Ch 56: The Purpose of Power

Continuing their ascent to the Gate, Grey and Alexander suddenly realize the others are frozen in time. Alastor appears, and Alexander sends Grey to stop Gisette's spell as he faces his brother alone.

            After giving everyone just a short rest, Stella rose to her feet saying, “Enough, I’m tired of waiting here! Can we get on with this already?” Everyone started to get to their feet, Amy looking reluctant to go as Grey helped her up. As they started walking again, a strange feeling suddenly washed over Grey. The faint winds that had rolled over the mountain landscape seemed to stop, and the sounds of wildlife that had echoed across it had vanished, making it eerily quiet. After a moment, he said, “Guys, something’s wrong here…” From behind him, Alexander said, “Grey!” Whirling around, Grey saw Alexander staring at Amy. Grey was about to ask why he had sounded so disturbed, but then he noticed as well. Amy was not moving, not breathing, in every aspect she looked frozen in time. Panicked, Grey exclaimed, “Amy!” Looking from person to person, Alexander gravely said, “Not just her Grey…” He was right. Richter, Mythra, and Stella all also looked frozen in place. Shocked, Grey said, “What the hell?!” Forming his sword, Alexander said, “Be on your guard. My hunch is that this is the work of the woman who attacked you in Aerennis.” Forming his own twin swords, Grey said, “Then this is just all in our heads? Mythra said it wasn’t possible to actually manipulate time!” Smirking, Alexander adjusted his shades and said, “Anything is possible…”

            Sensing a fluctuation of EDE, Grey turned to see a dark vortex form behind them. Rising out of the vortex, dressed in a new black suit and a buttoned up red shirt with a white collar, Alastor said in his empty voice, “Wise advice, my dear brother…” Glaring at him, Grey said, “So you’re the b*****d behind this?!” Seeming to look off up the mountain, Alastor said, “I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit. Surely you remember our dear friend, Gisette. She is currently casting her spell over the mountain from the Gate.” Surprised, Alexander said, “Actual time alteration would be groundbreaking enough, now you’re saying she’s covering an entire mountain while adding exceptions to all three of us?” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Alastor simply replied, “You did just say anything was possible. Considering she has access to the Mirror of Souls, an artifact imbued with untold powers by the fabled Observers, it’s not so hard to imagine. Now then…” A dark aura whirled around Alastor as he continued, “I believe you said if I were to take Ms. Grant, it would be over your ‘dead body’ Mr. Greyson?” Dropping into a balanced battle stance, Grey said, “I don’t care how much stronger you are, you can’t take both of us!” Furrowing his brow a moment, Alexander turned to Grey and said, “Leave it to me Grey.” Looking over at Alexander in surprise, Grey said, “What?!” Getting closer to Grey, Alexander quietly said to him as he placed a hand on his shoulder, “We have to do something about this spell. I will hold him here while you go and stop that woman. Don’t worry. I can handle him until you return.” Looking at him as though he were mad, Grey said, “I can’t just-” Interrupting, Alastor said, “Excuse me, but I’ll have to insist we get this started…” Forming his own twin swords, Alastor lunged forth at them. Pushing Grey aside, Alexander blocked his brother’s attack and shouted, “Go Grey! Trust me!” Gritting his teeth, Grey turned to go as he muttered, “D****t!” Glancing back at Alexander one last time, he quickly started off up the trail.

            Grappling against Alexander’s sword, Alastor flashed a faint smile as he said, “Quite the display of deception Alexander. If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t have ever guessed you did all that just for a chance to speak with me.” Shoving Alastor back, Alexander said, “Why are you doing all of this Alastor?! Have you forgotten our purpose?! We set out to defend those who were born different! But instead of trying to save our people, you’re trying to destroy them along with everyone else!” Looking unmoved by his brother’s words, Alastor said, “This world will die Alexander, and our people with it. What I am going to do will save them.” With a look of surprise, Alexander said, “Are you talking about the lifeforce contamination?! Is that not your doing?!” Resting his eyes, Alastor said, “Lifeforce contamination… That’s not the most accurate description. Do you remember the seals you and Serius so carefully placed within this world Alexander? Over the last one thousand years, they have absorbed untold amounts of EDE. Excess EDE remained there, unused, slowly becoming integrated with the Nameless One’s Corrupted EDE and causing it to become like an extension of his essence. Now that it has been released, it will slowly eat away at the world. At first it will only be the physical world that will be consumed, then the ethereal plane, and finally even existence itself. Even with my command over the Nameless One, I’m afraid I have not the strength to stop it…” 

Staggering slightly as realization swept over him, Alexander choked, “No…” Opening his eyes to stare at Alexander, Alastor said, “I’m afraid it’s true, my dear brother. You and your allies are to blame. Even if I had not broken free, it would have built up and escaped eventually.” Quickly Alexander said, “What if we were to evacuate to Gaia?! Becoming refugees in a foreign world is a better fate than complete extinction, surely-” Interjecting, Alastor said, “Perhaps you weren’t listening to me. Everyone and everything will be destroyed. EDE is not limited by dimensional barriers Alexander, as you should well know. You yourself designed the seals to continuously absorb the EDE that floated into this world from the other realms. Even if we could escape by leaving this world, this is only one of the imminent issues that threaten all beings. Do you honestly not realize it yet Alexander? This world is a mistake, a mistake I am going to correct before it is too late. I will claim the gift of Origin, Deus Amictus, and shatter the seal upon it. I will open the way to the realm of Mautau, travel to the depths of Last Remote, and with the power at my command I will take my place upon the Throne of the Inanimate Dream and rewrite existence itself, creating the world anew. A world of equality. And I will use any means necessary…” Clenching the handle of his sword tightly, Alexander said, “No Alastor, that’s not our choice to make! Reconsider! With Origin’s power we can still salvage the current world! Surely someday… people can…” A shadow fell over Alastor’s face as he muttered, “Not our choice to make, dear brother? Didn’t you say all those years ago that we would take the fate of the world into our own hands? Change it no matter what the cost? For one thousand years I have suffered… For one thousand years I have struggled… Unlike you…” A massive, dark aura erupted around Alastor as with a look of rage he shouted, “I WILL KEEP MY WORD!”

            Reaching what appeared to be a cave in the side of the mountain, as he sensed Alastor’s massive aura, Grey looked back in concern. Struggling to focus on the task Alexander had given him, Grey proceeded into the cave, muttering to himself, “This is Alexander we’re talking about! If he says he can handle it, he can handle it!” Not more than a few steps into the cave, which was lit by luminescent crystal formations, Grey found a set of stone steps descending down into the depths of the mountain. As he made his way down, he could no longer sense either Alastor or Alexander, and he thought to himself, “Normal stone shouldn’t block my senses. Was this entire mountain made to hide the Gate?” Seeing a light further down the steps, Grey paused and thought, “There’s a good chance I’m walking into a trap here. Alastor didn’t have to go and tell us where Gisette was hiding after all. I should try and plan things out, but how do you fight against someone who controls time?” After a moment, he muttered, “All I can do is what I do best! Kick some a*s!” With that he quickly rushed down the last stairs and entered the chamber. The room he walked into was enormous. Scrawled across every inch of the walls were glowing runes, and in the center of them room there was a massive circular platform suspended over a seemingly bottomless pit. Upon the platform was something he could only assume was the Mirror of Souls, a gigantic mirror with an incredibly ornate frame that was also inscribed with glowing runes. Up on the platform, he could see Gisette standing before the mirror. Seeing him rushing towards the platform, she merely flashed a wicked grin and said, “Long time no see, Grey of the Infinite! I suppose the time has finally come for us to do battle!”

            Leaping high into the air, Grey shouted, “I don’t have time to play your games Gisette!” Raising her staff before her, Gisette quickly chanted, “Maledictio Temporis, Temporis Ingredior!” Finishing just as Grey came down on her, Gisette seemed to disappear. Then as he was about to land Grey was knocked flying across the platform by a swing from Gisette’s staff as she appeared next to him. Rolling to a stop, as he got to his feet, Grey thought, “D****t, what in the hell just happened?!” Standing there watching him casually, Gisette said, “Did you honestly think it would work? I’ve already displayed my ability to manipulate time. I was honestly hoping for a better plan from the great He of the Infinite…” Raising her staff before her, she added, “Then again, you are little more than a child. Even with your potential, someone like you could never hope to sway the future!” Gritting his teeth, Grey charged forward to attack again, shouting, “Still think you can mess me up with visions from your crystal ball?! You’re the one who needs a new plan!” As he neared her, Gisette disappeared again and Grey buckled over as something struck him hard in the gut. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Gisette had reappeared and slammed her staff into him again. He moved to swing a sword at her, but she disappeared again and he didn’t even have time look around before her staff struck him again, sending him bouncing across the platform. Struggling to stand, he started to chant, “Pluvia…” Yet appearing before him again, Gisette popped him into the air with a rising kick, and disappearing yet again she reappeared in the air, flying at him with a flying kick that sent him flying back across the platform in the other direction. Walking over to him slowly as he struggled to pick himself up, Gisette twirled her staff in her hand as she muttered, “Well now, this isn’t at all interesting…” Letting his swords become masses of EDE once more and flashing a big grin, Grey said, “Yeah… Let’s make things a little more interesting…”

            Grey’s swords formed into his complete Anima Weapon, and Gisette, who had looked concerned for a moment, simply grinned and said, “Here I thought you might be summoning Deus Amictus. You think you can challenge me with just a normal Anima Weapon?” Grey simply cried out, “Accelerate!” Disappearing in a blur of speed, Gisette barely had time to block as Grey brought his swords down on her. Then Gisette disappeared, and as she reappeared behind him she swung with her staff yet again, but this time struck thin air. Realizing he was coming at her from the side, she quickly turned to block him with her staff as she exclaimed, “What?!” A smirk on his face, Grey said, “Usually my Accelerate doesn’t go this fast, but whatever’s enhancing your abilities is enhancing mine too!” Breaking away from her, Grey continued, “You don’t actually stop time at all, do you? You only jump through time and space to a different location, basing your attacks on where I was! As long as I pay attention and keep moving, I can avoid in the split second you’re gone!” Disappearing again, Gisette tried to strike from the air, but already having moved in a blur of speed, Grey flung a wave of light energy from each of his swords in her direction. Jumping through time again to avoid, Gisette reappeared where Grey had been with a powerful kick, but having moved behind her he called out, “Give it up! It’s a nice trick, but it won’t work anymore!” Continuing to time jump and strike, Gisette became more and more frustrated as Grey continued to narrowly avoid. Then with a reluctant grin, Gisette finally said, “You may just be even more interesting than I had thought!” Raising her staff before her, she continued, “I thought that little trick would be more than sufficient. Let’s see how you fare against this! Maledictio Temporis, Sator Vires!” The runes around the walls of the room and upon the Mirror of Souls glowed brightly, and as the chamber shook, a wicked grin crossed Gisette’s face.

            Returning his swords to a mass of EDE, Alastor reformed it into the wicked black scythe Grey had wielded while under the control of the Nameless One. Unlike Grey's, it bore two strange symbols like crosses with bowed bottoms. As though his words were taboo, Alexander whispered under his breath, “The Scythe of Destruction, Acerbitas Desiderium…” Raising the scythe at Alexander, Alastor said, “Not that it matters, but that is merely a title given to it by those who fear its power. Its name literally translates as ‘The Bitterness of Desire’. I still don't know why I have to display your insignia still, but enough chitchat... I'm afraid I am going to have to end this quickly. You’re no longer a priority for me…” As Alexander prepared to defend himself, Alastor said, “Haste.” Suddenly moving with incredible speed, Alastor charged forth and swung Acerbitas Desiderium in a horizontal strike that Alexander barely managed to block. Lashing out with merciless strikes, Alastor forced Alexander back as he pressed the attack. Then channeling great amounts of Corrupted EDE into the scythe’s blade, Alastor swung down and Alexander dove to the side as with a massive crash the blade came down and a wave of Corrupted EDE shot across the ground. Rolling back onto his feet, Alexander began chanting, “Bestia Dei Fulmine…” Ripping Acerbitas Desiderium from the ground, Alastor turned and hurled the scythe at Alexander as he shouted, “Too slow!” Breaking off his chant, Alexander dove under the whirling scythe, which sailed over him and continued on to smash into the side of the mountain behind him with destructive power. 

Hurrying to his feet, Alexander charged at his now unarmed brother. Yet holding his arm out as though he held a weapon, as Alexander struck again, his blade was stopped as Acerbitas Desiderium appeared in Alastor’s hand once more. Shoving Alexander back, Alastor said, “Even if I hadn’t had a weapon, you still would have my air pressure barrier to contend with.” Alexander grit his teeth in frustration as Alastor added, “I won’t give you the time to chant Alexander. I believe it’s time to use the power within that sword again, if you can withstand it…” A dark aura erupted around Alexander as he said, “Using it in such an arduous battle will likely be my end, but if I’m to die here… I’m taking you with me!” Channeling EDE into his blade, Alexander ran a hand across it, and it disappeared as black rune circles that hung around his arm like bracelets appeared. Leveling his arm at Alastor, he shouted, “Deathsoul Summoning!” A swirling hurricane of darkness shot forth from Alexander’s hand, yet as it approached him, Alastor raised a hand and said, “Reckless fool…” Striking Alastor’s hand, the darkness was absorbed into his palm as Alastor said, “You only strengthen me.” Then as all the energy was absorbed, Alastor saw that Alexander was gone. As he realized what had happened, he turned to see Alexander leaping out of a dark vortex at him. With a powerful slash of his reformed sword, Alexander severed Alastor’s arm, disarming him of his scythe. Wincing momentarily, with a look of fury Alastor sent Alexander sailing with a powerful, air pressure enhanced roundhouse kick. Rolling away from his brother, as he came to a halt Alexander quickly struggled to his feet, and then watched in disbelief as his turnabout victory was undone. Seeming to evaporate into a smoky mist, Alastor’s severed arm wafted up and reformed itself. Casually retrieving Acerbitas Desiderium from off the ground, Alastor said, “Do you now see the hopelessness of opposing me Alexander?”

            Alastor lunged forward as he channeled Corrupted EDE into his scythe, and quickly Alexander held his sword before him and chanted, “Rutilis Astrum Contego!” A shield of light in the shape of a six pointed star appeared from the white rune circle that formed between them, but even though it absorbed Alastor’s forceful strike, it quickly shattered as Alastor unleashed the Corrupted EDE within the scythe blade. The force of the blast sent Alexander flying into the tree growing at the edge of the cliff with such force that the tree’s trunk splintered upon his impact. Alexander slid down the trunk of the tree, collapsed in a sitting position against it. In great pain, he struggled to see straight as Alastor slowly approached. Staring coldly at his injured brother, Alastor said, “It’s rather surprising you’re still alive after that. Some of your bones are no doubt broken though. It’s a pity you still lack much of your original strength, isn’t it? It seems it would have been wiser to let that fool Serius perish rather than going to the trouble of preserving his life with your own power.” Managing a laugh, in a very weak tone Alexander replied, “What good is power Alastor? You have all the power anyone could ever want, but in the end look where it’s gotten you…” As a smile crossed his face, Alexander continued, “Only by using power to protect others does it have any good purpose…” 

For a moment, Alastor paused. Then Alastor actually chuckled a little, and eyeing his brother with his glowing red eyes Alastor muttered, “I’m afraid I won’t be swayed by your philosophies anymore, dear brother. Either way, you’ve certainly done a wonderful job ‘protecting others,’ haven’t you? If you’d only had a little more power, maybe Amelia and Mr. Greyson would not have suffered so much…” Clenching his fists, Alexander said, “Maybe so. Maybe I am powerless… Even so, Grey will destroy you Alastor. Gather all the power you like, you can never match the power of his heart…” Narrowing his eyes in irritation, Alastor said, “And just what power is it that you and Ms. Grant keep babbling on about? What power do you think a heart holds that could match the power at my command?” Laughing quietly, a sad look in his eyes, Alexander said, “A power you lost long ago…” Then with a loud cracking sound, the ground beneath Alexander began to crumble, the tree’s roots which had stabilized it having been loosened by the impact. The side of the cliff, along with the tree and Alexander, fell down into the chasm below. Looking over the edge, Alastor clutched his arm in pain as he muttered, “I must commend you for damaging my body, but you were a fool dear brother. I will not lose to the power of a mere child’s heart. With you gone, only one obstacle stands in my way. Victory will be mine…”

Reviews

[Ryan Henderson]

Another amazing chapter! So sorry it took so long to get back into the book, I had stuff to do and a few things to take care of, but here I am.

Anywho, the review. The fight scenes were incredible, as they always are. I mean, this is one of the few occasions where I've seen time manipulation used as a weapon effectively. The way Grey figured out Gisette's moves and found a way to counteract them was pretty awesome. I also thought that Alexander was brave for knowing that he couldn't take on his brother, but he sent Grey on to deal with Gisette, taking the fall, quite literally, for himself. (I'm awful, I know XD)

On a side note, I do hope he doesn't die. I quite enjoyed his character. HIM AND THOSE GODDAMNED SHADES XD I also hope I get to see more of Gisette and of course, Alistor. I'm loving him, as I'm sure I've said, because he's such an arrogant b*****d, but he has that thing about him, some fraction of emotion left in him that can be sometimes be seen, like when he softens for a split second when Alexander pitched over the cliff.

Keep writing, Keith, you're got real talent. I always enjoy reading your stuff and I will hopefully get to continue to do so :D

[KeithKVH]

Thanks man. It's taking me forever but I am working on this still, slowed by my accursed perfectionism and more family problems as you already know. xD

The battle between Grey and Gisette is one I really like as well, it's been shown before but Grey is a rediculous tactical genius. You have to be able to outright overpower him completely or you're almost screwed.

[KeithKVH]

Oops, and as for Alexander and Alastor, they are certainly two characters I managed to give great depth early on. Inevitable as it was, reworking vol 3 means reworking a bit of everything, and as I go back I think I might as well try to insert plugs for things to come earlier that also create more depth for some of the others.