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

[pinnaculum]

[The attack is disorganized, and he wonders if there was any strategy planned. The former SOLDIER in him disapproves. He was not in on the attack from the first. He had simply felt that he must go and see, shortly before it happened. He's aware of the fact that he may have been directed, and he will take this into account in his decision making. He moves nimbly between the fighters, teleporting, able to keep out of their way without trouble. His small size, although he chafes at it, can be an advantage, utilized correctly.

As he is a child, no one realizes what he is.

Now, he catches sight of Veronica. Taking her for a non-combatant, he is more concerned for her than for the fate of the others. He moves toward her quickly, landing in the sand nearby.]

It is not safe here.

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku was flung backwards, crashing into Ryoji but he rolled off him and scrambled up, casting a glance to check that Ryoji was alright before standing again and glancing round.

He spotted the girl who had appeared, she didn't seem like she was ready to fight and so he was glad when the child went over to her. He saw Diarmuid at his brothers side, protecting him.

Suzaku launched forwards again, his sword coming up high, a distraction more than anything, but with power behind it, trying to slice at his shoulder.]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Veronica's still skimming the outskirts of the battlefield, unsure of what's going on and if she should join in.

The fighters didn't seem to be very organized. The warrior wondered if there was some kind of secret strategy behind it. Or, more likely, they were just disorganized as hell.

And then she sees the young Sephiroth coming towards her across the sand. She's momentarily struck at how young he looks; even more than her. He really shouldn't be here, though a thought crossed her mind that maybe he wasn't what he seemed either.]

I c-can tell. H-honestly, I should be saying t-the same thing to you. Unless o-of course... you can handle it.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji cries out in surprise when Suzaku crashes into him, but doesn't suffer much more than a bruise on his pride. He gets back up as soon as he can, trying to find an opening.

It's true that there are too many people. Ryoji can see that now. He has no opportunity to use any of Thanatos' spells, in case anyone else gets caught in the attack. Still, he's certain everyone has a good reason for being here. He'll have to keep up with his current tactic.

He uses Suzaku's attack as a distraction, moving to pierce Sephiroth's side.]

[neverbeamemory]

[Sephiroth turns into Suzaku's attack and drags Masamune up and across him to parry. Though it looked for a moment as if he might be a moment too late. But just as Suzaku's blade scraped pauldron Sephiroth erupted a large black feathered wing out of that shoulder. The extra limb became real in an instant and finished the parry in it's first extend.

Ryoji meanwhile, manages to catch the back of Sephiroth's forearm as he turned, squatted low and then willed himself into the air in a heightened, extended backflip - that large black monstrosity of a wing out as if playing it's part in his balance.

Sephiroth landed a fair few feet away from the cluster, a little further along the beach and brought then both hands to the hilt of his weapon. The few drops of blood from his forearm dropping into the sand. Materia, equipped indeed to his weapon, had been activated mid-air so by the time he landed it was flaring green dramatically. Without warning a large, two handed fireball was summoned forwards at the group still gathered on the beach.]

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer quickly pulls Rick out of the way of the fireball. To his credit, Rick only wobbles as he dodges instead of falling. Without looking back to see what the fireball hit, Lancer takes Rick out of the main group so he can stand by Waver and Diarmuid.]

Brother.

[He looks down at Diarmuid.]

Did you know of how quickly he could heal when you came up with your plan?

[Speaking of the plan, there's one thing that still makes him concerned...]

And was what he just said true? That you tricked him here?

[He frowns and looks back at Sephiroth.]

One thing's clear. He's no coward. No weakling either.

[His tone is...almost impressed.]

[oathshackledbird]

[As much as he wishes to stand and protect his friend, Diarmuid knows that Volumen Hydragyrum will not let a bit of the flame though to hurt Waver. Diarmuid, himself, will not come out of things so unscathed if the fireball hits him, so he leaps straight up into the air over the flame, lingering for a moment at the apex of the jump--almost as if he has wings of his own--before dropping back to the ground. He notices his brother approach out of the corner of his eye, though he doesn't turn to face him right away. Instead, he watches Sephiroth for signs of his next attack.]

I knew of some of his abilities, but not that one. I should have guessed... I should have guessed... We have to start working together. Hitting him hard enough he doesn't have time to recover from it.

[However, when Cu Chulainn shifts his questioning from actual fight tactics to other things, Diarmuid's eyes dart to his brother. At the same time, his shoulders tighten.]

Not now! You are a warrior, brother! Think like one and stop letting yourself be distracted by things that aren't important--

[And then it hits him. The impressed tone to his brother's words. That finally drags his attention away from Sephiroth.]

How dare you compliment the monster who took control of Ryoji's mind and killed him simply because he COULD! Have you forgotten why we are here?

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer pets Rick on the flank to keep the horse calm through what might be an argument.]

I am asking about something that's important! Brother, we aren't just hired thugs! Honor matters! Did you or did you not trick him here with dishonorable means?

[He growls.]

No, I haven't! We're here to kill him! And kill him I will! In honorable battle!

[oathshackledbird]

Would you....

[Diarmuid steps toward his brother moving away from Waver and leaving his back open in his anger. At the same time, his eyes narrow and his voice is a low hiss.]

You know me! There were no lies involved in my bringing him here. His assumptions were his own, and he can blame no one but himself for making the wrong ones. Now stop letting him distract and divide us. If you cannot focus, I need you to leave before you or someone else gets hurt. You are all my responsibility. Please...let this go. We can discuss it later once he has been taught the folly of hurting members of our family!

[neverbeamemory]

[Foolish indeed, Sephiroth has been waiting for such an opportunity. Hovering with his telekinesis keeping boots just inches from the sand takes away Sephiroth's need for relying on traction by physically running. He makes a sweeping gesture at the air in Diarmuid's direction, issuing forth a telekinetic wave which disturbs the sand as it travels. With enough force to push one Lancer forwards into the other.]

Hmph.

[He wastes no time in following. Resetting Masamune he dashes forwards in the blink of an eye - as if on the very air with his wing arched high. Drops the sword as soon as it's in range sweeps the long sword up and across in Diarmuid's direction. Hopefully he would get time to twist and block, but Sephiroth puts unprecedented strength behind the attack this time.]

[oathshackledbird]

[To be honest, it should be a fatal mistake--letting himself be distracted--and as soon as Diarmuid stops yelling at his brother, he realizes what he's done. That is why the sudden shove out of nowhere doesn't surprise him as much as it might have otherwise. Sephiroth might be a lot of things, but he is no fool and only a fool would let an opening like the one he had just presented go without acting on it. That is why he had wanted so badly to keep something like this from happening.

There is no way to stop himself from being thrown into his brother and Rick, but Diarmuid reacts quickly and pushes away from them. He hopes that Rick will be startled enough to dash off giving his brother time to clear his mind and refocus on the fight. Meanwhile, Diarmuid spins, pulling his shorter sword from its sheath to desperately try to block since he is not in the right position to be able to get Gae Dearg around to block fast enough. Unfortunately, Sephiroth's sword is much stronger than the one that Waver made for Diarmuid here in the Tower and that, plus the extra strength Sephiroth has put into the swing, causes the sword to snap like a twig. Diarmuid's eyes widen as it happens, memories of another time and the original version of this sword doing the same thing. Breaking exactly when he needed it the most.

He had already been twisting away from the blow even as he had moved to deflect it and that is the only thing that keeps Diarmuid from losing his arm and perhaps his life right then. As it is, the blade slices into his upper chest, striking a rib and shattering his collarbone before tearing out of the top of his left shoulder. Instinctively, Diarmuid finishes moving away from his attacker even as his arm falls uselessly to his side, the hilt of his broken sword tumbling from from numb fingers.]

Ah...

[Diarmuid squeezes his eyes shut for a split second, refocusing and doing the best he can to rid his voice of the pain that is coursing through him.]

Don't worry about me! Focus on him! We have to organize and coordinate if we want to win. Stop attacking so haphazardly!

[And then he stumbles backward, unconsciously toward Waver.]

[puppy_lancer]

[Before Sephiroth's move, Lancer had hopped off Rick so he and his brother could stand closer to each other.]

Brother, I love you, so please...

[He means to as Diarmuid to tell him the truth. He wouldn't judge. Not too much, anyway.]

[He never gets a chance to finish as Sephiroth's shove sends Diarmuid flying into him. He stumbles even as Diarmuid pushes away from both Cu Chulainn and Rick.]

[As soon as he stops being disoriented, he raises his spear to try and help Diarmuid parry Sephiroth, but he's too slow by a few crucial seconds. He watches in horror as Sephiroth's blade cleaves into Diarmuid and sends his brother's blood splattering everywhere.]

Brother!

[He can only spare a quick glance at his brother and Waver before he moves, throwing himself at Sephiroth and stabbing at his enemy with his spear.]

Kid! You! Little Sephiroth! Hurry up and heal him!

[He calls out, hoping the child heard him.]

[fionnuisce]

SHUT UP--!

[Waver snarled viciously in the other Lancer's direction, patience having been apparently ground to dust in the past few seconds alone.]

If you want to bitch and moan about your precious fucking morality, then get out of my sight and do it somewhere else! What the hell is wrong with you that these are your priorities now?! Shut your fucking mouth and fight!

[Seeing Diarmuid injured because of his brother's poor timing had pressed very hard on Waver's last nerve. In response Volumen Hydragyrum rose in a multi-headed hydra of myriad tendrils, arching high into the air. Waver himself stepped closer to Diarmuid--his shield could guard both of them as long as they stayed close together. He was at least grateful to hear someone else could heal--Waver wasn't remotely equipped for that. The lecturer ground his heel into the sand, taking a rigid stance and throwing his right hand forward.]

Scalp-! [Extending from the ground to high above the magus's head, each liquid tendril shaped itself into a razor-edged whip, all of them swinging sharply down concentrated on one point--Sephiroth himself. He wasn't expecting to land a hit so much as drive the soldier back, following with a thrown glass vial that kicked up thick white smoke around Sephiroth himself. If he was lucky, he'd just bought them a few seconds' time.]

Everyone calm down and focus--don't just attack haphazardly. Split off into pairs or groups and strike in tandem if you can, from as many angles as possible. He can't stop everyone.

[The situation had made Waver show a rare expression--he was angry, which made him more dangerous than ever.

[pinnaculum]

[Although his attention is primarily on Veronica, Sephiroth continues to be mindful of the battle, taking note of strengths and weaknesses. It's useful information.

He speaks to Veronica, however.]

I will not be injured.

[It's not exactly trust that makes him say that, it's simply that he and the other Sephiroth aren't enemies, and he thinks the other man understands him.]

I will see that you are not injured.

[Then he hears Lancer calling out to him. He's reluctant to leave Veronica at this point, so he does cast a healing spell--however, at this distance, in the midst of such chaos, with everyone moving so quickly, it's likely to go awry, to heal the wrong person or to miss entirely.

As Sephiroth's loyalty is not decided, he may not be as worried as he should be about Diarmuid's well-being.]

[bashfulshifter]

[Rick follows orders as they're given to him in a numb state of adrenaline-fueled panic. The fact that the younger Sephiroth has discretely wandered off to check on Veronica only marginally eases his nerves--particularly since, as he watches her while Lancer has him parked near the back, she apparently is refusing to leave. This is not ideal!]

[And things worsen rapidly when his divided attention picks up on the heated argument between his companions, but Laurence's flighty nerves keep him from shifting back to intervene in case he needs to run away. This ends up being a wise move.]

[The horse bucks and flees at the first signs of telekinetic assault, coming to a skidding halt some distance from the floating Sephiroth's blind spot before his eyes, as color-poor as they are, catch the bright hue of blood. He shifts.]

--D-Dia--Diarmuid--!

[The startled gasp is probably too quiet for most of the group to pick up on--least of all Rick, as his ears start to ring and his vision goes red and he really, really has to try and keep himself from losing his mind entirely. Not that he does a very good job of this.]

[You want them to coordinate their attacks, Waver? Sure thing. Here's a distraction.]

[Taking a page from the silver-haired kid's book, the orange cat dashing towards Sephiroth's back is easily able to duck and weave between the feet of his fighting companions, quickly closing the distance before launching himself at his target's head. His front paws are declawed, which means they won't do as much damage as he'd like, but really Rick is aiming to crawl over Sephiroth's face and give his extremities a friendly nibble.]

[And by that, I mean tear off his fucking nose.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[And joining in all the screaming is one more voice, as Ryoji recovers from the fireball attack and calls out. He's transformed into Thanatos, so his voice has an extra layer to it that makes it sound particularly creepy, but the fear and desperation that can only come from Ryoji when someone like family gets hurt still shows through.]

Father!

[He ignores the battle for now, hurrying over to Diarmuid's side to see if he's properly healed... If only Thanatos had some healing abilities. He kneels down beside him, and despite his appearance, he's watching over Diarmuid almost gently.

Once Diarmuid's okay, well... that's when the anger will kick in.]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

You're not hurt, t-that's good. [She nodded with relief. At the boy's concern though, she shook her head.] There's n-no need to worry about me though. I've been though hell and back.

[She paused, her face blanking as her senses kicked into overdrive. The breaking of bones, the scent of fresh blood; she could sense it all.

Veronica turned just in time to watch as a man was gruesomely struck down by the man she now recognized as the one that almost attacked her before. The others' reactions mirrored her own. To attack someone who was talking with what she could only presume was family... despicable.

And then she saw Rick. Of all the people that she thought she'd see in this fight, he was the least expected. She tried to call to him, but it was in vain. There was no way he would hear her in this chaos. As quick as he became human, he turned into a cat, and darted away towards the enemy's blindspot, leaping at him with intentions Veronica could quickly guess. Watching it all, Veronica suddenly felt... angry? Anxious? People were in danger, her friend was in danger. She had to step in, this was what she was built for. And these people needed a more coordinated attack anyways, might as well lend a hand.

From out of the young woman's cloak slid two different bladed weapons. A simple steel broadsword, and what looked to be a hand-held guillotine blade. Standing unafraid, expression steeled, Veronica darted off towards the enemy, weaving though the larger combatants with the greatest of ease.]

Stay there! [She shouted over her shoulder at young Sephiroth.] And be careful!

[swordofzero]

[He saw the green light growing in Sephiroth's hands, his eyes flashed red and the next thing he knew he was around the back of the man, out of harms way watching people scramble. He recovered quickly, and began making his way back into the battle. He saw Lancer and Diarmuid arguing, though he was still focusing on the battle.

He saw the flash of the sword and heard Diarmuid's cry. He sped up, hearing Waver shouting and though he didn't quite catch the words in all the confusion he understood the tone. He saw the flash of orange running towards Sephiroth and gave up trying to circle back round, instead firing another shot at Sephiroth's back and charging towards him once more.]

[neverbeamemory]

[The moment that Diarmuid's sword snapped, Sephiroth knew that the tide of the battle was starting to turn in his favor. Effortlessly Masamune carved through flesh and bone, then once free of it's marks body Sephiroth willed himself backwards to dodge the next attack that would surely come.

Lancer's counter attack with his spear rips across the top of Sephiroth's thigh as he danced around where the weapon was aimed. Deep enough to stall a further attack as Sephiroth retreated to avoid the worst of what Gae Bolg might do. It was just as well that he paused as metallic tendrils raced once more to slash at him. Masamune is able to deflect alright but Sephiroth was being driven further back away from the injured party and his entourage.

The thick white smoke enveloped him and drew him further back. In the next instant there was pulling at his hair behind, dragging his head back as a weight latched of around the top of his head. Paws seemed to seek out eyes as Rick scrambled to get his cat form in a position to bite at his face; Sephiroth's balance in mid-air was knocked as he made a grab for the ginger furball with his right hand - once a handful enough grabbed he would fling the feline as far away from him as he could.

There was a gunshot from behind and Suzaku's bullet penetrated into Sephiroth's back, jolting his form unexpectently as it met an area close to the root of his wing, crashing Sephiroth's telekinetic concentration much as in the way he found a knee meeting the sand. It was, however short lived as Sephiroth got back up and turned, firing another, smaller fireball at the attacker who had somehow managed to get behind him.

This battle was quickly escalating as Sephiroth again had to reposition himself to account for Suzaku being behind him, he ripped yet another telekinetic wave towards the group gathered around Diarmuid - hoping to break one of them away so that he could dash in again for another attack. Once more willing himself into the air in the meantime, urging cells inside to prioritize healing. He's taken quite a few more slashes now and they would only slow him down if left to bleed.]

[irreverence]

[This is turning into a real serious clusterfuck far more quickly than she'd care for.

Diarmuid's injury registers- but only vaguely. She's in battle mode, and anyone who can't avoid an injury becomes a liability. She writes him off until the injury is dealt with, climbing back to her feet after the knee to her gut and the fireball that had followed. But his smugness at having caught Diarmuid off-guard is almost palpable- and that's good for her.

Smug assholes tend to be easier to knock around.

She slinks around to his other side, grateful when Suzaku distracts him with the bullet to his shoulder- because even as he pushes himself into the air, she's following, hair spearing into whatever part of him it can- as sharp as Waver's Volumen Hydragyrum, but with Asagi's special brand of calculated viciousness driving and directing them.

She uses them to drag herself close- close enough that nothing short of another fireball will probably be of any use, though even if he manages to bring that sword up in time, she'll gladly let it try and cut past her cloneblade armor. So long as the extending spikes on the knuckles of her armor find their place in his face and the blade pushing out of the armor at her knee as she drives it forward after her punch finds its way into his gut.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Again, Diarmuid curses himself for having let his guard down--for having let his brother distract him when he knew better. Not only can he not really fight, now he is a liability. He can't even focus on what exactly is going on in the fight. He just knows that they are managing to drive Sephiroth back. Though, of course, they aren't going to listen to his words when he tells them to not worry about him. They care about him too much.

Well, most of them do. To be honest, Diarmuid is not surprised that the healing his brother calls for never comes. Letting the younger Sephiroth come along, even after the information he had given Diarmuid, was risky at best. At least the boy doesn't seem to be actively helping his older counterpart. He just...isn't really helping them either and, perhaps, it is just Diarmuid who he doesn't wish to help since Diarmuid set up this fight. In the end, that is fine as long as he doesn't let anyone else be hurt for things that are ultimately Diarmuid's responsibility.

Unconsciously, he moves closer to Waver again, trusting that Volumen Hydragyrum will protect them both as long as he stays near his friend. In addition, it gives him a chance to watch Waver's back. He might not be able to do much else right now, but at least he can do that. Even if it is the last thing he does in this fight.

Because, it might be. While he hadn't noticed at first, as time passes Diarmuid is starting to feel more...wrong. Wrong in a frighteningly familiar way. His body is getting heavier, and it's getting harder to think straight. More so than the injury and blood loss should be causing. Servants are more resistant to those things, after all.

Something is wrong, and that means this fight needs to end. The sooner, the better. He doesn't want these people here without him to defend them. It's his fight.

Diarmuid hides all of this when he looks at Ryoji who is hovering, so concerned, nearby. Though...is that blood on his lips?]

I need to your fight, son. Fight for me. I can't any longer. Keep these people safe. Don't let him win. Please...finish this.

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku moved again and when he next came to his senses he was a good few feet away. Diarmuid and the others were blocked by Sephiroth but he could hear the words and they didn't sound good...

He gritted his teeth and charged again, letting anger drive him. He knew Diarmuid was a fighter, and could handle things, but he still hated that he was hurt, that he might be dying. Even if he would just come back.

He swept his sword low, at Sephiroth's legs.]

[fionnuisce]

[Waver didn't need to look over to Diarmuid to know the state of things--their empathic link covered it quite well. He was left with a very unsettling ache in his chest at the realization of what was going to happen and how little he could do to prevent it, and it was that which finally sent him flying off the edge.]

Enough. [He reached up and pulled out the elastic holding his hair back; with that action came a small pulse of magic energy in the air. It wasn't overwhelming or even particularly strong, but it was very much a change in Waver himself. A magus' Magic Circuits spread throughout their body; for those with longer hair, tying it back could restrict prana flow for use in particularly pressing situations. For him to have done that was an indication that Waver was turning to his last resort. Black hair fell around his shoulders, eyes burning with a mix of frustration and rage as he stared down Sephiroth.]

[Part of Volumen Hydragyrum split off from the automatic shield, then split again into long tendrils that raced along the ground, engraving itself into thin and deep lines in the sand. If one paid attention, it wouldn't be impossible to realize it began to take the shape of a wide magic circle with a moderately intricate pentagram of sorts within it.]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

Rick!

[As Veronica ran towards her foe, she saw the red feline get flung away by the man with one wing. She could do little other than hope that he landed on his feet as she swiftly passed him.

Her foe was big, but not the biggest she'd ever fought. He was running towards them though. And the heat shooting off of him did horrible things to Veronica's infrared vision, but she kept going. When both of them were close enough the girl hurled herself at him, lashing out with her steel-toed boots first and then her blades in an attack pattern unique to her weapons of choice. She wasn't looking to mortally wound him, not yet, just piss him the hell off and divert his attention.

After seeing what he could do at long range, she supposed that being up close was better anyways. This guy didn't look like he could rip her to shreds anyways.]

[puppy_lancer]

[When Sephiroth backs away, Lancer doesn't pursue. Instead, he only gives a feral grin and waits for Sephiroth to throw Rick off. As soon as Rick is sent flying away, he calls out to any of his comrades who are still near Sephiroth.]

Get back.

[His voice is a growl, as if he's holding back some part of him that wants to explode.]

[He waits for a minute or two for those still fighting to heed his warning, and then he crouches and charges, regardless of any who might be stuck in his range of fire. He covers only half the distance between himself and Sephiroth before leaping to the air.]

[Once airborne, he arches his back and throws Gae Bolg with all his strength. It looks like a scarlet streak of fire as it heads toward Sephiroth, whizzing at speeds that would fit a bullet better than a spear.]

GAE BOLG!

[This is the secret second ability of Gae Bolg. It sacrifices its prana efficiency and curse-based accuracy in exchange for overwhelming power. It takes all of Lancer's prana and explodes it to blow away any enemies within its range. At full power the burst is too strong for almost any shield, magical or material.]

[Lancer had used this only once before in the Tower, when he had given himself over to his rage in Ganon's dark world. Now, though not lost to the throes of his riastrad, his anger is enough to keep him from using Gae Bolg's usual abilities.]

[He wants Sephiroth dead. Completely erased. Blown to smithereens. And he wants it done quickly.]