soul_logs | [Open] Still a Shadow

Characters: Oswald and whomever crosses him
Location: Park - Training Grounds
Rating: PG-13
Time: April 26th, Evening
Description: Oswald further examines and exercises with his Meister Ability, testing the boundaries of how far it can go before he's nearly consumed by darkness.

In the darkness, his paced, ignoring the Moon grinning down upon Death City. He was agitated again, but not by the recent behavior of the citizens. Nay, it was a matter more personal and troubling to him. Stopping in the shadows, he raised a hand before his face, feeling his chest ache as it did in Erion. There was a lack of red from his Belderiver, but his eye did glow as he allowed the black flames to rise around his hand and move up his arm. As they lapped at his shoulder, he willed it away with more difficulty than he would like.

With his connection to death and this city's 'theme', it was all no better than the rulers back home before they fell. How convenient to get their hands on the power from the Netherworld lingering in his soul.

"... That device couldn't relieve me of this curse. Perhaps I was right... and yet..."

He was being used, but he couldn't bring himself to care about it. His concern extended past the bounds of this conflict and back home where he wanted to be. Was she still well? He hadn't seen her before arriving here.

Shaking his head, he turned and stepped out of the shadows, approaching the lone training figure that he had earlier requested to be left behind. Despite the pain erupting from his chest again, he raised his hands and allowed the black flames to engulf both arms again before he lashed out, ripping into the wooden dummy. When the darkness threatened to consume him entirely by lapping at his neck, he stepped back, panting. This wouldn't be enough. He required more training... He needed to acquire a Weapon for one of these missions against something alive.

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Well, this was interesting to say the least- this one enabled his dark magic. That idea he had kicking around his head of amassing a group of Meisters on-call that enabled as many different kinds of magic as possible wasn't yet perhaps a pipe dream after all!

But Lezard noticed that spark of pain, and what came next was nearly immediate, a rush of shadow that threatened very nearly to engulf his soul had he not been quick enough to seek a 'foothold' and anchor himself in his own sanity. It felt as if he were in a rushing river hanging on to a treebranch- his hold was unsteady, this sensation new. With a spark, his soul worked to synch with his and hold Oswald's being steady as well.

"Such an immense build in power... yet it feels so natural. Strike the dummy- I wish to see the difference with my own eyes!" Oh, this entire state felt unsafe, but it was immensely thrilling...!

That's what he thought. BREW had left him with his power, but control over his mind wasn't a gradual loss as before. If this didn't improve, what would the end results be? Would he become a Revenant still?

The dark flames continued to rise, but slower. There was something else holding them back and for a moment, he managed to sense Lezard. Ah, so, Oswald required a Weapon as well to remain sane longer.

"..." Sword raised, he struck the wooden dummy several times over, blade ripping through the wood with each successive strike, never slowing down once. When the darkness neared his throat, he drew back, willing them away. Weapon or not, in battle, his ability would spread faster.

Lezard watched as passively as he could, his focus more upon keeping the shadows at bay and preserving his mind as well. Yet as the shadows seemed to leak into that soul space he felt a little stronger, his thoughts flowing in a manner only slightly beyond normal. Were these shadows augmenting his abilities as well?

Yet it was like the buzzing of insects in his ears, a rushing sound and a far-off scream. He shook his head to clear it.

"Pull back," he urged. If it was affecting him so, he could only imagine to what end this was affecting the mind and soul of the Meister.

"'Tis a pull upon my sanity as well as yours, it seems. Short bursts would appear to be best before further training to determine one's limits. ...But seeing how smoothly you withdrew, it would appear you're rather used to this."

Which only brought him back to his original question... what was Oswald? Hmm.

"... BREW has merely weakened me. Nothing more."

He wasn't going to divulge anymore about already having this ability. If this wizard was clever enough, he could figure it out on its own. Oswald looked down at the sword still in his hand and raised it again. It flashed through the air as he cut the dummy's head off.

Done with this exercise, he let the sword sink into the ground.

The blade dissolved into smoke once it hit the ground, an impressed note flying free of the blue soul that nestled at Lezard's core.

"It has weakened us all. Though it matters little if one were to train it. ...Hm. I have need of Meisters, nevertheless, and your Ability appears to be perfect for eradicating the demon threat here. Why stop at a dummy when you could turn your power toward doing a little good, hm?"

He was not surprised at the request. Not even a request really; it was more of a lure.

"... I have been meaning to see these Kishin eggs for myself. If you are the Weapon I must take, so be it."

Damn straight it's a lure.

"It would be a pleasure working with you, Sir Oswald."

He hate for wizards cannot grow anymore.

"Hm..." He closed the book and held it to the side. Lezard could change back now.

That certainly sounds like a personal problem, Mr. Sunshine.

The book closed and held to the side, Lezard took that as a cue to change back. His soul withdrew, and with that the book jumped and changed shape once more. He dipped into a cordial bow upon his success.

"Then I bid you goodnight. Surely I need not tell you to take care in your return to your quarters, what with this 'Lunatic' nonsense going on."

He's really restraining himself right now. If he didn't want to do that mission right now, he would punch Lezard.

"This is the first I have heard about this 'Lunatic'. It is none of my concern." Though, if some 'lunatic' attacked Oswald, he was going to kill them.

"Of course." You would be doing Death City a service if you did, Oswald. Lunatic has been a troublesome one.

Lezard straightened up and dusted off his coat. With no other business in the park, it was time to head back to Casualty Communal and retire to his studies. The history of Death City was a fascinating one, indeed...

[Open] Still a Shadow

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