~- Enemies Surround Me -~
Andrew stumbled away, his right arm stinging from the cut he'd gotten. Air hissed between clenched teeth, his eyes gaining another splash of violet near the pupil. Shock cried out, "Look out!" Her voice trembling even though she tried to hide it.
His chest tightened at it, Andy hated it when his charges grew upset. It meant he'd failed to keep them safe, he'd failed in his job. He saw the frost creeping outwards, and the gust of cold wind to his back alerted him to Shiva casting Diamond Dust on the creatures, trying to force them away from her "kids". He almost threw a sarcastic remark, but his hand grew warm once more. Sparing a glance in its direction, he saw the sigil that glowed there and knew Topsy was trying to find him (a similar incident had happened in Machinecken).
Eyes snapped ahead of him, he could have sworn he'd just heard Topsy calling to him. A cruel, mocking laugh echoed around him, it sent his skin crawling even before Krampus spoke in his mind, "Do you honestly think you can save them? You can't, you'll fail like you did with your father, so why try? You will lose everything for the sole crime of breathing."
Andy's eyes darted to the left, searching out the hybrid in the shadows. The evil Christmas spirit was nowhere to be found. Shouting his frustration, Andy squeezed the trigger and shot another of the shadow creatures that had tried to attack him. Krampus was wrong. Harley was wrong. Everyone that doubted him was wrong! He'd prove it to them, he wasn't going to let anyone else die on his watch. "Ramuh!" He shouted, despite knowing that it was likely the Astral wouldn't be able to manifest here.
To his surprise though, a bolt of lightning crashed into the ground, charring the surface and clearing out the hybrids closest to him. Indulging in the momentary breather, Andy muttered a quick incantation to boost the effects of the healing spell he cast on himself. Stumbling a bit, he blinked the haze from his eyes as he felt the ache in his muscles. He really had to remember to take a break and let his magic reserves recharge, he couldn't chain so many spells together. "Hey, are you okay?" Lock asked, and a quick glance confirmed the concern that the devil dressed child felt.
Nodding his head, Andy shout back, "Don't worry, I'm fine and I'll get you out of here."
The next wave of hybrids hit, forcing Andy to hop away from them and fire over a quick round of bullets. He groaned when the barrels clicked but nothing came out, forcefully reminding him about the fact he'd failed to load up on ammo before they'd left Machinecken. Stupid him, he should have made sure to grab the extra ammo from his room! Ramuh had abandoned him since he didn't have enough magic to keep both Astrals there and still cast spells. As it was, Andy could feel that Shiva was getting ready to fade away too. Panting a little bit, Andy backed up towards the kids again, and he could feel their trembling when he got close enough to them.
Shit, how am I supposed to do this?
It took a few moments, but then Andy figured something out. Glancing back at the kids, he ordered, "Go to the wall on the left." They obeyed without question, and Andy cast a spell to conceal them and a spell to help protect them for in case a heartless got to close.
Moving to stand in front of them so he at least knew they were protected, along with his back, Andy focused back on the heartless. He tried to ignore the quiver of his hand, he was almost positive it was from exhaustion, not fear. Shaking his head, Andy thought, Seriously, where's reinforcements when you need them? Topsy, if you're down here, please I need you. Steeling himself for the fight to come, Andy prepared for another round with these creatures, whichever round of combat that this happens to be.
~- Reunion -~
Henry walked along the tunnel, searching for some sign he was getting close to one of his targets. He hesitated for just a moment, that moment was all that was needed for a ghost to appear. Looking at it, he raised an eyebrow at it. It was definitely one of the residents of Yomi, so what was it doing all the way over here? He silently asked it if Izanami sent it, to which the ghost said yes. He nodded, satisfied with the answer before he got moving again, only to be joined by another ghost that decided to investigate. He didn't flinch when the temperature suddenly dropped on him, nor when he saw the frost creeping along the walls.
"Shut up!!! I won't let you hurt the people of this world anymore than you've done already, you sick piece of shit. I...I won't die down here, you can't stop me. NOBODY CAN STOP ME!!!"
The shout barely reached him before Henry was running down the corridor, the ghosts hot on his heels. He heard the sounds of conflict, both ahead of him and behind him. He could sense that Andrew was behind him, but it sounded like Topsy needed some help. Tapping into the link the the god souls shared, he shouted mentally at Sevastian, Get your ass underground yesterday! Topsy could use some help along with Andrew.
It was only a few moments after the order that Henry came across Topsy, who by the looks of it had just cast a spell. Skidding to a halt, Henry took in the older man's appearance and frowned. "You look like hell, use this." Henry held out a healing potion, having dealt with Sevastian more times than he could count, he added, "You won't be of any use to Andrew in your current condition, use the potion and then...." The sound of the air sizzling gave Henry just enough warning for him to move out of the way as he grumbled, "Move."
The fireball went soaring past the two of them, and a quick look in that direction showed that some of the frost had melted but it was still there. Waving his hand towards one of the ghosts, Henry watched as it disappeared as he addressed Topsy, "Potion, drink it now if you haven't already." He was concentrated though on the ghost that he'd dispatched to Andrew though, the kid seriously needed backup if the ghost's readings were right.
~- Through with Doubt -~
Olympus Coliseum - Arena
Forgive.... Sounds good
The sound of clashing steel rang out, cutting through the previous silence. Cutter sat in the stands, watching the match going on below her. People were cheering, enjoying the spectacle that was happening as a muscular hero took on a monster. She wasn't interested in it though, her attention was on the monster and the bitterness that clung to it. Cutter didn't know why her father had begged her to come to this world, to this coliseum for assistance. She just knew that was the case, so here she was.
Forget.... I don't think I could
Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the one that was causing the song. She could feel the resentment in the words, so she knew that someone felt that way. Rising to her feet, she carefully moved to the end of the row. She almost went out the way she'd come, but something made her pause. Closing her eyes, she called out to the Eidolons in her mind. What do you think I should do?
She alone saw the mist that gathered in the arena, she was also the only one that saw the dragon that formed from it. Looking at the dragon, Cutter remained motionless as the Mist Dragon answered, Bahamut wishes for you to go into the arena and stop the slaughter that is about to happen. Cutter nodded, not needing to be told twice on her duties. Turning around, she focused back on the monster, it was a young dragon. Walking down the steps calmly, she set foot on the stage, ignoring the gasps from the audience and the bewildered expression on the supposed hero's face.
There's nothing left for me to figure out
Glaring at the man, she carefully walked up to the dragon. It looked at her with hatred and fear, something that she was used to. So, carefully, she closed her eyes and started to sing the song that Bluebelle had taught her for the occasion that Aria had lost control. Her voice rose and fell like the ocean waves, and she projected a calm aura, helping to ease the dragon's fear of her. Opening her eyes, she slowly approached it and held her hand out to the creature. Sensing the desire of the dragon, she rested her head against its and whispered, "It's okay, you're free. Lord Bahamut won't let them hurt you, Little One."
The dragon pulled away, blinked twice, before it took off into the sky. Cutter stared after it, her heart longing to take to the sky. The song in her head remained, so the dragon wasn't the source of it. Looking to the "hero" she listened as he demanded to know why she did it. Scoffing, she retorted, "Hercules, right? You're a coward, picking on a child. You should be ashamed of yourself, you're no hero. Hades is a better hero than you!"
They say time heals everything
Without another word, Cutter turned on her heel and stalked off, tuning out the audience as they screamed profanities at her. She had just left the stadium when she felt a darkness behind her, she paused in her path and slowly turned to look behind her. At first there was nothing, then there was a man with blue skin and flaming blue hair. His eyes were gold and he wore a black toga, he also screamed trouble and shifty as all get out to her. She could also tell he was the source for the aggressive song in her head. He had the same vibe as the music, angry, bitter and passive aggressive as all hell.
"Hi, how are you doing? I'm Hades, the Lord of the Dead."
She suddenly recalled the legends here, of how the residents believed that even speaking the deity's name before her would draw his attention. She eyed him, sizing the god up, even as she kept herself closed off to the otherworldly being. "Do you know Hercules?" She asked cautiously, and in answer she saw his face twist with fury as the volume of the song in her head increased.
Okay, this guy was definitely trouble.
But I'm still waiting....
Even so, she felt sympathy for him. It was probably something this guy wasn't used to, but it's not like she'd show it to him yet. "He's my nephew, and a major pain in my side." Hades answered, the look he shot her had Cutter's skin prickling with goose bumps.
She smiled, because she may as well tip things in her favor while keeping him off guard. Besides, she honestly did mean what she was about to say. "Tell you what, I'll help you bring him down a couple pegs. He's an arrogant prick that could use the lesson." She said nonchalantly, and she nearly laughed when Hades's jaw almost dropped to the ground. Then a slow, cunning smirk spread across Hades face as he reappeared by her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Well then my little robin, follow me."
Cutter didn't struggle as she was guided away, and while startling, she didn't fight him as they disappeared and reappeared in what she figured was his home turf. Looking around her, Cutter took in the dark, morbid interior before she saw a chair across from what looked to be a throne room. "Please, have a seat." Hades commented, even as he sat down in the throne.
Doing as she was told, Cutter met his gaze and waited for him to begin.
There's nothing left for me to figure out