There's always a lighthouse

[wheremst]

And just like that, you wake up in the basement of a lighthouse in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. There's a circle of 25 pods in the middle of the room, and two more in a room off to the side, and you can imagine who is in which.

An elevator to the side of the room leads up to the ground floor (or to the first sub-basement, if you want to check out the machine that brought you here), where you can for the first time in weeks look out a window and see the sky. Its a beautiful sunny day, with a strong breeze on the grassy ground of the island where the lighthouse stands. Have you ever been this happy to hear seagulls?

You're free. Whatever comes next, you're free and you won. Take some time to relish your victory, won't you? Reunite with friends you thought you had lost, go forth and just... well, enjoy this.

Comments

[onefuture]

[...You know, Lif didn't even notice. It takes a few seconds for Lif to realize he's not feeling the heat all that much? Like considering that he's still got that giant, fluffy ass cloa on, he'd think he'd be feeling it.

Guess he's just undead again, it's fine.]

...I must not be feeling it. But I suppose that I was also quite used to Askr's summer temperatures; they tended to get quite hot. I take it that this...Germany, it must be far north?

[emberserker]

Fairly. It's where I lived up until a little over a year ago, when we relocated to our house in Japan for GRANBELM. This, on the other hand, would be far closer to the equator, which would mean it's deathly hot and stays that way constantly. I'm sure you know that, but one never knows with alternate dimensions.

[onefuture]

[That makes sense. Lif nods his head.]

I understand, yes. Zenith has it's fair share of countries of different temperatures; I would wager that this place is close to Muspell, while Germany would be closer to Embla or Nifl.

Either way, I understand the intent. And the sentiment of not wanting to stay in a place like this for too long.

[emberserker]

Would anyone? At least we aren't underwater in real life. That would be a tremendous headache.

[onefuture]

I have no doubts about that. Especially being that far down; I've heard that awful things tend to happen to people down there.

[...But he's gonna sidestep that subject for now, turning to Anna.]

How are you holding up, Anna?

[He's not sure if she has her plans all prepared yet, but...he does want to ask after her.]

[emberserker]

I'm managing. Honestly, I'm surprised any of them want to talk with me again after all that.

[onefuture]

...I understand your wariness, but these people tend to be far too kind for their own good. It's simply a fact of life, in regards to them.

Regardless of the fact, I am glad that they're treating you well.

[emberserker]

Well, to an extent.

[She pulls out her pocketwatch and checks it.]

Half moon. The time was accurate in there, then.

[onefuture]

[Lif watches as she takes out the pocketwatch, blinking in surprise--that's fancy.]

Is it? I suppose we can be glad for that much. [But--] That's quite an impressive pocketwatch you have. Is there something special about it?

[Nobody usually is able to tell the moon phases by such a thing, after all.]

[emberserker]

It's a mage's clock. [She shows the script on the face and shuts it.] It uses an old system of writing, and it shows the moon phases because GRANBELM takes place on the full moon. I'd been using it at home.

[onefuture]

[Huh. He studies it briefly before nodding his head.]

Interesting...that does make sense. It sounds like an incredible piece, truly. Thank you for allow me to see it.

I do hope that it proves useful to you, going forward in whatever direction you intend to go.

[emberserker]

One hopes. What about you, after that goddess is dealt with?

[onefuture]

I intend to go back with Aela to Skyrim.

[That answer is easy, and sees Lif gaze soften.]

I cannot simply leave her behind...and furthermore, I would not mind starting life anew. My home is something I cannot recover, but I can ensure that what's left lives on in me.

...Though, I do need to ask exactly how viable killing Hel will be. I know they were not...fond, of the idea of such things. But I need to ensure she's never a problem again.

[emberserker]

You'll get no argument from me. Besides, it sounds like nothing else worked, so there's no reason not to.

[onefuture]

Exactly. And I can't exactly deny that a little bit of vengeance for all of the horror she forced won't feel utterly delightful.

[emberserker]

It's easy to give in to that much.

[A pause. From the way her face twists, she remembers how happy she was, how it was the only thing that brought her joy after so long. But then this place, and not having that push stoking the fire of hate in her mind, and learning what happened...

All right, let's not think about that, she thinks.]

Keep your head. It isn't easy. But far be it from me to deny you that, after everything she did to you.