soul_logs | Phase 3: Mission 153

Entry tags:

Phase 3: Mission 153

Characters: Grand Canyon mission goers, victims, medics
Location: Grand Canyon
Rating: R
Time: Feb 5, 2009, mission starts at dawn
Description: Event links list.

The scouts had done their jobs well and the mirror deposits its travelers just at the end of the area Shibusen has closed off as their mission target. It's still dawn, the sun barely visible over the horizon. The witches hasn't noticed them there yet, the scouts say, so it's still possible to take them by surprise.

This is what the agents are told: In the rock face of the Grand Canyon is a cavern system made up of many small caves and three large ones. The large caves contain a kishin egg pit, the kidnapped agents and civilians, and what appears to be a machine at one end. There are about five dozen zombies crawling the area, and an equal number of ants, spiders, and ravens on top of it.

Worst of all, the scouts report that they had sighted a few of the agents patrolling for the Witches. The scouts hadn't been certain if these ones had soul perception or other abilities, and had given the area as much space as they could in order to avoid an early confrontation. Still, it's bad news and it looks like a fight with some of the kidnappees themselves is inevitable.

Not much time is given to the agents after the briefing before they're being ushered into place. A few scouts are going to be causing a commotion some distance away to distract the familiars and zombies, clearing a path for the agents. After that, it's all up to them.

[ooc: Just put up your own threads with the subject line [Characters][Feeding Cave/MMM Cave/Kishin Egg Pit/Elsewhere][Open/Close]
Kidnappees can go thread in the caves while waiting for the rescuers, too.
For those who want to thread with a witch, please add it in the subject line so we know where to go!
This day change will be one week irl.
The mirror will stay open for anyone who needs to be rushed back to the medics.
For those handwaving, please put your summaries here for the meister points and soul tally record.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[As loyal as the devil who's after a poor soul.

He raises an eyebrow when Takuto draws close like that but doesn't strike out yet. There is a little shying back when he is touched - he doesn't like it when he is being touched and the other is obviously not like himself. They must have done something with him.

His eyes dart toward the sword that is still left in the redheads hand for a moment. Takuto and maybe Chrono as well.. Was it too late to save them? He'll have to try and see.

Not ready to give up yet, he catches Takuto's hand with his own.] I told you that you are my first contractor, didn't I? A contract means that we are bound to each other for life. [He intertwines their fingers, red eyes meeting Takuto's ruby ones.] I am not one who goes back on his word Takuto. You fought hard to call my your prize, now you have to carry me as well.

[Drawing his hand up to his face, he nuzzles his cheek against it.] Now that I have you, how could I let you go?

[For a long moment, Takuto is frozen, caught between two very different desires. His body feels like it's on fire, but he can't tell whether he burns more for a fight or just for the demon himself. He wants to fight Aion, oh yes, and deny the kind of responsibility the weapon is trying to give him, but he also wants to press him against the wall and remove every bit of bloodstained armor, piece by piece.

But no... there is something of a battle going on right now.... The fighting won't last forever, but playing with Aion can wait.]

I don't have to do anything. I'll use you how I please--and if you don't like that... [His lips curl in a smile as he strokes his fingertips firmly across Aion's jaw and simultaneously tightens his grip on his sword.] I'll just have to fight you again.

[For a moment something within Aion is hit and he wants to lash out at him. To show him a cruel face that is twisted enough to hide the sadness in his eyes and make the words 'Oh, so you are going to betray me as well' into a threat rather than a sign of hurt.

But he knows better than to do that.

Playing by his emotions has never helped him in the past and he doubts that doing so will help him here. Forcing himself to remain calm he casually turns his head to the other side with a cocky smile and blocks Takuto's attempt to stake claim at the same time.] Oh? Again? You know that I could have killed you before, had that been what I wanted.

[He steps two strides back, not letting go of the redhead's hand. Spreading his free hand to the side in a gesture that could be a release or an invitation, he adds.] Whatever you wish to do with me, the price will be the same, oh contractor of mine.

That was then, and this is now.

[He watches Aion, letting him take his hand but not budging his feet an inch. This was his weapon, and all he needs to hear are the words 'whatever you wish to do with me' to be satisfied.]

Transform.

[It's a command. His eyes meet Aion's steadily to demand obedience.]

[His eyes slide to the other Weapon that is still in Takuto's hand. Chrono had said nothing so far, but that doesn't have to mean that he had remained silent.

Only that he hadn't chosen to speak to him yet.

He finds himself distracted by the question of why. Is his brother in his berserk state again? Is he just mad at him? Is he scared? Or did they do the same to him that they had done to his other partner and he is thinking of him an enemy now?

The thought brings a smile to his lips as he ignores Takuto's request. It's funny because he doesn't think that whatever they could have done would be able to turn his brother any more against him than he already was to begin with. There is plenty of irony in this twisted constellation of a meeting.]

[Takuto notices exactly where Aion's eyes go, and it pisses him off. Aion is completely ignoring him and his command. He turns away suddenly, snatching back his hand and stomping back the way he had come.

He's angry at Aion for disobeying like that, for not wanting to fight him or do as he says, and for being so dangerous and enticing even in this dim light. But right now he's angrier at Chrono, at the beserk weapon in his hand, humming through his wavelength with a bloodlust that Takuto can't ignore--that Aion won't ignore, even though he's ignoring Takuto....

With an angry shout, he throws the weapon down the tunnel and into the darkness, laughing as he hears the metal clang again and again on the rocky floor. There might have been a narrow flight of stairs that way, too.

He turns back to Aion, picking up the sword he had left against the wall earlier, and points it towards Aion's throat even though he's still a few steps away. His other hand opens, mocking Aion's earlier gesture.]

Transform, and be wielded.

If you don't obey, I won't have any use for you.

...! [Aions yes have narrowed dangerously when Takuto returns and repeats his demand. Crazy or not, Chrono is his brother and he won't be standing anybody treating his family like this.

His tail lashes through the air once like that of an angry cat as he regards the hand.

Takuto has made a mistake.]

You have no use for me? [Stepping close enough to rest his hand on the blade of Takuto's outstretched sword, he laughs mockingly.] It's rather the opposite, I'd say. If you keep insisting on acting like that I will have no longer any use for you.

[He's going to make Aion pay for his insubordination, and thus he's more than happy to accommodate the demon's desire for a fight. For the first time in his life, Takuto is ready to do some real damage, to break something irreparable, to paint the cold walls a bloody red. It'll be the last time Aion ever dares to look down on him.

Either the demon will be dead, or he'll be too broken to stand.

With a flick of his wrist, Takuto turns the blade's edge, attempting to slice open Aion's outstretched palm. The point right now is not to maim--it's just to give the demon a stinging taste of what was to come, and to get a glimpse of a thin, crimson line, perhaps a drop or two of fresh blood. He steps back with a grin.]

Then it's settled. Hell is where you belong, and I'll take pleasure in sending you there.

[He could have drawn his hand back quickly, but he intentionally doesn't. The cut the blade leaves him with stings and bleeds lightly as he draws his hand back to inspect it, but as expected it didn't manage to end in any damage that is more than superficial from such an angle.

Shrugging, he holds Takuto's eyes. behind his back his wings unfurl lightly; not enough to be used for flight, but enough to be fully mobile and a danger not to be ignored with the nasty hooks their thumbs end in.]

Sorry, but I already was there. You should really listen more what I tell you. They got scared of me taking over, that's why I had to leave in the first place. By the way...

[He doesn't know what to feel about this open betrayal, but he knows one thing for sure. He doesn't like to have people trying to clip his wings. He won't let himself be tied down anymore, won't believe any stories without a good reason and won't take anymore orders that he does not agree with! If Takuto has changed enough that he thinks that he can reign him like that then Aion isn't going to mourn after him.] -that's not how you do the hand-trick in a battle.

[With that he suddenly leapt forward, aiming to knock the other's blade to the side with the armored backof his hand.]

Edited 2012-03-30 02:20 (UTC)

[Takuto knows he's at a disadvantage with only one sword, but for the moment he doesn't care. He close enough to where he met up with Chrono that he could likely find the plain sword he exchanged for the demon weapon if he has to give ground in the battle.

Not that he's intending to give any ground yet. He drops the tip of his blade to keep it from getting knocked aside, stepping slightly forward as the sword changes hands, giving him a better angle for his next attack: a diagonal slice ending in a jab at the demon's abdomen.]

[He ducks past the attack as he rushes close. His fingers are crooked into deadly claws and he knows that there's no way for him to evade the blow in time. Under normal circumstances he would just let it hit him and trust on his natural ability to heal stab wounds like that within moments, but this world is not like his home and he can't heal anymore here.

So he does the next best thing and leaps upwards, using the metal guard of his lower leg to block most of the blow. There is an ugly screech as metal scrapes against metal and he can feel the blow vibrate through his bones but he keeps moving forward, flapping his wings once for extra momentum as he slashes for Takuto's neck and face.]

Traitor!

[He hurries backwards, bending his upper body out of the way almost in the nick of time. A single claw grazes his cheek, drawing a red line. It stings, but it won't slow him down in the slightest. His smile remains fixed in place. He's having a wildly good time now that they both drawn blood.

He regains his balance with one more step backwards, rocking down onto his heel for a powerful upward slash that will, with any luck, lop off Aion's hand.]

Funny, coming from you!

[Once again he has to use his wings in order to get himself into a better position. His tail lashes forward at the same time as he leans back, desperately trying to counter that slash.

It still hits, leaving a nasty gash that runs over his left shoulder and a new cut in his long ears that bleeds profusely. BAcking off, Aion ignores the wet feeling of blood that is trickling from his tail as well where Takuto's blade had found one of the blind spots between the joints that made it up. It hurt but it's not enough to count as any heavy damage, so he just grins and wipes the blood away from his face where it had gotten into it.

He has yet to draw his sword.]

I never turned against anybody who hasn't forfeited me first. But it's funny that you out of all people should call me out on that. What happened to your promise to accept me as I am?

[Takuto laughs again.]

Oh, I still accept you, Aion. [He walks backwards, keeping his eyes trained on his bleeding opponent. He'll need another sword if he wants to do more than give the demon paper cuts. He cocks his head to the side as he considers his partner.] I don't even think I really want to kill you.

[He'd make such a better toy if left alive.]

But even if I don't kill you, I can't really have you flying around and causing me trouble~

[Joining the laughter he straightens up and slips into a proper sword fighting stance. He hasn't transformed one of his arms just yet, but it is obvious that he is going to do it soon.]

I'll have to disagree with that. Well then... Let's see what a hatchling who can't even fight without having to hold onto a broom so that he won't fall flat on his face can do to me, shall we?

[He makes a gesture with his head to show that he isn't going to attack Takuto while he's searching for a second weapon.] Go and get your second crutch.

[He grinds his teeth together at Aion's words. If he hadn't been close enough to his second sword, he would have abandoned the attempt just to spite the demon.]

Still hung up about being no better than a broom, are you?

[But he hates the feeling that he gets when he finally takes hold of that other sword. And now he's angry at Aion again, because he's supposed to feel triumphant and more powerful when he's dual wielding, and instead he feels like he's weak for it.

He takes his stance as well, eyes narrowing. Maybe he does want to watch the demon die....]

Cats and kings, Takuto. Cats and kings. Maybe I have spoiled you too much lending my blades to you again and again.

[Beneath the smiling facade he is angry; angry and hurt. Clip his wings? It's the one thing he would never ever let happen again! Having his greatest desire made fun of by somebody he has started to trust is both insult and injury in one and the more emotional part of him wants to punish Takuto for it the same way that he had punished Chrono - just that the puny human had no horns that he could tear off. Well, maybe he should go with one ear or two so that he couldn't hear his beloved 'voice of the world' anymore instead.

Pushing the thought out of his head, he signs Takuto to come at him.]

Youth before experience.

[Takuto hardly waits for the gesture, stepping forward quickly to close the distance between them so Aion is in range of his swords. He'll show the demon whether he was spoiled or not--Takuto has been fighting without Aion for years and he doesn't need some kind of fancy weapon with a mind of its own trying to disagree with him.]

I'm better off without your dull edge! [He aims high and low at the same time, his right sword aiming straight for a horizontal slash across Aion's eyes while his left jabs towards his legs. And he's still moving in closer, trying to push Aion back towards the wall.]

It's true that Takuto has been fighting for long and it shows in his skills as he rushes the demon. The way he is coming at Aion is leaving him no way to properly dodge; but that's not the demons intention.

Takuto may be used to fighting battles, but so is Aion. There is only one difference between their fighting styles: what is an exception for Takuto is the norm for Aion and so the demon doesn't hesitate when he reaches behind his back and pulls out the revolver (a gratuitous gift from a MMM'ed Shibusen citizen who would never need it again after crossing the Sinner's path) that he had hid in a makeshift holster beneath his wings. His eyesight has still not properly recovered, but there is little to worry about with how close the human has come within the few moments getting the weapon had taken him.

Aiming for Takuto's chest, Aion pulls the trigger.

[Reacting purely on instinct and shock, he uses his upper sword to shove the revolver to the side, knowing it's too late to move his body out of the way. His sword connects with the gun at the same moment the bullet leaves it, sending the shot to the side.

It's deflected enough to spare Takuto's life and lungs, but not enough to miss. The bullet sinks into his shoulder just underneath his collarbone, a sharp pain streaking through the entire area with a short spray of blood. Breathing heavily and gritting his teeth, he forces himself to refrain from pressing a hand to the slowly leaking wound.

He'll just have to hurry up and kill Aion.

An instant later, he's continuing his attack with his other sword, swinging it upwards and trying to drive the blade into one of the gaps in Aion's chest armor.]

[They are close enough that some of the blood hits him as well and Aion grins wildly at the feeling of it, revealing his full demonic nature and baring his fangs in a display of passion.

The distraction was enough to block Takuto's attack successfully and the demon uses the chance to change his stance, just enough to turn the new attack into a shallow cut rather than a deadly blow. The Sinner lets out a low laugh as his blood starts to stain the ground of the cave once more, mingling with that of his Meister.]

Not bad. For a human, that's not bad at all. [Under normal circumstances the wounds that Takuto had given him would have healed already but here he is left with their unpleasant stinging and a pain he forces himself to ignore. It's another sign of his weakness.] But now it's my turn, little one!

[He raises his right arm brings it down as if he means to backhand Takuto with it, only to change it into a deadly blade that is coming down with a crushing force that is aimed for Takuto's chest once more. At the same time he moves forward, shifting one of his wings as if he were meaning to land a follow-up blow with it when in reality his tail is coming from below his left side, aiming for any careless opening Takuto might give himself if he tries to block or evade.]

[He hates being called "little one" but the pain in his shoulder keeps him from making any kind of reply. It's sharp and piercing, and it's only made worse because he can still feel that there's something--a bullet, actually--lodged in there.

He raises a sword to defend against Aion's hand, eyes widening a moment later when the hand becomes a blade and he's defending a little too high. He shoves the sword forward to meet Aion's before it can reach his chest, adrenaline hitting his system as their swords clash together and he can feel the ringing clang all the way up through his arm and into the bullet wound in his shoulder. His other sword is moving to protect against the wing, and he only manages to see the sharp tail at the last moment. He attempts to kick it away, slicing his leg in the process.

He's panting heavily now that he's wounded, but the pain is starting to be drowned out in a strange concentration. He's focused on attacking Aion, on beating him down and winning this fight. It's... not quite as fun now that he's been shot, but he can deal with it. He'll show Aion how tough he is by pinning the demon down despite having a bullet in him.

His next move is to go after the demon's gun--to remove his long-range advantage. He slashes at the tail, sweeping upward with the strike to slice at the demon's wings and perhaps his torso as well if it gets in the way. With his other sword, he aims straight for the hand with the revolver.]

[He jerks his tail back immediately, evading the strike that would have otherwise cleanly chopped off it's deadly end and lashing it wildly in the other direction. It looks as if his wing is going to take the hit but then it suddenly lit up and transformed into the blade-shape of Aion's Weapon form, catching the blow and blocking it despite the odd angle it was coming from. At the same moment his hand had turned back and he quickly withdraws it.

Taking a step back and turning with the blow, he is forced to move along with it, letting Takuto push him closer towards the wall for an instance. With the revolver out of his grasp and their both sight, it looked as if the tides of the battle had turned.

Despite this the Sinner was still smirking.] Do you know what your problem is, Takuto?

[Takuto moves in to press his advantage. Aion has no place to retreat to, and he knows he can't continue too much longer with his shoulder in the state it's in. He's got to at least cripple Aion, and quickly.

He keeps his sword pressed against the bladed wing, keeping it occupied while he aims a zig-zagging slash that starts with Aion's eyes and, if all goes well, will end with horizontal gashes just above Aion's knees.]

I'd say you're the one with a problem right now. [Despite his words, he's gritting his teeth and practically hissing through the pain in his shoulder and now his leg is becoming drenched in a wet heat that can only be blood.]

[He ignores the jibe and brings his tail forward once more to block the blow. He can't transform his arm into a blade as well because that would undo the transformation of his wings (and he would like to keep that one in a piece, thank you very much) so he improvises - and catches the edge shortly after it cuts his cheek with his arm after he reinforced it by winding his tail around it. his tail who has grasped the revolver like an awkward tentacle. He smirks as metal hits metal once more. Licking the blood from the corner of his lips, he continues his tiny lecture.]

You keep thinking of me as you would of a human.

[With that he starts his counterattack. Using his free hand to try and catch Takuto by his collar (right next to the bullet wound), he aims a kick at his already injured leg. At the same time he uses his free wing as a lever against the wall in his back and pushes them both forward.]

Phase 3: Mission 153

hope this is okay for you like this! if not tell me and I'll change it!

no, I definitely approve. >˽<

8D!!

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I think that's it for this log?