Heartfelt Adventure : Active Time Event Thread

[VoLt189]

[ATE: Fun and Games 24]

[Anthony ~.~ Carribean Sea ~.~ The Challenger]

"WOO!" Anthony shouted, doing a small victory jig. "Actually, the third was a lie. I've never ran a marathon. I've ran a half-marathon though. It was a tricky one." He paused to smile before continuing. "I use to weight over 300-pounds and I actually have worn make-up and a dress, but no it did not involve massive intakes of alcohol. My friend and I were girls for Halloween... it was an interesting night."

"But anyway... that's just a small glimpse of who I am." He put his hands together with a clap and rubbed them together. "I believe it's your turn now, Jenny."  

[fractalJester]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 1 }
{ ??? : Metaphysical Plane : Station of Awakening }

Louis would find himself in Dawn's Station of Awakening, the mosaic, multi-colored pillar that represented her heart, with whatever image it may show. However, as he looked around, he would notice no signs of Darkness aside from the typical void around the Light of her Station. No intrusions, no adversaries... if anything, her heart seemed in perfect condition. As close to perfect as a mortal could be, anyway.

"Well, well, well. I had expected opposition, but not so soon, and certainly not in the form of you..."

The amused voice came from a distance, off in the void somewhere. If Louis looked in that direction and really focused, he'd see that just out of jumping distance was an open Corridor of Darkness; easily missed in his first glance over due to it being within the natural Darkness of her heart. Peaking out of the corridor were tentacles of pure black Darkness given form, only barely visible due to the violets and blues forming the Corridor. They were poking out and laying flat on the sides of the 'wall' around the Corridor, as if trying to pull themselves slowly further in.

"The 'Ivalician', coming to fight against my own little corruption... one must ponder why... Oh, looky there, seems she's giving you a path!"

Dawn's focus on the area of her pain brought forth mosaic square platforms, akin to stepping stones, that led from the Station of Awakening to the Corridor of Darkness. Ajora could be heard chuckling beyond the portal.

"Well, do come in! It's always nice to have some company. Maybe we can chat, hmm? I'd really prefer to avoid the needless violence."  

[RhikoDemson]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 2 }
{ Louis : Metaphysical Plane : Station of Awakening }

The 'Ivalician' stood on the stain glass platform, adorned with blue roses and a sleeping visage of Dawn curled up with more shades of light blues and light greens forming the mosaic of the background. He listened as he heard the voice call out to him. He grimaced at the portal. It felt less like a passage, more like an ulcer. The stain glass steps extended out to it, but he didn't move, not quite yet. He glanced up noticing Garuda hovering nearby, her visage was both beautiful yet feral at the same time, her shape that of both a woman and bird, not an angel, yet familiar to one, "So, you must be Dawn's summon I assume, please excuse me for intruding, I guess you're not used to visitors. As I'm sure you're aware, Dawn has a bit of a problem that needs fixing... I'm here to take care of it."  

[Kaegoe]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 3 }
{ Garuda : Metaphysical Plane : Station of Awakening }

Garuda, who had been looking off at the platform that had just formed, looked slowly down at Louis as he spoke. The look on her face was a mixture of various emotions. Including: worry, fear, anger, and a hint of relief. She slowly glided down from where she was so she was more level with Louis, but her feet never touched the platform.

"I am Garuda," she said after a long moment of silence, "You are Louis if I remember correctly. I am kinda surprised you are here. At the same time I am glad you are. Sunlight is in need of help. She is too stubborn to ask for it until it is too late. She is more worried about everyone else." Garuda paused a bit as she looked towards the platform that Dawn's subconsciousness had created for him to help lead the way to the source of the corruption, then back at Louis, "I would go destroy the stupid Flasher look-a-like, but I can't leave this place."  

[RhikoDemson]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 4 }
{ Louis : Metaphysical Plane : Station of Awakening }

As Garuda came down to greet him, Louis took a few steps back at first, not sure how the summon would react to his presence. He relaxed as she spoke, welcoming him in a way and explaining more of the situation, "So... Dawn's been hiding this from everyone." He said silently as to not interrupt. He chuckled as he realized what she meant by "flasher", something else went through his mind when she mentioned the word. Quickly, Louis pulled himself together and looked at Garuda and nodded, "I'll stop him, don't worry. One way or another I'll drive Ajora out of this girl."

Louis turned away without anything else to say and took advantage of Dawn's subconscious aid, running up the steps and through the portal.  

[fractalJester]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 5 }
{ Ajora : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

Entering the portal, past the black appendages, Louis would have found himself without sight for a moment... only to have his eyes opened in an entirely different region. He was on a strange circular platform, perhaps twenty feet wide, the floor made of translucent, dark yellow glass that revealed the platform was hovering over an endless chasm; an ornate metal railing encompassed all parts of the circle but the path forward. The rail had multiple posts every few feet, and every third rail had a soft light, not bright by any means, that gave off no warmth- they were merely there to give light to the area.

On his left, right, and rear, the platform was surrounded by what appeared to be black stone, akin to onyx or obsidian. The stone walls seemed to ascend and descend forever, and reflected the cold light with a ghostly tone of its own.

Forward, at least fifty meters away, was another, larger circular platform that was also somewhat higher, blocking any view of what lay on top. Between the two platforms, there was only air and hovering crystal lanterns on either side of the non-existent path, giving the same cold glow as the lights on the platforms and revealing that the entire region was surrounded by the strange black stone. There was no obvious method of reaching the other platform besides empty space between the crystal lanterns. Behind him, Louis would notice, there was no portal or exit; there was no turning back.

"To think, I'm being visited by the Avatar of Corruption... why, the last time we had a chance to talk, I was throwing you out a window. Perhaps this time we can keep things a bit more amicable?"

Ajora's voice seemed no farther than a few feet in front of Louis, but it was clear the man was on the other platform, awaiting him.  

[RhikoDemson]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 6 }
{ Louis : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

"Really?" Louis said as he began moving forward along the lower platform, "I don't really remember much talking, maybe you should work on your social skills more, normally when someone talks to me I remember if it actually has any significance. I do however remember shooting you in the head... didn't work that time, but maybe you'd be willing to give it another shot."

Louis went silent for a second then asked with a deeper voice, "What reason do you have for doing this? I don't see how torturing the earthlings moves your plans forward at all, we both know you have the power to do it, why do you keep playing around with them? You could wipe them all out with a wave of your hand. After all... that's what I created you for."  

[fractalJester]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 7 }
{ Ajora : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

{Cue : Final Fantasy Tactics ~ Holy Angela's Theme }

Louis would have begun walking toward the small opening in the rails, leading forward, and when he neared, dozens of circular, dark-golden glyphs would have appeared, rapidly popping into existence one after another, all leading to the upper platform.

A soft chuckling could be heard; clearly, he was amused.

"Your attempts at bluffing are humorous at best," Ajora replied, and despite not being seen, his grin could simply be felt in those words."You were no more than a bodyguard, and a failure of one at that. Perhaps you sent the Geists to obtain the information, perhaps not, but we both know my father was Vexen, who is now dead."

He had some time to talk, since the two platforms had been so far apart.

"I woke up in the middle of your loss of control, listening to Vexen argue with Seymour's Unsent minion. They referred to me as a toy, and I lost control, blowing up the laboratory. After I had the chance to think about that, it was relatively obvious what had happened to bring me into existence... and of course, who do you think I went to first? The Maester himself. But you? You were nothing more than the guard dog."

Louis would have reached the upper platform by that point. He would have noticed that this one was quite a bit larger than his own, at least 20 meters in diameter. On the opposite side of the platform, Louis would have spotted Ajora, clothed in his white suit, sitting upon a golden throne decorated with angelic wings. He seemed very interested in Louis, never taking his eyes off of him. The aura he would have felt from Ajora was different than before; more intense, almost nostalgic to the Avatar of Mateus.

"But let me answer your original question. We're not so different, you and I. You seek to bring the world into nirvana, yes? Relieve them of their pain? I seek to do the same. The only difference is our methodology," he explained, remaining in his seat as he looked upon Louis curiously. His tone was very formal, almost strangely so. "You prefer the swift blow, thinking you grant them mercy. I, on the other hand, know that for them to actually appreciate the oblivion we are to send them to, they must understand the true depths of agony existence can give to them. Once they go through such horrendous trials, they will be enlightened, wishing for death to end their pain. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for eternity."  

[Kaegoe]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 8 }
{ Garuda ; Dawn's Subconsciousness : Metaphysical Plane : Station of Awakening }

[Cue : Shana's Anxiety]

Garuda's voice could be heard as an echoed bird cry as Louis had left her on the platform to confront Ajora. Only wishing there was something more she could do to help fight the corruption. But the corruption was out of her reach.

Garuda felt a gentle breeze move past her. Her red eyes narrowed on something she saw just in front of the portal. Garuda could see a faint outline of Dawn with her back to Garuda, staring at the door in front of her.

"You're going to go too, huh, Sunlight?" Garuda asked with worry, "Though your heart and mind are tired of fighting, you are going to do what you can to help. I shouldn't be surprised. I am not going to stop you, you know that. Even if I did, not as if you would listen to me."

With another movement of the wind the image of Dawn was gone. Leaving Garuda alone, with no answer. Not as if she was expecting one.  

[RhikoDemson]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 9 }
{ Louis : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

Louis stopped at the top of the ramp, looking at the replica sitting arrogantly on his throne his only reply to all he said simply being, "Well, not one for subtlety are you?"

The acranist proceeded forward to the center of the circle, "Oh please," Louis scoffed, "Vexen couldn't have cared less about you, he saw your creation more of a nuisance. If anyone cared and put any actual effort into the success of your creation, it was me."

Louis turned and paced to the side, darkness flowing around him and taking shape into more comfortable clothing that he was used to since his first arrival to this world(seen here), "But, I digress, the reason for this encounter isn't to discuss your creation, but the current state of your being. I can understand your current way of thinking, but if you make their lifetime nothing but pain and suffering it defeats the purpose of working to free them from it. Bringing them abnormal amounts of pain just to emphasize the lack of it is pointless. I honestly wouldn't care if you slaughtered hundreds, even thousands of people if you did it in a way that didn't focus on bringing them pain in the process... however again, this is off topic..."

Louis turned to face Ajora again after pacing back to the center of the circle, "I'll ask nicely... simply out of the courtesy that your existence is in the long run my doing. Please leave."  

[fractalJester]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 10 }
{ Ajora : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

Ajora let the earlier comments slide, as they were irrelevant. Opinions were opinions, all of which paled in the light of facts. However, at Louis' 'courteous' demand, the white-clothed Executioner could only chortle, covering his mouth with one of his hands. His eerie eyes never blinked, never strayed.

"I'm surprised the ever-planning Louis hasn't asked the one important question," he began, completely ignoring the man's request. "I went to speak to your Maester, a man of great strength... and he did not destroy me. Why not? Why did your superior not obliterate me if I am such an abomination?"

"Only two feasible options, really," he mused, laying his arms lightly along the arms of the throne. "Either I am more powerful than the Unsent Summoner, meaning what you are attempting is nothing short of suicide... or he approves of what I do, meaning such acts of rebellion against me are also rebellions against him. Perhaps you have a different take on his decision? After all, with as much time as you spend with him, you must surely know him better than I."  

[RhikoDemson]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 11 }
{ Louis : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

"Watch your tongue," the arcanist stated calmly but venomously, "If you met with Seymour and you still exist it is by the saving graces he still sees you as useful that you're still alive. As for my actions, I would not be on my own and put in charge of things here with this group of earthlings if Seymour did not trust me to be capable of doing the right thing by myself. It was made very clear no harm was to come to the earthlings under my supervision and I was to do everything in my power to protect them until the time comes. You are making that rather difficult."  

[fractalJester]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 12 }
{ Ajora : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

Ajora openly laughed this time; it was an eerie, ethereal laugh, resonating with the black stone walls that surrounded the two of them, almost as if maybe the laugh had come from them instead.

"You poor, deluded hume," he spoke, locking eyes with Louis and smiling, much as a parent might smile at a child who believed in fairy tales. "Who do you think gave me the Negator that allowed me to do such terrible damage to them in the first place? None other than your precious Guado Maester."  

[RhikoDemson]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 13 }
{ Louis : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

Louis smiled in return, "You must take me as a fool then," the arcanist took a few steps forward, showing no fear in the presence of the replica, "You think I didn't already come to this realization?" Louis tilted his head at an angle as if observing the replica as his grin dropped down into a more serious glare, "Do not take me lightly, Ajora. You've moved along comfortably so far beside the others of your kind with little interference from anyone your own strength. If you're smart you'll be careful not to make an enemy out of someone who has the power to take you out."

"The Maester is as wise as he is influential. He knows having as many allies as he can, whether they are shallow alliances or not, means having a stronger foundation to support his plans if they are to work. In the end, we're both on the same side if you're working with him, even if our methods are... different. In that light, I propose a compromise."  

[fractalJester]

{ ATE : Fighting Corruption with Corruption : 14 }
{ Ajora : Metaphysical Plane : Corruption's Abyss }

"So the Son of Earth can think rationally. I had begun to lose hope," Ajora responded, giving a lofty chuckle as he did so. Once more, he ignored the majority of Louis' dialogue, finding no interest in his blind reverence. "You may continue."