The Coming Darkness

"Hnn..." A rumble from the structure above made her stir from what was an almost impenetrable state of slumber. Her eyes tightened as she hugged herself into an even tighter ball, "...five more minutes." Her words were slurred as she felt a shiver run through her body, attempting to keep her eyes shut for just a little longer. But alas, the building shook once more and she was forced to admit defeat.

Sitting up, her mohawk was a complete mess as it curled in every direction it could. Bringing a hand to her head she cracked her neck, "Jesus... am I that hungover?" As a yawn escaped her, her eyes slowly made their way around the room, various clues giving her a hint to what she may have done last night.

"This isn't my shirt..." Pulling on the color she stepped out of bed, the cool touch of the floor sending chills through her once again. "And... I'm not wearing pants..." It was then she saw her clothes from last night strewn about the floor.

"Oh shit..." She reached for her pants, pulling them on and doing up the button she knelt down to see the ID on the bags placed in the room. "Agh!" She smacked herself on the forehead, "The last thing I remember is being with that dark haired chick I met in the cafeteria... how the hell did this happen?" Right before she had stumbled into the dining area where Team Valor was, she was busy fooling around with one of the miscellaneous students who had agreed to come along and now she was sneaking out of a teachers room.

A little irritated with how foggy the night before was, she did her best to get dressed into her clothes from last night. Honestly, she was in a bit of a rush - simply not wanting to deal with coming face to face with a teacher she had most certainly hooked up with. "I've got to call Kira." Harley mumbled to herself, finding her phone amongst her belongings. As she waited for her to pick up on the other end, her attention finally caught on to the meal sitting atop a tray. "Dang, I must have done somethin' right." She didn't hesitate to take a swig of coffee followed by a unladylike mouthful of eggs before she made her way to the door.

"Come on Kira... pick the fuck up!"

"So let's see..." Beatrice pushed her hair back, letting the strands fall and frame her face perfectly. "We've got Mist... Storm..." Her eyes glanced at both Volitaire and Silver momentarily. "But where are...?" Her question was quickly entered by the sudden enterance of both Enzo and Sasha. "Ah! Cloud... and the ever impenitrable Sky~!" Looking over her shoulder she nodded to Alarick, "It looks like we've got ourselves a party, so let's get this sorted, shall we?"

"I'm about fed up with these bloomin' fools!" She shouted, holding her arms out as a storming red energy began to pick up around her fists.

The pain was inconceivable, as Eos tried to her best to hold on for her dear life. The rings... maybe if I could just... But even though she got enough energy to form these thoughts, she couldn't move herself to where JD had previously stuffed them away.

Kira looked down at her pocket to take the phone out. Seeing the number, she almost sighed in amusement. Well then. "Harley's up." Picking it up, she stopped walking, glancing behind her. "I thought you would still be asleep." She commented to Harley. She knew Marcus was just outside the door. Motioning for David to follow her, she headed back to the room. "How ya feelin'?" Just how bad was the hangover? Or, was she in shock over the night she spent with Marcus. "Marcus was going to wake you up soon."

A least warn the girl he's right outside. Seeing Marcus still at the door with Dora, honestly the hadn't been too far away, Kira nodded at Marcus and went to the door, opening it to go inside. Slipping inside she saw that Harley was already going to head out. Kira gave Harley a once over and she smirked. So she was dressed already. "Building might collapse soon."

At first, Enzo was confused as to whom the two adults were. He had not seen the bodies of the twins behind them just yet. "What's this all about? Where's Eos and JD?" He asked in a hastened tone. It didn't take him long to see a blood pool, with both Eos and JD at the center. A severed limb, a decimated eye. This made Enzo sick to the stomach, and he didn't want to believe it, but it was as he saw. Eos and JD were possibly dead, if they weren't, they would be very soon.


One of Sasha's water spheres shot directly at the adults. Enzo himself was frozen in shock, his orange pupils vibrating in fear. "N-...No way..." The next thing that had caught his attention was Volitaire. It seemed he had already known what to do with the situation. Those two adults were no friends to them.


It was then that Enzo ran up to Volitaire's side. "I'm with you!" He shouted, his fist clenched and his flame flaring.

Volitaire kept his eyes on Alarick and Beatrice. His eyes moved to focus on Enzo for a brief moment, nodding in acknowledgement. "They're JD and Eos' parents. They seemed to have used some sort of Blood Magics to surface from those pendants they have... I was supposed to help them with freeing them from those but, I took too long, and now this happened. I guess you can say this is my fault." Holding back his own disappointment in himself, he stood strait up and thought of a way to get JD and Eos out of the area. "Enzo, what's most important is that we need to get both JD and Eos out of here. They need attention and fast. I'm not too sure how powerful these two are, but I'm sure we all can handle it for the most part." He looked to his flaring ring, and then to Enzo. "Enzo's flames are the epicenter to everyone's flames... I can tell his training has worn him out. I also saw him absorb flames before... That's it!" An idea sparked, he let his flames strengthen and gave Enzo his hand. "Enzo, you can absorb flames, correct? You did it one before, take my flame and rejuvenate yourself, your flames aren't as strong a I've seen them before."

Silver ran up next to Enzo and Volitaire, listening to what Volitaire started to explain. Her eyes kept glancing to Eos and JD's bodies. She glared at the two adults before them and nodded to herself, her flames quite strong and dense at this point from all the emotions running through her. "Take some of mine, too. I have plenty." She held her swords in one hand as she offered her free hand to Enzo, so he could take some of her flames as well. "You and I can take care of these two, while Voli and Sasha can get Eos and JD away and get them help. Deal?"

Meanwhile, David was with Kira, but didn't answer her question. He simply shrugged as she took out her phone and paused, looking behind them to see the others. He followed Kira and tried to keep himself from chuckling as he saw Harley. She looked like a mess.

Enzo listened to both Volitaire and Silver. The plan was a solid one. He nodded to the both of them. Volitaire's ring started to emit storm flame from it in the form of a line, the same with Silver's. Volitaire's Storm flame was absorbed into Enzo's blazing left hand, while Silver's Mist flame was absorbed into his right. The Sky flame in both of his hands then disappeared, yet it remained on his forehead. This is going to be dangerous...

He felt the foreign energy mingle with the Sky flame in his body, and it felt much like the flames themselves were fighting a three-way battle. Enzo closed his eyes, trying his best to redirect the new flames. They're much more powerful than my flame... It was true, the Sky flame was getting sandwiched between the Storm and the Mist's violent flailing. I have to concentrate...

After the last clash between the flames, the two flames spring in opposite directions in his body. Enzo wore Volitaire's Storm flame in his left hand, and Silver's Mist flame in his right, with the Sky flame remaining on his forehead.

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The different flames burned differently. The Storm flame was spinning in place as it burned, while the Mist flame dripped from his right hand like the frigid air around ice. He clenched both fists, the force of the flames alone pushing the air back like a small explosion.

He opened his eyes, and they too, have changed. Enzo's left eye was a glowing red like Volitaire's, and his right eye was a calm, but bright purple.

"You're both going to pay for betraying your children like that. Let's go, Silver."

Marcus' body relaxed itself at Kira's insinuation of Harley's overall intoxicated promiscuity. Although he still wasn't overly fond of his lack of alcohol induced actions, it was a relief to hear that it wasn't the first time it's happened.
Just as he was about to reenter the room, Kira and the others, whom were about to make their way outside, did an about turn after receiving what seemed to be a phone call from the mohawked girl herself. They brushed past him and entered his room. "Well, okay then." He said a bit confused, "I will just wait outside then, I suppose." With that, he slipped his hands in his pockets and left the building, joining a few others outside.

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MUSIC

Alarick started to roll up his sleeves as if he was about to get his hands dirty and not engage Guardians. “Oh Beatrice you have always been the one for dramatics,” he remarked as if this wasn’t life or death. “I have always enjoyed your theatrics- it is how you wooed me in by the way.” No one would know because honestly their past was mired in darkness and blood but Alarick was the son of royalty, and very noble magical user. Most would accuse his wife of corrupting him, but to introduce taint like that into someone’s soul they already have to have a bit of darkness in there to begin with. The man had inherited the VanCise power called: ‘godhand’. It was something that JD should have received upon this sixteenth birthday but failed too, and so instead had fashioned his own magic the best he could.

“Quite right- they are getting on my last nerves. At least you didn’t have to sit through Janus’s impractical ramblings about marriage and family.” He offered a tight grimace at that thought. “Ah well not that it matters now.” Alarick offered a stern kick to his son’s stomach. “If he isn’t dead- he definitely dying.”

With that he smiled brightly. “I do believe we need to extinguish these petty flames and get back to business.” It was then he raised his hand upwards and pointed it towards the three standing there at the threshold of the room. “Godhand- disassemble.” It was then massive flecks of the ceiling, walls and floors around him seemed to vaporize into nothing. “Reassemble,” he stated firmly and the particles then reformed into slick spikes. He was manipulating the area around him on a molecular level- there was no more mass there now than was before it had just been reformed. Now it was no longer particulates that held the building together but glistening pointed spikes that quavered in the air before being launched forward with a flick of his hand.

Enzo's eye twitched as he witnessed JD's own father abuse him. How could a parent do such a thing? Anger built up inside of Enzo. His varying flames all flaring wildly at once. "We've got to avoid damage to this base if we can help it." He informed Silver. They had to hold back on many of their different attacks, in fear that it would bring harm to the students in the same building.

Suddenly, parts of the room vanished, and was reformed into sharp projectiles, which were then shoot toward the three. Enzo stood still as the spikes closed in. There were many of them, he wouldn't be able dodge all of them if they were directed toward him. As they came within impact, they flew straight through him, only for his body to disperse as an illusion.

The real Enzo had pulled back, and circled around the room with the help of the borrowed storm flame. Once he safely avoided the spikes, he landed around 15 feet away from Alarick's side. "What kind of parent does this?!" He demanded an answer, but found himself too frustrated to wait for an answer. he charged for the father, yelling in rage. Enzo's body started to multiply in numbers as he ran. They were obviously illusions, but attacking the wrong one would leave him open for a solid punch in the face.

Silver's anger kept building up more and more the longer this man talked. She tensed up a bit when he kicked JD, but tried to keep herself focused. She nodded at Enzo, a bit surprised that he was using her illusions already, but also impressed. She sliced through and barely dodged whatever spikes came her way, then noticed Enzo not too far away. Shaking her head and wishing she might be there to attack instead of him, Silver used the magic she had left to help Enzo's illusions be much more realistic. It's probably better this way, anyways. If she got too worked up, she might cause more damage than necessary.

In the middle of the fray of Alarick's congregate attack and Enzo's illusion to fool the caster, Volitaire warped to the shadow of the corner of the room. His spells gave too much of a area of effect for him to use it in a closed room, especially with allies beside him. It was best suited he'd get the twins to safety, as Silver suggested to Enzo. In the blink of an eye he was behind Alarick and Beatrice, he wasn't expecting this to be a simple escape. He picked Eos up from off the ground, her once perfectly unmarred form was horribly decimated by her unforgiving parents. He teared up, almost giving in to a moment of embrace. No time for that, he pulled himself together and tried to make way over to JD. If he at least touched them while warping he could get all three of them out of there. "I'll make sure you both are safe... I'm so sorry..." He grabbed JD's only arm and hoisted him over his shoulder, while trying to keep Eos in his grip. A test of strength, but he ignored the weight for the sake of his lover and someone he considered his older brother.

Seeing Voli warp behind the twins sent Sasha on her feet as well. The russian female pushed herself forwards with pressure set off from the water around her, finally grabbing Eos's waist, helping to support the girl, giving a light grin towards Voli, "We'll get 'em through this," she mouthed.

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Remaining calm, even as the room began to finally stir up around her she cast a sideways glance to Alarick, "I trust you'll keep him occupied." Her voice was firm, as if to tell him there was no other option. In that instant her form dissipated into a mist of crimson blood before assimilating again in another corner of the room.

It was then that Beatrice used the magic she was most familiar with, that of mental manipulation through casting hexes on others. Leaving Enzo up to Alarick, she kept her eyes focused on Silver - her pupils cutting through the darkness she had shrouded herself within. "நீங்கள் உள்ளே இருட்டாக வதைக்கும் நாம்." Her words hissed and slithered through the air like distorted white noise, creeping their way into his ear. The words were clearly of an ancient tongue, and it was impossible to decipher them. If the soul had any feelings of hate, self loathing or darkness, the spell would only intensify them and bring them out - forcing the target to become a victim of their own sin. The more light in the soul, the harder it was for the spell to succeed, but the more darkness held inside, the easier it was for them to fall prey to it.

Enzo was powerful, yes. But from watching through Eos' eyes all this time it's more than clear that he would break under the sorrow of watching his friends and loved one's fall around him.

Meanwhile, Eos laid unconscious between the arms of Voli and Sasha. As her blood stained both their hands and clothes, her head fell to the side, her bangs partially cloaking the horrible mess Alarick had made of her eye. Somehow, the remaining eye was still actively shedding a steady stream of tears that beaded around the corners of her lashes and fell down her cheek. Each drop seemed to be shimmering with a warm golden glow that could be likened to the glow of her healing magic.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as Kira picked up the phone, although the clear irritation in her tone made her chest grow tight. "How am I feelin'? Like shit to be honest, but whoever is crashin' around upstairs clearly doesn't know how to nurse a hangover..." And with that she went to reach for the door handle, only to see it turn and the door to open up with Kira standing right before her. "Oh.. Hi." Closing the phone, she slipped it into her jeans pocket and rubbed the back of her neck like a child about to be punished. "You know... I..." She had begun to apologize, but Kira cut her off with the sharp and sudden statement.

"Wait, what?" Blinking a few times she rubbed her face, "Then we need to get the hell outta here, don't we? Ain't no use in standin' around." It was then she saw David follow Kira in, growling the moment he dared to laugh at her, she gave him a swift jab to the shoulder before walking past him. "Shut up, Specs."

But as if the walk of shame wasn't worse enough, Marcus was just outside the door. Harley wasn't the type to mingle after a night like that, and she also wasn't the type to even offer a passing glance for the sake of not seeming like an asshole. Odds were that he was a little blurry and upset about the night before anyway, so without a word she pulled her hood over her head and walked right by him.

Kira gave her a smirk. Seeing Harley act sheepish or guilty didn't seem to suit the punkish female. Harley wasn't the kind to dwell on things, so she was fine with it. There were more important things at hand. "Figured you needed an explanation for the rude awakening." Following after her, she looked up at the ceiling curiously. It had gotten a little less hectic now. She stopped at realizing something. "Uh.. left my stuff upstairs." Where, the fight was going on. Harley knew how much she valued her things.

"I'll be riiiight back." Shooting them an apologetic smile, she started to move away from them, and to the stairs. Fuck. Stupid idea but.. there were important things she had. What is up with me always leaving my stuff in a room? Last time,was my purse. Now, shit tons of stuff. That would teach her. Next time, she'll just strap everything to her wrist. Or, pack lightly. Or, if she left something alone, shed figure something horrible had happened or was about to happen. Funny though.. this didn't happen often in New York.

Back in the training room, students' concern was rapidly growing. They talked among themselves and peered around the ceiling of the room they were in. Kenji made his way back into the observation room just as the captain was ordering guards to investigate. "You three. I want you to head to the third floor and secure it! We may be under attack!"
"Don't." Kenji commanded as he entered the room casually. "This is the Guardian's business. They can handle it themselves." Azure was taken back by Kenji's surprising will to not help at all. "Are these not your pupils, Kenji?! Why should we not help?" Frustration trailed in his voice, yet all Kenji did was tip his hat and bear his teeth under it.


"Captain, correct me if i'm wrong. You don't think those brats could defend themselves against whatever else is up there, yet you're willing to send them into the land of the dead on a mission that's nearly suicide. Your logic evades me." Kenji hopped up onto the table to get a better look at the men. They looked terrified enough. They had not signed up to fight against someone that could turn nightmares into reality. Azure had noticed the fear, and honestly couldn't find any words to fight back with. "What we CAN do, is evacuate this building and prepare a field hospital outside." The captain sighed in response. Kenji's words and overall attitude fit Azure's job perfectly, and it honestly bothered him that he knew so much. "..Sure," He sighed out as he looked towards the three men he was commanding earlier. "Evacuate this area, ASAP."


It didn't take long for a flood of students to pour through the hallways towards the exit like a river. With each shake of the building urged the crowd to move just that little bit faster.

Volitaire kept quiet, grinning to Sasha's assistance. In the chaos of all the fighting, something caught his eye. Something gleaming. He felt something like a tiny patter of warm liquid that's somehow pleasing to the touch. He turned to see Eos' tears falling on his hand. In comparison they reminded him of the tea she gave him back in Gaze. An idea struck, but he had to leave the room in order see if it can work and not be interrupted. Spotting the door and stairwell, he saw a shadow under a escalate of stairs. He whispered to Sasha; "Place your hand on my shoulder, so you can be warped along with me if you're not going to stay and fight." He clearly wanted to leave as soon as possible. Those tears may be the one way of waking both the twins up.

David watched as Harley walked by him, and gave him a good smack on the shoulder. "Hey, that hurts my feelings." He rubbed his shoulder, pretending like it hurt. That's when Kira decided to go get her things. "Ohh, no you don't." He reached out and grabbed her wrist before she got too far. "It's too dangerous. No way you're going up there now." He gave her a stern look as he lightly pulled her back a bit, away from the stairs.

After making sure Enzo had the support he needed, Silver stared at Beatrice. She seemed to be mumbling something strange, and it made her a bit uneasy. What did she say? She started feeling upset, but upset at what? The fact that she couldn't understand? The fact that she couldn't protect JD or Eos? Maybe it was the fact that she couldn't really do anything to help anyone, despite how strong she might be. Or maybe it was the fact that she knew her original purpose, the reason she was born. The grip on her swords tightened until her knuckles turned white. What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly feeling like this? She felt so angry, but it was almost out of nowhere. Now's not the time for this, come on, clear your head! She took a deep breath, slowly inhaling, and slowly exhaling. But she still couldn't shake the feelings of hatred and worthlessness. Suddenly, she realized. She glared back to Beatrice, who seemed to be simply observing. "Wh...What did you do?..." Maybe she didn't do anything. Maybe this was simply how pathetic Silver really was. She couldn't handle the pressure. No, that can't be it..

The overwhelming feelings were making it hard for Silver to reason with herself, and she didn't know what to do. She fell to her knees, her arms shaking. "No... Stop.." Come on, snap out of it! The logical part of her mind was growing more and more quiet, all her paranoid thoughts and the insecurities she had spilled to Enzo coming again into light. "W-Why...?" She stared at the ground in front of her, and her eyes shot between the charms and her bracelet. JD... "N-No.." she whimpered. "I-I'm better than that.." No, you're not. She kept shaking her head slowly. Stop thinking like this! Now's not the time for a pity party!! She glared back up at Beatrice, wanting to attack her, but unable to control herself anymore. Instead, she sat there, biting her lip and trying not to break down even further.

There was an underlying feeling of guilt that was following Harley around, one that was almost constantly there but was mainly suppressed under loud music, drinking, drugs and chaos - anything to distract her from herself.

The disheveled mess of a girl was headed in the direction that all the other students were heading, but stopped in her tracks when she heard Kira say she needed to go back. It was then the stampede of students seemed to grow ever more frantic, making it hard for Harley to focus on the situation. She backtracked over to Kira, but before she could say anything to protest, David did. "Hey!" She glared at the boy, "That was my line!" Man did this kid step on her toes, and in her opinion was getting a little too close to Kira. At this rate Kira might fall for heroics like his.

"Tch... well, Specs is right. No way you're going up there. If it's that important I'll go with you."

Well the child with the flames emanating out of his body was plucky- Alarick thought. He also had many more an amusing thought when he focused in on his wife- steadily chanting away. Her powers were much akin to a viper- maybe you saw the shift of sands and grass about you before it laid its fangs into your body and injected its venom. Next thing you know you are trying to purify the blood that is steadily necrotizing your body; and before you know it your heart gives out with a wheeze and a puff of resignation. And honestly no matter what euphemism you could use to describe Beatrice’s power she was damn sexy casting her magic.

“They were never children,” Alarick remarked bored. “They were always tools for our resurrection. You don’t hate the lumberjack for chopping down a piece wood.” He paused and scratched the side of his face in thought. “Do bloody lumberjacks even exist? That is one of the first things I shall look into. Shortly after I take my beloved wife on a date; I’m thinking Thai- what you about? I mean we are close- Japan and all.”
It was then he turned his attention towards Enzo who had rather successfully dodged the haplessly aimed projectiles. Alarick frowned. “Hm- I’m really bad with guessing games. I never choose the right one. So- how about all of them?” With that he extended his hand and flicked his digits down- the entire ceiling above him seemed to section itself off and then crashed down towards Enzo in a single entity. This was an attempt to take care of the multiples all at one time. “Was I right? What did I win? A new car would be nice.”

---

JD on the other hand was still quite unconscious, and his pallor was paling into a deathly ill. The bloodied stump where his arm used to be was still bleeding, but it had slowed a bit as the proximity to his sister had begun to somewhat knit the wounds. He would never have that arm back again, but maybe just maybe he would live from this.

Referring to Enzo's friends as mere tools angered him, and only pushed him to charge faster. Unfortunately, he was too wrapped up in his own emotions that he noticed the collapsing ceiling too late, and it soon caved him in, inside of a large buildup. Sunlight shone through the hole, and the chilly air seeped in, spreading around the dust of the old ceiling even further.

Enzo's already worn body was nearly at the breaking point. The roofing had done some damage, and was able to break his concentration on the flames he had borrowed from his friends, leaving him with his ordinary Sky flame.

Outside the rubble, he heard a faint phrase being recited from the outside. He didn't understand it, so he decided to ignore it for now. Right now, he had to get back into the fight. His body reminded him that he was more used to dealing damage than taking it. God damn it.. He felt his head wet with blood, and it frustrated him that he fell for such a simple attack. He punched the rubble off of him with his armored glove, and freed himself from the stone prison.


The next thing he noticed was the fact that Silver was starting to lose it. It made her weak, and he would most likely have to protect her as well, at least until she got herself together. He felt himself growing more and more frustrated that his friends were used as tools for resurrection. "...I hate people like you..." He told off Alarick. His Sky flame slowly started to shrink back into his body as the rage collected. His most neglected Minus Fire burst out of his body, changing his eyes to the eerie green that shined ominously based on the amount of anger he held within him. His black and green flame, out of control, lashed about on the ground around him, tearing into the ground in a spiral fashion at first, then settling down on his forehead. "People like you don't deserve to have children like them.." He held his head, which was surging with pain from the ceiling. "..You don't have the slightest clue what roles they play.." He slowly dragged one foot in front of the other as he continued speaking. "You're lucky you are the parents of my two friends, or else i'd end you..."

Kira almost snapped at David for stopping her. She glared at him as she tugged her wrist back harshly. She'd apologize later but right now... This was wasting time. Taking a step away from them, she was glad to have the swarm of students as a cover and distraction. Yay for diversions. Looking over at Harley at her comment, she almost gave her a pout for taking David's side. "Then come with me. I'm getting our things before anything of value is lost. Some of that stuff is rather, hard to come by, in a foreign land." she said, giving Harley a slight smirk. "Think your girl's there too." If anything, That would make Harley hightail it to the third floor.

Taking advantage of some students going between the three of them. Kira turned around and motioned for Harley, and or David to follow. She wanted to get her stuff before the whole floor collapsed. She'd taken a few steps up the stairs before the undeniable sound of something crashing down was heard above. Alrighty then.. Now there were sure to be casualties in that fight. She'd half a mind to Check on them. Something told her Harley and David would lynch her for even thinking on it.

As expected Dora was left once again, so she gathered up all the strength she could muster and darted down to hallway. She ran a good bit before she caught sight of the doors she had originally entered the day before, pushed them opened, and then continued to run for a few more moments. After which she kept up a decent pace and headed towards the beach.

If both Kira and David remembered they would know that they were all going to be there after breakfast. She nearly collapsed in the sand, but managed to seat herself as gently as possible. She summoned up something to eat an drink and had begun to finally eat. She watched an waited to see if they would come through the double doors.

David huffed as he watched Kira go up the stairs, quickly moving past the students that came between them and up the stairs to Kira, only to grab her arm again. "I can't let you do that. I don't even feel safe going up there. We don't know what's going on. I'm sure your things will be fine, so come on." He was willing to pick her up and carry her out, should she resist more. The look on his face was serious as well as slightly irritated.

Silver, on the other hand, was struggling a lot. Her arms and legs were shaking, and she kept arguing with herself. This was worse than anything she had dealt with before. Her head was pounding so much she could barely see straight. She felt like the feelings she was feeling inside were not limited to just inside, but they were all throughout her body. She could practically feel the anger and hatred oozing through her pores. She looked up at Enzo, who had a change in flames. It looked familiar, but she had a bad feeling about it. Then again, she had a bad feeling about everything right now. I can't be this weak... I have to help Enzo! I have to... I don't have a choice! "Whether I hate myself or not.." she mumbled to herself quietly finishing her own thoughts. Suddenly, she remembered Enzo's advice to her after their own training session.

"Instead of fighting it, Silver, direct it at your enemies."

She remembered how he helped her, and how supportive he was. She remembered how supportive everyone was, and how much she cared for them. She remembered how they cared for her just as much. "I don't have a choice.." she repeated to herself again. She gripped her swords again, and slowly pushed herself up, wiping her face a bit to clear away whatever tears had formed before. She glanced back to Enzo, concerned for his well-being. She knew he'd be okay, though. He always was. She glared back at Beatrice, having a feeling it was her the entire time. Still feeling a bit unsure of everything, she almost smiled. "Is that all you got, bitch?"

Volitaire really wanted to aid his friends, but he knew they could handle it. They were the most skilled fighters he knew. The staircase was in his sights, he took a deep breath letting go any anxieties he had for the result of this battle. He grabbed Sasha and warped into the shadow on the stairwell. With the four outside of the battle, Volitaire could focus on the twins. He saw Eos' tears was beginning to slow JD's bleeding, meaning his brief speculation was correct. Volitaire wasn't going to just simply scoop them up, that would be a horrible idea. He looked to them both, then to Sasha, then he had another idea. "Sasha. You control water, no? Could you be willing to bend Eos' tears around their wounds?" He spoke as clearly as he could, which was hard with him being shaken up by the entire situation.

Alarick looked rather bored at the rubble he had caused and offered a playful yawn in response to the flame boy’s quick and crushing demise- or at least what he had hoped to be the other’s demise. Mind you he wasn’t so daft as to chock it up to a win for his side, but he was rather bemused by the other’s resurrection from the entombing debris of the ceiling above. “You’re bleeding,” Alarick stated rather flatly as he pointed to his own head. “Might want to get that looked at- concussions are not good for kids your age.”

It was then the older man pouted a bit rubbed his eyes in a feigned look of tear streaked cheeks. “Awe you hate me- but why Enzo- we could have been best friends?” He sighed. It was apparent that the boy’s flame was evolving steadily, and that caused Alarick a bit of worry. Mind you not the slightest pique of concern crossed his eyes, and if anything he just rammed his hands in his pockets and watched the intense burning of power pile in front of him.
“Are you lecturing me?” Alarick asked shortly. “You do realize I am twice your age- do you? And more handsome too- ah genetics,” he grinned wildly and brushed a hand through his dark mane. “Look. Had those people not come all those nights ago and killed me and Beatrice then we would have never have come to this little impasse. Eos and Janus would still be alive, and to be honest you would probably be facing them now. It is unfortunate circumstances, but alas- isn’t it better you had known them as you did than not at all?” He sighed softly. “I know though you probably still won’t take that well ‘you should have never of killed them- they were your children’. I just can hear it now. So save me from it.” He paused and then whispered- loudly- “but hey at least Janus left a legacy. Just between you and me. No protection was to be had between Silver or him on that hotel. I mean. It only takes once. That would be sweet right? I would be a grandfather.” He paused again. “Ah no- wait- that would make me old. Gah. Nevermind.”

It was then Alarick frowned. “Not going to end me- well you are going to regret that, because if you kids don’t stop your imbecilic mission to try to defeat Darkness then I will end up killing you. Now all I have to do is stoke the fire a bit- see what you are capable of, and then I think it is on to Thailand for a date. So lets’ stoke the fire.” It was then that Alarick popped his knuckles and activated Godhand once again. The plumbing that coursed through the building like veins in a body wrenched out of their place between the floors and began to crunch and reform into sharp hand-like appendages. There were three exactly about the size of a person and each of them wrenched towards Enzo with speed and proficiency. Along with that Alarick began working on the floor- altering its’ molecular formation to become a liquid instead of a solid. It was then he lifted his hands and pieces of the fallen rubble began to shirt upwards and aim themselves at the boy.

Enzo stood in place, watching and panting heavily as each of the sharp claws tore through his place. His legs did not move. His muscles working against him, if anything. "GAAAH!" He yelped in pain before landing on his back with a thud. The floor had changed form, and would have hindered Enzo had he enough time to recover. However, the fallen rubble had shot up into the air, and back down onto Enzo.


Despite the beating, his flame burned brightly. It was fueled by anger, hate, and regret. None of that would desert him here. He saw Volitaire and Sasha escape the room safely, and he sighed of relief knowing that both he and Silver bought them enough time. Still, that left the problem of Alarick and Beatrice. Enzo used his flame of hatred to blast away small portions of rubble, freeing him up and allowing him to sluggishly rise back up to his feet.


It wasn't looking good. Enzo's vision blurred, his life force draining rapidly. The Minus Fire was a poison. When it was used, it would consume the Sky flame - which was basically his soul. It also intensified the burning in his chest. Blood from his head covered over his right eye by now, restricting him from using it.

"You haven't won yet..." He muttered, then closed his other eye. He blocked out his surroundings, allowing himself to only rely on his sense of hearing, smell, and touch. Attribute of.. the Sky: S-...Serene Mind

Sasha nodded at Voli's request, placing her hand on his shoulder, "Got it." Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Enzo dodging some projectiles, and getting more and more frustrated by whatever that Alarick was doing. Her heart went out to him, and Sasha nearly moved to help the youth with his ordeal, but her eyes shot back to Voli. Stay focused... The female gritted her teeth as they were warped into some sort of darkness.

Looking up at Volitaire, Sasha heard his question, then nodded, "I can try." Sasha's eyes closed, and she lifted a hand up over the tears of Eos, and slowly but surely, the glowing tears began to expand.

Marcus had been sitting on a piece of driftwood atop the sandy beach, watching the structure tremble as students and staff clamored out of the double doors. A small tremor followed every shake of the building and dust and debris began falling from the rooftop. "We just got here, and already the place is blowing up..." The teacher sighed, still watching the doors for the 'group' he was with.
The first one out was Dora, who looked a bit dizzy from all the confusion but found herself a seat near by in the sand. A small meal appeared in front of her, causing Marcus to raise and eyebrow in bewilderment, and his stomach to growl in envy. "Conjuration, nice power." He smiled at her and turned his attention back to the double doors just in time to see Ines staggering out. She irked at the sight of the sun and her lips pulled into a frown as she shielded her eyes from it. Slowly, but surely, she stumbled herself to sit beside him. Her face was pale, her hair was a mess, and he could catch a whiff of booze on her breath when she sighed. "Rough night?" Before she could get an answer out, there was a loud groan from the building followed by a crash as part of the roof caved in. Ines of course grabbed her head as the loud noise activated her hangover headache. She let out an exaggerated groan and Marcus patted her on the back softly. "Don't worry, it'll all before over in a couple of hours." He chuckled softly in an attempt to mask his concern for those still inside, hoping no one was injured. Or worse yet, killed.

Something was especially powerful about those brightly glowing tears that flowed from her closed eyelid, and could be best explained as Eos' healing power in it's purest form - and although they could never heal the physical and mental scars this day offered, they could save them from the brink of death. Although Volitaire and Sasha would never admit it, with their quick thinking and powers would be responsible for saving the lives of both JD and Eos - and perhaps even more due to the domino effect of keeping those two alive.

As Sasha began to bend and manipulate her tears around them, weaving them through the air like a web, once they began to touch the devastating wounds that the twins bared, they would slowly begin to close up. But they would still remain unconscious unless Sasha and Volitaire could find a way to replace the drastic blood loss.

Beatrice was letting Silver eat away at her mind and soul, watching with greedy eyes. Because of the way Alarick worked, the room around them was becoming unstable to rely on, and upon that realization Beatrice let the blood red mist that brought her carry her body upward so that it appeared as though she was floating above the floorboards.

As she loomed towards her, she was ready to take feast on the prey that had cornered itself - but in a sudden moment it seemed as though Silver was breaking away from her hex. "Impossible! I sense the darkness within you! It runs through your veins and darkens your blood!" She sneered, her angled brows furrowing in fury.

"Ah, it seems you've learned my pet name!" It looked as though this fight would be a little less easy than she had first assumed, Beatrice now swooping downward to take hold of Silvers throat.

Harley watched as David stubbornly protested against Kira heading upstairs, which was probably the best and most responsible position to take. But Harley saw it not only as an opportunity to keep Kira safe but happy at the same time, but as a way to one up Specs at impressing Kira. "I'll go, okay?!" She yelled as the crashing seemed to continue, "Specs, take her outside!" And with that she leaped up the stairs.

This better work, and I better get a kiss on the cheek or somethin'.

"Okay, at least the wounds have closed... But I doubt they'll come-to anytime soon. Lets just get them away from here." Volitaire looked out a window on the stairwell, spotting all the people being rushed out the base. It seems like the council has taken notice to what may be going on and had the people evacuate. Volitaire felt it may be some of Kenji's doing, considering they hadn't decided to show up. "Sasha, lets get them outside. I can see a medical bay being prepared outside." He hoisted JD, with some trouble because of the blonde's more developed physique, and carefully made his way back down the steps. He turned his head back, seeing Enzo caved under the debris. He had every urge to run back, his squinted his eyes and his grip on JD tightened a bit... He looked down to spot a shadow being cast by one of the physicians outside. He wasn't used to warping that far in an instant, but he had to try. He focused his stare at the shadow, placed his hand on Sasha's shoulder and blinked, warping away in a black smog, reappearing behind the physician. He was startled and nearly fell on his back, bu was probably even more horrified by the wounded twins. He looked for an adjustable bed to lay JD on. He hauled the man over to the closest, and what seemed to be the only, one prepared. He carefully layed him down, fearing the bed would fold in half if he was too careless. He didn't say another words before warping back into the building. Every shadow he saw, he phased into it making for a quicker way of making it back to the scene of battle. He returned to the same shadow under the stairwell he was in a moment ago with Sasha. He made one last warp that transported him back to the heavily damaged third floor. He soon joined the battle with Enzo, he couldn't leave his best friend behind. Before taking a breath he met his eyes with Alarick, it felt so familiar... A man like this. He hasn't felt the tight grip of fear in his heart since his fight with Venciersio. He let out a single breath, letting go of any worries. "Enzo, do you have any idea how we should go about Alarick?"

Silver frowned at the mention of the darkness that ran through her veins. She knew exactly what Beatrice meant by it, and it irked her that it was that obvious. But now wasn't the time for that. Still fighting with herself, she couldn't move before Beatrice grabbed her neck. Her hands made their way up to Beatrice's arms, trying to pull her away. "Guh!"

David watched as Harley bolted past the both of them to go upstairs. "Oh- God dammit Harley! Come back here!!" He sighed as he walked past Kira, stopping to look back at her. "You go find Dora and stay with her. I mean it!" He didn't mean to yell, but he didn't want her to get hurt. He didn't want Harley to get hurt either. He didn't want anyone to get hurt. Before he could let Kira respond, he bolted up the stairs after Harley. Dammit, why do these people gotta be so god damn stubborn!?

Taking a deep breath to stop herself from cursing at David for yet again stopping her, Kira gave him an annoyed stare. But, he also didn't seem happy with her. She was about to retort back before she noticed Harley running past them, saying something about her getting the items. Oh shit. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Harley!" Fuck. Half expecting David to drag her away per Harley's request, she moved to go up the stairs. To her utter amazement, David Also had the same idea.

"You go find Dora and stay with her. I mean it!"

Seriously? He expected her to listen. She wanted to head after them. Harley was important to her. Uuugh.. David was more, capable of dodging everything. They'd both rip her one if she followed them. "Harley, if you die I'm going to res and kill you again." she muttered, frowning before taking their advice and headed down the stairs. If Harley Did manage to get their things without injury, well... She'd really be thankful and relieved her friend was alright.

His eyes closed, Enzo could feel the air around him. It served him much better than his eyes. He knew Volitaire was beside him, so it didn't startle him like it would if Enzo were in his normal state. "His hand. He's got some kind of magic called 'GodHand'." He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to Volitaire. "We need to remove it."

Just then, he heard trouble. It sounded like Silver. "Silver?!" The room was dark enough that it was hard to see where everyone was exactly. Enzo closed his eyes and scanned the room using the air around him. Areas were the air would feel odd and push against the overall flow, was the sign of struggled breathing. "There!" He shot forward, leaving behind a trail of green flame coated in a black border. He closed in on both Beatrice and Silver.

Once he was within range, he gave himself one last burst of speed before going in for a kick to the woman's arm, which would hopefully break the hold she had on Silver's neck.

"Is that so?" He let Enzo go to Silver's aid. He faced Alarik again, jabbing his sword into his shadow and dragging the shadows up from the tip of his blade, leaving a whip-like wave behind his swings.

Such attacks in rapid succession were one of Alarick’s strong points along with being able to manipulate matter at its most base of form. Unfortunately he had expelled too much energy too fast and now it was catching up to him. “That was a bit much right out of the box,” he stated rather calmly. “Ah well not like there is much left of you anyway- you are quite the tough prat aren’t you? No wonder my son rallied behind you. I always figured he would be a sad sheep. No matter…” Honestly he had thought that would have been enough, and Enzo would have collapsed already from fatigue- he was using a lot of energy to combat what the man was throwing at him.

The way he seemed to lethargically stand before Alarick made the man not even bat an eye at how easy this was going to be. “Odd- and here I had thought you were the savoir of all mankind.” He knelt down slowly and withdrew the knife from its blood soaked spot on the ground. The floor wasn’t stable underneath them but honestly if it decided to give way he would be able to remove himself from the situation with ease and affable grace.
About that time the angered dark-haired boy returned- Voltaire was his name. Alarick sighed out of boredom as they seemed to somewhat form a tag team and Enzo flared off to take care of Beatrice. “So- did you save their lives?” He questioned as he palmed the blade. “Do they live to see another day? Do you think it is worth it to let them have such lives? Betrayed by their parents, wounded beyond repair, and their powers have been damaged. Little do you know that Beatrice and I kept their abilities in check- those pendants weren’t just fashionable. They’re going to be no use to you against the Darkness. Sorry chap, but that is the way this is going to work. Ah well~” Alarick held the blade out and pressed his hand against the hilt- the blade lengthened and stole fragments from the metal around it to extend it into a full sword. He then reinforced it so it wouldn’t crumble so easily underneath Voltaire’s own blade. “Is it your turn now? Maybe you’ll be a trifle bit more amusing.”

With his other hand he invoked the ground to form a shield between him and the shadow, and took steps back as not be pelted with the debris once Voltaire snapped through it- and when the other did Alarick would be waiting with his blade. All the while the ground underneath them was losing its’ support and crumbling all around. This wasn’t just hazardous for the Guardians but for Alarick and Beatrice as well- as much as they were commanders of their surroundings the filament was degrading a bit too quickly to surmise when everything would bow under.