'For one who had traveled from spectral realm to material realm and back again, between not only different locations but different times in Nosgoth's twisted history, the portal of darkness offered little to fear
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Maleficent’s figure emerged from the darkness of her lovely throne room. Her meeting with the young Princess had left her feeling refreshed and even now as she moved from world to world she could feel herself regaining her strength. There was life in her after all. A smirk moved across her face and a rare look of content graced her face. So long as the fear of her resided in her Princess’s heart her strength would be sustained for now, but the Princess was not enough. More would have to fear her again; the residents of the separate world now had a tiny glimmer in hope in the idea that Sora had defeated Maleficent.
That annoying glimmer would have to be put out, and no doubt the little bastard Sora would have a rather large ego by this point. Being the wielder of the Key Blade no doubt would have given him a large head already, but now he was under the impression that he had destroyed her. The thought of Sora gloating caused Maleficent to scowl slightly but it faded quickly when she realized she would have her revenge.
She moved gracefully through her throne room, allowing her thoughts to consume her. She almost completely ignored her minion and their new guest. It wasn’t until she sat in her throne that she raised an eye brow to this new guest. She looked him up and down for a moment before turning her attention to Slade.
“I take it your trip was eventful?” she asked calmly.
'So this was to be my new master? Or mistress, rather; she fit the role of a scheming witch perfectly, and the horns which adorned her head reminded me of the demons those foolish humans in Avernus Cathedral had worshiped so devoutly. But her appraising gaze reminded me of Kain, back when I was still his 'first born' and he had taken the mantle of my 'father'. Both of them would sooner be my warden than my sire.'
'An idle thought crossed through my mind. The last time such a gaze had been focused on me, I soon lost my wings and my vampiric life. Therefore, what would this sorceress attempt to inflict on me? What more would she try to take away? ...what more could I lose?'
'Though I would never admit it, I relaxed a fraction when her eyes looked away from me.'
The wraith, not immediately required to do anything, remained silent and almost sullen, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Maleficent in turn. She seemed to be the mastermind at this point, but she wasn't the one in possession of the Soul Reaver. Nor did she seem that interested in Raziel, yet. Both of these were a cause for relief, however slight, in the wraith.
Slade bowed instantly. One of his knees touched the ground and his head bowed. He held the Soul Reaver in front of him, too respectful of such a powerful weapon to let it rest on the ground. He played his part well, remaining silent as his Mistress crossed the room and sat on her throne. He looked up only when he was spoken to.
"It was," he said after a long pause, picking his words carefully. "This is Raziel, he is bound to this sword." He held up the Soul Reaver, offering it to her though he couldn't help but hope that she was the type of woman who didn't use weapons such as swords. "The Soul Reaver." Slade had a way of speaking that sounded confident though he wasn't entirely sure how the Soul Reaver and this creature were really connected.
Maleficent sat up straight as Slade explained their new guest to her. The idea of him being bound to a sword intrigued her. She waved her hand towards Slade to signify that she had no intention of actually taking the sword from him just yet, though she might later want to use it to find out more about this Raziel. She considered the idea of just allowing him to be under Slade at first but at the same time she didn’t want to give too much power to him, until she knew where his loyalties lied.
She looked back at Raziel, “ And what good are you exactly? Is there any reason we should keep you alive?” she asked calmly. She continued to eye him, considering what she could use him for. Her return was like a game and she needed to know exactly how to use her pieces to their full potential. The truth was that she had an idea for letting Sora know that she had returned, she just wasn’t sure these two would be the ones to pull it off.
The wraith stared at Maleficent, his glowing eyes unblinking and not making a motion in response to her question. Nor did he bother answering her question, his silence stony and unbroken.
'Did this witch truly think that she could control me? Or that I would answer her unless I had to? I would leave no doubt; this journey, though apparently of my own free will, was still a matter of being put in a different jail. And I refused to pretend any nicety to one who deserved nothing but my scorn and contempt.'
'I was Raziel, firstborn of Kain's lieutenants and the Reaver of Souls. I was no lapdog like the one who bore my doom, nor would I play that part. Let her make me bend my knees, if she dared it. I would not play any games she would not force me into.'
Slade was silent as he waited. He was tempted to strike out against Raziel, but he wouldn't without permission from his Mistress. He stood from his bow, moving very slowly as he did, unfolding his body in a careful, fluid movement.
His fingers clenched the sword in his hand. His Mistress was allowing him to keep it for now, so he would have to use it well. He would have to figure out it's secrets.
He watched Raziel behind his masked face. Any thoughts he had about the creature's silence were his alone.
Malificent didn't allow Raziel's silence to bother her. She was feeling too good to have some peon ruin it for her. She shifted her view back to Slade, "I take it his silence means he's not good for anything." she said calmly. She stood for a moment and stared at Raziel in silence. A grim smirk spread across her face as she stared at him.
"If you are bound to that sword I would assume you are bound to the one who holds it." She said politely, she was a woman of class after all, and she really did dislike losing her temper. "The one who holds it, supposedly has loyalty to me. So the question is...what do I do with you?" She turned to her beloved Diablo and ran her slender finger across his wing as if he would give her the answer.
She sighed softly before turning once more to Slade, " I suppose you should destroy him then."
'I allowed the witch her ignorance on the matter of my usefulness; obviously she knew nothing about me, and the less she knew the more chances I would have to break free and regain my freedom. Even if her smirk boded ill for me, and her words would have made my blood run cold, if this shell had possessed any.'
The wraith derisively shook his head at the witch, and gestured to the blade. "Neither of you could 'destroy' me, in a true sense. Even the Soul Reaver doesn't have the power to completely free me from the shackles of this existence."
'And yet, the knowledge of what it could do made my voice shamefully weak...'
Slade looked at the creature and then his visible eye moved to look down at the Soul Reaver.
"Despite that, having it trust into your body seemed to cause you a great deal of discomfort when we fought earlier." Though his voice was calm, as if he were merely going over the facts of their meeting, the intention was very clear.
Being destroyed wasn't the worse thing that could happen to a person, after all, even one such as Raziel. With his Mistress' cool, pure maliciousness and his twisted imagination, Slade was sure they could think of a way to make Raziel's existence if not miserable at least much more hassle than it was now.
Maleficent almost allowed a smirk of approval appear on her face when Slade spoke but she maintained her cool compsure. She was no longer interested in their new guest, she had plans for the keyblade master and that was far more important.
"Shall we move on to more important matters then?" she said slowly. "I want to let my young keyblade master know that I'm back." she smiled at that thought. Her plan was to let Sora know she was back in the worst possible way.
'I didn't like the chill that seemed to fill the hollow void where my heart once beat. My warden's eye was focused on the Reaver with far more contemplation in his eyes than I could ever find comfortable. And his mistress seemed to consider me no threat. As though I had already been called to heel, the leash already around my neck.'
'Nor did I like the inescapable feeling that I was the only one who did not know how closely bound I was to their will.'
The wraith looked away from the other two and stood silent, the way his claws clenched and released the only betrayal of his inner turmoil. For now, however, he was at the witch's mercy; even he had to admit that he was bested. For now.
Slade bowed his head, appearing for only a moment as if he had thought he had spoken out of turn. Inside he hated being so humble, but what needed to be done, needed to be done.
His thoughts rested on the Keyblade Master. He hadn't met the boy personally, even if Robin and the other Titans had fought by the child's side when he found themselves on their world. He frowned slightly but it was hidden by the mask.
"Do you have a plan, Mistress?" he asked, looking at the witch. He was careful not to put forward an opinion without being asked.
Maleficent smiled slightly at Slade’s question. Yes. She had a plan. Nothing too elaborate, just a little something to let her dear keyblade master know that she had returned. She made her way toward the center of the room where she placed her staff upright and concentrating her energy, caused the orb to glow. Images of Sora destroying heartless from the past flashed above the orb.
“This is our dear Keyblade Master.” She said calmly, and with a wave of her hand the image changed to images of a peaceful island village, “And this…this is our Keyblade Master’s home.” She stepped away from her staff and made her way to her throne. The little island was far too calm and peaceful for Maleficent’s liking. Sitting down she smiled and with another wave of her hand darkness seemed to consume the images of the island. Heartless every where, destroying everything and anyone in their way. The darkness choking everything good until finally… there was nothing.
Diablo squawked a few times before flying to his Mistress’ staff and catching it before it fell. He carried it to her and settled on her right shoulder. She placed her hand on him, as if to reassure him that he had done well. To truly test Slade’s loyalty Maleficent needed to know that he would do whatever she asked of him. She straightened herself in her chair and her facial features became serious, “I want you to destroy this place.”
Raziel had watched the images flashing from the staff without any obvious signs of emotion or indeed that it bothered him in the least. It wasn't until Maleficent had given her order that the wraith even dared to think to himself.
'Was this the plan for my own world? Would Nosgoth suffer the same fate as that island village? I cared little for the plane which had inflicted such torment upon me, but destroying for another's sake reminded me of other times. Times that I would rather forget. Rather, I focused my attention on the inhabitants of the village; if they were doomed anyway, then I would satiate my hunger for souls, and bide my time before revealing that particular weakness.'
Remaining silent for now, Raziel stayed right where he was. If it was a task only for Slade, then Slade would do it alone. And if Raziel were to be forced to join, then the orders would soon be forthcoming.
Slade bowed his head. A smile came to his lips behind the mask and it showed in his visible eye.
"It would be my pleasure, Mistress," he said honestly. The Keyblade Master had been mildly annoying when he had come to his world, but destruction was something that he enjoyed.
That place was too peaceful anyway. They would have to change that.
With a lazy wave of her hand that familiar portal appeared, it would take her minion to that all too peaceful island. She was pleased with her new minion but was still cautious. "Go, and do not fail me. I will follow later." she said calmly as she stood once more. She wanted to see how he would do without her around. Diablo took her standing as his cue to fly towards Slade. He would keep watch even if his Mistress didn't command it. As she started to leave she caught sight of the new pet.
"Might as well take this one with you. See if he is of any use." she said over her shoulder as she left the room there was a sudden feeling in her dark heart, if you could really say she had a heart. A surge of darkness. Something was happening. Something “wrong” was happening. The dark sorceress stared boldly out a nearby window. There she saw the brilliance of hundreds of stars falling. Hundreds of stars streaking across the sky before each one died out. The dark figure stared at the stars fearlessly; even if the darkness became stronger she would not allow it to consume her. Not again.
That annoying glimmer would have to be put out, and no doubt the little bastard Sora would have a rather large ego by this point. Being the wielder of the Key Blade no doubt would have given him a large head already, but now he was under the impression that he had destroyed her. The thought of Sora gloating caused Maleficent to scowl slightly but it faded quickly when she realized she would have her revenge.
She moved gracefully through her throne room, allowing her thoughts to consume her. She almost completely ignored her minion and their new guest. It wasn’t until she sat in her throne that she raised an eye brow to this new guest. She looked him up and down for a moment before turning her attention to Slade.
“I take it your trip was eventful?” she asked calmly.
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'An idle thought crossed through my mind. The last time such a gaze had been focused on me, I soon lost my wings and my vampiric life. Therefore, what would this sorceress attempt to inflict on me? What more would she try to take away? ...what more could I lose?'
'Though I would never admit it, I relaxed a fraction when her eyes looked away from me.'
The wraith, not immediately required to do anything, remained silent and almost sullen, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Maleficent in turn. She seemed to be the mastermind at this point, but she wasn't the one in possession of the Soul Reaver. Nor did she seem that interested in Raziel, yet. Both of these were a cause for relief, however slight, in the wraith.
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"It was," he said after a long pause, picking his words carefully. "This is Raziel, he is bound to this sword." He held up the Soul Reaver, offering it to her though he couldn't help but hope that she was the type of woman who didn't use weapons such as swords. "The Soul Reaver." Slade had a way of speaking that sounded confident though he wasn't entirely sure how the Soul Reaver and this creature were really connected.
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She looked back at Raziel, “ And what good are you exactly? Is there any reason we should keep you alive?” she asked calmly. She continued to eye him, considering what she could use him for. Her return was like a game and she needed to know exactly how to use her pieces to their full potential. The truth was that she had an idea for letting Sora know that she had returned, she just wasn’t sure these two would be the ones to pull it off.
Reply
'Did this witch truly think that she could control me? Or that I would answer her unless I had to? I would leave no doubt; this journey, though apparently of my own free will, was still a matter of being put in a different jail. And I refused to pretend any nicety to one who deserved nothing but my scorn and contempt.'
'I was Raziel, firstborn of Kain's lieutenants and the Reaver of Souls. I was no lapdog like the one who bore my doom, nor would I play that part. Let her make me bend my knees, if she dared it. I would not play any games she would not force me into.'
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His fingers clenched the sword in his hand. His Mistress was allowing him to keep it for now, so he would have to use it well. He would have to figure out it's secrets.
He watched Raziel behind his masked face. Any thoughts he had about the creature's silence were his alone.
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"If you are bound to that sword I would assume you are bound to the one who holds it." She said politely, she was a woman of class after all, and she really did dislike losing her temper. "The one who holds it, supposedly has loyalty to me. So the question is...what do I do with you?" She turned to her beloved Diablo and ran her slender finger across his wing as if he would give her the answer.
She sighed softly before turning once more to Slade, " I suppose you should destroy him then."
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The wraith derisively shook his head at the witch, and gestured to the blade. "Neither of you could 'destroy' me, in a true sense. Even the Soul Reaver doesn't have the power to completely free me from the shackles of this existence."
'And yet, the knowledge of what it could do made my voice shamefully weak...'
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"Despite that, having it trust into your body seemed to cause you a great deal of discomfort when we fought earlier." Though his voice was calm, as if he were merely going over the facts of their meeting, the intention was very clear.
Being destroyed wasn't the worse thing that could happen to a person, after all, even one such as Raziel. With his Mistress' cool, pure maliciousness and his twisted imagination, Slade was sure they could think of a way to make Raziel's existence if not miserable at least much more hassle than it was now.
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"Shall we move on to more important matters then?" she said slowly. "I want to let my young keyblade master know that I'm back." she smiled at that thought. Her plan was to let Sora know she was back in the worst possible way.
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'Nor did I like the inescapable feeling that I was the only one who did not know how closely bound I was to their will.'
The wraith looked away from the other two and stood silent, the way his claws clenched and released the only betrayal of his inner turmoil. For now, however, he was at the witch's mercy; even he had to admit that he was bested. For now.
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His thoughts rested on the Keyblade Master. He hadn't met the boy personally, even if Robin and the other Titans had fought by the child's side when he found themselves on their world. He frowned slightly but it was hidden by the mask.
"Do you have a plan, Mistress?" he asked, looking at the witch. He was careful not to put forward an opinion without being asked.
Reply
“This is our dear Keyblade Master.” She said calmly, and with a wave of her hand the image changed to images of a peaceful island village, “And this…this is our Keyblade Master’s home.” She stepped away from her staff and made her way to her throne. The little island was far too calm and peaceful for Maleficent’s liking. Sitting down she smiled and with another wave of her hand darkness seemed to consume the images of the island. Heartless every where, destroying everything and anyone in their way. The darkness choking everything good until finally… there was nothing.
Diablo squawked a few times before flying to his Mistress’ staff and catching it before it fell. He carried it to her and settled on her right shoulder. She placed her hand on him, as if to reassure him that he had done well. To truly test Slade’s loyalty Maleficent needed to know that he would do whatever she asked of him. She straightened herself in her chair and her facial features became serious, “I want you to destroy this place.”
Reply
'Was this the plan for my own world? Would Nosgoth suffer the same fate as that island village? I cared little for the plane which had inflicted such torment upon me, but destroying for another's sake reminded me of other times. Times that I would rather forget. Rather, I focused my attention on the inhabitants of the village; if they were doomed anyway, then I would satiate my hunger for souls, and bide my time before revealing that particular weakness.'
Remaining silent for now, Raziel stayed right where he was. If it was a task only for Slade, then Slade would do it alone. And if Raziel were to be forced to join, then the orders would soon be forthcoming.
Reply
"It would be my pleasure, Mistress," he said honestly. The Keyblade Master had been mildly annoying when he had come to his world, but destruction was something that he enjoyed.
That place was too peaceful anyway. They would have to change that.
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"Might as well take this one with you. See if he is of any use." she said over her shoulder as she left the room there was a sudden feeling in her dark heart, if you could really say she had a heart. A surge of darkness. Something was happening. Something “wrong” was happening. The dark sorceress stared boldly out a nearby window. There she saw the brilliance of hundreds of stars falling. Hundreds of stars streaking across the sky before each one died out. The dark figure stared at the stars fearlessly; even if the darkness became stronger she would not allow it to consume her. Not again.
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