his way to beach, a disposable cup of coffee, sweetened with whiskey, in his hand, he tipped his sunglasses to get a better look at two people already there. Dora and...Enki, he believed they were. He pulled off his shades and clipped the earpiece in the nape of his shirt and approached them. Only to stop before coming too close. There were brief flashes of light coming from the area that Dora stood, it was similar to when she conjured herself food earlier last week. From the looks of it, they were training.
He smirked and came a bit closer, coming in on Enki's flank. "Training are we?" He smiled, "mind if I join in? I could use a bit of exercise." Before they answered, he finished off his beverage and set it gingerly in the sand, next to a piece of driftwood. It made him feel as if he wasn't littering. From where he stood, the three formed a kind of scalene triangle, him being closer to Enki as to avoid whatever Dora had conjured. He was in a ready position, but his body was relaxed, his arms lay at his side, his hands in his pockets. Still smiling.

"Spiders?" Enki muttered as his eyes shifted to the ground where Adorra stood. He couldn't track it this time. Not when he was now standing on top of the same rock he was on earlier, some distance away. "Y-yeah, Adorra, that's great - just get rid of them, please!"

From the looks of it, Enki had turned from the teacher to looking like a cornered cat on top of the boulder. It was then that Marcus, wearing relaxed clothing, much like his pupil, arrived.

"M-morning, Marcus! Care to help me train Adorra?"

She summoned up another container that contained crickets, she watched as the spiders got into it, and placed the top back onto it, "...These guys are going to be fun to play with eventually. Sorry, Enki. I hadn't known you didn't like them--otherwise I could have chosen poisonous frogs." She paused briefly, "Hello, Marcus!"

Marcus looked over at Enki, then back at Dora who seemed to be opening an invisible container and ushering something into it, there was a faint chirp of crickets as she did so. He lifted an eye brow for a moment, "Of course. I'm assuming that we're focusing on her trying to hide the energies of her larger conjurations?" When he had arrived at the scene, he did pick up on some additional entities in the area, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly where they were, he could tell they were there, and the abrupt flashes of light gave off their general locations. "Dora, conjure something for me. Instead of expelling your energy, focus it for a few seconds prior. Try to link its energies with yours, mask them, if you will. Make it visible, invisible, whatever you wish. Make it of average size, with using the minimum amount of energy as you can, it'll be hard, but I'm sure you'll get it. Just concentrate." he looked over at Enki again who was still fearfully standing on the rock, "And um, no insects this time." He wasn't a mind reader, but he was able to piece two and two together to figure out that she was conjuring some sort of insects. Which Enki seemed to be afraid of.

Adorra nodded, as she slowed her breathing and felt her energies as the surged through out her body. The feeling wad almost like static building, she concentrated on linking the energies to her summon and then masked them. She made the summons visible, she summoned up a sheathed short sword and a sword breaker into her hands with a minimum amount of energy.

Volitaire stepped out the spare room in his new hand-me-down of an outfit. Only thing that made it acceptable was the fact it "fit" him quite well. He looked about himself, his sleeves fit well, pants weren't too tight looking, jacket gave off a actual human shape and not some baggy box, his undershirt proper, and shoes fit good too. He was pleased with how this looked on him and Artizle could tell by the content look on his face. Artizle opened the door and pointed his hand out to the hallway as a polite or sarcastic gesture for Volitaire to exit. "Care to introduce me to your friends, hmm?" Volitaire rolled his eyes before chuckling, leaving the room hands in pocket. "Yeah, sure. I'm gonna introduce you to Enzo first. I think I saw him head for the training room after the briefing. I also felt something a bit weird when I was changing didn't you? Like some sort of foreign magical power. Now I'm curious.." Volitaire and Artizle was already making way towards the training room with Voli leading the way. The training room door was left open, which was a bit off putting since people usually close it in case they begin using some more intense spells and training methods. Peering through dorway Volitaire saw a portal, Enzo, Kenji with what looked like Aurora, and a stone pedestal. "This is quite the situation.." Artizle snickered at Volitaire's little comment. Volitaire started up again walking over to Enzo first before asking kenji what that book really was. As he walked closer to Enzo he was distracted by the flame encircled portal. He felt he should know what it is and a part of him did, but he couldn't put his finger on where he saw it before. "Hey, whatcha got going on over here?" Artizle was more mesmerized by the portal than Voli was. Walking around it and leaning towards it to get a closer look, almost ready to touch the thing.

Turning his attention to the entrance, Enzo saw Volitaire and someone else he doesn't know, enter the room. He smiled at his best friend as he asked a question. "I'm about to go." He said, looking over to the portal and Artizle. "It's the final stretch, you know. This is almost over." The more he spoke while looking at the portal, the more it seemed he was zoning out. He looked back to Volitaire.

"Are you ready to finish this?"

Artizle kept poking around the portal pretending to be in a world of his own but quietly listening to the who. "So they're really ready to go, eh?" He thought. Volitaire nodded, looking through the portal and taking a small breath. He hadn't gotten to truly use his skills because of how dangerous they can be around allies, but he knew he'd need to draw out all of his power for this final moment. They've overcame many enemies and sacrificed a lot to get where they are today. He though back from their first ever mission to Aurora, to think that they've come this far. It was a long and painful journey but it was all going to end soon. His clenched his fist and straitened his face. "When you unlock your flames, I'm expecting you to be an entirely different person. I want to see what you really are, Enzo." Drawing from what he's heard from Kenji and Enki he could tell Enzo wasn't all of what he really is. He knew his power wasn't magic, but ever since he gained his flame he was able to feel something he hadn't before inside of Enzo. Something sleeping, sort of hidden away. He hoped this would be released and shows all of the Guardians what to expect out of Sky.

He nodded in assurance to Dora. "Good good," Marcus adjusted his glasses and his tone sank, "Now, do it again." She did well, but it wasn't exactly the standards he had hoped, "Withdraw them, conjure them again, make them invisible and attack me." His friendly voice seemed to turn authoritarian in a matter of seconds as he sunk into a readied fighting stance, "Want me to go easy on you?" His lips pulled into a small grin, "Feel free to join in Enki, either side."