At the beginning of the new year of 2053, there began the Specialized Training Event between students of the August Rivera Academy. Near the end of the battle between the younglings, there was an intrusion from none other than the long-thought dead Demiurge. The dark matter evaporating off of his shoulders as if it were some sort of gas, the Requiem Reaper gritted his teeth, steam leaking out of the miniature slides in his gritted teeth. His arm about to be yanked back so his rear could hit the transparent glass-like wall behind them, August slapped Karlo back as he phased through the invisible chamber. Easily about to break through the see-through shield around the students, his fingers were singed, exponentially and quickly burning as they descended gradually to the grass below him. Staring blandly, watching as Golden Wind renewed and healed his bones hearing them unnaturally crack back into their original position- August groaned. There was no doubt about it, though it was only 'Kuno' here, It'd been able to infuse the entire barrier with Heaven's main energy source. Omni Energy. There needed to be some way to get in there, about to warp into the area- a glow seen in the eyes of the Aether had warped him just to the other outside part of the shield.
~Tch... this asshole must be using our blood tie to manipulate my powers and keep me from entering~
Glancing around, he came to the quick conclusion that nothing would work, not even if he dug a hole in the ground. He'd grown strong enough, his Requiem energy sending a powerful enough presence like those warriors in the past. And since his power originated from that of his Grandfather... His Children could manipulate that energy to some degree.
~I think the old shithead told me about this... when he was training me. Other Requiems can control the other if they're stronger than the other. Of course- that so-called 'Doctor' is still stronger than I am, and if I'm not allowed in there, neither is Dad, Aunt Madi, Emmy, Genny. Though, without a doubt, Auntie and Azzy could get in there~
Scoffing, his anatomy was sucked in by an emerald source of Requiem energy inside of him- the smoke that followed a tint of crimson. For a time being, the kids needed to deal with the threat... on their own.
Inside the barrier, the temporary enemies had ceased their needed fighting, Louis's pupils shaking in surprise. There was no doubt about it, the memories he'd received, this was his Great Great Grand Uncle. Sticking out his hand about to throw an abundance of ice at him, Rose pulled Rivera's hand back before he got it sliced off. Spitting blood out to the left, Karlo pulled him into the smoke as the Demiurge surveyed the area for Its target. Whitney realizing the creature above, extended out his fingers, Arabella's unconscious partner and his girlfriend descended to a blackened gateway. Not only that, but what this thing wanted- was his very own friend. Pulling Nova close by her wrist, he ran with her so they could regroup with Alex. Claire and Alex shaking in fear, the premonitions of a brutal and bloody death entering their minds, Rivera's voice stuttered. Though, Amara had easily been able to shake himself out of the daze. All they needed was a plan, and they could get through this together. About to run so they could all meet up with Whitney and form a plan together, Rose and Louis side by side as they followed her best friend's footsteps through the smoke- a crater had formed just as they were about to intercept. The gas clearing, the galaxy visible around Its body, some stars visible exploding on Its legs while the rings around Saturn orbited- the Demiurge turned Its head. Voice piercing to their ears, a shockwave sending pressurized hair that swept their hair back,
"Alex Amara. The third Requiem. If we are unable to capture the trained father and son, we will kidnap you and use you for Humanity's benefit. Try to resist and you will perish... though, trust me, it will be excruciating for you. And fun- for me,"
No one wasted any time in throwing attacks, with Alex being thrown back by Rose as she threw herself to the front. Louis's hand slid across the ground throwing lean cylinders of ice popping from the ground to freeze the Aether, Karlo herself unleashed the most horrifying and ear-destroying scream possible. Whitney threw those spiky tendrils into Its body so it'd pierce and enter Its anatomy. No sort of audible pain left Its throat, only shifting Its movements as the attacks from the students shifted the Demiurge ever so slightly. The first attack throwing the Child of God into the air, the cylinders sliding up the grass, freezing around Its anatomy in mid-air.
Tendrils piercing into Its body, Whitney clicked his tongue, spotting the emotionless look that this creature always held from these useless attacks. His hair moving with the wind, he stepped back and grabbed Lynn by her arm as the tsunami created by Arabella moved over the lengthy emerald glass. Claire simply brushes her finger over the waves for a moment gifting the water a new form like molten rock. Alex bursted through so he could lift it and attach it onto Kuno's body, the rock attaching to the ground as it spread slowly across the grass terrain below the fake Kuno.
"That's not going to work..."
Claire and Louis said in unison, readying new battle stances with their fists radiating with dormant Requiem energy. Karlo snarling at the revelation, the molten rock began to crack. New pieces of rocks hitting the ground at a gradual amount, Alex's whitened aura greyed over time as his man bun slowly untied itself. Whitney, still pushing his girl back so she could enter the bubble of darkness that built itself from the ground up. Pushing him away, Lynn scoffed at his attempt of 'keeping her safe,' rising her fists as the metal from the pipes that made this barrier attached itself to her arms. Then protecting the back of her head, Lynn and Myers shared a knowing look at one another, knowledgable about what'd occur next.
BANG! ...BANG! BANG!!! Every single hit against the rock had lead to it breaking every single moment before it exploded in a continuous amount of debris! The minerals sharpened as they flew out from the hide that shielded the Demiurge from the kids, Rose grunted, lifting her palm as the stones punctured her palm. Blood squirted out from her skin and leaking onto the olive ground below them, tinting and shifting the coloration of the green grass to her soles. That sinking feeling, sparks running up her rear as they tickled her nape, a burning couple of fingers meeting her left cheek. Rose was sent flying to the right side of the barrier, her back bouncing on the ground as she tumbled across the platform before Alex went over to tend to her. Lynn and Myers acted simultaneously, their hairs grabbed by tendrils that popped out, cracking unnaturally like bones as they emerged from the intricacies of the Demiurge's true form. Slamming them into the ground, Whitney attempted to stand as his face was stomped on, consciousness lost as blood splashed out from his crushed skull. Luckily enough, his brain was preserved by a looking Alex from the side, as he carried Rose to the edge of the barrier, he zoomed back with lightning surrounding his body. Feet barely touching the ground, shoes burning away and disintegrating the faster he went, the blurrier his anatomy became. Claire was paralyzed in fear for a brief moment as she stared up at her far blood relative, her cousin yanking back her collar as a pillar of ice pushed Louis into the atmosphere. Blades popping out the sides of the column, levitating into space and diving into the Demiurge so they could pierce Its figure. The world around It slowed, widening Its blackened pupils in the snowy eyeball, the Aether was too late to stop the incoming attack. The sparking and crackling of the ice weapons had surely been infused with it, not consciously, but instinctively because of the situational battle they'd been thrust into. Requiem Energy.
The tip of the frosty blade cutting off Its wrist, leading Kuno to scoff and wince in momentary agony. The Deity shaking Its head, the feet they held beneath their lower limbs hovering It into the sky, the Aether's mission had changed. If there were truly more of them besides Amara, then they must be captured and taken to the Allfather. Its flight grew faster, the sound barrier bursting as the growth of the icicle post built larger and larger- the Aether regrew Its fingers with the hand It was previously attached to. Extremities slapping away the ax, the widened bolt that'd thrown forward out of the slide of the crossbow that Lou had made in his other hand had almost been grabbed. Before splitting and morphing to multiple arrows as they entered the left and right of the Aether's throat, leading to It coughing and spitting out Its inner fluids. The sparkly sort of starry gore splashing onto Its face and blinding Its vision, the Demiurge's lavender energy grew more and more chaotic. Growling and crying loudly, the scream that the false Doctor under the premature guise of Abaddon Kuno had led to the shattering and breaking of the support Louis and Claire had been standing at the tip of. Recognizing the shaking and twisting sensation, Louis threw Claire down the front of the pillar, her fingers cracking and extending out. Wiping Its blood off of Its eyes, It blinked continuously before the Child of God's complete skull was grabbed. Body out of Its control, the tips of Claire's extremities burnt, the right side of her body heating and heating. About to extend her body temperature so the fire could be transformed to lava, the Aether realized the energy thrown into this basalt would likely destroy parts of Its original form. More arms grew out of Its back, tightening and turning to fists as Claire was punched in the right cheek. Turning and tumbling to the left side of the barrier, falling through the air. Her spine breaking and spreading apart to a bunch of wings, feathers flapping as they obeyed her command. Staying in the middle of the air, the Demiurge and former Boss steadied Its movements. The duo of distant relatives glaring at one another with malicious and murderous intent... now, let's take a look into their minds.
~I can't doubt that these two are related and share the same amount of subconscious Requiem energy as Amara does. They likely noticed how much that blade did to my hand and realized that they should try and bring out that energy more naturally. Luckily for me, even if they did manage to do that, I doubt they could do too much damage... they haven't been trained as Requiems like Augustus and Rivera~
~Whatever Lou did with that large sound managed to cut off Its hand. If we could just manifest some sort of power source of it when fighting, we could be able to destroy Its heart or maybe the core body. From what I could see on his face though, he didn't know he could or meant to do that, in the first place... I should be able to hold him off with my base strength before Alex can take care of him, though~
The more confident of the two was the Demiurge, charging forward, Claire had predicted the movements of the creature and spun around in mid-air. Kicking it on the cheek so It'd spin, the blonde Rivera chuckling as she watched It reappear from the Omni energy It held within. Speeding up her limbs and moving her feet at a speedy pace, the kicks that entered the Aether's chest had all been caught easily. About to break this leg as the Demiurge caught the female, It readied to raise Its hand. Chains made of metal gradually melting as they snuck around the rear of Its galaxy-like illuminated skull, Claire yanked the metal with all of her might so she could headbutt the enemy right in Its 'forehead.'
While they were close, a third hand emerged and burst through her chest, missing her heart by the closest inch. Widening her eyes in surprise as she gasped, the Aether yanked Its arm out of her chest and fell to the ground. Emotionlessly, the blood melting off of Its limb, in her optics before she hit the ground- it could be seen. The lightning signature spark of Requiem energy. Turning around, about to punch the opponent behind It, Claire clapped her hands together, a whirlwind of fire engulfing the Demiurge and sending him across the barrier. The back of Its head about to hit the shield and crack the glass, Louis, still on the top, as he leaped off, created a sliding upward trail of ice for Alex to run on. Following the command, his feet sliding against the front, Louis knew it from the darting of Its eyes as It regained Its composure.
Lou took this moment to drive the tip of his frozen blade into the arm of his god-like enemy, who'd risen Its arm to block the stab from entering Its head. Panting heavily, Dark Determination sparking into existence in the center of the man's optics, he widened and largened the weapon. Spinning off of the handle so he could fly into the air, the icy azure coloration his pupils took on fading to only be overtaken by that singular color. Back against the wall, It had nowhere to go, the gust of wind sent from the kick Lou threw hitting and bouncing from the transparent side. Sending It and Louis back, the Aether took this time to throw a single punch into his gut. Predicting Its movements, Rivera threw a blow of his own, ice crawling and freezing on his skin as it hardened. The Demiurge blocked the blow as the frost broke to pieces, extremities broken, he phased through Its enemy's body putting him in a headlock. About to choke him out, It simply threw him to the ground hearing the breathing stop as his consciousness faded. Eyes staring into the depth of her soul, Claire's body was hardened and turned to stone as the mineral overtook her anatomy. Heavy as she hit the ground in a straightforward, hands to sides pose, the Demiurge's space-like galaxy-burning feet touched the grass. The blades of nature toasting away and the embers of fire rising from the charred platform below Its heated soles, the Aether spotted the landing of the Requiem Boy of Justice. His long flowing hair moving with the chilly wind, Alex's pupils lit up with the sight of 'Dark Determination.'
If it hadn't been for this creature here, this abomination that took such a human-like form... his mother and father would've cared for him. They would've treated him right, and he wouldn't have to burden and rely on Rosey for everything. Though they were horrible people, maybe, in another life, they could've been good. All it ties back to Abaddon Kuno, the dark matter reforming as the skin rebuilt itself over Its body, the guise of the Fallen Doctor there in all of Its flesh. This was his moment, to prove to his mentor that he truly was the strongest, despite all the power. This piece of shit had taken out all of his friends in less than 10 minutes... and yet..?
He had to keep moving, Alexander Amara resumed a fighting position and rose to face his future. Abaddon Kuno smirked at the creature in front of him, knowing it to be a Requiem-in-training. Even if he didn't accomplish his given goal from The Author in the skies, none of that mattered. To see the power of a dormant god-like entity such as this..? No doubt it'd be amazing, despite the abomination of a form the Requiem energy had decided to inhabit... this was their moment. To fight on! Forever!
The first sight was the 'Doctor' rising into the air, fist behind him as it readied to dive into his face, though Amara was quick with his new speed. Sliding slightly to the right, knowing there would be another strong attack, the lightning served as a shield as it formed around his arms. Ready to block if the sparky barrier was shattered, though, the same phenomenon occurred with Azazel. As soon as the kick had touched the cover around the teen, Kuno was thrown back with his hair standing up from the electricity. Skidding back across the ground, Abaddon shook his head, human form breaking as he quickly realized that this was no time to be playing games. His fingers shaking and cracking as the stars realigned, his mouth and lips breaking as it revealed the face with no lips. Dark pupils darted from side to side as it examined the sparks of lightning hitting each corner of the barrier before the Demiurge was lifted to the air.
The rear of Its skull grabbed by his strong fingers, Alex warped continuously, sending waves of shock to the neural cortex so his enemy could be incapacitated momentarily from the sparks. Teleporting continuously and rapidly so the front of the Aether could smash into the ground and side of the barrier before it was thrown with such vigor that it broke the very ground they were standing on. Grunting angrily as Its gore leaked from the side of Its mouth, arms broke out and sharpened at the edges ready to chaotically spin around and stab at anything that moved. Movements precise and careful, readily slicing and cutting every arm that went with stabbing motions around the area 'Kuno' inhabited. The Justice finally went with the kick to the gut he'd been attempting to make since he first threw the Creature to the ground. Tumbling and grunting with annoyance, the Demiurge cracked his anatomy and spun around in mid-air, Amara ready to throw another punch then widening his eyes as he realized the quickened pace this asshole was moving at. Blocking his face, his fingers were broken and snapped, arms cracking out of place as Amara growled and cried in agony. Feeling the healing energy seep into his bones, it was gradual and slow, the two soles of the Demiurge throwing Its teen enemy back so his back would simply hit against the barrier.
It can't... end... like this!!
He couldn't just go out so simply, to the man that caused all of these events in the first place- none of this.... had any sort of meaning, without victory! His bones cracking back into place, he saw the incoming fist ready to smash his chest to pieces. And leaping into the air, fingers digging into the glass of the cover behind him, Alexander gritted his teeth. Steam seeping out of the edges of his teeth, breathing steady, Requiem energy flowing throughout his soul and extending into his body. Drooling as his face went to normal, the Demiurge's eyes widened, the expression he held...
FEAR.
There was nothing but peace and harmony, experiencing the chirping of the birds as the leaves captured the drops of rain descending from above. Drenching the plain of grass around him, Alex's hair flowed with the wind...
Peace.
"Absolute Concentration!! Total... Destruction!!!"
The soundwave broke the barrier entirely, radiating out and flattening the forest around the area, Alex's lengthy locks moved with the pressure he applied with the blow he'd applied to the side of the Aether's face. Energy sparking out from the point of impact, a crater forming beneath his feet as a bolt of lightning hit the peak of the shield around the teenagers, before breaking- the Demiurge's face shriveled up and exploded. Launching back as It continuously bounced off of every rock and body It'd deemed unconscious, a sonic scream that came from the right throwing It into a shocking curved amount of Omni energy It'd created. Amara panting heavily, chuckling happily as he spotted his best friend, Ed went slid over to the Aether with Hazel beside him so they could keep watch. Rose and Alex reunited, hugging tightly, Alex winced as his hand tried to tighten around her waist. His fingers bruised and broken, Amara winced as the duo of allies gazed at the sight of his snapped extremities,
"Good... job?"
"Nope... not worth it. In the fucking slightest,"
Chortling at their success at defeating the threat, Alex knew in the bottom of his heart from that dejected look- the battle wasn't over. The second he felt that singing burning feeling on his shoulder, about to infuse his right hand with Requiem energy- the Aether slapped him with all of his might. Another shockwave emanated from that blow, sticking out his fingers and holding Rosalyn up into the air with tendrils then pushing them out so they'd fuse. Soaring through the air, unable to do anything but struggle for control, Karlo landed on her back as the tendrils stuck to the ground. Yanking Alex by his hair, manifesting over to him, the Demiurge snarled and felt the stinging pain as Its face naturally healed. The glowing skull visible to the blurred vision for but a brief moment to the teen before the previous galaxy-like skin took over,
"Powerful indeed. The Allfather will like tearing you apart... child,"
Before he could heal, a simple flick to the forehead had sent him asleep as the Aether cut through time with a simple slice downward. About to step through, he could hear the rippling of... attire. But not just any attire, rather, a cape, or better yet- a coat. Turning around so his arm could be cut, the Demiurge felt Alex slip out Its grip, the back of his collar lifting him into the air. Watching in annoyance as Amara was thrown into a portal in mid-air, sliding throughout the sky was none other than his failure of an experiment... the Fallen Crow of Justice with nothing but hatred in his eyes,
"You... and here I thought you were dead, Karlo-"
The Aether stuck out his fingers so a skeletal hand could rise from the ground, though chains stuck out the wrist of the Fool Prince so they could snake around the wrist of the enemy. Yanking them downward, Azazel snarled as he cut off the chain, watching as the Demiurge's hand was slammed against the ground with excellent strength. Karlo unsheathing his blade, throwing it into the air as his claws stuck out of his fingers, Kuno regrew his human form, clicking his tongue in annoyance,
"Tch!"
Cutting off his beefy arm, Karlo flipped off his peak from the face, catching his sword in mid-air as the Doctor's guise broke apart. Infusing the steel with all of the dormant demonic Takyr energy he could muster, he sliced off his tormentor's braces by their knees and rushed back with the flapping of his shaded wing. Rebuilding Its legs from the energy inside of It, the Aether moaned with maniacal laughter echoing in Its voice. Azazel couldn't beat this asshole alone, he knew that much- though, he could at least try to hold him off until August could break through. Appearing behind him, slicing through his shoulder, Azazel grunted for a moment, sucking in the air through his teeth as he kicked the center of his enemy's chest. Sending him through the air as the gash in his collar leaked out crimson blood, droplets hitting the floor as the Detective knew. Spinning around and using his blade, blocking the kick of the opponent with the steel, Kuno glanced at the blade before back at the antagonist. Gritting his teeth, feeling the front duo sharpen into fangs, the Takyr energy morphed his mind. Sending him to darkness, remembering the time where he was but a boy- writhing in agony... carrying him over the edge. Crying loudly, punching his fist to the face of Abaddon Kuno, another shockwave was sent out from the contact. Bones breaking before they quickly reattached, the Aether chuckled at the sight as the volcano of Takyr spirit building up inside of Azazel launched up in an array popping out from the ground behind him. Touching the chunk of Its face It'd been missing, the flat palm belonging to the Deity touched the grass, sending waves of information to the dormant lifeforms Mother Nature created. Largening and widening the roots beneath his feet, Karlo panting and breathing at a slowed pace, low laughs known in mentally ill and psychotic people bursting out from his throat. Ready to clash together, Azazel bearing his blade and running forward- there it was!
BOOOOOOOOOM!!! Turning their heads in surprise, the Aether and the Detective looked, staring. The darkened clouds started to leak out the liquid they were known for wielding within, as HE was seen above the forest. Snowy locks moving, the chaotic energy surging around his being, glaring with hatred at the abomination that was... Abaddon Kuno. Red and green eyes filled with murderous and blood-lust-like intent, August let out a happy sigh.
"Now, what should I do first...? Slaughter Grand Uncle for the last time or better yet, save the kids,"
Their bodies absorbed by golden lights that usually belonged to the way Heaven collected angels from their battles, the Reaper watched as the streams of yellow souls went for the Academy across the country. With the psychotic form that Azazel had taken, maybe he could've beat him, though- it was clear. In the 16 years that the Demiurge had secretly been hiding away in, It'd grown stronger. Pushing his fingers into one another, fingers touching as the glow in his eyes surged with the urge to fight- the Reaper spoke out,
"I suppose... I shouldn't hold back then. Corrupted Bolt: Red. Orderly Thunder: Green,"
The clouds had changed. Somehow, August had subconsciously changed the color of the clouds behind him, the thunder surging with lightning changing and forming together. The energy waved through the Earth, flowing throughout Mother Nature's body, the Aether could feel it. Its true demise. Stepping back into a gate that his rival had made, a mocking wave was all that was needed before the Requiem Reaper waved his hand. Sending Azazel back across the country, the thunder and lightning combining, bolts twisting and the corrupt, and the order. Attracting and repelling everything in its path, sent right down to destroy It... the Demiurge chuckled, reaching out Its hand for a moment. For a split-second, It conjured up the portal to Its home, before the attacks hit. Piercing the ground, destroying everything that came into its path, burning and singing everything it came into contact with. The marks of fire visible as it hit the earth, descending further and further down into the depths- before entering and getting absorbed into... the Earth's core. August stretching his arms into the air as the droplets of rain touched his shoulders, the Reaper searched around with his enhanced vision thanks to the Eternal Sight.
"I guess that takes care of everything..."
~Though, it doesn't~
With the world having been told the Demiurge had returned, there were more questions brought up. What else could return? Were the angels planning on launching another attack on Earth? Was this truly the beginning of the end for mankind?
Synopsis for Chapter 54: The aftermath of the Demiurge's return shocks the media and Government to the core. Plans to raid Heaven accelerate as new training measures are planned for the kids in the Academy. Will life ever return to normal for Major Arcana?
Next Chapter - What It Means To Fight