Episode 30: Objection & Subjection

The Legacy remained in Aleport awaiting Leric's arrival. Zakuro, Anthi, and Shiva remained within the Inn trying to plan what they needed to do. Zakuro seemed to be calm while Shiva was not too far from where Trunks lay. For most of the evening, Shiva kept putting Trunks into a sleep state using her magick to keep him unconscious until they could figure out what to do. However, a fear she had was going into his mind and not being able to get him out. She prayed to Hydaelyn and a vision of her primal form being present kept coming to her. Shiva figured if she shut off her humanity, she would be able to face Trunks properly and not feel guilty about not fighting as hard as she could.


It would seem that during that meditative state, Shiva’s primal form was prominent. Her hair turned a blueish gray, her eyes now white. Anthi watched over Shiva curiously and turned to Zakuro and asked if this was something common that happened before. Zakuro tells Anthi that in the beginning she and a few others saw Shiva like this but, it was never out if it was now. Zakuro explains to Anthi that the power Shiva and The Legacy held was a gift from Hydaelyn to those who would be able to fight against the evil attacking this world. Anthi is unsure what Zakuro means and asks for further explanation. Zakuro recalls traveling with the others over time and she could feel a pull towards a weapon that soon became hers. Over time, she thought she would no longer need it and that it would fade away but, the power never left her when she left The Legacy.

Anthi wonders if she would change like the others which prompts Zakuro to express that she may be safe from all the “gifts” The Legacy had. If anything, Anthi knew that she and Teph were merely helpers and could offer more intel on the outside for the group. They seemed to be growing on her and she was willing to help for now. As Anthi and Zakuro talk among each other about all that has transpired along the way, the door opens and Leric has returned.

   Leric walked in with some new gear on and a weapon that resembled that of fire. He walked in and bowed to Anthi and smiled to see Zakuro once more. As Leric turned to his right he could see that Shiva was now in primal form and Trunks remained unconscious for now. Anthi informed all that Shiva did to keep Trunks down which made Leric propose that they were going to have to enter that mind void to take him on. Anthi expressed to Leric that she may not be up for going against Trunks because she did not hold the skill that the others did. Leric commended Anthi for her honesty and figured it would be best for her to stay and await Teph’s return for the time being. Anthi decided to go clear her head to think leaving Leric and Zakuro to talk.


With Anthi’s departure, Shiva rose to her feet her white eyes focused on Leric as she walked up to him. This wasn’t the girl that they knew as her mannerisms seemed that of someone mature and unbothered by much. Shiva points out that it is getting harder to hold Trunks back and that they would need to depart soon if they were going to attempt to save him. Leric agreed with Shiva but wondered if the three of them would be enough to take him on, considering he had a portion of death on Trunks’ side. The primal did not seem to understand why her ‘human’ was so attached to him in the first place considering he was working with Death so closely. This seem to upset Leric and the others but, they knew this was not the words of the mage they knew so well.
Zakuro expresses to the primal that she will extract the darkness from Trunks, and they will do so without anyone dying. The room suddenly grows dark, and the smell of iron and salt fills the air. Appearing on the shoulders of Zakuro were suddenly that of Tuya. Leric remembered meeting Tuya in the Anyx Thrine to welcome her. Tuya asks why Zakuro has been gone so long and now that she sees them here with Shiva and the others she understands why. Zakuro apologizes to her “Kami Sama” for being gone so long but, explains that it was of importance. She understands why Zakuro was gone so long but also turns to Leric noticing that he called her Tuya.


She explains that she wishes to no longer be called Tuya and Oghul instead. Leric apologizes for addressing her the wrong way and will do better for next time and he decides to explain to her what had transpired over the past few hours. Tuya is extremely bothered with how Trunks got involved with this in the first place and Zakuro explains that once they extract the evil from him, they can go on their way. This will also ensure that Zakuro remains a strong partner for Oghul instead. Leric explains to Oghul that he too feels that she would be a good influence as Trunks knows her more and with another person by their side fighting him would not be a struggle.

Oghul understands entirely and tells Leric to not feel bad about calling her Tuya. She explains that she knew that they knew her by that name once and it was like a reflex to say it. Leric nods and says that he too struggles with that because, he would refer to Dorion in a royal manner but, since their joining into Eorzea…Dorion wished for that title to be dropped. Oghul looks around the room and notices that Dorion isn’t present which prompts Leric to explain what had happened only a while before. Oghul was surprised to hear how bad Trunks had hurt Dorion which leaves Zakuro to mention that Trunks was trying to use the darkness the way she did, and it was overpowering him. This led her to believe that it was prompted by something before they joined up. Leric was unsure of that and suggested the only way they would find out is if they went into his head as soon as possible.


Oghul listens to the details further and wonders how Lady Death was able to take over Trunks so easily. She mentions how as a Shinigami most don’t care what you do as long as they are able to reap your soul at the end of your life. Leric explains to her that Lady Death was an evil person from another world and had no problem using humans as play toys. He explained to her that in their world, Death was unleashed by someone insane which caused the war in their world in the first place. To get to safety Dorion worked with a priestess who was possessed by Death which is how they came to Eorzea in the first place.

   As Leric and the group discuss what they need to do Shiva steps forward and reminds them that storytime can wait and that they needed to enter his mind before he would be closed off and there would be no way to save him. Oghul is surprised by Shiva’s words and then notices this isn’t the mage she grew to know; she was allowing the primal to be present instead. Shiva stares Oghul down almost as if her eyes were letting her know she was not afraid to step to her. Leric tries to diffuse the situation and joins with the others; it is time to see Trunks in the other realm.


The Legacy stepped into the portal to find bombs going off, screams of agony are heard in the distance. The ground quakes and there is a flash of light as before the group appears a worn-out bloody Trunks. He looks up at the group shaking his head and breathing heavily telling them to have never come here and to leave as soon as possible. Leric looked around in shock and realized that Trunks' inner turmoil has to do with the Calamity caused by the Apocalyptic sisters coming here. The primal rolls her eyes and explains that this is Trunks’ inner hell; everyone has one this is just the projection of his own. The spirit of Trunks begs them to go back but, The Legacy will not leave him behind.

   Oghul shouts at Trunks’ spirit and tells him that they will get him out as she does not plan to drag his soul of out this hell. Zakuro also agrees with Oghul because she too wanted to get back the darkness that Trunks had. The apparition of Trunks flickers before them as they now follow him into the void he created. Trunks tells the group that there were things they needed to see and some that they did not. The group carefully follows him. Unsure they follow and ask him what he wants to show. Trunks explains that there was so much done that they did not know, which caused Leric’s defenses to go up.


The primal within Shiva says that things like this happen all the time and she wouldn’t be surprised if more members of The Legacy would follow suit. Oghul tries to reach out for Trunks but, he reminds her that the real him is here in this hell but tied up at the moment under death’s watch. Leric calls out to the ghostly Trunks and asks him to just help them get to him and they will learn what he wants them to see. Trunks warns Leric again what they will see isn’t like anything they have seen before. Trunks guides each of them to different locations to show him moments from his past.


The first to go into Trunks’ mind was Zakuro. Zakuro was able to see herself as Trunks and watch as he was aboard an airship. Zakuro opened her eyes to see herself as Trunks on an airship sitting on the rails in handcuffs with guards on both sides. The guards are talking about how Trunks, being the son of a great Captain is the only reason he got a deal to get out of prison. The vision blurs once again but this time, Zakuro could see Trunks on the battlefield. He looks over the railing and see not only corpses of the Eorzean Alliance but those of the Red Veil as well. Trunks’ emotions are all stirred up and he wants to see death on both sides but, cannot decide where his heart lies. The vision fades leaving Zakuro feeling distorted but, why would Trunks want her to see that?


Shiva and Leric were together when suddenly they were pulled into a vision of their own with Trunks. Leric and Shiva find Trunks in a crashing ship begging for help and a voice keeps calling to him and telling him that if he were to follow it, he would be granted safety. There was a sense of uneasiness from the vision which confused Leric. When he and Shiva first went into the vision, he could sense the anxiety Trunks was experiencing. When he expressed that to Shiva, she explained how mortals often felt conflicted with themselves especially when it came to making the right choices or the wrong ones. She knew from her own past what following her heart did and she wondered if Trunks was silly enough to do the same. It would seem that once Shiva and Leric came out from the vision Zakuro had joined up with them and told them the vision she saw. It would seem that the group was seeing parts of Trunks life that were important to him. Leric suggested that they find Oghul and see what she was seeing.


Not too far from the rest of the group, Oghul was experiencing a vision of her own. Oghul found herself like the others seeing something through Trunks’ eyes…this time it was a bit different. She found herself in a dark room in silence. Trunks begins to laugh hysterically and finds a light and turns on a light. He found himself in a room with androids. The androids stood waiting for orders. Not only were there androids in the room but bodies everywhere. Red Veil and Alliance alike all remained on the ground dismembered, many decapitated, pulled apart or shot to death. As Trunks stares in surprise at the sight a womanly figure in a cloak awaits him and says how she was waiting for him. The cloaked woman touches his face, and his mind goes blank and fades away.


The group meets together again, and they all share what they have seen, and Trunks was definitely experiencing a lot. Leric began to assume that this had to do with Death a lot longer than the group knew but, he wasn’t sure how far. The group needed to find the spirit of Trunks and fast. This war-torn land told the group that he had been holding a lot of this in since the time before he joined The Legacy. They finally found Trunks spirit and Oghul decides to ask him some questions on where the memories were from?

   The spirit of Trunks lets Oghul know that these were sins he felt that he had kept from the group for almost a year now which prompts Shiva to point out its no surprise. Primal Shiva feels that everyone has a past, and Trunks was using it as an excuse. Oghul threatens Shiva to stop being so cold or she will handle her. Shiva looks into Oghul’s eyes and lets her know she is not afraid to step to her and won’t be taken lightly. Trunks apologizes once again for his sins and decides to show the group once last vision.


Everyone’s visions fade to black reopening them to find Trunks on an airship. There are shouts of fires and engines failing and crewmates running to make repairs. Trunks turns to the captain, which is his father suggesting Trunks aid the men on deck. As Trunks runs up there, he takes out his rifle and guns down members of the veil riding flying monsters casting spells and causing chaos. Trunks walks into the engine room and fires his riffle at his own men telling them to turn off the engine. Trunks could feel himself fading in and out knowing this was not him doing this. The ship crashes and his memory goes blank and when his eyes open, he is elsewhere.


The vision ends leaving Leric looking at Trunks in bewilderment asking how he could kill his own men. Trunks cries to Leric that Lady Death got to him before Hydaelyn could. Oghul keeps questioning who “she” is, and Shiva reminds her that the death Trunks was serving was not one that they knew at all. Zakuro sighs and holds her head as she tries to shake away the vision clouding her sight.  She's not ignoring them, but her focus was elsewhere, hunting for the darkness she was here to claim. The visions were more of an annoyance.  She knew that Lady Death was using Trunks as a toy, and she began to express that to the members of The Legacy before her. Trunks begs for the group to take him out and Leric reminds Trunks that they would not do that ever to him. Trunks disagrees and decides to take them into another vision.

   The vision returns at the crash site of his airship. Trunks is seen guiding the last members of the crew as well as his father's severely injured body through a dark forest in the Peaks. At the halfway point the crew sees a bridge and upon it stands the shadowy figure from before. Trunks walks up to it. It is Lady Death as she looks down on Trunks with a smile. Trunks grits his teeth and draws his weapon, but death vanishes and everyone in the crew shouts in anger as she takes hold of Trunks father and vanishes again this time appearing across the bridge. Trunks yells to death to give his father back but Lady Death holds Trunks' father down and casts a spell upon him, as she lets go and backs away Trunks’ father yells out in pain, his body begins to morph into something...something horrible. When his transformation is done, there he stands not as a man, but the demon The Legacy fought not too long ago.

   Trunks yells to Lady Death to let go of his father and to change him back but, Death casts another spell and Sasha and Pestilentia walk through the created portal holding another man tightly. Trunks immediately recognizes the man as his little brother. Lady Death hands Trunks a photo album and has him go through it.
Death hands Trunks a photo album and he look through it, she tells him if he kills those who were on the list, she would let his brother and father go. Trunks flips open the book and looks at the pages. The first was King Eden Castellano, the 2nd page Zena, 3rd Delgado, the 4th Yue, Leric, Dorion and on the very last page...there was Shiva.


As the vision plays out Leric grows heated and begins to growl ready to tear Trunks apart. Somehow Oghul takes a hold of primal Shiva and the real Shiva The Legacy knew comes forward and watches the vision with the rest of the group. Shiva sees that Leric is ready to kill Trunks and she begs for Leric to calm down. She reminds him how desperate he is to save his family and how Leric would do the same for his but, the anger inside Leric grows. Shiva rushes against Leric slapping him in the face and pounding on his chest to hold him back but, for the moment it would seem that Leric could only see otherwise.

   The vision shows Trunks looking at Death unsure of what he was seeing and Lady Death. Lady Death tells Trunks that everyone on the list he would meet in time and that once a month he would meet with her and tell them of their findings so she could prepare to kill The Legacy. Leric looks to the group almost begging the group to allow him to kill Trunks and Shiva once again tries to hold Leric back. The more she tried to hold Leric back the primal in her wanted to come back out once more. Trunks can see that Leric was ready to kill and decides to show one final vision.

   The vision turns to the night Zena brought them to the Fringes to find aetherial stones to save Fairytail. Trunks knew that Lady Death wanted Zena to die next but, Trunks could not bring himself to kill her. The demon that they fought was Trunks' own father. After defeating his Father Trunks went back to his home where he met with Lady Death, and he cried that he could not kill Zena or the others. He swore that they were his new family, and he could not hurt those he loved. As Death grows angry with Trunks, she raises her weapon to fight him and Trunks rushes at her pressing buttons within his home to pin her down. Trunks manage to grab a white auracite and activates it in an attempt to seal Death inside. Just as he was to succeed Lady Death vanishes and grabs him by the throat lifting him up into the air. She melds into him and leaves her mark on him poisoning him with a bit of her own power. Lady Death did this so that Trunks would slowly become her slave and bend to her will.


The visions end leaving Leric feeling guilty for what he said, and the group to knows that Trunks never wanted to betray them but, there were reasons that were keeping him there in the first place. The group sees the ghostly Trunks fade down the cliff leaving Trunks handing over what looked like to him a pit of lava. To their eyes, he was hanging by some chains complaining of the heat. Leric wasn’t sure what Death was doing to him now but, he knew he and The Legacy needed to rid Trunks of Death’s hold as soon as possible. The Legacy jumped down and decided to fight the darkness surrounding Trunks.


Zakuro and Leric rush in first to try and attack but the darkness surrounding Trunks saw otherwise. It took a piece of the chain and struck them hard leaving their limbs sore. Seeing Zakuro go down Oghul too try to do what she could to only be tossed back. The evil side of Trunks decided to concentrate on his targets and casted a shadow around himself. A chain released him and wrapped the nearest Legacy’s member's neck which was Shiva. As the chain wrapped around the primal Shiva came back and broke the hold of the chain. As Leric got back on his feet he suddenly felt a rush of power around him and his rapier. He ran the edge of his finger onto the blade in a downwards motion now creating an instant fiery blaze. Leric lunged forward and struck a chain holding Trunks' ankle; the chain now melting at the touch of his rapier.


Zakuro leaped forward as if carried by the wave of shadow, cutting into the shade with raw violence. It only took a few moments but, it would seem that The Legacy was once again on track to taking Trunks down. Oghul felt like it was the right time to finally make a move herself on the battlefield. Oghul held her ax down to her side and channeled her energy into it. The ax’s blade extended outwards to create a scythe-like weapon. As the weapon transformed, Oghul jetted forward and slammed her shoulder into the Shadow and swings upwards, making the scythe phase through Zakuro harmlessly and slash deeply into the Shadow form of Trunks. The shadow growls and wretches in pain. The primal in Shiva grew amused with the momentum as well and went in for an attack. Shiva snapped her finger and her staff rose from the ground and flew back to her hand. With one swift movement, Shiva danced around the field creating a ring of ice around Trunks before allowing it to break more of his chains. As the chains break, Trunks' body heads closes and closer to the lava and Leric sprints towards the back and sees what Shiva is doing, and he calls out to stop breaking the chains and to fight the shadow instead. Leric begins to chant a spell and creates a barrier on the ground to try and save Trunks while using his magic he also uses his rapier to strike him in the chest.


Oghul's scythe reverted back into the ax that it was previously. This caused the blade to sink down into Shadow's back, which she used to pull him down to her level before unleashing three powerful punches into his chest, each one pushing him further onto the blade. Shadow Trunks reached out and summoned his dark rifle and cast a spell to bring down gods. He dodged Oghul’s attempt at cleaving him and then fired a round straight into her shoulder blade causing a lingering sense of paralysis. Primal Shiva didn’t like to see that Shadow Trunks had an advantage and flew forward this time spinning her staff hoping to strike Trunks directly. The Shadow chuckled as he backhanded Shiva's staff into Leric's face then shot a poison needle into her leg. The primal dropped to her knees as she tried to get the poison out of her vessel.


Even with Shiva down for the moment, the shadow trembled in fear quickly realizing it's losing this battle quickly. Zakuro noticed the momentum change and she rushed in, sweeping her blade low to catch the Shadow in the shins or make him dodge, then reached out to grab it by the hair and hold it in place. With the shadow grabbled down this gave Oghul the chance to do what she did best. However, the Shadow broke away from Zakuro and headed to attack Oghul. Oghul walked forward but didn’t move to attack. Oghul moved as her power grew around her. She prepared her body for pain, but she doesn't mind. The Shadow was tired of losing and took its gun and aimed right for Oghul and bullets flew towards her.


Shiva once again rose to her feet in hopes to take Trunks down, but a force knocks her back just for Trunks to have an open shot at her as well. The Shadow was growing angry and taking out all its attacks on the group now heading for Zakuro and driving her down into the dirt. As Oghul took the blow from the shadow, her body completely mutilated and parts of it missing from the shots. But as she stood there, her body begins to regrow every lost body part leaving the shadow to remember that Oghul was a Kami.


Now on her feet once more Shiva rushes in and uses her staff to freeze Trunks' legs to the ground. Seeing an opening to the darkness Shiva casts a shard of ice to strike Shadow Trunks down and it seems to work. With Shiva taking the lead Leric sweeps Trunks off the ground and rushes Trunks into a series of flames burning the shadow Trunks' back; The Legacy was having an advantage once more and it would be a matter of time before they would be able to save Trunks. Shiva tried once again to sneak behind Trunks hoping to take the Shadow Trunks down with a sneak attack from her staff but, shadow leaped across and skated on the ice, clotheslining Shiva rest in the chest. Leric sees Trunks take out Shiva and tries to fly in and strike him back but also falls into the line with Shadow Trunks’ attack.  Shiva struggled to get up from the clothesline from Trunks; the primal within did not expect such a move. Finally finding composure Leric dashed towards Trunks reaching for his neck and dropping him down to the ground as if he did some sort of unique fight move to bring him down.


Zakuro pushes herself to her feet and, coalescing a mass of shadow into a ball in her hand, she flings it forward and it sails like a fastball straight at the false Trunks' chest. Shadow Trunks is blasted back and stops himself just short as his leg flops over the aetherial lava pit and he rolls over getting back to his feet. Shiva finally gets off the ground and uses her magick once again to hold Trunks down. The evil side of him is weak and they just need one last chance to save him. Leric nods and pulls an amethyst stone from his jacket and wraps it around the rapier. With one swift attack, Leric encases the Shadow in fire calling upon Zakuro to take Trunks out. Zakuro gathers her might and rips open a rift, drowning the false Trunks in shadows, the torrent ripping away its darkness with it and directly into Zakuro herself, who absorbs it all into her own soul.


The dust settled and the man they once knew now stood before them. He looked tired, hurt, confused, but at that same token it looked like he was happy to see everyone once more. Trunks could not understand why they would save him in the first place but, he knew he’d find out why. As the group stoods before Zakuro and Trunks, Oghul felt a sudden surge of ice brush pass her...it would seem that the human Shiva has been released as she rushed towards Trunks.  Leric watched as Shiva was now holding tightly to Trunks, crying as she gently gave him a kiss. Zakuro waited for Shiva to break away from Trunks and Shiva took a step back knowing that Trunks needed to have a talk with Zakuro and Oghul.


Zakuro straighten herself and looked down at her hands, flexing them experimentally; the darkness was returned to her once more. Frustrated with Trunks Zakuro and Oghul take their aim at Trunks and strike him in the nose breaking almost instantly. Leric points out to them that everything they do here won’t have the effect on his body and so they plan to do it once they get out of this realm. However, for the moment Trunks finds himself apologizing for what he had done all this time but, it does not seem to bother them one bit. Zakuro complains to Trunks to never turn to the darkness again because next time he won’t be so lucky especially if it involves her and Oghul. Trunks knows and does his best to hide his pain but, he knew he would feel it once again once they returned back to Aleport.


Trunks and Leric walk over and have a conversation of their own leaving Shiva to go over to Oghul and Zakuro. Shiva apologizes for her primal’s opinions because even though she was not present or in control of herself she could see and hear everything that was happening. Shiva was grateful for them to come back and do what they did and they too understood what was happening to her. They may not show it well but, they knew that if they did not come…Trunks would have not been saved. Oghul mentions it was a bit fun for them as they were growing tired of their current situation but, it was good to see everyone too. Leric suggests that everyone should soon go back to Aleport as this chapter in Trunks’ mind needed to close.

   The Legacy leaves the dark part of Trunks’ mind and find themselves in the inn once again. Trunks tells Zakuro and Oghul that even though he may not be their real father, they felt like daughters to him and even though they didn’t come around as much having them in this moment met a lot to him. Before Trunks could say anymore Zakuro once again raised her hand and slammed Trunks in the face. Just like in his mind his nose was broken once again. Trunks knew that it was a matter of time before it happened, so he accepted what happened to him.

   A deep chuckle could be heard from the side of the room which caused the members of The Legacy to turn around. The scent of Lavender and Sandalwood lingered and leaned up against the wooden partition was Dorion once more. Oghul and Zakuro smile to see him and Dorion weakly bows as he was still recovering from his injuries. Leric walks up to Dorion and the two hug each other briefly before Leric steps out for a bit. Dorion walks over and thanks Zakuro and Oghul for what they have done for the group once more. Zakuro tells Dorion that this may be the last time the group ever sees Zakuro and Oghul but, should they stray from the light once more the two of them will pursue The Legacy. Shiva respects what Zakuro and Oghul say but, reminds them should they ever find their path leading them to The Legacy they are always welcome home once more. The Legacy agrees with their words as what seems to be a private conversation between Oghul and Zakuro was beginning to start so Dorion suggested that he not hold them up and allow for them to go. Oghul and Zakuro say goodbye to The Legacy and head on their next journey.


As the evening passed, Dorion gave Trunks a vial that could heal his nose and the two would have a small private conversation. Dorion thanked Trunks for coming back and he knew it would be a matter of time before he would be with them one more. Dorion also reminds Trunks that maybe when the time was right he and Shiva should have a talk alone as the two of them had a lot of unanswered things they needed to talk about. Trunks asks Dorion why he was being so kind even though he had no idea what Trunks really did. Dorion reminded Trunks that no matter what it was he was going to get the full report from Leric. Trunks wasn’t too sure about that and agreed that they would talk much later. Right now, he needed to go outside and talk to Leric before talking to Shiva. Dorion suggested that for now everyone needed to take a small rest before talking because, Dorion got the feeling that Leric wanted to be alone.


Dorion mentioned that he and Leric have been side by side with each other since the day that he was born, and he always knew when Leric needed a moment. Dorion would check on Leric in just a bit but, he knew that Trunks body was hurting something fierce. Trunks agreed and decided that he would lay down a bit before finding Shiva. For now, rest was something everyone needed…after all who knew what would be on the horizon.