⚔ // stress in solitude

[discutio]

[Once Saturn had left, Ignis took a slow breath to steady himself before standing and speaking again.]

I think we have a fair amount of things to discuss, after that. But we'll also need to rest and recover here; We may be able to take it at Saturn's word that he won't alert Cyrus to us, but overstaying our welcome by more than a couple of days is unwise--that means we need to take advantage of this as much as we can.

[Strategy was easier. The words came naturally, and he was able to hold focus.]

If anyone needs me or wishes to assist, I'll be in the kitchen. I'm aware we just ate, but I presume we'll all be more comfortable if one of our own makes breakfast in the morning.

Comments

[discutio]

I don't think so. Even the most careful plans tend to have a point or two to trip over, much as I hate to admit it. You did well, thank you.

[hyruglyphics]

[ she meant the conclusion but...

she's reassured regardless, smiling a little to herself, but a little bit - she's wary of his intensity, as ever. ]

... Of course. I only spoke my mind.

[ anyway... ] What else do you need?

[discutio]

...I did promise to explain something to you, didn't I?

[Nothing he wanted to talk about, but still.]

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . she meant food, but if it is on his mind- ]

You did, yes.

[discutio]

[Literally everything is on his mind and at this point it's focus on one or explode.]

The gods of my world-...I've said there were six, but in reality there were only five. One was killed two thousand years ago, when he sparked what became known as the Astral War.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Um wow??? ]

Why would he do such a thing?

[discutio]

The records my friend and I uncovered were incomplete, but enough for a very general idea. The ancient civilization of Solheim was said to have rivaled the gods in strength, and so did Ifrit bring ruin down upon them. Perhaps they were truly overconfident, or he had grown bitter at the people he had once granted the gift of fire--that much is not clear.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Rivaling the gods, huh...

She shakes her head, leaning against the counter. ]

... How - conceited of that god. People strive for their success, and to turn on them because of it...

[discutio]

In the interest of being entirely fair, I do know it to be fact that Solheim built a machine to rival the gods themselves; a massive weapon they named Omega.

[goddamn bonus bosses.]

Though I do not know which side began the conflict, I do know the war ended in Ifrit's death, and the results formed the kingdom of Lucis and indeed the rest of the world as it has been for millennia since.

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . ]

How... odd. It sounds so alien to my ears, to imagine that gods and men would war like that. Are the gods not protectors of their own creation?

[discutio]

That was the reason it became such a full-scale conflict, if my research is correct. The Astrals are sworn to protect our star--even should they need to protect it from each other.

[hyruglyphics]

[ a soft nod. It makes sense, really. If something as imaginably unthinkable as one of the golden goddesses coming back to destroy Hyrule happened, no doubt Hylia would stand against them.

... But the fact remains that it is unthinkable. ]

That does make sense, and I am glad that they answered their pledge.

[discutio]

...hm. It was...complicated, but eventually the last of Ifrit's damage was erased from the world. I suppose the Astrals will return to slumber now; I hadn't thought much on it.

[hyruglyphics]

...Will return? [ . . . Uh ]

Had the scars of the war - rather, did you play a part in resolving things, so long after the fact?

[discutio]

[That was a critical misstep he hadn't realized he'd taken, Ignis's hands briefly stalling in his work as he quickly scrambled to recover. What could he say but the truth? Of course he was a competent liar, but...]

...yes.

[hyruglyphics]

[ wow. ]

... I am sorry you needed to do that. Though it is good to know you succeeded.

[discutio]

No--it was my choice. I don't regret a single step I took on that journey.

But that's why I have to get home. My world is damaged enough; my friends and I need to be there to help it recover.

[hyruglyphics]

[ She wishes she could say the same, even now that it is all over. ]

Of course.

[ . . . ]

Hyrule has suffered terribly from the Calamity. I am certain it shall recover with or without me, but I do wish I could return to do my part.

[discutio]

...We called ours Starscourge; a plague which blocked out the sun and moon alike, bringing darkness upon our world until its eradication.

[hyruglyphics]

[ To steal the heavens above?

Wow. ]

The Calamity is an ancient curse - I believe I told you of it. One that lingers in Hyrule, returning to attempt to destroy everything which was ordered by the goddesses when it rises.

[discutio]

You did mention it, yes. It called to mind the scourge then, but I thought better of bringing it up at all. People don't even like to speak its proper name--perhaps they consider it an ill omen, or just fear it that much.

[hyruglyphics]

Has it... rather, did it linger long, over the world?

[discutio]

It was the manifestation of the Infernian's wrath, so they say. So it's lingered for two thousand years--though not to the scale which I just described. Our world was without sunlight for only a decade.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Even a decade was...

But then, Hyrule had been in ruins from the aftermath of the Calamity's onslaught for a hundred years. A hundred years of guardians stalking the fields, of people traveling in fear of monsters. Of the need for arms and with the castle and capitol uninhabitable, the dead not even able to rest.

She frowns all the deeper, ]

A terrible blight to your people, without a doubt. [ . . . ] You who handled such a thing must be known as great heroes. ... It is no surprise the world needs you.

[discutio]

It's not-...

[Ignis let out a slow breath in something resembling a sigh, faltering for how to answer or even finish that sentence.]

...It wasn't...the three of us who dispelled the darkness. There was nothing we could do for that long night, so it is not us who deserve praise for the act.