Post by EmperorMyric on Jan 26, 2024 12:07:25 GMT
Panchavati Surface: Outer Halo
"I did wonder how long it would take one of you to step out of line. I expected such of course, but I asked the lord plenty for direction on which one"
"And here you are"
Alesso kept his arms out, palms open as the seeming disappearance of the intruding entities was now replaced with a single one returning.
"You have not taken arms up directly and aggressively against my kin, and have considered my offers. Had one of the others stayed I would likely have sent them to the lords embrace right away. But you, I am willing to hear your proposition" The preacher was backlit both by the strange energies of the Aurastone spire behind him but also the bright flashes of impacts from orbital debris, the remains of the station and even Ones body destroyed by the entities who had fought in orbit.
There was a pause as Amerandus looked at the crumbled carcass of Vulcan, still in a pile on the bridge, with seemingly only mild interest.
"Curious. You killed him, rather generous given what others of your kind would have done.", then he shook his head as if dismissing his own comment and the presence of the remnants of Vulcan altogether.
"You are a curious man Alesso and you have piqued my interest, though, I am well aware, one such as you has no interest in any of the gifts I have to give." He paused again.
"Still, you are correct, I do have a bargain to offer, one which may well interest you, given you are likely more aware of our positions than the others, children that they are."
The Heralds presence was as mundane as ever, a man clad in strange clothes, seeming almost too normal for even his surroundings, let alone the situation he was in, it's like the universe had woven a muted veil around him, though the presence of the veil itself was in itself not perceivable.
"It would be... ill advised, for either of us to come into direct confrontation with the other and I dare say, it would be in our mutual interest to avoid such."
There was thin smile entering the mans face, almost malicious, most definitely melancholic, somewhat genuinely friendly, as if someone were to so start a game they knew well against an old friend.
"So I ask you, do you still wish to hear my offer, even knowing I will not join your ranks?"
"I did not simply have a use for him" Alesso commented in reply looking down, putting back on his leather gloves.
"You are correct. I have no interest in power other than that bestowed by our rightful lord, they are holy and all I shall ever require."
The comments about wishing to come into direct confrontation made him place his hands behind his back and turn his body away from Amerandus for a moment to gaze upon the open chasm and the huge workings beneath. The Herald would have a moment to strike, Alesso was presenting a weak opening to exploit on purpose. This was a clear test.
"I am uninterested in fighting anyone. But if you think you can destroy me and end our mission you are free to try, but know with my death nothing will change. Give your offer, I will hear it"
Drakador_Chaos [Exalted Network] — 23/01/2024 12:16
As Alesso presented his opening, there was a moment where a hunger seemed to well up in the surrounding, the universe seemed to contort, revolt, though subtly, leaving the less inclined unknowing, though Alesso would be well aware.
A singular moment.
A singular moment where the tension spiked...
...and nothing. The feeling subsided, the wheel turned its normal course. The Herald made nought a move, then almost a minute later sagely shook his head.
"I have no interest in killing you at this time and no more than I have in anyone else."
He nodded.
"We both have our own... obligations and our own plans, you act out of conviction, something I can respect, even if it is to another. We offer you the following:
I will no longer directly interfere in any of your, or your associates' machinations, I tire of the antics of my younger fellows, they will have to find their own ways, perhaps it may teach them a thing or two. In return I only ask of you the same courtesy, you and your associates will not directly interfere with what is concerning me."
There was a pause then, as if an afterthought another comment followed, with slight squint.
"That includes what lies resting on Wisdoms' End.
A simple offer, really."
Silence ensued as the Herald relaxed and waited for Alessos answer patiently, observing the old preacher to judge his reaction.
Alesso didn't turn to face the Herald even as another bright flash lit up their surroundings, but he finally looked back with only his head.
"I do not intend to interfere with anyone's convictions or actions."
"But if that must be done in the pursuit of the great work then nothing will stand in my way. If you wish to avoid us then so be it, we have no reason to hunt or engage you. But know that whatever deal is made, should my holy task require it undone then I will not hesitate to remove another obstacle."
This time he turned his whole body.
"I have no intention of using the body of an old Overmind echo, I turn the path towards something new. Keep your grave"
Once more the Herald shook his head.
"I am under no illusion that this agreement may not eventually break or be violated and I do not expect for there to be no meddling through other means but this will do for now. After all, it lies within the nature of those with conviction to ultimately clash or align."
The was the sound of the tap of spear on the ground that a sort of... finality to it, as if sealing a contract.
"Then it is settled."
An extended silence followed, this time it was Amerandus turn to to gaze up at the stars, as the last remnant of the battle descended upon the planet.
"Indiviuals like you always make me wonder what it is that they truly desire from the bottom of their being."
His gaze wandered down again, looking over Alesso one last time.
"No matter, we shall see who triumphs in the end, those with a conviction to a higher power or those with a wish and the will to freedom."
...
"...and I am afraid for all your conviction I can sense there is already one in your ranks who desires to undermine the integrity of your church, right at this moment in the place they call Borealia."
Once more he gazed to the stars, followed by a hint of a bow.
"Consider this information a parting gift. Farewell and successful journeys."
...and just like that without a hint he had ever been there, the Herald disappeared again from one moment to the next.
Alesso merely smiled.
"I desire utopia, and I will build it with these bare hands" He raised his gloved hands as if to show them, staring at them he seemed to narrow his eyes.
"The will to freedom is merely an illusion, we are all slaves to a higher power, even you should know that" He sneered contemptuously as the Herald spoke his next words. Alesso did not respond to them, he had suspected for some time. This was not exactly new information.
As the Herald disappeared Alesso turned back to towards the light of burning fires, outstretching his hands the flaming debris of the station began to rise. The fires ceasing as the preacher slowly pieced it back together again.
"I did wonder how long it would take one of you to step out of line. I expected such of course, but I asked the lord plenty for direction on which one"
"And here you are"
Alesso kept his arms out, palms open as the seeming disappearance of the intruding entities was now replaced with a single one returning.
"You have not taken arms up directly and aggressively against my kin, and have considered my offers. Had one of the others stayed I would likely have sent them to the lords embrace right away. But you, I am willing to hear your proposition" The preacher was backlit both by the strange energies of the Aurastone spire behind him but also the bright flashes of impacts from orbital debris, the remains of the station and even Ones body destroyed by the entities who had fought in orbit.
There was a pause as Amerandus looked at the crumbled carcass of Vulcan, still in a pile on the bridge, with seemingly only mild interest.
"Curious. You killed him, rather generous given what others of your kind would have done.", then he shook his head as if dismissing his own comment and the presence of the remnants of Vulcan altogether.
"You are a curious man Alesso and you have piqued my interest, though, I am well aware, one such as you has no interest in any of the gifts I have to give." He paused again.
"Still, you are correct, I do have a bargain to offer, one which may well interest you, given you are likely more aware of our positions than the others, children that they are."
The Heralds presence was as mundane as ever, a man clad in strange clothes, seeming almost too normal for even his surroundings, let alone the situation he was in, it's like the universe had woven a muted veil around him, though the presence of the veil itself was in itself not perceivable.
"It would be... ill advised, for either of us to come into direct confrontation with the other and I dare say, it would be in our mutual interest to avoid such."
There was thin smile entering the mans face, almost malicious, most definitely melancholic, somewhat genuinely friendly, as if someone were to so start a game they knew well against an old friend.
"So I ask you, do you still wish to hear my offer, even knowing I will not join your ranks?"
"I did not simply have a use for him" Alesso commented in reply looking down, putting back on his leather gloves.
"You are correct. I have no interest in power other than that bestowed by our rightful lord, they are holy and all I shall ever require."
The comments about wishing to come into direct confrontation made him place his hands behind his back and turn his body away from Amerandus for a moment to gaze upon the open chasm and the huge workings beneath. The Herald would have a moment to strike, Alesso was presenting a weak opening to exploit on purpose. This was a clear test.
"I am uninterested in fighting anyone. But if you think you can destroy me and end our mission you are free to try, but know with my death nothing will change. Give your offer, I will hear it"
Drakador_Chaos [Exalted Network] — 23/01/2024 12:16
As Alesso presented his opening, there was a moment where a hunger seemed to well up in the surrounding, the universe seemed to contort, revolt, though subtly, leaving the less inclined unknowing, though Alesso would be well aware.
A singular moment.
A singular moment where the tension spiked...
...and nothing. The feeling subsided, the wheel turned its normal course. The Herald made nought a move, then almost a minute later sagely shook his head.
"I have no interest in killing you at this time and no more than I have in anyone else."
He nodded.
"We both have our own... obligations and our own plans, you act out of conviction, something I can respect, even if it is to another. We offer you the following:
I will no longer directly interfere in any of your, or your associates' machinations, I tire of the antics of my younger fellows, they will have to find their own ways, perhaps it may teach them a thing or two. In return I only ask of you the same courtesy, you and your associates will not directly interfere with what is concerning me."
There was a pause then, as if an afterthought another comment followed, with slight squint.
"That includes what lies resting on Wisdoms' End.
A simple offer, really."
Silence ensued as the Herald relaxed and waited for Alessos answer patiently, observing the old preacher to judge his reaction.
Alesso didn't turn to face the Herald even as another bright flash lit up their surroundings, but he finally looked back with only his head.
"I do not intend to interfere with anyone's convictions or actions."
"But if that must be done in the pursuit of the great work then nothing will stand in my way. If you wish to avoid us then so be it, we have no reason to hunt or engage you. But know that whatever deal is made, should my holy task require it undone then I will not hesitate to remove another obstacle."
This time he turned his whole body.
"I have no intention of using the body of an old Overmind echo, I turn the path towards something new. Keep your grave"
Once more the Herald shook his head.
"I am under no illusion that this agreement may not eventually break or be violated and I do not expect for there to be no meddling through other means but this will do for now. After all, it lies within the nature of those with conviction to ultimately clash or align."
The was the sound of the tap of spear on the ground that a sort of... finality to it, as if sealing a contract.
"Then it is settled."
An extended silence followed, this time it was Amerandus turn to to gaze up at the stars, as the last remnant of the battle descended upon the planet.
"Indiviuals like you always make me wonder what it is that they truly desire from the bottom of their being."
His gaze wandered down again, looking over Alesso one last time.
"No matter, we shall see who triumphs in the end, those with a conviction to a higher power or those with a wish and the will to freedom."
...
"...and I am afraid for all your conviction I can sense there is already one in your ranks who desires to undermine the integrity of your church, right at this moment in the place they call Borealia."
Once more he gazed to the stars, followed by a hint of a bow.
"Consider this information a parting gift. Farewell and successful journeys."
...and just like that without a hint he had ever been there, the Herald disappeared again from one moment to the next.
Alesso merely smiled.
"I desire utopia, and I will build it with these bare hands" He raised his gloved hands as if to show them, staring at them he seemed to narrow his eyes.
"The will to freedom is merely an illusion, we are all slaves to a higher power, even you should know that" He sneered contemptuously as the Herald spoke his next words. Alesso did not respond to them, he had suspected for some time. This was not exactly new information.
As the Herald disappeared Alesso turned back to towards the light of burning fires, outstretching his hands the flaming debris of the station began to rise. The fires ceasing as the preacher slowly pieced it back together again.