victory_road | 001 ★ video

Tch. Tis hardly anything divine about this. Nor anything infernal, at the very least.

[Unless you do subscribe to the theory that Arceus is truly a god, but. He doesn't.]

One of the many pointless diversions this place is fond of.

Oh, I disagree. There must be something Astral-ordained of all this, at least for my part. Fate forbid accursed Bahamut ever dare leave me well enough alone.

[A long-suffering sigh.]

I do love pointless diversions, though.

[Estinien looks surprised for a moment, leaning back, then his eyes narrow thoughtfully.

He's well aware of worlds other than his own that share similarities - speaking with Cecil had told him as much. Is this a similar case? Or is the name Bahamut truly that common...no one from Eorzea would speak of Bahamut like this man, though.]

Tis no force of any of our worlds that dragged us here. "Arceus" is the name of the creature, according to most. Be it a god or simply a powerful creature.

Oh, lovely. A whole new pantheon to play havoc with the lives of those so very far beneath them.

[Ardyn rolled his eyes; regardless of what his world's Bahamut may have been, it might have been a safe bet that nobody talked about him quite like Ardyn did.]

Such things are truly inescapable.

Worry not, aside from bringing us here they do not deign to interfere in our affairs. They are rather hands--or hooves, I suppose--off, as far as gods go.

Certainly nothing like Bahamut or his ilk.

My, that's almost reassuring. Almost.

[He raised an eyebrow at the response, briefly wondering if he was supposed to have the faintest idea who this was. (Highwind hadn't had a brother, had she?)]

...I get the strangest impression you speak not of the Hexatheon. Most don't dare to toss about casual blasphemy, I'm afraid. Frightfully boring of them.

I do not. And where I hail from you would be hard-pressed to find someone unwilling to curse that fell dragon.

[Though in Ishgard any other variety of casual blasphemy may have once found you unceremoniously thrown into Witchdrop.]

My, that sounds like a much preferable place to be than here. Pray tell, what is it that leads so many to think so little of the esteemed Bladekeeper? I sincerely would love to hear it.

I am fair sure we speak of different dragons, as none from my st--world--would call him such.

Bahamut was once an elder wyrm, who met his end at the hands of men during an ancient war. His consort Tiamat was tricked into summoning a primal in his image, which was then captured and restrained within the moon Dalamud.

That moon was brought down upon Eorzea five years ago, and Bahamut released. He would have razed all to the ground in his fury were he not contained once more, and eventually sent to his rest by the Warrior of Light.

[It's oddly difficult for him to speak of it clinically. Nidhogg's remnant inside him makes him feel close, nearly as kin, to the rest of Midgardsormr's brood. Though the brothers were not particularly close, that wound had ached still.]

...That sounds like something he might do, the absolute bastard. It’s always a chosen of blasted Light, too. I wonder if that’s some manner of universal constant.

[Indifferent to the ideas of both alternate worlds and a massive horrifying cataclysm, Ardyn just rolled his eyes. His Zorua deposited itself comfortably in his arms, receiving a light scratch behind the ears for its insistence.]

We have a god who was slain in an ancient war, though ours was called Ifrit. Bahamut, alleged strongest of Eos’ six Astrals, is said to be the one who led the answering force to the Infernian’s rebellion and chose a bloodline to be kings and champions of humanity in the dismal aftermath.

He’s also a self-important coward who adores shuffling those he believes his inferiors about like pieces upon a board. Were the gods not bound to protect our star, I wager he’d just blow the whole thing to pieces and be done with it.

[Huh...this guy doesn't sound like he's all too thrilled to be someplace "pleasant". Maybe he had important things to do back home? That's usually why folks' jimmies are rustled whenever they turn up. But more importantly-]

Oh, yes, we have a Prom coming up. It happens every year, and it's always eventful. More often than not it's because there's a spot of trouble, but I have heard of relatively peaceful events that take place in ridiculous locations. Apparently, I missed Moon Prom when I arrived here.

[Tfw you get apped into a game four months after Moon Prom...]

...Moon prom.

[Just, deadpan.]

You expect me to believe there was a party on the moon.

No, but then again, I didn't go, so it's not like I can vehemently argue it happened.

[She believes her friends who said they went? But like, no moon prom for her, so.]

...

[The initial answer was a slow, long-suffering sigh.]

I’ve been here scarcely a matter of minutes and already I detest it.

You know, as the kids say? You're valid for feeling that way. However, I do suggest trying to give this place a chance.

[It's been a few weeks now, maybe two, since Legosi arrived here. And every response he's made to anything on the network has been audio, mainly for the discomfort he's felt with his appearance. He's realized, though, that if he's going to this Prom he's going to be seeing a lot of people whether he likes it or not...and those he has met haven't seemed to mind him at all.

So...Ardyn will be answered by a lanky young man with a set of nasty scars over his right eye, looking perpetually tired with a strange blue spider thing curled up happily in his lap.]

It's being called a Prom, but no one has explained why that is. I don't think it is happening at a school or anything...

[As far as he's aware, this place doesn't have school with all the child trainers running about.]

I'm a bit old for such schoolyard games as it is.

[boy is he ever]

I suppose I should wonder why they chose the name, then.

[Legosi looks off to the side, looking like he hasn't slept in days even though he's in relatively good standing right now, physically speaking. He hasn't fallen over once today, so take that world for taking his tail away from him.]

I couldn't say. It may have something to do with how it was started originally, but I haven't seen enough to really know. I'm...used to school festivals and dances and things, but I have a feeling this is going to be a lot different.

I fear I've no such knowledge firsthand; familiar though I am with the concept, we didn't exactly have such things when I was school-age.

[Or electricity.]

I do like the occasional new experience, however.

It's worth going just for that, I suppose...and being new, you can count on having someplace to stay for a few days. Which might be nicer than camping, if you're not the type of person to enjoy that.

[Legosi doesn't mind it too much, he just wishes walking on such long routes were easier.]

[Well, that sure is... an attitude. Sure, not everyone is all about the Sunshine and Rainbows vibe of this place, but geez.]

Not a big fan of pleasant, huh?

[what? nonsense. he's thrilled, doesn't he look thrilled and not at all subtly homicidal?]

Not today, no.

[uh huh, sure. he definitely doesn't know THIS game.]

Just today or most days?

I guess saying "there's worse places to be suddenly stranded!" wouldn't be very helpful. I mean, I, ah, I probably would've punched someone saying that to me, so. Or. Well. Thought about it very hard, at least.

A charming and delightful place like this?

I'm quite sure I would detest it on most any day. Luckily, I am very rarely one to throw a punch.

[Swords, yes. Punches, no.]

Well, lucky me. In that case, I will say, hey, at least there's oxygen here. Ha ha...

[The bar is, admittedly, low. Tim likes it here, but he's biased.]

But, uh, yeah, you did get here in time for the party. Those tend to be pretty... eventful.

I could do with a little 'eventful', honestly. Rather that than 'frightfully dull'.

Well, there will probably be some disaster or another, if that's your thing. Lucky you.

[Elidibus lounges, casually taking turns in petting the Umbreon and Espeon splayed over his lap.]

Ah, were it so that something divine brought us here. Perhaps we would be afforded more of our natural states or abilities. As it is, we must make due.

[His free hand props itself beneath his chin, and he smiles. It's irritatingly difficult to parse whether he is being sincere.]

As far as parties, yes, there is an event referred to as "Prom" which shall soon begin. Dancing, eating, and the like. Alas, this shall be my first, and I can afford you no more detail.

If only it could ever be so easy.

[Finally, someone who speaks his language.]

['Vague condescension.']

A terrible shame, then. I'll merely have to attend and witness it for myself.

[Oh, oh this could prove to be the start of something great indeed. Elidibus immediately takes a liking to Ardyn, and his lips curl into something that can only be described as a predatory smirk.]

Indeed, I suppose we both must investigate.

[He sighs, lifting the hand petting his Pokémon and lifting it, palm up, in a helpless gesture.]

Unfortunately, there is little else to do. Unless one wishes to ascribe to the notion that we must jump through the hoops of the tournament of this world.

So that's how things work in this place, is it?

[He mirrored that smirk with his own, a cold mockery of something affable.]

Do enlighten me, if you would. How does this tournament work, exactly?

It is.

[He tilts his head in a nod of acquiescence.]

Everything revolves around these creatures, these Pokémon. The goal, to my knowledge, is to train them until they are strong, and then fight with them. There are Gyms scattered throughout the region that, when one should defeat the trainers and Leaders within, awards what are termed as 'badges.'

[A pause, perhaps for dramatic effect.]

Collect enough of these, and one is granted the ability to defeat the top trainers, called the Elite Four. After that? I suppose one may open a Gym of their own, but truly that is all that is available.

[He heaves a sigh.]

It is all so wretchedly pointless, but we are encouraged to do so. It does award this world's currency, so there is that much.

[Ardyn answered with a thoughtful hum as he considered the ostensible goal of being here at all.]

Advanced chocobo ranching. How charming.

[Then again...he didn't really mind the idea. Animals proved better company than people as far as he was concerned, and the concept of gaining power and notoriety was appealing in its own way.]

Most things are pointless, one way or another. May as well choose to do what one finds some sliver of enjoyment in.

[Elidibus hums, before nodding.]

You do have a point, we may as well enjoy the time we are sequestered away in this world if we are able to do so. As you may see, I have indeed raised several Pokémon of my own. They are loyal, and when one treats them well they return such affections tenfold. At least, in my experience it is such. It may differ for others.

[Then he brightens, ever so slightly.]

Ah, but it does not pass me by to hear of chocobos in this place. You hail from a world with them as well?

I don't mind looking after such things, rare as the opportunity to do so has been in the past. [He reached up to give the shoulder-perching Zorua a light scratch behind the ears.]

I am indeed--odd to think such basic things are less than universal, but I should presumably get used to that. My world is called Eos, and my name is Ardyn. [A short pause, almost as if he wasn't sure what surname to tack on to the end of that. But in a world like this, there was no reason to hold to aliases even if he cared to bother.] ...Ardyn Lucis Caelum.

They do hold a certain sense of charm. They care for us becasue we care for them, and it is a simple thing which needs no complicated designs. [His smile grows more sincere as he resumes petting the two in his lap.]

Ah, curious, our worlds do indeed differ. I am Elidibus, Emissary of Zodiark. [A beat. It's obvious he's turning several things over in his mind, deciding upon the next course of action.] But despite their differences, no doubt our origins must have their similarities. I must admit it sparks my curiosity, to perhaps discuss such things?

[Neither name sparked any recognition, but 'interest' was another matter entirely.] Hm...well, I suppose I've plenty of time to spare and few secrets worth keeping.

[Hard to care, when you're dead. Again.]

What is it you find yourself curious about?

[He switches the conversation to private. He does not truly desire to hide, but nor would he freely spread secrets freely given to him.]

You and I are alike and more, it seems.

[Elidibus would understand that, should he find out. Death does that to a person.]

Firstly the nature of your world and the magic therein. My own is broken in a fundamental way; though me and mine have labored to restore what should be, perhaps an understanding of a different world could give new insight. Regardless of how different, the similarities remain, and thus my logic follows.

I would, of course, offer you every bit of information of my own in exchange.

I suppose I could elaborate on that.

[Broken, was it? How interesting--however did that even work, he wondered.]

Magic in my realm is a very limited thing; so limited, in fact, that it lies with but one royal bloodline chosen by the gods. Such power can be shared amongst the king's retainers and soldiers, but it is no less rooted in the king himself. This bloodline was blessed some two thousand years ago with guardianship of a holy Crystal, that the realm might someday be cured of the terrible scourge which ran rampant across it.

As for specifics of what the power of kings entails, it's largely quite straightforward; the storage and utilization of weaponry, simple elemancy in the form fire, ice, and lightning, and the ability to use objects as conduits to essentially teleport at short range. Some of the line have held slight variations; shielding abilities, gravity magic, things such as that.

Ah, so fundamentally different, it seems. In my case magic is widespread and used by most every race, barring one whose purebred members cannot wield it. For my particular people, however, it was something rather more. My kind lived long enough to be considered immortal, with the innate ability of Creation. It had always been such, a peaceful people seeking knowledge to steward the star.

Of course, that was before, my world and my people. Currently what remains of my world is a mockery of what once was. After untold tragedy the star was split into fourteen, a Source and thirteen Shards. Imagine if you will a single entity split into fourteen perfect copies of itself, though diminished exponentially for each broken piece.

One may imagine why we would labor to restore our home.

How very intriguing. Beyond intriguing, in fact. Such destruction is well beyond even my imagination; I can only speak to one blighted world, hardly such a fundamentally shattered one.

And immortality, truly? Your people almost sound akin to our Astrals, if clearly a fair deal more tolerable.

There are those who would deem us villains, for working to restore what should never have been broken. As it is my kind exists with no bodies of our own, working from the void between worlds unless we walk upon the shards ourselves.

Your Astrals sound akin to gods. There are no true gods for us, only of a fashion. We call these Primals, and they are summoned with an offering of aether and prayer. Even the strongest are these, but they may be vanquished, in turn. As could my people die; it was only time that stayed its touch.

But you mention a blighted world, and I would ask for more details if you are willing.

Well, you speak to the right person if it's justified villainy you specialize in.

[What was 'justified' or not was...kind of up for debate in a general sense, but for Ardyn it was quite clear.]

Our realm's gods are a hexatheon, for which 'Astrals' is the shorter collective term. By name they are Ifrit, Shiva, Ramuh, Titan, Leviathan, and at their head is Bahamut. [There was more than a little contempt with that last one.] It was he who gave mankind the Crystal, or so the legend says. They can indeed be vanquished, but to do so is no small task. In the two examples I know in all of history, death itself did little but sideline them for a time.

Regardless. You wish to hear of the star's ailment, and I see no reason to hide such a thing. We called it the 'Starscourge'; an infectious disease which corrupted human bodies and twisted them into malformed creatures. 'Daemons' by name; bloodthirsty monsters that could exist only under cover of darkness. Legend varies upon the origin of it; some say Ifrit laid it upon our world as a curse for humanity's perceived slights against him. Others say it came to the star on a tremendous meteor, the crater of which shapes the kingdom's entire continent.

I don't claim to know with certainty where it originated, myself. Neither have I studied in any depth the modern understanding of mutated malarial plasmodiae. I know only how it functions; turning one after another into daemons, and with it lengthening the nights little by little until the sun itself utterly ceases to rise.

Edited (a word) 2021-04-25 06:06 (UTC)

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