melodiesoflife | Player Plot: The Crystal Caves

Rukia is right.

[ Mikleo's not going to stand for trading one world for theirs. They have to find a way to save both this world and theirs. There has got to be something that they have yet to find. He knows that it might not be the best choice and things might not ever fall through the way they are meant to be, but he doesn't want to sacrifice others so he can live. This all hits too close to home.

No more sacrifices, no more deaths. They have to figure out a better way. He knows that he isn't okay with this either. He knows that Rukia has a point and that's something he has to put into consideration. It may not be a choice he wants to make but it's a choice that might have positive results. He isn't choosing to allow all of this as well. He knows that there are always consequences no matter what. The question is-- if everyone here including himself is ready to accept the consequences? ]

We can't be rash with our choice. I know that you're all upset, and I am too, but we have to be careful. If we choose to sacrifice this world for ours, we should be aware of the consequences that it comes and the lives we are using in order to save our own. It's something I want to avoid. That sort of guilt-- no one should have to bear it.

[ He knows they don't have the time and they're racing the clock. Everything is pressure. ]

[Jade watches the others step forward one by one. Are we doing the right thing? As the head of this expedition, should he call them off? There are so many things that could go wrong. If they end up failing to save Crystallis and the crystallization mechanism is no longer there, everything will be lost.

Even so... His instincts tell him that walking away now would be unacceptable. They need to alter the Soul Divider if they want to make a difference. If they just keep playing it safe, doing things just like the previous cycles, nothing will ever change.]

...Even if we allow the cycle to continue, there is no guarantee Crystallis will last forever. We could be sacrificing countless worlds for nothing, only for Narayana to consume everything in the end. Clinging to one future simply because it's the only known path... What meaning is there in that kind of existence?

[That's right... The entire history of Auldrant is a prime example of what happens when people accept their fate without a question. He can't allow himself to fall for that kind of thinking again.]

No future is ever absolute. Even should our path lead to destruction, it's still our choice to make as citizens of these worlds. Not yours, not Garland's, not the Ancients'. One way or another, the cycle must end with us.

[ Sheena shakes her head. Oh well. It had been worth a shot. Sighing, she also steps forward. ]

Thousands of years of following a "tradition" doesn't make that tradition right--especially when it involves sacrificing others just so you can survive. Perhaps what we'll do will destroy everything, or we'll reset the cycle for everyone--and all will survive.

[ She also takes out her thrower and powers it up. ]

There's only one way to find out.

So it's come down to this.

[He gives only pause enough to take another breath. Keeping his eyes strictly forwards and not on anyone in particular as he states his own opinion.]

You're all just delaying the inevitable. Relieving it from one fate while recklessly consigning it to another which you know even less about.

[That sounded familiar even coming out in his different tones, and he never thought he'd end up saying something that he'd probably sooner hear out of Palitutu.

For the last few minutes, Sephiroth has heard each and every single one of them voice their piece. Often he dropped his gaze from the giant harp-like structure and looked around at a few of their party; Jade, Cloud, Sheena, Rukia and Ales, alongside anyone else who would meet his eye contact. Looking for something on their faces in the gloom perhaps, gauging the conviction with which each justification was presented. His expression hardening all the time; disbelieving in the fact that it really had come down to this?

After Jade, his comrade was fixed with an incredibly stern look. He finds it short sighted, to say the least, to think that 'breaking the mold' was reason enough to remove this Planet's protection against that which threatened it. To complete and utter annihilation, for all worlds is a huge gamble not least thinking about it in terms of those that rightly called this world their home. It had been easier, since Sephiroth had begun to think in terms of 'Narayana' rather than 'Calamity', but the parallels to his own universe still stick like napalm to his soul; he can almost taste the despair that he remembers feeling before.]

...no.

[His whole frame had been rooted to the spot but then suddenly turns and takes strides back towards the elevator, stopping only at the threshold of the platform that would soon become irrelevant; the Heroes had chosen the path already and there is little he could do to stop them initiating the fight at this point. But-

-just can't make that step.]

It is futile to oppose me. My death will not mean the end of the cycle.

[ With that said, the elevator goes inactive… And whatever was coming their way seems to finally be about to reveal itself. ]

BOSS BATTLE: Soulcage
An tree-like crystalline entity that personifies the Soul Divider’s, Garland’s and Crystallis’ Will. It oversees the functions of the Crystal Life Tree, including the crystallization process in preparation for Nova Crystallis. Being classified as an Undead, there is a way to instantly defeat it but only the smartest Heroes of Light can find out what this way is.

[ The entity appears before the harp, its crystalline root tied to the platform upon which the Heroes of Light are standing. It doesn’t attack them yet however—The Heroes of Light have the honor of starting with the opening blow, it would seem. ]

Jack draws his sword, but he doesn't start with an attack. "It wont end, but damn if it won't help." This many people, he's better spent with a song. He begins to sing, unaccompanied, Nameless Song. Haste, Regen, Protect, and Shell all around. Make it count, people.

If you won't help, you're standing in the way of stopping this neverending cycle of destruction.

[Ales' voice shows no sign of anger, just disappointment. Well, whatever. He promised himself to fight for a world he could live in. He holds out the tome to cast Libra on the Soulcage. There isn't much the Heroes know about this being, but if they are to prove their conviction by defeating it, then he is going to provide all the help he can provide.]

Edited 2016-11-05 02:46 (UTC)

[ He listens to Jade, clutching the staff in his hands, tightly. It's true, they shouldn't follow tradition because it's always been absolute. There is no certainty that Crystallis will survive even if they left the thing on its own. However, the question is-- how are they going to save Crystallis if they choose to fight the the SOUL CAGE.

It is better try than do nothing at all. He glances at the long haired man for a moment as he walks to the elevator. Choosing not to fight was also an option, but he can't sit idly here and leave after going so far. ]

...

[ He grits his teeth. What should he do? What will he do? Some of the Heroes have already hesitantly made their choices, so he has to make his. He watches as Ales casts Libra on the SOUL CAGE. What will they know about it from here on out? Fine, he'll take the defensive and casts Divine Caress for everyone just in case the enemy can cause status ailments. He cant' let the people here die, and he certainly can't walk away now. ]

It's more than that. The cycle of destruction has to be stopped but there's more to it but it's not like we have much of a choice now do we?!

Edited 2016-11-05 04:30 (UTC)

[As the Soulcage descends, Levy draws in a deep breath to calm her fear. Fights like this are usually the sort of thing that Natsu or Grey or Erza would take on. But they aren't here now, so Levy needs to do what she can for this world, the people in it, and her fellow Heroes. Steadying herself, she draws her sword and points it at the Soulcage.]

Arcfire!

[It looks kind of like a tree, after all. Levy summons up the arcane power of the Scholar, channeling it through her sword and launching a fireball at the Soulcage. It immediately erupts, engulfing it in a tall column of flames scorching all up and down its massive form.]

[ Sheena begins to scowl at the Soul Cage's words. ]

Yeah... You know what? Someone back home thought the same thing about a tradition that was nothing more than a smaller version of what's been going on here.

Guess what? They were wrong, and now the planet is healing.

[ Sorry folks, that's all she's going to say right now. If you want to know more, you'll have to ask her, because she's aiming her weapon at the Soul Cage right now. ]

[Rukia's expression is shocked as Sephiroth turns to leave them...then grows dark with anger and disgust. He's ~~leaf-ing~~ leaving them now of all times? Unbelievable!]

If time is all we manage to buy, it's still well worth the price! Do not turn your back on your allies when they need your solidarity!

[Lectures aside, they're finally ~~tree-ted~~ treated to the sight of the voice's owner. ...She has to admit, a big evil tree isn't what she was expecting. She exhales and readies her weapon.]

It is not your death that we seek. But if you insist upon fighting us, we will not ~~re-treet~~ retreat!

[Levy throws out the first blow, so Rukia follows suit with the particle thrower. If only she knew it was undead, but noooooooooo, someone had to blow up her PKE meter!]

Things cannot stay as they are.

[She glances back and hesitates- but just for a moment. If they take apart the workings and get to the bottom of how it works- perhaps there will be an answer there. In any case, she has made her choice, and now it must be seen through. She summons up a cast of Fira to aim at the Soulcage.]

[ The second the Arcfire and Fira hits Soulcage, the entirety of its body catches fire... But unfortunately, it doesn't seem to hurt it, quite at the contrary as its speed is now twice what it used to be. And to make things worst, it uses a critical skill: ]

>Fire Blades

[ A fire attack hits all of the Heroes of Light, dealing severe damages to the entire group.

Ales's Libra will reveal that Fire attacks are extremely ineffective on Soulcage and actually increases its stats on top of allowing it to spam Fire Blades turn after turn. It can, however, be reversed using an ice attack. The Soulcage is classified as an undead and healing or life spells are extremely effective against it. ]

[It's exactly people like Ales, Rukia and K'pandolu, and more specifically what Rukia said, that has prevented Sephiroth from taking the step that might have seen him out of there. In the moments before the battle started, he's left gazing hard at his feet as if there is a line there that he can't cross.

Indeed, honor can be the heaviest burden. Regardless if he doesn't agree, that the resulting concept eats at the very bottom of his soul, he hasn't come all this way down here to do nothing. To leave everyone in the lurch.

Sephiroth is just about turned around back towards the fight with the Soulcage, just long enough to squint at the roaring inferno it's turned into thanks to all the fire-based attacks before Fire Blades rips around the whole group-]

Ngh-

[Combat Mode is only just initiated before Sephiroth finds himself crumpled to a knee. Thankfully it didn't set his hair on fire, and the Shell effect absorbed a measure of that heat, it but he's hardly at his most refreshed.]

Damn it.

[ That made no sense, but he could sort of tell that fire isn't effective on a tree. Well go figure.

It didn't look like he had much of a choice. When the fire blades sliced through them, he grunted in irritation as his body gets slashed by the blades. They were burning a lot more than he originally thought. It takes him some time to get back on his feet and he staggers a little forces himself up. Right now, there are things at stake. He has to ensure the safety of the party members.

He quickly casts Mega Regen on the party first to at least ensure their survival. ]

Is everyone alright?!

Edited 2016-11-08 22:31 (UTC)

[The readings come in shortly before the Fire Blades strike Ales, setting his clothing on fire for several seconds. He winces as the attack burns him, hoping for anyone to heal him.

While the effects of the Mega Regen heal a small portion of his pain, he is consoled that he won't die in a fiery blaze before he can relay the important information--]

Don't use Fire attacks, it only makes it stronger! It's weak to Ice!

[Priorities. He'd rather weaken it before it strikes them again. After a few seconds, he speaks again:]

It's also undead!

[ Selphie felt the magic cover her just before the Fire Blades attacked. She braced for the attack and brought up her shield to protect herself but still staggered backward. For all the good it did initially, the regen spell kicks in and she hears Ales shouting out weaknesses as she straightens and preps In the Red and starts a wide arc to try and get behind the Soulcage.]

Mikleo! Hit it front the front, I'll go in from behind!

[ As Selphie maneuvers herself she prepares for a Dualcast of Cura to help take the damned thing out.]

Just because you think you're doing the right thing doesn't make it the best outcome! This has to change or everyone is going to suffer!

[Cloud frowns at Jack. He misunderstands. Cloud isn't losing hope. This is anger. Whether his world can be saved or not, the crystal he bears shows him proof that it's at least been converted. Perhaps his imagination but he can feel a dull ache in time with the pulses of light traveling up and down the harp. Even if their worlds could be saved, that wasn't something to take solace in at this moment. How many other worlds had been consumed? How many other versions of their friends and families. And if they could save the fragments left in the rift there was no promise that they could bring back everything.

But even if there was nothing he could do to save his world he could still save the world of Another Cloud.

As with the others, he steps up to defy fate.]

Taking lives to live may be part of nature, but there's a limit to it. And when backed into a corner the prey will fight back. The Herans, Garland, Crystallis, they have no more right to live than anyone else. There's a difference between sacrifice and simply laying down and letting yourself be eaten, and I choose neither.

[He hefts his sword and shield, eyes flashing in defiance.]

I'd rather die fighting for my future than to do the same to maintain the illusion of safety. And all the lives given up to pay the cost matter just as much as the people who live here. I'll fight to protect every world I can from you, and if and when we face Narayana I'll fight it too!

[As the battle begins, Cloud sweeps to the front. He begins with Sentinel as has been his routine, bracing himself for the inevitable oncoming attack. He winces as the fire blades hit, his armor, shield and the spells on him absorbing what they can but the pain still sears through. Furrowing his brow he debats his options and doubling down on his defenses, but as he hears Ales' call he nods and pushes forward again. Better to end this battle sooner than to let it linger.

He lunges forward, gathering energy into his sword and then sweeps it upward, sending out a wave of light at the Soulcage.]

Shock!

Aiiih!

'Kuppopo!'

[Both Rukia and Chappopo are hit hard by the fire, and left smoking and shaken by the ferocity of the attack. What just happened? Are they completely out of their league against this entity? No, they can't give up. Mikleo's Mega-Regen refreshes the most severe of the injuries, and after a few moments, Rukia is able to regain her feet.]

Ales, Mikleo...my thanks.

[She huffs out a few breaths to steady herself, then focuses her attention on the Soulcage. Chappopo hops up to her feet as well, shaking her singed wings.]

'Can I cast Meteor now?'

Not yet...it's still too strong with the enhancement it received from the fire attack. We must use an ice spell for now.

'Po...!'

[Chappopo sulks for a moment, but fluffs herself up and spins around before thrusting out a delicate white paw.]

'Blizzara!'

[ Oh damn. That hurts. That really hurts. So much that Sheena drops to one knee before the effects of the healing spells cast start to take effect.

If it hadn't been for Jack's spell, they would have been in some serious trouble.

Rising, she casts Zelda's Gift, healing some of her wounds and raising a barrier. Brows knitting, she listens to Ales' report even as she aims her thrower at the giant Tree. ]

That thing's undead, so the thrower should work, right? What about my healing spell? It casts a barrier--will that help it?

[ She's not taking any chances this time. ]

Agh!

[Fire. Albel wasn't sure he'd ever get used to it, and he hated it. Because it made him freeze, just for a moment -- just long enough he couldn't shield Sheena. Damn! He grunted and winced, stepping back as the Fire Blades burned into his skin and heated his gauntlet. Mikleo's spell at least helped soothe it somewhat.]

Blizzara!

[After casting that, he returned to Sheena's side. At least she could heal herself.]

What kind of barrier?

[If it would prevent other healing spells, it wouldn't be the best idea.]

[The Fire Blades force K'pandolu back, and she curses as she takes a firmer grasp on her blade. The regen from Jack's song and Mikleo's spell helps, and she nods to both of them, though her expression is still tight.]

My thanks… What kind of power is it to grant a tree strength from fire?

[She's fairly sure that's unheard of even in the worst of the greenwrath, the elementals' rage against man's actions. She summons up another Blizzara, to help reduce the flames.]

There may not have originally been swear words in those spots in the song, but Jack keeps singing, despite the pain. That Regen might mean the difference between some of his friends dying, so he must keep it going.

Undead? The edge of Jack's Greatsword shines with a white light, it's been imbued with a Light Crystal. Cloud has the right idea, and Jack is only a few seconds behind him. Jack's voice raises even louder as he swings with another Shock to follow Cloud's.

[Jade cringes as the fire hits, but a bigger problem quickly occupies him. How is he going to keep everyone healed if the monster can cast multi-target attacks of that caliber? The Regen helps, but they're all badly hurt already.

No, wait. If it's undead... Jade never attempted this earlier for the sake of saving his MP, but now that they've reached the end...

While everyone else's attacks are holding the enemy off, Jade has the time to cast Life on the monster. Here's hoping it'll have the desired effect.]

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