The Nature of the Enemy (Open)

[Chaos]

Chaos had to understand his prey if he was to hunt them. He had done this in his human time by living among them, so that was what he would do now. He knew what it was to be human, after all he had been doing that when he was human.

It was simple gestures and specific words. It made people trust him. He had learned what to say, how to act. His every word could be a lie, but they would all sound real and perfect, with just the right inflections to carry each manufactured emotion.

He had set the perfect interaction. He would have Heartless invade. Throw away, ones he could kill. They were mindless and never seemed to mind what he did to them, as long as he commanded them.

Of course he didn't want to hurt his forces too much. He only used the weakest and told them to run as soon as he was introduced. There was always a method to his madness. He would turn on one,take it down, but it escaping before he could finish it. Then he would introduce himself. Should he use a different name. Was Chaos the name of a hero, would they know of the Horsemen.

Of course he would use an alias. Which one would he use this time, they had all refreshed after all.Nothing would be attached to any of them. Chaos concentrated on his features and drew on the power of chaos. He couldn't change anything, only affecting cosmetics, and he had to use it through his chaos patterns.

[dice=10]

His hair turned black and his eyes became blue. He wore a bickers jacket with a red shirt underneath and blue jeans. He had picked them up on a world he passed through. It was an interesting look. He wore a black bandana around his head.

He waved his hand and the Heartless began to attack. He watched the response from the shadows of the alley. He wanted to see the first hero who showed up.[rand=6825580690074606616244113105942180017307077649694632474101200006]

[Micheal Coen]

Micheal had come to this world because it was close to the Dark. He would have to search there soon to find his world. This thought did not fill him with any hope.

If anything it's making me lose hope.

I told you that we should give up. You know what their chances are now.

STOP IT. I don't need you filling my head with anymore doubt then there should be.

He felt the presence retreat, as it often did when he yelled at it. He would find her, even if he found nothing else he would find her. He moved through the streets slowly, describing his world and if anyone had come from it recently. He always ended with her description. No one had ever answered yes to a single question.

Micheal did in fact know the odds. It had been three months, and he knew the Heartless could destroy worlds. He likely would never see his world again. However, he had found evidence of Heartless on his world, from before, in the ruins. They had dated back hundreds of years. Somehow the Heartless had been defeated before. There were weapons in those ruins, that was where he found the Soul Stealer. She might have gotten one too. He didn't need to know how to fight when he picked up the Soul Stealer, it taught him. There was a chance she was here, or anywhere. He would always search if that chance existed. She had to be doing the same for him. She would never give up hope, so he wouldn't allow himself the luxury.

He was nearing the end of the street when the first Heartless appeared. Anger flashed into his eyes from somewhere knew, but he welcomed it. He hated the Heartless more then he hated violence. He held out his hand and the Soul Stealer came to be within his grasp.

He pushed the women near him as he went into action. He moved faster now, and had grown slightly stronger. It was surprising the strength the Soul Stealer was granting him.

[Sentenza Hoshizuki]

Sentenza had recently discovered the ability to travel between worlds using his powers of darkness. It hadn't been that long since hid duel with War in the streets of Hollow Bastion, but he'd managed to recover fairly well. The places War had left some scarring, but they had been through his clothing anyways so the scars didn't show when he was fully dressed. Sentenza had decided to come to twilight town to investigate it. He had heard it was a rather peaceful place overall. However, Sentenza first impression didn't bring about the best support of this reputation. The moment he saw the heartless he was holding his massive sword.

Sentenza immediately jumped into the fray and started cleaving through heartless left and right. Sentenza's eyes locked on a man with black hair and blue eyes. The amount of skill he showed with the massive blade was surprising. Wielding it seemed effortless, even with one hand. Part of this was the fact that he didn't really show any sign of exertion on his face. He didn't really show anything on his face. His facial expression was entirely neutral. Sentenza's gaze momentarily locked onto a man with black hair and blue eyes. Somehow he seemed out of place, but Sentenza quickly went back to fighting heartless.

[Chaos]

Chaos watched the two of them join in the fray. One of them saw him. It intrigued him what the first thought must be. But soon he would change all of that. He moved lithely through the streets, deftly dodging the attacks and countering quickly and ferociously. He held back with his strength, not wanting the humans to realize how special he was.

The Heartless he struck flew back several feet as Chaos smiled and acted like he enjoyed the fight. He carried no weapons and had used only his bare hands, showing skill, but again still holding back.

As commanded the Heartless retreated. The other two combatants had already killed several, so it made the retreat seem justified. He looked around, making sure the area was clear before he dropped his stance. "Well shit, seems the Heartless are coming out the woodwork now." He said with a wide smile.

He hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and leaned on his heels. "Good thing there's people to push them back to the Darkness." He said with a huge grin. "I'm Richard Forge, pleasure to meet y'all." He said with a light bow to both of them. "Anyone who fights the Heartless is a friend of mine."

[Micheal Coen]

Micheal had gone through the fight without having to use any of the abilities he had garnered thus far. When the Heartless left he looked around him to make sure nothing else came after. Once he was certain it was safe he let go of the Soul Stealer and it disappeared.

He looked to the other two quietly as he ran through information in his head. It was odd that the Heartless left like that. Most would throw themselves at an enemy until they were all gone. He could feel it was odd, it accompanied the tingling in his arm as the power spread through his body. He was getting used to the effect, and it made him worry if that was a good thing.

They were told to leave, this Heartless were bound to someone.

Do you have any idea who? He hated relying on 'it' for information, but it was often right, and could understand the knowledge he gained from the Soul Stealer.

No, just that they are powerful and not a Heartless themself.

He had seen the others fighting, they had skill, more skill then he had. Of course he imagined that had something to do with the fact that the fought more often then him. More likely they had gotten training before they had been forced to pick up a blade.

"I am Micheal Coen." Micheal answered. "I'm an archeologist."

[Sentenza Hoshizuki]

Sentenza watched the heartless go away. It was awfully weird. Heartless tended to be set on devouring hearts to a suicidal extent. Sentenza reduced his sword to a simple handle, eyeing the man who introduced himself as Richard Forge. Something about him jarred Sentenza. He couldn't quite pin what it was, but something seemed off. Maybe he seemed a tad too friendly, maybe it was the fact that he didn't immediately start to join the attack. Whatever it was, Sentenza was slightly suspicious. "Sentenza Hoshizuki." Sentenza said, introducing himself somewhat hesitantly before tacking on, "I'm a gummi ship mechanic." Sentenza didn't like this at all, a vaguem vagye. "Forgive me if I'm not being forthcoming." Sentenza said. "I was in a fight recently with someone who had heartless under her command. Those heartless didn't seem to be acting of their own free will."

Sentenza glanced from Michael to, "Richard", and studied them more closely. Michael seemed nervous and like something was bothering him. Conversely, "Richard", was relaxed and calm, almost like nothing had just transpired. It was a little jarring to Sentenza. Most people usually didn't calmly approach a situation with heartless, turn, and talk to two people they didn't know not more than five seconds later. Well, unless that person was experienced heavily with heartless they tended not to be so calm about it. "What brings you here, Richard?" Sentenza asked. For the moment, he gave, "Richard", the benefit of the doubt and assumed he was simply experienced with heartless.

[Chaos]

Chaos watched each of them. Outwardly he looked calm and disinterested. He had long since learned to study innocuously. Chaos read every tick and mannerism and learned what made them tick. Micheal was divided. He searched for something with all of his focus. He wasn't skilled in combat, but something, likely the weapon, granted him better then average abilities. Looked to be some kind of scholar, and had recently begun to doubt himself.

Sentenza wasn't as easy to read, but that alone spoke volumes. He was dedicated to something, likely some hyped version of justice, it was the most common. His stance said he favored peace which was at odds with his earlier skill. It meant he preferred peace but had learned to fight. Some formal training too, based on the skill. More so, he didn't trust Chaos. It amused him when he met this type, those with enough predator in them to know when something bigger has come around. Now would his mind accept what the predator told him, or would he fall for the honey scented trap.

"Do you expect her to be behind this now." He said looking around with focus. His stance shifted to a wary note, ready to jump into action.


He relaxed again when the others introduced themselves. Both were of new professions. The Mechanic he understood, he had learned about Gummi ships. However Archeologist was knew to him, but he knew enough languages to put together that the scholar studied ancient history. Was it possible he was a threat. Chaos doubted it, his dress was not right for his world, and what did he care for the history of another.

He smirked at Sentenza's comment. "Just passing through. I've been hitching rides for the last little while, traveling from world to world. Trying to see if I can find one like mine, one that feels like home. Of course, now I've grown to like the traveling."

[Micheal Coen]

Micheal looked back to the other two and felt like he missed something. It was odd how often that had been happening. There was something specific about Richard but Micheal couldn't put his finger on it. It was like trying to describe a smell.

He looked to the Gummi mechanic and smiled slightly. It might mean he'd have a more consistent ship access. It was getting to the point soon he would have to learn to fly his own Gummi ship. The thought overwhelmed him at times. To think of it, they were space ships, and he was another world.

However he would do what ever it takes to find her. He perked up at Sentenza's question, and listened to the other man speak. Micheal had been living that same way. He'd been living day to day on the munni he gained from killing Heartless. Things were beginning to look desperate. Micheal couldn't understand how Richard could prefer this life. Now Micheal just wanted a musty old college with it's ac cranked to high, so that it was a freezer, waiting to plan their next dig.

Then the harshness of Richards words hit him. Richard had given up looking for his world and accepted he would have to find a new one. What would Micheal do once he found her. What if he never found her? Would he find a world like his and live there. Teach history of a world they have never seen, write books, learn the history of another? These were all things he had yet to think off.

Or you could keep fighting, gaining strength and crushing your foes.

[Sentenza Hoshizuki]

"I'm not sure if it was her. I'd think she'd be much more direct after my encounter with her." Sentenza said. He then decided to test how much this man, "Richard", could be trusted. It was quite simple really. "She was someone who lived for the fight, one for whom fighting made them filled with life." Sentenza said. "A woman who's beauty was only matched by her ferocity. She called herself, 'War', as in the four horsemen." Sentenza studied, "Richard", carefully. Apocryphal beings tended not to go around without notice. If this man could be trusted, surely he'd be against her, or never heard of her. "Personally, I wouldn't believe such a being existed." Sentenza said. "But after the wounds we traded, and how well she healed, I'd be willing to believe in it somewhat."

"Travelling may be nice, but it's still nice to have a place you can call your own." Sentenza said. "I prefer stability, personally. I'm not a creature of chaos, I don't thrive in constant change and disarray. That may make like boring, but in 16 years, I've grown to appreciate boring over constant action." Sentenza was making casual small talk, without giving to much away. Those were bits of him, but most certainly was not Sentenza as a whole.

[Chaos]

Internally Chaos was angry. He was pissed at War, and there could be no doubt, the child described her perfectly. This child knew the Horsemen existed. Could he kill these two quickly enough before being noticed. It was doubtful he would be able to remove them. Perhaps he could lead them on. On the other hand, if War hadn't revealed herself to any others yet, he would control the flow of information. Besides, he might be able to discredit the claim.

Outwardly he looked concerned and quizzical. "The Four Horsemen, they can't be real can they." He said with a shake of his head. "But this women sounds like a bitch. War is an ugly thing that pollutes the simple fun simplicity of a brawl. It's people like her who ruin it for the rest of us. Someone had to make it serious. Only thing I get serious about is the Heartless."

"10 years ago I woulda thought the same thing. I figured I'd have a house of my own, finally married the girl next door, settled down, stopped being a 'wild child' as my gram used to call it. But the constant movement, just gets to you after a while. I may have seen some dark and twisted shit these last ten years, but I can not recount all of the wonders I have seen." Chaos said believing every word. That wasn't the trick. You didn't fake everything, you became someone else, so the movements are natural.

[Sentenza Hoshizuki]

"I wouldn't say there is much fun to a brawl." Sentenza said. "Only black eyes and broken bones." Sentenza distaste for violence was evident. "And I wouldn't quite call her that." Sentenza said. "There was obviously some purpose she was trying to fulfill with the fight, I believe she said she was trying to clear her mind after sex." Sentenza leaned back against a wall. "I've got the feeling that won't be the last time I'll see her though." Sentenza said. "She said she wanted to return to fight after I'd become more powerful."

There was something about War that simply made Sentenza sad, not exactly pity, but he felt that there was definitely a void she was trying to fill with violence. "As for the existence of the four horsemen, it would certainly explain the current unleashed heartless." Sentenza said. "War, Chaos, Pestilence, Death. War and Chaos have obviously been unleashed so far, if their presence truly describes state of things. I'd like nothing more than to simply stay in my home, fix gummi ships, and simply live life, but I think any hope of that sort of peace is coming to a close."

[Micheal Coen]

Micheal watched the two men speak. He liked Richard, but there was something weird. He put it out of his mind, as he sent out for Heartless around him. It was a new power he had developed. He could sense when Heartless were near.

This is why you should kill more, it makes us stronger.

We will not abuse this power, that is how monsters are made.

Reach out around you. Feel the tie to the Darkness your so-called heroes have. They understand a simple secret, you have to draw on whatever power you can grab to survive.

Micheal was stunned. was that what he felt odd about Richard, but he didn't fell it from Sentenza.Could it be true, could they both be tied to the Darkness. Then he listened to the words.

War, Chaos, Pestilence, and Death, that wasn't right.

He had taken several world religion's classes, including one on the various apocalypse mythos. He had a section devoted to revelations. He looked up to them. "That's odd, the Four Horsemen were Death, War, Famine, and either Pestilence, or the Anti-Christ, depending on your world views, at least that was how it was on my world." Could every world have a Horsemen myth, would that mean they were true. Were they Heartless?

[Chaos]

"To each their own own. I hold nothing against those who can only see the ugly side." He said with a shrug and a grin "Besides keeping the sissies out makes it more fun with the rest of us." He chuckled after Sentence"s description. "No, I know her type. She likely thinks your her fencing partner, or whatever term you want. You ever need help with her, give a shout, I'll hear it." Hopefully that would set a plan into motion to deal with this problem.

The next statement shocked Chaos. It only slightly registered on his mask, but it was there. Had War told this child everything? Even when he told her secrecy was the key to adapt to this new situation. They couldn't be as they once were yet, they weren't strong enough now. He would have to kill these two, and likely the entire street.He hated it, it would be too obvious, and would draw suspicion. however it would be needed to keep this child silent. He had hoped to use this persona more.

Then he heard the man speak. This Micheal was indeed a scholar. They way he said it, spoke volumes to Chaos, reminding him of the history professors when he was human. So, many worlds had the Horsemen myth. More then that, some of them were different. He had been written out of one world's myth. How many others. Would the other Horsemen question him.

He looked to the others and smiled. "Wild, on my world, it's like Sentenza's. It's always cool to see the legends on the other worlds." He held his hands up and smiled. "Sorry, sometime I'm a sentimentalist. Just another reason to keep traveling."

He looked around. "So, you have any plans for dinner?" Chaos asked with a light grin.

[Sentenza Hoshizuki]

"I've heard both versions, I just inferred that it was Chaos rather than famine because of this. The four horsemen each fit an aspect of the heartless. They are pestilence. They wage war, causing death as they devours hearts throwing everything into chaos." Sentenza said, calmly, "My parents came from different worlds, so I've heard of both Famine and Chaos as the fourth horseman." Sentenza had caught the slight glimpse of shock on Richard's face as Sentenza continued to speak about the horsemen. Honestly, most of what he said was speculation based on War's abilities, and the seemingly timed heartless attack they had just experienced.

Sentenza calmly drew his weapon, the massive blade from earlier forming on the end of the handle. "I don't think dinner will be necessary, 'Richard,' the charade is up." Sentenza said calmly, as if he wasn't threatening a complete stranger, "Unfortunately, you've given away a little more than you intended. Funny how you seem to make such accurate analyses of War based on small descriptions. It's also curious how I've been talking this whole time about War and, to a certain extent, the other horsemen, but you only made any genuine reaction, one that many would miss, when I speculated on their plans." Sentenza held his sword at the ready. "So then, Which horsemen are you?" Sentenza asked.

[Micheal Coen]

Micheal was enjoying a fascinating conversation. He had never heard of a myth using Chaos instead of the Anti-Christ, and one without famine. This Sentenza brought up a good point, how the odd four fit the Heartless, which truly did seem to be the end of the world. "Well I would expect the Anti-Christ to be among them, a man destined to lead the forces of Darkness against those of the light."

Then Sentenza rounded on the other man drawing his weapon. Micheal reached out and drew the Soul Stealer to his hand. His arm was still tingling from the energy of the heartless transferring to his body. Depending on how many he killed, determined how long the feeling lasted, which had gone on for a whole day once.

He was shocked at Sentenza's words. Was it true, was this happy go lucky vagabond actually an apocryphal figure of myth meant to end all life. The concept that the Horsemen were real was almost to much to believe, but to consider that this man in front of them was one was astounding.

Quick, they are occupied, kill with his back to you. Kill him and take his powers. It would make sure we would survive for sometime.

No.!! That would make us less then human.