Seekers of Illumination: the Sagas

[T.G. Oskar]

"All of these land is destined to you, brave warriors of light. But, make haste, or your enemies shall stain and desecrate this land. Godspeed, and may the grace of the Creator be with you all..."

...was the last words Oskar heard as he woke up, as always, wrapped in research in the library of the God's Sactuary castle. He was in the midst of researching books about ancient blades, as per request of his good friend and immediate superior Suzu Kitamura. He requested all information he could about Balmung, a mysterious sapient weapon granted by him time ago. His research ended in a rare book about planes, which described such places as the Nine Circles of Hell, the Ethereal Plane, the Citadel of Destruction, and so on. As he reached the last part of the book, he felt weary and sleepy, and it was not until now that he awoke. In plain morning.

The open book revealed a new tidbit of information: a plane of light, with barren soil slowly covered with growing grass, sky of pale blue, as far as the eye cold see. In the distance, various columns of light emerged, as if they held sky and land apart. Reading the info provided by the book, Oskar was surprised by what he found...

[Unknown Plane
Discovered: --
Inhabitants: --
Alignment: --
Not much is known about this
new land, except that it was
discovered very recently. It
has appeared in dreams of
many warriors, seeking a new
owner. The columns in the
horizon are it's most peculiar
feature.]

"No info, a true mystery. Just like my dream. Though, how it could..? Oh wait.. Why do I keep forgetting, that this book updates itself when soemthing new comes along? I gotta tell this to Suzu. He might probably dreamt the same thing. If what it says is true, then we must movilize all our units to the area and secure it." He quickly searched for a book of portals, hoping to find some info regarding the place's portal. Grabbing the "Catalogue of Planar Gates", he swiftly searched the most recent additions to the list. Fortunately for him, the entire library information updated at the moment. But, not always it worked. Like, for example, now.

"No info...I guess whoever whnts us to claim it wants it the hard way. Guess it is the Astral Way then." Looking for a place where a portal may manifest, Oskar browsed through the pages again. Indeed, as he tend to notice, there was a portal open at Stonehenge, active for about a week, and lasting until the next lunar month. He left the library, sword in hand, holding the planar book in his left arm.

The life at the castle was quiet and serene. Well, most of the time. This time, there was quite the ruckus. Guards had noticed a strange man, draped in beggar's clothing, wielding a large crucifix. At closer examination, the beggar's features struck wide in Oskar's eyes. Gold hair, pale skin, accented facial and bodily features...indeed, he was no typical beggar. If he was human, at all. He was visibly tired, as if he walked for days without food or drink. The guards were puzzled, for no mortal man or vehicle crossed these lands, yet it was but recently that another man appeared. Wielding an evil blade, he was placed under custody at the infirmary. He was wary: these people were not normal, and a mistake could allow great danger to cross the gates. He was eager to confirm if Suzu knew about the new land, but he was moved to help the stranger.

Oskar ordered the guards to move back, which they did, albeit wary. They were scared that such a man would dare attack, but knowing Oskar, they felt that no problem was to arise. Dressed in casual clothing, with an oversized T-shirt, long jeans, hair tied in a single tail, he left his sword at mere steps behind. He extended his hand as to help the stranger lift up, while he said, calmly, a smile in his face...

"Hey man, are you alright? You seem like you traveled a long way. Here, lemme help ya, alright?"

[OmniTense]

Jafar Kruol’s red eyes peered up at the man before him. His right eyebrow raised and his eyes squinted as he inspected every feature. He examined the offered hand. A weak smile curled from his lips and spread across his face, revealing two bright ivory fangs. In a quick predatory move, he grabbed the man’s hand and pulled himself to his feet. A whispery excited voice escaped him.

“You’re Oskar of God’s Sanctuary, right? You must be!” Oskar nodded. Jafar felt as though he could cry. It had taken him so long… “My name is Jafar Kruol. I have traveled for weeks upon weeks, even during the day, to make your acquaintance.”

Jafar stopped, he felt the ground spin. His eyes blurred for a moment, attempting to focus. He cleared his throat and continued.
“I came to…”

Jafar felt all those days…those weeks upon weeks slam him in a single blow.
He remembered that he barely made it… Out on the plains…


He remembered pausing to grimly scan the plain. Finding that standing was too much of a strain, he fell to his knees. A sigh, a groan, pained by everything, even by the light of the sun. He rubbed his eyes gently.

“No more.” He whispered. “My hands cannot grab, my legs will not stand.” A solitary tear rolled down his cheek. “I have been all over this land!” He screamed. “I’m tired of sunlight and this wasteland!” He picked up a rock and threw it, just to watch it skip and roll out of sight.

He bit his lip, as he felt his consciousness filter from him. He would die… Nothing to feed on, no will to drink… His mind burned as if struck with fever. His eyesight blurred from the sunlight and his hunger.

In his delirium, his eyes bore upon a vastly different plain…a widespread even land with a soft carpet of trim grass and a sapphire sky that, even in it’s brightness, did not offend Jafar’s eyes. A great expanding horizon crenellated with hefty stone pillars in front of a rising sun.

Bitter stinging glare brought his eyes back to the plain he was on. His heart sunk. Doubts, all borne of previous disappointments, crept in. Those of the God’s Sanctuary would never help a creature like him. Perhaps he could plead for a merciful death. A just release.

His eyes cut up at the ground before him as he watched a loathsome serpent coil in wait for an innocent squirrel which was pricking around for nuts. His eyes rolled and his mind cursed as he reached out and swatted the squirrel from harm, only to be bitten by the snake. He felt the sting and watched the hateful thing tear away in disappointment. Giving him one more glance to ensure that he was not simply a larger squirrel, the snake slithered off, disgusted.

The late Jafar Kruol examined the bite-mark and gave a mirthless laugh.　Another bite-mark to add to his collection. He looked down at the sword belted to his waist. He could not even bring himself to draw it against a lowly snake. It was nothing more than a mocking symbol of his condition. It was for irony’s sake that he even carried a weapon.
It was then that his eyes caught sight of, in the far distance, God’s Sanctuary


Jafar tipped forward wearily. “…beg…” He managed before he tumbled into a heap on the ground.

[Kaitou]

Paradise. Takai could do little to describe the area as anything more. The earth and sky around him were present, yet somehow not. The dream did not concern the environment, but the destination itself. He found himself in darkness; a small source of light stood in the distance.

"All of these land is destined to you, brave warriors of light. But, make haste, or your enemies shall stain and desecrate this land. Godspeed, and may the grace of the Creator be with you all..."

His hand flew forward, attempting to grasp the source. As his fingers curled around it, a powerful gust of wind rushed past him. Wings that had made a spontaneous appearance on Takai's back caught the gale and lifted him away.

Takai swung another arm, attempting to grab onto something. The sheets he lay in were thrown back, allowing the cool morning's air to pour onto his pajama-clothed body. He quickly sat up, taking in his surroundings. Light poured in from the parted curtains, giving a soft glow to the room's interior. The confined space of his room and the quiet environment hinted at Takai's return to reality. Dreams always seemed to be more entertaining than reality.

((OOC: like to put more, but short on time and my brain shut down. Just wanted to get my post in. Probably edit later))

[T.G. Oskar]

The man who stood upon Oskar collapsed in his eyes, his body apparently unable to keep on. Fatigue and exhaustion had taken his toll. Yet, the dark visage of the man...indeed, he could not be a normal human. A group of soldiers were standing by, requesting orders upon the event. Swiftly, Oskar replied.

"Take this man to the infirmary. Give him first aid. Heal his wounds, alright...?" Yet...the fangs, the eyes...perhaps..? "...no, wait. Prepare for blood infusion. And keep the blood pints in the bags. After that, leave the room at once." The guards were baffled. A blood infusion? Why a blood infusion? Nevertheless, a command from a superior was not to be questioned. Oskar followed them, as the soldiers rushed to the castle hospital.

The nurses nearby quickly reacted to the appearance of the mysterious individual, preparing the bandages and gauzes. Pints of saline water were prepped for intravenous hydratation. Just as they were to call the healer, Oskar interrupted them. "Skip that. Prepare to extract blood from donors to give to him. Leave the pints with me. After that, leave". A quick look from Oskar made the nurses look for the needles and pint bags. When the nurses requested donors, asking for his blood type, Oskar interrupted again.

He would be the sole donor.

Then, the nurse of the room where the so-called Jafar was being held let out a scream of fear. She ran, frightened, towards the main hall where the blood extraction was being held. Her eyes spilling fear, she let out a very low, almost whispering sound... "he...he's...he's...a...aa...vvvvammm...p..p..p..i re..." Soon thereafter, she fainted out. The guards were ready to slay the foreign entity, yet the reaction never passed from holding their swords' grips. Everything was clear now, and Oskar commanded great respect upon the entire soldiers, that no one was to lift their voice to question him. And the reason why manifested not too late.

"Yes, indeed, he's a feral vampire. His eyes and fangs proved it. But he requested mercy, and we are to give support to whomever asks for it. Am I right? Or not? Therefore, once the pints are ready, you are to leave the room, and let everything in my control." Then, Oskar took a deep breath, as the nurses were ready to place the extracting needle to remove his blood. In his mind, only one thing was present...

"Ugh...I hate needles."
__________________________________________________ ________________

Darkness was the only thing Jafar could see. No front, no back, no dimensions. Perhaps, no time either. Only the cold darkness of...death, perhaps. But, the illusion was swiftly dispelled with an abrupt sound. The sound of...a woman. A very...familiar woman...

"My, aren't you a pathetic one? Unable to hurt a single being, getting all the wounds...and unable to escape me. I only wish I could see you dying without your elixir of life. That would be a pleasure beyond description, to see you dying in the most horrible of ways. Alas, I can't be everywhere. You and your pathetic act of seeking God...I thought you could do better, seek better ways. Like...perhaps, becoming my slave? Like I need a slave like you. Remember, I was, and will be, the only one merciful towards your pathetic soul. No one, not even Him, will take pity upon your useless soul..."

[OmniTense]

The words echoed. Each whip of every syllable stung like the flick of a nine tails. In his mind, he saw her, that ravishing beauty. The slime of evil pouring off of her in long drooling strands of laughs and smiles. She was so gentle and her voice, so soft.

“You’re no one now, Jafar… Why pretend? Come back and find me. I’ll welcome you home.”

Tears collected into little puddles on Jafar’s unconscious eyes. His hands spasmodically balled into fists. No pit was darker than the hole he was sunk in now. The black skies reeled and spun with her fanged smile as an unholy backdrop.

The small scared voice of child rang out. It sounded so muffled, as if it’s mouth was bound shut and gagged.

“i hate you”

“What did you say, little one?”

He wanted to reply in a bellowing yell, repeating what he had said with every spin of hate he could muster. But her visage faded. Her voice stopped ringing.

Warmth flushed and lifted Jafar like an elevator. He felt that dark place being left behind. It was a miracle… His fingers felt. His ears heard strange noises. And then, light began to trickle back into his eyes. Jafar was aware of something pressed in his mouth. A tube… Coppery taste, so terribly familiar. Familiar? When? Blood… It was reflex that he felt his mouth draw in gulps of blood. He nursed until no more blood would come.

In this span of a second, his eyes sorted out. His hands were wrapped around an empty pint bag that used to contain blood. Oskar sat by him with a paler complexion. Jafar dropped the pint bag and his shaking hands wiped his eyes dry and shielded them from the bombarding light. Oskar quickly turned off one of the lights, dimming the room.

“So, you know, then.” Jafar said, looking away, disgusted. “I should never have come here, you know?”

“Why did you come here?” Oskar asked.

Jafar looked cautiously at Oskar. Unsure of why Oskar left him alive, Jafar was even more uneasy that he had sacrificed his own blood to restore him. He had been lied to again… That witch… Jafar could read on Oskar’s face one of the greatest empathetic spirits he had seen, befitting a knight of God‘s Sanctuary. Jafar’s eyes dropped, embarrassed.

“I didn’t know what to do. I figured that I could… I could beg for forgiveness. I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Jafar sighed and his face turned stony. “I am cursed and rightly so. You saw me pass out?” Oskar nodded. “I can no more draw the blood of another with these two fangs, than I can bite my own teeth.”

“Who did this to you?”

Jafar’s mind flashed back to that face. His eyes shut like shutters. “She’s a…I don’t know. She's the most inhuman demon I’ve ever met.” He laughed darkly. “I guess that makes her something like me. She cursed me that I can do no harm to anything at all. I suppose you can guess what that means to a…vampire. I wandered my way here, passing out intermittently.” Jafar’s eyes sparkled, remembering. “Dreaming of the most wondrous plain. A soft cushioned wonderland. Pillared and far away…” Jafar stopped, realizing that he was babbling.

“I would gladly offer my soul to God, had I one to give and had He a mind to accept it. I don’t blame Him, though… My last chance was to come here and pray for forgiveness. So I have to ask you a question, now…an important question. Why did you save me?”

[Kaitou]

"I wonder if I'll get around to doing anything concerning the dream," Takai thought aloud. He sat hunched over with his elbows on his thighs. His gaze found itself out the window, inattentively hovering over the activities of the humans outside.

"I want…to do that. I want to walk around normally, just as they are. How nice it would be to carry a person into the castle hospital.."

Takai caught himself. His mind no longer wandering, he was able to properly observe his surroundings. Someone had arrived here and was being rushed to the infirmary. A wounded guard, or perhaps a stranger..

With the intention of heading to the scene, Takai stood up and approached the door. He found his body to be unusually heavy, as if something were mounted on his back. A soft texture brushed across his face. Takai quickly turned his head to face the object and stumbled at the sight. The very wings that manifested in his dreams were there, attached to his back.

His body began to perspire and tremble. Takai spun around and crawled away in an attempt to somehow escape from the wings. His hand desperately dove for the door's handle. The wings, without Takai's control, spread themselves and began beating, forcibly lifting him from the ground and towards the window. Takai quickly shielded his face with his arms before being thrown through the glass.

He landed upon a bed of shattered glass, where he lay there, shocked and dazed. The wings had vanished, or quite possibly, never existed. Was he going mad? He had seemingly leapt out his window willingly, something he only does during emergencies or special occasions.

[T.G. Oskar]

"Why, you ask? You believe that, because you're a vampire, you deserve no pity, or mercy? I did what I had to do, sir. I did my job." With those words, Oskar answered the baffled vampire. "Tell me, are you able to feel? Not merely the physical feelings, the senses, but the emotions. Can you feel happiness, or sadness? Do you feel that you can discern between good and evil? Then, you may still have a soul. Pretty sure you do."

Oskar stood up, gathering as much of his strength as he could. He gave quite a bit of blood, and he felt weakened by the amount of lifeforce he had to give to restore the vampire to life. "There's still a few pints nearby. Ask one of the nurses to give them to ya if you're hungry. I'll get you some clothing, and look for information about the specific curse that has been placed upon you. A curse of pacifism is often a curse placed, willingly, towards repenting souls by good people. To be placed unwillingly upon someone, by someone evil... I doubt it is a curse. More like...mental manipulation, it seems to me." He drank a nearby bottle, a tea made with medicinal herbs and electrolytes, so that he could recover his energies. As he left, he stretched his body out, trying to recover from the uncomfortable position in which he was. His aura manifested, revealing six wings and a tail of a dove, for a brief instant. Fixing his glasses, he proceeded to the Captain's office, to what he actually intended to do: speak about his dream. And Jaffar's dream, as well.

Reaching the main hall, he noticed another wounded individual. He quickly recognized the young fella as Takai the Incarnate, the co-captain of the GS, slightly bruised from a fall and tattered with glass shards in all of his body. Nurses were applying the first aids, cleaning and disinfecting the wounds while applying the healing arts. Oskar sensed the lingering aura of holy emanating from Takai's body, a signal that he exerted some kind of control over positive energy recently. A few questions revealed that some witnesses saw Takai releasing a burst of energy and briefly manifesting wings, before falling to the ground, as if he was preparing to fly. Oskar recalled that Takai was prone to unleashing holy powers without a measure of control, something Suzu and he were watching closely the last few months. Yet, the amount of power released was far beyond the usual degree. It was like if...

...like if his latent powers willed themselves to manifest. Just like that day, when he found out he also had angelic powers. Oskar had trained severely to manifest control over his powers, but was only able to draw a bare minimum. Not like that day, where he manifested powers beyond his own control. "Another thing to add to the list. Takai's powers growing mad, the vampire Jaffar and his visions, and the vision I had. This is going to be a really busy day..."

Not as long as he finished that sentence, he felt that his body grew weaker. He held his arm on the doorframe, trying to find out why he was growing weaker. The potion had full effect, so it could not have been that. He felt an ominous feeling on his mind, as if he was been...assaulted. A mind assault, that numbs the mind to all senses, and weakens the body. He reestablished his grip on reality, uttering in his mind a quick prayer to dispel evil thoughts. Suddenly, a female voice popped in his mind, hinting a slight surprise...

"Indeed, you people possess great strength of mind. My mind powers are almost too irresistible, and you managed to resist my assault. Of course, not like I could crush you from here... I must say, your faith was the only thing that saved you, goody-two-shoes." He realized that Jaffar had mentioned a female sire, to which he quickly riposted,"I assume that you must be Jaffar's sire, am I right? I assume I guessed right. No wonder he's so helpless: indeed, your control over his mind is astonishing. Too bad your powers are weakened just to prevent him from feeding." The female voice answered, in a tone of anger, "Hmm, not only strong, but inquisitive. Too bad your guess is only half right. My powers are barely expended on that...remnant of a man. Allow me to show you..."

Almost instantly, a slight tone manifested in Oskar's mind. His reality warped, towards a dark place with no beginning and no end, no defined dimension, and no shape. His body slowly lighted the area, only to reveal nothingness. He felt the powers of the Void firsthand, so he quickly recognized the illusion for what it was. A form emerged from the illusion: a pale noble woman, blonde, with red eyes and bloody lips, wielding golden jewels and fine clothing almost to the point of obsession. She was not walking, but floating, and her eyes shone with a red pulse, beating, like if the light and her blood resonated as one. Her hand extended, open, only to instantly close in a grip. Oskar felt like he was crushed by an unseen hand, but a manifestation of his willpower was enough to dispel the enchantment. Perhaps, too much. A scream of pain emerged from the pale maiden, as if her hand was forced open. Her palm was burnt and sizzling, like when an undead touches a holy artifact. Visibly angered, she muttered to Oskar.

"How could you do that? Such power...you are indeed stronger than I thought. I greatly miscalculated you, Seven-Winged Angel, Knight of Justice and Knowledge. No wonder you are one of the highest ranking forces in the God's Sanctuary. Yet, I wonder...why him? Why my slave? Just because...it was your job? Don't lie to me. You want him for something else..." Oskar closed his eyes, more to show a sign of scoffing, and answered. " I do not lie. I did my job. I saved a fallen from perdition, and I will show him the way to Salvation. And you cannot do anything to prevent it. Yet, I am intrigued by a particular factor... How... How could you duplicate the exacting forms of the Mark of Pacific Justice? Only devoted priests can achieve such a form of curse, and it must be placed willingly. What was the way to duplicate such a complicated procedure?"

"You wish to know? Fine, you are a mighty opponent, so I will see if you are capable of wresting Jaffar from my hands. It was truly a curse of Mind Chains, in order to wrest my power upon him very easily. I need no effort. I know what he does, always, just at the request of my thoughts. And, it takes but a rogue thought to make him stop, or act at my command. I have not commanded him to do nothing, because...I love to see him suffer. I delight on such act. I can say...I live to make him suffer. Can you free him from such a fate, Paladin? I doubt not. And I'll make that goal of yours so hard to achieve, I will make you repent from ever trying to save him. And then, as he finds neither good nor evil desires him, I shall have him forever. To forever torment him... Forever..."

"That...", Oskar returned, as he extended his rune-inscribed palm, showering a beam of soft light that manifested as a shining hand, holding the woman by her clothing, "...I will not allow. I abhor such fates. No one, no matter what they have done, deserves a lifetime of suffering. You say I will give up and fail, that's right?" Holding her, he lifted her, as he continued, "You will be the one to give up. You will beg him for forgiveness, kneeling before him. And...it will be up to him if he wishes to show you mercy...or not. Though...as far as I see him...he will show mercy upon your pathetic soul..."

"Ugh, leave me alone!! Be more gentle, you barbaric oaf!!! Release me, I tell you!!! No one dares to grab the fine clothing of Lady Aster Valeria Volataire, of the House of Volataire!!! I swear, I'll make you pay, Holy Knight. I...swear..." The darkness faded away, only to reveal the main hall of the castle hospital, his hand gripping the air. He proceeded to the Captain's office, ready to report to the Captain of the God's Sanctuary...
__________________________________________________ ________________
Meanwhile...

On a gilded, obscenely decorated throne, a pale woman awakened from her trance, seeming shocked and angered. The two servants, two males visibly tortured and scarred, cowered at the presence. They ran towards their master, showing their horribly scarred backs. The lady swiftly took a beautiful leather whip, but then she opted for the large chain flail. She whipped her two servants, while uttering a volley of curses. "Curse you, Holy Knight Oskar!! Curse you, Knights of the Sanctuary!!! Curse you, damn fools!!! I swear, Jaffar will repent from ever living!!! Damn the fools, damn them!!!"

[OmniTense]

Jafar looked down as he spread his great spidery hands over the thick webbed layers of rags, fingernails dripping from them like knives. Even by the mere sight of them, it could be told he was no human… A soul? Feelings? Mental Manipulation? It was his job… It’s true that he had been a vampire for more than half a year, but only now did it seem to take hold in his mind.

Jafar’s eyes cut over at the mirror provided in the corner of the room. "A Soul?" He breathed. a few great strides as he closed the gap until the mirror was inches in front of his face. Jafar sighed. There was a mocking absence of life in the mirror. There was not even condensation from his breath. He tapped the glass of the mirror with a fingernail. "What ever is a soul?" He held his fingers to mouth. Cold and dry air met them. No signs of life…at all.

Did he have a soul? Did that witch steal even that from him? His right hand grabbed and fumbled at the considerable crucifix at his chest. The result was a slight sting and the crisping of flesh. He winced at the pain. Retrieving his hand, he stared at the burnt imprint. How could any creature in God’s favor subsist on human life? How could any creature that subsists on human life be in God’s favor? Were there exceptions?

This man, Oskar…He offered his life’s blood… How did Jafar deserve that? The hair on the back of Jafar’s head stood to attention. His eyes fell to the ground. It was her… All of it was her doing. She was watching him now. She would pursue him even here, in the God’s Sanctuary. Why was she obsessed with him? Why wouldn’t she leave him alone? Jafar watched his fingers slowly curl to a fist. A house of God? Why am I so blind to see? He thought about Aster. Something is amiss here… Something simply does not add up. why is she obsessed with me? Jafar replayed that fateful day over and over. His father’s business…Burnt. His own life taken from him. Hounded to the edge of sanity. Forced to seek shelter at GS.

Oskar offered me clothes and knowledge. Soul or no Soul, If I find that I have anything to offer God, His army, His Sanctuary or His plans, So I will.

But something flicked in Jafar’s mind. Something smashed in like a burglar, and grabbed the controls. His eyes flashed a lucent red. His fangs tripled in size until it was necessary for him to open his mouth. I could kill Oskar. He thought, savagely. I could attack him unawares and take the rest of his blood. I could ruin and desecrate this entire sanctuary! A vicious fanged grin etched onto his face. No need for Oskar to give, When I can take!

“Mental Manipulation, it seems to me.” Oskar’s words rang like a bell and clarity replaced Jafar’s war fog. In seconds his sinister grin was replaced with a look of fury. He voiced out aloud in almost a venomous hiss.

“Listen to me, you witch, as you always do! I am hence forth against your every whim! I will never forget what you are. Even you cannot make me…” Jafar fell from his chair to the floor. His head throbbing like sore muscle. “ARGH!” He screamed.

“You say I cannot do what, my pet? I am still your sire, you fool! Do you honestly think there is a thing that I cannot make you do if I want?” A soft musical laugh flooded Jafar’s ears. “To think I could actually find a use for such a useless thing… You are mine. You will always be mine. You are my fun, hate and my trap. You will kill Oskar when I tell you to. And you cannot even tell him.” Another laugh. “One of the two of you will die. If you die then I will have dirtied his hands; and then I will find a new toy. If you kill him, then so much the better. You mustn‘t be afraid… What could death possibly mean to a soulless undead puppet?”

“Puppet” bounced through his head as her voice faded. Panic flooded him. He never should have come here. It was too late to turn back. Her move was in, the only question remaining was, “Is it checkmate?”. Even if he left, supposing she would let him, she would never forgive and forget Oskar. Jafar, the sick cursed vampire was no match for Oskar. The worst that could happen is that Oskar or some other knight would be forced to kill him. Jafar smiled at the thought.

Resolve. “I will do what I must, witch!” He warned, aloud. He got to his feet and grabbed a pint of blood. He shoved the door open and left. Jafar would offer what few services he could provide to God's Sanctuary. He would see Oskar about those clothes and books. “…And possibly something to block out some of this bothersome light!” There was no way he would let this fate creep up on him or anyone else. No more death… No more blood… First to pray and then would he find Oskar. He now had every intention of joining the God’s Sanctuary.

[Azuteor]

(OOC: Done!

"It's a quarter to ten and nothing has come up," Suzu sighly exclaimed as he gazes at the sun dile resting in the garden. He calmly watched time pass by from seconds to minutes as the sun shined its effervescent light against it, then from the sun dile he spots a little girl rushing to gather different herbs. Upon seeing the citizen, Suzu gave a soft laugh, opened the window, and asked what she was doing. She replied by informing him that Takai, the co-captain of God's Sanctuary, is laying on the floor covered in glass and that she is going to tend to his wounds.

"Wounds?" Suzu peeked through the window and sees a bunch of a light particles dissipitating from Takai's body. "Takai's power must have attempted to release itself,"Suzu assumed from the time he participated in one of Oskar's research. Oskar is of the department of Knowledge and works as a Paladin of the Sanctuary. Suzu huffed and rubbed his forehead, hereafter, he then eyes on the Sanctuary's Hospital building seeing the Medical Unit and Oskar bringing in an injured person.

"What a day this turned out be, ey?" Balmung teased. Balmung is Suzu's talkative sword, although it seems that he has quite an odd personality, it wields incredible power. It is known in much folklore that the sword contains the legendary swordsman’s spirit and power within; which is Balmung.

"Yeah, at least it will bring me out of the office... Haven't you realised how dusty it is?" Suzu unsheathes his sword and sets it on the floor, and then Balmung stood effortlessly by the tip of the blade.

"Isn't that because you haven't cleaned it yet?"

"I-I did clean it! The reason it isn't today is because I was busy doing errands!"

"What errands? Why mister I don't ever recall seeing you doing anything!!" Balmung jumped up and down screaming at the young captain, but enjoyed it at the same time since he and Suzu are good friends. "Well... I... uh...” As Suzu stammered trying to gather an answer, he remembers sleeping, eating, drawing, reading his favorite mangas, training, and well.. sleeping again.

"You have been slacking off in your responsibilites haven't you!? Your silence reveals it all!" Balmung swung around the office ready to lash at him with all his power, but as he slashed at Suzu, the captain blocked it by using his katana without the katana being scratched. There was a slight pause between both of them, but Suzu compensated by reminding Balmung about how his power is not fully developed. "Well Suzu, I am a very old sword and thanks to Him that I can't tarnish, let alone rust.." Suzu felt guilty that he wasn't able to recover Balmung's powers since the day they first met and he even had to resort to using an extra weapon. Fortunately, Oskar volunteered to help Suzu out through research, but it seems that he has his hands full.

"Don't be guilty my friend, I believe that our mission can be done if we persevere. What kind of warrior will you be if you start taking all the blame on yourself? Who else will I annoy and abuse? Mwuahaha!" Both Balmung and Suzu laugh, but as soon as the laughter died down, it was time for them to get serious and begin the day. The swordsman then sheathed his katana, picked up Balmung, and wrapped him in bandages.

As soon as he was able to touch the knob, he recided in response to the sound of a woman's voice. Her voice echoed in the depths of his mind and began to pester him. "Who's there?! Talk?!" Suzu shouted. Balmung shook, telling him that someone was watching them. The young boy then held both of his swords tightly and looked around the room trying to find the one speaking to him.

"My, my what a very demanding young boy? Are you sure you should be speaking that way to a beautiful, young, and dignified woman? You are so young and still growing, will you still be able to handle the responsibility of Captain, boy?"

"Who the hel are you? What sort of buisness do you have with me?" Suzu grew suspicious and became wary on the fact that the voice keeps babying him. The captain needs to remain calm and vigilent, at least that is what he remembered from a friend who disappeared into darkness..

"My boy, you are so caught up in trying to please everyone in the Sanctuary that you can't properly live out your teenage life! Sooner or later this place will eventually be destroyed by an overwhelming darkness," the woman shrieked, "Why don't you came with me, where it is safe? To home...”

"Suzu! Don't listen to her! There is something... very... very wrong about her," Balmung shouted.

"Fools! Do you not see that I am giving you way out!? Do you honestly think that you will be able to protect everyone? I don't even believe even for the slightest thought that you will be able to achieve such a height with that useless sword... If you want... I can restore it for you.. but at a price.."

The last syllable ended in a hiss and the vibration of the sound crawled up to Suzu’s desires. Suzu gave it some thought and began to remember how many battles he has lost in his past. He wasn't able to save anyone; he lost many loved ones due to life's cruelty.. He gained new friends and he cherished them, but one thing troubled him, he feared that he will lose them again. He must have more power...

I must have it... It's the only way I can destroy my enemies... Yes... that's it.... power...

"Ahhh... so I have finally reached you.. You desire it don't you? You are not much of a fool after all... Aha, well my boy, all you have to do is... become... my... little... puppet! You shall work for me... with the other people..."

Suzu's eyes widened as he realized that he was slowly being dragged into his own temptations. His determination finally woke him up into reason and that goals must be attainted through the harshest way. That way is reality. He gripped his swords and howled, "I'm sorry, but I refuse to work under your command!!"

How dare you defy me! If you won't join by your own will, then I will force you to! The screech of her voice tore a gash in the space of the room leaving an opening for anything to come out. Out from the tear two hands appeared and stretched it enough to be able to pass through. A head came first, then the torso, and finally the legs and feet. The being turned out to be a fallen angel. The fallen angel had pale white skin, sharp green eyes, jet black hair, and wings that resembled the wings of a bat. The angel glared at Suzu challenging him, "Unsheath your swords and prove to me that you're worth killing."

Balmung began to shine and pointed at the fallen angel automatically. As Suzu continued to have a firm grip unto the hilt of his sword, Balmung shook in attraction to the angel's dark aura. Suzu could not restrain the force his sword is exterting to his arm. He then loosened his body, and dashed straight at the fallen angel with katana in the other hand; following Balmung's guidance. "Balmung, what's happening to you?!" Balmung did not reply to the question, but only increased the speed he was going. Suzu then slashed the fallen angel, hitting only the angel's shoulder, and ended the attack by swinging his katana at the mid-section. The young swordsman smirked seeing how easy it was to inflict damage, but was now in shock as he saw that the
angel showed no signs of emotion. The fallen angel pushed him away with the point of a finger and appears from behind. In matters of seconds, Suzu lost sight of his enemy and a sadistic laugh passes into his ear as he got stabbed in the side.

"Danm!" Suzu yelped in pain, but sucked it up, turned around, and swung his swords like crazy. Each swing he makes the angel dodges without letting Suzu finish his attack; making him look like an amateure. Disappointed, the malevolent being punched Suzu in the stomache, grabbed his head and slammed it unto his knee, then pummeled him past through multiple walls until he reached outside. Finally let go of the fallen angel's possession, Suzu landed on the foreyard safely with his feet by sprouting his angelic wings at the last second. Looking at the young warrior now, his clothing is ripped, shoulder armor is partly cracked, greaves is missing knee plates, and his whole body has many cuts and bruises.

Suzu dropped to the floor, barelly hanging on to his life, "Balmung...." His sword returned to normal again to where Balmung can regain consciousness and can be controlled by Suzu's will. "Suzu! What happened to you?!" Balmung finally heard his friend's words and as he saw him badly injured he felt the sad feeling that was within Suzu. Deep within, the captain is hurting inside as he now knows that he is not strong enough.

Am I just going to die here? ... Of course I am.. look at me... I don't have any energy left and I am already bleeding...

The fallen angel finally came out of the building and flew towards where Suzu was laying. It laughed and asked, "Finished? I expected a lot from a Captain, but I guess I was wrong." Hereafter, it conjured up a dark flaming shaped lance with the palm of his hand, placed it against Suzu's heart, and drew it back as Suzu faces his ultimate fate...

"Noo!!" Balmung cried. He rushed with all his might to take the hit, but in the back of his sword-like mind he sensed another person coming from afar...

[Kuradic]

Kuragari stretched his arms wide as the nurses left the room. He had stumbled into the God’s Sanctuary a few days ago, seeking to eliminate the citizens within it. However, the holy aura around the sanctuary caught him off guard. It surrounded him an attempted to purge the darkness from his soul, but Tsurugi, the legendary dark sword Kuragari wields, resisted more then Kuragari’s body. Left unconscious he was brought into the infirmary, where the nurses tended to the seared parts of his body. Now however, the nurses came by less and less, and leaving as fast as they came in. Some simply slid his food through the window and onto a stand. They had good reason however, for Kuragari’s dark aura had returned, and the sanctuary only held back about 15% of his powers. Fortunately the sanctuary had other effects; Kuragari could finally see something other then an endless space of darkness. He had control over his own body, but only barely. He still had the constant urge to grasp on of the nurses by the arm, and rip them off.

It had been three days since he had come in, and by the third day no nurses came, instead they all rushes frantically to another room. Finally, now I have an excuse to leave this damn room. Kuragari lifted his hand to turn the knob, but soon found his foot connecting with a hard surface. The door slammed down to the floor sending many nurses running down the other direction. Pitiful humans…. “Sorry!” he called out as they disappeared from view.

Kuragari walked down the dimly lighted hallway, and found many curtains closed. As he passed one room he saw a man in very ragged clothes talking with another man, whose face was so very pale…. Die! Kuragari quickly shook the thought from his mind and sprinted down the hallway knocking several things down until he found his way outside. Light!!!. Kuragari grasped his cheeks and felt the warmth of the sun on them. As he moved his hands up his face, he felt that his eyes were closed. Heh, I’ve been in darkness so long I don’t even know when I close my eyes. It just seems like another day of darkness. He strained to open his eyes, and see the light he longed for so long, but only found his eyes opened when they were under the shade of a building.

He placed his back onto the smooth surface of a building and let his thoughts wonder. Why am I here? To kill! Why can’t I open my eyes? You love the darkness! LEAVE ME!!! *crash* Kuragari head swerved to his left almost instantly (an act he is used to when in constant battle) as he saw a man with torn clothes and a body stained with blood. Could it be!? Is it- His thoughts were cut off as another figure, with wings of a bat, sprang after the man. The bat-like figure conjured a dark spear and prepared to finish the poor man. Kuragari’s feet found ground and instantly diminished the space between him and the man’s pursuer, parting his right wing from his body. Spinning around, Kuragari knocked the spear away from the man‘s chest with his left hand, and brough Tsurugi up to the bat-like figure‘s throat. “You won’t lay another finger on this man!”