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[betterthangarlond]

[ It was one of those times where NOAH was still figuring out their way past the Labyrinth of the Ancients, and Nero was still lingering.

Today, though, he had found himself by the side of G'raha, when G'raha was taking a break. Not that Nero had been watching for it, of course not.

With a soft grunt, he flopped down next to him, holding a few of the tomestones that they'd been tasked to decyther. (Nero, honestly, had been asked not to join in this, but. Nero had waited until Rammbroes wasn't paying attention and stolen these ones.) ]

...You're all struggling with these?

Comments

[smoltol]

[ His eyes narrow - well, they look like eyes, glowing white. ] Doga, Unei, and Nero. Am I wrong? [ This was too good. Well, too bad. But it made for a wonderful distraction, as his tendrils begin to get a little too close for comfort. Cid cuts at one, but it just retracts. ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[Close enough!] …no, you're not wrong. You did see them, then?

[definitely too close. G'raha tries to shift back, nocking an arrow- just to try and keep him getting too close again.]

[smoltol]

[ He just hasn't seen them like this for a long time! But he does slink a little backwards - damn, he's connected to this Voidgate. ]

Let me guess. You're trying to construct a way to save them, by plunging more into the World of Darkness.

It won't go well, you know. [ He's seen this before - it haunts him a little, but he's got this now. Of course, for him, they lost them all... ]

[aneyeonthepast]

[He's very weird to see. Though G'raha's gawpings mostly for other reasons, now.]

What- you know about that? How? Why not? [he frowns, tail twitching, bow lowered.]

[smoltol]

...I can see the future. [ Well, not really but he doesn't know what to tell him. ] Experience it, you could say. And soon, you'll be... hah.

[aneyeonthepast]

See it…? That's… [he shakes his head, incredulous.] Is there something you can tell us to prove that?

… What about me?

[smoltol]

Prove it, hm? [ Nero pauses - looking from the defensive Cid to G'raha - and then smirks. ] Is the fact I know the Garlond Ironworks has a secret contract to the Holy See enough? To build an airship which could travel to even the most dangerous of places.

--He's right. [ Cid says. ] It's been kept down low because nobody's allowed into Ishgard.

...Well, G'raha, you'll learn the truth you want with that eye, and then abandon us all. So there's that.

[aneyeonthepast]

[he looks to Cid for confirmation, and gives a slow nod.] Connections in Ishgard… That's impressive.

[but he turns back quickly enough, ears swivelling.] I- what? But- I promised, didn't I? [more to Nero, but it's the point of the matter.] Why would I…?

[smoltol]

Us of the Void don't get the whole story, cat. But you've got royal Allagan blood. That's what the red eye means - Doga and Unei activated all of it, before they died. Sacrificed themselves for your life.

[ He's not going to mention his role. To them, he's just a Voidsent. ]

But you decided it'd be better waiting for when more people could use the technology, and sealed yourself away. Without saying goodbye.

[aneyeonthepast]

Royal Allagan- but. Wasn't the royal line Hyur? [he can't quite see how it happened- but it'd slot the pieces all nicely into place.] They- sacrificed themselves? But…

[he shakes his head, eyes wide.] … I don't understand why I'd do that.

[smoltol]

One of the last gifts of the Princess, before Allag fell, from what I recall. But they-- they sacrificed themselves, so that the Cloud of Darkness could not act out their covernant until the Voidgate was sealed.

...Of course, I was sealed on the other side. And by the time I got free? You'd made your choice.

[aneyeonthepast]

The Princess…? Well- I suppose it would be within her abilities to do that…

[he runs a hand down his face. there's still a piece missing, he's sure… why did he make that choice…]

Can we do something about that now? Before we… go in?

[smoltol]

You're lucky you summoned a fragment of the Cloud, aren't you? A Puff. But if there was something to be done?

I don't know. It was to be unbreakable. But I suppose everything can be broken.

[aneyeonthepast]

Summoned a- a Puff- which is you?

… We should find a way. Because that… I don't want to accept it. [he glances at Cid, ears flicking.] Do we have the time, though?

[smoltol]

We'll need to have time, damnit. We need to find a power source strong enough - the one powering this is barely enough to contain this... thing.

[ Cid is frustrated okay. ]

...I don't know. I mean, either way, the three stranded there are going to die.

[aneyeonthepast]

[G'raha nods- but his tail is flicking all over.]

A power source… I'll help. Whatever you need me to find-

[but he's worried, too.]

No- we can't just leave them like that! [Doga and Unei more, as… well, the more delicate ones, but…] What if I went through?

[smoltol]

...You'd go? Now? [ He sounds amused. ] I suppose this portal does fit one - but then again, you'd likely die.

Though the Cloud can't touch you or them? The other Voidsent aren't so friendly.

[aneyeonthepast]

If something needs to be done- then something should be done. And I'm- here, and if I can help…

[he looks worried- but nods, reaching for his bow again.]

… I'll have to try to hold out as best I can. And- you'll help, won't you?

[smoltol]

[ Cid shakes his head a little - but he gives a serious look. ]

G'raha - if you're not going to back down, at least take some supplies. [ He knows neither of them are the sort to be talked out of something.

But really, the void Nero is very confused about this - but he reaches a tendril out to him. ] I can't get too close - don't want to be absorbed by the Cloud. That'd be awful.

[aneyeonthepast]

Right. [he nods, already turning to think- what have they got, what can he take with him- how much.

He reaches out in return, nodding.]

Well- we'd better avoid that, then. I'll still be counting on you to help me find them. [he doesn't know what the layout of the Void is like, after all.]

[smoltol]

...You might not end up the same way you were when you entered. [ He warns, though - as Cid hands them some supplies. Survival supplies, for at least a week...

And then, he places a hand to G'raha. ] We'll continue working on opening the Voidgate from this end.

[aneyeonthepast]

From the sound of it- that might be the case either way. [It's fine. He'll manage, somehow- as long as they find the others, something'll work out.

He reaches for Cid's hand in turn, and nods.] Thank you. I know you'll do your best. I'll be seeing you soon!

[smoltol]

[ And so, they enter the Void... and inside, the beast who had engulfed G'raha looks quite different.

...Familiar, even. Even if his body seems to still distort with Void powers, even if he looks a lot shorter... and even if he's in full armour, made of flesh. The area they enter is simply a small platform, but the creature is quiet. A laugh seems to come from below the armour. ]

Welcome to our domain.

[aneyeonthepast]

[what the hell!! G'raha stares at his companion for several moments- oh geez that armour sure is something. That's… surely not? But…]

… You said you were trapped on the other side of the Voidgate. Is this… [what happened?

But he looks out, tail flicking.]

This is the Void…?

[smoltol]

Consumed by it, in another time, far away.

[ He'd need to explain this, but it felt better without Cid there. ] I'm not going to claim I know everything. But I'm not yours. There's multiple Eorzea, at different times. And the Void?

It connects them all.