The Darkest Day

[Atticus the Fallen]

"Just...get rid of her," she had said. To this, Atticus would nod, his forefinger extending into a horrifying, twisted blade dripping with some kind of psychotropic poison while simultaneously glowing with a blazing heat.

"As you wish..." he whispered, then lifted the woman fully by her hair, until he literally held her off the ground, dangling by those once golden tresses. Slowly, he reached down and dragged the flat of his bladed hand across the slash on Agrias' front, literally burning the wound closed. No need for her to bleed to death while he worked... It would take five seconds to reach from one side to the next, and considering the kind of pain she would feel, not just from the heat itself but from the boiling-hot poison seeping into her skin and working toward her brain, five seconds must have been an unimaginable hell.

"Just relax..." he whispered to her, his voice dark and mockingly sweet. "Close your eyes... and let the tonic do its work..." he muttered, still holding the woman at eye level. Slowly, the haze would begin to settle in, and form for Agrias within her foggy mind's eyes, the images of every failure... repeated over and over again.

"Does it hurt... little knight?" he whispered, bringing his claw up slowly over her battered and blood-stained body in a slow, almost indulgent path until the point rested just over her heart. He would guage his next move carefully... and drive the razor-sharp point into her chest in a way that would not produce a lot of bleeding. He kept it there inside her, the heat still burning, the poison still coursing, but now he added something new to the equation... a small jolt of electricity, enough to stop the human heart.

"Did you know... Miss Beatrix..." he muttered, addressing the woman behind him. "That it can take up to 7 minutes after the heart is stopped for the brain to suffocate and die...?" His eyes never left Agrias'... he watched every expression like a thirsty beast lapping at the pools of emotion...

"This means that so long as I get her heart pumping within that amount of time..." here, he sent another jolt, kick-starting Agrias' heart painfully once more. "I control if she lives or dies... Fascinating, isn't it?"

He stopped a moment... waiting for an answer...

[Secondary Characters]

By the time the hellish form of the beast rose from the crater caused by the clumped mass' fall, Vivi was trembling in utter horror, reminded of the darkest creatures he'd ever seen back on his home world.

Letting go of Lexia's hand he gripped the staff he held onto tightly and removed himself also from Sarah's grasp. He stepped forward some, determination set in those glowing yellow orbs. His hat rumbled with his violent shaking and as the beast advanced he muttered "Go...stand back, I'll...protect you!"

Raising up his oak wood staff he leapt, chanting out in an ancient language, roughly translated thus: "Inscript the dark god into a rotting body! Flare!"

A burst of irridescent colors and radiating heat exploded above the beast, lighting up their stormy battlefield and ripping and burning at the ground with its dangerously-increasing temperatures.

"Now go!" he cried out behind him.

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix nodded to Atticus and turned to the door. "I did..." She moved over and slowly, quietly turned the handle and pulled it ajar. With one more peek behind her she shook her head and retreated, a sudden tear trickling down her cheek; it was warm to the touch and startled her.

What caused her to jump even more, however, was the fact she couldn't understand why in the world she was suddenly in tears. She began to pace slowly down the hall and opened the letter that had fallen from Agrias' breast pocket. Unfolding it she glanced down and noted with a nostalgic a smile that Agrias had beautiful penmanship and began reading.[/glow]

[Leckseeuh]

Lexia bit her lip and stayed beside Vivi, summoning her poison rod. The small skull standing at the top smiled, the vines didn't hurt her a bit. She held a hand to her chest and watched the powerful spell Vivi spit out. Obviously he's a good mage. Much better than she'd ever be.

I'm staying here just in case. Tell me if you're hurt. She said sweetly, chuckling out of the situation they were in.

Then, for a moment or two, she looked at the Beast. This thing was huge, probably twice or three times as tall as her, and her weight multiplied too many times. Right now, she didn't fake being scared like she used to. Because those were fights she went at alone. She pouted and kicked her foot at the ground, clutching the sharp weapon to her chest.

[Agrias Oaks]

"B...e.." she tried calling out for the general, but her voice would fail her.

Agrias was exhausted, and screaming in agonizing pain when Atticus began to have her way with her. Her heart was cracked, and broken... and nothing was stopping the pain anymore. She screamed at the top of her lungs when electricity coursed through her, and her heart stopped several times, though she was still awake for it. She wheezed, frightened...

She could not move anymore... she could only see the horrors done to her...

... so ...much... pain.

She would scream again, feeling her heart restarting painfully, only for it to be shut down again, and back to life.

...too... much... ... ... pain.

Not only that, but she saw in her mind every failure...

... The fallen Ivalice... the death of Ovelia... the death of her comrades... Beatrix... how she failed everyone ... and it was all going in a loop... a horribly painful loop.

... Beatrix...!

Another shock, and she would scream again, tears rolling freely down her cheeks, and due to their saltiness, irritating every wound along their path...

...for...forgive me... she felt herself drifting, ...every...o.-

There was silence, even in the knight's thoughts....

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]In the background she heard Agrias' cries of pain, of Atticus' torture getting to her.[/glow]

'My Dearest Beatrix,

Whom I have admired from both close and far. I've secretly, and openly wished to hold in mine arms such softness and strength that is thee. To seek such perfect smile of thee, is beyond any victory in battle. You see, my beloved, thine smile is worth more than any priceless artifact, and brighter than the morning sun itself, and it allows mine world to spin accordingly. I fear, that if that smile were to vanish, mine world could collapse into sad nothingness. Thine smile is precious to me, as to you are the Roses of May.

[glow=red,2,300]Beatrix soon began having flashbacks of their many travels together...from their quest to the Enchanted Dominion, to their private meetings in beautiful sanctuaries. Once more in the background she heard Agrias' blood-curdling screams and the general winced, and pressed on.[/glow]

My sweet Beatrix, pray forgive me, for even in such majestic, and advanced future, I've naught found stronger words that have been created to replace those of old. 'Tis with strength in my heart, and encouragement that finally allows me to at least write them. Beatrix, I love you, and naught repeating these words would be enough to suffice what I truly feel, and hope to receive in return, if not now, mayhaps someday a glimpse of it?

Another scream and a call out for Beatrix' name...

If anything, Lady Beatrix, know that by your side, you have a loyal friend, knight, and shield awaiting your command. Mind you, My'Lady, I cannot help but correct thine judgment in certain manners, but know thy reason: I love you, and wish no harm to come to you.

Forever waiting, and forever yours,

Agrias Oaks '

Tears poured down her face now and Beatrix finally saw the light; her inner darkness had begun to fade the moment Beatrix winced at the first cries when she was not the one putting her hands on Agrias.

She dropped the letter and turned back, vaulting down the hallway and bursting through the door leading back into the tower dungeon; what she saw was horror-inducing and she grabbed her sword what lay on the floor nearby and directed it at Atticus the Fallen.

"Unhand her, dreg! I told you to not let her suffer!" But...I made her...and that...I must save her!

[Secondary Characters]

Molten streaks of fire would pour down all around, granting this already hellish image of a demonic creature charging the heroes down an all too inferno-like appearance. While the ground was assaulted by the attack, the Beast would push through, roaring out angrily as bolts of fire would rain down on him. In retaliation, he would stop and swipe at the falling fires, batting them in different directions though taking a massive amount of heat damage from it. The result was that the fireballs would blast massive holes in the walls surrounding them, and when it was all over... The Beast stood tall, smoking from burning smoke, and growling angrily.

A loud roar erupted from him, and he raised his fists high. He slammed them down hard, shaking and splitting the ground under him in a massive crack which split its way toward Vivi, intending to catch him inside it, and bury him...

[Atticus the Fallen]

When the sword was pointed at him, Atticus would pause a moment, granting one final shock to keep Agrias' heart beating. He did not remove his clawed hand from her just yet, though he was perfectly still... save for the slow turn of his head, his hat hiding his eyes from Beatrix's view.

"It's treason, then..." He muttered... and in a lighting fast move, dropped the near-dead Agrias and twisted his body. It forced the blade to one side and rushed its owner, his clawed hand reaching up and clamping around her neck. He lifted Beatrix easily and slammed her backward into a wall, his other hand reaching up to jab lightly at her heart, darkness pouring from him and into her in a painful, forced descent.

"And forgive my naivete... but I do believe you said no such thing..." he muttered, his glowing eyes glaring into hers as he attempted to turn her against her will. He leaned in close, so close in fact she could almost hear is true voice under all the layers of showmanship he put on. It was horrific... like listening to oblivion itself.

"I told you this would be your fate should you betray us again... but fear not... Your heart and hers will be together very soon..."

[serpentoflore]

Sarah's eyes widened, her mind seeing Acteur instead of Vivi. No, she couldn't lose him! Not after all this time! She couldn't see it, but the Piccolo in her hand began to turn pure white as it came to her lips. A church hymn came into her head, and she began to play it. The voice that the beast and everyone around her heard...was her own voice calling out for help.

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.

Refrain

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

Refrain

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.

Refrain

Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

Refrain

The entire area began to turn white, as if it were being created new. A pool of clear water began to form underneath the beast. It was attempting to calm the creature down with feelings of Sarah held for Acteur. There seemed to be a force that seemed to isolate the area from everything else, only those within the area capable of hearing it.

[Agrias Oaks]

As soon as her support up was gone, she fell with a loud thumd, upon the cold, gray stone of the tower room. She did not flinch, yell, or even yelp or squeak when her body was let go, and she remained very still, holding to dear life by a miserly spider's thread.

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix was forced back with gusto and as she was slammed into the wall she dropped her blade, and threw her arms around Atticus' own and squeezed tight, hoping that he would loosen his grip enough for her to squirm through.

She choked in his grip, kicking with her legs like all who are strangled, but to no avail. And when he molested that area her heart lay, she could have screamed out in absolute horror while the pain of such darkness began coursing through her body. However, due to the strangulation, she could utter nothing but strange, Chthulhu-esque squirts and clicks from her cracking throat.

She looked on The Fallen in terror, noting that up close he truly was a malign sight to behold. She kicked harder, thinking about how futile it was, and how she deserved all that was happening now; Atticus' darkness he siphoned into her heart made her relive terrible, painful memories, and amplified them by a hundredfold.

She soon stopped squirming and her grip around his arm loosened; she was growing tired, and she thought about giving up before her wandering eye glanced over at the dying Agrias. She was still alive, and that was all Beatrix needed to know; from the origin of her body wherein lay her heart came a flicker of white light, and as it expanded, Beatrix' eye changed from its wicked amber to a bright, shining cobalt; her hair lightened from its Black Heart-enduced tuscan, returning to that gorgeous, immaculate chestnut color, and her pale complexion disappeared.

Once again she tightened her grip on Atticus the Fallen's choking arm and this time, she seemed to be getting somewhere. Her eye locking back on to Atticus' pool of darkness where peeking out lay two glistening yellow orbs narrowed at her, she brought up a leg and kicked off from the wall, pushing up with her arms to weaken the Heartless' hold on her.

And when she finally managed to tear away his arm she pushed it away and staggered back, gripping at her neck and glaring her opponent down.

[Secondary Characters]

When the music began, the beast stood in place, looking around angrily. He sniffed at the air, curious as to why the location was changing into something different. He would huff loudly, his anger manifest in his hard breathing and quick motions. A song would drift on the air...

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

The monster roared, attempting to drown out the music. Looking down, he found a puddle forming, which he stomped at angrily, attempting to squash even in its infancy, and still the song kept singing...

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day.

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.

He thrashed, he kicked, he took up the waters in his hands and threw it across the way. He bashed his fists down, he swiped, he clawed and roared, but the water kept rising and the song kept singing...

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace.

Slowly, his motions came to a still... his eyes glossed over. The Beast stood there, breathing hard but no longer fighting. A low growl escaped him... somewhere between a roar and purr. He stared blankly into the air... a vision of horror and anger stilled by the music... and still the song kept singing...

Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

The white scenery would fade and revert to the way it was. The Beast, however, stood still... staring off into a vision the heroes could only guess at. His face was drawn, like a hurt animal confused as to why kindness would grace its pain. He stood, breathing, growling lightly in a frightening reminder to anyone around that he was still incredibly powerful. He did not change back to his old self, but remained the terrifying monster of the darkness' nightmares.

Music had soothed the savage beast... but in his mind, the song kept singing...

[Atticus the Fallen]

When she broke free and made some distance, Atticus would be holding his hand lightly, a thin, whisping smoke emitting from it. Apparently, exposure to the light had been the advantage she needed. "Impressive..." he muttered, and began to circle the woman like some dark predator lurking just outside the fire's glow. His mass in the shadows moved silently... yellow eyes glowing as they watched her intently... ready to strike at where she was most vulnerable.

"It's clear that a direct approach will get me nowhere..." he whispered, stopping here and holding out a hand. Suddenly, the shadows themselves would wrap around the half-dead Agrias' neck and drag her like a sick, unstringed puppet of flesh and bone into his outstretched claws. He held her up by the back of her head, his hand large enough to grip at her skull tightly. He held it in front of himself as though displaying a prize, watching with cruel intent the "general" who still struggled with the two balancing forces.

"Perhaps when this pathetic toy has finally broken, you'll see fit to open your eyes..." he said to Beatrix before pulling Agrias close and whispering in her ear.

"Don't worry, my sweet... it won't hurt much longer..." he whispered to only her, and then with horrifying force... thrust his free hand into her back, stabbing through spine and ribs to reach for her heart...

[Agrias Oaks]

Her black eyes grew wide in pain, and she would let out a tired, and chocked rasp. Her spine crunching, and twisting, and muscles snapping, as the monster clawed and teared closer to her heart. Idle tears would fall from her eyes, as the pain was too much, and they rolled to the back of her head before closing...

Agrias' heart was exposed to the darkness...!

[General Beatrix]

As Atticus the Fallen circled her she maintained a keen ear and was happy to find he was at least a dark blot within the darkness due to her low-light vision from being in the dark tower for an extended period.

And then the shadow lord hoisted up Agrias' body and dragged the near-lifeless puppet over to him, where he lunged forward and latched onto, holding it before him not like a prize...no, she saw it as him using her for a shield. General Beatrix Lilian Flint growled and took a step forward, ready to pick up her sword when, out of the blue...

The terror known as Atticus, the demon Heartless born from the very pits of Oblivion, it seemed, tore out the ripe, beating heart of Agrias Oaks; her faint glow died instantly and Beatrix cried out in both horror and anger, but her fury is what drove her to pick up her sword and dart forward.

Though he used her as a shield, when he plucked out what he sought Agrias most likely dropped to her knees and then flat onto the cold stone floor; this made Atticus wide open for a shot. Beatrix lunged, and bounded over Agrias' body, threw out her arms carrying Save the Queen, and called out a powerful Seiken attack.

"Climhazzard!" she roared, sweeping down her sword vertically as she reared to the side in hopes of cutting off the monster's hand before he could fully assume control of her naked heart. The power within the blade--if it made contact--would explode on impact and force whomever was intended to be dealt her sweet justice back and writhe in pain.