The Second Night of Golden Hope [EVERYONE]

Exitium cackled as he watched the tower being to fall, hearing voices of despair on either side. The clan, because they'd been played, and had to watch so many innocents die. Those in the tower, because they were forced to realise what kind of purpose they had. Bait, nothing more. But then it all stopped, and even Exitium was a bit surprised over that power. He recognised the white mist that had made a rag-doll out of Exitium in the fight in Paludem, and his eyes turned to glare at Akvan. Though, Exitium's frustration wasn't very long. He'd planned for Akvan to do something to make himself weak, but the King only wished the boy had waited a bit. But that image, Exitium knew it was perfect. Weak, shaking, bleeding... everything Exitium wanted to see in the one enemy he was supposed to 'fear'. Exitium just let the clan run by, knowing all they did was add to the future body count as they flowed into the tower in attempt to rescue everyone. Exitium chuckled, glancing to his Dracomancer sons, and nodding to them. He didn't need them right now, taking up land space, best leave them to do what they needed to do, until Exitium requested help. 
Exitium lurked around the outside of fights going on, thirsty eyes not leaving Akvan, and his rather amusing choice of 'protector'. It was simply perfect that Chester of all would stay so close to Exitium's target, perhaps she herself could adapt into a prop for Exitium's upcoming plan. Finding a nice opening, Exitium slivered around others, finally coming face to face with his target, with only the weak Demon girl between them. Though, she was easily brought out of the equation, for now. Exitium dodged a few feeble attempts to keep him at bay, sending spikes of red mist to impale anyone too close. For Chester, however, Exitium's developed his magic into a left arm, and copied Flood's techniques in the last fight, using this magic-created limb to wrap around and force Chester on the ground. That was far too easy. And perhaps Akvan knew it would be so, there was fear mixed with pain and concentration on that pathetic face of his. Exitium smirked, "Do you know.... it's been so long since I was last here... in fact, the last time I came to Baransu tower, was to murder your brother." Exitium stated, edging closer. "It was such a delightful evening, though I'm sure Chester can vouch for that, can't you, my Demon daughter?" Exitium mused, tightening the grip around the 'Demon' woman. 
Exitium hummed, beginning to move to Akvan's side, before slyly setting down Oblivia magic over the man's feet, making sure even in his current state, there would be no way Akvan could even move. Plus, for added bonus, the red mist was partially corrosive, so should probably relieve Akvan of his lower legs soon enough. Exitium chuckled quietly, stopping to grin towards his toy. "You know... I've just remembered a deal that I made with the late Onrah, a deal concerning you, my dear boy." Exitium stated, before pacing back in front of Akvan. He then focused on Chester for a moment, smirking as she continuously struggled against him. Show time, and her role was about to emerge. Exitium loosened the Oblivia magic's grip around her, only to weave around to her back, and sink in to control the tragic girl. Leaving the Oblivia magic to relay instructions that Exitium had mentally sent to Chester, he returned his malicious smirk to Akvan. "I promised him, that whatever I'd done to him... as soon as I got the chance, I would do the same to you... and I can't just break a promise like that, can I?" With that, Exitium went quiet, although remained with a grin on his face, as he waited for his little show to begin. 

It was hard to focus on anything else, when Akvan needed to concentrate everything into keeping the magic flowing around the tower. His breathing was heavy, and already every breath felt so thick and useless. He should have prepared for this, spent the last few weeks training his magic to work again, rather than sulking around being depressed and hopeless. But, as Akvan had already decided, this magic would not falter, not until his entire body had been consumed. Because no one innocent was going to die on Akvan's behalf, and he was very adamant about that. Watching everyone go, Zuura leading the movement, Akvan wanted to smile, if he could. Zuura knew what was going on, and what Akvan knew would probably happen to him for doing this. This, even to the point of Akvan stopping the tower, was set up and planned by Exitium. Because he wanted a situation in which Akvan was alone, and without defence again. A few stayed, but Akvan couldn't shout out for them to leave him again, only glance around as they fought to keep him safe. Gensho remained around, though Akvan only saw the blur of his brother moving quickly through crowds of Demons. Akvan wasn't unsettled by his brothers help, knowing even a half Kyuban like Gensho was better off fighting. But what did upset Akvan, and caused a small ripple in his magic, was Chester deciding to help as well. Akvan's weighted eyes widened when she came closer. His head shook slowly, barely even noticeable. "C-chester no! H-h-help the others! For.... for once... j-just f-forget about me!" Akvan ordered, as loud as his broken voice could go, eyes staring towards Chester, begging her to get as far away as she could. He needed her to realise that, as much as it felt good to know Chester was willing to protect him, she'd be doing the opposite by being close. For Exitium already had eyes set on Akvan, and anyone in his way would be removed. And Akvan didn't want to be forced to see that. 

There were some shouts in the crowd, and Akvan's breath shuddered when he saw that blood red mist again. Exitium was crawling closer and closer. Akvan's head shook, body shivering and hands deforming completely. He knew he was probably done for now, and Akvan was alright with that, so long as it was only him. But now, Chester was involved, the Sun child couldn't just stand and watch. But he also couldn't move. The Demon King began his usual talk. Words that he knew burned into others, but seemed to purr like it was sweetness to say. Akvan felt sick, being forced to think of how Onrah looked, that night. What this... monster did to him. And that was before Exitium had his mind mixed with Shinda's. Akvan couldn't imagine what two malicious minds combined would thing of. Akvan never wanted this man near Chester again, not since the last fight, so it broke him to see how easily Exitium made both of them into nothing but toys. Akvan's head was fixed mostly forwards, so he could only feel the burning sensation around his feet. It started softly, before it felt like needles were embedded into his legs, slowly tearing skin apart. Akvan couldn't focus on that, and had to keep pain at bay, or else let the tower fall. He swallowed a few breaths, trying not to let Exitium get to him. Until the tower was cleared, Akvan couldn't let anything distract him. And soon... that became a very hard thing to do. Avoiding the pain in his legs, Akvan never caught Chester moving, nor what had happened to her. But then, something punched Akvan in his back, forcing his breath out violently. His stomach rippled in pain, which very soon exploded in a chain of uncontrollable, thundering strikes of pain after pain. He couldn't breath, let alone scream out and release the boiled up suffering. Akvan coughed out so much blood, his head dropping forwards. The ground shook, as Akvan's magic began deteriorating rapidly, and his dying eyes gazed down at what had gone through his stomach. Or rather, who had gone through. Seeing the hand, wielding a small knife, Akvan thought his blood-deprived mind was going mad, but it was confirmed as the arm retracted from his chest. Akvan coughed more, unable to lift his head, or even collapse, as his legs were moulded to the ground. But his eyes could move just enough to see a blur of Exitium, and... Chester at his side. Warm blood dropped onto the ground, dripping from everywhere on Akvan now. Every breath whistled through Akvan, empty and useless. His arms shook as the bones inside were crushed from magic, and Akvan's stomach was nothing but a bubble of pain. This... this was what Onrah had to put up with, as he fought Exitium to keep everyone safe. The ground stopped shaking, and the corroding line of magic became strong again. That's right... Onrah never gave in, he had this pain once, and still managed to be a hero. Akvan continued to breath, trying to find strength from it to remain awake. "O...Onrah..." Came an almost silent voice from Akvan. "G-Gensho... Chester... N-Nanari... Zuura... Hada... L-Labari... Mo..." Akvan's voice slurred, eyes closed as he focused on everyone. All those who believed in him, who cared for him, keeping this weak, dying little hero from falling unconscious and losing control of the tower.

Note: Ningen, Hane and Ikiru are NPCs. 

It wasn't an easy day. Or one Kaku was likely to forget any time soon. First hearing the news of what Exitium had planned for the Mun Clan, then going to Aura to look for help, then... that, then having Ningen go over a plan, and now to flying towards Baransu above the clouds on a ship packed full of Angels. Kakushin stared off the side, hoping that everyone was holding up. Rurushu knew the Angel wouldn't be there to begin with, going to look for backup in Aura instead of simply going into the fight unprepared. And although he hated leaving Ru and the others alone for this fight, Kakushin was made clearly aware why he'd made a good choice. Ikiru sat, legs off the side of the ship, humming to himself as if ignorant to everything going on. The usual, really. Other Angels were all on edge, looking for a last minute sword practise or collectively wondering what kind of dangers they'd face. Hane hovered behind Kaku, annoying the Angel to no end, though Kakushin knew it was much more annoying for Hane himself than it would ever be for Kakushin. Smiling over that fact, Kaku almost didn't notice Ningen approaching. The boy seemed flustered and overworked, but still stopped to bow his head first before speaking. "We're in position overhead now, ready to go when you are, y-your majesty." Kakushin chuckled a little, unable to hear that royal address without wanting to laugh in disbelief. Patting Ningen's shoulder, Kakushin made tracks for a different part of the ship, obviously with Hane on his heels. As he walked, any Angel whose eyes caught Kaku stopped to bow their heads, almost convincing Kakushin that he really was dreaming right now. 

Finally stopping, Kakushin looked up at what was helping him get down to Sohul. It looked half the size of the ship, and probably weighed just as much. A massive gun made of silver and gold plating, and made big enough to fit inside. Kaku glanced at the handwritten markings on the side of the canon, and scoffed at what Ningen christened the gun as. "'King canon'? Of all names to give it Ningen?" Kaku commented, and Ningen tried to stop his lips from rising to a smile. "I wasn't given long to name her, your majesty, so excuse the use of a literal title." Ningen replied. All jokes aside, they needed to act fast. Ningen had geared this ship up for everything. Long-distance communications, magic radars, everything. Everyone knew what was going on down in Baransu, and things were soon brought into reality as time went against them. Seeing the giant Dragon descend not far away from the ship also brought things up to speed. Kakushin was soon suited up in protective clothing, along with a more resistant Hane, and settled down into the canon. Of all things Ningen could have decided as ammunition for his beloved canon, no one would have pointed at a person. Let alone the very newly announced King. But there wasn't time to argue over matters, all Kaku knew was that the canon had enough momentum to pretty much teleport him miles in a few seconds, and was a necessary risk right now. Holding his breath, and listening to Ningen spout on and on about acceleration and safeness in an earpiece, Kaku felt the canon charge up. Ningen really was a miracle inventor, and his description was on point on what it would feel like. From a millisecond of having the wind knocked out of his system, Kaku opened his eyes to find himself moving very fast towards the ground, not a few hundred meters from the five headed Dragon below. He only had a moment to react, but it was all that was needed to draw his sword and slice right through the target. Kaku looked like a flash of light moving through the air, going right through three of the five Dragon heads, before winding around the tower to come back around with a good bit of speed remaining from the canon's fire. This was like Light Speed on a much larger scale, and only those who knew Light Speed as a magic could pull off being fired at that speed. So Kakushin had been a perfect choice. Making a wide turn around the tower, Kakushin quickly found his target, and opened his wings to slow down. At the speed, Kakushin wings almost burnt up, but it was enough to slow him down before the Angel could get low enough to the ground to plant his feet. Once grounded, Kaku still didn't stop, not until he'd run right up to Exitium and forced him away from the others. All after the canon happened in a few seconds, and there would be no way Exitium could have seen it coming. Finally taking a breath again, Kakushin blinked a few times, throwing Exitium away into a building. It took a little while to get over the sudden change in speed, but with Exitium buried and surprised, Kaku had a few moments. Stretching around a bit, Kakushin braced himself when Exitium began to finally realise what the hell just happened. "Well, well... This brings back some memories, doesn't it?" Kaku called towards the Demon's annoyed face. "Last time we fought, it was Peace against Destruction right?" Kaku readied his sword, glowing a blinding white now that Kakushin was holding a lot more power. "This time... it's more like, King against King." 

Gensho was just beginning to get over his anger. Akvan had been forgiven, and Gensho had been ever so grateful for these few weeks. Whilst he'd shut out most others, Akvan seemed to allow his brother to remain close, and sometimes didn't seem to want Gensho to leave the mountain. The wounds were still fresh from his twin's sudden revival, but Gensho had gotten used to them, letting the scars heal on their own. But just when things looked to be getting better, Gensho's precious and beloved Human city was held captured. He didn't own Baransu, but had spent so long in the city, making amends with the government there, that Gensho felt a duty to the most advanced Human settlement. The frustration of every poor soul there being at Exitium mercy, made Gensho mad. And no one should get a Kyuban mad. 

Then there was the explosion, the collapse of the tower, and then a miracle. The amount of magic surging through the air above everyone's head was more than imaginable, and all came from one small little ex-Demon. Gensho smiled to Akvan, although couldn't break the concern in his expression. Akvan looked in pain and exhaustion already, even as he convinced others to go and save those in the tower. Gensho stayed, a similar instinct to Chester. Demons of Exitium's ruling would be attacking right now. They needed to make sure they didn't make it to Akvan, no matter what. After a few minutes of fighting, in which Gensho had to put down far too many souls, including a few Dracomancers, he turned his head just as the ground shook. The tower began cracking and tumbling once more, and Gensho's eyes witnessed why. He felt frozen, just staring at the sight of Chester stabbing right through Gensho's brother's stomach, only wishing it was his imagination. Gensho remained frozen as Chester, under Exitium's control, retreated to the bastard kings side, and Akvan stood there like he was already dead. Gensho tried getting close, after seeing, even from his distance, the pool of red rapidly growing around his brother. But he struggled behind the swarms of Demon underlings, cutting down more poor souls to make a gap to get through. Gensho rushed to Akvan's side as Exitium was ripped from him, placing his arms to support Akvan, knowing on his weak legs it must be killing just to continue standing, especially as the weird red magic ate away at his legs. "Hold on brother, it'll only be a little long... then you can rest." Gensho muttered. He was torn between helping Akvan, to going to make sure Chester was alright after Ru went off to fight. But with this situation, Gensho knew his sister would forgive the Demon for staying put right now. Gensho took a deep breath, eyes pinned Akvan and his condition. "Just... please hold on."