ZOMBIE FORUMS

Malachi stared at the onyx dagger, twirling it mindlessly as he sat in the dust. Sometimes, he could see her reflection in the blade. He'd killed before. But, this was different.

Anubis was almost finished with his plan. The nekos were all but gone, and their remaining power was neglegible. All he needed was the Gate. He gave Malachi the dagger.

"Find the girl. Bring her soul to me in the dagger." Malachi nodded.

Sweat ran down his back as he sat in the clearing. He looked at the girl. Still unconscious. He turned back to the dagger. Finding her was trivial. The old man was slumped next to a tree before any of the three knew what was happening, and the monkey was unable to mount any sort of successful resistance. It, too, was lying in the forest. The girl, obviously not used to combat, could only scream before she too was knocked unconscious.

Malachi closed his eyes. That was hours ago, and he was too far away for any of her companions to be anywhere near them. "Idiots," he thought. "They still think Kitsune is the one who matters; he is

He thought of what could happen if he followed his orders. The girl's soul would be forever trapped in the Lock of the Gate. Hundreds of worlds would fall before the armies of Anubis. He would serve eternally as Anubis' enforcer, hunting down those who opposed the Death God.

His thoughts shifted to the consequences of disobedience. Malachi would die. The girl would still suffer until the end of time. The same people would still die.

Neither was very pleasant.

He stared at his left palm for a time. Slicing it with the dagger, he watched the drops of blood fall to the ground, the thick red liquid shimmering in the light.

He thought of alternatives. Anubis' armies would not be stable for long; their members would quickly turn on each other if they had no common enemy. And that meant that if there was no Gate, there would be no common enemy.

But Malachi knew that he was expendable. If he were to go rogue, Anubis would send the two Shadows after him, and since they now had the Blade, they would be remarkably effective.

The Gate could not be allowed to open, but he knew that he would die if he tried to stop it. He wondered when the girl would awaken, then tried to push it out of his mind. He had to damn her in order to save himself.

He tossed the blade from one hand to another.

(OOC: Blah! I'll explain it all eventually. And yes, I WILL post a character description eventually. And if I destroyed EVERYTHING YOU EVER HOPED FOR, well, cry me a river or talk to me about it.)

Kit-chan's mind swam. The last thing she remembered clearly was these demons--hardly like the Unseen she'd seen in past fights--coming out of nowhere and knocking out Icy then Michael, and then a thump on the back of her skull and then blackness.

And now, with the sensation of something sharp pressing against her chest, she began to awaken. Her eyes fluttered.

Standing over top of her, Malachi closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. She just had to wake up . . . just when he seemed to have gotten his nerve up. His fist tightened around the dagger, and he continued his work.

Kit-chan's eyes snapped open, widened, and she shrieked. Trembling fingers pushed the blade away, unfortunately causing another cut about 45 degrees to the left as the blade tore through the skin and fell to the side.

"ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod . . . WHAT'RE YOU DOING?!" Kit-chan shouted, her frightened mind too far gone to completely parse the situation. Her eyes wavered, and she tried scrambling away.

Malachi let out a sigh. "It would have been so much easier if you'd just stayed knocked out," he said. "I don't want to do this, you have to understand. But I have no choice but to follow what Anubis tells me to do."

"youjusttriedtokillme--he--he--there'samaninfrontofmewhojusttriedtokillme!!!" Kit-chan replied. She ran her hands through her hair, then again. She clutched at her head, shivering. Malachi just watched, torn between his natural impulses and his duties. Kit-chan began to cry.

Malachi remembered his own people reacting like this, when the demons attacked them for the first time . . . and then, when time had passed, when some of those people did the same to their own kind, their minds twisted from the magic they once used to protect their families. And he never forgot that it was Anubis who had taken his people from their homes and left them to survive in a world of demons. He tried to ignore the girl's sobbing. It was the only way. He reached for the dagger again.

"Why?" Kit-chan asked, voice husky. "Why are you doing this?" Her tear-filled eyes looked up, met his own eyes.

Malachi looked away. He had to remind himself that he wouldn't be killing her. He'd just be taking her soul. Sure, that wouldn't kill her. Or so Anubis said. "Because I have to," he said.

"What?" Kit-chan's voice cracked. "What could you possibly want from me?" Behind those frightened eyes, Kit-chan was fighting to keep from losing control and bawling all over again. She couldn't break down again. It was hard enough . . . Life sucked. "Why me? Why can't it be Dad?" she said, not really directing it towards Malachi.

Malachi thought back to his people, how they had been so happy when they'd developed interdimensional Gates to travel from universe to universe . . . and then, when they had used the many discoveries from their research beyond those Gates to discover a way to break Death's hold on humanity. And didn't Malachi ask Anubis the same question? "Why me?"

"Why you, indeed." Malachi picked up the dagger. "Because your soul is the Key. You are more closely intertwined with your father than anyone else alive or dead. If anyone can unlock the Gate, it's you. And because of that little fact, your life is forfeit and your soul must be taken from you."

Kit-chan's lower lip trembled. She bit down on it, eyes wide as saucers. "I'm just a kid . . . I'm not important--Hell, compared to Dad, I'm nothing . . . Why do you want to kill me so bad?"

Malachi hefted the dagger from hand to hand, noting its light weight for something of such great importance. "Because . . . well, I suppose it won't matter one way or another, will it? Even if I do kill you, Anubis is likely going to someday just kill my people, my family anyway. But at least, if I follow through with this, one of my people will survive to carry on the traditions. At least if I damn you for eternity, I can live for a little while longer." He laughed, entirely without mirth. "A good exchange, huh?" He paused, then balanced the dagger between his knees and his thumb. "No, I suppose it isn't. But I don't want to die." Malachi exhaled deeply. "You can understand that, right?" He looked at her, eyes full of sadness.

Kit-chan hugged her knees. She looked away. "yeah . . ." she said, barely audible above her breath. "Anubis will kill you and your family if I don't die, huh?" She trembled. "So . . . I know. Your family. Dad always said it's the most important thing a person has going for them." She began to cry, but stopped the tear at her cheek with a hand. "Tough choice. Life for life. Dad's made these decisions so easily before . . . but I'm just a teenager. I've never had to decide these things. Hell, I never had a tougher choice to make than what I would wear to school before! Why me?"

Malachi just stared at her, wishing there were another way. But he felt tied to Anubis' insane goals. He was expendable, all too easily killed.

"I don't know."

Kit-chan inhaled sharply, began rocking back and forth.

"This isn't fair," she whispered.

Then she looked up, met Malachi's eyes, and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

She let her arms to her side, straightened her legs, and bent her head down.

"Do it quickly. I won't let someone else die for my sake."

*H-Kat hurt.

He hurt all over. Both he and Wyldcard, his darker half, which seemed to thive on this sort of thing, we're hurt. His body was a mess, and he was unaware of where he was.

He reached out with his mind, trying despirately to find anything.*
_____________________________________________________________

*Ming's mind felt a connection. As much as she tried to shake it, as much as she tried to focus on Finding Kit, a voice played in the back of her mind.

Help me.....

The voice was familiar. She looked around, and saw nothing but black. Her friends were gone, she was somewhere she didn't know.

Help me... please...

"How? Who are you?"

You......

The voice rang out from nearly every direction. It was familiar.

"H-Kat? Where are you? Where am I?! We've got to find Kit!"

We have to find nothing, thin blood. You do. And it sickens me.

"What are you talking about? Is this another trick?! You're not going to trick me again! I'm not going to lose--"

Silence!

This time, the voice hurt. Not just the pain in her mind, but Ming felt the pain that was carried on it.

How did you hear me, thin blood? This train of thought is reserved for the pure.[i]

MiaoMing felt the blackness flood her mind, and pull away. She oddly felt aprehensive... somewhat violated.

"What was that?"

[i]I looked into your mind, thin blood. You are strong. Not one of us, but strong. Now I see why you must die.

"Die?!"

Yes, die. I am a pure blood. You don't know what that is.

"Stay out of my mind!"

Quiet, thin blood. You are taken from us, we will take what we want. You see, we, the Pure bred created you... things... as a way to cover our loses after the Genken decimated us in the War. You were a servitor class.

"What?"

You were ment to be our servents. You are stronger though. How... odd. Maybe it has to do with you being the first.

It doesn't matter. It's time you came and aided me anyways. I am hurt, and need you to tend to me.

"What? I can't! Kit needs me! I have to help hi--"

YOU DARE DEFY ME. FEEL THE POWER MY PURE BREED GIFTS ME WITH.

Pain shot through Mings very essence. Liquid fire ripped through her. Like one thought, it consumed her.

Bend, and I shall forgive you.

Her spirit was tired. She hurt, she was tired.

But she was not beaten.

"NOT... WITHOUT....KIT!"

The pain held still, then subsided.

I'm impressed, thin blood. Our scientists did well with you. Perhaps they made a mistake picking such a strongwilled thing as yourself for such an important role. Perhaps not.

Well. Maybe my task can wait for now. I am still alive, and so must be watched. Wait for now, thin blood. My killing you will only hurt our kinds.

Miao Ming could think of nothing to say. If these violations were brought before her, she could act.

These things, being fed to her mind hurt in a way most things couldn't. She cried.

Relax, Thin Blood. Go find your Kit. Save your child. Do what you must. Then come to me so I may judge you for your disobediance.

Ming was at a loss for words. By the time she could say anything, she heard a voice behind her.

'Ming! Wait up!' called Shinigami.

it was the same second that she had left, if she had left, and she was still running. Tired, but focused, she continued to run.

"Kit...."
_____________________________________________________________

H-Kat opened his eyes, and saw nothing but white light. A whipser excaped his mouth.

"Well, this is unpleasent."

-H-Kat
(OOC: What say you all. Better?)

Within a darkened room, Two figures were hunched over a table, facing each other in a deadlock of aggression,

"two pair" said one, a silent grin appeared from the other

"three of a kind"

"AW! fuckit!" announced Shadow-Ind as he threw down his deck and fell back into his chair "these rules suck, YOU SUCK!"

"whatever, just make it do it" Said Shadow-Ez as he pointed toward the mirror, which had two figures, one of Miao, and the other of Neb, each were in various stages of undress, Indigo snapped his fingers sulkily and Neb appeared in her underwear "aaaaaw, yeah!" goaded the Inu demon, "you're just pissed because losing"

"actually, I happen to be winning, it's just that by winning, i'm losing, you fuck" Ind snapped back, only to be replied with a sly snicker...

Ezelek, grabbed the cards and begun to shuffle and deal "two more losses and, we're gettin naked, ha haaa..." Indigo sighed as he looked at his deck, nothing spectacular, but that's just what he wanted in this game. Glancing at the vision of Miao, and then toward Ezelek's Blade, he began to ponder as he changed his cards for even worse ones "hey, do you think these swords are linked in anyway. I mean, yours takes souls, mine retrieves them.."

"hmm, never thought of that, but yeah, if we combined the power, it'd be pretty harsh"

"sweet, we need a name for it though"

"how....about....'Entwined Destiny Double Blade Dance of a Thousand Shadows'"?

Indigo Pondered as he shuffled his cards into some kind of order, cursing that he had better cards now, "fuckin'-A. Now all we need is a school uniform and some flower petals and we're set" he said, laying down a set

"shit, flush..." Ind smiled as yet more clothes vanished from the moving figure...

[OOC] To understand the conversation better, red is for Kuya and blue is for Kevin. [/OOC]

In a sparsely populated wood near a small village, a tall, furred figure ran swiftly through the trees. The night helped to hide his movements as he was followed by a squad of soldiers, chasing him in an APC. As the vehicle arrived at the edge of the wood, it stopped and 5 soldiers disembarked, followed by their leader. A bright spotlight was switched on and was sweeping the area. Their prey darted behind a thick tree, a mere 100 meters away, and stopped to check on his pursuers’ progress.

The voice of the commander blared over the loudspeaker. “Ok Kuroi-yajuu I know you can hear me. If you come out peacefully, we will bring you in unharmed, but if you don’t, we will respond with deadly force.”

*Heh, they must be getting desperate, they actually offered a surrender this time.*
*Don’t get too cocky, they still outgun us by at least 5 to 1.*
*Stop trying to ruin my fun*

Kuroi-yajuu spun around the trunk and aimed both of his M9’s in the direction of the spotlight. Four shots flew from his barrels, shattering the light and gunning down a soldier. Before the spent casings could hit the ground, Kuya was already running past his initial hiding place and finding new cover behind another tree several meters away. As he got behind it, a blazing bolt of white light streaked through the first tree. The base of the trunk shattered, sending a shower of splinters to follow the projectile and leaving a significant sized hole in the middle of the tree.

*Ah shit, these guys must really want us dead if they’re going to risk using chi shots near a populated area.*

Kuya ran as fast as he could, knowing that cover would be useless now. He tried to put as much distance between himself and the soldiers, hoping that he could lose his pursuit. A large impact in the middle of his back made him lose his footing and he fell down a slight slope. When he stopped rolling, he was flat on his back, unable to get up. He lifted his head to assess the wound but felt dismal as he saw a hole large enough to fit his open hand in the middle of his chest. Gazing at the bloody opening, he could see his severed spinal cord and knew he finally lost.

*Heh, amateurs. They missed my heart, only grazed it.*

As he lay on the ground, he heard the soldiers approach, knowing he couldn’t stop them. He felt despair envelop him as he understood his inevitable fate.

One of the soldiers remarked “Sir, it looks like he’s dying and he’ll probably be dead within a few minutes.”
“It’s not our problem anymore, let the techs worry about it. We did our job, now bag him and let’s go.” The commander replied.

Kuroi-yajuu heard no more as his senses faded away along with the red glow of his eyes, until he could find nothing around him but darkness. Slowly, his mind shut down and his consciousness began to wither, and then he was no more.

Suddenly, awareness rushed over him like an avalanche as he could sense everything around him once more. The shock caused him to bolt up from the ground, as if he had awoken from some nightmare. As memories of what had happened filtered through his hazy mind, he was filled with apprehension as he checked his body. He found that he was in human form once more and that the wound had disappeared, with no trace of its existence.

*Was it all a dream*
*Not by a longshot, I still remember having a gaping hole in my chest.*
*Damn it, you’re still here!?*
*Yep, you can’t get rid of me that easily. It seems that not even death can separate us.*
*So where the hell are we?*
*How should I know? I had more important things on my mind, such as my imminent death.*

Relieved yet annoyed, Kevin paused to look at his surroundings. It seemed to be late afternoon, with the last of the sun’s rays peeking over the horizon. He was in a dark wood, but different from the last one. Here, he felt slightly afraid, as if something was watching him. In the distance, Kevin could see the outline of a castle and thought that he may be able to find answers there. Kuya was sleeping, so it appeared that the decision was his to make. His checked his gear, finding everything in order, and began a long walk to the castle.

Gruff turned to Neb, Well young lady I have a job for you…don’t worry, I will help you with your quest but here is what I need you to do….”

After finishing with Neb’s instructions He turned to more pressing matters. Walking through the halls and rooms of his home he at last came to his destination, just before the appointed time. Stepping inside the Darkened room he waited a brief moment for his eyes to adjust before moving to the Altar in the far corner, there he lit several tall candles, who’s flames burned the purple of hellfire. Fal’ki took a seat on a small pedestal before the Altar and closed his eyes in concentration. Moments later he felt his mind reach out across the vast spaces of limbo, one by one he felt the minds of his commanders all across Anubis’ holdings. He then conveyed their orders; that they should make ready, the time they had been waiting for may only be weeks, maybe days away. That now was their time, the plans would come to fruit, and they would all be greatly rewarded.

GOM then turned shifted his focus to more distant lands, the lands of Anubis’ enemies. There he made contact with the lord of those lands.

“I will be soon prepared for your plans, when you are ready and willing, so shall we be.”

“That is very good Fal’ki, I see that it was not a mistake to enter into contract with you and your men. We will be ready, the portal is a threat to us all, that power can not remain in Anubis’ hands.”

“Remember your part of the deal.” responded Gruff. “and indeed this will be a profitable arrangement for us both.”

With this exchange Gruff returned to reality, his eyes opened. Then he gazed at the Altar a moment through the smoke that filled the room, he touched the cold stone and uttered a quick prayer before blowing out the candles and leaving the room.

Gruff walked into the Dim light of the Parade grounds, and looked at his men as they went about their tasks. Where they ready? He hoped Grey’s mission would pan out well, that might just give them the edge they would need, Gruff smiled to himself before turning towards the tower in the east end of the base.

“Mages to ME!” his voice boomed across the base loudly…

"Y'know..." Shadow-Ez through down a hand, nothing but junk. "Couldn't you just wave you hand, and make all their clothes vanish?" Shadow-Ind looked up, cursing under his breath, throwing down two pair.

"Yeah..." He replied, gathering up the card, waving a hand at the mirror, removing Nebula's bra. "But where would the fun be in that..." His companion wasn't actually listening, so fixed upon the now bare breasts that were presented before him, red eyes glowing pervertedly. "...." Dealing out the cards, Indigo made sure that he gave Ezelek a winning hand and himself all junk, before trying to get the Unseen's attention again. "Ez. Ez. EZ!"

"What!?" Ezelek turned his head and snapped angrily, the shadow-inu-ears flattening down in an agressive manner.

"New hand, you idiot. No need to menstruate." He would've rose an eyebrow, if he had them anymore, when the once Inu stood up, throwing his cards down, stalking over to the Mirror. "What're you doin'? Just play the damn hand so we can get them naked, then we'll spend some time watchi-" He was cut off as Ez drew his Blade, the Mark of the Chosen.

"They resonate... my sword and yours. They are entangled with the weave of destiny. Why then, can you command the Mirror, and I cannot!?" He snarled out, bringing his weapon to bear on the seeing portal, slamming the blade against the rippling surface.

"Now look what you did!" The images of Miao and Nebula faded away, to be replaced with a reflection of themselves. "... I don't wanna get naked to myself, y'hear?" But Ezelek didn't respond, his red eyes widening... As the images stepped through the Mirror and into the real world.

"Hello, brothers." They chimed out, and Ezelek began to laugh, as Indigo and the Mirror-Shadows looked on. Perfect... SO PERFECT!

Dark Setyuna sat on the other end of the parade fields, her eyes trained on the ground, her Shadow Klan sprawled out around her. The ambient ground bustled with the retreat of mages, and her old employer, as he finished speaking to his mages and stepped across the span toward them. Every pair of black eyes rose to meet his as Gruff paused before her. She glanced up a bit later…

“Fal’ki.”

She nodded as he spoke the order. Her Shadow Kahn were to retrieve a band of ‘Crusaders’ that had the misfortune to stumble across the cursed realm. Dark grinned up at him. “Oh Fal’ki. I missed you so.” She snickered, exaggerating her enthusiasm at having to stroll along Anubis’ land. “You never let me stay and relish your company, sir. But that’s alright. We’ll go into the dark forest for you, for our earnest love never wanes.”

Her Shadow Kahn stood, displaying no humor or dissent … or any emotion at all to their leader’s bantering. She stumbled upwards a second later.

“We will be back momentarily. Granted … those moments may draw out a bit.” Emerald irises scanned the parade grounds one last time before she gave a curt nod. The ninjas vanished.

The small band of expatriates continued to fight bravely against the dwindling number of unseen. Even with the shadow demon’s numbers significantly lowered, the advantage was still in the corner of the little monstrosities. The slightly worried looks on the expat’s faces denoted as much.

As time progressed, the small group of warriors seemed to find themselves coming closer and closer together, forced back my the cackling unseen. Before long, the small group found themselves shoulder to shoulder.

“Hey, I think he’s waking up!” Angel cried, watching H-Kat slowly make his way to his feet.

“About damn time!” Shin exclaimed as he dodged yet another slash of demon claws.

Wren illuminated the area with another blaze.

“Hurry up Kat, we could use your help here!” Shin demanded.

As Shin’s statement drew to a close, the air was suddenly pierced by an array of silver. The expats continued to fight on as unseen after unseen fell victim to razor-sharp shurikens. Within moments, figures sped around the expats, dispatching multiple shadow beast., appearing as mere streams blurs to the naked eye. The battle quickly turned in favor of the expatriates. In a few minutes time, not a single unseen was left alive.

The expatriates turned their attention to the numerous figures that now stood before them. Seven seemingly inhuman, seemingly dead to emotion. All seven clad in black from head to toe. Suddenly attention shifted to the girl who stood in the middle of the monochrome figures. She looked to be in her late-teen, early twenties. Her reddish-brown hair danced in the breeze, and unlike the others, she was dressed only in grey.

Wren suddenly returned to her human form.

“Wow, thanks for the help back there,” she said to statue-like figures.

“No thanks are necessary. I am Dark, Setyuna, leader of the shadow clan, and a messenger for Lord Fal'Ki. He kindly request that you join him for dinner, and I’ve been sent to escort you.”

“Whoa there…er…Dark was it? Don’t take this the wrong way, but we’ve had more than are fare share of problems with shadows thus far, so I hope you don’t mind if we don’t accept this invitation with open-arms,” Angel said sarcastically, still sweating from the previous battle with the unseen.

“You have nothing to worry about, we are not under the employment of Anubis. Quite the opposite really. Fal’Ki wishes to speak with all of you over dinner. There you will be safe from Anubis’s legions,” Dark responded.

“Who exactly is this Fal’Ki?” H-Kat questioned, “And why the hell are you lookin’ at me like that Shin?!”

“Hmmm, oh it’s nothing,” the death god answered, “But anyways, he’s right. Who’s this Fal’Ki you keep talking about?”

“…A friend,” Dark said with a smirk, “Either way, I’m sure you’ll want to join us. Lord Fal’ki aspires to rid this pathetic realm of the unseen. I’m quite sure that you’re all in agreement that they need to be destroyed.”

The expats looked at each other, all sharing the same sentiments.

“Okay, we’ll be happy to join you, but you’d better not try anything.” Shin said.

“We wouldn’t think of it. By the way, you’ll be happy to know that your friend Miao is just fine.” Dark said with a slight smile.

Each of the expatriates were overcome by surprise.

OOC: Yeah, just tell me if anything needs to be changed ^_^ /OOC

"Yea," Angel added as she reached into her jacket and grabbing a fresh magazine each of her smoking handguns, agreeing with Shinigami's sentiment. "You try to play any games, and you'll be gagging on a bullet." With a threateningly loud click she reloaded the guns.

"Understand?" She slid the guns back into the inside of her jacket, and tested the knives that had been laying dormant. Flicking her hands up in the air, one appeared in either hand, spinning vertically in her palm without so much as scratching her skin. Satisfied, they disappeared back into her sleeves, and she trudged on along after the expatriates and this Dark character, bringing up the rear.

"This is perfect" Shadow-Ez crooned to the Mirror, "we, we could make an army, A perfect army, not like his inept minions"

"This tips the balance in our favour..." Indigo looked over his shoulder into pure black, seemingly observing something "they're plotting something, I can see it, we need to move!"

"No!" Ez barked at Indigo, "If we have this army we can do what we want when we want" As he said this more copies walked out of the Mirror. Indigo watched the slow flow of himself come out, reached down and touched his silver arm "it's winning, you know" Ezelek, didn't say anything "I need to be sure, the god, Shinigami, he's my best shot. You." he pointed at the first mirrorling that arrived, "come with me, he's good, and I could use the backup"

"You need backup?" Ezelek jeered

"You’re the one that wants the army" he retorted. Ezelek smiled. "I'll be back soon, keep 'em coming, they'll be handy" Indigo and his mirror saluted in unison before they disappeared, all the other Indigo's saluted back.

~

The Expatriates were following their new shadow friend in a half formed line, looking around for others that may be friend or foe. Suddenly, Setyuna turned 180º looking straight back at the expats in a fighting stance, the Expats, taken by surprise all readied their arms and assumed offensive positions themselves, Setyuna did not move, instead, indicating with her head directly behind them. They turned to see Shadow-Indigo, standing a short distance behind them, staring at them all.

Shinigami glared back, "what do you want?" he growled quickly glancing around "and where is Ezelek?!"

Unmoved, he replied, "Brother is busy, but I feel his stand in will do" at this moment, Indigo's mirror walked into view from behind him to be met by a few gasps

"Now death god, we'll see who you really are" Indigo said as he stepped forwards, Shinigami re-holstered his guns and stepped up as well, as they neared each other, Wren cannoned forward changing into her dragon form and readied to burn Indigo, Shin quickly moved into her path and she stopped, barely avoiding contact, "this is between him, and me" he whispered to her, Wren nodded, and stepped back. Turning to the Shadow, he continued forward, drawing his scythe from the depths of nowhere, he asked "Do you really think you can win, I've sent thousands like you to their hell, you'll just be another"

"No death god, not like me" Indigo reached behind his shoulders and drew pulled the sheathed katana that was held by his tendrils "and not with this"

Shinigami stared at the blade, "when...where did you get that?"

"I'm glad you recognise it, let's see if it'll work on you!" Indigo leaped forward and with a lightning quick slash, attacked the death god.

Shinigami, blocked the first blow with the handle of his scythe "shit" he thought to himself, "how can he hold that weapon, it should be eating his soul!" He readied himself for a counter attack, then noticed the detail which hadn't clicked, "his arm, it's infected with.." he spun the scythe and brought it up in an upper sweeping motion, Indigo blocked with the sheath and spun to unleash another slash "and he keeps it sheathed...that won’t protect him for long" Shinigami found some comfort "This battle it going to be easier than I thought" As the nano thin blade came arcing round, Shinigami trapped the katana on the floor with the blade from his scythe and brought the butt of the handle down on Indigo.

Dropping himself on the floor and rolling to the side, but still holding on to the blade, Indigo narrowly avoided the blow. Using his momentum, he picked himself up in the same motion and brought his heel around to the back of Shinigami's head. The death god fell forward but managed to steady himself.

"This is a good work out, are you actually going to do anything interesting?" Shinigami goaded.

With a neat click, Indigo sheathed the blade, "well, we could always double the fun..."

Shinigami realised just in time what he meant and dodged to the side as Indigo's mirror came crashing down with a loud boom, a small fissure appeared in the ground where his fist landed. Standing the mirror advanced quickly towards shin's right, as Indigo came from his left. Assuming a stance, Shinigami quickly brought up the butt of the scythe and connected with the mirrors chin, the mirror flew upwards. Following through with the movement, he brought the scythe blade to meet Indigo, only to lock with the blade "this is familiar" shin said

"Yes, let's see how it would have turned out" Indigo replied with a silky dark tone on his voice. The two tussled slightly before Shinigami twisted his scythe, disengaging the Sword from Indigo's grip, Shinigami then lanced the scythe into the chest of Indigo, he doubled over, then flipped backwards.

Shinigami, panted slightly, as he observed Indigo. The shadow clutched his torso with his silver hand, looking over to the blade, the tendrils on his back snaked over to it, picked it up, resheathed it then tucked the blade on his back again. Standing up, Indigo looked back at the god. Shinigami smiled and turned to the mirror, which was again advancing, drawing out a colt, he shot at it. The mirror guarded itself with it's own silvery arm, causing the bullets to ricochet off, Surprised by this, Shinigami, kept firing until it came near enough, he swiped across the shadow with the scythe.

"You should really check to see if the people you have working for you are up to the job,” Shinigami said as the mirror disappeared amidst its own screams.

"This was just a test death god, you and I both know you will not be the one to send me. My true time has not come"

Shinigami glared at the Shadow "next time, you WILL be killed,” he cursed through gritted teeth

"Next time? HA HA HA" the shadow laughed aloud. Turning back to Shinigami, his voice was filled with hatred that shuddered the souls of all that heard it "you passed, be glad, next time, I will come to kill you."

And with that he disappeared.

~

The darkened room was thronging with copies and mirrors of the two original Shadows.

"They’re not quite us, less refined"

"No that it matters, they'll be able to do what we want"

"Indeed. He wasn't the one."

"I see"

"Our time runs short, he'll make his move soon, and all this will have been for nothing"

"Don’t worry, we'll find him..."

Malachi looked at the girl. She trembled slightly as he adjusted his grip on the dagger. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear.

"I'm sorry."

In one swift motion, he slashed the ancient weapon across her throat.

Blood splashed across her shirt as she fell backwards. Malachi stepped back and turned around, unwilling to watch what he had done. Kit-chan convulsed on the dusty earth, until after what, to Malachi, seemed like an eternity, she lay still.

After her death, she woke.

She opened her eyes to find herself in an empty void. She could see herself, but there was nothing else.

Then, there was Malachi.

She scrambled to her feet and ran to him. She threw her arms around him and hugged him, feeling reassured by the presence of something remotely familiar.

"Why are you here? What's going on? Where am I? Where's Dad?" she said quickly, burying her head in his chest.

"Calm down, Kit-chan. However, I am not Malachi." he replied.

So that's his name, she thought. But then the full meaning of the statement hit her. She jumped back from him and looked at him, scared out of her mind.

"But--but you look--"

"Be quiet. I use this form for a time. That is all. It is my policy that I only appear as those that serve me. Whether they realize it or not." She looked at him, completely baffled. "You are familiar with the gods of this existence. Anubis, for one. In actuality, they are not important. Tools, at best."

"Then... who are you?"

"I am the one who created this realm. These planes, Limbo, all of it. I am a god, perhaps the God. I brought you here, albeit indirectly, because I need you. Or, more precisely, you need to know what I am about to tell you. Malachi told you part already--you are the Key to the Gate. However, there is more. Limbo is dying. The balance of power would never have been so radically disrupted if Limbo were healthy."

Kit-chan stared at him, slack-jawed. "I... I just want to go home..." she whimpered.

The image nodded at her. "That's exactly what you need to do. Go to Earth."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(WOOH! CONTINUITY BREAK!)

Malachi looked at the girl's fallen body. There was no blood--the dagger had absorbed it all. He sighed and picked up the blade. It was over. Everything that Malachi had subtly worked for during his period of servitude had come to naught. He had failed.

"Malachi."

He turned. No one there. Just the fallen girl.

"Malachi. Something's about to happen. Let it happen. Don't fight it." It was undoubtedly the girl's voice; how she knew his name was beyond him.

"What's going on...?" he asked aloud, his voice slightly trembling with his sudden fear.

It came upon him at once. Every nerve in his body went berzerk. The pain was unfathomable; then, as fast as it had come, it was gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kitsune shot up in his cell. He knew instantly that something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.

Llach-Miao jogged on, trying to wrap her brain around H-Kat's words. Thin blood? Pure blood? And the pain... She shook her head. It didn't matter now. She had to focus on Kit... because Kit was what mattered... She stumbled, and fell to her knees, panting. Haven't run like that in a long, long while... not since Tiffany had her worst bout of PMS yet... She clutched a stitch in her side, then forced herself back up to her feet and continued jogging. She was almost at the castle... almost... Llachwen flared and went out as Miao lost her grip on Llachwen's mentality, and she didn't notice in her haze of exhaustion.

"Uhngh!" Miao tumbled backwards and landed hard on her back. "Owww..." She shook her head and blinked at the person she ran into, an Asian male. There was something strange about him... he got up wordlessly and made as if to continue towards the castle. "Wait!" Miao cried out. "Who... what..."

The man stopped and turned, Miao stretched out and touched his hand lightly, and suddenly, the world went blindingly white.

OOC: Fuckit, bad or not, up it goes. GOM, they're yours.

Kevin turned back when the woman called out to him. She seemed like she knew where she was going so he decided to give her a hand and ask her some questions. She reached up and took his hand, and then fell to the ground in a daze.

*Damn, she must have hit her head harder than I thought.*
*I’m surprised that you didn’t see her coming. The land’s pretty flat, and she’s a flaming catgirl. Some soldier you are. A fanatic wildly firing a machine gun would have a harder time sneaking up to you then she would.*
*Will you just shut up? Come on, we’re taking her to the castle with us, maybe she can get some help while we get some answers.*

Kevin picked up the woman from the ground and carried her along as he continued his walk to the castle.

"We have lost our lock onto the Cat Girl sir." the mage reported.

Even in the darkness of the tower He could see the man's frantic eyes glances left and right, avoiding his own.

"That is very bad for you." Gruff's voice cut the air like a knife.

"I hope for your sake, you have more to tell me then that." he continued.

The mage nodded his head with vigor. "Yesir, Yesir,...At the time we lost the girl we picked up another signal that over took her's, and is now moving along her old path of travel."

Gruff paused thinking....

"Well no matter, Target the New signal, If He doesn't have her He will at least know what happened."

The Mage bowed and returned to his place on the summoning Circle, he and his brother Mages started their chant...calling out across Limbo. The Air filled with swirling mists, and the dark corners deepened into Abysmal blackness. Gruff smiled as the runes on the floor came aglow with power, and began to shift and rotate. As the spell completed The room was filled with blinding white light, as the light faded two figures became apparent. What looked to be a young human was holding a limp Neko in his arms.

"Well, well well..." Gruff began..."What do I have here."

Kevin glanced about in confusion, one minute he was walking to that Castle now he was in a darkned room with a bunch of men in black Robes and this strange old man.

"Where am I!?" he asked in a shakey voice.

"My Estate in this cursed place." Gruff responded.

"Now if you will kindly turn over that girl to me, she is my honored guest...you are not."

Kevin gently set down the catgirl on the ground.
*We’re dead. We’re in over our heads and these guys look like they’ll take any excuse to kill us. I think our only chance is to surrender.*
*Come on! Let me take over and I’ll get us out alive, and make them regret bringing us here.*
*We can’t take the chance. We don’t know what kind of reinforcements he has and he doesn’t seem like a guy who leaves much to chance. Besides, we can’t just leave her.*
*Fine, but at the first sign that they’ll kill us, I take control, deal?*
*Agreed.*
As he got back to his feet, he put his hands up.
“I surrender. But before you lock me away somewhere, can I be assured that she will get some help? She passed out a while back and she doesn’t look ok.”

Gruff nodded at Kevin.

"Very well, a smart move, as soon as I figure out who you are and have you checked out I'll let you go." Gruff began.

"But for now I am going to have to ask you to go with these, gentlemen."
Gruff said, jestering to two massive Rad Troopers. WHo each clamped a fist on Kevin's arm and led him out.

"But what about her!?" Kevin asked over the Troopers bulky arm.

Gruff turned.

"Don't worry about her, she will be well taken care of."

After Kevin had been escorted to holding. He turned to his Mages.

"She seems ot have over loaded her guardian link sir." one said.

"Yes we have seen conditions like this before." chimed in a second.

"However she should come around soon." said the a third.

Gruff chuckled.

"Very Well then, have her brought to the house, clean up these scratches. Make sure she comes around by the time our other guests arrive."

"I want to know who was responsible for guiding us in."

"Yes sir, I.."

"Don't break radio silence... I'm talking about when we return"

The APC's had not long been left behind, their drivers speeding back toward's Fal'ki's stronghold, leaving Grey to walk in to observe and spy.

But not on this strange group. The small cystal Grey held in his hand pointed toward's them of course but the trio he had expected was replaced by a gaggle of the 'crusader' types... and some others..

Grey peered through the binoculars.... Darksetyuna... another of Fal'ki's pawns. Grey allowed a slight grin to pass over his face.

"And she brought her little ninja posse as well"

As Grey continued to watch, he saw Darksetyuna turn her head and glare directly at him.

"Hmmph...observent pet..."

Grey and his platoon has followed the shadows, the creatures swirling past them overhead and aside them, showing no interest except for what lay at their destination.

The sounds of combat and flashes of light had lit the area long before the undulating terrain had allowed Grey to see the group. From a distance he saw the end of some clash between two figures... one of which simply disapeared after a short pause.

And now... Darksetyuna knew that he was there, though she made no idication to those around her.

"I'm making a discision... we're going to make contact"

"Sir... is that wise?"

"This is not this H-Kat creature we were supposed to be guided to, nor his companions. Thats one of our fellows with them"

"Sir.... that type is known for treachery"

"I am aware... Fal'ki was not keen on her employment... but I vetted the papers myself. I'll invest enough trust right now to say that contact would not be hostile"

Grey ordered his men up and they strod across the distance between themselves and the other group. Darksetyuna and her ninja continued to stare, and other heads began to turn toward them as they came closer. Grey couldn't help but notice the less than friendly expressions on the faces of the 'crusaders' as he and his platoon approached.

'This will be a merry jig indeed' Grey thought to himself 'Let us see if these types can be talked into being an assest rather than a hinderance'

The Shadow disappeared. That was a plus. But the arrival of Grey and his own ‘gang’ seemed to cancel out Dark’s delight. Now she was fighting to hold an impression of apathy while ignoring the commander to the best of her ability. Her Shadow Kahn, positioned along the line of Crusaders, were doing a much better job than she ever could.

Without waiting for the platoon to join them, she spun on her heel and continued on to the Estate, glaring at the charred fields beneath her feet … knowing fully well that they were about to catch up with them anyway.

A few minutes later, Commander Grey and Dark were striding side-by-side, much to the ninja’s disgust. Her Shadow Kahn could make the trip from Anubis' land to the Estate in mere moments …to create a greater distance between herself and the platoon leader … but her charges walked a bit slower than she would have liked.

“Go away.” She stated blankly, still glaring at the ground.

The platoon of thirty circled around her small group, walking along the outside of her ninjas … who were not concerned by this in the least. Grey scowled. “I wouldn’t waste my time unless I had to talk to you.”

Did she care? Not a bit. “Go away.” she repeated.

“Are you going to listen to me or do I need to communicate via morse code on your skull?"

“Tell me later.”

Grey's eyebrow twitched slighty. What was it about these godforsaken places that attracted the most crazed and disorderly nutcases? Grey, by some effort managed to keep the irritation out of his tone as he tried to get Darkyetsuna's attention again.

"You know, Fal'ki was against hiring you, so were the mages. I vetted your approval. How about you prove me right and co-operate with me"

"Co-operate. Well, much as I must thank you for my employment, stalkerboy, nothings going to make me 'co-operate' with you"

Grey instantly became just that little bit less calm. He noticed the crusader types glaring at him as they walked onward to the estate, but none of them had spoken to him yet.

Grey was about to fire off a verbal salvo when a thought strike him. The APC ride had taken a good half hour.... yet they were a mere quarter of an hour away from the estate on foot...

Grey cursed and muttered "We were lead around in a circle..." to himself savagly. Darksetyuna turned her head and glanced at him as he pulled out a small cystal on a chain and held it up. The crystal was dull and lifeless and swung too and fro from the chain as they walked.

Grey swung his head around and whispered to Darksetyuna, finally having her attention. "Someone lead us here, someone is watching. Someone damn well knows we're helping these crusader types now"