Thick solid drops of rain crash hard upon the head of the defeated fairy, how? How could this mere mortal render the Black Fairy completely vulnerable with rudimentary weapons. They stood around, The Children, they stood around their Champion; and the woman who would intend to enslave them—completely immobilized by fear. His electric based batarang immobilized the Soul Reaver, and a series of well place strikes put the Dark Fairy on her knees wincing in pain.
“You are but a child, how dare you strike me!” malice clearly saturate her blood stained words, as she struggled to rise he tossed a small book at her feet. “Mythical Creatures and Fairy Tales” She mouthed before her amber gaze upon again fell on him. “A-ah…I see now, you’re Nox; “The World’s Greatest Detective” There was almost a chuckle in her statement, of course he knew who she was. Centuries of realm traveling would surely produce scripts on her characteristics and motives; and the mass kidnapping of children fit her MO.
In terms of power, he might’ve been outmatched; but he defiantly had the edge—he knew what she’d employ next and had ample amount of time to prepare for her. “Heh…Well child, I’ll allow you to live this day…but I will have my revenge” Nothing more needed to be said, disappearing in a cloud of black smoke; The Fairy was defeated this day…but certainty not in anytime that would be remembered.
Madrid, Spain
What a brat! She thought stumbling across the realm to a place she deemed safe enough to reemerge. Hundreds of hours of labor went into obtaining enough fairy dust to make this trip; and she was thwarted by a boy in relative age comparison. Propping up on a nearby building with blood dripping from both her abdomen and mouth, she begin to employ preventive measures to contain the blood loss, that’s when his commanding shadow blotted the sun, people rejoice in the street as if he were some sort of King—He was a Nu God, and as he took his familiar stroll toward the cemetery on the hill where the two graves rest; she tried to profile him--No one she'd ever met.
Unbeknownst to her, he took this stroll at least twice a week, and was often greeted with the same reaction. Though he could not age, years of wallowing in self pity and remorse grayed his beard; though it was evident in his hair that someone was keeping him going. “Hnnh…” She wince before disappearing amongst the dark clouds again—this time her destination a bit more specific.
She materialized in-between the fiction and non-fiction sections of the national library, she needed some sort of edge; something that’d make this trip worth while, sure she could raid orphanages to meet her quota; but ultimately those children would end up in the void one day anyway, she needed an age to avenger her lost to brat dressed in the costume. Using the computer she searched various channels for “Nox” hundreds of files, nothing pertaining to his actual identity; just files where he’d been suspected of thwarting some sort of crime. That’s when she saw the name Tassiania Pettis—humanitarian and world renown super heroine, daughter to Alexis Pettis and Ziccarra Liafador.
“Fancy that” She murmured having realized the man she’d seen not even 15 minutes ago; was the father of this young girl. She could see him now crying over the headstone of his dead wife. “Says here that she died fighting Asgardians” She murmured allowed before clicking on a hyper-link that listed known relatives. “This Tassiania girl has a lot of energy, with that I wouldn’t need fairy dust to open portals…but she’s too old…” The irritation could be heard mounting in her voice. “Unless…” There was one thing she could do, it’d take a ton of work on her end; but she could convince Tassi to go back in time! Because she wasn’t sure what timelines converged on this period, she wasn’t able to do so herself; but Tassi knew…and all she had to do was find someone close to her—someone to convince her.
She needed to make haste capitalizing on the time the grieving Nu God spent at the cemetery was a must; for he’d undoubtedly know who she was. Teleporting inside the mansion, she saw the young goddess speaking with a woman that seemed important a Public Relations rep possibly? The two women parted for only a moment, oh how she loved convenient trips to the lady’s room. While this woman sat comfortably in the privacy of the restroom; Sha’s hand snuck in and grabbed the most intimate of objects—her heart.
With it she knew could siphon feelings, there was a fear; something about a Pit; and how it changed people. It was supposed to be a dark and dangerous place—a place that could break people. “You will convince Tassi to enter the pit” The Dark Fairies cold voice gently glided over the young woman’s heart embedding the command that contradict the previous conversation with Tassi.
Like a viewing globe, she could see the events unfold through the heart; as fate would have it this young woman happened to walk back into the room when none other than Mark Antony walked out—Nox. “That…bastard….of course…” She gritted realizing she now had the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
“Our family is an important one Tassiana. Every action we make affects not just this family, but the country of Spain. We must be careful and selfless on who we choose to become."
Those words stuck to the young Liafador/Pettis her entire life. Since birth her entire life had been under the microscope of media, every move she made, every word she spoke was dissected, twisted out of context and actions were judged not just by close friends and family, but the entire world. While her father, Catalina, Maya, Selene and Leo were all in the same situation as her, Tassi always felt that the worlds eyes focused more on her than her other siblings.
Infant Tassi and Ziccarra
The world watched her mother go through her pregnancy with Tassi. The world watched Tassi take her first steps, speak her first words, eat her first ice cream at the ice cream parlor that her family used to go every week, play with her furry brother, Star, and even when she developed her powers for the first time, the world was there. But even more so… the world watched as Tassiana mourned the loss of her mother all those years ago. Watch the youngest Goddess try to understand the concept of death, that her mother was forever gone, that she wasn’t coming back. The world watched Tassiana grow up without her mother. Watched as Maya attempted to take the role of guardian for the Darling Pettis. Watched as Maya struggled to raise her sister. Watched as Tassiana grew, how she struggled to keep up with the name “Liafador”.
Pettis, Tassiana Pettis, that was her name. That was the name that the world knew her as. The daughter of Alexis Pettis, daughter of Thee Champion. She loved her father, but since the day her mother passed away, the relationship of father and daughter slowly deteriorated, he was always keeping himself busy. Saving the world, going to space with Leo, saving the world again... hence why Maya took the role of caregiver to her youngest sister. But the Pettis felt disconnected from the family name. Her grandmother from the Pettis side had passed before Tassiana's birth, and her father was always searching, looking, for what? She didn't know. But she did know his presences was rarely with her. She didn't know much about being a Pettis. But Catalina, Selene, Maya and Leo? They were all warriors in their own way. They were Liafadors. They were raised in the ways of the Liafador before their mother passed. Tassiana wasn’t. Even the longtime family Matriarch, Zeon, looked at Tassiana in a different way than she did her other siblings. “Pettis” is what she would call Tassiana when she would refuse to partake in family sparring's or if Tassi fell short in her training. As if she wasn’t worthy enough to be a Liafador.
But as she grew, she became her own person. A person who was very different from other members of her family. Ambassador for Mental Health, UN Messenger of Peace and founder of International Sapphire Relief Group. She was advocate for those who couldn't help themselves, peace maker in a time of war and savior to those who needed saving. For a while it was enough. One of the most beloved heroes, known for her kindness, gentle spirit and pacifist ways, she was no doubt her fathers daughter, she was a Pettis. Her pictures were steadily plastered on magazines, interviews on every news outlet and consistently talked about on social medias. For better or worse. The “Crown Jewel” (what some called her) had ushered in a new expectations of heroes. But it wasn’t enough. Even with all the success… she still felt that she was adequate enough.
“Passionate like daddy, warrior like mommy, kind like Maya, powerful like Selene, fearless like Leo, smart like Cat.” It may have sound silly to anyone, but these were standards that she kept holding herself since she was a child, with a few adjustments along the way. Even though she was 22 now, she was always comparing herself to her family and she never felt like she met up with her own expectations. While she did take on some of the characteristics that she wanted to, one thing she wasn’t for sure… was a warrior like her mother. It was funny, she didn't remember her mother being a warrior, she was far too young to remember that. But she remembered her mothers warm embraces, her mothers soft voice as she sang her to sleep, the sight of her mother doing yoga in the gardens, the way she walked with her head held high, her eyes always looking forward and the smell of the same perfume she always wore. But none of this were the stories she consistently heard of her mother. "Bold, fearless, precise, protective, calculating, deadly-" All these words described her but one word that was used over and over again was "warrior". It was the same word when used to describe her other siblings, but never her. They all this connection to their mother, it's what made them a Liafador. But Tassi? She wasn't a Warrior, she wasn't a Liafador, she was a Pettis.
But there was one thing, one simple thing she could do that could maybe help her. To partake in the right of passage in the Liafador family, The Pit. Even throughout the years, tales of The Pit and it’s creation were never clear. All that was known was that if a person was strong enough to endure it, they would come out differently, become whatever they needed to be. Mother did it, Catalina did it, Zeon did it… the list went on and on. Maybe this was it. For her to become a true Liafador, for her to be really part of the family she didn't feel adequate to be a part of, she needed to go into The Pit.
Zeon and Maya however, did not approve of this idea. Neither of them were supportive to the thought of Tassi going into The Pit. "Ziccarra would never allow it." and "You're not ready for something like that." were excuses they used over and over again. The last two years she was pushing Zeon and Maya to give her the blessing, but was consistently told no. At first, Tassiana would be disappointed and relieved at the same time when she was denied. But now, it had gotten to the point where it was becoming irritating. So now here she was, with her public relations specialist of ten years, Raquel, just venting her frustrations.
"It wont help you in the public eye Tassiana." Raquel began, looking at her data pad that she was consistently writing in. "A large percentage of your supporters like the fact that you're not like rest of the Liafador family." She looked up, her brown eyes glancing over at Tassi who was sitting behind her desk, looking down at it with frustration. “In fact, the whole reason I came in today is because your supporters have been asking when you’re going to take up the mantle of Thee Champion.”
“What?” Tassiana looked back up at Raquel. She had avoided this question so many times in the past. She didn't want to be 'Thee Champion' she didn't want to bare her fathers name. It belonged to Leo.
“Look… I know you want that deeper connection with your family, with the Liafadors. But your family is known for their violence and destruction. The Pettis however, your father, is seen as this great icon of justice, peace and protector of the people. Everything you already are. I know you love your family, but the Liafadors don’t have best record in history. Invasion of Venezuela, destruction of Malaga… you really want to risk everything you’ve worked for to have a better connection with a family name that connected to everything you’re opposed of?”
Tassiana stood up from her desk, leaning forward as she gave a glare at Raquel. She had crossed a line she shouldn't have. “Do not speak of my family in that way! The Liafadors have been doing everything they can to make up for those horrible mistakes, you have no right to judge them. You don’t know of the struggles my mother and the rest of the family have gone through." Her Spanish accent, that was usually easily hidden, came out whenever she became irritated and upset.
The PR specialist let out a deep sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose with her index finger. “Tassi, it’s not a judgment I’ve made, it’s the way the world views them, even some of your own supporters. The reason you’ve gained so much support and approval throughout the years is because you’re everything Liafadors are not known for. Your mother had to have known that being a Pettis would be better than being a Liafador, otherwise she would have given you her last name rather than your fathers.”
I feel like I'm a disappointment
The young Goddess sat back down, look of defeat on her face. Maybe it was time to let this go. If Raquel said it was a bad idea, then she must be right, right? She was always looking out for Tassiana's best interest. “Yeah… I suppose you’re right. I just… it’s so frustrating Raquel! I feel so disconnected with my own family. I feel like I’m a disappointment to them half of the time.”
“Well let me be the first to tell you, you’re not. Maya, Selene, all your siblings have expressed how proud they are of you in several interviews. You have no reason to be feeling this way. Now… if you excuse me, I need to use the ladies room.”
As Raquel walked out, Tassiana took a moment to step away from her desk as she turned to look out her window that showed a beautiful garden of red carnations in the background, the same flowers her mother had in the garden when she was just a baby. In the middle of the garden? A very elderly Star laying out on the warm emerald grass soaking up the rays of the golden sun.
“The Pit, huh?” The voice of her nephew who was actually much older than herself, seemed to appear out of nowhere. Mark Knightfall, the one who was once viewed as blemish to the Liafador name, was even more of a Liafador than herself.
“One day mi sobrino, I will figure out how you do that.” Tassiana turned around and gave a teasing smile, trying to change the subject he brought up.
“Tassi.” Mark wasn’t one for light talk, he was more of a straight to the point kind of man. He must have been walking by when he overheard the conversation. “You need to stop pursuing The Pit. It’s a curse to the family, not a gift.” Marks intentions were always misinterpreted by the family, to the point that he was once deemed a traitor to the Liafador name. She didn’t know what he did, no one ever spoke about it, not even Zeon. But he never lied to Tassiana, and never sugar coated anything. But he agreed with Zeon, and for the two to actually agree on something, it had to have meant something.
“You don’t understand-”
“Tassiana.” Mark’s voice became stern. “I am a Knightfall and a Liafador. When I was a teenager, both sides of my family were at war with each other. I think I'm the only one who would understand. You have a good life going, one that your mother would be proud of, don’t ruin it by trying to become someone your mother was trying to change.”
Mark may have been Tassiana’s nephew, but he always had the best advice when she needed it. “Thanks Mark.”
With a simple nod of his head, he made his way out of the room as Raquel was walking in. “Hello Mr. Anthony.” Raquel spoke, not getting so much as a glance from Mark as he walked away. But she didn’t pay much attention as she had this newfound excitement to her. “Ok, so I re-evaluated the situation, and I came to the conclusion that you may have been onto something.”
Tassi arched her brow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… let’s get you into that Pit!”
The Pettis gave her a confused look. “You just spent the last hour convincing me not to go into the Pit and-”
“I know, I know, but think about it. You are the face of your family. Your public approval ratings have consistently been in the 90% with the exception of that one time when you did that publicity stunt by ‘dating’-” she did her famous finger quotes. “That one pop star. You’re entire life has been trying to please the public, trying to protect everyone, help everyone, trying to make everyone happy, but you. You need to do this, for you. Be a little selfish for once. Go in that Pit and rediscover yourself, find out what being a Liafador means to you and all that revelation self discovery stuff people do."
"But Zeon and Maya-"
"Wont know anything! No one will! I'm in charge of your schedule, I can just say you're busy helping with cleaning the ocean or saving puppies, or space! I'll say you needed time away to that one star you're always saying you wanted to go to. The one that Leo took you when you were little. Look... Zeon and Maya might think you're not ready, but I've seen the things you can do Tassi. You're one of the strongest people I know. You're a Hybrid Goddess for crying out loud! Daughter of The Cardinal Goddess and The New God! I highly doubt there's anything in there that can even scare you."
“But Mark-”
“Mark Anthony is an entirely different situation from yours. Let yourself have this Tassi. You've been feeling this way for as long as I've been your PR. I can see it bothering you every time you're in the room with your family. Go to the Pit, do this right of passage, over come it and then come back and next thing we'll do is conqueror world hunger. Sound good?"
Tassi's face lit up with gratitude, finally, someone giving her support on what she wanted, what she needed. Something that wasn't for someone but for her. She was terrified and excited at the same time. "Yes, it sounds good!" She rushed over and hugged Raquel, thank her for the change in heart.
"Good, now lets go pack some stuff, cause you're about to go on an adventure that's going to forever change your life!"
The Universe has a funny way of inspiring self-reflection; the events that transpired reminded Sha of a time period now gone. Aeval, that was her name, and she along with her brother--Jasir were the “Protector of the Moors” the same way Tassi yearned to enter The Pit in order to ‘belong’ in the Liafador family, was the same way she felt during the Ogre Wars.
She never had the chance to just be a fairy, from the time of birth; she only knew how to defend her homeland. On that fateful day several centuries ago, she made the choice against the wishes of her brother and mentor…and marched into Ogre occupied territory changing not only her life, but the lives of hundreds of fairies across the Moors. This reflection though, it wasn’t tied down by deep sentiments of remorse or anything—she surprisingly remained stoic and unattached through the entire ordeal.
People make choices, and with those choices you have to be prepared to accept the consequences; the consequences of her actions took the lives of her brother and mentor. Tassiania’s consequences would be far greater than hers, and effect hundreds more.
The research she’d done on this family provided her with a clear scheme on how to deal with them; they didn’t have too many external enemies “When the Liafador Family has enemies…they deal with them” Oh no, but the way to tackle this particular enemy was from within. They didn’t trust each other, some trust too much; in just that alone she could see why many events like “Malaga” transpired.
Thumping with excitement was Raquel’s heart; the thought crossed her mind to squeeze until the pressure cause the Life Organ to disintegrate in her hands, but doing so could interfere with her plans—then there was the strategic use for it; should things go south she could use the heart to force the crown jewel’s hand.
“Hmmm” she grunted almost jealously, what made Tassiania so special? Her “Goody-Two shoes” mentality failed to impress; she’d seen people like her before, the kind of person that infects a person’s mind with thoughts of hope and triumph; but grew silent when such rhetoric wasn’t substantiated.
She knew what it meant to be the one that inspired false hope, charging into the uncharted territories of Sha’ac believing she could deliver her people from the oppression of the Ogres; only to realize there was no deliverance.
She took a minute step backwards, disappearing in a black gust of wind. For the next portion of this elaborate plan-- she’d need some help.
The Pit
She could almost hear it calling, it was alive; or at least it certainly felt like it. There was a subtle vibration on the surface; periodically the hiss and jeers of whatever mythical beast could be heard echoing against the bedrock walls.
“This place already seems miserable,” She said aloud to herself before her eyes turn teal blue. “Zem Men Nai yah” she screamed concocting an inverted pentagram on the ground covering the hole that lead down into the Pit.
She stood in the middle, at each point there was a child representing Water, Earth, Air, Fire, Spirit respectfully. These children weren’t children at all; they were dark incarnations pulled from the nightmares of children that’d long pass.
Her hands push to the skies channeling the power from the Sacred Tomb, high above them a small orb of light begin to flutter towards her outstretched hands. Around her frame at each point, the children slowly begin to chant a summoning spell.
As the star-like orb of light fell toward them the chanting grew louder and louder; no one daring to disturb the cadence least they succumb to the wrath of the Black Fairy.
The Orb by now float just lightly over her fingers tips before she directed the energy into the Pit. “Enter the Void” on her command the enigmatic chanting from the dark Changelings cease. “You have pleased me, be gone,” She commanded causing the lost spirits to disappear.
She’d integrated her “Neverland” with the PIT; instead of the dangers that Tassiania would endure in the PIT naturally, the young woman would enter the Void.
The Void is a location that doesn't exist on any plane, and is impossible to find-- but fairly easy to stumble into. It is a world where erratic thoughts become reality, and victims literally create their own perils.
Casting Black Fairy dust on herself, her shadow rose from behind her and entered Void. She couldn’t presently go into the Void—there wasn’t enough nightmares there to fuel her power…but her shadow could.
“You’re going to space?” Maya questioned as she looked over at Tassiana from the doorway of her sister's bedroom as the young Goddess simply nodded her head at the question. “The last time you went to space, you got lost and Leo had to go find you.”
Tassi could feel her stomach turn, she hated lying, especially to Maya. Maya wasn’t just her sister but also played the role of mother for most of Tassi’s life. She could vividly remember times when Maya had to sacrifice her own happiness, for Tassi. This didn’t feel right. “I just… I just need some time. I feel overwhelmed and stressed and I just need a little time to myself.”
“Tassi…” Maya walked into the bedroom, sitting on Tassi’s floral bedding (something that reminded her of her mother). “Look, I know you’re still upset with me and Zeon, about The Pit. I just want you to know… what’s in there, you don’t need it. If mom was still alive-”
“Maya-” Tassi cut her off, pausing for a moment as she zipped up her bag, a hint of irritation in her voice. She hated when Maya (or anyone) did this, when she would speak of their mom as if she knew what she would be thinking. How could she possibly know what mother would and wouldn’t want? From all the stories she had heard, all the old pictures and articles she had read, her mother was a complex person. “Please, I just need to do this. I’ll be back soon, ok?”
She could see it in Maya’s eyes, she knew. Maybe not that she was going to The Pit, but Maya knew that Tassi wasn’t going where she said she was, she knew she could see she was hiding something. But she didn’t press… maybe if she did… none of this would have happened. “Ok, Be safe.”
Cardinal Isle
“To think, my mother once stood here.” Tassiana gave a small smile as Raquel stood silently next to her. The two women standing at the entrance of The Pit, which was exactly that… a pit of darkness that was before them.
“I honestly thought “The Pit” was more than just… a hole in the ground.” Raquel grumbled, waving her hand around trying to smack down one of the annoying pests that flew around them. “You don’t have bug spray by any chance do you?”
The Pit
“It’s what’s inside The Pit. I’ve heard stories of it from Maya, Zeon and Isis. Zeon told me, that before she entered The Pit, my mother told her “It will take your nightmares and make them your allies, it will take your friends; and make them your enemies.””
“Sounds like fun, I can see why you’re so eager to go in there.” Raquel spewed sarcasm as she watched Tassiana slowly began to strip down from her clothing, giving her a slightly awkward glance. “Uh-”
“It’s Liafador tradition to go into The Pit the same way you were born. With nothing.” Tassi answered the questions before it was even asked. “Because The Pit, it doesn’t recognize your accomplishments or what your bloodline is, it only cares about your will to survive.” Everything that Tassi knew was from the stories her sister and cousins would tell her when she was younger, to keep her in line. Not that Tassiana was a troublemaker, but those few times she did cause a fuss, it was always met with threats of being taken to ‘The Pit’.
“So you’re going to go in there… naked…”
The blue eyed goddess laughed. “No Raquel, but I’m not going to need any of this” Tassi handed over her bag that carried her belongings, but not before literally pulling out a dress of rags. “My mother, my cousins, everyone who has entered the pit wore nothing but rags, and I will too.” She was already getting a bit chilled. Her bare skin collecting the early morning dew that still lingered in the air as the cold moist grass tickled her feet.
Raquel gave a concerning look as she began to silently question what was about to happen. “So… how long are you suppose to be there for?”
That a question she didn’t have the answer to. No one could give her a definite answer whenever she asked, or even read the very few documents about The Pit. Days to several weeks, even maybe a couple of months, she didn’t know. “Until I’m done.” Was the best answer she could give.
“Well how do you know when you’re done?”
Tassi walked closer to the ledge of The Pit. An abyss of darkness, a darkness that called her. She could physically feel a gravitational pull towards it. Was this how all Liafadors felt when approaching it? It… frightened her, but it was intoxicating at the same time. Her mother, sisters, cousins… they all had a taint of darkness in them, it was the way of the Liafador Warrior. But Tassiana, she wasn’t a warrior, she wasn’t a Liafador, she was a Pettis. Yet she could feel The Pit’s calling. Deep down inside, was there a warrior waiting to be awaken? Was this it? Was this really what she was missing from her life? “When The Pit stops calling me.”
By this time the calling, it was too strong. She couldn’t explain it, but her skin felt as if it was going to crawl off of her if she didn’t go into The Pit. Closing her blue eyes she extended her hands outward as she took in a deep breath. Raquel, who was calling out to her, was nothing more than a whisper in the distance. She couldn’t hear anything but the pounding of her heart and the expanding muscles in her lungs, she couldn’t feel anything else, except for the pull to The Pit.
Then… she let go.
Her body fell down, she could feel the woosh of the air the sudden spin numbing chill. But then… nothing.
Tassiana's eyes opened, her body laying on the ground, unsure how exactly she landed, but the horrors of The Pit that were once told as a story to her… weren’t there. The feeling, the calling, that pull, it was gone, snuffed out. She closed her eyes again, trying to get a sense of where she was, trying to focus on energy around her. But she couldn’t it was as if her powers were paralyzed in this seemingly abandoned world. This couldn’t be The Pit, could it? This place, it felt… empty. No stink of death. No growls of the beasts that hunted the area. Nothing. But could it be, that the Pit adapted to whoever dared fall inside? Her fear of the Pit wasn't so much of the survival, the constant battle against death and it's demonic beasts that resided inside. Not the bitter cold that burned the skin worse than hellfire. None of that is what she feared. This is what she feared. This feeling. This emptiness. She felt… alone.
But then… whispers could be heard all around her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she let out a shaky breath. This wasn't what she thought this was going to be. This wasn't what she prepared for. "Who's there?" She called out, her voice echoed through the emptiness.
"Who are you?" The 5'11 Liafador responded, her motions contorted the bleak world around them--The Reality Queen. As she moved the eerie darkness of the fabricated Pit transformed into a corner of the illustrious Liafador Palace, just a mere corner of darkness portraying the dilapidated room of a woman that dwell in darkness for too long. "You..have her face..." She said slowly moving toward Tassi. "Why...why do you have her face" Her voice was shaky, distraught...almost demented. "She left me, I told her not to go. But she did. and she never returned" Though she retained her youthful appearance, she moved like an elderly version of herself. Her lonely soul wandered across the globe; reeking of cheap liquor and a plethora of illegal drugs. "She went into the pit, and never returned...why...why have you come...to further torment me..." Her motions were sloth-like, but she continued moving to toward this woman that resembled her missing sister. In this deserted room, once full of energetic action and happiness; she only knew a sorrow to deep to think.
Now close enough to touch, Maya's hands were just inches away from Tassi's face...inches...just inches. "Come back home Tassi..." she whispered again reaching as if her very existence were at stake. But nothing happened, her finger tips never grazed the young woman that resembled her sister...instead she once again fell to darkness.
The room evaporated into nothingness; and Maya's howling screech lit up the darkness.
-------------
CVbU Year unknown
Light shined again this time on the oldest of the Liafador daughters, Tassi's sister Catalina. But this was years later, Cat's dormant jeans had literally transformed her into an almost exact doppleganger of Ziccarra--save for retaining her goldenrod eyes. Catalina was transformed into a warrior a beacon of hope--something their mother could never be; Tassi on the other hand became a monster. This version of Catalina watched as Tassi wandered out of the darkness and almost immediatly broke into tears. "I raised you, watched you grow into a respectable woman in virtue transcending our family to the highest Pedigree, we told you, you weren't ready. You defied us...now look at what's happen to you" A tear drop streak the length of her face, she really didn't want to do it; It'd be like fighting her own daughter--even though it was her sister.
As her hand extended outward, the legendary blade their mother used to wield manifest, and the Catalan Countess was poised to stop the monster she saw her sister to be. "I love you Tassi...but this can go on no longer..." Cat lunge toward Tassi blade high ready to deliver a fatal strike; however she too faded back into darkness; and once again the crown jewel was left wandering in the darkness.
-------------
CVbU Year (Unknown)
The darkness parted once more, instead of the familar faces that temporarily parted the darkness; and unfamilar face stared back in the backdrop of the desert with fatal intensity. She carried all the features of a Liafador, but that name was long extinct by her time.
"You've lied to me for all these years" Her voice was full of rage, she felt betrayed. She was brought up believing her family perished in the "North American War"--that the legacy of the Liafador family was to be carried on in the Pettis Family, but she'd learned the truth in documents written by Mark Antony before the war broke. "It was you...you're the reason all this happened. I know everything, the Pit, how you allowed Maya to mentally deteriorate to the point where she became a bomb. How you killed Aunt Cat. You're the reason Abuelo hasn't returned from space. You're a murderer...and a Liar" The Spanish inflection on her words dull in comparison to the fire churning in her curved palms. "This ends now mother..."
---------------------------------
Cavern of Beast
The beast used the darkness to creep close, It's golden fur was an indicator of it's health. It could not be penetrated, It's claws sharper than most metals...armor would not withstand it's swipe.
These beast was no typical Lion, it'd been watching Tassi since she entered the meld, feinging to be people she knew in order to take down the young warriors guard.
You're time is running out little Pettis what ever will you do. Teehee"
Sha's voice boomed overhead as the Lion lunge toward Tassi, attempting to overpower the young Goddess with it's brute strength, and force her to the ground. So it could maul at her with it's claws.
The Young Goddess eyes widen as she saw Maya, her sister, step forward from the darkness around her. “M-maya.” Tassi stammered, shocked to see her and fear sinking in. Maya knew, she was caught. But… Maya spoke as if she hadn’t seen Tassi in several years as the world around her turned into the Liafador Palace. “It’s me, it’s Tassi. I’m Tassi.” She spoke out as she met her sister halfway. The look on her sister's face, it caused her heart to ache. But the sink of alcohol and her disheveled body… this… this wasn’t her sister. This was created by The Pit. “N-no, You’re not my sister.” Tassi whispered to herself, this was a test. It was part of the test. It had to be. She couldn’t let guilt get to her as it turned her stomach, her throat becoming full as she took in a deep breath. Right when Maya’s fingers were to touch her, a eardrum piercing screech echoed through the darkness.
Tassi backed up, her eyes erratically scanning the area. Her heart pounding in her chest, her breath becoming deep and rapid. This magical atmosphere around her was heavily influencing her. Tassi had no way to protect herself against Sha’s magic, it was one of her biggest weaknesses.
But the area lit up again, and now, a younger version of her mother stood before her. But no… it wasn’t her mother...it was someone else, those eyes. It was…. “Catalina?” Tassi asked breathless, she could see the pain in her sisters eyes. “No, you’re not my sister! You’re not, this isn’t- it’s not... “ But the words that Catalina spoke dug deep into her heart. The tone of voice, the way she looked at her. It was so… believable. “Stay back!” Tassi hissed as Catalina draw the blade that was once their mothers. The young Pettis stumbled back, watching as her eldest sister, the one who was like mother, pushed forward in a swift and deadly strike. “NO!” Tassi rose her hands up to defend herself, only to feel a gust of stale wind hit her body. She gasped, her hands were now visibly trembling from the anxiety that was building inside.
But this time… a young girl came into view as the area around them transformed into a dry landscape, deprived of water or vegitation. She didn’t know who she was, but the young girl… she was a Liafador, there was no doubt in her mind. The eyes, the cheek bones, the lips… she looked liked a younger version of her mother but… who was she?
The young girl’s tone was filled with anger, her eyes hurt as if Tassi had personally done something to her. She began yelling, roaring at Tassi, spitting out claims that had yet to happen. “No. No!” Tassiana’s fingers began to raise up to her hair, covering her ears as she closed her eyes tightly shaking her head back and forth, not wanting to hear what the young girl was saying. But no matter how hard she pressed against her ears, she could hear the words echo in her mind as clear as day. “I Would never hurt the family!” Tassi yelled, dropping her knees as she lowered her head, trying so hard to block out the lies. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!” But the final word, mother. She opened her eyes for a moment. Looking up at the girl as her crystal blue eyes overflowed with tears. “What?”
But before the girl could answer, she vanished as darkness consumed her once more. “WAIT! Please!” Tassi scrambled to her feet, her mind unable to focus on what was happening at the moment. She could feel her chest crush with pain, like an elephant was sitting on top of her, she felt like she couldn’t get enough oxygen into her lungs as she felt a tingling sensation around her lips. The mind games taking a heavy toll on the Goddess. She was sobbing where she stood, her fingers covering her face. Just minutes into the Pit and she felt like it had already been an eternity.
All while unknown of the golden predator that stalked behind her. It wasn’t until she could smell the stink of death creeping up to her. She gasped as she quickly turned, only to be instantly attacked by the beast as it's mighty paw struck against her chest. The powerful swipe struck The Young Goddess down, her body forcefully slamming into the cold ground as the air was knocked out of her for a few moments, if it wouldn't have been for her natural born durability and strength, her chest could have easily been broken open if she was just a normal human. Gasping for air she looked up at the savage hunter quickly pouncing forward. Tassi rolled off to the side, pushing herself up into a three point stance. She threw out her right hand, gritting her teeth and... nothing, nothing happened! She couldn't put out any energy. Her powers weren't working! The beast once more went on the attack, swiping it's mighty paw to the left as Tassi's much nimble body was sent flying. Her body rolled on the ground until it finally stopped. Trying to get up, the creature once more came to her with amazing speeds, this time pinning her to the ground with one paw as the other came slamming downward towards her. Raising her left arm to protect herself she let out a painful cry as blood now stained the creatures claw. "Get off!" Tassi cried out, as she summoned all the strength she had to push the beast up and over her body. The magnificent monster landed on it's feet with no issue as she nursed her arm, her fingers gently running along the rigid gaping wound.
The lion licked it's claw, cleaning the blood off as it let out a deep purr. It enjoyed the taste of the young Goddess, and it wanted more. The beast ran forward, right to Tassi as the Pettis braced herself. The beast jumped up as threw its entire weight on the Young Goddess, shifting it's weight more to the left side of her body, the Liafador-Pettis hybrid literally caring the entire weight of the creature. Tassi grunted as she used her natural strength to hold her ground against the beast. "GRAH!" Tassi forced the beast off her body as she wrapped her arms around the beast neck. She was going to try and subdue the beast without killing it, but she felt a sharp stabbing pain as the beast somehow bit into Tassiana's right leg. She screamed, feeling the blood run down her leg as the jaw of the lion clenched down even more. She was forced to drop down to one knee, still trying to hold against the lion. Her face growing pale as her crimson blood stained the floor. Lightheaded dizziness began to sweep over her. She couldn't fail, she couldn't, not now, she couldn't afford the failure. She needed to go forward, she needed to-
With a swift shift of her right arm, it now hooked under the lion's neck cradling it as she used the rest of her strength to push up from the ground. A loud SNAP was heard as the lion's body suddenly went limp in the arms of Tassiana as she instantly dropped to the ground, breathing heavily as her right forearm covered her eyes. Sobbing as the pain that was surging through her body could be felt. Ripping a portion of her rags off her, she tired them around her wounds as she forced herself to stand. Limping as she struggled to walk, breathing heavily. She was mentally and physically already exhausted. Aside from her natural born strength, she couldn't use her actual powers here for some reason. She couldn't heal herself. She couldn't fly. She couldn't help herself. How did they do this? How did Zeon do this? How did her sisters do this? How did her mother do this? She needed to push forward, she had to. She couldn't give up. Just had to hold on. She had to hold on. "Keep going... keep going..." Tassi mumbled to herself as she continued to make her way through the darkness.
With the exception of the Nimean lion, Sha had yet to actually interfere in Tassi's journey; with each step into the Void, the Young Goddess would enter a new trial; a new heartache--she'd overwhelm Tassi's emotions to the point of fever pitch, and only then would she reveal herself; but not as an enemy--as a faux ally.
Family, it was a core concept that molded the young Goddess; and at one time it was the force that drove Aeval--Sha. But where Tassi saw power, and peace; Sha saw weakness. It wasn't until the Dark Fairy ruthlessly murdered her family; that she discovered the forbidden powers of the Sacred Tome. Skills that went against the very laws of magic--skills that originally transformed her people into Orges. But these forbidden manuscripts did not alter her, atleast no physically--Instead she became the Queen unifying the people of Sha'ac under one rule her rule.
Death it was one of the forbidden skills Faires of the Mooreland weren't supposed to learn; it was a skill that required a substanial amount of energy and focus. Tucked in a hidden portion of the Void, at her own private locale the Children of Darkness, shackled and chained together--moved in unison, leading their Queen to the Sacred Tome.
"Ewala Croon..." The entire void echoed her mythical voice; almost as if the "Pit" itself was exhaling. She stood around the alter; with several of her "Lost Children" emulating her chant in unison. "Ewala Croon" She exhaled again, now the "Pit" began to slowly beat; as if someone begin resuscitate this place of decaying death.
Family, It was a weakness; a design flaw for all human being, unfortunatly for Tassi; Death and her family crossed many times.
"Ewala...Ewala...Ewala...Croon" they continued, now The Black Fairy was positioned in the middle of a inverted pentagram. A slow quiver begin to pick up, ancient runes mysteriously burned through her skin, In a show of "Mythical Mitosis" a second pair of Iris begin to formulate in her own eyes. "Ewala...Ewala...Ewala...Croon" The chants brought on a magical quake, from her soul reaper blade, the soul of Aeval's brother--Jasir hit the pentagram; outlining the figure in a magnificent royal blue. "Rise...of a Warrior" Again her voice boomed through the "Pit" as if the walls themselves were talking...but they weren't talking to Tassi.
"Teeheee...this should be fun" She said vanishing, as the sound of metallic boots beat against the floor. Sha called, and the Ancient Tome responded; It's temporarily released a soul from the bowels of tatarus to perform one more task.
A soul that'd been a peace for years by this point; disturbed to prove a point. Unlike before, there was no lightning that forshadowed her arrival; instead you could hear The Cardinal Queen moving swiftly through the darkness; as if she were running to a climatic battle.
Out of the Darkness the Goddess emerged, pushing her shield forward looking to send a powerful psionic charge at her daughter. Only Ziccarra was being controlled via, the forces of the Sacred Tome. She had one job--Beat Tassi into submission.
As she pushed forward her eyes were still red from the tears, the echoing voices of her siblings and the angry face of her supposed unnamed child burned in her mind. Tassi's body was slowly beginning to heal, being the hybrid of a Cardinal Goddess and NuGod came with it's perks, but still she felt the effects of the battle with the lion. Her extremities throbbed as she limped forward. While she still had her basic strength of being a Goddess, her other abilities seemed to be nullified in the Pit and with no real formal warrior training like her other siblings, she truly felt powerless. None of this was real, it wasn't real, her sisters, the girl, it wasn't real. That's what she had to keep telling herself because she couldn't fail, she couldn't afford to. She had gone against the Matriarch's word, against her sisters word and lied to them. The Sapphire Goddess wouldn't leave this Pit until she conquered The Pit just as her mother had and other Liafadors before her, because she too is a Liafador.
But then, voices were heard echoing through the surrounding abyss, words that she had never heard before being chanted as the Hybrid Goddess stood her ground. She could feel the cold dead ground underneath her tremble, as if something was being summoned. Then, she heard the words, as if clear as day "Rise...of a Warrior". The young Pettis felt the hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand as the sound of metal was heard being stomped against the ground. She quickly got into a defensive stance, unable to see her contender as the Goddess squint her eyes, struggling to make out the silhouette that was coming forward as it suddenly took off in a sprint forward directly towards Tassiana. As she rose her fists upward, her eyes jolted open as her entire body froze and she swore she forgot how to breath. "Mom?" She would have spoken, if her mother's shield hadn't just slammed into the core of her body, sending her flying backwards before landing forcefully upon the ground, the wind knocked out of her as she gasped for air.
She scrambled to her feet, her body stained by the black patches of her own dry blood and the dead soil of The Pit. "Mom!" Tassi finally managed to cry out. "Please, stop! It's me, it's Tassiana." The Sapphire Cardinal rose her hands up, showing that she was not a threat to her mother. But her words were met with the sound of her sword becoming unseath. Even in the darkness she could see trickles of light around them reflect off the glorious blade. Tassi looked into the eyes of her mother, and saw nothing but the thirst for a battle in them, just as she had seen them in Catalina, Leo, Zeon and Isis eyes. Those eyes were that of a Liafador. "Mama, por favor, no me hagas hacer esto. No... no puedo." <Mom, please, don't make me do this. I... I can't.> She choked on her own words, tears filling them. She hadn't seen her mother since she was one, when she was killed in that faitful battle all those years ago. But now... here she was, 'alive' or as alive as she could be. But instead of a happy reunion of this miracle, it was instead met with the need of bloodshed.
Once more The Red Cardinal Goddess lunged forward, thrusting her blade forward with her right hand as Tassiana quickly sidestepped to the left at the last moment as she heard the blade slice through the air. But like the strategic warrior she was, Ziccarra quickly withdrew her blade as she skid to a halt the moment her blade missed it's target and shifted the weight of her body on the balls of her feet, spinning gracefully to suddenly become face to face with Tassi before this time thrusting her left arm forward. The thin smooth edges of the shield almost meeting with the soft features of Tassiana, until Tassiana's hands grasped onto the shield and stopping it inches from her face. The thin edges easily digging into her daughters flesh, blood staining the Liafador's shield. Her sapphire eyes filled with frustrated tears as she became in a physical standoff with the Legendary Liafador. Tassi pushed the shield away, using her natural born Goddess strength with a forceful grunt, causing Z to take a single stumble backwards before quickly recovering. She needed to attack, now.
But could she do this? Could she fight the woman she looked up to her entire life? The one woman she wished on every evening star to be brought back. Memories of her singing her to sleep during the sleepless nights as a infant were still clear as day in her mind. Her gentle touch, her soothing voice and soft kisses when Tassi cried. Every memory of her mother Tassi had was opposite to what was presented to her at the moment, even though stories of her mother's warrior feats were told to her by her siblings. Was this how mother was on the battlefield? Was this it? Was this the battle that The Pit provided, which would play as verdict if Tassiana was in fact worthy enough to be called Liafador or be cursed to live in the shadows of the rest of her family as a passive Pettis.
"My name is Tassiana Pettis, and I will conquer this Pit just as Liafadors before me have!" Tassiana shouted as she then rushed forward. Once close enough Tassiana quickly kicked up her left foot, not so much to kick at her mother, but rather kick up dirt into her eyes, using the cold, dead environment around her to distract her mother even for a moment. She would then drop to the ground and attempt to sweep her mother's feet from under her in attempt to disarm the sword from her grasp.
Aeval stood guard viewing the War Goddess' progress against the would be champion of the Pit. This was turning into a waiting game; a game that slid in her favor with each and every passing moment.
Moving into the center of the inverted pentagram, The Nightmare Nymph sought to expedite Tassi' submission and her eventual victory. "I'm going to assume direct control no one is to bother me" Lifting her hands to the sky, her blue eyes shift yellow indicating the influence of the Sacred Tome. "Alliances age and change with time, let all of your thoughts now be mine!" Her voice boomed again throughout the secret room, blue electrical arcs overtook the Enchanted Fairy, placing her body in a stasis like trance.
Ziccarra lost the blade as Tassi intended, but the natrual battle instincts of Shira--The War Goddess kicked in; causing the Modern Day Athena to immediatly kip up without her hands. In a quick flick of the wrist, Ziccarra's conquistador bullwhip cut through the air steaming from the sheer velocity of her throw. The aim was to tag Tassi around the neck; and release a crushing psionic shock. Not a minute after her bullwhip left her hands, Aeval's intervention could be seen personified within the gruesome yellow eyes that eclipsed Ziccarra's blue.
"Tassiania Pettis..." The Gruesome fairy whispered, through the lips of Ziccarra. "We know who you are" Like before, the fairy's voice resound from Ziccarra; and seemingly though the very walls of the "Pit" Back in the room, where Aeval's lost children wait with her inactive body recieving their instructions via telepathy.
"Ani Aero.." They whispered, sending the command into the body of their mistress; as it was recieved; the command then went to Ziccarra; giving the War Goddess a skill she never had. Making a fist Ziccarra's yellow eyes burned with a series of yellow flares; before the Goddess launched a "turbine" powered sonic burst towards Tassiania.
Looking to inflict further damage upon the young Liafador- Pettis, but more damage to the lining within the pit. "You are the one responsible for the Death of your family" The Dark Fairy whispered through Ziccarra.
She was even more fierce than the stories she heard. Without missing a step she got back up only to have her iconic bullwhip suddenly wrap around the Sapphire Goddess neck. Tassiana wrapped her fingers around the whip, struggling to pull it off as she felt it tighten around her trachea. Her body suddenly was collided with the former Matriarchs signature psionic shock. Tassiana let out a painful cry, as her muscles tensed as her eyes closed tightly. Smoke emitting off her body as she dropped to her knees, struggling to breath as her head dropped down, her hair draping around her pained face. She knew The Pit was going to be difficult, but never did she think it would be like this.
Tassiana’s bones grew cold the moment she heard the heard her name speak from the lips of her ‘mother’. It sound just like her, like her mother. She couldn’t help the tears that began to swell in her eyes. When was the last time she heard the voice of her mother? When she was just a year old. Her throat began to swell, even as the whip still strangled her. This wasn’t her mom, it wasn’t! But… it sound just like her, looked just like her… she couldn’t take much more of this.
This time a sonic burst came rushing towards Tassiana, rippling through her body, forcing the whip to release it’s grip on her. Her body skid along the cold graveled ground. Red markings now around her neck added to her decor of abrasions, lacerations, contusions, hematomas and fractured bones that sank their broken teeth into her muscle. Tassis chest lightly moved as she struggled to take in a breath, her fingers digging into the dirt, trying to push herself up even as her body screamed at her to stay down. Blood trickling down the corner of her mouth as her exhausted blue eyes looked up at The Goddess.
"You are the one responsible for the Death of your family"
“Stop it, stop it.” She hissed between her gritting bloody teeth. “You’re a liar!” she stood up, her legs weak, trembling as they carried her weight, but not before she grasped onto the hilt of her mother’s sword. The heavy weapon weighing much more than what Tassi realized as she struggled to hold it up before her. It was difficult for her, to see her ‘mother’ like this, acting this way towards her, though she knew it was ‘The Pit’s’ doing. “The Liafador are thriving! Even though you denied me the name, I still try to carry on your legacy with my sisters! Why, are you saying these lies to me?" Tassiana demanded as she staggered forward, swinging the legendary blade in an upward motion towards The Red Cardinal Goddess before bringing it back downward again, using the natural weight of the sword to pull down more forcefully. Her moves were sloppy, and she knew Cat and Zeon would disapprove of her attacks, but this was all the strength she could muster up. She was hanging by her sheer will to persevere.
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