scyathan

[scyathan]

Purpureus periwinkle eyes close in anticipation when the blond decides to fulfill this desire of his, prepared to withhold pain if such power would cause harm to his kin. Scylla feels the hand on his scales first, gentle and hesitant, then comes the source of energy next. Pale eyelids tighten, for in the end, nobody wants to have a painful death. Seconds may pass nevertheless, and the pain never comes.

Relaxation imbues his body as an exercise of focus to capture what little information this power may bring to him in such a deplorable condition, functions deteriorated as they are. Stellar strength isn't foreign to the fell dragon prince at the earliest notice— it is everywhere in Teyvat and even participant of the sovereigns' power and Irminsul's energy. It is neither harmful or remotely horrifying as Forbidden Knowledge, no. Were he describe it, he would debate that it is closer to a flame of hope, to finding a light amidst eternal darkness that reminds one that darkness cannot exist without light. It is a calming essence, filled with possibilities unlike chains of fate that capture this world since the coming of the Usurper. And from this realisation, a primordial tear forms on the corner of his eye and precipitates down, causing a ripple of light in its fall.

So your sights on the cosmos weren't entirely useless, Nibelung... Do you see that? There is still hope for us, for our world— despite the despair Forbidden Knowledge brought us. The power you sought to seize exists, and it is right here.

Moved by this new realisation, draconic eyes open, slit pupils tremble within pale purpureus irises. "Ah... so this is what it was all about. I thank you, for sparking a ray of hope in a moment like this." His eyes close again to recompose himself in a brief moment of silence. He may not know of any of this when he's reborn, but at least he counts with the confidence at this moment that not everything is lost. "My death is nigh, but my rebirth is absolute. One day, in a calamitous moment akin to this I'll be reborn as a human in these lands. But it is not sorrow what I feel. Nay, I rejoice at the thought that one day we may cross paths properly and just as you helped me, I wish to return the same favor in kind."

For it is the least he can do, for bringing back hope to him and enlighten him to the premise that indeed, such power from beyond that Nibelung and the rest of them once sought exists. And that much to his surprise, their views of this world align. Nevertheless, name it pride or caution, he won't propose mutual cooperation to aid one another. There is much more this child of man has to learn, much more to endure. Will his spirit persist against the tidings of Forbidden Knowledge that coexists with him? Only time will tell.

To say that the dragon's reaction to learning origins of sapphire power he yields caught him off-guard is an understatement. Dáinsleif is rooted in place to perfect stillness, roseate lips slightly agape until they close and fair eyebrows knit together out of bewilderment and wonder for the cause that makes him laugh like this. By no means he's in position to judge, so he does not: for this dragon has proved through their exchange of information to be considerably wise, arguably standing on par with Irminsul in terms of knowledge were he rely on gut feeling.

When startling laughter subsides and a request is asked, Twilight Sword cants his head on one side confused. Why does he want to subject himself to a hazard not even Dáinsleif can testify if it'll happen, once this power and his now frail body touch? As if by command does a pulse of realization soak his mind with a nigh immediate answer: dragons sought power from beyond to defy the Heavenly Principles, but effective as Forbidden Knowledge was, it backfired on their own kin and the world all the same.

Perhaps it's his last wish, to see for himself if there is indeed such power from beyond that can rival this world.

◜But...◞ Dáinsleif swallows thick, concern at the front of his mind despite the dragon's accurate statement that naught will change in the future if he does this. Nor his current state. As far as he's concerned, in the future he lives he no longer exists. ◜I cannot guarantee your safety if I do.◞ Crystalline blues lower in thought as he's presented with reassurance that the dragon is knowledgeable of its possible dangers to himself, hazards he isn't concerned about due to his present state of near death.

Albescent lashes flutter close as he lets that thought permeate his mind. Close to death. Bough Keeper doesn't want to make his last moments more agonic than they must be, humiliated as he claimed after being reduced to a shell of his former self. Ultimately does his gloved hand rise slowly, fingers twitching into a coil out of fear to harm. ◜I'm sorry.◞ Sorry for the pain this may cause to you— for meeting you as you await Death to claim you. Genuine in his sympathy he is for the dragon as he reaches out to touch the side of its face, close to the eye that looks at him. Thus his own eyes open anew to look at the dragon, brows still knitted out of worry to check his condition as sapphire flames imbue his body as requested.

[scyathan]

"A power from beyond, you say?" Strained laughter follows next, filling an otherwise empty atmosphere in the realm of memory the man before him. There is no amusement in his muted laughter, only heard through shared telepathy, but disbelief that soon turns into faith that he knows what he's talking about. For power from beyond isn't a concept known except for those cognisant of its meaning and its desired purpose as soon as their king and the rest of them learned that there is a power out there— in order to defeat an external power source one must seize another when their energy was spent, all of them rendered in a deplorable state whose odds to defeat the Winged One are even lower than the first time.

Scylla's eyes open again, the light within their iridescence trembling with the enormity of a moved heart filled with hope as he looks at that sapphire flame with intent, careful. "Nothing of what you do now will cause ripples that transcend time to the future you come from. Nevertheless... I must ask: would you fulfill this dying dragon's wish of imbuing him with a part of that power?"

Neither it'll change the sorry state he's in, standing right at death's doors waiting to be taken already until he resurrects in the shape of another, a new hydro sovereign with a different name— albeit not dissimilar to what he is. For his soul will transcend and transmigrate into the new body he'll be reborn as, regardless of the reservations he has at the notion of being as a human and not as a dragon... mighty and majestic he's always been in this form.

"You needn't be so troubled." He speaks after a pregnant silence, having sensed the possibility that this power may be detrimental to himself. "As I have mentioned before, I'm on the verge of death. A little more of hurt won't amount to anything, should that power cause it. Consider it as a means to satiate my curiosity on a matter that was never resolved."

Were you really on to something or not in your pursuit of the power from beyond, Nibelung?

Lunarescent seraph isn't immune to bewilderment upon finding out about the notion that the gods' powers isn't entirely theirs, that great part of it stems from the authority that Sovereign Dragons of yore had over the natural elements of this world instead. Seven authorities for seven natural elements... the very same that run through spirit veins that lead to Irminsul. Dáinsleif pinches his chin, albescent lashes flutter close in a contemplative state. To his knowledge, there are also seven Gnoses that contain power. Is it possible that they possess the dragons' authority in each of them, too?

Without meaning so yet, Twilight has before him the very origin of allogenes and how humans began to have mastery over the elements if sufficiently worth the gods' gaze. At what cost, nevertheless? As this dragon states, it is nothing short of humiliation to be defeated, yet alone to be stolen power from them to use for themselves as seems to be the case of the Archons to varying extents.

Just as he thought, this world needs to be defied. Its order is all wrong, always suppressing its natural laws to impose the Heavenly Principles'.

Dáinsleif breaks out of his reverie when draconic creature speaks to him again, more directly, addressing the power he just displayed moments ago. Sapphire flames are summoned again to his hand as his eyes open. ◜A power from beyond.◞ It is the best way to describe it: for it is a power and it originates from beyond the borders that isolate Teyvat from the rest of the cosmos. ◜As per your acute sense, it is neither Forbidden Knowledge nor celestial power. I've pursued it with the ideal of being able to defy this world. It is one that rivals and bends Forbidden Knowledge-related energy to my will among other attributes, and if my present hypothesis stands true about a much sinister and darker nature of the gods... it is not far-fetched to believe that it may have some manner of effect upon them too.◞

Namely because of their demonic nature that he learned about not long ago. Were said demonic aura stem from Forbidden Knowledge too, then his assessment cannot be wrong.

[scyathan]

In his brief experience dealing with creations of that Usurper, Scylla cannot say to have ever found a human such like him. One thing both his kin and humans that have in common is their sense for pride, only accentuated when there is awareness of possessing something others don't by natural means or unless very specific criteria is met. But this one— he holds one special power not many know how to use: wisdom. Everyone may have access to knowledge to varying extents, but not everyone has the same humble and sensible disposition as this one has.

The Dragon Fell Prince listens quietly, seeping the information the blond gives him as slowly he reveals one of the questions he had from his silence: the source of Forbidden Knowledge he feels in him and which caused his own downfall ultimately is what he calls corruption. And yet, the auras he can sense within him inform him of a battle for dominance of his mind and soul above poisonous darkness that affects greatly dragons and usurpers both.

"Tsk. There is no transcendence in becoming a monster and essentially a slave of that dark will." Even if he were to be troubled with sweet promises he can feel the Forbidden Knowledge whisper at him about transcendence, he still chooses to die. It's a much honorable end to this samsara than turning into one that caused so much harm to his home and his kin. "Listen, child of man. You count with a power that not many can claim to have. It cannot protect kingdoms and bring to ruin civilisations all the same without raw power. And that is wisdom." Though he still lacks much information about this man, he has a better understanding about why Irminsul chose him.

Perhaps it is not so foolish to believe in human will.

Alien to his mind this thought may be, these words reverberate within the confines of Scylla's mind as he continues to listen with interest, eyes peering at that strange sapphire power that covers the human's hand. "Part of their power isn't even theirs." He decides to share, a secret that must be kept as such. "Not only the Forbidden Knowledge led us to this state, but the Heavenly Principles humiliated us by stealing our authority over the natural elements of this world to use it for themselves."

"...Unlike that power of yours. I do not sense any of the seven elements. Not Forbidden Knowledge nor celestial power. Humour me, human. What power is that?"

Khaenri'ah's founders inherited the dragons'... belief? Crystalline blues widen, stellar pupils quiver within their depths and a gloved hand raises to cup his chin as lets realization sink in. The notion that they were in touch with dragons isn't far-fetched, granted that the times of the unified civilization were still influenced to some extent by the lingering dragon sovereigns that didn't secluded themselves where they cannot be reached by others that aren't of their kin. And the fact that some of the automatons' design took after dragons seems to unveil new reasons why.

So they weren't inaccurate in their estimation that should they achieve control over the Abyss, that they would control divinity too.

Surreal is the remote thought that dragons tried it themselves before, only to fail and bring destruction to nearly the whole world and to themselves with it out of the lack of understanding in full of what Forbidden Knowledge exactly does. And those who still harbored millennia-rooted obsessions repeated their mistake, perhaps in different ways.

This encounter with a fallen dragon sovereign proved more fruitful to his research of the truth of the world than Dáinsleif has anticipated, as if missing pieces of a chain he was unable to put together on his own materialized right before his very eyes and completed what he could not yet. Past the barrier of guard, lunarescent seraph relaxes and breathes momentarily as if he has just run a marathon— such is the intensity of what he learned. Glacial sapphires soften when the great dragon poses a comparison betwixt what had occurred to his kin and the people of Khaenri'ah, compassionate at the thought that all of them were dragged into this destruction none of them could make it out of. Thus he nods his head in answer. ◜Correct.◞

◜In giving a cohesive analysis to your statements, I presume that you must be one of the original dragon sovereigns.◞ As for which, he doesn't know— nor he believes himself to have the right to ask. And truth be told, the almighty dragon is right. This new information shook indeed the foundations of what he knew until their encounter, yet it served to strengthen even further his resolve of what he had already decided before immersing himself in this samsara. ◜Corrupted as I am, I'm not far from becoming a transcendent one as those who willingly became monsters of the Abyss called themselves.◞ His eyes fall to his raising corrupted arm, his hand balls into a fist.

◜Nevertheless, I don't want to become even more in a monster than I already am. It is a grave mistake.◞ Blond strands of hair sway gently with a shake of his head as his hand lowers, albescent lashes open thereafter to look into the dragon's eye. ◜I do not hope to rival the gods. I couldn't to protect my country, nor I think I will be able to in the future. But the present state of affairs in this world... it's wrong. The Heavenly Principles shouldn't be allowed to govern the fates of all living being in this world even before their conception. Everyone should be allowed to be masters of their own fate. That's why...◞ His right hand raises anew, sapphire flames dance within celestial azure depths. ◜We must defy this world... and re-weave all threads of fate. If the gods have no fate to manipulate, all they'll be reduced to is raw power. It's not right to allow them to suppress this world's natural orders any further than they did.◞

[scyathan]

Admittedly, there are very few he's encountered in his limited time of collusion with humans that don't worship gods. Three are the outcomes he counted as the course of actions these child of men followed: convert themselves out of fear or amazed by divine's faux mightiness, stay united with others who refused to flee and would rather die fighting for what's just or run away. The founders of the kingdom this human hails from must've been the latter— even so they didn't find a better outcome than those who stayed and died in the tidings of the Abyss, as if commanded by demonic gods themselves.

"Ah, so it seems that your people have inherited our kin's belief that Forbidden Knowledge would defeat the gods." The very notion leaves a bitter taste on his tongue despite the interest that awakes in him at the fact that there are more humans who held their beliefs in high esteem than he anticipated. "I give them credit for listening to our kind. Hardly any human would listen to us, for they held the belief that we are tyrants that gods must defeat. And those who follow us are nothing more than brutes who need evangelising." He clicks his tongue in a display of annoyance.

"The sheer audacity."

Were others of his sovereignty read his heart, they might make a laughing stock out of him for feeling anything remotely close to compassion. Perhaps it's a result of having fought alongside those who believed in him and preferred him over the very gods that conceived them, or perhaps some other reason he won't encounter in this life. Just as those who fought by his side and of his children the vishaps earned his sympathy, so do the people this human speaks of. To some extent, at least.

"Were Nibelung find out about this, even he would be ashamed that humans would repeat the same mistake he did. Bringing us to the same ruin that Forbidden Knowledge brought. It must be similar to your kind, yes?" Similar, but not exactly the same. For he wanted as much as his children and analogous sovereigns to bring down the heavens as much as Nibelung did. Nevertheless, he's familiar with the notion of paying for others' mistakes that seems to have repeated to that kingdom.

Silence falls like a veil meant to call for reflection. Amidst half of his stupour as if it slowly lulls him to eternal slumber, Scylla senses an energy within the blond man that he can't say he ever encountered in his long-lasting life. A power both similar to the Forbidden Knowledge yet dissimilar, as if it'd clash with it if put to test. It holds darkness, but also a light that cannot be compared to the so-called gods'— faint in darkness' ocean but sufficient to shed light to a lightless world. Could it be...?

"What about you, o' truth-seeker? The knowledge you must've encountered on your way to this realm of memory must've been vast like the sea for you to not even question my identity. How do you intend to not permit the same tragedy strike? Will you follow your kind's steps, too, now that it's clearer where their beliefs come from?"

It's at death's doorstep... So this era he's come has witnessed one of the dragon lord sovereigns' demise. Dáinsleif's guard lowers at the notion that he cannot pose any danger to him at the time being, sapphire irises take in its magnificent form once more to see that, in fact, its present state of lack of movement is for the sole reason that it cannot move anymore. As much can be deduced by the manner it speaks, proclaiming to have been since the beginning of time in this world as it must've been Irminsul's case as the Axis Mundi.

Without meaning it, a new term is taken in consideration: usurper. Twilight has yet to make a broader research on the truth of this world, partly to learn what triggered the founders of Khaenri'ah to create the kingdom and what allowed to simmer obsessions that last for millennia. For it couldn't happen out of thin air, there must've been something that prompted such behavior and train of thought to never end even to this day.

And truth be said, usurper is a very fitting descriptor for a divine who overstepped their authority and stole it from those who were rightfully theirs.

◜I hail from a kingdom founded from the premise to not worship the divine. To live far from their gaze in restful peace.◞ Onyx-gloved hand raises to rest over his chest, solemn. ◜It was so grand that it could be considered human's pride. Everything that was achieved there was entirely our merit without the aide of the gods, however...◞ Starry gaze lowers, roseate lips part to heave a sigh. ◜The shadow of obsessions was strong, too. Obsessions for controlling the Abyss with the belief that they would also be able to defy the divine, right from the very conception of the nation.◞

A hard reality to discover, but necessary for the peace of his heart— that no matter how hard he would try, he alone would've been unable to erase millennia of obsessions that had influence even over the kings. ◜In the end... the culmination of those obsessions caused the descent of divine wrath upon us. No matter if innocent or otherwise, if we only sought to live peaceful lives or war against the gods somewhere down the line. In their eyes, all of us are sinners. Our kingdom was thus destroyed and we were cursed to not ever find death's respite while others were humiliated and transformed into lesser creatures, stripped from intelligence and what made them human.◞

◜My reason to sift through the memories engraved in Ley Lines is to have a better understanding of where these obsessions come from, and the hidden truth of this world. For I cannot pass, but I do not wish the same fortune on others— brought by the gods' illogical behavior or by those among the people I once protected that willingly became fiends of the Abyss, should they prove themselves capable to stand by their threat.◞

[scyathan]

|| Scyathan || The Hydro Dragon could, in turn, be regarded as this planet's original "God of Life." Neuvillette knows all this, of course, just like he knows that all rivers meet again in the great ocean. These birthing waters might not be of any special importance to humans, but for Neuvillette, he can differentiate every drop, every minute memory.

[scyathan]

How capricious is human nature, unpredictable as always. Perhaps they think the same of dragons, at least those who were graced with their trust in their cooperation and that they won't turn their back against them in moments of fear or when their life is at stake. Just like them— they whom would rather die if they had to live a life of submission to the God King, a fraud of a divine entity he came out to be, betraying the trust of even those who stood closest to him.

"Measure your words, human. You are talking with—" Scylla cuts himself, his tongue clicking mid-sentence. "Never mind that. Pride has no longer use when one's at death's doorstep." Lavender eyes close in silent consideration, if only out of entertaining further a guest from afar that sparked some interest in him when he had nothing more to do than wait until death claims him. "You humans have extremely limited knowledge, after all. Significantly skewed as per those gods' will."

"We who used to watch over this world before that Usurper dared to trespass his authority have lived since the beginning of time. It is the same case for what I suppose that has given you command over Ley Lines." And for that, it takes an exceptional human for Irminsul to acknowledge them and share with them everything it has to offer to this world— a feat that not even sovereigns have control over, for never would they think necessary to interfere with the source of life of this world, that which invigorates them all the same.

A human that holds light and the darkness of Forbidden Knowledge at the same time deserves one's attention and interest in Irminsul's judgement to trust him. For the star-eating poison would affect its health, and yet it deposited its trust in him. Why risk itself so? Is there truly potential in human will, to the point of appointing one of them as a carrier of memories? Or something else altogether?

"Since you came at an appropriate moment to entertain me with your presence and uniqueness, one shall forgive your lack of consideration to answer my question. What is it that you seek here, human? Does the knowledge provided to you by the gods not satisfy you, that you would resort to another source of knowledge?"

One hard to commune with, all things considered.

In order to know what has to be done once he's found his destiny, he must learn the truth of this world. So was Dáinsleif's belief upon immersing himself in a samsara to see what went wrong with Khaenri'ah and more importantly yet— since when. For there lied the answer he was looking for since the very beginning, and it's the prospect that too long has it been for him to be able to do anything at all to prevent the kingdom's destruction.

For the first time since calamity struck, that was the moment Twilight found peace in his heart at the knowledge that there was naught he could've done. And with it a single wish materializes into his fate: a desire that no one else has to go through what Khaenri'ah had, specially being cognizant of the fact that there are those who pursue to bring calamity to those who continued to live under the Seven.

Simultaneously, Dáinsleif made it his own mission to discover the truth of this world, to have a better understanding behind his forbears' obsessions. For one thing is clear, and it's the only thing he will give them credit for: Teyvat is commanded under an unjust order that must be defied and changed. Not solely out of selfishness to stop enduring unfairness once aware that it exists, for everyone who in the future may find out and run the risk of being on divine's crosshairs should they make the mistake of opposing them by their means— fundamentally incorrect in how to approach the situation.

And for that to happen, tracing spirit veins all the way to the moment that triggered Khaenri'ah's founders decision to build a new nation without gods was a necessity. Reason why Dáinsleif now treads through mists of darkness brought by the Apocalypse— with the coming of a new entity that defied the Primordial One and Nibelung's failure to oppose it through Forbidden Knowledge. What a grave mistake to do, even for a wise creature like him.

Lunarescent seraph perks at the sound of a voice that echoes in the space he's in. No matter how hard he tries to look through the mist, he cannot see where is the source. Until... all of a sudden, he sees a giant eye opening. Inevitably does Dáinsleif jump, his heart stills with shock that sends adrenaline through his nerves to act and walk back and away from the creature. Its presence becomes more visible through its aura, as if it was completely on its own to make itself be seen. Dark mist disperses from it enough to see that it's an enormous dragon lying on the ground, completely still— and not because it so desires, Dáinsleif presumes.

Sapphire irises widen as soon as the dragon reveals its knowledge about his current situation, an occurrence that never before happened before and, as Twilight Sword's perception goes, no one should know about. For all of these are memories, they have happened in the past and nothing will change the future. So why...? ◜How do you know?◞ It is not out of losing composure that Dáinsleif deigns to ask, as much as the hazard it may pose on his soul if the current affair of his circumstances are known by other individuals. Should anything happen to his soul, the rest of himself will be gone forever. Even worse, if its influence can reach into the future, that may pose an even more serious problem. ◜Nobody ever noticed before, but you do. Who are you?◞

[scyathan]

There are two conflicting sides inside Neuvillette as far as his psyche goes. To him, Scylla is himself in a past life he has many gaps to fill for over 400 years until he recovers his authority and his nature as a dragon makes him look at this world from a grander perspective and to its inhabitants as per the proportion and impact on the world they have. What concerns his draconic side, death doesn't move him. It's part of the natural cycle of this world and just as death happens, so a new life is bound to be born. He as an entity akin to a God of Life knows this better than anyone, as insulting as it would be addressing to him as anything remotely similar to what the Usurper brought with himself.

Given his special circumstances due to his authority over hydro, Neuvillette has a deep sentience over others' emotions. In his past life when he was exceedingly older, these emotions ceased to have any effect on him, his nerves were more steeled. Because of his understanding of the world and all living creatures within it, as Scylla he had learned to acknowledge these emotions without letting himself be affected by them unless exceptions occurred.

But it is not so the case for Neuvillette, both when he had yet to reclaim his authority over hydro and afterwards. While his draconic nature continues to permeate his being, a new variable was added the moment he was reborn as human: humanity. And because of this humanity he now has, all those emotions he senses from all manners of water are more intense than they would if he was a dragon as he originally was. Learning about humans by living among them accentuates the intensity with which he feels the emotions of others, because he understands them— unlike when he used to be Scylla, as his understanding was more limited and enshrouded with draconic pride and hatred towards anything related to the Usurper. Nevertheless, despite everything Scylla was no tyrant and united with humans for one same purpose, as Neuvillette has for 400 years.

Because he's used to feel the emotions of others and because of what they transmit to him, Neuvillette struggles with his own emotions. In addition to his struggle to belong, being a creature in between dragon and human, doubts plague him within his process of learning about himself concerning his nature, what he should do with his life and where he should belong. Feeling his own emotions and with a bigger intensity than he would as Scylla is a novelty even if he were to count with all the memories of his past life that makes more difficult to understand himself. Though his pride as a dragon still remains, it's not out of sense of pride and superior complex that he doesn't understand himself— but because no matter how hard he tries, he doesn't.

Even after he imparts judgement over the humans of Fontaine to rid them of the curse, and even after he makes peace with himself that in truth, he belongs to both realms (human and light/vishap/dragon), figuring himself out will be a consuming exercise that he will have to endure for more years to come. Until then, were he asked what or who he is, he would lay an answer every time.

He's just Neuvillette.

[scyathan]

Modest as always, even when it takes a drop to fall on the surface of water to cause ripples. With power comes arrogance and desires harder to attain each time, yet few are those who reminisce the place they come from and that in order to be king one must keep in mind that they can be as minuscule as sea bubbles within its very depths. Neuvillette would be inclined to shake his head and make the Duke see that his intervention is as relevant, but that would only demean the effort of others when they were just praised so highly.

"Human will is underestimated in the eyes of those who believe themselves to be greater than them." Perhaps there was a time when he, too, used to be that way in his past life before he decided to join vishaps and humans alike who wished to free themselves from the shackles of tyranny. "Be it the brain or the worker, neither their contributions ought to be disregarded."

Chills run down the Iudex's spine at the thought of what would've happened were he powerless and lack the authority that's rightfully his in order to counter the prophecy. Oceanids whose desire was to be humans, dissolved with water and forced to be one by some celestial hypocrisy and wrath unleashed on their own kin first for subordination. They who would appoint their own God of Life would be the ones to take offense the most when those adept at giving life do just that. Laughable.

Neuvillette's attention returns to Wriothesley at the shift of conversation and in time to catch an understandable query to understand what had happened with the prophecy, after all. Draconic pupils lower momentarily to deliberate if he should say anything first, and what to say once he decides that it is for the best to shed some light. Even if not entirely, but at least enough to have a better grasp of the situation. "You must've caught wind of the origins of the people of Fontaine through Lady Furina's trial, yes? The reason why people dissolves when they enter in contact with the primordial sea, and their connection with Oceanids."

A few moments are afforded to let the context sink in, necessary to understand what he's about to profess that hardly anyone else knows. Why would he entrust Wriothesley with this truth, one may ask? Well, it is only fair for a close colleague who seeks Fontaine's best interest to know— that is all. "According to the prophecy, everyone was bound to dissolve unless their roots don't belong to Fontaine. It just so happens that that which would've made them dissolve was altered. As for the rest, their survival from the merciless tides from the world's vowels... that is purely human will."

It had been an impossible dream, conjured up into existence for a day when the impossible would happen. Wriothesley does not fancy himself a dreamer, but perhaps he would acknowledge to his imagination being taken it by the tales of old of King Remus and the Fortuna. An impossible ship, for an impossible goal... when the Duke of the Fortress had recognised the doom-bringing waves slowly stewing, brewing, rising beneath his domain, he had made a gamble. He was no engineer, no inventor, but, well... he supposes he was fortunate enough to know the right people to make the impossible possible.

He is only grateful that they were able to complete that dream in time to prevent an abominable nightmare.

Arms folded over his chest as he stands by his companion, Wriothesley peels his gaze off the Wingalet to meet Neuvillette's -- the Iudex had always had an intimidating stare, but in this moment, sharp and piercing edges seem to soften under the weight of gratitude and, dare he say it, relief and contemplation. Wriothesley shakes his head, the shadow of a smile hanging at the corner of his lips. "Always happy to be of service. Jurieu and Lourvine deserve all the credit, really - them, and the workers who lent their arms to this titanic project."

It's easy to have ideas - but ideas are nothing without the people to execute them. " ... I'm only glad that we made it in time. Reaching the surface, and seeing all those people struggling to swim up or stay afloat..." Wriothesley pauses in his line of thought. He and the people of the Meropide had seen many a terrible thing in their lifetimes, but... he does not recall ever hearing such a silence, as they had looked through the portholes, and borne witness to the mercilessness of the rising tides. The Duke shakes his head again; unwilling to bring down the mood with dark and chilling memories best left untouched in present company. Besides, there are other, more interesting topics of discussion at hand. "Now, I must admit, busy as I was down here, I missed out on all the action - and seemingly on the resolution of this convoluted play." He muses, gazing, gauging the Iudex's reaction. " ... dare I ask how the prophecy both came to pass and failed to pass, or is this another secret for you to keep?"

[scyathan]

Given that vishaps had lost their purity with the passing of years due to the experimentation some of them underwent and their need for adaptation to the new circumstances of the world, Scylla was unable to be reborn as a dragon, but as a human instead. Nevertheless, Neuvillette's struggle comes from a position where he can't feel fully dragon or human and this makes itself manifest on his body too.

On the paper, his body is 1:1 like any human's. However, there are traits that differ him from one at the same time. Like the blue filaments on his head, mirror to the filaments he had in the past as Scylla. They're different in texture than his hair, but they don't act any differently. They lack nerves as the hair do, however in the brief moments he allows himself to go out in the wilderness and swim freely in places where he knows that human activity is zero and frees himself from the restraints of humanity to be closer to touch with his fingertips what his past as a dragon was like, these filaments acquire a small extent of sentience as they elongate. Upon reclaiming his authority, his sentience increases in the aforementioned state.

There are other visible traits of his draconic origins that he always keeps concealed with his clothes and these, in turn, aren't a product of coincidence. The longer pieces at his sides match with longer fins he had as a dragon and there are markings on his skin between the sides of his waist and hips in the form of faint iridescent scales. Touch-wise, the skin still remains smooth but upon paying close attention, the outlines of each of the few scales can be felt with one's finger pads. His skin is marked in random places with the same scale pattern, some of them more visible than others as they're whiter than his skin.

When he's in the "released" state, his filaments and side-fins glow in the water and the scales that permeate his body are more visible due to their iridescence. Upon reclaiming his authority, these traits accentuate due to being one step closer to his origins as a dragon, but never sufficiently to make him diverge from a human. This is his curse to bear and so he does, one that he comes to find peace with upon accepting himself for what he is and upon realizing the existence of acceptance from humans and vishaps alike, the first step in his endless journey to understand himself.

[scyathan]

Ah. In the end, no matter if the Fell Dragon Prince united his Vishap children and humans under the premise of fighting against the celestial tyranny, it was for naught. His own King, in one last act of despair brought destruction to his own kin when it should've only effected the Great Usurper and his lackeys and it nearly precipitated their dear world to the vast Abyss. Where has he failed? Was the power they believed would defeat the heavenly imposters different than what they thought? Or did his king mistake it for something else?

It doesn't matter any longer, for his power is completely spent, brought to his knees in humiliation at the door's step after suffering the same fate as his analogous did: their rightful authority stolen to further entertain whatever wicked plans the heavens have for this world and the product of their creations with it.

All that there is left for him is to lament what he could've done in his own fight against the demonic skies, all unresolved dreams trampled and an unending list of regrets.

Where solitude should be everything for him to feel, a contradicting entity rouses him from his nigh comatose slumber in wait for death to claim him. A child of man, just like those he guided in their fight for freedom against that foolish God King's tyranny, possessing two different auras completely irreconcilable between them— toxic to one another should they interact. One of them, the same poison that brought him to this sorry state and engulfed everything else in its deathly grasp. As for the other... what is it exactly? It is neither entirely celestial nor abyssal, but it's a source of light nonetheless.

Something akin to a light in the darkness.

"What do you look for in this place, child of man? There is naught but melodies prophesying destruction." His eyes open in time to see a puny figure in comparison to his magnificent size, now unable to move after being stricken beyond repair with the venom from beyond the skies. Upon closer inspection, he notes that this is no physical manifestation of his being— but a spiritual one. And that aura, so familiar with something he knows all too well, that has existed since the beginning of time in this world. "Ah, I see. So you are a vagrant soul sifting through this world's memories."

[scyathan]

Like this if you'd like me to search in your meme tag to send something!

[scyathan]

Probably an early Sunday topic to address, but my Neuvillette lacks draconic traits remotely erotic (namely extraordinary size or doubles) and even less, he isn't affected by some magic lunar heat cycles nor he breeds. One day I will make a more in-depth post about his draconic traits, mostly physically. But just to play it safe it's fair to get this out of the way.

[scyathan]

Url change: leviathegn < scyathan!

[scyathan]

Like this if you'd like me to search in your meme tag to send something!

[scyathan]

It's been a while. I would like to return to writing a Genshin muse properly as I had the last time with Al-Haitham, so I might change a few things here and there.

[scyathan]

■ ■ ■ 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐊𝐑. I envy the dead desperately, for I am an immortal punished to tell history, to see their lives end miserably and use it as warning tale without ever stopping once to grieve.

[scyathan]

Elynas. This wondrous creature that presents before them... it is the same beast that sowed destruction and terror in Fontaine. Neuvillette perks at the new change of events, draconic eyes looking at the now small and even endearing being with untold sadness that reflects in iridescent eyes. His tale is nothing like what he would've imagined, having sensed glee melted into water as he passed, which seems to correspond with his joy and wonder to see a beautiful world that according to his depictions casts a shadow over a duller one.

To make a creature that finds beauty in life precipitate everything to death has to be one of the cruelest things he's ever discovered, no matter how brief the creature's joy was to have a corporeal body and be able to roam this world until it's come to an end.

"You deserved to live too." Ere long his sorrow is made manifest in hushed words that don't escape Elynas' attention as his eyes land on him after discussing shortly with the mysterious maiden something he wouldn't understand until much later with. And at this moment, he's incapable to hold his gaze, thus it drops to the ground before his eyes shut close in silent mourning. "This outcome is for the best. If I were to choose between staying alive and keep harming this beautiful world or let it live even if that means I must pass, the answer is very clear."

Elynas walks back, his curious hands concealed behind. "I think it is time to say goodbye. It was a pleasure to talk with you!" A little jump is done as he looks towards the ethereal sky of this plane, Neuvillette opens his eyes to look at him again. "Honestly, it was great meeting you. Someday, I hope that I'll be able to traverse this world without fear of causing harm or death to others. When that time comes, I'll be sure to show you what I really look like!"

The shape he utilised to show up to both of them starts to disappear, leaving behind only the echo of his voice as this plane, too, begins to illuminate in a clear indication that it's about to fade.

"Hydro dragon, hydro dragon. Don't cry."

His last words punctuate the ending of their stance in this odd dimension. The next time Léviathan opens his eyes, they are in the newly-formed cave again where Elynas' heart resides, now a complete stone with just a couple of blue veins glowing within. Neuvillette breathes slowly in and out to let all those feelings wash away before he properly faces the warrior, hand resting on his chest. "Fontaine will never forget what you've done here. Lady..." He trails off, intent to find her name out so he may remember it too. There is no mistake that the power she uses and her formidable skills are not of a regular human— if at all.

Much like the young sovereign, Skirk's aptitude to sense abnormal events is high. Her guard builds back up, the hold on the hilt of her rapier tightens in preparation for whatever foe may come their way. That is, until a heartbeat that is not her own rings in her ears that makes her turn on her heels in time to see the heart's glow brighten more. Light is released and so she uses her other arm to cover her vision from the blinding glow that obscures momentarily her vision.

The next time her eyes open, she notices the change of atmosphere and location. From staying in the vowels of the earth to an ethereal-looking dimension there is a big change. One that causes great interest in her, for she has encountered beasts of the abyss of all kind of manners and terrors they inspired. But this, contrary to what the creature's material form— it's beautiful.

A strand of white hair catches her attention, warning that the dragon-human is also in this plane, and so she marches towards the hill as she sheathes her rapier. It is not uncommon to find remnants of beasts left in the aftermath of their passing, as they tend to conglomerate in the deepest Abyss. Regardless, Skirk isn't one to deny new opportunities to learn and understand better her surroundings as well as the intricate nature of this world.

◜Elynas.◞ The creature's name leaves her lips with utmost certainty now that she can discern better its unique scent. ◜Yes. That's my name. Beautiful, isn't it? I love it.◞ Her arms cross below her chest in interest, falling into silence to listen as she usually does. From the two of them, the sovereign may be the one who needs to listen to him more than her.

◜Before I was born, I floated in the cosmic darkness. It was cold there, and lonely. I was so sad, then, and I would often cry. But later, I heard Mother's voice. She wished for me to be born into a beautiful world, to give me life, to give me a strong and healthy body that could walk the world, to grant me a beautiful name. She wanted to give me many siblings, wanted me to meet many friends, wanted me to see the beautiful sights beyond that cosmic dark. She did not deceive me, and I was very happy. My elder siblings treated me well, and later, many younger ones came along— and I treated them just as my elder siblings treated me. Later, we left the world beneath the earth. I felt the wind brushing against my skin, the warmth of the sun, waters icy and warm. Life is wonderful— and it was wonderful that I was able to witness this world! ... Only later did I discover that I was different from the life in this world. The things that brought me happiness, the things that interested me... they were frightening and terribly hurtful to those of this world.◞

Skirk would lie if she denied not having interest in the person Elynas refers as Mother. Few are those who are sentient to the voices of beyond and far in between those who can interact with them in whatever manner they can. Master Surtalogi being one of them upon sensing the Star-Devouring Narwhal's cries and taking it under his case, and her— she can only heard them, however. And fight their material manifestations were they come to pass. There are other individuals she knows of from him, nevertheless, that have such capabilities too. Like, for example... ◜This Mother you speak of... is she Rhinedottir?◞

◜Yes! My mother is the reason I exist. Mother is the most wonderful person in this world. She gave me my name — and it is a lovely name.◞ Elynas' smile reaches to his eyes as he tilts his head. ◜I am saddened, because I treasure the life I was given by Mother, but I am gladdened... because my life would bring everyone such pain otherwise... For that reason, I don't hate you.◞ He turns towards the albescent-haired man, a look of sympathy clouding his eyes as he brings a hand to cover his mouth. ◜So please, don't be sad. I wish things were different, but this is for the best. My life won't be dangerous to others anymore.◞