Burn

Sweet love tasty blood

man, i've had a few
but they wouldn't quite blow me like you
you gave me your name and signed
with a halo around my eye

and it hit me like never before
that love is a powerful force
yes, it struck me that love is a sport
so i pushed you a little bit more

love, you're news to me
you're a little bit more than i thought you'd be
a mole in my well-fed lawn
you're a nightmare beating the dawn

oh, it hit me like never before
that love is a powerful force
yes, it struck me that love is sport
so i pushed you a little bit more

Blue, blue, black and blue
red blood sticks like glue
true love is cruel love
red blood's a power-fuel
sweet love, tasty blood
my heart overfloods

oh you hit me!
yeah, you hit me really hard
man, you hit me!
yeah you hit me right in the heart

lord, i've had my deal
but i never quite knew how it feels
when love makes you wake up sore
with fists that are ready for more

and it hit me that love is a game
like in war no one can be blamed
yes, it struck me that love is a sport
so i pushed you a little bit more

oh, blue, blue, black and blue
red blood sticks like glue
true love is cruel love
red blood's a power fuel
sweet love tasted blood
my heart overfloods

man, you hit me!
yeah you hit me really hard
baby, you hit me!
yeah you punched me right in the heart
and then you kissed me...

and then you hit me...

oh, you haunt me with your violent heartbeat at night
oh, you strike me with your silence baby, tonight
why you haunt me with your violence baby, come hit me!
you haunt me with your violent heartbeat...




slow dancing tight
my barring heart and i
your name used to taste so sweet
then you bit the love right out of me
it's a mystery how people behave!
how we long for a life as a slave
when he kissed me i gladly gave in
to a fight nobody could win

man, he left me blue
and if i could i would do it too
i tell you now like i told you before
love is a powerful force
and it's a mystery how people behave!
how we long for a life as a slave
and tumble into any open arms
that will only ever do you harm

oh, you you it's always you
the best kisser that i ever knew
true love is cruel love
not much to be proud of
nerve-wrecking acrobatic backwards bend
all for a happy end

it's a mistery how people behave!
how we worry ourselves to the grave
when he kissed me i lost everything
then i got up and did it again

oh you you, it's always you, the hardest hitter that i ever knew
true love is cruel love
not much to be proud of

ass-kissing mercy-missing faithless friend
all for a happy end

Holy Love - Cardigans

HOLY LOVE

When you love, I can feel your love
Shooting holes in my stupid pride
When you love, I don’t fear your love
Of all the angels you are the most divine

Holy love,
You can really have anything you want from me
Anything you ask me to, I’ll do
We can live in poverty or prosperity
Anything impossible, I’ll try
You can really have everything you ask, and I’ll be intimate with you Giving everything over, to making everything right

Holy love
When you love, I can feel your love
Shooting holes in my stupid pride
When you love, I don’t fear your love
Of all the angels you are the most divine

Holy love
You can really make anyone you want of me
Anyone you need tonight, I’ll be
Whether you want empathy, animosity
An enemy or company, call me
I can even be nothing if you ask, I'll turn invisible for you
I’m the bird on your shoulder singing psalms through the night

Of holy love
When you love, I can feel your love
Throwing rocks throught the windows of a monastery
Love
Makes me feel the super extra gravity
Of god, yeah!
And life..

When you love, I can feel your love
Of all the angels you are the most divine.

Boon

Larissa stops in the entrance of the Pit. Everything about her is a white glow, a constantly trembling pulse of halo.

Labyrinth:
Praetor...of Omega...
Angel...
I met thine..daughter again.

Larissa watches Labyrinth as she closes up on her. "Labyrinth. My child is not aware of her powers."

Labyrinth:
She should..be taught...
There are those...who can fight back.

Labyrinth wipes at the dried blood on her face.

Labyrinth:
Have thee...come..with purpose?
Or..only..to stare?

Larissa nods. "She has offended Blue, too" Larissa looks around. "I have no means to protect her unless her life is in danger."

Labyrinth: Why..are you here?

Larissa: You are granting boons. What sorts?

Labyrinth:
"I am.
KNowledge.
Truth.
But...thine art an angel..."

Labyrinth laughs.

Labyrinth: "Surely...no need...of me."

Larissa smiles. "I have no need, indeed."

Labyrinth:
Then why trouble me.
I am...sick with..the world.
It..crushes me.

You: I heal

Labyrinth laughs.

Labyrinth:
I am.
I am Labyrinth.
I was named before time was time.

Larissa looks up at her. "You are a challenge, then"

Larissa: /Before/ doesnt have a meaning, then

Labyrinth: Before...

Magus Wings in Black 4.2.1 whispers: Nareth flutters her wings and releases an intoxicating scent.

Labyrinth: What...do you wish?

Larissa: "My daughter has antagonised the Shadows

Labyrinth: Unwise.

Magus Wings in Black 4.2.1 whispers: Nareth spreads her wings in satisfaction.

Labyrinth: I am no Shadow.

Larissa watches her wings. "Are you still bounded?"

Labyrinth:
Yes.
I have a Master now.

Larissa looks up.
Labyrinth glares at the angel.

You: You can not exist here without one?

Labyrinth:
I could.
But I do not.
If he released me...
But..why would I wish that?
This body..was not MY choice.
The Nareth chose it.

Larissa smiles. "She always had taste"

Labyrinth blinks her eyes.

Larissa tilts a head looking away. "Even if a trenchcoat"

Labyrinth: Why have you come..here?

Larissa looks straight in her eyes. "I have no hate for you like my child. But I loved Nareth. I am drawn.

Labyrinth: Drawn...

Labyrinth:
The Nareth...held you..in her memories.
She...killed you.
She...tortured...you.

Larissa looks down. "Only when I asked"

Labyrinth: Yesssssss...

Labyrinth: That is...true.

You: She... knew joy.

Larissa eyes Labyrinth.

Magus Wings in Black 4.2.1 whispers: Nareth flicks her wings across Larissa Starostin's body.

Labyrinth:
Joy...
Yessss....
She did.
Her greatest joy...in death.
In my...arrival.

Larissa smiles.

Labyrinth: But...no one knows...why.
She did not..even..know why.
So..I am here.
Summoned.
But without...purpose.

You: Her curse was her purpose. Yours is not having one?

Labyrinth:
Nothing..can curse me, angel. I am..a god.
I am Labyrinth.
Of the Outer Gods.
Eris Discordia.
So..have humans..named me.

Larissa nods. "You still despise the world you are in. Isnt that a curse?"

Labyrinth:
It..is.
happenstance.
The Nareth did not intend..it as a curse.
Shadows...
Labyrinth lowers her head.

Larissa tilts a head.

Labyrinth:
I am here.
Here I..must remain.
This world..so changed.
So..lost.
Come...nearer...

Larissa steps closer. "Labyrinth"

Labyrinth: I am.

Larissa: No wonder you are lost.

Labyrinth: I do not...grasp thine meaning.

Larissa smiles softly. "That is who you are"

Labyrinth stares at the fire of the Pit.
Labyrinth:
I am infinute...made finite.
I am formless...trapp[ed in a form.

Larissa: Welcome to the world of all

Labyrinth:
No.
No welcome.
I may not..ask...
I am without will.
I may not..ask..a boon.

Larissa smiles, reaching out a hand to stroke her arm lightly. "You are in a body"

Labyrinth:
I am in..a prison.

Larissa: You have wings

Labyrinth:
None..of this..is me.
The Nareth...imagined this.

Larissa nods.

Labyrinth:
The summoner must...choose a form.

Larissa: You dont like it, Eris?

Labyrinth: Like?

Larissa tilts a head

Labyrinth: bah!

Labyrinth: Questions with..no meaning.

Labyrinth glances towards Vishous.

You: Your answers wouldnt matter, would they?

Labyrinth: If thee wishes answers..I will answer.

Labyrinth: Meaning...is for you.

Larissa nods. "I dont wish. I am curious."

Labyrinth:
I am...curious also.
I am permitted...curiosity.

Larissa smiles, looking onto the distance. "Oh, yes."

Labyrinth:
The one named Omega...
It will slay me.

Larissa perks an eyebrow.

Labyrinth:
This is truth.
It may..die...in so doing.
But, the Omega...will slay me.

Larissa closes her eyes painfully

Labyrinth:
This body...
..which is not me.
The Omega will..stop at nothing...to find...its childe.

Larissa smiles. "She will not"

Labyrinth:
These demons..and angels...
They think..they are..beings of light and darkness.
They..imagine they have..power.
They are...as children.
If the Pontifex frees me...
Truly frees me.
I will...rule this world.
I have ruled.
many times

Labyrinth growls softly....

Larissa watches her. "Discordia." she looks around "Would that make a difference?"

Labyrinth: My rule?

Larissa nods briefly

Labyrinth:
The world...everything you know...matter...light...would end.
The void before Creation would return.
No angels...

Larissa: "You dont need to rush with that."

Labyrinth: No demons...

Larissa chuckles softly

Labyrinth: No new gods.

Labyrinth is growing angry.

Labyrinth:
One came..last night..who vexed me.
The one so named...Joah.

Larissa smiles

Labyrinth:
She...saw..my mind.
She gave me..her mind...
I hold it..even now.

Larissa touches her arm again, leaning close. "You hold so many things."

Labyrinth:
Why are you here, Larissa...angel..Praetor?
What do you...wish me..to hold?

You: Hold respect for this miserable little world

Labyrinth:
That..I cannot do.
I am.
I cannot be...what I am not.

You: I cannot wish for anything else

Labyrinth: You are....

Larissa sighs. "I am over that"

Labyrinth trails off.

Labyrinth:
I will grant a boon.
But thou must ask the correct question.

Larissa looks her in the eye

Labyrinth: Your House...may depend...on it.

Larissa: How can she survive killing you?

Labyrinth: The Nareth...?

Larissa perks an eyebrow

Labyrinth stares at Larissa.

Labyrinth:
I will tell thee...
Heart.

Larissa nods

Labyrinth:
Her heart is my heart...for the Shadows...were not given her heart.
Blood.
For the Nareth's blood is..in my heart.
Soul...
For the Nareth's soul...was given to the demon Lorne.
Three pieces.
Three keys.

Larissa nods.

Labyrinth:
make them one again..
Set me free...
Save your world, maybe.
Find the Nareth...perhaps.
But..I warn thee...

Larissa exhales heavily

Labyrinth:
I warn...
I am summoned.
And the summoning....has not been..completed.

Larissa nods.

Labyrinth:
I must..perform the task..I was called to do.
That task is..not known to me.
I will have to fight...any...who threaten me..until I have done my part.
Seek the Nareth, and...you will..threaten me.
Paradox.

Larissa: Of course

Labyrinth looks at the ground.

Labyrinth:
I cannot lie.
Warn...thy mistress...the Omega...
All you have heard.
I will..have to...fight.
And I am..Labyrinth.
Now...leave this place.

Larissa is already half transparent, nodding as she disappears

Labyrinth looks away.

Labyrinth rouses from her sleep.

Larissa enters slowly, careful not to touch anything. She looks around, frowning as she sees the figure in the cage

Labyrinth speaks, and there is a sound like wind in high mountains.
Labyrinth: Angel
Labyrinth: ...mother of Abigel.

Drezeal: Hey Larissa...

Labyrinth: I saw...your daughter...last night, Angel.
Labyrinth: She..came..to me.

Larissa nods to Drezeal without looking at him, and listens to the woman

Labyrinth: She..fed me.

Drezeal: I'm really sorry... I'm looking for shadows..

Labyrinth: Seek them...elsewhere.

Larissa nods, waving around. "Where there is light, there are shadows

Drezeal Dreadlow: Okie...

Labyrinth: Larissa...they name you...yes?

Larissa nods. "What did you take from her?"

Labyrinth: Only...what she offered. I am...no thief.
Larissa steps closer. "What did she offer?"
Labyrinth turns to look at the angel. "Herself. I do not eat...I only...consume. She was...diminished...only slightly."
Labyrinth smiles at Larissa.
Labyrinth: You...loved...the Nareth?

Larissa breathes in through her nose

Labyrinth: Yesss....
Labyrinth: Come nearer...

Labyrinth watches...

Labyrinth: Nearer.

Larissa steps closer slowly

Labyrinth: I mean...you no...harm.

Larissa nods, stroking the bars gently.

Labyrinth:
I have been...summoned...into this world.
The Nareth...she...was my...gateway.
She gave...herself to bring...me here.
As you...gave yourself...for Abigel.

Labyrinth blinks her red eyevoids...

What...would you ask...of me?

Larissa crouches by the cage, blinking a drop of glowing tear and nods quietly, watching. She slowly speaks. “Who are you, to die for?”

Labyrinth:
I am.
I am summoned...but...the reason for that summoning...has not been revealed..to me.
I am.

Larissa looks away and then back, still tracing the cage absently with a gloved hand.

Labyrinth:
Larissa...angel...please...
Open my cage.
We…should talk...and…
...not like this.
You have will.
Will opens the cage.
I have no free will.

Larissa wipes her eye and stands up. "It is open"

Labyrinth smiles and stands...
Labyrinth: Better..

Labyrinth unfurls her wings.

Larissa wrinkles her nose slightly, but follows her in

Labyrinth:
You…may approach.
No fear.

Larissa: I have no fear, I dont think so.

Labyrinth:
No...not from one...of the Host.

Labyrinth stares towards Larissa.

Labyrinth:
Your daughter...is angry.

Larissa stands and nods, slightly smiling. "She is a lot of things"

Labyrinth:
Indeed.
Much...power...someday.
The Nareth fed...her.
You miss…the Nareth?
You feel...an emptiness?

Labyrinth waits for an answer.

Larissa sighs, looking away, but here eyes are drawn back to her. "Yes"

Labyrinth:
I feel it.
I am...emptiness.
This form...the Nareth chose for me.
It is…unstable.
Come nearer, angel.
Would thee take my…hand?

Larissa smiles slightly “You should never feel empty, if she gave her life for you”

Larissa takes her hand, looking into her blazes of eyes

Labyrinth:
I AM emptiness...
Before Creation...there was Void.
I am Void.
This shape...is but...a mask.

Larissa smiles on. "Well, there is a lot to fill then"

Labyrinth:
Do not...play games with me...
Nothing...will be filled.
I am.
My Lady..she will make use of me...and I will return...to the Void.

Larissa nods. "You have no will. How do you know?"

Labyrinth:
I have...been told.
I am summoned.

Labyrinth opens her left hand, holding it out to Larissa.

Labyrinth:
Take...my hand.
I have a token I was bidden to give thee.

Larissa nods, taking the hand

Labyrinth hand is icy cold. Labyrinth speaks, but now it is with Nareth's voice.
Nareth: Larissa...

Larissa trembles slightly, remembering the cold, and lowers her eyelashes

Labyrinth: If you stand before Labyrinth, I am dead.

Larissa looks up to her voice, squeezing the hand

Nareth:
I have done what must be done.
I found my purpose.
May you find yours.

Labyrinth releases Larissa's hand.
Larissa shivers strongly, pressing her lips together

Labyrinth: That...is all.
No more did..she say..for thee.

Larissa nods, looking at her hand quietly. "Thank you"

Labyrinth:
No.
I am.
No gratitude.
I hold...the Nareth's heart in my chest.
Her blood...the blood of the Omega.
She...gave me that.

Larissa looks up to her

Labyrinth:
Yessss...
The Nareth's heart yet lives...and her memories, in me.
That day..upon the beach. Your death...in..the hospital. Her razor..upon you.
I know…I see.

Larissa: You have a name.

Labyrinth:
I have many names.
Eris.
Labyrinth.
Maze.
Paradox.
Chaos.
Contradiction.
All are me.
Labyrinth...if you wish.
Like the hedge maze...
Remember?

Larissa smiles

Labyrinth:
Yessss....
My coming, angel...always presages some…calamity..or revelation.

Larissa's lip tremble slightly at some memories upbrought, but she watches Labyrinth, listening.

Labyrinth:
There is a war...yesss...
The Reckoning.

Larissa nods, her stance slowly back to normal, as Nareth's voice fades into a memory again, and she slowly paces the floor in front of Labyrinth, listening to her. "What have you got to do with those"

Labyrinth:
Perhaps nothing.
Perhaps everything.
I cannot yet say.
I may be here...to aid..the Reckoning
Or to..destroy it.
Or neither.
My Lady..knows.
Do..you serve..the Reckoning?

Larissa smiles, tilting a head, her eyes glowing whitely. "Does Omega?"

Labyrinth: Ah...does she...

Larissa: Labyrinth, I am Larissa. I serve nor Your Lady, nor anyone. I am a true Omegan though.

Labyrinth:
Neutrality.
I am all things neutral.
Yet..I may be weilded.

Larissa: If you have her memory, you surely know what that means

Labyrinth:
Yessssss...
Your question...
Does Omega? Do you..wish an answer?

Larissa smiles. "I am curious of your answer, yes"

Labyrinth:
I do not know.
But...I know this....
Are you...aware of..the one named...Vlad?

Labyrinth waits impatiently.
Labyrinth: The Hextail?

Larissa nods. "She is Omega. Of course you dont know. As to the other question. Yes, I know... him.

Labyrinth:
Yes....
He spoke with…the memory of the Nareth.
She thought...much of him.

Larissa perks an eyebrow. "What did she have to say to him, Labyrinth?"

Labyrinth:
He holds Omega and...Dimentox...accountable...for the Reckoning.
He…says...they shall...both be...judged.
That they...have brought this...upon thee.
I know…that.

Larissa bites her lip, processing

Labyrinth:
He may...be a lunatic.
He may speak the truth.

Larissa: Who shall judge them?

Labyrinth:
The Council...of Elders.
This...he said...unto the memory…of the Nareth.
He said, too, the war...is irrelevant.
Life...and death...irrelevant.
But…they shall…he said...be held accountable.

Larissa shifts her balance. "By the Elders..."

Labyrinth:
Yesssssss...
The Elders.
They…are not known...to me.
And...
Larissa of the Host.
One more thing...
The memory of Nareth...meant for you.
But...now..a price.

Larissa breathes in, as her eyes dart around before looking back to her again.

Labyrinth: A choice.

Larissa smiles. "It is worth a price, plenty"

Labyrinth smiles and nods, exposing jagged razor-sharp teeth.
Labyrinth:
Then...
I will consume part of you, that…this form...will remain stable.
And then...I will speak what...you would know.

Labyrinth holds out her left palm, and there's a sound like air being pulled through a tiny hole, like a hurricane.

Labyrinth: Do not…struggle.

Larissa looks into the set of blazes and nods "I am but soul. The more you take, the more to give

Labyrinth: Only a few…atoms.

Labyrinth leaks darkness and cold.
The cold flicks at Larissa, stealing infinitesimal bits of her.

Labyrinth: Enough...
Labyrinth takes the darkness back into her.
Labyrinth: Stand near...
Labyrinth: The Nareth killed stars, you...know that?

You: I remember some reference.

Labyrinth:
She wanted..thee…to see...that light.

Labyrinth opens her mouth a burning hydrogen gas explodes from her.

Labyrinth:
Listen...angel.
Pontifex...came here with her.
He held a knife...as Lady cut...her open.
Nareth wished...you to know...

Labyrinth draws the fire back into her.

Labyrinth:
There is...no more.
I hold...the heart of the Nareth.
The memories.
The mind.
You…should leave...this place.
Angel.

Labyrinth stands.

Larissa swallows, holding her palms upwards, as the light reaches her. Her tears are dried by the light, and she blinks as it is retreated. She sighs, and steps back. "You are not empty, then."

Labyrinth folds her wings.

Labyrinth:
I am. I am...nothing.
A vessel.
I must...return to my cage.
Share...this knowledge...or keep it unto thine self.

Larissa nods. "Take care of those memories, please"

Labyrinth: They are here, forever.

Labyrinth closes her eyes.

Larissa clenches her jaw, walking out of the Pit, not looking back

Mirah and Grr by the fire

Dream on