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Post by Gdosimirj Sunset on Oct 7, 2006 22:18:50 GMT
Gdosimirj moved away from Kamen, bowing slightly to Yazoo. She glanced at Kadaj- the one who had saved her from the wrath of Amnesty. He knows why I am here. The same reason all of us are here. To be free.
She turned her back on Kamen and turned her energies inward, searching for a resolution to the Transferring spell...
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 8, 2006 2:40:19 GMT
I heard you too, Yazoo, Kadaj "told" his brother. THEY have had an eye on this one. THEY believe the strength of her mind may help defeat the Sins, and THEY told me to ensure Ami would trust her enough to allow this.
Yazoo's eyes narrowed in irritation. You might have warned me about that.
Well, excuse me, but we've been without much time for small talk. Loz, have you been listening?
Yeah, I heard you. Trust the priestess. Check. Hey, when can I hit the bad guy?
In a minute, just wait a little...
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 9, 2006 8:29:10 GMT
Kadaj blinked in amusement at the onset of a sudden notion. On second thought, I may have a better idea.
"I've just had a thought that might make this entire, mind-numbingly dull business a great deal more interesting." The insane grin again. "What if you and I had a deal? A deal in the form of a duel, just between the two of us-- no goons, no allies, no supernatural powers to help-- just you and me, doing what we do best. If I won, you would release the girl and never disturb her again."
Reno stepped out of the crowd, too fast for Rude to catch him this time. "And if he lost, you'd get me."
Ami's eyes bugged out. "Reno!!! Are you out of your mind?"
"Don't be crazy," Rude suggested. Thinking with your heart again...
"You don't know what you're saying! I've been a puppet before, out of my own control, with no choice or freedom of my own," Ami continued. "I can tell you, nothing in the world is worth that!"
Reno glanced at her... and the look on his face made Ami gasp in shock. It was like... he'd stepped out for a breather and let somebody else take over for him... a "somebody else" who had finally grown up.
He looked at Nikky. "She is."
Kadaj evaluated the miniature drama unfolding. It's nothing short of stunning, how fast imminent loss can provoke maturity. I know that firsthand. When I knew Ami was going to die... and at that point, she WAS going to die, there was no question about it... I grew up in a big hurry. One second I was a sixteen-year-old wondering how to get extra credit in science class. The next, I was trying to figure out how to stretch every second of the next few months, because that was all the doctors could promise.
He met his sister's eyes. "Ami, if he's ready to do this, let him."
Ami charged onward. "This is no time to cater to pride or--"
"This has nothing to do with pride," he interrupted. "He's a grown man who can make up his own mind-- and we're just kids." This is adult business we're dealing with now, Ami. "Game time" is over. I was stupid to try taking your place. This is not the same... and you cannot change history by standing in his way.
Ami's eyes were wide, and that was indication enough that she had both heard and understood. She moved backwards and held her tongue.
Rude pulled him back. "If the boy loses, we become enemies. And if we become enemies, I'll have to kill you."
Even though Rude put it to him as stoically as one would rattle off an ammunition inventory, Reno felt the import of that statement. For fifteen years, I've worked with this guy. In that time, we've wound up being more like brothers than anything else. Brothers who kill people for a living, but all the same. If it were anybody or anything else on the line, all the way up to half the world, I wouldn't chance throwing that away. He extracted himself from his partner's grip and headed towards the front of the crowd, staring Kamen down. But this is my chance for my life to mean something. I can't let anybody-- not Ami, not even Rude-- take that away.
He felt Nikky's eyes on him. He turned to embrace her. "Don't worry. No matter what happens now... we're going to be together, right?"
He joined Kadaj, waiting for Kamen to accept or decline the offer.
Kadaj raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for the vote of confidence." I could beat this Kamen blindfolded if I were confident enough to think he wouldn't cheat. "So, Puppeteer, what will it be? The two of us on equal ground for the souls of the lovers. How sounds that proposition?"
Yazoo prepared to call off the Shadowcreepers. I don't see how he could refuse.
Loz tensed. He better refuse. I'm in serious need of a new punching bag.
Ami edged backwards towards Rude. "My brother will not fail," she whispered.
Rude gave her a surprised look. She's actually trying to be reassuring. She's trying to keep ME from being afraid. He stared solidly ahead. I'd be the last person to break it to her... but it's not working.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Oct 10, 2006 0:47:20 GMT
kamen listened silently, nikky could feel almost anger... it was strange that he was showing emotion. that was unreal. she bit her lip and prayed.
kamen snorted slightly. ''let me up and i might consider it...'' he glared, his tone cold and quiet. his eyes slowly changing color. his grasp on nikky was still tight, she winced whenever he spoke.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 10, 2006 0:51:47 GMT
"Consider it, and we might let you up," Kadaj retorted. "There will be no talk of letting you go free-- unless you take my generous offer." What kind of fool does he take me for?
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Oct 10, 2006 0:54:24 GMT
kamen seemed to seeth. ''i'd rather die then take orders from you!'' he snarled before calming and smirking. ''but then... if i did that... that pretty little girl over there would go with me...''
nikky stared... she had never seen him like this.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 10, 2006 1:09:34 GMT
Kadaj was ready to rip this guy's heart out and feed it to him, but he kept up a veneer of icy calm. Heedless of the consequences, he plunged the Souba into his shoulder, to show just how much he cared about that aspect of the negotiations. "Then it will be so, if you insist on being difficult. Either way you will die... but if you agree to make a deal, you have the chance of gaining a new toy for your collection. Why must you make things harder on yourself?"
Reno saw red. It took both Loz and Yazoo to hold him back.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Oct 10, 2006 1:14:22 GMT
kamen winced slightly, still smirking. ''i live to make everyones lives hell.... that is what i do. but if you wish...'' he shifted slightly. ''let me up and give me a moment with nikky.... i promise i will not hurt her.'' he glanced at reno. ''if you let me do so... i will accept your offer.'' he had no ticks up his sleeve.... he seemed serious.
nikky stared, unsure of what he would say.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 10, 2006 1:23:31 GMT
"Don't let that b*****d near her!" Reno yelled before Loz could clap a hand over his mouth. Yazoo called off the Shadowcreepers, causing them to melt back into the dark from whence they came.
Kadaj nodded. "Thank you, boys." He let Kamen stand, but kept his blade at his neck. Ami covered Kamen from behind so he would have no plausible avenue of escape.
They escorted him over to Nikky, just within arm's length of her.
Reno struggled to break loose, but the combined strength of the two brothers was too much for him.
"Say what you must," Kadaj allowed. "Then... we shall begin." And my mental tap is in your mind, so don't think of trying anything fancy.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Oct 10, 2006 1:29:30 GMT
kamen nodded and met nikkys fearful gaze. he smiled softly and touched her cheek. he sighed when she recoiled. ''i am sorry nikkole... you had so much potential.'' she frowned. ''you could have succeded me even... maybe even free me of my master...''
she stared at him, almost feeling bad. she had heard of his master before...
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 10, 2006 1:36:13 GMT
Your master. Which means eventually, we'll have an even bigger, badder suit to deal with. Ami had to suppress a wince.
"If that will be all..." Kadaj cut in. He used his blade to pull him back and assumed an offensive stance. "Shall we?"
Ami backed away, signaling the others to do the same. They gave the two combatants plenty of space.
Ami looked at Yazoo. He was staring at his youngest brother. "This is going to be messy--"
Kadaj let out a war cry and charged Kamen.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Oct 10, 2006 1:43:27 GMT
kamen backed off and had just enough time to block kadaj's attack with his broad sword.
nikky blinked before walking over to reno and huggling him. ;___;
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 10, 2006 1:47:25 GMT
Faster than the eye could follow, Kadaj pulled back the Souba, releasing a couple sparks, and thrust it towards Kamen's ribcage. Careful... no fatal blows.
Reno hugged her back, wiping her tears, his eyes glued to the combatants. You better do this right, clone boy. It's my girl's freedom on the line.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Oct 10, 2006 1:51:08 GMT
nikky tried not to think about what would happen...
he dodged poorly, getting clipped in the ribs. he snarled and jumped back... he knew his master was not backing him. he would try and wait it out... hoping. praying...
nikky winced slightly and held her side lightly.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 10, 2006 2:00:42 GMT
The mental barrier that had held back Kadaj's clairvoyance now broke, and the obviousness of the truth came to him.
"I can see it in you so clearly now." He swung at Kamen, forcing him back.
"Indeed, I don't know how I missed it before. You really are like me, aren't you?" He sprang after his weakened opponent, and brought his sword down to meet that of his adversary.
He stared hard into the eyes of his enemy with a mixture of hatred and pity. "My mother gave me my power-- and she took it away. I knew there had to be a source that fed you, but I couldn't discern it. Until now."
His blade ground against Kamen's, releasing hot yellow sparks. "Your master, he is your power. But he is also your weakness. You have sacrificed everything... even your own soul... in his service. As once I did in serving my mother."
He had Kamen's attention now, he could tell. And he knew this would be no even match-- for the power of the master no longer supported the power of the puppet. "You can turn again, before your master betrays you as mine did me. And you will find again what it was you searched for when you first came to him so long ago." I am wasting my time, trying to redeem this man. But at least the idea will make him less confident, knock him off-balance. A man at war with himself has no hope of victory against another.
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