Final.

[azumods]

CREATION. It's the middle of the morning, when the summon finally comes. It comes in the form of the Commanders seeming more formal than usual - there's something in their demeanor that's off, decidedly more stiff than usual, though not in a way that implies they're being controlled; it's just a matter of something happening, and they aren't altogether certain what to do with it, but they're here to bring you the general message that Master Cyrus is waiting for you. They won't wish you luck, for obvious reasons; they will, however, come with you. If this is going to happen today, then they want to be present for it, and they'll accompany you to the top of that massive stairwell in the center of that area you first walked in on. There's a large set of double doors at the top; they've been locked until now, but at the moment they'll open easily at your touch. There's really only one place to go from here. The doors will lead you to a place that appears, for all intents and purposes, to be outside, though it's difficult to say exactly where; there's a chill in the air - this is, of course, a rather cold region, though it isn't as bad as it could be out here - and you seem to be incredibly high up, but the floor still seems solid beneath your feet as opposed to translucent, and there's a railing ringing the outside of the area you've been let out into. Like a balcony of sorts, though it's a massive one, more than enough to accommodate all of you. It's incredibly simple, given that this is apparently where you're going to meet with someone who claimed the title of "god" for himself and hasn't looked back since. Speaking of which, you aren't alone here; Cyrus is present, hands settled on that railing as he looks out over the region for a moment longer. He'll turn to greet you properly after a moment, however; there's a brief gesture to his Commanders - clearly instructing them to stay back near the door, out of the way but more than capable of overseeing what's going to ensue here - before he turns his attention to the group, folding his hands behind his back. "You've come a long way since we first met... And longer still since your journey started. I'm sure you're aware that this isn't as it was in Sunyshore City - should we be required to turn this place into a battlefield, we will do so without hesitation, and despite your actions stemming from deep imperfection, we intend to act without mercy, if it comes to that. "However, I'm sure you have many things you want to say at the moment... Were I opposed to hearing them, there would be little point in allowing you to come here in the first place. Speak your piece; do as you see fit. There's no sense in pretending that we don't all know why you're here."

Comments

[azumods]

[He tips his head a bit at that. Acknowledging.]

I'll admit to the beauty of the region, at least on a physical front.

[anythingforyou]

I'd be surprised if you didn't, all be told.

[...]

I take it that you have been watching the people of this region, then, while we've been up here.

[azumods]

Of course. Once in a while I will, regardless of whether they're being affected by outside influences or not... However, I was curious about their state as of late, yes.

[anythingforyou]

[That makes sense, at the very least. Camilla finds her head tilting, just a touch.]

What have they been doing with themselves as of late, then?

[She knows that the Pokemon have gotten their spark back, and it'd made training off of them very fun for her own partners. Color her at least slightly curious.]

[azumods]

What they see fit to do, at the moment.

[Which...from the sound of it isn't much or particularly great or anything, but.]

[anythingforyou]

They've learned to act on their own again, then, I take it.

[It doesn't really matter to her whether the answer is great or not, at least to her.]

I suppose I was wondering if what you saw of them was interesting, at all. [...] And I suppose, perhaps, if they continued to disappoint you in their actions toward one another and themselves.

[azumods]

...How they behave in my presence tends to be a bit different than how they would normally, regardless of the state they're in.

[So it's not like that's the greatest gauge; you're going to behave differently if God is, like, right there.]

[anythingforyou]

...That isn't quite what I was asking. [There's no derision behind that; perhaps she's simply not getting the point across, then.] Though I assume this is to mean that the people here can sense when you're watching, then.

[Which. Definitely defeats the point of this questioning at all, then.]

[azumods]

Not exactly.

[...]

Sometimes I spend time among them. It's where I've been for the past few days.

[anythingforyou]

I see, then... [That is actually interesting.] Where did you go, if I may?

[azumods]

Does it matter...?

[anythingforyou]

Perhaps not in the grand scheme of things, but I do admit, I am a touch curious.

[Camilla shrugs, however. Her words are a little blunt and very distanced.]

You don't have to answer if you don't wish, really. But it is simply an idle curiosity, and truly, such an action is not something I expected of you. That is all.

[azumods]

...I was meeting with someone that I haven't seen in some time.

[He'll actually gesture off toward that island Zelda was asking about, to the northeast.[

There. It's somewhere I used to go often. I don't have as much reason to anymore.

[anythingforyou]

[...Oh, that's...

Camilla looks over there, at least somewhat surprised; more to have gotten an answer than anything, but...hmm.]

...Did you happen to go into some sort of cave system to meet them, perchance?

[azumods]

[...Huh.]

...No. Why do you ask?

[anythingforyou]

...When the chains began to weaken on Palkia, some of us were brought into a cave system due to one of the distortions.

[It was a bit of an Experience, let her tell you, dear gods her expression goes slightly exasperated when thinking about it--]

I was simply wondering if it may have been an area on that island over there.

[azumods]

Was there a Pokémon there...?

[...This is Interesting.]

[anythingforyou]

[...she was really hoping that she wouldn't have to go further into this, and she keeps her gaze elsewhere while she talks.]

There was, yes. A rather fearsome looking, fiery creature. [She sighs a bit, arms crossing.] Is it one that you're acquainted with?

[The answer is absolutely obvious and Camilla knows it, but maybe getting some damn information about it would be good.]

[azumods]

[...Oh, that's. Hm.]

Heatran, if I had to harbor a guess. She was never one that I held much interest in... I believe one of my scientists utilized her in some of our Red Chain experiments, however.

[anythingforyou]

[...This. Explains a lot.]

...Are they the one you met with, or are they still there?

[Camilla kinda. Lowkey remembers that we all just kind of took one of those portal devices with us and ran after we broke what is assumedly Heatran free, please tell her we did not kill a man unintentionally--]

[azumods]

...Charon is no longer overseeing projects. He remains in the base in Veilstone City, unless ordered to do otherwise.

[DO NOT WORRY YOU DID NOT KILL ANYONE

also it's charon who's kind of the redheaded stepchild here but that's none of anyone's business]

[anythingforyou]

[listen, as far as we all know charon is kind of rad for going against the status quo and getting emotion'd out in the process, she had to ask

...Either way, Camilla seems at least somewhat visibly relieved at that.]

...That's good to hear, at the very least. And it explains quite a bit.

[azumods]

...I imagined it would.

[So, yeah.]

There are people who live on that island, it isn't uninhabited. There are very few of them, but they do exist.

[discutio]

[i'm sorry are we implying cyrus is the anti-santa claus]

[anythingforyou]

[would you actually be surprised if he was]