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

[pimpplan]

Mostly never wrong.

[ Better than him, who's usually always wrong! ]

[emberserker]

Excuse me.

[hmph]

Well, you're looking better. Or worse, possibly.

[pimpplan]

[ He shrugs. ]

I'd go for no difference. Having my abilities back doesn't exactly effect me as much as the others do, but I can't complain, I guess.

[emberserker]

How does that work, anyway? I suppose you also have to draw on whatever magic exists in the world you're in.

[pimpplan]

Basically. Any mana that gets used in small doses like that typically just comes from within. It's only with large structures do you need a larger source, the earth or a Summon Spirit or whatever. Only those with elven blood are able to use it, normally.

[emberserker]

Even that's better than what we had. Though substitute "elves" with "very old mage families." At least a thousand years, given new mages haven't been popping up since the seal was formed.

[Well, there's one, but that's... complicated.]

And that stone of yours channels it?

[pimpplan]

Well, at least you know the seal works, I guess.

[ Oh yeah, he forgot about the crystal. He rubs the skin around the hardware on his collarbone absentmindedly. ]

... you could say that. It's less of that and more of it helps enhance people's abilities past their limits. In my case, it also gives me certain angel abilities. Typically the Chosen have to go through a set of trials to earn them, but I was just given them at some point.

[emberserker]

Of course you were. You mentioned your world had been taking it easy for some time, after all.

[pimpplan]

... or maybe it's got something to do with deciding to work with my equivalent of Rhea.

[ s-sweats... ]

[emberserker]

Your "equivalent?" I thought you couldn't stand each other.

[pimpplan]

Of course not, I hate that kid. But he promised to transfer my Chosen title over, so... it was the only choice I had. I always side with the strongest.

[ Besides. Y'know. ]

[emberserker]

Your impression of Dr. Birkin needs work, Zelos.

[pimpplan]

I mean, he's not completely wrong. Shit, I was working with three different groups at ends with each other at one point.

[emberserker]

And what did that get you besides a headache?

[pimpplan]

[ He opens his mouth to reply for a moment, before closing it and grumbling. ]

Three separate ones, I guess.

[emberserker]

I suppose that's the unfinished business you mentioned.

[pimpplan]

Yep. That's what I get for revealing my hand at the last minute.

[ And getting the other Chosen kidnapped as a result, but it's fine! He thinks he might have a plan for that. ]

[emberserker]

If we can go back to exactly when we left, then, I'm sure you've already come up with a way to fix it, haven't you? Don't tell me you've been slacking.

[pimpplan]

I may be lazy, but I'm certainly not a slacker. Just gotta get something to help my friend get the power to control space and time. Easy.

[ .... it kind of happens off screen, so it's absolutely easy. ]

I bet you're hoping that we don't go back to where we leave off.

[emberserker]

Considering that kept me going some time back? No, not anymore. I would have, but the odds are I wouldn't be able to stop myself from going through the motions, and that would just be a tremendous waste. And really, after everything, Ernesta can have it. Mother always wanted to adopt her instead anyway.

[It's more spiteful than resigned. Sour grapes or serious thought, whichever it is, it's taken a long time to get to.]

If nothing there appreciates what I was supposed to be, then I'll make something of myself elsewhere.

[pimpplan]

That sounds like good of a plan as any, honestly. Good for you.

[ He's like... legitimately sincere about it? Is he ok????? ]

[emberserker]

[What's wrong with either of them, what has this place done.]

Apparently I'll be off elsewhere. I do hope you at least manage to clean up after yourself.

[pimpplan]

[ character development???? in MY house? it's more likely than you think ]

Hehe, we'll see. Usually someone else does it for me, so we'll see how this goes.

[ That's putting it mildly! If there's even worlds to go back to after everything is said and done! ]

[emberserker]

Just don't embarrass yourself. It'll reflect on the rest of us.