Information gathering :>

[bufudine]

Who: Raine and Serph
Where: The island!
When: Shortly after this conversation. Backdated to the Saturday before the curse.
Style: [Brackets], please!
Status: Closed!

[Serph is interested in talking with Raine again. The transformation Zelos had undergone some time ago seems like a good enough excuse. Zelos had mentioned a way to undo the transformation once it's begun, but required complicated components that are likely to not be found in Vatheon. Serph still wants to know more about that... and the world Zelos and his friends come from.

He recalls the area he had met Raine the first time -- when he had demonstrated his demon to her -- and heads in that direction.]

Comments

[grandhealer]

[ After her conversation with Serph the Professor had gathered up her notebook and whatever notes that she might have that could help with the information that Serph may have. Once she had gone so she headed out to meet with him where they have met before. While Cruxis Crystals was something that she was never able to inspect closely she still had several theories on them and why the event that happened to Zelos well... happened.

Usually she wouldn't give out information, but in this case she sort of owed Serph for allowing her to ask questions the first time they had met. Though generally Serph was an interesting person and someone Raine did want to speak to more often.

It didn't take her long to reach where they have met before. ]

[bufudine]

[When Serph sees Raine, he heads towards her, giving her a nod in greeting when he's within comfortable conversation range. Though this meeting is one with purpose, it's not terribly urgent, so he doesn't immediately get down to business.]

Have you been well?

[grandhealer]

[ Raine returns the nod with one of her own before responding to Serph's question. ]

I'm had a few troubles this past month but nothing that can't be overcome. Overall I've been doing well. How about you?

[bufudine]

[A few troubles? Something to ask about later. Instead, Serph responds to her question with a nod.]

I've had few problems.

[Since Raine has a notebook with her, he guesses she's fine with having the conversation here. So he gestures to the grass, inviting her to take a seat before doing so himself.]

What is that crystal Zelos wears?

[Serph taps the spot on his chest where Zelos wears the crystal for specificity.]

He's mentioned it keeps his body in stasis, and it breaking is what caused the transformation.

[grandhealer]

[ So Serph has had a few problems himself. Vatheon certainly isn't as peaceful as it turns out to be. Raine isn't one to go into one's business unless they ask for help so she leaves it to the side. So she simply nods before following the gesture over to the grass and taking a seat.

All right. Time to answer questions. ]

The Crystal that Zelos wears is known as a Cruxis Crystal. It's a Crystal that allows normal begins to possess angel like abilities. Unlike Expheres, which are a more basic form, Cruxis Crystals are more connected with the one they equipped to. Due to this, it can cause a transformation into a Exebula upon it being broken. However, I have no gotten a chance to inspect a Cruxis Crystal up close so this might just be a theory.

[bufudine]

[Okay okay, hold up. There's quite a few concepts there that Serph doesn't have much knowledge of. His encounter with Aziraphale has taught him that angels in other worlds are quite different from the demonic archangels of his world. It's probably safe to assume the Exebula is the creature Zelos had started to transform into. Let's start with something more basic.

Serph holds up a hand to interrupt, before he asks his first question.]

What is an Exphere?

[grandhealer]

[ Raine gives him a questioning look as she stops her lecture before being asked about what an Exsphere is. So he doesn't know what one is? Well, she certainly can't explain the Cruxis Crystal without understanding the basis of the Exsphere. ]

Ah, I apologize. I should have asked if you knew what Exspheres were. Exspheres looks much like a Cruxis Crystal, except with a different coloring. They can enhance ones skills and abilities past that of an average human, allowing them to do some moves that a human cannot such as jumping off a cliff. When attached directly to the skin Exspheres can make someone sick. However, one cannot use the abilities an Exspheres has unless it is equipped to the skin. To render this problem one must equipped a Key Crest to an Exsphere. If someone takes off an Exsphere without a Key Crest then that person will turn into the monster that Zelos had almost transformed into himself.

Any questions?

[bufudine]

[Serph listens to Raine's explanation. It's quite easy to follow. The Crystals enhance peoples' skills and abilities -- much like the enhancement his demon granted him -- but for them to function safely, they require a Key Crest. Made sense.

Although he shakes his head -- he understands the explanation -- Serph does have a question.]

What kind of abilities would be considered 'angel-like'?

[He adds a little bit more to his context of understanding.]

Angels in my world are demons.

[grandhealer]

[ It's a valid question. ]

There are several spells that only angels have assess to. For example, each of the Angels know a move known as Judgement, a move that elves cannot learn themselves. Those who acquire expheres' strength are more average than the average being, but those with a Cruxis Crystal have even more strength than those with an exsphere. They also have heightened hearing and sight and, for some, don't require to eat nor sleep.

[ She perks up a little at Serph's comment ]

Are they? What are the similarities and differences between ours and yours.

[bufudine]

[But what are elves? Another type of person? Something to keep in mind for after.]

Unlike your angels, Archangels are not unique amongst demons. All demons are physically stronger than humans and have access to magic, which they have affinities and weaknesses to. Archangels in particular are humanoids with red wings and a sword for a weapon. Their magic tends to be light based, while their form is weak to darkness magic and usually resistant to physical attack.

[But like Serph, they, too could learn other magic. After all, other random encounters demons are people, too.]

Their magic is not unique either; I learnt the same light magic in time.

[grandhealer]

[ Raine listened to Serph's information and keeps a new pieces in mind to add to what she had already learned from Serph. ]

I remember when I had spoken to you about the magic from your world before. However, Archangels did not come up in the conversation as we were focusing on what you were. Both Demons and Angel like creatures from your world are different than mine.

[ It was certainly fascinating ]

The Archangels sound much like the lifeless angels that we had encountered back home. However, their wings were white and most did not possess light magic. It seems that magic was left for those that have become angels via the Cruxis Crystal.

Ahhh sorry for the late tag!

[bufudine]

[Serph's going to briefly turn their topic of conversation from being primarily about technical aspects to something a little more philosophical.]

The angels could still function, am I correct? What made them 'lifeless'?

[He's searching for the meaning of life. Perhaps Raine will know.]

No problem!

[grandhealer]

[ And the Professor is perfectly all right with that. He asked to meet with her to ask all sorts of questions, correct? ]

From what I have gathered, there are multiple levels of angels. The ones in the most basic forms are 'lifeless' which are a step from Exspheres which are also known as 'lifeless beings'. They still maintain a physical body but have lost their soul and memory. If you speak to my student Colette she might be able to provide you with details; she was a 'lifeless angel' during a duration of our journey.

[bufudine]

[He makes a note about Colette. He's talked to her in passing, so it shouldn't be difficult to talk to her again.

The soul, as he understands it, carries the information of someone's feelings. Lifeless are those who have lost those feelings and memory, from what he understands of Raine's explanation. What does that make him now? What did that make him before he gained his Atma?]

But she wasn't lifeless to begin with?

[She didn't seem lifeless when he talked to her, either.]

I take it she isn't lifeless now?

[If so, how did she overcome that?]

[grandhealer]

[ Raine shakes her head ]

Before she had become an angel she was just your average human. The reason why she became a Lifeless Being is due to the fact that her Cruxis Crystal did not have a Key Crest on it. Lloyd had created her a key crest and then later made her a Rune Crest to stop the Cruxis Crystal from rejecting her body and turning her into a crystal as a result.

[bufudine]

[So... As Serph understands it, the Key Crest prevents the crystal from taking life and the Rune Crest prevents the crystal from attacking the bearer.

Serph nods, to indicate he understands.]

What are the levels of angels above lifeless?

[They've gotten quite far from what he originally intended to ask Raine -- what the materials needed to undo a transformations are -- but Serph's not bothered; this is all very fascinating.]

[grandhealer]

After the lifeless angels there are those that aren't lifeless. There was an angel named Remiel who had wings but I do not know if he had any other features that came with being an angel. The wings have me believe that he simply was a lower-level angel, but wasn't lifeless in order to fill his role. Then you have the angels who do have the angelic abilities. That is where Colette is. These angels still have to eat and sleep, but they also have the heightened sight and hearing, as well as more strength. After you have the Four Seraphim, all whom are stronger angels and even have the ability to change their form if they wish. It's possible that at this level you don't have to eat or sleep.

[ While some of this information is speculating, it's a good summary of the 'level' of angels above lifeless ]

If I had to place Zelos somewhere, it would be between Colette and the normal angels. He was a Chosen so he has the same wings as Colette and could possibly have some angelic abilities. However, from what I've gathered he doesn't have heightened sight or hearing as Colette does.