The ending is never all that far from the beginning..[open]

[Claire De'Lune]

Perhaps today isn't one that Claire would like, perhaps the sky looks far to melancholy and gray to suffice, perhaps the air almost smells like defeat, and perhaps Claire can take it all in. Claire, for the first time in a while, doesn't notice the beauty and clarity of the sun and its abundant light. Claire, for the first time, doesn't feel as if, despite Cresselia's illusions, everything is going to be perfect. Claire, for the first time, wishes that things could change. Claire, for the first time, feels something that makes the illusion look just like that, and illusion.

Claire looks at the walls, the walls covered in art that depicts previous happenings; all of them lies. Claire looks at the ceiling that is covered with the image of the maidens; all of them oblivious to the lies. Claire looks out of the windows at her land, and for whatever reason, she truly realizes the intense gravity of her position. She realizes, that, despite what she would have herself believe..She doesn't know. She doesn't know what she has to do, but for some reason, she feels that she must.

Claire looks at her hands, which are now visibly shaking. What do I do..how do I..Why was I..Lugia..Why didn't you.. Claire thinks, her mind trying to make sense of everything despite the fact that the things she is trying to grasp are literally beyond her reality. She looks at her baton, which holds the item that is somehow connected to Lugia, the little bell that seems to resonate with the waves. Claire wonders if maybe she can do something..anything..

Claire holds in her hands a feather. One single silver feather that glows with the same light that the waves do on a cloudy day when the sun shines through the clouds. She holds it tightly, her mind searching for answers. Her mind cancels out the sound of the waves which somehow permeates the air, and it ignores the wind which blows through the entire temple. Claire wonders if perhaps she's alone in her battle, she wonders if maybe there is someone who knows what to do, because she obviously doesn't.

[Ozdin]

Ozdin walked the hallways, noticing the doodles that were marked all along the walls, some by him, some by Claire, and some are the blank spots where Sho had doodled, but the drawings, like himself, were not physical and couldn't leave a permanent mark.

Some drawings were reminders of happy conversations, some were reminders of tired ones, or bored ones, or times when the Guardswoman had passed, frowning at the First Maiden and her friend 'desecrating' the walls. Each one was more than a drawing, though. Each one was a point in time. Each one was a memory, and together they told a story. And while the story wasn't necessarily straightforward, or good, it was his story, and he was honored to have it here in the temple.

As he walked, he came across Claire, who was holding something in her shaking hands, her eyes closed tightly. What was she doing? "Claire? Is everything ok? What's going on?"

[Claire De'Lune]

Claire slowly looks up, opening her eyes, trying to take in the air before shutting them once again when the wind gusts strongly. Oh what do I do!? Why did Cresselia have to do this to the people! Why!? Claire thinks, wondering why Lugia chose her as a person to take his blessings. She thinks about Eos, who is now sleeping next to her on her leg, and about how his entire existence is a result of Lugia's divine blessing. Why?! Why choose someone like me? Claire thinks, feeling incredibly inadequate as she imagines her failing. No..I can't think that way..I mustn't.. She thinks, not knowing what to think.

Then, all of a sudden, the loudest shreik a female has ever shreiked escapes from her lungs, echoing through the entire temple and possibly the entire island. Eos jumps to his feet, acting as if he was awake the whole time, looking up to see a sight he hadn't ever before. Claire, not smiling, but filled with fear. Claire's scream was because of Ozdin's entrance into her presence. She quickly turns to Ozdin, her face more frightened than she's been since Cresselia tried to take her life. "OZDIN! What..What am I going to do!?" She screams at the painter boy, running to him and embracing him, promising herself that she won't cry, not on a boy, not like this. Eos, who is now thouroughly worried, jumps up on an altar and watches Ozdin and the girl, ready to yip if the painter does anything cruel..

[Lucan Aurelius]

The usually-perfect sky of this perfect paradise wasn't so befitting of said paradise. It was gusty and gray, emanating a harsh sense of sorrow and melancholy. The sun was completely blotted out by the grayness, yet there was not a single drop of water dripping from clouds such as these. There was something amiss in 'Somniis' Kingdom, as Lucan had been able to tell just by glancing around him. Seas churned many meters below him, as did the energies surrounding the illusion. The center of it all: the temple.

Lucan flew against the harsh winds, pushing through as well as his wings could take him toward the temple. He had to squint just so that he could reduce the soreness of his eyes. For a dream, it was annoying. Are these simple things still issues for a god? As he approached, the magically or spiritually attuned would detect a large, unknown mass of energy speeding towards the small, isolated island. Some would even recognize it as the force that shook the whole island two days prior. The gray wings on his back, similar in shape from a distance to Cresselia's, were still recognizable by the many who have seen him fly by days ago.

The streak did not stop by the statue of Cresselia, as he had finally become slightly angry with his mother. Trapping them in an endless cycle in this realm is unforgivable, even if she did it with the best of intentions. At the center of the entire world was Claire. It would be utterly intrusive if he were to just pull the plug on everything and everyone. He felt that a direct confrontation would be more acceptable in his moral compass. These were still lives being lived. Still, they must be exposed to the truth.

His bare feet touched the floor of the entrance into the main building. Two priestesses stood guard, their eyes dull as if under a spell. Suddenly, he heard a loud shriek from deeper within the temple. What was wrong? Without a wish to sneak past, Lucan attempted to walk between them. They both swiftly moved toward him, yet each step they took required much more energy to perform until, finally, they fell to the clutches of dreamless sleep. Each of the guardswomen fell to him until he reached the two locked in an embrace. It seemed that all of the illusion centered upon her, as it had been revealed to him during his ascension... as well as the shriek.

A look of regret came about him as he approached Ozdin and Claire, Lucan's color-less eyes shining just as dully as the wings behind him. "M'am, I urge you to lift the spell. You know what I mean. This cage we are in must be let go... for the sake of the people and for the sake of nature. If you fail to comply..." The null energies that he held within him surrounded the former demigod, an orb of the compacted force growing in a raised hand. To Ozdin, whom he did not know a single bit about, he turned his head. "I cannot allow you to stop me either, if that is what you wish. I do not want to bring harm to either of you, no matter what you think..."

This was the first time that he had brought himself to threaten someone. It was his godly persona that had forced him to pursue this balance more fervently, he believed. It was like... an invisible force pushed him along this river of fate so that he could dock his ship on a specific landing. A voice resided inside of his head, figuratively fighting to achieve the goal as quickly as possible. Lives were not at stake, yet his stomach churned at keeping these people away from the world that existed outside of the dream.

[Ozdin]

Ozdin jumped as Claire screamed, then all but tackled him, holding him like she was worried he'd go away. "Claire? What is it? What's happened? Claire!" Before Ozdin could get anything out of the poor distressed maiden, a man appeared with silvery wings and a strange otherworldly look in his eyes.

As he stood there, Ozdin and Sho shared a look of confusion and fear, and Ozdin held onto Claire tighter. As he spoke of some cage and letting him out of it, using the royal 'us', Ozdin realized he was in the presence of something far more powerful than your average magician. The...being, turned to Ozdin and demanded he let it have Claire, promising them no harm. Ozdin wasn't sure if he believed this thing, but in the back of his mind he knew that he didn't have a choice in the matter.

"I don't know what's going on here, but I know that whatever you're talking about has scared Claire. I don't think I have the power to stop you if I wanted, but please let me stay with her, whatever you're wanting to do; she needs a friend right now." Ozdin marveled at his own words, knowing that less than a month ago he would have turned and walked the other way, thinking it none of his business. Claire and Machina had changed him, and probably for the better. He'd have to find a way to thank Machina later, but right now Claire needed him.

[Claire De'Lune]

Claire senses the being coming, she feels Cresselia's energy in him somehow, and she also feels something darker. She feels that whoever he is isn't someone she wants to see right now, and she feels that something drastic is going to happen. It's a good thing Ozdin tightened his grip on Claire, for if he hadn't, the poor Light Maiden might have spiraled even further. Instead, the strong embrace reminds Claire that she has an obligation to help her island, she just has to figure out how.

Claire was about to answer Ozdin in the best way she knew how, allowing herself to escape from the embrace to look at the man as he comes in, said action preventing her from speaking herself. She looks at the man, or..whatever he is, and listens as he speaks. She looks at his hands, and she recognizes the energy. That's..That's the magic from the other..What is he..Who is he.. Claire thinks, her mind trying to comprehend the situation, she herself not afraid to take a hit, realizing that the burden would be lifted off of her shoulders if she were to die..

She listens as he threatens Ozdin as well, and Claire's eyes widen as she realizes that she must do something. Claire would never allow her friends to be in danger, so she begins thinking. Spell..what is he- With a gasp Claire realizes exactly what the boy means. But I..I don't..I can't.. She thinks, trying to think of a peaceful way of solving her problem. Claire decides that she must exert her place as the first Maiden, she can't make herself look weak, and she can't let her friend get hurt in the process.

With a resolve in her eyes, Claire looks straight into the man's eyes as she begins her next actions. Claire's hands begin glowing as she begins manipulating her own magic, because of her knowledge of the magics, particularly revolving around light, she can tell that the magic the boy is weilding is one of light and darkness in some sort of balance, as hard as that is to master. She forms a pink orb half the size of the boy's, its light bright enough to illuminate an entire half of the Temple.

With a flash the orb changes form, absorbing the light in the area to make the orb brighter and brighter. Claire isn't aiming for a distraction in her use of this technique as she usually would be, this time Claire is absorbing light energy so that the balance of light and darkness in the man's speel will break, along with the spell. She lets the orb float in midair while it continues to absorb immense amounts of light energy. Regardless of whether or not that works or not, she grabs her baton as she speaks. "I'm sorry young sir..But as the First Maiden..and as a person, I cannot allow you to threaten my friends..And..about the spell..I don't know..How..No..I will find out..just.." She says, her voice not wavering.

Claire look at the tip of the baton and begins spinning it at an incredible rate. Go Eos. Behind him! She thinks to her Eevee who is now thouroughly angry at the threat. As Eos quickly runs to the other side, Claire launches a barrage of Swift stars that are spinning violently. Eos, after reaching the other side, look to Claire as she returns the glance. She quickly slides her baton around the boy, allowling Eos to catch it in his mouth. Claire activates yet another one of her abilities and "teleports" herself to Eos' position, effectively switching places with him.

When she reaches the other side, she once again spins her baton, this time releasing a barrage of blue and pink Charm hearts in a spinning motion just as before. Of course, she isn't expecting much damage to occur from the attacks, but she hopes that the light and disorientation from the spirals will be enough to buy her some time.

She quickly jumps down a small flight of stairs to a lower level, motioning for Eos to stay and help Ozdin with whatever he needs, knowing that her spirit partner is still going to be with her. She uses her Celebration ability to summon a box to her side, however this box isn't one like she usually uses; no, this box is special, holding items Claire didn't think she'd need to use until the "time" came for action to be taken. She looks behind her, making sure she still has time before grabbing the box, which is covered in magical symbols that indicate spellwork.

With a quick movement of her hand, she pulls off the silver and blue ribbons, and an explosion of light envelopes her small teenage body. In an instant all of the items, a pair of mushrooms, a bag of dust and a crystal all arrange themselves in a somehow symmetrical pattern around a scroll that was instantly unrolled and transported beneath Claire's feet. She quickly utters the incantation necessary for the Ritual, the incantation she learned so many years ago, despite her not knowing what it was for, and now she knows.

Light envelopes her entire body as it feels as if her entire being is shaking, or is it her being? If only she noticed the fact that Eos had run to her side..accidentally knocking into the crystal...causing his body to be sucked into it..If only she had seen..

[Lucan Aurelius]

The boy continued to wield his energies against the two, eyes filled with the regret of laying a finger on another person to force them to do as he asked. But, who could tell from the ominous glow that surrounded it. It most certainly could tell anything. The most common interpretation would be the coldness of an indifferent god, not caring if his own aura crushed a nearby child into the ground. Yet, humanizing his appearance would disadvantage him greatly; he was much more powerful and able in this state than in his pure human form. 

Lucan sighed at the boy. "I commend your devotion and loyalty to the girl. However, you are an impediment to me now. This world is a dream. At the center of it all is the girl you protect. As long as this dream persists, everyone in this world will be trapped in an endless cycle of reincarnation, disconnected from the real world until it is broken..."

He still could not understand the psychology of humans, how they may reject the most 'insane' arguments without another thought. This might as well be some scary conspiracy theory to Ozdin, a street-wise person would realize.

An orb of light energy appeared in Claire's hand, radiating with the determination of one who wishes to be a hero in this situation. She did not understand at all what he wanted. Compliance would have been so much easier. The orb began pulling at the light energies that he was made of, which was tolerable... though he forgot that, as a god, his limits are even less than before. Instinctively, he swiped his hand in front of him, pulling back at the light to keep an unnecessarily perfect equilibrium. Despite the amount that she pulled, he pulled with even more force.

Lucan let the light orb hover beside him, regulating the amount of light that it pulled so that it maintained the perfect equilibrium that he now would need to stabilize at this point. Now, as she made that single movement with her baton, he snapped his fingers. A transparent hemisphere surrounded him, not requiring any more input from him. From inside the safety of the shield, the god tracked the presence of the Maiden, turning to face wherever she would be. Every time her attacks clashed with his shield, the hemisphere flashed gray.

After withstanding the two barrages, he shattered the shield and started flying, dodging the arrows of the alerted guards who were now firing their own projectiles. In retaliation, Lucan threw an orb of pure null energy behind him, allowing it to gather every physical thing that came to it. The pillars, ceiling, and floor around it shook and broke apart from around it, flying over the vacuum orb. After gaining its full size, it exploded, launching marble and broken arrows at many of the guards that littered that section of the temple hall. All the while, it would disallow reinforcements on that half on the level to reach the other.

While he thought he was safe, the god was, in fact, not. A large squad of guards, wielding all sorts of weaponry stood between him and the entrance to the lower levels, where Claire was located. Like an impassable wall, they readied their sharp, pointy objects, aimed straight for the boy. Lucan was a little bit more than annoyed at this display. He floated downward, letting his feet touch the cold marble. "How dare you...!"

Lucan crossed both of his arms together, two large orbs forming on each side...

[Darkrai]

The temple seemed to invite him with all of its strange explosions of power. A dark shape hovered over the shrine in the cave, a single eye looking off to the direction where Cresselia's little center of power was located. An unusual power revealed itself there, as did the cries of many guardswomen losing their 'lives' only to be set in a queue to reincarnate into the world. It was sickening, and extremely frustrating. Yet, he felt as if things may change today.

Maybe, today shall be the day this world ends.

The shape sunk into a puddle of blackness at the center of the stone base of his shrine, immersing himself in the dream world that he was in. Like a virus circulating the body, he traveled through multiple metaphorical tunnels of the dream, finding himself in a path toward the temple. Another puddle formed beside Ozdin, and the dark shape emerged, gazing in front of him with his one eye.

Darkrai had appeared in his pokemon form, two thin, conic legs set upon the ground. The white, hood-like head of the god fluttered like a torn flag, as did the tendrils on his shoulders and his arms. His great power could be felt through the entire temple, and he snuffed out the orbs of light that were still present where they were created. 

A large distance away from him, a large wall of debris blocked the path to the other side. While he could easily find his away around it, there was the boy, Ozdin, that he wished to interact with first. "What is your plan, Gladiator, knowing that this conflict is beyond your control? What will you do, knowing the truth of this world?"

[Ozdin]

Ozdin gaped as this...thing...ripped apart the walls, floors, pillars...effectively all of the section of temple around them, and effortlessly dealt with Claire's attacks, all but ignoring her. He wanted to help Claire, but he had no offensive powers. all he could do is fly. How could he help against something like this? How could he fight what was, for all intents and purposes, a god?

The answer was simple; he couldn't. He couldn't do squat. He'd been telling the truth when he said he'd be powerless to stop the thing from taking Claire. He had a simple choice. He could fight, and die, for Claire, but have no effect at all. Or he could run, live, and maybe be able to do something about it in the future, if there was a future to do something in. This...god...spoke of this world being only a dream. A dream? Is that all my life is? A dream? If this is a dream, then who's sleeping? Claire? Is this Claire's dream?

Wracked by these thoughts, Ozdin almost missed as the shadows congealed next to him into the form of a much more familiar deity. Sho cowered behind Ozdin, as the painter turned to the god of truth and nightmares. What would he do? That was what he was asking. But his mouth, unbidden, began speaking.

"This world...the truth...then he's not mad...So, my life; it's all worthless, then? just a passing dream that I have to wake up from? Assuming I'm not a figment of someone's imagination. One of those people you meet in your dreams who aren't real. What happens to me then? What happens!?! Do I just...END!?! Not even a body to bury, I'm just...null? DO I NOT GET A CHOICE!?! THIS IS A DREAM? OK. THANKS FOR TELLING ME. NOW I KNOW MY LIFE HAS NO PURPOSE, SO I DON'T HAVE TO WASTE IT TRYING TO MEAN SOMETHING. BUT I SHOULD STILL GET TO CHOOSE THE DREAM IF I WANT! WHO GAVE HIM, YOU, ANYONE THE RIGHT TO SAY WE CAN'T CHOOSE!?!" Ozdin couldn't believe he was actually yelling at a god. and not just any god, but the god of nightmares. It was quite possibly the most stupid thing he'd ever done. Taking a deep breath, he turned back towards the wreckage that used to be a hallway.

"...You called me a gladiator. I guess that's true, I fight in the arena to buy my bread and my water. But that's not who I am. I'm a painter. an Artist. And I will leave my mark, even if it's a scratch on that thing's face. You're the god of truth, so here's mine; I'm going to protect Claire. She's my friend, and I can't stand aside while she's in danger. Help me, kill me. Do what you will, I certainly can't stop you. But I'm going to fight for the right to live this dream. the right to choose my path, not have it chosen for me."

Ozdin half expected the God to wipe him from existence for his impertinence, so he waited to hear the god's response, and fight his fate to the end if that's what Darkrai planned to do to him.

[Jakob Klein]

Destiny landed on the beach, the rows of washed up dreamers there to greet the god of Disasters. She hated to leave Jakob. He wasn't a shining knight, but that's what made him all the more precious; he came from disasters with hope, knowing that it could have been worse. And she had to leave him now to go watch what she suspected would be a bloodbath. Not from any one person, but from the great mob of people who would fight over scraps and refuse. She was duty bound to watch yet another great crisis, powerless to stop it.

Moving carefully, Destiny stepped through the barrier and into the realm of dreams. It was dark here. darker than it ever had been before. She could feel the weight of at least 2 other deities, Darkrai and one she didn't recognize. Cresselia's influence was everywhere, but the goddess herself was not visible to the Absol's senses. Flying to the center of the storm, Destiny found the new deity ripping the temple to shreds, using the power of the void to wreak havoc. Landing on the roof, the goddess looked down at the unfamiliar face as he killed several more guards, who were merely doing their duty to protect the girl, the maiden of first. She was duty bound to not stop him, but at least she could speak with him.

"So, who are you? Obviously you're rather new to things, otherwise I'd have met you before. You're power wreaks of annihilation. Why do you destroy these innocents? What is your purpose here? You don't have to answer, but it would be rude and unwise to ignore your elder. My name is Destiny, but I'm better known as Absol-Mejoris, Lesser Deity of Disasters." Destiny's tone was polite, but cold. This deity did not show mercy to those deserving of it, so she did not care about being nice. As she introduced herself, she fanned her wings out, her regal figure impressive to those suaded by such matters. Mostly, she just intended to deter him fighting her. Her duty was to observe, and though she theoretically would be in her place fighting in self defense, it would not end well if one of the major gods believed she had intentionally derailed a disaster. especially one this big.

[Lola Lianna]

It was the commotion that woke her from her sleep, and she couldn't help but go and find out what it was as she was certain everyone else in the temple would be doing also. But when she peered around the corner her eyes widened in fear at the scene in front of her. It was the man teen in the middle of the room that caught her eyes. He looked so angry that Lola wanted to go hide back in her room, but she held back as the figure began to speak. "I commend your devotion and loyalty to the girl. However, you are an impediment to me now. This world is a dream. At the center of it all is the girl you protect. As long as this dream persists, everyone in this world will be trapped in an endless cycle of reincarnation, disconnected from the real world until it is broken…"

A… Dream? The whole world was a dream? They were all reincarnated when they died? She was dreaming? She was a human… a human who became herself over and over again? She couldn't believe what she was hearing and by what the gladiator began screaming over, she decided that he wasn't exactly keen on the idea of a dream world either. She couldn't help but feel small and insignificant at the thought of being someone she wasn't. 

Then all hell went loose and there was fighting all over the place. First the very brave Light Maiden made her move against the boy god. Then the god countered all of her attacks and attempted to produce some of his own when the temple guards began to get in the way. Lola's fear was evident by the shaking in her hands, but the sight of guards in danger caused her anger to flare. She didn't know who this person was, but no one put her subjects in danger the way he was. Not to mention the Maiden of Light.

She pulled out her silent dagger, the one hidden within the folds of her dress. It would keep her movements silent and unnoticeable, even to this unknown god. She slipped close to the man and when she was close enough she went to swipe at him with her blade. Whether she hits him or not doesn't matter to her as it was a distraction for her to move around him and stand in front of the guards who were supposed to be the ones protecting her. Her gaze bore into him despite her shaking hands and shivering body. She was terrified, but would still do what she could to do her job as a maiden.

Character: Lola Lianna | Tag: Claire De'Lune, Ozdin, Lucan Aurelius,

[Fenrir]

As Claire activates the Ritual, the forces in the area begin to coalesce into a whirlwind around the girl, the energies of the ritual infusing themselves into the girl. the storm created by the deity intensifying as once again within such a short time the ancient powers were channeled. Claire felt her spirit being reformed by the magics, the crystal acting like a focus. In the real world, Claire's body was entirely unaffected, but in the spirit realm, radical changes came to pass;

Claire's ears elongated, and the hair at the back of her neck began to grow longer, fluffing itself up and around her neck like a mane. Her whole body developed the signs of the Eevee within the crystal, Eos's form and spirit being used as a focus for the ritual.

While her dream form was greatly altered, it was her spirit which recieved the most powerful change: Claire's spirit and body were split, no longer tied together. At any time, Claire's spirit was now able to simply 'walk' out of her body, leaving the shell behind. During these Out of Body Experiences, Claire's spirit would be trapped in a gajinka form, and unable to interact with the physical world save through the magic granted from Eos' abilities.

While these abilities would be potentially useful, they did not come without a downside; Eos' spirit was combined with the girl's, imperfectly, so that the two minds now shared Claire's body. The two would always be in competition for control of the shared spirit, and by extension the body they dwelled within. This would also be dangerous for the girl, as her body would be an empty vessel, open for any spirit being to fill should they wish while the girl is not within it. And finally, without the body as a blanket and shield, the girl's spirit would be far more vulnerable to corrupting materials, should she come across any.

[Claire De'Lune]

Claire, from the intense light surrounding her, watches as the events unfold. The strange boy with the incredible powers begins to unleash them with a practically unstoppable force, and she is amazed at how easily he deflects her own attacks. Regardless, the guards prevent his approach. Claire notices the Deities that seem to be flocking, seemingly attracted to the most likely visible magical commotion in the eyes of the God's.

The beauty of the flying creature puts Claire in a state of awe as her body is transformed from head to toe. The darkness of the truth begins to worry the young girl as she notices Ozdin in an extreme amount of confusion, along with Lola, the Maiden of Silence, trying her best to help the situation as well. So much chaos is going on about her, yet within her, everything seems to be finally aligning.

She looks down at her body, which seems to be completely different and yet all the more similar to..Eos? Claire quickly looks around, searching for her physical partner, not being able to see him at all. Oh no..Eos..what did you do? She thinks as another voice pops into her head. I'm sorry, Lady Claire, I was only trying to help you! I must have gotten trapped in the ritu-- Eos says from within her, trying to explain what had happened before the Maiden interrupts. It's perfectly alright, Eos. I'm sure it was an accident, and I'm sure things will be just fine, as I feel closer to you than ever before, but we must settle this some other time.. Claire says as she tenses her body, preparing her next course of actions.

Eos, from within Claire's mind watches carefully, being sure to..remain still? Regardless of what is going on with Eos in Claire's head, Zoe, Claire's spirit partner, is trying her best to get a grip on things as well. Now Claire, completely without a physical partner, must deal with the stress of two, possibly three deities, along with the stress of two of her closest friends being caught in the crossfire, not to mention the fact that her two partners are both now nothing but a part of her being..

She calls out to her friends, hoping to let them know that she is alright while trying to tell them that they aren't alone. "Ozdin..I must inform you..what you do here, it is a dream..but I promise you that it does matter. Here in this world you must forge a path just as anyone else must, it is merely all the more difficult to affect the true world, but you have all the right to choose, and I believe it is now my duty to fix the difficulty, the true lies that now encase our world; I will dispell them, but first.." She says, her voice carrying through the chaos very effectively as she turns to Lola.

"And Lola, thank you for your help, I think I'll need it. Make sure the others are safe.." Claire says before releasing the tension in her body as she moves forward towards the man with the strange Godly aura that reminds her so much of the great deceiver.

She quickly forms two orbs, this time, with far more force than before. These orbs are completely white, not showing any signs of Cresselia's influence in them as she forms them. She moves toward the boy and appears to be heading right for him, ready to tackle him regardless of his position on the ground or in the air. Just before she would have hit him, she flips upward using a present she summons at her feet as a sort of force to help her upwards. She leaves the orbs where they would have ended up, right up against the orbs the boy is weilding.

Claire, not behind the boy, quickly forms two orbs of pure darkness in her hands, knowing that when the three magics get anywhere near each other, they will gravitate to each other and explode with extreme force, just as they always have, which, Claire knows, will force the deity to take action.

Claire hears a ringing in her head as Eos shouts in her mind. I want to help, Lady Claire! Let me help! He shouts as he tries to leave Claire's body, resulting in a very strange occurrence. Claire's entire being, or, her spiritual being to be exact, separates from her body and she is now looking at herself on the floor of the temple, practically frozen in time as her spiritual body watches. Claire looks at her hands which are now obviously intangible in the real world. Is this..is this what the lost ritual does? I'm a ghost? Claire thinks as she tries to graps her situation.

Zoe, who is now struggling to follow Claire, notices what has happened with her body. Lady Claire, what on earth has happened to you? You and Eos..you've..morphed? And you have a body like mine. Is this what you wanted? Zoe asks as she looks down at her old master's body lying on the cold floor. Claire looks to Zoe, her mind in just as much a state of confusion as her spirit partner. I don't know..I just feel like..I have to..do..something.. She "says" to Zoe through her mind. Claire looks at her new form, wondering what she can do as Eos begins to speak within Claire's own mind. Lady Claire, we can still fight! You have the same powers I do, only your spirit augments them! Eos thinks to Claire, even though he is compeltely clueless, he just wants Claire to be happy..

Claire looks at Zoe, who is obviously confused, and Clarie notices something. Our bond..it's..it's been broken.. Claire thinks to Zoe as the normal colored Eevee looks to her previously bonded master. Lady Claire, don't worry, I'll still help you, and I know just how to do it! she says to Claire, some sort of spark in her eye.

Claire feels a jolt of energy as a flux of pink life force flows into her physical body as Zoe disappears. Claire's physical body changes its form to its pink haired state as it usually does when bonded with Zoe, but this time, Claire isn't bonded though spirit, but through body. Claire wonders if what the three..or four..of them are doing is safe, but she accepts that she needs all the help..that..she..can..help herself with?

Claire, the spirit Claire, begins glowing a whitish glow as her entire spirit begins resonating with Eos'. The two's power seems to be growing as a result of their bond and the two run toward the strange god-man with full power and speed as Zoe, in Claire's physical body goes to Lola's side and lends a "Helping Hand", watching as her partner and Eos "Return" to their bonded state.

As Clairos(Claire's spirit and Eos) arrive at the boy, the stop dead in their tracks, allowing all of the collected energies to fly right at the boy who may or may not have been damaged by the explosions from earlier.

Clairos jumps back to Ozdin as Claire looks at the ceiling which is now--Caving in?! Clairos can't believe what they are looking at; the entire upper half of the temple that lies above Ozdin and Clairos and the dark god is falling right above the two. Claire looks at the falling debris and squints her eyes, desparately wishing that the debris wouldn't fall on her.

When Clairos opens her eyes, the debris has..teleported? The debris has now teleported right above the ceiling where the "Destiny" god is, resting on it without breaking anything. Clairos feels an intense pain surge through her body, one that causes her to fall to her knees. Even in her pain, Claire doesn't take her eyes off of the enemy, ready to "Quickly" move out of the way if the need should arise, knowing that she would quickly move to Ozdin's aid if he was in danger as well..

[Erra]

Erra was in her room a filling of sadness, she was rescued even temporarily from the dream from that boy... That boy she recalled meeting him, but what happened after they met? What happened after he freed her from her curse? Why was she not screaming around her the truth? What was stopping her? Was it the conversation of the beach? Also why was he so much stronger than that first time. Was he always that strong? Was it just normal for her not to scream the truth? She could not stop thinking of these things over and over sense meeting of that boy. These thoughts ran over and over in her head, she just could not piece anything together. All she knew was this boy... He was something.. He was something unique... Something... Something... But what was that something? He was Cresselia's son... Was he.. Wait where did that information come from?

She stared out her window to the ugly day, it was quite an odd color... almost gloomy.. Erra pondered what was going to happen the next few days, will she finally tell the other maidens? Also what about Claire, what she said. How did this all fit together? This weather, what she said, what he said. It was almost like Erra was a piece in a puzzle that was just not this puzzle. Was she even destined to be here? Why was she here anyway? What was going to happen to this place? A confused little girl, that was what she truly was. A tear fell from her frustration and silent screaming.

A large shriek sounded across throughout the temple, what the? He head perked up with interest, what had just happened? Who shrieked? What was that? She felt the need to move, yet what was the point? In reality she was powerless against the dream, especially trapped in it, and that boy... he wanted to wait... Wait for when? What? Was he a coward? Was she a coward? No she was not a coward! She will do something! Yes, she will do something today! On this gloomy day... That just shouted foreshadowing thoughts.

She picked herself up and began to run... Run where? She stopped in the random direction she was headed, she felt so confused but so thrilled at the shriek and what could happen in the future. What should she do? Stand aside? Help? Pretend to be the perfect maiden at this moment, yes perfect maiden. A mindless killer in all the eyes of the citizens. She should just leave it, she should seek that boy out. What should she do?! She felt so conflicted standing in that one random spot in that hallway. Her spirit pokemon just hovering over her, he... Oh she just hated him so much. He probably knew what was going on, was probably one of Cresselias stupid tricks. This was all probably some stupid trick, some stupid dream. Maybe she should go back to her room, just sit there.... Then what? Wait? like some stupid princess in a story. Let the wicked witch take over?

Moments more passed, why was she still standing here? The shriek could be a murder, not that she cared, it could be something. She finally felt the urge to just run a random direction, the direction was the wrong way. She reached the end of the "wrong direction" to feel a giant breeze of wind smacking her in the face. She hid behind a pillar her heart racing, why was the wind this strong? What was causing this? her mind referred back to the day she awoken on the beach. That day... It was a storm.. so why this day? She slowly went down the pillar her mind still boggled in confusion... Suddenly loud noises sounded across the courtyard and the whole place of worship. What the? she looked toward the noise subconsciously.

Was there some huge battle? Was the witch attacking her only son? Was she trying to destroy him? Was this whole place going to shatter or just lose its only hope? Only hope... Was Claire a hope? No, she could not be trusted... A twittering bird. Picking herself up Erra summoned her bird spirit pokemon, "I hate you, you hate me. Just work with me on this. Something is happening and I need to fly. Please provide me wings, you stupid spy." The male Swanna looked at her eying her... like she was some sort of bet. He Shrugged his wings and flew into her, he knew if worst came to worst that the Goddess cresselia will just stop her. What did he have to loose? Granted his freedom from this pesky girl was at hand, if only he could break out of this situation as well.

With the pokemon soul now inside Erra she gradually began to grow white wings, her outfit turn to a tad feathery look to it. This was it... Her eyes changed the color of red to purest of swanna blue. She attempted flight, it had been a while since she had last used this power and tripped a few times. Skipping past all her fail moments, air lifted the whole temple started to shake as a battle had taken place and reached extremely measures. What was all this?

She saw then Claire versing it off with Lucan, What? What was this? She had to help, she had to. She started to fly toward the battle only to be a few seconds off.. Lucan was suddenly interrupted by a white winged canine creature with some sort of black, was that a horn? She reached to were the huge scene was located, she did not know what to do first. Should she attack Claire? Should she protect those around, no of course not, they will be fine. Lucan... Lucan.. She trusted him, even in this state... Even this powerful and a blur. Then the light was horrible in this world. The light of the witch, son of the witch; son of the witch was to be trusted...
He pulled her out of the dream, broke her curse, and.. and.. A tear fell, why did a tear fall? Was it a tear of fear? Tear for his death? Tear of... Of.. What was happening?! She found herself summoning a hurricane around her body from the Swanna's powers. She wanted to protect the son of cresselia... No.. Claire.. No the son Of Cresselia... Make the nightmare end! By this point she had taken no notice of the roof collapse or Claire's jumping from place to place. She was just lost in her own thoughts and confusion.

[Cresselia]

something seemed to be influencing the perfect weather, well well.. What do we have here? was all the Goddess could think as the world seemed to have shifted suddenly. It seemed as if something had arisen from some sort of new power. She did what she did best, lurk, observe, and of course figure the situation to figure her key component of action. Claire had taken a dramatic turn, that was not all good, her supposed son suddenly seemed powerful void, and hmm what is this? Two forces attacking each other? The goddess was hidden in her light form, she watched as the center of her power seemed to gain more and more impurity. She was not allowed to directly take control of the situation, but then, was she? This was a dream, not a nightmare, not a void; if any had power over this domain it would be her. It was not like God of higher power bothered with pitiful fairs of a small island and presence. Well not normally, not while he sleeps she could not help but think with a joyful sneer.

All this big bang, such a pretty game, why this was just utterly beautiful. It was just, attracting too much attention it was a time to put an end to this game, but how? She wanted to make everyone happy, oh so happy, but how? Her illusions were broken by her pitiful son, the one who was supposed to be doomed under the waters of dreams and darkness. Her brother was probably taking action right now, right now to get it all to fall apart. What to do... What to do... Watch it play out? Interrupt and toy? No, she must not lose her power. It was time to play her cards.

She began to shine brighter and brighter in the little light she hid in... Gradually this light grew seeming to create a silence around her. The sky began to reform to its brighter sunlight self. The day seemed to suddenly drop its dark forebonding-self. "Is this really what you want? To kill all these innocents?" her light seem to grow brighter and brighter almost in a beacon of hope.

 She began to grow to a female that soon began to shrink and solidify, a figure that looked to be a simple Mother of purity and selflessness. This mother was the average height by this point and had blonde locks down her back with a dress. She then spoke of a softer voice, one that was still amplified to where those near the temple can only hear. "Please stop this foolishness, this place is as real as you are. All these people feel pain, sadness, happiness, and live. Are they not as real as you are? As real as that girl? As those with conflicting emotions? Please stop this nonsense, protect those in need, do not destroy this world. The light will lead the way, can you not see?" tears began to ring in her eyes. They were all false emotions, but it was all she had.

The scent of lily strongly influenced the air around, those seduced would soon see her way, that her way was the right way. So why could they not all see she was a protector of happiness and life? That she was a Goddess of this life? That this world... Was as real as anything, that no matter what.. People lived and survived here. That if it all came down to it, this was a place, the safest place in the world. A home. Even as a dream, it was still there... Still felt.. Still alive.. Could they not feel the warmth on their skin? The wind now softer on their skin? The protection she offers? Let them all see it with a scent of lily in the wind... Yess all the maidens will understand, that this does not matter.. That my power is strong enough to influence their friends.. To make their friends go mad, that they are to keep things smooth, so my power will not be outdone by pitiful fools and false believers.