Hidden Truth [Log]

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

What: A log for everyone to gain the information in the Hidden Truth video tape.
Where: The Observatory.

There had been a flurry of letters sent out from Jack and Chiaki, first to Zelda to ask to borrow the Observatory, and then to every Hero of Light, alerting them that they had uncovered some intelligence received in the Heran Empire before the Capital had fallen to Crystal, and that everyone needed to see it immediately.

Jack, Chiaki, and a few others brought in a screen connected to a machine that some would recognize as a VCR. "With our peace mission to the Imperial Capital over Christmas, we returned with a recording made on 20th-century Earth technology, the kind that doesn't have an analogue on Crystallis. It took us time to build a machine to be able to play it. This information comes from Kalki, recorded what appears to be years ago. We obtained it from the Imperial Spy, Jenni. As of right now, we still have no reason to believe that Kalki is alive. But this comes from her, and I apologize to everyone who might be upset by seeing her again."

With that, Jack plays the recording. He stands by the screen and repeats the words for everyone to hear, for those who cannot understand English. Since Kalki's first words are to explain why she is recording it this way, it makes sense why he has to do this. He keeps his own emotions in check throughout, until the explanation of the Bard song that everyone gets to hear. That seems to upset Jack.

Once the recording is over, Jack pauses. "We will need some help from any other English speakers to create a written transcript of the recording so that anyone can access this information at any time. The tape and player will remain here for any Heroes to review. We ask that you please be careful with the machine."

Finally, Jack sits down to let the room descend into the inevitable chaos.

Comments

Re: Tear Grants | ota.

[dancingbaronet]

Zack folded his arms as he leaned back in his chair. While the mood was so somber, he wasn't too sure what to say. Other than look over at Tear, and said, "You know... becoming God isn't that bad. I mean, it's a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Just wanted to point out that one of my best friends is God now."

Kamen Rider. Defying logic since 1973. This was the show that punched out the Devil and defeated God previously.

[cantante]

Of all the things she had expected anyone to say to her following what they had just watched, it wasn't what Zack had just said and it showed in the surprised look on her face. For a few seconds she looked at him with wide eyes, then willed her face to relax into a more wistful expression. Maybe there was more to her former housemate than she had initially thought.

"Maybe it isn't, but this doesn't seem like an ideal situation in which to become one." And didn't he just say that it involved a lot of hard work and sacrifice? "I'm sure there was more to the decision than simply choosing to do it."

[dancingbaronet]

"Yeah, I get that. I mean, becoming God is probably not the best idea." Zack shrugged a little as he turned towards Tear.

"I mean, I get that it's an avenue, but it's not an avenue that most of us want to explore. But it does explain what she was thinking, right?"

[cantante]

"The way Kalki wishes it? It sounds like the last thing we should do." Or so she keeps telling herself, her tone reflecting that seeming conviction. Considering it was not an option—once a person began to consider it, all it took was a few pushes and decisions to put them on that path.

"But you are right, that it helps us to understand her motives a little better. But do we really want that understanding if she takes such extreme measures?"

[dancingbaronet]

"I dunno, it feels like knowing she's capable of such extreme lengths paints a pretty clear picture." Zack made a face as he tilted his head and sighed.

"I won't lie, at least knowing this is an "option"," and he air quoted with his fingers, "Proves at least one thing. That there's probably an Option B, C and D we haven't discovered yet."

[cantante]

Tear was just about to reply to the first statement, lips parted to argue further, but then the last thing Zack silences her before she can even begin. Brows furrowing, she looks down as a hand raised to rest against her chin thoughtfully.

"... You're right. I don't know as much about Kalki herself as I would like to, I don't think anyone does. But surely there were other options she had found that she must have given up on."

And if this group had proved anything, it was that they weren't in the habit of doing that if possible.

[dancingbaronet]

"Yeah." How much danger had his world been in the past? Going to be in? God, the Devil, Undead, Undead again, Oni, Shibuya being a meteor-crater, weird genies, vampires and Decade?

"There's always another way. Becoming God is last tier resort and even then, there's always a way to become God without ending everything."

A beat.

"And if you don't like it, just wind up punching out God. It's happened before."

[cantante]

"Punching out—?" Yep, that is definitely her head snapping up to give him one very confused look, because such a notion sounded absolutely ridiculous.

Enough so that Tear found herself smiling before she even realised it, raising a hand to try and hide it. "Well, we would have someone to actually do that to if it were to happen. But I'm sure there's other things we can try before that point."

[dancingbaronet]

Zack chuckled, thankful he had broken the somber mood somewhat and Tear felt better about it. "Yeah, punching out. 2002 was a very odd year."

He nodded and said, "Considering how everyone has differing abilities, powers and hardiness, we could find a solution somewhere."

[cantante]

"2002..." For a moment Tear paused, her expression seemingly thoughtful. "I'm sure our calendars are nothing alike, but that would be the year I was born in my world."

And what an 'odd' year it had been indeed. "If that much is true, I don't understand how Kalki might think there could be any one person capable of doing this on their own."

Unless her last trump card really was the melody they had all just learned, which would be more than a shame for what sounded like a beautiful piece.

[dancingbaronet]

"Get the forbidden fruit, become god, reshape the world in your colors. It's a story that has been told time and time again in many myths, legends and my reality. The solution to "become god" comes with a price. One that people are too stubborn to see through when all is lost."

"I still don't get why there has to be one ultimate solution to this problem. With this many people, you'd think there'd be a better solution to Kill everything become god, etc etc."