melodiesoflife | Event || Melodies Of Life

Jack is here for one reason. He wants an answer out of Palitutu before this turns into a bloodbath. He's also perfectly happy to give her what she wants. She wanted to know how they were going to stop the Calamity; now that Jack has an idea of everyone's plans, he would perfectly well tell her. Would it be enough to stop her from attacking? Who knows. He has no idea what the hell she gets out of this.

The rain runs off his light, leather armor, and a hood pulled over his head, but the combat gear is really just a formality. He doesn't intend to draw the spear that's across his back, because it might as well be a toothpick against what's coming for them. Standing on the front lines gets him his answer, but it probably also gets him killed.

Ramza is also determined to see this meeting through to the end. He still cannot understand what Palitutu hopes to gain from this confrontation. Perhaps answers await, or perhaps only bloodshed. The end result does not excuse him from being here.

His cowlick stubbornly fights to remain upright in the rain. The rest of his blond hair is plastered down against his head, and his light freelancer's armor is repelling only some of the rain. Strapped to his side is a shining sword. The great Excalibur...?

"I think it will not be long now." It is an uneasy wait, and Ramza can only hope that the Heroes will not respond in haste and poor judgment when their foe finally arrives. One should always hope for the best, even when it seems impossible.

Palitutu was very punctual and she came at the designated place exactly at the specified hour. Some of them might not have seen her coming in the rain; she was very short after all. And looking as grave as ever. But from her position, she faced all the Heroes who had gathered in the plains
“Countless generations of Heroes of Light were summoned to this world. They lived, fought and died, bound to an endless cycle designed to preserve existence. All because of the mistakes committed by a people long gone. Some tried to preserve the cycle. Some tried to break it. Others never went so far as to learn the truth.”

It would appear Palitutu wasn’t alone as two people soon came by her side; a moogle and a human. Heroes of Light who met him back when he was working with them or in Diamond WEAPON’s excavation site might recognize Artemicion, the moogle formerly in charge of Mognet. The human might be less easily recognizable, but some might recognize Deweg, the imperial spy who already worked for Palitutu back in Aqures Tosf.

“Two thousand years ago, Heroes of Light walked upon this realm. Much like you, they didn’t know the truth behind the past cycles and about their raison d’être. Much like you, they learnt about the truth and their destiny as their story unfolded. But even as the truth dawned upon them, your predecessors didn’t let go of their ideals. They strove to put an end to the cycle and save all worlds. They thought where countless generations had failed before them, they could succeed. Was it idealism? Maybe it was hope. Or perhaps it was merely their arrogance and denial. Regardless of the truth, they failed and by so doing gave birth to your story. They failed and by so doing very nearly condemned all worlds to be devoured by the Calamity.”

She looked at the Heroes of Light who had gathered; noticeably Artemicion didn’t look very comfortable. Deweg on his end seemed as serene and cold as ever.

“They nearly brought about an end to Garland, but by so doing they unleashed chaos upon this world. No one left to oversee the cycle. No energy left to summon future generations of Heroes. No one left to oppose the Calamity and protect existence. By trying to protect what they could see, they condemned everything. Would it have not been for my intervention, today you would be in your worlds, blissfully unaware as the Calamity would devour this realm before moving on to yours.”

She marked a pause.

“Here you are today. You know the truth of the past cycles, the failures and successes of all those who have preceded you. Yet, many amongst you still believe in bringing about an end to this cycle. Like your predecessors, you would risk all of existence rather than admit you cannot do better than the countless generations before you, you would risk everything in the name of your hopes.”

With that she marked another pause.

“To you I ask: what is your answer?”

Jack has his answer prepared. "Some of the details might change, based on the answer to another question. I do have to ask again about what happened to Kalki. Is she truly dead? Because we don't know what happens to the Calamity when one of its Avatars dies."

"But our answer? Firstly is to preserve as much life as possible upon Crystallis. It's the life energy of what lives here that gives the planet the strength to fight back against the Calamity. Which is why priority one is to get out of here with no bloodshed. If the people, even the monsters of this world die? Then the Calamity would overtake everything."

"To save this world, the damage to the First Crystal in the center of the planet must be fixed. That's what this entire cycle has been about, trying to regenerate this planet and that damage. But every time it draws in life that is not natural to this planet," Jack raises a hand, indicates himself, "it does more damage. Fixing that crystal is the only way to render the cycle and the drawing in of energy from other planets obsolete."

A pause. "While many of our number have become experts in Crystal Science, your own expertise would be invaluable. But you probably already know that, so I also ask if you've attempted to fix the crystal yourself?"

"Finally, the Calamity can't be defeated only on this planet. Even assaulting all of the Avatars wouldn't do us any good. For the most part, I think we're going to leave them alone. Does depend on your answer about Kalki, though. To stop the Calamity once and for all, we need to go where it lives, to enter the Interdimensional Rift, and bargain with...or if necessary, destroy the sentient part of the Calamity, Narayana."

Another pause, because there is some regret in Jack's heart about that idea. But he looks up at Palitutu and frowns. "Honestly, you and Garland were the only parts not in the plan. If we fail, Garland can start the cycle again, at the cost of our worlds, but this world is preserved, so why would we want to stop him? Why has there been so much death and chaos? It only makes the Calamity spread faster."

"If you're representing the people of Crystallis, then yes, we are going to prioritize this world over our own. We've made that decision long ago. We need the help of the people on this planet, not to stand in the way, not even for these...pointless clashes of armies. But to live. And keep the cycle of life on this planet going."

"So, what is it that you want? Keep the cycle going, preserve Crystallis at the costs of so many other worlds? Or to finally end this and stop Crystallis from being invaded every two thousand years?"

"Look, he doesn't talk for me." Deadpool said, stepping out. "My only complaint is that we could have solved this damn thing ages ago, but, NOOOOO, we have to be mysterious and hateful and cryptic and make everyone work for it. We've spent a good year cleaning everyone's messes and fighting each other and solving picture puzzles that are missing half the pieces in the box and for what? Standing out here in the rain talking to a tater tot who thinks she's the be-all, end-all?"

Deadpool shook his head in annoyance. "All I have to ask is this - can we just skip to the fighting because I'm pretty sure that even if we had the answer and the cure of cancer at the same time, you'd still kill us out of Doctor Doom-ish spite."

Mary glanced sideways at Deadpool as he ran his mouth behind his mask. For her own part, she wasn't using her own disguise today. Since Palitutu insisted on addressing her by her real name anyway she might as well play the part. The pirate stood, ready for what may come, her hidden blade of course ready in her sleeve. She wasn't about to rush Palitutu like last time, even if temporal paradoxes weren't a problem this time.

"The loudmouthed fool isn't wrong. Few of us are eager for a fight, but this all could have been settled long ago if you came to us rather than working behind our backs. And I know you probably think that odd for me to say." She waited a beat before continuing, not long enough to let her interrupt though, "The fact is that few of those who know the secrets of this world have been willing to tell us much of anythin'. And now you come to us speakin' of Truth and asking what we "want". We want the chance to take our destinies for ourselves. Not be pushed around and told we're fools just because we're trying to do what we believe is right with what little information we have. If you work WITH us we may be able to find the best solution for everyone."

But if not....well then her blade would see blood this day.

"They're both right." Twilight said, stepping up from behind. "Ever since we got here, we're treated as everything but ourselves by most people - livestock for this planet, idiots, tools, the whole nine yards. You, in particular, are one of the worst - the only way you can get your way is to threaten a city and steal away our powers so you can have your way. Is that what you're gonna do now? Make us helpless and kill us all? Please, come up with something original!"

Twilight snorted as she narrowed her eyes at Palitutu. "I may be wrong with this guess, but I am more than positive that you certainly act like them, Ancient! Treating us the way you have, using Ultima WEAPON to control us, stealing away our jobs when we don't act like you want us to... If you're not an Ancient, then you certainly have their ego!"

Jack turns to his companions in surprise. Palitutu came here to talk, why didn't they? "Have you forgotten that she's been helping us the entire time? Even when she was back here as Jessie, she was helping us get stronger. All of our useful intelligence on the Calamity? Comes from her. She started the cycle to bring us here. Because Garland can't do his job if we don't do ours. You need the connection to the other worlds in order to refresh this one."

"She fled once we learned that she had started it all, because what would we have done with that information, a year ago? Hunted her down immediately. She watched us to see what we would do, and judged that we were too violent, too ruthless for her to remain. No, this couldn't have been solved earlier, because we didn't know enough. And we wouldn't have trusted it from just being shown it."

"She hasn't harmed us, hasn't disabled anyone's jobs unless we went hunting for her, or someone under her care." Jack spreads his arms out to the sides. "Do you not get it? Ultima Weapon's not to kill us. It's to keep us from killing her. We're the ones that brought an army to a talk."

Back to Palitutu. "You've been helping us, and some of us are grateful. But I don't know what you want us to do with everything you've given us."

Alice turns to Jack. She's kept to the sidelines for now but this is just getting silly.

"Honestly, I'm all for talking instead of pointless violence. But you have to admit that many of us have a point. She could have easily told the heroes all of this on the first day. Why didn't she?"

Now she turns to Palitutu.

"Why all the intrigue and secrets? What did you actually gain by keeping from us information that might have helped us make informed decisions?"

Alice is honestly curious. Had there been a reason? She can't think of one. Actually, all she can think right now is she better not say something like 'you wouldn't have believed me.' Because that would be the last straw.

"I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

Sorry, Jack - Deadpool responds to your ass-kissing with a left hook.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but I don't think that excuses the death and destruction she brought about. I mean, even at that time we weren't much of a threat and you think we'd kill her right then and there? Well, maybe I would, but I highly doubt the rest of you guys would have!"

"It makes little sense to oppose one another when a greater threat lurks at our door. Kindly ignore Deadpool, Lady Palitutu. He is a talented warrior, but lacks the ability to stay his blade when needed."

He glares at Deadpool. The Heroes do not know if they even possess the strength to withstand the Weapon, and if they survived, what strength would they have left to combat the Calamity itself. Far better to beg Jack's question and find out if there was a way to avoid the fight and join forces for the greater good.

"I want to protect every world. You may think it foolish or impossible, but I'll not abandon that goal while I have strength left in me to pursue it."

Levy can't believe the things she's hearing Jack say right now. She doesn't know him that well, but she does know that Palitutu is not exactly the type she'd call benevolent. In fact, she acts a lot like many of the villains Fairy Tail has faced down in her world - people who think they know what's best for the world, and and force people to go along with their vision or else.

"I'm not going to deny that we've gotten some useful information from Palitutu," she says, turning to Jack. "But I'm with Alice. Why hide it from us? We knew nothing about this world when we got here. I can't speak for everyone, but I was pretty prepared to trust and believe the people who already lived here when I arrived. I think a lot of us were. Why squander that trust and goodwill with secret schemes and backstabbing? If our goal is the same, why not work together?"

Her expression turns steely at this.

"And she may not have hurt us unless we went looking for her, but she's definitely hurt the people of Aqures Ixen. How many of the city's residents had to die in that attack last summer? And because we're expecting her to do something like that again, with the exact same weapon she used to do it last time, and after she's given us no reason at all to trust her words or guarantees, somehow we're the ones being unreasonable? Sorry, but I'm not buying it."

Edited 2016-07-31 17:52 (UTC)

"Indeed." Despite the severity of the situation, Jade is smiling wryly. "I think we've long since passed the point where trust could still be regained. But I'm sure she knew that already."

Then he turns to Palitutu. "For my part, I'm curious as to why you've been so quick to dismiss the Avatars as a potential solution. Our cycle has been given a way to interact with the Calamity that has never existed before. That alone makes our situation different from that of the past Heroes."

A pointed look. "It would be rather wasteful to start causing any premature rifts between us when there are still options to be explored, no?"

With so many questions, so many people speaking at once, contradicting each other and even arguing between them, Palitutu opted to reply to a select few questions. In the meantime, Deweg looked quite exasperated and Artemicion looked as if the world was about to end.

“Garland exists to preserve existence and to do so implies protecting Crystallis and the Cycle. Regardless of good or evil, he will accomplish his purpose. He is the one who used to oversee the summoning of Heroes of Light into this world. Without Garland or I, you wouldn’t even be here. And trust me when I say, Garland will move against you before you have a chance to reach Narayana.”

She turned and looked at Jack.

“To move against the Calamity itself requires going into the Rift and provoking its true form. Because of the way this cycle has been woven, we are safe for now. But should you provoke Narayana, not even I know what would happen. Narayana could very well destroy Crystallis within the blink of an eye, without any hope to stop her. The risks of such an undertaking are such, Garland will not allow it. All he sees are children trying to play at being adults.”

She then turned to Mary, Deadpool and Twilight.

“To summon to you this world, millions had to die to recharge the Crystal of Fire. To contain the Calamity, your worlds and all life on Crystallis will have to perish as Garland will perpetuate the cycle and Crystallis will be reset.” She shook her head. “Approaching you? I know you better than I know myself. I’ve read your lives— I have explored your personalities. The only person who might have known you even better than I do is Kalki. These are sacrifices you are unable to bear or condone. It is based on everything I learned about you before you were even summoned to this world, that I made these choices.”

She then looked around as the Heroes seemingly debated whether she was good or evil.

“I had never planned to even give you a chance to argue your case. Should things have gone accordingly to my original design, right now you would be dead and Garland in the process of starting the cycle anew. Yet, in spite of my best efforts to conceal the truth and lead you the way I desired, you have always challenged what I had planned—Sometimes in brilliant way and other times in more than stupid ways. I do not know whether this is due to Kalki’s interference or your will—Or a combination of both.”

A pause.

“You have proven to be more than the sum of information the Ancients left behind. To put it simply, I tried predicting your actions the way I would solve an equation, and I failed. This is why you are still alive now and why I opted not to go with much more efficient solutions, such as blasting Aqures Ixen in a surprise attack at midnight while half of you were asleep.”

She looked at Ramza and Jade.

“And this is why I am giving you a chance to offer me an alternative. Contrary to what Wade believes, I am ready to disable Ultima WEAPON should you come with a solid, plausible alternative. If you need my assistance and my knowledge to find an alternative, then you need not bother. And if you simply wish to reiterate your convictions, you needn’t bother either. I already know of them.”

"You're not even sorry...."

Ib hadn't intended to say anything at this meeting but this is getting to be more than she can take. She's already seen what will happen. She's the seer that warned everyone. And they still came anyway. Not that she blames them. Palitutu would never hesitate to kill innocent people to get what she wants. And now... now she's finally starting to understand why. Ib is still a seer now. It's not her best job set, but it seemed somehow appropriate for the occasion.

"You killed all those people so you could start the cycle all over again and just kill more people. And you won't even help us find a way to fix it because you've already given up...."

And she's not even sorry. After all the pain and suffering she's caused. Ib doesn't know the word 'microcosm,' but she does think that Palitutu is like a tiny calamity in and of herself. So fine. She turns to the other two. Deweg, and Artemicion.

"Have you guys given up too? Do you really believe what she's done is right? That there's no other way? Is that why you're helping her?"

"In other words, you've treated us as nothing more than cattle." Twilight said. "No intention of helping us then, no intention of helping us now. You want us to roll over and die, fatten us up for the machines and I seriously can't believe I'm using these descriptions. I don't believe you when you say you're willing to shut down the machine if we give you the solution - you'd still kill us if we told you. That's all you want."

"You're as bad as Kalki is. I was wrong to think that there was still some measure of... Kindness in you." Couldn't really say 'humanity' here...

Edited 2016-07-31 19:37 (UTC)

"Please, we need all stay calm. We can find another solution if we put aside our anger and frustration."

Ramza had no less a grudge to bear against Palitutu than any other Hero, but he held the firm belief that she would pay for her sins in time, regardless of what the Heroes did.

"Please, give us a few moments to discuss, then we will bring our response. We can all hold ourselves in check that long, I trust?"

"Why now?" First Sephiroth muttered to himself but then seemed to realize that there was no way he'd said that anywhere near loud enough and given the others talking with Palitutu, and arguing among themselves, he'd have to raise his voice more if he really wanted the answer to the question that had been festering at the back of his mind ever since the gauntlet had been thrown down.

"I don't get it." Then it was louder as intense green eyes rose from the muddy field to the small tarutaru before them. Glancing briefly over Artemicion and Deweg, heavy with thoughts.

"Why now? You've had every opportunity, since the Battle of Aqures, to come back and finish it. What's the relevance of this exact date?"

Jade didn't feel compelled to call out Palitutu's moral failings. He had no right to it, anyway. He'd planned the same thing as her in the other future the Sage had shown them -- so very convinced that his way was the only correct option to take. Always so caught up in his own "genius"...

Well. If his brain really was good for anything, now was the time to put it to work. Their discussions so far hadn't led them to any ideas that Palitutu hadn't shot down. The answer had to be elsewhere.

Forget about defeating the Calamity for a minute. What else was there?

Jade was quiet for a while, brows furrowed in thought. Then he pushed back his glasses and faced Palitutu. Maybe... This might be completely insane, but it wasn't as though they weren't backed in a corner already...

"I can't help noticing you didn't answer my question. But I suppose that's fine. If you'd indulge me for a moment?"

Jade's tone was light, as if he was simply settling in for a friendly debate. The relaxed but firm posture hid the fact he was more or less making this up on the spot.

"The root of all our problems is the First Crystal lacking the energy to sustain this world. Even if we locate the Crystal, I doubt any energy we could give it would be enough. However," he tapped his chin, "there is one thing we know to possess an immense amount of spiritual energy, worth far more than a single world. I'm of course talking about the Calamity itself -- the mass of broken worlds trapped in the Rift."

He didn't stop to see how others reacted to this. Arms folding, Jade went on.

"The obvious problem is the Calamity's nature. As you've said yourself, it's not a malevolent entity so much as desperate to become whole again. Letting it into the planet's cycle of souls is out of the question as things stand now -- it would simply devour Crystallis out of instinct.

"Which is why we'd need to seek out the remaining Avatars. If anything can make the Calamity as a whole to hold back its base instincts, it would be them. Rather than allow the Calamity to consume the First Crystal, we can do the opposite -- convince it to let itself be absorbed by the Crystal. This way, the Crystal would have more than enough energy to revitalize, and the shattered souls inside the Calamity would be freed and return into a normal cycle of souls. Become a part of a whole world again."

Jade paused. There were a lot of what-ifs in this idea, which Palitutu would no doubt notice too. But as uncertain as the plan was, it was still a plan.

"I don't expect you to know whether this is feasible at all. There's probably no one in this world who could know. That is precisely why we need more time -- to learn exactly how much influence the Avatars have on the Calamity." Jade's hands went back in his pockets as he held Palitutu's gaze. "If this turns out to be a dead-end, then restarting the cycle may be the only way left. But until I'm proven wrong, I have no intention of settling for the last resort."

"Can't believe I'm saying it, but I agree with four eyes there." Ira interjected, pointing toward Jade with his a thumb. He'd apologize, but he didn't really catch Jade's name. Thus, the nickname would have to suffice for now. "Don't know what everyone else thinks, but continuing the route of insanity that's only caused a spiral of death isn't one I'm willing to walk down."

All of this was too much like something back home for comfort. First Crystal and Calamity, Light and Dark... Really, it was hard not to call it that. "Maybe it could work. Maybe it will fail. If we don't try, we'll never know."

Something else was bothering him, and putting aside his outright disgust for yet another creature that thought of all of them as tools, he had to ask. "Though I'm curious. Why would Kalki know more about us than you?"

Aang was listening as things happened. Because he hadn't known most of this, even after talking to a lot of the Heroes of Light and reading what he could. "So," he said. "You said you don't know what we're capable of. That's why you haven't just had Garland wipe everything out. But, I agree with Jade. Why now? If you tell us we need to find another way before the end of the year, we can do that. But only if you tell us. Right now, we can see the Calamity and guess how long we have before the crystal covers everything, but we still have months. And we're going to keep working as long as we have."

Aang could reflect on his past experience of world-saving. He wouldn't have pushed as hard as he did if Ozai's conquest wasn't on a timetable.

"And things change. Sometimes things go overlooked for thousands of years until the right person needs them at the right time. And from what everyone says, the Calamity has changed. maybe that opens new chances for us." Look at energy bending: another Avatar might have been able to kill Ozai, and Aang wouldn't have sought it out except for needing a way to stop Ozai without killing him. And Aang knew from Korra that she had her own unique problems.

Tsubomi stood on guard, clad in the armor that Levy made, perched on her Chocobo, Hana. So many heroes were sitting here, trying to persuade Palitutu that they had an answer to the Calamity problem, but she knew it was for naught.

"She isn't going to take it." Tsubomi uttered to whoever would listen. "We could come up with the best ideas ever and she'd shoot them down. She's just sitting here, wanting us to beg." She eyes Deneb - she remembers him from their trip to the past. She was there when Cloud took out his eye. "He has Time Mage. If Palitutu isn't going to shut down our powers, he's going to hit us with a time spell to stop us."

She huffed slightly. "She came here prepared."

Reno crossed his arms, listening to all of this. He remembered the Sage's vision well -- the monsters that came from the Interdimensional Rift, the massacre of Heroes. The end of days.

"Fuck it," he said finally, shrugging. "Why not?"

He looked at Jade. He still wouldn't say he trusted the man, but Jade was obviously smart. He was capable. And that was what was needed. Reno wouldn't turn away a practical solution based on his personal feelings. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, after all.

"We saw what happened when we opened the rift -- so, one of two things happens. Either we succeed since we know it's coming, and Jade's plan has merit. Or, those things rush through and slaughter us again." Reno's gaze returned to Palitutu. "And then the cycle restarts anyway. Might as well give it a try. But if anyone expects me t' be the noble hero who'd sacrifice my world t' save yours? Sorry. That ain't me."

He loved Johnny, and he'd bring the other man home with him if he could. But he had no right to hold his universe's future in his hands. He wouldn't make that decision.

Selphie stood on guard, anticipating an attack at any moment. Her hands were gripped tightly on the newly received nunchaku she'd been given back as she listened to everyone speaking. There was still so much that she didn't know and could only begin to understand. If they all survived this scenario, she was intent on learning as much as she could.

It's with that in mind that Selphie cast a pleading look at Palitutu. The perky brunette didn't have enough in her to go through another war of senseless violence. "We can find another way and Jade has some good ideas on the table so please, just give us some more time!"

Selphie would fight if she had to. She'd rather not fight at all but she was a SeeD and this is what they did. She was small and insignificant in this discussion but it had to be said. Perhaps it was the wrong thing to say but the girl couldn't sit by and say or do nothing.

“I believe the meaning behind this date is obvious enough.” She replied to Sephiroth before turning to Ira to answer his question.

“Kalki was obsessed with the Heroes of Light and Narayana. But beyond this—“ A pause. “She came into contact with the Calamity twenty-nine years ago. Unlike the other Avatars, she wasn’t born as one but became one. She is an Avatar that should never have existed. I know not what Kalki saw or what happened to her this day. But ever since, she had always shown a gift to interfere and to know things she shouldn’t, especially when it was about you.”

With that answer given, she turned to Jade as he expressed his answer.

“So you are offering to use the Avatars to return the Calamity to Crystallis, simultaneously saving this world and putting an end to Narayana. I doubt this world could withstand the energy from an entity such as Narayana. It is too small and frail to accommodate Narayana. With that being said…”

She marked a pause, closing her eyes for a moment.

“Your idea has merit.”

She looked at the other Heroes of Light in succession.

“Regardless of this idea’s odds of success, should we speak theoretically… For you to accomplish such a plan there are three requirements. For one, you would have to improve and perfect the Soul Divider. The very reason the Calamity exists is because the Ancients failed to incorporate the energy from these worlds into Crystallis. Such knowledge does not exist on Crystallis. But maybe it does on your worlds.”

Another pause.

“Secondly, you need the strength of will to face the Calamity. Yes, the avatars… But beyond the Avatars, there are you. You all carry with you a fragment of the Calamity. This fragment is why so many of you fall into Crystal Stasis, why your numbers dwindle even though more are summoned. So long as this fragment is beyond your control, you stand no chance to confront or influence Narayana through any means you can think of. “

And with that said, she looked at Jade once more.

“And lastly, you need the power to face Garland. It matters not whether your plan is doomed to succeed or fail—Garland will try stopping you no matter what you try. It is why he exists. So long as Garland lives to oversee the Cycle, he will accept no alternatives. I trust you understand what this means.”

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