azume | End.

End.

RESTORATION.

There's a distinct feeling that comes along with the knowledge that the world is about to die; you've experienced it once already, and you can feel it again now - another of those sensations that permeates your body clear through, shaking you to your core, and Arceus...

Arceus doesn't hesitate.

There's another burst of light, almost blinding as it shoots upward and splits into a myriad streaks of light coursing down toward the earth; it's almost beautiful in its impending destructiveness, though perhaps it isn't something that can be fully appreciated with the knowledge of what it's about to cause. All those people, all those Pokémon, reset to what they once were - to say nothing of yourselves.

And then, suddenly and sharply, the world stops.

Not the world.

The universe.

It isn't the first time you've felt time and space simply stop - but instead of the stagnation of the reset or the Distortion World, there's something very deliberate-seeming about this; it doesn't feel like stagnation so much as it does protection, keeping the world in stasis until something can be done. Exactly what that something is...well, it's difficult to say. But one thing is certain: even if they can't be seen or properly felt, Dialga and Palkia are certainly here, and it seems that for the time being at least, they're with you.

Arceus shrieks out another of those primal roars, the sound harsh and agitated; the remnants of the incomplete Judgement remain bright and hovering above you, above everything. A reminder, perhaps, of everything that's at stake; after all, no one can defy the Creator forever.

The frozen timespace doesn't seem to have affected you, nor Cyrus or his Commanders; you're all still capable of acting for yourselves while Judgement is stalled out. Exactly what that entails has yet to be seen.

Best of luck to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This world I supposedly love is getting nothing less than what it deserves!

[And that...that is probably the first time he's snapped properly all damn day; the composure isn't completely gone - he's still very obviously trying to retain some of it, and while the anger is still managing to be somewhat restrained, it's only barely so.]

Know your place. You know nothing of this world, you effectively know nothing of me, and as such you need to accept that some things aren't going to be offered up for your comprehension.

You truly understand nothing - you make that clear every time you stand before me, and my Commanders have reported much of the same. And that is why that compassion isn't yours to offer to begin with.

You're wrong. You are wrong, have been wrong, and will continue to be wrong if you continue to walk this empty path.

It's you who doesn't understand. Neither you nor any other has the right to dictate what anyone should feel. Yet my compassion is my own, to give as I see fit. And I will do so again and again, no matter what childish temper tantrum you choose to throw in response.

[Favilla beat her wings slowly, hovering overhead radiating light and warmth.]

This world is not my own, that much is true. But it is my choice what to do so long as I remain within it. My compassion will be offered to those in need of it, and right now it is you who needs it most of all.

[His gaze darts for a moment, briefly; it's fortunate that Ignis can't see it, really.]

Such sentiments are wasted on me.

Even now, you're wrong in every word you say.

They are never wasted, not on you or anyone. Even should our attempts amount to nothing at all, it is not a waste to try. Even should their actions be unforgivable and their morality twisted, there is no one alive that does not deserve basic human kindness.

['And only I can deliver him from his own darkness.']

[He'd wanted to question it, standing in the Citadel before facing the greatest enemy their star had ever known. Even knowing the long-lost past that led them all to that point, how could Noctis have harbored even that much sympathy?]

[But it made sense now. Because-]

It's not wasted at all. Because no one else has ever offered you even that much, have they?

And there's no reason for you to do so now, particularly when it's done solely in the interest of saving this world.

Wrong again. Even I can see the reason with more clarity than you, and that reason is standing right in front of me.

You're not denying what I said--no one's shown you true kindness when you needed it. Perhaps some of the people of this world failed you, but you've now gone so far as to convince yourself that all are equally guilty for the actions of a relative few. You wish to eradicate suffering perhaps so that no one should ever feel as isolated as you, all while isolating yourself ever further. Twisting your own desire to help the world and condemning it instead. You are in need of compassion now more than you have ever been, and it's you that's blinded to that fact. You see what you choose to see, claiming that our actions are done in self-interest: saving this world, saving our own lives.

Pardon my Tenebraean, but that's a load of shit. If we wanted to save this world and not cared for your fate, I would have killed you before you had a chance to release the creator. Get it through your head: no matter how long it takes, no matter the resets, regardless of how many times we must repeat this journey again and again we're going to help you or die trying.

Edited 2018-12-01 21:26 (UTC)

I don't need your compassion!

[He's quiet once that's out there, though; just...give him a moment to recover himself, he doesn't like being angry like this, it's fucking hideous- ]

...

You're no more or less than human, Cyrus. [His answer came calm and steady.] That means you'll have my compassion whether you believe you need it or not.

...There's no point in such things anymore.

[It doesn't settle him, but he does seem to center himself a bit; the words are likewise even, though they're a little on the blank side. Not as badly as that first time still, more just...burnt-out, somewhat.]

Yes, there is. You just refuse to admit it because you're afraid to acknowledge that you're as flawed as any human, with all the emotional capacity it entails.

You're afraid of compassion you don't understand, and of the unknown that will transpire should you acknowledge your path is wrong.

I've never claimed to be without my own flaws and emotions - I'm aware that they exist, and I haven't insisted to you that they don't, simply because such a thing would be pointless.

[And we know his stance on pointless endeavors by now.]

I can't help but note that's the only point you're refuting.

So I reiterate: you're afraid to take a risk and acknowledge that we offer you our sympathy because you deserve it. How long are you going to cower in the dark and cover your ears pretending this isn't happening, that you remain justified despite all the evidence before your own eyes?

Are you resolved to help this world as I thought, or are you truly no more than a coward of a child throwing a fit and refusing to see any way but your own misguided foolishness?

I don't- [...He takes a moment. Breathes.] ...I don't always...follow very well. Extended conversations with multiple people like this. Retaining things isn't always easy for me. Silence on a topic isn't an admission.

[And honestly, that...does seem to be more or less true, irritated though he is about it. There's always been an insistence on using numbers and an easier time recalling them than names - has he used anyone's name here, other than Emmeryn's? and even that one took a while; it's been noted multiple times that he doesn't always answer what's being asked, or if he does it isn't precisely...linear in any way. His manner of speaking has never precisely been normal, either.

So there's...that, and that likely explains a fair amount whether he means it to or not.]

I don't fear you, however. Or your sympathy.

...

[Calmly, Ignis folded his arms and tilted his head in genuine curiosity.]

Then why? Why dig in your heels and refuse to examine any other options? You're far from an idiot, Cyrus, I'm confident in that assessment. But if you're half as intelligent as I believe you are, should you not at least consider that there are better ways to reform a world than through tormenting gods and mortals alike?

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Wasted on you? Wasted on you?

You don't get to decide what's a waste, especially not when it's being given to you by people who oppose you.

[FUCKING TELL HIM, BUDDY]

It's because you oppose me that it's meaningless.

Don't you get it? That's what makes it precious.

Your methods, what you're doing, I can't agree with it. You're harming people, even if you don't see it that way. But you're still a person.

...I'm well aware that I'm a person, yes.

[And what the hell does that have to do with anything.]

Even so, opposition isn't to be tolerated in such a way.

You sure seem to think you're some sort of emotionless god.

Even the gods around here aren't like that.

I'm aware of my own remaining imperfections; I've never claimed to be without them.

They're not imperfections!

Yes, I'm aware of how necessary you believe them to be.

Are you aware of why?

[It's said with more patience than he's had since the confrontation started.]

I'm aware of why you think that way, yes.

[cyrus, that.

...

he usually doesn't show his age so blatantly but here we are, being a fucking brat apparently]