Welcome to Adventu, your final fantasy rp haven. adventu focuses on both canon and original characters from different worlds and timelines that have all been pulled to the world of zephon: a familiar final fantasy-styled land where all adventurers will fight, explore, and make new personal connections.
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year 5, quarter 3
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Post by Claire Farron on Feb 29, 2024 21:30:38 GMT -6
"The Monster Summoner"
"So now I'm...The Saviour?"
Lumina appeared to be nowhere, not even atop the plant monster's head when Cuore began to search about. As Cuore called out for her, there was but the tonal landscape of Perigosa Jungle, until... "Looks like we've completed this quest~" her voice audible first, before a flash of brilliant light revealed her form behind Cuore. To think after fleeing from that mansion, she'd end up doing something so heart warming (as well as dangerous, if Serah ever found out about this...). None of this deterred Lumina's smile, even as her outfit was in such disarray. How ever could a fashionista like herself let this stand!?
...Simple, what mattered was the journey and the journey's end. Having instilled confidence in a new friend, Cuore would be able to make it in this New World. "So, it's time for us to go, then there's just one thing we need to address." crossing her arms over her chest, she had a confident and playful expression, sizing up their surroundings as she prepared her own power.
"Where will you go next? This jungle isn't thee best spot for someone to live alone. Your friend...I'm guessing you won't be able to call on them for some time, huh? How fortunate for you that I ended up here! I'm a rather affluent lady you see, so...I can get you a nice small place with much more people. I could also offer you a job. With your skills, my crew would fly these skies with no trouble at all, well...when I'm not with them, of course." room and board from a mysterious benefactor? A very promising offer when one was alone in another world.
"This is the least I can do, for a friend. Think about it, preferably while I'm getting us some place safer. Just hold my hand and everything will be fine, okay~?" carefully, Lumina outstretched her right hand, inviting Cuore to take it. She waited for Cuore's reply, her expression softening from the dual mischief and confident gaze. There wasn't anyone else watching, so there was no need to keep up the façade, in this moment she could be herself and for a new friend, Cuore had earned that much.
tag: Cuorewords: xxx outfit: See post notes:Reward, pt.4
Post by Claire Farron on Jan 13, 2024 20:51:01 GMT -6
"Clarissa"
Clarissa Gaiden: The Girl Who Lost Everything
"Oh, thank you." Clarissa remarks after Caius put an arm around her shoulder. She did feel more at ease, able to listen to the words of wisdom. She was puzzled at first by the mention that she was her? Though as he clarified, she let out a soft hum. The idea that someone else was keeping her legacy alive, made for conflicting emotions. In part, the idea of being impersonated, to have her everything taken by another was as distressing, as it was disheartening. Her eyebrows furrowed for a moment as she took the time to consider alternatives.
When Caius pulled his arm away, she briefly looked towards him, then to her uncle. Empathy allowed her to imagine how her remaining relatives must have felt. After all, she thought she had died right there at Mount Hotan, before being able to unite with him and Lorenzo. She couldn't remember another girl who looked like her, that is...until she closed her eyes.
Flashback: "What's happening?!" Clarissa had cried out, panicked and confused.
"You just don't stay dead, huh? How many decoys do you have, Miss Fairborn? Well, doesn't matter, we'll finish the job tonight." after these words, she felt a searing heat along her chest. Blood...She fell to her knees, her assailants making haste to leave without leaving much evidence behind. Frantically her eyes darted about, settling upon a body...barely breathing...
"...me?" this shocking thought, of seeing herself or at least what she thought was her, became her final memory before she succumbed to darkness. When she opened her eyes, her heart was racing and she looked a bit pale. "The nice lady, Serah and my...twin, I guess? They know." Clarissa remarks, cutting into the conversation.
"...'I' told them, personally. Sometime after the dinner, I wanted Miss Serah to check on my guest, because she's an Outlander who is suffering memory issues worse than mines. We don't even know what her real name is exactly. Poor Luna." lowly she moved her hands to her lap, hands intertwining carefully.
Her Uncle wanted her to continue to be Clarissa, because the prejudice for an Outlander here was immense. As for what she wanted? Clarity. She could see pieces of her time, like a spectator of sorts but there were too many blank points to sort through. Enough that a headache was starting to come over her. Worse, she was remembering event she was certain weren't hers.
"When Claire arrived in Zephon, she awoke at a temple and cared for by some Monks. I can remember their faces, shocked because of where in the temple I was. I also remember...the Monster, she was there, stealing mana from the world to make herself stronger while suppressing Lightning further. Did she leave something behind perhaps...? It took awhile to recover and there was a caravan of scholars who Claire accompanied to Sonora. They stopped in Mount Hotan and...huh, blank. After that, I just remember watching without any awareness." Based on her recollection, the idea that she was...herself, left her more conflicted. Pieces were being obscured but pain filled her chest.
"...A precious friend...I was disavowed, wait not I, Lightning was...because of this...Parasite?" she paused, shook her head vigorously.
"None of this makes sense, I beat this parasite, with Serah. I was resting...Or was I being experimented on in an old mansion...Both? I did escape that mansion...Cuore, I helped her before checking in." Yet mystery after mystery popped up.
What did she do on the way to checking in and with who? A glance to Reinhard solved some of it, she went back to Sonora. Then when did she return to Provo to speak with Serah? Had Serah gone to check on Lightning...? Something like that. Then lots of darkness, this must have been what it was like for those who couldn't remember the old world.
Post by Claire Farron on Jan 12, 2024 20:07:16 GMT -6
"Clarissa"
Clarissa Gaiden: The Girl Who Lost Everything
Clarissa's eyes lit up and she seemed rather excited. Sure, he did say 'prospective', she heard that but what mattered? "He said girlfriend!" her inner thoughts rather clear on her visage. Caius had effectively captured her complete attention, gazing into his eyes rather excitedly. "I remember...that. Outside of the concrete jungle, those who live rurally in Sonoran lands face similar issues. I also remember...fighting a Behemoth while trying to get away, to Provo." the mix of surprise and awe in her voice, was underscored by visible anxiety. Who was she, truly?
In fact, when Caius reminded her that she told him to call her Claire, she smiled bashfully, gently combing her fingers through her hair. "...I know." a quiet confession, left with hesitancy. She wanted to differentiate herself from...Claire but that'd be difficult. "What if I'm not really her?" the confusion was clear as memories were surfacing then submerging. In the wake of such, an unimaginable battle was in full bloom, beneath the surface.
"...For some reason, I'm always living in pieces. Each fragment refracting different parts of me yet I'm seldom viewed as a whole. Zephon's not made that any better since my arrival." Reflecting on events that flowed through her mind, she noted Caius' reply to her cryptic remark with a gentle nod. Even with her memories scrambled, hidden, and then viewed through the lens of another, hearing Serah's name sparked something innate inside her.
"Serah's heart and soul, yes, I became a crystal tomb to protect her. When I arrived here, I thought she was still with me but she wasn't, she was here and whole. That left me confused, how did I...a mere fragment, exist without her? I think in this world, I was never a fragment. Though I did have room for one more, where Serah would be. That's probably it, a shame that this monster is concealing stuff. Sometimes I have lucid moments and then..." the familarity, that hint that Lumina was there, seemed to fade into darkness. It would be easier to see as Caius had been observing. A subtle but notable shift in body language, denoting which memories were informing her thoughts.
Reinard was also observing, silently in contemplation as he gauged the exchange between the two. Nothing he saw dissuaded his conclusion of Caius being 'good medicine'. The pangs in his heart, seeing Clarissa's body language, hearing her voice, matured given the passage of time. Of course it hurt. Though he had to pursue this, to learn the true nature of what was happening. The idea that his biological niece, whom he had thought was lost, was present in some fashion...all this time...
He felt tears well up but it was best not to be hasty. Caius had his own matters to tend to and didn't live here after all. Commuting back and forth would be a hassle, he was sure but it seemed Caius was committed and that's all he could ask. The few who knew he'd adopted an Outlander, wondered if it was solely to bury the grief. There were alternatives to secure his family's assets, ways to find the one pulling the strings of those assassins. Yet he didn't bother and left those in the know to question, why?
"She is here or at least was. Like you, she seems to commute back and forth to her own home. There's another sister, yes? Well...'sister', she is Claire. I didn't think it was possible for two versions of Outlanders to here. Yet it explains why someone sought to kidnap her back then. To learn how the summoning of Outlanders work and use it, I can't tell you how much I've heard such talk over the years. Scientists here and in Provo, constantly researching."
Reinard sighs, shaking his head.
"No matter what we discover next, I'd prefer if this Claire, remains as Clarissa when in Sonora. For safety and for the chance to change these lands for the better."
Post by Claire Farron on Jan 11, 2024 19:21:56 GMT -6
"Clarissa"
Clarissa Gaiden: The Girl Who Lost Everything
Although she could hardly remember the first date or any, she didn't seem perturbed by this idea of picking a location. "...There is an arcade that might be fun, think of it like going to different booths, except everything is self contained in a cabinet." Seemingly, lurking beneath, traces of Claire though Eve would certainly make it difficult.
"...I'd ask you to not mistake me for this 'Claire', prospective boyfriend. Although, I don't think the idea of my soul resting with another's is farfetched. Whatever this monster is, perhaps it destabilized something inside...us? Alternatively, whatever you did to save us, woke me up? Thank you, either way. Light works in mysterious ways~" At this stage, it'd be difficult to tell definitively between projection or something more arcane. What was clear, yet subtle, was the memories were not erased or stolen. They simply seemed to act as a layer, concealed beneath the persona...for the time being.
"...I think I'm fit enough to accompany you in Sonora now, either way. I want to see what's changed and to become reacquainted. Honestly, it's hard to reconcile...nearly three years." Briefly, she looked rather somber, causing Reinard to clear his throat.
"Although I'd rather not get my hopes up, you seem to be a good medicine of sorts. She reacts quite naturally to you, with no gaps despite the memory loss or perhaps memory suppression? You're not in a rush to be anywhere, are you, Caius? I can make some calls and arrangements. My son, Lorenzo, the 'butler' as he enjoys pretending to be, should be at the hospital with other infected patients. I'd like to make a call to him to update him. Clarissa's guest seems quite good at healing and handling this situation so far but the amount of inpatients is becoming too much for one person. If you could drop by at some point during your stay to help her, that might help us contain this."
He soon took out his phone, idly playing with in his hands, before he recollected something else.
"...I almost forgot, in light of the situation. There is something else. Claire's sister, Mog if you could take time to go visit her in Sonora and update her, that'd be great."
Mog who was quite attentive, gave a salute to the Chairman. He knew Lightning was in good hands here and well, explaining things to Serah was going to be a rollercoaster. On the bright side, it'd be good news, so he'd take the time to make his exit. Clarissa watched Mog leave rather fondly before speaking softly, seemingly to herself, "...It's still me, underneath it all. If I can protect one soul, maybe I can atone for the others..." for the souls Light reaped in order to 'save' this sick world as she dubbed it. The pain of such actions, the guilt remained with her. Even if they weren't her conscious actions as a former fragment. Part of being a whole person was not differentiating between 'sides' or parts anymore.
Post by Claire Farron on Jan 11, 2024 16:56:31 GMT -6
"The New Dawn"
Reality within the Darkness of Zephon
Strangely, Lumina didn't have to hope, she really was confident in this but she couldn't explain where it came from. The boundless energy she felt, even as Caius worried about Serah and herself remaining safe, she recognized it. This was how she felt after her chance encounter with Aoede. It was hope, liberation, and though it was boundless, she was at peace.
"...Well, you're not gone yet. Why don't we have dinner?" Enjoying these simple moments, was why she fought so hard. This parasite would have a very difficult time overcoming the sheer abundance of light that Lumina possessed. It was in her Codename after all! It was also in the name her parents had given her. Bit by bit, in Zephon, she was reclaiming that name. The woes of worrying about her existence had passed. In its place, was a different name and identity, unique to Zephon. Thinking of being here as a divergence was easy at times but when she thought about the sacrifice of her earlier days? It seemed that even events of the "Chaotic Era" were bound to repeat themselves.
That was why, the part of her that wasn't meant to exist, made it here. To become a brilliant flash of light in yet another world, no...in Zephon. "For now, I'd like both of you not to worry. After all, there must have been a reason that I was summoned. Maybe fighting, at least conventionally, isn't exactly what's required?" as Lumina, she was able to achieve a lot, effectively setting the stage to topple God. The real question was, if not to topple a god, then what?
"I've actually had a lot of years to think about things. Now that I have the rest of my memories, Zephon might just be in a strange circumstance. We're summoned, yet there is no imminent danger, aside from that of our own making. In that way, Zephon is very much like our world, guided by the decisions of man kind. Yet beneath the surface, in an unseen realm, the danger may already be here. Festering beneath the surface, in parts of the land we've yet to see. I'm certain, from the parasite's memories, there are some ancient secrets. She knew how to harness some of it. Though like any other servant of the gods, she only knows bits and pieces. The information that she knows, that she might try to hide...I think I should try to pry it out from her. Since I'm not 'fighting' in the conventional sense, I'll help in other ways." ...well, she failed to mention that she wasn't fighting yet.
Should something ever happen to Sonora, she felt obligated to return from her self-imposed retirement then. Otherwise, the sacrifice of that young woman in her place...it'd be all in vain, wouldn't it? Closing her eyes for a moment, she could piece together some of it. Those assassins were targeting a teen with her hair colour. That's how she got into that mess at Mount Hotan. Mistaken identity, yet there was a greater conspiracy at work. The "Dust" as they called it, recalling how hot and bothered security could get about it, as well as her determination to take some. It all must have seemed like a pink blur of mischief all those years ago. Ever since she got someone else involved in her retaliation, she'd made sure to separate her life, that other identity from that of her family.
"There is something else on my mind, even if it's not the best dinner conversation. I've been thinking, this world might be trapped in a loop. Different from the Chaotic era experienced by our friends, where nobody could die of old age or aged at all for that matter. Instead, we live our lives, from different moments in our life from our world, depending on what happens here. I'm just not sure if we're simply copies of ourselves or an instance...but then we'd be getting into Time Travel..."
Post by Claire Farron on Oct 31, 2023 16:57:36 GMT -6
"Beautiful Chaos"
Nameless Threats within the Dark
The prospect of experiencing romance did trigger something for the parasite. It wasn't disgust, it wasn't annoyance, it was a flicker of intrigue. When it did come time to be annoyed, was Caius' efforts to block the spawn. Providing Serah with quite a bit of resistance. Well, it had additional vectors of infiltration, wall or not. Lumina had been intertwine with Serah heart and soul, so it was fine. She need only step back for now, having done her part to implant fear, doubt, and so forth.
"Serah's use to it." Lumina points out, gesturing to her little sister with pride. "I believe in your ability to become accustomed to me too." which really spoke to her boldness as her words left no room for doubt to her successful acquisition as it were.
Lumina had no intention of being bested by the parasite, though perhaps the fear was more uncertainty to what it could evolve to do? Light's struggle with it, being so oppressed that her inner voice was nearly muted was traumatizing. Naturally, she just stayed the course, fighting to survive, to return as a free individual. Now she was, the fog of confusion and uncertainty about her own identity in Zephon, was clear and that's why, the soft expression she looked to Serah with, had all the confidence she could remember. "...That's a familiar response, alright I probably deserved that---" Lumina could have forgiven Serah considering her confession about Caius was so sudden. Their situations had truly reversed in Zephon and she hadn't the faintest clue how to navigate this.
After all, how did a Mom introduce a boyfriend to their daughter? She didn't get a chance to finish thinking it over, as Serah embraced her. She returned it, after a brief bit of awe. Perhaps a Mom, a Guardian...just had to be upfront about it and let the pieces fall into place. Either way, Serah had done what she failed to and then some. That was the woman she raised so well, leaving her heart swelling with pride--- "...Stoic Hero? Oh no..." Lumina's inquiry was almost rhetoric. Her mind first flashed to the statue Caius had been avoiding and her own remarks to him. THEN she remembered...
"Wait..." yet Serah was already moving to make the vow, knife in hand. Embarrassed as she was, the proud smile didn't fade on her face.
"I've been on the case already, kupo. With my help, kupo~? Caius will be a man worthy of the Farron house, kupo!"
"...A hero and a Guardian little sister. Even though my hero is going away for awhile, I'll have you, Serah. Maybe this is for the best after all. I remember the feeling of liberation in the New World. To confidently not be dragged into the fighting, to say no. I'm okay with this, so...thank you, Serah, for understanding."
Post by Claire Farron on Jun 19, 2023 1:26:49 GMT -6
"Clarissa"
Clarissa Gaiden: The Girl Who Lost Everything
Although Eve could not retort, it was clear that if she did, it would be to laugh. To bring forth old pains and new, intermingling in different ways to the people around Clarissa. Often, facing the truth of something and concealing much needed context, was vastly superior to spinning a web of lies. Even at the mention of her being Claire in the end, he could imagine Eve saying "is she now?" for as events unfolded the impossible had surfaced.
"Had Clarissa...returned from the dead?" Just looking at Reinard's expression as he listened and interacted with his adoptive daughter, it became clear that he was thinking it, though his eyes held some disbelief. The ruse of their relationship prior of pretending and just accepting the status quo, was lost. Yet if things were so simple, then Eve's ploy would not be nearly as effective. Thus the pardox would unfold with an interesting response from the woman herself:
"Still only prospective boyfriend...huh?" she whispered it, eyebrows scrunched and cheeks flushing bit by bit. Mog didn't seem to hear it, though he was calmed by Caius touch momentarily.
"I've heard this story before, kupo~ Feels a lot more...real this time. Let me see if I can tell the next part, kupo!" Mog perks up, he'd gotten to hear it shortly after the big introductions and before things went awry. Clearing his throat, Mog readied himself for quite the story.
"Clarissa was different since waking from her injuries. There was confusion but she seemed to adapt to her new circumstances rather well. Plunging herself into being the heir of a powerful company, she desired to prove herself, kupo. The test she arranged...was to 'secure' a portion of Dust, sneak it into Sonora then prove she could get it out. With her flashy magic and wits, she ended up succeeding and thus started a subsidiary outside of Sonora to do business. She ran into someone that she helped too...though the name has been lost, kupo..."
Clarissa appreciated the recap but looked in disbelief about what occurred. "I...did want to prove myself but that sounds like smuggling. T-that's illegal! I can't use magic...I could run a business though. The ones outside Sonora run much smaller profit and loss charts. Itemizing everything would be simple enough and getting goods from places besides Provo would be useful. I'd want to get magical crystals imported."
"You've already done that. Though we've run into a problem getting them inside."
Reinard was more amazed that there were similarities that ran beyond their looks. In fact, when he looked to Caius and Mog, he finally spoke what was on his mind:
"Is it...possible that Clarissa is...in there? With...Claire, I mean."
His voice was strained, clearly despite consciously knowing that Claire was not Clarissa, it hurt to acknowledge it outloud like this. Yet this newfound hope, wasn't it cruel?
"Erm...wouldn't that mean Clarissa's soul is...inside too? That's a lot to take in, kupo."
Unfortunately, to act as spoiler to all of this speculating... "Who is this Claire and why are you speaking about me as if I'm dead? I'm right here. Unless...are you mistaking me for that Outlander? That's...no." getting up she moved away from the sofa and went around a corner. Seemed like she could navigate this place easily, it must have been a familiar place. When she returned shortly afterwards, she placed both hands on her hips as she looked to all three of them.
"Sure, I look older...I can believe time has passed. It feels like more than three years really but I still recognize myself, more or less. So then...what's going on, really?" her words inadvertently were accentuated by stray bolts of lightning leaping around her figure.
Post by Claire Farron on Jun 18, 2023 23:35:07 GMT -6
"Clarissa"
Clarissa Gaiden: The Girl Who Lost Everything
"Struck a nerve, huh~? Well, you'll feel more than this soon enough."
Eve replies, with an air of superiority despite suffering a defeat. There was more up her sleeves, unlike her prior attempt, she had taken the time to plan, to do this the correct way.
"Ah yes, Claire. A name she abandoned once. She's so good at being others and so bad at being 'Claire'."
Eve notes cryptically and those would be her final words, for now.
With confusion setting in, Reinard retained a calm and distinguished air. He listened to Caius' explanation and in turn helped to keep him up for a moment. When he felt he'd assess the situation enough, he'd help get the two of them inside. There was a nice L-section sofa with a cozy fireplace that was active. Mog would float on over, only to look perplexed.
"Where's Lightning, kupo~?" This caused Reinard to sigh, gesturing for Caius to have a seat, plenty of room. Only then did he speak to the situation unfolding.
"Prior to the adoption, Uncle was what Clarissa called me. You're saying a monster did this...? She looks and sounds like how I'd expect her to age, yet memory wise, she's speaking as she would before the 'accident'."
this was not a story he expected to tell, given the implications. He did have a theory of sorts but it felt so surreal that he wasn't hoping for anything.
"You suffered from an assassination attempt. A young woman that looked like you, was killed in your stead and you were injured. We had to take care of you as you suffered amnesia, until now. Do you...remember?"
these were words he had said in the past and the reply he got back had been heart breaking.
"...I remember...being attacked yes. I don't remember another person being near me. If I had amnesia...How many years has it been?"
"It will be three years in a few days..."
Hearing such, left Clarissa stunned as she started to go pale. The idea of losing so much time, her voice sounded different, she felt different. Audibly gulping for a moment, she turned her attention first to Caius and then to Mog.
"Are these two...associates of yours?" hearing such, left Mog dejected and confused, unlike Caius not only could Mog not hide it, there was no means to cope for it either.
"...I'm sorry. I do remember being struck and fading. I thought I died..." yet she was alive and that frightened her. "T-that other person...who was it?"
"An Outlander. She had come with a group of scholars, that were caught in the crossfire."
Post by Claire Farron on Jun 18, 2023 18:18:11 GMT -6
"Clarissa"
Clarissa Gaiden
Eve raised a brow in response to Caius' preference of names. She didn't seem convinced of that though. What concerned her then, was the lessening of fear. Had she overplayed her hand by showing up now? She could not understand these meatsuits, leaving her with annoyance. Her expression turned to a scowl at the prospect of brushing off her threat. Memories and their function was unique in this world but she felt that her underestimated the true nature of memories.
She'd grant Caius one thing, underestimating Claire was a bad idea. It had led to her demise before, Eve was not keen to repeat such this time. Thus, if she gave into his goading, that would be her loss. It would bring up old feelings, of anger, frustration, disbelief...and anxiety. Things which spoke of sapience, of being an individual...clinging to life. The mission she sought was greater than her singular existence but her capacity to become so singular minded had long left, for she had evolved. Thus, as he spoke she retained some dignity until he offered help.
"W-what are you doing!? No...Cease this at once!"
Eve cried out in behest. Feeling that power, it hurt, the familiar light manifested around her projection and brought her to her knees. IT HURT! Eyes narrowed now as she grit her teeth, her desire to lash out, to cause pain painted upon her visage as he kept going. She knew he'd not stop until any trace of her was pushed deep within. To think that Caius would be a spoiler now, in spite of her plans...
"Your determination is commendable...Though I'm not so sure you're worthy of this. After all...you don't love her."
and strangely, Eve was...bitter about that. Some part of her entanglement must have saw Lumina as more than just a meat suit.
"Unfortunately for you, I'm not a woman to make idle threats. Memories come and go in this world but the ones most precious, that of the memories a person makes here on Zephon? Those are not guaranteed to return. Seeing as you've delayed me for now, I should forewarn you of something important!"
Eve's voice was strained, she coughed soon after, feeling her strength waning despite the time she'd built up, gestating.
"The gods saw fit to remove Lightning from this world and brought a different version in her place. This world doesn't allow duplicates of the same person. What do you suppose happens when there is no Lightning, an incomplete version to accommodate for a Lumina, the other side of Lightning, to co-exist in this world? Without me, Caius...There would be no memories, no Lumina here. I will prove it to you~"
Slowly the manifestation of Eve began to disperse into particles of darkness, rising into the winter sky above before vanishing completely. True enough, Lumina's eye recovered, no longer showing signs of the foul taint. On the other hand, that wasn't the only transformation taking place. Lumina's face began to change. It was subtle and gradual, yet Eve did have her due as promised.
The similarities between Clarissa Fairborn and Claire Farron were there, sometimes uncanny but only from a distance. Up close, they were naturally two different people who weren't related in the slightest. She had also shrunk a bit, though still taller than young Claire it wasn't by much. It spoke to the gifted physicality Lightning had as a soldier. Even if Lumina expressed it in slightly different ways, the removal was easy to discern.
Thus her eyes fluttered opened and she looked up to her Prince charming with clear confusion and uncertainty:
"You're...not Lorenzo."this was certainly not Lumina's voice! Nor was it Lightning's mature voice. Yet she'd spoken loud enough that one Reinard Vidius had opened the door. He looked surprised, no doubt due to the situation he saw of his adoptive daughter in the arms of a man but unbenowst to Caius, it was the familiarity he picked up on.
"Clarissa?"
he called out, largely surprised but his expression was that of disbelief.
Post by Claire Farron on Jun 18, 2023 16:54:54 GMT -6
"Beautiful Chaos"
Nameless Threats within the Dark
"Getting rid of me will be no easy feat. I have ways to take over my host and leave none of you the wiser as to whom is really in control. I can replace her, care for a demonstration?"
these were the words the parasite spoke to Caius after he mentioned purging it from Lumina's body. The last time such occurred, Serah had stabbed it, over and over. A very unpleasant thing, one it would make certain to not repeat. Something else was different this time too. Lumina's loved ones were under the impression that it needed Lumina's body. In her misguided anger and more misplaced pride; that was true. She did not properly utilize the gift she'd been given. Nor had she truly used the mana from Zephon itself for its true potential. Death had curbed her old ways and perhaps, by moving to Lumina, the parasite was influenced accordingly.
"Why am I so obsessed? Your sister is merely a means, a vector. Once, I did need her body, true. A powerful vessel but in the end, she did push me out. My methods were arrogant. I've learned, truly."
Though the parasite would be lying to them self if they did not concede to coveting Lightning's power. Alas, much of it was gone and that was due to the mysteries of this world. Perhaps because she had been defeated then? Perhaps because of the origin of this version of Lightning that was transferred to. A fragment that should never have existed, yet one who also had memories of being whole. A unique incarnation, with so much potential. The perfect incubator.
"True, I did hurt you and others that your sister cared for. However, enemies of the past, make great allies in the present, Serah. Don't you loathe the Gods who have brought you here to this world, keeping you separated from your beloved Hero? I seek an audience with them. Help me and you will get the answers you seek. If answers aren't enough, you can focus your anger on them, revenge is a sweet thing, no?"
To sow Discord was just what the God of Chaos embodied. In the parasite's prior efforts, it truly had lost sight of the correct way to do things, as a servant. Being the extension of that God, it was time to push Zephon forward. It would be a long climb but such was the prospect that chaos brought forth.
Alas, whilst the parasite's machinations were in bloom, Lumina went through something she feared. The truth about the merger had come out and worse, that she'd confided in Caius, ahead of telling Serah. The guilt and pain even as Serah tried to smile, followed by the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when that smile faltered. How did it get to this point? Worse, Caius...was going to leave, for Sonora. She was going to be alone, wasn't she? Serah was going to go, Caius was going to go. Her young twin would be around but...young Claire had her own life here, a path that took her away from the happenings here and now.
Being merged, Lumina knew that would hurt but the effect...it was too much to bear. Wincing as Serah protested. Was her anger towards her or to...the parasite? How was it doing this...It left Lumina in stunned silence as Serah's words danced between focusing on her older sister and the parasite within. No surprise then, that the initiative was taken by the parasite once more:
"Don't you want to be like your sister? Have a taste. Sisters should share everything after all...Why not a part of me? Motherhood is such a wonderful thing, isn't it~?"
These were the cryptic and daunting words the parasite left, having sired onto Serah the gift that Ardyn had passed. This would leave the parasite too weak to do more but this was a fantastic performance. Leaving Lightning to pick up the pieces now, was precisely the right play!
"I'm sorry, Serah. T-the only reason I spoke to Caius first...was because I wasn't sure. Do you...remember when I asked you, about a certain reporter? Sometime after, more and more memories came to me. W-with Caius help, I realized that I wasn't just a fragment of myself. I just...could only remember things from the perspective of Lumina. I'm different now, I'm whole again. The life that I had wanted to live in the New World; I realize this is my chance to do so." she might as well announce it, in her own words, not with someone else acting as a spoiler.
Straightening her back, she wanted to keep her focus upon Serah and to make sure there weren't any more secrets between them. "There's...something else that I, well...we, maybe?" she paused, now turning her attention to Caius briefly. Exhaling, she briefly covered her face with her left hand.
"T-the reason I ended up telling Caius first...is because I like him. He helped me make sense of everything, so I ended up confessing my feelings for him."
notes:Reward, pt.4
