Volume III: Earth, Sea, Sky, and Bonds
Jan 30, 2015 18:18:15 GMT -6
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Post by msgrrtasticdiva1982 on Jan 30, 2015 18:18:15 GMT -6
In the privacy of a secluded room, a spherical object glows with mesmerizing brilliance. Its core appears sentient, exuding a gentle light that paints its surroundings with an eerie sea green hue. Seated before its majesty is none other than the feminine soul, Amakusa, who has apparent control over it. “O sacred Gadama no Houju, bestow upon me---the servant of our great lord, Ambrosia---your divine wisdom.” The spherical jewel of power, Gadama no Houju, obeys its conjurer and reveals to Amakusa a graphic and most intriguing vision. “Hmm … My. How interesting.”
In this said vision, everything is vague and shadowed. Only furiously animated silhouettes are seen---those belonging to key players in what appears to be a bloody massacre. According to the vision, much blood will taint an unknown land of buildings, concrete, wires and lights, eventually constructing a pentagram upon a vast surface. From this pentagram ascends a being of unimaginable power, which devastates the land with an immolating breath. The being’s great eyes illuminate with heterochromic spectrum---the right is jade, and the left is violet. “By all that is holy! These eyes are …” Amakusa comes alive with laughter, grandiose and jubilant. “At last … at last … at last!!!”
His enraptured mirth lasts momentarily, but a confident smile remains in its aftermath. The feminine soul needs not say a word; for, his clever countenance speaks for itself: something dreadful shall befall someone very soon, yet everything is vague---not even he can tell whether the felled consists of enemies or allies. However, Amakusa relishes in the omnipotence of his great lord Ambrosia, resolute and having great faith in the deity’s indubitable will. (Your time is nigh, o mightiest of the mighty. This world and all others shall soon belong to you.) Amakusa places his hands upon his chest, feeling warmth from his still-beating heart. (My lord … May their blood spill in your holy name and open a path to freedom, becoming a precursor to your eternal reign … In the aftermath, may your dominion shine forevermore. May all heads bow before your undeniable majesty, councils of millions prostrated at your feet, and let them all proudly cry, “O hail the mighty lord, Ambrosia”!)
His unheard thoughts ring proud and true, signifying ulterior motives that delve so very far beyond the boundaries of Insidious’s ambitions. Amakusa holds his head up high, candlelit dreams amassing by the second, establishing unshakable roots in his psyche. He knows not nor does he cares about will or force---Amakusa silently celebrates the imminent resurrection of a being whose fortitude is unequalled in every possible aspect. As a devilish giggle escapes his beautifully decorated facade, the Gadama no Houju loses its glow, and the room becomes an abyss of darkness.
In this said vision, everything is vague and shadowed. Only furiously animated silhouettes are seen---those belonging to key players in what appears to be a bloody massacre. According to the vision, much blood will taint an unknown land of buildings, concrete, wires and lights, eventually constructing a pentagram upon a vast surface. From this pentagram ascends a being of unimaginable power, which devastates the land with an immolating breath. The being’s great eyes illuminate with heterochromic spectrum---the right is jade, and the left is violet. “By all that is holy! These eyes are …” Amakusa comes alive with laughter, grandiose and jubilant. “At last … at last … at last!!!”
His enraptured mirth lasts momentarily, but a confident smile remains in its aftermath. The feminine soul needs not say a word; for, his clever countenance speaks for itself: something dreadful shall befall someone very soon, yet everything is vague---not even he can tell whether the felled consists of enemies or allies. However, Amakusa relishes in the omnipotence of his great lord Ambrosia, resolute and having great faith in the deity’s indubitable will. (Your time is nigh, o mightiest of the mighty. This world and all others shall soon belong to you.) Amakusa places his hands upon his chest, feeling warmth from his still-beating heart. (My lord … May their blood spill in your holy name and open a path to freedom, becoming a precursor to your eternal reign … In the aftermath, may your dominion shine forevermore. May all heads bow before your undeniable majesty, councils of millions prostrated at your feet, and let them all proudly cry, “O hail the mighty lord, Ambrosia”!)
His unheard thoughts ring proud and true, signifying ulterior motives that delve so very far beyond the boundaries of Insidious’s ambitions. Amakusa holds his head up high, candlelit dreams amassing by the second, establishing unshakable roots in his psyche. He knows not nor does he cares about will or force---Amakusa silently celebrates the imminent resurrection of a being whose fortitude is unequalled in every possible aspect. As a devilish giggle escapes his beautifully decorated facade, the Gadama no Houju loses its glow, and the room becomes an abyss of darkness.
Volume III: Earth, Sea, Sky, and Bonds
Just as we did during the precursor of our journey, let us delve into the deepest realms of slumber---into a world of abysmal darkness, unending and eternal. Nothingness so tranquil it could silence the loudest babe to slumber. “… Where am I?” April, the spunky spitfire, stands alone amidst the abyss, set upon an expansive, aqueous platform---one almost crystalline in nature. She looks down, bewildered to see she’s standing upon a such vast, uniform surface. “Huh? What is this? What’s going on here?”
Suddenly, a faint light illuminates the distance, earning April’s fascination … Approaching her with the grandest of majesty is a woman whose likeness is much like her own---a fair maiden garbed in the finest aquamarine silks complemented by the most beauteous of silver and gold. (The warmest of salutations to you, chosen one.) April is hypnotized by this likened beauty, who gently takes her hands upon arrival, and blesses her with motherly company. (My apologies for utilizing your soul when it wasn’t properly awakened. But that menacing heart of Pandemonium needed to be silenced.)
April is further fascinated. “Who … Who are you?”
(I am the High Priestess---Arcana of Love and Serenity. The Cosmos have designated you, April, to be my spiritual host. As such, I am hereby your strength in the battle against Pandemonium, it hearts and all their minions. But before I can completely accept you …) Without warning, the High Priestess releases April’s hands, steps away and repulses the spitfire warrior with a point-blank range explosion of water! Despite the ferocity of this attack, as she recovers, April notices that she remains unharmed by the High Priestess’s currents. (We must do battle together. My apologies, by the way.)
“What?” April confuses. “We have to *fight each other*? That’s so stupid!”
(When the fate of all is at stake, such developments are deemed logical. One must always be prepared for what lies ahead of them, even if they must clash with their allies. Now, prepare!) Out of the blue, no pun intended, April is pit against her very own guardian arcana---the High Priestess. As advised by the guardian arcana, April braces herself for what promises to be a most aggressive struggle. (Heed these words, my darling April: at times, love will hurt, dreadfully so. However, this pain has meaning, and even if it results in sacrifice, the loss of those dear or even yourself, embrace it---and realize your true purpose.)
The given advice has registered with April, whose values stem from a traumatic past. Her fists ball with purpose, having never before heard someone relate to her in such a manner. “You’re right … Sometimes, sacrifice and loss are necessary to realize one’s true purpose. I learned that a long time ago, but now, I just can’t find it in myself to release anything---people, places and things---because I know what will eventually happen to me … to us … And that is why …” In a burst of speed, power and passion, April advances upon the High Priestess with ruthless aggression! Despite her fervor, the guardian arcana proves its experience by evading and parrying the spitfire’s physical barrage. The High Priestess then attempts to exploit April’s strike-based wrestling style via an intercepting geyser at her feet; however, the spitfire leaps forward and clotheslines the guardian arcana to the floor! “I will continue to fight, no matter what!” April turns to the fallen High Priestess post-recovery, who stylishly recovers by evaporating and solidifying in an upright fashion before her eyes. The spitfire is impressed by this display of power. “Interesting. Looks like you’re so much more than a barrel of bursting bubbles. So, what else can you do, o mighty water-lady spirit?”
(Many things, my dear.) The guardian arcana faces her charge, amassing trails of torrents at her side, which reinforces April’s defenses. (All of which I will now show you. And this time, I won’t hold back!)
Elsewhere in the infinite abyss, Joe is faced with a beautiful maiden and a beastly man whose appearance is much like his own. Upon an expansive, still valley of emerald-colored flowers do they stand, distanced from each other by several feet. (You have those more precious to you than anything else in the universe. To find them, and be a family once again---for that reason alone do you accompany a mass of acquaintances, all bearing burdens beyond their comprehension … much like yourself.) The maiden accompanying the beastly man speaks the truth. Behind his silence lies a sense of selfishness hosted by his innermost vulnerability. Despite his kindhearted nature, Joe is like any other man pit against such odds---he’s desperate, and will do anything, even bet his own soul, to reclaim what was stolen from him. (Hear me, Leati: to regain your loved ones, it will take so much more than a culmination of alliance and desire. You must become that which drives your soul---the unstoppable, raging titan residing in your heart. The being that you see before you.) Joe is impressed that the maiden knows his forename, let alone his innermost sentiments. However, he can’t afford to concentrate on such trivialities, choosing to gaze upon the beast at her side, who makes its presence known by approaching him. (He is the guardian arcana of your soul, Strength. And I am the tamer who keeps him at bay. You must do battle with him, so that you can prove your worthiness. Don’t hold back, Leati---tame the beast, and become “a true sentinel”.)
A clever and malicious smirk decorates Joe’s handsome facade. “Humph. I have to fight this guy, huh? Doesn’t sound too hard.” However, the beast proves its athletic prowess, moving at imperceptible speeds that leave Joe dumbfounded. (What? How is he moving so …) The beast disallows Joe the time to strategize, engaging him from all corners via what appears to be highly advanced movement---speeds so overwhelming, Joe is literally brought to his knees! (Shit! … This guy …) Several scratches in his breastplate appear, proving the ferocity of his guardian arcana. Joe holds his chest, realizing what these scratches mean. (He’s fast, and I’m much slower than him … Humph. This is going to be tough.)
The sentinel stands upright, tall and proud, bearing his chest before the beastly guardian of his soul. He defensively bears his balled fists, before the speeding beast engages him once again! … However, this time, Joe is mentally prepared for the beast’s physical onslaught, which enables him to guard, parry and counter his opponent’s bloodthirsty claws. The beast roars ferociously, attempting to intimidate Joe; unfortunately, for the beast, he’s faced with a man whose cool and composed nature enables him to smile. (Interesting. What man is capable of finding joy in the heat of battle other than a lunatic?) The beast’s voice resonates within Joe’s heart, before the latter counterattacks the former with a fierce rising knee to the solar plexus, which temporarily fells the former. (… I see … I can feel your passion, Leati. Yet, you’re still lying to us … We know you’re suffering in silence, refusing to show your pain. Why is that?)
Joe cracks his fists with collective air, bearing what would be considered “pride” by many. “If I start crying now, then I won’t stop. My pain is deep---so deep it’s inconceivable. Now, ask yourself this question: if you lost that woman, wouldn’t that make you not feel like shit? Wouldn’t you feel pain so deafening, traumatic and commanding … that you’d do anything to get her back? … Yes, you would!”
(Humph. And what makes you so sure about that?) The beast rises from his grounded position with the reflexes of a cat, its claws aimed at Joe’s heart. Fortunately, the sentinel is much more nimble than many would want to believe, proven by his quick evasion. (Fool! I wanted you to do that!) Suddenly, the beast materializes a bed of stalagmites behind Joe, meaning he aims to see his charge fatally impaled. Luckily, the sentinel once again proves his intelligence, setting himself in a sprinting fashion, which places weight on his front-side, and enables him to recover before reaching the stalagmites. The beast advances for the pursuit, but is surprised by a fierce tackle from his charge, which grounds him once again! (… My, my, Leati … How could I forget your background in American football? I admit, that was clumsy of me.)
“Best not forget anything else, furball.” Joe buckles and explodes with adrenaline, kneels and pounds his right fist onto the ground! “Because I don’t give second chances in situations like this. Then again, you should already know that---because you *are* me, right?” The sentinel lifts his head and glares the beast down, proving his seriousness. “So, if you know me so much, can you guess my next move?”
(Your next move, huh … Don’t subconsciously limit yourself.) The beast’s statement registers greatly with the sentinel, and amuses the maiden observing in the distance. The beast stands upright, folds its arms, and shines its fangs at its charge. (Broaden your horizons and aim for greater strength, but let not this pursuit define you as a man. The path of a warrior is lonely, heartbreaking and endless, but the rewards of following this path are most fruitful. Leati, seek these fruits, and relish in their wisdom well enough to forge a new and innovative path … Now, tell me! Can you complete this task!?)
The beast unleashes its full potential with a mighty roar, quaking and razing the earth with an expanding cascade of emerald-colored light! Despite the phenomena occurring around him, Joe remains cool, calm and unfazed, even as the beast ruthlessly engages him once again … The sentinel knows this battle will test the limits of his soul; however, according to the beast, he must break beyond these limits and forge his own path. In silence, he questions the possibility of this daring feat.
In another unique area of the infinite abyss, Noel’s blades are locked with the cold steel of his guardian arcana, Justice---a godlike figure in his likeness whose presence commands the wind, donning regal crimson robes and a crown of the purest gold. The guardian arcana also brandishes a doubled-edged sword of the purest tempered steel in its right hand and a perfectly balanced scale in the other. The battlefield where their swords vigorously cross is composed of the aforesaid classical element, solidified, crystalline and luminescent. A burst of adrenaline from the aggressive Noel distances Justice, who recovers several feet away from his charge. The cold and commanding guardian arcana then stares at its charge, who fortifies his offenses with strong posture. (The burdens you bear cloud your vision and dull your blade. You mollify these burdens with strength and determination. All for “them,” especially “her”.)
Noel can’t deny his greed, even if he worded his way around it. It’s inescapable, unjustifiable, and emotionally concrete. Justice capitalizes on his exposed weakness with an advancing slash that forces Noel to defend; however, the force of the guardian arcana’s blade ruthlessly grounds the transcender, proving that even he is susceptible to humanity. (Does it hurt? If so, can you embrace this pain?) Justice’s cryptic statements begin peeling away at Noel’s patience. (Stand, if you can. Your journey begins here.)
Noel rises to his feet, anger apparent with every move he makes. Every gesture, every given form of physical language imaginable---everything teems with building annoyance. “Would you stop speaking to me in riddles, and take this fight seriously?” The transcender fortifies his defenses once again, branding his blades with burning intent. “I know, alright! I’m … selfish, I can admit that! But I want to become stronger for more than that, so just *stop it*---stop treating me like I’m some kind of egomaniac!”
(Humph. Whatever could be egomaniacal about caring for others? I can’t say that I know.)
“You …”
(But riddle me once more: should you obtain this strength you seek, will you properly utilize it?)
“What? ‘Properly utilize’ …” Noel compartmentalizes and reinforces his ambition. “Of course, I will, with every fabric of my being. Like I said before, I want to become stronger for multiple reasons, not just for ‘them’.” Justice is apparently amused by Noel’s resolution, unwavering even in the face of a being far more dominant than he could ever be. “So many reasons … and that’s why …” The transcender combines his blades into their javelin form, stylishly spins it around his body, and stops, while positioning himself in a personal free stance. “I refuse to lay down and die, not now, not ever! I swear it, I *will* survive!”
The guardian arcana closes its eyes, apparently amused even further by Noel’s daring statement. (Your staunch resolve is commendable; however, willpower alone cannot sever the chaos.) Justice holds both its sword and its scale up high, triggering an alchemical fusion of the two---into that of an illustrious golden X-hilted longsword with a blade emblazoned by arcane engravings. (Noel Kreiss … I will now have you understand my reasoning.) The guardian arcana brandishes its longsword, gripping it with both hands, positioned in a front stance that leaves no openings---flawless in every way. (Prepare. This is the climax.)
Without warning, the guardian arcana engages Noel with blinding speed, accuracy and precision; fortunately, the transcender is adept at evasion … However, his strategy soon falters, leaving him open for multiple physical exploitations! At the moment, Justice could bisect Noel through the midsection or straight down the middle, or it could sadistically vivisect him bit by bit. A normal fighter would find a quick way to escape sudden death, but not Noel---he risks it all by leaping forward and delivering a fierce rebounding X-slash that immediately forces Justice into the evasive. “You said this is the ‘climax,’ right? Well, I couldn’t agree more with you …” The daring transcender stands tall and proud, gazing upon his recovering guardian arcana with fearless eyes. “I shouldn’t need to remind you that I’ve been dealing with guys like you my entire life, and Caius is one of them. He pushed me, pushed me, and pushed me until I collapsed, but I never once complained …” Justice styles a polished one-handed battle stance, as Noel returns to his free stance. The daring transcender’s eyes burn with determination, as he sets the tone for a brutal clash to the finish. “And I promise you, I won’t start complaining now. So, let’s go!”
The guardian arcana engages its charge with brutal intentions, provoking the latter to return the gesture with equivalent passion. Their blades clash once again, initiating what promises to be an intense and high-impact struggle for glory … April, Joe and Noel have all been pit against their guardian arcana in trials that will determine their worth as the guardians of the keeper of souls. Will they succeed and earn the right to awakening, or will they fail and secure even greater struggles in the near future?
Wandering naught and learning its secrets---that is the way of the seeker. A cold, lonely yet unlimited existence made for those who’ve strayed from the path of virtue; the way of the priests of light. Delving into the naught of one’s dreams is a method undergone amid both paths, which causes them to coexist in some way. Hence, the saying, “the brighter the light, the darker the shadow”.
In the farthest reaches of the abyss, there exists a temple quite unlike anything one would ever see in the real world. A crystalline giant of immeasurable wonder and magnificence … Serah enters this place en solo, or at least that’s what she believes … Mog is there with her, but on a spiritual plane altering her own. He is only a Moogle, after all; thus, his powers are limited. Mog can assist with the restoration of spacetime, but he is incapable of interfering with another person’s dreams. From his mental standpoint, he is merely an observer, and nothing more. “What is this place?” Serah’s curiosity leads her deeper and deeper into temple, a place rich with silver and golden crystal constructs. The most glorious sight imaginable, but empty---dreadfully empty … and sad. Serah reflects on her surroundings. “It’s so beautiful … And yet, something feels off---something vital, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
(You have entered the sanctuary where all souls rest.) A haunting, dreary tone turns Serah to the north, where she notices the advent of a familiar specter: the seeress of Paddra, Yeul. The glum seeress halts at Serah’s side, as several cylindrical crystals spaced evenly across the surrounding wall rise from the floor. The latter observes these crystals and, after getting a good look of what they contain, is shocked to silence. Yeul steps forward and explains everything. (Divine will has led you to a place found only in the heart of the keeper of souls. You, Serah, have purpose here---great purpose that only you can fulfill.)
Serah intrigues. “Only me?”
She emotionally approaches the crystals, and recognizes all of them. The seeress turns to her, and addresses the contained people surrounding them. (These souls should be familiar to the both of us. They’re from our world, Gran Pulse, and its moon, Cocoon.) Serah stops by each crystal to view their human contents, as Yeul commences a thorough explanation. (Sazh Katzroy and his son Dajh, Hope Estheim and his parents, Oerba Dia Vanille, the young rebels of NORA, and their leader, Snow Villiers. When our world and its moon fell into naught, these wandering souls found a way into Zephyr’s heart. This happened moments after Caius succeeded at destroying Etro’s gate. It was the will of the goddess and her hallowed protector that created this path; a forge of undying love, sufficient until further notice.)
“It’s a miracle, but … Lightning is still in danger?”
(Only you can be the judge of that.)
“But, how?” Serah worriedly faces Yeul. “How can *I* change all of this?”
(You will need an even greater power found on a star driven by two swords; one of the purest light, the other of the deepest darkness. The sword of darkness has assisted in further corrupting the natural order. It must be destroyed at all costs. To exercise the facile and truest method, utilize the sword of light.)
Serah reflects on what Yeul has said. “Sword of darkness … You mean the one Caius has, right?”
(Not quite. Caius’s sword is indeed a spawn of chaos, but the sword in question is a fragment of this one. Should the sword of darkness be destroyed, Caius’s defenses will be halved. The only thing left at his disposal will be the beating heart of chaos resting inside his chest.)
Something sounds terribly wrong about Yeul’s sentiments. “Are you …” Serah takes notice once again, approaching the seeress with confused air. “Yeul, are you trying to defeat Caius?”
(Yes. But my assistances are for more than “defeating” Caius. He is a dear friend of mine, but the chaos inhabiting his soul is one of the primary sustainers of Pandemonium’s campaign.)
“You’re talking about … Insidious, right?”
(Yes. The other is the lingering souls of Celine and Aisha, and the third is the confliction inside Kai’s heart, which will give rise to the ‘emperor of naught’. Once the emperor is revived, Insidious and his communion will become indomitable … And many of you will die in the effort to stop them.) Just hearing that death waits in the future petrifies Serah where she stands. (I understand how you feel, and that is why you must complete this task: destroy the sword of darkness with the sword of light. The rewards for doing so will be great in measure and number.) Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by the emergence of chaos within the sanctuary, which constructs two Soulless in the likeness of chest pieces: a red queen and a white king, both brandishing a spiked mace-like scepter. From his mental standpoint, Mog reflexively transforms into his melee bowsword form, which Serah somehow manages to grasp. Yeul takes notices of this peculiar development, which has Serah at a loss. (Your friends are with you … Now, banish these monsters from Zephyr’s heart. They are what troubles his soul the most.)
After teaching children on Gran Pulse for over a year, Serah can relate to situations like this; the meaning behind the Soulless looming before them. “I see … From what I remember, Zephyr is an orphan, so these monsters must be his anger manifested: a red queen and white king. ‘Mommy and Daddy’.” This pain registers so well with Serah, who was orphaned at a young age, despite having her sister Lightning there with her … Likewise, Zephyr had Kai, Celine, and eventually Aisha and the other people inhabiting the Luminous Temple. Despite the former being his parental guardians, Zephyr has always harbored an unfathomable amount of emptiness. “You … always wanted to know them … to be with them … just like I did with my parents … Zephyr, I know exactly how you feel.” Serah’s determination shines vibrantly, as she reinforces for combat with Mog in hand. “Consider this my way of saying, ‘you can still make it’. You’ve got Kai and all of us at your side, cheering you on … I know I can’t wash away your pain, but I can support and encourage you. You’re doing it for us … So, here’s my way of returning the favor!”
Yeul comes to Serah’s aid. (The enemy is strong. Thus, I humbly offer you my assistances)
“Thanks, Yeul.”
The white king leads the attack for its queen! (It comes! Move at once!) Yeul’s instruction saves Serah from pulverization, as the latter leaps backwards to escape the white king’s wrath … As Yeul exists on an alternate plane, she is safe from harm; thus, her assistances are concrete. This enables her to support Serah not just verbally, but dimensionally as well. (Defend, shards of time!) The seeress displays mystic knowledge by remotely casting a protection spell on Serah. The latter is environed by ethereal crystal plates that shield her and enhances her overall physical status; thus, enabling attributes that allow Serah to capitalize on the white king’s recovery period. (The monster’s weak point is its head! Strike at once!)
Serah rears Mog for what promises to be a most climactic struggle. The warrior goddess’ sister advances into a leap of faith, lifts her bowsword above her head, and descends for a killing blow. “Alright! *Haah*!”
He can feel it … a great confliction in his heart. Zephyr, please, open your eyes, calls a voice from within, which sounds all too familiar. (… Serah? Is … Is that you?) You’re not alone. We’re here with you, so please, no matter what … Never give up! Her voice … The gentle yet determined tone of the warrior goddess’ sister resonates so beautifully, almost as if it were real. Ironically, it is---Serah’s spirit is doing battle with the keeper of souls’ innermost origins of pain: the desire to be loved by his true birth parents, and to claim a place in their lives. (Serah … Why does it feel like …) Did you hear what I said earlier? (No, I didn’t. I … I was still asleep, so to speak. Do you … mind repeating it for me?)
In the realm found only inside Zephyr’s heart, Serah does battle with the aggressive white king and the assisting red queen, who behave very much like an actual stable heterosexual couple: the female supports the male’s just actions, which in their case---due to them being spawns of naught---is more than credible. Yeul assists Serah from her alternate-dimensional plane using enhancing spells, which continuously empower the determined young woman. (Lightning and I were orphaned at a young age. Our parents died before I got the chance to know them, so it was just the two of us … for a long time.) That’s so horrible … How did you and your sister cope with that? (It wasn’t easy … Lots of hardships, arguments and makeups, and the occasional funny moments. Lightning, well … she’s not the joking type, if you catch my drift.) I don’t mean to sound like a spoiled child, but I wish I had a sister … or a brother for that matter. I have no true family, unless you count the people of the Luminous Temple. But after chaos destroyed my home, I’m not so sure they’re still alive, save Kai and myself. Serah once again understands Zephyr’s pain, as she capitalizes on yet another opening from the white king’s clumsy offenses, successfully bisecting him into dissipating chaos with an advancing airborne [bypassing] slash to the midsection! The warrior goddess’ sister recovers several feet away from the red queen, who appears to be infuriated by her husband’s defeat. Serah takes notice of this. (I think I just made “Mommy” angry. “Daddy” wasn’t much thanks to Yeul.)
(“Mommy” and “Daddy”? You mean …) Yes. Your deeply-rooted pain has manifested chaos in your heart, which took the form of Soulless that look like chess pieces: a red queen and a white king. I defeated the latter, but the former may prove a problem. She’s … powering up. What Serah says is true … At this very moment, the red queen is empowering the spiked end of her scepter with an incredible amount of chaos. She plans to strike Serah down with a single blow. This doesn’t look good … Even with Yeul’s help, I’m not sure if I can beat this thing. Zephyr, any suggestions? (Capitalize on it’s weak point. That’s your best bet.)
Yeul offers a speedy assist. (Serah, that crystal sphere is the source of her power. Destroy it, quickly!)
Serah instantly notices the truth in Yeul’s statement, and leaps into the pursuit for victory! Don’t worry, Serah. I’m here with the both of you. Zephyr’s voice is soft yet vibrant, almost as if he were right beside her. Yeul observes what appears to be the will of his heart guiding Mog in Serah’s hand. (Are you … helping me?) Yes, as I always will to the best of my power. I promise. (… Thank you. The same goes for me, I promise.) Together, with the enhancements of the seeress of Paddra, Zephyr’s heart and Serah destroy the red queen’s scepter with a colliding smash-through with Mog, shattering it into thousands of disappearing shards! As a result, the red queen loses all of her power, and her body spontaneously combusts into a fleeting explosion of chaos! (We did it! We defeated …) Serah closes her eyes, feeling some sense of guilt for being the one to undergo such an emotional task. (I’m sorry if I caused you anymore pain, Zephyr.) No worries. You actually helped me. I feel as if I can go on now … like a heavy burden has been lifted.
Serah recovers after flying through the dissipating chaos unharmed, a feat practicable only by those protected by higher powers. Yeul approaches her with glum air, although her expressions conceal an abundance of positive impression. (You did well. And, I saw it: the keeper of souls’ favor was great with you. Do feel honored, Serah.) The warrior goddess’ sister feels Mog escape her grasp from his alternate-dimensional existence, meaning she no longer has need for him. Yeul turns to depart, mysterious [and serious] in nature. (I must return to the void beyond. And remember what I said.) The seeress of Paddra halts and constructs a portal of chaos with an outstretching of her hands. (Find the sword of light, and with it, destroy the sword of darkness. If this is done with haste, our reunion will be nigh.)
Without another word, the seeress transcends the portal, leaving Serah alone. The goddess’ sister holds her heart with worry. “She’s gone. I feel like I’m alone again.” Don’t worry. I’m still here with you. “Oh, Zephyr, I …” She looks around, wondering where he could be. Then, reality returns to her: she’s inside Zephyr’s heart, so until she leaves, he’ll remain at her side. I need to wake up, so I’ll give you a way out. Ironically, the exit he gives to her is much like the one Insidious gave to him, only it is lit with phantoms of his arcane soul power. “Oh, wow!” Serah is amazed by its beauty. “Nice taste you’ve got there.” It’s a bit unoriginal, but I’m not much of an artist outside of combat and literature. “You also write?” Anytime I have a paper and brush in front of me, I can’t contain myself. “I don’t meet many men who’re into that kind of stuff. I’m usually surrounded by macho types who’re all about muscles, freedom-fighting and mischief.”
The two share a moment of laughter, before Serah places her hand upon the door leaving Zephyr’s heart. (I need to settle some things in my dreams before I wake up, so just be patient and give me some time. I’m a bit too methodical for my own good.) You and me both, no kidding there. Serah grips the handles of Zephyr’s gift, turns them, opens the double doors, and bathes in the purest jade-colored cosmos. So soothing and refreshing is this cosmos, almost as if she were basking in a crisp spring breeze. Is this … your power? (Yes, it is.) I … don’t know how to describe it … I just can’t find the words … (Neither can I. In truth, I never really wanted this power. I wanted to be a normal person, but destiny said otherwise.)
“Well, I don’t mean to sound selfish, but I’m grateful towards it. If it weren’t for this power, none of us would’ve ever met.” Serah’s statement resonates with Zephyr, who releases a gentle sigh signifying a smile. Yes, your words are quite true. I can’t say otherwise, mostly because our thoughts are concord. “I’m glad. Well, here I go.” Best wishes, my friend. And remember: just give me a little time, okay? “Right. I’ll be waiting.” In a final emotional act, Serah takes a moment to observe the crystals containing her loved ones’ sleeping souls. “Guys, I’ll find a way to revive you. I swear it.” With that said, the warrior goddess’ sister transcends Zephyr’s doorway, emerging herself with his cosmos … Through these cosmos does she find her way back to consciousness, which enables her to open her eyes and vaguely perceive Aquila’s infirmary.
Busy at the maintenance terminal just seconds away from the containment tubes is a familiar yellow spectrum. The said figure lifts its head and notices her revival. “Oh, great! Finally, some response, and it took a little over an hour.” Serah’s vision clears up well enough to make-out the spectrum: it’s Sean, who was taught how to work the maintenance terminal during Serah’s recuperation. “The others are short of 80%, so they’ll be with us shortly.” He halts in front of her tube. “Feeling a little better there, Serrie?”
“Yes, thanks a lot.” The warrior goddess’ sister humously notices something. “And, err … Serrie?”
“Blame that on Syd. He’s a stickler for nicknames.”
“Oh, I see. It’s cute, I like it.”
“Glad to hear that. Oh, by the way.” Sean observes the maintenance station, and relays her current status. “You’re at 98%, so you’ll be done in about a few minutes. Heh, this machine works pretty fast.”
“Zephyr and Yeul helped me.” Sean is drawn to Serah’s emotional tone, immediately noticing her hands cupped against her chest. The warrior goddess’ sister seems … comforted and peaceful … almost as if she were basking in the warmth of sunrays. “When I was asleep, they helped me survive a battle against these strange Soulless that … Well, let’s just say it was rather personal.”
“Deep stuff, huh? I can respect that.”
“… Hey, do you mind if I ask you a question?”
Sean intrigues. “Sure. What’s up?”
“I hope this doesn’t offend you, but …” Serah looks Sean in the eyes. “Were you close to your parents?”
The young martial artist scratches his head in a blush. “Well, since you asked …” Sean commences a minor explanation. “My dad is a baker and my mother is a candlestick maker. And yeah, I know that rhymes.” Serah is tickled by Sean’s bashful behavior. “What? It’s true, you know.”
“I know, but it’s … kind of cute.” Serah composes herself well enough to speak clearly. “Sorry about that. Sometimes, I’m just a little too curious about everything.” Suddenly, she remembers a certain someone she forgot to mention. “Mog …” Comically enough, in a burst of temporal dust and the uttering of an adorable kupo, the Moogle appears beside her. “Oh!” Serah startles. “Mog, you scared me!”
“Sorry about that, kupo.” The Moogle receives a big hug from its charge. “Aww, I’m glad you’re okay, too. I did what I could to help you guys. And seriously, all of you did an *amazing* job, kupo!”
“Thanks, Mog. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Suddenly, a beeping sound comes from the maintenance terminal. “Looks like you’re all ready, Serrie. Releasing CT 5.” Sean works his magic by pressing a button on the station, which deactivates Serah’s containment tube, and lowers her to the CT base via decompressing air. “Here, let me give you two a hand.” The young martial artist approaches Serah [with Mog in her left arm], as she gives him her free right hand. With a light tug, he helps them out of the CT. “There. All better.” Serah smiles, before turning to view the remaining patients [from left to right]: April, Joe, Noel, Kai, and Zephyr. Sean joins her observation with high hopes. “They’ll be all right, Serrie. They’re really tough, trust me on that.”
“Yeah …” Serah releases Mog, allowing her Moogle companion to hover at her side. “Zephyr said to give him some time, and that he’d be back soon. The same can be said for the others … because I believe in them, too.” The grade school teacher dotingly reflects on the keeper of souls. “I can tell he’s younger than me. I may not look like it, but I’ve established myself as one strict elementary school teacher.”
Sean intrigues. “Really, now?”
“What’s it like, kupo?” Mog seconds. “Is it hard or is it a piece of cake?”
“Neither, really. My students make my classroom fun and exciting, but there are times when I have to get tough, or else they won’t listen to me.” Serah folds her arms, and places her right fist to her chin in a humored manner. “I can’t help but feel like he’s one of my students. Then again, that would be kind of awkward.” She then returns her attention to the CTs, and reflect on the recuperating guardians. “And the others. They … actually remind me of my professors. One is fatherly, one is serious, one is sarcastic, and the other is determined to get the job done. It’s like a constant case of déjà vu, but a good one.”
Mog places his hand on her shoulder. “Serah, try not to over-analyze. You’ll work yourself up, kupo.”
“Yeah, you’re right … I can be a bit of a worry-wart at times.”
Sean proudly holds his hips. “Heh, don’t sweat it, Serrie. I’ll take *good* care of them.”
“I know, Sean. In fact, I saw it in a dream … that you’d always be there for us, even if time, space, and the gods of fate stood in our way.” It’s a bit surprising to hear something like that coming from an acquaintance, but for some peculiar reason, Sean believes Serah … because that’s what he desires the most. He has absolutely no idea why he feels this way, no idea at all, but the thought of what happened not too long ago [in the shower] rings some emotional bells. “I’m going to rest up a bit more.” Serah turns and gives Sean a pat on his shoulder, before parting for her resting quarters. “See you in a few.”
Mog stays behind, knowing Serah will be fine in his absence. Suddenly, Serah is halted in her tracks, and both Sean and Mog are startled by an alarm from the IMT! Serah turns in a wave of worry, and returns to the infirmary, as Sean approaches the IMT and notices a most dreadful reading coming from three of the five CTs: the vital signs of April, Joe, and Noel have nose-dived to a critical 27%! “What the …!?” Sean gets to work on resolving the issue, as Syd and Fang join the amassing party. “Come on, come on, come on, come on, *come on*!” Sean is becoming frustrated by haunting thoughts of being incapable of preventing this. “Damn it, they were fine just a moment ago! *Ugh*! What the fuck, man!?”
Fang suddenly notices something alarming from the aforesaid CTs. “Blimey! Look at them, they’re …” Her observation draws everyone’s attention to the CTs, all except for Syd and Sean, who are currently working on resolving the issue. “They’re struggling?” Yes, what Fang says is true … The three guardians are struggling to survive inside their CTs, proven by their perspiring and spastic bodies. The nomadic warrior shakes her head, and bangs on the said CTs most stubbornly. “Goddamn you, fight! Don’t you *dare* get soft on us now, you hear!? Not after … Not after we came all this way, alright!? You …”
Serah attempts to console Fang, who’s obviously having a hard time dealing with this … Curtis enters the room a bit late, having heard the commotion from the bottom floor. “What’s going on?” He seems to be out of breath, having ran the entire way. The psychedelic gentlemen horrifies at what he sees unfolding before him! “AJ, Joe, Noel, what the---!?” Curtis approaches the CTs, not sure how to stop this from happening. You must be the solar flame that lights the way, even in the deepest darkness. Suddenly, the voice of his guardian arcana resonates in his soul most vibrantly. “I … must light the way …” Curtis immediately remembers these words spoken to him hours ago [when he stood before his locker room mirror]. His words draw the attention of his company, as does a most amazing development: Curtis’s entire body is lightly ablaze with the gentlest flame, calmer than a lit candle, soothing like an early morning sun. Resting inside your passionate soul is the fundamental elements of the universe. You will be the one to awaken the powers of the other five Guardians; for, you are their leader. And as a leader, you must be the one to rally your troops---not the Keeper of Souls. “As above, so below …” He knows not what he’s doing; for, he’s not the one controlling his body at the moment … It’s as if Curtis’s soul has a mind of its own. “I am their leader, so … I can’t let them fall here … not now … not ever. It is my destiny, as the keeper of flames!”
Syd is beside himself with awe. “Soft back … what are you …”
“Step aside, everyone.” The keeper of flames crosses his fists before his chest, ardent cosmos fluttering and accelerating around him. “I must awaken their hidden potential, at once!” Syd panics, but Curtis calms him with charming air. “Don’t worry. What I’m about to do isn’t destructive.” Fang steps out of the way, as does Serah and Mog, in unison with the chanting of words that resonate in Curtis’s heart. “O sacred rays of the sun, heed my word: gather before me as orbits of healing and empowerment!” With these chanted words, a trio of crimson spherical air constructs materialize before his body [and amazes his company], before the keeper of flames unbuckles and outstretches his fists. “Agni Revitalizing Heat!”
The trio of constructs, revealed as orbits of visible heat, merge with the CTs of his guardians and cause a most curious reaction: the CTs’ crystal borders emit a vibrant crimson light, which triggers a secondary reaction; the IMT reading for the CTs skyrocket to 96 percent in 0.5 seconds! “Holy crackers! I don’t believe it!” Syd is beyond himself [with fascination], having never dreamed something like this would occur. Even Aquila is impressed by Curtis’s newfound power, proven by her [thrilled] meow. “You can say *that* again, Baby dear! This is … Mates, this is a *blooming miracle*, I tell you!”
“If the same happens to Zeph and Kai, I’ll repeat this procedure.” Curtis calms his ardent cosmos, allowing his revitalizing heat spell to work its magic [no pun intended]. The keeper of flames, along with his company, observes the impending unknown with high hopes. (Everyone, if you can hear me: please, don’t give up.) Curtis balls his fists, a [trusting] smile developing on his [handsome] face. (April, Joe, Noel, Zeph, Kai, you *have* to survive. We’ll support you from the outside, but there’s so much we can do. So, please … For the sake of everyone and everything we've lost---fight on, until you see the sunlight!)
The keeper of flames’ voice transcends space, time and reality. For the sake of everyone and everything we’ve lost---fight on, until you see the sunlight! They can hear it---the encouraging word of the man who will become their leader … Having suffered greatly at the hands of their respective guardian arcana, April, Joe and Noel, who have all fought bravely, are on their last inkling of strength. Spent is their stamina and their endurance, which were tested to the extreme. The foremost is beaten, battered, bruised and floored, doused in waters that have wore her body down over time. (He’s right … We need to stand up and fight!) As these words sink in, a resilient boost of energy returns to her fingertips, and balls them into tight fists!
The second [Joe] attempts to stand once more, but his physically broken condition prevents any excessive moment … Suddenly, he feels a most curious warmth growing within. (This is …) He holds his chest, feeling comforted by this gentle heat, which miraculously gives him the strength to stand. (… It’s … you?) It’s incredible, experiencing these wonders in vivid animation. He swears this consoling energy is a dream [from the depths of his heart], and his actions are merely gestures of dying will. But the more he thinks about it, this warmth is real … His leader is there with him, fighting at his side. (Curt … You got a brotha’s back like that, huh?) He smiles and lifts his head with renewed willpower. (Alright, let’s do this!)
The High Priestess, Strength and its tamer, and Justice perceive [with awe] the precursors of wonders untold. Upon their charges’ mangled bodies manifest the revitalizing heat of their leader! Ardent yet gentle, furious yet soothing, powerful yet inviting … The third [Noel] brandishes his javelin with great vigor, as he successfully re-engages his guardian arcana [Justice], his entire frame discharging storming currents! Justice resorts to a heavy defense, psyched by its charge’s sudden physical barrage! This manner of power … How on earth did you obtain it!? “A survivor takes advantage of his or her resources, scavenged or the otherwise!” With a mighty [deadeye] toss of his javelin, Justice’s charge [Noel] shatters his blade into countless shards, and irreversibly weakens his defenses! I … can’t believe this … The guardian arcana is beside himself with fascination, holding his broken sword before his awe-struck eyes. It’s as the prophecy states: the guardians’ true power comes from their unyielding devotion, and the bonds they make … Incredible!
The first [April] effortlessly overwhelms her guardian arcana [the High Priestess] with an explosion of melee techniques; punches, kicks, evasions and counterattacks that render the latter incapable of strategizing! The might of a surging shark and the speed of a carefree dolphin! This is … The guardian arcana leaps leftward to escape her charge’s physical barrage; however, this is a fatal mistake that sets her up for a most ironic counterattack: the first [April] recovers and invokes their aqueous environment, exciting an expansive maelstrom beneath the guardian arcana that spouts out a punishing geyser! What the … “You may have won the first round, but the second one is mine!” The first [April] succeeds at repelling and grounding her guardian arcana, which shocks the crashing latter of all words. “I heard his voice …” The guardian arcana sits up, and pays attention to her charge’s passionate words. “We *have* to keep moving forward … People are depending on our survival … So, we *can’t* lose here or anywhere, no matter what!”
The second [Joe] lunges from his grounded position in an explosion of speed, power, and ruthless aggression, which more than surprises his guardian arcana [Strength]! His fists fly with unpredictable velocity, capitalizing on every exploitable point in his sight … Bursting with spirit, are we? I can’t say that I’m not surprised or irritated, but at least things have become more interesting! The guardian arcana returns his charge’s aggression with equivalence befitting of his merit. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to fell his charge, who has reached a level of juggernaut proportions! “I haven’t entertained anyone in a while. But!” The second [Joe] furiously interlocks hands with his guardian arcana, initiating a struggle of power that razes and crumbles the pastures at their feet! “I’ll now have you *feel and embrace it*!” With the dominance of a million men, the second [Joe] reverses and sets his guardian arcana up for a devastating Samoan drop that rattles the earth for miles and miles and miles on end! “The explosive strength of a man’s heart!”
Having witnessed the perseverance of their respective charges, the guardian arcana are incapable of continuing this trial, which has seen incredible developments in its final moments. The three budding guardians have awoken their inner power: the first [April] has manifested the wisdom of the surging sea; the second [Joe] has manifested the strength of the burgeoning earth; and, the third [Noel] has manifested the deftness of the storming sky. Very well, then … It is time that you take your place at the keeper of souls’ side, and realize the liberation of all throughout the universe. The hearts of the guardian arcana are in agreement. The first step has been taken; thus, the adventure can truly begin [for their charges]. Awaken, my emissary of hope, and minister to all the fruits of triumphancy. May good fortune be with you, always.
Light overwhelms their respective regions within the abyss, forging a formless path departing from their dreams. The road ahead is indeed rough, but all will not be in vain … There will come times when your heart feels as if it can’t go on. So, should things get tough, remember this: you’ve never alone. We’ll always have each other … always … The voice of their leader sees them transcend the consuming light, which eventually dims to reveal the infirmary beyond their crystal bounds. “Welcome back, mates.” Fang is the first to greet them, after having recovered from her fears. Her voice is heavy with relief, which warms the recuperated guardians’ hearts. “Don’t you *ever* scare us like that again. You hear me? Had us all worried you did, then again …” The nomadic warrior scratches her head, inciting a minor round of laughter for her stubborn efforts. “What the …” She’s obviously embarrassed. “Are you halfwits laughing at me?”
As the IMT reaches a [miraculous] 100% recovery rating for the recuperated guardians, Sean deactivates their CTs, allowing them to part from their healing bounds. “Can’t say that wasn’t cute, Fang.” The nomadic warrior snarls [and blushes] at his statement, beyond herself with mannish pride. Syd approaches the recuperated guardians and gives them a big hug one at a time. This doting display of affection proves he’s matured since the precursors of their journey. “Four down, two to go.” Sean’s perceptive statement draws his company’s attention to the aforementioned [Zephyr and Kai], who have yet to awaken from their healing phase. “Their vital signs have reached 86%. Hopefully, we won’t have any unnecessary repeats.”
Meanwhile, back in the abyss of dreams, the keeper of souls sets foot upon solid [yet unseen] ground … An eerie case of déjà vu occurs, as the base on which he stands illuminates to reveal a most familiar setting: the floral summit beyond the Luminous Temple, Heaven’s Peak. It’s heartwarming, reminiscent and beautiful, but at the same time … this case of déjà vu is most unsettling … Zephyr approaches the edge of the peak, and feasts his eyes upon a vast ocean of naught. Nothing, as far as the eye can see. “This … isn’t Elysium … it’s something else …” The keeper of souls cups his hands and closes his eyes, recalling the brilliance of the [original] summit beyond the temple. “A majestic hill before a cliff rich with fillias. A place where the sun always shines, and a grand freshwater sea lies there beyond. At nightfall, the moon casts an optical illusion upon the ocean---a reflection so mysterious, yet comforting at the same time.”
“Chaos ruins all in its midst.” The keeper of souls is about-faced by the voice of his adopted father [Kai], who ascends the summit from vast, empty naught-plagued pastures. He rushes into his adopted father’s arms, receiving warm embrace for his efforts. “It’s okay, Zephyr.” Kai gently caresses his head, knowing this experience has offended his adopted son. “I know what you’re thinking---this place is our beloved Heaven’s Peak, but it’s … I’m not sure how I should word my response, but I can say that it is very offensive. This … is our home … ruined by Pandemonium’s unmerciful hand.”
Tender memories stifle his words. “This place is …” Tears he’s forgotten to cry [in the past] are made manifest upon his freckled cheeks. Zephyr buries his head in Kai’s strong chest, indirectly confessing his need for the priest of light’s affections. “This place … of all the locations … Kai, I can’t take it …” In utter silence, the priest of light wrestles with how he should alleviate Zephyr’s pain. Unfortunately, he remembers the tenacity of his adopted son’s emotions, and how deep they delve. This heightens the difficulty of his fatherly endeavor. “Aisha … Celine … the Ancient … everyone …”
Yes, unfortunately, even if he managed to comfort Zephyr, Kai harbors something that needs to be said. A confession best left done in the privacy of their dreams. “Son, I want you to listen to me. Part with your tears momentarily for what I *must* tell you.” The keeper of souls steps away from his adopted father, wipes away his tears, and looks into his [Kai’s] eyes. Guilt and shame are apparent in these eyes, which leads Zephyr to question the manner of Kai’s troubles. “After chaos saw the fall of our world, as well as our separation, the seeker of naught came to me---saved me in a sense, but for selfish reasons.”
“Insidious …” The keeper of souls lowers his head with uncertainty. “Why did he do that?”
“I felt the same way at first, but his following endeavor made things dreadfully clear.” Zephyr notices Kai placing his left hand upon his chest, bearing an empty expression. “Did you notice something when you placed your head against my chest? Something … different?” The keeper of souls looks at the core of his adopted father’s chest, which has been his refuge on many accounts. Zephyr places his right hand upon Kai’s buckled left, which immediately accepts his hand most gently. “… Son, he took ‘it’ from me.”
“He took … ‘it’?”
“Yes … Insidious stole the essence of my heart.”
Zephyr’s eyes widen with shock. “He … did *what*!?”
“It still beats, but it’s lifeless … ‘emotionless,’ should I say … I remember what it’s like to have feelings, but I’ve forgotten how to express them …” Tears that he would normally cry are incapable of finding a place in his eyes … Kai has literally been robbed of his heart’s essence---that which makes him human. “My love for everyone---I *know* it still exists, and that is why … I must part from you all …”
“You … you would leave me again?” Zephyr loses his temper and explodes in a wave of emotion. “No … No! I won’t let you go, not now, not ever! I … I love you, and I’m not giving up on you!” Kai attempts to pacify Zephyr by grabbing hold of his swinging wrists, which do their best to revive the priest of light’s heart. Unfortunately, even this [emotional] resort fails to alleviate Kai’s emptiness. “NO! Father … Don’t leave me again, please … Why are you breaking my heart … Why must you … Father …”
“I’m doing this to protect you.”
“P-Protect!? What are you …”
Kai lifts his adopted son’s chin with his left hand, having Zephyr look him in the eyes. These eyes … They have absolutely no life in them whatsoever. “My soul has become a cesspool of naught. In place of my heart’s essence is the source of all evil [chaos], which overtakes me by the day.” The keeper of souls takes hold of his adopted father’s right hand, and places it to his heart. Kai looks down at his son’s chest, cold and confused. “Zephyr … Why are you doing this? Are you … trying to reason with me?”
“… I … am going to give you my heart’s essence …” Kai lifts his head and looks into his adopted son’s teary eyes, before leaving his hand from Zephyr’s chest, and turning away. The keeper of souls steps forward and attempts to break the wall of Kai’s [broad] back with his words. “Father! Please! Stop being so … so …” Suddenly, a curious and frightening development unfolds before Zephyr: his adopted father’s strong frame bears the quietest aura of naught; ebony-colored smoke generating the gentlest plum light. The keeper of souls steps away, holding his head in an overflow of emotion. “Father … You …”
Negative development upon negative development … At this very moment, a giant rises from beyond the peak, and looms above the arguing family. “Zephyr … I no longer bear the right to be your father, or call you ‘my son’ for that matter. This is not my will, but that of the heart of Pandemonium---Insidious, the seeker of naught. His will wants me to show you what I am becoming, and what I am now capable of.” The cosmos speak to the keeper of souls, and turns him to the Soulless gazing down upon him. The mountainous creature bears a [cracked and thorny] skull symbol upon its wide chest confessing its artificial origins. “This emblem Soulless is of my making, and soon … it will be my undoing …” Kai turns to reveal the corruption of his left arm, which has become like that of a craggy stone rich with naught’s glow. The corruption covers the totality of his left side---even his left eye is lit with naught. His hair whitens, stiffens and sharpens, ripping the tied cloth covering his ox horn [hairstyle], and revealing its full [lower shoulder] length. “Pay attention, boy.” The ghastly depth of Kai’s voice turns the keeper of souls in a wave of fright, and reveals to him the grim truth. “I will now have you understand why I cannot join your party.”
Without warning, the corrupted priest engages the emblem Soulless with his empowered left arm, forcing the creature’s expansive defenses! Clash after tremulous clash, each exhausting chaos across the land … Zephyr is forced to shield his vision numerous times, incapable of staring into the dark essence [for extended periods of time]. (It’s … so *powerful* … the chaos inhabiting his soul …) Gusts of wind continuously repel the keeper of souls, so much that he’s forcefully grounded. “Argh! I … I can’t move beyond the wind …” (This is insane! How could so much chaos fill his soul in such a …) Suddenly, Zephyr remembers Kai’s confession: Insidious stole the essence of my heart. With such vital substance leaved from his soul, the hollowness therein is vacant to any known and unknown chaos … The Soulless is felled by Kai’s [newfound] power that commands naught of proportions never before witnessed. Destructive constructs of chaos that solidify and burn the air; artificial cold fire that performs beyond its name and meaning. Zephyr observes [with great horror] the obscurity of his descending adopted father, who surfs the air upon a platform of Pandemonium’s dark essence. (Father … Insidious did so much more than what you’ve said … This manner of power is beyond anything I’ve ever imagined. No one … man, woman, child or beast … should be immersed this deeply in chaos. It’s dangerous …) “Father, I---”
The corrupted priest silences the keeper of souls with his extended right hand. “This is why I cannot and *will not* join your lot---I am too close to the chaos now, and there is no turning back for me. My heart, empty as it may be, is not yet willing enough to bring you any harm.” Zephyr closes his eyes, incapable of gazing upon his adopted father; however, the touch of Kai’s hand upon his chin reopens his eyes, which take notice of the emptiness in his stare. “This is where we must part ways. Do not mourn my absence. Instead, find a way to reclaim what was stolen from me … before the worst befalls us all … please …”
Zephyr parts his lips to speak; however, his words are silenced by the [spontaneous] emergence of chaos from Kai’s body, which repels him beyond the peak … into the endless naught beyond! Reclaim my heart’s essence, boy, and return me to my original self, beckons the voice of his adopted father within the corridors of his heart. You are young and inexperienced, but far wiser than I, a man traumatically fooled by our common enemy … I have fallen short of my chosen path; fortunately, I know---without a shadow of a doubt---that you are capable of helping me secure a fresh start. (Father … Why do you always have to be this way?) As the keeper of souls, you must forge your own path towards the realization of your goal. These times were imminent and unavoidable in every sense … The Ancient told me this himself. (Our master foresaw this!? Why didn’t he ever … Father, how could you not …) It was not meant for you to discover---a misfortunate event that will pave the way for countless wonders, revelations, victories and tragedies. The road ahead of you will be most challenging, but know this: even in the deepest chaos, your heart’s essence will never lose its light … as long as you believe … I now bid you farewell, boy, until we meet again … (Farewell? But, Father … Father … Are you there?) As he falls into the deepest slumber within slumber, the keeper of souls’ heart makes one final plight towards his beloved adopted father [Kai]. “Father … You could have at least … Allowed to say … I …”
Back in the infirmary, a faint whisper [of “I love you”] escapes the keeper of souls’ lips, earning the attention of his bystanding comrades. Then, in a split second, Kai’s body [spontaneously] combusts into a fleeting cloud of chaos! “The fuck!?” Sean is nearly scared out of his chair by the noise it emits, as everyone approaches the CTs to get a closer look. The young martial artist [Sean] checks the IMT’s stats to see what has happened, and … receives a most disturbing reading from Kai’s CT. “It can’t be … Kai’s at 0%!?”
Suddenly, the aforementioned CT’s crystal barrier [spontaneously] combusts, scattering shards that threaten the lives of all in their midst … However, in the blink of an eye, the shards are immediately halted in their [lethal] tracks … by the keeper of earth’s [Joe’s] newfound power. “What the hell just …” The confused Noel turns to notice Joe’s manipulation, which has [miraculously] saved everyone’s life. The remainder of the fleet observe the keeper of earth’s [alternative] ability. “You … How did you do that?”
Joe closes his eyes, triggering an alchemical reaction from the restricted shards: they decompose and return to their purest form---sand, soda, and lime, along with a gritty [unknown] substance. Serah intrigues upon these basic elements, which disappear into thin air, along with the chaos inhabiting Kai’s CT. “Glass contains melted earth components. So, it was easy for me to rend and recompose them to my liking. But that’s not important right now …” Joe’s newfound power [apparently] enables unique [earth-based] precognitive senses. “I feel this strange vibration coming from Kai’s tube.” As the keeper of souls’ stats reach 100% completion, Kai’s CT clears well enough to reveal … that he has disappeared without leaving a trace behind, which greatly disturbs the fleet! “Shit! Zeph’s old man is …”
Ironically, something peculiar befalls the onlooking keeper of flames, as the awakened keeper of tides [April] exclaims with grief. “Gone!?” … Gone? That word … Curtis can’t help but resonate with April’s exclamation; for, at this very moment, this is how a small part of his heart feels: absent, as if it were stolen from him when he wasn’t looking. I don’t understand … Why do I feel so … She [April] can hear him, though his lips do not part---the inner pain Curtis is feeling. The keeper of tides remains silent, confusion linger most tauntingly in her heart. (Curty … Why do I hear your voice in my heart?) Huh? AJ, is that you? The two look at each other, realizing their hearts have somehow been aligned. What the hell … (I’m thinking the same thing, but … Curty, what’s wrong? You sound so … uneasy.) I don’t know, but … for some strange reason … Curtis looks up at the empty CT, as Sean, Syd and Fang commence working on reversing the effects of Kai’s [inexplicable] disappearance. Everyone is [apparently] upset about the turnout of their fleet’s recovery period, but the results have somehow taken a rather adverse affect upon the keeper of flames. AJ, I feel like a piece of my heart was just shattered into a million pieces. (A piece of your heart, shattered? That’s strange.) Yeah, tell me about it. But, now that I reconsider everything, perhaps I’m feeling what Zeph is at this very moment … Look at him. April observes the keeper of souls’ CT, and notices tears escaping his opening eyelids. The keeper of tides places her hand to her heart, realizing what this means. I don’t know what happened to them, AJ, but Zeph is crying … and his dad is gone … (This is horrible … Curty, do you think there’s anything we can do to make things right?)
In the deepest depths of naught, an ominous voice extends an alluring proposition … to one who has been immersed in the unseen abyss. Submit to my will … Become my emissary … The [unknown] soul slowly sinks deeper and deeper into naught, each inch pulling him or her further and further from the light. You are an incredible warrior whose heart is unmatched. Unstoppable … Open your heart, o mighty one, and receive the power of naught! The [unknown] soul is incapable of resisting the voice’s [overwhelming] chaos! Inch after corrupting inch fills the soul, shaking his or her being [most painfully], ruining the phantom purities of his or her heart---suffering no one should ever have to endure. Yes, embrace it … Scream, scream, scream and embrace the pain! Then, rejoice, for you have been chosen … My emissary, only you have the potential to assist and assure the revival of his eminence. Visit all worlds, do my bidding, and make manifest the lord of eternal emptiness---Kaiser, emperor of naught! The [unknown] soul fully submits to the voice’s will, proven by the [cold] crimson glow emitting from his or her eyes. A Soulless emblem is made manifest upon the emissary’s back, and emits a malevolent plum aura ... As expected, the lord of chaos [Pandemonium], its hearts and their servants are constantly plotting against the souls of the universe. Who is this [misfortunately] chosen emissary, and what affect will he or she have upon the keeper of souls’ pilgrimage?
Meanwhile, we return to the world Aquila is destined to contact within the hour, traversing the town it harbors to climb a lone tower in its inner-city parts … Perched upon the said tower’s summit stands three ominous figures shrouded in artificial chaos---that which inhabits their souls---like torches of naught made manifest within the realm of the living. “Gin, Kaname, thank you for never leaving my side.” The centermost extinguishes his chaos emission, revealing his true image: the rebellious former Shinigami, Aizen Sosuke. His followers do the same, bearing ominous [and enigmatic] presences. “This world and all others are in danger of obliterating themselves from the inside. Let us become the ushers of order and peace among the chaotic masses … We will do so by first purifying them of their meaningless existences, and recreating all in our image. This world will become naught, and rise from it … as *paradise*.”
The city housed by this new world [Planet X] shall soon become a hunting ground for these three invaders … To what lengths will this hellbent trio go in order to realize their goal? “Hey, did you say something about ‘recreating images’?” Well, that all depends on the endurance of twelve opposers who [deftly] appear before them with menacing air. Aizen takes a moment to reflect upon the roster of antagonizers set before his party. Hitsugaya Toshiro, an overzealous halfling; Zaraki Kenpachi, a volatile behemoth; Kyoraku Shunsui, a begrudging sloth; Kuchiki Byakuya, an avoidant blowhard; Shihoin Yoruichi, a pitiful has-been; Matsumoto Rangiku, the halfling’s inconsequential second; Hirako Shinji, a total waste of time; Sui-Feng, not even worth mentioning; Urahara Kisuke, another waste of time; Hisagi Shuhei, one who shouldn’t be here at all; and Komamura Sajin, an overgrown dog. Leading them is none other than the young lady who sensed his presence hours ago. Kuchiki Rukia … Humph. This promises to be most entertaining. “We have a bone to pick with you three and, well, we just couldn’t decide who should go first.” Captain Zaraki antagonizes the invaders with a wide smile and malice in his eyes. “So, here we are. Ready and raring to cut you down … Try not to die too quickly. You know how I *hate* short battles, so let’s make it last. Okay?”
“Humph. That statement is rather typical of you, Kenpachi, to say the least.” Aizen’s party remains cold, calm and collected against a slew of former allies who have united to requite their [retroactive] misdeeds. Blades teeming with otherworldly energy are drawn against them, silently threatening their lives with presence alone. “I will have you all know something. In respect to the inevitable, I hope you listen very carefully.” The former Shinigami gazes upon the enemy party bearing a smile most deceptive and malevolent, speaking with the most inviting tone. “I regret to inform you … that you came here only to die. You see, we have *succeeded* the power of Shinigami. For example … Soulless, come forth!” Suddenly, a random airborne Soulless spawn [resembling dragons] appears, provoking reinforcement of the enemy party’s defenses. The latter can sense the horrific power at the former’s command, which irritates them, especially the highly perceptive Rukia. “We need not engage small fry like yourselves---such an endeavor is empty, pointless, and without merit. The Soulless alone will be your undoing … Good luck, my friends.”
Elsewhere in the town, on the outskirts of its educational district, Ichigo loses himself in deep thought, trailing away from his teacher’s [Ochi-sensei’s] lecture. Unfortunately, the young man has little interest in social studies; for, his heart is focused on the absent Rukia, who wasn’t present when Ichigo awoke this morning. Get some rest, Ichigo. I feel a storm is on its way, if you know what I mean. The voice of his friend echoes in his memory most vividly, almost as if she were there at his side. Observing the remainder of his classroom, Ichigo also notices that his other friends---Orihime, Sado, and Uryu---are missing as well, along with several other students who [normally] never miss a day of school. (Wonder why nobody bothered to contact me. No phone calls, no visits or meet-ups … Dammit! Guys, why do you always have to make me worry like that? Messing my head up … That pisses me off, you know!) He immediately gets an [unexpected] answer in the form of the intruding Insidious, who applauds the teacher’s [Ochi-sensei’s] performance from a makeshift seat upon the middlemost windowpane, which interrupts the lecture! Ichigo’s eyes widen with shock, as he recalls the seeker of naught’s ghastly image. “What the *hell*!?”
“Congratulations on a lesson well taught, but school has been cancelled … *permanently*!” The seeker of naught casts an all-consuming surge of chaos from his hands, which rends, ruins and razes all in its path! Ichigo is also caught in the river of chaos, along with everyone in the classroom. “Dream, dream, o hearts of the young. May your fondest hopes be met … in *absolute darkness*.” Ironically, one of the “dreaming hearts” is not without reinforcement---a spiritual bisection appears in the chaos river, giving way to a transformed Ichigo donning the [midnight black] robes of the Shinigami, and brandishing a sword resembling to a [large] khyber knife with a cloth-wrapped tang. “Humph. My, my.” Insidious is tickled by the young man’s [stone cold] mien, feeling the energy seeping from his youthful frame. “You *dare* to oppose me, boy?”
“I’ve seen you in my nightmares. Your name is Insidious, and you …” Ichigo points the tip of his blade at the seeker of naught, tickling the malevolent heart of Pandemonium once again. Ironically, this laughter is silenced by ruthless aggression on behalf of [the resilient] Ichigo, who engages Insidious with cold steel that forces the seeker of naught’s dexterity! The young man chases Insidious outside, pursuing him with a leap through the classroom window … Ichigo grounds himself in the front courtyard, standing several feet away from the seeker of naught. “… you are ‘his’ enemy. And *mine* as well.” The young man quickly recovers, and aims his blade at Insidious once again. “I won’t let you leave this place, *especially* after what you’ve just done. So, best be on your A-game … *because I’m not holding back*!”
“Oh, dear! Such aggression … Humph. Fine by me, boy.” The seeker of naught amusedly reinforces his martial defenses. “Just don’t cry to me after suffering the cold sting of chaos.”
The young man bounds [high] into the air, lifting his blade above his head, which immediately gathers ebony-colored energy upon its edge! “Who said anything about *crying*!?” With a mighty [downward] swing of his blade, Ichigo casts a crescent-shaped wave that will initiate an incredible journey [on his behalf]. “Take this! Getsuga Tenshou!” Insidious gazes up at the oncoming wave, a malevolent smile stretched from cheek to cheek. Kurosaki Ichigo---a substitute Shinigami … Cute. But, unfortunately, this is where you will fall---by my hand … I do hope you find it in your heart to forgive me in the long run.
Suddenly, a faint light illuminates the distance, earning April’s fascination … Approaching her with the grandest of majesty is a woman whose likeness is much like her own---a fair maiden garbed in the finest aquamarine silks complemented by the most beauteous of silver and gold. (The warmest of salutations to you, chosen one.) April is hypnotized by this likened beauty, who gently takes her hands upon arrival, and blesses her with motherly company. (My apologies for utilizing your soul when it wasn’t properly awakened. But that menacing heart of Pandemonium needed to be silenced.)
April is further fascinated. “Who … Who are you?”
(I am the High Priestess---Arcana of Love and Serenity. The Cosmos have designated you, April, to be my spiritual host. As such, I am hereby your strength in the battle against Pandemonium, it hearts and all their minions. But before I can completely accept you …) Without warning, the High Priestess releases April’s hands, steps away and repulses the spitfire warrior with a point-blank range explosion of water! Despite the ferocity of this attack, as she recovers, April notices that she remains unharmed by the High Priestess’s currents. (We must do battle together. My apologies, by the way.)
“What?” April confuses. “We have to *fight each other*? That’s so stupid!”
(When the fate of all is at stake, such developments are deemed logical. One must always be prepared for what lies ahead of them, even if they must clash with their allies. Now, prepare!) Out of the blue, no pun intended, April is pit against her very own guardian arcana---the High Priestess. As advised by the guardian arcana, April braces herself for what promises to be a most aggressive struggle. (Heed these words, my darling April: at times, love will hurt, dreadfully so. However, this pain has meaning, and even if it results in sacrifice, the loss of those dear or even yourself, embrace it---and realize your true purpose.)
The given advice has registered with April, whose values stem from a traumatic past. Her fists ball with purpose, having never before heard someone relate to her in such a manner. “You’re right … Sometimes, sacrifice and loss are necessary to realize one’s true purpose. I learned that a long time ago, but now, I just can’t find it in myself to release anything---people, places and things---because I know what will eventually happen to me … to us … And that is why …” In a burst of speed, power and passion, April advances upon the High Priestess with ruthless aggression! Despite her fervor, the guardian arcana proves its experience by evading and parrying the spitfire’s physical barrage. The High Priestess then attempts to exploit April’s strike-based wrestling style via an intercepting geyser at her feet; however, the spitfire leaps forward and clotheslines the guardian arcana to the floor! “I will continue to fight, no matter what!” April turns to the fallen High Priestess post-recovery, who stylishly recovers by evaporating and solidifying in an upright fashion before her eyes. The spitfire is impressed by this display of power. “Interesting. Looks like you’re so much more than a barrel of bursting bubbles. So, what else can you do, o mighty water-lady spirit?”
(Many things, my dear.) The guardian arcana faces her charge, amassing trails of torrents at her side, which reinforces April’s defenses. (All of which I will now show you. And this time, I won’t hold back!)
Elsewhere in the infinite abyss, Joe is faced with a beautiful maiden and a beastly man whose appearance is much like his own. Upon an expansive, still valley of emerald-colored flowers do they stand, distanced from each other by several feet. (You have those more precious to you than anything else in the universe. To find them, and be a family once again---for that reason alone do you accompany a mass of acquaintances, all bearing burdens beyond their comprehension … much like yourself.) The maiden accompanying the beastly man speaks the truth. Behind his silence lies a sense of selfishness hosted by his innermost vulnerability. Despite his kindhearted nature, Joe is like any other man pit against such odds---he’s desperate, and will do anything, even bet his own soul, to reclaim what was stolen from him. (Hear me, Leati: to regain your loved ones, it will take so much more than a culmination of alliance and desire. You must become that which drives your soul---the unstoppable, raging titan residing in your heart. The being that you see before you.) Joe is impressed that the maiden knows his forename, let alone his innermost sentiments. However, he can’t afford to concentrate on such trivialities, choosing to gaze upon the beast at her side, who makes its presence known by approaching him. (He is the guardian arcana of your soul, Strength. And I am the tamer who keeps him at bay. You must do battle with him, so that you can prove your worthiness. Don’t hold back, Leati---tame the beast, and become “a true sentinel”.)
A clever and malicious smirk decorates Joe’s handsome facade. “Humph. I have to fight this guy, huh? Doesn’t sound too hard.” However, the beast proves its athletic prowess, moving at imperceptible speeds that leave Joe dumbfounded. (What? How is he moving so …) The beast disallows Joe the time to strategize, engaging him from all corners via what appears to be highly advanced movement---speeds so overwhelming, Joe is literally brought to his knees! (Shit! … This guy …) Several scratches in his breastplate appear, proving the ferocity of his guardian arcana. Joe holds his chest, realizing what these scratches mean. (He’s fast, and I’m much slower than him … Humph. This is going to be tough.)
The sentinel stands upright, tall and proud, bearing his chest before the beastly guardian of his soul. He defensively bears his balled fists, before the speeding beast engages him once again! … However, this time, Joe is mentally prepared for the beast’s physical onslaught, which enables him to guard, parry and counter his opponent’s bloodthirsty claws. The beast roars ferociously, attempting to intimidate Joe; unfortunately, for the beast, he’s faced with a man whose cool and composed nature enables him to smile. (Interesting. What man is capable of finding joy in the heat of battle other than a lunatic?) The beast’s voice resonates within Joe’s heart, before the latter counterattacks the former with a fierce rising knee to the solar plexus, which temporarily fells the former. (… I see … I can feel your passion, Leati. Yet, you’re still lying to us … We know you’re suffering in silence, refusing to show your pain. Why is that?)
Joe cracks his fists with collective air, bearing what would be considered “pride” by many. “If I start crying now, then I won’t stop. My pain is deep---so deep it’s inconceivable. Now, ask yourself this question: if you lost that woman, wouldn’t that make you not feel like shit? Wouldn’t you feel pain so deafening, traumatic and commanding … that you’d do anything to get her back? … Yes, you would!”
(Humph. And what makes you so sure about that?) The beast rises from his grounded position with the reflexes of a cat, its claws aimed at Joe’s heart. Fortunately, the sentinel is much more nimble than many would want to believe, proven by his quick evasion. (Fool! I wanted you to do that!) Suddenly, the beast materializes a bed of stalagmites behind Joe, meaning he aims to see his charge fatally impaled. Luckily, the sentinel once again proves his intelligence, setting himself in a sprinting fashion, which places weight on his front-side, and enables him to recover before reaching the stalagmites. The beast advances for the pursuit, but is surprised by a fierce tackle from his charge, which grounds him once again! (… My, my, Leati … How could I forget your background in American football? I admit, that was clumsy of me.)
“Best not forget anything else, furball.” Joe buckles and explodes with adrenaline, kneels and pounds his right fist onto the ground! “Because I don’t give second chances in situations like this. Then again, you should already know that---because you *are* me, right?” The sentinel lifts his head and glares the beast down, proving his seriousness. “So, if you know me so much, can you guess my next move?”
(Your next move, huh … Don’t subconsciously limit yourself.) The beast’s statement registers greatly with the sentinel, and amuses the maiden observing in the distance. The beast stands upright, folds its arms, and shines its fangs at its charge. (Broaden your horizons and aim for greater strength, but let not this pursuit define you as a man. The path of a warrior is lonely, heartbreaking and endless, but the rewards of following this path are most fruitful. Leati, seek these fruits, and relish in their wisdom well enough to forge a new and innovative path … Now, tell me! Can you complete this task!?)
The beast unleashes its full potential with a mighty roar, quaking and razing the earth with an expanding cascade of emerald-colored light! Despite the phenomena occurring around him, Joe remains cool, calm and unfazed, even as the beast ruthlessly engages him once again … The sentinel knows this battle will test the limits of his soul; however, according to the beast, he must break beyond these limits and forge his own path. In silence, he questions the possibility of this daring feat.
In another unique area of the infinite abyss, Noel’s blades are locked with the cold steel of his guardian arcana, Justice---a godlike figure in his likeness whose presence commands the wind, donning regal crimson robes and a crown of the purest gold. The guardian arcana also brandishes a doubled-edged sword of the purest tempered steel in its right hand and a perfectly balanced scale in the other. The battlefield where their swords vigorously cross is composed of the aforesaid classical element, solidified, crystalline and luminescent. A burst of adrenaline from the aggressive Noel distances Justice, who recovers several feet away from his charge. The cold and commanding guardian arcana then stares at its charge, who fortifies his offenses with strong posture. (The burdens you bear cloud your vision and dull your blade. You mollify these burdens with strength and determination. All for “them,” especially “her”.)
Noel can’t deny his greed, even if he worded his way around it. It’s inescapable, unjustifiable, and emotionally concrete. Justice capitalizes on his exposed weakness with an advancing slash that forces Noel to defend; however, the force of the guardian arcana’s blade ruthlessly grounds the transcender, proving that even he is susceptible to humanity. (Does it hurt? If so, can you embrace this pain?) Justice’s cryptic statements begin peeling away at Noel’s patience. (Stand, if you can. Your journey begins here.)
Noel rises to his feet, anger apparent with every move he makes. Every gesture, every given form of physical language imaginable---everything teems with building annoyance. “Would you stop speaking to me in riddles, and take this fight seriously?” The transcender fortifies his defenses once again, branding his blades with burning intent. “I know, alright! I’m … selfish, I can admit that! But I want to become stronger for more than that, so just *stop it*---stop treating me like I’m some kind of egomaniac!”
(Humph. Whatever could be egomaniacal about caring for others? I can’t say that I know.)
“You …”
(But riddle me once more: should you obtain this strength you seek, will you properly utilize it?)
“What? ‘Properly utilize’ …” Noel compartmentalizes and reinforces his ambition. “Of course, I will, with every fabric of my being. Like I said before, I want to become stronger for multiple reasons, not just for ‘them’.” Justice is apparently amused by Noel’s resolution, unwavering even in the face of a being far more dominant than he could ever be. “So many reasons … and that’s why …” The transcender combines his blades into their javelin form, stylishly spins it around his body, and stops, while positioning himself in a personal free stance. “I refuse to lay down and die, not now, not ever! I swear it, I *will* survive!”
The guardian arcana closes its eyes, apparently amused even further by Noel’s daring statement. (Your staunch resolve is commendable; however, willpower alone cannot sever the chaos.) Justice holds both its sword and its scale up high, triggering an alchemical fusion of the two---into that of an illustrious golden X-hilted longsword with a blade emblazoned by arcane engravings. (Noel Kreiss … I will now have you understand my reasoning.) The guardian arcana brandishes its longsword, gripping it with both hands, positioned in a front stance that leaves no openings---flawless in every way. (Prepare. This is the climax.)
Without warning, the guardian arcana engages Noel with blinding speed, accuracy and precision; fortunately, the transcender is adept at evasion … However, his strategy soon falters, leaving him open for multiple physical exploitations! At the moment, Justice could bisect Noel through the midsection or straight down the middle, or it could sadistically vivisect him bit by bit. A normal fighter would find a quick way to escape sudden death, but not Noel---he risks it all by leaping forward and delivering a fierce rebounding X-slash that immediately forces Justice into the evasive. “You said this is the ‘climax,’ right? Well, I couldn’t agree more with you …” The daring transcender stands tall and proud, gazing upon his recovering guardian arcana with fearless eyes. “I shouldn’t need to remind you that I’ve been dealing with guys like you my entire life, and Caius is one of them. He pushed me, pushed me, and pushed me until I collapsed, but I never once complained …” Justice styles a polished one-handed battle stance, as Noel returns to his free stance. The daring transcender’s eyes burn with determination, as he sets the tone for a brutal clash to the finish. “And I promise you, I won’t start complaining now. So, let’s go!”
The guardian arcana engages its charge with brutal intentions, provoking the latter to return the gesture with equivalent passion. Their blades clash once again, initiating what promises to be an intense and high-impact struggle for glory … April, Joe and Noel have all been pit against their guardian arcana in trials that will determine their worth as the guardians of the keeper of souls. Will they succeed and earn the right to awakening, or will they fail and secure even greater struggles in the near future?
Wandering naught and learning its secrets---that is the way of the seeker. A cold, lonely yet unlimited existence made for those who’ve strayed from the path of virtue; the way of the priests of light. Delving into the naught of one’s dreams is a method undergone amid both paths, which causes them to coexist in some way. Hence, the saying, “the brighter the light, the darker the shadow”.
In the farthest reaches of the abyss, there exists a temple quite unlike anything one would ever see in the real world. A crystalline giant of immeasurable wonder and magnificence … Serah enters this place en solo, or at least that’s what she believes … Mog is there with her, but on a spiritual plane altering her own. He is only a Moogle, after all; thus, his powers are limited. Mog can assist with the restoration of spacetime, but he is incapable of interfering with another person’s dreams. From his mental standpoint, he is merely an observer, and nothing more. “What is this place?” Serah’s curiosity leads her deeper and deeper into temple, a place rich with silver and golden crystal constructs. The most glorious sight imaginable, but empty---dreadfully empty … and sad. Serah reflects on her surroundings. “It’s so beautiful … And yet, something feels off---something vital, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
(You have entered the sanctuary where all souls rest.) A haunting, dreary tone turns Serah to the north, where she notices the advent of a familiar specter: the seeress of Paddra, Yeul. The glum seeress halts at Serah’s side, as several cylindrical crystals spaced evenly across the surrounding wall rise from the floor. The latter observes these crystals and, after getting a good look of what they contain, is shocked to silence. Yeul steps forward and explains everything. (Divine will has led you to a place found only in the heart of the keeper of souls. You, Serah, have purpose here---great purpose that only you can fulfill.)
Serah intrigues. “Only me?”
She emotionally approaches the crystals, and recognizes all of them. The seeress turns to her, and addresses the contained people surrounding them. (These souls should be familiar to the both of us. They’re from our world, Gran Pulse, and its moon, Cocoon.) Serah stops by each crystal to view their human contents, as Yeul commences a thorough explanation. (Sazh Katzroy and his son Dajh, Hope Estheim and his parents, Oerba Dia Vanille, the young rebels of NORA, and their leader, Snow Villiers. When our world and its moon fell into naught, these wandering souls found a way into Zephyr’s heart. This happened moments after Caius succeeded at destroying Etro’s gate. It was the will of the goddess and her hallowed protector that created this path; a forge of undying love, sufficient until further notice.)
“It’s a miracle, but … Lightning is still in danger?”
(Only you can be the judge of that.)
“But, how?” Serah worriedly faces Yeul. “How can *I* change all of this?”
(You will need an even greater power found on a star driven by two swords; one of the purest light, the other of the deepest darkness. The sword of darkness has assisted in further corrupting the natural order. It must be destroyed at all costs. To exercise the facile and truest method, utilize the sword of light.)
Serah reflects on what Yeul has said. “Sword of darkness … You mean the one Caius has, right?”
(Not quite. Caius’s sword is indeed a spawn of chaos, but the sword in question is a fragment of this one. Should the sword of darkness be destroyed, Caius’s defenses will be halved. The only thing left at his disposal will be the beating heart of chaos resting inside his chest.)
Something sounds terribly wrong about Yeul’s sentiments. “Are you …” Serah takes notice once again, approaching the seeress with confused air. “Yeul, are you trying to defeat Caius?”
(Yes. But my assistances are for more than “defeating” Caius. He is a dear friend of mine, but the chaos inhabiting his soul is one of the primary sustainers of Pandemonium’s campaign.)
“You’re talking about … Insidious, right?”
(Yes. The other is the lingering souls of Celine and Aisha, and the third is the confliction inside Kai’s heart, which will give rise to the ‘emperor of naught’. Once the emperor is revived, Insidious and his communion will become indomitable … And many of you will die in the effort to stop them.) Just hearing that death waits in the future petrifies Serah where she stands. (I understand how you feel, and that is why you must complete this task: destroy the sword of darkness with the sword of light. The rewards for doing so will be great in measure and number.) Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by the emergence of chaos within the sanctuary, which constructs two Soulless in the likeness of chest pieces: a red queen and a white king, both brandishing a spiked mace-like scepter. From his mental standpoint, Mog reflexively transforms into his melee bowsword form, which Serah somehow manages to grasp. Yeul takes notices of this peculiar development, which has Serah at a loss. (Your friends are with you … Now, banish these monsters from Zephyr’s heart. They are what troubles his soul the most.)
After teaching children on Gran Pulse for over a year, Serah can relate to situations like this; the meaning behind the Soulless looming before them. “I see … From what I remember, Zephyr is an orphan, so these monsters must be his anger manifested: a red queen and white king. ‘Mommy and Daddy’.” This pain registers so well with Serah, who was orphaned at a young age, despite having her sister Lightning there with her … Likewise, Zephyr had Kai, Celine, and eventually Aisha and the other people inhabiting the Luminous Temple. Despite the former being his parental guardians, Zephyr has always harbored an unfathomable amount of emptiness. “You … always wanted to know them … to be with them … just like I did with my parents … Zephyr, I know exactly how you feel.” Serah’s determination shines vibrantly, as she reinforces for combat with Mog in hand. “Consider this my way of saying, ‘you can still make it’. You’ve got Kai and all of us at your side, cheering you on … I know I can’t wash away your pain, but I can support and encourage you. You’re doing it for us … So, here’s my way of returning the favor!”
Yeul comes to Serah’s aid. (The enemy is strong. Thus, I humbly offer you my assistances)
“Thanks, Yeul.”
The white king leads the attack for its queen! (It comes! Move at once!) Yeul’s instruction saves Serah from pulverization, as the latter leaps backwards to escape the white king’s wrath … As Yeul exists on an alternate plane, she is safe from harm; thus, her assistances are concrete. This enables her to support Serah not just verbally, but dimensionally as well. (Defend, shards of time!) The seeress displays mystic knowledge by remotely casting a protection spell on Serah. The latter is environed by ethereal crystal plates that shield her and enhances her overall physical status; thus, enabling attributes that allow Serah to capitalize on the white king’s recovery period. (The monster’s weak point is its head! Strike at once!)
Serah rears Mog for what promises to be a most climactic struggle. The warrior goddess’ sister advances into a leap of faith, lifts her bowsword above her head, and descends for a killing blow. “Alright! *Haah*!”
He can feel it … a great confliction in his heart. Zephyr, please, open your eyes, calls a voice from within, which sounds all too familiar. (… Serah? Is … Is that you?) You’re not alone. We’re here with you, so please, no matter what … Never give up! Her voice … The gentle yet determined tone of the warrior goddess’ sister resonates so beautifully, almost as if it were real. Ironically, it is---Serah’s spirit is doing battle with the keeper of souls’ innermost origins of pain: the desire to be loved by his true birth parents, and to claim a place in their lives. (Serah … Why does it feel like …) Did you hear what I said earlier? (No, I didn’t. I … I was still asleep, so to speak. Do you … mind repeating it for me?)
In the realm found only inside Zephyr’s heart, Serah does battle with the aggressive white king and the assisting red queen, who behave very much like an actual stable heterosexual couple: the female supports the male’s just actions, which in their case---due to them being spawns of naught---is more than credible. Yeul assists Serah from her alternate-dimensional plane using enhancing spells, which continuously empower the determined young woman. (Lightning and I were orphaned at a young age. Our parents died before I got the chance to know them, so it was just the two of us … for a long time.) That’s so horrible … How did you and your sister cope with that? (It wasn’t easy … Lots of hardships, arguments and makeups, and the occasional funny moments. Lightning, well … she’s not the joking type, if you catch my drift.) I don’t mean to sound like a spoiled child, but I wish I had a sister … or a brother for that matter. I have no true family, unless you count the people of the Luminous Temple. But after chaos destroyed my home, I’m not so sure they’re still alive, save Kai and myself. Serah once again understands Zephyr’s pain, as she capitalizes on yet another opening from the white king’s clumsy offenses, successfully bisecting him into dissipating chaos with an advancing airborne [bypassing] slash to the midsection! The warrior goddess’ sister recovers several feet away from the red queen, who appears to be infuriated by her husband’s defeat. Serah takes notice of this. (I think I just made “Mommy” angry. “Daddy” wasn’t much thanks to Yeul.)
(“Mommy” and “Daddy”? You mean …) Yes. Your deeply-rooted pain has manifested chaos in your heart, which took the form of Soulless that look like chess pieces: a red queen and a white king. I defeated the latter, but the former may prove a problem. She’s … powering up. What Serah says is true … At this very moment, the red queen is empowering the spiked end of her scepter with an incredible amount of chaos. She plans to strike Serah down with a single blow. This doesn’t look good … Even with Yeul’s help, I’m not sure if I can beat this thing. Zephyr, any suggestions? (Capitalize on it’s weak point. That’s your best bet.)
Yeul offers a speedy assist. (Serah, that crystal sphere is the source of her power. Destroy it, quickly!)
Serah instantly notices the truth in Yeul’s statement, and leaps into the pursuit for victory! Don’t worry, Serah. I’m here with the both of you. Zephyr’s voice is soft yet vibrant, almost as if he were right beside her. Yeul observes what appears to be the will of his heart guiding Mog in Serah’s hand. (Are you … helping me?) Yes, as I always will to the best of my power. I promise. (… Thank you. The same goes for me, I promise.) Together, with the enhancements of the seeress of Paddra, Zephyr’s heart and Serah destroy the red queen’s scepter with a colliding smash-through with Mog, shattering it into thousands of disappearing shards! As a result, the red queen loses all of her power, and her body spontaneously combusts into a fleeting explosion of chaos! (We did it! We defeated …) Serah closes her eyes, feeling some sense of guilt for being the one to undergo such an emotional task. (I’m sorry if I caused you anymore pain, Zephyr.) No worries. You actually helped me. I feel as if I can go on now … like a heavy burden has been lifted.
Serah recovers after flying through the dissipating chaos unharmed, a feat practicable only by those protected by higher powers. Yeul approaches her with glum air, although her expressions conceal an abundance of positive impression. (You did well. And, I saw it: the keeper of souls’ favor was great with you. Do feel honored, Serah.) The warrior goddess’ sister feels Mog escape her grasp from his alternate-dimensional existence, meaning she no longer has need for him. Yeul turns to depart, mysterious [and serious] in nature. (I must return to the void beyond. And remember what I said.) The seeress of Paddra halts and constructs a portal of chaos with an outstretching of her hands. (Find the sword of light, and with it, destroy the sword of darkness. If this is done with haste, our reunion will be nigh.)
Without another word, the seeress transcends the portal, leaving Serah alone. The goddess’ sister holds her heart with worry. “She’s gone. I feel like I’m alone again.” Don’t worry. I’m still here with you. “Oh, Zephyr, I …” She looks around, wondering where he could be. Then, reality returns to her: she’s inside Zephyr’s heart, so until she leaves, he’ll remain at her side. I need to wake up, so I’ll give you a way out. Ironically, the exit he gives to her is much like the one Insidious gave to him, only it is lit with phantoms of his arcane soul power. “Oh, wow!” Serah is amazed by its beauty. “Nice taste you’ve got there.” It’s a bit unoriginal, but I’m not much of an artist outside of combat and literature. “You also write?” Anytime I have a paper and brush in front of me, I can’t contain myself. “I don’t meet many men who’re into that kind of stuff. I’m usually surrounded by macho types who’re all about muscles, freedom-fighting and mischief.”
The two share a moment of laughter, before Serah places her hand upon the door leaving Zephyr’s heart. (I need to settle some things in my dreams before I wake up, so just be patient and give me some time. I’m a bit too methodical for my own good.) You and me both, no kidding there. Serah grips the handles of Zephyr’s gift, turns them, opens the double doors, and bathes in the purest jade-colored cosmos. So soothing and refreshing is this cosmos, almost as if she were basking in a crisp spring breeze. Is this … your power? (Yes, it is.) I … don’t know how to describe it … I just can’t find the words … (Neither can I. In truth, I never really wanted this power. I wanted to be a normal person, but destiny said otherwise.)
“Well, I don’t mean to sound selfish, but I’m grateful towards it. If it weren’t for this power, none of us would’ve ever met.” Serah’s statement resonates with Zephyr, who releases a gentle sigh signifying a smile. Yes, your words are quite true. I can’t say otherwise, mostly because our thoughts are concord. “I’m glad. Well, here I go.” Best wishes, my friend. And remember: just give me a little time, okay? “Right. I’ll be waiting.” In a final emotional act, Serah takes a moment to observe the crystals containing her loved ones’ sleeping souls. “Guys, I’ll find a way to revive you. I swear it.” With that said, the warrior goddess’ sister transcends Zephyr’s doorway, emerging herself with his cosmos … Through these cosmos does she find her way back to consciousness, which enables her to open her eyes and vaguely perceive Aquila’s infirmary.
Busy at the maintenance terminal just seconds away from the containment tubes is a familiar yellow spectrum. The said figure lifts its head and notices her revival. “Oh, great! Finally, some response, and it took a little over an hour.” Serah’s vision clears up well enough to make-out the spectrum: it’s Sean, who was taught how to work the maintenance terminal during Serah’s recuperation. “The others are short of 80%, so they’ll be with us shortly.” He halts in front of her tube. “Feeling a little better there, Serrie?”
“Yes, thanks a lot.” The warrior goddess’ sister humously notices something. “And, err … Serrie?”
“Blame that on Syd. He’s a stickler for nicknames.”
“Oh, I see. It’s cute, I like it.”
“Glad to hear that. Oh, by the way.” Sean observes the maintenance station, and relays her current status. “You’re at 98%, so you’ll be done in about a few minutes. Heh, this machine works pretty fast.”
“Zephyr and Yeul helped me.” Sean is drawn to Serah’s emotional tone, immediately noticing her hands cupped against her chest. The warrior goddess’ sister seems … comforted and peaceful … almost as if she were basking in the warmth of sunrays. “When I was asleep, they helped me survive a battle against these strange Soulless that … Well, let’s just say it was rather personal.”
“Deep stuff, huh? I can respect that.”
“… Hey, do you mind if I ask you a question?”
Sean intrigues. “Sure. What’s up?”
“I hope this doesn’t offend you, but …” Serah looks Sean in the eyes. “Were you close to your parents?”
The young martial artist scratches his head in a blush. “Well, since you asked …” Sean commences a minor explanation. “My dad is a baker and my mother is a candlestick maker. And yeah, I know that rhymes.” Serah is tickled by Sean’s bashful behavior. “What? It’s true, you know.”
“I know, but it’s … kind of cute.” Serah composes herself well enough to speak clearly. “Sorry about that. Sometimes, I’m just a little too curious about everything.” Suddenly, she remembers a certain someone she forgot to mention. “Mog …” Comically enough, in a burst of temporal dust and the uttering of an adorable kupo, the Moogle appears beside her. “Oh!” Serah startles. “Mog, you scared me!”
“Sorry about that, kupo.” The Moogle receives a big hug from its charge. “Aww, I’m glad you’re okay, too. I did what I could to help you guys. And seriously, all of you did an *amazing* job, kupo!”
“Thanks, Mog. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Suddenly, a beeping sound comes from the maintenance terminal. “Looks like you’re all ready, Serrie. Releasing CT 5.” Sean works his magic by pressing a button on the station, which deactivates Serah’s containment tube, and lowers her to the CT base via decompressing air. “Here, let me give you two a hand.” The young martial artist approaches Serah [with Mog in her left arm], as she gives him her free right hand. With a light tug, he helps them out of the CT. “There. All better.” Serah smiles, before turning to view the remaining patients [from left to right]: April, Joe, Noel, Kai, and Zephyr. Sean joins her observation with high hopes. “They’ll be all right, Serrie. They’re really tough, trust me on that.”
“Yeah …” Serah releases Mog, allowing her Moogle companion to hover at her side. “Zephyr said to give him some time, and that he’d be back soon. The same can be said for the others … because I believe in them, too.” The grade school teacher dotingly reflects on the keeper of souls. “I can tell he’s younger than me. I may not look like it, but I’ve established myself as one strict elementary school teacher.”
Sean intrigues. “Really, now?”
“What’s it like, kupo?” Mog seconds. “Is it hard or is it a piece of cake?”
“Neither, really. My students make my classroom fun and exciting, but there are times when I have to get tough, or else they won’t listen to me.” Serah folds her arms, and places her right fist to her chin in a humored manner. “I can’t help but feel like he’s one of my students. Then again, that would be kind of awkward.” She then returns her attention to the CTs, and reflect on the recuperating guardians. “And the others. They … actually remind me of my professors. One is fatherly, one is serious, one is sarcastic, and the other is determined to get the job done. It’s like a constant case of déjà vu, but a good one.”
Mog places his hand on her shoulder. “Serah, try not to over-analyze. You’ll work yourself up, kupo.”
“Yeah, you’re right … I can be a bit of a worry-wart at times.”
Sean proudly holds his hips. “Heh, don’t sweat it, Serrie. I’ll take *good* care of them.”
“I know, Sean. In fact, I saw it in a dream … that you’d always be there for us, even if time, space, and the gods of fate stood in our way.” It’s a bit surprising to hear something like that coming from an acquaintance, but for some peculiar reason, Sean believes Serah … because that’s what he desires the most. He has absolutely no idea why he feels this way, no idea at all, but the thought of what happened not too long ago [in the shower] rings some emotional bells. “I’m going to rest up a bit more.” Serah turns and gives Sean a pat on his shoulder, before parting for her resting quarters. “See you in a few.”
Mog stays behind, knowing Serah will be fine in his absence. Suddenly, Serah is halted in her tracks, and both Sean and Mog are startled by an alarm from the IMT! Serah turns in a wave of worry, and returns to the infirmary, as Sean approaches the IMT and notices a most dreadful reading coming from three of the five CTs: the vital signs of April, Joe, and Noel have nose-dived to a critical 27%! “What the …!?” Sean gets to work on resolving the issue, as Syd and Fang join the amassing party. “Come on, come on, come on, come on, *come on*!” Sean is becoming frustrated by haunting thoughts of being incapable of preventing this. “Damn it, they were fine just a moment ago! *Ugh*! What the fuck, man!?”
Fang suddenly notices something alarming from the aforesaid CTs. “Blimey! Look at them, they’re …” Her observation draws everyone’s attention to the CTs, all except for Syd and Sean, who are currently working on resolving the issue. “They’re struggling?” Yes, what Fang says is true … The three guardians are struggling to survive inside their CTs, proven by their perspiring and spastic bodies. The nomadic warrior shakes her head, and bangs on the said CTs most stubbornly. “Goddamn you, fight! Don’t you *dare* get soft on us now, you hear!? Not after … Not after we came all this way, alright!? You …”
Serah attempts to console Fang, who’s obviously having a hard time dealing with this … Curtis enters the room a bit late, having heard the commotion from the bottom floor. “What’s going on?” He seems to be out of breath, having ran the entire way. The psychedelic gentlemen horrifies at what he sees unfolding before him! “AJ, Joe, Noel, what the---!?” Curtis approaches the CTs, not sure how to stop this from happening. You must be the solar flame that lights the way, even in the deepest darkness. Suddenly, the voice of his guardian arcana resonates in his soul most vibrantly. “I … must light the way …” Curtis immediately remembers these words spoken to him hours ago [when he stood before his locker room mirror]. His words draw the attention of his company, as does a most amazing development: Curtis’s entire body is lightly ablaze with the gentlest flame, calmer than a lit candle, soothing like an early morning sun. Resting inside your passionate soul is the fundamental elements of the universe. You will be the one to awaken the powers of the other five Guardians; for, you are their leader. And as a leader, you must be the one to rally your troops---not the Keeper of Souls. “As above, so below …” He knows not what he’s doing; for, he’s not the one controlling his body at the moment … It’s as if Curtis’s soul has a mind of its own. “I am their leader, so … I can’t let them fall here … not now … not ever. It is my destiny, as the keeper of flames!”
Syd is beside himself with awe. “Soft back … what are you …”
“Step aside, everyone.” The keeper of flames crosses his fists before his chest, ardent cosmos fluttering and accelerating around him. “I must awaken their hidden potential, at once!” Syd panics, but Curtis calms him with charming air. “Don’t worry. What I’m about to do isn’t destructive.” Fang steps out of the way, as does Serah and Mog, in unison with the chanting of words that resonate in Curtis’s heart. “O sacred rays of the sun, heed my word: gather before me as orbits of healing and empowerment!” With these chanted words, a trio of crimson spherical air constructs materialize before his body [and amazes his company], before the keeper of flames unbuckles and outstretches his fists. “Agni Revitalizing Heat!”
The trio of constructs, revealed as orbits of visible heat, merge with the CTs of his guardians and cause a most curious reaction: the CTs’ crystal borders emit a vibrant crimson light, which triggers a secondary reaction; the IMT reading for the CTs skyrocket to 96 percent in 0.5 seconds! “Holy crackers! I don’t believe it!” Syd is beyond himself [with fascination], having never dreamed something like this would occur. Even Aquila is impressed by Curtis’s newfound power, proven by her [thrilled] meow. “You can say *that* again, Baby dear! This is … Mates, this is a *blooming miracle*, I tell you!”
“If the same happens to Zeph and Kai, I’ll repeat this procedure.” Curtis calms his ardent cosmos, allowing his revitalizing heat spell to work its magic [no pun intended]. The keeper of flames, along with his company, observes the impending unknown with high hopes. (Everyone, if you can hear me: please, don’t give up.) Curtis balls his fists, a [trusting] smile developing on his [handsome] face. (April, Joe, Noel, Zeph, Kai, you *have* to survive. We’ll support you from the outside, but there’s so much we can do. So, please … For the sake of everyone and everything we've lost---fight on, until you see the sunlight!)
The keeper of flames’ voice transcends space, time and reality. For the sake of everyone and everything we’ve lost---fight on, until you see the sunlight! They can hear it---the encouraging word of the man who will become their leader … Having suffered greatly at the hands of their respective guardian arcana, April, Joe and Noel, who have all fought bravely, are on their last inkling of strength. Spent is their stamina and their endurance, which were tested to the extreme. The foremost is beaten, battered, bruised and floored, doused in waters that have wore her body down over time. (He’s right … We need to stand up and fight!) As these words sink in, a resilient boost of energy returns to her fingertips, and balls them into tight fists!
The second [Joe] attempts to stand once more, but his physically broken condition prevents any excessive moment … Suddenly, he feels a most curious warmth growing within. (This is …) He holds his chest, feeling comforted by this gentle heat, which miraculously gives him the strength to stand. (… It’s … you?) It’s incredible, experiencing these wonders in vivid animation. He swears this consoling energy is a dream [from the depths of his heart], and his actions are merely gestures of dying will. But the more he thinks about it, this warmth is real … His leader is there with him, fighting at his side. (Curt … You got a brotha’s back like that, huh?) He smiles and lifts his head with renewed willpower. (Alright, let’s do this!)
The High Priestess, Strength and its tamer, and Justice perceive [with awe] the precursors of wonders untold. Upon their charges’ mangled bodies manifest the revitalizing heat of their leader! Ardent yet gentle, furious yet soothing, powerful yet inviting … The third [Noel] brandishes his javelin with great vigor, as he successfully re-engages his guardian arcana [Justice], his entire frame discharging storming currents! Justice resorts to a heavy defense, psyched by its charge’s sudden physical barrage! This manner of power … How on earth did you obtain it!? “A survivor takes advantage of his or her resources, scavenged or the otherwise!” With a mighty [deadeye] toss of his javelin, Justice’s charge [Noel] shatters his blade into countless shards, and irreversibly weakens his defenses! I … can’t believe this … The guardian arcana is beside himself with fascination, holding his broken sword before his awe-struck eyes. It’s as the prophecy states: the guardians’ true power comes from their unyielding devotion, and the bonds they make … Incredible!
The first [April] effortlessly overwhelms her guardian arcana [the High Priestess] with an explosion of melee techniques; punches, kicks, evasions and counterattacks that render the latter incapable of strategizing! The might of a surging shark and the speed of a carefree dolphin! This is … The guardian arcana leaps leftward to escape her charge’s physical barrage; however, this is a fatal mistake that sets her up for a most ironic counterattack: the first [April] recovers and invokes their aqueous environment, exciting an expansive maelstrom beneath the guardian arcana that spouts out a punishing geyser! What the … “You may have won the first round, but the second one is mine!” The first [April] succeeds at repelling and grounding her guardian arcana, which shocks the crashing latter of all words. “I heard his voice …” The guardian arcana sits up, and pays attention to her charge’s passionate words. “We *have* to keep moving forward … People are depending on our survival … So, we *can’t* lose here or anywhere, no matter what!”
The second [Joe] lunges from his grounded position in an explosion of speed, power, and ruthless aggression, which more than surprises his guardian arcana [Strength]! His fists fly with unpredictable velocity, capitalizing on every exploitable point in his sight … Bursting with spirit, are we? I can’t say that I’m not surprised or irritated, but at least things have become more interesting! The guardian arcana returns his charge’s aggression with equivalence befitting of his merit. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to fell his charge, who has reached a level of juggernaut proportions! “I haven’t entertained anyone in a while. But!” The second [Joe] furiously interlocks hands with his guardian arcana, initiating a struggle of power that razes and crumbles the pastures at their feet! “I’ll now have you *feel and embrace it*!” With the dominance of a million men, the second [Joe] reverses and sets his guardian arcana up for a devastating Samoan drop that rattles the earth for miles and miles and miles on end! “The explosive strength of a man’s heart!”
Having witnessed the perseverance of their respective charges, the guardian arcana are incapable of continuing this trial, which has seen incredible developments in its final moments. The three budding guardians have awoken their inner power: the first [April] has manifested the wisdom of the surging sea; the second [Joe] has manifested the strength of the burgeoning earth; and, the third [Noel] has manifested the deftness of the storming sky. Very well, then … It is time that you take your place at the keeper of souls’ side, and realize the liberation of all throughout the universe. The hearts of the guardian arcana are in agreement. The first step has been taken; thus, the adventure can truly begin [for their charges]. Awaken, my emissary of hope, and minister to all the fruits of triumphancy. May good fortune be with you, always.
Light overwhelms their respective regions within the abyss, forging a formless path departing from their dreams. The road ahead is indeed rough, but all will not be in vain … There will come times when your heart feels as if it can’t go on. So, should things get tough, remember this: you’ve never alone. We’ll always have each other … always … The voice of their leader sees them transcend the consuming light, which eventually dims to reveal the infirmary beyond their crystal bounds. “Welcome back, mates.” Fang is the first to greet them, after having recovered from her fears. Her voice is heavy with relief, which warms the recuperated guardians’ hearts. “Don’t you *ever* scare us like that again. You hear me? Had us all worried you did, then again …” The nomadic warrior scratches her head, inciting a minor round of laughter for her stubborn efforts. “What the …” She’s obviously embarrassed. “Are you halfwits laughing at me?”
As the IMT reaches a [miraculous] 100% recovery rating for the recuperated guardians, Sean deactivates their CTs, allowing them to part from their healing bounds. “Can’t say that wasn’t cute, Fang.” The nomadic warrior snarls [and blushes] at his statement, beyond herself with mannish pride. Syd approaches the recuperated guardians and gives them a big hug one at a time. This doting display of affection proves he’s matured since the precursors of their journey. “Four down, two to go.” Sean’s perceptive statement draws his company’s attention to the aforementioned [Zephyr and Kai], who have yet to awaken from their healing phase. “Their vital signs have reached 86%. Hopefully, we won’t have any unnecessary repeats.”
Meanwhile, back in the abyss of dreams, the keeper of souls sets foot upon solid [yet unseen] ground … An eerie case of déjà vu occurs, as the base on which he stands illuminates to reveal a most familiar setting: the floral summit beyond the Luminous Temple, Heaven’s Peak. It’s heartwarming, reminiscent and beautiful, but at the same time … this case of déjà vu is most unsettling … Zephyr approaches the edge of the peak, and feasts his eyes upon a vast ocean of naught. Nothing, as far as the eye can see. “This … isn’t Elysium … it’s something else …” The keeper of souls cups his hands and closes his eyes, recalling the brilliance of the [original] summit beyond the temple. “A majestic hill before a cliff rich with fillias. A place where the sun always shines, and a grand freshwater sea lies there beyond. At nightfall, the moon casts an optical illusion upon the ocean---a reflection so mysterious, yet comforting at the same time.”
“Chaos ruins all in its midst.” The keeper of souls is about-faced by the voice of his adopted father [Kai], who ascends the summit from vast, empty naught-plagued pastures. He rushes into his adopted father’s arms, receiving warm embrace for his efforts. “It’s okay, Zephyr.” Kai gently caresses his head, knowing this experience has offended his adopted son. “I know what you’re thinking---this place is our beloved Heaven’s Peak, but it’s … I’m not sure how I should word my response, but I can say that it is very offensive. This … is our home … ruined by Pandemonium’s unmerciful hand.”
Tender memories stifle his words. “This place is …” Tears he’s forgotten to cry [in the past] are made manifest upon his freckled cheeks. Zephyr buries his head in Kai’s strong chest, indirectly confessing his need for the priest of light’s affections. “This place … of all the locations … Kai, I can’t take it …” In utter silence, the priest of light wrestles with how he should alleviate Zephyr’s pain. Unfortunately, he remembers the tenacity of his adopted son’s emotions, and how deep they delve. This heightens the difficulty of his fatherly endeavor. “Aisha … Celine … the Ancient … everyone …”
Yes, unfortunately, even if he managed to comfort Zephyr, Kai harbors something that needs to be said. A confession best left done in the privacy of their dreams. “Son, I want you to listen to me. Part with your tears momentarily for what I *must* tell you.” The keeper of souls steps away from his adopted father, wipes away his tears, and looks into his [Kai’s] eyes. Guilt and shame are apparent in these eyes, which leads Zephyr to question the manner of Kai’s troubles. “After chaos saw the fall of our world, as well as our separation, the seeker of naught came to me---saved me in a sense, but for selfish reasons.”
“Insidious …” The keeper of souls lowers his head with uncertainty. “Why did he do that?”
“I felt the same way at first, but his following endeavor made things dreadfully clear.” Zephyr notices Kai placing his left hand upon his chest, bearing an empty expression. “Did you notice something when you placed your head against my chest? Something … different?” The keeper of souls looks at the core of his adopted father’s chest, which has been his refuge on many accounts. Zephyr places his right hand upon Kai’s buckled left, which immediately accepts his hand most gently. “… Son, he took ‘it’ from me.”
“He took … ‘it’?”
“Yes … Insidious stole the essence of my heart.”
Zephyr’s eyes widen with shock. “He … did *what*!?”
“It still beats, but it’s lifeless … ‘emotionless,’ should I say … I remember what it’s like to have feelings, but I’ve forgotten how to express them …” Tears that he would normally cry are incapable of finding a place in his eyes … Kai has literally been robbed of his heart’s essence---that which makes him human. “My love for everyone---I *know* it still exists, and that is why … I must part from you all …”
“You … you would leave me again?” Zephyr loses his temper and explodes in a wave of emotion. “No … No! I won’t let you go, not now, not ever! I … I love you, and I’m not giving up on you!” Kai attempts to pacify Zephyr by grabbing hold of his swinging wrists, which do their best to revive the priest of light’s heart. Unfortunately, even this [emotional] resort fails to alleviate Kai’s emptiness. “NO! Father … Don’t leave me again, please … Why are you breaking my heart … Why must you … Father …”
“I’m doing this to protect you.”
“P-Protect!? What are you …”
Kai lifts his adopted son’s chin with his left hand, having Zephyr look him in the eyes. These eyes … They have absolutely no life in them whatsoever. “My soul has become a cesspool of naught. In place of my heart’s essence is the source of all evil [chaos], which overtakes me by the day.” The keeper of souls takes hold of his adopted father’s right hand, and places it to his heart. Kai looks down at his son’s chest, cold and confused. “Zephyr … Why are you doing this? Are you … trying to reason with me?”
“… I … am going to give you my heart’s essence …” Kai lifts his head and looks into his adopted son’s teary eyes, before leaving his hand from Zephyr’s chest, and turning away. The keeper of souls steps forward and attempts to break the wall of Kai’s [broad] back with his words. “Father! Please! Stop being so … so …” Suddenly, a curious and frightening development unfolds before Zephyr: his adopted father’s strong frame bears the quietest aura of naught; ebony-colored smoke generating the gentlest plum light. The keeper of souls steps away, holding his head in an overflow of emotion. “Father … You …”
Negative development upon negative development … At this very moment, a giant rises from beyond the peak, and looms above the arguing family. “Zephyr … I no longer bear the right to be your father, or call you ‘my son’ for that matter. This is not my will, but that of the heart of Pandemonium---Insidious, the seeker of naught. His will wants me to show you what I am becoming, and what I am now capable of.” The cosmos speak to the keeper of souls, and turns him to the Soulless gazing down upon him. The mountainous creature bears a [cracked and thorny] skull symbol upon its wide chest confessing its artificial origins. “This emblem Soulless is of my making, and soon … it will be my undoing …” Kai turns to reveal the corruption of his left arm, which has become like that of a craggy stone rich with naught’s glow. The corruption covers the totality of his left side---even his left eye is lit with naught. His hair whitens, stiffens and sharpens, ripping the tied cloth covering his ox horn [hairstyle], and revealing its full [lower shoulder] length. “Pay attention, boy.” The ghastly depth of Kai’s voice turns the keeper of souls in a wave of fright, and reveals to him the grim truth. “I will now have you understand why I cannot join your party.”
Without warning, the corrupted priest engages the emblem Soulless with his empowered left arm, forcing the creature’s expansive defenses! Clash after tremulous clash, each exhausting chaos across the land … Zephyr is forced to shield his vision numerous times, incapable of staring into the dark essence [for extended periods of time]. (It’s … so *powerful* … the chaos inhabiting his soul …) Gusts of wind continuously repel the keeper of souls, so much that he’s forcefully grounded. “Argh! I … I can’t move beyond the wind …” (This is insane! How could so much chaos fill his soul in such a …) Suddenly, Zephyr remembers Kai’s confession: Insidious stole the essence of my heart. With such vital substance leaved from his soul, the hollowness therein is vacant to any known and unknown chaos … The Soulless is felled by Kai’s [newfound] power that commands naught of proportions never before witnessed. Destructive constructs of chaos that solidify and burn the air; artificial cold fire that performs beyond its name and meaning. Zephyr observes [with great horror] the obscurity of his descending adopted father, who surfs the air upon a platform of Pandemonium’s dark essence. (Father … Insidious did so much more than what you’ve said … This manner of power is beyond anything I’ve ever imagined. No one … man, woman, child or beast … should be immersed this deeply in chaos. It’s dangerous …) “Father, I---”
The corrupted priest silences the keeper of souls with his extended right hand. “This is why I cannot and *will not* join your lot---I am too close to the chaos now, and there is no turning back for me. My heart, empty as it may be, is not yet willing enough to bring you any harm.” Zephyr closes his eyes, incapable of gazing upon his adopted father; however, the touch of Kai’s hand upon his chin reopens his eyes, which take notice of the emptiness in his stare. “This is where we must part ways. Do not mourn my absence. Instead, find a way to reclaim what was stolen from me … before the worst befalls us all … please …”
Zephyr parts his lips to speak; however, his words are silenced by the [spontaneous] emergence of chaos from Kai’s body, which repels him beyond the peak … into the endless naught beyond! Reclaim my heart’s essence, boy, and return me to my original self, beckons the voice of his adopted father within the corridors of his heart. You are young and inexperienced, but far wiser than I, a man traumatically fooled by our common enemy … I have fallen short of my chosen path; fortunately, I know---without a shadow of a doubt---that you are capable of helping me secure a fresh start. (Father … Why do you always have to be this way?) As the keeper of souls, you must forge your own path towards the realization of your goal. These times were imminent and unavoidable in every sense … The Ancient told me this himself. (Our master foresaw this!? Why didn’t he ever … Father, how could you not …) It was not meant for you to discover---a misfortunate event that will pave the way for countless wonders, revelations, victories and tragedies. The road ahead of you will be most challenging, but know this: even in the deepest chaos, your heart’s essence will never lose its light … as long as you believe … I now bid you farewell, boy, until we meet again … (Farewell? But, Father … Father … Are you there?) As he falls into the deepest slumber within slumber, the keeper of souls’ heart makes one final plight towards his beloved adopted father [Kai]. “Father … You could have at least … Allowed to say … I …”
Back in the infirmary, a faint whisper [of “I love you”] escapes the keeper of souls’ lips, earning the attention of his bystanding comrades. Then, in a split second, Kai’s body [spontaneously] combusts into a fleeting cloud of chaos! “The fuck!?” Sean is nearly scared out of his chair by the noise it emits, as everyone approaches the CTs to get a closer look. The young martial artist [Sean] checks the IMT’s stats to see what has happened, and … receives a most disturbing reading from Kai’s CT. “It can’t be … Kai’s at 0%!?”
Suddenly, the aforementioned CT’s crystal barrier [spontaneously] combusts, scattering shards that threaten the lives of all in their midst … However, in the blink of an eye, the shards are immediately halted in their [lethal] tracks … by the keeper of earth’s [Joe’s] newfound power. “What the hell just …” The confused Noel turns to notice Joe’s manipulation, which has [miraculously] saved everyone’s life. The remainder of the fleet observe the keeper of earth’s [alternative] ability. “You … How did you do that?”
Joe closes his eyes, triggering an alchemical reaction from the restricted shards: they decompose and return to their purest form---sand, soda, and lime, along with a gritty [unknown] substance. Serah intrigues upon these basic elements, which disappear into thin air, along with the chaos inhabiting Kai’s CT. “Glass contains melted earth components. So, it was easy for me to rend and recompose them to my liking. But that’s not important right now …” Joe’s newfound power [apparently] enables unique [earth-based] precognitive senses. “I feel this strange vibration coming from Kai’s tube.” As the keeper of souls’ stats reach 100% completion, Kai’s CT clears well enough to reveal … that he has disappeared without leaving a trace behind, which greatly disturbs the fleet! “Shit! Zeph’s old man is …”
Ironically, something peculiar befalls the onlooking keeper of flames, as the awakened keeper of tides [April] exclaims with grief. “Gone!?” … Gone? That word … Curtis can’t help but resonate with April’s exclamation; for, at this very moment, this is how a small part of his heart feels: absent, as if it were stolen from him when he wasn’t looking. I don’t understand … Why do I feel so … She [April] can hear him, though his lips do not part---the inner pain Curtis is feeling. The keeper of tides remains silent, confusion linger most tauntingly in her heart. (Curty … Why do I hear your voice in my heart?) Huh? AJ, is that you? The two look at each other, realizing their hearts have somehow been aligned. What the hell … (I’m thinking the same thing, but … Curty, what’s wrong? You sound so … uneasy.) I don’t know, but … for some strange reason … Curtis looks up at the empty CT, as Sean, Syd and Fang commence working on reversing the effects of Kai’s [inexplicable] disappearance. Everyone is [apparently] upset about the turnout of their fleet’s recovery period, but the results have somehow taken a rather adverse affect upon the keeper of flames. AJ, I feel like a piece of my heart was just shattered into a million pieces. (A piece of your heart, shattered? That’s strange.) Yeah, tell me about it. But, now that I reconsider everything, perhaps I’m feeling what Zeph is at this very moment … Look at him. April observes the keeper of souls’ CT, and notices tears escaping his opening eyelids. The keeper of tides places her hand to her heart, realizing what this means. I don’t know what happened to them, AJ, but Zeph is crying … and his dad is gone … (This is horrible … Curty, do you think there’s anything we can do to make things right?)
As he regains consciousness, the keeper of souls makes his connection known to his guardians. Everyone, if you can hear me, heed my words. Zephyr’s loving inner voice earns their undivided [mental] attention. In the imminent future, everything will become much harder for all of us. Nightmares of which none of us could ever fathom will appear, and we must be the ones to engage and silence them. I’ll be counting on your strength, so please … please … The keeper of souls’ CT is released by Sean’s capable hand, freeing him of his healing bounds. Curtis approaches the CT just in time to lend his charge [Zephyr] a helping hand in properly grounding himself. The latter humbly accepts the former’s right hand, before his feet make contact with the CT base. Never abandon me … The keeper of souls falls into his guardian’s [Curtis’s] chest, surprising the keeper of flames with mourning embrace. Please, everyone … I don’t want to be alone … I … don’t …
(… ever have to worry about that, Zephyr.) Shockingly, another voice has found its way into the keeper of souls’ heart---a connection generating from the interluding Sean, whose voice turns Zephyr to the image of Fang, Syd, Serah, Mog, and the aforementioned martial artist. The middlemost [Serah] approaches him and places her left hand upon his shoulders, administering additional comfort. (We’re all here for you. In the next few minutes, if we still haven’t found any trace of your old man [Kai], he’ll become a major part of our quest---hands down. Aquila will be landing within the hour. Until then, we should prep for departure. Goodies are sizzling in the kitchen if you’re hungry---made ‘em myself … Guys, let’s make the best out of this, aight?) Mog flies up to Zephyr and gives him a comforting nuzzle. Thank you, everyone. The keeper of souls returns their love with words that will soon manifest great action. I’ll do what I can to reciprocate your devotion. I swear this to you all, as the preordained savior of souls, and … as your friend.In the deepest depths of naught, an ominous voice extends an alluring proposition … to one who has been immersed in the unseen abyss. Submit to my will … Become my emissary … The [unknown] soul slowly sinks deeper and deeper into naught, each inch pulling him or her further and further from the light. You are an incredible warrior whose heart is unmatched. Unstoppable … Open your heart, o mighty one, and receive the power of naught! The [unknown] soul is incapable of resisting the voice’s [overwhelming] chaos! Inch after corrupting inch fills the soul, shaking his or her being [most painfully], ruining the phantom purities of his or her heart---suffering no one should ever have to endure. Yes, embrace it … Scream, scream, scream and embrace the pain! Then, rejoice, for you have been chosen … My emissary, only you have the potential to assist and assure the revival of his eminence. Visit all worlds, do my bidding, and make manifest the lord of eternal emptiness---Kaiser, emperor of naught! The [unknown] soul fully submits to the voice’s will, proven by the [cold] crimson glow emitting from his or her eyes. A Soulless emblem is made manifest upon the emissary’s back, and emits a malevolent plum aura ... As expected, the lord of chaos [Pandemonium], its hearts and their servants are constantly plotting against the souls of the universe. Who is this [misfortunately] chosen emissary, and what affect will he or she have upon the keeper of souls’ pilgrimage?
Meanwhile, we return to the world Aquila is destined to contact within the hour, traversing the town it harbors to climb a lone tower in its inner-city parts … Perched upon the said tower’s summit stands three ominous figures shrouded in artificial chaos---that which inhabits their souls---like torches of naught made manifest within the realm of the living. “Gin, Kaname, thank you for never leaving my side.” The centermost extinguishes his chaos emission, revealing his true image: the rebellious former Shinigami, Aizen Sosuke. His followers do the same, bearing ominous [and enigmatic] presences. “This world and all others are in danger of obliterating themselves from the inside. Let us become the ushers of order and peace among the chaotic masses … We will do so by first purifying them of their meaningless existences, and recreating all in our image. This world will become naught, and rise from it … as *paradise*.”
The city housed by this new world [Planet X] shall soon become a hunting ground for these three invaders … To what lengths will this hellbent trio go in order to realize their goal? “Hey, did you say something about ‘recreating images’?” Well, that all depends on the endurance of twelve opposers who [deftly] appear before them with menacing air. Aizen takes a moment to reflect upon the roster of antagonizers set before his party. Hitsugaya Toshiro, an overzealous halfling; Zaraki Kenpachi, a volatile behemoth; Kyoraku Shunsui, a begrudging sloth; Kuchiki Byakuya, an avoidant blowhard; Shihoin Yoruichi, a pitiful has-been; Matsumoto Rangiku, the halfling’s inconsequential second; Hirako Shinji, a total waste of time; Sui-Feng, not even worth mentioning; Urahara Kisuke, another waste of time; Hisagi Shuhei, one who shouldn’t be here at all; and Komamura Sajin, an overgrown dog. Leading them is none other than the young lady who sensed his presence hours ago. Kuchiki Rukia … Humph. This promises to be most entertaining. “We have a bone to pick with you three and, well, we just couldn’t decide who should go first.” Captain Zaraki antagonizes the invaders with a wide smile and malice in his eyes. “So, here we are. Ready and raring to cut you down … Try not to die too quickly. You know how I *hate* short battles, so let’s make it last. Okay?”
“Humph. That statement is rather typical of you, Kenpachi, to say the least.” Aizen’s party remains cold, calm and collected against a slew of former allies who have united to requite their [retroactive] misdeeds. Blades teeming with otherworldly energy are drawn against them, silently threatening their lives with presence alone. “I will have you all know something. In respect to the inevitable, I hope you listen very carefully.” The former Shinigami gazes upon the enemy party bearing a smile most deceptive and malevolent, speaking with the most inviting tone. “I regret to inform you … that you came here only to die. You see, we have *succeeded* the power of Shinigami. For example … Soulless, come forth!” Suddenly, a random airborne Soulless spawn [resembling dragons] appears, provoking reinforcement of the enemy party’s defenses. The latter can sense the horrific power at the former’s command, which irritates them, especially the highly perceptive Rukia. “We need not engage small fry like yourselves---such an endeavor is empty, pointless, and without merit. The Soulless alone will be your undoing … Good luck, my friends.”
Elsewhere in the town, on the outskirts of its educational district, Ichigo loses himself in deep thought, trailing away from his teacher’s [Ochi-sensei’s] lecture. Unfortunately, the young man has little interest in social studies; for, his heart is focused on the absent Rukia, who wasn’t present when Ichigo awoke this morning. Get some rest, Ichigo. I feel a storm is on its way, if you know what I mean. The voice of his friend echoes in his memory most vividly, almost as if she were there at his side. Observing the remainder of his classroom, Ichigo also notices that his other friends---Orihime, Sado, and Uryu---are missing as well, along with several other students who [normally] never miss a day of school. (Wonder why nobody bothered to contact me. No phone calls, no visits or meet-ups … Dammit! Guys, why do you always have to make me worry like that? Messing my head up … That pisses me off, you know!) He immediately gets an [unexpected] answer in the form of the intruding Insidious, who applauds the teacher’s [Ochi-sensei’s] performance from a makeshift seat upon the middlemost windowpane, which interrupts the lecture! Ichigo’s eyes widen with shock, as he recalls the seeker of naught’s ghastly image. “What the *hell*!?”
“Congratulations on a lesson well taught, but school has been cancelled … *permanently*!” The seeker of naught casts an all-consuming surge of chaos from his hands, which rends, ruins and razes all in its path! Ichigo is also caught in the river of chaos, along with everyone in the classroom. “Dream, dream, o hearts of the young. May your fondest hopes be met … in *absolute darkness*.” Ironically, one of the “dreaming hearts” is not without reinforcement---a spiritual bisection appears in the chaos river, giving way to a transformed Ichigo donning the [midnight black] robes of the Shinigami, and brandishing a sword resembling to a [large] khyber knife with a cloth-wrapped tang. “Humph. My, my.” Insidious is tickled by the young man’s [stone cold] mien, feeling the energy seeping from his youthful frame. “You *dare* to oppose me, boy?”
“I’ve seen you in my nightmares. Your name is Insidious, and you …” Ichigo points the tip of his blade at the seeker of naught, tickling the malevolent heart of Pandemonium once again. Ironically, this laughter is silenced by ruthless aggression on behalf of [the resilient] Ichigo, who engages Insidious with cold steel that forces the seeker of naught’s dexterity! The young man chases Insidious outside, pursuing him with a leap through the classroom window … Ichigo grounds himself in the front courtyard, standing several feet away from the seeker of naught. “… you are ‘his’ enemy. And *mine* as well.” The young man quickly recovers, and aims his blade at Insidious once again. “I won’t let you leave this place, *especially* after what you’ve just done. So, best be on your A-game … *because I’m not holding back*!”
“Oh, dear! Such aggression … Humph. Fine by me, boy.” The seeker of naught amusedly reinforces his martial defenses. “Just don’t cry to me after suffering the cold sting of chaos.”
The young man bounds [high] into the air, lifting his blade above his head, which immediately gathers ebony-colored energy upon its edge! “Who said anything about *crying*!?” With a mighty [downward] swing of his blade, Ichigo casts a crescent-shaped wave that will initiate an incredible journey [on his behalf]. “Take this! Getsuga Tenshou!” Insidious gazes up at the oncoming wave, a malevolent smile stretched from cheek to cheek. Kurosaki Ichigo---a substitute Shinigami … Cute. But, unfortunately, this is where you will fall---by my hand … I do hope you find it in your heart to forgive me in the long run.