The Holy Mount

~The peaks of Mount Hakarue shroud the land of Kishin is eternal shadow, rising over 64 miles into the sky. A great barrier glows around the Holy Place as he walks through the forest.~

"A Barrier?"

~Paladine draws his sword, pointing it at the Holy Barrier.~

"Scatter."

~Cracks explode along the entirety of the Holy Barrier, causing it to shatter like glass. He glances back at the bodies of thousands of slain demons, a look of discontentment on his face.~

"They had best hurry."

"Damn birds."

~Paladine growls as he starts up the mountainside.~

"Leave a man to do this shit on his own."

~Paladine swings his blade mindlessly, playing at killing the phoenixes in order to pass the time.~

"Silvari."

~He speaks, opening the massive gate of the sacred temple. He enters, staring throughout the massive chamber.~

"Im going to need a lot of life forces to revive both of them."

~Paladine pulls a small black orb from his pocket, and places it on the ground at his feet.~

"Acheron. Fly."

~A wave of black energy flows from the orb, washing throughout the land, killing many of the people therein. First to fall are Ichimaru and Dai Gwe, second is Shirah, Jenna Roslyn, and Destinii Danesti. Thousands of nameless fall as well, giving life to the God Seed and causing the heiroglyphs in the chamber to glow.~

"Paladine bows before his mistress; ruler of the mightiest of the mighty realms."

~As the light fades, a woman stands just in front of Paladine, her white, shoulder length hair gently swaying in the wind.~

~Her long black hair waves gently in the wind as she floats above the altar. His eyes begin to tear as he stares at the ancient Saint who once was so revered in the land.~

"I....live."

~She looks down to Darius, her gaze changing him to his youthful self.~

"Take me...home."

~Paladine warps Kyukijin away from the mountain, then turns and seats himself on a nearby boulder. He pulls his sword from its hseath and begins to polish the blade with a swatch of silk.~

"Took 'em long enough."

"How should I know?"

~Paladine shrugs.~

"This ain't my show, Honey. Ask her."

~Paladine points over his shoulder at the door to the sacred temple.~

~Paladine yawns, leaning back against a nearby tree.~

"Come now, Alucard, just put that pet of your away...or i'll do it for you."

~Paladine stares at his rival, pulling the Kon Blade from behind the tree.~

~Rhi's eyes widen, but not in surprise. Rather, she is trying to remind herself that she already knew her followers would be dying.~
"Lord Alucard...What a pleasant surprise."
~She offers the Aria Lord a curtsy, silently hoping that she does not have the scent of her Grand General clinging to her skin.~
"I believe the Phoenixes of Tarabon shall be here shortly...If you can wait that long to continue your bloodbath."
~She sighs, knowing full well that no Phoenix here would make it out of this alive...save perhaps Carina.~

~The air around the mountain crackles with energy as a single blast on black light strikes Alucard square in the back.~

"That is more than enough, Alucard Tepes."

~A calm voice calls out from behind the flames, a voice so familiar, yet strange and unfamiliar.~

"Rizen, Leave here now."

~The woman calls to the dragon, as an aura of calm and tranquility descends over the mountain. The dragon growls deeply then vanishes back into the sky.~

~Rhi blinks, feeling the change wrought in the Tapestries of Fate. She thinks for a moment over all possible reasons for this odd shift. Her eyes widen when she comes to the conclusion that fits.~
"Oh...shit..."
~She folds her wings to her body, placing her hand on Carina's shoulder.~
"There is no longer a need for us to die...She's already back..."
~A slow smile plays at Rhi's lips, fear in her eyes. Then, as if the fearful shock was all but a joke to her, she laughs. It is a clear, bell-like sound. She claps her hands together gleefully, appearing, for a moment, the child that (among the Phoenixes and Immortals, and all other long-lived races) she is.~
"Lucia is back!"
~She does a quick spin, as if about to dance, thinks for a moment, and holds her hand out. All the dead Phoenixes disappear, as well as Carina and Veritas.~
"Very nice doing business with you, my Lords, but my presence here is no longer neccessary."
~With that, she pulls her wings around herself like a cloak and disappears.~

~Lucia walks through the flames, extinguishing them as she passes.~

"Leave here."

~Lucia holds out the Phoenix Gate, tossing Alucard into the far horizon. Lucia turns her eyes to Midna and Paladine, hatred burning deep within them.~

"My Chevalier..."

~Lucia smiles a wicked smile, then vanishes in a burst of black light.~

"We will see each other again...in time."