Muse revived - canon is Legend of Mana

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

...So you woke me up, and the first thing you throw me into is a snuff thread.

Seriously?

I don't know what to think of you anymore. Admittedly, the situation at that point was...

...Why couldn't you have had me think of something else? Anything else? You don't live as long as I have from making foolish decisions.

I know you enjoy things that tug at your heartstrings. I really do. But... this?

*His expression falls.*

Why this? Even if it's only temporary... why?

Comments

[cursed_analysis]

Dear me. That's quite a lot to be suddenly brought into. My condolences~

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

... *Elazul makes a slight face.*

Admittedly, it was a final ditch effort, considering who I was fighting against. Even so... I didn't want it to come to such a thing, ever. In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to.

Never mind that his power against mine is... unfathomably strong. I would have lost no matter what.

...Never mind that the meme was specifically for snuff. *He lets out a heavy sigh.*

[cursed_analysis]

An old Maran strategy; "Sometimes surrender is the best option before retaliating." I don't think it was the worst thing you could have done.

Though the question is, did you perform well enough to satisfy the mun? That's usually what it boils down to for cases like these~

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

...My friend was going to commit genocide on the entire human race in a single area - and possibly beyond. He has the power to do such, and my words were not getting through.

*He closes his eyes.*

My mun would have liked to draw it out more, but given the gap of power and the raw anger that my friend held, there was very little chance of that happening.

[cursed_analysis]

How wasteful. Every life is precious. Still, your friend sounds interesting enough...

*he smiles*

Though back to the point~ It sounds like you will have to endure it again.

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*...Huh?*

This is the second time I've died - once in canon. And then... this one.

What do you even mean by that? That I will "have to endure it again"? *He bristles a bit. Even mellowed out, Elazul is still Elazul.* Are you threatening me? *His hands ball into fists.*

[cursed_analysis]

A terrible thing, death...

*he looks amused now and tilts his head.*

And if I was~?

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*His nerves are, honestly, shot from his recent death; he has no patience for this. His crystalline right hand grasps the hilt of his scimitar.

*This Elazul's answer.*

[cursed_analysis]

I have to say, I'm not much of a field man, but if you're that certain...

*he makes a bow and extends his right hand in a beckoning gesture.*

Make it worth it.

[endless_life_forever]

We're better off without them. [ Muns, that is. ]

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

You're the one that threatened me.

*And the blade is drawn! He charges at him, flesh arm up to guard his chest while he swings the blade at Arro with the other.*

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

And yet without them, we would not have ever met.

*He closes his eyes, drained.*

[endless_life_forever]

If it would have prevented threads like that, sometimes I think it would be better.

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

...

*There's nothing he can say to that.*

That is... not something I know how to respond to.

[cursed_analysis]

*Here, Arro rolls out of the way, catching that arm guarding Elazul's chest and thrusts a foot into his shin while he pulls that arm to send him off balance, standing and dusting himself after.*

I hope you have more~

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*Oh shi...!! Elazul twists around when he falls so that his back gets the impact, not his core. He huffs, still gripping his sword, and gets up again.*

Laser Blade...!! *Yeah, Arro, don't mind that sudden energy surge, and then the fact that his sword starts spewing a very, very long beam of energy as he swings it down.*

[cursed_analysis]

*Well well. He snapped open his eyes, judging it for a long moment, flipping back so it carved across his back. Groaning, he climbed to his feet, looking a bit shaky as some blood trailed over the side of his jacket.*

Non-Elemental energy. That's a fairly good use for it, but it must be tiring... Will you attack again?

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

Why haven't you attacked? *The aura ebbs away, and he draws himself upright. He doesn't seem tired, exactly.*

So far, you've only countered.

*He swings his sword lightly, keeping his arms loose. He's brash, not stupid.*

[cursed_analysis]

I'm studying.

*He shrugs out of his long jacket and removes his tie, leaving him in a slightly oddly styled dress shirt and slacks.*

Though, I suppose I need to study a bit more.

*he points again with his right hand, using the first and middle fingers.*

Dark Shot

*in a split second there is a black orb in front of those fingers, and in another split second it turns into a long ebony beam, thankfully narrow, and aimed right at Elazul like a javelin. If it hits he'll find its more like getting rammed by a car than hit with an energy beam*

[endless_life_forever]

Hmph.

[ It was in his nature to say such cold things. He'd made a habit of it. ]

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*He doesn't mind at all. He knows, and he's used to it. Slowly, he cracks a smile.*

...Is it alright if I hug you?

[endless_life_forever]

... [ Shadow only stares at Elazul, not giving him a response at all. Except his eyes-- they always looked as though they were testing him. It was up to Elazul if he wanted to try it. ]

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*Elazul crouches down to be more equal to Shadow's height, then places his hands on his shoulders. He tucks his head against Shadow's shoulder, closing his eyes. From the gesture, his core slightly brushes against Shadow's fur. With his head at Shadow's shoulder, the corresponding hand slips to Shadow's back, mindful of the quills. But even like this, he's left Shadow an easy out. All he has to do is pull away, and he'll let go.*

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*Elazul drops down on the ground to avoid the beam, ignoring the pain in his hand from using it to cushion his core. He quickly gets up and charges in again to strike at Arro, and lets out a battle cry (out of frustration, really.)

*He currently lacks the energy to use a special move - he needs to build it up all over again.*

[endless_life_forever]

[ Shadow doesn't move, doesn't return the sentiment. He stands still, the only difference being that he unfolds his arms. Even after them being together for so long, it was hard for him to show emotion-- being closed off for decades did that to a person. ]

At any rate, it wasn't real. That's all we can take away from this. If we give it too much thought, it will only encourage them.

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*Just the acceptance of the gesture is enough for him, and Elazul's grip briefly gets tighter, just a little. He pulls back soon enough, standing once more. He has already received much more from Shadow than he ever expected to.*

...Fortunately, the idea of further death seems to be completely wiped from my mun's system. Although she is contemplating a.. reincarnation thing. *He scowls. Souls just go to purgatory when they die. There is no heaven or hell. So what the hell is this reincarnation business?*

[endless_life_forever]

I'm tired of seeing heroes grow old and die. I don't want you to be reincarnated. [ Cold and selfish, but it was the truth. He knew that even that wannabe hero Silver would also die, and that was one of the main reasons he didn't want to get close to him. ]

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

Anyone would be tired of seeing age take its toll.

*He grins at him instead.*

Well, you won't have to worry about age taking me. The oldest Jumi is still alive at over seven hundred years old! She escaped the massacre, too.

Although she was in frail health by the time I found her again. She was still very much alive. *His fingers absently touch his core, drawing attention to where he means that she was ill. Or rather, injured.* She's one of the few who didn't die at all. *Unlike himself.*

[endless_life_forever]

But you can still be broken. It's likely that at some point, I will lose my mind.

And your reincarnation would be wasted.

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

...

*He averts his eyes and rests his hand on top of Shadow's head, between his ears, but not touching either of them.*

But you're here and you're sane now.

*He peers at him with a playful look.*

Besides, I don't intend on kicking the bucket like that - or at all. I gotta find some way to catch up to you in terms of power and skill.

*He pulls his hand away and gives him a grin and a challenging expression.*

One day. One day, you won't have to hold back on me.

[endless_life_forever]

[ That challenging grin... So similar. Shadow can't help but smile-- even if it's the slightest of smirks, it was still there. ]

The only way you can keep up with me is going through hell and back. I could show you the way, but the rest is up to you.

[ Not to mention the isolation he's kept himself in... ]

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*He's not even going to call him out by saying "ooh, you smiled!" because he's 99.9999% sure that doing so would make Shadow scowl. So he doesn't.*

So show me the way. *He grins.*

Show me the path to becoming your equal. I will walk however long, however far it takes!

[endless_life_forever]

Are you sure you want to?

[ The stare he gives him is quite intense. ] You will be a changed person after following my path.

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

*He sobers, gives it thought, but it's not a full hesitation. He just wants to show that he's not making such a decision lightly.*

Yes. I do not think I will change as much as you appear to think. I am... young, but.... *He purses his lips.*

...I know I can do this. Whatever path before me.

[endless_life_forever]

Very well.

You're free to back out at any time, but know that you can't hope to reach my power if you do.

[blue_hearted_jumi_knight]

I understand.

*He knows that he's young yet. That he's bound to change in ways over time. And while he's not sure how he'll change, if he does, he's quite certain that the - ahem - core of him, won't change at all.*