the first meeting

[dalmascanecrol]

[ It almost seemed the Primal had beckoned them. Alphinaud, Papalymo, Yda and Urianger had come to investigate Alexander, and there had been a large open passage. They'd all entered together, and there was a city. After a bit of navigation, though...

...there was a Primal standing in the center of the town. Well, it looked like a Primal to all those who could see it, the four who presented themselves inside. They looked like a being of pure Light, eying the four.

But it seems they won't make the first move. Not yet. ]

Comments

[lyse]

Oh, riiiight. I'll keep it a secret for now. Unless one of us tells Byregot, but we can't really keep anything from him!

...Huh. I could try - I'm no Althyk, but maybe her Fate has more to show. [ Nymeia puts a hand on Lyse. She opens her eyes, seeming to watch her... before giving a soft little gasp. A scared little one. ]

...Wow.

[readypunch]

[Rhalgr reaches out to ruffle her hair.]. Yeah. But he'll probably be fine with that!

Byregot- wait, don't tell me. [the person that close to them-]. Papalymo?

[she leans forward, peering at them.]. Is- is it bad?

[lyse]

Mhm! Which is really cute... Rhalgr and Byregot getting to be lovers. It's romantic! [ nymeia is a big shipper. ]

But I foresee... a monster. It's got bits of the guardians of the Archbishop, of Ul'dah nobles, and of many Beastkin - well, non-Spoken. There's also some Beast Tribes in there? But weirdly enough, no Primal. [ Nymeia is grabbing out what looks like a... Tomestone? ]

[readypunch]

[Rhalgr blushes a bit, but she's smiling.]. We're less dramatic about it! But it's nice.

[Yda grins.]. I'm glad! It's nice to be together again- well, for us, but I'd bet it is for you too.

A monster- what she could become? Oh, Lyse…. [she reaches out to touch her sister, worried.]. That's- a lot more people than I thought? That's weird. Oh- what do you have? [she leans in, curious- still trying to hold onto Lyse.]

[lyse]

Oh, you don't have these? The Ironworks invented them - they're called Tomephones, and let us send messages to other people! I'm just texting a friend who might help. His name's Belias.

[ And then, she nods to Rhalgr. Lyse is still twitching, trying to reach for the Auracite, even as she's basically out cold. ] You mind setting up the... thing? The circle thing? With your Lightning powers?

[readypunch]

No- or not yet! But they look super handy! Belias- would he know more about this?

[That's… a little worrying, and she holds on tight. Rhalgr nods, rising to her feet, putting her hands together.]. Consider it done!

[and she's just going to get to work on that.]

[lyse]

Mhm! Belias is an Elder Deity - he was one before we awoke - and maybe even in older Era? He talks like he knew us before we were alive like this. Like, he said the old Althyk was even nerdier then Urianger! Of course, then we met him and he's crazy.

[ ooh, nymeia always loves watching her sibling crafting, even if it's more messy then papalymo. ]

[readypunch]

So he's been around for- several Eras? That's pretty impressive! And- wow, there's another one around? But- crazy how?

[yup!! she's… probably going to leave a few marks, lightning crackling. but they can fix it after!]

[lyse]

Turns out that Era didn't end just because of the War of the Magi - but instead Althyk had also fallen in love with a Nymian? Aaaand he sort of tried to break time to stay with her forever. Which sounds romantic until you realise that time being broken would stop everything else.

[readypunch]

Nothing else would be able to live if the world was like that, right? So- what happened? Did the other Deities step in?

[lyse]

Mhm! Apparently they all sealed him in what's become a paradise for treasure, and that's where Oschon-- Thancred found him. He's a friend now.

[ That's when there's a crackling, however, from the summoning sigil. And... there is Belias, holding Igeyorhm-in-Lyses'-Body, looking a little tired. I mean, slumped, for he had his mask on. ]

[readypunch]

To keep him from being able to do anything? -Oschon, huh? That fits perfectly. But- that's good!

[Yda startles at the crackling, eyes wide. But- she recognises Igeyorhm.]. Igeorhm! [she rises, holding her hands out.]. And you're- I guess you must be Belias!

[icywarmth]

[ Belias' voice is a deep growl, looking to the beast. The harpy. ] Belias, the Gigas. Esper of Darkness.

As opposed to the Scions of Light - what ones of his Star called us. [ Igeyorhm says, sort of moving to stand - to examine her body, but gives Yda a small respectful nod. ] I'd not known that his kind could... travel between the reflections. But, he is an Elder Deity.

[readypunch]

Oh! You're one of the Espers? [she looks at him curiously, feathers flicking.

She gives a little smile back!] You mean Ivalice, right? Yeah- it's unexpected! But it's useful, right? I'm glad we could get you back here.

[icywarmth]

...I am. One of Twelve. [ ...Is this harpy not scared? He towers over her.

But Ige simply nods. ] Thank you, Yda. You barely know me, and yet... you help me.

[readypunch]

Twelve- huh, like our Twelve, again? [he does! But- he's here to help, isn't he?]

Well- it looked as though you could use a hand! I mean- it's for Lyse, too, but… I'd like to get to know you.

[icywarmth]

...Mm. [ Belias doesn't confirm or deny - but Nymeia fills in, between explaining (with Rhalgr) what's going on, with Belias muttering in a long-dead language. ]

Not exactly! The number Twelve is just common in the creation of Deity - apparently, Belias and the other Esper were made by even higher Deity!

The Occuria. They are comparable to the power of Hydaelyn or Zodiark, at full power - in an older Era, perhaps.

[readypunch]

Huh- I guess it's just a good number, then!

Even higher Deity…? Occuria- I've never heard of them. But- that strong? Are they still around…?

[icywarmth]

...I don't know.

They are. [ Belias then snarls, anger none of them have ever heard from the Esper spilling out. ] One of them is. In the Reflection which has fallen.

[readypunch]

Ah! [she pulls away a little, alarmed, but frowns, nosing forward.]. They are- which, do you know? Wait, a Reflection that's fallen? How? And- how could they be there?

[gentlegigas]

[ As magic begins to flicker at his fingers, Belias sighs. ] One reflection was devoured by Planesgorgers and their creator, Shinryuu the Worldeater. Their souls survived, and they will be a part of wherever we go when our home dies. Do you truly worry for Who lives? You do not know of the cruel Gods who created the Scion and Esper both, nor of those from Ivalice.

[readypunch]

Shinryuu? I thought- that was the big dragon Papalymo got tied up with? Is there another one of that, too? Well- I'm curious! I… no, I don't know. Is- would that make a different now?

[gentlegigas]

Ah. The one you speak of is false - a being made of the anger, based on the one who devours. The one who we fight... has existed since before any Stars glimmered. It is why we fight. [ why he has to fight. ] Your Kirin ally is not part of this.

...I suppose it makes no difference if you know of them or not. The Occurian I speak of - Venat - spoke as if Gods should not stand above Man. They linger, when many Ivalicians have no freedom. No chance to live.

[readypunch]

So- something bigger. And it's gonna threaten us, then, right? I'm glad… it's not that Shinryuu Papalymo had- I'd hate to fight him any more.

And- you don't like that, huh. Did… was there someone you cared about who got trapped?

[gentlegigas]

Hah... young love. [ Belias purred, as he let Igeyorhm fall into a slumber. The soul swap... it was so easy for him? ] The Yda of the World of Balance worried for the same thing. As did Lyse.

[ things keep seeming the same. but he seems to frown, in that belias way. ] Many who I cared for are trapped, or hurting. But it is not my place to mourn for them. Time should not be changed.