Setting
Teddy paused, he had tightened his fists and and tensed his posture. "Mizer was out to prove himself superior to me, to the point of mania," Teddy said after seemingly bracing himself, "He was wanting to face me at my strongest, at my peak of my martial skill and prowess. He wanted the battle to prove he could beat me in a fair and square battle, no matter the cost. He began... shooting people... and a child just to spur me into fighting him. I had lost it, I took him down, like that, in some kind of frenzy. When I came out of it, he was beaten to a pulp. I fled town, and I never went back. I didn't want to hear another woman begging for her life... to never hear or witness a child getting shot in front of his own mother."
He looked like he was on the verge of mental breakdown, he had accepted what he had to do was what he had to do, but this still shook him. It reminded him just how much work he had to put into recovering from this incident.
"If you truly want to move ahead, then look ahead into the future. Not the past. I...remember seeing many people that could not carry on, claiming to be unable to take their guilt...until they ultimately had gone crazy or killed themselves...I see some flame of hope in you...it's faint but you let it burn out then all of what you are trying to do will be for nothing. Running from your past will not help anyone, its better to accept it and move on to make a better future for yourself or others. Never forget that..." She looked him in the eyes as she finished.
Teddy then relaxed his stance, "I have at least started to move on, but it isn't an instantaneous thing. It is something I'll have to heal from slowly. Now that I have faced it, I was finally able to accept what happened, but it will take an even longer time to move on from this and forget it. I was trying to run from the pain for far too long."
"O-Oh!...Of course Celeste..." Ebba spoke as Celeste's form was soon surrounded by a blue aura. Soon enough, Ebba re-appeared. She looked as timid as she usually does. Of course, since her personalities interacted with him she had to ask. "S-So...anything happened?..." She asked.
He looked at Ebba, four different people sharing the same body, but the host personality, of all things, wrapped in the most mystery. He once again felt motivated to go back into adventuring now that he had a demon hanging over him starting to be ever so slowly lifted. What Ebba herself could see from Teddy is that most of the coldness he met her with was gone, he was still slightly chilling, but not too offensively off-putting like he was earlier.
"Supinity had helped me admit I had a problem," Teddy begun, "Lazarus helped me to confront it, and Celeste had given me someone to talk to. Your family, they're good people, flawed, but good people... Well, maybe except Supinity, she gave me the impression of being a troublemaker."
Her timidness was slowly going away, and Teddy could see her shaking much less and hiding behind her arms much less than before. He looked happy despite his nose...But as long as he looked happier and not cold she would be less scared.
He had looked to the ground, weighing his options carefully. He really didn't want anybody to weigh him down, but felt himself responsible for Ebba's safety as much as her family felt themselves probably did. Travelling throughout the Multiverse did get lonely after a while, really, and it wasn't very healthy if he had only his vast collection of enemies to keep him company at times. Maybe he could support Ebba's training, help her learn how to deal with social environments while her family aided her training in combat.
This sounded like a good idea to him, but only on paper. It would require something he was beginning to run out of: Money. He came from one of Kalos's wealthiest families, he really never imagined himself going from riches and down into rags. He could barely afford to maintain his weaponry now, much less make or buy ammunition for them. Having a mouth to feed would only add to it. He sighed, the only way he really could support Ebba and maintain his equipment to defend him and the girl was to go back into mercenary work and bounty hunting.
This was dark, but necessary, those were the only things he really was qualified for. He was relatively not adjusted to civilian life, not now. But the only way he knew for sure was to ask. "Hey, Ebba," he begun, looking up to the girl, "I really do not want to leave you behind, but I do feel that somebody must teach you how to function is society. I do admit, you could barely talk to me, one person. I have a lot of business to do, a lot of travelling around, doing this and that here and there. Since we are both homeless, to my knowledge, I was wondering if you and your family could keep up with me. But, you barely know me, and Celeste definitely doesn't trust me. I will leave the decision to you and your family to it talk over."
"U-Um...What did he mean by keep up with him?..."
"Ebba dear, that man if offering to take us with him so he can teach you how to act in this society."
"This sounds like both a good and bad thing...On one hand Ebba could learn how to act more propperly...at least he can try to teach her how to act...on the other hand this man has enemies out to get him which would endanger Ebba."
"So if we go with we could get a fight? Sounds like a great proposition!"
"No you brainless nitwit, we are not going just because there are fights we can partake it. Ebba's safety is our top priority. You may like to fight but the rest of us enjoy living."
"However, her personality needs to improve around others besides us. I will concede the fact that her life could get in danger...but there is also the possibility of Ebba learning her way around this city."
"The risks outweigh the benefits...A chance at death is not worth skills for living. She can always find more opportunities like this. In fact we could reach a compromise now that I think of it..."
"Compromise? How boring...we should just go with him and get the skills and fight off anyone that attacks."
"Lets...hear what you say then Celeste. And Supinity please, think of Ebba for a minute.
"Right...This is my compromise. Since he wants to teach her some skills yet he plans to go around. How about this, he can just visit Ebba whenever he feels like it. The two can talk together and learn more things. What say you Ebba?"
"W-Well...I don't like traveling to many places...a-and I am starting to love the gardens here...B-but Teddy seems nice..."
"And there you have it...Meeting adjourned...
"What!? But...fine...We'll probably have some random thief attack us or something..."
After Ebba finished speaking to the other three, she soon opened up her eyes. "W-Well...we were all speaking...a-and...W-We agreed on a c-compmimize...I-I don't live traveling around...I-I also like quiet areas like these but I-I would...like to talk to you more so...Y-You could always come here...I-If you want too...I-I'm fine on my own with my family so...y-you dont have to worry..." She replied.
He actually liked the compromise, he could do his business, and he could come back to Ebba whenever it was convenient. He smiled at Ebba, "Just remember," he said, as if making a joke, as he had begun to turn, "Avoid letting the gardeners catch you in their garden. I really don't know how Wing City handles its squatters and homeless folk. But otherwise, Ebba, I will see you around."
He had begun to walk away, then abruptly halted, as if forgetting something. He then turned around and walked back to Ebba, "Hey, Ebba," he begun, "Do you think I have chance with Lazarus? ...You probably don't really know what I am talking about, do you?"
He then turned and begun to walk away, strolling down the path leading to an exit of the garden. He thought as he left, now that he has started healing from this pain, he might finally be able to go back into adventures and heroics. He pledged to himself that he will go back to see Ebba every now and then and help with her social skills. For now though, he had business to settle. With one last wave to Ebba he begins to go on his way.
The world around the Gardens shook gently, and for a moment everything was quiet. Then the air itself was torn asunder, a massive, roaring sound of fire and Draconian agony echoing across the land while a singular beam of Golden Light raced into the air, corrupted with swirls of glorious violet. The clouds parted and the Beam of Light went into the atmosphere, dissipating into the clouds as a golden dust of Holy Draconian Light.
The First Champion of Light, had returned.
In the epicenter of the glowing beam of light stood a singular man clad in Draconian Duradaeden Battle Armor; the menacing, towering figure still like a statue as the Golden Armor gleamed in the sunlight. For a while all he did was stand, before falling to his hands and knees, his helmet falling of his head, and revealing pristine white hair, cut short and neat. His skin was pale, evident that he'd either been kept somewhere dark for a long time, or spent much of his time in his armor. His eyes, were solid white for a moment, before reverting to their natural state - Golden Pupils with streaks of Corrupting Purple surrounding the vertical, Draconian Pupils. Sharp teeth parted as he let out a breath, steam coming from his mouth as he exhaled his first free breath in a long time.
Slowly he stood, his helmet vanishing in the wind as Golden Dust, and his back and other joints cracked in relief as he stood up fully at twelve feet in height. Numerous weapons adorned his body, two Ornate, Black Duradaeden Swords forged by his hand adorned the left shoulder, from the right shoulder, a powerful Draconian Lance, likewise of Black Duradaeden. Perfectly balanced, perfectly sharp, True Draconian Perfection. Adorning his thighs and upper arms were countless Throwing Knives, which soon faded into Dust as well, leaving only the armor. At the small of his back was a single Dagger, dubbed the Dagger of Light, made from Pure White Draconian Duradaeden. Its true power kept a secret by the only two who know of it, Irral himself, and his mother, Light. Other weapons could be summoned when needed.
Taking a deep breath, Irral closed his eyes, feeling the breeze and sun on his face. The Armor he wore made no sound as he spread his arms to enjoy the moment and to stretch his body. The Joints were still finely tuned, and extremely well protected by overlapping, scaled plates of Duradaeden.
"The world....so beautiful....." a bird came to land on one of the spikes of his shoulder pauldron, "...so peaceful.....but he is still out there...." He said softly, his voice, though gentle, deep and rumbling. His broad shoulders added to the power of his mere presence alone. He wasn't just tall, he was big. The fair skin that covered his defined jaw twitched and pulled back, his lips forming a small smile as a few more birds came to rest on the various spikes and protrusions of his armor. All was peaceful, until he sneezed. The sound of his Draconian sneeze echoing for miles, birds from across the city taking off from their perches in a panicked flight away from the Gardens.
Irral turned, slowly, however, his corrupted golden eyes scanning the area around him. He wasn't alone, after all.
Instinctively she sat up quickly, causing the bush to rustle loudly. Using the cover of the bush she not so subtly peered outside the bush to look at her surroundings. What caught her attention was a very tell figure in armor, and he was looking around. He was so scary...She only let a surprised yelp as she not so subtly hid inside her bush, grabbed a small stack of leaves on the ground and put them on her head in an effort to hide herself better.
"Um...Ebba? I don't think...You know...Never mind actually. I don't think you are going to listen."
"Woah! That is one big thing. If it attacks lets beat the hell out of it!"
"Are you dumb? We are not fighting that thing, Ebba's safety comes first, we are retreating to safety if it attacks..."
"Bah! It only looks tall! And really strong probably but we can beat it up! And your calling me dumb you chicken."
"Digression is the better part of valor you idiot. If you wanna try to get us killed I'll gladly stop you..."
"You wanna fight!? Then bring it!"
As the two voices argued in the young womans mind, from across the city. The dragons entrance caused an uproar of the cities Imperial Guard forces in the area. A few mechanized regiments of Imperial Guardsman with Chimera troop transports and Scout Sentinels began to make their way to the Gardens.
"By the Emperor, another disturbance. All nearby units respond and find out what has landed!"
"Hello there, child." He spoke, his voice though still deep, booming, and intimidating, held no ill-will to it. It did however command an air of respect. "I will not harm you, come out from there. Tell me who you are, where I am, what you can do....and why you choose to sleep in a bush." he spoke calmly, and gestured to the bush she currently sat in with his hand, the gauntlet clawed and menacing, though it didn't take long before another bird landed on his finger, chirping away. He lifted his hand and examined the bird for a few seconds, before blinking and turning his attention back to the girl in the bush.
"I am Irral. I exist to eradicate darkness wherever I find it, and I have been lost for a long time." he introduced himself, letting his arms fall to his sides to rest. Irral paid no heed to the sounds of the Imperial Guard mobilizing and making their way to the city. They were of no concern to him, and he was not here to fight.
All the while the voice continued to argue...
"Let me at him! I'll kick that things ass!"
"No you fool, you'll get us all killed. I'll be the one to ensure her safety and...where do you think your going Lazarus?"
"This situation clearly requires a more calming touch. You two are going to cause trouble and---"
"Like hell you are taking over!
"I won't let any of you two take over. Defense is key here now."
"You are a troubled, lost child....scared and alone...." he said as he approached slowly. His voice was calm, trying to be soothing as he let it become a bit more gentle and soft rather than booming. He did not however raise or lower his pitch, it stayed deep. He stopped a foot away from the bush, towering over the frightened girl as he then slowly crouched, kneeling before the girl and letting her see that he looked every bit as human as she did.
"Perhaps not alone...no...there is more to you. But you wish for clarity...." His eyes lost their purple streaks, gold filling the iris's completely, and he reached out a hand, slowly and gently. "I can provide you with such clarity...if only for a short while....take my hand."
The air around him would feel warm, inviting, and calming, and his movements were all very slow, and deliberate, as to not startle the girl before him. His eyes continued to glow however, as he kept watch on the three "Voices" within her. He could not discern if they were friendly or hostile, nor what their intentions were with the poor girl. She would need to touch him for that to become clear for him.
Of course, the being soon offered her...clarity. She of course knew not what the being spoek of so she had to ask."W-W-Whats Claridity? I-I-Is it...Like an Amburance?...O-Or...Is it something nice?..." She timidly moved one of her hands away from her face to look up at the being. He looked like the man she spoke to earlier. He looked...human...He seemed like another nice person...
The voices in her head soon vanished as they decided that the time for talk was over. They were now all duking it out to find out who would be the one to come to Ebba's aid.
"You are....plagued by voices....different beings....I can see them. They try to overwhelm you....touch my hand....I can make them fade away...leaving only you, for just a moment." he said. He leaned forward a bit, the knuckles of his free hand resting on the ground as he leaned forward more to offer her his hand. "Come now, there are others coming that may not like my presence here. Touch my hand." he repeated, his voice still soft and soothing.
She would soon touch his hand after at least a few seconds of hesitation.
Gone were the three voices that tormented her so, vying for control over the others and of her. Gone was much of her anxiety and shyness, and gone was the fear that came with it.
"Clarity. Now you know what it means." He said, no longer changing his voice to soothe her, seeing no need. After another minute, his eye twitched and he pulled his hand away, the purple streaks of corruption returning as he turned away and began to breath heavily. For a moment, he could hear the voices that she heard, for a moment, the clarity remained with her until he balled his hands into fists and stood, his body glowing and his breathing stabilizing.
She would have her voices back, but she would know what Clarity was, and what it felt like.
It would be then that the Guardsmen of the Imperium rounded the corner to approach the gardens directly. Irral drew himself to his full height and watched them as they sped down the street. Narrowing his eyes, he counted them. So many for just a simple entrance? They were on edge it seemed. Perhaps they'd tangled with another Dragon before?
He took in a deep breath. Ah, yes...Draco. He'd been here, he'd attacked this city and its people. That is why they were on edge. The city reeked of Draco's Corruption and Magic. That boy was sloppy with his work. There was another....his mate, Kethend....she was even more sloppy, though her magic was no where near as strong as her Mate's....he closed his eyes. He could feel the pair of them growing stronger by the day, building their forces, biding their time. It would only be a matter of time before they either brought darkness to this world, or created a portal to another.
"What was...that just now?..."
"Everything went white for a second...What's going on?..."
"That was...something..."
But before they knew it, they heard footsteps and many other voices.
"This way! Stay in formation men! Keep your las-guns primed and ready! And keep your guard up! Whatever came here was in a physical means! The Gellar Field protecting this city thwarts those Shadow Legion bastards from popping up randomly! Whatever it is its probably hostile!" A Imperial Officer called out his order as the men armed with las-guns and Flak vests began to storm the garden.
The young woman of course suddenly turned scared however she suddenly felt something inside her give her a sudden boost. She no longer felt afraid, she even stood up straight. Where they bad people? Nonetheless the woman needed to be prepared to defend herself.
"I will admit that your defenses proved rather difficult to navigate. I see now that you are trying to keep out another one of my kind." Irral spoke, his helmet amplifying his already deep and intimidating voice. "You will find that I am not as easily dissuaded from making my appearance when and where I see fit, and that I am only hostile if engaged or hindered in my task. So answer me this: Do you intend to attack me?
Slowly Irral's arm raised to the Draconic Lance on his back, and slowly it came forth from its sheath, before he twirled the thing effortlessly in one hand, slamming it upon the ground and sending out a small shock wave. Not enough to stumble anyone, but enough to be felt. He wrenched it from the ground and lowered himself into a battle stance, holding the Lance in both hands akin to how one holds a staff or a spear.
"If you do not intend to attack me, now is your one and only chance to lower your weapons, that we may speak on friendly terms. If you do intend to attack, then I hope you have made peace with your selves, because none of you will survive the engagement." He spoke with a cold exactness. This was not a threat, this was a promise.