heartofthestar | Labyrinthium Inbox

I could perforce demonstrate a version of it that draws in minimal aether. Fully concentrating power such as the technique requires to be its most efficacious is a difficult matter when not faced with something I intend to annihilate.

If that's the case, then feel free to use me as a target.

No one could blame you if you were feeling discontent from our last interaction. It may be cathartic.

I could hardly do that! I should prefer to demonstrate on a sparring dummy instead.

If you're worried about me, there's no need to be concerned. I have quite a high pain tolerance and I'm not one to hold a grudge.

I would, were it possible, hesitate to strike myself with Thelema. Done properly, I transcend my own limits in performing it. Not a thing I'd turn upon anyone without excellent cause.

[She can't just come out and say, "Akechi, you will die and I will be a murderer". That won't work.]

[ugh, killjoy!!!

But he has an incredible idea! A win-win situation for both! ]

Then allow me to provide a target.

I have an item and another entity, so to speak, that could function as such. My only request is that you attack both, for the sake of comparison.

Would one of those happen to be that hypothetical indestructible object you read about in a book, some weeks back?

Please confirm if you agree to my terms.

[Venat knows a 'yes' when she sees one.]

Certainly, I wouldd be happy to.

Good.

Are you willing to come to Vash's Castle? While I'm able to move the item some distance, I would rather not drag it across town.

But give me directions and I shall be there forthwith.

Please use the font door and not the window. If you're curious about my request, simply ask Maruki-san.

[PLEASE ask him about it. Not that Akechi's bitter or anything.

But text he does! Directions to Vash's castle come through only a second later.]

[For perhaps longer than does her credit, Venat sincerely contemplates teleporting directly into the castle to both meet and spite his request in one. But then, she would probably teleport in front of Maruki and give him a heart attack. Best not to risk it.]

[Instead, Venat makes the far more normal entrance of riding a flying dog through the air and down to the castle's front door proper, there to knock and trust she is expected.]

[Okay.

Okay.

The dog was on her last Sleepr profile - he's aware of its existence, but that is a big ass dog. His gaze darts between Venat and her companion. The memory of that dramatic entrance to their yard forever imprinted into his mind, even if he only saw a few moments from the window.]

Thank you for coming. [Pause.] Both of you, I suppose. I'll guide you to the back - the item is already there.

[Akechi steps outside, eyeing the 'dog' once more before shutting the door behind him. Getting to the backyard doesn't require them to go through the castle and he doesn't need that lovestruck asshole to ruin his good time. Enjoy your vacation, enrichment denier!!!

And when they make it around, that 2 foot tall statue of Yuraia is front and center, not a mark to be found on it.]

I'll try not to waste your time - please attack it and then I'll show you the entity you will target.

[Argos, exhibiting more common sense than the entire rest of the game combined, elects to simply disappear rather than joining in on this entirely-too-Akechi-adjacent nonsense. To be fair, as a familiar he has no obligation to obey RP etiquette or make AC, so he can do stuff like that.]

[Venat, meanwhile, follows behind with her usual bright cheer, somehow managing to radiate it just by being her. This isn't to annoy Akechi, mind. She's just like that. The annoying is a side benefit.]

You needn't worry. My time is impossible to waste. Every moment is unique, after all.

[Though at the sight of the statue, she makes no motion to summon a weapon or suchforth. Instead, she moves some distance away, to a relatively wide-open area, before checking to make sure neither Akechi nor anyone or anything else are in range.]

[The dog vanishes like a goddamn persona and he has half a mind to ask about it, but-

Nope. It's gone and there are more important enrichment activities. He can request information on disappearing flying dog(?) creatures from psuedo-gods another day.]

Right.

[The bubbly, cheerful demeanor of someone who should, by all means, be pissed at him is more annoying than anything. He ignores it. A display of power is all he's interested in from her and-

Akechi doesn't move from his spot, arms crossed over his chest, with his eye on the indestructible statue in the center of their yard. If he's out of range or not, oh well! It won't matter when the 'entity' comes out to play anyway.]

By all means - please proceed. I can barely contain my excitement.

I would hate to have it overwhelm you.

[Very well. No time shall be wasted. Venat lifts both her hands, then condenses the surrounding aether with the force of her will and magic. An brilliant blue aura erupts around her, its appearance a blend between lashing flames and forking lightning, enough to make the world seem to trembles simply from the currents of magic in the air.]

[That alone is hardly enough. More aether condenses around them, drawn into great orbs which drift towards her to amplify her strength even further.]

[OKAY.

Okay.

It's strong - not that it takes a detective or genius to see the crackle of energy, the thrum of the earth under his feet, and recognize a great deal of power in it.

The Green Knight's destruction from a battle with her, with Maruki, becomes clear in an instant.

He doesn't shy away - takes a step forward even. Almost eager to watch Venat's every single move.]

[The last surge of aether coalesces, drifting across to drain into her -- these orbs red, making the skin prickle despite no aspect of electricity, but merging with her all the same. The moment she transcends her limits feels like a sharp rap on the glass walls of reality.]

[Venat opens her eyes, and then, gracefully, spins to sweep her hand around. In its wake, silvery weapons rise up around her, chakrams and staves and swords, each her height at least.]

Do not expect miracles.

[A sweep of one hand, then another, then another. Portals open in the air, hurling down the weapons of light to smash into the statue in a torrent. The moment her last gesture ends, she summons her sword back into her hand, concentrating her remaining aether into it so swiftly that it tugs at the very surroundings.]

[Then Venat flips into the air, and brings the sword down onto the statue.]

[The explosion of radiant blue light obscures what happens at the heart of the strike, and rather than dissipate, it grows -- and grows, and grows, into a blinding radiance that engulfs the courtyard and the castle, before at last fading.]

[This is what separates Metaverse abilities from those blessed with something intrinsic to their world itself.

It's beyond anything he can truly comprehend. Palace rulers, the Reaper, Metaverse entities - nothing compares. Even the most powerful enemy in the depths of the cognitive world didn't hold a handle to what he saw.

Robin Hood would be crushed like an ant.

Loki could hold up, but not match.

The thought infuriates him. Impresses. Reminds him of why the throngs of people battling the Green Knight gave it nothing more than papercuts and those two were able to wipe it from this world.

Okay.

Shock apparent on his face - an emotion he shows rarely and unprompted. The silence that follows poignant. He's truly at a loss for words.

OKAY.]

[There's no way that statue wasn't obliterated into chunks and slivers of stone and-

The moon is still out. He wants to gloat, like it was his ability that finally did the shit in. His head tilts upward to the sky to be a smug bastard when-]

[It's still there.

His phone is out to take a picture of the stupid fucker - to keep a memory of gravel instead of the nightmare of a guardian he's been 'blessed' with in his room.

It's still there.

The phone slides back into his pocket, smile plastering itself against his face.

It's still there. Untouched. Unmoved. A godlike power didn't destroy or put a dent in it.

In-fucking-credible.]

Ah, I see.

[He sees. Sure does. It's a Sight.

There's a lot he wants to say. Every piece bitten back with practiced ease.]

That was impressive. Are you ready to attack the other entity now?

[This land or whatever power fuels it has the capacity to restrict and limit the powers it returns. Just as she cannot use the full strength and scope of her creation magic, so too has this idol been rendered immune to the attacks she can muster. Having somewhat expected this, she offers no surprise nor excuses.]

Certainly, the extremely vague concept of 'entity' notwithstanding.

[Talk about making it obvious you are disguising the full story.]

[Guess what? Persona round 2 starts now!!!

It's no tentacle monster from the depths of a lost celestial void, but it's a little guy. The same blue flames Venat saw before dropping him off at Nighty Night Peanut Town swirl around his legs, face, and-

Robin Hood makes an appearance directly behind ole Akechi.]

Whenever you're ready - feel free.

[He ain't MOVING.]

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