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Post by Aleister Tepes on Mar 12, 2021 2:10:26 GMT
This was a day much like every other. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and flowers were blooming. Deep valleys and hills of green, practically oceans of grass covering the hills that surrounded them, not a cloud in sight, not even a breeze. A quaint little village was located just a few miles away from one such valley, and this is were Aleister had stationed himself. Presently he was surveying the area, taking notes on the animals that lived nearby. Rumor had it that there was a plethora of large, exotic animals living on the planet, and one such creature just so happened to make burrows out of the hills. From "first hand accounts", this beast tunnels into the earth, creating a complex tunnel system that could extend for miles. There was plenty of other interesting "facts" about these beasts, but to make it short, this was but one of many "points of interest" for Aleister, and the one he wished to start with.
Of course he wasn't quite sold on these stories, and naturally had to see for himself the extent of these tall tales. Little over a mile into the valley, Aleister would find his answer, and to his surprise, these tales fell short of the true scope of what was before him. The entrance to the den was enormous, truly staggering. The entire hillside was hollowed out, and the tunnel leading down practically went straight down, a near 90° drop into the depths. He touched the surface of his mask, letting his fingers trail off the bottom.
"I-I can't believe this... It's unreal!"
Aleister couldn't, no, refused to believe this was real. Lighting a torch, Aleister dropped it into the cavernous entrance, and watched as it free fell into the abyss. One minute... Two minutes... Five minutes passed and the light of the torch had long since faded, and still no sound ever came. He couldn't enter this place yet, he wasn't prepared for something like this. Not in something as simple as a boots and a tunic. No, Aleister would need to wait for another day to prepare. The supplies he had at his disposal were merely insufficient for this undertaking. So, with a head held high and swagger in his step, Aleister made his way back towards the visit, a monumental expedition less than a day away!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2021 23:00:36 GMT
The remarkable and distant hills of Velgadoma were always a beautiful spectacle, underneath a cerulean mantle with clouds sparsely filling its vastness. Its flourishing planet was what made a certain individual frequent its lands for a time, becoming rather known among the quaint villages that have existed around the verdant continent for longer than the annals of history could ever record. Although, it was not in the way of which one would come to make themselves known. Characteristically, making a presence before them and other trivialities came first. However, for the Reclaimers Captain, Rio Melord, his fame was roused from legends.
"A horrifying, orc-like beast!" One would say, "...Ya' hear that it can create valleys outta' mountains!? Couldn't imagine ever crossin' a beast like that." Yet another would spread. The ridiculous rumors of the indigents had painted his visits as merely the advent of some beast.
Naturally, he would have cursed them more than he has ever cursed in his lifetime, but there was a reason behind withdrawing such irritation. In the vacant landscape that stretched along such a seemingly indefinite horizon, there the captain remained; a small presence in the great viridian sea. The refreshing, halcyon atmosphere that was complemented by its soothing zephyrs made an excellent place to have considered for his times of meditation. Something so recreational, and yet, relaxing for an eidolon that bears the weight of the universe atop his broad shoulders. Rio wished to confide into himself, to do away with the seeds of frustration that sprouted saplings of even greater despair.
From where he sat, with his legs crossed over one another and his magnificently toned arms framing his sides. The aged, bearded man began conducting himself as a ruminant. The stillness of his chiseled body slightly swelled with each breath, and then, deflating with a sharp exhale. The graceful wind currents causing the unkempt length of his hickory locks to billow with its brief passing. Inside of his mindscape, he felt his fears as though they were shackles which constrained his very frame to the ground. Tightening as the wave of emotions crashed through his psyche without hesitation. However, in the face of these anxieties; he challenged them with a clear indifference.
The mental battles of which lied dormant and subsequently prepared to be seized were soon to begin. Until suddenly, there was a certain feeling which prompted Rio to open his lids, beginning to notice an ominous, foreboding signature wash across the lands like a tide against the shore. "Ha..." He sighed, much to his dismay. "Perhaps another time, I suppose." His words trailed off into a seemingly distant murmur. There was a chance he would never reach that level of equanimity again, but that was to be expected from a restless warrior. It was not long before the person in question of such a dreadful presence made their physical advent from over the hillside.
If memory had served him correctly, he was due East from the aftermath of his last skirmish. A fierce battle that existed between him and an ancient creature that was said to shake the world with its very steps. The result? A treacherous fracture that divided the earth for miles across the land; having used the Zenoushka-Ryu, Art of Destruction. Rio was still unsure as to whether that had been the decisive strike which slain the elder beast, as the quakes of its march could be felt to this day. However, that was neither here nor there in the face of a mysterious entity. One of which carried themselves with a surreptitious disposition.
It appeared to be an able-bodied man with zany fashion, but there was a feeling that this was merely a façade to a greater danger soon to be. Following his instincts, Rio concluded it was best to provoke the mysterious person, until he could manage a better analysis of his character.
The unarmed, bare-chested titan rose from the ground and sunk his feet into the soil. Wearing only trousers that were woven from the fabricated hides of the game he had slain; its texture was that of a thick, fairly comfortable-looking leather. "You there!" His hoarse voice sounded traveled Velgadoma endlessly, as though the Heavens had called for this man right then and there. "You were looking for a beast!? Well I'm right here!"
Perhaps there was a better way of conducting himself, and with being several meters apart from this strange man. It would almost appear to him that a deranged vagrant just tried to provoke him. Maybe more effort was necessary, but Rio watched intently for a reaction.
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Post by Aleister Tepes on Mar 16, 2021 7:55:26 GMT
"What? What was that?"
Aleister would stop to turn, hearing the coarse bellowing voice from down the valley. Coming to look upon the source, Aleister was surprised. A large, shirtless, burly man was yelling at him from a fair distance away, leaving Aleister amused. A beast in human form? This wasn't a surprise to him though, as he too was a wolf in sheep's clothing. For all intents and purposes, this poorly dressed vagrant was in fact the beast the he was looking for, at the very least one of them. That, or some surly drunk from the village coming back from a day out in the sun. Either way, Aleister had time to burn, so why not humor the thought of engaging with this self proclaimed beast.
"Oh ho! Is that right? Did you make this hole then? Care to show me, or do you need some encouragement to get going?"
Aleister would then take quick steps towards the man. As he grew closer and closer, he could see the disparity in their size as clear as day. Rio stood a foot taller than Aleister, and by the looks of it double his weight, if not more. He was certainly a beast of a man, a towering figure of grand stature, an imposing aura that radiated danger from every pore of his being. With every step closer Aleister could tell that the claim Rio made may have some merit to it after all. As such, Aleister would call forth Iron Poison before covering the first meter. This blade looked no different than a standard long-sword. The weapon itself seemingly formed from nothing, with Aleister pulling the sword from the palm of his left hand, and wielding it with his right. That wasn't all he did, no, to show the sincerity of his interest, he would display his own presence, and try to invoke a reaction of his own.
Spools of a thick, black fog began to ooze out from his being. Billowing clouds that spoke of death and madness like hushed whispers began to emanate all around Aleister, causing the lush green grass beneath his boots to shrivel and rot. This aura came down to coat the steel of his blade in a sickly black ichor, a festering blight that dripped from its tip. He then began to speak once more, though now encroaching on the halfway point between himself and Rio. A large swell of energy manifested for a moment, then vanished. The residual ether that resided within Aleister's immediate range was siphoned into his being, then resonated within the words he began to speak.
From delusion, lead me to truth. From darkness, lead me to light. From death, lead me to immortality. He who knows both knowledge and action, with action overcomes death and with knowledge reaches immortality.
In him are woven the sky and the earth and all the regions of the air, and in him rest the mind and all the powers of life. Know him as the ONE and leave aside all other words. He is the bridge of immortality. Beyond the senses is the mind, and beyond the mind is reason, its essence. Beyond reason is the Spirit in man, and beyond this is the Spirit of the Universe, the evolver of all."
The first and second verse of three, and the extent that Aleister wished to take this confrontation. He didn't want to kill him, at least, not inherently, but, he couldn't be too fickle with his approach. Having experience with wild animals of all shapes and sizes, one learns better than to approach them without serious intent. The energy that had swelled up around and within Aleister acted for two things, the first being cost, and the second being expansion. Assuming Rio had not stopped his invocation, the entirety of that gathered energy would he spent, as well as a substantial amount of his own. The "spell" had a potent lingering effect, and required a massive amount of energy to maintain that set duration. The expansion was to reverberate his words, have them come down as a deafening, thundering roar. A declaration from the heavens that would leave many a normal man bleeding from their eyes and trembling from its magnitude.
Oh, but Aleister knew better than to believe that this would be enough. No, all this showmanship would be to merely rile up the beast before him, to excite the fever of battle. Aleister could not take satisfaction in victory if he defeated a paper tiger. He needed to see if that bravado was worth more than the breath wasted on it. With Aleister encroaching on Rio's range, he tightened his grip on the weapon, and steadied himself. The time for pleasantries had long since ended, and Aleister was ready. If all had come to be, Aleister would be just over a meter from Rio, feet firmly planted shoulder length apart, both hands now firmly grasping the hilt, his blade angled between him, and his enemy, and the remaining energies that coursed through his body flared up like an open fire.
"Come now, stray. Show me what tricks you've learned."
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2021 21:13:24 GMT
"Oh ho! Is that right? Did you make this hole? Care to show me, or do you need some encouragement to get going?"
The masked stranger fell for the hook, line, and sinker. A half-assed one, but a bait nonetheless. However, there was something about his disposition brimming with enthusiasm which made his response all more unsettling for Rio. Not only that, but how this man's presence had a lingering, pungent signature that would inspire a sense of dread in the hearts of the meek. Rio, however, was not one of those people. As he came to acknowledge the mysterious man as his opponent, so did Aleister. An eager smile stretched the corners of his mouth as he watched the man saunter towards him hurriedly. With a mere glance, Rio broke him down into his most foundational components, namely his figure and the current variables in play.
He seemed less athletic by comparison, and yet, celeritous; using such a slender stature to complement his agility. What piqued his interest most was the technique of which he pulled the length of a sword directly out of his palm. It did not appear to be anything like the mystical Bascht Sacrament, the rune that created an interstitial railroad across dimensions in order to summon forth the veritable Monbda from the Chamber of Arms. Rather, something that looked as though it was intrinsic to his being. A myriad of assessments ran through his mind at unprecedented speeds, while proceeding to arm himself within the selfsame moment that Aleister was continuing to unsheathe the blade from his hand.
Responding to the numinous will of the warrior, the ambient Ether immediately gathered to his position, and was subsequently subsumed into his stalwart figure at once. Its innate currents having been changed at the whim of his spiritual countermand, the Ether begins to fill his meridians as though it were a bottomless basin. Followed by the thorough process of refining the raw energies into his own from within, a sudden surge of power emerges from his stature in an elegant flair. Warranting the flaxen brilliance that radiated from him, spreading across the vacant plains like a languid wave rolling against the shore. It was a blinding, overwhelming sight of radiance that could have easily rendered physical perception useless.
As the dualistic assimilation of light and capture of neighboring elementary particles happened within his gradual siege over the battleground, Rio came to observe the putrid, overwhelming torrents of obsidian in which plumed from Aleister and invaded the world as a plague. Reaping the lands of its richly viridian hues, and leaving them as sickly husks after rendering into this smog. It was dangerous. So much that Rio had been safe to assume that this aura was merely not an impression of his prowess. It was a sign of ruination. All things considered, the captain realized that it was merely fate to have met such a pernicious influence to the world at large. He simply needed to dispose of it.
Chosen to become the protector of Velgadoma, the intricate insignia of the Bascht Sacrament hummed erratically during his sudden invocation. A few of the plentiful etheric currents funneled into the surface of its mysterious design, and without regard for Aleister's incantation. Rio reproduced one of his own to match the theatric splendor.
"I become your liegeman of life and limb; trust and earthly honors, bearing the responsibility of all men that love.
I shall keep to greatness, fulfill and defend the rightful laws and customs with which He has admonished to me.
I shall choose, to strengthen and maintain loyalty for the sacred word of the Esteemed One of the Ivory Creed.
I promise on my faith that I will, in my lifetime, be faithful to the oath that I preach, never to commit sacrilege and observe my homage in good faith along with no deceit.
So, let it be so. Accept the Pledge of Constancy, Lafine!"
His hand, as though grasping for the resplendence around him suddenly felt the abrasive grip of a weapon sheening entirely in an alabaster hue. As the coruscant veil started to wither into motes of light, the holy sword of the Cerulean Dragon, Lafine, emerges in his grasp with a disruptive surge of energy. Lustrous ivory intersperses violently throughout the tides of his soft golden dominion, and consequently causing the advent of an intense pressure to rouse itself from the epicenter of Rio's position. It would force the sapping pollution of Aleister's power to shunt from his proximity as though magnetically repulsing it from expanding anywhere near the Reclaimers Captain while, conversely, his continued to dominate. The astral vortex of white that stormed within the fluid reaches above his pate, ascending to the mantle as if wanting to join the Heavens in its quiet skies.
The point of the silver blade Lafine trained itself upon Aleister as he grew increasingly closer to the captain. Its wildly designed, golden antlers of a hilt housed a unique gem in the center of the guard, which offset the ivory waves of the sword with its faint, emerald glow. His opponent was mightily brave to have been facing the rancorous tides of pressure which could force buildings to be swept up in its chaos. Especially with his caustic smog becoming stripped from his position with each passing moment that he marched onward. The five foot blade would have met Aleister's face before he could ever close a meter of distance between them. Although not particularly settling into any form, Rio shifted the lead of his footwork into the right foot, where his left receded backwards. The subtle turn of his torso seemed as though he was preparing to strike, but that remained to be seen.
Sparkling flecks are becoming pronounced within the aureate domain, as does the unreserved greed to his control over the flow of Ether. The mysterious, and yet, mystical power of Lafine clings intimately to its wielder's body like a fervent flame, begins settling in the atmosphere above, and causes a strange interaction. Clouds from afar start congregating to the vertex of power, albeit at a gradual pace, and appears to be assimilating into a storm.
In the midst of it all, Rio could not help to wipe the excitement of his face, bearing immense expectations for the young scourge.
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Post by Aleister Tepes on Mar 16, 2021 22:33:10 GMT
Oh yes! This is truly a mighty beast indeed! Alas, it didn't matter the the benevolent magnificence of Rio's holy radiance. The display had shown what it needed to, and more importantly, had already thickened into the viscous obsidian ichor that coated his blade. Yes, the stage was set for a classic stand off. The pressure in the air was grand, cascading down upon them like a waterfall of excitement and instinct. Truly two monsters were on the verge of death, baring their fangs, settling into positions like cogs in a machine. Yes... this felt preordained, as to meet the very antithesis of his own being on such an endeavor, couldn't be mere coincidence. Though, with that in mind, Aleister knew three things immediately.
The first was that this man was stronger than himself, at least, in this form. His physical prowess would exceed his own by a substantial margin, and the gap in the dexterity would be practically zero. This was ascertained from the posturing Rio had settled in. The way he carried himself and the sword, so effortlessly, so nonchalantly, going so far as to command the range that Aleister could approach, spoke to this. Seeing the weapon brandished towards Aleister from approaching beyond a range of six feet, something he was forced to yield right from the start. The second thing Aleister learned was that his influence on Ether would be insufficient to challenge Rio's. Not only his own, but it was as if a celestial force, one beyond mortal comprehension, had laid claim to it on his behalf. He could tell that much from being within the range of its dominated space. Lastly, Aleister knew that the pugnant death that radiated from himself... only had that much room to grow!
"Yes... you are a beast. Your act is so vibrant, but has no place on my stage. Be gone from my sight, stray!"
Aleister would not wait for the initiative to fall to Rio, instead taking the first step. The first was to coat himself in the same aura as before, letting it act as the buffer against such a crushing force. He had little interest in seeing what it could do to his body, so he had no desire in finding out what might happen to his own presence should the radiance come any closer than he was now, especially considering what he desired to do. Perhaps in this form, he wasn't strong enough or fast enough, but he didn't need to be. First, he started with Whispering Light. An immense aura began to radiate around the eyes of the mask, a simple white glow flashed for only an instant, before fading from view. His vascularity began to increase, relaying an immense physical strain that Aleister was about to undertake. Yes, the very instant that flash faded the instant after Aleister attacked! Aleister thrust his hands forward, but, what may come to a surprise was how he did so. Aleister shifted his weight the left, his hands bringing his blade to his left shoulder, before bringing down the blade to unleash a staggering slash, well out of reach of Rio, but why would he do this? At the same time, his limbs changed to reveal his true form. His legs were thin, elongated appendages, far too long for any normal beast, and his were no different.
From tip toe to finger tip, his reach had exploded to nearly 10 feet. The multiple steps that came broke down like this. The limbs would appear at the same time, shifting into their full lengths as intended. The legs however were in a crouched position, keeping Aleister at the same height as before, but his arms were fully extended. This extended range came out moments before the blade would line up with Rio's torso, an before one could blink his blade was inches away from tearing into the flesh of his foe. When coupled with the length of the blade itself, it would allow Aleister to cleave Rio in two, or at the very least split him open, as opposed to leaving a meager laceration by comparison. The shift had also moved the blade into only one hand, his free hand lingering back to impede any counter, should it come. So much was ready to trigger, so little stood between him and the various conditions being met to slay his enemy. Even with this surprise, if this was enough to fell this beast, disappointment wouldn't even begin to describe how he felt. Hopefully, that wouldn't be the case.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2021 23:32:15 GMT
He may have been heavily underestimating his newfound adversary, because of the sheer audacity one needed to possess in order to continue standing before the celestial luminescence that had grown, and would come to continually grow with every passing moment. Especially with the dazzling array of luminous points which twinkled eagerly within Rio's etheric domain. It must be natural for Aleister, considering the current circumstances would have stolen his physical perception, and only to observe a powerful radiance surrounding his field of view. However, for Rio this was just a trivial advantage amidst the mountain of factors which played into his favor.
In spite of that, it seemed that his opponent was able to manage a fair distance across from the point of his divine blade. Although, the consequences of doing even that were becoming soon to rear its ugly head. The ominous aura that shrouded his figure was formidable enough to create a divide against the surging ripples of force which generated from the captain, as though he had paved his own way to him. Rio could not help to admire the boldness he duly noted as Aleister began his oration, as the presumed stars which sparkled had only grown more erratic, and the metaphorical basin which was constantly filled with Ether currents had only grown that much more immense.
At that time, Rio would not allow his words of pompous length to continue anymore, as within not even the breadth of a moment lesser he began his assault upon Aleister. The initiative was in the hands of the Reclaimers Captain instead, as the shining of his domain unraveled from the seams with instantaneity. Following the numinous willpower, subsequently came the superluminal eruption of golden columns of light, flashing across the land and intending to assimilate Aleister into it. Dozens of them forged from the compression of superheated particles, and naturally the dualistic wave-particles stripped from the very radiance which lit the Heavens.
They all focused onto the vertex of which was his opponent, and at this point with its subsequent collision; causes a meteoric disaster that scorches the verdant sea. Rendering the flourishing world of Velgadoma into a smoldering husk of its halcyon days. Originating from the left and right of the captain, and even around his figure would these beams all incite at once. Rio would not hesitate to follow up with yet another attack shortly after unleashing his barrage of lasers. With one mechanical motion conducted with synchrony, he followed through with his blatantly prepared thrust, generating an immense power from within his legs, and promptly lunging forward like a loaded spring.
The resting position of his trained Lafine simultaneously became a phantom of hyper velocity as he plunged his arm forward, intending to minimize the distance between himself, Aleister, and his gleaming assault; sealing the fight with a decisive collision.
The ivory blaze that coated the silver blade flared linearly into the presumed trunk of his opponent, if there had been anything left of it. Its divinity seared the most formidable of magical defenses, and with an overwhelming turnover such as this one; it was sure to wither away feasibly. The flames in its honed state would torch through Aleister as did the point and edge of Lafine, and consequently came an acrid shockwave during its impact. Melting innards, torching him into charcoal; Rio utilized every possible option he could in order to ensure the sound conclusion of this battle. However, he knew to remain circumspect of the possibilities, and yet, to match the brashness of his opponent; he indulged himself all the same.
That was the thrill of a good fight.
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Post by Aleister Tepes on Mar 21, 2021 6:03:01 GMT
Before he could even swing his blade, moments after the last words left his lips, the brilliance of the sun had descended upon him. When? How? It was already so bright, but now, it was even worse than before. He already struggled to discern his surroundings but now there was nothing, well, nothing beyond the luminous glow of death. Of course, Aleister could not accept this, even in the passing thoughts of, "I'm about to get cooked", he could not evade, he could not endure the wrath of this assault, not longer than it would last. So, what could he do, how would he survive?
Beyond the sight of mortal eyes, Aleister was able to loosely gauge the intensity of the attack, and in that instance what was about to befall him. As such, he was able to put forth the only defense he believed possible to avoid death, to escape from the lustrous end cascading down upon him. There were multiple layers of this defense, a variety of factors deciding its success. The first is that the sword he wielded was more or less for aesthetic. That was not its true form, and much like Rio had discerned, it was more akin to an extension of himself. The blade was able to take forms of Aleister's choosing, and more than that, Aleister could decide upon the quantity. From the sheer size of the attack, the only way Aleister believed he could survive was to attack from all angles, well, at least, to meet the attack head on. From head to toe, from front to back, every inch of his surface, a blade came forth, though Aleister wouldn't manage anything more than a tip by the time of contact.
Of course, he'd have to hope it was enough, and that the continued extension of the blades would suffice. There was more of course, and the next thing to note was the ichor that had coated the blades. The showmanship that he had displayed, the viscous ichor that coated the blade he held in his hands also coated every blade that came from his body, as each blade was one in the same. This ichor was a concentrated aura that had previously radiated from Aleister, condensed so much it had taken a tangible form. As shown earlier, his aura was death itself, causing rot and decay, and was potent enough to create a divide between himself and Rio. When the two would collide, their conflicting natures would come to blows, and under normal circumstances, Aleister would lose outright. While the potency of his ominous aura and the divine radiance seemed to be on equal terms, the disparity in the sheer volume present was unquestionable. Was this the end then? Would his desperation be for not? Of course not! Seeing as he was stopped short of acting, he had something else to direct his Whispering Light towards. It was perfect, the ideal situation to overlap this instance with it, because he needed an instant for it to work.
Right at the point of impact, Whispering Light would converge four of his world lines, into this one point, for this one instance, increasing the presence of his Aura, and the amount of contact points his body had by a minimum of four times over. Naturally, little could prepare someone for such a sudden shift, for such a sudden swell and surge of presence, and Aleister believed this would hold true for Rio. With the disparity of intensity and volume now overcome, if not outright in Aleister's favor, the effect of his aura should over come the radiance of his luminous assault, resulting in the unraveling of its bonds, of its foundation and constitution, resulting in the dismantling of his attack. We're almost there, just a little longer till the finish line!
Aleister, having spoke his incantation to the second level, was still under its lingering effect, and as such, so would his defense. Transparent Abyss acted to create a literal ripple effect, acting to resonate and amplify actions to extremes. For example, if the wall in a room was struck, that damage would exponentially increase, but spread through every inch of the room. In the case of the second level, it would spread throughout the entire building, and in the case of this application, it would be the entirety of the space Rio had dominated. This assault was an extension of that domain, and, if it was to be dismantled as Aleister had envisioned it so, then, this effect would resonate throughout the entirety of Rio's domain of influence. The etheric bonds contained within his presence would fizzle out, the divine radiance would grow dull, rapidly fading out, and within moments the potency of his aura's effect would reach a magnitude so great it may very well kill Rio. It was only thanks to the conjuction of his aura, and Transparent Abyss, that this result was possible under these conditions.
The one thing left to address was the force of impact from the collision. With such a sudden surge of energy, a massive shockwave that would tear through the air would send Aleister flying. Being as light as he was, and essentially at the center of such an event, Aleister would be blown away. Even if he could have braced himself, he wouldn't be able to stay on his feet, so, as he was sent flying, Aleister would shift from the human facade he wore into the full form of his monsterous self.
The Mourning Red was a passive, one that would keep the human frailty of his facade protected from the initial shock of the collision. His organs would be kept from bursting, and senses from being completely destroyed, while he shifted in the fleeting moments that passed. Aleister would land on his feet, never once looking away from the aftermath of the event that had happened. When he finally came to a stop, several dozen meters away from where he had once been, Aleister righted his posture, standing a towering 11' even. With smoke rising from his body, Aleister finally spoke again, not waiting to see the aftermath of what had befallen the mighty warrior. His voice was coarse and gravelly, his word pained and forced from the ordeal he had just endured.
"I was deep in the Ragu, too deep in the sauce. I... Was wrong. Your place on my stage is more than welcomed. Truly, a wonderful performance. Tell me, if you're still alive, who you are?"
Aleister had learned his lesson though, no action, no second, no moment could be wasted. From the moment he has shifted he had began to intake ether into his body, and begin Grey Zero. This was taking ether into his body, and then converting it into nether, the affinities of his nature influencing it to do so. The nether then circulated through his body, the more he gathered, the quicker it circulated, and was being used to refuel his strength.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2021 18:26:14 GMT
On the battlefield, wagering one's life as though it is merely a bargaining chip was the lifestyle Rio had adopted back in his earlier years, when war was practically considered an anniversary event where some of the strongest came to test their merits for the right to possess political power. There were some who were too cautious, resulting in them growing massive armies to vicariously seize their victories. There were others who were far too reckless, laying down their lives wastefully to satisfy their hunger for a good fight. Their gratification came first, and the reward of absolute diplomacy came secondary. During those days, Rio was a devout enthusiast of the latter, and even now; standing in the face of someone who possesses a flawed, and yet, dualistic mind of both forms of ideal. He could see himself returning to his roots once more. The tides of this battle just became as spontaneous as it was immense. Aleister not only defied the certain death that eclipsed his means of escape, he did not allow that to falter his judgment, and with one snap battlefield tactic he had flipped the proverbial table upside down. Its escalation afforded his diligent sensory over the landscape around him, where he scrutinized the events as they unfolded, rendering them into his mindscape through the esoteric power of the Soul Eye.
His passively heightened conventional stimuli had transcended its practicality and entered into the conceptual gnosis which existed beyond physical faculties. In this case, the realm remained bare as though none of its stones were left unturned, and in this grid of hyper spacial awareness, Rio recognized the blatantly prevalent distortion that broke the natural laws as it were. Aleister's sudden amplification of his aura increased the caustic strength it already possessed, but also its influence to a magnitude of which managed to encompass the domain of conformed leylines that Rio feasibly maintained. Having risen to prominence as a range of brilliant beams converge into his position, assimilating their individual components into a substantial impact directly into Aleister. The phenomenal reaction which became of this was something that not even Rio quite expected for a "double or nothing" maneuver, but it impressed him nonetheless. The degeneration of etheric bonds which compacted the wave-particles, ancillary particles stripped from the atmosphere, complemented with such a precise governance over the ambient pressure, had brought forth a cataclysm. Its immediate diffusion from the volatile nature of this aura resulted in the thoroughly sewn seams which had tied these bonds together into swiftly unfurling.
And then, the lands of Velgadoma were truly engulfed in a divine radiance. The destructive mixture of unstable Ether currents and super charged particles spreading at such an unprecedented capacity brought forth an uncontrollable phase, where the ionized atomic particles and eruptive Ether undergo a mutually repulsive state, and consequently combust into a tremendous expansion of plasma and etheric discharge. Broadening across the landscape as the ground disintegrated before its catastrophic refulgence, becoming life-threatening for the both of them considering their positions being within its ground zero. However, in the event that Rio had noticed the subtle dysfunction with the nature of his prowess compared to Aleister's, the divine inferno that covered his figure -- courtesy of the veritable Lafine -- managed to mitigate the etheric impact which came with this practically continental detonation. The refined energies that dwelled within his stature had also flared outwardly as to contest this blast, and although not as sturdy as the former defense; allowed him not to become completely and utterly atomized. However, for Aleister, who was the sole proprietor and supernatural generator of this phenomenon. No matter the form that would have been undertaken in the midst all of this, more than likely suffered the cruel fate that Rio had dutifully abstained from.
Naturally, the rippling wave of force that carried scorching temperatures which disintegrated the hills of viridian, sends the captain and his adversary soaring across the bronze wasteland that rendered into physical perception moments after the dissipation of the blast. Rio firstly landed on his back, swiftly rolling upwards, and then plunging the length of Lafine into the ground once straightening himself during his brief time within the air. He stagnated his position twenty meters from the point of detonation, where the smoldering ashes with flickering etheric static enshrouded his previous position. Several damages were expressly visible across his stalwart body. Burn wounds were covering a great deal of his arms and torso, save for the scrapes brimming with his blood. And, for the most part, Lafine's divine flame became motes of ember. Its formidable protection was absent for the time being. However, Rio remained unwavering in spite of this. Unearthing the blade, he trained it to his side whilst he peered across the desert, where he would come to discern whether or not Aleister survived such a fierce explosion. At that thought, he began channeling the scarred leylines of the world into him, restoring the basin devoid of Ether at a stead pace.
"Whew~!" He sharply exhales, a sense of elation filling his heart. From the greater divide of distance between them, Rio still determined his adversary's signature, albeit wildly different than before. It was when he noticed that Aleister was still alive and figuratively kicking, that he somewhat rested with assurance that their battle was far from finished. From the Heavens, the yawning vortex broadened uninterruptedly, continuing to stretch across the desolate lands and eventually block out the sun with its steel colored mass. From there, a shadow is casted over the battleground and as if overseeing the battle, the presumed storm trembles with anticipation. His eyes shimmer with an aureate luminosity soon after the advent of darkness happened, the corners of his mouth transforming his wizened face into a more stern countenance. There was a subtle peacefulness that lingered within the atmosphere, neglecting the rise of temperature and the destruction laid out before it.
Given the sudden fluctuation of this battle, it was merely the calm before the storm.
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Post by Aleister Tepes on Apr 22, 2021 7:19:58 GMT
Hm, interesting. Despite the flamboyant start, it would seem that his once provocative adversary had fallen silent. This had held true since the moment of engagement, and while disheartening to Aleister, it was of little consequence now. Having assumed his natural state of being, shedding the Visage of Man and in turn revealing his true nature, Aleister felt no desire to speak anymore. Speaking in this state was tedious, forced, and worst of all, inarticulate. Conversing like this with someone who'd yet to respond to a single word once they started wasn't interesting to him in the slightest, but there was far more pressing matters to attend to.
The damaged sustain was greater than anticipated, but he was able to "heal" enough to continue. The trauma he'd sustained wasn't lethal, not yet at least, so it had to end quickly. Even with the stamina he had recovered, a drain out exchange is not favorable. Of course, from the amassing swell overhead, Aleister knew that desire would never come to pass. However, it seemed Aleister had the initiative this time. Unlike before, while he was gathering strength, it seems the once brilliant light of the mighty champion before him was little more than the flame flickering on the end of a candle. Smoldering embers waiting to be snuffed out. Of course, that storm that continued to grow over head was concerning. It was blocking out the sun, casting its grand shadow across the land, throughout the hills and valleys they fought in. No, that wasn't right. The once lush valley was smoldering ash now. The immediate area having been scorched in the inferno caused by that blast. The conditions where perfect, to push onwards even more.
No longer was Aleister keeping the Nether circulating through his body. His stamina was restored enough. No, now was the time to take action. If Rio had conquered the heavens in their confrontation, Aleister would conquer the Earth. From the Nether that was coursing into his being, it injected into the shadow cast by the storm overhead. Now, he would claim the land. In an instant, his will exerted over the entirety of the shadow, and the ether lingering over it was pulled into it, and into him. As an extension of himself, the shadow was essentially influencing the Ether to turn to Nether, and surge through Aleister at an astonishing rate. Ideally, the tables would have turned too quickly for Rio to prevent this, and now he'd have a taste of his own medicine. To fully explain this though, it was merely the use of two prominent abilities at once; Black Sin and Gray Zero. Gray Zero is what's collecting Ether and making it Nether, gathering and storing it into his body. Black Sin is allowing him to dominate the dimensions of their battlefield now. Normally, it would confined to indoor use, suited best for enclosed spaces, but the area he is dominating is... much looser to interpret. The shadow cast by the cloud, thay is the space being dominated by Black Sin. Not only that, but, it merely isn't the space on the ground either.
By definition, a shadow is a the darkness caused by an obstruction of light. A part of space seperated from rays of light. So, from the base of the clouds the the surface of the earth, the entire dimensions of that cast shadow become the prison to seal his foe! And, assuming all had gone as intended, the space would rapidly fill with a thick, black haze, a fog so dense light would not pierce it again. Of course, Aleister wasn't idly waiting for this. He had to keep Rio from interfering with this, so without hesitation, he attacked. In hand were the two massive slabs of sharpened iron, cleavers stained in dirt and clotted blood from battles long ago. Rushing forth, Aleister threw one of his two massive blades towards Rio, to where the lingering strength Aleister could feel was concentrated most. As it launched towards him like a speeding bullet, it's shape changed, turning to massive throwing star. It's force of its rotation, along with its speed, blew the lingering smoke and dust away, revealing Aleister's and Rio's physical positions. It would be from here Aleister could approach. Being much larger than Rio now, a staggering 11' tall, this blade left in his position was lowered to his waist. Both hands firmly grasped the hilt, right over left. His right hand was just under the hilt, whilst his left was just above the hilt, practically cupping it with the palm by sheer size of his hand. The blade changed from a slab of iron into a longsword, much like the one he had started with. The blade lined up parallel to the body, dipping forward ever so slightly as he approached Rio with growing urgency. There were no moments to rest, he could not be allowed to falter, he could not allow initiative to fall away. It was do or die, and by his name he would do!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2021 3:05:29 GMT
The enervation which came along with such an explosive reaction of Ether and the regeneration of his wounds, promptly cured itself through obtaining more primordial essence within his frame. It had not been shortly after his meridians received this power that the scrapes and burns seemed to diminish into nothingness; becoming generally healed for the most part. At that time, when Aleister had finally revealed his true form, and continued to congregate more energy to wield at his disposal; Rio stared almost indifferently as it unfolded. Rather, he was interested in what would have been attempted as the storm obviously dwelled overhead. As it reached its final phase, the leylines that were intended to fuel Rio were instead directed at the Heavens once again. But there were more, far more, until surrounding him within fifteen meters of undulating Ether. The etheric streams soared into the rolling clouds, and subsuming above the veil of obscurity which blocked the sun. It was concurrent with the sudden fluctuation of a golden aura brightening the contours of his body, allowing Rio to become more pronounced in the midst of this oppressive shade.
The silence which Aleister heard prior was ironically that calm before the storm. And now, just as he would regain his strength, an effigy of a hero basking in a sea of resplendent Ether stood before him once again. The storm in their midst had transformed into a dimly glowing cyclone, and the eye of its system appeared focus onto the battlefield they remained on not long after establishing substantial power into its mass. Infinitesimally thin, fulgurating streaks slither through the presumed hurricane, but there was no thunder or powerful wind currents to speak of. It seemed all too strange for weather of this nature to not possess either or, let alone with the forces of nature being presented right then and there.
Rio had been planning something. Aleister must have known this, but he must not have possessed the faculties to determine or interact with this looming threat. And it only served more of an advantage for the former than it can ever offer to the latter. Where his opponent thought to improvise on the usage of darkness and his corruption of neighboring leylines to dominate the atmosphere at large; the results would not be satisfactory. Before his willpower could impose itself onto the metaphysical currents around them, there was a distinct, and almost palpable static that could be felt. His position was compromised by a subtle field of numbing static that upon assaying to extend his numinous prowess outside of it; there was nothing. It would become a prevalent sensation if he tried to draw Ether from beyond a certain proximity of himself, as if he was trapped within a cocoon of etheric interference. That was loosely the phenomenon which had been occurring, but to much greater magnitudes. The storm categorically occupied the leylines throughout the landscape, save for the mental incantations Rio had been doing after their previous exchange.
And for the eldritch creature in particular, a spell that was cultivated over some time became an especially powerful and provocative threat. The loading and execution were relatively subtle, where his simple desire to trigger the magic lingering in the skies was simply sufficient enough to work. He was linked to the hidden formula manifested into the storm. Rio was an entrenched artillery that, without giving Aleister the time to attack, used the center of the cyclone as a muzzle to expel the accumulative power at its critical state into the battleground. Where he believed the sun did not reach, javelins of teal brilliance descend from the Heavens like a tumultuous downpour; encapsulating a hundred meters within a shower of divine stalagmites which are intrusive to magical defenses. There were thousands, sizing up along the lines of an evergreen tree comparatively. While Rio stood in the effective range of Shining Zok, there was nothing for him to be concerned of. Even as these columns of light intend to completely obliterate Aleister with the scorching prowess of its divinity along with the rest of these lands; it seemed that none of it was landing within Rio's proximity, where he remained unscathed.
The continuous rain of bolts occurred for no less than four seconds, but in this amount of time it was evident that his opponent surely would not survive. Although, from what he understood, Aleister was the kind to hold all kinds of surprises, and his demonic transformation was no less than a surprise in itself. While this was happening, Rio assumed a rather straightforward stance, leading with his right foot and having the left recede. It was ambiguous as to what this truly did for him in a moment like that, but he was not willing to show his hand yet. Things were taken with utmost caution, and if necessary, he would not allow Aleister to weasel his way out of certain demise.
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Post by Aleister Tepes on Apr 29, 2021 6:26:35 GMT
Not enough time, not enough time! Aleister had grossly miscalculated, the recovery of his opponent as well as the storm overhead. The range of Gray Zero was crippled, and Black Sin would no longer reach its resolution. The divine wrath came down from above before he could even begin his charge, at which point there was little hope to gain advantage once more. Curse thy weakness, for thy name is Inexperienced! Aleister was once again shown he was outclassed in dealings of the environment and of ether, and his inability to prevent these events are what shows it. Even so, he couldn't allow himself to crumble here. To retreat now was not an option, and so, he'd rush forward. His body structure shifted and changed, one eye sliding up to sit atop his head, the other centering in his face in the direction he last remembered Rio being. In the instant he could see, he changed shape again, his body seeming to be impossibly thin. It would come as no surprise that he could change his shape, he had clearly intended to do so before, but now he could show the true extent of his ability. Like flowing water, Aleister had two objectives in mind; Focus on Gray Zero and survive, and while Gray Zero would passively devour any energy it could, even fragmented crumbs of the divine fury that rained down, Aleister now required dexterity to succeed.
His blades had receded into his body, and to tuck and evade past each falling attack was beyond difficult, yet Aleister still pressed on. As thin as paper, and like a bat out of Hell, Aleister deftly maneuvered from where he was to where Rio had been. He knew, if he could make it, Rio would already be prepared to attack again, but Aleister couldn't turn back. His eye towards the sky only confirmed this, the fleeting seconds as the attack barraged the earth below, there was, however small it was, space around Rio not filled with the luminous death. This emptied space was closer to Aleister than the edge of the attack. As graceful as one could manage at his size, Aleister was managing. Even as these things rained down, there would be space between them. Their shape, the circumference, allowed Aleister to squeeze in the initial spaces left by those that had fallen and yet to touch. This wouldn't hold true of course. By sheer volume, the attacks would overlap, and those spaces would be filled. It was this fact that kept Aleister from coming unscathed, having pieces of his own body grazed. More accurately, severed. His own nature made him predisposed to this type of damage, and rather allowing it to touch his body, what would be grazed was severed from his flesh, discarded to avoid unforeseen, lingering effects that may afflict him should he allow it to touch. The greatest cost was his entire left arm, but he wouldn't merely discard it.
If he was to lose it, it may as well serve as a catalyst for Gray Zero. Seeing as Grey Zero couldn't manifest and condense outside his body, he couldn't reach its peak naturally. No, instead he would sacrifice a substantial portion of his own body, and force its power to raise even higher. This was done once again, the moment Rio had settled his foot in place, Aleister would emerge from Rio's left side, one arm and leg gone, chunks of flesh missing from his already thin body. The swords that had rescinded into his being shot out like bullets. They appeared from where his missing limbs had been, surely a startling sight that he had not only survived, but that he could do even this. These flexible appendages would tear into the supple flesh of his adversary, should they reach. It was evident that the radiant aura that once surrounded Rio had yet to return, and so it would come down to flesh versus flesh. Despite healing, even as mighty as he may be, flesh would always yield to the blade. What would ensure, should his attack pierce his body, Rio would suffer more than just once. Aleister had released Gray Zero. Instead of discharging it as a blast, his immense physical strength would explode to new heights, and afford him the strength and speed to blindside Rio.
He couldn't take the risk of discharging a blast and missing. Even at this range, allowing all of that gathered energy to be wasted would ultimately lose him this battle. The gathered energy would begin to burn through itself, giving him a minute of unprecedented physical prowess. In an instant, he'd be on Rio, the blade in his arm gunning to run through his throat, the other in his leg curving to tear his stomach open. His body was reinforced by Gray Zero, dense, heavy, coming in like a freight train to run Rio down. At this rate, even if it would kill him, he'd bring Rio to the grave with him. The resulting collision would naturally result in death, crushing bones and rending Rio in pieces. Even if it didn't, and Rio was able to keep trucking, Aleister was more than prepared to slug it out, to drag this into the smoldering earth if need be.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2021 19:16:10 GMT
There were no words to be exchanged between the two combatants, and yet, Rio felt that Aleister's determination had been conveyed magnificently. Despite the oppressive range of Shining Zok, he was nothing short of a genius to manipulate anatomical structure to make evasive maneuvers around the spearheads of light. It was a tactic that only a creature of his intelligence could work into this current state of affairs, but the true question was: would this be enough? Where Aleister sought to weave past the projectiles with a litheness that presumably left no room for error. Rio literally saw the error in his ways, and it was with an indiscriminate discretion in which he sought capitalize on this fatal mistake. Although the shape of his opponent proved to become a difficulty for the effective, and yet, linear range of Shining Zok. The spell in itself became merely an obstacle for Aleister to overcome, whereas Rio perceived it as a golden opportunity to work swordsmanship into the battle, and for what may be its decisive conclusion. Not long after the creature began making its elusive movements toward Rio, the overflowing Ether that arose from the wastes and the atmosphere around his person was a prevalent factor that could not remain unchecked. Let alone the subtle positioning of his feet just moments before Aleister made an all-or-nothing dash through the spell of divine sundering. If it was not already apparent with the bare Lafine trained to his side, Rio was prepared to face this opponent before now. However, as indoctrinated by the Tiger of the Sword, Masashi and his teachings found itself living vicariously through the patience of this captain.
And just as Aleister broke the threshold of his previous position, entering a few feet into the several meters of irascible Ether that surrounded Rio's position. That was where his carefully timed technique would employ, leaving no escape from its range nor effectiveness. If Shining Zok was believed to be the end all be all, then "this" was the nail that sealed the coffin forever. The etheric signatures encompassing Aleister flared erratically, and noticeably becoming an unstable array of currents in which presented telltale signs of danger. However, as this happened; it would have been all too late for Aleister to pull back now. Ensnared within the trap that Rio deftly laid out for him. Although he had not moved his sword an inch from where it was positioned, the world manifested trenchant edges of Ether diffused into finite points of space. It was a technique that did not require the draw of a weapon, neither was it necessary to get into a stance. Some could say the "preparations" prior was just an elaborate ruse, but that was the essence of this discipline. A blade that has no structure; a swordsman that needs no sword and as aptly described, "A man who wields the world as his edge."
Such was the Formless Style. The controlled Ether diffusion that was employed made dozens of acrid blades of Ether surround Aleister's orientation, and its circumference accommodating for far more than just his measly body alone. Its instantaneous shift into corporeality created an incisive vacuum of air that would almost magnetically attract his opponent into each one respectively. From the horizontal pairs of two that covered the front and back, and lastly complemented by pairs of three angularly compromising the sides. In retrospect, it was an assault intended to overwhelm Aleister. And not before long of contact being made, the scalding edge of these slashes would have severed and seared the creature concurrently. Collectively erupting into a clamorous geyser of vitriolic Ether thereafter. And while this may as well have spelled the end of Aleister, Rio would not compromise his victory by just the Formless Style alone. While some of his mental partitions were immersed in the use of this technique, when the etheric blades manifested he used celeritous footwork simultaneously with the winding of the sword, and explosively swung to his unguarded side. In the wake of such a straightforward attack, the ambient and etheric currents molded around the shape of force which flung from his edge. A highly concentrated shockwave supplemented by both constants respectively, brought for the immediate destruction of the already dilapidated landscape across from him. Excavating a valley-like indention into the ground as it traveled, the very point of this approaching slash would have soon collided into the subsequent combustion of the Formless Style technique.
At that juncture, Rio quite feasibly breasted the dissonance from the atmospheric disturbances, and because of the aura intimately clung against his frame; it was like a gentle breeze in contrast. The result of an implosion that collapsed the magnetic forces concavely into Aleister left the presumed end of this battle officially determined in his perspective. Where the catastrophe ensued, and the remnants of his opponent remained to be seen. Rio found this creature to be a true warrior, possessing a spirit that very few could have comprehended. From beginning to end, Aleister was a worthy opponent. If there was ever a chance for them to meet once again, when the battle had long since completed.
He would have loved to know his name.
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Post by Aleister Tepes on May 3, 2021 18:03:52 GMT
Defense; Impossible. Evasion; Impossible. Death; Imminent. Aleister was, for the first time in a long time, was reminded what it meant to die. The end was approaching him from all angles, like a firing squad having pulled the triggers, with a guillotine dropped on his neck after, as insurance. No. This isn't the end. He refused to believe it. The energy, even if taken into him, wouldn't be enough to defend against every blow, and to defend against something like this, this dangerous unknown, was not a luxury that could be afforded to him. No, Gray Zero needed even more power, now. The moment he stepped into the range of Rio assault, he knew the trap was sprung, so, in an instant the two blade like appendages vanished, and in their place, nothing. No, their sacrifice resonated throughout Aleister's entire body as the Nether accumulated from Gray Zero underwent exponential growth. The very instant after, it was released. Like a nuclear blast, there was no warning, no subtlety, only death. Results that cost a literal arm and a leg, the only way to overcome the disparity in technique would be to do so with overwhelming force. Once again, Aleister was reminded just how sloppy he was, how inferior he was, and that infuriated him. He could not fail, he could not die. He could not let Mr. Valery perish just yet. So, the Netheric blast that came from his being, what exactly would it do? Well, when coupled with his own influence, life would start to end. Living flesh, organic life, reduced to little more than wilting flowers. Husks and shells of dried flesh and splintered bones. All other things in its effective field of influence reduced to dust, completely severed and destroyed at their foundations. That is to say, whatever was within Aleister's immediate range suffered this fate.
In an instant, more than half the valley was engulfed in the dark abyss that was Aleister's influence, the sickening blight that corrupted and defiled all. Naturally, the Formless Style seems like the perfect counter to such a desperate ploy, and, to say otherwise would be an outright lie. Of course, Aleister had little other choice, to have made the physical defense, the etheric blades around him would skewer him, and a linear blast results in the same. He had to eradicate everything around him, so completely there would be no hope of opposition to follow. But, that isn't what matters here. Aleister believed there had to be a limit, there was a limit to how far this trap could go, and hopefully, his attack would meet that threshold. There is a physical component that followed, after all, this was a genuine detonation of highly condensed energy. The earth beneath them fragmented, and the valley itself was carved out, a gaping hole that decimated the area came with the ethereal effects of Gray Zero and Aleister's influence. The etheric blades that were to pierce him were completely overwhelmed by Gray Zero. Rio's physical strength was checked by the concussive force of the blast, while forced to endure Gray Zero's vile effects as well. The natural reactions the world had to endure from such a discharge of energy, the heat, and other such forces acting on the world, left the entirety of the crater carved into the valley a smoldering husk of charred earth and melted stone.
The village that Aleister had come from would not be spared from this affliction either, the tremors and shockwaves easily reaching, shattering glass, eardrums, incapacitating those of a moderate constitution, and outright killing others. Though, Aleister and Rio were right in its center. Aleister being its source, Rio staring it down beyond what could be rationalized as point blank range. For him, at this intensity, Aleister would be baffled if Rio's bones weren't shattered and organs weren't burst. If Rio's body was not charred or reduced to ash. He was tough, more powerful than Aleister could have imagined, but surely, there had to be limits. Any other person, he'd have believed reduced to nothing but dust, but time and time again, Aleister had left little impression on Rio's defenses, so total annihilation was surely a possibility, but… it seemed unlikely given what had occurred between them so far. Alas, if all had gone as desired, the curtain would fall and so would Aleister. Down an arm and a leg, his body splintered, even crumbling in some places. Whatever was left of Rio would be nowhere near him, and the show would have ended. There would be no applause, there would be no triumphant celebration. Aleister was too tired for such a thing. No, Aleister would do what any other performer would do, and come to regret never learning the name of such a fine man.
"Truly a waste, the curtain fell too soon for him. Be at rest… oh mighty Beast of the World."
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