[Diyem] Eye of the Storm

[Namohysip]

Swirl upon swirl of Eterna energy spun around Diyem, flooding his senses with red static. He tried to shake it off, eventually getting to his feet, staggering with each movement and every breath he took. The dust had a charged feeling to it, and not from electricity. It reminded him a little of his own Voidlands, or Maple's... but the storm had less darkness and more pure energy than anything. Red, corrosive energy that he feared, if he touched it, he would go mad all over again.

But it was also familiar. So, so familiar.

A great expanse of dark, reddish haze went up to Diyem's ankles. His flame had no effect on it. Conjuring his warhammer, he held his breath, prepared himself, and stared up...

There she was.

Eien...

There was no Tree. No forest. Nothing but the wasteland around him and his mate, twisted almost beyond recognition by the Blacklight that had taken hold of her. She roared a wordless roar, and that was when Diyem knew he had to fight.

"Do you remember me?" Diyem asked anyway, as if he had some shred of hope left in him.

But she did not answer.

 

[Namohysip]

Diyem twirled his warhammer and frowned, pensive. Yes, it seemed that he wouldn't have a choice here. No matter what happened... He had to fight Eien. But this was predicted. He knew this was going to happen.

But what he didn't expect was to be alone for it.

But in the end, wasn't he always going to be alone? ...No, that was just the darkness talking. Of course, darkness was, for a time, all he knew. It was comforting, in a twisted sense, to return to it now and again.

"This is it, Eien," Diyem said. "I'll... have no choice but to strike you down if I must. You know this..."

No response. In the 'palm' that made up Eien's front, Blacklight energy pooled in for a great blast. That... was going to be the same blast that struck the Tree, wasn't it?

Frowning, Diyem nodded. "If that is your choice, then I will answer accordingly."

Diyem used Abyssal Replica! It became Void Catharsis! Diyem gained 1 action next turn!
Diyem used Blinding Replica! It became Radiant Rejuvination!
Diyem healed, in total, for 3333 HP!
Diyem used Abyssal Ritual!

One of Eien's heads launched Dynamax Cannon against Diyem, dealing 150 damage!
Another head used Confuse Ray!
Eien is charging Eternal Blacklight Cannon!

Eien's power is overwhelming...
Eien: 100,000

 

[Namohysip]

"I won't let you defeat me so easily, Eien," Diyem said, spreading his wings. "Snap out of it! I know you're still there! WAKE UP! Stop this pointless storm!"

Diyem used Abyssal Ritual, twice! His Ritual is halfway complete!
Diyem used Abyssal Onslaught on Eien, dealing 551 damage! Diyem healed for 51 HP!

The creature roared back and Diyem couldn't even recognize her sound. A few more heads fired at him...

One head used Dynamax Cannon on Diyem! Diyem blocked the hit!
Another used Flamethrower, dealing 62 damage!

Diyem winced, spotting the incoming hit. He braced himself for the worst. "EIEN!"

Eien used Eternal Blacklight Cannon on Diyem, dealing 6757 damage!

Diyem roared in pain and went flying through the sky, landing harshly on the ground as Blacklight flames scorched every part of him. The flames died out, and he was still breathing... But...

Eien: 99,449

 

[Namohysip]

"E-Eien..." Diyem snarled, smashing his hammer into the ground as he rose up. "I... I won't let you..." He winced, trying to feel for something, but his hand was trembling too much. That single attack... had taken so much out of him. Even worse, he felt as if he could barely fight back anymore.

But he had to try.

Diyem used Abyssal Ritual!

Diyem called Eien!

"Eien!" he shouted. "I... you know I can't defeat you. Not like this. Not with so much corruption flowing through you. I... need you to help me. I need... just one... chance. Please..."

He was begging. Since when would he beg? His words were scattered and incoherent, still delirious from all that was happening. He tried to channel another Ritual, but his movements were sloppy. He didn't have the strength to leap forward again; Eien felt so, so far away...

Eien used Dynamax Cannon on Diyem, but Diyem blocked the hit!
Eien used Confuse Ray on Diyem!

"Eien... you don't have to do this. Please... I can't beat you. I need you to calm down... Eien?"

Diyem stepped forward, but then his leg gave out on him and he fell to the floor.

Eien did not answer.

Eien is charging Eternal Blacklight Cannon...

"I'm... I'm sorry."

Diyem closed his eyes.

Eien: 99,449

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

"Say yer sorries later, yer fight's not over!"

Brisa leapt from Sword's back and dashed to Diyem's side in the blink of an eye. Luz ran to the fore as well, slower, but with eyes blazing electric cyan.

"Get a move on, Chief!" demanded Brisa, sparks flying from her mouth. "If'n y'need some alacrity, take mine!"

Diyem was hastened by Brisa's Blink!

 

[Ambyssin]

And there she was in all her five-headed infamy, floating practically victorious over Diyem. Bahamut glanced into the sigil in the center of Eien's body. "You're really going to do this, then?" There was expanding red and violet in his eyes. "You're going to leave yourself just as broken as I am? How pathetic."

A quick flap of his wings brought him over to Diyem. "... hmph. And you call yourself a creature of darkness? Isn't a sense of defeat and hopelessness supposed to make you stronger?" Bahamut wrapped his tail around one of Diyem's arms. "That was rhetorical. Don't give me any of that 'I can save plenty of Cibus natives, but I can't save people I care about.' You wouldn't have burst out of that stupid radiant machine if that were really true."

Polaris bobbed in midair beside Diyem's face. "Yeah! Uncle Bahamut says Mom talked to him again. So, like, you've gotta keep going, Pops. Now ain't the time for making lemonade. You've gotta shove those lemons back in life's ugly mug!"

"You claim to be some sort of god. Now prove it." Healing energy flowed through Bahamut's tail. "Show me your motivation."

Bahamut uses Heal IV!

 

[Namohysip]

"What--" Diyem grunted, looking between himself and then his incoming team. It wasn't just Bahamut and Brisa; in the distance through the storm barrier, he could see others flying or running their way to the center. Had they all sensed him? Shadows crept along his throat like bile, but it wasn't as bad this time. He exhaled slowly, grunting. He still could barely stand. "What can we possibly do... against something like--"

Eien was ready. The core of energy that she was coiled around suddenly increased in its brightness, and that energy channeled through her and toward the palm of her head. Diyem cringed. "Too late..."

But then, a silver-blue light cut through the haze, and twin howls outmatched the wind.

"Hey! Sorry we're late!" Zacian said, speaking with the hilt of a blade held in her mouth. "Wow! Look at her! She is... something else..."

"This aura..." Zamazenta shuddered, his mane expanded and hardened into a great and shining shield. "This is more than just an Eternatus. But... we have to fight it."

"You... waited until now..." Diyem snarled, shakily getting to his feet. He used his warhammer as support.

"Hey! This time, we didn't do it on purpose!"

"Can you stand?" Zamazenta added.

"...I'll... do what I can." He glanced at Eien, cringing. It was still painful. This wasn't... the kind of despair he wanted to feel. But now, they were both facing her. Clenching his teeth, Diyem clutched his great warhammer and faced Eien like the rest. "Eien..." He sighed. "I'm sorry. But we must... do this. If you can break free... even the slightest amount... then let us help you!"

A powerful duo of auras is enhancing everyone's power!

Diyem was healed for 3950 HP by Bahamut!
Diyem's actions were increased by 2 from Brisa's Blink!

Eien answered with a fierce roar from all five heads, and now, the battle was on.

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

VS
Eternatus Eien​

 

[Namohysip]

"Not used to my powers yet, Diyem!" Zacian said. "Give us a bit, okay? I'm going to get ready for a hit!"

Zacian used Howl, then Laser Focus! Her and Zamazenta's attack went up by 1 and her next hit will be Critical!

"Be careful, everyone," Zamazenta added. "Eien's still tough!"

Zamazenta used Wide Guard +5!
Zamazenta used Howl, further raising their Attack!

"Of course..." Diyem said, smiling harshly, like he was still glaring at the world. "I wouldn't... consider her as a mate... if she was someone who was weak!" He pointed his hammer toward her. "Which means... I know you can snap out of this!" He jumped into the air. "Eien! Wake up from this nightmare at once!"

Diyem used Abyssal Onslaught on Eien, dealing 4328 damage!

Diyem flinched and flew back; his hammer--every strike he'd made against the head or the palms of this foe... The impact was far stronger, like he was swinging something much larger against her. the outline of his weapon, like a silhouette of energy, was doing more damage than he was. Was this Sword and Shield's power...?

He flew back to recover. "Be careful," he said quickly, and then pointed at Zacian.

Diyem used Abyssal Blessing on Zacian, raising her Defense and Resistance by 3 and healing her!
Diyem used Abyssal Ritual, twice! His Ritual is maxed out!

"Once more," Diyem said, feeling Brisa's influence invigorating him. He had another hit.

Diyem used Abyssal Onslaught against Eien! It chained into itself for a total of 11072 damage!

Eien shrieked in pain and flew back slowly. All five heads opened their mouths wide and fired toward Diyem, but he once again blocked the initial volley. A Confuse Ray shot toward Zacian next, but he shook it off with a brief daze in his eyes. But then...

Eien used Eternal Blacklight Cannon!

Zamazenta's Wide Guard blocked half of it!
Zacian: 6460, Endure!
Zamazenta: 2453
Diyem: 1629

"Gah! She's... tough! I n-nearly went down just to that!" Zacian shouted.

"Is everyone alright?!" Diyem roared. "Keep fighting! She cannot use that twice in a row! Recover!"

"Screw that, I'm attackin'!" Zacian added. "It's kind of what I need to do in this form! Zama, cover me!"

"Right!"

Eien: 84,049
Special condition: Keep Diyem above half HP!

 

[Ambyssin]

"Go, Pops!" Polaris waved its pom-poms excitedly, before turning to Bahamut. "D'ya think they offer family therapy in Destiny Village? Because they're gonna need a looooot of it when this is all over."

"Good luck dragging either of them to that," Bahamut harrumphed. He looked back toward the storm. "If only we could get some more shielding for Zacian."

"Yeah. If anyone wanted to make a dramatic anime entrance and protect her, now would be an excellent time," Polaris chirped.

 

[Dragonfree]

One moment they were walking into the light, the next... they were facing a gigantic swirling monstrosity with Diyem and the two big dogs.

"Holy shit," Dave muttered. This was Diyem's girlfriend? No accounting for taste.

More importantly, she was the source of this storm, and all of this fucked-up nonsense. Most people seemed to have made it there (where were Saltriv and Koa, he realized suddenly with a pang of dread in his gut), but he could only imagine they'd been through some kind of nightmare hell, too. Diyem needed all the help he could get to take her down hard and fast.

Dave's Ruin applied 1000 to Freeze Eien!

 

[Disco]

Mellow and Raven arrived soon after, both with a determined look on their faces.

"Tell me what I need to do! We'll win this!!"

 

[Namohysip]

A wave of ice washed over Eien and she shrieked in pain. That shriek rapidly became a primal, aimless anger as more beams shot in all directions.

"Watch out!" Shield cried, diving in the way of Dave to block one of the hits with his mane. "She's huge!"

"She's practically the size of a whole block in Destiny Villgae!" Zacian said, then whirled her head back at Diyem. "How the hell did you tap that?!"

"That was just enough annoyance to complete my ritual," Diyem snarled as Shadows poured out of his body and onto the ground.

Diyem used Abyssal God!
Diyem used Abyssal Replica into Void Catharsis with Zacian!
Diyem used Blinding Replica Shining Snatch, taking some of Eien's Defense and raising his HP further!

Zacian and Zamazenta used Howl, raising each other's Attack by 2 again!

"All right!" Zacian said. "Zama! Like we practiced!"

"Right!"

Their forms brightened considerably. Zacian's blade grew at least ten times its size and she kicked off of the ground; Zamazenta's made seemed to snap outward and shine bright, and he did the same. Zamazenta used a full-body bash into Eien's palm center, the sheer force of the attack knocking her back. Then, he kicked off just in time for Zacian to cut across the new weak point, several lights splitting off from the initial cut. Blacklight ether spewed from Eien's body.

Zamazenta used Behemoth Bash, dealing 2125 damage!
Zacian used Behemoth Blade, dealing 5259 damage!

"Perfect!" Zacian shouted. "Now, again!"

Eien used Dynamax Cannon!
Zacian: Immune!
Zamazenta: 35
Diyem: 42

Eien used Max Flare!
Zacian: 108
Zamazenta: 83
Diyem: 49

The sun is shining bright! The moon is high in the sky!

Eien is charging Eternal Blacklight Cannon...

Eien: 76,665

"G-guys, I don't think I can take a second one of those!" Zacian said. "Diyem! You have any of that fancy Blessing thing left?"

"I can't use that very readily," Diyem grunted.

"Ahhh, shit."

"I can guard half of it!" Zamazenta said, his mane gleaming as he prepared another Wide Guard. "But the other half--we need to protect Zacian!"

"And what about you?" Diyem said.

"I've had worse," Zamazenta lied, but he was also sturdy. Diyem and Zacian needed the protection more. "And you still need to be capable enough to save your mate, don't you?"

"Can't we just take her out now, or stall, or something?!" Zacian said.

"She's strong. I don't know how much power we have to do that..."

"Maybe if we--"

"Here it comes!"

 

[Adamhuarts]

"We're here!" Cynthian announced, arriving with Ivy in tow. She quickly noted the others who'd arrived before. None of their familiars had their cores. So, they'd all hatched.

Ivy glanced around the group, seemingly aware of Petram and Soul's absence. Eien's deafening rumble drew their attention back to reality.

Cynthian focused her gaze on the eternatus titan before them and a stray thought occurred to her. This must've been the first time Ivy had seen her maternal parent. After all, neither Cynthian nor Ivy made it all the way to Eien's chamber the other time, and last time they'd been dealing with Maple's void lands.

She glanced at Ivy beside her. The floette stared at Eien with eyes that seemed to say nothing and everything at the same time, deep in thought all the while.

"How do you feel?" Cynthian asked with a tinge of worry.

"I'm not sure… hard to say how much I take after her when she's looking like that." Ivy hummed and cocked her head sideways. "But that's not important now. Let's do what we can here."

Cynthian smiled. Ivy already acknowledged Eien as her mother. That thought made the roserade's heart swell a little. "Here's what we'll do."

Cynthian and Ivy combined their great might, striking Eien with 1000 Freeze!

 

[Cresselia92]

“Booya, people! The cavalry has arrived!” announced Petram, running toward the center with his fists held toward the sky. A bright light shone where he used to have his core, and Icetales has well had a similar energy inside of him. “Sorry for taking so long! Had some little father and son stuff to take care of!”

Icetales nodded, even though he couldn’t help but wonder which “father” and which “son” Petram was talking about.

“But now we’re here!” Petram slammed his fists together and smirked. “And we gotta do what we can do best — save the day, even if it is from Mommy!”

“Remember what we talked about, Petram…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m gonna keep an open mind,” the Zoroark glanced at his father, flashing a fond smile, “like you always do.”

Icetales reciprocated the smile, relieved that Petram had let go of his resentment and that he was seeing the whole picture. “This is the right spirit.” He took a few looks around the area, until he narrowed his gaze toward Diyem. “Now, it is time for business.”

“You gotcha!”

The two foxes held their paws, and the light that has been shining inside their chests expanded and grew in intensity. Then, they aimed the energy toward Diyem, invigorating him with a life-restoring force.

Icetales and Petram Vivified Diyem.

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa breathed hard. The presence of Eien's inmense and overwhelming power was a crushing pressure indeed. She was all but spent. Fortunately, friends and allies had been close behind her...

...but not Starr, or Astrid, or several others. Brisa imagined Koa, shadowing desperately in the face of his partner 'mon berserking. She thought of Owen, in some trauma-inspired realm reaching back through generations of hurt. Oh, gods...

She knew exactly what Starr must be going through.

"Not everyone made it out yet," she growled, teeth clenched, meaning, what if they don't.

"Don't you fret," replied Luz, beaming. "They'll pull through. You know they will."

Yeah. Yeah, they would. Brisa believed in that.

Come on, all of you... I need you here.

 

[Namohysip]

Zacian and Zamazenta used Howl with each other, maxing out their Attack!
Zamazenta used Wide Guard+5!
Zamazenta is guarding Sword!
Zacian used Behemoth Blade on Eien, dealing 6536 damage!
Zacian used her extra action to use Laser Focus! Her next hit will be a Critical!

"Diyem!" Owen shouted, flying through the portal just in time. "Di--WHOA!"

"She's fucking huge!" Cal shouted. "Diyem, you tapped that?!"

"WHY is that always the first question?! Why?!"

"Forget that! Diyem, watch out!"

"No! Protect Zacian! I shall cover Zamazenta."

"What?!"

"I am much stronger than you think."

"O-okay."

"I'll protect her," Zamazenta protested, standing in the way.

"Then I'll just protect you both!" Owen shouted back.

Owen used Sentinel on Zamazenta, protecting him with everything he had! Zamazenta is protected by Owen for four hits, and raised his Evasion and Accuracy by 6 per successful block!

"Thanks, big guy!" Zacian panted.

Owen looked happy at being called that.

Diyem used Abyssal Onslaught on Eien, chaining into itself! He dealt a total of 18755 damage, and healed for 1875 HP!
Diyem used Blinding Replica, becoming Brilliant Determination! He protected himself and Zamazenta with +2 Shields!
Icetales' Vivify gave Diyem an incredible amount of energy! He used Abyssal Onslaught a second time! It dealt 17938 damage!

Eien used Blacklight Eternabeam!
All three protected against it!
Eien used Eternal Blacklight Cannon!
Zamazenta blocked three of them!
Zacian: Zamazenta shielded it, and Owen took two of the blows! Then, Diyem's shields took one more! Zamazenta took two hits for 1410 HP!
Diyem: Blocked one, then took 828 damage!

Diyem hissed as he shook off the attacks. He was still in perfect shape. More than perfect. But Zacian and Zamazenta were having trouble keeping up. "Everyone! Try to support Zacian and Zamazenta! I need a moment to recover... but--"

Eien used Eternal Blacklight Storm!
A horrible storm enveloped Eien! Her defenses went up by 12! She can use Eternal Blacklight Cannon without charging!

"No...! She's getting stronger!"

"How can we keep up with that?!" Owen shouted.

"There must be a weak point..." Diyem struggled to search for it amid the storm. "If we can pierce her defenses, perhaps we can end this immediately, but...! But I need a moment to prepare!"

"I'm not doing too hot, guys," Zacian said, and Zamazenta didn't look like he had it in him for much longer, either.

"That beam... it's so much..."

Indeed; all around them, the stone had been reduced to some kind of molten rock tinged with Blacklight visible even to Zacian and Zamazenta.

"We must defend one more onslaught," Diyem said. "Then, we counter at a weak point! We must stagger her here! Everyone! Try to group in!" Diyem slammed his claws on the ground. "I shall attempt my part as well. Some of Icetales' energy is still giving me strength, but... I need more support!"

Deliriously, still reeling from that hit, Owen called out some information he was finally able to glean from their opponent.

Eien: 33,436
Status: 2500
Stagger: 25

Owen's insight: We need to endure her next hit, and strike her at the same time to open a weak spot to pierce those defenses! Zacian looks like she knows where to hit, but we need to given an opening to Diyem, too!

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa surged out of that storm, shadows fading behind him, leaving the dark memories behind. This new form was so strong. Right now he needed to reach his friends, make sure they were ok - Brisa, gods she'd fallen was she ok? The rest of the team? Were they all trapped as well?

And the suddenly, he was no longer running through the storm. The battlefield opened before him and-- "Palkia's pearls." His jaw dropped at the sight before him. Diyem, and the newly formed Zacian and Zamazenta, facing down Eien, except... she was huge. And had a different form, a giant, swirling serpent like creature that almost resembled a hand. After a few seconds, the shock ebbed. Perhaps in another circumstance, he might've felt afraid. But they'd faced seemingly impossible odds before.

This? This was just another Tuesday.

Right?

He glanced around, surveying the situation. To his relief, he spotted more of the team. Brisa (thank Arceus, she seemed alright) and Icetales and Dave. Even Bahamut. They'd all made it out. But not everyone was present. Starr.

A flicker of worry sparked in him. If he'd seen... him in that storm... He had a guess what Starr was struggling against right now. But there was nothing he could do for her now, except hope. Which hadn't failed them yet. Starr would come, he was sure of it. She was strong like that.

"Hey everyone!" he called, a faint rumble of shadow still in his voice, even as he took up a battle stance. His gaze lingered on Brisa, wondering if she'd be proud of his new form.

Echo hovered above his head and waved one wing enthusiastically to Luz, seemingly undaunted by the terrifying figure of Eien looming above. Then he turned his attention up to her. "We have to save her Koa," he said, his voice soft yet determined.

Koa sighed. He still felt frustrated over what she'd done to Echo but... "Yeah I know. We will."

Taking a deep breath, Koa focused, channeling his energy towards her swirling, imposing shape. "Eien! You have to fight this corruption!" he roared. "You're not alone, just trust us!"

Koa Purified Eien!

 

[IFBench]

Just as Saltriv and Burhalla arrived at the battlefield, Saltriv froze in shock.

"Saltriv! What's wrong? They need our help! Come on!" Burhalla said, bit the Meganium didn't respond.

They simply stared at Eien.

A pink and black hand-like shape, reaching down from a spiral high in the sky.

Just like...

They felt something impact them, and opened their eyes. Where were they? What happened? They were walking home from school, and now...

"What...happened?"

A strange, multicolored void was all around them. They were standing on a large, circular, glassy platform.

A short distance in front of them, was...no, it couldn't be, could it?

A figure, matching the description of the humans of legend. A human. A real human!

"Who...are you?"

They slowly stood up, looking at the human, before catching a glimpse of something up above.

They looked up, and their eyes widened. Their mouth was agape in shock. It was nothing like anything they'd ever seen before.

A pink and black hand-like shape, reaching down from a spiral high in the sky.

Coming down, towards them.

That...that was...

"That was one of you..." Saltriv said.

"Saltriv? What are you talking about?!" Burhalla asked, stepping closer to his best friend.

"I...I saw this before. Just before I woke up in Twig Woodland," they said, before stepping towards Eien.

"W-what?! What do you mean?!" Burhalla asked, following after Saltriv.

"I...I'll explain later. Once things calm down. Right now, I need to help," Saltriv replied, before marching towards Eien, a determined look on their face.

"I...ok. Good luck. I'm here for you," Burhalla said, as the Meganium walked towards the massive dragon.

Saltriv took a deep breath, and shouted.

"ETERNATUS EIEN! FIGHT THE CORRUPTION!" They yelled.

"YOU CAN DO THIS! WE ALL BELIEVE IN YOU! WE ALL WANT TO SAVE YOU!" They screamed.

"SO PLEASE! FIGHT IT! WE'RE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!" They pleaded.

"YOU'LL BE SAVED, NO MATTER WHAT!"

In this moment, Saltriv felt connected with Eternatus.

"I PROMISE!"

Saltriv Purified Eien!

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

"Owen!" roared Brisa, with a rush of relief and delight. "Glad t'see y'made it through!"

The charizard got straight to work assessing the situation. Now that was an asset sorely missed... Brisa stood tall beside Luz, the two cats supporting each other against the corrupted winds, and surveyed the battlefield herself, with Owen's advice in mind. Eterna energy seeped into every patch of ground, every muscle, every thought. Eien was out of her league, out of anyone's league but those fighters meant for the task.

But they could support them.

"Y'all, Diyem an' the warrior wolves need all the energy an' protection we can give 'em!" she shouted into the storm. "Eien's only attackin' 'em, don't worry about yerselves!"

She scanned about, looking for new arrivals. Koa! Koa was safe. And shouting, by sky and stars. Good. And Saltriv, too, crying their exhortations into the sky...

"Where's Cabot?" she barked. "He can stagger Eien fer the counter-strike!"

"No sign," answered Luz. "Nor of Starr, Astrid, or Kate..."

Brisa clenched a fist. Don't think about the worst. Think about all they've made it through so far...

"Wait," said Luz, squinting into the storm. "I reckon I see someone..."

Brisa didn't take her eyes off Eien. "Fuckin' hope so," she muttered, her chest going cold...