"I still await your final words, son. This day shall mark your last." He smirks, the weight of inevitability resting upon his gaze.
What the hell— I can't stand. I want to. I can't. Dammit! Dammit. Dammit. Stand up! Stand up!
"Wait. Old man! Please, don't do it. He lost it completely. He was just joking. He didn't mean it. Please, refrain from that." I try to convince him.
Mr. Alaric turns his gaze upon me. "Ah, friendship. A never-ending theme in whatsoever story—I see that you take his side. He must be your life-called companion. Yet I cannot spare him; he has affronted my Holy Mother. Should you intervene, I will hold you his accomplice and mete out divine judgment upon you. Choose."
I grind my teeth. Why does it have to be like this? After all the training I did these past two years — and the promise I made to meet that person there. In vain. Dammit. I want to try again, but Dash lost it completely. He looks overwhelmed, broken. He's no longer a fighter. He's lost the proud warrior he was.
Yet—"Ooi! Dash. Son of a bitch! Stand up. Stand, you idiot. You'll die! Run as fast as you can. Infuse power into your feet and run before it's... too late!" I do my best; it's all up to him now.
The Old Man is immovable. I think you could dissuade a rock. Him — literally impossible.
I have never seen him like this. We used to quarrel, but he would always feed me after a bunch of punches. Today… there's something different 'bout him. I can feel it. He's different. I've never heard of his hammer, nor has anyone mentioned it before. It's… it's— aaaaah, dammit. It's all confusing. He's suddenly an all-too-powerful man. He said earlier he's the third-strongest on earth; I believe him. No — I will believe after what I've seen. But that doesn't mean I want to die here. Or watch anyone die.
Think! Think! "Oi, Old Man — what if, instead of offering his life as a forfeit, he works for a certain period under your command? That way, methinks, you could teach him how to respect the elders and your beliefs. Ha, right? What do you think?" I try everything I can.
He pauses, musing for a heartbeat. "Verily — I acquiesce. Yet his sin is no less grievous than Lucifer's: both dared to defy the Will of God. Such transgression I shall not brook."
Now he is even angrier than before. "Akt Drei: Die Ankunft von Zabanyael!" He shouts.
What is this? It looks like a winged existence — a huge one, descending from the sky like a great step-ladder.
He leans in, voice low and remorseless. "Have you any idea as to what becomes of the ingrate — those who spit in God's name? They are cast forth as kindling for Abaddon, consumed from every quarter. Next comes the second rite: the grilling. The angel of sufferance seizes them by the head as one shears sheep, drags them, and casts them upon the rack — their flesh flayed for eternity. Such is the sinner's doom. And that very angel is the one who is descending to exact the DEVINE JUSTICE."
Unbelievable. I don't know what I'm seeing. Dash turns his head slowly, as if it pains him. He seems traumatized.
Dammit. Dammit. I have to do something. "HOOOI! What if I gave my life as a forfeit in his place? I don't know him well, but this isn't fair. Tell him to apologize or repent for his sin… or something. Shouldn't you?"
"Ahh… you go thus far for one you have known but a few fleeting moments." He smiles faintly, eyes calm yet burdened. "Leider… I cannot. Nay. In truth, I bear a certain affinity for absolution — yet it is not mine to grant. I cannot cleanse his soul. I may only implore the Him to forgive him. That is the full measure of my promise, yes."
I'm irritated now, though what he said sounds... convincing. I know we should respect everyone and everything. But WHAT the hell is wrong with this refusal? Everyone deserves another chance.
"Hoi, old man, stop it. I will not let you kill him! I… will stop you!"
I try to stand, though I don't feel my hands or limbs. It's like something — someone — a hidden force controls me. And oddly, it feels delicious to be angry.
"I will stop you. I promise — even if it takes my life!" I shout.
What is this... Aahhhhhhh. I can't contr— ahhh, my body is hot. Something inside wants to rampage… very badly. HHHHHH. Ahhhhhh — hahahaha. I start laughing hysterically.
"Blood. Shedding. Lives. I want more bloodshed. HAhahah! Destruction. Annihilation! Defiance… HAHAHAH. Aaaaaahhhhh. My body is melting. Save me. Ahhhh. Damn—" and I lose consciousness.
What? Why am I here? Again? What's happening?
It's the same place I visited earlier this morning when I was fighting Dash — And the same dark cloud.
"Welcome again. My other self! Welcome to my abode: BEYWOND. Have you found it to your liking? Huh? It's a bit of utter chaos, but that's my style. Ahhahaha." The dark cloud speaks though it has no mouth. It's like telepathy.
The place feels watery even though there's no water; I float toward the dark cloud. I remember this place, but… what the hell? It wasn't like this. I remember there were three chains, though only two remain. Now it's like a deserted, waterless deep ocean whose density overwhelms you.
"I see you're uncomfortable. That is our home. Come closer. I want to smell you — remember the good old days! Come on, come closer. You want something, right? This is why you came here in the first place." It toys with my mind.
"Ahh, stop it! Get out of my head, demon cloud! I don't want anything. Did you summon me here? Answer me now!" I struggle to keep it out of my head.
It laughs insidiously. The voice sounds like someone speaking from behind a wall while wearing a mask. "Wrong — YOU summoned ME. You needed something. That's why you did; I am always here to oblige, my other half." It thinks I'll believe it.
"Stop that crap. I don't know what's wrong with you, people, today. You keep meddling in my affairs. Dammit! All I want is to catch my damn train. Can't you just leave me alone?!" I shout, releasing a dark aura that sprinkles black weeds and thorny growth where it touches the ground.
"Wrong. You needed me. That is why you're here. I understand your feelings: people always interfere with your plans and assume they have the right to. It's maddeningly annoying. I know — I've always gone through that. But...may I offer some advice: don't let them annoy you anymore. You...see, I happen to possess a... great power that challenges even...gods. I can lend you a dose to summon the fangs you crave to use. What say you, my friend?" It's still messing with my head.
I feel hopeless and puny. I can't even move as I wish. ENOUGH!!! All I want is to achieve my goal — yet people always hinder me, right? I'm right. I start losing my head.
This demon cloud has a point. If I let people be rocks before my goal, I'll always be stuck behind them. I'll never get closer — not even in my dreams.
All I want now… all I want… all I wa— is chaos. I will WREAK HAVOC. I will swallow anyone who stands against my will. I WILL TAKE THEIR LIVES IN THE MOST PLEASANT WAYS.
I too COMMAND the wind, sir!
Next time on Soul Blade Brawl Z: The Crash of Legends— "La tempesta."