Moments of Epsilon

[Creator_Drake]

"Alright, close your eyes, and find your center. Breathe on a count of 3, hold for 1, breathe out for 2, hold for 1, then repeat. Don't feel Drake with your skin, feel out his essence with your spiritual sense. He should look like a solid emerald silhouette; you won't see his features with his power condensed as it is. Visuallise a circle in his chest, between each of our hands, like a drain. Remember to breathe, 3...1...2...1, repeat." She demonstrated the method a few times for the pair to get the hang of it. Niri then fixed them both with a hard glare.

"Whatever you do DON"T lift your hands from his chest no matter what, it's our only connection to him and if you do then the other 2 suddenly get lumped with what you where holding. We are his pillars and if one falls so will the other 2." Easing up she took a deep breath to steady herself, shifting a little to get comfortable.

"Back to the lesson, his spiritual energy is going to engulf us no ifs ands or buts about it; don't resist it, it has to flow through you into him but at the same time you can't lose yourself. Think your arms as pipes, funneling the energy into his chest. Also, we won't know how large the wound is until we start, so I don't know how long we'll have to do this for. Now, one thing I must note more so to you Mary, as much as we'd like to we have to keep our bond in the back of our minds and kep our focus on channeling the energy into Drake. The pain will come through the bond and be upon us as soon as we start and stay with us until we're done. The more we focus on his energy, the easier it'll be." Niri took another deep breath in repreive.

"Now, take a moment to center your focus, ignore everything else outside. Tap your fingers twice when ready."

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad gulped nervously, her tendrils flailing about. To try and control them, she touched them to Drake's chest and listened intently as Niri gave her lesson. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She did as Niri asked, visualizing. Unconsciously, one of her four tendrils reached out to wrap around Niri's arm, the other wrapping around Mary's. Because she was a spirit type, visualizing actually created the image before her eyes, a ring forming beneath her fingertips. She tapped her fingers twice.

Mary nodded, listening to Niri's words and doing as she asked. She trusted the Leviathan completely, wanting nothing more than to help Drake. Once she was ready, she tapped her fingers twice on the circle she visualized.

[Creator_Drake]

Niri gave a nod, more to herself then anything else. Looking over she made eye contact with Elohim and gave her a firm nod. She didn't mind Myriad's tendril on her arm and left it be. For a moment she thought of telling them that this technique might break the seal but shook her head, they were already focused on the task and it wouldn't do to shake them up further than they already are.

Closing her eyes she followed her own steps, matching her breathing with the others. Her visulisation came as fast as Myriads, due to Drake's training, and she took a moment to remember the words.

"Alright... here we go..." With a final breath she let the words spill forth as practiced.

'Kawa wa yama no umi o umeru,
heika ga samatagerareru koto ga naku nokotte i masu.
Korera wa, itsudatsu, burokku, himitsu no nejire
kōdo mokuhyō tōtatsu purosesu no supin
jikan no sekai jin o waraunaki masu.

Kaido: Kyōtendōchi no doragon hāto-no-unga'

Niri spoke slowly and methodically with precision and apt pronounciation, ignoring the emerald flames that appeared on Drake's torso. With each syllable the flames fanned out further, soon covering the girls completely as it moved to the floor. The flames felt soothing against her, and Niri used that to further her focus; for what was to come she would need it. The seal upon Drake's chest became a more stable glow, dimming less and less as the flames spread further.

The flames dimmed as Niri neared the end of the chant, yet as soon as she finished they became an inferno. Spreading out instantly they pushed against the edges of the first barrier with all it could. Cracks began appearing off the first barrier as it was pushed against the second, the Centuriens barely pushed back a foot as emerald flames openly licked their shields. Those outside the Barriers weren't affected, but they could feel the miniscule vibrations through the floor, the rumble barely perceptable to their collective ears. Specs of dust fell from the ceiling between the already present crevices, but it was minor.

Inside, Drake had stopped tossing, his face calming to nothing more than a slight frown and furrowed brow. The seal on his chest had become a solid angry red, working to current capacity to hold his power in check; the non-burning flames made it impossible to see this however.

Niri, for her part, did all she could not to scream as the pain hit; she dared not move her hands. She hunched over, gasping as the pain wracked her body. It threatened to engulf her but Niri was stronger; she remembered her breathing. Slowly she pushed the pain to the back of her mind as she began pushing the energy back into Drake's body.

'3...1...2...1...repeat...3...1...2...1...repeat...' It was a mantra that kept her focused, her will and desire to help her master fueled her spirit and resolve. While not knowing of the cracks that appeared on the floor, she did take note of Myriad's tendril tightening with a vice-grip. The Legion was probably having the most visual of the experience, being half spirit herself. She wanted to assure her in some way to help Myriad keep calm but knew she couldn't, not now. She had faith in her fellow 'maidens, they would see this through.

She knew though, that if the back lash was this bad for her, Mary was probably facing the worst of it, equal share of the burden or not.

===============================================================
(original version and I probably butchered the translation)
Rivers of the mountain fill the oceans,
remain unimpeded with majesty.
Weep for those that deviate,
Laugh at those who block,
Funnel the twisting cords of secrecy
and set the world spinning in time.

Turn Way: Canal of the Earth-Shattering Dragon Heart

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Don't go insane, don't go insane, don't go insane, Myriad chanted to herself, struggling to maintain her breathing. The problem wasn't the sudden pain, although there was a great deal of it. If she had to make a comparison, the closest thing she could think of would be the time she got on Tiamat's bad side while she was visiting Lucifell's Pit on time. Being hit with magnesium fire was not pleasant. And this felt worse. Far worse.

No, the main problem was the wild astral aura that was flaring about, creating vivid, frightening images that threatened to overwhelm her mind. Shell bodies appeared and disappeared, screaming in agony, pounding against the shield as Myriad forced herself to remain calm, to focus on the task at hand, keeping her hands on her master's chest.

For Mary... the phrase 'relentless agony' would be a very minor way of describing what she was feeling right now. Her entire body felt as if it was being torn apart and sewn back together with acid-laced barbed wire that was also on fire. She would later think that combination of thoughts mildly funny, but right now everything just HURT. So badly that she just wanted to curl into a ball and try to will the pain away. But she didn't move her hands, keeping them firmly in place. Even as her wings started to turn black, her body responding physically to the energies flowing in and around her...

Elohim started to sweat, the powerful Legendary wincing and taking a step back as her first shield cracked. She concentrated hard, repairing the damage to it, but she could feel something building up inside the barriers. She prayed for her daughter's safety...

[Creator_Drake]

As if summoned by Elohim's thoughts lightning, blue as neon, appeared with a clap of thunder. The arcs held no rhyme or reason, jolting everywhere; between Drake and the ceiling, between the girls themselves, even from the floor to the cracked barrier. The last caused even more cracks to appear even as Elohim worked to fix them. One miraculous arc came from Myriad and slammed into one of the Centurian Shields through a small hole in the barrier before it was mended. The blow severely cracked the shield, turning the spot black as coal; the line of Centurians were pushed back another foot, the cracks in the first barrier appearing just a bit slower than Elohim could fix them.

The girls were unharmed however; like the emerald flames the bolts would have given the girls a soothing tingle, if their minds were not already preoccupied. Niri herself didn't notice the tingle, but she did feel the energy stabilize some as she pushed it through herself into Drake. She felt a presence enter her mind, her connection with Drake strong enough in this instance for it to actually happen. It helped that the pain was suddenly cut in half, dulled for a moment.

'You 3 are doing well, already the wound has closed by a quarter. Never waver, for your feelings for Drake are stronger than the pain you shoulder. I give you this short moment to gather yourselves for the next portion. The pain will begin to lesson once half the wound as been healed. Once you are all ready, the process will resume and the pain will return. When I return, you will nearly be done. Tell me when you are ready, but if you have any questions now is the time to ask.' The old tortoise was a welcome repreive, Niri found as drank in the air for her starving lungs, keeping to the same rhythm as she was taught. She didn't have any questions, she knew the process, she knew the power Drake held and how much was being held back. She didn't know about Mary and Myriad, but any question they did ask meant more time for them to catch their second wind.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

"Ow..." Myriad said. "Ow... And while we're on the subject, OW..." She shook her head, panting for breath. "That was... surreal... Am I going nuts or was anybody else having wild hallucinations?"

Mary, for her part, couldn't speak. Her wings had almost turned completely black, as had her eyes. Her hair and halo were turning red as well, her Recognition level bond making things worse for her. She just smiled weakly, gently stroking Drake's chest, not removing her hands as she gasped for breath.

Pestilence watched in fascination, taking mental notes, even as Elohim rewove her shields, trying to undo the damage as the girls took a brief time to recover.

Chronos just chuckled weakly. "Drake's going to have some interesting questions for you once this is done," she said. "Some related to the changes Mary is undergoing... Others about the daughter that betrayed you for Donovan."

Pestilence gave Chronos an alarmed looked. "WHAT?!"

Elohim sighed. "He seeks Donovan Brode," she said. "He fancies himself a Bane of Terror, and seeks to end him."

Pestilence shivered softly, and placed her hand to her head, wincing. "Damned fool..."

[Creator_Drake]

"You aren't...going nuts Myr...I-I saw them too...those were...some of the things Drake's...fought before..." Niri panted out the answer, taking a moment to look at the others. The light show of fire and lightning seemed to have dimmed, allowing her to get a look at the others. Myriad looked alright for the most part, sweating with exersion but alright. She remembered a number of those images, having either joined him on a quick venture and watched from the sidelines or having fought alongside him as part of her training, and didn't want to remember any of it.

Shaking her head she looked at Mary and nearly made a double take. Yes, she looked the worst of them, panting the hardest, soaked in sweat, part of her shaking. But it was the cosmetic changes that got Niri; the roots of her hair had turned a bright red, almost like well oxidised blood, nearly reaching the tips of her ears while the rest of her locks remained the original colour. Her bright halo had gained a red starbust from the center out, same shade as her hair was turning. Then her wings...Niri would admit to herself that those bright white wings had been beautiful to look at, but for them to be turning such a shade of black, like the darkest point of midnight. She wanted to ask but knew the sooner this was done the faster Drake would be healed.

"Indeed young Niri, his perfect recall can as much a curse as it is a gift. What you witnessed young Legion is likely an unforseen responce between the master's subconscious and your own visualisation of his aura; most were from him while the rest were simply a combination of factors. Drake remembers every beast and nightmare he has fought and felled, and is likely to continue as you resume, and for that I apologise. Despite this however you have been doing well, keep your focus and you will do fine. The images will likely fade as the pain wanes." The spirits tone within their minds was comforting, like a grandfathers.

"While somewhat slower, Drake is still being healed even as you rest, every bit of energy you send helping the process. So while the pain will be no different when you resume, it won't last as long. As young Mary has been dealing with the worst of this due to the strength of her bond, we shall resume once she is ready." The was calming but firm, wanting to continue just as they did but knew they needed time.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Mary shuddered. With the pain temporarily dissapated, she felt numb all over, like her body had been put out after being on fire. After a few minutes, she panted and grinned weakly. "I... am ready..."

Myriad cringed, seeing the physical changes she was going through. "You sure, Mary? You're... lookin' kinda all... shades of darkness there... It'd be kinda cool-looking if it wasn't pain induced."

Elohim didn't hear this through the shields, but felt a need to glare at Myriad anyway.

Mary shook her head. "I... am ready... We must... continue..." she said slowly.

Myriad frowned. "If you're ready, then I'm ready..." she said.

[Creator_Drake]

Niri took a moment and looked at Mary, nodding with some reluctance.

"If your both sure, then resume the breathing steps and refocus." Closing her eyes Niri took a moment to get her rhythm back, then recentered her focus. Once she knew she was ready, she was the first to let it be known.

'Alright Kurogame. Do it.' The spirit felt out each and knew not all were ready just yet.

'Hmm. Remember, once the pain begins to lesson you'll be halfway, and when I return you'll be nearly done. Drake has faith in you 3, and so do I.' With his bit done the spirit observed the 3, watching as Myriad and Mary soon retained a proper level of focus, Mary taking a little longer. Kurogame felt for the Demi-Elohims plight, truly he did for such a kind soul, but the plight of his master took precedence. If they could see his features they would see his face turn grim but determined.

'If you feel you are ready then let us resume. Prepare yourselves.' Without delay Kurogame's presence vanished from their senses, replaced by the on rush of pain once more, washing over them in a wave.

Niri gasped at the return but quickly refocused on her breathing; there was no way she would give up here. With gritted teeth she dug deep with her focus, pushing the pain once more to the back of her mind as she forced the energy through herself into Drake.

Around them both the etheral flames and lightning arcs resumed their fury, crashing against the first barrier in an instant. The sudden combined assault pushed the barrier against the Centurian shields once more, cracks forming randomly at a rapid pace, threatening to break the first barrier down.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Mary and Myriad bit back screams as the pain flowed into them again. Myriad, a little more relaxed now that she knew what the hallucinations were, was better able to keep to her breathing, focusing the energy through herself and back to Drake. Shell bodies formed and detonated at random, not really helping the integrity of the shield, which Elohim was starting to have greater trouble keeping repaired.

Mary was visibly shaking, making shuddering breaths as she struggled to keep her focus. Her body was on fire, pain ripping through her every cell, her wings, eyes, hair, and halo shifting further into their new colors as the energy ripped through her body. But she didn't let go of him, pressing her hands hard onto his body. She would do whatever it took to help her master!

[Creator_Drake]

Seconds turned to minutes as the process continued, feeling as if an eternity passed unnoticed. After nearly 15 minutes of nonestop channeling, the pain finally began to lessen, enough to be noticed. Niri wanted to give a slight sigh of relief but held her focus, something else was happening, the air around them was getting heavier, rising at the same rate the pain lessoned. Opening her eyes she saw the reason why, before quickly shutting them.

'Damn, I was hoping this wouldn't happen...' Her face scrunched in further concentration, she was surprised that this didn't happen at first but ut it from her mind. The seal was beginning to unravel further, not all the way thankfully, only at a snails pace but it was enough.

More cracks appeared on the tiled floor beneath the group, a small number of tiles already gone. The first barrier, already taxed, was beginning to be pushed to its limits, if something big hit it hard enough now it would shatter. The second barrier, the Centurians were pushed another foot as the first expanded further; the 3rd barrier remained unchanged.

For those outside the barriers, the earlier rumbling was more noticeable now. Not enough to topple anything but would definately shake anything not tied down.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Elohim went to one knee, even her considerable power starting to have trouble maintaining the shields against the onslaught of power pounding against it. Pestilence was rapidly losing her smug demeanor, slowly backing away, Chronos fairly confident about her position. Natsume and Yumiko, the cracks avoiding them for some strange reason. Elohim scowled at Myriad, her constant unconscious generation of shell bodies that would explode from the influx of power and damage her shields further, cracks appearing in the first shield faster than the Legendary could repair them.

Myriad shivered softly, unaware of the fact that she was spontaneously generating shell bodies as the pain ripped through her body. She maintained her focus, not daring to glance at Mary or Niri, silently grateful that the pain was starting to lessen.

Mary clenched her teeth, struggling to maintain her focus. The pain had lessened slightly, but to the point where it was as bad as it was for Niri and Myriad earlier. She was still shivering, her halo now completely red and shifting in design as her body compensated for the pain. Her eyes had become completely black with red irises, her wings and hair almost completely shifted in color. She kept going, unwilling to stop until Drake was healed...

[Creator_Drake]

Things proceeded in this fashion for another 5 minutes, pain lessening and was replaced by an increasing pressure. While this level of pressure wouldn't hinder Niri too much, tired as she was now it was making it hard to breathe. She persevered however, Drake had brought her to this point many times while training and she was always able to pull herself through. She ust hoped that Mary and Myriad would be able to hold out, neither were fully accustomed to his yet, hell even after 5 months SHE wasn't fully accustomed yet. She had faith in them however, they'd pull through.

The first barrier wasn't doing nearlyas good, the constant onslaught was bringing it to its knees. Cracks and holes that remained allowed for the flames and arcs to buffer the Centurian shields, minute cracks forming much more slowly compared to the first barrier. Without warning a sudden strike of lightning mixed with just the right number of Myraid's shell bodies clashed with the first shield and finally, it shattered.

Like broken glass pieces of the barrier fell, disappearing in mid air. The flames and lightning made to assault the second barrier but suddenly fell short, the assault halting as the pressure abated and the pain near vanishing. The flames and arcs remained, but looked subdued. Niri almost slipped off Drake at the sudden change, taking deep breaths re-affixed her hands quickly, welcoming the presence once more.

'Kurogame...thanks for the repreive.'

'You are welcome child. You're nearly done, only a small part remains to be healed. Take this time to recouperate then we shall converse once more.'

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Elohim let out a cry as her first shield failed, falling to her knees.

"SISTER!" Pestilence and Chronos cried out, the former heading over to her.

"I... am fine..." she said, staggering to her feet, her legs shaking. Her eyes glowed with a fierce determination. "I cannot bring the first shield back up. Losing it sapped too much of my strength. I will maintain the other two shields, though!"

Inside, Myriad sighed a little as the pain fell away steadily. She didn't technically need to breath, being a spirit-type, but the pressure was making things uncomfortable for her. She actually collapsed forward a little, chuckling nervously.

"Well, this is getting interesting," she said, trying to tune out the monstrous imagery that had been playing before her eyes this entire time. "Are we close to getting master healed?"

Mary just slumped forward, panting. Her hair was now completely red, her wings transformed to midnight black. Her halo's design had shifted completely, becoming more menacing in appearance, the red glow it emitted adding to the effect. Tearlike scars had started to form under her eyes as well.

[Creator_Drake]

'Indeed you are young Legion, very close; as I told young Niri, only the smallest part remains.' Without the pain battering her, Niri was able to catch her breath far more quickly than before, a small smile appearing on her face.

'Good, finally glad to be done with this. Wish he wasn't harmed in the first place but that's how it is.'

'Indeed, you've done very well, all of you. Drake is very proud of you.' A new presence appeared, one they all knew well. After what felt like an eternity, Niri, Mary and Myriad finally felt warmth through the bond that Drake himself sent. They felt it surround them like a warm blanket, soothing and full of reasurance.

'Oh Master...' Niri felt a few tears fall, with what had just happened it wasn't surprising. She rubbed her hands on his chest a little as his warmth flowed through her. No words were spoken but then again, there didn't need to be. It was strange though, normally she couldn't feel his emotions this clearly, but she chalked it up to the technique. Niri could feel the love he had for them and sure, there was a little anger, but it was vastly overshadowed by pride, pride in doing so well.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Mary smiled as she felt her master's presence in her soul. For the first time since this mess began, she felt complete. "Master... I will always be there to protect you..." she said, letting the warmth of Drake's love fill her.

Myriad sighed in relief. "Good," she said. "Good, you're getting better." The warmth flowed through her, making her feel more relaxed. A welcome change after the pain.

Mary looked to both Niri and Myriad. "Thank you both," she said softly, smiling. She shivered a little, and said, "I am ready to continue whenever you two are."

Myriad nodded, signifying she was ready as well. She still felt sore, but was wanting to finish this up.

[Creator_Drake]

"Alright, lets do this girls." Niri had a grin on her face as she closed her eyes, ready to resume.

'Before you do, there is one last thing I must mention.' A little confused Niri waited for Kurogame to explain.

'While this last bit won't take long, there is a chance that a larger portion of the seal will come undone. As is the nature with this Technique until it is complete Drake will be unable to reing in what power is released, and neither shall we as mending the wound is our priority. There is also a chance it won't happen, just be cautious. Until he has begun your training you will not last long under the higher levels of pressure. We will work as fast as possible to ensure that doesn't happen.'

A slight frown appeared on Niri's face, what Kurogame said was true about Mary's and Myriad's resilience, but they were strong, they lasted this long hadn't they? They'd be fine, she knew that without doubt. With a determined look on her face Niri resumed the focus stance for, hopefully, the last time today.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

"I will not let those I care about be hurt," Mary said firmly. "Niri, Drake, Myriad, I will not let them come to harm." Her visible fatigue belied her words, but the determination in her face showed how resolute she was on this.

Myriad bit her lip, and then chuckled. "Hell with it. I'm already a spirit, aren't I?" She grinned sardonically. "If we're almost done, then let's go. Tits in the wind, let's help our master."

[Creator_Drake]

'Then if we are all agreed, prepare yourselves.' Once more the spirit vanished from their senses but this time the pain did not return, the pressure did. Niri hunched over as it pressed against her, the air thickining as she straightened herself again.They were nearly done; her confidence fueled her will more than her earlier desperation and worry.

'We're almost there Master, just bare with us!' Even as it became harder for her to breathe she pushed on, channeling the rising energies around her back into Drake's body.

In that instant the onslaught resumed upon the barriers and without the first to hold it back, the second was assaulted full force. Flame and lightning raged against the centurian shields, blackining them while cracks appeared in greater number. The dense air pushed down upon the barrier creating more cracks within the floor where they stood, shallow furrows appreared as they were pushed out further, slowly, inch by inch. The feathers of the third barrier appeared unaffected, ruffling lightly against a non-existant wind.

The ground shook with greater intensity, dust billowing out from the cieling as a loose tile fell, crashing to the floor behind Pestilence, missing her hind-quarters. The piller Chronos had moved from shifted minutely, the scraping sound echoing within the room. It was joined by the faint sound of clanking metal from the balcony window, as if a suit of armour had fallen to the ground...

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Elohim struggled to maintain the second shield. She could feel her Centurions being driven to their knees in an attempt to stay in place, their spears jammed into the ground to try and lock them into place. She could feel the energy beings being broken down, though, faster than she could try and repair them.

Pestilence reared up, startled by the loose tile. It didn't affect her good mood, though, as she watched with fascination.

None of them seemed to notice the clanking sound save for Chronos, who just closed her eyes, patiently waiting. Inside the shield, Mary and Myriad focused on helping to heal Drake, their faces masks of determination.