Philosophy [Chapter VII]

[Ayen]

“Beings such as Maricul and the Ghost of Legion; they are but pebbles in the river of fate – throw one in the water and the current will simply divert its flow around it, resuming on its course thereafter.”

“But the pebble is still in the water. Even though it looks the same, it’s forever changed.”

Brown eyes stared into the glowing depths that made up Tajna Rasha’s as the two larger than life personalities, and ancient relics of the past, stood across from each other from within the throne room of Maricul’s palace.

“You would not be here now if you thought otherwise.”

Amoura. Fate just loved her. It couldn’t get enough of her apparently. Tajna Rasha believed that she would be the key needed to challenge fate. In The Seductress’ mind The Night Angel’s pebble was no better than anyone else’s. Maricul didn’t think her deserving of what she possessed to challenge Fate nor did she think her worthy of any of the attention Fate has given her in the past.

“I’d sooner give it to the shark.”

[Tajna Rasha]

Tajna remained characteristically impassable and while Maricul made a solid case in arguing the phantom’s own plans to cheat the Arashi’s tyrannous machinations of Fate, the Council Member had heard enough of her tired complaints about the Night Angel involvement for several life-times.

‘‘You sound like a century-old child.’’ Answered the mystical telepathic voice at length without so much of an effort to hide its irritation.

‘‘Do not think we have not seen through every possible variables of this timeline: Nothing except what we propose would only further instill our destruction in the annals of history.’’

The ghost’s eyes became incandescent under the shadow of its dark cape, glowing, and holding the woman’s hard gaze through the hood.

‘‘Do not disregard our insight in this matter Seductress; Fate has made the last of Mundus’ spawns into something far beyond our understanding – perhaps even to serve as a catalyst for the coming of the End. The shroud will only ensure our survival if it is to be worn by Amoura so she may eventually rescind such an outcome.’’

[Ayen]

Maricul growled, furious. Pacing back and forth before The Ghost of Legion, becoming red hot in the face upon the realization that she was insufficient next to the likes of the coming End, insufficient next to the likes of The Night Angel. What was once respect for a fellow warrior has been replaced with jealousy and rage. But she was neither truly angry at The Ghost of Legion nor even The Night Angel, her true beef lied with the reason both would come to her. Fate.

In a fit of rage Maricul walked over to a nearby table that had a model of Jherra placed on its surface. It looked like a means in which to conduct an invasion but soon it would only be a scattered mess as she threw the table over into a pillar and watched the pieces break and roll around on the ground as the table laid next to the pillar, one of many which held up the ceiling of the throne room. Her face still red hot when she returned her gaze to Tajna Rasha.

“Amoura this, Amoura that, I am so sick and tired of hearing about Amoura everywhere I turn!”

The Paradox wasn’t even trying to hide her emotions anymore, she wore them on her sleeve before the Lord of Time, not caring who saw it. Shroud or no shroud, the threat of The End was still real. Maricul had no reason to hold back anymore. The universe could end no matter what she said or did.

“Oh look at me I blew up a planet, I’m terrible!” Maricul mocked The Night Angel. “And my hair is purple – lalalala!”

[Darius Rulios]

Darius shifted and slowly stood. It was time again for him to intervene in a matter. He slowly disappeared from where he had been and appeared in the very heart of Utopia. He already knew the situation. There were many variables to include in such situations. Although he doubted Tajna had left any of them out when considering the options. A single simple conversation for example could spawn an entire nation to fall or even rise. Life and death were no different in this matter.

”Maricul…..” Darius said his thoughts hidden from all, but himself focusing on calming her down and claming Tajna’s irritation. ”You are acting foolish.” he said his usual calmness emiting from him. He nodded in Tajna’s direction. ”It has been some time.” he said as a greeting. Last time they meet had been on entirely different circumstances. ”If you two are to discuss what may or may not cause the end you should remember your emotions. You of all people should realize this Maricul considering what happened when Amoura let hers take over when she was here.” he said.

He let that last thought hang in the air before finally letting go of the spell. Now then perhaps they would be civil about this.

____________________________________________________


Tag: Person to post next
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”

[Tajna Rasha]

Tajna Rasha gave the immortal a glance for a moment. Between him and the woman, they constituted two parts of the triumvirate of people over which even his omniscience held no sway. They were paradox; gods among gods. There was however a certain cruel irony in how Tajna perceived them; with their power over fate was actually far less tangible than what any mortal would ever dare assume. For all their supposed command over the bounds of the universe and those beyond, they acted as little more than observants in a calculated game of chess Yahweh played with humanity. Darius had taught this reality to the Ghost of Legion through his persisting existence across the timelines, and visible failure at affecting the world around him in any permanent fashion.

After all, fate abhorred a paradox.

The thought lingered, and the Ghost listened to Darius’ counsel, the azure flames slowly leaving its gaze before finally answering.

‘‘This matter has already far transcended any notions of want.’’ Came the even retort, the words meaning and weight as obvious as their very presence in this room. ‘‘The Shroud cannot be worn by anyone other than the herald of the First’s prophecy.’’ Tajna Rasha returned its attention to Maricul. ‘‘You know the words…’’ The telepathic voice whispered into her ear before a familiar, haunting verse reverberated against every surface of the Utopian throne room. ‘‘A sacrifice of blood is what it demands for the cleansing of this world.’’

[Ayen]

Maricul turned her head to look over to Darius but was quick to dismiss his words of wisdom and turned her back on both men now standing inside her throne room. The words to follow and part the lips of The Seductress would contradict everything that has been documented on Maricul for the past five hundred years on Genesis.

“After all I have done for this land, all I have done for its people; they couldn’t even tie a bow upon my arrival. After all of that you expect me to hand their fate over to A WORTHLESS BITCH!”

Darius attempts to calm Maricul has obviously failed as she was quick to turn around and glare into the eyes of The Ghost, perhaps being one of the few in existence to not be intimidated by that haunting gaze he cast on all who stood across from him.

“Let me ask you a question – where was your precious Amoura during the war of The No Life King? Vlad Tepes! The scorn of Genesis! Hmm? Where was our Savior when he threatened to crush the entirety of Genesis with just the palm of his hand? Where was she when the ancestors of The High Priestess attempted their last ditch effort to stop him and where was she when the man became a monster? Nowhere to be found. I was the one who stood against the original bringer of nightmares. Yes, I was defeated countless times but I never stopped fighting! I never began to whine and complain about how unfair life was, I got up, dusted myself off and ran head first into The Impaler!”

Maricul, in the midst of her fury turned from Tajna and looked back to Darius. No one would be spared her poor mood.

“There once was a place called Attilian, whose land was covered in shit. The people try as they may to clean up their town but their efforts was never that great. And where do you ask was your Savior then? Why she was quite contrived. In the rafters she was, not giving a damn, playing “where’s the shiny” oh my. With a child whose relevance hasn’t been felt as long as The Council of Legion.”

Maricul looked at Tajna, then back at Darius.

“Where was I? Glad you asked! I was right in the thick of it, everyone was trying not to die. With my son and my sire, some thing called Gangrel, ripping the Abyss apart all night. 'Cause that how we did it where I came from and the fight itself was always quite epic, and that’s the story of Attilian! But where do I ask, is Amoura right now? With my book in her hand she’s probably reading this song, where she blows now, nowhere in sight, not knocking down that door to find me once more, put the shroud on her face, cover up her disgrace and send Veran straight to hell!”

What started to become an exciting tune quickly dived down to a sad melody.

“Instead she’s at a wedding not doing very well.”

[Darius Rulios]

Ah, yes the prophecy the Arashi had spoken of. He had many of them, but how many had changed since first uttered? How many still remained? It was an interesting question. In the end however. Prophecy was not set, nor would it ever be. Every encounter spawned millions of infinite new possibilities, new actions, but he was sure saying this would not help Maricul’s nerves any.

Darius said not a word as she went on her little triad. It would seem she would still insist on acting the fool. There was only so much you could do for such people. Darius waited a few moments to make sure she was done before responding ”And is that to say Maricul, that you yourself have been involved in every major event that has taken place?” he asked. That was the simple response to her, but he had more to add. He didn't mean just on Genesis, but in all realms.

”One does not need to take direct action to alter the course of fate, merely existing can accomplish such a thing.” he said. For now she was difficult to reason, or even talk with. He himself knew of many fates. And with each cycle he grew closer to ending them. He would succeeded eventually, but it was trial and error. Fate was never set in stone. And when the cycles were finally brought to an end, progress would truly start. Assuming there was anything left after it.

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Tag: Person to post next
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”
Notes: I'm at such a disadvantage here. If I don't post for a while it'll be because I'm reading.

[Tajna Rasha]

Tajna would have spoken, but Darius quickly imposed himself with wiser thoughts. The ghost was intent on the man’s words – a train of logic it had since long forgotten. Being bound to flesh, space and time… To Darius it was a story retold several times, different each time with its intricacies, its touch and its smell. A singular experience at every occasion.

‘‘You are living proof of the contrary, Darius.’’ Interjected the wraith in a tone so callous it silenced the echo of Maricul’s last outburst. Fate was to Immortal very much like the thing that dictated it; life. The phantom would not let such idle, adolescent contemplation left unscathed. ‘‘Even if you count your lives in the millions and multiplied your existence a hundredfold you would no sooner learn of the means to loosen fate’s grasp upon this plane.’’ It said, this time in a far more detached and even manner. ‘‘Our existence spanned eternities; we indulged in writing every conceivable beginning and end to everything that was, is and will be.’’ To Tajna Rasha, fate was not life – it was an art it had perfected – it was science. The supernatural light returned within the Council Member’s eyes as its gaze lowered in quiet contemplation. It burned through the hood that covered the cold and skeletal figure of the fallen angel, revealing its disfigured and ageless traits. ‘‘Still our draft was amended at every turn.’’ It spoke at length before turning, addressing them both. ‘‘We would be lucky to even add so much as a comma in the great book.’’ The subject returned to the Shroud once again, that much was obvious.

‘‘The Shroud and Amoura are ordained.’’ Tajna Rasha left nothing to chance. ‘‘They are the writer and the pen in one; we have devoted ourselves to finding them both… and you would throw away such miracle on a whim.’’ With Darius’ spell ended, the Ghost was overtaken by an emotion. Impossibly so, but there it was; after all this time it had crawled back from the abyss to creep its way down its spine. What was it? The wraith found no mean to define it, nor experience it beyond a subtle gesture.

It crossed its arms.

‘‘How painfully predictable.’’

[Ayen]

“Without me there would be no shroud! It would still be lost amongst the realms and neither you nor Amoura would have the instrument which is needed to challenge The Arashi!”

They were treating her like a small child, compared to the two of them she was but Maricul refused to be talked down to on her own turf. They should be bowing to her for everything she has done, not telling her what she should be doing.

“If I haven’t defied Yahweh back in the “Battle for Aircano” then we would all still be at The Arashi’s whim. You’ve any idea how much I’ve sacrificed to see to it that the shroud would arrive here? I’ve allowed countless trillions to die and countless more are dying now even as we speak. Utopia exists for the very sole purpose to save as many of those doomed to die as possible even for an entity such as myself. How dare you come into my house and talk to me this way. You didn’t find the shroud, I did! It was me!”

Maricul turned back to Darius, done ranting a rant that Tajna Rasha has already heard a thousand time over. His sanity wasn’t any more stable than her own because of that fact. He was just one big instant replay in everything he did. As for Darius. Maricul didn’t know what to make of Darius yet.

“Look me in the eye and tell me that Amoura deserves to be the one to save the universe. Look me in the eye and tell me that she is more qualified for the role than I after everything I have done. I have clocked in more field time than she ever will, I have done more with less than she ever will and I have given more than she ever will! So can you look me in the eye and say that we should hand the fate of everything, you and I included, to Amoura?”

[Darius Rulios]

Darius turned his attention to Tajna. In a sense he felt sorry for the being, or rather he would have if he allowed his emotions to take root, but he did not. He merely spoke to him in a level voice. ”Tajna, you of all people I would assume grew out of such tales as ‘Fate’. My existence may not show proof, but the history I have seen has. Fate is an absolute, it is something people use to escape responsibility. If it did exist ever cycle would have the same events, same people and yet they aren’t. This alone disproves it.” he said
Darius raised an eyebrow at Maricul latest question. She was the youngest in the group by far and it was showing through quite clearly now. If she insisted on acting like a child he would explain things as if speaking to a child. Step, by simple step.

”You Maricul, claim that you were the one to create Uptopia. You claim you have done more than Amoura ever has.” he said briefly turning his gaze to Tajna. He would not need as much explanation, but Darius would still include him. ”And you say that a single person’s existence is not enough to change the course of events. Then let us imagine for a moment that a single person is missing from the current string of events.” he said, but they wouldn’t have to do much imagining as they were surrounded by the sight of how things would be if Amoura had never existed.

They would find themselves in the crystal expansive as it was before the intervention of the Arashi. Before the second sun had ever appeared in the sky as a result. ”This is a world in which Amoura never existed. Gensis never changed, there was no Arashi intervention and things are as they were.” he explained though he was sure they could clearly see as much. ”The reason is obvious. The Arashi never awoke. Amoura never disturbed them. Try as much as you want to deny it, but Amoura is the catalyst for all the events that have transpired. The second sun, the changes in the Crystal Expanse, even you yourself at not immune to the being caught in this Maricul.” he said as they would find themselves in a void of nothing. ” Your rise to power came as a result of your encounter with the Arashi, and as a result so did Utopia. This is not your world. It is merely a byproduct of Amoura’s actions and so are you.” he said letting that last sink in before continuing.

Whatever illusion she held that she had caused all these events was wrong, without Amoura none of it would’ve happened. ”Amoura has done more than you would like to admit. Without her there would be no need for the shroud and we would not be discussing this.” he said. And that was the simple truth of the matter. Amoura was the cause of it all, not Maricul. He had one last thing to add before turning it back over to her. ”The ripples from her actions have yet to end. None of this has truly been your doing. So tell me Maricul, at what point did anything you have done not first come from her action that day waking the Arashi?” he asked. And that was the simple truth of the matter. Amoura was the cause of it all, not Maricul. Everything was still centered around her as the effects of that one action were still being felt. He slowly let the spell fade as they would appear back in the heart of Utopia.

____________________________________________________


Tag: Person to post next
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”

[Tajna Rasha]

Upon seeing the realm as Darius showed them, Tajna was brought back to its last confrontation with the woman who had forever changed Genesis: The Ghost of Legion was brought back on those countless lifetimes spent trying to make a world without her – where she had died before accomplish her dark destiny – others where her progenitors had never met in hope of preventing her accursed birth. How many times had these efforts been met with failure. Even in the absence of every individual and every event that made her into the person she was, the First Aspect would always come. Even after infinity. It always came to pass.

What the Immortal showed was, even in the phantom’s wildest imaginings – and a large imagining that was – an impossibility. Still, each of his words rang with distinct and irrefutable truth. All spoken with such flawless tact even Tajna could find neither ado nor rectification. Instead a cold sensation crept up in its mind, one unprecedented in experience and so potent even the phantom flinched momentarily from its tinge. And in one monumental rake of the soul, the First’s words rang through the hall like an invitation to what would inevitably transpire.

The Arashi had come.

Immediately Tajna’s eyes were animated with unnatural flames. ‘‘It has begun…’’

[Ayen]

No words. The Seductress response would come in the form of a loud screech as everything around them began to shake and shatter. A scream of furious anger would be heard all around Genesis as both it and the foundation of Utopia was shaken. Maricul began to calm her breathing but before she could speak Tajna words would snatch her attention away and then the cries of another caused her eyes to widen in concern as she turned around.

“Zira!”

The Firebird had chose to act against The First Aspect and Veran only response was terrors beyond the woman’s very imagination. A rush of emotion overtaken The Paradox as she was no longer concerned with this conversation or the fate of the universe. The only thing that mattered to her now was the well-being of Zira Firestone. In one single instance Maricul would have vanished from the vision of Tajna and Darius, and would have appeared in Crystal City for Zira.

[Darius Rulios]

Darius heard the echo in the halls. Followed by Tajna’s single sentence. Even as Darius was standing here, he was letting his mind wonder to other events. To the party. He had known it was happening, but he had overlooked it for the most part. Until now. Until it was needed for such a thing. Veran had finally came. He had hoped the people would be more sensible then they were. Perhaps he had hoped for a few. It was a fools dream to think all of them would.

In the end however a few would choose the foolish path. There was no bravery in fighting a stronger foe. It was all foolishness. It would seem even Maricul would not be unaffected once again showing her place as the youngest of the three as her emotions once again got the better of the two leaving himself an Tajna alone for the time being. He briefly felt a trickle of guilt for her, but only for a very brief moment. Emotions were such unneeded things. In the end they only caused pain.

He studied Tajna a moment before speaking. ”What will you do once another treat appears Tajna? Once the Arashi have been dealt with?” he quietly asked him. By now he would know he wasn’t speaking of the Arashi, but of himself. Though he might be here now discussing such things, the truth that both of them knew in the end Darius might cause the same fate that most were trying to prevent. One neither could see past.

____________________________________________________


Tag: Person to post next
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”

[Tajna Rasha]

Tajna Rasha merely stayed its gaze upon Darius even as Utopia’s Empress made her exit. The events of the following hours were about to unfold exactly in the manner in which the ghost had predicted, save for one element – and that was the man whom now spoke of an omen beyond the current crisis, beyond the End. The phantom took a moment; shifting its gaze from Darius to the great archway that separated the throne room to the rest of the dimension – and Genesis – as if somehow it could see back to the massacre happening in the newly-founded Aircano.

Indeed, it was exactly as what had been foreseen.

‘‘There shall be no such thing for us.’’ Came the voice at length. ‘‘We are unable to see beyond the End; in this our doom is certain.’’ The words were spoken with such tone of finality it was difficult to discount the fact, as spoken by the once-omniscient wraith. ‘‘It would be witless for you to think any differently.’’ It added, making little effort to hide the subtle, irritated inflection that emanated from the man’s inherent desire to pursue yet another impossible fantasy. Reality was, in fact, held in the hand of a woman whose sister had just endured the epitome of agony.

Tajna turned away from the sight, eyes blazing, and back to its interlocutor even as the mystical energies of dozens of portals began to swirl all around them.

‘‘We will face the Arashi and ensure their Herald is able to bring light to this world once again.’’ It spoke above the characteristic swirl of the ethereal currents. ‘‘Darius Rulios may yet prove he is not entirely dead to this plane – however if he would bring destruction thereafter we shall not stop him.’’ In this, Darius would know -

A flash of light engulfed the throne room, halting the thought, and Tajna Rasha disappeared as the refugees began to pour in, bleeding and broken. The final stand against the Arashi was about to take place.

[Darius Rulios]

Darius carefully studied Tajna’s choice of words for his response. In which sense did he mean them? Both statements had a very carefully hidden meaning. If he choose to use this as a guise of course. Now Darius was playing a dangerous game. Perhaps he was reading to deeply into Tajna’s words. Or perhaps the other was being as clever as ever. The question remained. Was he just referring to himself or was he referring to all things. How much faith did he really have in Amoura and the shroud?

The shroud was a powerful object, but how much did Tajna really know about it? Power could be double sided. Most of the time it was. It usually came at a price of some sort. Darius would neither respond nor give him any sense of a response. He merely listened. He would do little to debate the concept of fate with him. It would prove a waste of time for the both of them. Time, which at the moment, was of great essence. He watched the other eventually leave. So there was another who would not stand against him.

He briefly turned to study those in the room. Most were bleeding and bruised. How many of them would die when the Arashi arrived? What would be left of this domain? Even with Maricul here the damage would still be quite extensive. He then disappeared from the room. The realms were all coming together. When the last Arashi arrived quite a bit of the universe would be contained here, on Genesis. He slowly shook his head staring at the tower from which Utopia was centered. Studying it. ” Perseverance. It is something that cannot be accounted for no matter how hard one tries Tanja.” he said. Tanja might have had the same knowledge of him, but it was a distant knowledge. One that didn’t include things that were most likely considered petty such as emotions. In the end however it was something that would never be dismissed. Without a single word more Darius vanished leaving Utopia to deal with the slowly approaching threat.

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Tag: Finished
Song: ”Unfolding Time” by Broken Iris
Key: Thoughts “Dialouge”