Endgame: This is the Way the World Ends - MACHINE ROOM

[animusmods]

Characters: open to those staying in the machine room
Setting: machine room
Format: any
Summary: The time has come to make decisions about what will happen after everything is over.
Warnings: psychological horror (eventually)

Comments

[bowandblade]

[For all of the nervous anticipation in the room, Gilgamesh is calm. It's strange in a way, he reflects to himself; under different circumstances, against different people, he would be relishing the opportunity to get into the action and fight to his heart's content.

But this wasn't a god or godly construct or the spirit of a mythological hero they were planning to fight. This was a psychotic girl with too much power. It would be like fighting Ishtar, if he had ever done so physically; completely unappealing, because he would rather be insulting her and cursing her for what she had put him through before completely overwhelming her with a single strike.

Gilgamesh opens four gates above and at his shoulders, pulling one weapon after another from his treasury. With the glamour seemingly permanently off, this was undoubtedly his real power being manifested. And yet, with just a test swing, he knows that there are still restrictions.

He frowns with distaste as Durandal sparkles and leaves his hand. If nothing else, he would like to see Ruana dead to see if his full powers would finally be restored.

He could not drink swords, after all.]

[crouching_sin]

[Naoya is also calm. He's faced death way too many times to even care about this - the only reaction is his body's physical response, which isn't something he can control entirely. But the ancient king interests him, and he walks towards him.]

Hm. Do you think you have enough swords there?

[They seem to be real... well. Good.]

[bowandblade]

[He snorts at the question, another weapon sliding into view from the golden portals at his sides. Resembling a normal red pole, the weapon shrinks to the size of a needle before Gilgamesh flicks it and dematerializes it back to his treasury.]

If I was restricted to only swords, my treasury would be that much more boring. But weapons will suffice for putting Ruana in her place.

You do not look prepared for battle.

[crouching_sin]

Hopefully they will. We'll see soon enough.

[He goes quiet for a few moments, before speaking up again.]

Will you have enough mana to make it through the fight?

[bowandblade]

[He raises a brow when Naoya asks his question instead of explaining his own lack of readiness. Perhaps he had not dredged up the desire to actually fight, despite being pulled back from his dead world.]

Against that fool alone, of course. But it sounds as if she will have numerous tricks at her disposal. If she intends to use the entire Tower somehow, who knows.

[Perhaps with a real body, not restricted as he was by both the wireframe and Servant vessel, mana would not be a problem. He certainly wouldn't have died against Jason without restrictions.]

[crouching_sin]

Hmph. I'm going to remain here. I can shield others, and I can heal. More than that, though - I suspect some technical knowledge will be needed. I've hacked systems here before. I may be needed to do it again.

[... This isn't something he offers lightly, but in this final battle, they're going to need everyone functioning at as close to maximum power as they can.]

Should you wish it, I am willing to contract with you. I have plenty of mana at my disposal, and I'm not unused to the connection of a Servant.

[bowandblade]

[Gilgamesh hums and lifts his chin, lips upturned in amusement. Naoya spoke so practically and easily about the idea, without the pomposity that one would expect of a magus acting towards a familiar, an "inferior" being.

But it's the mentioning of another Servant that earns his intrigue.]

Ah, so you are already familiar with this. I would hate to have to explain these roles to someone.

[Like how Master and Servant were only functional terms.]

So you wish to still contribute your power, even if your focus is better off left here. Commendable.

[crouching_sin]

I was contracted with Avenger, while he was here.

My power is suited for something like this. I have summoned demons with my power and will and the power and will of others. I have no problem sharing that with a creature that needs it to survive. But...

[There's always a catch, Gilgamesh.]

... Even given her current and likely entourage, you are to make sure that Princess Zelda does not fall. If for no other reason than the fact that I wish to... go along to her world when this is all over. Hang back and let them do all the work if you wish, but at the last resort get her out of there.

[... And for other reasons. But those are his own personal ones.]

[bowandblade]

[His eyes had begun to slide to a half-shut, unimpressed expression upon hearing that but; he was never fond of catches unless he was the one dishing them out. Upon actually hearing Naoya's reason, he laughs -- shortly, but no less genuinely.]

Very well -- I will not disallow you a desire like that. Not because I need your power, but because you are ensuring your own future.

[He smirks.]

Better to keep walking forward than sitting in the dust, Cain.

[savedbyasong]

Archer... [No need to ask if Archer was going, Shion knew his roommate and he knew he would not stay behind. Nor should he. He was a fighter, one of the greatest and if anyone could help beat Ruana he could.

A second after hearing his name Archer would find himself being hugged by his roommate, though it is brief and Shion steps back again.]

[bowandblade]

[Gilgamesh raises a brow when he hears his title, but he's soon bombarded by Shion's hug. He makes no sound other than an assessing hum as Shion pulls away, though he does briefly settle one hand on what was supposed to be his hair.]

No more rushing to your own death.

[savedbyasong]

No... I promised Xion I wouldn't die anymore [There are tears in his eyes but he refused to let them spill.]

[bowandblade]

Good. Now that the Tower is in this state, it is doubtful there is any coming back.

[...]

Come now, are you going to cry?

[savedbyasong]

[Tears really did threaten to spill at that. He had to believe they were coming back, it was the only reason he could let himself stay here and try and fix the worlds. He breathed, trying to stay calm and shook his head] I won't cry.

[bowandblade]

I am sure you will find things to keep yourself busy.

[He gives Shion a pat on the head.]

It will not take very long.

[savedbyasong]

We are going to find a way to get everyone home. [Most intense stare]

[bowandblade]

That is exactly what you should be doing while we rid this place of that girl.

[He meets Shion's gaze for a moment, then gives the inert machine a look.]

[athousandcurses]

I suppose I should say good bye.

[Grainne is in her robes, face veiled and hood up. As ever ready for battle as she can be.]

Or should that be thank you? I did not understand what you meant at first.

[bowandblade]

[He tilts his head faintly as he notes her speaking to him.]

You sound like you are still debating how to feel.

[athousandcurses]

Your methods leave many things to be desired. Sympathy is one of them. Even so, I do not expect such things from you, but that was going a little far.

Anyway, it was not you I needed answers from.

[And it wasn't her, either, but she's not about to say that.]

But at least now I have them before I die.

[bowandblade]

Then turn around and be on your way, Caster, if you have said your peace.

[There's laughter in his voice as he speaks, but he doesn't gesture for her to leave.]

[athousandcurses]

Not quite.

[Grainne folds her arms, narrowing her eyes at him just a tad.]

You are an insufferable man. And you need brought down a couple hundred pegs.

[bowandblade]

[He hums, smiling as if the upcoming battle is nothing to him.]

Oh? I am exactly as I decide to be. I cannot be "brought down."

[athousandcurses]

It is a pity... Maybe if you were not so, it would be easier to see beyond that exterior of yours.

[Despite the words, she does not seem angry, but more regretful.]

I had wanted to see the person Enkidu called friend. Goodbye, Archer.

[bowandblade]

You add to your follies by thinking my companion sees something exceptionally different.

Keep your regrets focused elsewhere, if you must have them at all.

[He continues to speak with the same levity.]