Endgame: Not With a Bang

[animusnpcs]

The whole Tower went a brilliant, blinding white. Then it went black, and there was nothing. Surely this is it--something's gone wrong, something's failed, it didn't work, everyone is dead, or maybe worse--

And then light filters back in--it lights only the various residents of the Tower. No matter where in the Tower they were before this happened, they are all together again now. It appears that they are in a void, but after a few moments, as if their eyes are adjusting to it, more things become visible: the machine that may be their salvation is here. Ruana, with a visible pulse of energy encircling her, is here, but appears colorless and frozen. Aria is here.

Zo is here. And he speaks. "I can't hold her forever. We have to act now. I want to save you all, so I'll do my best. Just tell me, okay?

What do you want me to do?"

Comments

[greyerrant]

"I understand." He locks eyes with Zo. "For what its worth. I know what its like. To face the one that made you what you are. To see the wrongs they've done. And to have to be the one who tries to make it all right." He limps over to Zo, and kneels, face to face, or as close to it as the giant Astartes can be.

"I have no words of faith or comfort to give you, not really. But I'll say this, what you do here, now, that at least defines the person you are. You're going to give them all their lives, their worlds back, and you are sacrificing yourself to do that. You have my respect, and admiration."

[animusnpcs]

Zo smiles, attempting to be as brave as he possibly can. "I'll do my best! You've all been doing your best for a really long time. Even up until the end you all fought and did everything you could, so if I can do this and help a little, I'm happy."

[greyerrant]

"In our own worlds. Is there anything you want us to remember you by? I... well. We always make sure the names of the lost are written somewhere. Engraved, if need be. So that someone remembers, until the end."

He offers a scorched black forearm, shifting the vambrace so that Zo can touch it. "I would remember yours."

[animusnpcs]

Zo reaches carefully, mindful of Garviel's injuries. "I'm Zo. Um--the person I was based on, he was called 1369 in a lot of things, but his name was Zachary. ...I think it's important people know that, too."

[greyerrant]

Garviel will offer him a chunk of ceramite, part of his shattered shoulder pauldron. Sharp enough to scrape his own armor and score it.

"Then write it there. So I'll remember you, and Zachary as well."