117th moon [audio]

[paladinlost]

...You'd think finally seeing my loved ones after so long and recalling precious memories of my comrades would lessen the pain of our separation, yet it somehow feels stronger than ever.

[Cecil's voice has been left rough by a week of disuse, filled with wistfulness by what occured during said week, but there's happiness there that only grows when he speaks again.]

Still, my world is in one mostly intact piece and my kingdom has avoided burning to ashes, freezing solid or worse. That calls for a celebration! Thus, for the next three days I will be paying for everyone's drinks and meals at the Merry Medicham. Please do not hesitate to come and partake to your stomach's content. I'll take care of the tab.

[Limited time offer only. This paladin is not responsible for any stomachache or illness incurred by overeating.]

Comments

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[paladinlost]

Eternal darkness and rampant daemons...? That's hardly optimal circumstances for people to thrive. Or overly-friendly dogs with cold noses, for that matter. Can they be dispelled and slain?

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[seeingeyesteward]

People are doing the opposite of thriving unfortunately. We are only trying to make it until ... things can be resolved.

For the time being, I and a few others work to slay what we can.

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[paladinlost]

...If only the power that draws people to this world or to the gods' land could be reversed and allow us to offer assistance...

[He might not be able to dispel eternal darkness, but he could at least bring supplies. Blades, and warriors to wield them.]

Since you believe things can be resolved, then surely your planet is not condemned to destruction. But what are your options, at this point?

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[seeingeyesteward]

It is an offer that is much appreciated, Cecil. It is unfortunate we cannot extend a hand to either of our plights for one another.

[ There was a shift in Ignis's expression, eye glancing away from the screen even though it was unseeing. ]

It is.. not condemned. But when our Chosen King returns he will be able to dispel the darkness in exchange for his life.

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[paladinlost]

In exchange for-

[There's no way to misunderstand that. Offscreen, he clenches a fist.]

...Any decent king should be willing to die for his country, for his world. But that does not give the world the right to chose him specifically for that purpose.

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[seeingeyesteward]

No one of our world chose him. The ones closest to him would exchange places in a heart beat.

[ His hand drifts to adjust his glasses but his fingertips linger, brushing slightly over the old scars.]

Our gods chose him, and the kings of old. Something decided outside our control ajd we can only do our best to help him.

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[paladinlost]

What sort of god would make such a request? Their powers are not infinite, I know that well, but that they would require such a sacrifice... It feels even crueler than the godlike beings who merely expected humanity to be consumed or die.

[At least those did not drop the weight of the world on a single person's shoulders.]

That you are available and willing to support him in such circumstances is a blessing, one that he will surely greatly appreciate, but one that should not be necessary.

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[seeingeyesteward]

By no means will you be met with a disagreement from me. I suppose it is linked to reasons why. Retribution and the like, the sins of an ancestor only able to be cleansed by their descendant.

[ Ignis shakes his head, even smiling ruefully. It was all so ... theatrical. Unbelievably so. ]

We can only do what we can to help our world and if this is what we can do...

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[paladinlost]

If that ancestor committed such terrible sins in need of cleansing, they should have dealt with those themselves no matter how long it took. There's no point in having descendants if they are not allowed to forge their own path, and no point in dragging the rest of the world in such personal matters.

[His disapproval of said ancestor and gods is very audible.]