genessia | A Tale of Two Masters [Castlevania crew]

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A Tale of Two Masters [Castlevania crew]

Who: Castlevania crew (Dracula, Lisa, Alucard, Remilia, Flandre, Patchy, Sakuya, Soma)
What: Plot conclusion for the Rain of Blood event
When: Backdated very slightly to August 9 (5 days after the initial rain)
Where: Castlevania subarch, possibly spilling into Everglade
Why: Because Dracula is a dick.
Warnings: Language, violence, possible gore, cuddles. ...okay that last one might be a lie.

[There is an area in Castlevania where only its master may go. It's sealed off by a door of black smoke through which not even the most powerful of magics may penetrate, and it leads into the realm of Chaos. A place where monsters orders of magnitude stronger than anything else in the castle roam, and where the spirit of chaos itself resides, whispering its secrets and lies to those it deems worthy of attention.]

[It's been several weeks since Lisa Tepes' arrival set it to whispering in Vlad's ear. During that time, Vlad called down a rain of blood on Everglade, and with it the beginnings of a repeat of Targoviste. Thanks to the guardian of Everglade and her allies, there haven't been any deaths - not yet, at least - but this is just the calm before the storm. The time for talk has passed.]

[The plan, such as it is, is simple: Remilia and Alucard will distract Dracula and defend Lisa while Soma, with the assistance of one of Alucard's familiars, enters the realm of chaos and silences the spirit. Which task is the more dangerous? Who can truly say?]

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[It didn't take Soma long to formulate a plan, once he'd had time to consult with Adrian. With the assistance of Remilia (who, as deputy guardian of Everglade, had a very personal stake in this), Alucard would distract his father while Soma slipped past, driving straight for the heart of the castle and the spirit of chaos within.]

[Of course, nothing is ever going to be quite that simple where Dracula is concerned...]

[ Well. She certainly hoped it would work, but even so, she wasn't worried. Not when she happened to be quite the powerful vampire herself

Not that she particularly wants to fight Dracula. It's not like she has a lot of choice... ]

[The door to the throne room was seemingly sealed shut, given the magical aura that surrounded it. However, that was far from the truth. Within, a sort of vortex of magic had formed around Vlad as the door to the Chaotic Realm was swung wide open. However, once inside, all that would be visible would be Dracula's form, seeming to sit upon his throne, impossibly illuminated amidst the endless darkness within.]

[There aren't many seals in the castle Soma can't get past. So it is with this one - and since it isn't even really a seal, just an enormous amount of magic, it's not even all that difficult for him to open the throne room's door.]

If I didn't know better, Vlad, I'd say you were planning to go back on your word. You gave us a month to find the culprit, yet here you are, marshaling your forces - not even a week later. I confess myself disappointed in you.

[No fool, Soma's wearing Mina's talisman instead of the ring of chaos. The absolute last thing they need right now is two power-drunk madmen. No; he's lent the ring to Remilia. She's going to need every edge she can get in this fight.]

[ Remilia has mustered her full power, minus of course marshalling forces of her own, electing to borrow the ring of chaos instead. ]

Have you not considered that Lisa had been brought her before her death? Time does not matter to the forces that govern Genessia...

[ And of course, the small vampire is surrounded by a crimson aura, her power at a peak... ]

Edited 2017-08-14 02:59 (UTC)

Sakuya was next to step in. Though she had not approached with Remilia and Soma, the small vampire no doubt sensed her presence. Even without any extra boosts to power, Sakuya and her time manipulation were a formidable opponent. If nothing else, the raw utility of her time manipulation would help them position themselves better.

"I'm sorry Lord Tepes. I must fight by My Lady's side. This need not come to blows if you muster the courage to face Lisa though. I will not presume to know your thoughts but I do think you are making to hasty a judgement."

It wouldn't be long before another came forward. Someone who just tried to follow without being noticed. Flandre knew that if she didn't sneak along, there would be no way to help out. If needed, she knew..or hoped she knew how to get out of the way.

Instead of saying anything as she joined the group, Flandre kept quiet, hands behind her back. Although she was tensed up and ready just in case.

Within the pitch black darkness a few swirling colors could be seen flickering to life. As Vlad spoke, he didn't seem to move, his form almost like a statue as he sat illuminated in the darkness.

"So it has come to this. Then the scourging of this place should have started earlier. No matter. Your blood will be the first of the tides that will wash over all of Genessia."

There was a gust of wind as if two massive wings had beaten the air as Vlad seemed to retreat into the distance, the colors swirling throughout the void becoming far more vivid and chaotic. Finally, the colors became actual lights, illuminating the empty void they now stood in, revealing Dracula's demonic form.

"Gaze upon my power, and despair."

"Keep him here until I get back. No matter what."

His last words to the group at large, before he bolts for a point in the near distance - the door is still there, as is the rest of the room, behind the illusion. Black Panther's speed allows him to reach the door before Vlad can block it, and he closes it behind him, sealing it with the strongest of the five seals he learned on his second trip into the bowels of Hell.

Now, he just has to make the trip a third time. No sweat, right? He even has a familiar along this time, although it isn't one of his own.

((OOC: Soma will be moving into a second thread to keep this one tidy.))

"Flandre isn't even meant to be here...!" The vampire in question and Sakuya get a barrier raising around them all of a sudden. She needs to focus all of her attention on Dracula and not worry about protecting them too.

"Sakuya, you should be looking after Flandre! I will handle this..." She draws upon the power the ring gave her, putting herself on a more even level. "He will not leave here."

Edited 2017-08-16 23:29 (UTC)

Sakuya's brows raised subtly at Dracula's demonic form. It was startling to say the least but with what she had seen both in Gensokyo and on the moon, it wasn't... too off-putting.

"With due respect, Lady Remilia. I can protect myself. And you do not give the young miss enough credit. I believe she will turn this fight." It was rare for Sakuya to outright ignore a direct order. If Remilia insisted she would certainly follow it... But she wanted to keep the vampire focused. "Do not waste your power on petty and easily broken shields."

She drew her knives, lowering her stance as time shivered around her, bending to her will. "You cannot take one as Lord Tepes so easily on your own. I will guard your sides and rear. And that of the Young Miss too."

Edited (added things) 2017-08-17 17:20 (UTC)

Remilia's comment gets Flandre to flinch and keep her eyes pointedly at Dracula. The change causes a shiver of nervousness to run down her spine but other then that, she's staying still. There was no where else she'd rather be at the moment and it was time to prove it.

"Thank you Sakuya. She's right Remilia, I can take care of myself and can help. I can fight and it's still fairly fresh in memory to help out. Besides, I think the option to escape would be the wrong choice here."

Her hands are to her sides and her right one keeps opening and closing, debating on if summoning Lævateinn would be a smart choice or if leaving it as a just in case would be better. If anything, her stance is weak, but ready to jump into action when needed.

As Soma bolted off toward the door to the Chaotic realm, one of the three demon heads reached for and snapped at him, missing narrowly. However, it was clear that Dracula was done with talking. Each of the three heads extended their necks, forming a triangle as energy channeled between them. Soon, triangular projectiles of immense power would begin shooting out toward the Scarlets and Sakuya. Though the projectiles were slow enough, their large size and rotating trajectories made them difficult to weave through at times.

As she powers up, she goes through a change, her clothes becoming more ornate and what's more, a second set of wings sprout from her back...

"Come on now... I could dodge that in my sleep!" But still, this is not a spell card battle, which means Remilia is summoning not an indistinct spear-shaped bolt of energy, but the true Gungnir. She moves quickly, bringing her spear to bear with skill she has not shown before being trained in its use.

Sakuya was right behind, her eyes burning red as she grabbed hold of the room's space-time. She dashed to one side- a dark echo mirroring her movements, before they both vanished.

Dracula would find his projectiles altered as entire chunks of space were displaced, several lines cleaving through him in various, seemingly-impossible directions. Even by the castle's standards. It was some sort of structured chaos... or some type of chaotic structure? A distortion adhering to non-static but strict rules with no rhyme or reason?

whatever it was, it made it exceedingly difficult to get his bearings and aim properly in the ever-shifting timescape.

The oddness would also disrupt Remilia and Flandre, though Sakuya would not actively attempt to disrupt their attacks. There was also the small advantage of the sisters being more used to such distortions from the maid when sparring with her.

For now, Flandre kept to dodging about, although she summoned Lævateinn to help bat away projectiles when she couldn't just squeeze through.

Best to keep her own barrage to herself for the time being and hang back. Adding to the chaos too early might not be the best idea.

For anyone other than Dracula, this may have been an overwhelming assault. However, with Vlad feeding directly off the power of Chaos, he was a monster without peer, especially in his own domain.

The Allfather's spear was intercepted by one of the massive hands as Remilia brought it to bear. However, despite its outward appearance as being a hard surface with bones that mimicked a normal hand, the spear sunk into the flesh as if she had stabbed a barrel of tar that held the spear as hard as possible as the arm flailed, attempting to separate the spear from its wielder.

Meanwhile, Sakuya would have to contend with the three demon heads at the center of the beastly form. Even as they vanished, the heads jutted their necks out, snapping at the distorted space almost before they became distorted. Whatever the case, it was clear that the demon heads were capable of following Sakuya's movements.

What appeared to be a succubus' torso attached to the shoulder of the demon turned its gaze to Flandre, calling up a pillar of flames at the young vampire's feet.

Edited 2017-08-23 05:04 (UTC)

While her strength was great, trying to keep a grip and pull the weapon free really was easier said than done, but stubbornly, she tries with all her might to pull it free. She'll end up letting go... to avoid getting slammed into something. But then, she will retaliate with powerful blasts of energy of her own...

It was impressive the heads were able to keep up with her. Time shifted again, Sakuya extending the periods she had time halted.

Both she and her parallel dopple were setting up knives, cleaving the fabric of reality apart in tandem, striking anywhere the beast looked soft.

She knew her attacks wouldn't be enough to kill dracula. Not even close. No, she only wanted to slow him down.

Flandre was watching everyone else closely and nearly missed the glow below her. There is a squeak of surprise as she jumps back and lets loose with her own barrage of projectiles to try and help now. Still holding off on doing too much for now.

Although she does split off into her clones who each started to shoot as well.

This was quickly getting out of hand. Between the two Sakuyas, the four Flandres, and Remilia's assault, Dracula was hard pressed to protect himself. Thankfully, the beast serving as a host for him wasn't exactly on the same material plane as the rest of them, but even it couldn't block all the projectiles with its hands alone.

As such, the wings of the beast beat, sending him retreating backward into the nothingness that surrounded them as a large ornate crimson magic circle materialized in the air. The barrier it provided was enough to block the projectiles as well as channeling a large sphere of black and crimson energy through it. Throughout the chamber, two words could be heard spoken casually yet ringing from every angle possible.

"Demonic Megido."

Remilia quickly both banishes and resummons Gungnir, when suddenly Dracula gathers his power for his next spell...

It'll force her to have to go on the defence, because... there is no telling how powerful this magic is.

Remilia could sense Sakuya moving to either side of her, still distorting time and space. Both flickered into existence briefly before the parallel version simply vanished for now. No use in wasting extra energy.

Sakuya drew more knives, still shivering in and out of reality, primed to react. If dracula struck at her she would be gone before the attack got to her location.

The four little vampires knew better then to just stand and watch, shuffling about to try and hide the true one and getting closer to Remilia and Sakuya. If anything- she was ready to dart off into four directions, even maybe using her clones to try and take some damage if needed.

She's slightly shaking out of nervousness. This was a lot more that what she expected.

The spell was among the most powerful in Dracula's arsenal. A ball of energy that would explode upon making contact with anything. It was aimed more at the wall behind the girls, however. The intent being to force them forward as Dracula advanced, putting all of them within range of the hands and demonic heads.

Remilia acts quickly, taking the form of intangible mist to better avoid it before reforming... and resummoning her spear, before she begins launching spells of her own through it.

Have fun with all the lasers, Dracula.

Sakuya reacted just as fast. She darted to one side, time stopping as she gathered Flandre and her clones in her arms, speeding to the other side of the room, flickering only twice during that trip so Flandre would get some sense of motion before depositing her as far away as possible on that side.

Not for her protection. But so she would have a moment to re-orient herself after being moved.

Sakuya's barrage resumed full force. She was aiming for his eyes now. Or his throat. Anywhere that looked softer.

The shuffle had been a ruse to get the real one behind the clones, preparing for what was coming. She still couldn't figure out how to go into mist so dealing with it somewhat spread out would have to do...or would have. She squeaks in surprise, but doesn't fight as she's gathered up and moved.

Once she's been put down, there is a moment of figure out where she was and what was going on before the clones dart away from her a bit. Once in position, her own orbs start flying once more. No need to charge straight in for her yet...

The demon heads on the front of the beastly form snapped at the clones as they darted away from Flandre, but the battle was very apparently shifting away from Dracula's favor. The massive hands did a decent job of blocking most of the normal projectiles, however Remilia's lasers did something fairly noteworthy. They seemed to pass through what appeared to be Dracula's normal body as if it wasn't there. In fact, all the attacks that made it that far did the same, it just was more noticeable with the lasers.

However, using that information would have to wait as several fire pillars erupted from the ground around the girls as the hands came together and summoned multiple orbs of molten lava that traveled outward in a circular pattern, weaving between the pillars of flame.

That she'll wonder about in a moment, because for now she is forced to dodge his attacks before she can try hitting him somewhere else.

Well, if she can at least distract him...

Remilia and Flandre both would find themselves tugged while they were dodging. Sakuya was ever-present, ensuring that neither of the sisters were hit by the flames. She, herself maintained a presence where Dracula would assume she was. Physically and visibly, though she did seem to flicker in and out a little.

She weaved easily around the fire pillars, trying to hide the sweat on her brow as she sent a larger knife straight at Dracula's eye the moment there was an opening, several more loosed at different areas of his body. She was determined to find where he was vulnerable and her time-bending made it easier to get those shots through than Remilia or Flandre.

Every bit of help getting out of the way was appreciated as Flandre would have had many close calls. Trying to focus on everything and her clones were showing the reasons that this wasn't the best idea for her to use. The clones quickly start heading towards the original- ducking and dodging as the could.

As this is going on, Flandre had noticed the lasers doing more then bullets had been. She frowns as she dodges about, still trying to get close the the clones to re-absorb them so she could try once more to throw a more effective idea into the frey.

[The realm of chaos is... well, chaotic. It mirrors parts of the castle, but it warps them in ways that make them many times more dangerous - this includes the residents.]

[The very first 'room' he finds himself in is a mockery of the chapel, with all the expected reversal of symbology. Archdemons and other greater fiends abound here; Soma makes good use of Claimh Solais to thin them out, but he's not here to fight them. It takes him several minutes to find the right exit - and when he does, he's underwater.]

Have I mentioned yet I hate this place?

[he says to the demon familiar hovering over his shoulder, inconvenienced not at all by the water. Though, to be fair, neither is Soma.]

[The room was mirroring the caverns beneath the castle, but gravity seemed to be inverted, with the water clinging to the ceiling as Soma is drawn toward the various stalagmites below him. However, he was not alone in the watery room as a figure could be heard flailing and screaming as best it can in the water. A woman with short hair dressed like a traditional shrine maiden, held in place by a rather stubborn bit of seaweed wrapped around her leg as she called to Soma through the water.]

[Although Alucard couldn't escort Soma personally due to staying behind to personally protect his mother, he'd sent along that very familiar so Soma had some form of aid. Out of each of Alucard's familiars, the demon likely would be the most useful for Soma... although deep down it could also be some form of punishment for the familiar due to it being the one who signed Alucard up for those silly olympic games and wasted his time. Not that the demon had any particular care about it.

The demon had been sticking close to Soma until they got through that door. He had his doubts that any of those little girls would have a chance against Dracula without Alucard's help, but he'd trust his master to know what he was doing. He'd help Soma in clearing out any creatures in the way to clear the path and keeping an eye out for any switches that could be beyond Soma's reach... but given this bizarre realm, who knows if switches even would be a thing. At least the inverted water was something he'd seen before.]

To think there's a place in the castle that even the master was unaware of. [Not that it was particularly surprising, but it was strange.] Are you sure those little girls aren't going to get murdered and put on sticks while we're gone?

[The demon narrowed its eyes, readying the spear in its hands when it hears the woman in the water. He wouldn't act yet, waiting on Soma's direction, but this whole place was unsettling even for him.]

That can't be good.

This isn't in the castle. It's... someplace else. Someplace that only Dracula can get to, normally. And those 'little girls' are probably stronger than I am. I know the one who was with me is.

[This is the first time he's been in an inverted room, but it's par for the course for this place. Water jumping is the order of the day. He takes one look at the maiden in the seaweed, and just... shakes his head. He knows Mina isn't here.]

A fake. They've tried this trick on me before, I don't know why they think it'll work. I would know if she was here.

[He passes the flailing figure by completely; he's not here to kill demons unless he has to.]

Edited 2017-08-23 04:45 (UTC)

[Whild not a succubus, the imitation was very convincing at it clawed frantically in Soma's direction, gurgling and coughing as it did before its movements slowed... and eventually stopped. The face of the imitation simply gazed lifelessly at Soma, a look of betrayal and horror forever burned into its features.]

[Of course the scene didn't last for long, and as Soma left the water, he would find himself within the Chapel, though with all the iconography distorted in a grotesque manner. At the pulpit, Julius stood, mouthing a silent sermon with Yoko crucified on the golden cross behind him.]

[...Now chaos is just getting silly. Not only would this literally never happen, it's just... so obviously fake that he doesn't even bother approaching the pulpit. At least, until he realizes that the door's hidden behind it.]

[He draws a sword - not Claimh Solais, since even if this is an illusion, the things hiding behind it might not be weak to its holy power - and approaches, giving them both as wide a berth as he can.]

[What awaits Soma on the other side is a familiar sight. A room of stark white with an ivory wheel with three statues carved into it confronts him.]

...why have you come here again? The throne has a master. You are not needed.

[Soma puts his sword away and folds his arms, staring at the statues. He remembers these three very well.]

I came here to prevent that master from making a gigantic mistake. I don't give the slightest bit of a damn about the throne. And maybe, just maybe, I'd like to see the bastard happy for a little while.

Happy might be nice...

HAPPINESS IS MEANINGLESS.

Only the war has meaning.

[The orbs each of the statues held pulsed with the rhythm of a heartbeat as if ready to flare into life at any moment, when a fourth voice - more closely resembling Vlad's - echoes throughout the chamber.]

Truth is irrelevant. All that is left is flame.

I don't have time to debate this. You're either going to cooperate, or you aren't. Every moment I spend speaking to you, my friends are fighting for their lives. Enough talk. Have at you!

[Now, now he draws Claimh. He already knows - or thinks he knows - what the statues are going to do next. Drain away all his accumulated souls, forcing him to fight with his strength alone. Fine by him. He's a lot stronger now, than he was then.]

[Where the demon kept most of his snarky comments to himself for a while, even he was taken aback by the weird talking statues. The castle is even stranger than he could possibly have imagined, and probably something he'll tell Alucard about later. For now, the familiar had a task to do, flying up close to Soma's shoulder.]

The master gave strict orders to follow you. What should I do?

[Because obviously things are about to get real, and he's gotta know where to hit. Anything else they'd encountered was easy enough to figure out on his own, but this? Not so much.]

Attack the one holding the red orb, first and foremost. Until it goes down, I'm not going to have any attack magic to speak of.

[Soma's been trying to keep tabs on the little familiar. He knows it's going to report back to Alucard on everything it's seen - and honestly, he doesn't mind. It's past time for him to learn his father's biggest secret.]

Blue is second priority. Save yellow for last - it doesn't have any attacks to speak of. Or it didn't last time, at least.

[As soon as the sword is drawn, each of the orbs begin to glow, drawing Soma's power out of him. Once that was accomplished, the orbs began unleashing their attacks with little rhyme or timing, just lashing out at seemingly random intervals as it rotates around Soma, seemingly ignoring the demon familiar, almost as if expecting it to fall in line.]

[It's a familiar attack pattern. Well... 'pattern' in the loosest sense. He focuses primarily on the red orb, but he hits any of them that get close enough while he dodges. They didn't take his ability souls, thankfully, so he has plenty of evasive maneuvers up his sleeves.]

[It doesn't take him and the demon familiar long to destroy the first orb. With it down, he regains his bullet souls - which makes the other two a bit of a cake walk, really. Rycuda is objectively worse than Lightning Doll in almost every way, but it shows its worth here. Chain Lightning jumps from one statue to the other and back again, and between it and Claimh, the other two orbs don't last long either.]

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A Tale of Two Masters [Castlevania crew]

The Distraction

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Apologies for the delay

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Into Chaos

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