"I am fair warrior, and you are fast but I guarantee you, you are not fast enough"

Reversing the spear he stabs it in the ground in front of him.

Looking toward the sky at Mat he smiles, that was the last clear image Mat saw, there was no after image no sound, simply the impact of a fist in Mat's ribcage. Mat acted on insticnt moving back throwing blocks left and right however for every one he blocked three made it through.
With a crack that was echoed by thunder Mat felt one of his ribs break, his next block came a second too late and another hit struck him across his temple.
His vision flashed and for a second he saw that same smile, before he was hit across the back sending him crashing to the earth below.

Thunder rolled in the distance. . .

Mat got to his feet determined to not let the other warrior see his pain, and was succesful in rising with only a small wince.

Arc once again stood by his spear, waiting

Matt looked over at Koorittou to make sure he had landed safely. He had. The way he was able to land, he might as well be able to fly. Then, Matt felt a wave of dizziness come over him. For a moment, he forgot all about Arc and looked over at Serendice.

"No. Serendice. It can't be. I... I lov..."

Tears were flowing freely down Matt's face. With great effort, he reached out a hand covered in blood and dirt. Then, her image blurred and faded away. Matt fell limp to the earth. Beautiful white wings poured like water from Matt's back, also covered in blood. As he lay there, a brilliant light washed over him and he was gone.

Serendice leapt upward in a fit of passion, narrowly escaping the fiery rift created by Szanod. She landed roughly on the ground beside the dying angel. Serendice watched in anguish as her once beloved seraphim faded from sight, leaving her empty with only the sting of the truth of Szanod's words to compel her onward.

"Matt..." she whispered, a single tear sliding down her flushed cheek.

She bowed her head in pain and fear and felt the power of the darkness overtaking her. Perhaps now they should all die to justify her loss.

Serendice stood up, clutching the flaming sword, to meet whoever might advance...

She did not have to wait long. As soon as she got up, Szanod was directly in front of her.

"Are you evil now, Serendice? Have you switched "teams" just like that? Or are you yourself, living in this moment, devoid of blinding emotions such as regret, fear, love and hatred? Come at me, fallen angel, that I may know you in battle."

Szanod then took a low stance, his armour now fully repaired and the dark energies gathering around him.

"Matt?....." Koorittou questioned. "It can't be...you can't be dead...you're to strong..to noble..I won't let this go...you saved my life...YOU'LL ALL PAY!!!"

Koorittou had had enough of this ridiculous "game" as some of the players saw it. Enough of the pain, enough of the torment, enough of the bloodshed. He was the guardian of these sacred lands upon which this battle was being waged, it's about time he started acting like it.

Summoning all the ki energy he could muster in his weakened state, Koorittou began to power up with his sword still in hand. As he did, his blue ora began to grow and grow until it covered a span of about 15 feet.

In response to this power surge, the land's climate began to change. Dark snowclouds began to form over head, and ice began to form over the wheat field, creating a sheet of ice over the land, preventing any escape of his oponents underground. Soon snow and ice began to fall from the sky, small and light at first, but then quick and heavy. Large shards of ice began to fall from the sky as if spears were being shot down from heaven. These ice spears began to pelt Koorittou's opponents, and as the number and speed of the shards started to pick up, it was all that they could do to dodge and avoid injury.

The entire landscape was now a wintery storm, and Koorittou stood in the center of it, unphased, sword drawn, and ora still powerfully eminating from his body.

"Shiva! Give me the strength to conquer my foes, and avenge the life of my comrade who I was unable to save." Koorittou yelled looking up towards the nearby mountians.

He was answered by a new ora, a new power, growing inside of him. Seamlessly, his ora changed from its previous color of light blue to pure white. He had the power of Shiva, all the power of the ice goddess in his body.

"THE TIME HAS COME!" Korittou yelled, raising his katana above his head "YOU'LL PAY!"

With this, Koorittou struck the ground with his katana, and the ground shattered. The wintery storm around him grew even more intense, nothing was visible to his opponent's, him or his attack. Huge rods of ice and balls of blue ki energy begn to emerge under the feet of all his opponents. Then...the blast. An explosion of ice, snow, and ki energy. His opponent's couldn't escape, they were all blindly struck by the attack.

Koorittou stood in the middle of the wheat field as the debris from his attack settled to the ground and the severe blizzard subsided to a light downfall of snow. The enitre landscape was covered by a white blanket of snow and ice. Nothing was vivisble but white, not even his opponents.

An exhausted Korittou thought to himself 'Have I done enough?'

Eldaire rested quietly in the forest. Birds, wolves, and bears alike gathered around him, protecting him and tending to him. Suddenly, Eldaire began to stir. He was not awakening, he was dreaming...

Eldaire stood alone in a vast white terrain. He couldn't tell where the sky ended and the ground began. Off in one direction, he saw Matt.

"Eldaire. The time has come. Whether you're ready or not, this angel must be passed on. Eldaire, remember what you fight for. You're not just fighting for yourself, you're fighting for the human race and all the good it's capable of. You're fighting for love. You're fighting for friendship. You're fighting for all that is good. Now Eldaire, awaken!"

The image of Matt suddenly exploded into a million white particles. They began to drift towards Eldaire, slowly at first, but soon they were rocketing towards him. As they met him, he felt a strange tingling all over. Then, his mind was filled with the mind of the angel that was entering him. He gained the knowledge of millenia of training. But more importantly, he gained all of the passion of the angel. Visions began to shoot through his mind. He saw God in all his glory, instructing him in the art of combat. He saw war and bloodshed. Countless lives being lost. Then, he saw Serendice. They were together in a beautiful garden.

"We'll always be together, right?" Serendice whispered gently into his ear. "Always," was the response. They shared a long passionate kiss. The next thing he saw was Serendice in her terrible demon form. He heard a voice in his head. "Take care of her Eldaire." It was Matt. "Take care of Serendice."

He saw the image of Ligot, the body that had just died, training. It was training, just as Eldaire had been doing, to become the next protector of the humans.

He then saw Korittou fighting boldly to protect his lands. His demon nature did not seem to compel him to evil. He merely wanted to ensure peace in his domain. "Teach him."

He saw Kuaiji and Arc, weapons drawn prepared for battle. "Guide these warriors away from darkness. Protect them and protect those they fight."

He saw Szanod punishing foes and rejoicing in their pain. "Protect your friends from people like this. Save them from harm. Now Eldaire, you've slept long enough! AWAKEN!"

Eldaire awoke, screaming in righteous fury, instantly on his feet. He fell to his knees and tears streamed down his face. The power of the angel was a terrible burden to bear. As he knelt down, he brought his head to the ground. Tears formed a puddle in the dirt beneath him. He felt a terrible pain in his back, and two beautiful white wings exploded from his shoulder blades. Then, he stood. He was no longer so overcome with emotion. He felt peace. He walked calmly to a nearby pond and saw his reflection.

"Who is this? Is this me? I remember who I was, but that's not who I am any more. I see. Now I am Matt, the defender of the light!"

"Wow, I wasn't sure if this body was ready, but my power seems to be even greater in it. My power's twice what it was in that kid's body."

He exploded in a brilliant white aura, twice as powerful as Matt's before him. He knew Ligot, the body Matt had just used, was smiling from on high. He then shot off back towards the battle, leaving a huge crater where he once stood.

When he returned to the battle, he saw only ice. He flew above the spot where Korittou stood.

"Korittou! What have you done? Where is Serendice? Where are the others?"

Watched the battle from the ether. He knew his body was wrecked beyond all hope and he felt an odd sensation, fear? guilt? no.. release. The demon had ensured that Kuaiji's body would not house a mortal soul again. A cage, it was.. and now he was free of it. He could feel the wind still, though now the wind of the ether, pushing him like a leaf in a hailstorm.

There. There they are.

The ground was white, cracked and angry. Fewer warriors stood, but the demon was among them. Kuaiji drifted closer, only to get pushed away again. So he chose another. Yes.. Her.

She was awash in rage, anger, and it was directed in the right place. Kuaiji allowed himself to be drawn closer to her, and whispered in her ear. He had no voice, but he was sure she would hear the words

I am Kuaiji Ill'Kator. I am the last of the whispers of ages past. I held the mantle of seven lands like a shepard king. I have spoken words forgotten by all but the stars, but I have failed here. I shall guide your rage, strike now!

"I...I...I don't know." Kooritou stammered as he struggled to stand.

Eldaire could feel Koorttou's energy rapidly declining, but did nothing to help.

" This..." Koorittou said, falling to his knees and surveying his surroundings. "..was not supposed to happen. So much destruction..what have I done?"

Koorittou repeated Eldaire's question to himself now, over and over. He looked at his hands, still holding the ice-covered katana, and felt disgusted. He threw the sword away, and it landed on the ground yards away.

"This wasn't supposed to happen...I didn't mean...why?" Koorittou stammered.

Tears began to fall down his cheeks, but were frozen before they coud even reach halfway down his face. The ice demon's once amazing white ora had reutrned to its light blue color now, and had been reduced to nothing more than a flicker.

'Are they all gone?' Koorittou thought to himself 'Have I killed them all.'

Suddenly, Koorittou's strength gave out and he fell face first into the snow covered ground. Eldaire made no attempts to help him, he couldn't, how could he help such a demon...

As Kooritou laid on the snow covered ground, breathing heavily, he thought to himself:

'I never knew ice could be THIS cold...'

Serendice's battered body surged with pain and a terrible cold. She couldn't cry or speak or move in her icy cage. Suddenly she felt the presence of the angel she thought she had lost.

'Could it be?' she wondered. 'Could he still be alive? No, that's impossible! I saw him die!'

As the anger flooded back into her she felt something else entering her as well.

"I am Kuaiji Ill'Kator. I am the last of the whispers of ages past. I held the mantle of seven lands like a shepard king. I have spoken words forgotten by all but the stars, but I have failed here. I shall guide your rage, strike now!"

She felt an intense energy and power caress her being as she allowed the demon to guide her...

Eldaire looked down on the once proud ice demon.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Besides, I don't think they're dead. That was a fearsome attack to be sure, but these warriors are strong and resilliant."

Eldaire retracted his wings into his body and flew down next to Korittou.

"Rise warrior. You must survive this battle. Your destiny is great, and I would be failing Matt if I allowed you to give up so easily. Now, help me look for the others so we can save them."

"What's the point?" Koorittou asked, still eminating frozen tears from his blue eyes."I let the demon side of me get the better of me, and I have hurt everyone, and I have failed my mission. I damned this sacred land to an eternally cold prison."

Koorittou did not rise from the icy ground. The cold of the ground even sent icy stings thoughout his body, and he was an ice demon. Imagine the pain the others felt.

'Good..' Koorittou thought to himself. 'At least I can share in at least some of the pain I have caused my enemies neelessly.'

"Eldaire.." Koorittou said, still lying on the ground. "I sense Matt within you, and you speak with his wisdom. You spoke of my destiny, but I have none now. I damned myself to a life of pain and misery. I am nothing more than a demon. Before I was a guardian who kept his demon side in check. But now...I have lost the battle."

'What have I done?' Koorittou again asked himself.

"QUIT BEING SO DAMN FOOLISH! If you would just stop to think about it, there is a good chance that everyone is alive, if badly injured. Szanod has been to hell and back. Serendice has the power of both angel and demon. Arc managed to fell the protector of the humans. As for the land, you forget that not only does Szanod have incredible fire powers, but Serendice has the sword of Michael which could melt this ice with the shockwave of a swing. You made a mistake so you learn from it and do better the next time. It's part of being mortal."

"Eldaire, I don't think I can handle a mistake like this."

"Then you can choose to suffer. That's part of being mortal too.

"Mortal, right."

"By the way, quit calling me Eldaire. That's the name this body had before. I am Matt now, angel of God sent to protect the humans, and by His might I will save these people here today. Now let's go."

"You don't unders..."

Matt brought his hand open across the ice demon's face. "We're going to save their lives! Now come on!" With that, Matt began to fly just over the ground, sending a cloud of snow to either side of him. "You look for Szanod. And be careful! He's played possum once already, I wouldn't put it past him to do it again."

'He just doesn't understand." Koorittou thought to himself, picking himself up off the frozen ground. ' I was supposed to protect this sacred land and all who passed through it, good and evil. But instead, I let the demon inside me win and I have killed this land and maybe even my fellow warriors.'

'What he doesn't know is that the ice magic of Shiva can't be reversed. Not even by the flame blade of Michael. This land is forever cursed. DAMN!'

Koorittou could feel the affects of his attack throughout his entire body. Every joint, muscle, and bone ached with an excruciating pain. Regardless of the pain, Koorittou still forced himself to start looking for Szanod, dead or alive.

Matt focused with all his might on the essence of Serendice.

What? It's moving, and fast! But to where?

He quickly realized that there was another dark aura, just ahead of Serendice.

Heh, should have known a little thing like an attack from a goddess couldn't do her in. Well, since I know she's alive I have other matters to attend to. I'll deal with her later. Now, where's Arc?

Running around at an unusally slow pace, Koorittou desperately searched for Szanod.

'Even though he is evil, I hope he has survived. Not even evil deserves such and icy death.'

Going to where Szanod last stood, Koorittou dropped down to his hands and knees searching for his opponent. At first, all he found were pieces of Szanod's armor that had sheared off during the attack. But he soon found Szanod, half frozen in ice, with his leg impaled upon one of the ice spears. Koorittou dug Szanod out, and seeing that he was breathing, layed him down on the ground to rest.

'You are a mighty one Szanod' Koorittou thought to himself.

After rescuing Szanod, Kooritou suddenly started to sense Serendice up and moving. But, in his weakened form he was unable to sense where she was headed. Towards him or Matt?

"Matt have you found Arc or Kuajii?" Koorittou yelled to his angelic friend. "I've found Szanod and he is still alive. Maybe you were right....these warriors are incredibly strong."

Serendice had never felt so alive. Her blood pumped through her veins as Kuaiji entered her body, restoring her weakened spirit and filling her with an intense heat.

She waited silently for the wisdom of Kuaiji's guidance, bending to his every whim in her hunger for power.

'Speak to me, friend, I listen...'

Lying on the frozen ground, Szanod couldn't help but to smile. One by one, these beings were discovering their true nature. One by one, they were peeling back the false layers they had covered their eyes with and started to see the truth.

Koorittou was making his way away from him, but he needed to know something first. Suddenly, black, ectoplasmic tentacles emerged from the cracked areas of his armour and reached for the ice man swiftly. Securing him, they pulled him back to where Szanod was now standing and held him within inches of his face.

Koorittou didn't feel the intense pain that Kuaiji experienced when he was in Szanod's embrace. Instead, he felt a languid longing for surcease. Looking into Szanod's eyes, he saw that the orange glow had faded slightly and even took on a blueish tint.

"You feel it now, don't you Koorittou. Regret... failure. Let it seep through your body and witness that which I had to face all of these millenia..."

Koorittou was suddenly pulled into Szanod's body. He found himself in a desolate place: nothing but charred rock and a cloudy, blood red sky with a faint orange light in the distance, as if the sun was perpetually setting. Then, he saw him. Szanod was standing in front of one of the gates of the Netherworld. Even though he wasn't in it, he could feel the horrible, mind-numbing, soul-crushing torment its residents suffered constantly.
Their numbers were pressed up against the cold, barbed bars of the gates, making them bulge and twist, longing for a release that would never come.

A great swell of desperation washed over Koorittou. He fell to his knees and knew this was the price he would have to pay for desecrating his charge.

As he looked up, Szanod was gone. He then felt a strong hand lift him up and turn him around. The guardian's face was just as he first remembered it, all blazing orange eyes and grim determination. His voice was cavernous and wet.

"This is the last thing that those I break get to see before they tear their own eyes from their sockets to escape the sights past these gates. You are ready to go there, I can feel it. In using your demon side, you cursed your land and now you seek reparation. Don't think you are alone, many of your kind, as well as angels, have fallen before me and stepped in the Netherworld as shattered and hollow husks in order to make amends for their sins. However, there is no hope in the Netherworld, no surcease, no escape. Only those who completely surrender their mind and soul can glimpse a chance for release, but those that do only come back as shrieking wrecks who long to be destroyed once again."

Turning Koorittou back to face the gates, Szanod continued:

"But there is another way, a way that no one has chosen before in this place. The angel entity known as Matt knows it, but his is only a half measure. That way is sacrifice. Give your power to someone, so that they may undo what you have done, then you may know peace. The transfer might kill you, but your death will be a mortal one devoid of the stain of sin and regret. Everyone to whom I offered the choice has refused it, for fear that their strengths might once again be used for evil. Cowards all, I broke them utterly and sent them to their doom. Are you one of those cowards, ice demon? Do you know yourself enough? Or are you ready to feel pain unlike any you've ever felt, which would make your previous mistake seem like a victory?"

Koorittou could not believe what he was hearing, but he could not deny it. Perhaps this demon was not pure evil after all.

"I'm waiting."

"No!"

Matt had to forget about Arc and Serendice for now. He launched an incredible beam at the entranced shell that was Szanod's body. Once the smoke and snow cleared away, Koorittou lay on the ground and Szanod stood up.

"Foolish angel. I can see it in his eyes even now. He's made his choice. The dark tentacles reached out for Koorittou, but they found Matt in his new body instead. Matt felt the suffering of all those defeated by Szanod, but it brought him no pain. He knew that these people had been condemned by the wisdom of his Lord, and he did not doubt the decision. He stood there as the tentacles wrapped tighter and tighter around him. They attempted to crush him. As the entirety of Matt's body was consumed by the darkness, a single ray of light shot from the top of the mass. Then, more rays began to appear from between the cracks of the tentacles. A loud yell could be heard from within.

"EEEAAAGGGHHH!"

The darkness exploded and disintegrated while what remained of the tentacles withdrew into Szanod's body. Matt stood there, arms flexed, his aura pulsating around him with incredible power.

"Listen to me Koorittou, do not let Szanod distort your mind! No matter what happens, no matter what you or anyone else has done, you must NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! In my world, demons such as yourself who have done far worse fight side by side with angels against evil forces. Stand now, Koorittou! Believe in yourself! Believe in all that is good in you and the world around you! Believe in God! Believe in hope! Do this, and redemption will be yours."

He turned then to Szanod. "Szanod. I have pressing matters to attend to, but I can't while you're attempting to corrupt my friend. If you have any good inside you at all, help me find Arc who is still buried under here somewhere, and if I'm right, he's in great danger since Serendice is down there too. We need to make sure they're both okay before this battle can resume. Of course, if you don't care about that, then I suppose I must indulge your lust for battle."

With that, Matt took a fighting stance facing Szanod.

"Make your choice, and make it well."

With her newfound strength pulsating through every inch of her, Serendice focused her energy. She closed her eyes, feeling the scorching ice around her begin to give way. In one deft movement she flung the flaming sword in an arc around her encased body, shattering the ice with a deafening blow.

She leapt skyward, free of her bonds, and began to search hungrily for Arc who would die soon if he hadn't already. She felt his presence below the ice and dove down, waving the flaming blade before her. She sliced through the ice and dragged Arc's nearly lifeless body from its cold tomb.

Remembering that this was the demon who had killed the only being she had ever loved, she clenched her fists and kicked him hard in the ribs.
"Get up and fight me, you pathetic excuse for a warrior!"

"Give up my powers in return for salvation...sounds like a good idea." Koorittou replied to Szanod. "IF I WERE A WEAKLING!"

Koorittou now realized what Matt had been talking about this entire time, about not giving up even after mistakes. Despite his mistakes, all of them, Koorittou now had a purpose. He could TRY to protect the people he served and TRY to reverse the curse he had set upon his scared land. He now weilded a sword that protected something greater than just a piece of land, he now protected himself and the world. Failure was not an option.

With a renewed spirit, Koorittou felt some of his strength returning. His ice blue eyes twinkled once again, and his ora started to slowly reform around his body. Though he was weak, he was ready to fight, to protect.

"Matt." Koorittou said turning to his angelic ally. "Let's do this."

Koorittou returned to the spot where he had launched his last attack and retrieved his katana. It's metal blade gleamed in the sun, which had now broken through the darkened sky, bringing new hope. Upon picking the sword up, it's iceblade began to reform. He was ready.

Blazing power surged through Arc's body melting the ice around him and throwing the angelic warrior back. Twisting the spear around him he shook the ice from his body.
The quite smile that once flashed on his young face faded now to mocking laughter.

"HA! Fool I am the storm, I am lord of ALL storms. Your pathetic holy war means nothing to me. I am all around you all around the world. Your fallen warrior was a brave man. Mourn for him, but to take the blame for his death is to rob him of his honor fool!"

Power blazed around him, electricity jumping wildly from his being.

"Try your hand angel, but I warn you, you have shown much dishonor, and I will not be as cordial as I was with your friend"

His black form stood motionless, waiting . . .

"You..."

Serendice's eyes surged with a blood red light. Darkness poured from her being, almost hiding the light from the flaming sword in her hands.

"Come and meet your death!"

She charged him, but then disappeared. Arc was lost by her speed. Her power was immense now that she had so completely given herself to darkness. She appeared behind him and shot a blast of negatve chi into his back. The explosion sent Arc hurling towards the earth. She flew at him mid-fall, lifting her sword over her head. Arc managed to rotate and thrust his spear back towards Serendice. It collided with the sword. For a brief moment, flame and spark shot through the dark. The blast even managed to melt some of the ice of the great Shiva beneath them. Then, the spear shattered, the sword coming down onto Arc. It went through his black armor leaving a shallow gash across his chest. He crashed into the ground, coughing up blood. He managed to pull himself to his knees and vomitted on the spot. When he finally got to his feet, he was crackling with anger.

"Matt, when will you ever understand? My existence, though perhaps incomprehensible to you, has nothing to do with corruption. My purpose is to make people know themselves and make decisions with a clear head. To make such decision, one must be the very embodiment of objectivity. Fear, pain, love, hope, hatred... all must be discarded in order to find out exactly what we can and cannot do, in other words, the essence of our abilities and purpose should be dictated by us, not our feelings. Emotions can either cloud or fuel these things, but they are ultimately just accessories or catalysts, if you will. They drive people to err. Some are not ready to deal with such consequences.

By showing Koorittou the gates I protected, by letting him feel the agony of the Netherworld's denizens, my goal was not to make him lose hope. Even if my powers and the realm I protect all appear to be founded on despair and suffering they do not own me, I own them. Understand this, "angel": I have inflicted suffering, I have broken all manner of beings to prepare them for hell. But those I defeated had stopped believing in themselves long ago. If one does not have will, one cannot have a purpose. Therefore, I readied them for the torment they inwardly seeked.

Koorittou appears ready to know himself and exert his will to make things happen. For once in a very long time, I am... ... glad. You two have no need to battle me anymore. For now. But know that I will be there when your will is gone or you seek to challenge yourself. That is why I appeared in this battlefield, to test the mettle of those who would be too proud..."

Turning to look at the battle between Arc and Serendice, Szanod sighed.

"It would seem Serendice needs my ministrations. As for Arc... he seems noble enough and self-possessed. Fight him for skill, if you wish, but not for death."

With that, Szanod directed the dark energies to the damaged spots of his armour and once again called for the poison to enter his spikes.

Matt relaxed his fighting stance.

"Szanod... you're the one who doesn't understand. Whether you pull them toward evil or not you are corrupting, poisoning, decaying their souls. Emotions are a good thing. I am one with y emotions and I'll not kill them or force them under my control. Life is good too, and there is always a way to go back, so long as you're alive. That is why I don't try to end your life right now. There is still a chance for you to go back. You can come back to the light even now. Hitting bottom is an empty existance. It leads to peace, but that does not make it right." He faced away towards the battle. "I never fight to kill and, leave Serendice out of this. I'll not allow you to cause her any pain. If nothing else, at least give me a chance first. I have faith that I can bring her back. I believe."

Matt began walking towards the battle.

"Well shit!" Koorittou said out loud, looking back and forth between Matt and Szanod, letting himself relax and his ora fade. "I'm confused as all Hell right now..."

"Matt, I think right now we should take Szanod's advice and battle him no longer. Serendice needs to be saved, the evil has overwhelmed." Koorittou said turning towards Matt.

"But Szanod, this is not your place to step in. Let Matt go first if he believes he can take care of her, protect her, from the evil within himself." Koorittou said looking on at Szanod with almost a pleading look on his face.

"I have proven myself unworthy, not as a fighter, but as a protector. So I will no step in until asked, or until I am needed. I am not ready yet, and I must still choose my path."

Tears again began to fall down Koorittou's face, freezing halfway down his cheeks. He looked at the wintery landscape around him, and was filled with feelings of guilt and slight despair.

'I must fix this...'

His eyes closed, his mind going about the task of directing the repair of his armour, Szanod answers:

"There is no need to go back, Matt, for I've not gone anywhere, up or down. My purpose is not evil, although I do use energies that are perceived as evil. I am not lost; in fact I found myself in the role I've chosen. That's what it was Matt: a choice. I am not a hapless servant of the Darkness and I do not actively seek to destroy light. I fight those who come to me at the gates or those who actually seek a challenge, be they good or evil, as all of you today."

Upon hearing his plead for him to not attack Serendice, Szanod shakes his head wearily and sighs once more.

"Do as you wish, "angel". Your methods of salvation are but a reflection of mine. Our ways are clearly different, but our goals are the same: to bring about truth."

Watching Matt walk towards the battle, Szanod turned to Koorittou. Seeing the sadness and confusion on his face, he heads for him. The ice demon immediately steps back, fearing an attack, but Szanod makes no threathening move. He looks at him for a few moments, as if this was the first time he laid eyes on him.

"You have seen my world and lived. You have looked into yourself and realized a choice must be made and that this choice is yours..."

Slowly, he raised his massive, spiked right arm in an offer of a handshake.

"Thank you."

Staring at Szanod with alarm at first, Koorittou hesitated. Szanod, seeing the ice-demon's reluctance began to withdraw his hand, a slight look of defeat and reget in his darkened eyes. Seeing this, Koorittou chose.

Koorittou extended his hand and grasped Szanod's gauntlet covered hand in a fervent handshake, before he could completely withdraw it.

"I have never questioned your strength Szanod." Koorittou said, peering at the brimstone warrior with his ice blue eyes. "But I have questioned your honor and values as a warrior." Szanod looked back with a look of offense.

"However, I know longer queston that. You have shown mercy in answering Matt and mine's pleas, and you have offered your guidance, good or bad, when I was lost. You owe me no thanks, but I owe you mine, as well as my apologies. I am sorry for any damage that my demon side has caused you, any pain or torment. Though I must say that you appear to be healing just fine. You are undoubtedly strong Szanod, and you have only made yourself stronger by answering our pleas. Thank you."

With these words, the handshake was broken, and the two warriors turned to watch the battle that no ensumed. Koorittou couldn't help but smile as he thought 'If the guardian of the netherworld and an angel can come to some kind of an agreement, then anythings possible. Anything.'

Tears again began to flow out of Koorittou's ice blue eyes, but this time they were not from pain or sadness. Suddenly, his choice did not seem so hard to make and his situation did not seem so hopeless.

'I chose to survive...' Koorittou thought ' I chose to survive, and live my live with purpose...to survive and protect...to survive and live..'

Kuaiji's life flooded into Serendice and she knew everything as he would. For a moment she was shocked out of her battle with Arc and could see only the flashing deluge of memories, emotions, the passions of this rare mortal.

'How can it be?' she wondered. 'How can a human have such power? No devil below nor any god in heaven would grant a mere mortal such gifts! How was Kuaiji created this way?'

She was lost in her bafflement only for a moment before Kuaiji overtoke her mind and drove her back into the fight.

Arc stood where he fell. White light and energy blazing so bright and hot it blinded. When it faded he stood there whole and uninjured.

"I am in no way easily defeated"

He discarde the ruined remain of his spear. Reaching back he drew forth the two blades that were sheathed over his shoulders. One was as white as pure fallen snow. It seemed so incandescent it was as if you could look through it. The other as black as midnight, so dark is swallowed the light around it.

"You go to far, angel, to think you can so easily defeat me!" His eyes blazed white fire, "This is thunder and lighting, I have drew them only twice in all rememberance, and my memory is as old as this world. I drew them the day the world was made, and the day your lord ordered me to bring about the world storm, the flood that ended all else." As he spoke it began to rain, torrential rain, as it fell towards the ice covered earth it becam sleet. Razor sharp ice rain that ruined all. Storm clouds amassed over head in a black vortex, and lighting so wild it began to destroy the land around.
"For your insolence, and dishonor, you will be destroyed. . ."

He was gone then. Electricity is light and energy and nothing moved faster. Serendice had no time to look, a blow from thunder knocked her sword and hand to earth and where they landed no one could say. The second blow landed by lighting, struck her mid body severing half way through her torso, energy blazed forth cauterizing the cut and melting the flesh around it. Thought finally caught up to Serendice, the two blows had come so fast as to almost be the same hit. Pain had yet to reach her mind so fast was the attack. As the third blow landed she had time to examine the land in all its dreadful beauty before she looked down to see a white blade portruding from one breast, and a black portruding from the other.

Arc's voice penetrated her mind

"Oh lord what fools these angels be. . ."

The blades were torn downward and sliced through her being as if it was paper. From breast to heel she was severed. She fell to earth, to the toll of thunder over head.

As Koorittou stood next Szanod watching the battle rage, he noticed a brief change in color in Serendice's eyes, from bloodred to blue. As he saw this, Koorittou came to an abruput realization.

'She doesn't want to battle in this manner' Koorittou thought to himself 'she's being enticed by someone. But who?"

Realizing this, Koorittou yelled to Matt "Matt, Serendice can be saved, just like you said. I believe that someone is forcing her to battle in this evil manner.."

Matt turned back to look at Koorittou with a slightly surprised look, one made as if he were faking. Did the angel already know this truth?

Koorittou stood horrified as he looked on at Serendice laying bloodied on the snowcovered grounds.

Seconds after he had uttered the words to Matt about being able to save her, she now seemed to be dead.

'Serendice,' Koorittou thought 'Why did it have to end like this. Why did your beauty have to fade from this Earth. For what purpose?'

All seemed lost for Serendice, at this moment, to Koorittou. Or was it? Koorittou joined Matt as they both traversed the field at top speed to join the dying Serendice

Serendice gasped in agony, blood filling her mouth and running like tears from her eyes. The death of an angel should not be this way. Angels didn't die, they merely faded away and joined their God with peace. But Serendice was no angel. Not only had she fallen and therefore would suffer the torment of hell in the afterlife, but the spirit of a mortal had taken over her soul and now she would feel the misery of a mortal death.

Through the blur and the sting of blood and tears, she saw Matt and Koorittou running toward her, but they would come too late.

'No, no, not like this...' she pleaded with the God she had betrayed.

She knew her prayers would not reach heaven. With the only strength left in her body, she reached for her flaming sword, her only salvation. If she could only reach it...

Kuaiji did not scream when Serendice died, but a part of him wept for the angel. There was nothing his power could do for her body, and like his own, it had become a broken shell. Poor, bloodied, and forgotten by life. Instead he cradled her being within his own and floated for awhile.

You are right about one thing, angels don't die, to die is to be forgotten, and you will not be forgotten

Kuaiji drifted into ether, carrying his delicate load with him, and found what he was looking for. He whispered again into her mind and set her free into what he sought.

The dragon was huge, an awesome beast that defied logic and physics. When it opened its eyes however, its size was overpowered by the grief in the golden eyes. It slowly flexed its massive wings and arms, and screamed an awesome scream, one of rage, pain, and revenge

Serendice would rise again, one last battle, she flexed her mighty wings and took to the air, tearing through ether into the real world. Still though, she could hear Kuaiji's soft voice

If you wish death, drift away and die, if you wish revenge, stay with this mighty form. It is your choice

'Sweet, sweet Kuaiji, I am forever in your debt.'

Serendice found her new voice and screamed into the silence. She relished in the surprise and horror on the faces of the warriors below as she descended from the sky and gave a piercing roar.

Arc turned from his smug self-satisfaction to see the mighty beast dropping from the clouds and speeding toward him at an alarming rate, teeth gleaming, eyes shot with rage.

Serendice knew that to take revenge in this manner meant certain suffering afterward, but she was doomed all the same.

As her enormous form met with Arc's frail figure, she opened her powerful jaws and caught his legs in her teeth. Flipping his dangling body up over her head and letting him fall to her waiting mouth, Serendice sank her fangs into his flesh, grinding his torso in half, tasting his blood on her tongue.

'He's not worth devouring' she thought, disgusted at the vile taste of the rain demon's flesh. She dropped his severed body and limbs onto the ground, screamed in torment at having thus killed such a being, flexed her powerful wings and ascended back into the ether from which she came.

As the rest of the warrior gaze into the sky in awe of the dragon's power, they look about for the remains of the fallen Arc, however they are nowhere to be seen. However above a tempest the likes of which has never been seen on the earth forms above. The dragon once more appears in the sky, it's journey to the ether halted, it screams in fury as the storm beats upon the great beast. It flys above the warriors screaming, however in an instant it's hit by lighting. Above them crying in agony with no way to escape, the dragon roars above them. Again and again it is struck by lighting, unending.

Soon water is not the only thing that falls from the sky. Drops of blood fall as well showering everyone in a gruesome rain.


The storm is gone, the clouds have gone and of the dragon there is no more. . .

Behind them clothed in black once again however weaponless stands Arc, the same small smile on his lips.

"Can you believe she thought I was a demon?" Laughing he looks at the group of warriors. " You know that's the problem with angels, so caught up in there own righteousness they never see their own mistakes."

"You know you can be really irrritating at times my friend."

"Hello Michael, I was wondering when you'd show up"

The figure standing next to Arc is a awe inspiring sight. An angel in full glory stands next to the Storm lord. His great wings folded behind him shine with a holy aura. His silver armor is bright and keen and in his hands he holds a severed hand and a bright sword.

"She was young Arc and foolish, she did not know who you are"
He walks toward the group that has surronded the fallen angel. He nods to Szanod in a knowing way as if familiar with him. He sheaths his sword and bends over Serendice. A bright light of healing surronds the two and when it fades Serendice stands beside Michael.

"Little sister, heavan is less of a place without you." he smiles friendly and forgiving."Next time you come to earth to play, please don't take my sword, and most of all know your enemy before you decide you can take him out." looking back to Arc he says"And you... go easy on the kid will ya?"

Arc simply nods and smiles once again.

say that to my face. sexist pig.

(OOC Completely)
krazixs - Isn't that a little unbalancing? Sure, I can handle warriors, mages, angels and demons.. but gods?

I handled my defeat, Dixie did.. there is a certain point where you say, that was a wonderful battle, I should die now. I can stick around and play around with other people make things interesting.. but now you're perfectly alive and who will want to face you?

OOC:

Yeah I realize I over balanced, so therefore, I restored Serendice, and I have no weapon now, trying to show that I am no longer fighting. And I didn't say your dragon died just said it wasn't there anymore, I figure if your character is such a plains hopper that you could write it out. . .

Dixie dear I do hope your kidding, If I was being sexist it wasn't intentional.

i was only half-kidding, as losthellhound said, i believe there is a point when you accept defeat and all the physical pain that may come with it. i died twice, now it's your turn.
i don't appreciate the degradation of serendice by your implications that she is a reckless "kid" out on a joyride in daddy's benz.

Well I am, I will no longer take my turn on the battlefield. And the reason I implied you were a reckless kid was simply by your introduction statement on how you took Michaels sword, I was simply trying to play out what you had written, sincerely all apologies if i offended

*Koorittou, SSJwrestler, stands with a perplexed look on his face

Um, does this mean things are over now?
Cause poor Koorittou didn't get to chose his path.
If things are over, anyone up for round two (gods excluded)

OOC: My Turn! So much happens in a day! I'm gonna go back a little and show my reactions, so bear with me. BTW, you should all follow losthellhound's example and put OOC next to your out of character posts.

In spite of the speed of the attack, it seemed to be happening in slow motion. Each instance seemed an eternity as he watched the swords rip through Serendice's flesh. As she fell, he was frozen with pain and suffering. "No." He let the word out as barely more than a whisper. It was such a shock to him. As she hit the ground, he was snapped out of it and flew to her, snow flying to either side as he flew. "NOOOOO!!!!" By the time he had made it to her side, she was already dead. Tears began flooding from Matt's eyes. Their healing power covered Serendice. Her body slowly became whole again, and as that happened, her dark form began to dissipate. Her eyes became a rich blue and her skin became light and fair again. This did not stop the tears though. Matt sobbed and sobbed, holiding her in her arms. Her body was whole, but her soul was gone. An angels healing powers can do all but bring someone back from the dead, and that's exactly where she was. Arc merely stood over them with a smug look on his face.

"She got what she had coming you know." Arc spoke.

"You. I won't let you get away with this." Matt said, his volume increasing as he spoke. His aura grew and grew with incredible power. "I won't let you get away with this!" His aura exploded to the point where Arc had trouble merely standing in his presence. Matt threw a devastating punch at Arc. As he flew backwards he said, "You fool! Meet the same fate as your lover!" With that, Arc's form became that of lighting once again. He flew at Matt, swords drawn. He brought the black sword down on Matt, but it met his chi covered arm. The force of the block made such a shockwave that it seemed the whole world was shaking.

How? Arc thought. I am lightning, raw energy. How could he be fast enough to block? Arc began to attack with all his speed, flying around Matt in blinding circles. It looked as though a million swords were around Matt at once. However, each stab, each thrust, each swing was blocked. Matt's anger was overwhelming and his aura shined with the power of one of the high angels. His blades shattered in the next two swings as they met Matt's blocks. He punched Arc mid-swing, sending him flying backwards. Before Arc even had time to begin to ponder how his speed could be so great, Matt was underneath him, changing his direction and sending him upwards with a kick. As he flew into the air, Arc felt the terrible burn of one of Matt's righteous Chi attacks meeting his back. Arc began to fall to the earth, unable to summon the will to fly. As he fell, he was met with a bicycle kick that sent him careening downward. He left a huge crater where he landed. For the moment, he was immobile and covered in blood. Matt landed at the edge of a crater and brought his hands behind him. He began charging an incredible Chi attack, capable of destroying this whole reigon.

It finally registered with Koorittou what had happened and he ran over to Matt. "No! Don't do it!" Matt's anger, for the first time, began to fade as his mind came back to him. "Matt, don't make the same mistake I did. Don't forsake who you are!" Tears began to fall down the ice demon's cheeks. Matt's aura declined rapidly and dispersed into the atmostphere. He fell to his knees from exhaustion.

It was at this moment that a huge beast began to hurdle towards the earth. The form was of a huge dragon, but Matt recognized her immediately. "Serendice!" He realized she was heading for Arc's mangled body. "No Serendice! Don't! Stay alive! Stay with me!" Revenge consumed her mind and Matt's pleas did not make their way through. She came down hard on Arc, tearing him to peaces. "No." At this point, Matt began to fly. He flew and flew, higher and higher. He flew till the clouds were far behind him. Tears streamed back towards the earth like rain. He did not see the dragon die. He merely let his aura go, and allowed himself to plummet back towards the earth. There would be no coming back this time. There was noone pure enough to handle his angel spirit. As he fell, he remembered his time in the garden with Serendice. Laughter and happiness filled his mind. He passed through the clouds. A smile crept on his face as he saw the trees rushing back towards him. Suddenly, his velocity dropped. He slowed to a gentle float and landed softly on his feet. "What's going on?" He looked over and saw Michael and Arc standing side by side. "Sir Michael!"

"Matt," said Michael. "A being that could bring about such love as I have seen in you today, surely deserves life. Do not mourn her death, she will be brought back. However I'm afraid she will not be an angel any more. She will be fully human this time. I get the feeling that is of little consequence to you though." He extended his hand and Serendice's body rose again, this time with no aura and no light. "Little sister, heaven is less of a place without you." he smiles friendly and forgiving."Next time you come to earth to play, please don't take my sword, and most of all know your enemy before you decide you can take him out." looking back to Arc he says"And you... go easy on the kid will ya?"

Matt and Serendice ran into one another's arms, sharing a long kiss. They pulled apart after some time and smiled. No words were necessary. They merely looked into one another's eyes and understood the vast love that existed between the two. He held each other closely for several minutes afterward.

Koorittou stood on looking over the landscape and the warriors. Taking in the entire scene. Beautiful...even with the massive damage done to his scared land...it was beautiful, peace had come again.

Tears began to stream down the ice demon's face, just then he got an idea.

Turning to face Michael, he spoke. "Michael, I know that I have done wrong today, and I am willing to pay for those mistakes, to make amends. But I don't think it fair that this sacred land should suffer. I know that yours and His powers are great, and I know that I am in no position to ask favors, but do you think this land might be restored...."

Koorittou looked on at Michael, wish a look of aniticipation on his face. Tears still streamed out of his ice blue eyes.

'Please..' he pleaded mentally.

Throughout the latter part of the battle, Szanod just stood and took in everything around him. He watched as Serendice was defeated twice by Krazixs, but didn't revel in it. In fact, he seemed disappointed.

When the onslaught finally stopped, he joined everyone around Serendice's corpse and watched he ressurection at the hands of Michael. He had not returned his nod and was now frowning.

"Arc, Serendice has learned nothing of herself through her battle with you, for you simply sought to destroy. A line must be drawn between righteous retribution and pointless killing and you need to learn where that line is.

Serendice had pride, which was channelled the wrong way, but her case was not hopeless. Being killed twice only aggravates an already touchy situation and I fear that you prevented her from knowing herself.

If you cannot be defeated, I suggest that you leave this plane, for he who risks nothing gains nothing. Two beings here still have some things to sort out, so please..."

Szanod then turned to Michael...

"Archangel, I must say I'm surprised to see the wrath of "God" here. Since you now have the sword you so eagerly cling to, then leave Serendice in peace, go back to your plane and let her find her way."

Szanod then turned around and headed back towards the center of the frozen field, where he stood, pensive.

Matt smiled happily. He had a feeling he already knew whether Michael would help or not.

Serendice was certainly relieved to have survived such a harrowing ordeal, but could not help but feel that she had no control over her own life, as if others were determining it for her.

OOC: alright, let's get on with it then, no more pity parties for serendice (or dixie, for that matter). i'm not a puss and, last time i checked, this was a battle, not a soap. does anyone (besides me) vote for a restart or does this (pathetic) storyline suit everyone?

OOC: I second the restart plea and would like to add a condition: no more dictating the actions or reactions of others. In the "Tomb of Velix" thread, you'll note that noone speaks or acts for other people (unless a controlling spell like "charm" is used). It makes for a more exciting game where people really feel in control of their own actions.

Therefore, why don't we nix this thread and start a fresh one, with completely new characters?

Also, don't be afraid of dying, people. It's just a game, not real life. Just generate a new one when yours dies or something.

OOC: Yeah, I think this one went well though. I may not join the next one for a while so don't wait up. I reccommend that everyone joins "Quest to Save Estel". It will be fun and we need a bad guy too if anyone wants to do that. Whoever wants to go ahead and start another one. Just so you know, I don't think the storyline was pathetic. I thought it was badass.

My suggestion is to move the thread to creativity.. We're not talking about a game, and even though we're playing one.. Its more creative then anything else

:::gone to quest, back later:::: maybe

OOC: Alright hellhound. Make a thread in tilted literature and make include your arguement in the first post so that they don't move you. I'll join in a bit.