The Darker Side of Nature (*OPEN*)

[Maliciferum]

Malice stood staring through the trees at the moonlit sky. He yearned for a fight. Since his loss to Yeligar Maelstrom, Malice had felt invigorated, intoxicated almost, like he had a real purpose. He had challenged Yeligar to battle, should Yeligar win, Malice would join his cause and fight for him. If Yeligar had lost...well, Malice would have laid him to rest. Waiting for Yeligar's call was excruciating. Malice needed a fight. "I wont lose again."

Malice heard the trees whisper. Someone was coming. He lifted a taloned hand in the air, and before him grew an elaborate throne of roots, branches, and flowers. Malice sat, awaiting the oncoming stranger.

[Bartholomew]

"You were beaten by the one-eye man? You must be weak." A voice said. A man in a red coat and a giant sword on his back, walked up and chuckled. "He was beaten by a mere child. If he beat you, then you must be weaker than him. It is the cycle of battle. But you are only meant to be on the footing for those who desire to climb the tree. A tree that I want to climb"

[Maliciferum]

Malice snickered at the strangers arrogance. "Yeligar Maelstrom is stonger than he seems. You would do well to revere him." A tinge of rage stirred in Malice, he would not allow this clown to mock a man he respected. Malice stood and faced his new opponent. "I care not for your name, i care not for your cause, but you have insulted a great man, and worse, you have insulted me. Show me your strength, and I shall show you the error of your words."

[Bartholomew]

"I would gladly fight you, so that I may climb the tree, and retrieve that golden apple at the top, look down at the world from the spot that few may ever climb." He said when he pulled on the crucifix around his neck, and a small dagger cam from it. "Sorry, but I don't have a blade smaller than this."

[Maliciferum]

"How disappointing." Malice raised a hand, and the trees around the men bloomed, releasing their sweet pollen. "I will deny all you stand for."

[Bartholomew]

Bart said nothing has he quickly covered his mouth and nose, and ran towards the oddly dressed man, and started to stab at him. "A plant does not have power over me. You are like the rose, you may be pretty now, but that is when you need to be cut down."

[Everto Ferox]

"What's this Bart? Having difficulty destroying a flower?" A loud booming voice echoed, a large knight with heavy armor laughed. Having appeared out of nowhere, seemly watching the fight.

[Maliciferum]

Malice used his geomantic power to push himself into the air and avoid Bartholomews onslaught. "Every rose has its thorns!" Malice swung his arms toward Bartholomew, showering the man in venomous thorns. Gliding through the air and landing in front of the heavily armored newcomer, Malice decided that he was not an immediate threat and was oddly intrigued by him."When I am finished with this arrogant dog, I have business with you." Malice called in a smooth voice as he turned to face his current opponent.

[Bartholomew]

"Oh? And you think you can do better?" He asked, and he accidently inhale some pollen without knowing. "Come on down then, or is that rattling that I hear, is your armor shaking in fear?" He blocked avoided the thorns, but there were so many, that he had to pull out his large sword. He looked at his arm, and there was are thorn in his arm.
"...Shoot him down." He said as his sword started to extend right towards him.

[Maliciferum]

"Hahaha! The seeds of discord spread quickly in this forest. Bartholomew, your quarrel is with me. I dont want your attention divided, I want my victory to be well earned."

[Bartholomew]

"You have the same weakness that all plant fighter have. You are only skilled with plants. If that is taken away, you will decay like the rose. A rose is useless, all it is, is eye pleasure. Other than that, it has no important." He said as he started to twirl his sword in front of him. The sword started to catch on fire, as he yelled "BANKAI 001!" Then the sword turned bright orange, then it turned into a giant hook sword. "Watch your weapon burn." He said as he held it vertically and slam his sword into the ground, and a wave of fire headed toward Malice, burning plants on the way.

[Maliciferum]

"Disgusting weapon." Malice thought as he dodged to the right of the scorching flames. Malice was no stranger to fire. Many have tried this method before, and all have failed. Malice could not help but feel the sting of his dying brethren around him, tiny voices calling out, calling for vengeance. "No blade can save you now. I have you under my power!" Malice extended an arm towards Bartholomew, he could sense the pollen in his body. Malice clenched his fist and willed the pollen in his opponents body to grow, filling his lungs and throat with vegetation dripping with venom. Malice forced the pollen to grow into vines, and while the bulk of them sat in the mans lungs, tiny tendrils had wrapped themselves around the mans heart. He liked having options. "Resist no more." Malice paused for dramatic effect and to make sure he had time to savor this victory. "Admit defeat. At this moment my "weapon" is killing you. Acknowledge my strength, and I will allow you to live. I hope the other saints arent as easily conquered as you." Malice could sense the hate inside the saint.

[Ayalan Invargas]

Ayalan folded his arms over one another, watching from a distance. Of course Yeligar told him about this newcomer, and Aya had travelled for days to seek it out.

He smirked, watching the mystifying magic causing this root problem to a Saint, but what could he say? It could happen to him too. He held onto his own hand, smiling. He didn't say anything but he could be seen easily in the brush of trees, resting against one casually.

He didn't recognize the big metallic looking one, as he raised an eyebrow, and then just put his hands in his pockets.

"...Not bad."

[Bartholomew]

"Damn." He said, as he lean on his sword. He tighten his grip on his sword, and then looked up. "How about you let me go, and I won't kill you also?" He looked as spikes of fire started to appear and covered the vast area.
"If I die, then the spikes will the shot out, and kill you. Your move."

[Maliciferum]

"You are a saint, a being of revenge. You do not have a place here." Malice lowered his hand as if he was giving up, but flicked his head upward, forcing the vines within the mans body to grow exponentially and force their way out of the mans body, tearing him apart. Malice had accepted his death, and had no regrets as the flaming spikes scorched his body.

Malice wasnt sure if he was dead. He didnt feel any pain, but could feel the weight of his own body. Malice decided that, if he had survived, he should be able to open his eyes. He saw only darkness. He could smell smoke. "Well, at least i still have a nose..." Malice thought, finding humor in his surprisingly light-hearted thought. It was time to move. Malice tightened his muscles, and instantly felt a great stiffness in them. Then the pain hit. It felt like a volcano had erupted onto the right side of his face. Malice shrieked as the pain forced him into an agonized sitting position. After he had become accustomed enough to the pain to open his eyes, Malice was startled to see a figure standing in front of him. "You cannot be alive!" he screamed. Each word sent a stinging through his head. "I am not alive." a familiar voice echoed in the darkness. He had heard this voice many years ago, just before he had left his home for three years. "Sorceress Amalthia?!" Malice could not believe what he was hearing. The sorceress whose powers he absorbed to allow her to rest in peace was present in...wherever Malice was. "You cannot be allowed to die until you relinquish our power." the sorceress said. Her voice was joined by many others. The sorceresses before her. "Live, and protect the world with our power!"

The sorceress was gone. The blackness around Malice began to lift. "Smoke" Malice muttered. The moon pushed its light onto the ground around him, and he saw the destruction that had be wrought. The surrounding trees had been scorched beyond repair, and the earth below him was black. Malice stood with a little discomfort, the burn on his face still throbbing. There was no sign of his fallen opponent, Malice decided that his body was incinerated. "Nature conquers all".