vatheon | 6th Combo

Entry tags:

6th Combo

Who: Lloyd Irving and anyone
Where: Island beach
When: Morning
Style: Either
Status: Open

[There aren't very many good places in Vatheon to get away from everyone. Not that Lloyd is trying to avoid anyone, but it's usually a good idea to go someplace out of the way when training with new mana techniques - and that's exactly what he's doing today. He'd found a good stretch of beach that was, for the moment, unoccupied - probably because of the chill in the morning air discouraging casual beachgoers. There might be more people in the afternoon, but he'd no doubt have called it quits long before then.

So, while he still has the beach to himself, time to get to work! Drawing both his swords, the teen in red runs through a basic warm-up before settling into a familiar routine. Without calling on his own inner mana, he goes through the motions of the techs he thinks are closest to what he's trying to achieve. Demon Fang, Tempest, Beast, they all involve molding mana around his blades. If he can just keep it there, instead of unleashing it...

Anyone passing by this particular stretch of beach will either see a teenage swordsman hard at work training himself - or they'll pass by just in time to get blasted by mana and sand from one of Lloyd's failed technique attempts.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Mithos would seemingly... pop out of nowhere. Surely Lloyd had looked over that spot several times, and nobody was there. And now... Mithos was. His face looked glum, actually somewhat listless, as if he had been struggling with this idea for a while.

He hadn't. Well, he welcomed the chance to show Lloyd just how powerful he really was - after all, he had thoroughly curb-stomped Lloyd twice now, he just didn't know it. But, any power Mithos had was manifested either by his extreme magical power, and a good amount of that came from his Cruxis Crystal. There was no way to hide that.

Mithos had decided it was just time to tell Lloyd the truth. Or rather... show Lloyd the truth. ]

... Lloyd.

[ Mithos said, straightening up his posture a bit. ]

I'm curious about something... what has Kratos told you about me, so far?

[Lloyd jumped, startled by Mithos's sudden appearance, but it was only a moment before he relaxed and smiled. Yeah, he just must not have looked there, or been paying attention when the half-elf boy approached. That was probably exactly it.]

Mithos!

[He lifted an arm to rub away a light sheen of sweat on his forehead, a little awkwardly because he was still holding both his swords. That smile remained in place, though, a foreshadowing of Lloyd's answer to his question.]

Huh? Kratos? I didn't even know he knew you. Why?

[No one had said anything about Mithos, actually, for who knew how many reasons, so as far as Lloyd knew, the blond was just a fourteen year old boy he'd found injured in Ozette, another victim of Cruxis. A boy who Lloyd viewed as one of his friends - and who apparently knew how to fight after all.

Lloyd tilted his head, looking over Mithos again. He'd been training, and now here was Mithos, who he wanted to spar against. The other boy didn't seem to be obviously armed, but...]

Say, you didn't bring your sword with you, did you?

I didn't need it. Not before, not now.

[ Yep... Mithos figured everyone kept Lloyd in the dark. But it couldn't continue like this. Colette, Zelos, Raine, they all knew the truth about him. Even Dhaos did. And it was only a matter of time before Lloyd would notice Mithos ordering Kratos around. The truth needed to come out now, and it might as well be from him. ]

Because four thousand years ago, Kratos was one of my companions.

[ Mithos gave Lloyd a moment to let that sink in. ]

Together, we, along with Yuan Ka-Fei, and my sister, fought to end the Kharlan War, between Sylvarant and Tethe'alla. Their use of magitechnology was killing the world, along with everyone on it. But four of us against two armies was never going to work, so I forged pacts with every single Summon Spirit, and then ordered Origin to forge the Eternal Sword, which I then used to split the world in two, permanently ending the war. I then turned the Tree of Mana into a seed, because they had damaged it beyond repair with their use of magitechnology, to the point where I would need to plant it all over again. The humans thanked me by killing my sister.

[ Mithos was sounding a lot more serious all of a sudden. He sighed, and closed his eyes. ]

Her name was Martel. And our last name...

[ Suddenly, a bright light started glowing underneath Mithos's shirt, and two massive glowing, translucent wings shot out from his back; they were at least twice the wingspan of Colette's, extended all the way down his arms, and consisted of a myriad of different colors. Mithos began hovering, power crackling off of him. When he spoke again, his voice was deeper, older-sounding; and it should be very familiar to Lloyd. ]

... was Yggdrasill.

[Sink in. Something like that sinking in. It feels like Lloyd's head was just hit with a brick, or like someone just punched him in the gut. It's hard to think, hard to breathe.

Mithos... Yggdrasill?

His mind balks every time he tries to put those two names together. Mithos, his friend? The hesitant kid who'd worried about being accepted by Lloyd and his friends just because he was a half-elf? The boy who'd seemed so genuinely pleased to be with them, who'd wanted to follow them in their quest rather than be left behind? Yggdrasill, the leader of Cruxis, who'd wanted to kill all of them? Who'd done everything he could to create a world filled with oppression and sacrifice?

The same person?

He takes a step back, feeling like his lungs have frozen in his chest. He stares, wide eyed, when Mithos's wings manifest. When he speaks.]

N-no. No, you can't be. I don't understand! You're not-

[Denial, denial, denial!]

You're my friend! You can't be Yggdrasill!

So now that you know who I am, you don't even want to be friends anymore.

[ Mithos scoffs, and turns his head away from Lloyd. His wings flutter a bit, in time with his own thoughts. ]

You humans really are all the same. It's not like it matters, anyway. I know what happens in our future, and what you humans will do the minute the worlds are reunited. I was vindicated even after I failed.

[ His fists clench, and his teeth grit for a moment. He hates to admit it, but at the same time, he feels justified. Maybe no longer in the Journey of Regeneration, but certainly in splitting the worlds. The fact that Sylvarant and Tethe'alla started fighting all over again just proves, to him, that he was right all along about splitting it. ]

[Mithos's words snap Lloyd out of his shock, or at least some of it. His head jerks up at the accusation, then he shakes it vehemently.]

That's not what I said!

[Unfortunately, the kneejerk denial is easier than gathering his scattered thoughts. It takes him several moments and several drawn breathes, mind still reeling from this revelation, to think through what he thinks.]

Mithos, I don't know what you're talking about, but I just said that you're my friend. But you- If you're Yggdrasill-

[It's so hard to find words for something he doesn't even want to think. He doesn't want to accept what Mithos is saying. Because if it's true, it means he might lose something he won't ever be able to regain. The thought makes something hurt in his chest.]

If you're Yggdrasill, then you're the one who doesn't want to be friends with me.

[Because Lloyd was a human, and he was getting in the Cruxis leader's way. Because Yggdrasill wanted him dead.]

It's not that simple, Lloyd.

[ Mithos' voice changes. And then, suddenly, he's glowing. ]

[ And finally, Mithos changes forms. Maybe for dramatic effect... maybe even for a sudden confidence boost. ]

Not everyone can stand losing the only person important in their lives. The only person who has ever cared about you, in a world where you're hated just because of the blood in your veins.

[ Yggdrasill's wings flutter. The usually stone-faced, maniacal angel seems... upset. Not angry, but... trying to keep his composure. Things are very different here. Especially with his knowledge of not only his future, but his sister's. ]

And then to learn that everything you've worked to accomplish for four thousand years was for nothing!?

[ Yggdrasill's wings flash as he spits that last word, as if it tasted horribly. ]

I watched and waited for four thousand years as humans refused to change, steeped in their hatred and intolerance. I had no choice but to force them to change, because they were incapable of doing it themselves. I couldn't bear the thought of Martel returning to a world that was just as bad as the one that killed her the first time.

[ Is Mithos actually... defending himself, instead of simply dismissing anyone's condemnations?

Yes. Actually, he is. Mithos' mind has been wracked with doubts, lately. First was the knowledge that Martel was saved, but not by the Journey of Regeneration; by something that should have been obvious to him all along. Next was the knowledge that Mithos died, never achieving his sister's dream of a world without discrimination. And then, the realization that Colette, Lloyd, Raine, and Genis never hated him, and in a way, never really gave up on him. Zelos? Well... Zelos was a different story.

And then, of course, there's the fact that almost every human here has been nothing if not kind to him. ]

You aren't the problem, Lloyd. It's the simple fact that the world you want to create will never exist.

[The physical change is like a slap to Lloyd's face and he flinches visibly. There isn't any way he can deny it now. Not after that.

Mithos is Yggdrasill.

Fortunately, though, Mithos (Yggdrasill?) gives him a rallying point to focus on, a challenge to his goals and ideals that he can't ignore without protest. He shakes his head, gesturing expansively with his hands - and with his swords, because he's still holding those, but the gesture isn't a threat.]

"Never" is too long a time for anyone, even an elf or a half-elf or an angel, to predict. Anything is possible, M-Mithos.

[The slightest of hesitations slipped into his voice there before he squashed the uncertainty. Mithos is still Mithos. He has to be. He can't be just Yggdrasill. The half-elf boy was too real to be just a lie. And Lloyd doesn't want to let him go.]

If you learned that what you were doing won't work, then you need to try something else. It's only once you stop trying that you don't have a chance at all. Maybe the reason why humans weren't changing was because the Desians and Cruxis were making it worse. Wouldn't it be easier for people to stop hating if we weren't hated, too?

[He gives the angel an almost pleading look.]

We didn't ever hate you when you were our friend. Can't we... can't we keep that? Doesn't that prove it can work?

Edited 2012-06-08 13:32 (UTC)

There is nothing else, Lloyd. If there was, I'd have done it already.

[ The Seraph's eyebrows narrow, and his eyes are reduced to slits. ]

The Desians gave half-elves a way to fight back. Before they existed, the roles were almost entirely reversed. Half-elves had to relocate to Exire to escape their treatment.

[ Yggdrasill exhaled sharply at what Lloyd says next. ]

As I said, Lloyd. It isn't that simple. You're seven humans out of millions. Martel and I saved their world, and they thanked us by killing her. And still, after four thousand years, they refuse to change. I've given up on convincing them. The world you seek is an illusion. Nothing more.

So because humans did it first, it's okay to do it back to them?

[Lloyd shakes his head. He can't understand that logic.]

Doesn't that just make half-elves as bad as the worst of humans? I mean, not all humans are like that! Even if some of them hurt and betrayed you, it wasn't all humans, was it?

The minute the Desians stop, humans will retaliate. The only reason the Desians aren't the ones being slaughtered in the ranches is because they have the upper hand.

[ Mithos logic: Either we kill them, or they kill us. ]

If that were true, Exire wouldn't be necessary. Stop deluding yourself: The vast majority of humans will never accept half-elves willingly, Desians or no.

[Augh. Mithos's logic is so frustrating!]

As things stand right now, you're right. Humans won't accept half-elves while they're being oppressed. That's why the Desians need to stop if there's ever going to be a world without discrimination. I don't mean that they should back down and just let humans hurt them back, but places like those ranches shouldn't even exist! No one should be in there! Then, once people stop hurting each other, maybe we can work together! We can show everyone that humans and half-elves can live in peace! If we did it, they can, too!

Perhaps they can, but they won't. Do you think the first thing I did as the ruler of Cruxis was to create the Desians?

[ Mithos doesn't care. The humans deserve everything that happens to them, in there. Especially since, in his mind, he's tried everything else. ]

They killed my sister, Lloyd. After she risked everything to save their world, and only for their narcissistic desire to monopolize mana and continue using it to power their weapons.

[ Yggdrasill throws his arm out to the side, dramatically. ]

I once thought as you did. Four thousand years of being proven wrong was all the proof I needed to realize it was naive. The only way for humans and half-elves to live in peace is if we become the same.

I understand that you hate what happened to your sister, and what some humans tried to do, but you can't blame all humans for what a few of them did. Humans aren't all the same, just like half-elves and dwarves and gnomes, and I bet elves aren't all the same, either. Can't you see? You're hurting innocent people for something they didn't do.

[He can't believe that Marble did anything to deserve what happened to her.

Those final words catch him off guard, though, and his brow furrows in confusion. From when he's from, no one's ever mentioned Mithos's Age of Lifeless Beings. An Age of Half-Elves, yes, but not yet a whisper of making everyone the same, or what that would entail.]

What do you mean? How can everyone be the same? Isn't that impossible?

I blame all humans for half-elves needing to live in hiding, or being contained to slums.

[ Sure, they didn't all kill Martel, but that just brings him back to his original point of "If all humans aren't evil, why do we need Exire or the Desians?"

When Lloyd asked his question, he realized that nobody told him about his master plan. Fine. He'll do that now. ]

Why do you think the Human Ranches exist, Lloyd? If I wanted to simply kill every human, there are much easier and more efficient ways to do it than with Human Ranches. I require Exspheres for realizing my sister's final vision.

It's still not all humans who're doing that to you!

[Unfortunately, Mithos's words don't do anything to clear the confusion on Lloyd's face. If anything, they just bring a hint of anger and frustration to his voice. The Human Ranches are a sore subject with him, but how do they connect with this?]

I don't understand. Human Ranches don't make humans the same as half-elves. All they do is cause suffering and pain, and people die to make those Exspheres. How does that solve anything?

Exspheres are used for more than simply increasing one's power.

[ Come on, Lloyd, don't you see where he's going with this? ]

A Cruxis Crystal is simply an evolved form of an Exsphere. They will turn everyone into the same species, thus eliminating the basis for discrimination. It will create an Age of Lifeless Beings, where at long last, everyone can live in peace without fear of hatred.

[Exspheres. Cruxis Crystals. More than just increasing your power. It takes a moment for Lloyd to connect the dots, but when he does, his eyes widen with shock.]

Wait. You're saying you're going to turn everyone into angels? But that's-! That won't solve anything either! Race isn't the only reason people can hate each other.

The blood between the races will vanish. Everyone will become the same lifeless being, incapable of hatred. That is the only solution to humanity's most basic flaw.

[ Sorry, Lloyd. To him, it's really that simple. ]

...lifeless?

[Mithos can't be suggesting what it sounds like he is. He just can't. Surely Lloyd is misunderstanding.]

You make it sound like nobody will feel anything.

Have you not been to Welgaia?

[ A question Mithos has been meaning to ask. ]

[Lloyd's brow furrows, answering the question before he even opens his mouth.]

Where's Welgaia? And what does that have to do with this?

Derris Kharlan.

[ Mithos' eyes are narrowing. So, Lloyd doesn't even know the name of Cruxis' main base of operations... ]

Then we have nothing more to discuss.

Oh!

[He has heard of Derris-Kharlan, though. Even if he's never been there either.]

Wait, what do you mean we have nothing more to discuss? You didn't answer my question!

The term 'lifeless being' should be self-explanatory, Lloyd. If humans are incapable of hatred, then discrimination will disappear entirely.

6th Combo

SO SORRY it took me so long to get around to this...

Don't worry, it's fine! o/

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)