Day 71

Mood: Amused

“Miserable wretch!” Ignis roared as she hit Magnus with her giant metallic arm. She grabbed the Incubus’ cranium and dug her silver claws into his skull. “You are weaker than weak child. How dare you speak to me in such an insolent tone. I am a mother of two, I have dealt with a lot more pain than you have in your lifetime.” Ignis lifted him up and sent him flying. Magnus put his hand to the ground and jumped off and caught himself by bringing out his wings.

“Pain, what the hell are you talking about you tin can? You’re nothing but scrap metal with a soul in it, what’s your problem, I was only poking fun.” Magnus interlocked his fingers and put it behind his head. He slowly flapped his wings to stay in the air, black blood trickled down his pale white forehead. “So come on, let bygones be bygones, sure you were human. Maybe.” Magnus reached out with his hand to Ignis but even though her face was frozen in that one solemn emotion, one could sense the fury she was having, her blue eyes seemed to glow with ferocity. She took her fist and smashed it into his stomach. Magnus gasped for air as he looked at the damage done to him, it seemed as if his entire stomach caved in, he then inflated himself like a balloon and his ribs snapped back in place. “Are you insane? Here I’m offering a truce and friendship and you punch me in the god damn stomach. You’re crazy, I know it.” Magnus said and held his side again, still feeling pain.

“Crazy, no, offended, yes. You are messing with a woman.”

“What woman, all I see is a cast iron shell. You’re no different from those AC weapons.” Magnus snapped referring to the artificial causality weapons who were mere gophers and livestock for the gods.

“I am not like them, I used to be of flesh and blood until that man took it away from me for his mad machinations. I am fighting to free myself and my children.” Ignis said with dignity and pride.

“Oh so that’s what the great Iscariot promised you.”

“And you?”

“Oh you know, the usual Incubus stuff, a giant harem, power, recognition. I’m from a very unpopular breed you know. So a little bit of fame can’t do any harm for my species.” Magnus rubbed his fingers together and created a spark of purple lightning.

“Despicable, do you only think for yourself?”

“Of course I do, it’s instinct lady, don’t you have some?” 

“I’m a woman, I don’t have instinct, I have intuition.”

“So what does your intuition tell you.”

“To protect my children from monsters like you.”

“I find that offensive.” Magnus snickered and descended to the ground. “I don’t prey on children. That’s not my style.”

“You don’t have a style, you have no grace whatsoever.”

“Style has nothing to do with grace.” Magnus said getting defensive.

“I’m growing weary of this conversation.” Ignis said as she opened a portal to the darkness and stepped through it.

“Interesting, I can use this to my advantage.” Magnus smiled and grinned. 

Day 70

Mood: Oh crap...

“You can have her.” Bone said offering up Cyan to Tsubaki. Cyan stared at the Trickster with wide eyes, not believing what she was hearing or even feeling as he pushed her away from his white suit.

“Are you nuts, you can’t just give me up to the enemy, they’re gonna kill me you dumb ass.” Cyan hit Bone in the back with her tome which she quickly summoned from the air.

“Yah but you’re not very strong, we don’t need you anyway, so go on. Better save me, I’m useful.” Bone smiled from under his shades and gave her a thumbs up. Cyan just stared at him agape.

“Useful, you?” Cyan gagged. “You couldn’t fight to save your life.”

“I have, and trust me, I’m good.” Bone put up his hands behind his head walking around in a circle. Tsubaki just stood back with no comment whatsoever.

“Then why don’t you fight her?” Cyan asked standing on her toes trying to get in his face.

“Because I don’t want to!” Bone looked down at her, attempting to look intimidating.

“Would you please stop arguing, I can just leave now.” Tsubaki raised her arm, her long sleeve drooping down.

“Stay out of this!” They both said at the same time, Bone throwing a card at the weapon and Cyan firing a bolt of lightning. Tsubaki quickly dodged the unexpected attack.

“I totally can beat you in a fight.” Cyan declared

“Then why don’t you?” Bone egged her on.

“Because you’re such a big idiot.”

“You’re not going to fight me because I’m stupid. That’s stupid Cyan.”

“Shut up, you’re not helping anyway. What can you do anyway?”

“I get people like you out of fights, I use pygmalion, yah that’s it.” Bone snapped his fingers thinking of what to say.

“You probably don’t know what that word means.” Cyan taunted

“Yah I do.”

“Then tell me.”

“It’s making sure people behave the way they do.” Bone said with triumph. Cyan sighed.

“Um excuse me. Am I interrupting something?” Tsubaki asked. Bone took a good look at the enemy.

“I believe you are, now if you would kindly leave.” Bone said, lacing his words with magic. Tsubaki’s eyes became wide and she started to walk away.

“I see, then have a good day, I will be leaving.” Tsubaki opened a portal of darkness and stepped through it. Cyan stared at her in shock.

“I just did that, you owe me.” Bone said and hit her shoulder.

“I hate you so much.”

“I know that.” Bone said and wrapped his arm around her and they walked off, continuing their argument.

Day 69

Mood: A bit off.

Justice growled at Vika, in his beast form he couldn’t distinguish that she was once a comrade, she was prey. That’s all that circulated through his now empty mind. “Raaar...” Justice walked on all fours, his claws scraping at the ground, his three tails swaying in the air. Vika looked at her former comrade but all she could see was her objective and then her bliss. She needed it and she would do anything to achieve it. She would even fight the impossible fight. She jumped into the air hoping to surprise him from the air. She then jumped down with spear pointed downward, splitting the air in two. Justice blocked the spear with his tails and threw her aside and attacked with two giant swords. Vika blocked the blow but the force sent her flying. Vika regained her composure and leapt at Justice.

“Dragon Fang!” Vika fired a laser from her spear, but with the power she received it was larger than before, the intensity made her recoil and fly backwards again. Despite the power she emanated Justice simply brushed off the blast deflecting it into a mountain in the distance. The beam hit the mountain and made a large hole in it. “How?I need more power.” Vika uttered to herself and charged more energy, Justice sniffed the air and sensed the distortion and gave another huge roar. Justice charged at her like an animal and made a huge swipe with his claws causing the air to rend and slice at Vika. The blades of air went right past her defenses. Vika rolled on the floor with agony and Justice jumped right on top of her in triumph and pounded her with his fists screaming like the savage beast he had just become. He tried to grab her neck but Vika resisted, using all her might to hold back Justice’s cruel onslaught. Justice then broke free and started attacking her helmet. Vika closed her eyes and her visor grew dim as she heard the scraping of his claws on her draconic helmet. Then something strange began to occur, she heard a voice in her head.

“Snap out of it!” The voice said, it was very familiar, so familiar in fact, that after closer inspection it was her own voice. “Vika, you’re under Alice’s control, snap out of it.” Vika’s conscience yelled at her with a fiery passion. Vika was under Alice’s control. She started to realize what was going on, her rationality returning. Her helmet shattered under Justice’s strength and the control was released, a gem shard in Vika’s helmet shaped like a heart shattered and sank into darkness. Vika’s hair flowed out, the first thing she saw was Justice’s helmet. She reached out her arms to it and held it. “Come to your senses, you can’t lose to this thing inside you. You helped me, now it’s my turn.” Vika said as she radiated a light blue aura that encompassed the both of them. After being surrounded by a cocoon of energy she summoned what seemed to be a large white dragon completely comprised of air, it made a gigantic roar and opened the cocoon to reveal a sleeping Vika and Justice, both returned to their normal forms, their bond re-established.

Day 68

Mood: Hip hip hooray or something like that

“Vika!” Justice screamed with a Soul Eater charged and ready in his hand. He slammed into the ground but Vika quickly jumped back to avoid the near fatal blow from him. “Give back Dios, you don’t know what you’re doing!” Justice took his hand out of the earth, out from a large crater that he created with his own power. “These guys are out to trick you, they want to kill you and Dios, they’re not going to fulfill your promise, now hand him back.” Justice said putting up his fists and gnarling them into claws.

“I need your head. It is good for you to have come.” Vika put down the unconscious Dios and drew her spear at him.

“Damn you Vika, think about what you’re doing. You’re playing into their greasy little hands. I can’t let you hand them our leader!” Justice waved his arm in declaration. “I really don’t want to fight you but if you still think that these villains will help you with your twisted love story then I must stop you where you stand.” Justice said and Vika simply stared at him. Both of their faces were concealed by armor, they did not look human anymore, Justice looked like a demon and Vika a dragon. 

“Hypocrite, you can have your love but I can’t have mine?! I will kill you, I need your head anyway. Now prepare!” Vika shouted as she jumped into the air, a talent amongst dragoons to be able to soar into the sky.

“Dammit Vika, I didn’t want it to come to this!” Justice created dark aura from his hands and used it to propel himself into the air. Past the clouds he saw a descending Vika with spear in hand. “No you don’t. Dead Spike!” Justice created a solid black orb and pulled on it and flung it at the dragoon who absorbed the blow with great ease. “What, darkness doesn’t work on her. Damn!” Justice rolled in the air dodging Vika’s blow. Justice then threw himself downward and performed an axe kick on Vika’s shoulder pad but she simply brushed off the blow.

“Don’t you see, I have all the power I need to defeat you, nothing can stop me.” Vika said as dark tendrils started to appear from her body.

“Damn since she’s close to Alice right now she can draw upon more power, for the cost of her sanity. I need to do something. Something, anything.” Justice said and stared into his open hand. “Dammit, I am a hypocrite...” Justice put his palm to his face. He crouched over and his body started to glow red. “I’m right here, come on... I’m right here. Beast of the Apocalypse take over!” Justice said and his body started to glow even more red. “RAAAAAH!” Justice screamed and he let his body be taken over by the dark forces. His shoulders became spiked, his hands and feet turned into talons and his mask shifted into something even more demonic than his normal visage. “Graaah.” Justice, now the Beast of the Apocalypse went on all fours and roared. He charged at Vika and attacked with his claws ripping through the darkness. Vika leapt back and channeled more black energy. Justice howled and he raised his fist into the sky and a long stream of giant swords were summoned from a magical symbol from the air and crashed down on Vika ripping her new found power to shreds.

“What is happening?” Vika asked and looked at Justice who only saw her as his next meal.

Day 67

Mood: Blisters all over

“I wonder, is this the end for me? I doubt it, I mean come on, I have so much to live for... right? Why won’t anyone agree with me? Don’t tell me I’m all alone here. Oh wait, I can’t even see, so how can I know where I am without being able to see. Let me open my eyes.” Dios said but as he opened his eyes he saw nothing. All around him was black. “Wait am I dreaming?” Dios asked and then he hit a large bump and squealed a bit. “No, I’m not dreaming. Not at all. Wow I’m hurt.” Dios said and ran a hand to where his face was, he had a large bump on his forehead. “Yikes.” Dios exclaimed. He tried to figure out where he was by moving his hand but to no avail, he felt something however keeping his hands from moving very far. “Cuffs, and wait this fabric, am I in a bag? Am I being kidnapped? But by who? Everyone would rather see me dead being leader and all. Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?” Dios rubbed his bruise but it responded with a harsh sting. “Whoever is out there, let me out. Let’s talk.” Dios said and tried to summon his weapon but it wouldn’t considering the tight space he was in. Whoever bagged him knew how the warriors of harmony brought out their weapons. Dios tried to think back to what happened to him before he was kidnapped, all he could remember was something heavy hitting him, like armor but other than that, nothing. Now he started to think who wore armor, Jude. Not possible he wouldn’t be a traitor. Celice, no she didn’t have the ability and she was too kind, Laylea, no way. The numbers started to dwindle. Igrene, could she pull off such a stunt? Dios continued to ponder. “Justice. I know it’s you, let me out you god damn traitor!” Dios started to struggle and then he heard the shuffling of heavy armor. Dios listened closely and then realized it wasn’t Justice, the armor was too heavy, Justice’s didn’t make a sound. “Wait, that leaves...” Dios swallowed, not being able to believe it himself. “Vika!” He called out to the girl who he thought least would be able to betray him.

“I hear you Dios. I’m doing this for your own good leader.” Vika said, though she seemed normal something was wrong, something wasn’t right.

“Vika, let me out, explain what the hell is going on?” Dios demanded.

“Well I could not bring back the head of Justice as Lucian the Kid ordered me to so I need to keep you safe.”

“Wait, Justice? Lucian wanted you to kill him?” Dios asked, the bag rustling. “Why are you taking orders from him in the first place?” Dios wriggled himself out the bag and looked at Vika and stared agape. Her armor was dark blue with hints of red, like blood. Her spear was forked and spikes came out of her shoulder pauldrons. “What the hell has happened to you?” Dios jumped back and summoned his sword but he could not lift it because of his hand cuffs.

“I want us to be happy. You have nothing to fear, if I do this, you won’t get hurt.” Vika said and opened up her arms, Dios’ suspicions were correct she was seduced with the promise of power.

“Dammit Vika, snap out of it!” Dios put his sword into the ground and tried to break the chains with its blade. “They are not going to give you what you want? It’s all a ruse. Listen to me Vika!” Dios rubbed the chains against the sword violently and broke free. He took the blade into his hands and held it in front of him. “I can’t let you do this.” Dios tightened his grip. In actuality his head was spinning but he couldn’t back down.

“But they promised us happiness.” Vika said and drew her spear at him.

“Dammit Vika.” Dios lowered his sword, he couldn’t fight her, no matter what his responsibility was. “Don’t do this.” Dios said and his sword disappeared. Vika walked up to him and punched him in the stomach knocking him out. “Please don’t.”

“Trust me, trust them. It’s better, they know what’s best.” Vika said and slung him over her shoulder and continued to walk to Wonderland.

Day 66

Mood: I hate winter

“Weakness is not an option.” Jude said to himself while smashing away at a boulder. It seemed as if they would never get out. Jude and Selena were trapped in a cave against their own will by the machinations of Darkside, hoping to kill them off simultaneously. However as devious as he may be, he is not one to think ahead and not realize that Jude may actually try to escape.

“Please stop, you will run out of oxygen and I can’t let you die. We have gone so far.” Selena said sitting down, resting.

“I can’t let us die here. I got to get us out.” Jude said as he continued to swing his axe at the boulder keeping them rooted to their spot.

“Please, I beg you, stop.” Selena pleaded but Jude kept swinging away with a fervent passion.

“I have to, at least let you live.”

“But I don’t want you to die!” Selena started to tear up. Jude stopped and let his axe rest.

“Selena, I’m sorry.” Jude said and he wiped the dirt off his axe and made it disappear. “I just want you to be able to go back, I’ll be fine.”

“You won’t be anything if you’re dead, and then Darkside will win. Can’t you see?” Selena asked Jude and he looked down in shame.

“I get it. Sorry again.” Jude apologized and Selena smiled.

“No worries, I’ll get us out of here.” She said and nodded her head.

“How?” Jude asked.

“I’ll use magic.” Selena said as her hand started to glow.

“But you use healing magic, like me, how are you going to bust us out?” Jude asked.

“I’ll show you.” Selena stood up and summoned her staff. “Aero.” Selena summoned a sphere of air and thrusted it forward into the boulder making a large dent in it.

“Wow, I can’t do that.” Jude said.

“Of course not, it’s a White Mage’s trick.” Selena winked and summoned another Aero. She hit it against the rock and made a larger dent.

“Don’t worry Selena, I got this now.” Jude summoned his axe and charged up. “Grandblow!” Jude swung an axe wreathed in light and smashed it against the rock which then shattered it. “Come on, let’s go!” Jude took Selena’s hand and they ran out of the cave and saw that Darkside was nowhere in sight but they just laughed and ran off into the distance.

Day 65

Mood: One to go

“Jems!” Faye-Ling in a sphere of air descended from the sky in front of the monk. Her path was serpentine and kicked up dust with the power of air, a gift from Bai-Hu, the White Tiger of the celestial creatures. “We need to settle this.” Faye-Ling went into a fighting stance on the near stupefied little girl.

“What for?” Jems asked, not accepting her challenge by staying stalwart.

“You stole Justice from me so now we fight for him.” Faye-Ling kicked up another storm egging her on.

“I didn’t steal him from you.”

“Then explain why he’s not on our side!” Faye-Ling continued to create more wind storms.

“He fights for us, what you had is gone now, why can’t you see that? He knows what he is doing, he’s well aware of it.” Jems said, trying to reason with the evil-ex.

“I can’t accept something as asinine as that. I’ll kill you where you stand and break your heart, literally!” Faye-Ling clenched her fist and opened it revealing a sphere of air and threw it Jems. Jems instinctively dodged and backflipped. The sphere crashed into a cliff and broke off a piece of earth that fell to the ground pushing dust in their direction. “Come on, I don’t want to win too easily.” Faye-Ling created another orb of air and Jems then went into a battle stance. “That’s more like it.”

“I am not comfortable with this.” Jems said and she stepped forward and threw a quick punch which Faye-Ling blocked with her forearm. Faye-Ling made a sweep kick and Jems did a back-flip to dodge. Each exchanged numerous blows with each other, not giving one another any quarter.

“I call upon the power of the Vermillion Bird Zhu Que.” Faye-Ling said and the hole in her heart turned red with fire. Her fists were set ablaze and she had every intent on killing the girl that stole Justice from her.

“Please stop!” Jems pleaded as Faye-Ling stepped forward with a side kick and Jems grabbed the foot and spun her in the air.

“Never!” Faye-Ling recovered by putting her hand to the ground and spinning with her legs sweeping Jems and knocking her down. “You’re mine little bitch!” Faye-Ling jumped up and made the fire in her hand intensify and she was descending to victory until she heard a very familiar but out of place voice.

“Don’t you touch her Faye-Ling!” The voice belonged to Justice but what was he doing there one would wonder.

“Justice, you can’t seriously believe you have any feelings for that girl!” Faye-Ling shouted her hands above Jems.

“Don’t think about it Faye-Ling. Soul Eater!” Justice created two orbs of darkness and converged it on his left hand and slammed it into Faye-Ling’s stomach and sent her flying away. “I won’t let you hurt her again. Now Dead Spike!” Justice created an orb od pure black and stretched it and flung it at Faye-Ling who had it slam into her head and explode. Justice then fell to the floor and spat up blood, the consequence of going to far. He fell to his knees. “I can still fight you!” Justice stood up and Faye-Ling hobbled up on her feet.

“Why? Why did you choose her?” Faye-Ling uttered and start to cry. “Why, I am everything you need. Everything, I’m everything! Why can’t you see that? Why can’t you love me?” Faye-Ling screamed as her powers went haywire, her aura was constantly changing colors from azure, vermillion, white and black and repeating wildly without order.

“I can’t choose you, I just can’t. My heart is with Jems not you. I will give my life for her safety. So please sleep in a never ending dream. Darkness, Strength of Anguish!” Justice conjured another soul eater and launched it at her. However before it could hit her someone swooped by and repelled the blasts. When the dust lifted all he saw was Rose carrying Faye-Ling.

“This is not your destiny. Come with me.” Rose opened a portal of darkness and entered it and left Justice and Jems behind.

“Destiny?” Jems asked herself and looked at Justice, blood dripping from his helmet.  

Day 64

Mood: One down!

“This war, I want it to end. I don’t know what to do with it. I can’t fight.” A.B.B.A said to her master Aeon. A.B.B.A had a sickly pale face who wore heavy make up and dark blue lipstick,as if she was recently beaten. She wore bloody bandages that tightened around her chest and wrapped around her lower body like a pair of skin tight shorts. Her arms were in chains that went to a collar on her neck. She was leaning on a large golden key with a comical face on it with a stitched up mouth. Her appearance was heavily morbid but there was a childish like look to her. The way her knees closed together like she had to go to the bathroom or the way she was always looking down quivering in the face of her master.

“Those humans are easier to defeat than you think. I will defeat that fool Astro, it’s a matter of time. And then I will help you with your trial, that boy Jiol will have no chance. I swear to you this.” Aeon put a hand on his creation’s shoulder and she stopped shaking. With puppy dog eyes she looked up at Aeon and tried to force a smile. However she couldn’t but her frown vanished and tears left her eyes. Aeon then wiped them away. “You are precious to me, you share the same ideals as I do, time is a universal truth, it controls all things. Even this war is a victim of time.” Aeon walked away and raised his arms into the air.

“That’s right. Everything will end with time. Isn’t that correct master?” A.B.B.A followed him, her chains being pulled with great effort, obviously, considering its immense size, which was larger than her.

“So follow me and I trust you you will live.” Aeon held her shoulder and held out his hand and showed her a beautiful sunset she nodded, gaining faith in herself. But is that faith enough to save her from her future?

Day 63

Mood: Distraught

“I present you with our newest warrior of discord, former champion of harmony, Vika, the dragoon, or should I say the dark dragoon.” Alice smiled presenting Vika to the other warriors of discord in Wonderland. Vika approached with her spear in hand but something was different about her. Her armor was completely different, what was once rounded shoulders had spikes. The paint was a different color too, it went from a light blue to a dark navy blue, almost black in the darkness. Her eyes were hidden by a vizor with green lights flashing from it. The wings on her helmet became red as blood. Vika’s spear also became forked rather than a long blade. 

“I can’t believe it, you turned one of them into one of us.” Jester said further examining the new ally, he took out one of his butterfly knives and put it to her chin, for some reason Vika’s chin didn’t feel smooth like a female’s skins. “Scales. What did this transformation do to her?” Jester asked putting away his knife. 

“It turned her into a dragon, kind of.” Alice explained and scratched her eye patch.

“So, does she talk or is she broken?” Harlequin asked.

“I’m not a toy.” Vika said, spinning her spear.

“She gave into temptation, she wants to fight for us to save her beloved Dios.” Alice approached Vika and rubbed the girl’s chin. “From Adrian, the dhampir prince.” Alice giggled. “He’s certainly too powerful for that pretty boy, so she came to me for some extra power.” Alice moved her finger down Vika’s chest and scratched her armor.

“Oh, Adrian? He’s certainly powerful, I don’t want to fight him, I pity the little boy.” Jester smiled.

“This was not part of my plan you know.” Schrodinger said. “How dare a measly weapon such as yourselves gain the authority to go against my plans.” Schrodinger announced pulling out a card with the picture of “The Fool”.

“Come on, it certainly makes things easier for us.” Lucian said, drawing his guns.

“Of course you do.” Schrodinger pulled out a card “The Death”.

“A measly weapon, I had a lot of convincing to do to get her on our side, she’s plenty useful so shut your mouth kitty boy.” Alice pulled out her giant blade and held it between Schrodinger and Lucian.

“Kitty-boy? You’re certainly pompous for a piece of livestock.” Schrodinger changed his card to “The High Priestess”.

“I think we’re all going a bit far here.” Lucian said as he teleported his four hands over Schrodinger’s and Alice’s head, each holding a fully loaded revolver. “Let’s have her prove herself then.” Lucian made a proposition. “Bring us the head of Justice.” Lucian said. Vika nodded her head.

“Understood.” Vika said and she jumped upwards into the sky.

“What was that all about?” Alice asked.

“Justice is our biggest threat but he can’t turn his sword against a girl, especially a comrade. So let’s have nature take its course.” Lucian said and he vanished into the darkness.

Day 62

Justice was all red, his ebony armor stained with his blood. Blood that should not be dripping from his hands and stomach. His opponents were innumerable, countless, all wrapped in shadow. He was facing them all alone. He charged with sword in hand, his foot prints bloody and grimy, they for some reason bursted into flames as if his blood was tainted by something evil and demonic. He struck out at the shadows and one by one they vanished but for some reason they were coming back and as soon as they did, they plunged long blades into Justice’s body. He screamed in agony and attacked the shadows again. They dispersed but more seemed to be created. Justice continued his assault, only to be slashed at even more. His breathing was loud and pained, he fell to his knees, using his sword as a crutch. The shadows closed in on Justice but he still stood up and fought, repelling blades and continuing his fight. But he was losing, more of his blood spilled on the grey tile floor. Justice’s attacks became more weary, his movements slower. His reflexes were like a statue, he took more blows in all his vital regions. He fell to the ground, his sword just out of his reach. The shadows kicked away his sword, Justice tried to call it but it didn’t move to his hand like it used to. He stood up  and attacked with his hands like claws. The shadows were just fanned by his blows and they seemed to laugh, their eyes red and beady. They all simultaneously plunged their blades into Justice and he started to scream. Then the shadows started to assimilate on Justice’s body. They started to coagulate. Justice began to scream in agony as if someone was tearing out his heart and soul. He called out for Jems, he stretched out his hand in a sea of darkness but couldn’t find his way out. He then sunk into the darkness, his hand still trying to seek his beloved.

“JUSTICE!” Jems screamed, awoken from her strange and horrid nightmare. She breathed heavily and her body broke out in a sweat. “No Justice, please let nothing bad happen to you.” Jems said as she cried.

Day 61

Mood: Infuriated

“I had enough of fighting you guys.” Justice said drawing his weapon and crossed blades with Darkside, his centipede sword against the boy’s dual blades. Justice revved the engine of the sword and it vibrated against Darkside’s swords. “Just let me go through kid, I am not here to babysit.” Justice readied his body and his dark aura flared.

“Babysit, I’m gonna kill you, you asshole!” Darkside brought his blades back and had his own dark aura spike a few levels. “I’m going to show you real dark power.” Darkside shouted and his swords increased in length and started to grow spikes.

“Try me.” Justice egged him on and Darkside charged forward and wildly swung his swords at Justice who easily twisted his body and dodged the blows.

“Die asshole!” Darkside combined his swords together making a double bladed spear. Justice thought back to Iustia, or himself from the future who used the same style of attacks. “Death Chasm!” Darkside threw his blade and it spun vertically like a hacksaw. Justice

“Oh this is not good. Chaos Bolt!” Justice held out his hand and a bolt of lightning shot out and deflected the rotating blade. “Woah, how did I do that?” Justice looked at his hand, he could never summon lightning like that before. Justice felt a new power rush through him, like when he was fighting Joachim. “Let’s see what else I can do. Demonic Cleansing!” Justice slammed his hand on the floor and a wave of dark pillars shot forward and homed in on Darkside. He jumped back and retrieved his blades flying in the air.

“Disruption Wave!” Darkside created a circular dark aura around him and it broke through the pillar. “What was that, my darkness is more superior than yours.”

“I would like to bet on that kid. Dark Void!” Justice disappeared from sight and jumped upward into the sky and crashed down, wreathed in dark fire.

“Shit!” Darkside rolled away and Justice created a large crater in the earth.

“What’s wrong? I got no time for you, so go home.” Justice said pulling out his sword from his back. 

“No way, and besides when you use darkness you sacrifice your life, I don’t. Phantom Wave!” Darkside fired a dark shockwave at Justice.

“Oh not anymore boy. Reaping!” Justice created a circle around Darkside which exploded. Darkside took the blow and fell to his knees,

“What the hell! I can’t stop here. Nether Wave!” Darkside fired two waves of energy that curved outward and were converging upon Justice quickly.

“Just stop already!” Justice smashed his fists together, the turbulence knocking away the waves. “Demonic Megiddo.” Justice created two dark red orbs in his hand.

“Wait, isn’t that Soul Eater?” Darkside asked charging his energy as well.

“No, I pumped it up a little bit. Now eat it!” Justice threw both of them at Darkside and sent him flying back. “Now go to sleep.” Justice vanished and reappeared above Darkside and punched him into the ground. “Forgive me, but I must move on.” Justice said as he continued running leaving Darkside on the ground. 

Day 60

Mood: Woozy

“Adrian, I have come to fight you. Show yourself!” Dios called out to the vampire, calling upon his huge sword. The leader of the warriors of harmony had a new strength instilled within him. He used to find himself mediocre, average, just adequate, his charisma and charm was his only strong points. But now he was stronger. He knew how to lead, he knew how to fight. He was going to fight for his life because everyone else had and he had no excuse not to win the battle.

“I am right here, I have been here for a long time. Now approach brave warrior of the good.” Adrian announced from the throne where his father sat for many centuries and Adrian had inherited. “So you have come here to slay me?” Adrian asked, his sword already out and in front of him, plunged into the carpet floor. “You must however prove yourself in a trial of battle as indicated by the divine thought entities.” Adrian shouted, trying to sound intimidating.

“I am aware of this, now come here and we’ll settle this, mano-a-mano.” Dios pointed his sword, wielding it with one hand. Adrian chuckled.

“Then I have one request, for this battle you may call me by this name. I am Alucard!” Adrian stood up from the throne and threw his cape to the ground.

“I understand.” Dios looked to the ground. “Now let’s do this Alucard!” Dios leapt forward with sword behind him. He took a large swing but Adrian turned into a cloud of mist and passed through him.

“You are not going to defeat me with those moves.” Adrian launched a fireball at Dios. In mid-air Dios turned around and blocked the blaze with his sword and jumped again at the dhampir.

“Chain digger!” Dios opened his sword and a large hook shot out and grabbed Adrian in the stomach and brought him closer. “Now devour him.” The inner blade of the sword turned into teeth. Adrian then transformed into a bat and flew quickly away from the chain. “Buster Star!” Dios’ sword opened again and he launched three shuriken at the bat version of Adrian. Adrian flapped his wings and dodged all three and turned back into a human.

“Tetra spirit!” Adrian put his hand to the floor and summoned four dark wisps. They found Dios and launched themselves into him

“Lightning Bunker!” Dios opened his sword and released a beam of lightning that disintegrated the wisps and caused Adrian to look away. “Go away from here!” Dios jumped up with his sword above his head like an epic hero. “Buster Drive!” Dios swung his sword with unimaginable strength. Adrian took to one knee after the attack. 

“You have done well but now I must show you my power. Dark Metamorphosis!” Adrian chanted and his eyes turned red and bat wings appeared from his back. His sword started to go ablaze. He looked just like a demon from hell, contrary to Dios’ angelic appearance. Dios electrocuted his sword, now jolting with lightning.

“Try your best.” Dios dared and the battle continued. Their swords clashed but as soon as Adrian’s sword hit Dios, he felt as if he was becoming numb. But still he gritted his teeth together and continued attacking though Adrian was slowly stealing his life away. 

“Hell Fire!” Adrian launched three fire balls simultaneously from short range knocking Dios backwards into the air. Dios rolled on the ground in order not to burn himself. “Shadow Flame!” Adrian shot out multiple balls of magma at Dios who rolled backwards as the magma burnt away the carpet. “Wing Smash.” Adrian quickly drew in and slashed Dios’ stomach while on the ground sending him sprawling backwards. Dios fell backwards and dropped his sword. “Have you given up yet?” Adrian asked. Dios gasped for air and closed his eyes. He thought to himself about giving up. The temptation. But he couldn’t possibly, he had his friends who counted on him as a leader. What kind of leader loses his only battle? 

“No, but this time. We play by my rules.” Dios stood up and grabbed his sword and plunged it into the ground. The ground shattered and broke, along with reality. He was creating a controlled space of his own. “Now I welcome you, to the Hero’s palace!” Dios shouted and suddenly they were inside a luscious white palace throne room. “Much prettier than yours, don’t you think? Now let’s play. Big Impact!” Dios opened his sword and released a giant wave of energy at Adrian who blocked it with a magical shield.

“Impressive, but still not enough.” Adrian pulled away the shield and flew,preparing another Wing Charge.

“Not this time Alucard. Maximum Drill!” Dios magically transformed his gigantic blade into a drill and thrusted it forward into Adrian. Adrian parried the attack and lightning jumped from his hand.

“Dark Lightning!” 

“No way, Day Flash!” Dios made his blade shine and their swords clashed. They jumped back, both bloody and exhausted. “I’m breaking my limits now! You will not stop me from winning this war!” Dios announced and his sword jumped with lightning. “Ride the Lightning!” Dios spun his sword above his head and locked Adrian in a cage of lightning bolts. He then ran through Adrian multiple times, each with an attack wreathed in electricity. Adrian shouted as the blade sliced through him. Multiple times he flew through and he jumped upwards and then slashed his blade through the dhampir and it exploded in electrical energy. Adrian fell to the ground, his sword resting next to him.

“What great energy from a human, I wouldn’t imagine it, not on my life, so much power. Thank you.” Adrian said as he vanished into fragments of light, all that was left behind was a pendant. Dios went to pick it up and he opened it and it revealed the picture of a beautiful woman.

“It says, Lisa Farenheights, that must be his mother. How beautiful.” Dios said as the pendant also disappeared soon after and a voice rained down from the heavens.

“What lies in your soul is Bravery.”

Day 59

Mood: Done

“Armster!” Justice called out to the vampire as he clashed swords with the white haired attacker. “What do you want?”

“I want your blood, I want the blood of the lord of darkness!” Joachim screamed and his symbiotic swords spun around him rapidly like a cyclone. Justice jumped back in order to avoid the blow. Justice then conjured a ball of darkness and threw it at Joachim and it exploded, Joachim’s defense was impenetrable from the front. Justice then tried a new approach and leapt high into the air, above Joachim where his swords did not dance around him.

“I have no clue...” Justice created another dark orb in his hand. “What you’re talking about!” Justice slammed the ball into Joachim’s stomach causing Joachim to fall to the ground creating a large dust cloud.

“I must have it, so I can rule all of the vampires. I’m taking your powers... Dire ray!” Joachim chanted and a large beam of red energy shot from inside the dust cloud straight for Justice.

“Obsidian Shield!” Justice created a black shield around him redirecting the flow of the laser. “My powers, are my own and certainly not yours for the taking. Soul Eater!” Justice created two dark orbs and put them together.

“That is not for you to decide boy!” Joachim screamed and his symbiotic swords converged together “Dire Ray!” Joachim fired another beam of energy. Justice dived down anyway towards the beam.

“Judgment Slash!” Justice chanted and materialized his sword and performed a quick slashing motion. A giant web of black glowing lines appeared before the beam. When the beam hit the lines they stopped momentarily before it completely shattered dissipating the beams. “Screech Alpha!”  Justice fired a large black shockwave in the form of an anguished face that hit Joachim and then gave a large scream of dark energy sending Joachim flying away. “Time for you to go to sleep, now. Inferno Divider!” Justice fired a large shockwave from his sword, however this time it was made of pure energy and was not living.

“Dire Divider!” Joachim chanted a spell similar to Justice’s and launched a near identical attack which collided and then detonated causing a large smoke cloud. They both jumped into the smoke hoping to perform a surprise attack on the other. Justice with his sword guarded against the vampire’s telekinetic onslaught. Joachim then released a fireball at Justice who caught it with his barehand and crushed it. 

“You have to do a lot better than that, I have become much stronger than last time!” Justice shouted his resolve strengthening. He made his dark aura flare parting the smoke.

“Impossible, his power grows...” Joachim muttered under his breath.

“Shadow Flame!” Justice roared and he launched multiple balls of black magma at Joachim.

“That move. Grr. Dire disaster!” Joachim made his swords glow and they ran through the black flying magma orbs, cutting them into shreds. “You do have the power of the dark lord. Admit it child!” Joachim screamed as his swords returned to him.

“These are my own powers. Not some creature from Hell’s. Soul Eater!” Justice created two orbs again and threw them at the attacking vampire. Joachim flew upwards and dodged the blast. Justice roared and jumped upward. “Gauntlet of Hades!” Justice turned his hand into a claw and directed it at Joachim who was caught by its deadly grasp and was thrown into the ground. Joachim gasped for air as he felt his lungs tightening. Justice’s hand returned.

“No, you will surrender, the longer you fight, the weaker you get. That’s the curse of a Dark Knight.”

“Not me, I’ll finish this fight with one blow.” Justice said and he let his dark aura seep. “Now prepare for my power. Demonic Meggido...” Justice whispered as he created two large red orbs in his hand similar to his Soul Eater but something felt different about them. They made him pulsate with energy, they didn’t take away his life but seemingly gave him more. “Now let’s finish this!” Justice threw one of them at Joachim which hit him square in the stomach and sent him flying, the orb still connected to him. Justice then launched the other one and it landed right on top of the other blast which caused them both to explode leaving a giant red cloud. Joachim then fell to the ground screaming.

“Curse you, child of D...” Joachim screamed and then fell unconscious.

Day 58

Mood: Pained

“You’re the end of my story, once I beat you I’ll surpass the gods.” Astro announced, arm outstretched to his opponent Aeon.

“What a waste of time.” Aeon grumbled under his breath. “Fine then, I’ll play with you but don’t expect for me to go easy on you, this won’t take long.” Aeon drew his golden gun and pointed it at the pompous thief.

“You don’t have to go easy on me, even your hardest won’t hurt me because I’m just that perfect. A total victory that will surpass the gods!” Astro jumped off the cliff he was standing on and summoned his flag and held it tightly with both hands as he descended the mountain at high speeds. The turbulence cut his face and caused his eyes to go into the back of his head, but he swallowed the pain because if he could prove himself, he would be the best, he would be perfect. And that was all he needed. “Big wave!” Astro swung his flag over his head right in front of Aeon who guarded it with his gun. Astro released a large aura wave which made his flag glow. Sparks flew despite the two weapons not having edges. Magic fueled the sparks and magic that Astro couldn’t control before.

“I didn’t calculate this, what is this?” Aeon exclaimed and pulled the trigger of his gun which hit the pole of the flag. The shock made Astro jump backwards, his feet expertly landing on the cliff behind him. Astro then jumped again, somersaulting. Aeon saw the move and met Astro’s foot with his foot again but Astro didn’t persistlike the time before that and he backflipped and held his flag back and swung it. “Star Rain!” Astro released a series of light orbs which converged on Aeon.

“Time!” Aeon yelled compressing time around the orbs making them stop where they floated. From close inspection they looked like actual stars. Aeon waved his hand and time continued and the stars converged.

“Wrong move, I’m so perfect I saw this coming. Now take this!” The stars grew in size and then exploded. Aeon was in the vicinity and was hit by the blast. From under his golden spectacles he could not see, everything was white. “Now, Speed Star!” Astro rushed at Aeon and hit him in the stomach with his flag. Aeon gasped as he was launched into the air and Astro, at super human speeds ran through Aeon and continued an onslaught.

“Time, stop!” Aeon tightened his fist and time stopped around Astro and the young boy stopped moving. “Curses.” Aeon fell to the ground. His grieves landing on the  earth below him. “This is taking too long, now let’s end this.” Aeon said and he created twelve giant clock hands that jolted with electricity. “Now time.” Aeon snapped his fingers. Astro started to move again and when he saw that Aeon wasn’t caught within his attack Astro looked down and saw the giant bolts coming at him.

“I knew that was going to happen, you’re too slow. Shield Star!” Astro spun his flag rapidly and it created a large blue shield with a star pattern glowing in the middle. The bolts bounced off and fell to the ground around Aeon.

“No matter, this will end in a few seconds.” Aeon said as he shot multiple bullets from his gun. Astro continued spinning his flag which easily deflected the bullets. Astro felt something amiss and he turned around and saw Aeon behind him pointing a gun to his face.

“I knew you were going to do that too, now. Trap Star!” Astro plunged his flag into Aeon.

“The hell? He shouldn’t have seen that. Now this will end. Time, compress!” Aeon concentrated and time stopped and Astro stood frozen in time. “I pity you, now perish.” Aeon summoned multiple clock hands that surrounded Astro from every angle. “Time, continue.” Aeon snapped his fingers and the bolts flew at Astro but each of them were deflected and fell to the ground. “Impossible, I calculated that!” Aeon looked at Astro, unscathed. 

“New technique, Shell Star.” Astro smiled, his flag steaming from the quick actions on his part.

“It seems I must show you the power of a god.” Aeon said and lightning jolted from his fingertips.

“No, I’ll show you the power of a real god and then I’ll surpass every one of you.” Astro said and he jumped forward and attacked with a quick flag attack. He acrobatically turned around and deflected the attacks created when Aeon compressed time. He sent his foot and kicked Aeon in the stomach and turned around to his blind spot and deflected more bolts from compressed time. “Too slow, you can’t beat me like that!” Astro slammed his flag into Aeon’s chin sending him flying but Aeon disappeared. Astro checked his blind spot again and saw Aeon there and hit him with a back handed fist.

“0.03 seconds late.” Aeon whispered and pulled the trigger. The bullet escaped the barrel for some reason it was so slow as if it was crawling. Astro moved his head back and dodged the bullet which was a simple and overly easy job to accomplish for him. He heard Aeon curse but it came out too slowly.

“I see, I see it now. What it is like to be a god.” Astro said to himself and hit Aeon in the side which sent him flying. In Aeon’s point of view Astro was moving faster than possible, calculable. “Now for the final blow Aeon! Freedom Star!” Astro created a small orb of light in his hand and threw it into the air. Astro turned around and jumped up and kicked the orb of light which was then sent flying into Aeon. The orb pushed Aeon back and after a second it detonated in a large circular blast with blue clouds surrounding it like a nebula.

“Curse you human, I didn’t calculate that kind of strength.”

“Because you can’t calculate humans, we’re not machines, we are always changing you know, and I’m becoming more perfect and now I surpassed the gods.”

“Hell. This is how it ends huh?” Aeon said as he disappeared and all that was left was a large time piece. Astro dived down and grabbed it. The clock moved smoothly until it stopped. Astro put it to his ear and he heard it speak to him. “Thank you.” Astro pulled it back and stared at the magical item. It then vanished and Astro heard another voice, but not the clock’s it was a woman’s.

“What lies in your soul is pride.”

Day 57

Mood: Can’t wait for school!

“What is it?” Justice asked. He had his eyes closed with his hands over the slits in his helmet. Elf giggled.

“It’s a present. Just shut them.” Justice heard Elf rummage through the bushes. She was with Jems and Sety, the girls he developed a desire to protect with his life.

“Fine...” Justice said and flexed his shoulders.

“No peeking!” Jems smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Grack!” Justice uttered as he was pulled down to Jems’ height.

“Hey, don’t kill him.” Sety called out in concern. Jems simply laughed. “Elf, you got it?” Sety turned around, her brown hair swaying to her other shoulder.

“Yah I got it.” Elf took something and wrapped it in a pure white cloth that reflected the moon’s light.

“Can I open my eyes already?” Justice asked in earnest but moved away his hands anyway.

“Go ahead.” Elf said and Justice opened his eyes which were indicated by the slits in his helmet turning white rather than the normal dark shade. The only thing Justice said was the cloth. “A cape?” Justice asked. Elf shook her head and removed the cloth. It looked like a black globe but was weirdly indented with a grey spiked bottom. “Umm, a crystal ball?” Justice asked with all honest intentions. Elf knocked him in the head with her rod. 

“No dummy, it’s a helmet!” Elf yelled at the clueless Justice. Justice squealed as his helmet vibrated “You see?” Elf turned it upside down and revealed that it constricted to the shape of the human neck.

“Why couldn’t you tell me that in the first place, but my helmet is fine as it is.” Justice said pointing to his demon mask helmet.

“But you look scary in it.” Sety nodded her head. Justice looked at his pupil and shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s kind of the point of being a dark knight. Strike fear into one’s opponents.” Justice tried to explain while summoning his weapon. Jems was still stuck to his neck behind his collar.

“But can’t you be scary and fashionable too?” Jems asked.

“I don’t think that’s possible.” Justice said.

“Just try it on.” Elf said, her patience growing thin. She then threw the helmet at Justice and it hit him square in the forehead sending him tumbling. Jems quickly jumped off with a skillful backflip. “I give it a ten.” Elf gave the monk a thumbs up. Jems reciprocated with a thumbs up as well.

“Fine.” Justice said and picked up the new helmet. He looked back at the girls. There was a long awkward silence. “Umm could you leave, I kind of want to change it in private.” Justice said but the girls didn’t budge. “Well I’m going.” Justice said as he jumped away into a tree, rustling the branches and leaves. After a few seconds the girls heard a large clunk and saw that his old helmet was thrown to the ground. Elf tried to pick it up but realized that it was too heavy and shook her head. Jems then bent down and attempted to pick it up and she barely was able to lift the demonic mask. She stared  into its eyes and for some reason it felt lifeless without Justice’s head in it. “I got it on.” Justice said and jumped down from the tree. “Feels a bit lighter.” Justice remarked and Elf gave him a stern stare, one of disgust. “What do you think?” Justice asked them, a bit embarrassed.

“Can you see anything?” Sety asked.

“Everything, much clearer now, it’s like a two way mirror.” Justice said knocking on it. “Its made of durable stuff too, how did you make it?” Justice asked

“That’s a secret.” Jems smiled and hugged Justice.

“It’s great girls, thank you.” Justice said but even with the mask on one could sense that he was smiling.

“Your welcome.” Elf said. “You’re going to fight Dizzy soon, isn’t that right?” She asked, her look becoming one of sadness.

“That is right, but I think now I can defeat her, with the strength you three have given me.” Justice said.

“What strength?” Sety asked skeptically.

“This helmet, is a sign that I need to come back.” Justice knocked on his helmet.

“Yah, I guess.” Sety pulled on her hair slightly.

“The time has come.” Justice said and his dark aura flared up. Black tendrils arose from his new helmet. “I must go... thank you.” Justice said and he opened a portal of darkness, an ability reserved to only the warriors of discord.

“Your welcome...” Jems said as Justice stepped through. “Please live.” She muttered under her breath just so that she could hear them.

Day 56

Mood: Frustrated

“Tch, I have no time for you.” Jacoban uttered as he created Katarina’s longsword.

“No matter, I come for the girl.” Cornell announced in his most polite voice. Though soothing, his intentions were anything but peaceful.

“Katarina is still weak, if you fight her, she dies. And I can’t let that happen.” Jacoban took a step forward slinging his blade over his shoulder.

“I must fight her now, if I do not return, Schrodinger said Aya will die.” Cornell looked down in anguish.

“Aya?”

“My daughter, Schrodinger said if I cannot go home she will perish. My situation has changed I cannot let this battle be prolonged.” Cornell said as his finger nails grew into claws.

“But if she dies we lose our chance of going home too. Can you not see that Schrodinger is playing you for a fool? He’s toying with your emotions.” Jacoban proclaimed but Cornell simply shook his head, his short white hair swaying.

“I do not care if he is playing me for a fool. He may be lying, he may be being honest. But I can’t take that risk!” Cornell yelled as his body started to change. Black fur started to grow from his body and armor covered his skin. He was a special breed of werewolf that allowed him to grow metal on his skin, this kind was known as “Stahl Lycanthrope” or Steel werewolf. “Now get out of my way or become victim of the Blue Crescent Moon!” Cornell howled on the top of his lungs, his once serene blue eyes turned red and bloodthirsty.

“I can’t let you do that.” Jacoban charged forward and performed a thrusting attack. Cornell easily caught it with his claws.

“You can mimic other’s powers, but it makes you useless if you are alone. However that girl, Cyan is with you. Can she not help?” Sparks flew as Jacoban struggled against Cornell’s grip. Cornell then kicked Jacoban in the stomach and sent him sprawling. Cyan, who was behind a rock tending to Katrina looked at Jacoban and gasped.

“Stay there, I don’t need your help.” Jacoban stood up with rapier still in hand. “Now, Illusionary dance!” Jacoban weaved a symbol in mid-air with his sword and shattered it making multiple glowing pieces of glass fly at Cornell.

“Hah, foolish, Wind Claws!” Cornell spun once to make a tornado that intercepted the magic glass. 

“Curses, Venomous kiss!” Jacoban weaved another symbol and shattered it.

“Again. You may mimic their powers, but not their intelligence. Wind Claws!” Cornell repeated the same action to the same effect.

“Dammit, he must have a weakness.” Jacoban uttered.

“He’s a wolf, he’s weak to sound. Try something that might disable him. Or disorient him.” Jacoban heard a voice.

“Cyan!” Jacoban yelled to her direction and saw that she had a book open which was shining.

“Just go ahead, don’t worry about me!” Cyan yelled to him

“Got it. I know just the thing. Disorientation Blast!” Jacoban chanted and his sword started to vibrate. He then hit it against the ground which caused a violent shockwave. Cornell drew back violently and started to yell, covering his ears. “Got you, now Maim!” Jacoban said as his sword glowed dark purple and struck Cornell in the forehead, which sent the werewolf tumbling. 

“GRAAAH!” Cornell screamed and hit Jacoban away. Cornell rushed up to Jacoban and went to plunge his claws into him.

“Stop Cornell!” A voice from above called and Cornell ceased and turned around. To everyone’s surprise it was Aeon.

“You actually believed Schrodinger’s lies didn’t you? Time inside this dimension works differently you buffoon.”

“What are you saying?” Cornell yelled getting ready to fight the god.

“I’m saying that time is frozen outside this place. Your daughter is in danger of nothing.”

“What, are you saying no time is passing?” Jacoban stood up using the sword as a crutch.

“I already said that you dumbass. Now why don’t you go home Cornell, your dog is waiting for you.”

“Fenril?”

“Yah him, he’s been looking for you. So let’s make this quick, I don’t have much time.” Aeon warped to Cornell’s side grabbed him and warped away.

“That was weird.” Jacoban uttered and fell down praising Aeon for helping him.