melodiesoflife | Event || Doppelgangers

Dycedarg ignores the other Heroes' chattering. Nobody is stepping forward to hinder him, so he continues toward the crystal, still acting as though it is dangerous. If Shizel's research is to be believed, it poses no threat...to him, at least.

Once he is within arm's length, his cautious facade drops away and he reaches out and snatches the black crystal in his fist. The cave shakes as power pulses from the crystal into Dycedarg. A strangled shout tears through his throat as the black crystal's power absorbs and replaces his Hero's job classes with its dark energy.

He turns to the other Heroes, his teeth bared by the evil smile spreading across his face.

"Now House Beoulve can take its rightful place as supreme ruler."

He raises a hand, and the dark crystal flares up in a blinding light. Crystalline figures appear in the cave, summoned from beyond. These puppet warriors come from the home worlds of the other Heroes, and at a wave of Dycedarg's hand, they draw their weapons and advance.

"What are you doing?!" He was totally expecting Dycedarg to destroy the crystal the moment he took it, not takes its power!

Without a moment to lose, Rayman dashes straight at the crystal warriors, charging up his fist for a powerful punch. As he nears them, he notices that the small one--shaped like a Teensie--looks surprisingly similar to Ales.

What the hell. How did they get a statue of me?

Me? No, that's Ales. How could Dycedarg do this? Ales was a nice guy!

Was...? "Nice"?

Why is he so confused? Is he still in denial over what happened? He's so caught up in his thoughts that he almost forgets to attack until one of the other statues makes a leap for him, which snaps him back to attention. Rayman then releases his fist, sending it flying at his opponent and making a dull, loud noise when the hit connects.

In the brief instant she feels that surge of dark energy swelling, Ventuswill only now realizes it’s too late. They’ve been fooled. Dycedarg had no intentions of destroying that crystal. For that instant, she’s frozen in place, shocked at this betrayal. Fortunately, someone else was watching too, and wasn’t about to let the girl get caught off guard.

( “You have GOT to be kidding me. … Hey! Ventuswill! Snap out of it. Forget about him and get the hell away NOW” )

… Why did it seem like she was hearing things? Almost instinctively, she feels herself backing away, her staff out and ready to defend herself and her companions. … How in the world? It was strange, but at the same time she luckily managed to dodge a blow from a crystalline figure (That face. That figure. That couldn't possibly be...?!). Still, almost as if on her own once more, she quickly deals with it, firing off a powerful fire spell at it.

But what strikes her closest is the man she couldn’t have possibly have seen to pull a stunt like this. A man she had seen as a reliable ally and strategist, and one she had thought was far better than this. Ventuswill shouts out to the man, her tone firm, serious, and not at all resembling her normal pleasant one.

“Dycedarg, what do you think you’re doing! Cease this madness at once.”

Was he tainted by its power? Or was she merely had for a fool all this time? The crystalline imitations mattered little to her at the moment, but she tries to stay on her feet. Sometimes it felt like she herself was being influenced to keep moving, which should prove beneficial for both her and her companions, immediately moving to cast a protection spell for Rayman.

Yugi felt like he should have expected this, but for the moment his job as a Gambler was going to take a back seat as he pulled out his sword, slashing at a near by crystalline figure, watching as it fell to the floor. He could see who it looked like and that caused him a little pain in his heart. He wouldn't normally hurt his friends, but he knew they weren't. His eyes darted over towards the one holding the crystal. Why was he not overly surprised that someone would want a power like that? He was just like that darker Bakura.

Slashing down another, anger clear in his eyes as he held the sword up, ready to go for the other should he need to. "You've let the power of darkness take control of your mind! I promise you, you won't get away with it!"

He changed his stance slightly, holding his sword in both hands, he was ready to attack him, himself if he had to. His friends came first after all.

Makoto felt Kwanchai's mind pull into focus as the puppet warriors appeared at Dycedarg's command. Dycedarg's betrayal meant nothing to him other than to serve as a call to battle. The Scorpion yanked the blades at his sides from their sheaths, and to Makoto's surprise, flung himself bodily into the approaching crowd of crystal soldiers with a roar.

"Prepare to face the Dark Sword of the Bitter Lies!"

As he crashed into the first few warriors, he became a storm of flashing steel; swinging wildly into his foes with reckless fervor. Makoto was trapped in a mind that opposed everything he knew about combat, and yet he could not believe that the Scorpion was keeping up with Dycedarg's minions. Kwanchai's footwork reminded Makoto of what he had seen in the children's dojo, and yet the weapons of the enemies seemed to pass by only fractions of an inch away. The grip that the samurai held his blades with was almost offensive to Makoto and he was swinging at places already guarded, and yet the guard always seemed a little too high or too low.

It is true, then... Bitter Lies samurai are mad... Makoto could feel the samurai's joy in the tide of combat, but he could tell that fighting these puppets would accomplish nothing until the master was beaten. Fool, strike at Dycedarg!

From the moment that the crystal figures had appeared, Shizel remained in the back, the slightest of grins coming to her lips as she slunk into the shadows, watching the heroes make their pleas and swing their attacks about. She still held her staff up defensively, but made no move on the new enemies as she made her way around the room, over closer to Dycedarg.

But as she approached him closer, any trace of a smile she had quickly turned to a frown as an unknown crystalline face barred her path. Brow furrowing, she swiped horizontally with her weapon, only to find that another manikin had taken its place, more moving in to stop her progress towards her ally.

"Dycedarg... what is the meaning of this? Control them!"

Dycedarg meets Shizel's eyes, and smiles. "I am," he informed her. The nearest crystalline figure strikes out at her to punctuate his statement.

He turned back to the others, raising his voice to be heard over the clash of swords and the other sounds of battle.

"Can you not comprehend what fools you have been? You cannot hope to defeat this power. This world can only be saved by harnessing the Calamity's might!"

He raises his hand to demonstrate the dark energy the black crystal offers him. A small, spherical void appears above it, swelling as it begins to draw air into its nothingness. He turns toward Yugi.

"You are mistaken, Yugi. It does not control my mind. I control the darkness." He sends the dark spell hurtling toward the gambler. Fortunately for the target, Dycecarg, still freshly come by these powers, does not know how much energy to focus to make the spell fatal.

Stop this, stop this, STOP THIS! [Ramza chants. Dycedarg waves off the inner voice as if it were an annoyingly persistent fly buzzing in his ear.]

As he draws on the crystal's power, his color begins to fade. His face looks paler than before, and his skin and clothes almost seem to glimmer when the light hits them at the right angle.

"We can't let you get away with this!" Rayman hits another crystalline figure and dashes towards Dycedarg.

"I won't let you use its power!"

But what if he's right?

No, he isn't! He's using this for evil!

He charges his fist for another attack.

Yes, but he had the right idea, then derailed it!

I have to stop him!

The nagging voice gone, Rayman lets his fist fly. Maybe it won't do much damage, but he has to do something to make Dycedarg snap out of it.

“Hmph. This is how it’s going to be, then?” Ventuswill snorts, her tone even. “Then you are more of a fool than I had thought.”

She readies her staff, calmly preparing some curative spells for the other Heroes. With a few of them about, it won’t be nearly as potent but it should help keep them on their feet.

As well as keep herself on her feet – but fortunately, it seemed like she was having less trouble than she thought. Normally in a form like this, it was a lot harder to stay moving and cast at the same time, but the longer this went on the more it felt like something was actively trying to make sure she did so.

( “Just keep moving! That's all you gotta do - keep moving and don't worry about anything else. Anyway, ’save this world’? He seriously thinks he can control that kind of power? What a joke. I’ve had it up to here with power-hungry nutjobs doing whatever the hell they want.” )

Hm. That did remind her. She steadies her gaze on Dycedarg, staff pointed outwards, and noting his pale skin as she continues.

“You’re nothing more than a human – nothing more, nothing less. I can tell you now that power does not belong in a mere human’s hands. So, tell me, Dycedarg Beoulve," She starts off cool, adding some emphasis as she states his family name. The "name" he supposedly claims this power for the sake of. "If you truly believe you can harness it, consider this: you may have control of it now, but for how long?”

Yugi couldn't help but give a small, amused chuckle for a brief moment. The words that man spoke just seemed to be too amusing for the other. Thankfully, he managed to avoid the attack and it only made him chuckle a little bit more.

He heard his friend, one that he trusted telling him about control and he couldn't help but give a small smile, it seemed like he wasn't the only one who thought the same as him. He had knew right away that trying to take it like that was going to back fire on the guy majorly, which in his mind meant they should do something about it soon.

"Looks likes someone thinks the same as I do. She also brings on a good question but right now is probably not a good time for such things when there are crystal monsters attacking." He stepped to the side, swinging his sword and managing to cut through another before glancing over. He wanted to get closer, he just needed the right moment to strike.

From what he could see, Rayman was trying his best and he felt like he had a good shot if the blind spell worked. That way he couldn't see what was coming next as without knowing if it work. Now was the time to act as he gripped his sword firmly, casting the blind spell in hopes that it would work. When he at least attempted the spell was the moment he moved in, sword raised before using that chance to strike.

Shizel's eyes lowered dangerously, a silent hiss that went unheard as she realized Dycedarg's true intent. She stopped her forward onslaught, jumping backwards and taking cover behind some of the other heroes as they spouted their speeches, and she continued to size up the situation.

For now... she would fight with them. She would not be made a fool of!

"Spark Wave!" she cried, holding her staff in the air as a great orb appeared above the remainder of the team, random flashes of lighting taking out some of the already weakened enemies. Ugh, why now of all times did her head have to start to spin?

While they traveled together as a group, Gaara purposely remained in the background. Even though he didn’t feel as compelled to kill Ventuswill and Yugi, he had no reason to act friendly toward the others. Most of them were annoying, reminding him of those people that claimed to be his brother and sister. Once they completed the mission, they could go on their separate ways.

And maybe then, that irritating voice inside his head would finally shut up. He didn’t recognize it, because it wasn’t Shukaku. On occasion, he would begrudgingly listen, if only to make the senseless chatter stop. He could cooperate with these people for a short while – use them as long as he needed, just to meet the objective. He didn’t have his sand powers, which initially pissed him off, but learned to utilize these new abilities, for the time being.

Dycedarg’s betrayal didn’t even faze him. Gaara stared at him with indifference, and watched as several others in the group charged forward. If they wanted to be impulsive, that was their decision. He had one goal in mind: kill Dycedarg and reclaim the crystal. It would be much more efficient if he waited for the others to distract the enemy, and then go in for the kill at the right moment. At least, that was what the voice inside his head dictated.

Edited 2015-04-25 19:11 (UTC)

Dycedarg narrows his eyes as Yugi dodges the dark attack. The Heroes think he lacks the ability to control his new powers? They presume to know better than he about his own strengths?

He reaches further into the reserve of power the dark crystal hosts. His next attack does not come from his direction. The crystalline walls of the cave itself suddenly pulse, sending crystal pillars sweeping across the Heroes' path. The blow will send them, as well as the crystal statues attacking them, hurtling, though it will not kill anyone unless they have the misfortune of landing on their neck or upon an ally's sword.

In the moment following the attack, Dycedarg raises a hand and sends a green mist down upon his former allies. Poison, his weapon of choice, now taints the air of the cave, sapping strength away slowly, but surely. It seems not to affect him, though he had grown even paler, almost inhumanly so.

Rayman swiftly dodges the pillars, retreating a few feet back as they barely miss him. He's not going to let Dycedarg get away with this. He grits his teeth and continues charging.

Then, the mist hits him. He tries to look disaffected at first, holding his breath and running, but it gets to him. He falls to the floor, breathing heavily, and the poison gets to him.

"...Help..." he manages to get out before he pushes himself back up. Even though he's pushing himself to reach the black crystals, he moves more slowly with each step.

Ventuswill isn’t so lucky, however. Before she or the presence within her have the time to react, one of the pillars slams straight into her. Her small frame means she’s sent flying backwards, slamming right into the cavern wall and slumping down to the ground.

And then the mist began to set in. She had to stand up and cast an Esuna quick, or they would all be in trouble. But she just… couldn’t. This human form was far more fragile than her normal one. To move period felt like an ordeal by itself, let alone cast spells. It felt much like it did when the runes inside her were dissipating, and she could feel herself beginning to black out as she tries to reach for her staff just a few feet away. Yet deep down, she swore she heard someone for a brief moment. Perhaps a far-off memory of a certain friend, or something else.

( “Get up. Come on, get up. This ain’t the time for you to sleep all day like before!” )

Hmph. Whatever this was, it certainly had no trouble getting quite fresh with her. But she’ll dismiss it. She would, except…

(“No. There’s no way you can let yourself die here! After all, those guys out there are your friends too. You care about them, don’t you?”)

No, no “excepts” – she had to get to them. Despite her battered condition, she’ll reach for her staff among the fighting and chaos.

"Rayman," she coughs, the poison mist nearly making her choke for air. "Yugi, everyone... hold on..."

Unfortunately, there were still crystalline enemies about, and they could easily off her at this point. And indeed, one would quickly close in and finish her off if her partners don't act fast.

Yugi managed to barely dodge the pillars, as one managed to skim by his causing a small cut to form on his leg. He couldn't help but grit his teeth slightly, trying not to let the pain get the best of him. However he was quick to realize that the mist was not a good thing and it was even more obvious the moment he started to cough.

Looking around, he was making sure to check the others and make sure they were okay. As he did he soon spotted that one of his friends was in trouble. He needed to help them first before doing anything else as he quickly moved to pull Venuswill out of the way and swiftly use his sword to cut the crystalline figure. It was all he could do right now as he coughed once more. This isn't good. It wasn't good at all.

Under her breath, Shizel cursed in her native tongue, raising her free hand to cover her mouth and nose as though it would somehow help to shield her from the poison vapours. She flicked an eye to the side just quick enough to catch Ventuswill going down, and Yugi darting after her. If she was going to live through this she was going to have to support them... for now.

A swift movement from her staff again released a Fire Wall, hoping to spare the girl and boy from any other onslaught the approaching crystallized folk might try. The shield wouldn't last long, but if they acted fast... Lowering her hand from her face, she called out, "Rayman! Your assistance is needed!" she wasn't a melee fighter, and never would be, but he was. Perhaps she could at least distract Dycedarg long enough for someone to cure them of this poison...

For all of the showy dodges that the Scorpion had been using to keep from being hit by the group of crystal warriors, he was not expecting pillars to rise from the ground. As he bent low to let a crystal axe pass overhead, one of Dycedarg's pillars shot up and caught the samurai square in the chest, sending him flying.

The blow got Kwanchai coughing hard as he landed, but the damage wasn't enough to do more than knock the wind out of him. Even so, the green mist spread over him as he got to his feet, and his coughing became sputtering.

"Poisoning a Scorpion? You insult me..."

The group of crystal figures that he had been fighting rushed at him, and Makoto could feel that the movements of Kwanchai were slowing down. His swings were not cutting as deeply, and as he brought down a crystal figure with effort, Makoto saw a crystal version of himself approaching the Scorpion with his hand already drawing his sword.

Your swords are out of position, he's going to behead you! It's too late!

Kwanchai's sword clattered to the ground as he brought his arm up, and the crystal Crane's katana buried itself deep in the Scorpion's wrist. Makoto screamed in terror and pain in Kwanchai's mind, feeling the hand become useless and watching it spasm. The Scorpion only laughed through his teeth, and brought his other blade across the chest of the surprised Makoto double.

"So much for your technique only needing one movement... Crane!"

Makoto could feel the lungs of Kwanchai working harder and harder for air. Perhaps if he could be cured he may have a chance at stopping the mad noble, but without the use of his other hand...

Idiot, if you want to die so badly, at least kill Dycedarg first!

Dycedarg watched the Heroes take the beating from the crystal pillars and breath his poison in deeply. A smirk spread across his lips.

Yes, between the crystal warriors and the poison, there is no more need to dirty your hands with these commoners. [Ramza tried his best to form the thoughts the way his elder half-brother would.]

Yes, he could just sit back and let his pawns play out the battle the way he had arranged it.

'Tis much more elegant that way.

He stayed back, letting the Crystal pawns he had summoned pick themselves up from where he had tossed them with that last attack and march forward through the green mist.

He kept his eyes on the battle, and did not seem to notice or care that his limbs were lengthening, starting to form into something like the monstrous form of the Calamity Spawn.

"Shizel...?" He turned to her, and then to his fallen comrades. Were they alright? He took a step towards Ventuswill, who looked like she was still in pain, clutching onto the friendship token she made for him months earlier. A Hero couldn't just leave his friends behind!

Forget it, they'll be fine! It's Dycedarg you need to worry about!

Will they? The pillars seemed to have stopped, and Shizel was managing fighting the crystal warriors just fine, but Rayman still had the urge to check on his friends.

DY.CE.DARG.

The resolve to fight returned. Ignoring his own heavy breathing, Rayman charged at the man, winding up his fist for another ranged punch. His former ally was turning into a monster, and there was little time left.

He let his fist fly straight at Dycedarg.

Before she even realized what was happening, she was pulled out of danger, barely missing a strike from another doppelganger. It takes her a moment to recover. Venti smiled softly, albeit with a hint of sadness, noticing the charm on Rayman’s person as he tries to fight back despite the poison. Rayman, Yugi, all of her dear friends… Even Shizel, who seemed to act quickly herself to keep them out of harms way.

It’s a struggle with the poison corroding their very beings the longer this goes on, but she’ll pick herself up, steadying her staff as she whispers an Esuna for everyone. Then, a cure spell.

With a final Osmose off some of the crystalline figures, her attention turns back to Dycedarg. The man was looking far more warped, twisted the longer this went on. She couldn’t stand for this madness any longer. No matter what became of her, so be it. He was too far gone to even be helped, and Venti herself had very little strength left as it is. With just one word, she fires off the first of many to come.

“Holy!”

Within seconds, streams of holy light are fired right at Dycedarg’s direction. They’re quickly to be followed with just another word from the Native Dragon.

“Ultima!”

And within, the consciousness witnessing felt a sense of dread.

( "Ventuswill? ... What the hell are you doing?!" )

Edited (got some things mixed up) 2015-05-07 05:04 (UTC)

Yugi was trying his hardest to keep up the fight, he knew that even at his lowest point that he will. He watched as his friend tried hard, so he knew that he would to. Gripping his sword, he made sure not to let the poison get to him, but he couldn't help but wonder just what his friend was trying to do.

He knew he should try and fight some more but he couldn't help but worry as well. So he kept his distance and used his gambler job in order to summon a slot machine which he used. He watched as the thing spun around in a circle. He was hoping it would give him a decent result as luck was on his side.

Three moogles. With a smile he knew that meant attack and defence of his allies would be raised. He hoped that would at least help a little bit and help in whatever his close friend was planning.

Feeling the effects of the Esuna wash over her, Shizel had to wonder if the spell had worked entirely. Why did her vision still blur when she moved her head too quickly? Why did the sweat still bead across her brow, and her breath not catch? Damn, was there something else at work here?

You are hurt, Shizel... More than just from this fight. Did something... happen?

She wouldn't let on about her current state though, glad at least that the vapours had lifted for the time, but never taking her eyes off of Dycedarg, especially during his monstrous transformation... Yes, her research had hinted at this too, but the blond man didn't seem to notice -- or perhaps even care.

Seeing Ventuswill's spellwork only hardened her resolve as well. It seemed like if they were going to get out of this predicament... it would take more than just the average fight they'd experienced in Crystallis. Thanks to the attacks from Kwanchai and Rayman, and the boost she felt likely from Yugi drawing one of his cards, she raised her staff in front of her and began to chant her long, powerful spell as the magic began to weave around her...

Rayman's punch landed hard on Dycedarg's cheek. His head jerked back under the force of the blow, this the rest of his body did not budge. Colorless blood blossomed where knuckles split his skin, but the droplets quickly crystalized.

Dycedarg roared with anger, but incoherently.

Wait, stop, calm down! Do not act in haste, lest your plans unravel! [No use, Dycedarg was beyond reason. He was the beast of Wroth, like he had become when he had surrendered to the Zodiac Stone back on Ivalice. Ramza could feel rage coursing through their shared mind.]

Ventuswill's spell, the power of pure light, seared him deeply. It was a direct opposition to power of the Black Crystal. Dycedarg had to draw deeply on the Crystal's power to withstand it.

The second spell, Ultima, drained the last of his power.

Do not surrender to the Stone! Die with dignity. There is still enough Beoulve within you for that!] No, he would not, COULD NOT, be defeated here.

Dycedarg opened himself completely to the Black Crystal. A dark light enveloped his body, and when it cleared, he had changed form. He was now a Calamity Spawn, a monstrous, hulking beast of Crystal.

He let out another roar, and held out one appendage toward the Heroes. The crystal floor of the cavern rumbled, and jagged spikes shot up at random underneath his opponents and Crystal allies.

This was it. Ventuswill was at her limit - that much she knew. But it was time to finish this once and for all.

"This... This is the end. No more of this foolishness." She was clearly exhausted, slow with her speaking and yet still possessing the firmness of a Native Dragon as she concentrates what she hoped would be the ultimate magic to finish him once and for all. The man who had also become twisted and corrupt with power not meant for the hands of a mere human. Just as she had witnessed once before.

"Meteor!"

The spell goes off, but Ventuswill is thrown right off balance as the cavern rumbles. The presence within her was quick, alert and did it's best to warn Venti of the danger beneath her feet. Yet, that wasn't enough. It wasn't the jagged spikes that got her.

It was far too late. A blade had already pierced right through her from behind the moment she barely dodged the spikes. Even among the chaos, to her and the presence within, they heard nothing but silence. Silence as the figure removed the blade. Silence she collapses to the ground. Silence as she looks up to face them, coldly staring on with blood dripping from the blade.

"You..."

The words choked out from her and in that instance, blood seeped out with no end in sight. For the consciousness within, it's like it ran pure cold as they both recognized the figure, muttering incoherent, distorted speech. The figure was crystalline red, but the features alone were startlingly familiar to the dragon. The same figure that had sworn to kill her. ( "No. No, no, damn it, no!" )

Event || Doppelgangers

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so sorry for the delay!!

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