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

[dragon_rider]

[ That's not good. The initial reaction is an obvious one, one met with anger, irritation, a touch of despair. That's not good is an understatement - Has been one since they've arrived and only getting hauntingly worse and worse as time went on.

What comes through isn't anger or frustration from Hiccup, but understanding. He knows how desperately Estinein wants to go for it. At heart, Hiccup is a Viking. He understands that even if it doesn't make logical sense - even if it's dangerous - that's just an occupational hazard. Bringing home their own is the thing that matters most. He thinks of Alphinaud, and their planning, and closes his heart around it.

'Home,' it's to each other first. But still, even as easily as his heart races forward Hiccup is still Hiccup - They need some kind of plan. ]

So we gather what we can and leave. Soon. But we still - [ Still need something more tangible than reacting emotionally. For a moment, he thinks that the only rational answer is to have Estinein stay behind. It's a fleeting thought, one passed on and dismissed in the same thought: Estinein is a warrior, he has that spirit. He's loyal. There's no way he'd be willing to go for that: ] - We'll have to hope that all of us, together, can keep you protected enough it doesn't feel like you're in danger.

[ Which is asking a lot and he's dubious that's possible - Estinein is who he is. And yet, it's the best thing he can think of. ]

[coerthantorment]

[Hiccup is right about that much. With the way that Estinien is, staying away from the fight completely is largely out of the question. He seems uneasy at Hiccup's idea, and supplies with some amount of hesitance:]

I had thought to call upon its powers willfully. If it so desperately wants me alive... surely it would protect me in the heart of Achamoth.

[He's not completely insisting but he does think it might be the best chance they have.]

[dragon_rider]

That's a terrible idea.

[ Hiccup says it immediately before he can really even think to stop himself. A flurry of emotions came over: something startled, mostly concern. He stops himself with a breath to add: ]

Sorry, I just mean. That's probably even more dangerous. If it does show up, what if that's what they want? We'll be in the heart of their city, they'll have the upper hand. We have to have everyone at their best — We can't lose anyone else.

[ We can't afford to lose you, too, goes quietly unsaid. Despite everything, there's nothing demeaning in the feelings lingering in the thoughts. He gets it, more than he'd like. It's concern that drives him rather than scolding. ]

[coerthantorment]

[His stomach churns, thinking about that. What if this is what they want? To draw the creature out. The Regent clearly wanted to destroy it. What might he set in motion by ferrying it to that place?]

How?

[He's starting to sound more pressed. Hiccup's genuine intentions make it harder for him to ignore the pain he feels at the concept.]

How can we save them without simply losing another? I do not mean to trade in lives... but I know no way... no way to succeed without further casualties...

[His only idea was imploring for the being's help, and if that doesn't work...]

[dragon_rider]

I wish I had a better answer.

[ Hiccup's response is as solemn as it is wavering. There's been no doubts in his mind that the Regent wanted war and would stop at nothing. They've proven that much and that's - Well, it's really half of the issue isn't it? What can they do against a person who's shown that they have control of the situation? He thinks, perhaps, these two entities are a lot more alike and that's something terrifying.

Because all of his experiences with dragons and people are useless here - these are terrifying forces with magic at their beck and call: ]

I just know it's all for nothing if we lose you in the midst of it. [ His response is quiet, although even: ] And no one wants to be the reason their loved ones is lost.

[ Because he's no fool enough not to know that Himeka and Estinein were friends before here - A lucky pair (group) to not be alone in this place. ] They'll know we'll come for them easily. They'll know you'll come most of all. Maybe Its power is our best hope, but there's no way they won't have a trap.

I wonder - if something like before, from the caves? [ It sounds and feels more like grasping at straws. Whatever power that was before - the Pleroma, maybe? - if they could tap that when they were at their weakest maybe somehow now... There has to be something that isn't immediately likely harmful to the older man. ]