Wholesome Oblivion, (Cracky is modding)

[Nixos]

The darkness was never ending, or at least it seemed to the man seeking light, or at least as close to the light as he could get. Another figure became evident to himself, and it was of a mirror image, save for two differences. The mirrored image had blond hair, and his blue eyes weren't empty, they were filled with coldness and hatred. He was surprised to see the man before him, but then again he wasn't. Nixos was an inner personality of Sion, nothing more or less, and it was a strange sight seeing him as a separate being outside of Castle Oblivion. "Enjoy it while you can Nixos, soon you'll be no more."

"Sooner than you think idiot. Just look at what's happening to me." Sion didn't notice it at first, but Nixos was right. The dark bouncer's body was starting to disappear, but left behind what seemed to be little particles, and they seemed to just hover in their place. Suddenly, Sion began to know the meaning of these particles, as they shot towards him, entering his body and correcting the strange event. Once more, Nixos was inside Sion's mind where he belonged, but how long would that last? Sion just scanned the terrain, looking for any signs of what to do next.

"Come on, I need a hint here. What do I need to do, to put Nixos to rest permanently?" The bouncer aimlessly wandered forward, hoping to find something that would give him a clue. He cared not for any fights here, if they came to him, he would not back down however. The bouncer has an important goal here, and after accomplishing that, he could return back to the Tower of Twilight, as h opefully either the old Sion or a new person entirely. He could only hope a seed of light would come from this little quest, or more than likely, a seed of twilight.

[Zack Fair]

The endless, barren plains of the Netherrealm were indeed a sight to behold, and were rivaled in foreboding only by the colorless sky above. Not darkness, but emptiness seemed to spread out as far as the eye could see, and although the faint smell of charred flesh could be smelled about the air, an unnatural silence surrounded the bouncer.

Finally, after a bit of walking, Sion began to see what appeared to be some sort of bombed-out city in the distance. On closer inspection, he would recognize it to be none other than Tower's Gate, the fortress that had been all-but destroyed by the events proceeding Pestiss Refreshing Wave, and once stood on the grounds that was now occupied by the Tower of Twilight.

[Nixos]

"Tower's Gate, what's that doing here? Hell, how did it even get here to begin with? I guess Pestiss' Wave was more powerful than I first thought." Sion sighed, but figured that would be the best place to start his search, only able to guess what he'd find there. Maybe he'd be lucky and find something of interest, or perhaps something from the past, maybe even a flashback. He didn't care what he found really, he just knew he needed to be down here to accomplish what he wanted. Perhaps he could do the deed a different way, but he knew the amulet around his neck was the only lead he had on this one.

I wish I had been smart enough to do some research first. Hell, visiting Tails might of even been a good idea, but I know that kitsune hates me. Oh well, guess I truly am on my own, though it'd ending in an appropriate manner to say the lease. The bouncer just walked forward, lifting the hood of the cloak over his face, determined to try and avoid as much conflict as possible. He wasn't here to fight, he was here to seal Nixos away, or even trap him down here for that matter. Sion didn't care how it happened, he just needed to get rid of his darkness, or at least come to terms with it in a way that would void Nixos' threat.

Nearing Tower's Gate, Sion began to search the ruins that were left behind. He honestly didn't expect to find anything, but strange things always seemed to happen in the Netherrealm. "Lets see if there is anything here."

[Eliwood]

Obviously, the most prominent ruined structure amongst the rubble was that of the Tower itself, having been damaged and brought to near implosion countless times. What had finally done the building in, however, had been the clash between Sora and Sephiroth. Chunks of the structure could be seen scattered throughout the area, and an empty husk of the first ten floors was standing in the very center, serving as gravestone to all who lost their lives before the Wave.

[Nixos]

Sion looked around the scattered ruins of the tower, not caring a single bit about the lifes that fell in the tower itself, but about a single life that fell around the courtyard. A sudden wave of nastalgia rushed over Sion, and his thoughts went to that day, those years ago when he was in combat with his old friend Drizzt. It was over the very reason he became Nixos in the first place, Eirika, the woman that choose Drizzt over Sion. To this day, the bouncer knew not why she choose the Drow over him, but surely her reasons were of her own best interest. Perhaps she saw something in Drizzt, something that was only intensified by his lone-wolf attitude. Drizzt, forgive me for all the trouble I've caused you. I wish I could undo everything, I wish I could of been at your wedding, instead of plotting against you.

Sion began to search around where he guessed the courtyard would be, allowing his senses to locate the exact spot he was searching for. Surely, even though it now rested in the Netherrealm, there would be some residual energy from Nixos' barrier he put up that day. He had to find this spot, if only to put Nixos to rest forever. He knew allowing himself to accept his faults, and come to terms with his baseless hatred, that Nixos would finally start to lose his grasp. Part of him still hated Eirika and Drizzt, feeling they were themain reason he felt so much pain in the Multiverse, but it was truly all his own doing. Sion you fool, even accepting that the pain is your fault, it changes nothing. Eirika choose Drizzt over you, that's where I came in. Why visit the wretch's grave, after all, she's the root of everything.

"You ask why Nixos, but it's simple. Even with all the pain and death you caused, she still cared for me, if only as a friend. She risked her life to stop me or Drizzt from killing one another, though we both know you're intent wouldn't halt by any means. For that reason, it's worth visiting the spot Eirika died, for it's only the appropriate place to put you to rest." It seemed Sion's will was starting to strengthen, as if his chains of darkness were beginning to fade. There would always be that taint left behind from Nixos, this much Sion was sure of, but perhaps he could weaken that taint to the point of barely surviving. He'd be willing to under go any torment to right his wrongs, even if it meant payment of his life.

[Tails]

After a bit of walking, Sion finally found his way into the desolate courtyard that had once been vibrant with life and joy. People had once traversed this area, going about their daily lives, and soaking in the glory of being in a place that did not seem to care who they were, or where they came from. Sure, they hadn't led the cleanliest or heroic of lives, but they lived nonetheless.

But, of course, Sion wasn't concerned with any of that. On the far side from where he had entered, an unnatural light could be seen... no, it could be felt. Off ahead and to the left, around a sizable piece of the main tower, the bouncer could feel a tugging at his heart, and a rather eerie black pillar of light contrasting against the lifeless land and sky. Dark chains constricted.

[Nixos]

"Almost there." Sion came to a halt for a moment, looking around the courtyard, knowing he had found his destination. Now he'd pay his respects, mainly for the lives he so willingly took, lifes that should still be alive to this very day. His eyes closed, and silently his thoughts went out to the deaths that were caused here, and even to the deaths that were caused within the tower during it's destruction. However, no matter how brief his moment of silence was, he needed to press on towards the dark light. He knew a dark sight would soon befall him, yet he was prepared to overcome it at any cost.

Eirika, soon I'll be where the most important battle of Nixos' life was held, the place where Nixos and Drizzt killed you. If I cared for you as much as I claimed, I should of seen you were happy with Drizzt, and I should of accepted that and moved on. The bouncer remembered Nixos' previous visits to this place, mainly the time he fought his friends from his home world. Surely they weren't really here, but mere demons taking on their form from Nixos' memories. He could only hope there was something he could do, something to restore Eirika's resting place to the light where it belonged. What had befallen this place was well beyond him, but he knew that the Netherrealm was surely affecting it in negative ways.

[Tails]

As Sion stepped into the negative light, the dark chains around his heart constricted tightly, followed closely by a violent flash that invaded his vision. Nixos' eyes could be seen for a few moments in front of him, but they were dismissed with another flash. Finally, a loud ringing began to pierce his ears, threatening to force him to the ground, but when it reached a fevered pitch, it stopped, and standing opposite of the bouncer were two shadowy figures.

"You just couldn't let us be happy together, could you?" One of the figures spoke. It was Drizzt, but his body was slightly deformed, as if he had been warped by the chaotic and evil energies of the netherrealm. All of his sharper features had become sharper, and he looked more like a demon than a drow.

"...you never loved me..." The second figure spoke. It was Eirika, but her skin was deathly pale. Despite her apparent focus on Sion, her eyes were glazed over and dull. A large hole could be seen in her chest, and the bouncer could actually see right through it to the barren, dark ground behind her.

[Nixos]

"Drizzt, I know what I did was wrong, and I regret that I couldn't just move on. I should of just let you two be happy, and find my own source of happiness." Sion knew talking to them was relatively useless, since they would probably just ignore it. He knew this wasn't the real Drizzt and Eirika, but he had to treat them like they were for now. Eirika's words were the coldest, but he knew he couldn't let them phase him. It's funny, for someone who 'didn't' love her, he sure did get devastatingly hurt when she chose Drizzt over him. Lowering his head, Sion placed a hand over his heart, hoping the chains would still remain controllable.

"You'll never know if I did or not Eirika. We were all set to go.......until you met him. It's funny, if I didn't love you, why do you think I was hurt enough to get rid of my emotions in the first place?" He turned his back to them, again having to remind himself these weren't the real Eirika and Drizzt, but merely demonic representations of them. It couldn't be the real couple anyways, no one ever knew what happened to them, rather they died or simply went to live in one of their worlds. Sion sighed, and turned around to face them once more.

"I just stopped by to apologize for all the pain I had caused. I'm finally trying to correct everything I created as Nixos, and this is the first step. Please, accept my apology." Sion just looked up at the both of them, partly expecting their forms to return to normal, as if this was just a portrayal of their anger at him for what he had done. The only thing that truly bothered him about their appearance, was the hole in Eirika's chest. What could of caused that, yet alone why did they seem so.......demonic is appearance? They were deformations of themselves, and it disturbed him.

You two don't belong here if you're really dead. You belond in Paradise.

[Tails]

"Because your... infatuation with her was not returned." Drizzt snapped back coldly in the face of Sion's rhetorical question. "If you truly loved her, you would know that your immaturity and instability would make you perhaps the worst possible mate."

"Waste no more words upon him, Drizzt." Eirika stated apathetically. "He is here to apologize after everything he has done." Her head tilted to the side slightly, but her dull eyes did not move at all. "I suppose we are supposed to forgive."

Drizzt spat and drew both his swords - they lacked their normal elements and splendor, and instead were soaked with blood and torn pieces of flesh.

"I shall not waste anymore words upon him, to be sure!"

With that, the drow took off running at the bouncer, and once he reached striking distance, he began to let loose a flurry of blows with the sister swords. The only time Sion or Nixos had seen such viciousness within the elf was when he succumb to the Hunter, but even then, there was something natural about it. This did not seem natural at all.

[Nixos]

"Think what you will, just know I'm done dwelling on this event." He listened to Eirika, wondering what she meant, and then Drizzt's comment threw him for a loop. He was planning something, that much Sion was sure of, and he knew it couldn't be good. The drow had a Hunter instinct, and when that went off, it was always a fight to the death. Nixos had participated in a fight like that once, and it ended with not only his death, but also the death of Eirika whom was trying to stop the fight. He turned to look at Eirika, keeping a eye on Drizzt, just to be safe. The swords were out, that was warning enough for Sion.

"It's funny, if you cared nothing for me, even as a friend, why did you try to stop Drizzt from killing me? You died in that fight, by both out swords, yet you........" He was cut off, Drizzt had made his move, and Sion knew he couldn't fight the being. He'd defend himself for now, hoping he could at least survive the flurry. Something was different this time, it seemed a lot less natural than when Drizzt had snapped into the Hunter so long ago, this seemed like a demonic rage. Sion did all he could, bobbing and weaving, hoping he could outlast Drizzt, a feat he knew would not be accomplished. He'd still attempt it, but sooner or later, he'd have to at least disarm Drizzt, another feat he knew near impossible.

"Drizzt, hold your sword. I've no bone to pick with you, and you should have none to pick with me. I'm here to seal off Nixos, banishing him from existence forever. Calm down!"

[Ganondorf]

Drizzt seemed to hear nothing of the bouncer's demands, unleashing swipe after swipe upon him. It appeared that the demonic drow's rage only grew with each missed strike, and by the time he had worked himself up so much that he was beginning to fall over himself, all semblance to an elf had been lost.

"It was because your blood was not even worth tarnishing his blades with." Eirika remained unmoving, watching as Drizzt continued to fumble over himself. After a few moments of this, she finally raised her arm, unleashing a flurry of black tendrils from her palm. It seemed to pass right through the demon formerly known as drow, and wrapped all about Sion. One of the tendrils sharpened into a spear and settled in front of his chest.

"And where is Nixos? Is he laying in wait until you get out of this place so he can hurt more?"

[Nixos]

Sion was finding it increasingly difficult to avoid Drizzt's attack, but luckily for him, he seemed to grow clumsier the more angry he got. A few attacks made contact, but merely a slash to his shirt, only a few actually cutting skin. Even a clumsy Drizzt appeared to be a dangerous one, and Sion wasn't ready to keep this up. He was about to get offensive, but something happened, something completely unexpected. Black tendrils shot from Eirika's raised palm, Drizzt coming to a complete halt, and the tendrils wrapping around Sion. Suddenly, one of the tendrils took the form of a lance, pressing itself against Sion's chest. Crap, it seems nothing will help me out of this predicament.

"Nixos lies within me, and in this place, if I die, we get separated. So, if you kill me with that little lance, you'll be freeing Nixos to slaughter." A smirk crossed Sion's face, as if his words were true. He wasn't sure if it would happen, but then again, he knew neither Drizzt or Eirika could truly disprove him. He could only hope this demonic Eirika at least held some sense within her, enough to at least know when she was beaten. Sion's wouldn't fight back, but he wouldn't allow himself to be killed either, he was here for a specific reason. He needed to accomplish that reason, and that was the most important thing to him at the moment.

"Go ahead and kill me, but don't blame me if it only makes this place a bit more........crowded."

[Roxas]

"An abyss is never crowded." Is all Eirika muttered before allowing the spear to plunge into Sion's chest. Or, it would have, if it wasn't for a semi-transparent pair of arms springing from the bouncer's own, and holding the black, pointed tendril barely at bay. The sleeves were long and black, unlike his, and it was obvious that they were Nixos'.

"What?!" Drizzt spat out, ceasing his mad flurry at Sion. His eyes were now blinded by rage, but slowly being overtaken by shock. He went to go and strike at the arms, but then found himself being stabbed by the black tendril which was meant for the bouncer. The darkness around the spear had changed, and was now afflicting the drow.

Now's your chance, idiot. They're going to kill us if you don't do anything.

[Nixos]

Point made Nixos, I don't like this, but it's my only choice. Sion was freed of the tendrils, and rushed at Eirika first, knowing she was the biggest threat. Surely Drizzt could control darkness tendrils too, but he'd be more focused upon his swords than anything. He wasn't aiming to kill, he was simply aiming to render the two beings unconscious. If these were the real Drizzt and Eirika, Sion could only hope to find a way to send them to the proper place, and that would be Paradise. He got right into Eirika's face, attempting to drive a fierce punch into her face, and then followed up quickly with a punch to her gut.

"You're next Drizzt."

Tell me something Sion, why do you hesitate to kill so much? The charge was quick, but seemed to pass by in slow motion. He had something to think about, why did he hesitate to kill so much, and prefer to keep them alive, unless they deserved death? It didn't matter, he was now right infront of his target, and he could see the shocked look in Drizzt's eyes. A quick punch was shot towards his face, and just as quickly, another punch was shot towards his gut. Drizzt was one Sion didn't wish to kill, but at the same time, every fiber in his being wanted to kill him.

I don't kill them Nixos, because it brings nothing. In this place, they'll always come back, most of the time angrier and more enraged than when they last lived. Killing them will only serve to make them stronger, regardless of what goes on. I spare them, so they may be tormented by their own weakness.

[Eliwood]

Both of Sion's attacks against the warped couple were overwhelming to them, and as they staggered, Eirika's glazed eyes moved to the bouncer slightly.

"Why don't you kill us, then?" The fallen princess inquired in a monotone voice. "If you loved me so much, and we made you hate so much that the murderer within you was born, then why don't you exact vengeance?"

"Because he is weak!" Drizzt howled, and shot at the bouncer. Hellish flames ignited from both blood-drenched swords, and were brought to bear against Sion's chest and forearms. "That is why he cast away his heart, and that is why he cannot bring himself to kill us now! He cares nothing of us coming back, but of his own fragile emotions!"

[Nixos]

"What would killing you accomplish? All it would be doing is feeding Nixos, making him harder to resist." Sion kept an eye on Drizzt, knowing he'd be prone to attack now that the shock of Nixos was over. He was right, after he gave his speech about Sion being weak, he rushed the bouncer with flaming swords. A laugh was heard from Sion, and he decided it was time to stop holding back. He needed to end this so he could finish his goal, and that meant making Drizzt and Eirika.....disappear. He vanished quickly from sight, though one trained in watching their opponent closely could see him, for he rushed behind Drizzt.

"So I'm weak, am I? Well, how's this?" His spoke his last words with a harsh roar, his fist flying to make contact with the back of Drizzt's skull. His assault didn't end there, for after the first strike, Sion started to target his old friend's back. Blow after blow was fired off towards the back of his former friend, and it sudden ceased, but ended with a sharp kick to Drizzt's side. Turning around, not caring if Drizzt survived that or not, Sion turned his full attention to Eirika. He broke out into a dash for her, his eyes gleaming with the intent to finish this, and he slide to a stop before her.

"Thanks to all the hate I felt after what happened, my eyes have been opened to a lot of things Eirika. so thank you. I've realized that there is not only two paths, but a third as well, the path of twilight.....or balance. If the light overwhelms the darkness, then all chaos is broken lose, as there would be should the darkness ever overwhelm the light. For that reason, I've decided to walk the path of twilight, keeping the Multiverse into a constant balance." With his speech finished, a hand shot forward, aiming to grasp Eirika by the throat. He slowly went to lift her, staring at her all the while, then lifted a single leg. Attempting to drive a blow into her side, Sion let go of her throat, waiting to see if she's survive or not.

[Tails]

Blade caught against enchanted fist and foot as the two lovers of Eirika brawled mercilessly. In the end, however, Sion's awakening clarity gave him the edge he needed to put the drow ranger down for the count, and with the last strike, Drizzt was sent reeling to the ground.

"You're too much of a brat to keep your emotions in check." Eirika replied coolly, "you'll always been torn between peace and hate."

When he grasped the princess' throat, black tendrils shot forth from her hands again, and began to surround both her and the bouncer. Her dull eyes remained transfixed upon Sion, and when his kick came, it was stopped by a bunching of the dark appendages. She floated in the air when released.

"And, no matter what you may say or do here, you will never be forgiven for what you've done. It matters not what your reasons are, either."

With that, tendrils began to slap the bouncer across the face and arms, and after a few seconds of this flurry, one once again tried to zero in on the bouncer's chest.

[Nixos]

Sion was relieved to see Drizzt was down for the count, but it seemed Eirika would be all the more difficult to put down. Did this fake Eirika really think Sion thought forgiveness would fix everything, and he was down here for that? No, if he wanted forgiveness, he'd go to the true Drizzt and Eirika. Sion was convinced these were fakes, but the sudden slaps from the tendrils enraged Sion ever so slightly. He quickly noticed the sole tendril that was zeroing in on his chest, knowing he would have to handle this quickly. "You really are a fool, you know that? What makes you think I wans your forgiveness? Heck, what makes you think I want anybodies forgiveness."

He just watched as the tendril drew all the bit closer, knowing what he'd have to do. Quickly he snapped out, grabbing the tendril fiercely, then yanked it closer to himself. He made sure to pull it to his side, but smirked, his free hand balling up into a fist. Thrusting his free hand forward at full speed, Sion aimed a deadly punch to connect to Eirika's void face, a bit of sadness conveying upon his face. Even though he was convinced this wasn't the real Eirika, it still had her base features, and even sounded like a apathetic version of her. "This hell ends here."

Should Sion's punch make contact, he'd retreat from Eirika, waiting to see if the damage was done. Should he still be stuck in the tendrils, he'd try to fight his best out. Kicks would be aimed at her chest, and even a few would aim to sweep at her legs. He's power his way out if he had to, but that mattered not, this false Eirika wouldn't remain in his way forever.

[Zack Fair]

Sion's vicious punch made contact with Eirika's face, but even then, the expression remained unchanged. Slowly, the tendrils began to weaken, and as the bouncer broke free of them, the apathetic princess hovered to the ground before holding a hand out to him.

"Your hell never ends..." She stated as she and Drizzt began to fade away in a flurry of hellish flames, "...for you carry it within yourself..."

Princess and ranger both dissipated completely, and a moment later, the negative light that had been cast upon the small area subsided as well. This left Sion with nothing but his own thoughts and reflections.

"...within your heart."

[Nixos]

Nixos will always be a part of me, and with that, so will my hell. It's something I'll never escape from, and something I never deserve to escape from. Sion knew what had to be done, and that required finishing this. Reaching out for Eirika's hand, before she faded, Sion allowed himself the briefest of smiles. He never got to grasp her hand, but it was enough for Sion to feel slightly better about his entire predicament. He knew this wasn't over, not by a long shot, but he'd endure for the sake of all that he has done. He needed this redemption, not to heal his shattered heart, but the mend all the sins he has committed.

He took a brief moment to just stare at where the pair were last seen, hoping to find some sort of memento, or at least something useful. After he gave a brief search, Sion felt that he was done, the bouncer headed further into the Netherrealm, knowing the 'object' he was after wasn't close. He didn't know what he was seeking, nor did he know how he'd be able to tell if he found it, but he felt a strange feeling within him. He got that funny little feeling that he wouldn't find it, but the thing he was seeking would find him.

This post has been edited by Nixos on May 25 2009, 03:46 PM

[Eliwood]

Amidst the discolored dust, Sion found a small black charm. On it appeared to be a feline - perhaps Drizzt's guardian leopard - but it was imperfect. In fact, it seemed as if it was only half of something else.

Heading deeper into the realm of the damned, Sion found himself coming closer to a rather large citadel. It was still quite far away from him at the moment, but even from his current vantage point, it was clear that it was quite the daunting structure. The very air around it seemed to be different, as if there was an aura coming from the place.

[Nixos]

Sion bent down and retrieved the charm before carrying on, feeling it didn't belong here. Sion would protect this charm, and he'd do what he could to locate the other half. Pocketing the charm, the bouncer headed on, wondering what would happen next. He knew of several pasts that might come back to haunt him, but he hoped the rest of the journey would be filled with nothing that would torment his mind further. Spotting the citadel ahead of him, Sion knew that was his next stop, though this time he was a bit more on guard.

He approached the place with caution, as if expecting an attack, though he felt a odd calming in his mental state. It was as if Nixos wasn't fighting for control, almost as if he was starting to desire this as well. Sion's goal had changed from arriving in this place, and he could only hope that Nixos' changed as well. He didn't feel like talking with him, he just felt like progressing. The feeling was slightly different than the previous stop, but Sion didn't let that alter his decision, he'd go in there with caution, something he learned as Nixos.

[Eliwood]

Sion now stood before the two, huge metallic doors that were now the only thing keeping him from entering the citadel. The rust upon the gateway seemed so heavy that the door appeared to be MADE of rust rather than the strange, ebony metal that composed the rest of the towering structure.

"You smell of the living, mortal." A light, airy voice rather uncharacteristic of the rest of the realm called out from both everywhere and nowhere. To be more precise, it sounded as if it originated from the tower as a whole.

"What is your purpose for journeying into the Nether?"

[Nixos]

"I wish to correct the wrongs of my past. I wish to merge with the being known as Nixos, a man that has been here twice in death. Until the two halves of my soul are merged once more, I cannot live in peace."

Sion's voice was calm, as if this voice hadn't caught him off guard, but the unknown location of this voice was disturbing. Sion was a man that liked seeing whom he was talking with, though right now it didn't matter, there were only two pieces of importance to him momentarily. First he had to find a way to merge his soul together again, considering Nixos a torn piece of his soul. Second, he'd find the other part of Guenhwyvar's onyx figurine, only it seemed as if it were a pendant now. He did this out of respect for both Drizzt and Eirika, as if wanting to save what he could from this hell.

"I wish to gain entrance to this citadel, for I feel some of my answers will be revealed within these walls. Please, grant me passage."

Sion cared not for this citadel, if he had to break the gates down, do be it. He'd do what he must, and with that, he felt a strange smile coming from Nixos. It seemed the two were starting to work together, Sion accomplishing part of his goal without the help of a foreign object. The bouncer knew that this citadel held some kind of answer for him, but just what kind still remained a mystery. Sion felt a joy overwhelm him, and for once, he didn't feel like he had to struggle against Nixos. The bouncer looked at the citadel, and bowed his head slightly, figuring this voice was something he should pay respect to.

Sion, what will become of us after this is all said and done? Will we be the way you were before my creation?

I've no idea Nixos, but I'm just glad we agree this needs to be done. It's funny, this started with the intent for you to get rid of me, and me you> However, now we're on the same page.