originally posted in:The New Dojo
[b][u]Arsonist's Lullaby | Dojoville[/u][/b]
[i]When I was a child, I heard voices
Some would sing and some would scream
You'll soon find you have few choices
I learned the voices died with me[/i]
The being walked through the carnage, and with it came fire. A devouring swathe of cobalt flames ravaged the earth it walked upon with scorching embers, reducing all it touched to ash. Grass was fossilized in cinder, earth was razed by fire; it was a walking apocalypse.
No civilian was harmed by the devouring inferno - but on each side, both defending and attacking the Dojo, flames struck up their body and reduced them to pure ash that added to the firestorm following the figure.
[i]When I was a child I'd sit for hours
Staring into open flames
Something in it had a power
Could barely tear my eyes away[/i]
It was tall, about 6'11. A being clad in pure armour, an old VINC exosuit with each armoured plate engraved with symbols that told the same story in a thousand tongues. Each symbol burnt brightly as if written in magma, coursing like a demon's lifeblood throughout each of the walking pyromaniac's armour plates
A set of massive burning wings stretched from its back, each ashen feather burning intensely and adding more gales of flame to the storm. Two large arms extended from the figure's lower middle back - amalgamations of other arms, burnt to a black crisp but mashed together to create massive limbs.
[i]All you have is your fire
And the place you need to reach[/i]
The walking manifestation of destruction held a blade in its hand. It was etched with the same symbols as its armour, each one glowing with a fiery blue hue. The spine was not of the same material as the blade - it was made of a polished human spine, broken in several places but part of the blade nonetheless. It was as if a self-contained inferno burned along its edge.
In its other hand it held a grenade launcher with its stock removed, making it a more mobile weapon. Smoke and ash curled from the barrel as if it was a hungry dragon, waiting to be fed.
On its shoulder was an M134 minigun that shot at any surviving warriors that his flames did not consume immediately. A quick roar of the barrels was the herald of their demise.
[i]Don't you ever tame your demons[/i]
It finally looked up. For those who were near, they would be able to hear a single voice from within begging the walking armour to stop. From each tongue of flame, they would hear the scornful whispers of everything the fires have devoured.
Its helmet has a single, blue optical at the centre of it like a twisted Cyclops, the bottom part of the armoured mask being that of a gas mask's. Within the circular visor-piece burned a single flame that reflected every ember that surrounded the figure.
[i]But always keep them on a leash[/i]
A flame that was the manifestation of exile, resentment, and the greatest love turned into the deepest of aberration.
A flame full of hatred.
[spoiler]Open to any side, attacker or defender. For those who remain. [/spoiler]
English
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[b]Gunfire rained upon the man as 20 or so attackers shot at him. Some lobbed grenades, others kept shooting. When their ammo ran out (which was rather quickly) they ran into a building to the man's right.[/b]
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Edited by Chinkronomicon: 12/24/2016 5:54:45 PMEDITED - USE OTHER REPLY I MADE TO YOU.
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The bullets merely pinged off of the figure's armour as he turned to the group of assailants. [i]"Hilarious... The Dojo's own military? Pathetic. In the old days, we were capable enough to hold our own... Now everybody relies on some greater power like a delusional priest. Allow me to show you what the true Dojo has shown me."[/i] Its voice was rough and gravelly as if its throat had been scorched by fire. Furthermore... The voice didn't speak from its head. It emanated off of its runic armour. The being spread its wings, arrows formed of shadow firing from the flaming feathers and nailing each arrow with pinpoint accuracy, making them detonate in mid-air. [i]"Show me a true champion."[/i] It pointed its sword at the building, the fire surrounding it rushing through the doorway and immolating all of the soldiers within. The flames whispered in a thousand different voices as they burnt the soldiers, but none seemed to truly understand the story they were telling...
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[i]Fenrir had been fighting for some time now, and thou others were leaving and quitting, he was just getting started. He began to chase down the enemy forces, to teach them the consequences of assaulting this place of hospitality. It was then he felt it again, though different this time. He felt once more that unnatural [b]thing[/b] was in this world. He turned to it, but could not see it. Still, the flames around him grew brighter and hotter than before. He knew his duties. He accepted his responsibilities. And so, he kneeled to the ground, a pillar of fire forming around him, and another such one forming in front of the thing. He felt that this presence was much like the one he'd felt from Blackjack, and thus new this would be no easy fight. When the pillars dissipated, he was kneeling in front of it, and as he looked up at the malformed beast, and his upper lip curled once more. It had fashioned itself after some warped Angel, but he had seen Angels, and so this served only to infuriate the Wolf. He stood, taking his blade up the Yofünfire surging within him, and faced the beast.[/i] "[b]I'll assume that, like the other one that I did face this night, you are a great warrior, who once held a meaningful and powerful love for this place. Now you have come back to purge it, to bring healing through cauterization, like a fool who seeks to treat an infected limb by cutting it off with a burning weapon. So now, you have returned from whatever Hell or Purgatory you resided in and have taken some vast new power to ensure your success. However, you are different from him. You are different in that, within you, and now unleashed and taken form through you, is some foul demon. I do not call you a monster. Nor do I call your legacy a monster. I call what you have become seeking to protect this place you loved a monster, and a demon. What say you, Broken Angel?[/b]"
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[i]"You speak as if you know me, warrior of flame. You speak as if you have endured the same pain I have, not greater or less, but the same. You speak as if you were my keeper, my brother and myself all in one. But you are not. Are you angry at me in this form, Wolf of God? Good. Let that hatred course through you as it coursed through my own veins... Let your flames be fuelled by apathy, lest it burn further."[/i] His voice is gravelly and distorted through the metal, as if his entire throat had been scorched by fire. His words radiated from the armour itself, everything he said emanating from the engraved plates of burnt ceramic. [i]"My name was Cobalt Phoenix. I lived, loved, and died for this place. And when I returned from death's cold grasp, I was greeted with the same cold indifference. I was then exiled by my own people for trying to reignite the true spirit of the Dojo. Hell, you say? There is no Hell, no true Hell we live in other than the life we live. And if there is no Hell, there is no God. No God, no angels, no demons. Only man, no matter how powerful or how weak, man and his delusions. Man and his ideas of higher power, for when man is faced with higher power, they either seek to worship it..."[/i] The flames around him brighten as they feed of of Fenrir's scorn for Phoenix's form, their whispering intensifying - yet the Wolf of God could not understand their words. [i]"... Or fear it."[/i] The Hateful Phoenix holstered his grenade launcher and sheathed his sword as something much more thick begins to form in his hand. A classic acoustic guitar, inscribed like the Phoenix's armour with words that could not be understood, words written in magma. [i]"Would you like to see the true power of the Dojo, Wolf of God? Not the stagnant corpse it has become, but its true spirit vested in my dead bosom. A fire long reduced to cinders but willing to be set aflame once more. This is the power of the Dojo's dead past, Wolf of God."[/i] Strumming a single cord, cobalt flames began to swirl rapidly around Phoenix, tightening into much more concentrated swathes of heat...
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"[b]I cannot deny my experiences, Phoenix. I cannot deny what I have seen, what I have felt, and what I have become. If there is delusion here, it is your own, a hatred and apathy, you say? These are yours, as well. Do not inflict them on others. As for the true power of Dojo, I have no clue, to be honest. I only look at you now, and see someone who's own love for life twist them into believing that that was all there is, until they were so warped that they denied the existence of an afterlife, of a God, even when they can do as you've done.[/b]" [i]Fenrir's own flames burn quietly, and he seems to feel not hatred, anger, or apathy, but only...sorrow? Yes, sorrow. The sorrow at seeing a warrior of such a caliber turned into such a thing as the Phoenix was now. He regretted not having come sooner, as he could have met this man in his life, and perhaps known him when he was something better than this burning hatred that stood in front of him.[/i] "[b]So be it.[/b]" [i]He raises Ragnärok, gripping it with both hands as the cobalt fires are drawn to it, absorbed when they touch it.[/i]
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Two cords are strummed this time, Ragnorok growing a superheated blue-white and being wreathed in Phoenix's cobalt flames. Fenrir felt it - flames of pure hatred, twisted deformities of what was once love. But there was no empathy or mercy left, only the cruel flame of abhorrence. Fenrir's two-handed sword exploded in a blaze of blue, flames forming into a figure in front of Fenrir. The fiery silhouette looked awfully similar to Fenrir, and it gripped the sword handle he was holding on to. The doppelgänger kicked the Wolf in the stomach as he pounced away, holding a mimic of Ragnorok made out of pure blue fire in its hand. A few more strums of the guitar and ash began to form around the silhouette, settling upon it and forming skin and armour much like Fenrir's. However, the wolves inlaid into his own armour became twisted and marred. Each design was made in the likeness of a ravenous wolf, one that was subjected to great cruelty and never forgot the pain. The doppelgänger did not have a head, it bore only a skull. A skull inscribed with those same misunderstood words that were etched into Phoenix's armour. A helmet formed around the doppelgänger's head just before Fenrir saw its eyes - eyes that burned a twisted blue, a distorted reflection of the Wolf's own fire. [i]"You have great love for your God, Wolf. Allow me to show you what such passion burns into."[/i] The ashen helmet that formed over it was once more in the shape of a wolf, with its maws open over the doppelgänger's skull. It raises its own Ragnorok against Fenrir as Phoenix lets out a twisted guitar riff, sending the doppelgänger charging towards Fenrir with a downwards slash aimed to strike his right shoulder.
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[i]Fenrir deftly stepped to the side of the heavy slice, the true Ragnärok reforming in his hand so that his doppelgänger's own momentum carried him onto the ancient blade. The force of his reckless charge gave enough inertia that the blade pierced through his armor and ribcage, smashing through his heart and lungs. The doppelgänger's varying openings shone brilliant white light, the very veins within him glowing until they ruptured, breaking the skin and burning away the entirety of the doppelgänger. Fenrir grabs the fake Ragnärok with his right hand, the blade crumbling into ash, but leaving a form of white fire where it had stood.[/i] "[b]Did you think this to be the first time I have fought myself? I fight myself every day. I know my own weaknesses better than any of my foes, I can kill myself faster and more efficiently than any other can. I fight myself on a daily basis, Phoenix. I fight the beast within me, and I shall do so until I die my final death and join my God. A doppelgänger is merely a lesser version of me.[/b]" [i]His encounter with the warrior had changed him, at least visibly. His flames, which had died down as the doppelgänger was formed, has resurgence now, but white? Whether it was a parlor trick, an intimidation tactic, or a genuine change in how he viewed battle and life was unknowable, left for the Phoenix to guess at.[/i]
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[i]"I beg of you not to kill yourself then. That defeats the thrill of the hunt, Wolf of God."[/i] Phoenix extends a hand forward as fire gathered around it, engulfing his armoured hand in cobalt flames. Ash from the doppelgänger rushed to his fist, mixing with the fire and creating a small, self-contained firestorm around his fingers. [i]"You think you've tasted the power of the Dojo? This place is just a former shell of its glory, a shameful corpse of the once wondrous vessel it was."[/i] With the other hand he throws the acoustic guitar in the air, fire snaking from his hand under it. In a flash of flame, another body made of ash is different - much more featureless, but definitely that of a male. Its arm reaches up to catch the guitar, shedding loose embers from its biceps as its fingers find their way around the instrument. [i]"Reincarnate what once was lost to time; raise what entropy's eternal grasp has taken. Sonata of Flame: Duellist's Grave."[/i] The ashen mannequin began playing a song on his guitar, a much more melodious tune compared to the Eldritch strumming of Phoenix. No, this was a ballad - a story told through song, with words still yet to be understood by Fenrir. Like a veil being lifted, the entire area around Fenrir begins to burn away... Quite literally. It was as if the already-burnt scenery around him was tinder to a spark, quickly consumed by the rift of blue flames that created seams in reality. All around the Wolf was the Dojo... But much older, more worn out. It was pockmarked by bullet holes in the walls, burn marks on the ground and sword slashes all over the place. Cinders littered the earth like some eerie holocaust byproduct, flickering embers within glowing blue. The sky above the two warriors burnt blue and violet, as if the very heavens were being incinerated by the flames of Phoenix. Even the sun had been eclipsed by a burning swathe of cobalt fire. Holding out his hand, Phoenix formed a bow made of pure darkness. Light from the flames above was absorbed into the inverse shadow of the bow's ornate arms, runes seemingly fashioned from night itself adorning its limbs. [i]"Do you hear that song? That is the guitar of Woodchuk, one of the oldest Dojo lieutenants. His name has been lost to time, his features marred and dulled because of it. And this? This is the bow of the shadow archer, Jams. A comical name, no doubt, but a true warrior at heart. He was one of my first comrades here... One of my greatest friends. He bequeathed himself to me and allowed for me to carry on his legacy. Two forgotten names; two true warriors of honour. Both long-gone, for they realized the truth of the dying Dojo before I did. I now hold their skill in their stead as a final memorial of defiance. Let me tell you a story, Wolf. This is the story of my love. This is the story of my martyrdom. This is the story of my exile. This is the story of my hatred."[/i]
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[b]Tubbs is just walking around chilling[/b] [b]he seems to be ignoring the fighting[/b]
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Edited by XxZANExX13: 12/24/2016 7:36:07 AMZane felt the heat from atop his old grave, the heat was familiar, but it couldn't be him, could it? He heard of his friends death, but never saw the body. Whatever the case may be, he intended to find the source of this power, and confront it. He walked down the hill, his cloak fluttering in the wind as he tracked the heat. Zombies tried to get in his way, but a few well placed strokes with his blade and thermal destroyers made quick work of them, the flame tornadoes engulfing the hoard.
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Zane found the figure standing amidst a burnt courtyard, blue fire swirling all around it. He felt the whispers of each tongue of fire speak to him in a thousand different voices, all telling the same story.... But Zane could not hear any of it. The figure held a zombie in one of its massive extra arms coming from its lower back. It held it up in front of him as the burnt body of the undead tried reaching feebly for him, only to have the figure raise his left hand and fire a blast of superheated shrapnel through it. The shot was so powerful, it ripped the undead in half from its stomach, leaving only melted flesh at the seams. The massive arm threw the top half of the zombie away, landing at Zane's feet.
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He kicked the zombie away, and placed a hand on his blades hilt, ready to draw at a moments notice. He spoke, but only a word, and however the figure answered would determine his next action. "Phoenix?"
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The figure raised its armoured head to Zane. "[i]Do you hear them... Zane?... No... No one does..."[/i] His voice is gravelly and distorted through the metal, as if his entire throat had been scorched by fire. His words radiated from the armour itself, everything he said emanating from the engraved plates of burnt ceramic. [i]"They tell the same story, over and over. Yet you, along with everybody else here, shall never here it... What a shame. They tell me of such wondrous things. Telling me the same story of exile... What does this place offer you now, Zane? It is set aflame not by the fires of my own doing... But of your "people" and their feeble attempts at playing politics, always being the hero. The hero, the God... There are no gods."[/i]
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GASP HOLY SHIT
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His hand remained on his blades hilt, unsure of his next action. Perhaps he could reason with the figure. "This place...This is my home, simple as that. Has been for three years now. It offers me a chance to relax with my wife, lead a calm life." He motioned to the carnage around him, anger rising. "I hate infighting, reminds me of my childhood at Abaddon. People fighting the government for supplies, public assassinations to inspire fear. It's not Fûcking needed, just talk your problems out and reason with each other.
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[i]"Yet can't you see the truth of this place? There is prejudice against your own members, Zane. The infighting now escalates to every simpleton's grab for their "ultimate power," and I trust must say: This place hasn't changed one but from the last time I left it."[/i] He chuckled, the whispers of his flames intensifying to more aggravated voices - yet even still, Zane could not hear their words. [i]"Do you remember why I cut out my tongue, Zane? It was because this place would heed my words no further. It was because I was exiled for doing what had to be done to keep this Dojo alive. But that is of no matter now. Be it your words or mine... Peace has been broken. And the peacekeeper, the war monger, the parish and the martyr has returned to show those who break tranquility that there is something terrifying lying in wait; hiding in consequence. Ready yourself, Zane. And rejoice, because I give you this chance to ready yourself out of what little honour I can hold on to."[/i]
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He sighed as he drew his blade, this was going to be a tough fight. The last time the two clashed he was barely able to win. This time would be different, he would give peace to his friends restless soul. He gathered his aura around him and ran forward, his blade low to the ground and generating friction and sparks.
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[i]"Allow me to show you what I felt, Zane. The greatest love turned into the deepest hatred."[/i] As Zane rushed Phoenix, the old peacekeeper sheathed his sword and grenade launcher and held a hand out. A shadowy bow took form in its hand, draining even the flames around it of light. It was like an inverse torch, sucking illumination within instead of giving it. He nocked an arrow made of darkness within his bow and shot it at Zane. [i]"Do you remember this, Zane? The bow's name is Likritus O'Nirim. This was the bow of the Shadow Archer, Jams. Or have you forgotten an old ally such as him already?"[/i]
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"You think I'd forget about him? I'm offended....." He slid under the arrow, barely dodging it and got back up and continued his charge. "Don't forget, you have my mark as well!" He reached the armored Phoenix, spinning and unleashing a powerful slash.
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Just as the blade was about to hit Phoenix, something grabbed Zane's sword arm from behind. A large shadowy arm, clawed with scales made of smoky darkness, dug into Zane's forearm. The arm seemed to be rising from Zane's shadow, which had indeed darkened - it seemed that Phoenix had anticipated Zane's dodge. [i]"I never forgot, Zane. I never forget."[/i] Nocking another arrow, he fired the shadowy projectile point-blank . The fire gathered behind Phoenix, intensifying Zane's shadow as the dragon's arm remained, immobilizing his sword arm.
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The arrow longed itself in Zane's left shoulder, and he grunted from the pain. He flipped his blade so that it was pointed directly at Phoenix and fired a laser beam at his chest. "You and your damn darkness....."
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Phoenix is sent back by the blast, kicking up dust and smoke from the air. But as the cloud of ash clears, Zane sees Phoenix getting up... a large, glowing manifestation around his chest dissipating. [i]"On the contrary, Zane, this is not my darkness. This is yours. My flames have taken the abilities of Jams, your shadow dragon, and two more old lieutenants of the Dojo. Through his new host of mine... I can manifest anything my flames have devoured."[/i] Darkness begins to dance within Zane's vision, the entire area getting slowly darker despite the fire surrounding the two.
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He steps out of his armor and sheaths his blade on his back, his armor turning back into data and flowing into his belt. His aura flares around him, and his hair turns silver as he enters redemption, his aura shielding him from the darkness. "I've cleansed my darkness, and this was the power I gained!" Sliver and black clawed gauntlets cover his arms, and he pushed off the ground, quickly getting next to Phoenix and delivering a swift and powerful punch, his gauntlet tearing into his armor.
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The gauntlet may have torn through the exosuit, but it gave away too easy. A Venom Inc. exosuit wouldn't break like that - it was as if Phoenix manipulated the armour so that it would allow for Zane's fist to break through. Beneath the armour, Zane's hand was incinerated and burnt all to Hell by the raging inferno within. Phoenix aimed his grenade launcher point blank at Zane and squeezed the trigger, firing a 40mm shell of superheated shrapnel that shredded through his armour, the molten ceramic shards ripping through his body.