melodiesoflife | Player Plot: The Crystal Caves

Jack is mentally swearing as the elevator refuses to start up again. Only way through is forwards, then. "The Will of Crystallis," Jack shakes his head. "The planet itself is fighting back against the Calamity, to keep the Calamity and Narayana held back, or it would have devoured everything already."

"What about what I said earlier? The crystalization? It stems from here, doesn't it? The planet needs a vessel to carry out its will?" This isn't too far-fetched for Jack.

[Cloud looks back and forth as everyone asks their questions and the Soul Divider answers. It seems to be more forthcoming about things than most of those they've encountered, but he can't quite accept a disembodied voice of something with so ominous a name as an ally just yet. And the the mention of "quenching the Herans' fear of death" isn't comforting either.

He frowns as he considers the answers being given, as well as Rukia and Jack's newest questions. Were they even sure that the soul divider was acting outside of the way it was intended? It didn't seem like it thought so.]

There's something that doesn't make sense here. Who's will is it specifically to sacrifice other worlds? [He throws in another question, one that's been bandied about and he's sure they'll want to know the answer to.] What does S.O.U.L.D.I.V.I.D.E.R. stand for?

[ Sheena nods to Rukia, her meter already being placed back where it belongs. ]

Yeah. The hair on the back of my neck is standing up.

[ It's almost like being home, when she had felt the presence of the Summon Spirits.

Listening to the voice answer questions, Sheena shakes her head. ]

So, the Herans created the Soul Divider to divide their souls from their bodies when they died so they can be "reborn" that way? To gain immortality? Is that what you're saying?

[ There's a clue there somewhere, she can feel it, but she has no idea what it is. ]

I do not know. The creation of this place precedes my birth.

[ This was in answer to Cloud’s question as to what the initials meant; but it seemed the entity wasn’t done replying. ]

The Herans created the Soul Divider to break down, filter, recycle and refine the energy from your worlds. They sought to achieve immortality by stealing life from other worlds and using it to keep their own alive. It was the Herans’ will, but Garland and Crystallis perpetuate it to fit their own needs.

[ And to answer Jack: ]

Correct. Areas contaminated by Narayana are crystallized from here in preparation for Nova Crystallis.

[ Finally it replied to those who mentioned trying to fix the place or sacrificing less worlds to keep Crystallis alive. ]

The Soul Divider is not broken. The number of worlds consumed in the process is irrelevant so long as Crystallis survives.

[So the Divider wasn't broken, which is good! Selphie tucked her own crystal back into a pocket before crossing her arms across her chest. There had to be some way to save Crystallis and their own worlds.]

Do you believe that there's a way to save our worlds and ensure Crystallis's survival? I dunno about the others but I'm open to suggestions.

[Her last question is for anyone to answer though.]

What's Nova Crystallis?

Wait, wait, wait...

[Twilight needs some clarification here. Because she's starting to see something here.]

So, the Herans built you not to save this world, but to save themselves, but Garland and this entire planet are acting on their own to use this for whatever reason.

I guess the bigger question here is what exactly is Crystallis? What exactly could force an entire planet to subvert a system like this? What is it hiding?

[Cloud frowns at the answer. His eyes go to Sheena, trying to catch her gaze. It seems that her theory was right all along. This is a lot like the system she described from her own world.

The question of 'what gives the Herans the right' seems moot at this point. Clearly it's gotten away from them and now it's moving on mostly out of its own momentum. The one turning the wheel as changed but the parts remain the same. The machine hasn't changed.]

What would happen to Crystallis if the soul divider was turned off? What about the other worlds?

[He thinks he can guess the answer already thanks to the things he's heard from the others. Their own worlds may be gone at this point. Consumed or simply long since passed. And somehow he doubts the process can be reversed. The things they visited in the Rift recently might have just been echoes. At least there seem to be multiple versions of worlds out there but...]

No. Crystallis was meant to die long ago. To live, lifeforms consume the lives of other lifeforms. Worlds are lifeforms and the same holds true for Crystallis.

[ There was a pause. ]

When crystallization covers the planet, all lifeforms are extinguished and civilizations destroyed. Your worlds are filtered through the Soul Divider. What can be used becomes part of Crystallis while the leftovers are expulsed into the Interdimensional Rift. The seal over Narayana is renewed and when the crystallization recedes, new life is brought to populate the world until the next coming of your kind. This is what Garland calls Nova Crystallis.

[ And to answer Cloud’s question— ]

The crystallization would recede leaving Narayana free to corrupt the uncrystallized lands. Eventually it would destroy the planet and this dimension before moving on to other ones.

In other words, we can't turn it off. But if we leave it as it is, our home worlds will continue to be assimilated.

[Damn... What options does that leave them?]

...Speaking hypothetically... If there were another energy source to rejuvenate the First Crystal with, could the assimilation be halted and the Soul Divider modified to work with the new source?

[He needs to know if the idea he proposed two months ago to Palitutu is viable at all. If they can't figure out how the Soul Divider works, it's not even worth thinking about...]

But, don't you realize what this process is doing? You're not sealing away Narayana, you're just making it stronger by killing everything else!

[Okay, you've angered Twilight!]

By destroying other worlds and shooting them into the void, you've done nothing but give Narayana strength! You and the Herans and Garland have spent countless years doing the same thing over and over again, you can't think of doing anything else! You're scared of your own mortality!

[ Cloud meets Sheena's gaze easily, since she's looking in his direction. There's no triumph, no victory, in her expression. Why can't she be wrong about this?.

And that problem had been solved by uniting the two worlds. She's not sure the same thing applies here. Maybe if they can shut down access to the Rift itself...

She steps back slightly in the face of Twilight's answer. ]

She's right. You've created a trash heap for a giant cockroach who starts to look towards the closest planet with an open doorway to the Rift for its next meal. When the cycle resets, that trash heap starts growing again, but I have a question.

Does the number of planets needed to satisfy Narayana increase each time?

[ Selphie did ask a good question. Mikleo keeps his distance from the rest of the party, but he seems to have found a place to settle somewhere between Selphie and Rukia. He glances at his two friends, as he processes the truth that's displayed to them.

Some of these things are useful, thus he's jotting down the notes, while keeping himself prepared for anything to happen. Everyone is asking what he wants to ask and he knows the answers might not be what he wants to hear. There has to be some other way.

He looks up at Jade's question. That's something he hasn't considered but the man did bring up a good point. ]

That's something we cannot afford. I want to save everything with no sacrifices if possible. It's not right to destroy other worlds for one person's greed.

[ From the sound of it, the device isn't immortal and that means that Sheena's question will have one answer if he deducts this right. He doesn't comment on it though. ]

The number of worlds necessary to perpetuate Nova Crystallis is constant. Whilst Narayana might grow on the outside, its anchor within Crystallis never changes.

[ It then addresses Jade’s question. ]

It is not my place to hypothesize nor is it necessary. The Soul Divider works and will continue working. Anything else is irrelevant.

[ It does not answer to Twilight, as there is pretty much nothing to answer to. ]

Leave now. You do not belong here.

[ The elevator starts working once again, it seems the entity is done replying to their questions. This is their one chance to leave the place peacefully and call it a day. ]

[Rukia nearly has a similar outburst. How foolish! It's clear that the balance of souls is severely damaged, especially if the souls being recycled have any relation to the crystal zombies they just encountered. Anyone could see that the system is broken.]

[But as it is answering their questions...or at least it was...Rukia keeps her temper in check.]

Just a moment. What caused Crystallis to begin dying in the first place?

[As far as she can tell, the planet doesn't seem to be lacking in resources, and the natural population is healthy and diverse. She can't see any reason why it would ever be in danger of expiring unless something directly caused its demise.]

No. I'm not leaving. I'm not taking that as that. I refuse to let all of our worlds to be condemned because you say so and if the rest of you get on that elevator, I'll never forgive you for accepting that!

[Ales folds his arms, rolling his eyes every time Twilight spoke. Right or not, he has sensitive, personal issues with her.]

No need to get into a fit.

[Still, they couldn't just leave when they came so far. Hopefully the pony hadn't angered the SOUL DIVIDER and still could be reasoned with. He keeps his arms at his sides and stands next to Rukia, showing solidarity. If there's one question that can give a useful answer, it's this one.]

[Selphie really tries to mask the withering look on her face after Twilight's remarks that may have all but ruined their chances at getting some answers out of the planet itself.]

And this isn't the time to be throwing a tantrum, either. All of our lives are on the line here so how about instead of challenging everyone to start bickering, we all put our heads together and try to compromise here.

[Now wasn't the time for flippant comments about love and peace as she promptly disregarded Twilight's last statement.]

There has to be some sort of arrangement we can come to.

[Selphie moves to stand next to the others, clearly telling the SOUL DIVIDER that she has no intentions of leaving.]

[ Sheena has no intention of leaving, either, but there are a couple of questions that need to be asked. Maybe she can still get them answered. ]

Before we go, just a couple more questions, please. What exactly did Garland do to modify the Soul Divider? Does it have anything to do with the music we're hearing?

[ This is a trick, folks. Anyone who knows Sheena knows she's going to stay and fight. After all, she never said when they would leave, now had she? ]

[Cloud glances at the elevator, and then back to the harp. His expression is as firm as ever. ]

No. No I can't believe that we can only just leave things as they are or let everything end. We've come this far for answers, to find a new way, not just through this cave but in this world.

[He shot Selphie a look.]

There is no compromise here. It's destroying worlds in order to keep this one alive. Ours, the ones we call home, they're probably gone already. That's how we got here, isn't it? [He pulls his materia shaped crystal from his pocket, showing off the deep blue.] That's why this is the color it is. That's why crystal stasis is more of a dream than returning home.

[He thinks briefly on the vision of the Sage as he stares at the harp. His hand drifts to his sword, tightening around the hilt.]

This world has been pushing us around since we were brought here. It's time we start pushing back. We're here for a reason, aren't we? I'm willing to risk everything to save this world, other worlds, to win. I'm not willing to risk everything else just to survive.

The elevator works, but Jack isn't looking at it anymore. Cloud had said that Sephiroth was the one drifting closer to despair, but right now maybe he should be more concerned with himself.

"Our worlds are still there. Their energies haven't been consumed, what we did with the Rift wouldn't have been possible without them." But Jack's own hand goes to his sword. "We'll fight. We'll stop this. Because this was the part of the plan I could never figure out: how do we save the part of the world that has already crystalized without trying some restart of our own?"

He eyes Cloud closely. "But it's not over for your world yet. You in? Be sure you're doing this for the right reason."

[K'pandolu's expression is a deep scowl by the end of the entity's words. She unfolds her arms as the others speak and move, making their decisions.]

Yester by thine eyes, morrow by thine hands… So say the Divine Chronicles. Of course, Mezaya Thousand-Eyes spoke to Eorzea's own troubles- but this fits now as well, I feel. In any case- I should never forgive myself for failing to do what I could, when the situation threatens so many.

[She glances briefly at Jack with a nod, ears flicking for a moment- for as long as she can, she wants to hold onto hope that something can yet be done. She lays her hand on her own blade, shifting into a ready position, listening and waiting for whatever is to come.]

Oppose me, and the crystallization covering the world will recede. And then Narayana will be free to corrupt the lands left without the protection of Crystallis.

[ Regardless of the efforts made to throw more questions at the entity, it appears it is no longer answering. The shaking grows more intense and something appears to be on its way. The elevator still works, but it will not work anymore by the time the entity will show itself. ]

Answer me, Heroes of Light. Would you deny your very calling?

You can take that very calling and shove it up your flank! I will not subject my world - my home, my people, my friends and loved ones - to be eradicated because you and everyone else who has used this machine can't be bothered to clean up the mess that came from it and expect everyone who has been brought here to roll over and die for your needs.

I understand what the Herans have done now - they feared their mortality and instead of figuring out something else or accepting their fate, they turned Crystallis into an interdimensional zombie and when they finally died, Garland and this very planet decided to keep it up.

I think it's time to take out the head and clean up the mess the rest of you couldn't!

I almost lost my home once to a greedy, uncaring world that tried to sustain itself by stealing energy from other worlds. I couldn't do anything about it then, but I can do something about it here. There's no way I'm going to stand idly by and let the same thing keep happening here!

[Standing firm, she draws her sword.]

We'll save all the worlds! Not just our own, but Crystallis too! I'll do whatever it takes! That's what it means to be a Fairy Tail wizard!

[Albel gently lay his gauntlet on Sheena's shoulder in solidarity, looking from Sephiroth to Jack and Cloud. He could believe in them -- he could believe in this team of Heroes, together.]

I stand with them. Our lives are not for anyone else's purposes, our lives are our own! We matter! And I refuse to be erased for your convenience!

[Calling? CALLING? This voice knew nothing about him, or any of them! It sounded like those 4D beings -- which only made Albel want to resist more.]

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