All Existence Denied

Time...  It will not wait...  No matter how hard you hold on.  It escapes you. And... RP blog for Ultimecia of Final Fantasy VIII, affiliated with Asphodel Valley.

[negate-all-existence]

"Well, at the very least, this disgustingly dilapidated place is not lacking in strong, attractive young men..."

This could end up being useful.

[negate-all-existence]

§ɥç磧§ȋ¤ñ [Aspho Open]

[heroicsailor-deactivated2016011]

The life of Asphodel Valley was an unkind one. The only rules here were the rules of nature, only the strongest and those weak supported by the strongest are able to live in this world of hunt. 

Incidentally, there was also characters like Wave here. A tall man in his early human twenties. He was not the strongest nor the weakest but he managed to scrap by.  Right now however, Wave was in one of his less fortunate situations. The past few days had been oh so quiet and calm he had grown lax. Sitting on the edge of an iron bar looking out on the landscape. Ruins and overgrowth was all there was.

His ear twitched at the sound of footstep, quickly trying to seek safety until hostility could be confirmed, his grip slipped on the iron bar as he misplaced his hand onto some loose moss. Falling upside down with a shriek the silence came with a loud thud and a whining groan.

Before the boy stood a tall, dead serious woman. She had a scary aura around her much like Wave’s former leader.  To scared to change his posture, he was directing both his rear and face towards the woman in his embarrassing upside-down position. 

" P-P-Please don’t hurt me! I don’t know where this is! I swear! But if you’re here then you’re like everyone else, you… ” He hesitated to continue for a short moment, if only worried for his own health would she succumb into a fit of rage.

" … You died in your world and is a part of this afterlife! That’s it, that’s all I know, I swear! " 

[negate-all-existence]

"....Hoh? You're shivering, darling boy."

The woman did not react in the slightest when it came to the young man's almost ridiculous-looking antics. A pair of golden eyes followed him as he tumbled down, but little more changed about her, apart from the tiniest of smiles appearing on her face, as if jeering at him. No, that would be an improper way to put it. It was almost impossible for a being with such a royal presence to 'jeer' at someone. Rather, she was looking down at him, the way a human looks down at a nest of ants.

Taking a few even, light steps forward, the woman parted her painted lips, taking a breath of air. "...Dead, am I? Yes, I had guessed as much. I could feel it in my bones. Well, too bad, I suppose. I feel that I have all of the strength I have ever possessed, and that is enough for me. Now, then, sweet child. Why don't you get up and fix yourself?"

Standing over him like that, Ultimecia truly did look queen-like. Her entire presence was alluring, powerful. A largely exposed body, covered with intricate tattoos, hands which ended with sharp claws, a hairstyle arranged to look like the horns of a demon, and a pair of black wings...she looked less like a human and more like some sort of witch. Well, that was what she was, after all.

"You sound like you're being interrogated. Relax. I leave such slovenly duties to others. We are simply talking, my dear." Every time she spoke, the air seemed to shudder. Her voice, her words...all of it was inhuman. Musical, tempting...the kinds of tone a mother would use when pressing a child against her bosom. It was uncanny.

"Are you frightened? If so, you must have a reason. Is there something to be scared of?"

[foodforflowers]

As long as you can handle puns for the entirety of that.

"I’ll take that as you saying that I can look young for my age, ladies like to have men have some youth to their appearance to them, right?" But not a child, no, just a young man; he had to look good for his dancing too! "I’ve been through enough that death can’t stop me, I mean, we’re still kicking it might as well put up a fight!" A farce, in truth he was so scared, but he wasn’t going to allow himself the option to break down, low Lck or not.

Did that eternal damnation involve bleeding, because he was - well would be since no other option - totally okay with being stepped on lightly instead.

[negate-all-existence]

Escape from puns, or offer eternal torment...rgh, you have cornered me, boy!

"Hmm, you're right. I especially like my men at the prime of their youth. It seems every one I have had has been young, ripe. Youth is virility, after all. It simply would not do if they run out of energy and are no longer of use, am I not correct? But my, so tenacious of you. Stuck in an empty world, no escape available, chased by beasts after your flesh, hardly a friend around you, demise lurking around every corner, an eternal hell...and still you fight." A cool, composed smile which just barely hid the fact that every word she said might as well have been a dagger piercing through the poor young man.

Fine, then. Maybe you'll serve as a footstool. Or would you rather be the throne?

[foodforflowers]

Hm, staring at chest area or ouchies. Okay, a win for you.

"I fought in a war and died to it, I can at least be called a man, can’t I?" Why did out of all that, he had to make comment about his age. "It helped everyone, or at least I hope it did, so that’s why I’ve always done so, and to try to keep the ladies smiling!"

Please be gentle…

[negate-all-existence]

Oh, fine. I won't hurt you too badly. Maybe just a pinch of eternal suffering here or there.

"Oh, is that right? But you still look like a child to me...a woman who knows the flow of time in such an intimate way as I cannot help but see you as a sweet young boy. Ah, it brings out the motherly instincts in me..." Hah. Not really. "You were felled in a war as well? Poor luck, I suppose. And yet your aspirations still do not die down. You remind me of a certain lion-hearted young man I once knew..."

Sorry, this woman only has two settings. 'Too good for this' and 'eternal damnation.'

[foodforflowers]

She’s got a great body, what can he say.

"See? That’s the spirit! Even with the brain-munching things around here, the crappy way of living, and little to no food, it’s still best to keep a smile on your pretty face!"

Nah voice: Nah.

[negate-all-existence]

Take your chances, boy, but it's not my fault if you end up pierced a thousand times over.

"Yes, I suppose you have a point there. And it is much easier to do so when there is something entertaining to focus on...or so your theory goes, it seems. Yes, it is just like a child of your variety to think so positively. Refreshing, to the point where one simply does not tire of such behavior."

I want to break him. A lot.

[negate-all-existence]

"Oh? Do the poor birdies, perhaps, know each other?"

[foodforflowers]

Okay. Zooms in.

"I do indeed! Always trying my best to see that there’s someone I can bring a smile to!" he exclaimed, even having the gall to smile himself even when she continued not to. You’d think he’d take a hint.

[negate-all-existence]

Apparently nobody can get enough of this hot scantliy-clad sorceress bod

"Surely it must be a worthwhile endeavor, in a place as desolate and barren of people as this. When they're not being chased by mindless beasts who wish only to see their end, a smile must definitely be at the top of their list of priorities." This time, she did end up returning his cheerful expression, in a rather alluring, witch-like manner.

TAKE. THE. HINT.

[necrofantasies]

Aᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟᴏʀs ᴏғ ᴍʏ ғᴀᴛᴇ ❣ Uʟᴛɪᴍᴇᴄɪᴀ

[necrofantasies]

      As though aware of her entry, Yukari immediately moved herself through a slit she created within the air. She was slightly sluggish from the descend, and even more so if she were to move by her own accord rather than relying on her abilities — ah, honestly, life would certainly prove to be troublesome without Ran to accompany her and assist her, despite the fact that she genuinely does not require any sort of assistance when it came to surviving. Raising her gaze, only to allow her sights to coalesce with the scenery of a grand, yet dark appearance, similar to that of her very own powers, yet so different, and far more twisted.

      The sultry voice uttered words so idle, yet deep; pondering, yet rhetoric, that Yukari could only allow herself silence as she was met with a presence she couldn’t quite assess. The woman before her certainly was not human, yet there was a similarity between the two that Yukari could not quite pin, indeed — the woman before her was hardly a monster like herself, but something… sinister? Ah, there was no other way of knowing other than allowing herself the knowledge to be granted by time.

      Honestly, how long does this hag wish to run her mouth? Besides, look at that torn dress…

      Being addressed as a girl allowed a smile to adorn her features — for it had been a time that she was addressed the old woman, it was almost strange that she was called out as a youth this time. Perhaps her appearance remained the same, yet she felt so weary, and old. And dead. Her smile immediately faded away at the thought. She realised that there was no way of escaping, as of yet.

      "Ah?" was her mere response to her being called, but soon the woman proceeded to continue with her speech. Yukari could admit that they possess a similar aura, if Yukari were to act more her age. However, before this individual in her presence, she could hardly allow herself the luxury of arrogance, but she would soon regain her very own composure.

      Tempted to tell her the truth, as if to brag over her ownership of her life, Yukari stifled her words by raising her fan to her lips before she proceeded to allow the woman an antiphon. Yet, a very roundabout solution, if it were to lead a solution to the questions in hand at all. “—That is, if we were to follow the theory that you were alive, prior to arriving here. Technically, it would be right to assume that I am in the same situation as you are. After all, both of us are in the same place, same… location.”

      She could very well say the same spot, and despite the loss of life — Yukari could still implement her abilities. Unfortunately, she has yet to observe the powers and abilities of the witch before her, in order to not allow her to commit a mistake upon arriving in such a dreadful, silent place.

[negate-all-existence]

"Your thoughts are written all over your face, just in case you wanted to know. Not that it's any of my business what kind of uncertainties are running through your head, how much you wish to restrain yourself. Regardless, I do not believe now is the тιмє to demonstrate one's strengths, when there is peace in the surrounding area." As if the words that were just spoken mattered absolutely not at all, the sorceress immediately made the point of analyzing the gaze of the girl before her, very lightly skimming her expressions and mannerisms. At this point, Ultimecia was not digging inside of anyone's head, there was no need for such things. The cooperation she was already getting was more than enough for the woman.

This girl was strong, that much she could sense. She would make a useful pawn, or perhaps she could be a rook or bishop, were it to come to tactical warfare? Ah, no, once again, the sorceress was getting ahead of herself. There were plenty of other things to think about, and plenty of тιмє to do so. And there was a theory to discuss, which should take priority in a situation like this.

"Hmm. Perhaps I addressed you too rudely in the first place, my dear. I was simply taking a walk when I found something of seemingly intelligent life milling about, so I thought I would drop in...and I might have landed a fish that was just a bit bigger than I expected." Although the woman's voice and words were decisively pleasant, there was just something off about her entire aura, something that would make anyone feel unease. A certain regality that could only waft from those who truly deserved to be revered as rulers, even gods. 

Despite offering her condolences in that more than slightly roundabout way, however, Ultimecia seemed to quickly switch back into a more serious mode. "Indeed, I was alive. If you could call my existence 'life,' then that is what you would refer to it as. And before arriving here, I can clearly remember my own demise. My assumption that you were in the same situation seems to have been correct. This means that this place dragged us both here after our 'deaths'...now, what in the world could that mean for us intelligent life-forms, trapped here post-mortem? It is a curious situation..."

Once again, the sorceress appeared to have drifted off into her own little world, musing out loud. Was it a habit she had picked up somewhere, or perhaps a sign of how little it mattered to her what the surrounding ants saw or did when she was present...?

"What is your name, dear?" The lazy, powerful voice of the sorceress flowed through the air once more, but this time, it seemed more personal, less omnipotent, conversational. It was a simple question, no strings or tricks attached. A plea to know the one to whom she spoke. "My name is Ultimecia. I am a sorceress with power over тιмє. And you, child who is not a child at all...who are you?"

[foodforflowers]

…don’t stare, don’t stare. “Oh? Another beauty interested in my puns? It’s nothing, really, they just tend to be there for a little pick-me-up for this dreary place.”

[negate-all-existence]

Stare all you want, boy.

"I see. Well, you certainly know how to provide a...contradictory atmosphere, don't you?" 

Is an unfazed spirit a sign of courage, or idiocy?

[foodforflowers]

“Drinking a whole bucket of water could make you turn pail!”

[negate-all-existence]

"What is this ¢нιяριηg that I have been hearing every day since I have arrived here?"

[negate-all-existence]

"ฬгєtςђє๔ ๒єครtร, an empty world, and the slightest smattering of intelligent life..."

"Just what kind of a project is this? I believe this merits further investigation, even if I do not wish to get my hands dirty..."

[artisticita-deactivated20180110]

♛ ( 001 )

♛   ⌠ “Hmph! This wretched humidity!” The swordswoman groaned and pulled on the cloth that clung to her chest. Beads of sweat rolled over her pale cheeks. She could taste salt on her lips. “If only the weather were better, I would little mind this predicament. Alas, it seems I have no say in the matter. An emperor I may be, but a god I am not. I will have to make do.”

Fanning her face, Nero looked around disdainfully. Most building appeared to be decaying and dilapidated; unsuited for life outside of the moss and weeds that claimed their walls. However, there were others she might be able to take refuge in. A few yards away from where she stood, the short woman laid eyes on one of the more acceptable housings; this is where Nero decided she would spend the evening.

Lifting her skirt and holding her sword tight in hand, the emperor trudged through the thick mud with a frown.  It must’ve rained recently, she quietly surmised.  The air was heavy with mist and smelled akin to a bog.  No longer amendable, the woman groaned loudly.  “Dis, take me now, for I’d rather accept my place in the nether realm than crawl through this muck a moment longer!” Now at a door, Nero flung it open with flourish and stepped passed the threshold. Inside she found no one and, thank the gods, nothing. The entrance was promptly closed off behind her.

Making her way into a living room, Nero set aside her weapon and removed her soiled clothes and boots, until she was left standing only in a white leotard. While she could not breathe easy, Nero would need to find some method of washing her items, but for now, the small emperor desired nothing more than rest. Lying across a soft, but horrendously foul smelling, sofa, the woman rested her golden crown upon its arm. Green eyes now peered forward. The area, which smelled faintly of rot, was covered in dust and cobwebs; a place simply unsuitable for an individual of her mighty repute.

Yet, to complain would be unsightly. “I should be grateful for reprieve, I suppose. Those gaudy abominations have not yet touched this place,” she mumbled, almost childishly. “I fear that may only last for so long, but any monsters that dare disturb my repose will suffer greatly for their insolence!” Nero spoke louder this time. If there was anyone else who’d taken shelter here, they would be wise to leave the exhausted woman alone.

[negate-all-existence]

No such luck, unfortunately, my dear.

"Whoever are you talking to, child? Is it not a sign of ოﻪժռεรร when one announces things so loudly to themselves?"

She was sitting across the room from the young emperor. Perhaps this, in itself, was the first sign of something being wrong. After all, had the girl not just checked the entire area for people, making sure she was alone? Certainly, there was no other regal woman dressed in red to be found then, so why now-- was she seated on an old, dilapidated chair as if it were her throne and looking down at the resting young woman with an ancient smile on her face.

A wave of her clawed hand, and the air she touched rippled and bent ever so slightly. A current of space and time, untouchable to mortal hands. Perhaps that was a hint, a gesture to explain her undetected presence. She was one who walked the rifts of time, who folded the fabric of space. Such laws need not apply to her who existed on the other side. A sorceress who cared not for the doings of mortals and spirits unless they had something to offer her.

"Can you truly act so grateful and pompous, your majesty? After all, this is a world of death, where even you and I must suffer for all eternity. What have we to be grateful for?" That voice, soothing and calm, yet filled with extraordinary power, almost crackling with it...it was the kind of voice that pierced the flesh and cut through bone. Ultimecia's golden eyes stabbed into the reclining king. Perhaps they were testing her, or digging something out. Perhaps she was simply teasing the arrogant despot who thought that she was timeless.

Then, the sorceress stood, making her way to a nearby window. A wave of her hand, and the grime was scrubbed free from the glass, creating a clear portal from which one could view the outside. It was not a pleasant sight. Murky, morbid, and very clearly uncared for, the outside was a world of unending emptiness. But that did not matter to her. Ultimecia was used to such a landscape. The world from which she hailed, after all...

"Well, then, my king," the smooth as diamond voice rang out again. "Shall you make me suffer greatly for my insolence now? Or do you wish to talk to a being of power who sensed your own talents...and wishes to make a ∂єαℓ?"

[sagittaobscurentur]

A World That Never Was ; open

"But it was not your fault but mine And it was your heart on the line I really fucked it up this time Didn’t I?”

[sagittaobscurentur]

Bleak, desolate. This place, it’s covered in despair. It’s not even something to speculate, what with the collapsed buildings and all. Not to mention that the atmosphere is carrying a stench of death.

From what Noire’s eyes could see as far as her eyes could take her, every building she walked past were deserted. No traces of life, no noise, no voices… And it was all underneath a depressing sky that looked from above. But to her, it was nothing new. She knew very well that her own future world was also full of this, except back then, Risen were scattered everywhere. The fear they instilled was eventually one of the factors that counted for mankind’s downfall.

But this town, this so-called Asphodel Valley… This was not the world Noire knew. The ones who joined her to the past Ylisse were nowhere to be found, the ones they had attempted to save had no sign of existence. It was just her, clutching the bow and arrows she had for defending herself. It was just Noire. And yet, something, just something, sprung up into her head as a memory long forgotten.

A forest with a dangerously orange tint. Risen scattered, as if  they were sent to end her life. But Noire didn’t care, and even if she did, all she could do was run. Run, run, run, until her legs couldn’t take her anymore and when her wounded body’s agonizing screams became too much. So in the end, the poor girl gave up and collapsed near an intact tree. She had no weapons, no shields to protect her. And she knew that neither her mother nor father would come for her too. So all she could do was wait until the bitter end, reaching out her hand to the sky as if they would take her to a better place.

Snap out of it.

No, that couldn’t have been it. Maybe it was just something else? Yes, she would have run away in such a situation, but… this was too bizarre. She couldn’t have, but at the same time, it was plausible. Perhaps even completely true.

"N-no… I couldn’t have, but… A-ah, what do I do?" The poor girl was so conflicted now. Poor thing, poor thing.

[negate-all-existence]

"ק๏๏г ςђเl๔. Scared and alone with a head full of questions and no answers in sight."

In response to the question the girl had said out loud, a cool, clear voice responded, its tone very lightly tinged with laughter, making it sound ever so slightly mocking. Standing in her path was a winged woman, tall and regal, long crimson robes flowing behind her. Her eyes were the purest gold, shining bright even in this dull, dead world.

"It seems you and I are in similar situations, dear child. Directed here after being lost to the nether, is that not so? Ah, what a fate has befallen us that we must crawl upon the earth as insects do." Despite her words, the sorceress's approach was far from 'crawling.' Smoothly stepping over dead land as if it were a marble hall, the smiling woman drew ever closer, reaching out a clawed hand invitingly. "I do not think there is a reason to be so frightened at this moment in time, girl. Neither you or I are in any danger."

The soft, elegantly spoken words had a calming twang to them, hypnotic. They were words to be spoken by a mother who was comfortingly pulling her child to the bosom, keeping it safe and warm, forever in darkness. Give yourself up to a voice like that, and it is doubtful you shall ever escape, or so one would say. And then there were those eyes, ever glowing gold. This woman was dangerous, beyond anything this world had to offer.

"Come. Shall we talk? You have little else to worry about here, after all."

[necrofantasies]

Aᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟᴏʀs ᴏғ ᴍʏ ғᴀᴛᴇ ❣ Oᴘᴇɴ

      Absolute hollowness was what emanated from the abyss she was once accustomed to — a hole, a gap that once felt familiar engulfed her with emptiness, hungry for a soul to be consumed.

      Nevertheless, the boundary she has fallen into was not hers, but one of a much larger authority than she was. Ah, but the day for her to fall within such emptiness, the cold, sub-zero darkness that accompanied her cracking vessel. It was time, perhaps? But she could hardly accept such timing.

      For who will protect Gensokyo? Who will protect the shrine maiden she had seen as her very own daughter, despite her unchanging age?

      Who will give orders to her obedient fox, and the youthful cat? Who will carry the memories of the beautiful princess of the netherworld, and who, most of all, will carry the memories of an intelligent girl she had once come to know and love?

      Her cold tears rolled down her cheeks, with a hand stretched forward into the darkness, with no light within her sights, even if she opened all of her eyes — no tear to walk out from, no tear to pass through and no gap she could manipulate — no dimension for her to see any more.

      Will she ever be able to accept this fate, that she would fade, after all?

      Her soul felt light, when she had been able to walk into different worlds, even so much as to descend to Hell but not suffer from her sins, except to atone them in her own very ways — when her moniker was different. When she had been deemed insane for the things she could see.

      Perhaps it is time to fall asleep forever…

      She shut her eyes closed, despite the pain within her heart — dying or not, she had to somehow, at one point, accept whatever was given to her, like how she had come to accept her powers and embrace her fears of dreaming. It had all brought her good.

      She landed upon a ground — grasses that was long it could cut her skin, and a sky so odd watching over her figure. Tears that felt so cold dried upon her cheeks, as she slowly unveiled her violet eyes in order to take in her surroundings. Sights not so different from some worlds she has perceived surrounded her, but the aura of the new dimension felt much, much different. Cold, and lacking in lives.

      Abandoned, for the most part.

      Yukari sat up, and allowed herself a moment of breathing, even as futile as that felt — but found herself capable of so. Having seen the little tears to different places of her area allowed her the knowledge that her abilities had not abandoned her, but her perception was limited.

      That could only mean that she had no option but to investigate.

      "Such a cold place, it hardly feels like I can indulge myself. I suppose the main focus is to investigate, … and Ran is not here…"

      A sigh fell from her lips, but Yukari allowed herself to walk, even for a bit, to cherish the very fact that there were sights to perceive, and people to meet. But she knew that farewell hardly escaped her lips, and she was given no chance to say goodbye to those she cared for.

      … Perhaps this was a chance to start again?

[negate-all-existence]

"ฬђคt ђคשє ฬє ђєгє? A stray cat, come to play in a world of emptiness?"

It was not long before the girl was met in this still, still world, however. A gust of wind, and there stood a grand woman dressed in crimson. Two black wings were spread idly from her back and claws ended her fingertips, marking her appearance as distinctly inhuman. With the slightest of smiles marring her face, the sorceress walked through the field of grass, serene and deadly.

Raising a hand, Ultimecia stroked the air, and ripples formed where her claws raked the surrounding atmosphere. "This is such a quiet world. One would go as far as calling it dead. And yet, what kind of a world is this, where one cannot escape no matter how hard they may try?" Although she was clearly talking to this girl before her, the sorceress's words seemed more of a musing than anything else. Clearly, she had tried to leave this place already, thinking that it would be a simple task, and found her efforts to be fruitless.

Losing interest in touching the fabric of reality, the red woman lowered her arm and offered another chilly smile to the girl. Despite the fact that this witch was clearly of a much higher order of creatures (after all, how else could it be, in her eyes?), the two of them were in the same boat. The wandering girl could have easily been a puppet, but then again, what was the fun in enslaving somebody in a place of absolutely empty dreariness.

"You there, girl." This time, Ultimecia very clearly addressed the one standing before her. Golden eyes seemed to look down at her, sizing her up and analyzing her, more like a slab of meat being inspected by a butcher rather than a human being in the middle of a conversation. "I wish to run an experiment. When I arrived here just recently, I had the overwhelming feeling that I was no longer alive...or rather, I knew very clearly that I had died. This world being what it is...could it be that you are in the same situation? I believe I am starting to understand this place a little bit better..."

This time, her words were more than simple musings. They were filled with something other than idle curiosity...rather, they were words spoken by one who was slowly being gifted with an epiphany, a terrible truth coming to light. A truth that could either be the end-all or be-all.

[totallykillhim]

Wait, I'm... Dead? [AV open]

she opened her eyes with a gasp.  what had happened.  she remembered attacking kaiki, but nothing that happened afterwards.  she’d finally found a dream, but then it had been taken from her.  she’d given up being a god to become a manga artist, but had never even gotten a chance to try.

and even the world she’d been brought to was entirely desolate, even if she continued to draw manga, she’d never be able to have people read it.

but she’d have to feel sorry for herself later, she had to focus on finding something, or somebody in this place, she couldn’t be alone, could she?

it would take a few minutes of wandering before she found the figure of a human, slowly limping towards her.  had they been injured?  if they had, she’d need to help them.  she approached slowly so as not to startle them, fog shrouding its face until it was just meters away from her.

it was- not human.

"z-z-z-zombie!" she shouted falling back on her butt and trying to crawl away.  she needed some way to defend herself, but she couldn’t find one, and the zombie continued getting closer.

"Leave me alone!" she shouted at the creature, closing her eyes and putting her hand out in front of her face.  a dull squishing noise coming from in front of her as the zombie stopped in its tracks

opening her eyes she noticed something.  the zombie was held in place, a long white spear tracing a path from her hand, through the zombie’s face.  she still had her powers. this was- no, this couldn’t be happening

she curled herself into a ball on the ground, whimpering with tears in her eyes, hoping that somebody would come and help her.

it took a little while, but she finally heard footsteps

"please!" she cried, latching onto the legs of the passerby, "help Nadeko."

[negate-all-existence]

"Heh. It looks to me like you can handle yourself just fine, little girl."

That voice...was not friendly. Rather, it was not unfriendly by definition, but it did not have the ring to it that would come from someone who wishes to treat their conversation partner as a friend. It was a sweet voice filled with experience and wisdom, smooth and silky from ages of weathering and use. 

A single clawed hand reached down and tugged at the girl, pulling her free from the grip she had on the bare leg of the incredibly tall woman who stood before her. With one hand, she forced the panicking young lady to stand up, then turned her around to look at what she had done. The dead beast still stood there, as if trying to continue its rampage.

"Poor Nadeko. I'd say that you do not need my help at all."

This time, it sounded like the voice was teasing her. Behind the girl, the sorceress stood, smiling down at her, making sure she saw what she had done. It was important that the image burned itself into the girl's mind, so that she understood her own strength. Important for her, and important for her current company.

Her hand was still on Nadeko's shoulder, almost as if she were comforting her, offering her asylum while showing her the grotesque action she had taken. It was the touch of a loving parent, a guardian who wished to let their charge know of their own strengths, of all of the things they could accomplish in this world.

Black wings fluttered, trailing ebony feathers around the two of them, creating a soft, pillowy carpet for them to walk on. With a soft motion, Ultimecia trailed the claw of her forefinger across Nadeko's cheek, turning her head so that it now faced the sorceress. Deep golden eyes bored their way into the young girl's, a smile softening the beautiful, yet terrible features of the tall woman.

"Now, then, little Nadeko. What kind of a sorceress are you, creating such a thing and using it on your enemy? What are you so scared of? ¢συℓ∂ ιт вє you are terrified of your own abilities?"

[negate-all-existence]

§ɥç磧§ȋ¤ñ [Aspho Open]

ғιтнoѕ

I woke up already standing, my hair adrift in the cold wind.

lυѕec

Opening my eyes, I beheld the world around me, ruined and still.

wecoѕ

It is almost as if time has been frozen here. Nothing moves.

vιnoѕec

I do not falter, knowing that I am dead.

In a way, time had already stopped. It was a sound defeat, just as it always was. Did she know, or had she not expected it to ring out so loudly? It did not matter. What did matter was that she was now here, alone, and very clearly--

"...Alive?"

There was, indeed, a tinge of surprise in the sorceress's voice. She had not been expecting this outcome, this ending. She should have been afloat in the rifts of time, forever, waiting for another her to take her place, waiting to be succeeded by the next one in line. So why was she now here, in this -- still, still world?

No, still was the wrong word. As her golden eyes searched the horizon of the abandoned streets she stood on, she could see the slightest of movement, wind blowing by and fluttering long-forgotten papers and garbage which littered the concrete. Perhaps, not so long ago, this place was a haven, a bustling center of human activity. She was reminded of the cities from long ago, where people milled about like ants waiting to be stepped on, or perhaps escape the boots which came from above.

There were no people now.

This world was just as certainly dead as she was.

Softly, Ultimecia began to walk, her steps making small sounds on the pavement. Flowing behind her, her robe swished along the ground, somehow remaining clean despite its close proximity with the dust and grime that littered the world around the woman. In this world where there was nothing, those yellow orbs were affixed to the front, caring only about moving forward.

And then, there was something. Some movement nearby. In a smooth, unwasted motion, the sorceress raised her clawed hand, pointing it directly at the interloper. Her stance remained completely relaxed, giving off the appearance that wiping them off of the face of the earth would be as simple for her as squashing a bug with her thumb.

"¥๏µ ţh€я€, ȼhɨℓď...Where is this place? Why am I here?"

[asphodelvalley-blog]

Forgive me for the wait, but acting on prior reserve, here is Ultimecia from the Final Fantasy series! Her application can be found on the sidebar, or under /app. Thank you very much!

Welcome to Asphodel Valley, Ultimecia!

Please enjoy your stay.

- Donut Mod