Peace Talks [Chapter VI]

[Miracle]

The time has finally come after much preparation. Many did not expect her to be successful but the High Priestess trusted that the Lord would speak through her today and reach even the closed off minds and hearts belonging to Isafaro and Jherrazad's leaders to avoid war. They did not know it yet but all shared a common enemy and a war amongst themselves would only give that enemy leeway over all of them. Miracle was not foolish to go alone however, both Isafaro and Jherrazad leaders were expected to have bodyguards accompanying them and the case would be the same for the High Priestess of Crystal City.

The meeting would take place in the heart of the tower found on the ground floor. Miracle was admiring the many different and very foreign symbols on the walls, understanding it was estimated it would take centuries to finally translate and understand them all. Hopefully learning how to use the basic functions of the tower would not take as much time, for time wasn't a luxury they had right now. There were people to return home and balance to be restored before something could tip the scales to further cause imbalance in the universe. Something that Miracle personally felt the war would only escalate further. For now, she waited.

[Sparda]

"Somehow I don't hold high hopes for this meeting..."

The first of the High Priestess' two chosen bodyguards had accompanied her on the long journey to the Downward Spiral. Unnerved as usual by the imposing structure, especially in light of the encounter he had made with the Ghost of Legion the last time he had wandered its interminable halls, Sparda was on somewhat of an edge.

He appeared unarmed, though Miracle would be aware of the presence of Luce and Ombra holstered beneath his coat as well as his ability to call forth Revelation and his three Devil Arms at a moment's notice. There was a time, however, to stay one's hand from violence and negotiate solutions to such problems; he was wise enough to understand this. But something told him not to expect Miracle's opposite numbers to heed her, no matter how she silvered her tongue here.

[Ayen]

General Koma Iz Vulture ruler of the strongest nation on Genesis and general of the prestige “Crimson Vulture” army. Fear and respected for their technology and ruthless behavior that gets the job done even against impossible odds. A sleeping giant among insects that nobody wanted to awaken, all but a few that did not know how things worked around here. He stepped into plain view of the High Priestess and her guardians, being the first of the nations to arrive for this “meeting” Miracle had called here today. A very act that made the capital of Jherra look weak even in comparison to Hallowton! A nation he has shown pity leading into his choice not to attack it, so he thought as his pride would not allow him to acknowledge the supernatural influence the more evolved humans in this world had over the opposing nations of the world.

At his side was of course none other than his three greatest warriors, though two of them being emotionally compromised more often than not, they were still among the best Isafaro had to offer when they took their jobs more seriously instead of just messing around with their pretty little pistols. Drake White, Ayanna Kaktas and Zach Tigerson. Drake to his right, Ayanna to his left and Zach directly behind him. All ready to draw their weapons and attack the first person who thought it a good idea to try to kill Vulture where he stood. Vulture’s expression lacked the usual smile that came with it back on his home turf, instead he looked more like a cold, heartless warrior that wouldn’t fuck around when it came right down to it. Not like the man to his right.

“Lady Miracle.”

[Miracle]

"General Vulture, I hope your trip was a pleasant one."

Miracle looked past him to his guards, recognizing them as some of his more well-trained soldiers. Zira spoke of the silver haired man in particular and commented on how much of a pervert he was. She couldn't argue that, and wouldn't try to argue with anyone really, especially Amoura or any of her family members when they were upset over something. Once Moon Valley and Jherrazad made their arrival they could begin this meeting.

[Ayen]

“Skip the pleasantries I’ve no interest in idle chatter.”

“You should be more appreciative, General. How many people in Genesis would greet you in such a way?”

Vulture turned his head and off to his right was the new mayor of Moon Valley. Carari Grey. To her left and right were two armed military men from her city armed with fully automatic rifles and staying close to the new mayor at all times. It was different from Luca who body guards were much bigger, stranger and always had their weapons concealed. Carari Grey just smiled to the two as Vulture looked the woman over.

“Mayor Carari Grey I presume. Interesting how nobody has ever heard of you until your campaign for mayor.”

“Maybe if Isafaro paid better attention to us “insects” your people would know of me.”

Vulture only snorted. The awkward silence soon being interrupted by approaching footsteps. Vulture and Carari turned their heads to see “The Crimson Devil” Ranko alongside Kaso and Alexander walking up to their position. Ranko and Vulture exchanged cold glances with one another before they stood off to his left, across from Carari and now facing with Miracle and the rest of Crystal City. The cold emotionless facial expression of Ranko never failing even during her intense stare off with General Vulture.

“We’re here. Talk.”

[Clash]

"Hold."

A man in a heavy robe shuffled in, gray hair thin and tattered as it hung from his crown. His face was tight, though the deep lines of age made him appear to be in his forties. His movements didn't show it though. He had a limp like a hobbled old mule and his body seemed to lurch with each movement. He looked around the room, then moved over to the group. He had one man in fine dress following him yet making no effort to help the old man move. Emerald eyes flashed around as he took in the details of the Downward Spiral's center, staring upwards and craning his body and neck back to see the spiraling stairs and the vertical abyss. "So this is what all the fuss is about... Even got the Vulture out of his Roost." He chuckled to himself then reached into his robes.

"I am... Where is that thrice blasted..."

He produced an envelope of beautiful teal paper sealed with a green-wax stamp of the Royal Hallowton Crest.

"I am Hami Morgan. This man with me is Lytur. While Hallowton will not participate in these negotiations we have been sent to observe the ruling bodies of Jherrazad as they speak..."

That should have some weight behind it. You'd have to be pretty damn thick or foreign to Jherrazad (or both) To not know that name. He turned his head to Carari and Ranko, speaking under his breath to himself... "Fine bodies to observe indeed. Ahem... We are to observe and not interfere, Her Highness the Queen of Hallowton is interested in hearing the decisions reached by her peers."

Hami turned those eyes to Sparda, his expression blank but curiosity flashing in those hues of his. "A Demon... One of yours, Lady Ranko?"

[Sparda]

"If I were, I'd be standing there next to her."

Such was the prompt response of the Dark Knight to this neutral Hallowton delegation, pleasantries aside. He turned his head, catching a moment of eye contact with the aged but deceptively learned human who had deduced his nature so quickly. "As you can see, I am here with High Priestess Miracle."

Nothing more, he decided, needed to be said to that effect. The demon returned his attention to the matter at hand, casting a wary glance at the other three delegates and their complements of guards. If it came down to it, something told him Ranko's would be the biggest handful, while the soldiers in tow with General Vulture and this new Moon Valley mayor would merely need to be kept from Miracle.

[Miracle]

Miracle watched as leaders and representatives of their respective nations filled up the tower. The one appearance that surprised her the most was that of Hami Morgan. She had heard the stories and if Hallowton sent a man of his talents to simply "observe" these proceedings it showed the High Priestess that Hallowtoon took this situation more seriously than she had originally been led to believe. Now that everyone was here Miracle sent a quick silent prayer to Yahweh so she may be given the words needed to convince these people to make the right choice today.

"My fellow leaders, I thank you all for agreeing to meet here today. After everything that has happened it is no mystery why we all want the tower in some way, but I trust that you all are no stranger to the second sun in the sky and I know the direct cause. The Arashi. Also referred to as the Second Aspect, was the mysterious force that came forth from the deserts just outside of Jherrazad and laid waste to Aircano forcing us to rebuild from within the Crystal Expanse. It spoke of prophecies and the imbalance caused by many people presence in our world. We also learned that if the balance is not restored then another of his kin will come to be the end of all things. My fellow leaders, not just Jherra or Genesis, but the entire universe has been threatened. If we don't work together now it could mean the end of all life as we know it! There is no reason that we all cannot use this tower but we must work together to restore what has been shattered should we wish to avoid this terrible fate."

[Ayen]

Isafaro and Moon Valley responded with laughter. Ranko, Kaso and Alexander remained silent as could be expected from Jherrazad. Isafaro and Moon Valley clearly has not taken anything said by the High Priestess seriously. Shrugging it off as mere propaganda. The Crimson Devil wasn’t so quick to dismiss the claim, but not willing to just take their word for it. General Vulture was the first of the nations to speak.

“Really, Lady Miracle? Is that your plan to promote peace? Propaganda? I thought the prodigy child of Aircano would know better.”

“The Arashi Prophecy is clearly a myth. A convenient lie spread by an ancient religious cult your people put into exile years ago.”

“You’ve any evidence to support this claim?”

“What a surprise! Lady Ranko thinks there might be some truth to this nonsense!”

“When you have lived for as long as I have, General, then we’ll see how willingly you dismiss such claims without further investigation.”

[Silver Eyes]

"A sacrifice of blood is what it demands, for the cleanse of it’s world." A familiar woman entered the meeting clad in her armor, minus the mask and hood so everyone could see her face, and continued reciting the prophecy that had haunted her for nearly twenty-six years. Her tattered, red cloak billowed out behind her thanks to her brisk walk and it limped around her ankles when she finally halted to resume. Her red eyes scanned the ones who were foolish enough to say the prophecies and the Arashi were a myth. Ignorance was not bliss.

"The Gate is prepared! The evil that was once vanquished shall rise anew. Wrapped in the guise of man shall He walk amongst the innocent, and Terror shall consume they that dwell upon the Earth. The skies shall rain fire, and the seas will become as blood. The righteous shall fall before the wicked, and all of Creation shall tremble before the burning standards of Hell. It is the harbinger of Its return and It shall send forth it’s terror into all the realms. Everything… Shall die. In seven days the world was made; when the time comes, there shall be seven days of peace before the world comes undone."

The Night Angel frowned at all who were present, say for Miracle and Sparda, and finished it off: "And so it was foretold that the parallels, once reunited, would be shattered again. Their defeat would be illusory – for the final gambit would have yet to be played..." Amoura crossed her arms, "It is not a myth. I have been chosen to be the messenger of the Arashi and have seen the final sibling called 'The End'. If you don't band together to figure something out, then divided we will all fall."

[Miracle]

Miracle would have smiled towards Amoura had the severity of the situation not demanded her to keep focused on the business at hand. She could understand the doubters, not wanting to believe that there was anything wrong. That was the way of human nature. But the nations of the world could not live in ignorance anymore. Too much was riding on these peace talks to work for her to fail. How could they maintain the balance when they were all at each other's throats?

"If you want further proof go outside and look to the second sun. Only an Arashi is capable of that kind of power. Had it not been for this tower none of us would be standing here today."

[Clash]

"The world was made in 6 days, and that's in the old books. I thought you zealots only followed the new print?"

Hami's voice was rife with sarcasm. though deep down he knew truth behind it. There was a second sun in the sky and the continent of Jherra grew an erection that got stuck in every reality. Damn if that's not some messed up religious stuff right there. He looked over at his aid, who was hastily noting down what everyone was saying on his Scriptury, a hand-held device designed in Hallowton. The man seemed unfazed by this revelation but Hami predicted it was because it just didn't sink in. People in Hallowton were complacent and skepticism ran through them, a side effect of being both 'evolved' and somewhat removed from the events of the world around them.

"You seem to have all the answers... With as little Cryptic babble as possible, can you tell us when this 'Arashi' will show up?" Hami crossed his arms, his robes shuffling slightly as he took a few steps towards the woman. She had a nice robe but, like so many women before, her robe probably would've looked better on his floor. He tilted his head, eyes flashing at her with that same curiosity he brought to the meeting to begin with.

[Ayen]

Ranko, Vulture and Carari Grey all gave The Night Angel a blank stare. Looking neither concerned, nor fearful nor impressed by any of the words spewed from her lips. If anything they looked almost irritated, with Ranko still being void of all emotions.

“I’d hardly call verses of the Arashi Prophecy compelling proof.”

“I agree but what can you expect from the religious? They think their testimonies are all the proof they need.”

After Hami spoke Vulture laughed.

“These religious zealots has made so many alternations to their original texts it’s amazing they can remember which holy book says what!”

Ranko turned her attention back to Miracle to address the points she made.

“It’s true. The entity that went supernova was a being of great power but there’s nothing to indicate it was an Arashi or a prelude to the end of the universe.”

“New threats are discovered in Jherra everyday,” began Alexander, “beings of great power, some of which evolve from a weaker incarnation of devil. We have nothing to rule them out as the cause for Emmanuel. You say it was an Arashi. Are we supposed to just take your word on it?”

“You’re a smart girl, Lady Miracle. Surely you can understand our position on this matter. You want us to give up our bids on the tower while you have failed to provide us with any plausible evidence of this alleged “Armageddon.”

[Miracle]

The young High Priestess could not believe what she was hearing today. The level of denial from the other leaders and representatives were astounding. They knew the state of the universe, yet they were so easy to dismiss everything that has happened thereafter as an isolated incident. How could anyone be so blind? It was right there that Miracle knew as long as they insisted on the Arashi's existence they would not yield.

"Then forget about Arashi and prophecy for just one minute and think about what you're doing! Think about the lives your decisions are destroying and will continue to destroy if you don't stop. How many more people have to die for quests of universal conquest-" she looked to Vulture when she said this- "or greed-" she looked to Carari Grey and Ranko, both wanting to use the tower to boost their own economies through trade of weapon and equipment that otherwise wouldn't exist in Genesis-

"the decisions we make, the path we walk, it reflects not just our own individual nations but the entire continent of Jherra! Is it any wonder why the rest of the world hates us? We have a chance to prove to the world that Jherra is capable of good. Even if you do not believe in the Arashi or the prophecy you must concede that the state of the universe is critical and that further imbalance could send us into a path of destruction! We need to work together if we hope to accomplish anything! Not fight each other and get more innocent people killed!"

[Silver Eyes]

They mocked it. They mocked the torment she had to endure for twenty-six years of her life and dismissed it as religious banter. It was akin to mocking a recently freed Jewish prisoner, stating the Holocaust never existed and it was just a myth. "Religious...?" That word left a very bitter taste in her mouth, "How dare you." The ground beneath Amoura's feet began to crack and rumble while her aura fluctuated uncontrollably. It was one thing to deny the existence of the Arashi but to mock it was the worst mistake they could have made. It was taking all of her willpower to not draw her weapons and just end their pathetic lives. They had to see reason. For now, she had the reigns on her anger.

"Y'know, I have a question for all of you." Amoura clasped her hands behind her back and paced, keeping her eyes on them, "Why aren't you out to get your evidence against their existence when so many people are speaking of the Arashi?"

She ceased pacing and made eye contact with all three--with the mayor, it was much longer than the rest, "While you were snug in your homes, Miracle, Sparda, Solomon, myself and others had to fight off the Arashi which ended in the destruction of hundreds of galaxies. Rifts tore open in the fabrics of universes, further disrupting the balance and The Seductress kept those portals open. Because of that, Aper became a supernova that destroyed billions upon billions of lives." The Night Angel stood by Miracle, "You want evidence of their existence, then probe our memories. You will find it all to be true in there." A smirk lined her lips, "And if you refuse this request to see what we saw, then you are denying evidence. Any talented mind prober would be able to tell if the memories are fake."

Amoura doubted that showing them the power through the Nightmare would work. Their ignorance sank so deep it wouldn't surprise her if they didn't believe everyone's encounter with Aper.