Family Reunion (Zelos/A.B.A/Everto)

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

"Why? Why do you hate me so?" Zelos asked, taking a step closer to her. "We barely know each other, my actions to you have not be hostile. I...simply wanted to meet you."

[A.B.A.]

"How can you ask why?" A.B.A. demanded. "If you're a lier, then I need not say anymore. But if you're telling me the truth..." A.B.A. struggled, unable to get the words out. "If, if that were the case, then you'd have harmed me more than any lie could. My life to this point would have been for nought."

A.B.A. grimace faded some, her mind too busy being occupied with warding off the cruel truth staring her in the face. "There's only one way I could even begin to believe you. Face me in combat King Zelos. My father would not have placed a man any lesser than me in charge of Guasto. Do you accept?"

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

Zelos stared at her for a moment before his hand went to his sword hilt and he drew his blade.

"If this is your wish, then I accept."

[A.B.A.]

A.B.A. nodded her head, tucking low behind her shield as she studied him. A katana? How unusual. She pondered as she strafed around him, looking for an opening to strike first. At last coming within his reach she thrust out with her short sword, the blade's tip flying fast for Zelos' throat. As he dodged she proceeded with a barrage of blows, each one testing him. His strength, his reactions, every part of his skill as their weapons glanced off each other.

He's at least well trained with his weapon. She grumbled to herself as she parried a strike away with her shield. She didn't want to underestimate the man. To A.B.A., her very existence was at stake in this battle, and more than any fight to this point had she wanted to prove herself as much as now. Skirting away from a flurry of blows she ducked low and tried to sweep his feet out from under him with her blade, her shield kept high to block his next attack.

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

Zelos knew she was testing him, the irony is he was also testing her. The fact she not only dodged his strikes, but struck back with such a vigor only proved he would have to take her a bit more seriously. She surprised him though with the sweep kick, he grimaced as his legs gave in and he flew through the air. He hit the ground and knew he had to get up quickly, so he removed his cloak and tossed it at where she is. Using it for a visual distraction to disguise his quick thrust at her.

[A.B.A.]

A.B.A. swung in sword in an uppercut fashion, splitting the cloth in twain as it flew at her. Parting it gave her just enough time to see the tip of Zelos' blade moving towards her, and with a slap of her shield pushed it just off past her shoulder. She tucked and rolled past Zelos, popping up on his flank now holding a pair of curved daggers in her hands. Her body spun around as she struck towards him with a back-fist styled stab and a slashing hook.

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

Zelos hated to admit, he was impressed with her skill, this did not deter his concentration from the fight though. He spun his body around and caught her hand aiming for the stab, saving a damage to an organ. The slash though, tore through his robe and met flesh. Grimacing at the strike he reacted slashing his sword at the left side of her torso.

[A.B.A.]

A.B.A. tried to shake free of Zelos' grasp, and had to hastily try and parry the katana with her free hand. The dagger managed to absorb some of the weapon's force, but it could not guard the full length of the blade. A.B.A.'s body flinched as the steel dug into her, yet her eyes glared with the same venomous hate. Twisting her wrist towards Zelos' forearm she slid free and took a step back to check the wound. It stung, but his only using one arm spared her from anything more than a flesh wound.

"Is this all you have to offer, King? My father had skills beyond that of a mere soldier." A.B.A. shifted the daggers into a chain and sickle. The chain spun in a dazzling display before she fired the blade out towards Zelos. Midway through the weapon glowed and changed as the chain split into a cat-o-nine tails, each one armed with a sickle.

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

"Our father A.B.A," Zelos corrected, sidestepped the chain's reach and ran towards her, "And I know, but he taught me more than swordplay. He taught me this."

He ran his hand over his blade and the weapon extended in an almost nine feet in length. Despite what the weapon's weight would feel like, he held it as if the weight of the blade had not changed. He held his blade to the side and began thrusting forward with multiple jabs at her.

[A.B.A.]

A.B.A. eyes widened in surprise as her superior range was negated with a single move. Pulling the chain back as she flipped away, the first couple jabs sliced into her thighs before she could dodge back far enough to give herself the space she needed. In a sly flourish her clothes shifted to a white full body cloak that covered her arms and torso completely, offering only a part in the middle for her hands to strike out from. More importantly, it would disguise the effectiveness of Zelos' strikes on her body. She refused to let the man get cocky so soon.

As the chain reeled in close once more it flashed again, shifting to the same pair of daggers she'd held only recently. A.B.A. charged back into the volley of jabs Zelos was pressuring her with. Metal struck metal as she parried the lightning fast blows, all the while her motions weaving in and out of his blade's path with an exaggerated dance. At last in range she lunged forward, sailing over Zelos. Her back turned to the man her arms crossed vigorously, and a smile passed over her face. The almost invisible threads connected to each dagger squealed as they moved to encircle and slice through Zelos.

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

Zelos was confused at first, why return to such short weapons when he had the advantage in length? It perplexed him as he struck at her, only realizing that it was a trap...one that could surely kill him.

Damnit, he thought, realizing if he wanted his body to be connected he'd have to act fast. He stabbed his sword in the ground and used it to vault over her wires. Mid vault he felt his blade give and he fell over, the wire smacking against his lower leg, creating a gash. He looked at his wound and to his blade, the attack cut the blade a bit and he sighed. Reverting the sword to it's original length.

It was clear he and A.B.A. were equally well skilled in blade and in battle intelligence.

[A.B.A.]

A.B.A. pouted as she felt nearly no resistance against the wires as she pulled them back close to her. Only the slight trickle of blood against an inch of wire showed she had hit at all. Whirling around to face Zelos, her blade shifted back to the form of Paracelsus as she planted it firmly in the ground. The eyes fluttered as the dazed gaze focused in on Zelos.

"A.B.A. what have you gotten into now?" The raspy voice of Paracelsus muttered to A.B.A. as she caught her breath.

"A matter of pride." She replied curtly.

"It's always a matter of pride with you." He said with a heavy sigh.

"Silence! Not now." She stamped the golden key against the ground before pointing out at Zelos. "I told you can't hope to best me in armed combat. That was a nice trick, but in the end all it was was your blade versus mine. Unless you have something better to prove you really did inherit my father's legacy I think it'd be best if you left... impostor." Her last word coming out distinctively bitter.

[Zelos Shinigami-Mezmillion]

Zelos' normally stoic face suddenly cracked a smile, "Now A.B.A, if there is anyone who is the impostor...it is you."

He sheathed his blade and explained calmly, "You want proof? Very well. Do you know why Guasto exists? The gods created the land in tribute to a bloody battle, they made this kingdom for departed souls to stay on Allorum one last time before they are departed for the Heavens. Guasto is, in itself, alive in a way. Guasto's king is chosen not just by inheritance, but by the land's will. The spirits of the land will give the ability to reap and guide souls to heavens to one person. And, before you say anything, the ability can only be activated upon the death of the previous King. My father's time has passed and I have the ability to ferry souls to the other side. If you were truly the chosen, even in your imprisonment, you should have the power to reap and guide other souls. Do not even bother to disprove this, for the fact that I even possess the power is enough to prove it."

He glanced at A.B.A's sword and continued to smile. "An act of pride indeed...but it is hopeless. I am the moon, and you are the hound who bays at it, trying to touch it's glory. Your pride, like your fang, shall never reach me."

[A.B.A.]

A.B.A. starred with dread as he spoke, her hands clenched around the chain of Paracelsus till her knuckles turned white. She couldn't avoid it anymore; Zelos was indeed the king of Guasto. More shameful than that, he had been the heir chosen by both her father and the land. She had been left for dead by her father, no doubt deemed a failure. It hurt, and that pain needed an outlet before it exploded.

"I don't care if my pride reaches you at all. All I need is for my blade to reach you!" A.B.A. pulled Paracelsus up over her head in a feat of strength and swung it down, it's form becoming that of a incredibly long and narrow blade aimed for Zelos. "Move from my threat Everto. I do not want to injure you." It was all the warning she gave crouched and spun in a full 360 with the massive blade whirling around to strike at Zelos' feet.

She needed the rush of emotions only combat could give. As long as she focused on Zelos she didn't have to focus on his words. More than anything he could have thrown at her she feared the weakness of self loathing and sorrow that loomed over her, waiting to sink in. Keeping to her range advantage she leapt back and thrust the blade out. The weapon glowed and became a spiked chain to cover the distance of her leap.

[Everto Ferox]

Everto had finally broken free from Zelos' restraints and was about to step back when he felt Kain's aura whisper out to him...a change of plans he said...he needed all the Saints to gather. Everto watched A.B.A prepare her attack, when she fired off her attack Everto threw his sword and it countered her attack.

"Change of plans A.B.A, Lord Kain wants us to return, urgently."