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"One last thing before you go, Please leave at night and be at the destination when the moon is about a quarter way risen." Null looks a touch confused at Samuel. "I've sent my scouts there during the day and they've reported absolutely nothing in or around the Castle. yet the events still occur." Samuel turns around and looks out the large window in the back of the office.
"Good luck Null, I look forward to hearing what you find."
   The scene shifts to Null riding Atarah in the night, in the distance the castle can be seen, perched on a high hill. "There's the Castle" Null mutters as they draw closer. just when he begins to see details of the caste, black shadows swirl around them swooping at Null. flustered by the sudden assault, he wraps his hand in black fire, calms himself, and grabs one of the shadows. "wha..... It's formless..... Hmph."
he tears it apart and powers through the flock of darting shadows. After they reach the castle gates, the shadows vanish without a trace. Null jumps off Atarah and lands in the entrance courtyard. there he softly gasps at a gruesome sight. rows of tall wooden posts with people impaled on them. some freshly dead, others nothing but skeletons and many between those states of decomposition. Null looks at the sight with dismay in his expression before quickly moving into the castle.
-MISSION START-
   In the main hall of the castle there is a Door with Thorny ivy all over it with a fragmented emblem held in the center. it seems to be missing the left wing, a fragment of a dry blood jewel, and a medallion at the top. Null looks around and sees two long hallways to his sides and one on the second floor in front of him. Null moves down the left hallway, taking in the surroundings as he makes his way down. he stops in shock as the hallway just cuts off into an endless void before him. He grabs a vase from a table nearby and casts it into the darkness. he listens for minuets, not hearing a single sound from the thrown vase hitting the bottom. He looks down unnerved at the implications of this before noticing a brilliant mirror on the wall nearby. it's a brilliant silver mirror with gold accents and ruby jewels dotting its edge. the reflective surface almost looks as if it's simmering like water. he touches it with the tips of his hand before he's enveloped in light. when he takes his hand off the mirror, the endless void is behind him and the hallway has changed in both location and design.
   he travels down the hallway and led to an exquisite and vast ballroom. Mirrors line the tall walls. in the center is a figure with a tall collar and cloak obscuring any details of the figure. Null slowly approaches as the silence magnifies the sounds of his steps. when he's but a stone toss away from the unknown, it whips around casting off it's coat and revealing a ghostly male figure in a tuxedo. it head is that of a pumpkin with a face carved into it's flesh and ablaze with an intense orange fire. It laughs with a haunting sound as it flashes the emblem part that was missing from the seal. it rapidly slides back and disappears into the mirror.
   The Spirit Eerily cackles at Null as it throws blue fire at his blind spots at every turn. Irritated by the underhanded pest, he launches fire fists at every mirror in his sight, blasting them in rapid succession. The cackling spirit continues none the less as the shards scatter from their walls. One Mirror remains as Null draws back his fist for the final strike. the spirit, however, is unfazed as it looks toward the ground expecting it to be littered with mirror shards. it's expression quickly changes to horror as the ground is bare with not a shard in sight. it looks back at Null with disbelief and horror as the final blast careens toward them.
   as the mirror shatters, the spirit erupts from the mirror engulfed in black flame. they writhe and twist as the fall to the ground dropping the emblem before them. shortly there after, there is not even a trace of ash left behind. Null approaches and picks up the emblem left behind. he examines its brilliant gleam before putting it away. observing that the room has become completely still, he turns around and makes his way back down the hall. "One down I guess...."
   After Null makes his way down the other side of the foyer, he is greeted with the same situation as before. an empty void at the end of the hallway with a grand mirror on the wall nearby. he puts his hand on the mirror and the hall flips around. This hall was lined with armaments from across many different time periods, both foreign and familiar. Null follows down the hall and is lead into a circular viewing area with multiple rows of armor lined up shoulder to shoulder in a tight formation. as Null walks toward the center of the room green flames appear around him and flow into the far end of the room. Loud metallic thumping crashed through the room as a gigantic metal suit of armor crashes through the other suits with a heavy greatsword. the green flames from before now inhabit the armor. a closer inspection of the greatsword reveals the next piece of the seal is embedded in the base of the blade.
   The Ghostly Knight raises the heavy blade and brings it down with thunderous force. Null, however, dodges the lumbering attack with ease and strikes the armors side. To his surprise, the mass of steel was unaffected and it hoists its blade again after green flames are reabsorbed back into the sword. Null steadies himself as the metal giant readies to let the giant iron slab fall again. with a well placed block with the back of his hand, the sword passes harmlessly through him and gets logged into the ground beside him. green flames pour out of the blade as it appears to lose power. Null slashes the sword and hears an eerie metallic scream upon damaging it. he unleash a flurry of relentless attacks before the knight reanimates and pulls his sword out of the ground.
   The sword, now cracked and battered, can barely keep its animating force from seeping out. It goes for one desperate final swing, but Null crouches down. as the possessed just starts to swing its blade, Null leaps into the air at the tattered blade and cleaves it in two. the green fires that animated it, explode of the of the broken blade and the armor collapses into a pile of lifeless parts. Null walks up to the now empty sword and plucks the second fragment off the steel. he looks around the room in silence before putting the fragment away and leaving the area.
   Null returns to the Foyer and makes his way up the stairs. Pushing the doors open, he is greeted with the sight of a courtyard garden. he walks into the center, viewing the various trees and flowers planted along the way. Violet lightning crashes beside his as he takes a defensive stance. the sound of hoofs clashing with the ground is head along with a ghoulish laugh descending from above. a Knight with no head rides down on a malnourished looking horse with fire in its eyes. Violet electricity surges through his blade as he wildly spins it around. The ghastly monster gallops through the air peppering the area with sporadic lightning as Null has to put all his focus into dodging. The horse suddenly stops and turns straight toward Null, charging full speed toward him. instead of leaping out of the way, Null manifests black fire claws and leaps at the assailants. upon getting within grasping distance, he sinks his claws into the throat of the undead horse and grips like a vise. the equine thrashes and contorts through the air and the headless rider is thrown off balance by the unexpected assault. When Null notices the headless knight regain his balance and prep to strike, he puts his feet on the horse and kicks off, tearing a large chunk of the necro steed with him.
   The Knight waves his sword in an angry manner before he notices his mount is being consumed by the black fire and he floats off the horse. it whinnies and writhes as it is overtaken by the flame with not even ash left behind. The Knight raises its hand as lightning crashes into its open palm creating a large lightning orb. it lets go of the sphere and bats it with his sword to send it careening at Null. seeing this, Null strikes the lightning and bounces the orb back at the Knight. Confused, the Knight bats it back with no effort. Null returns the favor and strikes the returning orb with greater force and sends it back at a faster pace. the Knight knocks it back with an irritated swing. Null readies himself and knocks it back with a glint in his eye. tired of this foolishness, the Knight swings his sword and destroys the lighting orb only for there to be a dark slash from Null's blade close behind the lightning. it strikes the knight before he can recoil and knocks it out of the sky. Null chases after the plummeting ghoul and with a valiant leap, drives his sword enshrouded in black flame through the undead knights core.
   he steps back and watches as the black fire consumes the armor and the violet flames flicker their last whips before they're extinguished. Null picks up the last piece of the seal. "about time" he says before heading back.
   Null returns to the Ivy covered door. he inserts the pieces in and the ivy lights up and dissolves away. a click is heard from the door and it pops open slightly. Null opens the door fully and enters into a short, dark hallway. after a short walk down the hall, he comes across a strange cross-shaped room. Along the walls are aligned fancy coffins inside large, reflective glass boxes. Null opens up a nearby one, inside is a dry skeleton that looks to have been dried up for a long time.
   In the center is a large pillar with shiny glass and metal coffins around it. One sticks out compared to the others due to its larger size. Null goes in and removes the lid off of the coffin to reveal a woman crossing her arms over her chest with light blue hair in a long braid. she is adorned with a white long-sleeved jacket with a cape. The inside of her coffin is filed with flowers giving off an odd scent. Null picks her up and takes her out of the coffin, laying her down on the ground. Null places his hand on her face which indicates that although she is cold, she is alive. "Hey, wake up" but she doesn't respond. Null thinks to himself for a moment before he gently shakes her. Suddenly the woman gently gasps. She slowly opens her eyes revealing their ruby color. She stares at Null for a moment before saying "Thank you" and picks herself up. she looks around surveying her situation then looks at Null. "Are you the one who freed me from my slumber?" Null nods his head in response.
   "You don't appear to be anyone from K.o.E.T., who are you?" she asks. "My name is Null. Samuel sent me to investigate this castle. after felling some undead ghouls I found this room and you." The woman looks him in the eyes for a moment. "I see." she says. Null speaks up "Why were you here if you're from K.o.E.T.?"
"K.o.E.T. sent me here to investigate the supernatural incidents that were occurring. Things were going smoothly until I went into the interior courtyard and the headless knight had kept me distracted while the flowers gave off some form of sleep pollen. Oh, I apologize, I have not even introduced myself. I am Celeste, second in command of K.o.E.T." Null seems unfazed by this information.
"I still must finish what I was sent here to do. Once I break the curse in this area, please leave immediately, I will handle the rest." She takes an open-armed posture
"Chains that bind, become one with the infliction."
chains of a bright blue light appear out of the ground and seem to entangle the area. Celeste then closes her arms around her and she whispers "Shatter."
Suddenly the chains start breaking into fragments, and the area begins to rumble though It quickly quiets down. They both enter the grand foyer She turns around to Null and repeats herself
   "Please leave immediately, I commend you for making it this far, but there is no longer a need to endanger yourself." Before Null has a chance to respond, she turns around and walks down a new hall. before she walks out of the room she says "I must see if there are any survivors to rescue." Null, having no second thoughts ignores her, notices another grand entrance on the second floor of the castle. After making his way up to the resplendent door, he opens it to reveal a large bedroom with a grand window thrice as big as any man. In front of it stands a shadowy figure wearing a long cloak with a spiked collar that goes around his head.
   "For hundreds of years I've endured the curse of immortality. the boredom that afflicts me, not even the screams of the dying exhilarates me. For so long I have sought to end my suffering to no avail. Then here you are, a mysterious stranger whom possesses a bizarre power that can even destroy immortal undead."
He turns around revealing a man who wearing fancy garment. His face pale as bone, cracks coming from his eyes extend throughout his face "I am Vladimus Impalis, after my long wait, I can finally feel exhilaration again." He waves his hand and it shatters the window behind him as his cape follows in suit with the night air rushing in. "if you wish to put an end to the disappearances and the mindless death, best me in a dual and end my misery."
He turns into a shadow and flies to the roof. Null follows him out through the window and climbs to the top of the castle where there is a large open arena in full view of the cloudless night. On the far pillar of the castle you see Vladimus standing, bathed in the moonlight, he throws his cape up and it turns into shadow wings on his back.
   "Will you end my suffering?!"
Vladimus will either try to fly off screen and dive-bomb Null, or he will sometimes fly at up into the air and rain black lightning at him. The lightning Falls in random crashes. Vladimus flies to the far edge of the castle roof and flaps his dark wings blasting Null with a black wind. Null gets low and makes his way toward Vladimus and slashes him causing Vladimus to retreat. Vladimus shifts his hand into a giant gruesome claw and swoops down at Null. When Null dodges it, he shouts a sonic sound wave that catches Null off guard. He Transforms into a shadow and tries to flank Null's blind spot. Null gets clawed in the back but he grabs Vladimus's arm. he summons a black flame sword and drives it through Vladimus's chest but barely missing his heart. He lets out an inhuman shriek before slipping away, his dark wings overshadow the sky and everywhere around the castle. the moon turns blood red as he shouts. "in the Nightmare Realm! You stand no chance!" He disappears into the shadows Leaving Null seemingly alone. abruptly, the ground shatters beneath him and chunks of earth swirl around the air. a red eyed shadow of Vladimus tears through the air attempting to rend Null into shreds at blistering speeds. Null, having to rely soely on his intuition, attacks with a black fire claw where he thinks Vladimus will be. with a lucky strike, Null's black flame claw tears through the Vladimus shadow and the nightmare realm disappears revealing Vladimus standing on an unbroken castle roof, staring into the stars.
   He falls to his knees and looks at his hands. "Is this, what death feels like?"
he cracks a faint smile before his flesh turns into stone and crumbles into dust. Null stands there in the empty night. he hears footsteps and turns around to see Celeste has joined him. "I told you to leave." she says with a slight annoyance "Do you always recklessly endanger yourself?" Null turns away from her before answering "More then I should." Suddenly, A gooey black tar-like liquid spews from the place of Vladimus's defeat. it forms into a terrible, giant, morphing monster. Null prepares for another fight but Celeste puts a hand on his shoulder and shakes her head. "you've done enough already. I will handle this."
    She walks towards the large beast, and begins to glow in a soft, ethereal light. ten crystalline wings form and follow behind her. she throws a strange white crystal-like needle at it and it sinks into the monster's body. Suddenly, the chains reappear around the creature Celeste begins to chant,
"Brilliant Sacred White,
rend my foes in holy bright,
pale as the moonlight."
All the wings dash over, and slash into the creature causing it to burst into a glorious pale blue light illuminating the roof. As this happens, Null sees that she has this situation under control and walks off of the roof of the castle, jumping off landing on Atarah to then fly off.
--Mission Complete--
After the purification purges the monster, Celeste watches Null fly away into the sunrise.

Burning Mountains

www.deviantart.com/null-z/art/…

Pillars of Unfeeling Cold
www.deviantart.com/null-z/art/…

Shady Deals
www.deviantart.com/null-z/art/…

Chapter 8
*Coming Soon

Description
"One last thing before you go, Please leave at night and be at the destination when the moon is about a quarter way risen." Null looks a touch confused at Samuel. "I've sent my scouts there during the day and they've reported absolutely nothing in or around the Castle. yet the events still occur." Samuel turns around and looks out the large window in the back of the office.
"Good luck Null, I look forward to hearing what you find."
   The scene shifts to Null riding Atarah in the night, in the distance the castle can be seen, perched on a high hill. "There's the Castle" Null mutters as they draw closer. just when he begins to see details of the caste, black shadows swirl around them swooping at Null. flustered by the sudden assault, he wraps his hand in black fire, calms himself, and grabs one of the shadows. "wha..... It's formless..... Hmph."
he tears it apart and powers through the flock of darting shadows. After they reach the castle gates, the shadows vanish without a trace. Null jumps off Atarah and lands in the entrance courtyard. there he softly gasps at a gruesome sight. rows of tall wooden posts with people impaled on them. some freshly dead, others nothing but skeletons and many between those states of decomposition. Null looks at the sight with dismay in his expression before quickly moving into the castle.
-MISSION START-
   In the main hall of the castle there is a Door with Thorny ivy all over it with a fragmented emblem held in the center. it seems to be missing the left wing, a fragment of a dry blood jewel, and a medallion at the top. Null looks around and sees two long hallways to his sides and one on the second floor in front of him. Null moves down the left hallway, taking in the surroundings as he makes his way down. he stops in shock as the hallway just cuts off into an endless void before him. He grabs a vase from a table nearby and casts it into the darkness. he listens for minuets, not hearing a single sound from the thrown vase hitting the bottom. He looks down unnerved at the implications of this before noticing a brilliant mirror on the wall nearby. it's a brilliant silver mirror with gold accents and ruby jewels dotting its edge. the reflective surface almost looks as if it's simmering like water. he touches it with the tips of his hand before he's enveloped in light. when he takes his hand off the mirror, the endless void is behind him and the hallway has changed in both location and design.
   he travels down the hallway and led to an exquisite and vast ballroom. Mirrors line the tall walls. in the center is a figure with a tall collar and cloak obscuring any details of the figure. Null slowly approaches as the silence magnifies the sounds of his steps. when he's but a stone toss away from the unknown, it whips around casting off it's coat and revealing a ghostly male figure in a tuxedo. it head is that of a pumpkin with a face carved into it's flesh and ablaze with an intense orange fire. It laughs with a haunting sound as it flashes the emblem part that was missing from the seal. it rapidly slides back and disappears into the mirror.
   The Spirit Eerily cackles at Null as it throws blue fire at his blind spots at every turn. Irritated by the underhanded pest, he launches fire fists at every mirror in his sight, blasting them in rapid succession. The cackling spirit continues none the less as the shards scatter from their walls. One Mirror remains as Null draws back his fist for the final strike. the spirit, however, is unfazed as it looks toward the ground expecting it to be littered with mirror shards. it's expression quickly changes to horror as the ground is bare with not a shard in sight. it looks back at Null with disbelief and horror as the final blast careens toward them.
   as the mirror shatters, the spirit erupts from the mirror engulfed in black flame. they writhe and twist as the fall to the ground dropping the emblem before them. shortly there after, there is not even a trace of ash left behind. Null approaches and picks up the emblem left behind. he examines its brilliant gleam before putting it away. observing that the room has become completely still, he turns around and makes his way back down the hall. "One down I guess...."
   After Null makes his way down the other side of the foyer, he is greeted with the same situation as before. an empty void at the end of the hallway with a grand mirror on the wall nearby. he puts his hand on the mirror and the hall flips around. This hall was lined with armaments from across many different time periods, both foreign and familiar. Null follows down the hall and is lead into a circular viewing area with multiple rows of armor lined up shoulder to shoulder in a tight formation. as Null walks toward the center of the room green flames appear around him and flow into the far end of the room. Loud metallic thumping crashed through the room as a gigantic metal suit of armor crashes through the other suits with a heavy greatsword. the green flames from before now inhabit the armor. a closer inspection of the greatsword reveals the next piece of the seal is embedded in the base of the blade.
   The Ghostly Knight raises the heavy blade and brings it down with thunderous force. Null, however, dodges the lumbering attack with ease and strikes the armors side. To his surprise, the mass of steel was unaffected and it hoists its blade again after green flames are reabsorbed back into the sword. Null steadies himself as the metal giant readies to let the giant iron slab fall again. with a well placed block with the back of his hand, the sword passes harmlessly through him and gets logged into the ground beside him. green flames pour out of the blade as it appears to lose power. Null slashes the sword and hears an eerie metallic scream upon damaging it. he unleash a flurry of relentless attacks before the knight reanimates and pulls his sword out of the ground.
   The sword, now cracked and battered, can barely keep its animating force from seeping out. It goes for one desperate final swing, but Null crouches down. as the possessed just starts to swing its blade, Null leaps into the air at the tattered blade and cleaves it in two. the green fires that animated it, explode of the of the broken blade and the armor collapses into a pile of lifeless parts. Null walks up to the now empty sword and plucks the second fragment off the steel. he looks around the room in silence before putting the fragment away and leaving the area.
   Null returns to the Foyer and makes his way up the stairs. Pushing the doors open, he is greeted with the sight of a courtyard garden. he walks into the center, viewing the various trees and flowers planted along the way. Violet lightning crashes beside his as he takes a defensive stance. the sound of hoofs clashing with the ground is head along with a ghoulish laugh descending from above. a Knight with no head rides down on a malnourished looking horse with fire in its eyes. Violet electricity surges through his blade as he wildly spins it around. The ghastly monster gallops through the air peppering the area with sporadic lightning as Null has to put all his focus into dodging. The horse suddenly stops and turns straight toward Null, charging full speed toward him. instead of leaping out of the way, Null manifests black fire claws and leaps at the assailants. upon getting within grasping distance, he sinks his claws into the throat of the undead horse and grips like a vise. the equine thrashes and contorts through the air and the headless rider is thrown off balance by the unexpected assault. When Null notices the headless knight regain his balance and prep to strike, he puts his feet on the horse and kicks off, tearing a large chunk of the necro steed with him.
   The Knight waves his sword in an angry manner before he notices his mount is being consumed by the black fire and he floats off the horse. it whinnies and writhes as it is overtaken by the flame with not even ash left behind. The Knight raises its hand as lightning crashes into its open palm creating a large lightning orb. it lets go of the sphere and bats it with his sword to send it careening at Null. seeing this, Null strikes the lightning and bounces the orb back at the Knight. Confused, the Knight bats it back with no effort. Null returns the favor and strikes the returning orb with greater force and sends it back at a faster pace. the Knight knocks it back with an irritated swing. Null readies himself and knocks it back with a glint in his eye. tired of this foolishness, the Knight swings his sword and destroys the lighting orb only for there to be a dark slash from Null's blade close behind the lightning. it strikes the knight before he can recoil and knocks it out of the sky. Null chases after the plummeting ghoul and with a valiant leap, drives his sword enshrouded in black flame through the undead knights core.
   he steps back and watches as the black fire consumes the armor and the violet flames flicker their last whips before they're extinguished. Null picks up the last piece of the seal. "about time" he says before heading back.
   Null returns to the Ivy covered door. he inserts the pieces in and the ivy lights up and dissolves away. a click is heard from the door and it pops open slightly. Null opens the door fully and enters into a short, dark hallway. after a short walk down the hall, he comes across a strange cross-shaped room. Along the walls are aligned fancy coffins inside large, reflective glass boxes. Null opens up a nearby one, inside is a dry skeleton that looks to have been dried up for a long time.
   In the center is a large pillar with shiny glass and metal coffins around it. One sticks out compared to the others due to its larger size. Null goes in and removes the lid off of the coffin to reveal a woman crossing her arms over her chest with light blue hair in a long braid. she is adorned with a white long-sleeved jacket with a cape. The inside of her coffin is filed with flowers giving off an odd scent. Null picks her up and takes her out of the coffin, laying her down on the ground. Null places his hand on her face which indicates that although she is cold, she is alive. "Hey, wake up" but she doesn't respond. Null thinks to himself for a moment before he gently shakes her. Suddenly the woman gently gasps. She slowly opens her eyes revealing their ruby color. She stares at Null for a moment before saying "Thank you" and picks herself up. she looks around surveying her situation then looks at Null. "Are you the one who freed me from my slumber?" Null nods his head in response.
   "You don't appear to be anyone from K.o.E.T., who are you?" she asks. "My name is Null. Samuel sent me to investigate this castle. after felling some undead ghouls I found this room and you." The woman looks him in the eyes for a moment. "I see." she says. Null speaks up "Why were you here if you're from K.o.E.T.?"
"K.o.E.T. sent me here to investigate the supernatural incidents that were occurring. Things were going smoothly until I went into the interior courtyard and the headless knight had kept me distracted while the flowers gave off some form of sleep pollen. Oh, I apologize, I have not even introduced myself. I am Celeste, second in command of K.o.E.T." Null seems unfazed by this information.
"I still must finish what I was sent here to do. Once I break the curse in this area, please leave immediately, I will handle the rest." She takes an open-armed posture
"Chains that bind, become one with the infliction."
chains of a bright blue light appear out of the ground and seem to entangle the area. Celeste then closes her arms around her and she whispers "Shatter."
Suddenly the chains start breaking into fragments, and the area begins to rumble though It quickly quiets down. They both enter the grand foyer She turns around to Null and repeats herself
   "Please leave immediately, I commend you for making it this far, but there is no longer a need to endanger yourself." Before Null has a chance to respond, she turns around and walks down a new hall. before she walks out of the room she says "I must see if there are any survivors to rescue." Null, having no second thoughts ignores her, notices another grand entrance on the second floor of the castle. After making his way up to the resplendent door, he opens it to reveal a large bedroom with a grand window thrice as big as any man. In front of it stands a shadowy figure wearing a long cloak with a spiked collar that goes around his head.
   "For hundreds of years I've endured the curse of immortality. the boredom that afflicts me, not even the screams of the dying exhilarates me. For so long I have sought to end my suffering to no avail. Then here you are, a mysterious stranger whom possesses a bizarre power that can even destroy immortal undead."
He turns around revealing a man who wearing fancy garment. His face pale as bone, cracks coming from his eyes extend throughout his face "I am Vladimus Impalis, after my long wait, I can finally feel exhilaration again." He waves his hand and it shatters the window behind him as his cape follows in suit with the night air rushing in. "if you wish to put an end to the disappearances and the mindless death, best me in a dual and end my misery."
He turns into a shadow and flies to the roof. Null follows him out through the window and climbs to the top of the castle where there is a large open arena in full view of the cloudless night. On the far pillar of the castle you see Vladimus standing, bathed in the moonlight, he throws his cape up and it turns into shadow wings on his back.
   "Will you end my suffering?!"
Vladimus will either try to fly off screen and dive-bomb Null, or he will sometimes fly at up into the air and rain black lightning at him. The lightning Falls in random crashes. Vladimus flies to the far edge of the castle roof and flaps his dark wings blasting Null with a black wind. Null gets low and makes his way toward Vladimus and slashes him causing Vladimus to retreat. Vladimus shifts his hand into a giant gruesome claw and swoops down at Null. When Null dodges it, he shouts a sonic sound wave that catches Null off guard. He Transforms into a shadow and tries to flank Null's blind spot. Null gets clawed in the back but he grabs Vladimus's arm. he summons a black flame sword and drives it through Vladimus's chest but barely missing his heart. He lets out an inhuman shriek before slipping away, his dark wings overshadow the sky and everywhere around the castle. the moon turns blood red as he shouts. "in the Nightmare Realm! You stand no chance!" He disappears into the shadows Leaving Null seemingly alone. abruptly, the ground shatters beneath him and chunks of earth swirl around the air. a red eyed shadow of Vladimus tears through the air attempting to rend Null into shreds at blistering speeds. Null, having to rely soely on his intuition, attacks with a black fire claw where he thinks Vladimus will be. with a lucky strike, Null's black flame claw tears through the Vladimus shadow and the nightmare realm disappears revealing Vladimus standing on an unbroken castle roof, staring into the stars.
   He falls to his knees and looks at his hands. "Is this, what death feels like?"
he cracks a faint smile before his flesh turns into stone and crumbles into dust. Null stands there in the empty night. he hears footsteps and turns around to see Celeste has joined him. "I told you to leave." she says with a slight annoyance "Do you always recklessly endanger yourself?" Null turns away from her before answering "More then I should." Suddenly, A gooey black tar-like liquid spews from the place of Vladimus's defeat. it forms into a terrible, giant, morphing monster. Null prepares for another fight but Celeste puts a hand on his shoulder and shakes her head. "you've done enough already. I will handle this."
    She walks towards the large beast, and begins to glow in a soft, ethereal light. ten crystalline wings form and follow behind her. she throws a strange white crystal-like needle at it and it sinks into the monster's body. Suddenly, the chains reappear around the creature Celeste begins to chant,
"Brilliant Sacred White,
rend my foes in holy bright,
pale as the moonlight."
All the wings dash over, and slash into the creature causing it to burst into a glorious pale blue light illuminating the roof. As this happens, Null sees that she has this situation under control and walks off of the roof of the castle, jumping off landing on Atarah to then fly off.
--Mission Complete--
After the purification purges the monster, Celeste watches Null fly away into the sunrise.

Burning Mountains

www.deviantart.com/null-z/art/…

Pillars of Unfeeling Cold
www.deviantart.com/null-z/art/…

Shady Deals
www.deviantart.com/null-z/art/…

Chapter 8
*Coming Soon