Main Event Brand of the Hawk

[Lucky]

Mike and Josh

Mike shrugged as Sebastian murdered Felix Faust. The man had been taunting and torturing them and he wasn't going to shed any tears for him. Somebody had to make the tough choice and kill. Even if the decision wasn't always right, sometimes you have to make the best one.... even if it something like shooting or killing someone who would do more harm then good. " Let's just go and get this over with it, so we can free ourselves from the God hand."

Josh was silent, fiddling with the sword. Maybe everything would be fine.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @Kaykay @Minerva @Jeremi @others

 

[Ver]

Continued from here.

Final Chapter
"Aria"

Spoiler: Recap

As the group draws deeper and deeper into the castle, they eventually fall victim to a trap door and end up in a mysterious cavern, surrounded by ravenous demons. After fighting their way through the cavern, they are soon met with a dead end, only for the barrier to open up like a hidden door, courtesy of Guts, who managed to reach them on the other side. With that, they continued to travel through Castlevania, overcoming a puzzle upon realizing that they had actually been flipped upside down in the castle unknowingly in the process.

Eventually, they reach Dracula's private study, where gathered notes provide insight into Dracula's character, his struggles, and his losses, as well as his atrocities and his encounter with Kirei Kotomine, who had bestowed him with the power of the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon, thus allowing him to freely travel across different worlds on a whim, though the man does not give a motive for why he gives Dracula this power, and disappears as abruptly as he appeared. Dracula sits on this information for a substantial amount of time, unsure of whether or not to use this power to escape this world that he exists in, before eventually deciding to make use of it after a long while, traveling into the next universe over. He recognizes it as a world similar to his, though different in its own ways. Shortly afterwards, it is then that he encounters Felix Faust, whom Dracula spares and allows to serve him, the sorcerer reminding him of his late servant, Shaft. With some coaxing from Faust, Dracula then makes the decision to take over this new world, confident that without anyone aware of his existence with an active intent to stop him, such as the Belmont clan of vampire killers, he will surely succeed.

From there, the group continues traveling, before coming across Felix Faust and the mind-controlled Etrigan as well. The group engages in a grand battle, ending with Faust's demise and Etrigan being released of his mind control. As Etrigan agrees to join with the group, Faust's body and soul are burned away by hellfire conjured by Dracula, who goads the group into venturing just a bit further and finally confront him.

"Hrrn... I take it you had quite a misadventure these past few days," Etrigan grunted toward Constantine, briefly eyeing the rest of the group, but hardly seeming to address them beyond that. Even though he had been healed of his wounds earlier, he still displayed a degree of mental exhaustion, perhaps natural considering the influence he was under for days on end, all the while helpless to save Zatanna. In any case, it seemed that he had little desire to ask any questions about who exactly the group was or where they came from, more concerned with exacting vengeance on the one Faust called his "master," and getting back to his home world promptly.

"I'll take that as a thank you."

"Feh. Let us make haste. I tire of this dreary castle; being forced to remain in a locale such as this is tiring," the demon said, ignoring the British man's response. With that, Etrigan made for the stairs, followed closely by Constantine and Zatanna, who clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

"You coulda at least gave a heads up if you're gonna bolt like that! Like a one, two, three sorta deal!"

Eventually, the stairs led to two massive doors, as tall as the height of the room, and far wider than any door before in the castle. Beyond, a powerful surge of pure malevolence could be felt. Evil, dark energy in its truest form radiated throughout. It was almost like a foul stench, causing even the cynical and usually non-reactive Constantine to scrunch up mildly in disgust. The air became far colder than before, a testament to the absence of light around, save for the ominous candles that continued to burn brightly, but the small lights only made it clear just how imposing the darkness around it truly was.

Before making any attempt to open the doors, Constantine looked back at the others, clearing his throat.

"I guess from here on, there's no turning back, so I won't insult you lot by askin' if any of you are ready for this, 'cause the end of the line usually doesn't have a great end," he spoke, deciding to have one last smoke before facing the terror beyond as he pulled out one last cigarette, lighting it casually, a gesture that betrayed his tense interior.

"So then, I suppose... Anyone interested in getting some last word in? I'm not one for boostin' team morale, so if anyone else feels obliged... Well, be my guest."

Cast List
@Minerva as Astolfo (Type-Moon)
@Crow as Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
@thatguyinthestore as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
@Jeremi as Fall-From-Grace and Mortimer Rictusgrin (Planescape)
@Sen as Genya Arikado (Castlevania)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight)
@dark as Jak (Jak & Daxter)
@Gummi Bunnies as Kaine and Emil (NieR)
@Alex Azure as Kokichi Oma (Danganronpa)
@Krieg as Kurumi Ebisuzawa (School-Live!)
@Yun Lee as Libra and Sumia (Fire Emblem)
@Takumi as Lindel (The Ancient Magus Bride)
@York as Lucatiel of Mirrah (Dark Souls II)
@Lucky as Mike Munroe and Joshua Washington (Until Dawn)
@Kaykay as Sera Mizuki (Soushuu Senshinkan Gakuen)
@Otto as Siegward of Catarina (Dark Souls III)
@Tutski19 as Soraka (League of Legends)
@Khan of the Mardu as Virginia Maxwell (Wild Arms)
@Josh as Yuuri Wakasa (School-Live!)
@Archmage Jeremiah as Zoe (League of Legends)​

 

[Jeremi]

Continued from here.

Final Chapter
"Aria"

Spoiler: Recap

As the group draws deeper and deeper into the castle, they eventually fall victim to a trap door and end up in a mysterious cavern, surrounded by ravenous demons. After fighting their way through the cavern, they are soon met with a dead end, only for the barrier to open up like a hidden door, courtesy of Guts, who managed to reach them on the other side. With that, they continued to travel through Castlevania, overcoming a puzzle upon realizing that they had actually been flipped upside down in the castle unknowingly in the process.

Eventually, they reach Dracula's private study, where gathered notes provide insight into Dracula's character, his struggles, and his losses, as well as his atrocities and his encounter with Kirei Kotomine, who had bestowed him with the power of the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon, thus allowing him to freely travel across different worlds on a whim, though the man does not give a motive for why he gives Dracula this power, and disappears as abruptly as he appeared. Dracula sits on this information for a substantial amount of time, unsure of whether or not to use this power to escape this world that he exists in, before eventually deciding to make use of it after a long while, traveling into the next universe over. He recognizes it as a world similar to his, though different in its own ways. Shortly afterwards, it is then that he encounters Felix Faust, whom Dracula spares and allows to serve him, the sorcerer reminding him of his late servant, Shaft. With some coaxing from Faust, Dracula then makes the decision to take over this new world, confident that without anyone aware of his existence with an active intent to stop him, such as the Belmont clan of vampire killers, he will surely succeed.

From there, the group continues traveling, before coming across Felix Faust and the mind-controlled Etrigan as well. The group engages in a grand battle, ending with Faust's demise and Etrigan being released of his mind control. As Etrigan agrees to join with the group, Faust's body and soul are burned away by hellfire conjured by Dracula, who goads the group into venturing just a bit further and finally confront him.

"Hrrn... I take it you had quite a misadventure these past few days," Etrigan grunted toward Constantine, briefly eyeing the rest of the group, but hardly seeming to address them beyond that. Even though he had been healed of his wounds earlier, he still displayed a degree of mental exhaustion, perhaps natural considering the influence he was under for days on end, all the while helpless to save Zatanna. In any case, it seemed that he had little desire to ask any questions about who exactly the group was or where they came from, more concerned with exacting vengeance on the one Faust called his "master," and getting back to his home world promptly.

"I'll take that as a thank you."

"Feh. Let us make haste. I tire of this dreary castle; being forced to remain in a locale such as this is tiring," the demon said, ignoring the British man's response. With that, Etrigan made for the stairs, followed closely by Constantine and Zatanna, who clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

"You coulda at least gave a heads up if you're gonna bolt like that! Like a one, two, three sorta deal!"

Eventually, the stairs led to two massive doors, as tall as the height of the room, and far wider than any door before in the castle. Beyond, a powerful surge of pure malevolence could be felt. Evil, dark energy in its truest form radiated throughout. It was almost like a foul stench, causing even the cynical and usually non-reactive Constantine to scrunch up mildly in disgust. The air became far colder than before, a testament to the absence of light around, save for the ominous candles that continued to burn brightly, but the small lights only made it clear just how imposing the darkness around it truly was.

Before making any attempt to open the doors, Constantine looked back at the others, clearing his throat.

"I guess from here on, there's no turning back, so I won't insult you lot by askin' if any of you are ready for this, 'cause the end of the line usually doesn't have a great end," he spoke, deciding to have one last smoke before facing the terror beyond as he pulled out one last cigarette, lighting it casually, a gesture that betrayed his tense interior.

"So then, I suppose... Anyone interested in getting some last word in? I'm not one for boostin' team morale, so if anyone else feels obliged... Well, be my guest."

Cast List
@Minerva as Astolfo (Type-Moon)
@Crow as Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
@thatguyinthestore as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
@Jeremi as Fall-From-Grace and Mortimer Rictusgrin (Planescape)
@Sen as Genya Arikado (Castlevania)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight)
@dark as Jak (Jak & Daxter)
@Gummi Bunnies as Kaine and Emil (NieR)
@Alex Azure as Kokichi Oma (Danganronpa)
@Krieg as Kurumi Ebisuzawa (School-Live!)
@Yun Lee as Libra and Sumia (Fire Emblem)
@Takumi as Lindel (The Ancient Magus Bride)
@York as Lucatiel of Mirrah (Dark Souls II)
@Lucky as Mike Munroe and Joshua Washington (Until Dawn)
@Kaykay as Sera Mizuki (Soushuu Senshinkan Gakuen)
@Otto as Siegward of Catarina (Dark Souls III)
@Tutski19 as Soraka (League of Legends)
@Khan of the Mardu as Virginia Maxwell (Wild Arms)
@Josh as Yuuri Wakasa (School-Live!)
@Archmage Jeremiah as Zoe (League of Legends)​

"Perhaps we're not ready," Grace started. "But there is not much else we can do is there? To save our fate we must best this castle and its master. Otherwise I'm sad to say a terrible fate awaits us all."

"Not like we have anythin' better to do or anythin..."

@Ver @Everyone

 

[Crow]

Continued from here.

Final Chapter
"Aria"

Spoiler: Recap

As the group draws deeper and deeper into the castle, they eventually fall victim to a trap door and end up in a mysterious cavern, surrounded by ravenous demons. After fighting their way through the cavern, they are soon met with a dead end, only for the barrier to open up like a hidden door, courtesy of Guts, who managed to reach them on the other side. With that, they continued to travel through Castlevania, overcoming a puzzle upon realizing that they had actually been flipped upside down in the castle unknowingly in the process.

Eventually, they reach Dracula's private study, where gathered notes provide insight into Dracula's character, his struggles, and his losses, as well as his atrocities and his encounter with Kirei Kotomine, who had bestowed him with the power of the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon, thus allowing him to freely travel across different worlds on a whim, though the man does not give a motive for why he gives Dracula this power, and disappears as abruptly as he appeared. Dracula sits on this information for a substantial amount of time, unsure of whether or not to use this power to escape this world that he exists in, before eventually deciding to make use of it after a long while, traveling into the next universe over. He recognizes it as a world similar to his, though different in its own ways. Shortly afterwards, it is then that he encounters Felix Faust, whom Dracula spares and allows to serve him, the sorcerer reminding him of his late servant, Shaft. With some coaxing from Faust, Dracula then makes the decision to take over this new world, confident that without anyone aware of his existence with an active intent to stop him, such as the Belmont clan of vampire killers, he will surely succeed.

From there, the group continues traveling, before coming across Felix Faust and the mind-controlled Etrigan as well. The group engages in a grand battle, ending with Faust's demise and Etrigan being released of his mind control. As Etrigan agrees to join with the group, Faust's body and soul are burned away by hellfire conjured by Dracula, who goads the group into venturing just a bit further and finally confront him.

"Hrrn... I take it you had quite a misadventure these past few days," Etrigan grunted toward Constantine, briefly eyeing the rest of the group, but hardly seeming to address them beyond that. Even though he had been healed of his wounds earlier, he still displayed a degree of mental exhaustion, perhaps natural considering the influence he was under for days on end, all the while helpless to save Zatanna. In any case, it seemed that he had little desire to ask any questions about who exactly the group was or where they came from, more concerned with exacting vengeance on the one Faust called his "master," and getting back to his home world promptly.

"I'll take that as a thank you."

"Feh. Let us make haste. I tire of this dreary castle; being forced to remain in a locale such as this is tiring," the demon said, ignoring the British man's response. With that, Etrigan made for the stairs, followed closely by Constantine and Zatanna, who clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

"You coulda at least gave a heads up if you're gonna bolt like that! Like a one, two, three sorta deal!"

Eventually, the stairs led to two massive doors, as tall as the height of the room, and far wider than any door before in the castle. Beyond, a powerful surge of pure malevolence could be felt. Evil, dark energy in its truest form radiated throughout. It was almost like a foul stench, causing even the cynical and usually non-reactive Constantine to scrunch up mildly in disgust. The air became far colder than before, a testament to the absence of light around, save for the ominous candles that continued to burn brightly, but the small lights only made it clear just how imposing the darkness around it truly was.

Before making any attempt to open the doors, Constantine looked back at the others, clearing his throat.

"I guess from here on, there's no turning back, so I won't insult you lot by askin' if any of you are ready for this, 'cause the end of the line usually doesn't have a great end," he spoke, deciding to have one last smoke before facing the terror beyond as he pulled out one last cigarette, lighting it casually, a gesture that betrayed his tense interior.

"So then, I suppose... Anyone interested in getting some last word in? I'm not one for boostin' team morale, so if anyone else feels obliged... Well, be my guest."

Cast List
@Minerva as Astolfo (Type-Moon)
@Crow as Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
@thatguyinthestore as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
@Jeremi as Fall-From-Grace and Mortimer Rictusgrin (Planescape)
@Sen as Genya Arikado (Castlevania)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight)
@dark as Jak (Jak & Daxter)
@Gummi Bunnies as Kaine and Emil (NieR)
@Alex Azure as Kokichi Oma (Danganronpa)
@Krieg as Kurumi Ebisuzawa (School-Live!)
@Yun Lee as Libra and Sumia (Fire Emblem)
@Takumi as Lindel (The Ancient Magus Bride)
@York as Lucatiel of Mirrah (Dark Souls II)
@Lucky as Mike Munroe and Joshua Washington (Until Dawn)
@Kaykay as Sera Mizuki (Soushuu Senshinkan Gakuen)
@Otto as Siegward of Catarina (Dark Souls III)
@Tutski19 as Soraka (League of Legends)
@Khan of the Mardu as Virginia Maxwell (Wild Arms)
@Josh as Yuuri Wakasa (School-Live!)
@Archmage Jeremiah as Zoe (League of Legends)​

"Well, I just said my signature catchphrase, so I won't say it again."

Ben ponders.

"Instead, well..."

Ben looks at Miki.

"I'm still feeling really terrible over the Wildmutt thing, so once again, I'm sorry about it, Miki. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm going to prove that I'm not to be feared! Not by allies, anyways. I'm kind of supposed to strike fear into my enemy's hearts."

He turns to Lindel.

"I am picking up magic pretty recently, and cousin Gwen can't teach me everything," Ben gave him a wink, "the way you've been so far, you're quite the mentor figure, aren't you?"

He turns to Siegward & Astolfo.

"Even in dark moments like these, knights like you brighten up my day and the day of everyone else, not with what shines on the outside, but what shines on the inside. But yes, please take care of your liver, Siegward."

He turns to Sumia.

"Thanks for taking care of those I can't, and me when I... uh... get out of hand or feel down. I really appreciate it."

He turns to Sera.

"I actually can't say much, but you've been a great help to me."

He then turns to Kokichi.

"You're an... interesting fellow."

He turns to Zoe.

"Keep staying positive, missy, but be sure to be a little more wary next time."

He smiles as he turns to Constantine, Zatanna & Etrigan.

"Thanks for all the help, Constantine. Zatanna, Etrigan, make sure you take real good care of Constantine when you all touch home," he looks at Zatanna in particular, "and yes, I know exactly what I'm saying."

Be finally turns to Ciel.

"To tell the truth, you've been a pretty horrible guy throughout all this. I know that the old 'everyone has good in them' thing is cliche and boring, but I can actually see it in you. Be a good kid while you can, the late teenage years are where things really get rough. Learned that the hard way."

A lot of people to say stuff to. No time to waste.

"That's a lot of people. For those I haven't thanked, just know that every one of us has helped as much as we can to the best of our ability. We've had a good run, and we're going to continue our streak by defeating Dracula and saving every last one of his victims! Well, the victims that live, anyways. This is the final battle, so go full power, whip out your Trump Cards, and dare I say...

... have a blast, everyone! This fight is definitely not our last, but, it's the last fight we'll have together, as this very team! The-"

Ben turns to Guts with a confused expression.

"- what's our called team again?"

@Ver @Takumi @Otto @Minerva @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Raptor Jesus @etcetcetc​

 

[Ver]

"The Revengers," he only said flatly. It was likely some sort of dry joke or facetious response, but the Black Swordsman's ever stoic expression made it hard to tell.

@Crow​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Well, I can't really say it's been fun, because of, y'know, the whole 'you'll be sacrificed unless you kill this evil vampire' thing...but I am glad we had such a good group of people. It was nice to meet you all...even under these circumstances." Sumia smiled. "I don't need a flower fortune to know that we'll win!"

Libra smiled as his friend finished her speech, but soon grew serious. "Likewise, I wish that we had all met under better circumstances. However, everyone here has proven themselves admirable. It has been an honor to fight and travel alongside you all. May the Gods aid us in this final battle."


@Ver @Takumi @Otto @Minerva @Yun Lee@Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Raptor Jesus @Crow @etcetcetc​

 

[Takumi]

"Well, I just said my signature catchphrase, so I won't say it again."

Ben ponders.

"Instead, well..."

Ben looks at Miki.

"I'm still feeling really terrible over the Wildmutt thing, so once again, I'm sorry about it, Miki. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm going to prove that I'm not to be feared! Not by allies, anyways. I'm kind of supposed to strike fear into my enemy's hearts."

He turns to Lindel.

"I am picking up magic pretty recently, and cousin Gwen can't teach me everything," Ben gave him a wink, "the way you've been so far, you're quite the mentor figure, aren't you?"

He turns to Siegward & Astolfo.

"Even in dark moments like these, knights like you brighten up my day and the day of everyone else, not with what shines on the outside, but what shines on the inside. But yes, please take care of your liver, Siegward."

He turns to Sumia.

"Thanks for taking care of those I can't, and me when I... uh... get out of hand or feel down. I really appreciate it."

He turns to Sera.

"I actually can't say much, but you've been a great help to me."

He then turns to Kokichi.

"You're an... interesting fellow."

He turns to Zoe.

"Keep staying positive, missy, but be sure to be a little more wary next time."

He smiles as he turns to Constantine, Zatanna & Etrigan.

"Thanks for all the help, Constantine. Zatanna, Etrigan, make sure you take real good care of Constantine when you all touch home," he looks at Zatanna in particular, "and yes, I know exactly what I'm saying."

Be finally turns to Ciel.

"To tell the truth, you've been a pretty horrible guy throughout all this. I know that the old 'everyone has good in them' thing is cliche and boring, but I can actually see it in you. Be a good kid while you can, the late teenage years are where things really get rough. Learned that the hard way."

A lot of people to say stuff to. No time to waste.

"That's a lot of people. For those I haven't thanked, just know that every one of us has helped as much as we can to the best of our ability. We've had a good run, and we're going to continue our streak by defeating Dracula and saving every last one of his victims! Well, the victims that live, anyways. This is the final battle, so go full power, whip out your Trump Cards, and dare I say...

... have a blast, everyone! This fight is definitely not our last, but, it's the last fight we'll have together, as this very team! The-"

Ben turns to Guts with a confused expression.

"- what's our called team again?"

@Ver @Takumi @Otto @Minerva @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Archmage Jeremiah @Raptor Jesus @etcetcetc​

Lindel chuckled, placing his hands on his hips as Ben addressed him.

"Well, I have been a mentor before, and my former student was a big bonehead. If you're throwing hints at wanting me to mentor you, you'll have quite a bit to learn." he smirked a little playfully.

"Really, I'm not much of a speech kind of guy, so good luck and don't do anything reckless." he spoke to the rest, giving a thumbs up as he spoke.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Minerva @Jeremi @Otto @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone

 

[Ver]

With all that said and done, Etrigan and Constantine went ahead and opened the doors, leading the way into the deepest part of the castle. The throne room itself, a massive chamber where the moonlight shined brighter than the countless candles within, but neither were able to overcome the figurative darkness. In the center of the room sat an imposing figure, no doubt the source of such malevolent energy. It could only have been none other than Dracula himself.

Sitting where he was like a statue, sipping what appeared to be a glass of red liquid (most likely wine, or even blood if one wanted to be morbid enough to think it), watching everyone with his piercing gaze, not making a single sudden movement or saying anything until they had drawn close enough.

Looking down upon everyone, the master of the castle let out a breath.

"How many times have trespassers invaded my own home and slain me? Betwixt the Belmonts and even my own son, my own realm has ceased to even be exactly that to me; a home. A place of safety and security. No matter where I travel, no matter where I take this cursed domain, it seems that you worms cannot get enough of trespassing..." Dracula said, his words turning to growls as he crushed the stone armrest with the sheer strength in his pale hand, "So, then. What reason do you have, if you know not of me, for I know not of you, to step onto my land on your whim? Quixotic heroism? A personal vendetta on my servant extended toward myself? Or some other personal gain? Perhaps even all of the above, disguised by the guise of doing what is right! After all, no one dares question the ethic of slaying those they deem to be monsters, eh?!"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

 

[Crow]

With all that said and done, Etrigan and Constantine went ahead and opened the doors, leading the way into the deepest part of the castle. The throne room itself, a massive chamber where the moonlight shined brighter than the countless candles within, but neither were able to overcome the figurative darkness. In the center of the room sat an imposing figure, no doubt the source of such malevolent energy. It could only have been none other than Dracula himself.

Sitting where he was like a statue, sipping what appeared to be a glass of red liquid (most likely wine, or even blood if one wanted to be morbid enough to think it), watching everyone with his piercing gaze, not making a single sudden movement or saying anything until they had drawn close enough.

Looking down upon everyone, the master of the castle let out a breath.

"How many times have trespassers invaded my own home and slain me? Betwixt the Belmonts and even my own son, my own realm has ceased to even be exactly that to me; a home. A place of safety and security. No matter where I travel, no matter where I take this cursed domain, it seems that you worms cannot get enough of trespassing..." Dracula said, his words turning to growls as he crushed the stone armrest with the sheer strength in his pale hand, "So, then. What reason do you have, if you know not of me, for I know not of you, to step onto my land on your whim? Quixotic heroism? A personal vendetta on my servant extended toward myself? Or some other personal gain? Perhaps even all of the above, disguised by the guise of doing what is right! After all, no one dares question the ethic of slaying those they deem to be monsters, eh?!"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

"How about you, Dracula?" Ben questions as he dials his Omnitrix, holograms popping up as he shifts through them.

"Have you ever questioned the ethic of consuming those you deem your inferior prey?"

@Ver @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Takumi @Otto @Archmage Jeremiah @etcetcetc​

 

[Ver]

"Does a wolf mourn for the deer that it rips apart in order to survive? Do you mourn for the cattle that you breed and keep locked up, before sending them to the slaughter for your own benefit? If it is a sin to live as I am -- if my very existence is a sin -- then what am I to do but to embrace that sin? What am I to do but turn my back on humanity? Or perhaps, was it humanity that cursed me with such labels as "evil" to begin with?" The vampire lord inquired, his gaze filled to the brim with contempt.

"But what is evil anyhow? Is there some constant truth to its word, or is it simply something man has constructed in order to assuage his own original sin? Perhaps it is simply something that man fears, but claims that he cannot live without, lest he cease to be such a man, as though that were a transgression! And yet, man does not need I to carry out despair and malice! After all, are they not the only species with the willful nature to kill each other? To violate one another, to lie, cheat, steal? And of course, it is man who is the only one capable of forgiving his own sins! What a disgusting, self-indulgent race!"

Rising to his feet, still holding the glass in his hand, he sneers scornfully. Hissing can be heard in the background, and behind the group, blocking the way to the door out, a horde of demons stood, from beast men to cloaked skeletons, mud monsters, and everything in between, but stayed where they were, refraining from attacking, though who knew how long that would last? Even so, Zatanna, Etrigan, and Guts moved to the back, facing the demons behind them, as though intending to stare them down, if not take them on if things went south (which was an inevitability at this point).

"Tell me then, all you descended from man and all you demons who would help them in spite of what they would do to each other, much less you," Dracula spoke, addressing the humans and the demons in the group, "Why is it that you fight? For yourself? For a cursed race who hates others simply because they can hate others? For a desire to return to the comfortable, secure life you held, unbeknownst to a cursed world such as this? It is all for naught; your struggles are for naught. They amount to nothing but dust, and yet, still you persist, even expecting the journey you take to end in disappointment. Why is that?! Have you any words for this phenomena called the human condition?"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

 

[Yun Lee]

"We fight," Libra replied, taking a step forward, "Because, in spite of all its faults, of all its sin, humankind is worth fighting for. You may not think so, but it is true. For every wrong, every atrocity, humans-no, people-have proven time and time again that they are capable of compassion, of mercy, of kindness. For all the hate in the multiverse, there is always love to counter it. Light for darkness. Hope for despair. People are neither all good, nor are they all bad, but the good in them makes them worth protecting."

View attachment 2211

"I doubt you will agree with me. You decided your worldview long ago, and your plan to take over this world is proof enough that you are beyond change. But, before I eliminate you, as you are a threat to not just this world, but the multiverse...I will show you the merciful side of my nature, before I seal it away. You have one last chance to repent and come quietly. Otherwise...tonight shall be your last."

Sumia held her lance in her hand, deciding not to speak. There was nothing to be said. The only thing to do now...was fight.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure@Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto@Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah@Everyone​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

Continued from here.

Final Chapter
"Aria"

Spoiler: Recap

As the group draws deeper and deeper into the castle, they eventually fall victim to a trap door and end up in a mysterious cavern, surrounded by ravenous demons. After fighting their way through the cavern, they are soon met with a dead end, only for the barrier to open up like a hidden door, courtesy of Guts, who managed to reach them on the other side. With that, they continued to travel through Castlevania, overcoming a puzzle upon realizing that they had actually been flipped upside down in the castle unknowingly in the process.

Eventually, they reach Dracula's private study, where gathered notes provide insight into Dracula's character, his struggles, and his losses, as well as his atrocities and his encounter with Kirei Kotomine, who had bestowed him with the power of the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon, thus allowing him to freely travel across different worlds on a whim, though the man does not give a motive for why he gives Dracula this power, and disappears as abruptly as he appeared. Dracula sits on this information for a substantial amount of time, unsure of whether or not to use this power to escape this world that he exists in, before eventually deciding to make use of it after a long while, traveling into the next universe over. He recognizes it as a world similar to his, though different in its own ways. Shortly afterwards, it is then that he encounters Felix Faust, whom Dracula spares and allows to serve him, the sorcerer reminding him of his late servant, Shaft. With some coaxing from Faust, Dracula then makes the decision to take over this new world, confident that without anyone aware of his existence with an active intent to stop him, such as the Belmont clan of vampire killers, he will surely succeed.

From there, the group continues traveling, before coming across Felix Faust and the mind-controlled Etrigan as well. The group engages in a grand battle, ending with Faust's demise and Etrigan being released of his mind control. As Etrigan agrees to join with the group, Faust's body and soul are burned away by hellfire conjured by Dracula, who goads the group into venturing just a bit further and finally confront him.

"Hrrn... I take it you had quite a misadventure these past few days," Etrigan grunted toward Constantine, briefly eyeing the rest of the group, but hardly seeming to address them beyond that. Even though he had been healed of his wounds earlier, he still displayed a degree of mental exhaustion, perhaps natural considering the influence he was under for days on end, all the while helpless to save Zatanna. In any case, it seemed that he had little desire to ask any questions about who exactly the group was or where they came from, more concerned with exacting vengeance on the one Faust called his "master," and getting back to his home world promptly.

"I'll take that as a thank you."

"Feh. Let us make haste. I tire of this dreary castle; being forced to remain in a locale such as this is tiring," the demon said, ignoring the British man's response. With that, Etrigan made for the stairs, followed closely by Constantine and Zatanna, who clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

"You coulda at least gave a heads up if you're gonna bolt like that! Like a one, two, three sorta deal!"

Eventually, the stairs led to two massive doors, as tall as the height of the room, and far wider than any door before in the castle. Beyond, a powerful surge of pure malevolence could be felt. Evil, dark energy in its truest form radiated throughout. It was almost like a foul stench, causing even the cynical and usually non-reactive Constantine to scrunch up mildly in disgust. The air became far colder than before, a testament to the absence of light around, save for the ominous candles that continued to burn brightly, but the small lights only made it clear just how imposing the darkness around it truly was.

Before making any attempt to open the doors, Constantine looked back at the others, clearing his throat.

"I guess from here on, there's no turning back, so I won't insult you lot by askin' if any of you are ready for this, 'cause the end of the line usually doesn't have a great end," he spoke, deciding to have one last smoke before facing the terror beyond as he pulled out one last cigarette, lighting it casually, a gesture that betrayed his tense interior.

"So then, I suppose... Anyone interested in getting some last word in? I'm not one for boostin' team morale, so if anyone else feels obliged... Well, be my guest."

Cast List
@Minerva as Astolfo (Type-Moon)
@Crow as Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
@thatguyinthestore as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
@Jeremi as Fall-From-Grace and Mortimer Rictusgrin (Planescape)
@Sen as Genya Arikado (Castlevania)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight)
@dark as Jak (Jak & Daxter)
@Gummi Bunnies as Kaine and Emil (NieR)
@Alex Azure as Kokichi Oma (Danganronpa)
@Krieg as Kurumi Ebisuzawa (School-Live!)
@Yun Lee as Libra and Sumia (Fire Emblem)
@Takumi as Lindel (The Ancient Magus Bride)
@York as Lucatiel of Mirrah (Dark Souls II)
@Lucky as Mike Munroe and Joshua Washington (Until Dawn)
@Kaykay as Sera Mizuki (Soushuu Senshinkan Gakuen)
@Otto as Siegward of Catarina (Dark Souls III)
@Tutski19 as Soraka (League of Legends)
@Khan of the Mardu as Virginia Maxwell (Wild Arms)
@Josh as Yuuri Wakasa (School-Live!)
@Archmage Jeremiah as Zoe (League of Legends)​

[/

​

"Does a wolf mourn for the deer that it rips apart in order to survive? Do you mourn for the cattle that you breed and keep locked up, before sending them to the slaughter for your own benefit? If it is a sin to live as I am -- if my very existence is a sin -- then what am I to do but to embrace that sin? What am I to do but turn my back on humanity? Or perhaps, was it humanity that cursed me with such labels as "evil" to begin with?" The vampire lord inquired, his gaze filled to the brim with contempt.

"But what is evil anyhow? Is there some constant truth to its word, or is it simply something man has constructed in order to assuage his own original sin? Perhaps it is simply something that man fears, but claims that he cannot live without, lest he cease to be such a man, as though that were a transgression! And yet, man does not need I to carry out despair and malice! After all, are they not the only species with the willful nature to kill each other? To violate one another, to lie, cheat, steal? And of course, it is man who is the only one capable of forgiving his own sins! What a disgusting, self-indulgent race!"

Rising to his feet, still holding the glass in his hand, he sneers scornfully. Hissing can be heard in the background, and behind the group, blocking the way to the door out, a horde of demons stood, from beast men to cloaked skeletons, mud monsters, and everything in between, but stayed where they were, refraining from attacking, though who knew how long that would last? Even so, Zatanna, Etrigan, and Guts moved to the back, facing the demons behind them, as though intending to stare them down, if not take them on if things went south (which was an inevitability at this point).

"Tell me then, all you descended from man and all you demons who would help them in spite of what they would do to each other, much less you," Dracula spoke, addressing the humans and the demons in the group, "Why is it that you fight? For yourself? For a cursed race who hates others simply because they can hate others? For a desire to return to the comfortable, secure life you held, unbeknownst to a cursed world such as this? It is all for naught; your struggles are for naught. They amount to nothing but dust, and yet, still you persist, even expecting the journey you take to end in disappointment. Why is that?! Have you any words for this phenomena called the human condition?"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

"No."

Ciel finally had spoken up, not having anything to say before they faced Dracula. He had said his peace back when they were about to face Felix Faust, after all. Even when Ben decided to try and give him advice, or whatever, Ciel saw no reason to reply.

"We are only here because we have been branded by the God's Hand, and must present them with a great evil to fulfill our debt. It just so happens that you fit the bill.

Some of our group is concerned with what you've done, and even believe they are doing the world a service by ending your life." Ciel stated, gesturing to people like Libra and Ben as he said that. "I, on the other hand, do not care for what you've done. I even find myself agreeing with you on some level. Humanity is truly an awful species. We murder, torture, steal, rape, and preform other bad deeds, often without remorse. The simple fact that we wish to kill you is a shining example of that fact.

However, if killing you is what is necessary for us to return home, then I'm afraid that I have no other choice."

@Ver @Crow @Yun Lee @Jeremi​

 

[Crow]

"Does a wolf mourn for the deer that it rips apart in order to survive? Do you mourn for the cattle that you breed and keep locked up, before sending them to the slaughter for your own benefit? If it is a sin to live as I am -- if my very existence is a sin -- then what am I to do but to embrace that sin? What am I to do but turn my back on humanity? Or perhaps, was it humanity that cursed me with such labels as "evil" to begin with?" The vampire lord inquired, his gaze filled to the brim with contempt.

"But what is evil anyhow? Is there some constant truth to its word, or is it simply something man has constructed in order to assuage his own original sin? Perhaps it is simply something that man fears, but claims that he cannot live without, lest he cease to be such a man, as though that were a transgression! And yet, man does not need I to carry out despair and malice! After all, are they not the only species with the willful nature to kill each other? To violate one another, to lie, cheat, steal? And of course, it is man who is the only one capable of forgiving his own sins! What a disgusting, self-indulgent race!"

Rising to his feet, still holding the glass in his hand, he sneers scornfully. Hissing can be heard in the background, and behind the group, blocking the way to the door out, a horde of demons stood, from beast men to cloaked skeletons, mud monsters, and everything in between, but stayed where they were, refraining from attacking, though who knew how long that would last? Even so, Zatanna, Etrigan, and Guts moved to the back, facing the demons behind them, as though intending to stare them down, if not take them on if things went south (which was an inevitability at this point).

"Tell me then, all you descended from man and all you demons who would help them in spite of what they would do to each other, much less you," Dracula spoke, addressing the humans and the demons in the group, "Why is it that you fight? For yourself? For a cursed race who hates others simply because they can hate others? For a desire to return to the comfortable, secure life you held, unbeknownst to a cursed world such as this? It is all for naught; your struggles are for naught. They amount to nothing but dust, and yet, still you persist, even expecting the journey you take to end in disappointment. Why is that?! Have you any words for this phenomena called the human condition?"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

"Just as it is neccessary for the wolf to hunt, it's just as neccesary for the deer to do what it can to escape the maws of its predator. It could run, or it could fight!"

Ben nods as Libra said his share.

"Yeah, what he said. Also...

... it's hero time!"

Ben's body was beginning to morph. From his arms and sidea, a membrane began to form, followed by a tail as an extension of his spine. His hands and skull began to morph...

Before all, a red, manta ray-like being appeared.

"Jetray!" the being exclaimed as it looked around at Dracula's many minions. "Oh finally, some serious buttkicking. All this philosophy mumbo jumbo gives me a throbbing headache! But..."

Jetray flies upwards, facing Dracula.

"I think I'll skip out on the appetizer, thank you very much, Dracula. I appreciate it, but I kind of want my main course ASAP. I take it that you're as capable of aerial combat as I am?"

@Ver @Yun Lee @Raptor Jesus @Kaykay @Jeremi @Takumi @etcetcetc​

 

[Archmage Jeremiah]

Continued from here.

Final Chapter
"Aria"

Spoiler: Recap

As the group draws deeper and deeper into the castle, they eventually fall victim to a trap door and end up in a mysterious cavern, surrounded by ravenous demons. After fighting their way through the cavern, they are soon met with a dead end, only for the barrier to open up like a hidden door, courtesy of Guts, who managed to reach them on the other side. With that, they continued to travel through Castlevania, overcoming a puzzle upon realizing that they had actually been flipped upside down in the castle unknowingly in the process.

Eventually, they reach Dracula's private study, where gathered notes provide insight into Dracula's character, his struggles, and his losses, as well as his atrocities and his encounter with Kirei Kotomine, who had bestowed him with the power of the Right Hand of the Crimson Moon, thus allowing him to freely travel across different worlds on a whim, though the man does not give a motive for why he gives Dracula this power, and disappears as abruptly as he appeared. Dracula sits on this information for a substantial amount of time, unsure of whether or not to use this power to escape this world that he exists in, before eventually deciding to make use of it after a long while, traveling into the next universe over. He recognizes it as a world similar to his, though different in its own ways. Shortly afterwards, it is then that he encounters Felix Faust, whom Dracula spares and allows to serve him, the sorcerer reminding him of his late servant, Shaft. With some coaxing from Faust, Dracula then makes the decision to take over this new world, confident that without anyone aware of his existence with an active intent to stop him, such as the Belmont clan of vampire killers, he will surely succeed.

From there, the group continues traveling, before coming across Felix Faust and the mind-controlled Etrigan as well. The group engages in a grand battle, ending with Faust's demise and Etrigan being released of his mind control. As Etrigan agrees to join with the group, Faust's body and soul are burned away by hellfire conjured by Dracula, who goads the group into venturing just a bit further and finally confront him.

"Hrrn... I take it you had quite a misadventure these past few days," Etrigan grunted toward Constantine, briefly eyeing the rest of the group, but hardly seeming to address them beyond that. Even though he had been healed of his wounds earlier, he still displayed a degree of mental exhaustion, perhaps natural considering the influence he was under for days on end, all the while helpless to save Zatanna. In any case, it seemed that he had little desire to ask any questions about who exactly the group was or where they came from, more concerned with exacting vengeance on the one Faust called his "master," and getting back to his home world promptly.

"I'll take that as a thank you."

"Feh. Let us make haste. I tire of this dreary castle; being forced to remain in a locale such as this is tiring," the demon said, ignoring the British man's response. With that, Etrigan made for the stairs, followed closely by Constantine and Zatanna, who clicked her tongue in mild irritation.

"You coulda at least gave a heads up if you're gonna bolt like that! Like a one, two, three sorta deal!"

Eventually, the stairs led to two massive doors, as tall as the height of the room, and far wider than any door before in the castle. Beyond, a powerful surge of pure malevolence could be felt. Evil, dark energy in its truest form radiated throughout. It was almost like a foul stench, causing even the cynical and usually non-reactive Constantine to scrunch up mildly in disgust. The air became far colder than before, a testament to the absence of light around, save for the ominous candles that continued to burn brightly, but the small lights only made it clear just how imposing the darkness around it truly was.

Before making any attempt to open the doors, Constantine looked back at the others, clearing his throat.

"I guess from here on, there's no turning back, so I won't insult you lot by askin' if any of you are ready for this, 'cause the end of the line usually doesn't have a great end," he spoke, deciding to have one last smoke before facing the terror beyond as he pulled out one last cigarette, lighting it casually, a gesture that betrayed his tense interior.

"So then, I suppose... Anyone interested in getting some last word in? I'm not one for boostin' team morale, so if anyone else feels obliged... Well, be my guest."

Cast List
@Minerva as Astolfo (Type-Moon)
@Crow as Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)
@thatguyinthestore as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
@Jeremi as Fall-From-Grace and Mortimer Rictusgrin (Planescape)
@Sen as Genya Arikado (Castlevania)
@CrunchyCHEEZIT as Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight)
@dark as Jak (Jak & Daxter)
@Gummi Bunnies as Kaine and Emil (NieR)
@Alex Azure as Kokichi Oma (Danganronpa)
@Krieg as Kurumi Ebisuzawa (School-Live!)
@Yun Lee as Libra and Sumia (Fire Emblem)
@Takumi as Lindel (The Ancient Magus Bride)
@York as Lucatiel of Mirrah (Dark Souls II)
@Lucky as Mike Munroe and Joshua Washington (Until Dawn)
@Kaykay as Sera Mizuki (Soushuu Senshinkan Gakuen)
@Otto as Siegward of Catarina (Dark Souls III)
@Tutski19 as Soraka (League of Legends)
@Khan of the Mardu as Virginia Maxwell (Wild Arms)
@Josh as Yuuri Wakasa (School-Live!)
@Archmage Jeremiah as Zoe (League of Legends)​

Standing before the colossal double-doors, the stench that permeated it struck Zoe like a truck. Immediately the ageless aspect pinched her nose and spat her tongue out. "Blech!" she gagged, "why does it always have to be lairs that stink the worst?" Zoe shuddered and flailed her free hand, quickly trapping a large amount of glittering dust; pulling the bits and pieces free from glittering strands of twine that disappeared into the air as quickly as they appeared, like she were reaching past the air and into the world itself.

The stardust formed into a long sparkler that, well, sparkled. Quickly would the stench about the place be overtaken by an overtly flowery smell. Whether or not the mix of the two smells was better than the wretched smell alone was in the eye of the beholder, but Zoe was instantly relieved.

Zoe beamed at the notion of giving her leaving words to the whole group, and grew further excited as people already began to spread theirs around. Twirling her sparkler around and cheering as she bounced on her feet, Zoe made an exuberant show of her time to speak. "Let's go, Reven-gers! Whoop whoop! Haha!" she chanted, throwing her sparkler into the air with a flourish before breaking out into the frantic arm and hip movements she thought was dancing, accompanied by her unique brand of scat singing. She continued until hopping into the air to catch her sparkler-turned-twirler.

"We're a force of nature!- Wait, no, even better!" she said, still twirling her sparkler around and bouncing around, "We're a force stronger than fate! We're The Revengers!!" Zoe burst, and bounded towards the looming doors entirely undaunted, "We're gonna make our names known, and show this Dracula why you don't mess with the natural order!" she shouted, hyping herself up for the end of their journey even if she couldn't reach anyone else with her encouragement.

"Eehee~...I always wanted to shout something heroic!~"

"Does a wolf mourn for the deer that it rips apart in order to survive? Do you mourn for the cattle that you breed and keep locked up, before sending them to the slaughter for your own benefit? If it is a sin to live as I am -- if my very existence is a sin -- then what am I to do but to embrace that sin? What am I to do but turn my back on humanity? Or perhaps, was it humanity that cursed me with such labels as "evil" to begin with?" The vampire lord inquired, his gaze filled to the brim with contempt.

"But what is evil anyhow? Is there some constant truth to its word, or is it simply something man has constructed in order to assuage his own original sin? Perhaps it is simply something that man fears, but claims that he cannot live without, lest he cease to be such a man, as though that were a transgression! And yet, man does not need I to carry out despair and malice! After all, are they not the only species with the willful nature to kill each other? To violate one another, to lie, cheat, steal? And of course, it is man who is the only one capable of forgiving his own sins! What a disgusting, self-indulgent race!"

Rising to his feet, still holding the glass in his hand, he sneers scornfully. Hissing can be heard in the background, and behind the group, blocking the way to the door out, a horde of demons stood, from beast men to cloaked skeletons, mud monsters, and everything in between, but stayed where they were, refraining from attacking, though who knew how long that would last? Even so, Zatanna, Etrigan, and Guts moved to the back, facing the demons behind them, as though intending to stare them down, if not take them on if things went south (which was an inevitability at this point).

"Tell me then, all you descended from man and all you demons who would help them in spite of what they would do to each other, much less you," Dracula spoke, addressing the humans and the demons in the group, "Why is it that you fight? For yourself? For a cursed race who hates others simply because they can hate others? For a desire to return to the comfortable, secure life you held, unbeknownst to a cursed world such as this? It is all for naught; your struggles are for naught. They amount to nothing but dust, and yet, still you persist, even expecting the journey you take to end in disappointment. Why is that?! Have you any words for this phenomena called the human condition?"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone

Entering ahead of everyone else fearlessly into the moonlit throne room, she pumped her fist up and down to the beat of her marching feet, sparkler in hand, guiding everyone into the darkness with her light. And even in the face of the man they sought - a man so heavily steeped in malevolence - Zoe stood before him donning a defiant smile.

"Evil-...ehhh, i-is alot of things!" she began her speech swimmingly, "But, in aaaaaall my years of watching short-lived realities-" she briefly paused, spinning all around to view her audience and clearing her throat, "and...on a much smaller scale, short-lived kingdoms, go PWOOF!" Zoe mimed out an explosion with her hands, "you know what has always been the cause? Selfishness! Oh, look at me, I want more land! Ooh, give me all your gold! I wanna live forever, waah!" Zoe whined in a mocking voice, "It's always about me me me, me me! Always thinking for yourself at the expense of others is the most evil thing you can do!"

At this point, Zoe began to march back and forth in front of the steps leading up to Dracula's throne, waving her sparkler here and there to help enunciate her views. "And you...well, the world has wanted your stardust back for a reaaaaally long time, and you can only really taunt the powers that be for so long before its repo team comes a-knockin'!" pausing for a moment, she gave Dracula a deep bow, and simultaneously gestured towards the rest of The Revengers, while still maintaining eye-contact with the vampire lord, "That's us in this case by the way! I'm Zoe, he's Ben, she's Grace, he's Lindel..." she continued in her headcount in this fashion until everyone had been called and accounted for, "and we're- huff..." Zoe declared in a breathy voice through gasps for air, "...The Revengers!...haah..."

"Not just that, but I know how you've kept your stardust so selfishly," Zoe stated, "by killing people! You're basically stealing people's stardust just to keep your own! That's like, double evil!" she chided Dracula, "No no no, wait, triple evil! I know you don't notice it, but what you're doing is sending wicked bad shockwaves across this world and so many others. Heck, only one person here is from my world!" she commented, taking a brief moment to shoot Soraka a smile and thumbs-up, "And frankly, the only way you can set that right by this point is by, well...not existing anymore," she added with an uncomfortable smile, "So I'm pretty sure I don't need to explain why we're the good guys here, right? Despite our differences, we all came here to save each other!" she explained anyway, and sounded like she wasn't done, "Even all the people you've been harassing with your sudden being here on our way to find you! And the whole universe in the process! That's a pretty awesome thing of us to do, right? So...ooh, selfless, that's the word I was looking for!"

"But..." she interjected during her own speech with a hopeful hum to her tone, "if you really wanted to...you could do something selfless, too," Zoe claimed, looking up at Dracula with her big glossy eyes, warm smile, and open arms, "You could always just go willingly. Let the universe take you back? A little bittersweet, sure..." she looked away, twiddling her fingers nervously, "and trust me, it doesn't get easier every time I say it, but it's really the best way to go. You'll even get a new body!" she happily added with a burst of excitement, "...I mean you won't keep your memories, and you'll look completely different, and be somewhere completely different, but it's better than what's gonna happen if you...don't go willingly," suddenly Zoe's voice fell flat, but in place of its usual joy was an inexplicable power to it - the kind of boom you'd expect from a muscled demigod, but packed into a diminutive little girl, "You don't want to know what happens then...and you don't wanna force us to show you,"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Ver @Everyone
​

 

[Crow]

"I'm not just Ben," Jetray proclaims towards Zoe, then faces Dracula, "I'm Ben 10, and there's a reason for that name. Granted, it's kind of a legacy name these days, and Ben 100-or-so just doesn't have the same ring to it."

Continuing, he says to Zoe, "you're really into the Revengers thing, huh? Ah well, I'll play along."

Jetray strikes a combat pose.

"Revengers! Reassemble! Or something..."

@Archmage Jeremiah @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Ver @Everyone​

 

[Kaykay]

"Does a wolf mourn for the deer that it rips apart in order to survive? Do you mourn for the cattle that you breed and keep locked up, before sending them to the slaughter for your own benefit? If it is a sin to live as I am -- if my very existence is a sin -- then what am I to do but to embrace that sin? What am I to do but turn my back on humanity? Or perhaps, was it humanity that cursed me with such labels as "evil" to begin with?" The vampire lord inquired, his gaze filled to the brim with contempt.

"But what is evil anyhow? Is there some constant truth to its word, or is it simply something man has constructed in order to assuage his own original sin? Perhaps it is simply something that man fears, but claims that he cannot live without, lest he cease to be such a man, as though that were a transgression! And yet, man does not need I to carry out despair and malice! After all, are they not the only species with the willful nature to kill each other? To violate one another, to lie, cheat, steal? And of course, it is man who is the only one capable of forgiving his own sins! What a disgusting, self-indulgent race!"

Rising to his feet, still holding the glass in his hand, he sneers scornfully. Hissing can be heard in the background, and behind the group, blocking the way to the door out, a horde of demons stood, from beast men to cloaked skeletons, mud monsters, and everything in between, but stayed where they were, refraining from attacking, though who knew how long that would last? Even so, Zatanna, Etrigan, and Guts moved to the back, facing the demons behind them, as though intending to stare them down, if not take them on if things went south (which was an inevitability at this point).

"Tell me then, all you descended from man and all you demons who would help them in spite of what they would do to each other, much less you," Dracula spoke, addressing the humans and the demons in the group, "Why is it that you fight? For yourself? For a cursed race who hates others simply because they can hate others? For a desire to return to the comfortable, secure life you held, unbeknownst to a cursed world such as this? It is all for naught; your struggles are for naught. They amount to nothing but dust, and yet, still you persist, even expecting the journey you take to end in disappointment. Why is that?! Have you any words for this phenomena called the human condition?"

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

"Well, it's not like you need to mourn us or anything, but I think you need to go outside some time," Sera replied coldly. "Man is the only one that conducts and forgives malice? Have you seen other animals? Infanticide is common among them. They'll kill, kidnap, rape for fun. I don't really like talking about it all that much, but animals are, well, animals. I still think they can be cute as much as the next girl...but it's not like they avoid 'sin' either."

She planted her sword into the ground, temporarily putting her weapon in a "sheathe" of sorts.

"I can't define evil or anything like that, but just as it's your right to feed on us, it's our right to defend ourselves. And if that involves saving more of our own kind, that's not something you can really fault, is it? We fight for ourselves, and for the humans who love others simply because they can love others. For the humans who protect others simply because they can. Don't just hypocritically spout the faults humans have when you and other species share the exact same faults. I have nothing to say about this 'human condition' other than this: Don't underestimate humans, Dracula!"

The sword began sinking further into the ground, but before it could go any further Sera gripped it in her hands and brandished it in front of her, paying no heed to the vast amount of demons that had suddenly appeared behind them.

"Surrender, and we will have no reason to fight!"

They'd have to find another evil to slay if he really did surrender, not that that was exactly more likely than winning the lottery ten times in a row, but Dracula, despite his "evil" didn't seem irredeemable just yet. Not to her, at least.

@Ver @everyone​

 

[Takumi]

"I'm not just Ben," Jetray proclaims towards Zoe, then faces Dracula, "I'm Ben 10, and there's a reason for that name. Granted, it's kind of a legacy name these days, and Ben 100-or-so just doesn't have the same ring to it."

Continuing, he says to Zoe, "you're really into the Revengers thing, huh? Ah well, I'll play along."

Jetray strikes a combat pose.

"Revengers! Reassemble! Or something..."

@Archmage Jeremiah @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Ver @Everyone​

Deciding not to share his piece or respond to Dracula, Lindel kept his sword in hand and at the ready. He lightly smacked Ben in the back of the with a sigh as he struck a pose and said something silly.

"Now is not the time for that, child." he muttered, trying to keep his amusement hidden like the adult he was.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Minerva @Jeremi @Otto @Sen @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone

 

[Ver]

"Feh. No, child," Dracula started toward Libra, his grip on his glass tightening enough so that it cracked slightly in his hand, but for whatever reason, he chose to hold himself back, keeping from shattering the glass, "It is you who ought to repent, for you already entered through the gates of Hell once you entered my realm. Just as it is man who ought to repent for daring to burn my dear Maria at the stake, like she were a monster. And I'd taken it upon myself for hundreds of years to ensure that they did. Now, I am not bound by her memory any longer, but it does not change the vile nature in the hearts of man."

He said nothing toward Zoe, as though believing her to be citing gibberish, and Sera, feeling as though he said his piece on the matter. The lord of shadow would not yield; he refused to, whether in the name of his pride or his life, ironic human sentiments, and he knew that the entourage before him would also not yield, acknowledging in his mind how far they had traversed, voluntarily or not. Dracula knew, to that end, that it would be a waste to spout any more words on them, and thus, remained silent for a brief moment, even closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, before opening them again, his powerful gaze just as imposing as it was a few moments prior.

"You all talk of wishing me to surrender, but you misunderstand. I have no intention of yielding in my own home, and if you also refuse to stand down... then at that point, words will only fail us."

"I could almost find your responses fascinating -- diverting, even -- for mere humans. If there is one thing, it is that you continue to possess the ability to surprise me with how you can articulate your bravado. So many secrets unlocking over time... but then, what is a man if not a miserable little pile of secrets?!" He said, breaking into an exclamation by the time he finished talking, furiously throwing his glass into the stone ground, the container shattering on contact as his form began to ignite into flames of hellfire.

"But enough talk. Just as I've said before to the others who have dared to stand in my way, have at you!" He exclaimed, as the demons behind the band of warriors finally began to move again, eagerly drawing closer with the intent of attacking.

As Zatanna, Etrigan, and Guts continued to stand there, acting as a thick line of defense, Constantine stood in the middle of the group, preparing his makeshift branding seal and waiting for an opportunity to curse Dracula with. Charging her magical energy, Zatanna gritted her teeth, getting ready.

"We got you guys covered on this end. Hopefully, you won't need us three to handle the big guy while we take out the small fry, will you? Just focus on taking him down!"

With that, Dracula shot the first fire -- literally, even -- casting a barrage of fireballs at the group, before suddenly disappearing into thin air almost immediately after! Following that, after a few seconds, like a powerful gust of wind, his tall figure appears in the midst of the group once again, blitzing Astolfo into the wall with the sheer power of his momentum, before disappearing once again, only to reappear in the air right in front of Jetray, before throwing a punch powerful enough with the intent of knocking him back into the ground, headed straight for the group at large, before landing down himself as well.

@Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @Everyone​

 

[Yun Lee]

Sumia began shooting a volley of arrows at Dracula, hoping to catch him off guard. With his speed, though, she had no idea if she could catch him, so she would just keep shooting-at least one arrow had to hit...

Libra would rush to Astolfo and heal him, hopefully countering any damage done to him. He would do the same to Ben as well if he was injured.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Alex Azure@Crow @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto@Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah@Everyone​

 

[Crow]

"Right, right, ridiculously powerful bad guy to fight, my bad, my bad," Jetray apologises, snapping back into the action and snapping at Dracula.

"If that's how you see things, this is all I can say - this miserable little pile of secrets is about to

KICK

YOUR

BUTT!"

As Dracula unleashed his fiery bullet hell, Jetray moved fast, dodging them as his sonicbooms extinguished a good fraction of the fire.

"ASTOLFO! NO- UGH!"

Jetray was distracted by Astolfo getting smacked hard, before he could counter Dracula's strike on him!

"Thanks Libra, take care of my pal Astolfo for me, will you? I'm counting on you!"

Jetray rolled mid-air, landing on his feet as he took a leap into the air once more, creating a sonicboom on the floor. Apparently, he was so fast, one would be unable to see him easily!

"You're fast, but I'm faster! I will show you what humanity's made of, Dracula! Allucinati Quattro!"

Jetray's fast movement created a wide array of afterimages, and that combined with the spell used created four illusions of each afterimage and the real Jetray. These afterimages and illusions of afterimages continued to disappear and reappear.

The various illusionary, afterimage and true Jetray unleashed repeated neuroshock blasts at Dracula, some hitting hard, while most proving to be fake. They stung and pushed, basically causing damage.

The real Jetray was there somewhere, and even then, he was definitely not staying in one place if he was moving so fast and creating afterimages.

@Ver @Minerva @Yun Lee @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Jeremi @Otto @Takumi @Archmage Jeremiah @etcetcetc​