Angels Fall [Closed/Open]

[oathshackledbird]

Characters: Sephiroth (neverbeamemory ), Diarmuid Ua Duibhne (oathshackledbird ), Cu Chulainn (puppy_lancer ), Waver Velvet (fionnuisce ), Suzaku Kururugi (swordofzero ), Patrick Dawn (bashfulshifter ), Veronica Madaraki (stitchedupbodyguard ), Ryoji Mochizuki (notsogrimreaper ), Naoya Toudou (imperialsun ), AU Sephiroth (pinnaculum ), Asagi (irreverence ) and anyone who wants to visited a locked up Sephiroth in the second prompt.
Setting: Floor 62 (Fight)-Closed and Floor 43 (Incarceration)-Open
Format: Beginning in prose. Pick your poison after that.
Summary: Months ago, Sephiroth took control of Ryoji and made him fight Diarmuid and Yukiko. That fight culminated with Sephiroth forcing Ryoji to kill himself in front of them. Diarmuid swore there would be consequences for these actions, but held back because of a shaky truce made between Waver and Sephiroth in the interests of moving the collar fluid research along as fast and smoothly as possible. That truce has been broken, and Diarmuid has learned some very disturbing information about Sephiroth's past. For better or for worse, the time for waiting is at an end.
Warnings: Sephiroth is a warning to himself as he will not be holding back. There will also be language, likely mentions of forced suicide, mind control, violence, blood, injury, and death. This will be updated if needed as the fight progresses.

Floor 62 (Fight)-Closed, Friday 11/15:

This had all started months ago when Sephiroth had discovered that he could manipulate and control Ryoji's mind after the boy made the mistake of insulting him. At first he had only played with Ryoji, shifting his emotions and causing him to act in ways he never would toward those he cared about. However, that hadn't been enough and soon things escalated, culminating when he first forced Ryoji to fight his adoptive father, Diarmuid and his good friend, Yukiko, and then made him kill himself in front of them. The actions were not only a violation of Ryoji's very self, but of his rights as a human being, something Diarmuid swore there would be consequences for. In the Tower, though, things are rarely that easy and after 'speaking' with Sephiroth at the Midsummer's party that Cu Chulainn had thrown, Diarmuid realized that just killing Sephiroth in retaliation would have no effect on the man. In fact, he would probably be pleased. As a result of this realization, Diarmuid put off his revenge, searching for a way to make it matter. His revenge would be further put off when Waver and Sephiroth declared a shaky truce so that everyone's energies could be focused on what was more important--the collar fluid.

To say that Diarmuid didn't like Sephiroth working with something so important to the whole Tower would be an understatement, but he was well aware of how much more important the research was to them all than any individual hatreds they had. That was why he let things lie and did his best to avoid causing problems.

Then, Sephiroth broke the truce. Not only did he break the truce, Diarmuid realized as he was nursing his wounds and fixing the minor damages to the printing press afterward, Sephiroth was up to something. Sephiroth could have all too easily killed him, Diarmuid had learned from Reno. He could have as easily as breathing destroyed the whole section of library they were fighting in. Instead, not only had Sephiroth left Diarmuid alive after knocking him out, he had only fought using Diarmuid's own stolen sword.

Why? The obvious conclusion in Diarmuid's mind was that he was hiding something. Something big. Something that left him not wanting to draw attention to himself. Something that probably meant bad things for everyone in the Tower. And that was why this confrontation couldn't wait any longer. It was no longer just about revenge for what Sephiroth had done to Ryoji.

It was about protecting them all and making sure what happened on Reno's world, didn't happen here.

That was why, after talking to those closest to him and securing their help and the help of a few of their friends, Diarmuid had sent Sephiroth a letter asking him to meet him. The letter itself was simple, only enough to get the man to actually come as opposed to ignoring him. It held no lies, but it held no details either, leaving plenty of space for wrong assumptions. Wrong assumptions that Diarmuid was counting on.

Was it dishonorable? Well, Diarmuid had said Sephiroth brought out the worst in him and this was just another example of how true that was. But, it had to be done. In Diarmuid's mind, there was no other choice. If he must sacrifice his honor to protect his family and everyone else in the Tower, he would do it.

At least, it was his choice this time to take these dishonorable actions instead of being forced to do them by another's hand.

As Diarmuid enters the floor, his eyes immediately scan it, and he is pleased to see that aside from the one who is supposed to be there, no others are on it. That will soon change when his friends join him, but for now he has asked them to wait before entering. He wants to make sure he isn't walking them into a trap, especially after what the younger Sephiroth had told him about the elder's suspicious not long ago.

Sephiroth has his stolen sword, which Diarmuid is glad for since part of him had not expected the man to bring it. The same part that had wondered if he would actually come at all.

"So you are less of a coward than I thought..." Diarmuid's voice is cold and detached, much like his expression, and he plans on keeping himself that way. There will not be a repeat of his loss of control in the Library.

Floor 43 (Incarceration)-Open, 11/16 to 11/20:

Floor 43 is often called the prison floor by those in the Tower because it is filled with cells. Cells that strip a person of their powers and can only be unlocked from the outside. They are a great tool for keeping those who cause problems from causing them as long as a person can get the troublemaker into one to begin with. That task is a little easier when the person who needs to be locked up just died in a fight and has almost two hours of sleep paralysis and numbness to wait through. Since there is really no other way a person can get someone as strong as Sephiroth into one of those cells, it shouldn't be too surprising that someone from the fight yesterday has taken advantage of Sephiroth's death and moved him into one of the cells. It is there he stays, watched over by a loose guard of people. Every so often, though, there is a break in the guard which allows people the chance to taunt talk to Sephiroth for a short time.

(OOC: Please do not attempt to free Sephiroth in this prompt as he will be getting let out in a separate log. Thanks!)

Section Links:
Fight-Floor 62
Incarceration-Floor 43

Comments

[fionnuisce]

[For one to activate Magic Circuits required a deep concentration and the visualizing of a specific image. That image varied from one magus to another: the stab of a knife, squeeze of a trigger, strike of a match...specifics didn't matter. To consciously awaken and concentrate prana flow through Magic Circuits, what was needed was a vision of sudden and sharp change. Considering he'd grown up in rainy London, the trigger he'd learned as a child was very simple and obvious. And even through the haze of rage and hatred, Waver could easily visualize it--a crack of thunder breaking through a storm. Fitting, considering a storm was just about what he was at this point.]

[Waver possessed fifteen Magic Circuits; below even the average. But the moment he'd closed his eyes and envisioned that trigger, the air close to him sparked with what comparatively little energy he had. A slight wind kicked up as Waver threw forward his right arm, palm out towards Sephiroth. Volumen Hydragyrum dropped entirely, into a puddle of mercury where the shield had been and laying itself within the lines it had been engraving.]

Shatter! Arise as the tides and descend as the torrent!

[At the magus' forceful declaration, the lines now inlaid with mercury took on a faint pale green glow. It was more obvious now they formed a large circle holding a several-pointed star and arcane runes scattered around the round border of the sigil. Whatever it was, the light was rapidly becoming bright enough not to be ignored. Untied black hair blew in the wind that crackled with energy, which grew more intense as he continued to speak.]

Life, become my shield. Life, become my blade.
Through my hands shalt thou be a crushing force.

[Every part of him felt as though he was on fire. Yet that was nothing which concerned Waver as he braced his outstretched arm by holding his own wrist. A magus' active circuits increased their body temperature; and more than that, they hurt. For a human body, the circuits were not a natural existence. On occasion Waver had derisively compared them to damaged nerves, which wasn't far from the truth. But today it didn't matter. Let them ache and burn all they wanted; the pain he usually hated kept him focused enough. Five lines. Just two more and he'll be fucking dead like he deserves. Don't think of anything but him and don't lose focus. Just kill him like he killed everyone else.]

[As he had spoken the previous two lines, the ocean a distance away had begin to stir. The water's surface curved downward, beginning to swirl like a vortex might have been forming. No sooner had it done that did it reverse its motion, part of the water rising to the air as though some awakening creature from the depths was pushing it upwards.]

In my hands lie the basics of all creation.

[Color was rapidly leaving his face as Waver expended prana far above his usual level of magecraft. This wasn't something an ordinary magus would need a five-line aria to accomplish, but for Waver it was a huge risk to his own prana reserves. Killing Diarmuid had been a mistake on many levels. In doing so Sephiroth had given Waver the chance to redirect the (by no means small) amount of magical energy that a contract with a Servant took from him. And now all of it was moving through his circuits and Magic Crest directly to that circle...and to the still-rising column of ocean.]

By those hands shall it be turned to ruin!

[The column rose high into the air as a spiral of water, then bent and arched downwards like a massive serpent. White noise of the pounding and rushing ocean filled the air, overpowering even the sound of cracking green energy illuminating the circle. In a moment it descended not unlike a tornado formed of water in the place of wind, and all of it was brought down from the skies upon Sephiroth himself.]

[The assault was rendered largely harmless to the others; he'd targeted Sephiroth, and Sephiroth alone suffered the worst of it. Once the water crashed to the ground it seemed to lose most of its destructive force, sinking into the ground or retreating back into the ocean it had risen from. Provided no one hated getting considerably wet, he'd been careful to see to it none of the others still alive would be harmed.]

[Once the ritual was done and his last resort completed, the light and energy vanished like it had been cut off, Waver himself dropping to his knees at Suzaku's side and doing all he could not to pass out. Exerting so much prana in one shot with a gaping wound in his arm was not the wisest action.]

[Then again, at that point, he might have been hoping it would overexert him to the point of death.]

[imperialsun]

[From a newcomer's point of view, the spell is impressive. He could feel the pain and anger from Waver's magic. The fury of the attack comes at the price of the man's health. Naoya certainly felt the water crash around him, leaving him unharmed, washing some of the dried blood away and his hair soaked.

There's a strange sort of anger building inside him...perhaps due to the fact he's had lost so many friends the last few months, Ryoji and the other's deaths seems pointless, and even then, just the deadline hovering over their heads giving them so little precious time. It's foolish that they are fighting against each other...which is why it has to end now. Much to the pleasure of someone else..]

You can see it, can't you?
He's still breathing despite that attack!
Quite a tenacious little shit, that one.
Of course he's nearly down for the count now, but...maybe you don't want him to suffer anymore.
Maybe you want to make it quick. Oh sure, you could use that sword of his on him or your own, but...tch! You couldn't swing that blade well. This is a far better option.

[Relenting is far easier than he thought it would be.]

You're right. Let's go.

[To those who were standing there, it just sounded like Naoya was speaking to himself. Without thinking, he was already advancing towards where the foe had been pinned down, just a few footsteps away. Those few little steps almost seem like an eternity, each one weighing heavily upon him, as he decided his next course of action. He didn't want to do this...yet a stronger part of him did. It would be over quick, that's the important part. The form behind him faded, as the bluish glow overtook the Persona user again, this time switching to another figure, the power behind it almost radiating like wildfire, making Naoya's hair snap upwards, the wet strands sending droplets of water into the sky. Chains clanked as a thin, winged fallen angel took to the skies behind him, towering nearly three times his height. Ruins etched all over his body began to glow as it laughed.]

Hahahaha! I've been waiting for this!

[The voice was distorted in a deeper, booming voice, and the Persona certainly looked nothing like him, but it unmistakably sounded like Naoya himself. It's not a side of him that he wants others to see, especially behind that cool quiet, controlled facade. Yet now that a friend has been harmed, the metaphorical chains that kept him back were broken. He took two more steps and stood been the two people who have him pinned down, and Sephiroth himself. For a second, he closed his eyes.]

You two. Whatever you do, don't look at me.

[...And as much as he hated to think about it, he was all too happy to do this. He sighed, breathing in and out the sea air slowly.]

I'll be fast, I promise.

[That's was said to Sephiroth himself. If it's a promise to end his suffering, or just to make himself feel better, he didn't even know anymore. It's just two words he has to say. It's not a spell he's particularly proud of, something that he was glad was lost in the later Wild Card users.]

Hell Eyes.

[It's his turn to sound distorted as he suddenly snapped his eyes open, the red iris made even more evident in a strange hellish glow he could never see himself. But he knew Sephiroth could hear it now; the screams of everyone he had killed in the past, the swirling of reality and the abyssal darkness that threatened to carry him off to the underworld as black energy swirled around both them. There was a reason that spell had such a small area of usage; it was horrific...and deadly. Naoya held out a single hand open, their eyes never parting. He could now almost sense the other's heartbeat.

Lucifer mimicked the gestures above him, its own eyes glowing bright red.

Then both their hands suddenly closed together in a united, crushing movement.]

Sleep now. We'll see you come back soon enough. Sweet dreams.

[neverbeamemory]

[Despite the agonizing pin-points at Sephiroth's limbs, he still struggled. As if trying to worm his battered, multi-stabbed at torso to generate the momentum to get at least one of the knives free. He could heavily smell his own blood in the sand, Asagi clearly hadn't cared if she had nicked at any arteries or not but the effect was now obvious. Sephiroth was pinned and couldn't wrench himself free short of losing at least one limb.

Sephiroth could feel something charging on the air the whole time, it was as if his extra-sensory perception had been flayed was having a salted breeze blown over it. He couldn't quite pin-point where it was coming from but knew it was from emanating from Waver's general direction. He felt the wind pick up, blowing some sand over him from the beach on which he was pinned. Settling salt into fresher wounds and intensifying Sephiroth's attempts to wrench himself free.

A line of mercury near to his head then flared up to a crackling green energy that mirrored Sephiroth's own vibrant green eyes. He could smell more salt on the air and rolled his head back towards the ocean as far as he could to try and get some idea of what was in store for-

-It might as well have been a wall of water made of a thousand tiny needles, hitting all at once with unimaginable impact force. Sephiroth hadn't much time to even take a breath to hold before the salt water slammed into him from the sky. It peeled back ripped leather of his clothing and tore it more, the salt water ripping at a similar fashion to his skin underneath. Invading half-open wounds with rushing salt, ripping his eyelids and mouth open with the force as if it would fill him up completely. He stopped moving as it all sunk harmlessly into the sand around him, only a slight dip of a crater in his shape betraying the violent force with which the water-tornado had been unleashed on him.

For a few moments, he was dead. Unmoving not even to breathe as the pulse sounding in the blackness of his unconscious went on overdrive. Aching his ears and all around the inside of every fiber of his body. Then he coughed and an alarming amount of salt water was expelled from his mouth, instantly turned with his head to the side. Indeed Sephiroth drew breaths with salt-rubbed on the inside of lungs, a terrible wheezing sound coming from him as red-raw eyelids stirred and squinted open.

He could hear the sounds of talking nearby, wondered idly how they had managed to remain unharmed by the water before Hell Eyes was cast. Sephiroth's eyes shot open, rimmed with a reflection of the red in both Naoya's and Lucifer's eyes - glaring shocked and fearfully up into the sky of the early evening. It was like before at the hands of the child phantoms, except more intense, more deafening. He arched his back wildly to try to get away from the screams, wanting to press his hands to his head before the pitch, the power of them started to make his brain bleed. The black stained swirling of reality whirlpooling around his broken and pinned frame removing him from the scene of the beach entirely. He cried out, loud, guttural sounds of defiance heavily laced with internal anguish as he flung his head from side to side, tried to gain purchase from his broken body.

By the time Naoya was at the point of being able to sense his heartbeat Sephiroth's was racing wildly, uncontrollably, panic-stricken and straining from the over-exertion. With only a clap, the thundering organ was crushed and the blood erupted thickly from around the envisioned hands. Like a puppet with it's strings cut, Sephiroth's salt-water saturated body stopped moving, his head flopped to the side and the first streams of blood came out of his mouth and nose. The redness that had taken over the color of his vibrant eyes faded away, and took with it that otherworldly Mako-green gleam as they continued to stare forwards, lifeless.]

[imperialsun]

[It was not as quickly over as he had hoped. In fact, it was a lot more messy than he thought it would have been. Once snapped out of his own trance, Naoya stepped backwards, trying to hold in the urge to vomit from the power usage. He'd killed others before, Kandoris' goons and the others, but they weren't as powerful as this guy who...he didn't even know his name, now that he thought about it. They wouldn't have withstood that much punishment. Silently, he closed the other man's eyes before stepping away.]

Well...that was interesting. [The voice seemed amused as Lucifer disappeared behind him.]

It'd done. Now...

[He stopped to look at the others, his eyes back to their normal deep reddish color, not carrying the dangers should someone cross gazes with him.]

Can someone tell me what happened?

[puppy_lancer]

[As Lancer held Sephiroth down while Waver smashed the sea over the man's head, he had wanted Sephiroth too die. But as he had averted his eyes when the newcomer struck the final blow, he had to cringe at the way that Sephiroth finally died. It seemed too slow, too agonizing. Whatever had been done to him, no enemy deserved that sort of death. Especially not an enemy who had fought well.]

[He gets up, steps away from the corpse, and squeezes some water out of his hair.]

We fought and killed this guy. That's what.

[imperialsun]

[That barely gave him an answer, but even as he talked, Naoya was walking over to Ryoji's body. Another Persona appeared and scooped up the body for him, gently closing his friend's eyes.]

But why? He was a powerful foe. You don't just go and attack someone like him for nothing.

[Tell him that his friend's death was not in vain. Now that the anger in him was calmer, he began to feel shame at what he had done.]

[puppy_lancer]

Revenge. It was a family matter.

[He heads over to Ryoji's body, gently touching Ryoji's cold, limp hand. It seems so meaningless now. They had all fought to avenge Ryoji, and it just got Ryoji killed again.]

[imperialsun]

[His tongue clicked the top of his pallet in annoyance. This was not the answer he had expected. In fact, it made the situation worse.

But then, he looked over Sephiroth's body and sighed. He had been just as worse in that moment, wanting to end that man's life, perhaps, yes, to make sure others would not die, but at the same time, he had been driven by that emotion too.]

I thought he was out to kill all of you. I hope it was worth the deaths of my friend and your's.

[puppy_lancer]

[He wheels around and focuses his best death glare on the boy. The more rational part of him knows that the boy is right. All this slaughter for the sake of revenge might not be worth it. But it also seems to belittle his family's sacrifices. He can't admit that Diarmuid and Ryoji might have been dead for nothing.]

He's dead. It's worth it.

[He snaps, his words laced with killing intent. Any further provocation and he might at least try to strangle the speaker. The knowledge that it might not have been worth it just adds to his frustration.]

[fionnuisce]

Lancer, shut the fuck up.

[Waver's voice was cold, shaking with fatigue rather than anger. He hadn't yet tried to stand up, doubting he even could at the moment. Even if it had been possible, he wasn't about to leave Diarmuid's side.]

Thanks for your help--and you'll have to forgive my associate, he's a brainless idiot. As the matter stands, this was poorly-planned consequences for Sephiroth manipulating the wrong people.

And if you'll pardon my being blunt, who are you and what the hell was that?

[Hell of a nerve for a guy that just dropped the ocean to question what someone else's weird powers were.]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku continued shooting, staying at Waver's side, stopping his attack as the new arrival and Waver attacked magically. When it was over he dropped to one knee and reached out to support Waver if he wished the support.

He let the words and arguing wash over him, staring at Diarmuid's body and back to Sephiroth. He wasn't sure it was worth it, since Sephiroth would be back the next day. But he could not hate that fact, for it meant Diarmuid was not lost forever either, or Ryoji. But he was trying not to think about Ryoji.

When Waver spoke Suzaku stood, reaching down to help the older man to his feet, he would carry him if necessary, if the wound was bad enough.]