is this what we deserve, can we break free

[sandandflannel.livejournal.com]

Who: Everyone
What: The Darkness has taken the Denizens of Light. How will they retaliate, having reached their destination?
Where: Alexandria
When: Sunday, June 12

Koios stood silently looking out of the window of Jagannatha's former quarters. He watched as their enemies rose from the Darkness that had pulled them in, stealing them away from their safe havens and bringing them here, where perhaps all of their worst fears would come true.

Alexandria's sky had turned black. The only things illuminating the false world anymore were a scant few lamps and candles... and the Hearts of the Allies of Light themselves. One had appeared with a fortress of Light, destroying many of the homes around them as Darkness threw her out of its arms. He watched, morbidly fascinated, as one by one, they rose into their cage.

Chernabog glowered down at them from above. He was a fine choice for the role of sentinel, boasting nearly as much power as the First Darkness himself. Koios, as well as the Heartless and Nobodies swarming about below, were nothing short of a safety measure - not that Jagannatha found it particularly necessary. In truth, it was more of a courtesy for the Nobody, a chance to properly boast to the losers, should he wish to take it. But for now, he remained where he was, observing the scene unfold impassively.

If Koios knew anything about the Key Bearers and Refugees, they wouldn't give up simply because they'd been trapped here, in Darkness, with no way discernible way out. No. That would only empower them. But the question remained: what would be their next step?

In any case, he thought, it would definitely prove to be a good show.

OOC: If you were not on the list of exceptions, you are now in Alexandria. Anyone who has any way of sensing the Hearts of others will know that any people native to this world have no Hearts, just as the world itself is lacking one. And yet, not a one of them is a Nobody.

All methods of transportation will fail.

Comments

[creepy-son-of-a.livejournal.com]

Seph pondered the Ten-Chi Ken for a second. From the earlier explanation, whether it worked or not, it would be useless after a short time.

Before he opened the corridor he made sure his own sword was ready to be drawn from the bag of holding he carried it in.

Any more words seemed pointless now. He scanned their immediate area quickly before he opened the portal for her.

He couldn't delay his own assault for more than a second or two after hers if he intended for the both of them to get away alive. After all, even if it worked there were still the keybearers to deal with.

He intended to come out a bit behind Jagannatha and already swinging the weapon when he opened his own portal.

[hexylady.livejournal.com]

Hex stepped through the Corridor...

And landed, again, flat on her face.

That was totally part of the plan. I need to appear weak, and like I've been thrown through. Now, if only my nose would agree with that...

Rising to her feet much quicker this time, she spotted Jagannatha quite easily. Along with his many key bearers, who suddenly had twins.

Focus! This isn't the time to lose against a concussion.

"Well, that didn't go as planned." Stagger, just a little. You're a distraction, so distract. Appear a little fearful, and weak. Keep your eyes open, and try really hard NOT to die. She forced her arms to cooperate, getting the sword into something resembling a guard position.

[creepy-son-of-a.livejournal.com]

Seph watched to be sure Jagannatha didn't change position in the few seconds before he'd open his own corridor.

He didn't dare wait more than a few seconds. The enemy was prone towards dramatics but, might have learned to keep it short by now.

One keyblader would be a challenge. Several... Well he didn't really want to think about fighting so many by himself. Even if he hit he had to be ready to run. Only a fool would feel like a coward for running with those odds.

Weapon at the ready he opened the portal and stepped through...

[wr-npc.livejournal.com]

"So, it seems that someone has enough sense to throw out useless garbage."

One of the keybladers stepped forward, and zipped across the gap between Hex and Jagannatha. She barely managed to get her own sword up in time, but rather than strike another blow, he held his blade and pushed her back.

"Unlike you." He grinned. "You seem to have a problem with that. You threw away your power, and held onto, what, some silly ideal that somehow everything could work out? That you, some silly little human could fight this? With a flick of my wrist-" He forced the blade forward again, throwing Hex back. "I can send you flying. With a stomp of my boot-" He dashed forward again, at impossible speed, before she had even landed. His foot crashed down into her stomach. "I can bring you crashing right back down into the dirt."

His head tilted bit to the left. "You know, if I were some normal human, I'd probably say something about it being rude that I didn't introduce myself. But then, that would be if I were human. Thanks to Jagannatha, I am more than human. I have power. I have strength. But you... You don't even count anymore. No magic, no enchantments, no more of your little toys. I'll bet you don't even know how to use that sword. Now, you are nothing more than a pathetic-" He twisted the boot,"-wimpy-" up, and then down into another stomp, "-weak little human who can do nothing but wait for the inevitable, like cattle to the slaughter."

His crimson eyes lit up again, with a strangely deviant look to them.

"You know, I wonder..." He brought his keyblade's point over her chest. "Jagannatha wants you dead. Buuuuut, that's a little boring. What if I were to take your Heart, and feed it to the Heartless? That'd kill you pretty dead, too."

[hexylady.livejournal.com]

OWOWOW! THAT HURTS! A LOT!

The words out of her mouth during this time were mostly un-intelligible, caught between a gasp, a scream, and a sob.

"GAAAAGGHHHHCK!"

He brought his boot down again.

"What's wrong, little worm, can't even speak now? You had no problem waggling your tongue before. Does this scaaare the little witchy wannabe?"

Oh dear god, why can't these people ever recruit people who aren't crazy in one way or another?! He's just as insane as mister 'I'm a big bad Dark Lord'! Except Jag's isn't a freaking sadist.

"GYAAAAAH!"

"That's right worm, scream! Let me see you terror, your fears, everything that you ever were pour out in this, your last desperate moment! It's the last impression you'll ever make, so make it a good one! Cry, scream, blead, vomit! Go ahead and pray to your impotent God, if you want! It won't make one difference in the end!"

[firstmaster.livejournal.com]

Jagannatha smiled at the little show his Keybearer put on for him. It was amusing, to say the least.

"Yes," he agreed quietly, sauntering a little closer for a better view. "I think she might make a perfect little Soldier. And she will be serving Darkness, where she truly belongs. Yes, I believe that is an excellent idea."

He continued to close the distance until he was mere inches from her face, where he knelt down beside her. "You see, Hex, what happens when you turn against your rightful master? You could have had one of these, you know," he told her conversationally, gesturing to the Keyblade held over her. His eyes were cold, even as his voice turned pitying. "It's terrible, seeing such potential go to waste. But we may be capable of harnessing it in another way. It's only business, successor mine. I trust you understand." He stood, turning to walk away, and said, "Take it. However you must do it, I want her Heart by sunset."

[hexylady.livejournal.com]

"You got it, Boss!" The Keybearer said with eerie cheer.

Hex only had enough time to gasp.

And then steel was inside her.

Her breath stalled. The entire world went thump-thump/b>.

She tried to inhale. Nothing went in. She tried to exhale. Nothing came out.

Complete... paralysis. Even her thoughts seemed stilled, constantly cycling around 'It's Inside me. It's Inside me. It's Inside me.'

Then he twisted the blade. Thump-thump

It was as if everything inside her was tumbling into a different shape. She inhaled sweet air, but couldn't stop sucking it in. It felt like her chest was going to burst.

And, deep inside of her, she could feel it.

Thump-thump.

Her Heart. He was ripping out her Heart.

"Your... Name." She managed to force out the words, between the air hissing in. "What... is... your... Name... Slave?" There. Even in the throes of death, be ready to screw with people's heads.

"Slave?" Wouldn't you know it, he looks confused. Take the bait, take the bait!

Sure enough, the twisting sensation slowed down. Not a lot, but even a little bit might buy her all the time needed.

"Man... chooses... A Slave... Obeys." More words spilled out of her mouth. "I... want your name... so... Nobody can... kill you." It's a double bet. One, that the 'slave' bull shit actually gets to him. Two, that the thought of facing me, minus emotion, plus super-powers, somehow intimidates him. Oh, wait...

"A 'Slave' you say?" His tone is curious, but his eyes are now boiling with anticipation. "Well, I suppose you could say that. But, in the end, it'll be me who's the 'Master'."

The twist came back with a vengeance, as though it had only taken a break to ratchet itself up a notch. Oh. Are those... My organs I feel.. twisting? Thump-thump


"Now, a 'Nobody' you? That might be interesting. It should make a good challenge, at least. Something to keep my on my toes, and maybe really go all out against. Assuming it doesn't just go the boring road, and just work for Jagannatha, anyway. My name's Ren, by the way. I hope you manage to remember that!"

Stupid... crazy... Minion person.Thump-thump

[firstmaster.livejournal.com]

He paused, taking in a breath and reveling in the heartbeats that echoed in his ears. Young Ren was truly a remarkable subject to have found. Few were as eager to join him as this particular Keybearer had been, and he was definitely proving useful. Certainly, he would be one to keep an eye on, in the long run. But as long as he remained faithful, he would always find a place by Jagannatha's side, with as much to satisfy his Dark whims as he liked.

Jagannatha shuddered as a bit of Hex's remaining Darkness gathered over the spot where the Keyblade had entered her body. It was, in some cases, a slow process. Quite painful for those going through it, as well. But in the end, it was only right. Hex would serve him, whether she liked it or not. True, having just another Heartless run around hardly mattered to him at this point, but there would be one less brick in the wall of resistance he knew they faced.

"You could, indeed, make a remarkable Nobody, successor mine," he decided. "Perhaps even strong enough to retain human thought and form. I look forward to seeing just how strong your Dark Heart will prove to be."

[hexylady.livejournal.com]

The corners of her vision were going dark, and color was leeching out of everything.

A world of black and white was swiftly turning greyer. She could feel everything pooling in her chest, right where the keyblade had pierced her body. Every bit of strength, every bit of power. Every bit.. of Darkness...? It's not... much... but... the shapes... are still there. Long shot... but... Thump-thump.

Slowly, ever so slowly, her empty right hand made it's way to her chest. Shivering like a leaf the whole time, she surprised herself when her hand managed to clutch at the spot of darkness.

Just like... practice... Give shape... to the shapeless... And then... launch it... The tiny little pool of shadow did nothing. Defining shape... One inch, by one inch... by six inches. Edges... Fourty-five degree angles. A Stilleto. Small, and sharp. The shadow quivered.Thump-thump.

Can't... No... Never can't. Just... Try again. Defining shape... It quivered again. Again. The shadow spun, ever so slightly. Again! The Darkness drew itself together again, and then fell apart. AGAIN! DEFINE THE SHAPE!

{ooc:Is what Hex attempting even possible?}

[firstmaster.livejournal.com]

((Mod conference says that, since her Dark magic was ripped from her earlier in the fight, it would not be possible for her at this time.))

Laughter bubbled up from deep inside Jagannatha's chest. So, the would-be witch was going to defy him, even to the end?

It really was too bad. She would have been perfect.

He turned to watch as Hex's Heart was pulled from her, as she tried and failed to conform her Darkness to her will. It was admirable that she could still manipulate it even as pathetically as she was now, he thought as it collapsed again. "Valiant attempts," he commented. "You should quite well that they won't get you anywhere. Not when you are in such undesirable shape, and faced with the First Darkness himself, and yet you still try. I applaud you for getting so far."

Jagannatha clapped for her.

[creepy-son-of-a.livejournal.com]

Seph dashed out of his portal already on the attack. He was aiming to slash at Jagannatha's back as he ran by.

Whether it hit or not the Ten-Chi Ken ceased functioning by the time he was past.

All at once he discarded the weapon, pivoted and aimed a barrage of shadow flares at the keyblader standing over Hex. Allied to darkness or not a shadow flare to the head was bound to ruin anyone's day.

Drawing his sword he opened another corridor to a random spot nearby. Shadow flares would have to do for now. His other spells really weren't suitable for use when there was someone you'd rather avoid maiming in the area.

[hexylady.livejournal.com]

Immediately, Hex rolled away from the flinching keyblader, and lurched to her feet.

It was hard, and felt like like being stabbed through the chest again, when she tried to run. But hey, intense physical pain beats de-Heartification!

Without stopping or turning around, she thrust one arm back, hand shaped into a one finger salute. Hex really wished that she had the time for a witty comeback. Unfortunately, seeing as her surival beyond the moment depended on her getting her ass through that portal now, a flick of the bird would have to do.

I might actually get to live to see this through!

[firstmaster.livejournal.com]

((Running with Shad's suggestion: conceptual weapon breaking next hit))

Jagannatha felt the Ten-Chi Ken begin to tear at him again, but this time, it seemed to snap instead of further damage him. He gave a short sigh of relief at that, and turned to glare at the two of them.

"Get them," he growled. "They are to be mine, Ren, particularly the girl. You would let yourself be neutralized by a mere Remnant?!" His voice grew louder, fiercer with each word, and on the final one, he lunged after Hex, a blade of Darkness materializing from his arm.

[creepy-son-of-a.livejournal.com]

Seph sent out more Shadow Flares, some scattered towards random keybladers, others aimed at Jagannatha. The flares aimed at Jaggy were mostly a distraction as he didn't really expect a darkness based spell to have much effect on this particular foe. He used that distraction to, of all things, throw another rock.

He didn't intend to stay and fight for long with the odds stacked so high against him but, if the escape failed he would take as many down as he could.