[Open] Still a Shadow

[ashadowofhope]

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.

Comments

[kill_some_time]

He gave him a curious look. That much open dislike of his presence was unusual in this place.

"Does my appearance disturb you?"

[ashadowofhope]

It wasn't only at this dark figure. Oswald held some contempt towards Kid simply for being the Shinigami.

"You remind me of someone who I want to forget."

[kill_some_time]

He chuckled under his breath.

"Is that so? I guess I would remind everybody but an infant or a fool of something." Tilting his head lightly to the side, he decided to deviate some from the usual game and make the first move of introducing himself for once. "They call me Hades, which translates into "the unseen". I am the Lord of the Underworld, albeit not of this place."

[ashadowofhope]

Underworld, Netherworld, the name may be different, but he was right to suspect. He would not know of the Queen by the sounds of it at least, nor of him which Oswald may prefer to remain as such.

"Nor of mine. The ruler of the Netherworld was Queen Odette."

[kill_some_time]

"Some people see me as a woman." He still sounded amused, but then he dismissed the topic with a graceful shrug of his shoulders that made the feathers that grew there sway and rustle.

"Whatever it may be.. They call me a King, but I harbor no actual desire to rule anything."

[ashadowofhope]

A scowl, but it's not really any different from the one he's usually wearing. Of course, trying to bother him. Why did all death gods have to be enigmatic or try anyway? `Twas frustrating indeed.

He only glanced, but then looked away.

[kill_some_time]

He looked at him for a moment, waiting to see if he would do anything interesting. When it didn't seem to be happening anytime soon, he decided to poke some more.

"Is this your first time wielding those flames?"

[ashadowofhope]

Continuing to pry into him, was he? Still, he could answer this question simple enough.

"... No." There would be no more detail on the matter.

[kill_some_time]

"It will eat you up this way faster than its curiosity ate the Sun if you proceed this way." Even in a place where nobody would understand it Hades still enjoyed referring to the other gods by what was associated with them rather than their names.

"Shall I lend you some aid?"

[ashadowofhope]

Oswald turned at this, confused, but not showing it on his face.

"Why would you help me?" More specifically, what is it that Hades wanted?

[kill_some_time]

"Why wouldn't I?" His smile was the same as always. "I am no malevolent god."

[ashadowofhope]

"There had been many before with ulterior motives..." He turned away once more, wary of the god's words.

[kill_some_time]

"I am not many."

Once he had found something he wasn't going to let go easily. "The only motive I have is boredom and curiosity. Observing your struggle would be more entertaining of you had a chance of winning."

[ashadowofhope]

So now he's to be subjected as a puppet for his entertainment.

"No." Not 'no thank you' or any other form of decline. Just a simple no. He wasn't going to make his struggle some show for Hades even if it was some offer for help.

[kill_some_time]

"No?" He repeated the word, sounding amused.

[ashadowofhope]

"I am trapped under servitude to one death god due to his error. I will not become indebted willingly to another." He did not trust Hades anymore with that tone either.

[kill_some_time]

"You misunderstand." He drawled as a lazy smile started to spread over his face.

"I do not demand anything in return. If I would, then it would most definitely be no company or servitude. What should I do with a thing that dies way too quickly?"