Ziatoch grinned. "I know for a fact that your... Xastra... is not your creator, Donovan," He said. "When I took the Core Energy beneath the continent of Africa, I spoke to Kuro Balance. The aura he gave off was not one of the living. And so, I have researched. And I have found that Kuro is dead, slain by the God of Fire."

With a wave of His hand, the floor turned to mist beneath Donovan, opening up a vision of the past.

Kuro leaped behind Blazen, turned around in mid-air and slashed his back.
"Grahg!" Blazen exclaimed. He turned around and went to strike Kuro, but he was gone.
Kuro was behind Blazen again, he pointed his blade at Blazen and said, "Die." He then thrusted his sword toward Blazen's heart. *shoom* Blazen ran with uncanny speed and got to the side of Kuro and upper cut him into the air. "Take that!" Blazen yelled. Blazen jumped up to strike him back down, but all of the sudden there were 3 Kuros.
They turned to Blazen and slashed him, knocking him back down to the ground.

The Kuros landed, and then there was only one where the middle Kuro was standing. "Cool, huh? Move fast enough and you can be in more places than one." He grinned as Blazen tried to stand, but fell. "Come on. Get up." Said Kuro.
Blazen stood to his feet and blood ran down his body. "That's it." Kuro said with glee.

Blazen ran at Kuro, ready to slash him. "You won't win!" He jumped above Kuro and started his decent bringing his blade down upon Kuro.
"Won't I?" Kuro said as Blazen was about to attack. "Hrah!" He let out as he slashed Blazen who was still in mid-air.

Blazen fell to the ground clutching the area of his chest that had been slashed.

Kuro looked down at Blazen with a blank stare and said, "You've got to try harder."

Blazen's body pulsed as he remembered his life before all of this choas. He lived in a only a small cabin, with his human mother and father. They were simple and loving people, but no matter how much they showed that to Blazen, he would always be rotten. He fianlly killed them out of hate on his tenth birthday and burned thier bodies. Since then life seemed easier.......
"No, it's only harder.......So much hate, so much despair, so much pain. I caused it all, with my own two hands.....now.....to show this world I want to be forgiven."

Kuro raised his sword once more over Blazen's neck and dropped it down. Blazen, kicked the blade away, it spun in the air and stuck in the ground point first. Blazen's eyes fired with rage. Kuro looked at his sword over to the side. Blazen took this chance to get behind him. Blazen's hands were engulfed with gouka, red, blue, and white, fire. The fire added thier strength together.
"You thought it was over.....well now it is." Blazen said as he brought his hands forward. "The End!" Blazen used the very move that Kuro has used against him again and again, Blazen aimed it at Kuro's head. The fire beamed through his head like a bullet through cotton. Blood flowed out of Kuro's head down his face, and dripped down staining the beach.

"So, as we have just seen, the true Dark Balance of this world should be Blazen Messiah," Ziatoch said. "And yet you have engaged him in battle, in the lands you hold under your sway. So, Donovan, the real question is this... who do you serve?"

===Area K, Innerpeace===

"Sera?" Seril's voice called from afar. "What have you discovered?"

As Jotaro's group assembled at the old truck, Matt unfolded his Firebird. Jotaro leaned on the hood and watched as the thin panel unfurled into a full-fledged vehicle.

"What model is that?" he asked as Matt opened the driver's side door.

"Um..."

"Looks like a '73," Jotaro said.

"What? Oh, yeah, I guess." He glanced back real quick at Helena, who was climbing into the passenger seat. "Sorry, I don't know a lot about cars."

"It's a good car." Jotaro pulled over his own driver's side door. "Try to keep it in shape."

"Uh...okay."

R.D. pressed his thumb through a space in the cube that contained his motorcycle, then tossed it to the ground. Within seconds, the cube had flashed with light and turned into the Thunder King. Looking it over, R.D. pulled out his sunglasses and got into the seat. "Ready when you guys are," he called.

Ileyna helped Hugo up into Jotaro's truck, then made her way over to the other car. Alasea pulled open the back passenger door to the Firebird and ushered the girl in before getting in herself.

"Yes. This Xastra... he is an obstacle in My overall scheme, so at some point, his destruction is absolutely necessary."

The Destroyer of Worlds gestured once more, changing the view within the screen into cloudy mist. "You are not strong enough to destroy him. Not so long as your brethren still walk the Earth. However, it seems that Xastra has taken an unhealthy interest in someone."

===Area K, Innerpeace===

"We shall need to leave soon, once we've found it," Seril said. "We cannot risk staying here in case they return with reinforcements."

At the door, Holly waved. "Good luck!" she called. "Stsy safe out there." Joseph just flashed a thumbs up, which Matt returned in kind.

"Let's roll!" Matt said, and hit the reverse, pulling out of the driveway with a screech and a wild turn. He grit his teeth and grimaced. Ew. Bit much. He toned down the radical as he shifted back into drive and turned around, going down the road. Jotaro was soon following with the truck.

R.D. took off behind Jotaro and Matt, keeping close with the Thunder King.

Inside the Firebird, Ileyna closed her eyes, opening up her senses so she could find the Omega Essence.

===Throne of Souls, Xobelisk===

"I have been keeping My eye on him," Ziatoch said. "And what I have seen in him is extraordinary."

With another gesture, the mists cleared. Images of the Rising Dragon in battle with the forces of darkness raged across it. Of his blade clashing against the wing of Draco, of destroying Lee's warhammer. How he, with a hand blazing with awesome power, caved in the skull of Terranox, and how he, clad in red energy, tore through a canyon and maimed Xazax. Energy blazed about, revealing him to be clad in the silver-blue armor of the Dragon King, staring hatefully at the Lord of Terror.

"He has bonded with the Weapon of Souls in ways we cannot fathom," Ziatoch said, looking down at the scene, which showed showed the Rising Dragon firing a wave of golden power up at a beam of destructive red energy. "And that power has allowed him to stand against your current master..."

The scene continued as the armor around the Rising Dragon's arm warped and become a menacing fist that was absorbing the energy of the gold and red beams, and he took to the air to slam that blazing fist into Xastra, clad in the human form of Maya.

"... and claim absolute victory."

The scene distorted and faded, becoming mist again. "This Xastra fears the Rising Dragon, Donovan," Ziatoch said. "Fears him, where he fears nothing else."

The screen opened up again. What was displayed was not the Rising Dragon, but of a titanic being of white metal, surrounded by azure power that burst apart as it smashed its fists together.

"I can't blame him, really," Ziatoch continued. "The power he has acquired in frozen continent is unlike anything even I have ever seen. That power allowed him to strike down the Dark Goddess of the Ice Dragons."

===Ruins of Aube===

"What else?" Michael said, turning to look over at Zhatsuroth. He took a drag of his smoke and puffed out a ring. "I brought you here to kill things. Go see if you can find some of the demons on the island and have fun."

They drove fairly deep into the city when Ileyna's senses and Jotaro's lantern went off at the same time-two seperate Essences, distanced by a few dozen feet or so. The lantern took on an eerie, bright green glow.

R.D. dug his transceiver out, and contacted Matt. "I see a green glow in Jotaro's truck!" he shouted into it, over the roar of his cycle's engine. "I think we've found a piece!"

"So have we! Tell me when to stop, Ileyna!" The signal grew stronger and stronger on both ends, until they both reached a consistent rate of output.

"Its here!" Ileyna shouted. "Stop the car!"

(OOC: Sure.)

"While he does seem to be much stronger than the Rising Dragon, we must take into account that the boy has not reached his full level of power. I am... hesitant to allow him to release that full power, for he will certainly turn it on us after he disposes of Xastra," Ziatoch said, a slight frown on the face of his humanoid shell. "However, my servant, Daemonus, assures me that he has a way of dealing with that obstacle. As it is, though... it seems that the Rising Dragon has mastered the use of Balefire."

"Ah," X sighed with relief. "Well I'm going to turn in for the night. It's been a long day."

Aram nodded. After saying his goodbyes, he proceeded back to the house loaned to him.

Fass sighed as he pored over the illustrations X had given him. They made no sense, it was like reading a foreign language with absolutely no understanding of even the most basic syntax. There was a knock on the door and Fass called for the visitor to come in.

He was a tall and muscular man with tan skin and sunglasses. He took a seat next to Fass and looked at the papers.

"Well, this is interesting. I haven't seen these runes before."

"His possession of Balefire means he has the ability to erase the false Xastra, and as such is more than capable--he just needs the chance," Ziatoch said. "I do not believe he will work alone to kill Xastra, but I cannot allow My Guise to participate in the battle. He has a different purpose in My overall scheme, and I believe the Rising Dragon will turn on him anyway. No, I believe it would be best to see if Daemonus' plan concerning the boy will work, and I have the utmost faith in his ability. He will not fail Me."

Ziatoch smiled. Yes, Daemonus' plan, from what He knew of it, would benefit His cause in more way than one--and if it succeeded, the possession of Lumiya would not be as pressing a matter. "What we should be concerned with is the factors outside of our control. Donovan, I believe it would be best if you hid under the guise of obeying Xastra... and in the meantime, find out what you can. Now that you know that there is an inconsistency, you now possess the power to learn the extent of it. You may bring your findings back to Me, and together we shall learn just who our opponent is, and find out the best plan to eliminate him."

Ziatoch straightened in the Throne of Souls, and laid His hands on each arm rest as He gazed upon the Lord of the Shadow Creatures. "In exchange, I will remove My forces from your lands, and we shall no longer be enemies. While a unification may not be possible, I am not against a cessation of hostilities between our forces. I do not intend to annihilate this world, and as such, when My victory over Xastra is accomplished, this world will belong to you."

===The Gray Mountains===

High above the Gray Mountains, the clouds seem to roil once more, like they had when the King of Dragons sought out the recently freed Hartnett men. Once more, the Dragon Tribes had come to the Gray Mountains, seeking the counsel of Lord Dargor, and pierced the cloud cover to return to the land below.

They settled outside of the region's border, and immediately began securing the area. The Bronze Dragons stayed in a loose circle around their Queen, ever weary. Sheena and Kujo's carrier landed beside Relayia, allowing them to disembark.

"I apologize for the delay in our arrival," Relayia said, with a humble bow to her former enemies. "But we have finally arrived. There will be some time to freshen up before we proceed to Lord Dargor's dwelling."

(OOC: Mega X, I have no idea what to post with Aram so just go ahead and post again.)

Edited by RisingDragon on September 17, 2009 at 12:05:52.

A rooster crowed as the sun rose over the horizon. X fumbled around for his armor for a little while before realizing that he'd gotten rid of it. He felt slightly anxious all of a sudden.

Picking up Sylvontis he left the apartment and headed towards the town center where he hoped to meet Aram and begin their journey.

Aram was already at the town center, waiting for his companion to arrive. Once more he was clad in his heavy plate mail, with the King's Sword of the Heavens strapped to his back, the mythril shield strapped to his left arm and gleaming in the morning sunlight, and his helmet tucked beneath his right arm. The semi-large traveling pouch had been strapped to his left side, bound tightly so as not to lose it or anything inside of it. The warrior himself had shaven and trimmed his hair, pulling the excess back into a short ponytail that lay against his neck, and he was now surveying the pavilion, looking for his companion.

"Ah, there you are," Aram said in greeting, lifting his shield arm slightly. "Are you ready to leave?"

(OOC: Don't forget the Gray Mountains segment, Juno.)

Ziatoch angled His shell's head slightly, a curious expression on His face. Donovan wished to know what exactly He is? Did he really? Could he even begin to fathom just who--and what--He, the Destroyer of Worlds is? He smirked a little. Well then, if he was brave enough to ask...

"I--"

"Master!"

The Destroyer's words were stilled as the high shriek cut Him off, and from the entrance of the Throne of Souls, an imp scampered in and up the steps. Ziatoch noted with some amusement that whatever this Imp was doing, it was important enough that it would ignore the possible threat of a high-level enemy present in the Throne Room. The ten-eyed monster skittered past Donovan and knelt at the base of the stairs.

"MMaster! I-I know Y-You should not be d-d-disturbed, but I bring... I bring news of our siege on the human fortress!" it sputtered, its body trembling slightly.

"Oh?" Now, this was interesting. Ziatoch paused in His explanation to Donovan to listen to what this minor servant had to say.

"T-the humans' fortress has fallen! Aube and the island it rests within has been destroyed!"

"Ah, good," Ziatoch said, smiling. "Finally, we have vanquished the largest gathering of resistance on the planet. This war will now be that much easier."

He turned His gaze back to Donovan, intent on answering his question, but He noticed that the Imp had not dismissed itself. Indeed, it still knelt on the floor, cowed and trembling. In fact, it looked terrified.

"What is it?" Ziatoch asked, His voice gaining an edge.

"W-we--forgive us, Master!--we were not the ones to destroy Aube! The humans laid it open in a trap and escaped from the atmosphere on a giant red dragon!"

All traces of humor left the Destroyer of Worlds in an instant. The room suddenly seemed darker, as if pressing in on Donovan and the imp, who looked ready to soil itself. The air had turned deathly cold.

The Thunder King pulled up beside Matt's Firebird and R.D. killed the engine before reverting it back into its storage mode.

"Let me see if I can detect anything else hidden from view," Alasea said as she stepped out of the car. "We don't know if these guys have any backup."

===Throne of Souls, Xobelisk===

"Show Me what happened," Ziatoch commanded. The imp backed away with trembling footsteps until it had reached the edge of the platform, and pressed its claw into the border edge.

The mist screen came alight once more, and Ziatoch stood up from the Throne of Souls and stepped down to it as the mists parted. The island fortress was shone from a high vantage point, most of its defenses destroyed as His forces pressed forward on a final assault, using three massive Vjayja demons. And yet, the creatures were repelled back.

The screen changed again to show a closer image, and it showed a pair of robots, fighting alongside one another. One was the new, crimson and silver monstrosity that the humans had created. The other was the white-armored Drake of Braves, KishouDoragon. It showed how the two robots held off the marauding demons, while ignoring the majority of Devil Dragons that were busily infiltrating the base.

He soon saw why, as a gigantic, red and silver and black warship escaped along the Mass Driver, taking both robots with it as it fled into space. And then, within moments, the base's self destruct sequence was activated, leaving the island a shattered ruin.

The darkness pressed on the Throne Room even more as the screen went dark. The imp trembled once more as Ziatoch turned His gaze on it.

"Leave us."

The imp was only too happy to comply, and fled the room in seconds.

Ziatoch stepped back up to His throne and sat upon it, staring into nothing. "So, the humans escaped, with technology they should not have access to," He mused. "While it does not surprise Me that they escaped, I am more troubled by the fact that My forces were unable to secure the Essence... and once more that infernal machine the Dragons created gets in My way."

Daemonus' plan had best work. KishouDoragon, and its master, the Rising Dragon that Xastra feared so much, was a vile danger to everything divine. Soon even the Gods of this world would turn their eye on the boy.

===The Gray Mountains===

"Some time ago, Lord Dargor sent his men deep into the territory of Gouki, into the very heart of his lair," Relayia explained. "And came out unscathed, having secured two of Gouki's prisoners in the process. I believe that if we can make an alliance with him, we will have a capable new force to take on the remaining Beasts."

Jotaro was glancing around, his hands in his pockets.

"I don't like this," Hugo said, chambering his pickaxe. He blinked. "Wait a minute." An antenna extended from his helmet, steadily flashing with a red light.

"What is it, Hugo?" Helena asked.

"Seismic activity." Hugo turned around, glancing past the legs of some of the surprised people who had gathered. "Real faint, but it's there."

"I feel it too," Matt announced. "...and I think it's coming from..."

The ground shook briefly, and Jotaro leapt back as a star shape traced itself in the sidewalk, bursting upwards. It was like looking at a layered sculpture sliced with a cookie cutter-below the concrete sidewalk later was dirt, part of a metal wall, and...even a chunk of water?

"Watch out!" Jotaro shouted, as another pillar with a circle shape burst from a nearby building, flying at the ground and taking layers of wall with it.