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 Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 12:47 pm
He smiled, listening intently all the while to her. It seemed she was on the verge of understanding, but he had to help nudge her along the proper direction.
It was interesting, to say the least, at how much insight he gained from merely hearing her speak her mind as freely as she did. Perhaps she would also be able to fully understand why he had to do what he intended to do since returning from the Etherial Void.
"It is a simple thing. Everyone should have the same dream." His tone of voice was soft, as he stared at her. "A dream so big, one could risk his life for it's sake." He turned away from her, staring back up to the artificial sky.
"Then, everyone shall stop fearing. In other words, misfortune will vanish from this world. Don't you think so?" The sunlight beamed through, even as the chirping of the birds and surrounding life flooded back in.
He mused at the last bit of her words... her viewpoint on a Golden Age. "Ehehahaha..." He turned back around, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I've said something out of place."
He lowered his hand, even as a braid of his hair moved with the motion. "I might have sounded pretentious when we first met, but my dream is a very common thing. I wish for a world where people could all live quietly and peacefully."
He turned halfway in her direction, giving her a glance.
"This tower was created as a means to reach that dream, Lucind. This tower serves as a bridge to Eden itself... but even after 50 years of research and execavation, I still find myself locked out from it's most important secrets. However... I have finally figured out what is required to open the gate."
He turned to fully face her, kneeling in front of her and clasping one of her hands in his own. "As you said... you know what a soul is capable of... More importantly, your voice can transcend the heavens themselves, and tap into tthose souls that stagnate within this life...and open the gate of song."
He stared her right in the eyes, as he spoke. "Lucind, how about you dream with me?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 1:33 pm
Lucind didn't flinch from his touch although someone entering her personal space unasked was something usually unpleasant to her.
She simply looked back at him, but although her facial expression had become neutral, the woman's voice remained soft - Victor was in the mood to reveal his plan. It would have been stupid to mess up with that.
But apart from her interest in his thoughts in terms of reconnaissance, the whole subject matter was something which touched her more deeply than she was willing to admit.
"Making everyone have the same dream means to modify everyone's self, doesn't it? Even if it is a justifiable dream created with regard to the wellfare of mankind you can't deny it would be still an artificial state introduced without asking if people want to live in it."
Apart from the fact that her brain reeled in the background trying to evaluate the information he had just given her, Lucind couldn't help but think of a little boy when studying Victor's eyes. A little boy who had to experience, hear and see more than his sensitive heart should have borne.
"And what exactly will happen when this bridge is activated? What will happen to the people?"
She asked this for no matter how many great visions of a better life there had ever been, they usually included sacrifices of different kind.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:22 pm
"Who knows? After all, books can only go so far in showing you clarity or peace of mind. For all I know, the gate won't even open, as old as this place is."
Victor smiled, even as he stared at his surroundings.
"But I won't go so far as to alter an individuals perception on what life should be. I would be no better than my father. I merely am doing my part to ensure that life goes on; making sure that people's dreams can go on undisturbed."
His next words came out softly. "If I don't do it, then who will?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:14 pm
"You're not even sure then? What if it ends in chaos and devastation?"
Another moment of silence. Lucind was still on her guard. She believed Victor when he said he wanted a world united by one, allmighty dream. His voice didn't betray him. But...there could be depths of which she didn't know anything yet. Depths, where desperate wishing lived next door to mania.
And such a project, the dawn of a new age, a new and neverending paradise - couldn't it be described as sin, imitatio dei or hubris?
"I think it's not the mission of a single man to save mankind. It's a noble wish to help to make this world a better place, but I feel it's not the best way to do so." She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"See, life is indeed no easy dance and humans strange, weak or even cruel beings...but I still think they're able to cherish the good in them. If I lost my believe in them, it would mean I also lose faith in myself."
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:54 pm
"Evil prospers while good men do nothing."
Was all he said as he walked a bit aways now. His right arm lifted, hand spread even as that globe manifested itself into place, from seemingly no where. It was the same sphere he had when first talking with Ra'kar.
"During my time in the Void... I stumbled upon a certain library. A great storehouse of knowledge throughout time and space itself... it was there that I met my benefactor. It was there that I learned of Destruction."
Images of various wars, bloodshed, crimes of humantity were shown within the sphere.
"Imagine all the negativty... all the evils and sins that this world can possibly commit... and give them form. Give it meaning, give it life and give it purpose. This threat will sweep across Gaia, bringing its destruction. Dust storms will cover the lands. If the threat is not eradicated, it will destroy everything. It's power is strong enough to even the terrestrial avatars. It is "destruction" itself.
This negativity has eroded and weakened the planet itself over the centuries, giving birth to Destruction. The only way to halt it is to use the power of the elemental leyline itself. A feat which can only be accomplised from Eden.
In Gaia are locations where the planet's elemental energy collects. These are comprised of the four major elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. Each point contains massive amounts of Gaia's powerful energy. This energy is the blood that flows through Gaia's veins.
With the use of the Apostles.. those gifted enough to tap into the leyline's flow, I will direct a massive surge of that elemental power directly into Destruction, doing away with it once and for all."
The sphere began to dissipate, even as Victor clasped his hand shut.
"So... do you believe that a Sinner like me can dream, Lucind? Do you see now how a single man can indeed save mankind?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:30 pm
Lucind's expression never changed, but with every new fact of Victor's plan being revealed to her the uneasy feeling in her chest increased.
Hearing of destruction made her think of the Destroyer and even more of Nocturne, god of shadow, who was imprisoned behind the door of nothingness.
The knowledge of Gaia's energy and those veins, the leylines, was part of the Siren culture and Lucind had been given enough lessons about it to know that this man's vision, his plan bore quite some risk, to put it mildly.
"This means, you want to use Gaia's energy to eliminate the surplus amount of evil...for I don't think you'd be unwise enough to actually erase everything negative which undoubtedly would throw Gaia out of balance.
You know this is no easy walk, don't you? You know what devastating things can happen when you lose control and mess up with the energy flow?
And what about these Apostles? Who are they and..." Wait. He didn't actually want her to...?
The woman smiled ever so softly. Of course. Why had it occured to her only now and not directly when he spoke about 'tapping into the leylines'?
Tilting her head a little she went on:
"I never said you weren't able to dream. And believe me, I comprehend your dream. Yet..." She stopped and broke the eye contact for a moment before looking at him again.
"Please, tell me about your sins."
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:56 pm
"I have been more than adequately instructed on what must be done. The books alone were what allowed me to find Babel after all..." A pause, as he turned his head to the side as of thinking on something.
It was broken after a while as he turned to her fully.
"Sin's.... My, that brings back memories." Victor smiled thoughtfully, as he moved towards a nearby tree, running his hand along it's bark.
"Well....how shall I explain this in the best possible way." With another motion of his hand, his tilted his head down in thought..
"Nybelmar....We, sinners are always persued by those Murmillions from the 'old world'. Persuers from...Nybelmar.... my country. I eventually became the leader of these 'sinners'. However, I know what must be running through your mind. If we are called sinners, then there must be some kind of "sin", right?"
Victor's eyes opened, as if staring at the ground, but he had a far away look in his eye.
"There was a war.... a very vicious war between two people. The Murmillions and the Zelandrians...both of whom lived on the Continent of Nybelmar. One side was born from the darkness...and the other light. You know how the old saying goes."
He waved his hand about. "However.....my brother and I....we had our disagreements with...our father. And our father..... we killed him, in battle. Flesh of my flesh...blood of my blood. He who we called Draeger... That's why killing him was unforgiveable. Us 'inners', the Murmillions who rebelled and joined with Zelandria, we will never be forgiven for carving into our bodies.....the karma which we cannot escape from. To atone for our sins with death....My brother's slaying of a 100 brethren and.... my....."
He stopped short, a haunted look coming onot his face.
"Stop!" The voice echoed throughout the chamber. "Stop it!"
A figure was seen bending forward, as both arms reached and clamped onto something that lay on the ground.
"Victor!"
Hearing his name being called, Victor paused, lifting his head up high enough to glance toward....Vahn.
"What's wrong? what's with that face of yours?" Victor was softly smiling, as blood dripped down his cheek. "Let's go now.To the free world."
Victor stood up from the platform, lifting a severed head with both hands, as he laughed. "Be happy. There's no one that will keep us in." The decapitated head bled continuously, as did the headless body to which it belonged to.
"See....? Father can't do anything." He held the head out to Vahn.
"You've killed him!? .....Draeger!?"
"We're free now." Victor said, outstretching his hand towards Vahn.
All around them, the commotion began to raise to a din, as soldiers finally began forcing their way inside, the other "sinners" fighting to keep them at bay.
"Let's go, Vahn. You're invovled too. I'm going to need your help." He kept his hand outstretched toward his brother. Even as dozens, upon dozens of soldiers began flooding the room they were in....
He lifted his head up, staring up at the artificial sky again.
"My brother later had a change of heart....and as a result, everything was lost. Our paradise...couldn't be realized...and I was nearly killed. However, fate had other plans in store for me.... because I found myself adrift between dimensions. It was there that I met my benefactor...and that I learned of Destruction. Learned of the reason for my continued existence...as torturous as it is."
He looked at Lucind now.
"Apostles....ones who can gain acess to the tremendous power of the planet itself, by using the four primary elements that make it up. that make it "whole", if you will. This tremendous amount of energy can only be found in one place.... the Elemental Leyline. I have the key to opening that doorway to the leyline.. the Elf. However to get there....a vessel is required. One that.... Babel contains."
He smiled softly, as he looked towards the siren. "All I have left to do is collect the remaining 'Apostles'..."
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Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:19 pm
Loosely locking her wrists behind her back she made some steps, gazing down on the ground.
"So, this is it then," she spoke softly," you're searching for redemption, for your sins to be erased and with them all sins of mankind..." It was more a statement than a question.
Lucind carefully lifted a bush's twig to sniff at its delicate blossoms.
"However, I'm still not sure about my task - what I actually shall do for you.
And to repeat a previous question: Why me? There're thousands of my kind. Plus, I'm only a halfblood. What is it that makes me interesting for you?"
She gripped her wrist once more and watched busy bees flying from blossom to blossom.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:16 pm
"Because you have that which enables you to understand me; you have humanity."
He stared at her, watching as she tended about the flowers. Yellowed eyes seemed to narrow for a moment, before he turned away.
"Unlike you're full blooded brethren who are so enamoured with tradition and old ways... you actually can understand where I'm coming from. That what I'm doing is not something horrible... but a saving grace for this planet of ours."
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:45 pm
How in the world did I end up here? Were the only thoughts racing through the Brass' head as he came to a stop above the rocky red pillars of the land. There he floated upon a slab of rock he had summoned from the earth before making his long and difficult journey through what he learned was called the Lands of Pain. "I see where they get the name from." he mumbled tiredly as he wiped away the gathering waterfall of sweat that poured down his face and neck. The unforgiving heat of the land was mind-boggling, he had not seen an once of water since he had began his journey nor had he seen any signs of the current weather letting up. It was as if the Sun had the land in it searing hot grasp and wasn't letting go.
He reached down deep inside of his cloak and pulled out a large flask filled with life-giving water. He carefully popped the cap and drank deeply of the cool liquid till he had his full and the bottle was empty. "Dang. I had hoped it would last longer. But I guess the heat has taken its' toll on my water as well." he groaned putting the flask back inside his cloak. "Why couldn't I have become I water sage?" he yawned as the rock he sat on stirred back to life and continued on leading him closer to the ring of lesser volcanoes that would eventually lead him to the main volcano. The main volcano was his goal.
He had learned from some questionable sources that a certain gem was produced by the volcano. It was very difficult to obtain because of the nature of the surrounding landscape, however, there were many in the market for the gem and piles of money could be made from even a pound of the stuff. However, Brass wasn't in it for the riches. Yes, it was true the only reason he searched for the gem was because he needed money, badly, right now. If he wished to continue living in his home and doing the things he needed done, he'd have to find that gem. In the end all, at least he could consider this journey a sort of training.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 1:23 am
Humanity.
Lucind allowed herself to take it as a compliment.
Seireneia didn't know this word. There were equivalents for 'sympathy' or 'empathy'. But no direct translation for 'humanity'...
Releasing the twig she turned upper body and head towards him.
"Who said you were going to do something horrible? And why?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:54 am
The oppressive heat of the chain of volcanoes slapped Brass in the face like a hot, wet washcloth. In response he was forced to take off his cloak and the extra long-sleeved, green shirt he wore underneath it. This made it so that he now only wore a tan-colored short sleeved shirt, his auburn jeans and a pair of wooden sandals. But even this lighting of the clothing he was wearing made no difference in the end, he was still hot and miserable and lamented at the fact he'd have to get closer to the volcanoes in order to get the rare gem. "I can't believe I'm doing this." he exclaimed again as he set his things down on the rock he floated on and looked downward.
The terrain of the land that he floated over was unforgiving. Though he could easily travel across the main volcano on his rock, there was the risk of the smoke and ash in the air, plus he wasn't exactly sure where the gem was located. If it was just at the edge of the volcanoes there really wouldn't be an issue about getting it would there? "Off I go." he sadly flatly as he stepped off the rock and was airborne. Soon gravity took effect and pulled him downward towards the summit of the volcano some hundred feet below. As his form neared the rocky summit, a strong air current wrapped itself around his form like a security blanket it was a simple wind spell that would slow his decent.
Eventually he landed safely on the face of the summit and quickly spoke another wind spell. Soon a strong, cooling wind wrapped itself around him to lessen the intense heat of the volcano. Here he could easily be cooked to a crisp by the high temperatures the place put off. "The quicker I get done with this the better." he reminded himself as he got to work. The job would be simple enough using his earth magic. The gems would probably be buried deep inside of the volcano, possibly near the magma chamber, which was a place he wanted to stay away from. He'd just have to be careful, that's all.
Now that he had his plan of action it was time to get down to work. Suddenly Brass' hands shot out and glowed with a soft yellow hue, the color spread outward and into the ground burrowing deep down inside of it. He was intent on pulling out a long large slab of rock to make the work easier.
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:26 am
There was a long pause... memories that he had thought were buried, stored away from all eyes, came resurfacing without the slightest warning.
"....That's not important." He turned away from her, hands going into his pockets. "What matters is that we move forward... Any furth procrastination and we will run out of time for the single option we do have."
He began walking away from her, turning to lok up at the fake sky one last time.
"Thank you... Lucind."
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:55 am
Hmm. That was not how she wished it to end. She wanted to have that last piece of information. If she'd only known how much time there was left...then she could've simply tried it later on again.
She stared on his back, chewing on her lower lip.
Should she...or wait...?
...
"Victor?"
And what now?
Lucind smiled softly, if not in an apologizing manner.
"Maybe you shouldn't thank me yet."
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