#this was very fun to respond to! man monarch is just fucked up huh

[ask-the-fogbound-serpent]

The absol's words really were just rubbing salt in the wound, confirming once and for all what he'd already suspected. Vourison had heard these same corrupted ideas on power and control repeated over and over again, and he was not thrilled to be hearing it once more. Especially not from this a snivelling excuse of a Monarch.

Disregarding the nonsense they were spouting, Vourison picked up this strange version of Destino in his coils, squeezing them tightly before speaking once more, voice low and angry.

"...It seems I was not clear enough. When I said it would be best if you left..."

Leaning to the side, he reached with one claw and tore open a portal through the fabric of reality before violently tossing Destino through. The portal would take the Monarch home... probably. All that really mattered to Vourison was getting this disgusting absol out of his realm and far, far away from the ones he cared about.

As the rift snapped shut, Vourison slumped forward with an exhausted sigh. What the hell had just happened? Why had that happened? ...And what did this mean for the Destino he was familiar with?

*A familiar-looking Absol walks towards Vourison, glaring up at him. The expression was not one of their usual smug nature. No, cold, dead eyes rimmed with dark circles looked at the serpent, judging him, monitoring his every move. Their posture didn't have the overconfidence they had shown previously. Instead they held themselves in a more regal matter. The fur appeared more disheveled than the usual pristine appearance and a blue mantle hung over their shoulders, mega stone in the centre. A large crown rested upon their head.*

Destino: How curious. Your appearance is certainly different from the descriptions I have been told about your kind. The tales of the sky spirit from my realm have shown its destructive power well, causing those to flee at the mere sight. Tell me, is your reputation similar to that of what I've heard? A terror to cause fear into the hearts of many? And is it possible for a mortal to obtain this level of authority over other weaker beings?

Three eyes bore into the Absol, his entire body still as a statue. Vourison was confused and startled and despairing all at once. He’d tried to prevent cruelty from growing in the other's heart, how had Destino become so dishevelled so quickly?

It was only a second later when he realized that no, there was not enough time for a drastic change such as this one to occur since his last talk with Destino. Not only that, but this Absol clearly has no recollection of meeting him. While Vourison wasn’t the most eye-catching legend, he was certain that the other would remember their meeting. Especially considering what they had last spoken about.

So who, or what, had sent this stranger here to him? This was clearly Destino, but not the one he’d met. Time and space were erratic. Something was wrong.

Tilting his head towards this familiar stranger, Vourison carefully spoke, “This ‘sky spirit’ of your realm is vastly different from me, and does not sound like someone I would particularly want to meet. All legends are capable of terrible destruction, but I loathe those who are reckless with their abilities and cause needless harm. So no, I do not have a reputation similar to what you’ve heard. Quite the opposite in fact. This is a place of healing.”

“You will not find the power you search for here.”

While their voice was mostly neutral, Vourison could tell. No matter how many times he comes across it, that want for power is always the same. He did not know what drastic event caused this sudden want. Vourison could only hope that not many had been harmed in their quest for such power, but the state of their fur and crown on their head dashed any hope quite quickly and soundly.

“Now, it would be best if you leave this place. It is not suitable for one such as yourself.” Leave, leave now. Before the rot that festers in your heart blooms out of control and devours you whole.