Ionian Nights- Part 9
###Part 9
Syndra's domain, for all purposes, was beautiful. The grand pagoda-style castle stood amidst several smaller ones. Koi ponds flowed in magnificent, cascading waterfalls. Small animals wandered the delicate woodland areas of the castle, grass and small trees lining the area. It was all beautiful, do not be mistaken, but it all felt...wrong. Like a movie set. Everything felt empty, made of cardboard and plywood. The entire island was just some type of elaborate set that would fall apart the moment you even breathed on it.
"So...um...whelp. Might as well look around?" Wukong suggested. Everyone hesitantly nodded, beginning to comb the grand island in the sky. Asides from the animals (and Syndra obviously hiding somewhere), there didn't seem to be a living thing on this island. No subjects, no servants, Syndra lived in quiet solitude here. It begged the question how she kept the area in such immaculate appearance but the answer would probably be some unholy combination of magic and inhuman force.
Everyone's short adventuring was cut short as there didn't seem to be anything shocking to find. Soraka and Karma had checked one of the garden areas but there was nothing except a small koi pond and empty chairs. Yi and Wukong checked a zen garden, untouched and quite zen with all things considered. Ryota went off to check one of the smaller pagodas in the corner, which he spoke as "empty as an abandoned house could be" while Utsusemimaru spent far too long staring at the massive castle.
As the group gathered, Karma saw him standing there, staring at that castle. He took a step back, eyes wide, rather nervous about the whole aura the castle seemed to be putting off. Karma, however, pressed a hand to his shoulder to reassure him with a small smile. Instantly he shrugged her off, taking a few steps forward. "In time, Karma, in time," Soraka assured. All six of the Ionians began to trudge up the grand steps, the entire castle emanating some sort of negative energy. Every step they took up to the grand doors made them reconsider getting closer, Syndra's raw power at it's apex in this island.
Now that they stood in front of the grand door, Karma exchanged glances between the group. Wukong and Utsusemimaru looked to be the most unsure while herself, Soraka, Ryota and Yi all seemed to be holding up, albeit with quite a bit of hesitation. "Right, are we all ready?" Karma asked, taking control of the situation the best she could. All of them nodded but it was quite clear nobody wanted to take the first step.
Karma, as the lead, took it upon herself to wrap her hand around the grand door, pulling it open. As it was night outside the castle, dim purple torches lined the halls. Some manner of mystic flares Syndra kept in check while she was here. Curious, Yi unsheathed his blade and pressed the tip near the flare, pulling it back. He then ran his fingers along the blade. "Not hot at all. Frigid even."
Indeed, the entire castle was cold. Nobody dare light a flame or even bring up a fire to warm the group least it trigger some horrific reaction. "I'm guessing Syndra would be in her throne room of sorts? Unless she's...sleeping?" Soraka asked. A good question indeed. Did Syndra even sleep? Did she maintain a vigil at all times of her castle?
After an eternity of walking with the oppressive miasma of the castle bearing down on the group, they finally arrived in a massive throne chamber of sorts. Two grand windows letting starlight in and one utterly massive throne at the end of the room. A single, violet carpet leading up to the throne. Minimalistic, but every feature in the room was indeed massive. Asides that there was a winding staircase near the edge of the room but not much else. "Apparently she's upstairs?" questioned Yi.
That question was answered with the soft taps of feet on the stairs. Everyone froze, eyes turning up to the staircase as they heard those footfalls. A small purple light came from the stairway, making everyone watch with baited breath. There, from the top of the stairs, Syndra descended in all of her sovereign glory. Except instead of her regal and showboating attire, she wore a heavy nightgown and carried a single courting candle. "I don't remember inviting guests," Syndra glared, her free hand combing through her snow-white hair.
As with almost every situation, Ryota took it upon himself to start situations. "Syndra, you have a lot to answer for. You are the last suspect in our little run-around so YOU are obviously the last perpetrator in this damn spectacle. Now-" Ryota prattled on. The entire time, Syndra lazily walked down the stairs. Her free hand was open now as Ryota continued to talk and yell at her. She slowly spun her fingers, conjuring a sphere about the size of a ping-pong ball. She finally reached the bottom of the stairs, slowly walking to the throne room. "-And you WILL come with us or-"
"Sit."
Syndra flung the tiny ping-pong sized sphere at Ryota. That ball shot him right in the chest with force far, FAR greater than the surface area of that tiny sphere. The mountain of a man went flying backwards, slamming into the wall. All the wind was knocked out of Ryota, causing him to kneel and clutch his chest. The other five stared in shock at Syndra as she placed her candle upon the throne's armrest, brushing her back. "Now, let's try this -again-: Why exactly are you here and why should I give a damn?"
Silence. Syndra was clearly unamused with the whole situation. "Really. So NOBODY is going to talk except for the idiot in the armor?" She glared angrily. With a wave of the hand her nightgown vanished, leaving her wrapped in her average appearance. She moved closer to the side, moving toward her massive helmet. "Very well. Then I suggest you leave my place. I don't give half a damn how you got here but leave. Now."
Finally, Wukong stepped forward, shoving his staff forward. "Alright, alright, I'll say something! So, Synny, people here are thinking you're the gal who captured the last missing council guy. Sooooo....didja?" Wukong questioned, shrugging. "Well? You gonna say anything? Answer us?"
Syndra laughed to herself. "How fascinating. How about you guys attempt to -make- me talk, hm?" She questioned, slowly floating off of her throne. Now those spheres were rotating around her in slow orbit, a wicked grin on her face. "So, who here wants to try and make me talk, hm?" She threatened. Nobody seemed too keen to take up the offer.
"Nobody? Very well, I shall be your opponent," Yi declared, unsheathing his blade. "What are the rules of engagement?" Yi assumed his wuju stance, ready to dash into battle the moment Syndra declared that the battle would commence. Syndra tapped her lip as she tried to figure out how the rules of engagement would be set.
She raised a finger, one single finger, and shook her head. "Hit me once and I'll answer any question you shall ask. I'm ready when you are," Syndra chuckled, floating slowly over her regal purple rug. Master Yi scoffed, placing the dull side of his blade upon his shoulder and shaking his head.
He then turned, smirking at Syndra. "But one strike? Syndra, you know very well how our engagements on the field of justice usually end," Yi tapped his blade twice on his shoulder...and then dashed off. However as he ran, Yi didn't get any closer. Puzzled, he looked at his feet. The wuju blades-man was hovering a few feet off the ground. Suddenly his body seized up, arms pinned to his side as his blade fell from his hands.
Slowly his form, wrapped in some unearthly energies, was dragged mere inches from Syndra's face. "Oh you silly little man. Are you aware how much of my power I had to keep chained up to gain the Institute's amnesty?" she chuckled to herself before flicking her wrist. Master Yi was sent flying, slamming his back against the wall as he slumped downward. "On the fields, I have merely one little fraction of a fraction of my full power. Here? You'll receive no such protection."
Wukong ran to his master's side, helping Yi up. "Thank you, Wukong. How...how foolish of me. Far too many times I've fought her on the fields and gotten careless," he reassured. Wukong turned to Syndra, glaring. He was ready to strike but Yi grasped his arm. "No, pupil, this is not a fight for those like us. Our close range will be useless here." With that, Yi turned to Karma and Soraka.
The two looked at each other. "Karma, you're likely the one who can face her. I'd help you, but I should stay back and keep us all healed. Before this is all over I'm guessing at least one of us will be at death's door," Soraka hissed, Karma nodding to herself as she moved forward.
Syndra let out an oh of surprise, lips curling into a devilish smile. "Smart idea, Karma. I always did find your righteous arrogance as 'Ionia's duchess' to be worthy of pounding your face into the ground." Syndra's spheres began to rotate around her, faster and faster while Karma's tattoos began to glow with her mystic energy, jade light filling the room.
"Sal Asha Tiri!" Karma howled, fingers cupping over her hands as a ball of purple-and-green energy was formed. She fired out her energy, greatly enhanced thanks to her not being impeded by the Institute of War. Syndra watched that ball of energy come closer and closer. Almost lazily she threw a sphere right at Karma's energy, keeping a good distance. In mere seconds, her sphere decimated Karma's energy, slicing right through the magic ball and careening right toward Karma with lethal speed. Karma's eyes went wide as she leapt out of the way...albeit just a hair too slow. Mid-air the sphere collided with her leg, Karma crying out in pain as she spun in the air. The duchess landed on her side, seething in agony. The sphere was now wedged firmly in the wall but the damage was done: Her left leg below the shin was shattered and it's unlikely she'd be able to stand and fight Syndra.
Soraka rushed to Karma's aid, kneeling down. "Really? Is that -all- you have to give me?" Syndra questioned, turning to Wukong. "How about you, hm? You wanna try to swat me with your staff?" She teased. Wukong was clearly considering it but (Despite his attitude) he was no fool. Syndra just wanted for him to attack her so she could have a reason to assault him. "Nooooo? Are you sure? Very well! So it seems..."
Syndra raised an eyebrow. Karma coughed, watching from the ground as Utsusemimaru stepped forward. "DON'T. Utsusemimaru, I am ordering you to step back down this instantly. Syndra is not playing around and this is no sparring session. She can and WILL kill you the moment you slip up!" Karma screamed at the monk. Unfortunately, Utsusemimaru didn't seem to listen. Instead, he rose his hands up and took his stance.
Syndra snickered to herself. "Mmm, you should really listen to your mommy, little boy. They may have league amnesty but you? You don't. I can tear your spine from your body and nobody would bat an eye. So, last time, you sure you want to do this?" She asked, clearly enjoying herself with the idea that hey, she may actually get to end someone's life. Utsusemimaru didn't say a word. He just took his stance...and closed his eyes.
"Well, very well. Far be it from me to deny a young man his suicide wish," Syndra chuckled. Casually she rotated between her three spheres, picking out her favorite ("I'm rather fond of the center one today, wouldn't you agree with me?") before taking aim. Motionless he stood there, doing god-knows-what as Syndra aimed her sphere. "Last chance, young man. Threeeee....twoooooo....ooooone...."
And with that, Syndra flicked her sphere forward.
Time slowed around Utsusemimaru. He was miles away from this fight. Rather, he was in a black space, alone. He looked back and forth before clutching his chest. It burned and he was quite unsure why. The young monk seethed, looking back and forth.
From the blackness came a familiar, twisting shape. Only this time, Ao Shin was cloaked in a single golden color, giving a bright light to the area around him. "Well, well well. Hello again, little one. It seems that you are finally tapping deeper into your nature."
Intimidated, Utsusemimaru took a step back. Yet, again, another light appeared. Instead of the golden Ao Shin, this was a bright jade creature. Hooves walked upon the ground and mighty horns broke out of it's mane. The face, that of a dragon similar to Ao Shin, regarded Utsusemimaru with cold eyes. "The aspect awakes? After only a few thousand years?"
Utsusemimaru watched as, behind both lights, a mighty dark blue rose up. About three times the size of both, this third beast rose like a titan, standing above both. It had mighty, long fins that served as feet with flowing tendrils snaking across the black space they all stood in. "Let us end this quickly. I tire greatly of these meetings."
"It is the first we have had in thousands of years, Leviathan. All you do is sleep beneath the waves," the hooved, maned beast said.
"Go to hell, Kirin. I hate interacting with these wretched little creatures," Leviathan said.
Finally, the brightest light of all shone. Crimson, like a setting sun, it circled above all three of them before landing. A great bird, flames as bright as the sun, landed before all four of them. Red, blue, green, gold, these four mighty beasts dwarfed the tiny human at the center. "Trajador has arrived. We may now begin our short discussion," grinned Ao Shin.
All eyes turned to the miniscule monk, Utsusemimaru swallowing all the spit in his throat. "Speak, you little cretin. Tell us why you forced this meeting," Leviathan boomed. Utsusemimaru took a deep breath before stepping forward.
"I...am an aspect, correct!?" he asked. All of the creatures nodded with half-hearted shakes of the head. "Then I request that I use your power! I don't know if you're aware, but I'm going to be facing Syndra, the Dark Sovereign, and she-"
Murmurs spread through the four. "The Dark Sovereign, I swore that such a being was gone from this world," muttered Kirin. "No, I have seen her in my skies. She is indeed real and she is indeed growing in power," Ao Shin replied. "As I insisted, we should have sunk the entire land a millennia ago. All it has brought us is nothing but trouble!" Leviathan howled in anger.
All the words stopped as Trajador raised one mighty wing. Slowly, he stepped forward, bird-talons clicking as they tapped over nothing. He knelt forward, Utsusemimaru realizing quickly that this phoenix had no eyes. "Young human. You are aware that releasing your powers will set in motion your end?"
Utsusemimaru nodded.
"And you know that there will be no turning back? Your very soul will be torn apart by our combined energies?"
Again, the monk nodded.
"Then answer us one thing: Why do you fight? Why do you throw away your life? Tell us why you think the way you do."
Utsusemimaru stared for the longest time before answering:
"Because I have nothing left."
Syndra smiled as the sphere collided with the young man, the sheer force sending debris and dust scattering everywhere. "NO!" Karma cried, assured that he had met a (thankfully swift) end. She bit her lip, Soraka covering her mouth as dust and broken wood clouded the area of the impact.
Syndra shook her head. "What else did you expect?" she chuckled. She looked at the shocked faces of the group, Ryota finally taking a slow and weak stand upwards before falling to his knee once more. "So, from the look of all this mess, it appears none of you could so much as tap me. Now then, I suggest-"
From the dust and smoke came Syndra's sphere. Only it wasn't pulled by her mystic powers. Rather, it was rolling around the wooden floor. It came to a halt at Syndra's floating toes. Shock was quickly replaced with anger. "Here I am, offering you a quick death, and yet you spit in my face. Alright, boy, come forward. Being the generous woman I am, I'll give you a quick death if you step out of the smoke right now."
From the smoke he did step. Only Utsusemimaru was not looking as he did before. Long black hair had turned short and gold. Twin horns poked from his forehead, arching back as electricity arced through them. Fingers had been replaced with long, black claws that sparked with electricity. Even his legs had become inverted and arched, more like that of a reptile than a human. Syndra wasted no time, lifting her sphere and firing it with inhuman speed. Instead of hitting flesh and bone, however, it sailed right through Utsusemimaru. He was some manner of shadow or specter. "What in the hell is this foolishness!? ANSWER ME, YOU BASTARD!" Syndra screamed, losing her calm demeanor as she became increasingly upset with these surprises.
Once more, from the smoke, Utsusemimaru stepped forward. Instead of gold hair and horns, however, this one had curved-back appendages on his forearms, dark blue hair framed with long whiskers and webbed fingers. Another Utsusemimaru, this one with cloven hooves for feet and bright jade hair, oversized fangs jutting from his lower jaw. And from the smoke came one last specter, with bright red hair and sharp crimson wings from his forearms. His feet, now talons of a bird, clacked upon the wooden floor.
It was then that each one spoke in unison, four voices that did not belong to Utsusemimaru at all: "We are the guardians of Ionia. Ao Shin of the Sky. Leviathan of the Waves. Kirin of the Forest. Trajador of the Sun. Dark Sovereign, we have kept your aspect in check for centuries and this time shall be no different." Each of the four took a different stance, befitting their natures. Ao Shin, a flowing and rapid stance. Leviathan, a forceful and hard stance. Kirin, a shifting and tricky stance. Trajador, an elegant and powerful stance. "Your dark power upsets the balance and you will be punished for it."
Syndra watched this spectacle for the longest time before smiling to herself. She seemed to regain her composure in seconds, brushing hr flowing white hair back. "Oh. The aspects of Ionia. How I read about you...but far be it from me to think you'd show up right at my chambers." Syndra's body rose as her spheres began to circle around her, curling her fingers as she bid the four Ionian spirits to attack her.
"I always did wonder what it would be like to kill a god. And now, I get to kill four. Lucky me!"
End Part 9