Welcome to Gaia! ::

Pheaura nodded at the boys response. A smile pulled at the corner of her mouth. So young and full of life and ready for anything. "Aura I'll need someone to hold them off while I work." Pheaura quickly scooped up the boy in her arms. "Ready to fly?" She asked this to the both of them, but more to Aura then Khenu. After all Khenu would be safe in Phea's arms, but Aura would be held up by telekensis.

"Mateus. Lightning blade."
Stardust changed into a broadsword that that was flowing with electricity.
""I'll find that support thing, no problem."
He stabbed the sword into the roof, lightning bolts flying out randomly and hitting the barrier in all directions.

Aura flicked back a piece of wet hair and smiled. "More that ready Phea, let's take this thing out, and get our place back. But if you drop me, I'm coming after you."

((Going to try something a little different this time. Musical post! If you don't know the song, oh well. (doubt many of you will) If you just don't like my choice... oh well. I'm still experimenting with the idea, so don't judge it to harshly.))

The center of the courtyard was the setting for their final meeting. Actually within the barrier that Vik had recently put up, even if it had been torn down for this contest. Standing on opposite ends, surrounded completely with tides of dark figures swamping the others and preventing their aid. Catherine stood smiling, cruel ebony weapon scraping across the ground slowly. Saradin was stoic, reforged steel glistening without the aid of the dwindling sunlight. Even now in spite of all that she had done and all that she sought, all he knew for her was pity. It was time to free her from this torturous mockery of her true self.

((Cue music: Pain - Xenosaga episode 1 OST))
First we touch, and we hurt each other.
Then we tear our hearts apart.

The combatants rushed in. They met in the center of the circle that the smaller shades dare not enter. White and black steels clanged loudly, each pulsing with energy. Neither landed an effective blow, but each aura seethed and burned at the other. She smiled, and he grimaced.

I am to close, and I can feel the pain,
fill my empty heart.

Fiery passion burned in her eyes as she suffered. Another of his swings was carefully parried and countered with her own. The evil blade swung upward and bit air while Saradin slid just inches from contact. Catherine escaped just as narrowly as Soulforge had already been recoiled and thrust at her again.

Is this pain to much for me?
Can I stay the same?

Saradin felt like weeping, the pain he felt now was almost overwhelming. His archaic blade flickered wildly, but only he could feel and share in its torment. But emotions had to be locked aside for now, nothing could allow them to waver, hesitation would result in death. Catherine guided another life threateningly precise attack across his chest area, but Soulforge barred her path.

When this pain, consume my heart,
will I be able to hold on to my soul?

Both of her hands gripped the Shadow's Wrath so hard that she believed it would be crushed in her palms. Every tightened muscle that she had spent years toneing for use in this one fight ached and was further fueled by supernatural power. Saradin slipped backward and allowed her weapon to push Soulforge aside to finish its sweep, but she pulled back as well and loosed a wave of black that threatened to swallow all before it.

Kindness is something I don't want or need,
the sunshine will just disolve me into light.

He tumbled and rolled off to one side of the onslaught, landing in a crouched position as he thrust Soulforge into the ground. A glistening bubble of blue light encased him and deflected the stray threads of animate darkness that found their way to him. In retaliation, he lifted the sword out of the earth with a mighty attack that severed the wind and split the land. A second movement swung perpendicular along the horizon, almost within the space of the same moment and with just as much strength. From both cuts sped forward a slice of blue light that formed a glowing cross running across the air towards Catherine.

Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh,
so I can feel you all the day and night.
and keep me from fading away.

The growing warmth of the holy symbol was almost enough to make her long for her past, but still she fought. Catherine took to the air on a freshly sprouted pair of black demonic wings and passed over the cross as it sped by to consume a legion of shadow creatures that watched while even more moved to fill the fresh gap.

Even when we behold each other
somehow our eyes do not meet.

She fell upon him like a harpy trying to snatch up its spell bound prey. The single talon that was the Shadow's Wrath struck with enough extra force with her descent that it forced the parrying Soulforge aside. Before her feet even touched ground, the black sabre returned upward in another artful strike. Saradin hand was nearly removed by it, but twisted just far enough to one side that the foul instrument sharply struck one side of the hilt guard and carried enough power to pull the sword from his grasp.

and when you hold me in your strong embrace
still I feel no heat.

Soulforge clattered against exposed dirt and Saradin was unarmed. But centuries of combat had taught far more than how to fight with his sword, and he rushed at her before even granting attention to his lost weapon. His bare shoulder slammed into her before her sword was lowered from its previous assault. She fell backward to the ground but still nearly cut his feet out from under him in retribution. By the time she pulled herself back up, he was behind her and one arm slid around her neck, holding her in place.

But it gives me such delight
to feel you closer now

Caught in the head lock as she was, she flipped the Shadow's Wrath in her hand and moved to stab the echoed shape of her former love that held her. She was halted before she finished though, and Saradin's free hand held hers by the wrist.

I know I am true to myself
if I can see into my heart somehow.

He knew that Catherine's mastery of darkness was superior and that she would either find a way out or injure him terribly for his hold. So, he let her sword arm move suddenly, bolstered by his own strength. His left arm already uncoiled from around her neck and his body contorted away from the blade while the added force of his own power to hers twisted her arm painfully and threw her off balance. Granting him just enough leeway for him to return to his own sword.

Kindness is something I don't want or need,
the sunshine will just disolve me into light.

As Catherine fought to regain balance while Shadow's Wrath was astray, Saradin dropped swiftly to reclaim Soulforge. Now they both had their back to one another, and they paused as if with their enemy out of sight, the battle had ended. The short breather allowed any spectator to see this fight for what it was. In the center ring of this twisted colloseum two tortured souls fought for their freedom while a third stalwart redeemer attempted to shed his compassion on them both. Sorrow was palpable in the air.

Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh,
so I can feel you all the day and night.
and keep me from fading away.

The breather ended abruptly as the black shield above trembled and collapsed into itself, the work of the others accomplished. With it's cue, both tumbled backward while spinning round bringing their weapons to bear. For the last time, the two opposites collided and an unholy shriek filled the air as the Shadow's Wrath cracked under the pressure while blue fire raced through and widened the breaches. Soulforge passed unhalted while the Shadow's Wrath's shards flew like glass across the ground. Catherine buckled to avoid the fire's passing and reeled away ungracefully.

Kindness is something I don't want or need,
the sunshine will just disolve me into light.

Now without her amament, she unleashed every ounce of her own dark might. Her arms elongated into wicked claws and her appearance twisted with malice every bit into the hateful being she had become. Filling the air with an agonizing screech, she charged with deadly intent. Saradin raised Soulforge to block her but she didn't care, she slammed into him unmercifully and dropped him to his knees. One arm had contacted the fire and it rushed up to meet the rest of her but she simply shredded her own limb away from her before it could.

Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh,
so I can feel you all the day and night.

Now she sank her remaining claw into his shoulder and his blood spattered around them, mingling with her own. Saradin could feel his weight lifting as she took to the air on her terrible wings and now her mouth was agape with wicked fangs that prepared to rip out his throat. He raised his sword but it seemed that she would already claim his life. Something happened, whether she hesitated before completing her act or was blinded by the holy light, was forever lost to time. Soulforge pierced her chest and split her heart in one clean stab. Brilliant cerulean light fully eclipsed their current forms.

and keep me from fading away.

The powerful beams from the inferno scorched every remaining shadow and sealed every dimensional breach in a moment. There, still suspended in the air were two figures in the light. One was a woman with golden blonde hair and wore simple cothing who stared into the eyes of the other. He was the man that he had always been know as, but the years of torment were melted from him and he seemed a different person, the original.

A full minute passed there, the only sound the dull crackle of flame as they hung there in each others arms, gazing into each other unmoving. Then they shared a single deep kiss as the image began to weaken and beneath could be seen the outline of the physical warriors. Even as the silhouette beneath Catherine dissolved, her apparition remained locked with Saradin's. Time seemed to ellapse slowly as the fire dimmed. But eventually, the images faded fully from view and the current Saradin collapsed to the ground. There he lay, sprawled on the ground, breathing slowly still shrouded in a sheet of glistening fire from the sword he gripped in unconciousness while the rays of a dieing twilight sun stained the courtyard a golden hue.

((Summary for the lazy: It's over. 3nodding ))

Pheaura nodded her face grim. She knew the risks this involved. But she needed the energy. Hopefully Khenu would only feel drained and tired when this was over. She leaped to the sky holding the boy close and Aura closer with her mind. She turned only once to see Aura being dragged through the sky behind her. She whispered instuctions to Khenu as she made her way to the barrier, "You do not need to fear. What I am going to do will not harm you. At the vary least you will feel tired and drained. You will need to hold firmly to my hand and think of the happiest, purest thoughts ever. It is even better if it is memories. I will take that enerygy and fuse it with my own to hopefully take down the barrier. It will aslmost seem as if I am sharing your body with you. I am not, but my spirit's energy will be guiding yours so it will seem like it is. Now here's the hard part. Being made of dark energy this barrier will try to attack you most likely through your thoughts trying to make you think of horrible evil things. You have to concentrate on the positive and fight the negative. Got it?" Her mind reached out for a moment and snagged Aura's "Are you alright?" she said telepathicly.

(( *dies* I heart heart heart Xenosaga! I love that song!!! Good choice by the way too.))

((Ha! I actually read the whole post this time. I just skipped the song. 'cus I don't know it))
Vik opened his eyes. Above him, the clear night sky reveiled hundreds of stars.
"It's over..."
He reached down and yanked Mateus out of the roof. He ripped open another rift and reappeared in the courtyard. He spotted Saradin lying on the ground by his barrier. He walked over to see if he was okay.

((same I'm going with the aftermath))

Pheaura finally let her hand drop to her side when the barrier shattered in her mind. ((she was fighting up there so in her mind it shattered)). SHe was weary from using pure raw energy like that. She had performed nothing like that in her life. She fought the hardest against the barrier's defences, though. She knew Kebe was gone, but the barrier tried to use his image to weaken her. She slumped to the ground in a sigh. She looked up quickly to see if Aura and the other were all right. She closed her eyes and concentrated on Saradin's mind. She knew she told him she wouldn't barge in, but she needed the reassurace that he was fine. After she was satisfied she would check for Bastet and Vik as well.