An Odd Way To End A Thursday

[Jaziline]

Rave nodded rubbing his chin looking at the wood's to the east. "I am going to assume the castle is still there, it should be in that direction." he said nodding his head he seemed slightly bemused by Nathan's irritation. "If you come across a lake you have gone too far. I believe the basement should still be accessible if you can find the cellar doors." he explained as he walked off getting to work freeing the demon from the vines that held her soulless body. "Be careful. I doubt you are the only Guardian that heard the call." He added using a dagger to cut away at the vines and burning some with a fire that gathered at his fingertips.

[Lance]

Nathan nodded slightly as he began walking towards the direction Rave had given him. “I’m still not sure what you mean by assuming I am one of these “guardians” but I do thank you for the information. Take care of the husk I’m sure she will be grateful.” He added laughing lightly as he walked off towards the guild. It was finally time to do what his father had asked.

[Cat]

"Father G..." Cat looked at the ground, in thought. Brow furrowed. If he was back...
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Cat said. She amused herself with the thought that maybe this was why she never heard from Lady Rain again. She crawled right into a spiders nest. On one hand Nathan being back was good news. But the cosmos doesn't give things without trade
"...is Nathan under his control then?" Why else would he bring back Nathan? Cat's hands balled into tight fists. They would need to act quickly. "You know where Nathan's lab is don't you? We need to secure that space. Maybe there are weapons there."
She wanted to see her friend again, but things didn't feel right

[Lance]

Zeke turned around to look at Cat. “Yeah I do, I’m sorry to give you this bad news but you probably know Nathan more then anyone else.” Zeke walked out of the kitchen making his way towards the lab. “And honestly I don’t even know what he’s capable of especially since father was involved this time...” He looked off to the side still trying to make sense of everything. It was nice that his brother was back but with him in his current state... he may have been better off dead. “Cat...” Zeke signed closing his eyes. “I...I know what may have to happen but... I’m not sure I could stand to lose him again.” He said softly.

[Jaziline]

Rave let the man walk off. He freed the woman from the vines and lifted the body up easily hoisting the body onto his shoulder fireman style. He wondered why he continued to be a servant to this idea. He thought he would be free of her once she passed away and the passing of Lucifer. He looked around and saw the black ribbon on the ground abandoned carelessly as he shook his head and picked it up in his free hand the other wrapped around Jaziline's legs to keep her hoisted. Maybe the demon's soul is still in what remained of the manor. He slid the ribbon into his vest dress pocket and he gently tugged at the tie around his neck. Maybe he should bring her back, he doubt her soul could rest with a call strong enough to bring her husk. "Atta girl." he said patting the small of her back, "This would be alot easier if you could change into a bird you know." He said to the body as he began toward the manor.

[Jaziline]

Once Rave arrived to a the remains of the Umbrae manor he stopped and gazed at what now remained. The stone walls broken down and pillaged, the marble statues missing from the courtyard, and vines growing over the edges leaving a sun bleached marble checker pattern. He was once again reminded of the odd decorative choices of his protected. Rave recalled the woman standing in among the statues with her brows furrowed glaring down Lucifer and the battle that ultimately destroyed the manor. He walked into the courtyard and laid the woman down on the marble floor and checked the arm. The husk had almost healed completely, his attention moving to her nose which was slowly moving itself to its natural position. "Nathano did a number on you." he muttered as he folded his arms glancing around the old ruins. He walked toward the manor stepping over what little remained of the exterior walls. The demon stood in what once was the parlor, he pressed his hands over his eyes and grunted. "You will have to forgive me. I am going to be selfish here Jaziline and you can deal with me once you awaken. But first.." he said removing his hand and rolling his shoulders back his body erupting into flames as a black raven swooped out and headed east. Leaving the body in its old haven.

~~Elsewhere~~

The Raven flew into a small building in the middle of a village. Inside stood seven men all sitting around a round table in the midst of a debate over how they were going to strip the name of Lucifer from the subpar husk. The bird perched lightly in the window listening. "...Be serious about letting that Curator keep parading that body with the power. We have to take it." One man demanded pounding the table gently with his fist.

Another man across from him shook his head violently, "Have you lost your mind? The Curator is ancient. You think that we could simply take his charge? Did you not read about what that Monster did in 1850's? How many he slaughtered over the Mabletown name? He slew an army in a single night." He exclaimed throwing his hands up beside him.

"Rubbish!" Exclaimed the man beside concerned man, "That tale is as tall as Old Saint Nick, or the Easter bunny. Do you expect me to believe that measly bird. Murdered. An. Army? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?" The man speaking leaned back in his chair folding his arms his sunburnt nose peaking out from the shroud of his hood. The men muttered quietly among themselves. The raven's head cocked to the side seeming slightly bemused by the legend he carried.

The concerned man chirped up, "But he was born of Lucifer, an angel I remind you that means Rave has lineage with God himself. Do you not think that is enough to make him a threat?" He asked the group quiet thinking on the matter before the man with the sunburnt nose scoffed aloud.

"If he is so great. Why would he follow our orders? We have Jaziline, his charge. Even if we do not have her soul we own the idea of her. She came from our clan and dedicated herself to us before she lost to that Umbrum. That is why we also own that Lousy Bird and why he..." the man stopped his eyes landing on the black haired man that sat in the open window with a bemused look on his face. A hush fell as he slid down onto his feet.

"Please," Rave began, "Do not stop on my account. I believe you were saying that Lousy Bird..." He egged the sunburnt man as Rave gently placing a hand on the man who was preaching how they should fear the curator. The man cowered under Rave's grip as he leaned in over the table and silence was his answer. "You were right. I was controlled by you." He said as the man howled in pain Rave had crushed the his shoulder and swiftly threw him into the wall. "I always listened you know. To my Father, my Ward, to who my Ward had to listen to and then today." He said moving to the next person to his left. That man sprang out of his chair and ran toward the door only to be met with a fireball that erupted from the Rave's fingers and consumed the man's stomach and continued to light the door aflame. "I realized that my father is dead. My ward is dead. And you people think that somehow you are in charge of me." The demon said as he sat down in the newly vacated chair and propped his elbows on the table. The five men who remained were frozen in their seats. The men started to gag softly on the smell of burning flesh as Rave smiled at them. "Honestly, I don't know why Jaziline let you boss her around, especially after she killed my father. Maybe it was a trace amount of human in her. But unfortunately for you all," he said as he pushed himself up from the table letting the chair fall to the ground as he quickly rose to his feet, "I do not have such sentiment." He said.

The sunburnt man stood, "NOW LIS.." he began his words stopped as blood began to pour out of his mouth, he glanced down to see the hilt of a dagger protruding from the hollow of his throat. The other men gasped as Rave moved and slew them all. Once finished he sat on top of the table and reached into his pocket. "You are freed Jaziline." He reached into his pocket and pulled a dull purple bead and peered at it with a grim look on his face. Rave pressed down on the bead and it shattered the mist shifted down toward his shade.

~~The Manor~~
The husk of the woman laid on the ground blood stained her face where her nose finally fully formed and her shadow darkened a faint mist flew up and into the woman's slightly opened mouth before followed by a sharp inhale and her red eyes bursting open.

[Lance]

Nathan slowly approached the steps of the guild staring at the massive building, the outside seemed to have been very regularly taken care of leading him to believe someone was residing within. He sighed bringing his left hand up to his head. “I suppose I shouldn’t really be surprised, this land if full of twists and turns at every corner and if the stories are to be true these guardians are rather formidable so I shouldn’t be shocked to learn that some are still alive...” He did there wondering how he should proceed, he could simply destroy it but that was not a very reasonable approach and he wasn’t the type to just cause destruction and walk away. Not only would it certainly cause anger from the inhabitants of the land but they would almost certainly rebuild. “Then the diplomatic approach it is.” He made his way to the door placing a hand in the doors as a blue mist poured from his palms surrounding the doors before seemingly dispersing. The doors opened for him as he took his first steps within the building proceeding down the hallway towards the library. “Let’s see what we can learn in the mean time...” He smirked as his eyes flashed yellow.

[Cat]

"I don't know if I can either," Cat replied truthfully. It was not lost on her what possible outcomes may occur. Surely, this was another test sent by the cosmos.
That's when she felt his presence in the castle. She sucked in her breath, mumbling a small curse.
"He's already here. We don't have much time..."
"Go to his lab. Secure it. Until we know Nathan's side...I don't know if we can trust him."
She put her hands on his shoulder and leaned closed, looking deeply into his eyes.
"Listen Zeke, there are others who might be able to help: Jaziline, Rave, Weiss, Vash and Deandra. I wouldn't be surprised if they knew already...See if you can find them."
Cat wasn't sure what was going to happen next. To her. To the castle. To this land. To everything really. At the very least, she knew if something happened to her then Vash and Deandra would know immediately. While she may have been at odds now with Vash these days, they were still bonded. Deandra was in frequent correspondence with her, as they trained often....She had just recently seen Jaz and Rave. She had a feeling they already knew what was happening too. She liked to believe Jaz was in everyone's shadow, her faithful avian always near. Weiss had always had a bond with Nathan she felt, whether that was good or bad she wasn't sure. But still he would be a powerful ally.
She pulled him in for a hug, "Please, stay safe. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."

Cat let go of Zeke and smiled. "If it comes down to the worst, don't try and save me. Save yourself."

She turned away and left down the hall. There was a light yellow glow about her now.


When she entered the library, that's when she stopped in the middle of the doorway. Honestly, she didn't know what to say. Her arms hung at her sides.
"...Nathan"

[Lance]

Zeke nodded hugging Cat back. “You are the only one who might be able to get through to him, you’ve both been through a lot together, stay alive Cat.” Zeke dashed off to the lab when at the entrance he sighed. “There’s only one way to do this.” A red energy released from Zekes hands as it covered the entrance to the lab and a mirage appeared where the door way stood blending into its surroundings to look like a hallway. “I’ve gotta find Jaziline...” Zeke image vanished as he traced raves energy. He soon appeared in the small village where Rave had just killed the men. Blood...he could smell it heavily. “Rave!!!” The boy shouted hoping the man would appear.

—Meanwhile—

Nathan was flipping through the pages when he heard a voice say his name, it had a bit of familiarity to it as a tear ran down his left cheek to his surprise. He quickly wiped it away before he smiled brightly as he turned around. He immediately recognized her from what reports he had found. “She knows my name so I must play along with her for my benefit...”He thought. He brought up his right metallic hand rubbing the back of his head as he closed his eyes laughing lightly. “Well hello there Cat long time no see! I guess you’re kinda surprised to see me huh?” He opened his eyes looking at the woman to gauge her reaction and decide what follow up action he would need to take.

[Cat]

Cat tilted her head as she looked Nathan up and down. It looked like Nathan. Sounded like Nathan. Same scent too. She chuckled, and shook her head. She too wiped away a tear, although not afraid to show it. She gave up hiding emotion a long time ago.
"You don't even remember what happened do you?" She asked. Cat slowly approached, running her hand gently along the spines of the shelved books. "I was surprised when your little brother appeared and told me you were alive... I didn't even get a chance to prepare for your arrival." She stopped about 10 feet away from Nathan. Her eyes roamed the room.
"I'd been coming back here every now again over the years. I thought it was because I'm nostalgic, but it dawned on me...I think I've just been waiting for something to happen."
She looked into Nathan's eyes. For a moment she saw Blaze. Cat smirked.
"Are you really Nathan? or just a latch ditch effort at revenge from Father G?"

[Jaziline]

Jaziline sat up and coughed blood and phlegm from her broken nose that had settled in her throat while she was laid down. Her eyes took in her surrounding. Her home was destroyed her arm and face was throbbing, Rave was nowhere in site, and the worse of all of this.... She was alive. She slowly stood and brushed off the dirt from her backside and looked around. How long has it been? She wondered looking at the tear down of her manor. There was an explosion, and clear pillaging of materials. she reached down and quickly patted her pockets and chest. Her shadowblade was gone. The demoness snarled, before blinking her eyes hard and opening them wide. Before this action would instantly link eyes with Rave allowing her to see what he saw, but that did not occur. Her anger build inside her as she extended her hand to her shadow and up rose a slim black staff. What has happened while she was resting? She closed her eyes once more her vision flipping from this realm into the Shadow and she searched for a familiar face. She saw both Nathano and Cat by where the castle stood and slowly suck into her own shadow.

[Lance]

Nathan frowned slightly at the words Cat spoke. “So he already came here huh...” he chuckled and then began laughing as he brought his metallic hand up holding his face. He looked over at Cat as a certain bloodlust appeared in his eyes. “Oh my dear Cat, I can assure you I am very much the real deal...” as he finished a black and yellow mist began to flow out from his feet creeping across the guilds floor. “I find this building very interesting, it sure would be a shame if something were to happen to it.” Nathan began to feel stronger the longer he remained here. And it felt wonderful.

[Cat]

Cat continued to smile as she looked at the man before her. It really was Nathan. The yellow glow she had began to form into a mist, brighter then before with an orange tint. She began to stretch her arms, aware of what was about to happen. "Your spirit," She started, noticing the mist, "It's polluted. I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop Father G from doing this to you."
"You're making it sound like there is an option other then destruction. This building has withstood a lot...even come back from destruction before." Cat laughed. "What are you here for then? to kill me?"
Cat stared at him more seriously. "There is some truth to the cat with nine lives."

[Lance]

He smirked slightly. “I’m not here to kill you guardian, and I don’t need your sympathy... honestly I’m not even sure what it is you’re going on about.” He walked off to the side of Cat staring at the books lining the walls. “I don’t wish to even fight...I am here seeking a diplomatic solution.” My father will be paying a visit soon. And I would prefer that he be left alone and not bothered during his visit.” He held out his right palm as an image began to form in front of him. “And I realize that the guild could be rebuilt... that’s why I had another bargaining chip...” As the image cleared Cats village could be seen clearly with a blood mist surrounding it’s borders. He turned to look at Cat. “Stand down and I promise you no harm shall come to your people. These are my demands.”

[Cat]

Cat's face twisted into a snarl. Of course. One of the few things he /could/ use against her. And she thought she had nothing to lose. She hated how Nathan also referred to Father G as his own.
"You may be wearing Nathan's shell," She hissed, "But you aren't him."
That would make things easier for her later at leas.
Her sisters and clan no longer spoke to her. In fact, she was banished. Ironically enough, it was because of her ties to WAR she could no longer go home. And now it was biting in the ass again. This was what Vash was talking about.
"What does Father G want to do? Is this land even worth conquering?" Cat snapped, fists clenched in irritation.

[Lance]

Nathan tilted his head as he looked at the now angered woman. “It’s really strange for a Guardian to be asking that question.” He straightened up as he brought his left hand up in front of his face, a small ball of blue energy formed as he looked towards Cat. “If I were to follow up your question with another I guess I would have to ask you this, if you feel this land isn’t worth conquering...then why are you a guardian. Or even, why are you here?” Nathan’s eyes began to glow yellow as the castle began to shake violently.

[Cat]

The yellow aura around Cat began to react against Nathan's. Just right outside, a yellow mist began to crawl up the castle walls building up the foundation as it shook. The shaking began to quell just little bit, fighting against Nathan's power.
"I have nothing left but this land," Cat replied, "I made a vow to it and it's people and long time ago...You did too."
This world had been silent for long. What did Father G want now? To strike because he could? Maybe it was just that simple.
"What really strange," A hint of snark in her voice, "Is seeing a Guardian threaten to destroy a place he vowed to protect."
"You might not remember," Cat started, "But I will continue to serve what we vowed to do. To uphold the promise I made to you, even at my dying breath."

[Lance]

Nathan stared at the woman as she spoke, his eyes narrowing at her words as he felt anger welling up inside of him showing he wasn’t just some machine. “First that bird and woman and now you! I don’t know who you all seem to think I am but I am not some guardian of this realm. I am simply here because father commanded it.” He held out an open palm at Cat. “And if my threat to your village isn’t enough then you and your people shall pay the price.” A black mist shot out towards Cat.

[Cat]

Cat quickly raised her arms and crossed them as the black mist shot out at her. It sent her slamming back into the bookshelf beside her, the force knocked the shelf down, but Cat still stood. She pushed her arms out and pushed against the black mist with her own aura. There was a bit of a smirk on her face, now things were getting real.
"You being used," Cat started, "Remember who you are Nathan. You are a Guardian."

[Lance]

Nathan stared at the woman as he raised his arms up. The black mist spread up and across creating a wall of mist as spikes shot out from the four corners towards Cat. “You are wasting your energy guardian. Focus on the battle and show me what you can do.”
Nathan’s eyes flashed blue as the mist he had left on the door way earlier shot out creating an explosion at the guilds entrance shaking the building.