21st Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd's face is pale, panicked, when the video feed turns on.]

Guys, we have a problem. Cruxis is here.

[He swallows.]

And so is Kratos. He's taken over. It isn't Yggdrasill anymore, it's him. He's-

[His eyes abruptly widen, no longer looking at the Dreamberry but something off screen.]

Damn it, they're back!

[There's a flash of steel as he pulls a sword out, then the feed abruptly turns off.]


[ooc: Backdated to after this.]

Comments

[Action] /yup, totally seeing things, just like Lloyd

[redcladidealist]

[Guardian shivers, barely holding up under the onslaught. It won't hold much longer, and Lloyd knows it. Taking the opportunity while it's there, he grabs his fallen sword, then waits until Emil strikes again before letting Guardian go, twisting to the side. Hopefully the "angel" isn't prepared for the sudden lack of resistance.

Anticipating the brief opening, Lloyd slashes his blade up to try to catch him in the ribs.]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[In his offense, he didn't really think to kick the sword away and now that came back to haunt him a bit. Emil jumps back at the swing but wasn't able to dodge it entirely. The blade sliced through his shirt but luckily only just scraped his chest.

Driven by a sudden idea, he rushes forward blade swinging at full force to the side, not to cause damage but to hopefully disarm him ]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[It nearly works. Lloyd yelps when the blade catches with his, jerking his arm wide, and he barely manages to keep his sword in his hand. His grip is ruined to the point of almost dropping it, though, and he fumbles to try to keep hold.

But there's a hole in his guard now a mile wide. Panicking, he pulls his other sword in to defend it. Too slow too slow too slow!]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[And that opening was just the one he needed. Emil aims his sword back at Lloyd, targeting his side as fast as he could. He wasn't going to waste this--]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[The sword bites deep, catching on his lowest ribs. With a strangled cry, Lloyd falls, curling an arm around the wound. Pain blurs his vision, and he loses his grip on his sword.

No. He grits his teeth. No!]

G-guardian...

[Mana flickers feebly to life.]

[Action] 1/idk

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Ratatosk Mode Emil could only smirk as his blade cut through him. Yeah, he was injured too but this? This was too great. He yanked his sword out of him only to raise it above Lloyd. That pathetic Guardian wouldn't be much of a fight to break.]

Die!

[And with all the strength he could still muster, he swung down--]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[--Or he would've if not for a sudden battle taking place else where, whether Emil was fully conscious of it or not]

Dammit! Why now?!

[His free hand shot up to hold his head as if in pain. This couldn't be happening! Not now when he was so close--!]

[Action] 3/5

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Red eyes kept flickering to green only to go back again. It was at the point where he had to sacrifice his focus on Lloyd and the real battle to keep this mental one just barely at bay. With an irritated groan though he finally starts to let go, knowing that he wouldn't be able to win it right now]

... Fine, have it your way. See if I care what happens next time!

[Action] 4/6 i lied

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Eyes finally stay on green as Emil falls to his knees on the ground, still holding his head. The adrenaline that had been in him slowly started to fade making him tired. But he couldn't nod off, he had to figure out what was going on--]

[Action] 5/6

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Wait, was someone near him-- Suddenly his head shot up only to be greeted with the sight of a defeated Lloyd. His eyes just stare in shock moving slowly to his blade which was covered in the others blood. Green eyes widen as it was obvious as to what happened here]

W-What...

[He couldn't remember. He only could feel the sense of dread where his memory should be. Emil didn't want to believe it this was real--]

[Action] 6/6

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[But it was as the pain from his own new injuries he didn't even remember getting started to kick in. This was real. Lloyd looked gravely wounded, and it was because of him--]

No... N-Not again-!

[He... He didn't know what to do. Emil released the tight grip he had on his sword only to bring that hand up to his head as well. What was wrong with him?! Why did this even have to happen?!]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd isn't unconscious, but he's breathing in shallow, pain-filled gasps. It hurts even to breathe, let alone move. The mana fades on its own. He can't hold it.

Fear and dread fill him as he meets Emil's eyes. Blood seeps through his fingers where he's holding the wound.]

What... what're you going to do?

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Lloyd's voice seemed to snap him out of his thoughts with a jerk.]

I-I don't-...

[Emil takes another look at the gash he gave him. A few moments pass before he a little shakily takes his scarf and holds it tentatively for the moment]

I want to bandage you... P-Please.

[He's well aware that he's still delusional but he feels responsible for this, even after everything Lloyd said. This was the only thing he could do at the moment]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[He stares, uncomprehending. He can't have heard what he just thought he did.]

Why?

[His voice croaks and scratches with ill-suppressed pain.]

I thought... Cruxis wanted me dead.

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Ever so slowly moves his scarf closer before stopping, not wanting him to freak out]

Because I'm not with Cruxis... I'm Emil, e-even if you don't believe or trust me. Just, please?

Re: [Action]

[redcladidealist]

[He can't see it. He can't see Emil behind the Cruxis angel's features. But he wants to live. Already he can feel the blood loss taking its effect, making his fingers want to shake despite having them clamped around his side.

Dwarven vow number eighteen: It's better to be deceived than to deceive.

Closing his eyes against the pain, he nods, pulling his fingers away.]

All right.

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Emil was actually surprised at the response, believing he would be yelled at again for lies. Still, that helped him feel a bit relieved as he scooted forward to Lloyd. The wound was bleeding really bad... ]

I'm sorry...

[With shaky hands Emil began to form a makeshift bandage with his scarf around his side. It was hard to tighten it seeing as most of his strength had already left him but still managed to put some pressure on it. It may not stop the bleeding from leaking through sometimes but it was better than nothing]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd grimaces in pain as Emil tightens the scarf around him, a strangled sound making its way from his throat. The expression cracks after a moment, though, a strained smile pulling at his mouth.

I'm sorry... Heh.]

You sound... like Emil. Even if you're not. Thanks...

[When Emil is done, he sags back to the ground. His breath is still coming in gasps.]

Now... what? Are you going to take me to Kratos?

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Feel satisfied with his job, he let go already feeling like there was no strength in his arms. Yeah, his scarf would do the job until Lloyd got someone with actual skill and real bandages. Or even better, someone who could heal him with magic]

N-No, I wouldn't do that...

[Taking a look at Lloyd's state though. He didn't really know what to do now and who would be able to help. All these people lately with delusions that seemed to come from nowhere wasn't exactly reassuring... Which left taking him back home but he was still shaking as he took a moment to stand up]

I'm gonna take you back to your home. Or uh, t-try to. I'm sorry.

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Dread tugs at his gut. Why would an angel of Cruxis take him back home?

Colette. It's because Colette's staying with him until Sheena gets better. Alarm and protective determination flare up, giving him new strength, and he reaches out to grab Emil's wrist.]

No. No way. I'm not going to let you in!

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[That was something Emil didn't take into account and now kinda regrets. The sudden wrist grab caught him so off guard that it made him stumble a bit.]

It's okay, I-I'm sorry! I won't then...

[What else, what else-- oh wait]

You uh, still have your Dreamberry right? Y-You should call a... friend to help you. I'll leave.

[Just saying that was like slapping himself in the face. He thought he was a friend but now... Maybe it would just be easier to let him be and have his real friends help him]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Call someone... Turn himself into bait for Cruxis to capture someone else. Even worse, Cruxis could threaten him to make whoever came cooperate and he'd be helpless to do anything about it.

Don't depend on others. Stand on your own two feet. He can't do that to his friends. He'll have to deal with this himself.

Struggling to hold onto the strength he found, he nods, pulling his Dreamberry out.]

Yeah. I do.

[He has no intention of calling anyone, though.

Just go away.]

[Action]

[foreversorryorz.livejournal.com]

[Seeing him pull the Dreamberry out at least has him feeling a bit better. There's nothing that could take back what just happened though, and he wasn't looking forward to their next meeting. In fact, he was probably gonna try and avoid that from happening for as long as he needs to sort this out]

I-I'll go now then and I'm sorry, for everything...

[It takes him a short moment to re-sheath his sword, not bothering to clean the blood off it now. Emil begins walking away hesitantly, forcing himself not to look back. Lloyd would probably take even that the wrong way in this state]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Another apology. Something inside Lloyd tugs painfully at the words. He wants to believe the angel. He wants to believe that maybe, just maybe, they don't have to be enemies. But how can he believe anything when the angel is lying, claiming he's Emil?

He shoulders slump.

Then he shakes his head. He waits until he's certain the angel is gone, then grits his teeth and pushes himself up off the ground despite the burning pain that flares in his side. One hand clamped around his side, he collects his swords, one by one, then unsteadily begins the long and agonizing journey back to his home.]