The Final Masquerade |Invitation|

[|Ayame Unbound|]

Theme

[/a], the invitation was pretty clear that it was a masquerade. Her dress was black and sleeveless, hugging her breasts and extending down to the floor. A dark red piece surrounded one shoulder. Black gloves reached past her elbows and held around her biceps.

Her mask was a piece of art. Pure black metal, curled into intricate designs and dotted with a modicum of diamonds. Simple black ribbon held the mask tied behind her hair.

Dark shadows passed over the skies as she allowed her invitation to fall to the ground. Where she was about to go was the closest thing to a home she had left. Soon she felt the change. Her body was beginning to fade as she was pulled to the other world. Slowly her body began to fade. She held up her hand and watched as the flesh turned translucent. A small smile crossed her face as she looked up to the sky, her time was coming.[/ul][/font]

[The Doctor]

[Enter]

The Doctor was not ready. There was still so much he had to do to be ready but he could not turn his back. His only gear right now was his utility belt and other minor gadgets. This would have to do. The Doctor did not know how far he could follow however he wanted to follow as best as he could. She was a colleague, and someone the Doctor Respected. If he did not try it would eat him up deep down in his soul.

The Doctor found her at the gates and tailed her from there. He kept to himself trying to keep within the shadows. He kept his distance trying not to spook her as he moved through calmly, calculating with determination in his heart.

Around his face he kept his Sniper goggles snugged over his eyes. The Goggles had various lenses for various uses such as the Night-vision Vision, Thermal Vision, X-Ray Vision, Condition Viewing Vision, Substance Locator Vision, Anti-Flash Lenses, and Lie-Detector Lenses. Around his ear he kept his Wireless Communication Radio. He kept the radio on just in case if there was any chatter.

The Doctor could not sense anyone else coming which kind of bothered him as he moved wearing his overcoat. Around his waist the Doctor kept a black utility belt with various gadgets. On the first pouch to the left the Doctor kept his Dungeoneer Compass, a multi-tool, 4 inch flashlight, and a tracking device. To the left he kept his disruptor with Disruptor Enhancement: Mine Detonator, Disruptor Enhancement: Sonic Detonator, an 11 piece lock pick set and 20 zipties. On the next pouch the Doctor kept 40 tracers, and a glass cutter. Continuing to the left the Doctor kept his various pouches, 6 smoke, 4 goo, 4 flash, 5 incendiary, 5 lightning, and 5 ice. On the final pouch to the center of his back the Doctor kept 32 goo pouches. Along the back the Doctor had his line launcher and a grapnel gun tugged. The Belt holster kept his Boomerangs while the pouch closest to the Grapnel gun had his Auto Injector and Med Diagnostic Scanner. Sadly he had no other components.

The Dark shadows passed over the sky as the Doctor stayed close and began to notice her to fade. That is when the Doctor moved out into the open rushing towards her. This shocked the Doctor as he expected something different, something more showy. He moved out of the shadows and walked to her in his calm collected way. "So you truly are leaving without saying a word," The Doctor said with some dismay in his voice. He was not angry, but more upset.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[The Doctor]

The Doctor sighed as there was nothing he could do. He looked around trying to grasp something. His keen intelligence, his vast knowledge of skills and lore and yet there was nothing he could do. All he could do was stand there and watch a person he respected vanish before his eyes. He could see the sad smile on her face as he stood there calmly taking in a deep breath. He heard her speak that there was no way for him to follow, and that there was a need for a connection. He could not help, he had no way of gaining a connection and she had no intention of letting him know how. He hung his head some before looking up at her once more. He smiled, straightened himself up and gave his signature bow, a right hand across his chest, left hand by his side, and bent his upper body to her. "Die well, my sister," he said to her calmly giving the ever masquerade smile.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/i]

The reel went on. They moved with precise grace. They read each others cues with such ease. On and on they danced, spun beneath the chandeliers. As the song ended they seamlessly moved into the next. Her heart pounded with each movement. When would the games end? When would the illusion break and the battle begin? What was he waiting for.

No longer I can justify,
The bloodshed in his name.
Is it a sin to seek the truth,
The truth between the rose?

As the song slowed her head bowed, barely brushing his chest. Her lips moved in silent prayer. The time would soon be upon her. If he did not initiate she would allow the burden to fall to herself. They could not spend eternity in this stasis.

Pray with me so I will find,
The gate to heavens door.

Her head lifted as the song ended. The soulless mask gazed back at her. "I think it is time to stop pretending." She whispered, her voice strong and gaze even. "Yes." His hand lifted to the corner of the mask. "I think it is." The illusion around them faded as he pulled the mask from her face. Strong, handsome features gazed down upon her now. Silently she released the ribbon from her mask and cast it aside.

Forgive me my sins.

As quick as a snake he surged forward, hand wrapping around her throat. His memories flooded her as air escaped her. Armies marched, spilling the blood of any they crossed. Symbols painted upon them marked them as followers of his, and hers. Women and children fell to their blades, any who did not bow to their thoughts. Tears squeezed from her eyes as she struggled against the memories, the hand upon her throat.

Pray for me for I have lost,
My faith in Holy Wars.[/ul][/font]

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/i]

He drew a blade of his own and grinned. His blade came crashing down on her. Barely was she able to put hers up in time. He was always the better swordsman of the two. "It does not have to be this way Niva." He told her as he bore down, using his superior size to his advantage. His word were sweet, the offer of promises of new life. A world without pain.

No remorse,
Cause I still remember
The smile when you
Tore me apart.

Wind gathered around her, swirling and pulling at their garments. Her soul smashed into him, driving him back and causing pain to wrap around his chest. He lifted his hand and she could feel the effects on her body. She slowed. He had lessened her ability to react. Her own hands waved and when he moved in she clasped his shoulder, transferring the drain back to him. "It does." She whispered before shoving him away. The fingers of one hand began to twitch and she drew within the sky. Bolt after bolt of lightning rained down upon

You broke a promise,
and made me realize,
it was all just a lie.

He let the lightning pass through his body and fire back at her. She absorbed the shocks as they came to her. She cast the blade aside and dove for the flute that sat on the ground, the same instrument that was played by a member of the illusory orchestra. She played in quick succession, allowing the songs to pour forth from her. He watched in amusement as nothing happened, yet the trap was set. "You have gone soft Niva." He taunted gently.

I just know there's no escape now,
Once it sets its eyes on you,
But I won't run,
Have to stare it in the eye.
[/ul][/font]

[The Doctor]

The Doctor nodded with a curious nod from her words. As she disappeared the only thing left was the invitation and it stayed on the ground where the Kogaku was located. The Doctor walked over to the Invitation and knelt down to it. He reached into his first pouch on the left and pulled out his multi-tool. Changing it some he brought out the pliers and picked up the invitation with it before examining it. The Doctor then took out his flash light with his other hand from the same pouch and placed the light on the invitation. Without moving it around much he began to see if there were anything different, he would also try and see what it would say.

After examining the front the Doctor placed the flashlight directly on the back to see if there was a hidden message or seal on it. Satisfied with the work he placed the invitation inside his coat pocket. From there the Doctor reached into his 3rd pouch on the left with his left hand and pulled out a tracer while simultaneously digging with his right hand using the multi-tool. He dug for a good minute until it was about half a foot deep.

Configuring the multi-tool back in place the Doctor placed it back inside his pouch while removing his Tracking Device located inside the same pouch. Carefully he configured the tracer he had with the tracking device and placed the tracer inside the hole. He slowly stood, covered it with his foot and checked to make sure the tracer was still working.

Seeing everything was green the Doctor turned around and left the area, calculating in his mind he had 24 hours.

[Exit]

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/font]
[/div]

Some time later the mask would fall from the sky. Landing on the ground unceremoniously. Blood was splattered across the smooth black metal, barely visible unless one was looking for it.

---

Just a few more steps was all she needed. Her trap triggered and pure blunt energy smashed into her one-time master. There was no joy from her actions, only a sadness and sense of responsibility. Her flute touched her lips once more and a mournful dirge left her flute. Shades rose, reaching to grasp at Akakios and hold him. With a wave of his hand and the power of his soul the shades vanished. His gaze caught and she stood, frozen.

A smile decorated his face as he sauntered towards her. His fingers traced her cheek in an all too familiar caress. She remained frozen, letting him think she was locked in paralysis. His empty words rolled off of her before she even processed them. This was her chance. Her timing would have to be perfect. His glance moved to the side. In a flash her arms wrapped about him. He struggled but her scream had already begun.

Thousands of cutters flew through the air, tearing into their flesh. Her grasp released but there was no where to turn. The smell of copper seized the air. Crimson droplets became puddles on the marble floor. Both of their bodies crumpled yet the assault did not stop. Nothing could stave the blood loss as the sharp sounds cut through their body. Her fingers reached out to touch upon the mask she had discarded. One last set of seals, a few whispered words, and a will of power. The mask vanished.

Her eyes swiveled towards her master, lying unmoving on the floor save for shallow breaths. "Forgive me my sins." She whispered as her eyes fluttered closed. Her chest shuddered. She had experienced pain. This was far beyond what she could have imagined. Soon it began to fade, everything faded. It was time to for her to rest.

[The Piper of the Souls, has now herself moved on][/ul][/font]

[Father 'Suke]

Scrap approved

[The Doctor]

[Enter]

The time had come for the Doctor to return. He did not know why she requested for him to return but he did as instructed.

Around his face he kept his Sniper goggles snugged over his eyes. The Goggles had various lenses for various uses such as the Night-vision Vision, Thermal Vision, X-Ray Vision, Condition Viewing Vision, Substance Locator Vision, Anti-Flash Lenses, and Lie-Detector Lenses. Around his ear he kept his Wireless Communication Radio. He kept the radio on just in case if there was any chatter.

The Doctor could not sense anyone else coming which kind of bothered him as he moved wearing his overcoat. Around his waist the Doctor kept a black utility belt with various gadgets. On the first pouch to the left the Doctor kept his Dungeoneer Compass, a multi-tool, 4 inch flashlight, and a tracking device. To the left he kept his disruptor with Disruptor Enhancement: Mine Detonator, Disruptor Enhancement: Sonic Detonator, an 11 piece lock pick set and 20 zipties. On the next pouch the Doctor kept 40 tracers, and a glass cutter. Continuing to the left the Doctor kept his various pouches, 6 smoke, 4 goo, 4 flash, 5 incendiary, 5 lightning, and 5 ice. On the final pouch to the center of his back the Doctor kept 32 goo pouches. Along the back the Doctor had his line launcher and a grapnel gun tugged. The Belt holster kept his Boomerangs while the pouch closest to the Grapnel gun had his Auto Injector and Med Diagnostic Scanner. Sadly he had no other components.

The Doctor was carrying his Tracking Device in his left hand as he was following the location of where she was last. After some time traveling he finally found the location, standing on the very spot where she disappeared and where he placed the tracer. The Doctor looked across the lands, scanning with his keen observation trying to see if anything was different while he placed the Tracking Device back into place.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

What he would be able to discern was an odd shape near the point where she vanished. A close inspection would reveal it to be the delicate metal mask she had worn. An approach would possibly reveal more information.

[The Doctor]

The walked over to the odd shape and began memorizing it, placing the shape deep into his memory palace. AS he stayed close tot he ground that's when he noticed the metal mask on the ground. He reached forward while wearing some basic gloves and picked it up before examining it further. He looked at the front, the back, sides, top and bottom.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/i][/ul][/font]

[The Doctor]

The Doctor smiled as he read the note. He had her name from her own words. He learned what it was from the invitation but it was nice for her to tell him what his was even though he was a type of person who constantly kept his secret. The Doctor slowly stood, and turned around heading out while keeping the mask. He left with the mask, invitation, with the memories behind deep within his palace. The Doctor felt a sense of ease. Tonight would be a night of remembrance.

[Exit]