HEADLINES

[Jazz]

(ooc- the following is not suitable for those with weak stomach's. lol keep in mind while you read this...i wanted to add more gore but thought i might be over playing it. lol i worked hard on this so i hope everyone enjoys it. should be loads of fun!)

ic:

“Father is acting weird.”

Kaci looked over at Sophie who was staring hard into the water. The little girl sat cross legged beside her in front of a small lake. They had been coming out here for the last couple of days to swim but it was too cool out for that today. They just sat instead and gazed out at the calm water.

Sophie and her father were as close to family as Kaci had. They had taken her in a couple years ago when Kaci had wandered into the village. They had been kind enough to give her a place to stay and food to eat. That wasn’t all they had given her. Kaci traveled everywhere and didn’t stay anywhere long but now she always made time to come back here and visit. It was the closest thing to home that she had and they were always glad to see her.

Kaci asked, “How so?”

Sophie laid her head in her hands, “He never talks to me anymore and when he looks at me…” she paused and took a deep breath. Then lifted her head and looked at Kaci. “It’s scary. Like it’s not really him looking at me.”

Kaci laid her hand on the girls shoulder and gave her a gentle smile, “I’m sure he is just stressed over losing his job. It must be really hard for him but I’m sure he’ll be okay.”

“You really think so?” the little girl looked up at her with big brown eyes.

The truth was that Kaci had noticed the change in her father when she first saw him a couple days ago and had walked in on him once talking to himself. So to be honest, Kaci wasn’t sure Sophie’s father was okay but she planned to have a talk with him tonight. Standing up she said to Sophie, “Of course! Now stop thinking such sad thoughts and lets go get some food!”

Sophie laughed and stood up too, “Kaci! We just ate!”

“Well I’m hungry again!” she whined already heading back to town. Sophie giggled as she walked beside her through the woods.

____________________________________________________________________

It was dark out as Kaci skipped back to Sophie’s house. The streets were mostly empty as shops closed. The bars around here were opened all night though for travelers.

Kaci…

“What?” She said quietly speaking to the black cat that was trotting along side her.

I’m sorry.

Kaci paused for a moment and then continued slowing down to a walk. “For what? Did you do something?”

No but I could have warned you this was coming but I didn’t. I’m hoping that this will turn out good for both you and me…

“There is no you and me. And I hate it when you talk in riddles. What is it?” Kaci stopped walking and faced the cat.

There is a you and me Kaci whether you want to admit it or not. We need each other…but you need to give into your dark side…ride the power…

Kaci giggled, “What you mean is you want me to give in to your power. It’s your darkness that’s fills me.”

…maybe but you have your own darkness. That is why your anger is the trigger. I’m hoping this will be the push you need…

Frowning, she snapped, “Just what are you talking about, Demon?”

The girl. Sophie…it’s too late to save her…

Shocked she took a step back, “What? Save her? From what?!” her voice rose a little and a man walking by stared. At the moment Kaci didn’t care if she looked crazy.

From her father…but like I said…it’s too late. I am sorry…

Kaci’s heart lodged its self in her throat and her eyes widen. No…Kaci took off running as fast as she could. Sophie’s house wasn’t too far away and she reached it in record time. There house was straight across from a bar and loud voices and shouts could be heard from out side.

Running into a man with cloak on Kaci pushed him away without so-much as a sorry. Her heart was beating hard as she pushed her legs to take her faster. When Kaci reached the door to the house she pushed it open with her whole body and stopped to catch her breath. The house was dark and quiet but Kaci heard the soft sound of crying coming from further into the house. Kaci walked like she was in a trance. She moved to the door that the noise was coming from. It was Sophie’s bedroom. Kaci swallowed and forced herself to open the door. The smell…the smell that Kaci had been fearing filled her nostrils.

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and there on the floor crumpled up like a rag doll laid Sophie. A dark pool surrounded her and Kaci knew it was blood. Moon light coming from the window casted a light over the girl; revealing a slit throat. There was just so much blood…A choking sound directed her eyes over to a man curled up in a ball in the corner. Sophie’s father lay there crying but Kaci felt nothing. Her mind was numb, unable to take in the sight.

“Wha- what did you do?” Kaci breathed as pain sank into her body.

Sophie’s father sat up and Kaci realized she had made a mistake. It wasn’t crying she had been hearing…it was laughter. The man was laughing!

With a loud crash the man slammed up against the wall hard with a cry. Kaci blinked, she hadn’t even meant to use her power…but it had felt good…

Kaci reached out a hand and brought the man forward with her power, he wasn’t laughing anymore. His feet drug the ground as the invisible force brought him to her. He whimpered and she spoke, “Why?” it came out choked and for the first time Kaci realized she was crying. “Why did you do it?” He didn’t answer but only stared at her with fear filled eyes. “TELL ME WHY, DAMN IT!”

She watched his throat move as he swallowed and tried to speak, “I- I saved her! From a life of poverty! I-I saved her!”

Closing her green eyes Kaci growled. Power sizzled through her. When she opened them again her eyes were black as night. “I see…”she said. Her voice was low and dangerous. “Allow me to save you then.”

Her power burst and Sophie’s father never even had a chance to scream as he exploded. Blood, bone, tissue, and other body parts covered herself and the room. He may not have had the chance to scream but Kaci did. Her whole body shook and jerked as the power seized her. Kaci turned and fled from the room. Trying to get out of the house bumping into walls as her anger, pain, and fear took over.

She stumbled out of the house and fell to her knees. Tears streaming down her face as she tried desperately to control the power…and herself. Twisted images and horrid thought suffocated her mind.

Panicked she stood up and grabbed her hair as she felt her body changing. It hurt. She screamed and the few people on the street took notice then. Some gasped and window lights lit up. Kaci ran from them into the bar across the street.

Upon entering the place went dead quiet and every single eye was on her. Kaci wrapped her arms around herself as her body shook. Still covered in blood she walked over to the bar, she caught her reflection in the mirror that hung behind the counter. Staring back at her was a stranger. Kaci’s hair and eyes was no longer green but instead black. Raising her hand she lifted up her hair to see her newly pointed ears. Her mouth fell open in shock but she quickly closed it as she caught sight of a black tongue and pointed teeth.

Kaci laid her head down on the bar. The power filled her and Kaci felt a part of her being pushed away. She fought it. Struggling to have control Kaci pounded her head into the bar while screaming. Sharp nails dug into the wood of the counter. Kaci fought herself and the darkness with in her.

Then it was over…

Kaci went limp and collapsed onto a bar stool. She lay there motionless as the bartender walked over carefully. “Ma-am?” he spoke quietly. Nervously he moved closer. “Ma-am!” he said it again, a little louder this time. Still nothing. He glanced up as others who stood staring, they also moved closer. Several people had already left but a few still remain. Moving closer still he leaned in…

It was like lightening, her hand shot out and grabbed the man by the throat. His eyes widened with both pain and fear, Kaci raised her head slowly. Her newly black hair dangled in her face but she stared through it to the man. There eyes met and Kaci smiled as she ripped out his throat. He fell, his body hitting the table and then disappearing behind the counter. People howled and some ran to the door. One man came at her with a club from behind. Standing up she turned around with a deadly look and caught it as he brought it down. He was a big man and he used his weight to try and over power her. She smirked and as she held the club with no effort. She reached out and the man jumped back leaving his club in bloody her hand. He turned to run but Kaci was suddenly in front of him. He screamed as Kaci reached her hand forward and plucked out his eye with her finger nails. The man’s screaming hit a higher note as blood gushed from his eye socket and Kaci tilted her head at the sound of it.

She moved forward and the man fell back on the ground in fear. “Please no!” he begged. “Have mercy! I beg you! Please!” he screamed over and over as Kaci straddled him and grabbed his chin, pushing her fingers into his cheeks to open his mouth. His hands circled her wrists but it was useless. Behind her the last two men in the building ran for the door. Kaci glanced behind her and suddenly a stick that had been lying on the ground flew through one of then men’s heart. That man fell back, twitched, and then didn’t move again. The other man never even paused or looked back at his friend but kept running for the door. He made it out side gasping for air. People stared at him with horror. Stopping he put a hand to his noise, it was bleeding. A sudden pain hit. It was as though someone was trying to break into his mind. He looked over as he felt someone watching him and through the bar window he saw Kaci. She stared at him and when there eyes connected the man’s head exploded. All those linger out side of the bar took off running for their lives, screaming.

Turning her attention back to the man laying under her, Kaci smiled at him, “Sorry if that was rude. I didn’t mean to ignore you. I just needed to take care of something…” she smiled at the terrified man. “Now where were we…?”

“Please God no!” he begged trying desperately to get away but he was too weak and there was no one to help him.

Kaci placed her hand that held the eye ball over the man’s mouth and leaned forward. Placing her lips by his ear, she whispered, “Silly man…I’m not God.”

Sitting up she shoved the man’s eye into his throat. He struggled and squirmed as he choked. She pushed deeper and watched the man struggle wide eye for a while, kaci watched him entertain by his useless fight to live, until the moment he went limp.

The man was dead but his one eye still lay open, gazing into nothingness. Kaci ran a finger over the man’s cheek, whipping off some of blood onto her finger. Bring it to her mouth she licked her finger clean.

Just then someone walked into the bar. Kaci looked over at the familiar face and frowned.


(Occ- so what does everyone think?)

[shadowmancer]

OOC: <3 Also, I will edit the dragon part of my Saiyame profile later, but Ankoku is trailing her in spirit form (cuz he can) and he can still see and smell and whatnot, he just can't touch anything and no one can see him.

Saiyame hit the ground running on all fours, leaving Ankoku staring after her dumbfounded for a few moments, before she thought to call him back.

Did you feel that, Anko-kun? That explosion of dark power felt hauntingly familiar.

Well, yeah, the dragon agreed. But you didn't have to stop our training so abruptly for some random explosion of power. Honestly, it still freaks me out when you transform in midair like that. And then to see you running away from me during a fig-

Ankoku! Please stop whining long enough to notice the stench of blood drawing closer, ok?

Ugh, humans have [I]the most disgusting blood. It is the only thing I have every had that tasted that much worse than it smelled. Oh, there's a large rock just ahead, dodge left.[/I]

Saiyame complied and continued forward at a pace that only well-trained eyes could even hope to follow.

It only took her a couple of minutes to reach the town where the ruckus was coming from, and Saiyame was greeted with the sounds of screaming and crying that grew louder the further she ran into the village. She sneezed as the smells of blood and smoke assaulted her senses, and when Saiyame finally reached the source of the commotion her whole body was trembling with frightened anticipation.

The nine-tailed demoness was an impressive sight to behold, standing in the entrance to the bar, where body parts were strewn about like pieces of various rag dolls. Her hackles were up high, giving her the appearance that she was bigger than she actually was, and her muzzle was scrunched up in a snarl. Saiyame's lips were pulled back quite far, revealing her large, sharp teeth, and her legs shook with an almost uncontrollable rage.

But the rage wasn't her own.

Oh, no. Ankoku, help me! Saiyame shifted forms as she summoned her black dragon, and she closed her eyes and shook her head to clear her mind so that she would not lose herself.

"Lady Saiyame, please allow me to kill this girl. She's so far gone right now that we would be doing her a favor. Besides, with that kind of lust to kill...I wouldn't want her thoughts to influence your actions.

"No. Killing her is not an option. You do remember this girl, right Ankoku? I'll be fine, it's not as easy to overpower my mind as it used to be. There is no way I would even think of killing Kaci without first doing everything in my power to help her!"

Saiyame said the comment firmly, leaving no room for argument, and then straightened herself out to prepare for what she was sure would be a long fight.

I hope there is someone else around who can help me. Kami-sama knows I'll need it. I can't use Ankoku against her because he might accidentally crush her human body.

"Holy shit, this girl has lost it," Ankoku muttered, shaking his head and standing back to see what his master would do.

[Shana Rider]

Shana felt the unbelievably vicious aura and was shocked by its familiarity.

Lately she had taken to wandering farther and farther from The Castle of Mirrors, returning to it for shorter and shorter periods as her travels lengthened. Always at her side was the massive white wolf Ragnarok, who came nearly to her ribcage. She meandered across the land as though searching for something, though she would never dare to admit to her conscious mind the identity of what she was looking for.

She was walking on a thin dirt path, the kind worn into the earth by animals. Thick, short brush surrounded the path, the sky overhead visible and the moonlight casting her surroundings into sharp, contrasting tones of shade and light. Ragnarok watched her with his golden eyes, panting happily as he jogged around her in circles.

Kaci's aura slammed into Shana like a sudden blast of air. Her power flared immediately, trying to correct the sudden rush of darkness. Shana's glorious angelic wings unfurled into the night like a sail catching the wind, each perfect feather gleaming in the night. Her aura became visible, white licks of flame lined with black.

Ragnarok growled as the aura became obvious to him. "Stay here," Shana said to him, spreading her wings and soaring through the night towards the soft glow of the small city on the horizon.

It was easy to follow the scent and trail of blood to the bar. Saiyame's usually peaceful energy was obviously in torment. Throwing her wings upward, she landed in the bar's doorway, her boots immediately gripping a puddle of blood. The carnage was hard to accept; her hand immediately went to the hilt of Apocratis over her shoulder.

Shana gathered more of her power to her as her eyes took in more and more bloodshed. White ribbons appeared around her wrists, appearing to extend off into the distance and becoming invisible. These, of course, were her connection to this world as the First Balanced Child, and appeared often when her aura was rising dramatically.

She would not have recognized Kaci if her dark power had not been just barely familiar. And immediately, Shana, too, knew that she would have to do everything in her power not to kill the girl.

"Saiyame..." I'm here to help you now, she thought to the fox demonness. While the scene and circumstances were terrifying, Shana was already reaching for the carefully controlled state that she had been taught to fight with. She had never been good at shutting away her emotions, but she could at least stand and fight. Don't worry. We'll take care of this.

Shana drew Apocratis. In her hand, the blade came alive and transformed into its larger, more powerful state. Mimicking its owner, the blade shone white and carried a strong white and black aura. Gripping the hilt with both hands, Shana took her stance and waited to see what Kaci would do.

[Jazz]

Standing up, Kaci stared at the two, her gaze was intense. She new them, had once fought with them side by side. Now here they were standing before her ready to fight again, but this time is wasn’t side by side…

Laughter erupted from her lips, “Hello, my friends.” Her voice was high and shrilled, it didn’t sound like her voice. She liked it like that. “I have to say, as joyed as I am to see you, neither of you look nearly as thrilled.” Kaci moved toward them slowly, just a little and then stopped. “Wants wrong? Have I done something?” more laughter, this time Kaci laughed hard enough that she covered her stomach and leaned forward. The laughter she produced was chilling. Finally after a moment she righted herself and looked back at them, Her face was no longer filled with amusement, “So what, please tell me, are you going to do? Kill me? Me? A friend? I don’t think either of you have it in you, to be honest…but it might be fun to watch you try…”

A sound caught her ear and she tilted her head up, listening for it again. After a moment she heard it. It had come from behind the counter…Kaci lifted her hand and her dark energy was sent threw the air like razors. It busted straight threw the wood like it was butter. A girl who had been behind the counter jumped up and froze. Standing there with tears running down her face, she blinked in shock. In the next second the girl fell to pieces.
Kaci looked back at Saiyame and Shana; smiling coldly she informed them, “If you’re here to save people…you’re doing a piss poor job of it.”

“Kaci?” a voice from beside had her glancing that way. Ryuei stood there in his demon form. Still as child looking as ever.

“I don’t remember saying your name.” she said as she faced him.

“With so much of my power running threw your veins, it isn’t needed. You must stop now though Kaci. If you take too much, I’ll die. You must stop!” Ryuei told her, his voice harsh.

Kaci looked at him squarely, “I see….let me help.” Her hands flew out and grabbed Ryuei by both sides of his head and lifted him up. Kaci threw the cat demon across the room and he slammed into the wall hard enough to make a crater. He fell to the ground. “You’re weak, Ryuei. You can’t control me, I have your power. Its mine now. Isn’t that what you wanted?” Kaci raised her hand and another stream of dark razors flew through the air. Ryuei was faster though and dodged them. Disappearing from where he lay on the ground to beside Shana.

He stood there, a sword in hand, the same one that Kaci had used to fight the demon Shana. “FOOL! That is my power running threw you. Power that I gave you!” Tightening his hand on the sword he gritted his teeth, “I’ll take it back, by force if I have too!”

Kaci hung her head and spread her arms wide, she screamed at them with wide crazy eyes, “The power is mine and I won’t lose it to anyone!”

A power burst treated the room like an explosion. Windows shattered, walls buckled, and the ceiling began to fall. Kaci disappeared with explosion. Completely gone from sight…


(ooc-no worries if you would just run out side and prevent yourslef from getting crushed under the building then you'll find kaci already outside on a roof top.)

[shadowmancer]

OOC: XD One sentence sounds weird, but I'm having issues wording things right now.

I'm here to help you now.

Saiyame flinched as she heard a woman's heart stop beating. She had seen the aura as soon as she entered the bar, but she was hoping that Kaci had overlooked it.

"Wishful thinking," Ankoku mumbled, wrapping his tail around Saiyame's waist to protect her from harm.

Kaci made a few other comments that unnerved Saiyame and made Ankoku seeth, but the dragon was interrupted by the appearance of Ryuei before he had a chance to speak his mind.

The demoness waited for Kaci and Ryuei to finish their conversation, her face a mask of calm that did nothing to hide her inner turmoil. Saiyame's legs still shook with the effort of keeping Kaci's wicked thoughts from entering her mind, and it was only Shana's presence that gave her the strength to continue the stressful mental battle.

A small explosion destroyed the bar in a sudden rush of fire, and Saiyame would have been knocked back by the force of the attack if Ankoku had not been holding on to her so tightly.

"Thank you, Anko-kun, you saved me."

"Hmph. I wouldn't have had to save you if you had been paying the slightest bit of attention to that girl. Be more careful, ok?"

"Ok. I want you to return now, though. I'll need your aura to help raise mine if my plan is going to succeed."

"And what plan might that be?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

"Fine, fine. I know when I'm not wanted. Just be cautious, and summon me again if you need someone to kill her and you can't bring yourself to do it."

"Ankoku!"

"Right, I'm going." With that Ankoku vanished and Saiyame turned to Shana, who wasn't far from where she stood.

"Shana? I can possibly bring Kaci back to us by entering her mind, but we need to wear her out first. Of course killing her is unacceptable, but we need her to use up enough energy so that I can pin her with my telekinesis and then enter her mind. I can't very well do something so complicated with her moving around, so let's get started, shall we?"

[Shana Rider]

Shana's hands tightened on the hilt of Apocratis as Kaci killed the girl. She watched, her stance defensive, as Ryuei attempted to persuade Kaci to stop with little success. As that out of control power lashed out and brought the bar down around them, Shana leapt backwards, her blade sheilding her.

Flexing her wings open and closed slowly, she listened to Saiyame's plan with her gray eyes locked on Kaci's form overhead. She agreed that draining Kaci of her power was probably the best idea. And to do that... Shana would have to battle her.

Without pausing to consider her plan, Shana gave Apocratis a mighty downward slash and leapt up. Her wings snapped open, feathers scattering everywhere, just as she reached Kaci's level. The blade's power cut a bright streak through the night as Shana brought its flat side toward Kaci's torso.

Though she wasn't using deadly strikes yet, Shana would engage Kaci for as long as she could without hurting her power-crazed friend.

[Jazz]

Kaci was too busy glaring at Ryuei to take any real notice in what Saiyame and Shana were saying. The cat demon was standing over in the shadows and she could tell his mind was working on something. Kaci didn’t bother herself with him for too long, after all, in a matter of hours she would have completely drained him of his power and he would be dead. Still no smile came to her as she watched him.

Shana suddenly appeared before her, lashing out with her sword. Kaci jumped back barely missing getting hit. She jumped threw the air like a black butterfly. It was all grace as she landed on another roof. Kaci stood there as the wind blew her hair into her face but she made no move to push it out of the way. She smiled wickedly at Shana, “That was a nice attack. I thought it would take longer before you worked up the spit…or did that dead girl really get to you, Shana? Did you see her face as her body fell apart or did you look away?” Kaci raised hand, palm up, at Shana. “Let me give you some advice, you keep attacking me with the flat side of your blade and you’ll be dead before I get to have any real fun with you.”

Kaci shot the same attack as she had used on the girl behind the counter at Shana. Only this time…she shot more of them. A lot more…

[shadowmancer]

Kaci was fast, but Saiyame was faster. She was in front of Shana before Kaci's attack could even try to her, and Saiyame blocked the advancing blasts of power with a simple flick of her hand.

Without waiting for Shana's reaction, Saiyame lept forward and lashed out at Kaci with her whip. If the attack hit correctly then Kaci might have a hole in her hand, but she would live...unless the lightning attack that Saiyame planned to follow up with was a little too strong.

I'm praying a lot these days, ne Anko-kun? Here's hoping that this attack does something to Kaci, at least.

[Shana Rider]

Shana tucked in her wings and perched on a lower roof off to Kaci's right. Power licked along Apocratis like flame, yet she sheathed the blade over her shoulder; it transformed back into its dormant state.

It was true that she was angry with Kaci for killing that girl, but she would be damned if she let Kaci underestimate her will to stop this. She had become a strong warrior since Apocratis had allowed her to wield it, and though her emotions usually only fueled her power, she was keeping them as distant as possible so that she could take on Kaci without harming her too greatly.

Shana's eyes flicked to Ryuei. She began to wonder if the cat demon would be any help. Even if he tries, she thought, I'm not sure that we can trust him.

Shana watched Saiyame's whip as the fox demonness struck and sensed the electric energy she was planning to follow up with. We will have to work in sync...

She reached into her power, gripping tightly to the demonic half of her aura, which constantly writhed and tried to escape her, as it had for quite some time now. Yet she held on and it flared, the wolf demon's power she had inherited from her father darkening her aura slightly. She hoped it would be enough to call Ragnarok to her.

Preparing an attack, she waited to see how Kaci would respond to Saiyame's strikes. As soon as Saiyame's attacks had ended, Shana would give Kaci no time to rest.

[Jazz]

Kaci mistakenly underestimated Saiyame’s powers and grabbed the whip with her hand, meaning to stop it all together. Unfortunately Kaci only merely had the chance to know it away but the one touch sent volts of electricity running threw her body. The pain of it sent screams flowing from her mouth. With the electricity running threw Kaci, her body jerked and stretched its self all on it own. For Kaci it seemed to last a life time but in reality only seconds had gone by and then it was over. Kaci felt herself falling but was powerless to stop it.

She hit the ground hard and lay still for several seconds before laughter drifted to where Shana and Saiyame stood watching her. Drawing more power from her Ryuei, Kaci drug herself to her feet and smiled up at Saiyame. She was breathing hard and had to cough a couple of times before she spoke to the fox demoness, “Now that…is what I’m talking about! That was fun!”

Kaci’s body was not reacting like a normal human’s. If it was, Kaci’s old body would have stayed down. Kaci knew her body had changed but now she was realizing just how much.

Turning her gaze to Shana, she waited for the next attack.

[shadowmancer]

Saiyame hissed and leapt back, allowing Shana to go front and center.

"Shana, I'm counting on you to keep her busy while I prepare this next attack," Saiyame said, bringing her hands together so she could concentrate better.

She had never been good at using fox magic, but Saiyame knew it would be pointless to try entering Kaci's mind with Kaci in such a powerful state. Even if she did succeed, there was no guarantee that Saiyame would be safe from her friend's violent thoughts. As bad as things were now, they would be much, much worse if Saiyame let all of her power loose and went on a killing spree.

The only option Saiyame had now, since she couldn't manipulate Kaci's mind directly, was to create an illusion. Illusions were supposed to be simple for fox demons, but Saiyame's had never been very seamless or convincing. Right now Saiyame had to concentrate harder than she ever had to twist her energy and push it outward so she could create an image that was both believable and frightening.

Luckily, Saiyame had gotten a glimpse into Ryuei's head when he transformed, and she had seen what had happened. Now, Saiyame only hoped that her illusion was enough to snap Kaci out of her rampage, at least long enough for her or Shana to knock her unconscious. If this didn't work then they would just have to wear her down and do things the hard way.

The illusion didn't take a lot of energy, but for Saiyame it took more concentration than even her most powerful psychic attacks. She threaded her energy slowly, allowing it to take shape and form the figure that she had seen in Ryuei's head. It wasn't perfect by any means, but the little girl had big brown eyes that were pools in the dark night, and she looked at Kaci with an innocence that only children possess.

"Kaci? Big sister?" Sophie stared over at Kaci with horror and she took a small step back. "What's wrong?"

[Shana Rider]

Even as Saiyame was telling her to keep Kaci busy, Shana was already on the offensive. She would give Kaci no time to pause and gather more power or even a second to plan. The sound of Ragnarok's distant howl filled her body with adrenaline.

Tucking her wings as close to her body as possible so that she could move quickly, Shana used as much of her demonic power as she could grip and sprinted towards Kaci. Just as 'Sophie' was turning her shocked, innocent eyes onto her 'sister,' Shana reached within striking distance. Planting her left foot with such force that her whole body wanted to jolt, her momentum still carrying her, she swung a kick surrounded with demonic power at her friend.

She could have sent the kick to Kaci's legs to try and trip her, or even to her stomach in an attempt to knock the wind out of her. But Shana was fighting seriously. This kick was aimed directly as Kaci's shoulders. Not necessarily an incapacitating blow, but it would be a shocking one, the kind that would rattle through a person's entire chest. The strike was timed to land just as Saiyame's illusion said,

"What's wrong?"

[OOC: Short post? O.o. Still super special awesome, right?]

[Jazz]

Her body tensed and Kaci readied herself as she watched Shana come at her. Her body was humming with power…so much of it that she could barely feel the damage from Saiyame’s last attack.

Come on, Shana…Come at get me…

“Kaci? Big sister?” The words froze Kaci’s body and a breath hissed out from between her lips. It took a full second before she aloud her eyes to look over. Blinking wasn’t an option for Kaci as she stared at Sophie. Her eyes locked onto the little girl and it was as if everything else moved away. All that mattered was the little girl with brown eyes that stood only a little ways away…

“What’s wrong?” Sophie asked her at the same time pain ripped threw Kaci’s shoulder and moved to her chest. The shock wave it sent threw her body was startling and it took a minute for her to realize what had happen. Shana. Kaci had forgotten all about her…

Finding herself on the ground again Kaci stared up Sophie, “Sophie?” it came out a whisper, barley even hearable. Kaci couldn’t tear her gaze away from the brown eyes the sucked her in. “SOPHIE…!” Kaci scream her dead friend’s name into the night and it was Kaci’s old voice that could be heard. No darkness could be heard in that name, only a hollow sadness that could rip at anyone’s heart who heard it.

When Kaci called Sophie’s name her black eyes swirled with green. A spinning swirl of two colors. A glassy look filled them as tears over flowed and streamed down her face but she didn’t notice. Kaci lay on the ground and reached out desperately to Sophie. Her body hurt and it seemed to take everything in her to get up and move to her.

Yet as Kaci got closer, something struck an off cord. Kaci’s paced slowed and less green shined in her eyes. Now her movements towards Sophie were cautious and watchful.

Kaci stopped. Her whole body still. Suddenly her eyes snapped to Saiyame. When Kaci’s eyes took in the fox demon’s form and facial expression; Kaci’s eyes drain of green. “You bitch.”

Kaci whole body began to shake and Kaci turned her back on the fake Sophie. Instead her body soaked in more power and over to the side, Ryuei fell to his knees.

“I will kill all of you.” Her voice was filled with darkness again and the power that Kaci was giving off was frightening. With a load bang, that could shatter a small child’s ear drums, every window on the street exploded outward. Shards of glass went flying threw the air, which in its self was dangerous but Kaci was out for blood. The glass didn’t just fall, it flew. Millions of sharp jagged edged pieces of glass shot out at Shana and Saiyame. As the glass moved like a blur of lightening, Kaci waited patiently for there death, and to make sure she saw it…Kaci let her hand fly. The amount of power she sent at them was draining but if nothing else after the glass there would be one hell of a fireworks show.

[shadowmancer]

Saiyame cursed as the illusion fell and Kaci sent a whirlwind of glass flying straight at her and Shana. Without stopping to regain her focus, Saiyame jumped into the air and transformed into her fox form. Like a bullet, she was at Shana's side and her eyes glowed an eerie bright blue. Saiyame's aura grew to match Kaci's and the glass turned to dust before it could reach her and Shana.

Saiyame's power continued to grow and her eyes whirled as she worked to neutralize the energy that Kaci was emitting. All nine of her tails stood erect, and the ground shook from the force of her aura.

Sparks flew and buildings trembled as Saiyame let her power go wild. Lightning crackled around her body her muzzle was twisted in a fierce snarl, but Saiyame knew exactly what she was doing.

Releasing all of this power would no doubt tire Saiyame, but if she could create a bigger opening for Shana by blocking Kaci's aura by releasing an equal amount of energy, perhaps Shana could land a blow that would do more damage.

Shana, good luck. We have to immobilize her or I can't enter her mind safely. I can't risk losing myself as well.

ooc: I'm TIRED It's Thanksgiving and I'm the only one up. We aren't leaving until like 2, but I've been up since 8:30 and I didn't get to bed until 1:30

[Shana Rider]

All of the power being unleashed in this area was enough to charge the very air as the ground trembled around Saiyame. Shana felt some of her hair trying to stand on end as the golden vixen at her side defended them both from flying shards of glass and released her aura.

Shana's mind was in two places at once. First, she was listening to Saiyame as the psychic spoke with her thoughts, Shana, good luck. We have to immobilize her or I can't enter her mind safely. I can't risk losing myself as well. At this, Shana agreed and began to drop into a fighting stance.

Second, Shana was carefully watching out of the corner of her eye as Ragnarok leapt over some debris in an alley nearby. He had recognized her demonic aura and answered her call. His large head swung left and right, golden eyes trying to understand the scene. More than ever, Shana wished her demon half was tamed and that she could speak with wolves.

There was no time to consider this or to search for any other options. Hopefully, Shana thought, that overgrown house pet will figure things out and help me.

Shana moved as quickly as she could and took advantage of the moment Saiyame had given her. She threw open her wings and jumped up. Her demonic aura blazed black around her left leg as she angled another kick down at Kaci. Her eyes were closed briefly in concentration, judging the powers around her. Thinking of the Kaci she had once known and of the people this false Kaci had killed, she reached into her emotions and let her power fly. Another pair of wings glowed on her back, these made only of shining light. Rather than causing more destruction, such as breaking glass or shaking the land, Shana's power seemed to calm the tension in the air, rippling through it with a somehow intense serenity.

In that instant, Ragnarok released a vicious snarl and darted in, his fangs bared as he went for Kaci's legs.

At the last possible instant, Shana's kick mere inches from Kaci, Apocratis pulsed in its sheath, knowing Shana's plan. Trusting the sword's timing entirely, Shana tore the blade free. It burst into angelic flame as Shana switched to the stronger half of her powers. She gripped the hilt with both hands and swung down at Kaci. Hard. While her angel's aura wouldn't let the blade cut Kaci -Shana still didn't want to kill her- the power itself could certainly do a great amount of damage.

The kick had only been a trick. Shana hoped her spilt-second switch in power and weapons, and Ragnarok's help, would do enough damage to Kaci to startle her for a moment. Then she and Saiyame could strike again.

[Jazz]

Kaci moved quickly, letting Shana’s attack miss her.

Irritated at her failed attacks she leaped onto a roof. She wanted blood though with the two good doers she wasn’t going to see it any anytime soon. Kaci needed to lose them. If she couldn’t have their blood then she would find someone else to donate. Besides Kaci new these two well enough that they took innocent deaths like a physical would.

Good-doers are so easy to predict…

“Alright,” she called to them. “lets see how many people I can kill before you find me! Ready, set…GO!”

The she was gone. One moment there, the next was nothing but air.

A curse was spat from the shadows. Ryuei struggled to stand up as he spoke, “Dammit! I liked her better as a spaz.” He muttered as he finally got to his feet. “Alright, I know where Kaci went and I’ll take you to her. Just keep up and don’t fall behind because I’m not waiting for you.”

Ryuei transformed back into his cat form and took off into the night. He didn’t glance back to see if they were following. He didn’t care.


(occ-okay I really tired and I already used up all my creative power on “seeing secrets” so this is what you have to deal with.)

[Shana Rider]

Shana decided that she would later have to breathe a sigh of relief for the bond that Apocratis had with its chosen wielder. As Kaci disappeared, the blade pulsed again and began to slightly pull her arms back up. Following this encouragement, she let go of all of her power and stopped her attack just in time to keep from striking Ragnarok. She only realized that Kaci had gone when she landed on the large wolf, their two charges colliding. He gave a sharp cry.

Shana pulled herself off of him and slid her blade into its sheath while she listened to Ryuei. "Sorry," she said to Ragnarok. "But we have to go now." She turned. "We'll get her, Saiyame."

With that, she ran after the black cat already dashing ahead of her through the dark. After a moment of running at full speed, she re-gained and spread her wings, turning her run into flight. She was a brilliant streak of white in the darkness.

[shadowmancer]

Saiyame dashed off into the night after Ryuei's flickering aura on all fours, hoping the little cat demon could get her and Shana to Kaci before her friend had a chance to do too much damage.

She's heading toward the next village, Saiyame.

I know, Anko-kun. We must stop her before she kills more people. Right now all Kaci wants is blood, and if we won't give her any...

She'll have to get it from someone who can't fight back.

Exactly. I only hope Ryuei can help us in his condition. It is going to be hard to bring Kaci's mind out of such a thick cloud of darkness.

Ankoku grunted his skepticism, but Saiyame paid him no heed. You should summon me, Saiyame. I could at least pin her down, if nothing else.

No, Ankoku. It will require an enormous amount of energy for me to bring Kaci back to us, and I have already used up quite a bit of my aura.

What are you planning, Saiyame? Whatever it is, it can't be good for you.

I'm only thinking of possibilities. Saiyame broke her connection with Ankoku and sped forward at a slightly faster pace than before, pondering the worst and best case scenarios for how this adventure could end.

[Jazz]

Appearing like a bat out of hell she moved fast threw the empty streets. Her eyes were wide and crazy with the madness of power flowing threw her. There was so much of it. Surely Ryuei was dead by now…yet why didn’t she feel it?

Kaci’s movements down the street were nothing more than a blur. She passed one man and barely even pause to snap his neck and she went. Her heart was bumping with the need to kill. The sound of bone breaking was enjoyable but it wasn’t enough. Kaci needed to see the crimson color of blood; needed to feel its warmth on her hands.

Voices caught her attention, saving the house to her left from an invasion. It came from another house, its windows were open and Kaci stood outside watching. People were dancing and laughing, it was obviously a party of some sort. A man sitting at the table looked over and saw her. His whole body stilled. Kaci sent him flying across the room, crashing straight threw the wall. Debris impaled the man’s body and the smell of blood reached her noise at the same time people started screaming. People ran for the door but Kaci held it close with her mind. Kaci jumped into the window seal and smiled at her trapped victim. The fear that came off of them was thick and it only served to excite her more.

Outside people woke to the screams of pain and fear. Light in windows lit up and many wondered into the street to see what was going. One mom walked outside nervously and hugged herself against the cold of the night. Her and few others edge closer as the screams from the building suddenly dwindled to one…and then complete silence.

“Mom?” two small children, a boy and a girl, walked out of the house to there mother.

She whirled around, “Kids! Get inside! Now!”

They didn’t argue but turned and slammed the door in fear. The mother sighed in relief and turned back at the building that the screams had come from. One man from another house walked slowly to the door.

“I’m not in there anymore. I’m all done with them.” A voice sounded from the roof tops and everyone spun around and stared in horror at Kaci’s smiling face. “Guess who’s next?”

In the next minute, Kaci slaughter everyone in the street. Motionless bodies were scattered across the cold ground while Kaci stood in the middle of it covered in blood. Licking her fingers Kaci turned around at the same time Ryuei appeared.

“Oh? So you’re still alive?” Kaci said disgust twisted in her voice. “Oh and look you brought my friends with you!”

Kaci was referring to the two who had been following him. Kaci tilted her hearing foot prints. Most of the people in the village had run off at the sounds of so much screaming but someone was coming…someone incredibly stupid. Kaci smiled.

[Zephlin Fletcher]

Zephlin and Myra trudged along arguing about a rather embarrassing incident that had occurred between the two.

"I can't believe that stupid scarf of yours backhanded me into a wall!!!!!!"

"It's kinda your fault ya know Zeph? You know that if I'm touched at all then the scarf freaks out. "

"I was just trying to catch that meatball before it hit the ground. Then the next think I, know I'm three inches into the nearest wall!! At what point did I touch you?"

"Well I believe the scarf thought you were trying to stick your hand up my skirt honestly. In which case I'm glad it didn't wait till you touched me."

"My gosh I wish that scarf of yours knew some restraint at least. Paying for the wall damages has left us pretty much broke. What'll we do for money?"

"What do you normally do for money? Do the FPK pay regularly?"

"Naw they pay upon service. In other words I gotta go do something big to get paid big. But things have been so-"

He is cut off by horrible sound of some final screams. Running ahead they look around. Taking in the situation he couldn't help but be awe-struck by the sheer carnage of it all.

Looks like it's time to earn my pay.

[Shana Rider]

Shana used her wings to come to a sudden, jolting stop when she reached the newest village to come into Kaci's path of slaughter. She cast her senses out quickly, surprised to find two strong auras besides Kaci's, one of which she recognized. That young man from the Castle, Zephlin... and someone is with him. I have no time to lose; I can't leave those kids even remotely alone with her.

Though she had landed in a nice puddle of blood next to the corpse of a man, Shana simply stepped over him and broke out in a brisk jog. The smell of death was everywhere. She knew that the scent of fear and ecstasy would be almost overwhelming and was, for once, thankful that her wolf-demon senses were often dull these days.

Gaining speed, Shana drew her sword. Time to end this. Drawing on her power, Apocratis grew and gained its flaming white aura once more, the flames brighter and more powerful than they had been so far. The symbolic ribbons encircled her wrists. She was running full out at Kaci's dark aura and reaching for all the power she had. Doing this always felt like a hit-or-miss event, like she was praying for her energy to obey her and come forth, but it had yet to fail her when she truly needed it. Saving Kaci and any more innocent people -Zephlin and Myra included- seemed like more than enough reason to Shana.

Shana released all the power she could, every ounce of an angel's power in her system shining like a beacon in the night. There was a reason that the word goddess was whispered in Heaven about Shana, and this was it. Four more wings blossomed on her back, completing the set. While these two pairs were made of power and not tangible, they still made a great impression.

Flying with all six wings straight behind her, Shana charged Kaci with Apocratis gleaming. She flipped the sword around in her hand so that the hilt faced outward and the blade was streamlined with her body. Feathers trailing her and the force of her power spreading out all around her, Shana aimed Apocratis's hilt directly at Kaci's stomach.

That would be a blow to knock the wind out of anyone's sails.

[shadowmancer]

Saiyame slipped back into her human form as her eyes landed on Zephlin's aura and another aura with some amount of unnatural energy to it. She stopped next to the man and nodded acknowledgement to him before allowing herself to focus on Shana's next move, which proved to be more powerful than her previous attacks.

It seems that Shana is not playing anymore. Perhaps I should stop playing as well, Saiyame decided, pushing away Kaci's murderous thoughts with a shake of her head.

It's about damn time, too.

"Oh hush. Ryuei," Saiyame yelled, trying to be heard over the sounds and thoughts of panic that clouded her mind. "What must we do to stop Kaci without harming her?"

(OOC: Short and crappy, but a post is a post ^^)

[Jazz]

Kaci hit the dirt hard and bounced. Her body became like a rock being skipped across a lake only there was no water…only hard ground. When finally she came to rest about thirty feet from where she first had been standing, Kaci lay completely still. Her eyes closed; there was no rise and fall of her chest. She wasn’t breathing. Seconds ticked by…and Kaci’s aura to any who could see it was dimming. As though she was dieing.

Yet even as Kaci’s body lat quiet inside her head…was screaming.

Stop it! Stop it! Kaci… the real Kaci… was screaming and fighting with all her might to get control of her body back. She pushed and tore at her darker self with everything she had. Get out of my body! Get out your not me! Stop it! Stop it!

Stupid! What are you doing! You’ll kill us both! The darker Kaci pulled away in reflects to the amount of pressure that was being pushed into such a small space. Anymore and it was likely that Kaci could killer her darker side…by killing herself. Kaci darker half pulled back a little in fear…Kaci…the real Kaci… used the chance to grab control over her body once more…

Kaci’s green eyes shot open at the time she drew in a breath. Air rushed into her lungs and she coughed, gasping for air as though she had just emerged from water. It took fifteen seconds for her to catch her breath and when she did her eyes finally adjusted and took it the carnage. Sitting up Kaci looked around with wide teary eyes, she had done this. The thought passed threw her mind at the same time she became aware that she was laying in something wet…slowly…as if each move pained her, Kaci looked down at the puddle of blood she lay in. Beside her lay a woman, no more than thirty, torn to sheds; her eyes lay open staring into nothingness.

Trying to swallow Kaci became aware of something else. Crying…someone was crying…

That when she saw them…standing in the doorway of a house holding each other were two small children; a boy and a girl. “Mommy…” The girl, older one, was whispering the word over and over. Horror filled Kaci as she realized she sitting in there mothers blood.

Kaci tried to speak but a sudden pain, bursted threw her head causing her to see stars. She yelped and the kids jumped as Kaci pressed the palms of her hands to her forehead. Kaci’s darker half was tearing her mind a part and Kaci knew it was only a matter of minutes before she could no longer fight the darkness. Her gaze went to the children, they stared at her with terrified eyes. “Run…” she whispered to them. They only kept staring, to scared of the monster who had killed their mom to move.

The monster…Kaci…herself… “RUN!” her voice was loud and clear as she screamed.

The children ran. Kaci watched them go until the disappeared, out of sight. She sighed in relief.

Another pain. This one worse. Not. Much. Time.

Standing up was hard. Her legs felt locked and didn’t want to work right making her movements jerky and unsteady. Kaci looked up and for the first time since she had awaken, took in the people around her. Saiyame…Shana…Kaci had known they were here. She had felt them the very moment they had shown up. When the darkness took over there presence so close was like the touch of a warm blanket in the freezing snowing. Comforting. She looked at them sadly as she walked closer. Niether of them would do what needed to be done. Not yet. More people would die before they faced it. They were both trying to find a way to save her but Kaci knew there was no saving to be done.

Kaci watched as Ryuei walked over to Saiyame. His movements were barely stronger than hers. It accrued to her then that when she died, so would he. It made her sad for some reason. Though he was the cause of all this. He was truly the closest person…demon…closest to her and in some sick way…he was her friend. So it saddened her to know that he was to die as well. Who knew…maybe in the after life they would be stuck together as well.

Ryuei watch Kaci as she moved toward them just as warily as Saiyame and Shane but not because this was a trick. No this was the real Kaci but Ryuei could feel the fight going on inside her. She didn’t have much time before the darkness took over again. In a quiet voice, Kaci was still far enough away that he could low enough that she couldn’t hear but loud enough that the others could. “The only way I know of to save her is for someone to enter her mind and literally pull out the darkness from inside her and let it take a form of its own.” He paused thinking… “Though she still might die, it is your best bet. If you can’t do that; than you’ll have to kill her.”

He stopped as Kaci reach hearing range, her body was shaking with the effort to keep control.

Kaci tore her eyes away from Ryuei, though she still wondered what he had said…No time to worry about it…

Her eyes traveled to the new comers. She had never met them before. Could they? They didn’t know her…all they saw was blood. Them! Kaci stumbled over to them as fast as she could and fell to her knees before them. Tears trailed down her face as she looked at them. Though her eyes and hair were green now…it was only a matter of time. She had to hurry. “Please….Please I’m begging you. You can stop the killing! No more have to die…” Kaci choked on sob but pleading. “Kill me! It’s…the only…way-ay…to stop it…please. Kill. Me.” She squeezed out the words as best she could as the darkness crept back into control over her body. Her hair was already black again. “Do it now! NOW! KILL ME! PLEASE….!” Her words turned into plain full screams as darkness beat at her. She tried to ignore the pain…to the new comers who could look into her eyes; they would see the fight in the swirling colors of her eyes.

[Zephlin Fletcher]

Zephlin was starting to get really ticked.

"Myra could you cover me?" said he a little too harshly.

Zephlin was letting the scene effect him a little bit too much. He leveled his gun and began charging, adding minutes, days, weeks, months.

Every life has value and giving life is what moves people to change. That was the promise of the FPK and that phrase burned in him now more than ever. This girl has no appreciation for life at all. Firstly she murdered countless innocents with no hesitation. Then she does a 180 and tells the people to end HER life. Nothing comes out of death except ill feeling and things undone. Death truly is the coward's way out for those who have sinned. The truly strong live on and try and repent.

He was appalled at all the things she had done but at the same time he still valued her life. He wouldn't let her die if he had anything to do with it.

Saiyame I hope you're reading my thoughts or else I'm gonna look like an idiot. What I'd like to do is fire several weeks way off target and have you redirect them randomly down on to her. Even if all of them hit it shouldn't do much but stun her.
Heck, if your feeling creative about it you can get artsy with the shots, we could call it the Symphony of Life.

And with those thoughts echoing in his head he fired of 8 months worth of weeks almost all at once upward and onward into the clouds hoping that Saiyame had gotten the mental memo.

[Shana Rider]

Shana could not help but let out the tiniest sigh of relief as she watched two small children escape from the battle and Kaci's hair returned to normal. She kept her aura and her caution up, however; her fighting instincts told her that to waver now would spell the end for more innocent people... and possibly Kaci as well. She leaned on Apocratis gently, forcing her breathing to stay calm and even, as Ryuei told them how to defeat the demon within her friend.

Shana gripped the hilt of her sword a little tighter and lifted it. Ryuei had only confirmed that Kaci would have to be beaten down so that Saiyame could enter her mind. She closed her eyes and wished she were deaf as Kaci pleaded with Myra and Zephlin for death. The six-winged angel felt tears trying to form, a catch beginning in her throat, at Kaci's so clearly pained voice. The sharp, desperate sound of it shot right through Shana's heart, making her grip her sword's hilt until pain blossomed in her palm and ran all the way up her wrists.

Forgive me, Kaci, she thought. But I must hurt you one more time... You can pay me back later, but I refuse to let you ask for death a moment longer!

She sensed Zephlin attacking as she leapt at Kaci again. Feeling no harmful intentions in them, she continued with her strike. She spread her wings as she came within striking range of Kaci and planted her feet hard. She was mentally apologizing to Kaci as she swung the flat side of Apocratis at her once more, her power dancing all around it. Her attack was timed to land just after Zephlin's, providing that they reached their target.

Forgive me.