Dungeons & Gods & Demons (Gear(?), Sess, Lukas)

VeraC

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#1
Perindor, Crescentia

Shortly after the foes were dispatched at the mountain, the Watchers, returning to their guard post met with the water tribe and Aberon, who after hearing the situation explained, were escorted to the Capitol, and granted an audience with Heidel. It had been a few weeks since Xander had arrived in Crescentia and him having either peered through the grand archives of Perindor or ended up subjecting himself to boredom, was called into an audience along with everyone else. It was a tumultuous day, to say the least. With the word spreading that the God-creator of Crescentia having manifested in physical form, a man who walked along mortals, slowly began to spread through the streets, some having seen the ‘deity’ themselves, as he was escorted through the streets.

As the posse arrived in the throne room, Aberon walking in front of Sedna and Amka, with several guards around them, as well as the 11 of the 12 Regis Knights also in attendance. Xander also had been invited to partake in this discussion, it was likely the most occupied the throne room had been since the Giant War millennia ago. The pressure that filled the room was immense, as two giants of the ages stood across from each other. Heidel Vaan Ariandel, Ruler of Crescentia, and Aberon, the once god-creator of Crescentia. While others in the room bowed to show respect to Heidel, Aberon remained standing. Who was he to put himself below a mere once-mortal.

In all likelihood, it wouldn’t be wrong to place Heidel in a position of nigh-godhood herself, having an immortal body and the capability to exert her influence over any human and have them subject themselves to her will. However, Aberon was no human. His existence was something that laid on the outside of what mankind would call ‘human’. While Heidel’s origin was something that was once human, Aberon had been created from a much higher-power.

“...A rather sad state the world is in at the moment.” Aberon was the first to speak, as he looked down to Heidel.

“So a ‘god’ stands before his creations, crippled and weak. How foolish.” Heidel disliked the man’s tone of voice; she had doubts believing he was who he said he was.

“A creation talking back to its creator? The fool here is you, young Ariandel.” Aberon held a look of smugness through his speech. By all means, he was proud of his creations, but compared to him they were little more than ants.

“Are you so delusional to think yourself a god?”

“I believe I’m the one with the most clarity out of anyone here.”

“You’ll watch your tone.”

“What right have you to order me?” Aberon threw his arms out to his sides, and tilted his head up, looking down at Heidel. “I am your creator! Why should I be mindful of my tone? When I look at you, I see no difference from you to any other being in this room.”

“You WILL bow to me!” It was in that moment that Heidel had begun exerting her Authority of Heaven. Every person in the room, if they weren’t already bowing, would be compelled to kneel and bow their heads at Heidel. Resisting would cause them severe pain, but complying would result in them feeling loyalty and affection towards Heidel.

There was one, however, who didn’t.

Aberon stood in the middle of the room looking around at the surrounding people, giving a sigh and a shrug. “You really think the Authority I bestowed upon you would affect me?”

Heidel was taken back at Aberon’s resistance, and begun thinking ‘what if’. Was this truly the God of All?

There was still one way to test.

Heidel stood up and held out her arm to her side. A blue and gold spear manifested in her hand before she swang it forward, pointing it at Aberon.

“Ah.” Aberon was mildly surprised.

In no less than a blink of an eye, Heidel had blitzed forward in a thrust attack on Aberon. She moved faster than human eyes could track, but the glowing spear left a trail of blue light as it streaked across the room. Before the spear could even touch Aberon, Heidel would be stopped by some ‘force’ that kept her from striking the man before her. Her arm shook with tension as she tried to resist, but the spear wouldn’t move an inch.

“Bahamut.” Aberon began speaking. “A weapon meant for fighting Gods and other beings that transcended the bounds logic of this world.” Aberon touched the tip with his finger, the tip pricking his finger, causing a strange blue liquid to come out. “You’re a greater fool than I thought, girl. What result would you expect, raising this weapon against the one who gifted it to you.” Aberon paused a moment. “Are you content now, knowing who I am?”

Heidel took a sigh and relaxed. Her Authority faded and she turned around to her throne. “...Yes.”

“Excellent, I’m glad you’re quick to understand.” Aberon spoke with slight sarcasm in his voice but was happy nonetheless. “Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot, let us begin from the start, shall we?”

He didn’t even wait for a response.

“I’m Aberon, the Creator of Crescentia and all Mankind.” He gave a slight bow. “And while I hate to admit it, I require your assistance in regaining my divinity. The Giants really did a dirty hit on me. I suggest we first head to Eden and begin our search there.”
 

GEAR

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#2
Elsewhere...

Cloistered within the deepest, most well-guarded depths of the castle... was a room. This place was unlike any other... simple in its construction, yet imbued with a certain air of solemn ceremony not unlike the inner sanctums of the Lunar Kingdom's own palace. Gentle moonlight danced across gentle, curling waters as they stirred ever so slightly about a figure, laid to rest upon a simple pedestal-like bed of stone.

The most closely held secret of Crescentia, the key to its peace... Laid here, within its very depths.

In the corner of the room... the shadows flickered, unnaturally. From the corners of the shade, a small shape crept out.

A finger, seeking a foothold. First one, then another... and a whole hand, grasping the "lip" of the wall where it met the darkness.

A figure emerged, into the gloom. Emerged being the key word, as the very blackness itself seemed to distort around him, the shadows molding themselves until they revealed... a form most out of place in the surroundings, stepping into the water with a gentle splash as he lowered himself. His clothes were modern yet not that of any make or brand one would find in this world, or any other colored an ashen, dusty grey, much like his features and even hair, as though he were a monochrome picture - except for his eyes, sharp, and keen, as they studied the world around them silently.

Ze'ev smiled.

He wouldn't have long... But all he needed was a few moments.

"We meet at last." He called out into the silence, walking slowly towards the center of the room.

"Or..." He continued; "Perhaps we never really parted?"

He chuckled. The kind of man who laughed at his own jokes - for what was this life he had found himself in, been given to play with, if not that of a fool? All he lacked was a baubled cap.

The man's features were oriental in nature, long dark hair that appeared to be meticulously maintained. His body was clad armor, and he would have appeared to be the very picture of health and vitality-

Were it not for the shining blade protruding from his stomach. The light caught its features as Ze'ev approached - and he seemed to hesitate, coming to a stop.

"I apologize." He said, suddenly. "I've caused you all manner of harm, haven't I?"

Precious seconds ticked by, and no retribution appeared to be forthcoming. He felt himself exhale. Fool though he may be, magic swords were magic swords, and he wasn't yet so dissatisfied with his existence that he would welcome their fury.

"Still. I can't release you from your prison. That role... Does not fall to me."

Ze'ev ascended the steps, one at a time. Now he stood over the figure - the legend himself: Kusanagi.

One of the Five Heroes who had sealed away the Giants, and freed humanity from the torment of the Gods. The one who had split heaven and earth, the most famed and deadly swordsman ever to exist... and who now, tragically, was reduced to a living prison. His own body was the seal which bound the Giants to their own personal Hell - so it had been, such it seemed to always be.

Yet, Ze'ev knew better... For in the world he had come from, the "future"... Their reign had begun anew. Even now, he could feel the eyes of his pursuer on his back, reaching across the worlds for this, his destination - but not for long.

The traveler's hand reached out - but not to grasp the blade. Instead, he held it over the man's chest, speaking solemnly as he did so.... and closed his eyes.

"However... Allow me to relieve some of your suffering."

Sparks, jolts of emerald green darted from his fingertips, down into the chest of the man. There was a moment of silence... and then something pulsed from his body, a ghostly apparition that rose into the air. A verdant, phantom shape whose glimmer held all of possibility within its ghostly soul...

A Sphere.

His Sphere.

With trembling hands, he closed his hands about the apparition, letting out a gasp as he felt its power flow back into him, rejoining its twin in his heart.

The deed was done. The paradox was closed, and she could be staved off for a little while longer, the door slammed in her face. The feeling, the sensation... Was like nothing he had experienced yet in his short life, and he felt tears running down his features, as for the first time-

He was... whole.

"For the moment..." He whispered; "This is all I can do."

He was so absorbed in this sensation that he hadn't noticed, unfortunately, that the doors behind him had swung open.
 

Hitura Rael

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#3
Being here was uncomfortable for the two women. It was plain on Sedna's face, her dark eyes constantly cast down to the floor or around the rooms, as if looking for escape. Being confined to walls and stone was not something her people did, not like this. Most of their time was spent outside, after all, in what little remained of the life filled waters.

Amka, being an old salt, did not display her discomfort so outwardly. It was a prominent displeasure for her. Displeasure at being in the palace, displeasure being submitted to such subjugation, displeasure being so far from home, and displeasure for being awake. The rituals should have been completed by now, instead she was stuck watching ceremony and pomp with dry landed fools questioning a god, as if the witness Sedna and herself bore for him meant nothing!

The two women walked dutifully behind Aberon to the wholey unnecessary display. Display of what, the women could not say. Sedna felt it was a display of a queen and her amassed power, like showing off toys to their parent. Amka felt it was more the queen showing off Aberon to her subjects, as if to lord herself over the diety and prove herself greater. It was very possible both were correct in the motives.

The two women took their places beside Aberon, standing a pace behind him. They had vowed to escort him safely here and guard him and they took those vows VERY seriously. As serious as the tribe had to protect the Goddess and the lands with her power generations ago, sacrificing a child from each generation, typically the third born child, or first born daughter, so long as she was not the first born child. The sacrificial guppy had always been a female, less valuable to continue bloodlines, and the rules with whom would be Aberon's priestess always did get toyed with to fit the generation's circumstances.

Out of respect, the pair of Aquarians bowed to the queen. It would do them no good to not at the moment, after all. They were on foreign soil hosted by... as Amka saw it at least... an immature child swinging about her father's cepter.

And then the heads began to butt. Amka was most certainly right with her assumptions for this display. A pompous child attempting to put herself over a god.

Sedna gasped as pain washed over her, battering at the resistance she put up against the subjugating aura. But she would not yield! She would not give this child the satisfaction of controlling an Aquarian! Let alone one who knew her place! She was a priestess of Aberon and by his holy boots she would prove it!

The two Aquarians' teeth clenched against the pain, Sedna's fingers curled, balling her hands into fists as she resisted the pain. Every inch of her body burned with the pain, but she would not give in. Nor would the salty old hag of an aunt!

Sedna fought the pain, forcing herself to rise as the woman summoned her spear and lunged for Aberon. She could not get to her feet in time to defend the god, but thankfully, he was able to defend himself for the time.

Finally, the pressure around them faded. Sedna pulled herself upright, ignoring the pain lingering in her body to look strong beside her god, as all in her line would have were they in her place.

Eventually, Amka managed to push herself up from the floor, looking a little piqued. Being older, the pain of resistance settled into her bones deeper, were so much more difficult to work out. She glared her displeasure at the queen, safe to do so or not. Children should not be given such power to throw around when they had a tantrum.
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#4
The past few weeks had been... enlightening for Xander. There had been no need for theft, the tomes providing more than enough for him to draw his own conclusions and make notes for future work. Whatever was occuring in the world above could wait - it wasn't like he was missing anything important on his research expedition.

But all good things must come to an end, as they did when he was called to attend a formal audience. A minor distraction at best, but perhaps a necessary one. He'd been here too long.



How utterly Childish.

Xander watched the entire scenario in disbelief. Two supposedly godlike beings waving their powers around to try to look like the stronger person. That disbelief soon turned to anger when he felt the 'Authority' bearing down on him again, however. He used his staff to keep his body upright, gripping it for support and practically snarling as the magic pressed down upon him.

A familar pain. But the Alchemist was nothing if not tenacious. Willpower sustained him and kept the man standing, but the strain of doing so was clearly visible on his face. If Heidel wanted him to bow, she'd need to gain his respect first.

Respect was something to be earned. Not forced through magical means. Especially if that magic was imperfect - He'd resisted it. The bodyguards had remained standing. A mundane individual had resisted it, so the conclusions were clear.

Everything that had been displayed so far was some degree of magic. A sufficiently powerful practitioner could theoretically have faked the divine act - negated the authority and stopped the spear. Practical testing was in order - but the thought of what exact test would be required made him simle. Xander cleared his throat in response to Aberon's question, taking a step forward.

"Not yet - Perhaps a more concrete test is in order."

Heidel was given time to step out of the firing line before he acted, but that was the only consideration given before he leveled his cane at 'Aberon' and pulled the concealed trigger. Runes up and down the stick lit up as it discharged a torrent of white-hot fire from the base directly at the figure.

If he was wrong, then presumably a divine being would be able to shrug the attack off without issue. Even a normal man would - theoretically - be able to survive a single shell of that particular makeup if they were extinguished fast enough, but the burns would reveal them for what they really were.

Mortal.
 

VeraC

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#5
Aberon turned around to the dissenter still among them, only to be blasted in the face with a spewing of flames. It was a direct hit at point-blank, and the guards around the group looked in surprise at the sudden flaming attack. The attack, sureidly, did what it was meant to do, most of Aberon’s upper body was on fire, though the ‘man’ seemed to have little to no reaction to the spontaneous combustion.

“Hmmm…?” Aberon looked on at the older man who stood before him, defiant and doubtful of the truth of Aberon’s words. “One not of this world, yet shares blood with that of Crescentians… Ah, so that’s how it is…” He looked on at the man, looking him up and down, quickly coming to conclusions.

“It does indeed seem those I gifted caused more trouble that I had originally hoped for.” Aberon referring to the five heroes of legend. “...But still, to even split this world in two and create a brand new one, this is rather unprecedented.” He placed his hand to his chin.

“Nonetheless, your meager parlor tricks will have no effect on me, Alchemist’s Descendant.” within mere minutes, the fire covering Aberon faded, as if they were deprived of any and all oxygen. Once cleared, Aberon’s face could be seen again, his skin would be charred and burned, but not before they began to fade too, and return to normal.

“Not that I’m unhappy in your hesitance in believing what I’m saying. I doubt those on your world ever spoke or even knew about my existence.” He gave a shrug and a sigh. He turned to Sedna and Amka and gave a look of gratitude.

“At least someone understands the situation.” He was honestly grateful for the tribe’s understanding of who he was, but without a doubt, there was a trace of sarcasm in his tone.

Aberon stepped forward closer to the throne, and turned to everyone in the room. “I beseech you all, however, to heed my words and offer your assistance. It’s quite a matter of life or death for both yours and this planet-”

Before he could continue, the room would be interrupted by the missing Regis Knight. Val’Sentaph, the Crimson Dragoon entered the room, dragging a knocked-out, singular, unfortunate man by the leg behind her. Her long, black hair flowed as she walked forward at a brisk pace, the sliding and subtle impact of her metal greaves resounding with each of her steps. The two, angular horns protruded out the sides of her head pointing forward and black-colored scaled parts of her skin signified herself as a half-draconian, one bred between a human and a dragon. While Dragons were a rarity nowadays, some two-thousand years ago they were a rather prominent species of Crescentia.

“Ma’am, I apologize to interrupt.” She took a knee, having paid no mind to any of the other people in the room with her. She had a rather one-track mind, being both a blessing and a curse upon her. She tossed the man to the floor in front of her

“We found this man within the seal room, and as I hate to inform, we were too late to catch him before he had done something to the ‘seal’.”

Heidel’s eyes widened as within no less than a blink of an eye, she had moved from her throne to the man and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. She raised him above herself in a swift movement and gave him a death look.

“What did you do!?” Her voice was violent and angry, yet there was a slight sense of panic as well. If the man were still unconscious, she would throw him to the ground and pick him up again. “Did you break the seal!?”

“-Just who are you?”

Aberon looked on at the scene before him and stepped back, enjoying being in the peanut gallery.
 

GEAR

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#6
The man was carried into the hall, limp as a discarded marionette, his feet dangling behind him into the royal floor. Even when accosted by Heidel, he seemed to move little. It took her hurling him roughly to the floor to cause his eyes to snap open, the breath slammed out of his lungs before he was hauled upright again. A hand shot up, almost mechanically, to grasp her own wrist as he looked into her eyes, wildly.

"Gam... biel...!" He gasped, trance-like - yet, this state seemed to only last a moment, as he shook his head, trying to clear out the cobwebs.

"I... am Ze'ev. A traveler, of sorts." He said, gulping down air.

The man turned his head to look at the assembled individuals one at a time, taking it all in. This was what it was like before, he thought. In his time... The worlds had been forcibly reunited by the Giants, rending the skies and blending the earth, returning it to its ancestral form so they could once again reign over it as Gods.

"Your seal is safe... For now." He continued, "Those it holds, however..."

At this point his gaze seemed to... linger on Xander, locking eyes with the man. There was... a glimmer of recognition in those shady hues, an unspoken nod to a kindred spirit. It could only be fate, he mused... that the two of them would meet so soon after his arrival in this place.

"Are already scheming for the time of their release. My actions only managed to slow them."
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#7
He watched with barely-disguised curiosity as Aberon burned, enjoying the spectacle of the 'god' healing itself after the fires died out. But while the sight amused him, the words did not. Smugness was not a virtue, and this being had far too much of it. And unfortunately the shot was unsuccessful at knocking some sense of humility into him.

"You'd be surprised. Conclusions drawn from artifacts and mythology on my side have so far been a close match to local creation myths."

But the point-scoring was interrupted by a new arrival. He took the chance to reload his staff for future incidents, pulling a shell out of one pocket and cracking open the top of his cane to load it inside - closing it with a satisfying snap before turning his gaze to the newcomer.

Xander matched eyes with the intruder, if only for a second. A feeling of wrongness gripped him - this meeting was not meant to be. Should not have been. The unease soon subsided however, and he returned his focus to the man's words. To the seal.. and to the Giants.
 

Hitura Rael

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#8
The two Aquarians moved away when the shotgun went off. They did not interfere, it wasn't like they could harm the god, right? Amka shot the 'Alchemist' a glare anyway. Honestly, such childishness! There were far more important matters here!

Sedna frowned at the Alchemist, rubbing her upper arm in discomfort. What she wouldn't give to be back home and in the water, away from this dry air and crazy crazy people. All of it made absolutely no sense to her. And now there was another one, dragged in by his arms. And she did not trust him. Of course she didn't trust ANY land dwellers... But this one in particular made her scales itch.
 

VeraC

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#9
“....” Heidel looked at the man as he told what he did. After several tense moments, she let him out of her grasp and set him down.

“...If you wouldn’t mind letting me continue where I left off, I’d appreciate it if you all lent an ear to what I’m about to say.” Aberon broke the tense moment nonchalantly, Stepping into the middle of everyone. “I believe this man may help my point.” Aberon looked to the man, Ze’ev and grinned.

“Allow me to start from the beginning.” Aberon cleared his throat. “I know not what the Giants may have taught you after my slumber, but there exists, or perhaps did, exist beings that were even greater than myself, the creator of this world.” He slightly raised his chin. “They were known as the Ur-Humans.” He then turned to everyone in the room.

“Are you familiar with them?”

“They were a species that sought to gain true immortality, bending and breaking whatever rules of nature they deemed necessary to achieve their goal, literally.” He begun to pace. “In this process, they sowed their ‘seeds’ across planets in the universe, L’isola; I am one of those seeds. With the power they granted me, I was to create life on this world and establish mankind on a planet.” Aberon stopped to turn to the people in the room, in front of the throne.

“I’m sure from this point, the rest is history, you all know the rest.” Then he frowned. “What you don’t know, is the original purpose of the Giants, the Angels, the Edens…”

“The purpose of fostering the ‘seed’, was in fact a method to create a bulwark against nature itself.” Aberon turned solemn. “The Universe, the laws of this universe, didn’t take kindly to the Ur-Human’s plan of absolute immortality, and has sent its tool after them, and their creations.”

Aberon held his arms out. “An existence created with the metaphysical concept of “The End” embedded in it. Something far greater than the idea of ‘death’, This being is the harbinger of any and all that exist, it could end a life, a population, a planet, a universe…” Aberon snapped his fingers

“...Just like that.”

“The Ur-Humans put faith in their sprouts, hoping that they’d develop a way to counteract this entity…” Aberon then frowned. “Unfortunately, this planet seems to be defective.” Aberon shrugged. “Having expended much of my own power to establish this planet and all the life on it, I created several ‘defense mechanisms’ to protect the planet while I rested and regained my power.”

“The Giants.”

“The Angels.”

“Eden.”

“El Millenium.”

“They were all created with the purpose of protecting this world should ‘the end’ arrive, but as history has told… The Giants and Angels betrayed me, El Milleniums are nothing more than a hunk of rock, and I don’t know the status of the Edens.” A look of disappointment fell on Aberon’s face.

“Now that I see how incompetent my defense systems were, I have decided to take matters into my own hands and regain my power; that's why I require your aid. The world is literally quite at stake here.”

Heidel and the Knights all looked at Aberon and each other, trying to comprehend the story the man had spun.

“You, Traveler not of this time,” Aberon turned to Ze’ev. “Tell me, from which future did you arrive from?” He gave him a stern look. “There are infinite possibilities for the future, you see, but I must know what happened, or rather what will happen. Did Kali Yuga arrive?”
 

GEAR

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#10
"I come from a time where all was lost... Where the Vaura have scorched the land, and the stars have been wiped from the skies."

As Aberon looked at Ze'ev, the man simply... grinned back. There was a special kind of wildness in those eyes - indeed, his entire aura gave off a certain kind of unnaturalness even to Aberon, as though he had been stenciled into the world as an afterthought rather than as one of his own creations. It was this unsettling quality that had even managed to unnerve the Black Charisma, and even as he faced down the would-be God of this world, it remained in full force. Perhaps he understood that what Aberon said was true.

Yet... Perhaps he also understood that it made little difference.

"I have seen the end of ends, and felt Kali Yuga's breath on my neck all the while as I fled." - He gave a sad chuckle, affirming the man's words.

"She is coming."
 
Aug 4, 2018
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#11
I believe I’m the one with the most clarity out of anyone here.

I am your creator! Why should I be mindful of my tone?

Such arrogance. Xander's arm twitched - pointless as it was, part of him wanted to shoot the man again on general principle. He seemed to be blinded to his own flaws, acting as if the world was made to serve him. Maybe it had been, once. But that didn't mean it should. And yet the Crescentians bowed and scraped before him!

But they were used to being puppets, it seemed. The Authority had seen to that. He'd won over their queen, and she would ensure the rest followed behind her as obedient pets. Something he would need to eventually find a way to counter. Aberon was allowed to finish his speech without further interruption, but anyone with eyes could see the Alchemist growing steadily more infuriated with every word that left his mouth.

Unfortunately, this planet seems to be defective.

Now that I see how incompetent my defense systems were...

"Perhaps before you find new allies you should consider why your previous creations betrayed you. As for me..."

Xander turned his back to the man, walking towards the exit in a fashion that would likely seem familiar to Ze'ev. He had seen everything - it was time to go.

"I believe it is time for me to leave Crescentia. I thank you for the opportunity you have provided, but from what your god has said... I am needed on the surface more than ever. There are things I would have preferred to see before leaving, of course - but your current course appears to be different to mine. Good day."

Ze'ev caught his gaze once more. The man was a mystery, but he clearly knew more than he should. A smallest hint of a nod was given - an acknowledgment of defeat to a worthy foe. Even the smallest change could have far-reaching implications, but this change... had been well-calculated.
 

VeraC

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#12
Aberon listened to the man intently, being sure to take in everything he said.

“I see…” His testimony only further solidifying Aberon’s fears. “...Well it was inevitable that she would make her way here eventually, the only question I have is when?” He asked Ze’ev.

“Well regardless, the sooner preparations are made, the better. And to do that I first need information, which is why I must seek out my other creations to see just what their status is.” Aberon looked around the room at the numerous faces surrounding him, none of which seemed empathetic to his cause.

“...Though seemingly, none of you care enough about the safety of this world to want to assist me.” His eyes particularly turned to Xander. He pressed his fingers into his forehead and took a sigh. “The way I designed the Giants, they should have never turned on me… I guess a way to put it was that their ‘DNA’ so-to-speak, was hard-coded to remain loyal and faithful to their purpose. They were beings born with no desires, and incapable of obtaining desires other than what I had designed them to do.” He then placed his hand to his chin. “Which means that its likely some outside force tampered with their ‘desires’, and gave them the idea of turning on me.”

He looked to Xander in his eyes. “Be glad I didn’t design mankind the same way. I had blessed you all with free-will, for I knew that would lead to the greatest development and growth. Perhaps it would be one day that you would find a way to defeat ‘the end’.” He then turned to Ze’ev.

“I know not the situation and conditions of how your timeline ended the way it was, but regardless, it seems my hopes were for naught in your world...” He frowned.

“...Which is why I’m going to aid mankind in this effort.” He looked to Xander, then to everyone else in the room.

“I am not your enemy, in fact, I am your ally. My only wish is for this world… No, these worlds to continue existing.” He looked then to Xander, to Heidel, to Sedna, to Ze’ev. “I have no intention of ruling over mankind, it has never been my desire. Were that what I wanted, I never would’ve given you free-will. I wouldn’t be as transparent as I am right now.” He gave a genuine smile.

“I do mean it that the world is actually at stake here. Your cooperation would be appreciated.”
 

Hitura Rael

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#13
Sedna shifted her weight in an uncomfortable manner. This was all too much to take in. The world at stake against some ultimate deity like being that even Aberon himself couldn't defeat alone? What could they do to help?! They were like tiny little pet ants for Aberon. And yet the deity himself was as a child to this coming nightmare. Sedna closed her eyes and let out a slow breath.

For centuries, since the first memory of her people, they had sacrificed one to the Goddess to guard the world, to stand for Aberon in his absence. Each one had been sealed in the massive ice cavern her people had been traveling to when their time came, to be awakened for this very crisis. Had she the choice, she would not be the one to take on this burden, following the women before her. But she did not have that choice. There would be no choices if they failed.

Sedna opened her eyes and took a step toward Aberon. "I will stand with you."
 

GEAR

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#14
At the mention of free will, Ze'ev gave a grim, sardonic smile, fighting down the urge to laugh as he bowed his head. He remembered the Black Charisma - that poor, poor misguided figure, who despite all his power, was nothing more than a prisoner of his own desire. Just the world's greatest punchline, right before the curtains slammed shut on the whole torrid affair. And now this man - this ex-God - was saying he could save them?

You have no idea.

His gaze turned to Heidel, allowing his eyes to linger on her own. Oh, he thought, I can't wait to sink my claws into you. Just the thought alone sent a warm, fuzzy feeling worming through his chest... Especially, he thought, now that he had that. The sooner he began to make progress on his plan, the better - but for now, he had to escape. No cell of theirs could hold him... but, sooner or later they would find some way of sealing him away that he couldn't just get out of.

Suddenly, he cleared his throat loudly, after the fish women had spoken - and flashed a "winning" grin.

"Liberate me from the guillotine, and my sword is yours." He said hurriedly to Aberon, intent not on just letting the man walk away as he flicked his eyes meaningfully towards his captors.
 
Aug 4, 2018
334
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16
Somewhere in the UK
#15
Which means that its likely some outside force tampered with their ‘desires’, and gave them the idea of turning on me.

Or perhaps they simply grew sick of his attitude. Not that it mattered - what did matter was that the information was useful. There was unforutnately no doubt as to the truth of the Godling's words - simply a lack of anything resembling tact. Or competence.

"I have no intention of leaving the world to die - but down here, I am simply an old man with a very dangerous stick. Once I am returned to the seat of my power my forces will provide their aid."

And besides, on the surface he had a significantly higher chance of surviving the coming mess. The world would be saved - But Aberon was not anything close to a saviour.
 

VeraC

Member
Staff member
Jun 18, 2018
314
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#16
Heidel looked at Aberon, deep in thought. Who was she to let this man bark orders at her people? Yet, he was the apparent god of this world, the one who gave Heidel and the four other heroes the strength to defeat the giants and save the world. Were it anyone else, as seen with Xander, they would likely laugh and scoff at Aberon’s remarks and claims. The evidence, while not possibly not convincing to the Earthling, Heidel could tell that Aberon was the real deal, although his ‘majesty’ is nowhere near where that of a divine being, a god nonetheless. It would be wrong to say that what to come would be an uphill battle, though against the literal ‘end’ of the world, what wouldn’t be a struggle?

“...Very well, The people of Crescentia will aid you how we can.” Heidel spoke up to Aberon. “I’ll take what you say as true for now.”

“Excellent. I’m glad we could reach an agreement.” Aberon smiled in delight, then looking to Ze’ev and Sedna, hearing their acknowledgements as well.

Heidel, however, held suspicions towards Ze’ev, she ill-liked him, and his gaze towards her was anything but friendly. His own story was concerning as well, having ‘assisted’ Kusanagi in his slumber. It was anything but natural.

Heidel then turned to Val’sentaph, and gave her a stern look. She was looking somewhat in shame, knowing of her failures, and expected the worst from Heidel.

“Val’sentaph, my loyal comrade and first Regis Knight.” She announced her.

“Yes!” She bowed her head and closed her eyes.

“Seeing as how you found this man, and how he snuck in under your watch, you shall accompany this party in their journey towards ‘Eden’.” She commanded.

“Yes, my liege.”

Heidel walked over to the half-draconian and held out her spear to her.

“I shall leave Bahamut in your hands.” She smiled. “I’m certain you know how to use this better than me.”

“...Yes…” She held up her hands and accepted the spear. The Majestic presence of the spear was greater even up close, it’s long Orichalcum shaft reached over eight feet long, and the blade crafted from white jade gave it an additional three feet of length. The massive weapon seemed unwieldy, though in both Heidel’s and Val’sentaph’s hands, it could be handled with ease.

“Keep an eye out on that man, this is your duty.” Heidel spoke softly so only Val’sentaph could hear, referencing the man known as Ze’ev.

Val’sentaph gave a nod and stood up, now holding the spear in her right hand.

“Have we said our goodbyes?” Aberon spoke up, looking at the two. “I’d like to set out as soon as possible, so we’ll be leaving tomorrow in the morning.”

There was still one dissenter who Aberon had been ignoring up until now. Xander seemed determined to go his own way. For lack of trust or confidence, he’d rather be on Earth than Crescentia.

Aberon sighed and gave a shrug, turning to Xander. “If you have no intention of helping, then so be it. I’m sure our paths will be crossing soon enough regardless.”

Heidel walked to Xander and escorted him out of the throne room.

“I do apologize that this trip has ended rather… awkwardly.” Heidel gave a look of embarrassment. “Not quite the smooth visit I was hoping for.”

As they exited the room she turned to him before heading back inside.

“I shall see it that the 12th and his men will escort you back to Earth safely. I will leave an attendant outside your room when you are ready to depart.”
 

Hitura Rael

Moderator
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Sep 29, 2018
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#17
Amka gave Sedna a nod and a smile. "I am proud of you. He is in good hands." Amka took Sedna's hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. "You will serve him well. I must return to the tribe and prepare them for the coming trials, wake the other priestesses as well."

Sedna stared up at her aunt, a blank look of terror on her face, "You're... you're leaving me here alone?"

Amka nodded. "There is no time to waste and after thousands of years some of those priestesses will need a LOT of working the cold from their muscles. You'll be fine." Amka pulled Sedna into an embrace and kissed her forehead lightly. "Watch that one though. Boot lickers..."

Sedna frowned, nodding at Amka while casting her glance to Ze'ev. With great reluctance, Sedna released her aunt. "I will do my best."

"I know. You'll make me proud." Amka caressed Sedna's cheek, then turned to leave the throne room.

Sedna bit the inside of her lip gently to hold back tears and fight away the fear. After a few deep breaths and twisting the bracelet on her wrist around, she turned to one of the servants to ask to be escorted to a room to rest for the night.

She refused dinner, of course. She had not eaten since they had began their journey by ritual, but now... She didn't think her butterfly filled stomach could handle anything. In the room she sat down on the bed and stared at the floor for some time before closing her eyes and releasing her frustrated and fearful tears. Eventually, she curled under the blankets to sleep.

She looked forward to sleep, of dreams of her home and the scant pristine waters, the sweet salty scent of the water filtering through her gills. Yet... that was not what she dreamed. She stood in a cold place, with blackness all around her. Rough, sharp stone lay below her bare feet, an odd texture she had never felt before and she had been on many rocks above water and below. She carefully turned in a slow circle, taking in the lack of surroundings around her. There were chunks of land floating in empty space... Blackness all around, occasionally painted by dusty motes of all the colors she could perceive, like stardust in the sky back home. The oddest thing was the massive metal construct hanging in the air, giant holes ripped through it.

It was a bleak landscape, perhaps putting it lightly. She never could have fathomed that something like this could even exist. Her lips turned down in a slight frown, eyes crinkled at the corner. What a bleak place. Fitting for how she felt but for Aberon's sake... Is a little bit of home too much to ask tonight?

Movement caught her eye, someone standing on the other side of this huge space rock staring out at the rainbow hues of star dust. How strange. She could swear she had never seen someone like him before. Tall, muscular, golden hair... a bit scruffy in the face though... She froze as he cast his glance over to her, then the world blurred away as she sat up in bed. She rubbed her face tiredly. "What.... was that..." She frowned and laid back down, breathing slowly to calm her nerves and drift back to sleep.