melodiesoflife | Event || Beginning Of The End

[ Please use this thread for mingle before or after the meeting. ]

As she had sent them the letter, Moglin was there to welcome the Heroes of Light who had answered to her call. She wasted no time and led them to the Pyramid. However there was something... Different, to say the least. The outside was unchanged, but the inside was another story altogether. The statue depicting Nebilim no longer had a head, the one depicting Igor was fractured and the one depicting Ib was on the ground as it it had fallen. As for the one depicting Kalki's former self, it was gone altogether.

The stained glasses decorating the place were fractured and broken as well. All the Heroes of Light depicted on them were gone, the glasses now broken where they once had been. Only those who had sided with the Calamity in the past era were still on the visible on the stained glasses, namely Sephiroth and Dycedarg.

Moglin didn't comment on this however and headed directly for the stairs leading to the room where the Sage rested.

"I know a lot of you are angry at the Sage, Kupo, but..." A pause. "He's really doing what he thinks is best - Like you do. So please don't be too harsh, Kupo."

Twilight can't help but gawk at the ruined area. This had to be the cult's doing. They must have struck while they were chasing Palitutu. However, the Moogle's response caused the pony to respond.

"If the Sage wanted to help us, the cryptic stuff needs to stop." Twilight pointed out. "We're at a point where that sort of this doesn't work anymore and so many of us are quite tired of it."

Jade's gaze lingered on the headless Nebilim statue before he took in the rest of the room. Judging by which parts of the stained glass were shattered, it was indeed not difficult to guess who the culprit was.

"I'd keep our anger in check for now, however justified it may be. We don't want to devolve into arguing right away." Because in all honesty, the Heroes did tend to do that.

"A lot of people have been doing what they think is best," Aang said. "So let's home we can finally talk this out and agree on what we need to do so we stop fighting one another."

He hadn't been to see the Sage before, so maybe that could allow him to be neutral on the matter.

Mary took note of the shattered statues. A move by the Cult perhaps? Given those that were left and those that were destroyed it seemed a likely assumption. She noticed Jade's gaze flitting around and gave him a nod once she caught his eye. Her attention then turned back to the moogle.

"There are a good many things that people do because they think it's for the best. That doesn't mean they aren't wrong or immoral. After all, there are people in my world and many others I'm sure who believe that owning other people is "what is best". All he did in showing us that vision last we spoke was throw any trust we were willing to offer him to the winds."

Cloud frowned at Kidd's comment. Her words were a bit sharp for his taste, even considering all he'd seen and experienced in that vision. Still, she wasn't completely wrong either. "It's like what Aang said. A lot of us have being doing our best, trying to help out everyone we can. Instead we just keep getting people telling us that 'we don't know anything' and 'we're being fools'. Palitutu and Artemicion did it, so did the Sage. Others too. People keep pushing us around and telling us we're wrong, but then also tell us we won't understand or won't do what needs to be done."

Cloud looked around at everyone gathered and then back to Moglin, "If the Sage wants something from us, then it's HIS turn to prove his worth. We've put in our time."

"10,000 Gil says that the Sage had a hissy fit and destroyed everything in here!" Deadpool called out, carrying around his ingenious planned box as he looked around the place. "I mean, seriously, the outside is nice and neat and the inside isn't? If this place was visited by that Cult thing we all should be worried about, wouldn't we have been brought in almost immediate--" he's cut off as he starts laughing. "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot, this is the Sage we're talking about here. If there was an immediate danger to him and us, he'd wait until it was on top of our backs to let us know!"

"We have come this far because we are willing to give him a chance," Jack is a bit more diplomatic. "If he's going to help I realize that it can't be just on our terms. We are willing to listen to whatever he has to say."

Jack casts a gaze over the ruined statues, the destruction that's reached this far. He can't help but linger over the spot where Kalki...or was it Dr. Sumati? used to stand. "What has happened here? Are you actually still safe here? I know you'll be reluctant to leave anyway. But we can offer some protection."

"Don't be foolish. He'd have to leave his room to cause destruction this deliberate." Lust trailed her fingers lightly over the wall, bits of colored glass crunching beneath her high heels as she took her time crossing the chamber. She was far more interested in the destruction all around them than the remarks of the others, but rest assured, she was listening.

"I'd say this is the work of someone who clearly doesn't like us very much~" Her money was on the cultists as well, but it didn't matter at the moment. Rather than speculate, it was best to just ask the man directly. The homunculus started up the stairs, the tails of her scholar's coat swishing with each step.

What a happy coincidence. Lust received her invitation just a few hours before boarding the ship that would have carried her back to Aqures Ixen, so she elected to keep her room at the inn for just a while longer. Why not? There were interesting studies being conducted in the Mysidian lab, and now that she'd maximized her Alchemist job, she would have a better chance of conducting a little research of her own.

She made no effort to conceal her identity or her presence, easily spotted when she moved through the city by her pale skin and thick waves of long black hair. She was one of the few 'humes' as well.

Unfortunately, her inquiries after the Philosopher's Stone resulted in the same information she'd run into prior, It seemed like her best hope lay in the White Mage's crystal, or Palitutu's awakening. Neither were available to her at the moment, so she would have to wait. How fortunate that patience happened to be one of her few virtues.

In the morning she could be found at the Magitek Research facility, speaking warmly to the researchers working there and browsing through their files for hints of anything important. In the evening she retired to the Adventurer's End, where she sat by herself with her legs crossed, a drink at her elbow, content to merely watch the different patrons intermingling with one another.

Akane kept quiet for the most part. She'd never been to Mysidia before, and she'd arrived long after the Sage played any sort of valuable role in the lives of the Heroes. Judging by the reactions of the others, the Hall of Prayers probably wasn't supposed to look like this. Was it the result of an Eidolon gone wild, perhaps?

She approached the stairs, setting a foot on one of the steps as she tilted her head back. This was going to be a long, long climb, wasn't it?

No time like the present! She was curious to know what the Sage had to say, especially since it seemed like he possessed powers that were very similar to her Esper abilities back home.

Taking a deep breath, she started the climb, one hand braced against the wall and the other hoisting the hem of her mage's robes up to her knees. The last thing she wanted to do was greet the Sage with a bunch of bruises on her face after tripping and rolling down the stairs.

"Understood," Chrom inclined his head gravely to Moglin. He still didn't understand the reasons behind the Sage's vision, nor why they had been summoned here now. However, he didn't feel that now was the time to question the Sage and his motivations. He did believe that Moglin was right, that the Sage did wish to help. Perhaps this time he might enlighten them on the nature of the strange vision of the future they'd endured, and why he'd seemed so displeased by the results.

He wanted to say that they would demonstrate every respect upon meeting with the Sage, but given the complaints already being voiced, there was simply no way he could guarantee such a thing. He would have to strive to be courteous and thoughtful, like Emmeryn, rather than impulsive and brash...like himself. He'd made this journey with Robin last time, and was content to let her natural charisma and diplomacy carry them through. It was time he learned to conduct himself in a similar manner.

After all, they were still dealing with an Avatar of the Calamity. They would be judged on their conduct one way or another.

"Thank you," he said to the Moogle. "You've been gracious." Then he turned to start his way up the stairs. He regretted attending in the gear of a Crystal Knight immediately. At least this would be sufficient for the day's workout.

Duster hadn't come to speak with the Sage before. He wasn't part of the vision showing them all of a terrible future. There was no personal reason to distrust the Sage nor to believe every word he said, but judging from the others' reactions, their feelings on the Avatar were complicated.

An apologetic smile was given to Moglin. She was only working for the Sage, yet she must endure so much abuse if this was how the Heroes treated her boss. His arms were relaxed by his size as not to make himself appear proud.

"I don't know what it's like to be an Avatar, but it can't be easy," he spoke as he ascended the stairs.

Sheena hadn't visited the Sage the last time, but after the vision and subsequent events after the beginning of the year... By Martel, she was going this time.

Stepping into the place, she froze, shocked. She didn't know what to expect, but this level of destruction wasn't it. But it sure got whoever's point it was across. For a moment, she stared at the image of Sephiroth, her brows crinkling before she shook her head. This wasn't the man she knew and didn't believe he'd ever be that man.

Hearing Cloud's words, she looked away from the image and nodded. "We were brought here for a reason, but every time we try to help, we're told we're wrong. Or that we don't know any better. Well, you know what? This whole thing has become a 'tradition', and this particular one has to stop--no matter how much people fear the changes that will have to occur to do so."

She knew it sounded simple-minded, but how else could it be looked at? Constant repetition of the same ceremonies, battles, then a reset...

With that said, she started to follow the Moogle, her steps determined as she took the stairs.

"Yeah, no kidding," Rialynn nodded at Duster. At least the Sage seemed like he wanted to help. He just seemed to have a hard time communicating that desire.

While she had been at the last crazy meeting, she wasn't particularly angry or upset about it. The only thing she regretted was that she'd been killed in the vision pretty early on, and thus she wasn't privy to anything else that happened afterward. There was so much she craved to know, and the big blank book she hugged in her arms was evidence enough of her expectation to fill its pages with information.

Good luck with that, bard.

She stayed close to Duster, ready to catch or steady him if his bum leg gave him any troubles on the long ascension to the top of the infinity stairs.

"I'm sure he meant well."

Leave it to Pyrrha to persistently try to see the best in someone, even when it's abundantly clear that they don't deserve it. Still, she has to believe that there was a good reason for what the Sage put them through the last time they came to Mysidia.

"We've been through a lot since the last time. We've learned things and grown stronger. Maybe this time he'll find us worthy."

Ramza was tempted to pick up a rock and throw it at the stained glass depiction of Dycedarg as he passed it, but he quelled the impulse. Violence begets violence, and such an act would only cause more trouble.

He had been quiet since reading Jade's report.

"Yes, we know much more that we did last time we spoke with the Sage. I think, now, we may know the right questions to ask."

One can hope.

Wow someone really wrecked this place. Bartz doesn't have much of an opinion regarding whether it was the sage or the cult who did the damage. Honestly he doesn't see what difference it would make.

Ramza's comment has him turning his head curiously though.

"Really? What question are you going to ask?"

Because Bartz sure doesn't know what the right questions are.

"Let's just hope the answer is a little clearer this time."

Levy's still sore about what happened last time. She's made her peace with it, but it wasn't a very pleasant experience to have to go through. She never thought anything would cause her to betray the principles of Fairy Tail, but she feels stronger for the revelation, and resolved in her path. She'll never allow herself to become the Levy from the vision - that much is certain.

"I thought his answer was clear: don't bother me with explaining anything to you people," Nanami said, bitterness in her voice. Unlike many heroes, she didn't have a problem with how she acted during the vision. She didn't remember what their plan was, but they'd had one. Mostly.

And, yet, she'd seen how it had affected Lydia and some of the others. And Nanami knew a lot of people were... more willing to take risks than her. Even if it meant dying, and taking everyone from their worlds with them.

So she was along. This seemed safe enough. "Kind of stupid we don't get the answers until we find them out for ourselves. At this point, why bother?"

Because they still had only some tiny fraction of a real plan, and they knew it.

"One thing I learned is that anyone with powers that make 'em all high 'n mighty makes 'em act just that way. No one here's given us straight answers, so why should that change now?"

Sparks wasn't even sure why he was here. Last time was just an exercise in frustration. Besides, he knows these types well. He grumbles to himself.

"Folks with all these powers who 'can't interfere'. It's the same on any planet, I guess."

He looked around at the wreckage, poking at some debris with a boot.

"Reckon whoever did this probably came in seekin' advice or somethin'. Actiin' normal at first. If it was the Cult, I bet they'd just burn this whole place to the ground."

Oh, Tsubomi remembered those visions quite well. She had to cling profusely to Levy to make sure she'd never turn out the way she did. And so far, so good!

Though, Sparks' comment did cause her to raise an eyebrow. "Maybe it was Garland. He's still out there and he might be curious about what may happen..."

"So much for handling things in a discreet manner."

As much as they all seem to be talking, they were slapped with more questions. Yuri for one didn't want want to repeat what happened in the vision if he could help it. People were too quick to decide sometimes not that he could change their ways. There's only so much one could do before they had to sit back and spectate.

He can't say he's agreed with the majority of choices that were made but he wasn't going to voice his opinions since there was no point. The mass was right, they needed answers and this time it would be better if it wasn't in a convoluted vision.

"Right, so is this Sage going to start talking or are we going to just sit here and converse amongst ourselves?"

Edited 2016-09-28 03:10 (UTC)

Rukia hadn't initially known the names of the four Heroes that had been memorialized as statues, but she'd known Kalki and Ib's images, and she was fairly certain that Nebilim wasn't the hero with the crazy eyes and perilously long nose. She noted Jade's staring at the missing head, and her troubled frown deepened further. Was this an accident, or a deliberate desecration? She had a feeling it was the latter.

But who had the power to remove an entire statue, just like that? Rather than speculate, she just decided to ask the Moogle as he'd probably been a witness, or at least heard from someone else that had been present for the wreckage.

"What did this?" she asked. It might have been a summoning that went horribly wrong, but she just wasn't sure.

Once she had her answer (if an answer was given at all), she turned toward Yuri and sighed. "You know the way. Step lively." She planted her hands against his back to herd him toward the giant staircase. If he could do it to her, then she was going to return the favor.

Event || Beginning Of The End

Mingling

The Meeting

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Before the Meeting

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