Titanomachy: Judgment of Terra [PG-13] [Started / Accepting via OOC]

[Navras]

"Foolishness Cronos," Thanatos whispered as the titan made his decision. Assaulting Death would be the last thing that he ever did. For as the buildings, the flame ridden Typhon, the shadow beasts and the runes all converged on their target, Thanatos demonstrated his power of a god by releasing his hold on gravity and reversing it all together in the area just outside of Cronos' vicinity. The buildings, Typhon, shadow beasts and the runes, who had taken physical form in manifesting themselves and thus given way to gravity, all began to float upwards and away from Thanatos. He glared directly at Cronos, a menacing and destructive haze surrounding Thanatos' being, creating a aura of pure viciousness around the demi-deity. "Foolishness." With a wave of his hand, Thanatos sent the shadowy creations of Cronos swirling towards the buildings Cronos had tried to bring down upon his head. Once they slammed into the walls there, Thanatos reversed the field of gravity and sent them and the buildings crashing down to the ground at accelerated speeds, crushing the shadowy creations before they had had a chance to do anything.

Thanatos shot his hand out to the side and slightly above his head. Within seconds, his hour glass came flying from the building top it had rested on into his hand. Bringing it close to his face, Thanatos searched for Cronos' particular piece of sand. Finding it, Thanatos smiled sadly and glared once more at Cronos. Setting the hour glass on the ground and flipping it, Thanatos slowed down time all around the two of them. Cronos, in his normal physical form, was in fact much stronger than Thanatos' physical being. There was no question that in an arm wrestling contest Cronos would win. However, no amount of strength in the world mattered if your target was too fast for you to hit. Thanatos being a god, he was not effected by the constraints of time, and thus could move around freely whenever he pleased, unless of course the magic of time was affecting him in some special way, which in this case it wasn't. Thanatos lowered his head, his iron halo looming symbolically over his head. Thanatos lifted both of his arms simultaneously, making his white cloak flap behind him. Reaching down, Thanatos took hold of his two weapons; the Scythe of Death, with which Thanatos has harvested many a soul in his existence. The Chain of Death, so that none my escape Death's reach.

Lifting his head, Thanatos whispered under his breath, the vapors rising up as the snow gathered at his feet, "Go." To Cronos' eyes, Thanatos would appear to be shooting forward like a bullet from a gun. The reality was that Thanatos was merely running towards Cronos, just running. One might even call it jogging Thanatos had slowed time down so much for Cronos. However, this couldn't be kept up forever. Eventually, Thanatos would have to put time the way that it was, less he suffer the wrath of the old gods. It was best to do it sooner than later, so he would have to teach Cronos the foolishness of his actions quickly. Transcend Death? Please, gods have fallen to his power. What made Cronos dare to think that he had the power necessary to stop his will? Even in his human form? As Thanatos ran towards Cronos, his blond hair blowing in the cold winter breeze, he wondered just how much more of Cronos he would tolerate. Taking souls from those who were living was one thing, they belonged to Thanatos anyways, if Cronos took a few for his own, Thanatos would simply take them back when it was Cronos' time to die. But what he had done, taken a soul that had passed on to Thanatos' domain, it was unforgivable. Even if they continued to be comrades after this skirmish, Thanatos would never show the same respect for Cronos as he had before. After this, if they continued to work together, Thanatos would hold Cronos' life on the line at all times, never giving him a moments rest. He would loom over Cronos with the weight of universes so great that he would jump when he was told to, dance when he was told to, and die when he proved profitable.

As Thanatos closed the distance between the two of them, He came skidding to a stop only ten paces away from Cronos. Tilting his head to the side, Thanatos smirked and whirled his body around, swinging his chain scythe around in a wide circle. As he came back around, Thanatos wrapped his chain around the legs of Cronos and pulled, toppling the titan. Though He could not contend with Cronos physically, Thanatos was strong enough. Taking slow steps forward, Thanatos loomed over Cronos with a deathly glared and mouthed the words, "Give up."

[Birkeland]

Cronus was taken aback by the sheer power of his former ally, witnessing his assault be disregarded with minimal effort. Gravity demonstrated it's rightful place as one of the Fundamental Forces of the universe. That which allowed life to exist on the planet momentarily ceased to be, seemingly levitating the titan's constructs, before returning in full force, smashing them into the ground without hesitation. The four shadow beasts were not completely destroyed, though no longer in any condition to fight, while Typhon managed to return to Cronus' shadow upon impact.

Before the titan's eyes, the deity came charging toward him with blinding speed. White blurs raced across his eyes as cold metal stung into his legs. His vision was once facing the horizon now was directed toward the sky. White clouds, almost serene despite their origins, blanketed the skyline and drifted slowly in the breeze. Just beyond these puffballs of relaxation was the brilliant, shining sun, desperately trying to envelope the city as it had done in hours past. Sometimes the titan would look the sun and stars when given the chance, reflecting on their symbolic nature. They provided warmth and vitality to the cold barren planets in the cold vacuum of space.

Cronus' mild daydream was interrupted by the dark reality of life, taking the form of Thanatos' glare. 'Give up' was told to him be the dark specter garbed in white robes. The weight of death directly loomed over him, yet he was eerily calm. Having convinced himself that Death was an inconvenience more than a threat, the titan could stare into the eyes of nothingness and remain confident. [i]Mother shall protect me from Death, but not from harm,[/i] he thought to himself. [i]Would Mother truly save me should I die?[/i] He gazed once more in Thantos' eyes before realizing the truth.

[i]No. Even if I succeed, I will die with this world. If I fail before then, Mother will not save me. She will find another. Maybe... she does not wish for me to succeed at all. Maybe... Mother does not exist? Mother lied.[/i] Cronus' eyes and hair flared violently with a bright crimson light. Unstable building gave way to an unseen force, collapsing into desolate streets. "Mother deceived me! Mother... my dear Mother!" the titan roared as his veins became visible and protruding. Another scream unleashed a force of wind to push back Thanatos but an inch, enough room for the titan to stand up.

Angered eyes narrowed and focused themselves on death, brimming with confidence. "So be it, then!" his words be forced through his clenched teeth. "My journey will continue! The Ancient Souls will end this world! I no longer care for Mother's return or humanity's demise, only my own desires!" Cronus raised him arms which emanated a familiar blue light, "Not even Death will stand in my way!" The symbol 'IV' once more appeared on his chest, this time within a green circle. His usual pale skin became dark brown in color, resembling tree bark, while his gauntlets produced green auras instead of blue. Elnell's soul was successfully consumed and merged with Cronus', giving him a boost in power.

The remaining buildings in the city crumbled under the strain of the duo's combined presence, revealing large hidden trees within. Instead of vibrant colors and foliage, these trees were a dark gray color and twisted into themselves with a decayed appearance. More suited to the background of a horror story, the corrupt trees brought forth enormous roots that created a new battlefield for the duo. "Death may be inescapable, but life shall always persevere." Cronus silently commanded the tree-covered city to assault and ensnare Thanatos. Gigantic thorns emerged from the roots beneath them while thousands of branches quickly sprouted to cut or entangle the deity. [i]The key to this battle is the same as my longevity: Not to escape, but instead procrastinate. But I must also be careful as my powers dwindle with each passing second...[/i]

[Asriel Dreemurr]

Having sensed the creation of Cronus' shadow beasts once more, the Shade Hunter could not help it as he was consumed once more with a hatred for the corrupter. Having taken physical form, Vincent turned about and dove straight down into the shadow which his body cast and entered the elemental plane that was his only true home. Shooting about through the endless darkness which consumed this realm he turned his gaze upon each and every one of the portals which presented themselves to him. He searched about for what felt to him like hours, but in this timeless realm of his was merely an instant. For a moment, he felt his hatred seep away as he recalled how he had learned to enter and utilize this realm.

The first time he had entered the realm of shadows he had heard a voice, a motherly, feminine voice, calling to him and bidding that he step into a nearby shadow. He did so and immediately after he found himself in the curious place confronted by the shadowy figure from whom the voice had come. She explained to him what he now was, addressing him by his own name, and explained the use of the realm and his powers. She explained to him the control over the shadows which he possessed and the now timeless nature of him. That had been the first and last time he had encountered her and ever since he had been attempting to figure out who she was.

Vincent now shook this recollection from his head as he now found himself staring up at Cronus' back and not too far from that portal he found another cast by Thanatos through which he could see the Death God's face. Thinking for a moment, he decided instead to travel through the shadow behind cronus and thus allow himself an aspect of surprise. All things now thoroughly considered, he sent himself hurtling through the portal to finally and ultimately eliminate the one who had seen fit to time and time again utilize the shadows as his own personal toys.

While Cronus would be completely incapable of seeing his own shadow due to the much more obvious and pressing danger that stood directly in front of him, Thanatos would find himself in the perfect position to notice the rapid darkening of the Titan's shadow. Having a great deal of knowledge of the shade hunter, there would truly be only one conclusion which Thanatos could draw. In what would seem an instant alone, the Titan's shadow would reach absolute blackness and then the Shade Hunter silently exploded into the physical world, his wings of shadow bringing him high into the air above the pair whilst silently beating and producing no breeze. As he came to rest so high above the Titan, Cronus' own shadow would shoot upwards as well, forming a very real chain which he would soon find wrapped 'round his throat at the center. The two ends of the chain wrapped around the Shade Hunter's right hand which was closed tightly about them.

"Too long have I suffered your corruption and misuse of the shadows, Defiler!"

[Navras]

Thanatos held his gaze with Cronos as his anger falred, his final realization in this world coming to fluition. How foolish of him, not having believed in the words of the wisest being in existance, Death. But, there was no learning for those who did not wish to learn. So be it. Even with his anger flared and his power increased by five souls that would soon be his, Thanatos felt that he was still his equal if not his over bearing superior. However, the arrival of his new woodland abilities along with Ellenel's soulwas a slight surprise to thanatos, only because of the degree of change. But his gaze never left Thanatos'. As Cronos' power erupted with the power of Ellenel's soul, mingled with his own twisted design, and trees sprout from the ground a new and headed directly for Thanatos, he simply held out his hand and touched the nearest tree. The decay was instantaneous and unanimous, turning the gray and thorny trees to dust in his grasp. "You know nothing of life and death, boy," Thanatos growled. I've told you once before and I'll tell you now, a farwell bit of knowlege in your last moments of life. I have existed long enough to devour universes. Gods have fallen at my feet and all are under my gaze at all times. There is no escaping Death. Every light must fade, every life return to darkness!"

Pulling his chain scythe back away from Cronos, Thanatos slung the blade vertically into the ground. As it struck, a grand decay began to spread. The devestated concrete and the newly created ground began to crack and shatter before them. This world would die as one, and it would start here. "For too long have I put up with the stench of this world and it's beings. For too long have I accepted the ignorance of those who would say they share the same goals as I... but no more." Lifting his fist high into the darkening sky, Thanatos shouted with the emotion of aeons and the thunderous roar of eternity, "FREEDOM SHALL BE MINE!" The effect of this shout was immedeate on the buildings that were left standing, now far away from the two combatants. The glass and concrete at first ripples, as though Thanatos' voice had been but a droplet of rain in an ocean. Then they began to crack as a second wave of motion covered the buildings and finally, simultaneous destruction as the buildings were blown to nothing but dust in an icy wind. Not even one such as Cronos could withstand such a mighty cry for freedom, the shear impact of the sound would render him deaf less he protected his ears, teh shockwave of it would send him flying back wards; but lo! A new contender approaches, and it is the Shade Hunter. "You..." Thanatos whispers to himself, ignoring the fact that he was attacking Cronos. Thanatos gritted his teeth and clenched both of his fists at his side. The two beings he hated more than life itself were standing before him, those who had dared to try and deny him his right. Gripping his scythes in hand, Thanatos pulled the blade of his chain out of the ground though the decay continued to spread. Lifting his arms out to the side, Thanatos began to lift up into the air, using his control over gravity to do such. "You... both of you..."

Thanatos reached up a top his head and ripped his white cloak free of his iron halo, he dropped it at his side as he continued to rise higher and higher into the air, revealing his body, so perfect in form it could only belong to a god. Raising the chain scythe high above his head, Thanatos began to rotate it around above his head, the icy clouds above following the movements of his chain. more and more the clouds swirled aobe their heads generating into a perfect storm. "The woods are lovely, dark and deep," Thanatos recited under his breath, in audible to the other two. "But I have promkises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. Remember you two, All is Dust!" As Thanatos proclaimed this, he dove down at them, once again slowing down time for the pair so as that he appeared a bullet from a gun. As he dove, the swirling clouds followed him. Upon them in an instant, Thanatos grabbed both Cronos' face and The Shade Hunter's in his hands and sent them smashing into the ground, driving them backwards as Thanatos was propelled forward. With a roar of rage that only forever could fathom, thanatos let go of his two targets, sending them off into whatever was left standing. As Thanatos himself came to a stop, his feet gently touching the ground, the clouds that had followed him disperssed, creating a perfect fog that shrowded the city in ice and water. It would have looked rather queer to a passing stranger, the sky being so sunny and yet the clouds clinging to the ground. Thanatos giggled to himself at the prospect. "i always told you Cronos that a Stealthy approach was much better at capturing souls than a head on one. Now, let me demonstrate just how right I really was."

And with that, Thanatos ducted down below the clouds and became one with them, his foot steps silent, deadly, swift; searching for those whome he could draw blood. This viciousness... it is a kind that Death has never known.

[Birkeland]

From an outsiders point of view, Cronus was in the worst possible situation he could ever be in. There the titan stood at the ends of his days, trying to fend off Death itself with nothing to aid him. To make matters worse, the personification of the direct source of his power that also accompanied him throughout his life had arrived. Though not an ally, Vince would not allow himself to assist Thanatos if possible. In the ruins of Janen City stood Death, a titan, and darkness incarnate, locked in a classic free-for-all battle.

Chains wrapped around the titan's neck made him aware of Vince's presence, who had emerged directly behind him. His epithet held strong as the titan could not sense his arrival, nor his own shadow being used. "Too long have I suffered your corruption and misuse of the shadows, Defiler!" the Shade Hunter declared. [i]Now my powers will be used against me as I combat Thanatos?[/i] Cronus begrudged to himself. [i]Destiny wishes my demise this day, but Destiny is forged by one's own hands![/i] The titan could not react further as Thanatos began another assault. His vision was blocked as a hand grasped his face, held tight enough to pierce his flesh. Slightly relieved as Vince was also snared, the titan was hurled backward further into the ruins and debris he had part in creating.

"My powers have become utterly useless, haven't they?" Cronus announced as he stood up. Eery fog settled on the ground to reveal the sunlight once more. "The elemental forces will decay. The darkness will resist my commands. Only through physical combat will I achieve victory." the titan planned to himself. Fighting the incarnations of concepts and forces was one matter, fighting them on equal ground was another entirely. Their entire fight was met with mid- to long-range attack, where the titan would be at a disadvantage. Only in physical combat could he claim any chance of victory or survival. Thankfully, his body would be able to withstand a longer battle now that he no longer would attempt to fight back with his powers. The focus of his energy would instead be focused on regeneration and strength.

Twisted, dark remnants of the trees Cronus had forged returned to him, fusing into his flesh. Other plant-life from deep beneath the ground would be absorbed through his feet, which sprout roots to firmly hold the titan in his current position. All he needed was one good punch, one clean strike at full force to begin their fight on equal ground. Even if time would be used against him, the titan focused on acting on reflex to attack. Should Thanatos or Vince come within striking distance, he would instantaneously attack in that moment. It was a fool's gambit, but the only choice that was left to him. To assist that strategy, his mind cleared of thought while his body tensed and hulked once more. Only instinct would drive him now.

[Navras]

Thanatos snaked and slithered through the clouds now upon the ground, quiet as still air. He would show Cronos this day how effective being stealthful was. At last the titan would see just how wrong he had been about everything. Snaking up behind Cronos, Thanatos lifted his scythe and gave his calf a slash, piercing, although just slightly, through his now wooded flesh. As soon as the hit was made, Thanatos was gone again, snaking his way through the clouds towards The Shade Hunter. He would not attack him, oh no, not just yet. The Shade Hunter he would safe, possibly as the last person left, he wasn't sure though. What he was sure about were the words he chose to say next. Presenting himself before The Shade Hunter by rising through the icy clouds, Thanatos looked upon the one that got away with an uncaring face, with eyes as calm as they come and a voice to match. "Your time has been borrowed thus far, everyone's has. Now, today, finally, your time will be paid back in full." Reaching forward, Thanatos came within a half an inch of The Shade Hunter's face before stopping, a sad smile creeping over his face. "But not now. I want you first to witness the futility of your fight with me, should you decide to struggle when I finally come for you."

With that, Thanatos fell backwards, sinking into the clouds and snaking his way back towards Cronos. When he was close enough once more, Thanatos slashed at the shin of the same leg he had attacked earlier and then slithered away, not taking time to see if ti had cut deeply or not For now, this would be his tactics, to use stealth to his advantage and slowly dismember the titan before him. How could he fight if he had no limbs to fight with? Once his defenses were down, Thanatos would crush his spirits. Oh yes, he would watch before his death as his dear Mother Terra was torn to bits as his decay spread through out the land. Then, he will die.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

The Shade Hunter did something he was not accustomed to, and what moreover no one could ever possibly understand given his situation. He simply began to laugh in the face of Death. As he laughed, his form steadily seemed to become less and less solid, until he was entirely composed of nothing but the purest darkness which any being had ever seen. The darkness was so great that it seemed to spread out across the whole of the area surrounding Vincent as it seemed the light which shone down upon them was drawn in and forever lost. Vincent threw back his head, sending the hood flying back and revealing his curiously shaped face, pointed much like those of the elves featured in tales of old. The scar across his face and his slightly misshapen nose attested to a strike across his face he had received long ago. His colorless, pupil-lacking eyes stared out at everything about him and bore a strange blue-white glow which was the only light visible from him, with a singular exception. The long braid of silver hair running down his back, which had since been flung out from the confines of his robe, shone like the milky way in the night sky. Perhaps in this new form of his Thanatos might see some semblance of his own mother, Nyx.

"Burn the forests, break the mountains," Vincent began, slowly stepping towards the mist before him as he turned his gaze in the direction of the Titan, "boil the seas, spirit the clouds, ravage this world 'till there is nothing left...and Darkness will remain. I am Darkness, I am Timeless." With that, the Shade Hunter would seem to vanish as he entered the fog which Thanatos had brought. In fact, he was utilizing a simple fact which Thanatos had seemingly forgotten and that was that anything physical cast a shadow. In essence, The Shade Hunter was turning Thanatos' own tactic against him by hurtling along through the shadow cast by the clouds, his eyes turned upwards as he carefully tracked through the darkness and remained invisible to death. He moved along, skimming just beneath the surface of the elemental plane which he inhabited. Carefully, he waited for Thanatos to manifest himself to strike Cronus.

[Birkeland]

Thanatos and Vincent were living up to their expectations as beings of a higher plane of existence. Thanatos pulled the strings of the battle, toying with time and space as the titan was helpless to resist. Vincent shrouded the area, lurking within the background and preparing for an inescapable assault. Cronus felt as though he was simply a fish caught in a raging battle between the sky and ocean, ready to die on a moments notice. His strength meant nothing to these particular beings, one who would never remain close enough and the other who may become intangible. For him, this was a battle he soon realized he could never win.

However, he did not need to win this fight, he merely needed to survive. And that is just what he was planning to do. While his body was attacked by Thanatos, his mind sought an audience with another powerful being. One whom he often had contact with that may just help him yet. [i]I know you are watching. You're always watching... Celestia.[/i] As if on cue, a woman garbed in white cloth appeared within his mind. Her features were completely concealed within what looked to be a long silk sheet that had been wrapped around her. Only her forearms were visible as they protruded from the sheet. Luminescent yellow skin was decorated with silver jewelry and red orbs embedded in her palms. She stood atop imaginary ground within the void of thought the two had shared, hands held up and facing out.

[color="#A0522D"][i]Hello, son of Gaia. You are in need of assistance, I take it?[/i][/color], Celestia asked in a mocking tone. [color="#A0522D"][i]How the mighty have fallen. Though you were never one to possess true strength, as you have surely witnessed. Even with blessings from an entire pantheon, a human shall forever be human.[/i][/color]
[i]Spare me your pity,[/i] the titan growled. [i]Are you capable of teleportation?[/i]
[color="#A0522D"][i]If the dog wishes to run with his tail between his legs, than I have no qualms. Where would you prefer your new grave to be dug?[/i][/color]
[i]To my intended destination, the world tree. There-[/i] [color="#A0522D"][i]you will bring about the apocalypse faster than intended. Death will take notice of your actions before you can complete your mission.[/i][/color]
[i]With Elnell's soul and four Ancient Souls, I will only need a moment.[/i] [color="#A0522D"][i]That is all I may give.[/i][/color]

Blinding light beamed down from the sky, enveloping the titan with a mystical aura. The light dispelled the shadows around him before lifting him from the ground, snapping the roots he had planted. Instantaneously, the titan's body dissolved into smaller particles which traveled up into the pillar of light before dispersing into the sky. In the same moment at a different location, the particles of his being reassembled in front of Celestia. She remained in the same form she presented herself with in Cronus' mind, a white-cloaked individual.

The pair were standing under the tallest tree in all of Terra, the world tree. Reaching high into the skies, the leaves of the tree were be concealed by clouds while large branches spread across the entire area, seeming going on for miles. Despite this, sunlight forced its way through the foliage enough to make it seem as though it was noon on a cloudless day. The trunk of the tree spanned the length of a football field, with the surrounding area being nothing more than miles of smooth, wild grass. A regular paradise for those who may find the area, a lifetime's feat in itself. Celestia was one of a select few who knew the location of the tree, her duty being it's guardian.

[color="#A0522D"]"Your eyes perceive us because we wish them to. Shadows cannot exist in this domain of light, so Vincent will not enter. All life is granted and born by from the power of this tree, so Thanatos is forbidden to enter unless granted entry by the elder gods. If not for a combination of Elnell's soul and my permission, you would never find nor enter this domain."[/color] Celestia said solemnly.
"Even though I am grateful to you, why would allow me permission? You created Eclipse to combat and prevent my goals", Cronus questioned.
[color="#A0522D"]"Thanatos grew angered and impatient. Vincent is equally enraged. Should their battle continue, life will end by nightfall. You were but an inconvenience that would prevent Thanatos from ending the world before a plan could be made to stop him. You fostered this disaster, now you must end it. I will forgive your actions and assist you, but know that once Thanatos is stopped, you will be at my mercy"[/color]
Cronus felt a menacing glare coming from her cloaked face, digging into his own. "I accept and take responsibility for that. Mother has abandoned me, so I will abandon her as well. [color="#A0522D"]"Elnell is influencing you more than you would care to admit. Was he who you wanted to be? Loved by nature, but not bound by it?"[/color] Celestia conveyed. She placed one hand on the tree, her aura shifting from a brilliant yellow to a glorious white, as her other hand invited Cronus'. The titan stepped forward and accepted the invitation. "Perhaps. When we are finished..." [color="#A0522D"]"It would be an easy feat to revive him. Maybe you as well should I allow it,"[/color] she answered.

The light from the world tree's domain surrounded and overwhelmed the titan, consuming him in a brilliant white void. Elsewhere in Janen City, the light from the tree shone in the distance before returning to normal. The beam which had transported his brought him back to his original position. Cronus emerged physically no different than when he had left, but carried an aura of determination with him. One hand slammed into the ground with great force, commanding terrain with the utmost authority. The decay which once spread across the ground reverted as the destruction to the city seemed to reverse itself. Once destroyed skyscrapers rebuilt themselves as the ground appeared fresh and new. "From the void of nothingness, life was born. From the void of darkness, light was born. I have embraced your polar opposites in order to contend with you. Let us begin once more"

Cronus called forth Typhon once more, the once shadow-forged serpent now constructed of white light. Red eyes were now colored green as the beast grew larger and thinner, becoming even more serpentine than before. Unlike its previous form, Typhon was endowed with life energy, giving it resistance to Thanatos' powers. The titan was protected by the same life energy, allowing him powers rivaling that of a deity's. Once their battle was finished, Cronus knew he would ultimately be killed, either by Thanatos or the world tree. [i]It no longer matters,[/i] he convinced himself. [i]I must stop Thanatos.[/i] Typhon charged to attack Vincent, locating him by detecting where the darkness was concentrated the most. The serpent unleashed a wave of light to dispel the mist and attack the darkness simultaneously, it's goal simply to keep Vincent from further fighting Thanatos. Cronus charged toward Thanatos in the same manner he had become accustomed to, slowing down time and rushing forward with a tremendous tackle.

[Navras]

Thanatos arose through the mist and looked at the rediculous form that The Shade Hunter had taken. Nyx? His mother? Was he trying to be a jester? The look of him, the shape, the utter darkness about it madew Thanatos literally laugh. His laughter drowned out the words that The Shade Hunter said, and soon his sides were hurting fromt he effort. "What do you think you're doing Shade Hunter? Do you take me as Cronos? Did you actually think that taking hte form of my mother would trick me into slipping up?" Thanatos stopped his laughing, though with effort, and spoke in a much more mellow tone. "I must say though, you are truely misguided when it comes to mother Nyx. She is not the goddess of darkness, she is the goddess of night. She is also the one to start the end, Ragnarok some might call it, the destruction of all things even me. I wonder if you realize the ridiculousness of your trying to imitate a being you've never seen, because from my end it's quite commical."

Suddenly, Thanatos' head snapped over in the direction of Cronos, who was being bathed in light. There was only a seslect few that could bathe a being such as himin such intese light, and Thanatos' bet was that it was Celestia. "That woman... what dose she hope to accomplish? perhaps she means to turn Cronos to her side? That's almost as ridiculous as the Shade Hunter's attempt at assuming the form of my mother." Thanatos looked up at the sky and spread his arms wide. "Old gods, hear my cry! I am and always have been your loyal and humble servant, going everywhere and nowhere in my efforts to claim ever soul that has passed on. For ages untold I have done this time and time again without complaint or even mentino. I ask now, humble as I can, that you watch over my efforts as I do what you yourselves have dictated! This world is dead, it died long ago, and yet it continues to breath. This abomination of a planet must be put to rest, please, allow me the strength to do all that I am meant to do!" In responce to his plea, the wind beckoned, the earth shook, and off in the distance somewhere far thunder clapped, echoing it's mighty call all the way to Thanatos' mortal ears. Smiling slight, he lowered his arms and looked out on his spreading decay, waiting for Cronos' eminant return.

However, his return was not as expected. A brilliant flash of light, from somewhere far away eclipsed the dying city in light. Thanatos had to squint his eyes it was so brilliant. And all at once Cronos was before them once more, though this time he was under the influence of Celestia. Thanatos smiled sadly and shook his head. "You're a greater fool than i imagined, Cronos. You really, truely are." It was then that Cronos summoned his nely made Typhon and charged at Thanatos. Slowly, deliberately, Thanatos lifted his outstretched hand towards the charging Cronos and exerted his will. The gravity around his body, skin tight even, became extremely dense and heavy, making a sudden and simultaneous dent his Cronos' body. At the same time, Thanatos released the gravity all around Cronos' area, making him float up into the air. Thanatos followed, floating up after him. Moving closer to him, his sad smile still in place, Thanatos said, "You're a fool Cronos. And you will lose everything." Looking past Cronos, Thanatos' gaze shifted to the direction the brilliant flash had come from. "But I thank you, you perfect fool. Because of you and your dramatic entrace, I have found the very center of this world. The decay was to start here, but lo! Why do that when I can visit the very sourse of it all? If it dies, everything dies. And thus my duties here will end and I can leave this horribly cramped human husk behind and become once more a force." Looking back at Cronos and then down at the newly restored earth, Thanatos continued, "Although I must continue. For such minesquel destruction you were able to cause before, I'm surprised at your restorative abilities. But still, the decay of death is inevitable. One way or another, this will be over soon with me as the victor."

Turning around and swinging his arm wide, brining Cronos with him, Thanatos said in a sad tone, "Thus, I bid you Au deu." Snapping his wrist up and pushing his arm forward, Thanatos sent Cronos propelling over the city before increasing the gravity all around him and sending him crashing to the eart. Turning back to the direction of the tree, Thanatos sped towards it, summoning his hour glass as he did so. He flipped it over thrice, changing the speed of time from slowed down to sped up, getting him that much closer to the tree of the world faster. He could not be stopped. for none can evade Death, not even the gods.

[Birkeland]

Cronus' attempt to charge the harbinger of destruction was met with gravity show of force once more. Swift feet pushed against the air as his body was levitated into the sky, finding himself trapped within the sky. Thanatos moved closer to him, speaking with the saddened smile he usually wore. Cronus found himself annoyed by that look, one Thanatos never seemed to separate from whenever they spoke. He would be sure the next target of his fist would be that arrogant face. Thantos seized the titan before he could think on the matter further, throwing him across the city then exerting the force of gravity upon him once more.

Instead of a normal crater he had been accustomed to leaving, the ground showed no signs of damage from his impact. Neither did his body, save for a few specs of dust and debris. Cronus looked over to where Thanatos was heading and focused on the words he spoke to him. The life-empowered titan raised an eyebrow on the deity's decision. Celestia was more than powerful enough to keep him at bay while he could use his newfound time manipulation powers to reach him before he could provoke any major destruction.

Cronus sighed as his body flickered and disappeared into the wind. Much like Thanatos, the titan sped up the time around himself to cover lost ground. Not to take chances, he increased his speed fivefold to make sure he would arrive to the area of the world tree first. Upon arrival, the titan had only a moment to spare as Thanatos quickly approached. Cronus jumped into the air and stopped the deity by his shoulders. Using his herculean strength, the titan gathered energy into his fist and delivered a mighty blow to the deity's gut. The energy from his fist continued the attack, blanketing the latter in a beam of light.

Celestia looked upon the battle just outside of her domain with a calm demeanor. Thanatos would not set one foot within, even if she would need to force him back herself.

[Navras]

"Cronos you silly, silly creature," Thanatos said, a sad smirk upon his face as Cronon attacked him in the stomach. Letting out a sigh, though his physical body was in pain, Thanatos could mentally take this sort of punishment all day without showing a single bit of flinching. The light, however, was a differnet story. It was... differnet, not dangerous, just differnet. It left a strange after feel on his body that he wasn't sure was good or bad. But regardless, it was a rather pointless attack. Swiftly moved his hand as it dove, harbering in it's grasp his chain scythe, blade in hand. It dug deep, very deep, into Cronos' sternum. Thanatos reached forward and grabbed Cronos by the throat, his skin and muscles decaying once more as they had earlier that day. This time, Thanatos did not intend to let go. "You've never understood just what I am. Not a god, not a diety, but a force. Something that cannont be stopped. You have thought yourself this whole time to be an imovable object, thinking yourself to be my equal. But no more. With this final act, I take both your life and your soul as my own. As is this entire planet, you insignifigant pieces of dust you."

Pulling his blade out of Cronos' chest, Thanatos kept a hold of Cronos' throat, though his body had been reduced to little more than brittle bone and decayed muscles. Turning his head, Thanatos looked upon the site whre the tree should have been but wasn't. Thanatos looked up at the sky and asked the old gods to give him the sight required to do tht which he needed. Looking back down, he found they had granted his request. There stood the massive tree, and at it's base stood Celestia. Smiling, Thanatos lifted the limpp body of Cronos and waved it at her mockingly. "What do you think of your champion now?" Thanatos asked. Soon after he threw the decayed carcess of Cronos at her. It hit the protective field around the tree and bounced off, plummeting to the ground bellow. Smirking, Thanatos asked, "Is this really the best you can do?" Turning fully towards the tree, Thanatos, using gravity to his theatrical advantage, walked towards the barrier and reached out for it. A jolt of reeal pain shot up his arm, making him clench his teeth and pull his arm back. Glaring down at Celestia, Thanatos faced the barrier again. "None can keep me out. I come for all, death cannot be kept out!" Thrusting his ahnds forward, his palms together, Thanatos penetrated the barrier with his fingers, though the pain of it was almost unbearable. Gritting his teeth, Thanatos rotated his hands so that the palms were on opposite sides. Exerting all of his strength asnd asking the old gods for the strength to tear this barrier appart so as he must do what is necessary, Thanatos gave a cry of effort and tore his arms away from each other, creating a rift in the barrier that cracked and began to slowly shatter the rest of the barrier.

Breathing in heavily, Thanatos looked down at Celestia with his sad smile. "Not even someone as strong as you can comprehind me. I have been since the begining of all, and upon the day the horns and rung and my mother, the true hareld of destruction, ends my existence along with everything else's, I will continue to exist. Foolish woman, willfully trying to protect a planet that's already dead. How stagnant." Thanatos stepped through the rift he had created in the barrier and dropped down to the ground, landing softly in the field surrounding the tree, the grass beginning to decay immedeately, though it was slower here than it would be anywhere else. "The process has begun. Soon, this planet and all that inhabit it shall die. Your role is finished, Celestia. Just accept the fact that it is your time. Save me the trouble of having to wash my iron halo in your pure, motherly blood."

OOC: Yeah... Sorry about killing Cronos off so suddenly but, I figured, you're trying to get Elnell a new beginning anyways, so, why not set him free? It was going to happen anyways so... yeah. If you want me to change it though, I will. Just give me the word.

[Birkeland]

OOC: You put me in a tight situation that I can easily recover from. No biggie.

Confidence ran high as Cronus finally was able to land a direct hit on Death, amplifying its power with light energy. His efforts were rendered null and void as the deity quickly recovered. If nothing else, Death was persistent and enduring. With his goal in visible sight, Thanatos disregarded his attack and unleashed a more devastating one of his own. Decay and metal tore his flesh asunder, causing him great pain one may only feel on the brink of death. His body shriveled into nothing more than skin and bone, a husk of his former self, then tossed at the tree in a gesture of victory. The barrier of the tree's domain bounced the titan's body off as if it were a toy thrown against a wall. He lay on the ground, utterly defeated.

Or so it seemed. Light which emanated from the tree began to emanate from the titan's body. The grass which cradled his decayed form moved into and merged with his flesh. Bone fractures began to fix themselves as his muscles and organs grew anew. He regeneration remained unnoticed by the deity, locked in conversation with Eclipse's leader.

[color="#A0522D"]"How unfortunate, Thanatos,"[/color] Celestia began, "[color="#A0522D"]that you spout such empty promises. The power I possess exceeds your own, for I am the very essence of life itself. All were born and continue to live by my caring hands."[/color] To emphasize her point, the woman pointed behind the deity. Cronus stood tall and renewed, as though he had never sustained any pain throughout his life. [color="#A0522D"]"I see two children before my eyes. The eldest child has finally shown his true colors, black and red. Death and blood. The youngest child has revealed his as well, red and green. Determination and forgiveness. The eldest still looks to the past generation to grow, forever trapped in the catacombs of history. The youngest seeks out the current generation, yearning to push forward into the future. Whom do you believe will claim victory this day? Thanatos, you are doomed to repeat yourself for all eternity, never able to know peace. As long as you exist, life shall persevere. Cronus shall see the gates of the future and open them so that the current generation may pass."[/color] The woman walked over to Thanatos and gently placed her hand upon his forehead. [color="#A0522D"]"Now run along my children, the day is young."[/color] With a light push, the deity was forced back by the weight of life itself. Cronus took notice and rushed in to attack, launching a beam of life energy toward Thanatos, sending him back even farther.

Celestia placed a hand upon Cronus' shoulder, he touch replenishing his lost energy. [color="#A0522D"]"The time has come. Despite your great strength, you are not fit to combat Thanatos. However, you can still stop him by assisting another."[/color] Her hand moved from his shoulder to his chest, illuminating a green light. "Very well. I have seen the end of this world. Like the god whose name I possess, I shall leave this world so that the new generation may inherit it." Cronus took a battle stance, collecting and charging the energy granted to him. His body began to shift accordingly, shrinking and changing shape. Large muscled arms became lean and elongated while crimson red hair and eyes shifted into forest green. Once proud armor became a simple pair of brown pants with two belts. His mouth stretched and formed a muzzle, completing his physical transformation. Cronus' soul exchanged with another's, allowing the rebirth to be successful. Elnell was reborn.

The lykofloran looked around the area, taking in what situation he was in. Even though his soul was one with Cronus', he retained awareness of what was occurring around him. He was before the world tree, attempting to stop Thanatos from destroying the world. The werewolf looked over to Celestia, having never met her physically before. [color="#556B2F"]"I'm sorry I failed you once. But I want to make things right! I-"[/color] [color="#A0522D"]"Do not trouble yourself with matters beyond your comprehension. Know that I am truly proud of you. You embody what I have burdened myself to teach all of my children. Serenity, cooperation, vigor, understanding, humility, determination, kindness. You have broken through your own limitations; that is why you are attuned so much with nature. Now use my gifts to put and end to this needless violence."[/color] Elnell nodded and hugged Celestia, energizing himself one last time before taking off.

Thanatos had since recovered when Elnell arrived. [color="#556B2F"]"Death cannot be stopped forever, but you have no right to take it away as your whim! Life is precious and the greatest gift given to us moral beings! We forge our own destinies, we live our own lives! You are the greatest illusion and limitation this world has to offer! By overcoming you, I will see the future with my own eyes!"[/color] Elnell prepared himself for the toughest battle of his entire life. [color="#556B2F"]"I'm carrying everyone's burden. I'm carrying the future of this planet on my shoulders. I'm here to make sure that we'll be able to see tomorrow, together!"[/color] The lykofloran ran up and punched Thanatos in the same area as Cronus, only his punch was different. Instead of rage and bloodthirst, his fist was empowered by determination and hope. The force of his attack exceeded Cronus', leaving a noticeable dent in the deity. The lykofloran continued with his signature move, wrapping two vines around his arms for more versatility of his powers. The two vines formed wooden spikes at the ends of his hands, not unlike katara, which he used to cut into the deity's flesh. Elnell was doing the impossible, he was fending off Death itself.

[Navras]

Thanatos looked at the newly reborn Elnell with a bored expression. How pitiful these beings were, holding on to something that was already his. Granted, Celestia's pressence was a given. Where there is life, she is there just as he was, waiting for that life to end. But she has clung to this world long enough. As Elnell made his attacks, Thanatos took them without so much as flinching. "Celestia, you are the greatest fool of them all if you believe that life trumps death. You may be in embodiment of life, but my brother, Eros, is the god of life, my other half, the one who gives you and all things other than the gods breath to breathe. Eros and I are two sides of the smae coin, Ying and Yang, left and right. Without one, the other cannot exist. This is the grand medium all must abide by. Our mother, Nyx, serves as the red line inbetween Ying and Yang, invisible to all and yet always tearing a the two, trying to create chaos throughout. When the time comes, all things will fall under her wrath, even I. Even you."

Taking a grip on the vines, they shriveled up and died in Thanatos' grasp. Lifting up his damaged arms, Thanatos snickered and let them fall to his sides, harmed but not at all useless. "You keep sending champion after champion to stop me, but I cannot be stopped. All light fades, all life ends. It is as simple as that. I will be the last to die when Mother Nyx destroys all, because I will have a great burden to bear and cannot pass on until it is done. But here, on this planet, it is time for it's destruction. it has extended it's existance to the point that I needed this husk in order to deal with it, but that ends today." Looking down, Thanatos watched his decay slowly spread it's way around, creeping to the tree. It was warm here, a very motherly unnatural warm. Taking in a deep breath, Thanatos slowly let it out, exhaling cold chilling air as he did so. Soon, this place would go cold and freeze over. But for now, he would have to deal with the warmth. Taking Elnell in his sights, Thanatos lifted his hand and pointed at him. "Your soul was in my grasp, you are only here because Cronos deliberately stole you from me. I will have you again, pup." Then came the gravity, every where at once and with such great force that the world tree audibly groaned under the weight, the leaves shook adn the branches swayed.

"Celestia!" Thanatos called. "You seem to be harbering some delusion that Light is to affect me. This is quite annoying, so I ask you kindly that you stop. I am not a being of darkness, you very well know that. I am a creation of nothingness, and this light of yours is little more than sunlight on my skin." Looking at Celestia, Thanatos smiled sadly and said, "I am not evil, though many would believe I am. I am simply neccessary." With that, Thanatos began he assault. His attack was swift and blinding. For one second he was away from Elnell, then he was directly in front of him. Smirking, Thanatos said, "I could kill you in a billion different ways right here right now, and I will make sure your soul stays with me this time. But, I have decided to give Celecstia over there the satisfaction and give a longer battle. But remember, I am eternal. So your chances of winning are slightly deminished." With that, Thanatos smirked and struck Elnell's legs with his scythe. Spinning it around, he struck Elnell on the back with the safer end ,the one without the blade, and then touched his shoulder. The place his hand touched decayed but did not spread. "This is how this battle is going to end. I will touch you, just touch you, and you will decay little by little by little. Eventually, you will be nothing but dried skin and bone." Turning away from Elnell and taking a few steps forward, the ground rotting wherever he stepped, thanatos spun his scythe around and stabbed the blade into the ground, dragging it along behind him as he went. As he did, the decay spread quicker than before. "Remember Elnell! If you wish to have any hope of stopping me, you will have to do it before my grasp reaches the tree itself, less your efforts will have all been in vain." Turning back, Thanatos looked at Elnell with an uncaring expression and intesivied the gravity on him and him alone. If he wanted to fight him, he would have to work dearly for it.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

Thanatos did not know it, but by breaking the barrier surrounding the world tree he had allowed many things which normally would not be capable of entering to do just that. Vincent had been watching the whole of the proceedings from within his realm, patiently waiting for the appropriate time to strike and now he saw it. He briefly found himself torn between several options, and found himself distracted momentarily by the rage that one betrayed finds within their heart; through her favor of Cronus, Celestia had unintentionally sent a message to The Shade Hunter that she did not care about his corruption of the shadows and this angered him greatly. Darkness merely is always has been and always shall be, thus it is not evil within itself but has been given the appearance of such through its misuse by entities such as Cronus. Deciding that if he were to claim his vengeance he would have to ensure that Celestia was HIS and HIS alone to undo, he made his move.

Thanatos was currently preoccupied with thoughts of victory and of a new mission and thus he would not have noticed that in this realm of light and life he was casting a shadow. It was thus that only perhaps Elnell and Celestia would see the instantaneous growth of the darkness that was Thanatos' shadow to the point where it was completely and utterly black. From this, The Shade Hunter's right arm burst forth, tendrils of darkness streaming back from the five immeasurably sharp claws upon the hand, and made to strike Thanatos in the back. Vincent was exhausting much more energy than he normally would for this strike and as such it traveled at the same speed which light and darkness shared. In other words his hand shot forth from the shadow of death and would strike death at the speed of light. The angle of the strike came forth so that it would send the bladed hand through the deity's back and out the front of his chest just on the opposite side of his form from the heart of his physical form.

Not even half a second later, the left hand shot forth from the same shadow and made to strike Death directly across the torso from where the first had meant to enter. That is to say, the left hand shot forth to tear through the left side of Thanatos' chest and penetrate his heart before bursting forth from the front of his chest alongside the other hand. These two arms seemed to have stretched long beyond their normal length as they emerged from Death's shadow, but soon the body to which they belonged steadily rose up, dragging himself forth from his realm by the grip he had on the physical body of Thanatos. He brought his head alongside the left ear of the demigod, whispering in a way that carried without volume.

"Monologuing is overrated," he began, "mainly because it allows your enemies to do this. I must say, I have one thing over you in your little 'apocalypse' scenario. I. Am. Shadow. When all things cease to be and this universe is left as a simple void, then all that shall be left is shadow and as such I will remain. My soul may have once been yours to take, but that change one hundred and eight years ago made it not so. Oh and it seems I'm a hypocrite, here I am monologuing myself."

OOC: Yeah, sorry if this throws a wrench in y'all's plans but it really just makes the most sense for what Vincent'd do right now.

[Birkeland]

Elnell watched as Vince made himself known in the realm of light, his form unaffected by the supposed destructive rays. Thanatos, like himself, appeared to have be unsuspecting of Vince's arrival. [color=#006400]"All right! Your amazing, man!"[/color] the werewolf shouted with glee, almost forgetting what occurred less than an hour ago. What seemed like a month to him had only taken place in the course of an hour, from his rest in the Monomono Forest to his death at Toko City to his revival here at in the domain of light. Back in reality, the Shade Hunter had managed to injure the deity much more than he had during his entire battle. Two shadow arms had penetrated the latter's chest, one striking his heart.

Elnell looked on with hope in his eyes. God's could be injured, they could bleed. And he was now powerful enough to do the same. With renewed vigor, the lykofloran rushed forward with his arms becoming larger each second. They grew until each hand was the size of his body, their texture now that of wood. He grabbed Thanatos from Vince's hands and threw him into the sky, jumping up to match his new height. With a deep breath, Elnell charged a concentrated beam of pure life energy. As it's power was the deity's polar opposite, the damage would be enough to harm him. A great roar shot the beam forward into Thanatos' chest where Vince had struck his heart. In the same moment, the werewolf unleashed a rapid barrage of punches and slashes with his mighty hands. The lykofloran landed on the ground with great force, his legs trembling from the impact. Wooden hands returned to normal as he turned to face Celestia. [color=#006400]"Before he can return the favor, is there anything you can do?"[/color]

The maiden of light gave a mild chuckle before giving a hushed sight. [color=#8b4513]"There is but on option left for me to allow this world to live. Though it is a great personal sacrifice."[/color] Elnell saw how the woman had entered depression, the first he had ever seen or heard from a being like her.
[color=#8b4513]"I must relinquish my life in order to stop Thanatos."[/color] [color=#006400]"No!"[/color] the werewolf replied immediately upon her statement. [color=#006400]"I'll give up my life. I already was given a second chance, so why not? This world needs you more than me." [/color]
The woman looked at him with caring grin, shaking her head in disapproval.[color=#8b4513] "You are wrong, Elnell. This world only needs a protector for the world tree. You will take my place in guarding the source of life."[/color] The lykofloran let out a single tear. Even though he only knew this woman for a short time, she had held a special place in his heart. Celestia marched ahead to personally greet Thanatos, keeping her superior attitude all the while. "[color=#8b4513]My my. Death is in shambles before me. I will end your hold on this world, but not before a short show for our guests."[/color] She waved her hand at Vince, signalling for him to move to the sidelines. [color=#8b4513]"Keep to yourself, shadow gremlin. No one wishes for the shadows, only the life-giving light."[/color]

OOC:
@Ketodama: That's quite all right with me, Vince is just doing his thing. And Celestia is a shadow-hater. Not Elnell, just Celestia. Comes with living in pure light for long periods of time.

@AimiArisato: You can RP Celestia if you want to help your posts. All you need to know is that she uses long-range powerful bursts of life energy to drain/destroy her opponents, and she sees everyone else as inferior. Including her superiors.