PLEROMA | FRIENDS LOST (END OF SOVISERI)

[coerthantorment]

[Estinien can be felt in the communion space, after having essentially gone missing during the final days of the mission. He's only just now returning to Greentruth in the company of friends. The tone of his psychic transmission is fraught with sorrow and anger in kind.]

Himeka and Abel have been taken by the Kenoma. They... are the Regent's prisoners.

[His presence becomes distant for a few beats after, like he has to steady himself.]

The creature of Innocence we found in Venera... its hold on me is far greater than I ever realized. I was drawn into a battle with the Kenoma, in the defense of other Pleroma, and when I found myself outnumbered and trapped... it came to my aid. Yet, 'twas at a cost I would not have willingly paid.

Angered by their broken "promise", it lashed out at those that bore its mark. 'Twas this moment of weakness that allowed them to be captured. It struck Ryunosuke and Alphinaud as well... Ryunosuke is safe. Alphinaud... has vanished somewhere I cannot reach.

[He's doing his best to give an objective account, something he became skilled in doing as a soldier. It's clear how much this is weighing on him, though.]

The... creature has been attempting to enthrall me. To change my body and steal my memories... it told me that Alphinaud was 'among the light', and that he had no further need for me. That Himeka and Abel had chosen to suffer in this world. I...

[And finally, the anger takes precedent, a fire wrought with misery.]

I will take them back. No matter what it demands of me. I... will bring them home.

Comments

[coerthantorment]

...

[The comparison is terrifying - that he might be caught in the thrall of a primal. He's been afraid of the possibility for so long now, and for it to be realized...]

If it is as our world... there were souls that... they could make use of a primal's power...

[He tries to remember Ysayle, but the image doesn't form properly. The knowledge of this phenomenon comes cruelly detached from the woman herself. There is only a feeling of absence.]

[youngprodigy]

...Aye.

[He doesn't know for certain, but it seems like more than a distant possibility. There's intense sadness from Cid. He has first-hand experience in just how twisted by a primal a person can become.]

It's... true that there are those who can control it. we... did come up with a cure to tempering, too. There must be a method here, as well.

[...]

I'm coming with you. I'll not just pilot the airship to escape.

[coerthantorment]

[He has asked Himeka about that possibility early on - if she knew if she could replicate the spell that had cured the tempered. She had admittedly that she was lacking the tools to do so here. Estinien was never the best at understanding these things to begin with.

Yet, he at least knows that with the likes of Cid and the others here, there could be a chance. He's willing to take the risk, one way or the other. Cid is too, from the sounds of it.]

She must needs be saved. After all she has done, 'tis only what she is owed.

[youngprodigy]

Aye. She's helped so many of us, the entire star, often at her own expense.

[It's a huge risk, but it's one he will take. No longer shall he avoid battle. He can't afford to.]

To break her out of the Regent's stronghold... mayhap we will inspire others to fight back.