melodiesoflife | Event || The Night of the Thirteen Moogles

Event || The Night of the Thirteen Moogles

Characters: Everyone!
Where: Aqures Ixen (Old Observatory, others).
When: Night from the 31st of October to the 01st of November.
Summary: Midnight is approaching, ghosts are everywhere and clouds are slowly gathering above the old observatory... What does it all mean? This post is open to all characters, there are no sign-ups for this.
Warning: The destructor has come.

Mingle || Before Midnight
Confrontation || Midnight
The Cursed Heroes
King Moggle Mog XIV

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But--! [We don't know that -- something happened to the Heroes in the hospital -- it could be Sora, just being controlled--

Any of those arguments were enough to keep Ven hesitant, but the all too familiar flash of a Keyblade's light cut him off in a heartbeat.]

They -- they don't! [Was something giving him his power back temporarily -- just like in the memory realm? Was it the same force at work here as back then? If so...

The memories of those events were still fresh in Ven's mind, even now, particularly the grueling, tedious battle with Nebilim. This could be similar, except their... opponent... was the only one with his true abilities, and a Keyblade, no less. Regardless of Sora's skill level -- something Ven couldn't attest to -- the presence of that weapon alone, presumably at full power, was enough confirm that Ven and Ira were in over their heads.

And yet, even the sudden and enormous jump in danger level couldn't override the trusting instinct that ran too deep -- Ven took his eyes off of Sora to glance Ira's way, and no sooner had he done that did the verbal warning coincide with a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye. He jerked backwards, his Job picking up his psychological slack to make him trigger Flash on reflex -- and while he did disappear from the weapon's trajectory in a blink, the movement had been sloppy and the activation delayed.

Ven reappeared yards over, his free hand gripping his right bicep -- one of the openings between the plates in his armor, where Sora's Keyblade had managed to slash through both material and skin alike. Nothing crippling, but blood was pulsing through his fingers and he could already tell that it would add a painful strain to his movements. Either that was a very lucky throw, or whatever controlled Sora wasn't stupid.

And, of course, Ven had no healing Jobs equipped for once.]

We won't be able to get it away from him! [As Sora caught his Keyblade on the rebound, Ven quickly cast Haste -- first on Ira, then on himself -- and spoke just as quickly.] If we can't snap him out of it, we'll just have to wear him down!

[Exhaust his magic, if nothing else -- but even as Ven thought it, he immediately had his doubts. There was nothing to say the controlling force wouldn't push Sora beyond his limits and kill him, if it came to that, and odds were good that the two of them would hit their limits first.]

You think I don't know that?

[He knew all too well that there would be no claiming the Keyblade from Sora's body, just like it wouldn't be possible to reason with someone who wasn't at all home inside their own body. But arguing wouldn't get them anywhere. For now, they needed to focus on keeping him occupied and possibly headed back towards the hospital. "Sora" seemed intent to chase slowly after them, after all.

The Keyblade returned to their friend's hand as they hesitated, and he aimed it toward them as he slowly approached. Blizzard, if he remembered right from the lessons with that Terra.

Ira felt the even higher speed boost than he had naturally take hold, and he was on the move, raising his sword to parry the attack. What he didn't expect was for the spell to send him flying backwards even as he sent it sliding back at the caster.]

Tch-! You know, I don't quite remember Blizzard spells being this strong, either.

[Or had he simply gotten weaker? Though looking at Ven's leg, he couldn't help but think it was the former. Without much thought to it, he wove a Blind spell on Sora. If nothing else, he had to at least cover for Ven's weak resolve.]

[The strength of that spell was startling, for sure. Ven's frown deepened, but he quickly righted his posture on the defensive, Keyblade held tight with new determination. It wasn't going to be easy or pretty, but Ira was right -- for Sora's sake, too, they had to stop him, even if the odds were rapidly stacking against them.

And yet, even as Ven steeled himself for that thought, he was already aware of what his own limitations would be. No matter how strong Sora was, or whatever was wearing his face, it was still Sora. Hurting him was unthinkable.

So he continued with the buffs, first attempting Stop with some thin hope of success -- but to no avail, which meant that Sora was well above the common enemy strength and skill level. (In case, y'know, that wasn't already obvious.) Ven resorted to Slow instead, which was better than nothing.]

I don't have any offensive spells-- [Nothing that wouldn't risk killing Sora outright, anyway, assuming they worked on him at all.] Keep your distance! I'll go in close!

[--which was utterly idiotic, not least of all because of the emotional disadvantage he was at, but Ven was already darting forward without waiting for permission. Flash took him further and faster, closing the distance in the space of two heartbeats. His intention was to swerve around, to stay just out of physical reach -- but even slowed and blinded, Sora was plenty dangerous. There was the unmistakable tinkling of another ice spell forming -- and then low howl of air condensing, freezing, solidifying, hardening--

--and Deep Freeze erupted around him, ice snapping at anything within range. Flashing rapidly backwards saved Ven from a worse fate, but as he slid to a stop, frost could be seen enveloping most of his left arm and part of his chest. Even through his armor, the cold was biting -- just like before.

So Sora knew some higher level spells, too. Good to know.]

[There are times he could count where he was the one with a better idea. Granted he could count them all on one hand before this, but only being able to watch as someone did one of the most stupid thing in any circumstance? He could write a novel on just one person he'd met. What he is seeing now nearly rivaled openly divulging in a villain's plan on a worldwide network in how doomed they would be after.]

Ven, don't-!

[But it's too late. He's already charging forward, and right into another spell. Ira can only watch as Deep Freeze goes off, freezing his roommate's left arm. He tsks before rushing in close. There were no curative spells to be had, no spells he could fling in the direction of what was left of their friend. All he had was a way to amplify his own endurance, and he could feel it near its height.

They would not get far without their legs, someone had once said. Now it was time to test the theory, aiming low and swinging hard at Sora's knees. He could feel the air grow almost unbearably hot around him, but did not stop. He could not stop. If Sora had all of his skills from back home, and he killed someone while he couldn't control himself, then-

He remembered how long it had taken Xion to look at him, how even before they were to descend into the admin levels together for once, that she still could not meet his gaze. He did not want that for the person whose memories she was based from, either.

He can feel the Firaga strike his left arm, but does not falter in his swing. Sora's legs give way as he falls to his knees, and Ira rushes further behind him still to regain some distance. He could scream at the burns, how it affected him even through his armor, but this was nothing compared to losing the arm altogether.]

Too slow. [He grins, reaching out with his bad arm towards Sora, watching the black and purple energy flickering before green bubbles formed and seemed to fly towards him and into his hand. Drain had been so nice to learn after that time loop, and now he could even feel his fingertips!]

New plan: I charge in recklessly.

[At least he can semi-heal himself. At another's expense, but still!]

[Ven should have used that opportunity. Even with one arm virtually useless, he could have charged in when Ira did, striking Sora from behind while he was focusing on casting -- and had it been any other enemy, he would have. Instead, he stayed where he was, torn and uncertain and wincing when Sora was hit, more so when that Firaga landed--

He could have replied to that last remark with a humbled smile and a cheeky Fair enough -- instead, he hesitated, only giving a half-nod and a quiet answer as he rebuked himself and thought again of how much he hated all this.]

Right...

[Maybe they didn't have to fight him, not totally -- if they could just trap him somewhere, then...! But no, if his Keyblade was at full power, they wouldn't be able to actually lock him in -- and Ven had no idea what all Sora was capable of, so even if they were able to subdue and literally tie him down, it might not be a temporary solution at the very best.

One thing at a time, though.]

I might be able to slow his spells, too. [If he and Ira did indeed swap roles and Ven was the one hanging back. Against anything else in this world, he'd have confidence in doing it up close and on the fly; against a full-powered Keyblade, on the other hand...] But I don't have any healing magic, either, so don't--

[Again, Sora wasn't waiting. He leveled his Keyblade straight at Ven -- but rather than preceding the launch of a spell, the air around him shimmered and warped and... did his clothes just change colors?]

What--

[Whatever it was, it nullified the Blind and Slow spells ~~and probably returned his HP to full if we're going by game mechanics~~ -- and in the next second he closed the distance with a rapid Sliding Dash and and moved too quickly, too smoothly into a swing--

--that Ven avoided with another Flash to the side, but when Sora missed, he simply rebounded off the building that he otherwise would have run smack into -- and launched at Ven again, who raised his Keyblade and did his best to counter one-handed. It wasn't enough. He was knocked backwards, hard -- but before he could hit the ground, a second and third strike sliced hard over his chestplate deep enough to leave gashes, and there was a small explosion of light as Ragnarok was cast at pointblank range, sending him clear across the street with a strangled cry.

Without a hint of the stumbling and stilted motions of before, Sora rounded on Ira, wherever he was at this point, to try and slam into him with another Sliding Dash and repeat the combo.]

[When Ven is hit, Ira refuses to cringe. This was not the time or place for sentiment, only survival. This was not the time to let someone with no will to fight. Especially one that was so injured.

Ira casts Blind once more before sheathing his sword and jumping out of the way of Sora's Sliding Dash. He remembered this attack pattern; he'd faced it several times. Like this he may just have a shot, but Ven... Ven had little chance if whatever was controlling Sora's body decided he was too hard a target to keep aiming for. He dodges once, twice, and leaps out of the way of a Ragnarok. He had to keep moving or they would both be doomed.]

Go, now! If you can stand, run and don't look back!

[The battle for the Crystal of Fire was raging behind him, and the hospital in sight. Ven was between both; and if Ven could move, he could find help with the other heroes. Making sure they both survived was his priority over simply keeping Sora's body in check.

Starved for mana after two attempts to hit the illusive replica, Sora turns toward the injured Ventus again. Yet instead of striking Ven with another Strike Raid, it stops short as Ira suddenly lands on top of the zombified Hero, blade missing his nose by half an inch as he tried to keep Sora restrained.]

I'll follow! [It was a promise, but with what was happening, he wasn't likely going to keep it.]

[In the wake of that attack, it felt like Ven had been thrown full force into a brick wall. Everything hurt, catching his breath was far too difficult, and simply standing up took way longer than it should have. He managed, using his Keyblade partially as a crutch; his face had met the street more than once during that tumble, leaving him with a number of open scrapes and scratches, and he could feel blood trickling down the back of his neck. The tears in his armor were nearly skindeep, and he'd lost one spaulder in there somewhere.

Something was definitely magnifying Sora's powers. Ragnarok was a strong move, no doubt, but not like that.]

N-No way! We'll both go!

[He didn't stop to think how that would be possible; there was just no way he could leave Ira to face this -- and probably die -- alone.]

You're no match for him like this!

Edited 2015-10-31 01:57 (UTC)

[If there was one thing about goody two shoes he had grown to both admire and despise after a year of (by all appearances) siding with Ganondorf, it was moments like these. He admired their tenacity and lack of emotional fortitude to run from the face of insurmountable odds, despite the threat of death. Yet now, he could only show his outrage at the idea. Ira struggles to keep Sora restrained as he ~~points out the obvious~~ speaks:]

Look at yourself, Ven - you can barely stand. And when I let go? He's going to charge at you again.

[One thing is clear: The longer they take arguing about this, the less likely it becomes that they both survive.]

Do you trust me?

[On some level, Ven was already aware of both the futility and stupidity in staying. Lacking the will to fight or being badly injured was bad enough; as both, he was nothing more than a target for Sora and a hindrance for Ira. If Ven stuck around, Ira couldn't fight to the fullest -- not if he was busy watching him.

just like Terra

Ven hadn't been strong enough -- or willing enough -- to stand up against the Master and Terra had stepped in and Eraqus had died and if something like that happened again if someone died because he ran when he could have made a difference

if either of them died--]

I do, but...!

[Even if it was logical, even if his past wasn't coming back to haunt him full force right then, the idea of abandoning anyone -- especially a friend -- tore and screamed at everything Ven believed in and stood for. Turning and running was, in that moment, as physically difficult for him as it was emotionally.]

[At this point, it's taking all of Ira's concentration to not let go of Sora. The amount of strength he has now is nearly overwhelming the replica's determination to see at least one of them escape with their life, and unlike him... Ven wasn't doomed to be destroyed no matter the possible outcomes listed in his file.

Outcomes he already knew would come to be before his reading them.

He grimaces as whatever dark and undead power started to burn through his armor as it wafted off of Sora, but for Ven's sake, he kept holding on--]

Then go! Let me do what I was created to-!

[--but as he said it, his grip was lost as Sora broke free. Ira screams, more enraged then in the pain of the blow, as he flies backward. This wasn't good. He was already reaching his limit and he's only landed two hits, too concerned for Ven's safety than sticking to his original plan.

Ira twists in the air, landing crouched on his feet and good hand. He could almost feel the street slightly giving way (or was it just his armor?) as he watches Sora prepare to use the once-interrupted Strike Raid at Ven.]

Want some more!?

[With his enhanced speed, he raced to parry the strike again. For a moment it felt like he was "home" again, that these skills weren't as foreign to him as they still felt after the resets. He felt like "himself" again rather than what this world thought of him as.

His blade meets Sora's Keyblade as he struggles to hold it back, only managing to deflect it into a nearby building. Of course, that means "Sora" would summon it back into his hands to deal with the bigger threat at the present. Hopefully it would be enough for to get through to Ven just how little time was left before he wouldn't be able to hold Sora off of him.]

Then you'll have to go through me.

[Yet there's something... off about his tone. There is no sass, no witty remarks, no sense of dry humor he tried to use in front of his friends that knew not of the horrors he'd faced or become, in a way. Drawing his sword again in one more attempt to stall, an unhinged grin crosses his lips.

This wasn't the "Ira" that Ven knew; it was the spy who had given up his chance to be happy to protect his fellow replica and countless others by accepting to be the curse of a dark world's plot.]

[Even under the threat of being attacked again, Ven didn't move -- nothing more than a futile shift in his stance, as if he stood a chance at blocking anything that came his way. The short seconds of time that Ira bought him after that were equally wasted as he tried desperately to think of anything he could do to help here -- but his willpower and injuries aside, he'd quite literally chosen the worst Jobs for the events unfolding tonight.

All around, he was useless here -- and it seemed as though trusting Ira was really all he could do.

At the very least, though... He reached out, casting Slow on Sora again, and renewing Ira's Haste.]

Don't...

[His voice broke, his throat was already raw from panting and speaking through the crushing pressure of his dented breastplate, but he forced himself to call out loudly enough to be heard.]

Don't die! I don't care if you'll come back to life later -- Sora wouldn't want this, and I...!

[I've seen too many friends die here

But the more he spoke, the more time he wasted. He could finish the thought later, once this was over and Ira was okay because he would be, he had to be--

Ven turned to go, finally, but that didn't stop him from catching a final glimpse of Ira -- rather, of his expression, the unusual air around him, combined with the stance that had never looked so strikingly familiar as it did in that tense moment.

Even then, Ven didn't stop, but put what strength he had into launching into a running start in the opposite direction. Towards the hospital, jaw set painfully tight and eyes stinging.]

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Event || The Night of the Thirteen Moogles

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