soul_logs | [Open] Still a Shadow

Entry tags:

[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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Now, this was someone awfully fascinating. To think, he'd come to the park if only to check on his investment, but instead he finds a rather fascinating boy dancing on what was no doubt the edge between madness and sanity.

Would he approach? Of course not. He valued his life, such as it was in his current cage of flesh - there was a freedom in being a spirit, you see - and was sorely lacking in his magic outside of his own Weapon form.

"...And what manner of being are you?" He asked with a note of amusement, leaning a shoulder against a tree.

Oswald turned when he was addressed, eyes narrowing. There was the option to remain silent to this man, but something about him - the way he asked - made him put up his guard. The mocking tone reminded him of the Wise Men.

"Who are you to inquire about my being?" He hadn't harmed anyone fatally yet, but this man might be the first.

"A curious individual and little more," he replied with a shrug.

"We Weapons require transformation on a whole or partial scale before we can accomplish any of our abilities... which means you must be a Meister." He brought a hand to his chin and rubbed it quizzically.

"Yet I've never seen an ability that engulfs the Meister in shadow. I wonder what, perhaps, may happen to the Weapon with which you engage in Soul Resonance."

Calling himself a 'curious individual' was not helping this man at all. Still, it was not enough reason to allow his ire to get out of hand.

Turning away, he paused at the mention of Weapon. This figure was one of them. By coincidence or simply luck? Oswald didn't look back at the man, but he was listening. There was no answer this time for the 'curious individual' since Oswald didn't know himself.

Edited 2013-01-20 18:40 (UTC)

Hades was often out at nights, always wandering and searching for something new and interesting to observe or even play with. Now that all the other gods of his kin had left, the King of the Underworld had found himself growing increasingly restless, like a shadow that suddenly realized that the person that was throwing it was fading rather than it itself.

He knows that he was supposed to be the first and the last god. That didn't mean that he had to like it, especially when he was left stranded with barely any of his powers and way more mortals around than he could care for as long as they insisted on doing nothing but playing the same old boring games of routine over and over again.

Such were his thoughts when he suddenly saw the flames. Which were something new. Following them, he quickly happened upon a new figure that was immersed in training. The dark god waited for a while until he finally approached.

"It is not wise to play with something one does not like."

"Your silence informs me that you are either shy, or wonder the very same thing... and I do not take you for bashful," he continued with a shrug. It seemed safe enough, he supposed. He stepped closer.

"The thought of obtaining an answer is near-overwhelming... know you of Soul Resonance and how it works? I would be happy to give you the 'crash course' as it were should you require it, but I simply cannot leave this park without aiding you in testing the full capabilities of your Meister Ability." With that, he dipped into a polite bow.

"I am Lezard Valeth... Weapon type, Spellbook."

'Spellbook...'

So, he did have some connection to magic. No longer in this world without a Meister. Should they fight, it would be no struggle at all. Unfortunately, no other Weapon could have approached this evening and passing up this offer may leave him with no other.

"... Oswald." Lezard was aware of his status as Meister.

Oswald turned when this new figure approached without saying a word. The knight already had a feeling from this one and he didn't like it. The overall pale complexion, pitch black feathers, and horns did not help either. It was like death.

His scowl darkened.

"`Twas the power bestowed upon me. I will learn to control it."

To whatever extent he could manage here. He turned away, knowing full well he might be mocked about it. What this one thought wasn't his concern.

Should he know what Oswald was thinking, he would be glad he made no note of it out loud. He was quite tired of having the fact that his magic was sealed here pointed out.

"Well then, Sir Oswald, should you be prepared..." He extended a gloved hand. He hadn't quite gotten the hang of shifting positions while forming into the book, or perhaps he was so used to seizing Lily Ivory's hand that he saw no need to practice...

Oswald turned around, red eyes still in their usual scowl. Not that he would have any qualms against pointing out Lezard's current state.

Hmph, was this a method of contract? He glowered at the outstretched hand for a few seconds before extending his own. It was time to see what all this 'Meister' and 'Weapon' business was fully about.

...Truly, the boy needed to share his sunny disposition with the rest of Death City.

A smirk alighting his features, their hands clasped, and a light overtook him in a brilliant blue. It traveled and shaped over the Meister's palm, and with a minor burst of energy a heavy tome replaced the man.

"Now, then. I will be performing my Soul Read to enable my capabilities," he explained aloud, and moved in with no further warning. Ah, what an interesting-looking soul... black and silver, two colors he'd never seen before. Lezard boosted his wavelength to sweep over that of the Meister. There was a mingle of emotions here, a rather tortured soul overwhelming all else, and a darkness... a great darkness not born of himself, yet carried over by BREW. What was this small spark of love? Well, not important for the purpose of their experiment.

The book flipped open to a blank page, letters etched quickly over the surface as a tattered black bookmark began to shape itself and keep a tab on this particular 'chapter', ending in a charm shaped in the letter O. The information painted over the page detailed the spell Dark Savior and its historical background, accompanying an illustrated wicked set of blades sweeping in and impaling a writhing harpy with no mercy.

"Ah, a set I've not yet seen since my arrival! Very interesting, indeed. Well then... shall we begin?" Again, he wasn't one to wait for an answer, and with a rush of power began to emit just a tester trio of magic. Like twisting black smoke, the drops of lightless magic hovered and were ready for the Meister's direction.

Edited 2013-01-21 21:04 (UTC)

That required being sociable with people which was far beyond his interest.

Oswald stared at the form Lezard took, unsure how he was supposed to fight. Magic, he supposed, but he'd prefer other methods. There was always bludgeoning enemies with the binding, but his own hands would be faster and more efficient.

"Soul Read?" He had it examined once before, but the Weapon was already performing the skill. Lezard was just proving himself to be at no higher tier than the other intrusive scum 'Wise Men'. His soul appropriately turned feral on the intrusion, but didn't overpower. It was only a warning.

Oswald watched as the book changed and opened to Dark Savior. How accurate, but he was still annoyed which only became further accented as Lezard pushed ahead to bring his magic forward. Turning his eyes away from the book, Oswald focused on the black smoke and raised a hand as to grab it. The book had depicted blades and if he so desired, he should be able to form and wield one.

"Emotions and soul type, specifically," he explained with a shrug within soul space.

"The artifact BREW saw fit to force me to intrude upon the souls of others. 'Tis a shame, but an obligation I must fulfill upon first resonance."

It was simple enough. As Oswald willed it, the smoke shaped into a curved dagger as his fingers closed around it, becoming a solid object mere moments later. It had a weight to it, a balance, and a finely-sharpened blade.

"Hmm. Another Meister was able to shape my soul wavelength through will alone as well..."

Because it permitted him to do that, Lezard needed to learn self-restraint. Explanation or not, Oswald's soul was still bristled.

Hand closing around the grip, this finally felt natural. It wasn't his psypher, but this blade would be fine cutting down any enemy. The usual eye glowing, he turned on the training figure again, pain rising in his chest as he tried to see how his Meister Ability would extend to the Weapon if it had any affect.

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...

The knight was ironically right with his mental comparison. Hades, both in looks and in what he did, stood for death, amongst many things. Most of them were disliked and so he had no problems failing to react to the less than inviting reaction with a small amused smile.

"Not like this. If you do it like this it will control you."

If not literally, then in mind and heart. It was fascinating how much humans could poison themselves in such a manner.

"As I have come to realize."

He stepped further from the dark figure, still enraged simply by his appearance. He didn't want to remember that damned woman and this being wasn't helping.

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

"Does my appearance disturb you?"

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."

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."

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."

"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."

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.

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?"

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.

"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?"

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?

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

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

"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."

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.

Edited 2013-02-02 09:14 (UTC)

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

"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.

"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?"

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[Open] Still a Shadow

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Sorry for the wait! RL got me bad ><

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