Isles of Exodia: Curse Struck

Interlude

"Aether please! We don't have to do this!"

The skies were gray with ash, as the flickers of embers fluttered throughout the air. Within a clearing were two figures standing opposed of one another. On one side stood the Greater Power Aether, a towering, muscular man with long dark hair, teal green eyes, and olive skin. He wore a black and green tailcoat over his dark pants, his large sword resting atop his shoulder. The other was a well built voluptuous woman with long hair that blazed with fire. She wore a revealing black top that exposed a portion of her breasts, as well as a long black loincloth torched from the fray of battle. Much of her legs and body were covered by brilliant orange scales that glowed like flames, her hands looking more like talons than hands. Protruding from her back were two massive wings that blazed with fire, emanating a heat that burnt the nearby plant life. She was known as the King of Dragons, a Greater Power and good friend to Aether.

Standing against them was Selene, Goddess of the moon and Greater Power over the celestial. She had long flowing white hair and piercing red eyes. She wore a white, purple, and black strapless dress with patterns depicting the night sky, and was barefoot. She wore a set of golden crescent shaped earrings, a silver moon necklace, and a headdress with lunar imagery. Around her swirled various stars and comets, fading out and in at a whim. Alongside her was a rather beastly looking man. He had long unkempt hair, a black shadow trim around his pink eyes, and dark armored scales covering his arms and much of his torso. Beneath these scales an eerie pink and blue glowed, escaping through the cracks. He had baggy black pants, no shoes, and a large scaly black tail that swirled back and forth behind him. While he looked human, this "man"  was none other than Curse Striker, a harbinger of chaos and death.

"Move Selene." Aether demanded, "This ends here." Selene shook her head, holding her hands out in front of the beast. "No! I refuse to let you hurt him!" "Selene..." Curse Striker whimpered, staring at the Goddess with fascination. "He's not what you think! Just listen to me!" The King of Dragons stepped forward, sneering at the lunar deity as she stared down at her. "You're thoughts have been diluted by that thing Selene. Stand aside." The King of Dragons raised her talons, preparing to strike, but Selene remained unwavering. She braced herself, glancing back at Curse Striker with a bright tear filled smile.

"No!" In the blink of an eye Curse Striker lunged forward, catching the King of Dragon's claws in his own. The two locked eyes, the pressure between them intense. "You will not hurt her..." he warned. "You don't scare me beast." The King of Dragon's growled. Curse Striker's anger flared as crimson and spirit flames began to swirled around the two.

"Enough." 

Aether stepped forward, his face flat. His eyes shimmered as he approached, placing his hand on the King of Dragon's shoulders. "Back off. I told you I'll handle this." The King of Dragon's growled before pulling away, stepping back from the beast. Aether then turned his attention to Selene and Curse Striker. Curse Striker was clutching Selene's hand delicately, his once fierce gaze now as soft as a lovesick puppy. 

"Are you unharmed?" Curse Striker asked. Selene smiled, nodding, "I am. Thank you." Curse Striker simply nodded, stroking her snowy hair from her face. "You know what must be done, Primordial." Aether called, sounding more somber than before. Curse Striker nodded, not looking back at the deity. He simply stared at Selene, his cheeks glowing in a way not familiar to the beast. "I apologize." Curse Striker spoke, "I knew eventually my sins would catch up with me." He leaned closer to Selene, pressing his forehead against hers. "But I must thank you. For all the time we shared together." He pulled back from her, biting his tongue as he began to stand. However before he could Selene reached out, grabbing his face. "No! Please don't do this!" Curse Striker smiled, his pink eyes gazing at her with great longing. "Don't forget me Moonlight." 

Curse Striker stood, turning to face Aether. "Do you promise to protect her?" Curse Striker queried to the god. Aether nodded, holding his sword out. "I swear by my blade no harm will come to her." Curse Striker nodded, turning back to Selene. Tears streamed down her face, her eyes glittering. Curse Striker beamed, turning back to find Aether ascending into the air, holding his sword behind him. Around him manifested a massive glowing suit of armor, clutching a massive sword in the same way as his avatar. 

Curse Striker took a deep breath, erupting in a geyser of spirit fire. He then closed his eyes, seeing the image of Selene within his mind. The beast smiled, hearing the thoughts he'd had for so long.

"Selene, I..."