Aqueous Transgression [Raen, Zack]

[Aerith]

Waiting It Out
--------

Lanying did not bother dignifying the phantom with a response. No, instead she was already singing, moving backwards as well. Water was spilling from her Keyblade, but it never hit the ground. Bending and twisting like some writhing animal, it wrapped her in a large, watery cocoon just in time to halt the ice that was coming for her. The impact of each blow caused large patches of ice to dot her shield, but the constant flow of the water soon washed away those frozen traces.

Keyblade held at the ready, she considered strategy. She could stay here and wait to see what would happen next, or she could go on the offensive and hope to catch him unawares. She was patient. Knowing what else this phantom could do before completely lowering her defenses and attacking was the better course in her opinion.

In the meantime, she might as well talk. That had gotten her through the other two trials. Perhaps that would be the case here. "He does not accept you. He can control it. You are the loss of control, something that will never happen, even if I do fear it."

[Summary:
Lanying used Shield Raid Cadenza.
Shield remains through her next post.]

[Nothingness]

Don't Bore Me

The shade couldn't help but chuckle a little when Lanying blocked all of his attacks with her water shield. Truth be told, it was a rather nice shield. What would be even better? Her being frozen inside of it! "Which part of this trial is about him?" The phantom said, his voice thick with boredom. "This is about you getting over little issues. Reassure yourself all you want, you can't stop what's coming." Breaking into a sprint, he stopped after just a few steps--a mere taunt. Smirking, he raised a hand and a small burst of frost appeared. In just a moment, Lanying wouldn't know what hit her. First came the quick chill, and the next instant a brilliant blast of arctic air and heat-absorbing flames. He shield was the perfect coffin to bury her in.

[Aerith]

I Don't Think So
--------

Her gaze hardened ever so slightly. She could stop it if it came. She knew she could. Her fear was born out of having to kill Raen if it came to that. This phantom presented no problems in that regard. Tearing into him would be borderline enjoyable for her. He was an elaborate illusion of her subconscious, nothing more.

With the real Raen... Well. That was another matter entirely.

She did not flinch when he feigned a charge. It was childish taunting, and the more important action came a few seconds later. Even through her shield, she could feel the extreme drop in temperature. Clearly, his plan was to freeze her inside the shield. Again. She was more than prepared for this trick this time around.

In the moments before the cold air hit her shield, she burst the shield outward. Suddenly, hundreds of gleaming ice shards were heading, not for her, but for the phantom. She didn't bother staring to see what sort of damage she caused, choosing instead to dash quickly out of range.

[Summary:
Shield Raid Cadenza dissipated.
Posts until next use: 5
Uses remaining: 3]

[Nothingness]

I Can Do That Too!

Reacting completely on instinct, the shade crossed his arms over his chest and used his own shield. Encasing himself in a spire of ice, he watched as the chunks of ice barely scratched his own. Shuddering in his prison, he shattered it when he flung his arms outward. The ice above his chest flew into the air, while everything beneath it, like liquid, fell and spread along the floor. A white fog rolled off of his body as he stepped away from the center of the ice floe. "I'll give you high marks for that move; I don't remember you having that trick before. But I guess I should have expected it, you being a Keyblade Bearer and all. Unfortunately, you're still missing the point of this test."

That was all that he was going to give her. Why spoil the fun of it? Drawing his rapier, he charged at Lanying this time, quickly closing the distance. Swinging his blade upwards, he aimed for slicing her chest before spinning around and aiming for her right shoulder. Hopping back, he dove towards her, thrusting his blade towards her stomach. With the frigid air around him, he was betting on cornering her if she tried to keep her distance.

[Aerith]

The Point?
--------

No feints this time. Phantom Raen charged straight for her, striking quick blows that she deflected with her Keyblade. She decided to press him a little, slashing first for his neck and then for his left thigh. This was immediately followed by an uppercut that would, with any luck, slash straight up the middle of his torso.

Missing the point of this test? What did he mean? There was doubt nestling in her mind now. "The point is to beat you."

Wasn't it?

[Nothingness]

Oh, Is It?

Clearly, she had forgotten just what this frost around him did. Without any effort, he blocked the first slash, parried the second with a quick flick of the blade, and jumped back from the third. He shook his head--the poor thing. She'd come this far and still didn't get the point. "I'll humor you for a while." Putting his sword away, he walked towards her, arms spread out. "Beat me." Oh, how he'd crush her spirit with this...

[Zack]

As much as he hated to, Zack had to sit this one out. Reluctantly he sat over next to Raen while Lanying was tested. The first test was having to deal with her father. He was having a really hard time just sitting there while the guy talked, but Lanying managed to get through the first trial. The second trial involved Zexion and Zack almost hopped up to help, before realizing that he was another illusion brought on by the tests.

However the third one was the most shocking as another Raen had appeared. He again had a hard time not jumping in. "I don't know how much longer I can stay here just watching..." he said as he watched, tense. He knew Lanying would be able to prevail, but...it still had a bad feeling this trial was going to be harder than the others. "You can do it Lanying!"

[Aerith]

All Right. I Will.
--------

When the phantom put up his sword, Lanying hesitated. Striking someone when he was making no attempt to defend himself made her very uncomfortable. He was technically still armed, but he was practically inviting her to attack him. Why?

It would be so easy now. Just rush him and lay into him with a flurry of blows. He was offering himself up to her on a silver platter. The sooner she defeated him, the sooner she could pass this trial and move on with Zack and the real Raen.

Her grip tightened on her Keyblade, and she set her jaw in determination. She would do this. She had to.

Dashing to his left, she swiped her Keyblade straight for his ribs, quickly following it with several strikes to his chest and stomach.

[Nothingness]

Futile

Every slash that Lanying made hit its mark, and did nothing. Each blow went through his body as if he were smoke. "As I said--you're missing the point." Lifting a hand, he fired out three Dark Blizzard shots at her feet. If she wasn't going to pass the test, then there was no point. "By fighting your fear, you only give it more power over you: you enforce it. Fighting won't make you accept me, it will only make you more afraid." Turning his back to her, he asked in complete earnest, for once. "How do you overcome me?"

[Aerith]

Overflow
--------

She danced out of the way of the ice's initial impact, only to get caught in the subsequent explosion of shards. She tried to ignore the stinging sensations that ravaged her. All of her strikes had done nothing. And now he was talking about accepting him?

"No!" Though she continued to look at the phantom, her words were now addressed to the Raen on the ground. "I don't want you to turn into this! Yes. I am afraid. I am very afraid!"

Her Keyblade vanished, and she gripped her left arm with her right hand. "You were the first person who came to help when I thought all was lost. You gave me the opportunity to see other worlds. If I had not left with you, I would have remained here, lacking any true power to defend my people. You are not with me simply because I possess rank or wealth. I consider you my equal, the first friend I have had in a long time."

A crack in her usual composure, a tear, ran cold down her cheek. "You promised me you wouldn't become this. You promised me. But if you do, I... I have to..." She held her arm tighter and shook her head. "I can't. I can't! I can't kill you! I won't! If it comes to this... I don't know what I will do."

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. This was over now. She had nothing left. Even if she had been able to damage him, even if she knew he wasn't really Raen, she couldn't fight this fight any longer.

[Nothingness]

That'll Do

The shade turned around, an actual smile, small as it was, on his face. "There are some things that you just can't do anything about. It's natural to be afraid of those things, but sometimes fighting isn't the answer. Sometimes you just have to accept that that's what is going to happen and deal with it from there." The phantom walked towards her and wiped the tear off her cheek. "You passed." With that, the shade of her fear dissipated.

Raen hadn't moved from where he had been knocked down. It was strange for him to see Lanying break down like that, and he couldn't help but feel responsible. He'd always tried to rationalize his decisions, but there was always that nagging feeling that he was responsible for so much grief between the three of them. Pulling up some strength, he managed to stand up, though his legs were shaking. "Sorry."

[Aerith]

Not What I Was Expecting
--------

It really was over. All Lanying could do was stand speechless while the phantom explained himself. Even when he moved closer and wiped her cheek, she just stared silently at him, trying to regain her grasp on serenity. He finally vanished, and the real Raen stood shakily to his feet, muttering a one-word apology.

She looked over at him, still mute on the entire episode. The dragon spirit saved her from having to respond immediately, though.

Well done, Small One. You are the awaited vessel of my power. Unlock my seal and set me free.

Maelstrom's Dragon appeared in her hand again, and she pointed it at the statue. Light shot from the end and bathed the stone carving. An unlocking sound echoed through the chamber. The light flashed in blinding intensity, and when things finally became clear again...

There he stood. A dragon. A real, live dragon. And he was an astounding... six feet in length. Not exactly the picture of majesty Lanying had been imagining. Still, even with his smaller size, he was a gorgeous specimen, a strange mix of blues, greens, and silver that shifted constantly under her gaze. His eyes were a striking green color that looked otherworldly. Firelight played over his rippling scales and claws.

He was looking at her sternly.

You are surprised at my size, Small One. It was an observation, not a question.

This is the price I paid for my cowardice. The Heartless were seeking me to finish the destruction of this world, but I hid, rather than fight back. I have spent too long in slumber, and my powers have weakened. However, you will aid me in regaining my former strength. Your weapon is an assurance of that.

The dragon's eyes indicated the Keyblade. Whenever you have need of me, simply call. I will protect you.

He faded into a silvery mist that wrapped around Lanying, almost like a mother cradling her child. It vanished after a moment, though the silver-stitched dragon on the back of her jacket seemed to be more... alive now.

She turned to Raen and Zack with an apologetic look. "Thank you for being so patient with me..."

[Zack]

Zack watched Lanying fight. He thought she was going to win, but the fake Raen was unfazed. What was she supposed to do then? Zack wasn't sure, but soon the phantom told her that fighting her fear was pointless And then she broke down, explaining she did not know what to do if this were to happen to Raen. "Lanying... he managed to say softly before the phantom told her that she just needed to accept her fear and then deal with it, and then said she passed.

The real Raen had finally gotten up and muttered a sorry, though he wasn't sure why he was apologizing but maybe he felt a little bit at fault. Zack got up and walked over to Lanying just as she unlocked the dragon's seal. Before long there was a dragon in the cavern. Zack was both shocked and excited. The dragon was a bit smaller than he thought a dragon would be, but it was still exciting to see all the same.

Soon the dragon faded into a mist around Lanying (he hadn't really paid attention to what the dragon had said, too focused on looking at it). Lanying had then turned around and thanked them. He gave her a thumbs up. "Of course, we're friends after all, aren't we?" he replied with a cheery smile.

[Nothingness]

Now That That's Done...

So, that's what the dragon really looked like. Raen couldn't help but be in awe of its magnificence. The only word he could really think of to describe it was "divine." And just as soon as it appeared, it was gone--disappearing in a mist around Lanying. Raen shook his head at Lanying; typical that she would thank them. "Hey, it's no problem."

Looking around, he couldn't help but feel a kind of awkwardness, being in the shrine now that nothing was there. "So..." His voice echoed strangely throughout the room. "I think we should head back down. I don't know about you guys, but I've had enough weirdness for today."

[Aerith]

Relief
--------

Lanying felt a sense of relief, knowing this was over. Now that adrenaline had left, a giant wave of exhaustion swept over her. She dismissed her Keyblade and smiled tiredly at Zack and Raen. The chamber was so empty now, so quiet. But if she listened closely to the inner beat of her spirit, she could almost hear a resonance of something else, a second presence now living inside her.

So soothing...

Blinking, she came up out of the sea of her soul and focused back on her two friends. If she had said anything to Raen, it would have made the atmosphere even more awkward, so she decided not to. Instead, with a nod, she began making her way to the exit. "I agree. We can stay the night at my home, if you wish. But please, stay away from the female servants." She shot both Zack and Raen a serious look, but she couldn't hold it for long before she started laughing. She didn't stop laughing until they were outside the mountain again.