For Better or Worse? [Josh/Closed]

[Joshua Raines]

Super Soldier
I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.

Josh didn’t mean to snap at Ebony…it was just…not the best time to ask him if he was okay or not. It wasn’t exactly the best time for anything actually…the guy had just lost his father, and he knew Ebony knew what it was like to lose family…he was there to witness what happened to those orphans…to watch her reactions. He’d seen her in the worst light possible, but then again, he and Repa had stopped her from making a huge mistake…from killing that mad man who enjoyed slaughtering those poor orphans…and for what purpose? What was there to gain from murder these days? Revenge? Self satisfaction? That’s how Josh looked at it…at least for today. He had just taken the life of two men…for another. An eye for an eye…sort of…it wasn’t an honorable thing to do, not even to avenge his father’s death…it was pure rage and revenge…nothing more than that.

Feeling like a murderer himself, Josh had been kneeling down to catch his breath before shooting back up and snapping at Ebony. Placing his clenched fist against his chest and feeling the blood seep through his shirt from his surgery wounds, he just wasn’t having a great day. It all seemed like it was going to be a good day, but that dream was crushed once the shots were heard down the hall. All Josh’s hopes of a better future for Delatorr suddenly went down the drain in a matter of seconds…it finally had come to him…he was to be crowned King. He knew as well as anyone around here that Repa strayed far away from that title, she didn’t want to be a queen and run her own world, Josh was way more qualified for the role, but then again…Josh was still young too…just about 23 to be exact, and now he was gaining a world to run? How fair was this…now the stress level which was already peaking on his shoulders, just spiked again. This would not be a fun next few days to get settled into the role of King…and prepare a funeral.

As Josh was gritting his teeth and his fists had been locked by the elbows down at his side, he was about to walk off, leaving Ebony behind and going to go vent, flail, scream, anything to release these emotions that he was taking out on her, and get rid of them before returning to his duties…to prepare his sort of ‘inauguration’ to be the King of Delatorr. “Looking for me…” he repeated quietly to himself in still an angered tone, once again placing blame on himself as he sighed heavily and took a step forward to get away from there. But hearing Ebony fall and cry out a bit in pain, Josh’s emotions seemed to flat out disappear, except to worry. Not more trouble! He whipped around and watched as the circle appeared. His eyes widened as he tried to cope with all that had happened today, and now…this just did not look good one bit.

Josh was back a few feet away from Ebony, and he watched as the creature came out of that magical circle. As things started to fade away, except for this beast thing, whatever it was, Josh looked down at Ebony and saw her brand glowing through her boot. He knew that symbol. He gritted his teeth and as she was still on the ground unable to stand for the time behind, He picked his thrown down gunblade off the ground, jerked his hand upwards then down to release the blade from it and going into sword form as he took a few steps and placed himself between the Eidolon and Ebony. He glanced down and back at Ebony as a small fraction of a smile crossed on the side of his face. “Looks like I’m not the only one going into despair…” he said turning his eyes back onto the Eidolon that seemed to be waiting for something…for Ebony most likely, that’s how it was from the stories…you conquer your Eidolon, or face death…it either showed you the path to continue on…or gave you the death you craved.

Words: 810
Muse: Good-ish
Tagged: Ebony
Notes: Sorry it took awhile...we've both been busy it seems.

[Ebony Blackwell]

Black Researcher

Those orphans gave me the name Ebony. The citizens of Cocoon gave me the name Blackwell. Now you'll see why.

The Eidolon will guide you.

Ebony could only stare up at the Eidolon, the beast that was standing in front of her now, egging her on to stand up and fight. This was the last thing Ebony could take. For the past couple months, ever since she had received her brand, she had been trying to convince herself that this wasn't real. It was either a very long, very detailed dream, or a very bad joke. But, staring up at the Eidolon in front her, she knew now that this wasn't a dream, or a joke. This was a reality. The reality was that she had made a grave, and stupid mistake. The reality was that she wasn't human anymore, she was a monster. The reality was...she was a l'Cie.

“Looks like I’m not the only one going into despair…”

She didn't know what to say when Josh stood in front of her, guarding her. What could she say? She didn't want to accept the fact that her emotions were going so haywire, that she had summoned the Eidolon, and she sure as hell couldn't deny it. The proof was standing in front of them, snarling, growling, and waiting. The glow from her brand died away, and the pain slowly melted away. Ebony slowly stood up, and just went back to staring at the Eidolon, who eyed her back. Thoughts started to enter her mind, continuously and instantaneously. Thoughts about what she should do now. Should she fight or run? No, she would fight. She wouldn't run. But, then how did she fight against this thing? What magic to use? Was it impervious to the Black Arts? So many questions riddled around in her mind, but one thought stood out against the others. And it was a name.

Fenrir.

That was the name of this wolf-like beast. But then she had to wonder, how did she come to know this? Did this...Fenrir...speak to her through telepathy? She really didn't want to think about that right now. She had a fight to win. She wouldn't die. She couldn't die. Not here. Not now. Not after Josh had already lost his father. Working from experience, she knew he couldn't take her loss either. It would be too much. It was the same for Ebony. Her fist tightened, and her eyes narrowed.

"Josh, can you just be back-up? This is my fight. You know that."

Without waiting for an answer, she took off running, Fenrir quickly following after. She had to come up with a plan quick, before Fenrir attacked her. Not that the beast had already started. She had just enough time to notice the shadow and move out of the way, before Fenrir landed where she was just standing. He turned towards her and growled once again. This was not looking good. At all. She quickly allowed the black flames that had been burning up inside of her, to be released and fired it at the beast, who yelled out in pain. That gave her enough time to charge up another spell.

"Black Tempest."

Black lightning shot from her hand and she hit him once again, as Fenrir howled out of pain, and fell down to his knees. She jumped back again, but unknowingly didn't see the rock placed behind her foot, and tripped backwards, landing on her butt. Fenrir growled, and raised himself up, before letting out a raging howl towards Ebony, who put up Black Protect quickly, and let the attack roll of that. She had to end this quickly. She had to win. She didn't want to think of what would happen if she didn't. She had to think quickly. What spell was strong enough against a monster that used darkness? But then, a thought hit her. She didn't always need to use the Black Arts. She knew other spells. Simpler spells that could do just as well in the right situation. It was worth a shot. Once the attack from Fenrir was finished, Ebony stood and allowed her only defense spell to dissipate into the air. She aimed her hand, and let the magic flow through her, concentrating near her arm, which she then pointed towards the sky.

"Thundaga!"

Three large bolts of lightning shot from the sky, and hit Fenrir dead on. It was obvious that he wasn't expecting a strong Thundaga spell to come from a girl who knew some of the most powerful magic in all of the worlds, that could be learned. The attack hit him, and he stumbled before gaining his balance once again, and started to slowly walk towards Ebony. She backed up slowly, but when looking into his eyes, she couldn't see any anger. No malice. No killing instinct. It was almost like he went completely calm after her last attack. Maybe...she had...

Fenrir finally got close enough, and lowered his head, pushing himself forward and forcing Ebony's hand to be placed over his muzzle. Her eyes widened. She had. She had beaten him. In battle. He was her true Eidolon now. He was her guardian, and her partner forever until she was relieved of being a l'Cie. It looked up at her, with his red eyes, before glowing brightly and then forming into her crystal. A black, five-pointed star. How original. She fell to her knees, where she stood, as she could only stare at the crystal that now lay in her hands, and let the truth hit her.

She was a l'Cie. A Pulse l'Cie. A killer. A destroyer. And she was made to kill her home.


Words: 1066
Muse: Awesome
Notes: Fenrir~! (Hope that was alright =3)