The Crypts of Zodack the Deceased

[Aeric Ecrai]

Whilst Zodack was distracted from blocking the energy, Link bolted across the room to a position behind Zodack, then launched himself in another life-risking charge.

[Joshua, the Wayne]

Zodack backflipped, Link flying straight under him. As Zodack returned to his original facing, he stuck out Ragnarok and sent a blast of earth from the wall behind him tumbling towards Link. Sticking out Abberroc in quick succession, he sent a burst of flame towards Link as well.

[Aeric Ecrai]

Link backflips and swirls his cape at the same time he lands, absorbing the fire. Noticing the earth coming near him at an astonishing rate of speed, all he can do is brace for impact.
Wait, what was- My locket! Kari! She's-
"Ungh!"
Link slams into the wall, hard.
Struggling to regain his breath, he stands up again in a defensive stance, rapiers held inward toward his body.

[Joshua, the Wayne]

Zodack smiles at this and steps back away from Link. He was becoming easy... Too easy? No, not between these two.
But he was becoming... Open. Zodack decided to take this opportunity and in a flash of blades struck the ground with their edges and as sparks and smoking flames emitted in their path, he walked towards Link with timing pace. Link, his face now slightly dirty and sweat easily shining off his cheeks, grew fierce. His brow furrowing and his eyes creasing into their severe edges, his lips sagged into a furious frown, he gripped his rapiers as tight as his hands would allow. Sturdying his legs as his taunting father came ever closer, Link released a bellow and charged with all the might in his legs towards his foe. Zodack sneered, knowing what he was doing, and twisted sideways, raising the blade in his right hand upward and slashing Link straight in the back. Link, the ground rising up to meet him, grew angrier than ever. His father, Zodack, was this strong? That fast? That focused?!
More than him?!
Link, drawing his strength into a fierce sphere within his will, twisted up from the ground with little effort, the lightning as if guiding him in a snapping vortex. As he entirely came upright, Link thrust the first rapier towards the blade in Zodack's right hand, catching it, and then instantaneously raising the other rapier and stabbing it straight into-
GAH!!
Link was dazed, his vision blurred as his head met with the wall, the rest of his body following after. Almost as if buried within the wall, the stone surrounding him cracking and breaking in half by the sheer force of the throw, Link's face twisted into pain and rage. ...
Since when was he this angry THIS early in a battle?
Zodack walked closer and closer to Link, his blades yet again scraping the floor and leaving their burning mark.
Link, wincing as he opened his eyes halfway, muttered quaking words towards his father.
"How? What drives you to this force?"
Zodack stopped in his tracks, mere feet away from Link.
Peace...
?
Link was confused, even as he was enraged as well.
"Peace?! How is this peace?!" he uttered, his words sharp and driving.
Rest...Peace...
... Maybe, his father's ghost staring him straight in the face, Link had gotten the entire message wrong. Could he possibly mean rest in peace? Being a ghost, it slightly made sense...
But...
Attack his son? The only one keeping the name of the Faction "Extraxi" alive?
Kill me... Peace...
Link understood. He would have to kill his father's ghost...
Correction--
Put to rest his father's ghost.
Link struggled and strained, his muscles tensing as he squirmed out of the hole he was within, and landed on the ground, nearly collapsing from the pain that welled within him.
But, he would not defeat his role the father had given him. Raising his rapiers, the one light he had within these darkened crypts, Link yet again stanced, remembering every single thing he had learned of the vapaad, and with his final mad war-cry charged at his father, but...
This time he knew what to do. Zodack twisted yet again, making sure not to entirely copy the way he fought with this style last, and as he brought down the bla-...
Link was not there...
"HRAH!" Link fell from the sky, the lightning around him almost levitating him within the air. Bringing down his rapiers he--
Zodack's turn, now he was gone. Link landed on the ground, his rapiers impaled within it.
Link turned his head slowly and saw Zodack yet again skulk towards him, his blades sparking along the ground. Link, his face now in fear as he knew what could become of both their positions, grabbed his rapier handles and tried to pull them out. GAH!
They wouldn't budge!! He had brought them down too hard and would now pay the price...
Zodack, now mere feet away, raised his blades and with a cry of strength threw down his blade towards Link.
A burst of light reverberated from Link's fingers as he outstretched them, a circle of rebounding, pouring, radiating light formed around him, sparking as it met hard with the attacking weapon. Link was baffled.
Never had he done this before! What was it he thought of? A spell he knew not yet released in desperation?
Or perhap instinct, eh?
...Somewhere along those lines. Zodack, baffled as well, roared and brought his second blade to meet with the barrier. It struck just the same as the other had done, and met the same retortion. Zodack's face twisted into rage while he stepped back and tried again.
And again.
But, to no avail, Link was still protected.
Link then noticed his outstretched hand. Upon the wrist he saw a rune... It looked like the symbol representing infinity, yet when two opposite curves would have met there was a gap , resembling an S rotated 90º.
At the very center of the 'S' two small dashes were set parallel to eachother, and to finish it a dot was in the middle of each curve.
It was small, but glowed with the same powerful light as the barrier, and seemed to toss out the magic itself. He searched his nerves to see if he could find the mark within his mind, but as he tried to tap it, it burned with intensity. What was this?
...
It began to fade...
"Fierfek!!" he muttered over and over, keeping his hand outstretched and trying to grab his blades out with the other.
Zodack realised this and smirked, readying his blades for yet another strike. To him, what would be the final strike.
Link grabbed the hilt of one blade and pulled, stretching to his limits, and feeling a smaller amount of tension. Pausing to take a breath, the mark at half light now, he pulled again and the blade at near the last moment was released from the ground. Stabbing the tip into the pommel of the other, the dual blade turned into a shock of lightning and sparked along the center of the blade, reaching the pommel and the entire blade flashing with its original awesomeness. The mark let out a small chime and with the blink of an eye faded into his hand, no outline at all. As if it had never been there.
Zodack was already charging, his blade ready to stab straight through Link. Getting up, Link was near unprepared. The blade held by his father so close, a mere man would have no time to even blink. Link, not a mere man, a Dragoon and Extraxi, gripped the hilt fiercely--as fierce as he could-- and stabbed towards Zodack's blade at the same angle.
A gale of wind was released!! The impact was so forceful, a bang that shook the ground and knocked dust from the rocks and cieling was released. It was incredible!!
Both father and son were locked, their blades perfectly aligned. The tips each pressing together, steam smoking where they met. Link's arms felt as if they were shocked with Lightning, and the two were both standing there, panting.
Link then noticed... His blade...
Gah!! Where was the light?! It did not glow!!
The Sol Rapier, his bestowed blade that reverberated from tip to pommel with the divine strength of the Sol's might, had lost its shine...
Zodack grinned, realising...
Links blade was no longer it's fullest title, the Sol Rapier was possibly forever a mere Rapier...
Permanently.

[Aeric Ecrai]

"What? My rapier...has it lost its power? How?!"
Before Link could even process this thought, however, Zodack had regained his balance and was charging up for what appeared to be a colossal magii blast.
Suddenly, Link's locket pulsed again, sending him off balance with worry for Kari. Sadly, just enough time for Zodack to finish charging.
"HRAH!!" Zodack fired the stored up energy in one massive shockwave, sending it headed toward Link at a startling speed.
Link desperatley tries to pull his blade out of the ground, but to know avail.
Fierfek! I can't just leave the Sol rapier to be destroyed it the wake of the beam! Without it's glow, it's a regular sword!
But before Link could decide whether to sacrifice himself to protect the legendary sword or to get out of the way, time just....froze. That was the only word to describe what happened.
The beam stopped but still radiated energy, but the whole room's contents seemed to have just been frozen where they were. All of them except..Link.
"How is this possible..only the - oh no..."
Link barely had time to flip over backwards to avoid a golden blur that shot past him. He thought he could make out...a cloak. A multi-colored, golden cloak that seemed to shine like the sun.
Oh no...this is NOT good..
Suddenly Link is struck from the side and flips a few times through the air before landing on the cold stone floor of the burial chamber.
[glow=yellow,2,300]Hmph..[/glow]
The voice seemed to come from behind Link, but as he turned around he felt a blade come down on his back, and he was sent flying toward the wall.
"Ungh!!" His impact with the wall was not softened by anything, and small pieces of stone were sent flying from the wall..but they just stopped in midair like everything else.
[glow=yellow,2,300]It seems you aren't affected by my time flux. No matter. I'll take you down anyways.[/glow]
Link made the mistake of turning to the "voice" again, and the golden blur slammed him across the room again into the other portion of the wall.
"Who are you..?! What do you want with me?!" Link exclaimed, furious that yet another person was after him.
[glow=yellow,2,300]And why should I tell you?[/glow]
Link was keen on the trick this time, and launched himself sideways just as the golden blur passed again, this time shattering what seemed to be a five foot thick indent in the wall.
"Because I don't take kindly to being randomly attacked, that's why!"
[glow=yellow,2,300]Well, Prince, I suggest you get a new attitude.[/glow]
The voice was mocking this time, and it made Link ever angrier.
Link attempted to throw himself toward his rapier, this time arcing so the blur would shoot under him and graze the ground.
It didn't. Instead, a few slash marks appeared on his armor and he was sent flying away from his blade once again.
"Why do you call me Prince, stranger? And why are you attacking me?"
[glow=yellow,2,300]You ask too many questions. I'm growing impatient of toying with you. If can't even reach the rapier, then what threat are you to me?[/glow]
"Tell me at least why you call me Prince!"
Link threw himself toward his sword again, and finally was able to grab the hilt and yank it out of the ground.
He let me do that...who is this guy, anyways??
Suddenly the blur appeared in front of him, shimmered with speed, then stopped, revealing a figure cloaked in sun yellows and nova oranges. All that was visible under his hood was his mouth, which was up turned in an obvious smirk.
[glow=yellow,2,300]I was getting bored anyways. I'm ready when you are.[/glow]
The figure pointed his hand down, palm facing behind him. A rapier of solid crystal fell into his opened hand, and his fingers curved around the handle.
Link brought his own rapier to the ready, in an offensive position, held slightly outwards from his body.
[glow=yellow,2,300]Come.[/glow]

The two characters threw themselves at each other in near similar attack forms, shimmering with speed. Their blades met with a sonic boom that shook the un-moving walls of the barrow.

((Yeah no one post on this battle. I might take a while))

[Aeric Ecrai]

Again and again their blades struck, until they were moving so fast that their blades seemed to be flashes of lightning and the impacts that followed were that of booming thunder.
[glow=yellow,2,300]Is that the best you have, Prince? I shouldn't have bothered to come here if this is all you offer.[/glow]
The cloaked man blurs and appears a few hundred yards away from Link and launches rapid-fire energy beams in a wide range precision style, and Link is forced to whirl his rapiers in defensive form after defensive form just to deflect them into walls or the ceiling. Some found their mark, however, and Link was sent staggering to his knees on the ground.
[glow=yellow,2,300]What did I tell you? You can't possibly win..[/glow]
"Ugh...that's where...you're wrong.."
Link slowly gets to his feet, slams his rapiers together to from the single blade, points it straight to the sky and calls down all the energy he can muster.
"TAIYOO!!"
The roof of the barrow shatters, and the dark clouds above part, opening to reveal the single sun that all worlds share.
The rays slice through the thick fog and settle on his rapier, the blade igniting in holy light once more.
"I can still win.."
[glow=yellow,2,300]Well, if you think so..[/glow]
The figure strikes his crystal rapier upwards as well, the speed cracking through the air and sending a shockwave out from the thin sword.
[glow=yellow,2,300]What ever made you think I was some sort of dark being, or even evil for that matter? I will show you the error of your mistakes..[/glow]
The figure's second arm shoots to the side, and the infinity symbol appears, glowing in the same color as Link's sword.
"W-what?"
[glow=yellow,2,300]I warned you, Prince..[/glow]
The rays of the sun now move to his rapier, fall into the crystal and move around until the whole blade is glowing in and all too familiar glow.
[glow=yellow,2,300]TAIYOO!![/glow]
The blade ignites into the same glow as Link's, then flows to a more blinding tone.
The figure strikes both hands backwards, sword and all, shattering the wall behind him with the force, and launches himself at Link, who, in turn, kicks off the wall behind him and towards the figure.
Two solar blades meet in the center of the room, and the entire space flows with solar energy. Seconds later, a massive shockwave follows and blows the entire barrow apart, exposing the dueling figures to the rays of the sun, only aiding to their strength.
Link narrows his eyes at this turn of events, and leaps backwards, landing on a rock jutting out of the marshy ground.
"How can you posess a sword of that element, and want to take me down and the same time? What are your motives?!"
The figure smirks at this comment, then raises his other hand toward Link
[glow=yellow,2,300]Why, Prince, would I tell you my motives? Honestly, sometimes you act as if you're the King.[/glow]
At this, a massive shockwave is fired from his palm toward Link, who only have time to swirl his cape around himself as a last defence.
The shockwave hits him with full force, however, and sends his flying back from the rock he was perched on.

When his head cleared, he looked up and..
the figure was gone.
"WHAT?"
[glow=yellow,2,300]Try not to get too cocky, Prince. You'll have to face many more foes before you see me again. But who knows..? I might show up sooner than you expect. Just be prepared, and remember this..I am watching..[/glow]
Link heard these words but only too late realized that time had indeed returned to normal which meant..
"HRAH!!!"
Oh boy..Zodack agian..

[Joshua, the Wayne]

((LOL cloak man XD
...
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaallriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight... ))

"HRAH!!"
Link, his eyes burning with the furiosity of the sun, parried the blow from Zodack, but ah.. Their blades hat met.
Link tried to pull his rapiers away from the two Zodack was forcing in... but... He couldn't. So, he forced his way into Zodack. Moments passed by as both tried to push their blade into the other. More moments...
What?!
Link's hand glowed with the symbol yet again, but this time... it seemed to spiral up his arm... AAH! From his armor, the light so fierce, the symbol showed yet again, curving around his chest and to the back of him. It made all other light seem dark. Link's eyes faded into light themselves, Zodack's face turning stone cold. What was this power?!
[glow=yellow,2,300]I WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU FATHER!![/glow]
His rapiers suddenly shimmerd, the smallest spark, and they cleaved through his blades, flames running past them, and straight...
into Zodack's heart.
... The battle had chosen it's winner.

[Aeric Ecrai]

Link, exhuasted and confused, pulled his rapiers out of the shade of his father, and stumbled out of the barrow. He tried to continue walking but the symbol had drained all of his energies, and he passed out, hitting the ground with a thump (ouch)

[Bastian Farix]

A silent figure watched Link from afar, his keen eyes taking in every detail of the prince. So this is Link, prince of the Extraxi dragoons, it mused quietly. He does earn his title, just as they said. However....what could cause the Sol Rapier to lose its light, even for a second? None have achieved such a feet in two thousand years and more! Who could it be that caused it?....if the rapier loses its power, nothing will placate the monarchs....not even Garyuu.....that will have to wait. I shall be watching you, Link of the Extraxi Dragoons. The figure then disappeared, leaving no trace of having existed.
(Sorry, I came in a bit early. This is taking a long time. Josh gave me permission to do that. ))

[Aeric Ecrai]

(Good. Lol. And the monarchs aren't the most dangerous thing at the moment. MUAHAH)

[Joshua, the Wayne]

((LOL mr cloak ))

[Aeric Ecrai]

((It's more like - HAH YOU THOUGHT I WOULD SPOIL IT DIDN'T YOU? DOOM))

[Bastian Farix]

((Keep that figure in mind for later. He has a link to the guy that did most of the chasing after Locust. I no tell.))

[Aeric Ecrai]

Link finally gets up after being unconcious for days. But then again, how did one manage time in the infinite realm.
Ungh..all I remember is fighting Zodack..and...that figure..I've heard legends, but if they have show themselves, things are getting bad..I guess I should -
A pulse emites from Link's locket: another signal from Kari. Or was it..? This time, it held a grim undertone.
Fierfek..if that's happening, then they will show up and...
Link felt himself slipping into unconsiousness again, but fought it off.
Got to..find Kari..
Link gets up and begins to walk towards...somewhere..slowly at first, but picking up the pace as fast as he could under his energy deprivation.
I have to save her..

[Aeric Ecrai]

((Something needs to happen, lol. Link has NO way of ever getting to that region of the realm..))