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

[oathshackledbird]

Ken...

[Diarmuid doesn't know what to say. These are all things he has told himself, but one thing that hasn't changed about him is that it is easier for him to hear and believe these thing from others. To hear them from Ken is almost overwhelming.

He holds the coat to himself tightly as if he has been given something most precious. After a few moments, though, it isn't enough and he moves to hug Ken once more. Ken's tears aren't missed and that makes it easier for Diarmuid to not hide his own.]

This is only for a little while. Never forget that.

[Silence falls after that for a few moments and then Diarmuid nods to himself as he makes a decision. The coat is shifted carefully to one arm and then Diarmuid pulls the copy of Gae Buidhe he got here from his back and holds it out to Ken.]

My father gave the original version of this spear to me when I was old enough to go out and fight on my own. Now, I will give this version of it to you. Will you accept it and the responsibility having such a powerful weapon entails?

[miseris_socios]

[He nods in Lancer's embrace, and wipes his face a little.]

[But at the question, he goes quiet. The weapon seems to radiate power, almost. It's a part of a legend. Part of Diarmuid, really. Is he really... able to have something so strong? He knows he's a lot stronger than he used to be, but he isn't a legend heard throughout the whole world like Diarmuid.]

[His hand shakes for a moment, but he reaches out and takes the spear. It feels almost like a jolt of lightning down his arm, but he tightens his grip around it. It feels... heavy, but natural. Something he can handle, even in a smaller body. He can wield it like a part of him.]

[His expression is serious as he nods.]

I'll take good care of it. I promise.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid watches closely as Ken takes the weapon. He seems to understand what is happening and what is going through Ken's mind. It is probably the same thing that went through his own when it was finally time for him to start using it even though he had heard the spear's voice for years before that.]

Respect it and it will respect you. Remember how dangerous it is. The wounds it makes while unsealed cannot be healed unless the spear is destroyed or the bearer of the weapon is killed. This is not the Noble Phantasm version, so it can be destroyed, but it will be hard.

To release the seal, address the words "Wound to the heart, Gae Buidhe" to it. To seal it, you merely need to say "Sleep, Gae Buidhe." As you grow closer to the weapon, you may be able to start doing that mentally, but at the beginning, you will need to speak the words.

Do you have any questions?

[miseris_socios]

[He nods, holding it close. It's not speech, exactly - more like a presence. Not his Persona, but different.]

No. Thank you. Really...

[oathshackledbird]

You are welcome. I know you will take good care of it. That spear and I have been through a lot together. Now it is time for it to journey with you.

[Diarmuid smiles warmly at the boy.]

I can't wait to hear about the legend that you and it create together.

[miseris_socios]

Well, I can tell you one thing it'll do. It's got a goddess of night to help me kill.

[There's still that task. It's inevitable at this point. But he'll face it, and face it with people he can make new bonds with and strengthen his old ones.]

[oathshackledbird]

Nyx, yes...

[Diarmuid's expression falls slightly.]

I know it's not the Ryoji who we know from here, but it is still fitting somehow that part of me will be there to help stop her...

[miseris_socios]

... Yeah, I know. He won't know me there either. But the feeling will get across, I'm sure.

[oathshackledbird]

They will. I know they will, especially with how important bonds are on your world. The feeling will find a way and you will do what you need to.

Be proud of yourself and don't look back.

[miseris_socios]

Got it.

[... They should get ready to go.]

I don't want to... leave you guys. It's weird. This place has been my home for two years.

[oathshackledbird]

[They should no matter how difficult it is.]

Change is hard, but it is the only way to move forward and get stronger. We will meet again son, in a happier place. This is the first step toward that.

[He reaches out to ruffle Ken's hair.]

Be well until then. You will always be in my heart.

[miseris_socios]

And the same for you.