Duel For Domination (Fanfic)

[FlameMaster5]

"Other worlds besides your own."
"Some would say it's crazy. But we've seen them!"
"We ventured far and wide to save our homes from destruction."
"This is our story."
"And this is how it all began..."

Duel For Domination

SPOILER: Click to show

*SPOILER ALERT*
Cast of Main Characters - Look Away Now!
(Unless you just really wanna know...)
















+Redd & Mirakon
+Jade
+Searina/FM5
+Rastabaan
+Rei

+Exor
+Christian
+Titanium (Complete)
+Dr. Techis & Vigor (Complete)

+Azul
+Solis
+Shaydenn
+Jared
+Gemel

+Rudy
+Mevi

+Infernite
+Vashanoru
+Volisydra
+Gwydion

+Layla
+Zosimos
+Cassandra

+Xymemi Rei

[FlameMaster5]

SPOILER: Click to show

"I'm bored."
"Shall we play a game?"



Black and white.
The only colors, or the absence thereof, that existed in this plane.
Somewhere between space and time.
The Eternal Schism.

Inside this plane was an alcove, with two floating stages. Both had an altar, one wrought in black and the other in white. There remained a wavering, empty space between them, from which anything could be commanded to materialize to make this expanse much more.
But perhaps they had enjoyed the simplicity.
Until now, that is.

"Lucent, you surprise me! I thought playing games were beneath you. Especially with me."
"They are, Sepia - considering that you always cheat! But I am willing to play nonetheless. You may be more amazed to hear me admit that I, too, have grown listless."


They hovered over their stages, facing one another.
One male. One female.
Lucent - The White, Aspect of Time.
Sepia - The Black, Aspect of Space.
Siblings, actually.
A constant rivalry between them.
And yet, neither had bested the other.
Repeatedly left at a draw.


"Always here. With you. My sister... Could you be less interesting?"
"Ouch. And here I was thinking that I was the bored one! You know, Brother, I think that stab makes me deserving to go first in our little game."   


She stretched her arm outward before him, palm open with nightly swirls shooting out only to collect in the center of their realm. Half of a new stage appeared between them, with half of a door forming, all detail fashioned in ebony.
He followed her example. His hand raised, blinding lights erupting from his fingertips to come join her power, forging the elegant white half of the stage with a matching ivory door on top.
The doors blinked a moment, with a new gray color arising that swam over the gates in intricate designs before creating two ashen knobs that would open to whatever was on the other side.
Or, more-like, multiple whatevers.
Other worlds.


"The board is set. And it's my turn!"
"Very well, Sepia, have it your way. So, what then are the rules?"
"There ARE NO RULES, Lucent. The key is simply to win! Are you ready?"
"I'm ready. There will be no holding back!"

[FlameMaster5]

SPOILER: Click to show

~ Haydes ~

A winding path that separated two ghastly lakes: the Pools of Solace and Anguish. 
Countless wispy figures with hands reaching up from the waters, each one a deathly color of green and their faces completely unrecognizable.
An ambience of storms filled the space, and a heavy fog drifted along the surface of the lakes.

At the far end of the winding aisle, overseeing this realm of Limbo, there was a figure of a man that stood looming over a small puddle.
There were formations that appeared to be stalactites that hung above, and every so often there was a drop of water that fell into the puddle.
Only then, a reaching hand of a spirit waved up out of the pond.
The mysterious man would lean down, take the hand gently, and pull the soul up to stand, looking over it as if this new one was different than all the rest gathered. He would then guide the ghost to one lake or the other, obviously depending on the nature of which that spirit had lived in life.

He was the guide of the dead.
The Gatekeeper of Haydes.
Xymemi Rei.


The Gatekeeper was garbed in a raven hood and robe, and ivory armor lined with gold was set over his chest and shoulders. He would command unruly souls with a broadsword purely made of holy light, or otherwise gently walked with the spirits into their rightful lake of passing.
The ghosts gathered already in the pools would reach up his robes, grasping to wail their sufferings or sing songs of peace. The Angel of Death would smile at this regardless of the messages, the hood he wore revealing little more of his expressions.

When Xymemi Rei had finally seen to the last of the spirits for a time, pulling gently out of grasping fingers, he stood at the edge of the water momentarily to look at the saved ones before shifting his gaze to the sinners nearby.

Then, he chuckled.

As there was still one waiting for him in the Pool of Anguish.
One... Not quite dead.
Not yet.

[FlameMaster5]

"Amused... By my... Suffering, are we?"


Across the loch of sinners, shackled and perched on a single jet rock, was the only other man still gasping for breath in this spectral place as he slowly lift his head to gaze back at the Gatekeeper. His swarthy brown hair had grown much longer to the point of dipping in the waters below him like that of elongated leaves of a weeping willow tree, leaving only slithers over his once handsome features for the verdant glow of his eyes to peek through.
Menacingly.

A wide and insane, albeit weary smile now stretched over his face. Fangs set over his lips. Ebony wings ruffling a moment, loosing a few feathers, before settling weakly against his bare back.
"Xymemi, really... How cold."
Titanium.


Xymemi Rei, now looking over pitifully at what was once the proud and ruthless Prince of Darkness, began to wade through the Pool of Anguish over towards the feeble Dark Angel that he continued to guard and keep for more time than either of them could tell.
"My deepest sympathies, Titanium", Xymemi extends, even a hand placing over his armored breast. "I often forget how fragile you've become - mind, body, and spirit."
The green stare swirled with something dark. The chains rattling.
"Implying... Th-That... I've gone mad? Wouldn't have... Anything at all... To do with these, now, would it??"
"Nothing personal. I just can't have you sneaking off. You understand, don't you?"
"Right... You're waiting for her... To find a way... To kill me..."
A sneer now as Xymemi stood just at the foot of his little island.
"Good luck..."

The Gatekeeper knelt with a deep sigh when Titanium tried his usual maniacal laughter only to erupt in a fit of heavily labored coughs. Though he had long waited to see the Prince of Darkness in captivity, and still remained patient as ever to see him be brought to justice, Xymemi Rei still cupped his hands in the water and offered his prisoner a drink to ease his suffering.
"When the time comes, I will grant you a swift death, Titanium. It is more than you deserve, but take comfort in knowing that it will bring me no joy to see you pass. Simply duty."
Titanium grasped Xymemi by the wrists, claws sinking in deeply, and drank intensely from his hands until the water and a few added drops of silver blood that trickled in were gone. The Dark Angel gasped quietly, his thirst sated, throat not quite so dry now.
"No... I want her to do it..."
He looked back at his jailer finally, emerald orbs setting sharply with a glint.
"I want Searina... To look me in the eyes... As she drives the end of her staff... Through my heart..."

[CS Revolked]

Well, well, well, looks like Titanium is in a bind now isn't he? Mwahahaha!

I'm interested in Xymemi Rei and what exactly he wants with Titanium. I'm intrigued by the whole mystery of the scenes. There's a lot of character motivations that haven't been answered yet (obviously, bit boring if they were now)

So, yes, it makes me want to read on! Who is Searina and why is Titanium so interested in her?

More questions to come!

I look forward to seeing what's happening next!

[FlameMaster5]

Apr 1, 2018 5:48:19 GMT -5 CS Revolked said:

I'm interested in Xymemi Rei and what exactly he wants with Titanium. I'm intrigued by the whole mystery of the scenes. There's a lot of character motivations that haven't been answered yet (obviously, bit boring if they were now)

So, yes, it makes me want to read on! Who is Searina and why is Titanium so interested in her?

Many character motivations, indeed! ;]
All will be answered in good time, yessssssss.
As this is, as I sometimes call it, The Story To End All Stories in my novel universe.

And your last question - I'm surprised, Ames!
Why, you know Searina, and you know her well - at least, only by her alias it seems!
So, before long, I'm sure your eyes will be opened. ^^


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPOILER: Click to show

The echo of his words rang on and on for a time.
Like a sad song. An elegy.


The two exchanged looks for seemingly forever, strange pinwheeling green clashing with argent silver, until Xymemi Rei finally pried the claws off his wrist and proceeded to stand, looming over the forlorn creature.
"You know as well as I do that she can't kill you."
Titanium arched his head back slowly to leer upward, his long strands of hair sliding back to where Xymemi could get a good look at his now weathered face.
And that stretching smile.
"It's difficult I hear... To kill an immortal..."
The Undertaker shook his head at this, knowing his prisoner was merely using sarcasm and deflection to deny himself the truth. A truth that may have very well been too hard to admit. Considering the place it brought him.
"You know what I meant. She won't kill you, even once your immortality is lifted. Searina will be the one to cradle you in her arms as you lie down bleeding. And that is her untainted beauty."
The smile was quickly wiped off, replaced by grit fangs.
"Poetic... Are we done here?"
"For now. Only for now."

As if on cue, a drip of water splashed gently over at the puddle.
And so the Gatekeeper turned now to resume his duties.


The Prince of Darkness watched Xymemi Rei go back to his work, burning the back of his hood with his eyes until the energy it took to do so was just not worth it. He lowered his chin, slinking forward, the manacles around his arms and wings keeping him from plummeting into the sickly dead faces in the water below him. If he had been in a better mood, he might have had another wailing contest with them, but alas he just cast his glance off now drearily as his mind began to be invaded by thoughts.
Some fresh. Some well versed.
But mostly about her. Searina.
And how she and her band of Angels trapped him here. With Xymemi.
Would the day for revenge ever come?

He deeply sighed, becoming a wheeze and cough before it ended.
How long had he been here? Growing weaker.
Days? Months? Years?
Til the end of time itself??
There was really no telling!

And was Searina really still out there looking for a cure for his immortality?
Xymemi Rei was right - she wouldn't be the one to kill him.
But she would be responsible. Oh, yes.
So... How would it happen? His death.
The thought had never really crossed his mind.
Just seemed...
Impossible.

SPOILER: Click to show

Titanium stared downward at the faces of sinners. It was inconceivable to recognize any of them, but he was most certain that he was responsible for many of their deaths. That seemed to soothe him somehow as his eyes glazed over now, drifting through the memories of all his past transgressions.

But when a dark hand came into formation below him, he immediately was drawn out of his trance. The silky black nails reached up to caress his cheek a moment, feeling cool and tingly, before snaking back to the chains that tethered him at his wings, and then freeing his arms. He nearly gasped when he fell into the water, and then found himself being pulled down by the throat to come face to face with a void-like image of a woman.

A voice whispered in his mind.
"Prince Titanium... I am Sepia. Pleasure is all yours."
He attempted to speak, but the water filled his lungs.
Drowning without dying.
"You wanted to say hello? How sweet. Really. But the reason why I am here is that I'm in need of your immortality. And I'm not asking. You will be my prize champion when all is said and done!"
An elegant, whimsical laughter echoed now in his brain.
"Lucent has no idea what he is up against! Go now, and destroy your enemies!
OUR ENEMIES!!"


Released, Titanium found himself breaking through the surface of the Pool of Anguish. He coughed up water momentarily, but realized it was with ease. The feeling in his body was amazing, prickling with energy, almost as if...
His power. It had returned!

The Prince of Darkness spread his raven wings wide as he now whirled to face Xymemi Rei, whom was already at his back with holy broadsword swinging.

Another smile stitched across his face.
Right. Good luck.
He wasn't going anywhere!
There was still a matter of that said revenge...

[FlameMaster5]

SPOILER: Click to show

Earth
Ely, Nevada
Ely State Prison



On a vinyl record player, the music played. 
Over and over and over again...
Dominique, 1963.
Blaring.

Day or night the music played.
But then there was no telling time here.
Never.

They were trying to break him.
Just like they had broken his favorite toy, so to speak.


"Again..."


Here, within the confines of Prison Cell #473, there was a single chair bolted down to the florock flooring, with a small army of mixed agents from the FBI and CIA surrounding this said chair and the man strapped down in it. If not for being beaten bloody already by this point, the prisoner could have been described as having a gentlemanly appearance with matching good looks and taste to go alongside his patriotic flair. His swept tawny hair, a pair of royal blue eyes with equally blue protective glasses, a teal U.S. military uniform adorned in golden medals that shouted a fanatical love for his country. But he had long been stripped of his uniform and medals and an advanced weaponry data-card, left in just his skivvies and a flashing security anklebrace.
Only his stubborn pride and sheer brilliance remained.
Dr. Ronald Techis.

He felt his head snap back when another knuckled fist hit the side of his jaw. Dazed, he could only linger there off the side of his armrest a moment, mouth gaping open to let the blood drip out over his lips as the intense sting of pain slowly became a tingling numbness. Feeling the inside of his mouth with his tongue, the prisoner then shifted his maw to catch a now loosened tooth that he proceeded to spit out and chitter across the floor.

"Talk, Techis! How do you do it? How do you put souls into machinery?!"


A shrill howl then boomed into the expanse from the adjacent cell. On the eastern wall there was a high security metal gate with 7" bars instead of concrete, housing the creature inside. The beast was shrieking and clawing up and down its cage madly between the notes of music playing and governmental demands. It had lost much of its mind, having little to no sense telling now friend from foe. Before, it was Dr. Techis' favorite creation, renowned for its agility and ferocity, a perfect specimen combined of both DNA splicing and robotics. It was almost alien-like, with a brightly lit visor and rattling frills on its face, elongated body made for leaping that was spotted in cyro-mesh scales and wires, and a lengthy armored tail designed with flawless balance and coordination in mind.
But now it was like a frenzied dog trapped in a crate at the pound.     
Fate similar, too. It would soon just be put down.
Vigor.

"All those people, Techis - You killed hundreds in the name of science, in the name of your country! You make me sick! Tell us all you know now and I'll quickly put a bullet in your head! Or... Maybe you'd prefer the jaws of your vile pet as a fitting end?!"


Ronald slowly leaned his head forward, gripping the ends of his chair now, and his shoulders arched up like that of a cat as they started shaking slightly when a quiet laughter managed to escape him.
 
Fools. All of them.

[CS Revolked]

OMFG!

YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!

Techis and Vigor (feels weird spelling it like that) ❤❤❤ 😆😆😆
This part was so cool. I loved the notion of being a fly on the wall watching some unfortunate home truths. I like the maybe social commentary on the welfare of cons in your own country.

I remember them from DM and they were great there.

And both are sporting some changes? S'all good to me!

A little thing to point out. IMO the gravity and enigmatic nature of the piece could have been amplified had you not revealed who it was. Readers asking questions IMO is good. It means they're interested and also encourages them to read on to find out more (and thusly get more invested). But obviously with the withholding of such details, people can go the opposite way and get annoyed if their questions remain unanswered for too long.

TL;DR - Questions are good. Unanswered questions that go on for a long time are not.

[FlameMaster5]

I feel like if I respond into too much depth, then I WILL give away something(s) - and I had a baaaaad habit of revealing plot-lines well before ever getting to certain scenes in other fanfics of mine from long ago(Angel Alliance, for just an ex.) I plan on not creating some of my previous mistakes, soooo...

I will simply tell you I'm quite pleased with your viewings and opinions!

Means you're paying attention, and that's all good by me. ;]

(Also, yeah, I'm back! Got moved-in last Sun, officially a week in my new apartment Hills at Oakwood, and I thought I'd christen the new surroundings with some mentionings of dearest Techis and Vigor. Happy to share the joy with you ALL! ^^)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What the hell is so fucking funny, Techis?!"

"You are... Director Dawning..."

Dr. Techis then threw his head back with a louder, more delirious laughter, his bloodied lips spread wide. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut(not all due to bruising), a trickling of tears managing to wet his cheeks despite his severe dehydration status. The chamber of official agents fell quiet, not amused, as they listened to the cackling man try to catch his breath, but his sense of humor had him going for at minimum a whole minute. When finally he had ended in a derisive hum, the confined scientist looked back at them with his glassy eyes of contempt.

"Let us simply point out what this interrogation is really all about, shall we?", Ronald pressed on, now with an exasperated sigh as the noise of his creation nearly deafened him between the vexing repetition of the music. "You have my data-card on all the advanced weaponry I have fabricated, and all the clearance codes that unlock and open all the files to that said data-card. Firstly, just admit that you and your men lack the knowledge to even slightly comprehend the blueprints. Secondly, while you're at it, just admit again that the only reason why me and my pet - as you so foolishly denounced Vigor - are alive-... Is because your fine, justice upholding military-... "

He then coughed a moment, a mist of blood there, clearing his throat for the grand reveal. "-Actually wants the capability of operating MY projects! Yes, oh yes, you even want to understand how it all works to start transferring souls from what would've been fallen soldiers on the battlefields to machines, giving your oh-so-noble America infinite warriors!"

The Director, having always been surrounded by his men that tended to Techis and his tortures, never having to sully his hands with blood and gain a cut or two on his own knuckles, finally took a step forward to swing a punch right at Ronald's chin. Dawning winced a moment himself from the force of his jab as another earsplitting cry resounded from Vigor, the creature clearly made angry once again from harm coming to his master.

"Do not think for a moment that we are the same, Ronald! Our government intends to do much more than revive soldiers - we can save lives, save families! We have not such selfish goals as to try overwhelming the world and reign as dictators, as YOU did!"

Ronald, turning his neck back slowly to the Director as he shifted his bottom jaw, raised his face and managed now a sharp gleam that shimmered like black ice. His bloodied teeth grit tightly, looking as fierce as his bio-engineered companion.

"Thirdly... Andrew, why don't you also just admit that you are here, right now, leading this so-called interrogation as a means to avenge your grandchildren! Go on! Tell your subordinates of how I killed your granddaughter Aileen in cold blood and stole her soul for Vigor! While you're at it, tell them of how I horrifically experimented on your grandson Christian for years to make Essentia, an energy your government now uses as a means to power this very city! TELL THEM!"

Director Andrew Dawning then quickly whipped out his revolver and pressed the muzzle of his gun into Techis' forehead. The surrounding agents all gasped, having little to no time to register what all had been said and what now was happening!

"I will fucking kill you!!", Andrew screams, the gun clicking.

Vigor let out a booming shriek in response to this threat!

"DO IT!!", Techis roars back, pulling against his restraints. "YOU KNOW I WON'T TALK!!"

[FlameMaster5]

SPOILER: Click to show

.:Lyrics:.

From within the shade of the adjacent cell, an abysmal blackness took shape in the hourglass figure of a beautiful woman. Stark eyes of crimson opened, the glow splitting through the darkness, now witnessing the grisly scene that was unfolding. A brightly lit cerulean visor then clashed with her scarlet gaze as the beast screamed, and that's when she formed an elegant, devious smile.

She beckoned the creature closer with her silky fingers.

"Time for a little factory reset! Mmm hmmm hmm!"

[/Emergency shutdown...]

[/Restore point - Factory reset.]

[/Restoring... Please wait.]

[/Factory reset complete!]

[/Backup files installing... User registry and interface...]

[/Installation complete! Welcome back, Master Techis...] 

"Ssss... Defend Masssster Techissss..."

A sudden, heavily concentrated beam of light then sprayed through the group of agents, rendering them either dead upon impact or caught in an ignited explosion that forced them to the ground. The music stopped playing, the prison sirens now blaring instead while coating the rooms in a flash of red every so often. Director Dawning found himself stumbling to his knees from the room quaking, his fingers pulling the trigger to only graze Techis on the shoulder. Ronald gasped, surprised that he was still alive, and then breathed calmly in the opening chaos.

An infuriated howl and screech of bending metal caused Director Dawning to look up now to view Vigor there, the cyro-scaled monstrosity easily breaking its bondage now that it recognized its creator. Andrew heard a terrified cry from one of his few remaining men as bullets began flying overhead.

"Th-The beast is loose! K-Kill it, kill it NOW!"

Vigor wailed as the some of the lead managed to hit some soft spots on its underbelly, but the creature quickly retaliated with rapid firing lasers as it now leaped off its cage to pounce on the closest target - being Andrew. The last standing agents hollered in pain as they took beams to the chests and torsos, with only two having enough sense to flee with their lives!

Only Andrew was left, pinned under the screaming fiend, unable to even fire his weapon.

"Quiet now, Vigor, I'm alright - thanks to you...", Techis' tired voice finally says breaking the noise, carrying a soothing tone that eased his companion immediately. The monster at his side now pried the restraints off him, then the security anklebrace and began nuzzling the scientist with its frills. Ronald then stood a moment, body aching, but knelt to come gently stroke his creation on the head. "That was a close call, though, wasn't it? How ever did you manage to reset to default? - My voice commands failed entirely the day we were captured."

Vigor, rarely one to use human speech, simply responded its master by turning its attention back to the now cowering Director Dawning that lay under its claws, a guttural growl that ended in a vile hiss sounding as its maw opened threateningly.

Techis stood, now looking down at the Director also, a smile stretching over his face. "I suppose that doesn't really matter now, does it? The only thing that matters now... Is resuming our work!"

"Y-You won't get away with this, Ronald!", Andrew sputters in his fear, his desperate attempt to make his final moments last a little longer. "You're going to pay for what you've done to our people, this country, and my grandchildren! M-My boy Christian is a smart one, he'll stop you! He and his friends won't let you do anymore harm to our world!"

Vigor made another earsplitting scream, causing Andrew to squint his eyes tightly in terror.

Techis just tilt his head off to the side, the speech of his enemy just rubbing on his last nerve.

"Vigor... Go ahead. Eat his face off, won't you?"

Andrew's eyes flew open wide, stricken with a maddening panic.

Another screech, and the terrified and agonizing cries erupted into Prison Cell #473.

_ _ _

The Zippo lighter opened with a distinct click.

Then, the tiny flame was brought in close, lighting the tip of his cigarette.

He breathed in deeply, holding the smoke there in his lungs until he felt like he could burst, and then gently let it all out in a wispy breath.

Simply intoxicating.

Having made their way outside into the courtyard of Ely State Prison, leaving nothing behind but a trail of dead government officials and released criminals from the other cells, Dr. Techis paused with Vigor beside him next to a puddle that was on the path leading to the main entry gates.

The scientist observed his reflection now. His dapper features were more than a little dented with all the beatings - face swelled, cut and bruised. But he found comfort in the familiar display of his U.S. military uniform, the medals to decorate his shoulders, the data-card pinned just on his left breast, and the protective glasses over his weary eyes.

He just held his cigarette between two fingers now, giving it another puff, nodding to his reflection as if to say, Good work, soldier, you never let them break you!

"Come, Vigor. We have much work ahead of us..."

With Dr. Techis leading, Vigor started after him as they made their way out of the state prison on foot.

Listening to the sirens wail as they did...      

[FlameMaster5]

[World - ??]
Day 3 of Stasis


"So... You think you can use your alchemy to undo the stasis on your sister Cassandra?"

"I don't know. But I have to give it a shot!" 

"Well, Blue Dancer, give us a little show! I'm all eyes~!"

"Mmm... Really, Layla, don't bother the attempt. Besides, your dancing is just an embarrassment, darling! ...Oh, right, she can't hear me. Well, if you insist on trying to help your dear big sissy out of a bind. Not as if I can stop you anyway. If anything, it might be a good laugh! Entertainment is so hard to come by recently. ...Ugh, am I bored!"

The world was at a standstill ever since the young King of Thorns had made the heroic challenge against the evil Drusilla, when the alchemy-inspired sorceress had gone too far and transformed herself into a hideous monstrosity that forced the noble magician to make a choice and re-enter this dimension via gateway with his companions. The return was a shock, to say the least. Everything and everyone they had left behind, including Drusilla, was paused in time.

That being said, stasis was also the fate for her.
She had been frozen in place as she made her way down the large golden stairs of the grand Drusilla Estate, making her way off with her payment of fine jewels that she miserly pressed into her cleaving bosom, a lusty gleam preserved in her evergreen eyes. Her full pouting lips were captured in a little smirk and the wind left her raven hair behind her like fine brush strokes on a painted canvas. She was now an elegant statue draped in her violet evening dress that showed a little too much leg, which always had gotten her rowdy attention when the world was still spinning.

But now... She was left with only her thoughts, unable to move and unable to speak. Just her small band of rivals - including her sister Layla - on the other side in full mobility, actually trying to free her from her temporal binding even after she betrayed them.

Cassandra Lancaster.