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Post by Althea on Sept 8, 2019 16:35:02 GMT -6
"Hm? Of course it was experimental." Althea looked blankly at Vin, completely clueless as to what he meant. "The beams of energy I was using throughout the fight were the result of many, many attempts to refine and perfect them. The realspace calculations are quite complex but refined through enough battles that I have most of them memorized and the remainder can be calculated as needed for varying trajectories. Far more useful in almost all situations, and," she grimaced a little, "less... intimidating or destructive. I seek to defend myself, to learn more about how to wield these energies, not unleash phenomenal cosmic powers. If I never have to fight a foe requiring that scale of power output again, it will be too soon." And she meant it. Especially after failing to replicate Ereshkigal's unbelievable assault she was feeling a bit down about it, but it was the joy of learning, of experimenting and mastering a relatively new form of magic that she enjoyed. Not the necessity of using it to end the lives of those she would much rather have just avoided if possible.
Though... for some reason, it felt as though something rang false in her words. The magus couldn't tell what, though, much less how or why. And that bothered her. She wasn't lying to him. She didn't think she was lying to herself. She hadn't unrealistically oversold or downplayed her abilities or concerns. That she had even tried to emulate Ereshkigal's attack was - well, there was nothing wrong with that. Scientific curiosity and the necessity of a battle too large-scale for her usual approach. But it bothered her nonetheless, even as the discussion moved on and she shelved the thought to obsess over it later.
"What do I-"
She paused, allowed him to finish, realizing... belatedly that he had more to say. She wasn't sure how to answer that one, either. The nature of what the Nether truly was had been ongoing for centuries - perhaps millennia, as tattered as historical records before the Scouring were. Everyone had a theory. But even they rarely admitted to believing theirs was the undisputed truth of the world. "...No one really knows," the dark mage admitted dourly after a few moments of pensive silence; a would-be teacher forced to admit their own imperfections. "To many it is seen as nothing more than a realm of shadows, but it is far more than that. When I commune with it, it - it feels like the crushing pressure of an ocean washing over me. An endless sea of energy, of thoughts and feelings and emotions. Of the living or the dead, I know not. Some theorize it is the true form of the afterlife, or an emotional ocean forged by the collective consciousness of all that have ever lived, from the modern age to the dawn of creation. Certainly the dead and the damned have been known to-"
But why did so few return? Was it the strength of Self needed to remain a unique entity while awash in the seas of infinity? Linked to magical power? Why did some return as themselves, like Hargus, while others existed only as spirits, like Ereshkigal? Even she professed not to know, and Althea believed her. Ereshkigal was many things, but a liar was not one of them. She caressed her temple gingerly, returning her attention to the subject at hand. She hated not knowing things. But she didn't know how to learn, in this scenario. "If the - ocean analogy is to be taken literally, it makes sense there should be 'fish' of a sort swimming within it. Perhaps even islands. I have asked myself and... others... similar questions many times, but never received a compelling answer. Perhaps it is strength of will that allows one to survive as a defined entity within a realm forged of emotion and sensation. I suspect it is an ecosystem of a nature entirely different from anything we humans have ever seen, perhaps more alien than we can even comprehend. But the reverse holds true as well. Rarely does that sorcerous sea hold anything that can understand us in turn."
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Post by Vincent on Sept 10, 2019 21:34:47 GMT -6
Refined and trajectories? Vincent's eyes glazed over a bit during her explanations of her magic. He understood her words but when she connected them all together back to back like she did she completely lost him. He did however gather that she worked hard on using much more controlled types of spells and that using a power like that again was not something she wanted to do a second time. Vincent crossed his arms thoughtfully to that declaration.
Vincent understood what she was saying perfectly well. His only fear was that power like that was going to need to become the standard one day. Humanity was too weak to push back the monsters as they were now. Even united he had his doubts. He wouldn't voice it but...
'Hey partner. Perhaps you should consider the aid of spirits. There has been a resurgence of their presence and power in the land. Help me reunite my form and well... who knows.'
'What? Spirits? Is that possible?'
'I am one aren't I? I think... and you've got my aid. But we'll talk later.
Vincent was glad to have Althea break down the nether dummy style for him. "So the nether is a vast ocean of mystery. But even in that mystery there is something else that is intelligent and even able to navigate such a place..." Vincent's face scrunched as he thought on this. "Emotions and something alien from us. Are you saying that these monsters are killing us because we can't communicate properly? That this is the only option for us? I can't exactly say I don't disapprove such action. Those things have brought nothing but ruin to us. But if they are intelligent then... if some sort of understanding could be reached then... then we wouldn't have to keep killing and dying for nothing..." he sighed. it was a heavy and lamentable sigh. "Sorry. I know that sounds childish."
"Althea. If what you believe this realm to be is true then the spirits of nature reside with us... and the spirits of light... where would they come from?" Vincent looked like he was thinking hard. He put a hand to his head and began to pace. "I'm not well versed in this sort of thing but... I think it could be possible. I think it'd be possible to understand the spirits! But both sides need to want it. Think about it. Phoenix Heart and I have a bond between man and spirit. Spirits of nature can be appeased. Maybe those of the nether can too. Its just... depends on what they want..." his eyes lowered then. A flash of anger quickly quelled.
"Here." Vincent pulled a tome from his bag. It was well worn at this point. Inside were noted scribbled by Neil and the amendments he made to it. It allowed him to cast quickly but it eventually lead to him becoming consumed as well. "I had a good friend who was a shaman. But he delved into the Nether too quickly I fear. I've met swordsmen with swords with nether spirits. All vile and violent things. And I've lost another friend to pure possession from such a monster of incomparable power." it hurt to talk about it and it made him angry. "I hate Elder magic. But there are people like you who I could never hate that practice it. If you think its possible to understand them though... I would do what I can." He handed the tome to Althea. "You'll get more use out of this than I ever will. And its time for me to let that part of my past go. I'm tired of being weighed down."
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Post by Althea on Sept 11, 2019 1:03:10 GMT -6
"We don't know," the mage returned simply. Not chiding, as in the manner of one disciplining a child. But - flat. Factual. She didn't know. As far as she knew, no one did. Ereshkigal certainly didn't know. She had encountered monsters in her time, but as far as she knew they had never been driven by dark magic like the ones of today seemed to be. Naturally unnatural is how she had described them. Somewhat of a natural anomaly, but living beings. But Ereshkigal was, by her own admission, an unreliable narrator. Reduced to reading and hearing stories about them in her own time. Certainly not an expert.
So why were monsters killing everyone now? Why were there so many, so dangerous? "I do not believe most monsters are capable of communication as we understand it. Whatever is creating, or animating them, though... it may be." A puppetmaster in the shadows, a natural villain, or was it simply a natural process gone horribly awry? Was this chain of events 'unnaturally natural' in contrast to Ereshkigal's words, or was there one to blame? And if there was a master of monsters... well. Privately, she doubted that it could be convinced to stop even if they could communicate. One did not undertake the genocidal cleansing of an entire continent in a healthy state of mind, much less one open to alternatives. But she held her tongue for now. There was little wrong with hope. It would be wrong of her to try to pluck it from Vincent's grasp when she knew precious little more than him as to what was to blame for all this. Perhaps it really was all just a misunderstanding born of lacking communication, and it really did take people exactly like him to bridge that divide?
As to where spirits came from - that was not her area of expertise. She had read some articles on it of course. Althea liked to keep up with modern magical theory, even if her primary interest was in her own work. She... enjoyed learning. It felt good. But this whole spirit thing was just too touchy-feely, communication-ey for her. Not nearly enough math. "...There are... certainly theories abounding on those subjects. Some believe that there is a realm of Light, similar but opposing to the Nether. Often attributed to Saint Elimine as creator. But there is little evidence, and it is..." her eyes darkened for the briefest of instants before she composed herself once more, "entangled with the fanatics of the Church too much to take at face value." Personally, she didn't think there was any such thing as a realm of light, and if it did exist, it was at least twice as unfriendly as the Nether. Elibe was a cruel place, as were its people. If burning entire villages alive was 'holy' - well - she definitely wouldn't want to meet any god or goddess that would condone that.
Vincent did take her off guard offering a book of some sort, one she recognized as a tome the instant it touched her hand - the barest remnants of residual magic sparking between it and her offered hand. Speaking of a fallen friend. Althea... didn't have many friends, but she would be... quite displeased if Drei blew himself up or anything, so she could understand that to a degree. She more than most knew that Elder magics were nothing to be trifled with. Beautiful, full of endless potential. But... dangerous. Ereshkigal's power was unbelievable. It awed her. To unleash such utter devastation so effortlessly. And this was as a mere spirit, inhabiting the body of a... much weaker magus. What could she have been capable of in life? So Althea couldn't exactly blame Vincent for what he felt. Especially after losing friends to the darkness. But the way he spoke - even she could sense the anguish.
"...There is evil lurking within the Nether," she managed after a few moments. "But there is good within it as well. Not all who wander are lost." Was this the time for lectures, for imparting information? She... honestly couldn't tell. Althea was NOT a people person. But after a moment, she decided that she didn't think it was. For how emotionally invested Vincent was in this, her challenging his beliefs directly was not something she could justify. So, racking her brain to think of the most Ereshkigal thing to do - and keenly aware that she was trying to copy the exact thing Vincent had just complained about - she changed the subject entirely.
"Would you... like to tell me about those friends?" Her words were definitely lacking in their usual piercing incisiveness, almost as hesitant as her demeanor as she tried desperately to be a... she didn't know what. Friend? Counselor? Was it the right thing to do to give him a chance to 'get it off his chest' as the saying went, or did he want to end it there? She hoped she had crafted the sentence correctly.
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Post by Vincent on Sept 11, 2019 1:41:06 GMT -6
Elimine attributed to be the creator. Vincent snorted when he heard those words. He was far from a believer in Elimine and their fanatical cult. He wanted to believe in a higher power, a god or goddess that controlled fate and the happenings of the world. Or even a silent observer that had some unknowable purpose. But a god that demanded that innocents be purged in holy cleansing out of nowhere? He could abide even that. It was however, an inconsistent god that went back on their own ideals and words that sickened him. He couldn't blame god for detesting the state of humanity, but he could be disgusted by one that betrays their own truths. "Elimine is no god." Was all Vincent would say of it. No need to get into a controversial fit more than he already did.
So his own theory and understanding did not seem to hold water with Althea, and yet it could not be ruled out in its entirety. This was frustrating him. Why couldn't this stuff just be known? Common knowledge? Shared? And most importantly concrete and physical? "Good and evil both within a sea of darkness." Vincent pondered this. As if to add to the controversial statements of the day he said, "But who determines what is good and what is evil without an absolute moralistic truth?" He grinned then. He wasn't the type to spout lines like that normally but his mother was very devout to the Goddess of Light. A lesser known deity that Vincent was convinced his village might be the only people worshipping.
She asked about his friends then and Vincent turned and walked a few steps, "No, I really wouldn't..." he then sighed. There were common connections between them all and the nether. This... was something that she may be able to understand or learn something, teach him something more for it. "Blast!" he hated the idea of drudging up those memories but... "ok..." he found a place to sit. "There is a lot to cover honestly."
"The first of them," he began slowly, "was a boy named Sonneileon, or Neil for short." His eyes turned distant for a moment. It was all so long ago now, and his memory of it began to fade. But not that final moment. Not his pleading expression and tragic happiness he felt at the end.
"Neil was a shaman who only knew two spells. Flux, and Eclipse. He was incredible. The things he could do with them were amazing. He could restrain a grown man with flux and throw you to the ground with Eclipse before you could get close to him. I realize now that that isn't normal for those spells. Other shamans I have met proved as much. He was cutting corners or something..." he sighed. "I dunno. Anyway, one day we come across a cart of supplies and among them was a small tear shaped trinket that..." He shook his head. "I swear, he stabbed it into his arm so it would empower his magic further. Dumb, huh?"
"Long story short, we had a practice duel as part of a going away thing. During it he uh. He bested me. He had me caught in a cage and that is when something from the nether snapped him. He went crazy and tried to actually kill me." he sniffed. "Sorry." he rubbed his nose in a swift motion then clasped his hands in his lap.
"That was the first time I ever used Phoenix Heart. Nether flooded into his body, taking over, and I was forced to strike him down. He died, thanking me for killing him, in my arms before the light burned through his body to eliminate the nether and rendered him nothing but ashes." His head lowered. "BLAST!" He swore. "I didn't think it'd hurt this much still."
He stood then and paced deliberate to hide his face from Althea. After composing himself again and leaned against the wall and tapped his foot but continued. "The second was a man named Burt. He was a big guy who was there the first time I ever killed anyone. He wanted to record information about all of the tribes in Sacae. use it to bring people together, ya know." Why did better men than him have to be the ones that died? Why did he have to keep living!?
"During the Siege of Hero City Hargus summoned a number of monsters that were like pure shadows. He was angry his cyclops died so he brought those things out. One of them came right for me, it was so unnatural and strange I was still trying to figure out how to face it when Burt struck it with a sword that absorbed it. He went on to absorb other shadows and eventually was consumed by them. He disappeared shortly after intent on reaping souls. I swore to put him to rest but... I haven't found him since. Not even whispers." It was easier to speak of Burt than Neil but he still felt responsible. had he been more proactive perhaps Burt never would have had to do what he did.
He was fighting back tears though, and then the tears gave way to anger. "And then there is a man named Vadis out there. So taken with Elder magic he targeted me. Turned my friend against me, and tried to guide my life, and for what? I don't understand any of it! Everytime I see this magic in the world bad things happen to good people."
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Post by Althea on Sept 15, 2019 20:37:30 GMT -6
"To save lives as well, rather than merely taking them." She didn't argue or press the point further. Althea didn't think either of them would benefit from a grandstanding moral and ethical debate right now. Both the light and the dark were capable of great good and perhaps greater evil. Her life had been saved by darkness countless times, her own and that of Ereshkigal - a spirit of the Nether who possessed her body, yet meant no harm and brought only hope. ...Well, mostly hope. And some irritation. Meanwhile... well, she wasn't about to get into what she felt about the Light of the Etrurian church, and what that light did to innocent people accused of witchcraft.
So instead, the magus simply sat there and listened. She wasn't the best speaker, but giving Vincent her undivided attention, her face neutral but eyes alive, that she could do. She heard the tale of Neil. ...Refrained from commenting on the trinket; she had absorbed a book after all. Even if it wasn't exactly her doing. She heard Burt's tale, the would-be record keeper who had recorded one too many evils. She heard of Vadis, an unfamiliar name belonging to one of Vincent's foes.
...Vincent certainly had an unfortunate run with elder magic, if she was to be blunt. 3 for 3. Althea supposed she counted as the 4th tragicomedy, if he ever found out she too was possessed by a spirit of the Nether. But she didn't plan on dying anytime soon. Hopefully.
"I am sorry to hear those tales," she ventured after a few moments of thought and trying to decide what to say. Was she supposed to - reassure him, or... what? Tell him she had essentially done the same thing as Neil, but been fortunate enough to come back from it? She didn't know much about the person, and she certainly hadn't just... eaten the book. It was her trust for Ereshkigal, born over the months they had spent together, that allowed her to make a decision she never would have normally.
The voice came to her mind unbidden. Hesitant but serious. Unusual for Ereshkigal.
Do you still trust me? Yes. Let me talk to him for a minute. He won't even know. I just- want to. When you have a plan, I start worrying. But... fine.
There was no explosion of dark magic or sudden eye color change, but someone watching close enough could have seen Althea's rigid posture relax uncharacteristically, her cold eyes softening as a warmer presence flowed into her mind and body. Her diction slipping from its usual ruthless precision as her tone grew kinder. "Magic is, like, a sword? You can use it to hurt people, or help them. There's a certain kinda asshole that wants power, and they do bad things with whatever tools they can. Sometimes it's dark magic. Sometimes it's... a knife to the back." Ereshkigal grimaced, trying not to think about that too much lest she lost her temper again, but pushed forward anyways.
"Bandits or crazy evil magic guys. Bad things just happen anyways. And - sometimes you can't do anything about it, but, sometimes you can. Mila protected people with her natural magic. And Althea... which is me... helped with dark magic." Close one, gotta get used to those pronouns. "And you, with the same kinda light magic the Church uses to murder people, saved a LOT of people, Vin. People that get to live 'cuz of you, and magic I guess, but it was you that made it happen. You and Phoenix Heart. I- I just think people with power... whether it be swords, or magic, or magic swords... should try to use it for good, is all. There's always gonna be jerks out there, but - that just means there needs to be good guys to stop them."
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Post by Vincent on Sept 26, 2019 20:33:12 GMT -6
Althea's consolation did little for Vincent. It wasn't like he faulted her in any way, there wasn't really any good way for someone to respond to such a heavy story. But it was just that stock phrase, that typical response that always bothered him. He knew how she must have felt. Either turned numb to the tale he told and simply not sure how to respond or genuinely looking for an answer that could not come to her. Either way he hated making others feel that way. So in return Vincent simply shrugged and offered a small smile. 'It is what it is.' he told himself.
When the change came over Althea Vincent noticed something different about her demeanor and inflexions, but what had actually happened he couldn't say. It felt like talking to someone new in a sense, or like someone had suppressed themselves and showed their real face. At first Vincent had focused on that sudden shift and missed her first words. Something about a sword and power, then he tuned back in around a knife to the back.
Vincent opted not to comment on her shift in character lest he ruin the mood but he simply sighed at the end of her brief monologuing. "Evil done in the name of good, good done through evil. None of that stuff is right, the end doesn't justify the means." Vincent sighed. "I know that light magic isn't holy power. It comes from will and the strength to believe in something strongly. Church would kill me if I told them that the sword works through faith in one's self. I don't have any notions that magic has any inherent good or evil qualities, but I admit I am terrified of what I've seen, ya know?"
Good guys have to exist to stop the jerks with power... For a while Vincent believed that too. He believed that, that was the purpose of a hero, but now? "The world would be a better place if everyone prioritized a simple life over glory and riches." Well... that's enough being solemn. "Ya know, a lot of people got to live thanks to you too. Don't give me all the credit. I probably failed more than I succeeded if we're being honest." Vincent gave a hardy laugh. Anyone entuned with emotions and behavior would be able to see that Vincent was forcing it, but otherwise he put on a convincing show.
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Post by Althea on Sept 28, 2019 22:10:39 GMT -6
The end justifies the means... a common, apparently pernicious mindset that led to great evil. Althea wasn't much of a philosopher, and she didn't really care. She just did what she had to in order to get what she wanted. Without ah, killing people for it, unless they were bandits or similar scum. But beyond a pursuit of knowledge she didn't really have that many other interests or hangups.
Ereshkigal, having said her thing, faded back into the recesses of her mind; Althea was more or less satisfied to have that exchange over and done with. Surprisingly the erratic Eresh had managed to make a decent speech for her standards, one Althea could grudgingly respect. It was better than she could have done most likely. Though the process left her with a light headache, a tinge in her temple that drew her hand upward to caress her head for a moment before returning to her thoughts.
"Fearing what you have seen..." She nodded lightly. Understanding, if not quite agreeing. What she had seen of the Church, what they did with light magic, had certainly showed her its potential for evil. Was her interest in it based on trying to shine light in the darkness it had left behind in her, or just academic? A question for the ages. Whatever the case, she had to admit Vin had a point. "All that, and yet recognizing its neutrality. That is reasonable. You are remarkably well versed in magic, Vincent." 'For a knuckle-dragging sword-lobber' didn't even occur to her; it was as genuine as she could be in her speech.
As for saving lives - she still didn't feel that she had done all that much. In the end, she had failed. But so had they all. And yet, through that failure was born knowledge, and many lives retained. Not entirely a success, but also not truly a failure. In that regard it was much like science - or magic. One failure was not the war if it taught you something. "Without your guidance, there would have been far more deaths. Without our failures, we would not have learned of their kind, their tactics, to better prepare for future successes. You should not be so hard on yourself in that regard, either."
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