Mana P1y1s13

Mana: And so it was written: Pokiehlember 1st, Year 1, Salamander's Day. Early morning - Vladislav, flanked by guards, taken to the Tower of Jinn.
Mana: There's a procession of people walking in the gardens ahead of you - dressed in white, walking in straight lines, heads bowed. Almost reminiscent of a chain gang. Most are older men, but some are younger, or women.
Vladislav walks along with the guards with a stoic expression. His eyes cross over his surroundings from time to time, occasionally warranting a grin or two. He hasn't said much, given the guards are likely not very talkative.
Mana: They aren't, no. And they wait for the holy amblers to pass before proceeding forward, entering the Tower - a palace of gold and white marble.
Vladislav nods to himself silently. It was unlikely he would have even gotten this far had he not taken such measures. The place was certainly different from what he was used to in the Dryad District.
Mana: The entering pavilion looks out onto many floors of the Iron Legion. Ranks upon ranks of potential Ironclad. Each unique, armed, silent. Broad staircases lead up and down, some of them arcing out to the Iron Legion, others continuing out elsewhere. There are staircases down, too, but the guards bring you to an elevator.
Mana: The three of you enter. One closes the golden fencing behind you. It descends, deep into the tower.
Vladislav grins at the guards in return as the elevator makes it way down into the earth. This solves the problem of having to walk down far too many stairs, at least.
Mana: It comes down to one of the many little-known rooms somewhere in the tower. This one you might call the "Blank Library" - a jail of featureless white books, each in white bindings, in a white room. The guards open the doors, passing you over to another Guardsmen here.
Mana: "This is Joch's disciple. He's come to see Joch. Which makes…" "Five."
Vladislav does not chime in on this conversation, simply offering the new guard an appraising stare in return. Five, though? He did not expect so many.
Mana: There are, indeed, four others - a man with a head like a fluffy bird, a woman in a black coat with red hair and a serpent's scales, a teenage boy, an Ironclad.
Mana: The other guards leave. The boy speaks up first: "So, we should catch you up. The Joch they've taken into custody is not, in fact, Sage Joch. It's… some other guy."
Vladislav frowns. "You mean to say he isn't even at Titania?"
Vladislav: "What makes you so certain?"
Mana: "Well, Sage Joch wrote a perfectly accurate prophecy. That's what all of this is about."
Vladislav: "Was I the last one?"
Mana: "I've sort of skimmed, but… it describes a lot of very bad things happening - you mean, the last disciple to come in?"
Vladislav offers a nod in return.
Mana: "Yes. And the prophecy says, they'll take five people in, each of whom claims to be Joch's disciple, but one of them is really Joch. So the guards eventually decide who's the real one, bring him out, and execute him."
Mana: The woman with the snake scales looks up from her seat. She's writing something in one of the blank books. …Well, doodling.
Mana: "Joch didn't use any pronouns. In the prophecy, I mean. If you go on saying he and him, it sounds like I'm in the clear."
Mana: The Ironclad makes a "Hm." noise, low and deep.
Vladislav can't help but grin slightly at the concept. He slowly glances over at the others. "For what end would they murder them? If it is for revealing the prophecy acting out the first steps of his execution will only be admitting to its validity."
Mana: The elderly man paces. "Well, it's valid. They're sure of that, though by what measures I'm not certain. I suppose they think that predicting the doom of the Empire is all well and good, but it's unnacceptable to do it and be correct."
Vladislav shakes his head. "Rubbish. They have far greater issues at hand."
Mana: The birdman speaks up. "Yes. They do. So it's an unusual choice, isn't it? I don't think the Emperor is stupid."
Mana: "So, what's that about?" The woman asks. "I haven't read that far." The birdman admits.
Vladislav narrows his gaze at the birdman. "I did not place him for that type, no. So why then does he insist on acting out something that accomplishes nothing outside of confirming the path of Titania's destruction? The plague will be the least of their problems when all is said and done. With the flow of mana in its current state, nothing good will come of it."
Mana: The elderly man raises a finger. "You're exactly right. Yet he hears of a sequestration, has the knowledge in the prophecy, yet chooses to do the exact opposite thing of what is correct."
Vladislav: "Sequestration of what? The throne? Titania?"
Mana: "Er, what did I say?" "He heard of a sequestration. You made it sound like…" "Oh, no, I meant…"
Mana: The elderly man coughs. "Hears of a disease, orders a sequestration. Or he hears of the effects of the sequestration and then acts to bring them about."
[OOC] Mana: A 30 MINUTE INTERMISSION
[OOC] Mana: IN THE MEANTIME, PLEASE MAKE YOUR GUESSES AS TO WHICH OF JOCH'S DISCIPLES WILL BE EXECUTED. WINNERS WILL WIN A SMALL PURSE OF 200 LUCRE.
[OOC] Mana: DID YOU MAKE A GUESS? GOOD. ANYWAY, BACK.
Vladislav: "A rather peculiar set of actions. Can the prophecy not be reshaped? What if the gates were opened? The world recrafted."
Mana: "Hm." The ironclad says.
Mana: "Then it wouldn't have been an accurate prophecy, I guess, is the thing." The woman says.
Vladislav: "It would be accurate for the world as it is."
Vladislav: "When it is reshaped however, can it really be considered the same world? One of us will die soon, that much is certain. What happens after? Have none of you read that far?"
Mana: The young boy looks down. The elderly man looks over at him for a moment, then speaks up:
Mana: "Do you think it's possible for anything in the prophecy to change the prophecy? If so, it's not really internally consistent, is it?"
Mana: The ironclad looks over.
Mana: "…But obviously, you can still change things." The ironclad says, as the woman shrugs. "Or anyone can, really."
Mana: She smiles. "…But it wouldn't get written down, is the thing. You understand?"
Vladislav crosses his arms letting out a long sigh. He pauses briefly before looking up at the others. "Have any of you heard of the term 'Pure Heart'."
Mana: The birdman smiles a beaky little smile. "The power to realize the true nature of the world."
Mana: The scaled woman looks over, surprised. The birdman looks offended: "Am I the only one here who reads prefaces!?"
Vladislav nods to the birdman. "Now if you had such a power, what would you do?"
Mana: "In this particular, limited context, I do have it, though." The birdman says. "Just like you."
Mana: He folds his pink wings behind his back and paces about.
Mana: "But that doesn't… " matter ", if you follow. Just because you can change something, doesn't mean that's meaningful."
Mana: "So I guess… what I do… is get locked up and have a talk with another disciple of Sage Joch." The birdman smiles.
Vladislav frowns slightly. "In all instances, though? Are we to leave the gates closed, watch as they go to the chopping block and stand around as Titania becomes a husk of what it once was in a simple year?"
Mana: The birdman nods. "Clearly not. But… I have to apologize."
Mana: "This isn't the conversation we actually have."
Vladislav furrows his brow slightly at the birdman. "Do you say the because it was written down?"
[OOC] Vladislav: *that
Mana: "Yes, exactly! This is the conversation that's written down. But not the one we actually have."
Vladislav leans against one of the bookshelves, shaking his head. "I suppose that it is only a matter of time, then. Although such a conversation will change little, I will enjoy it regardless."
Mana: "Yes, I had hoped. Because, for many reasons, if I actually wrote down the conversation we have in full… well, it'd be counterproductive. It'd never be able to actually happen , for one. They'd know who the Sage Joch is as soon as he strolls into the door."
Vladislav: "Which wouldn't lead to this meeting. Why the others, though? Was there a need for five?"
Mana: The birdman frowns. "I'm not doing much with them right now. But all three of the others were really there. This is the history, after-all. It'd be impolite to erase them."
Vladislav: "I suppose that is one reason why this story should not only contain the two of us."
Mana: "Right. I'm lying… and the Imperial Guard are going to look at this lie, look very closely, and see if they can determine who to kill, using it."
Vladislav: "The outcome was never specified on who they chose. Intentionally left out, correct?"
Mana: "Exactly. And there's one last surprise."
Vladislav: "I'd ask what it was, but I'd hate to ruin it."
Vladislav: "If the other three could be erased without changing the stories outcome however, I would assume one of us is picked?"
Vladislav: "Although really it could be any of us. So long as one person in a group is proclaimed the Sage."
Mana: "Yes. And…"
Mana: "…Well, if they're executed, obviously, they can vanish afterwards without affecting the results."
Vladislav: "Not that it would do much good for one to no longer be an internal part of the prophecy. One can neither change things externally nor leave the story for other business when they are dead."
Mana: "We do have to be careful to keep you alive, don't we?"
Vladislav: "Will it really be that much of an issue?"
Mana: "The world can be very dangerous. Fiends and goblins, moon-monsters, the Angels and the Services, a plague, the dearth of Mana, the coming of winter. I think… well, there's a lot stacked against you."
Mana: The birdman smiles. "You will be part of a legion of allies, though."
Vladislav: "How quaint. I always pictured myself to stray away from large crowds. That is quite the task, though. Winter is coming, one way or another. Does one simply need to resolve the issues at hand before its arrival or divert it in its entirety?"
Mana: "There's a fundamental flaw in this world. If you've ever struck ice… you see that from the slightest point of impact, a flower of fissures blossoms out."
Mana: "Think of… a leaky roof, and the buckets underneath it. All the other problems arise from the bucket filling up. But the roof is still a problem!"
Mana: "Perhaps a better metaphor might be patches laid hastily onto the roof. They're flawed, too, and they're causing problems of their own." The birdman shrugs apologetically.
Mana: "…One makes it sound so workmanlike."
Vladislav: "Delicate, beautiful and fragile. When left alone winter does not have to be an issue. When one tromps through the snow however it becomes disfigured. Is there something wrong with letting it come and pass?"
Mana: "Because when a leaky roof freezes… it cracks."
Mana: "There are worlds that can survive winter, that can hibernate and awaken anew. Some ask whether it's the same world…"
Mana: "…But this is not one of those. The flaws run too deep."
Vladislav: "So we are given a time limit."
Mana: "More or less. But you might be more worried about the patches for a while."
Vladislav: "I suppose I should tackle the issues I know how to resolve firstly. The dearth of mana can be resolved through opening all of the gates. Certainly not an easy task, but I have not come across moon monsters or goblins in my travels yet."
Mana: "No. The Emperor wants to keep the gates shut by his own reasons… but he's keeping himself locked up. So the gates are shut through the will of the Imperial Court."
Mana: "Vush keeps the gates shut. Erinee controls Vush. The Judge has been sealed away, and no one is more loyal than Deathjester."
Vladislav: "Do you mean to say that there are no ways to open them save for gaining an appeal? If one were to deal with the Red-Lamped Best it would force Erinee's hand, which in turn would eventually force the Emperor out of hiding."
Mana: "You could do it by force, appeal, or trickery, I think."
Vladislav: "I have to admit, I am curious. How does one manage to be the Imperial Sage and not reveal their face?"
Mana: The birdman smiles. "It's completely impossible." He stands up very straight.
Vladislav: "Which is why whom they have right now is not the real Sage?"
Mana: "Maybe it's magic? Or maybe everyone but you has lost their senses."
Vladislav glances at the other three. They… weren't exactly chiming in on this conversation in the slightest. "When is the execution scheduled?"
Vladislav: "The time was in the prophecy, correct?"
Mana: They definitely weren't.
Mana: "Noon. Today."
Vladislav: "I suppose we don't have long to wait to see if your lie works out, then. What can you tell me of the Emperor?"
Mana: "The Emperor is deeply concerned with the sorrow of his people. That's why he had the door to Paradise built. And that's why, I think, he keeps the doors closed."
Mana: "I feel he's deeply misguided. But he is not stupid. His philosophy is closely guarded, but it exists."
Mana: "He is confounded by a powerful enemy. I think if you wish to understand him, you need to understand that enemy."
Mana: "That enemy is Professor Frog."
Mana: (Professor Frog is a frog that is also a professor.)
Vladislav: "I admit I have a hard time seeing what such a thing could do asides from croaking. They wish to claim Titania for their own?"
Mana: "From where they stand, they already have. But they are unaware of the consequences. Or powerless to turn away, once they've started."
Vladislav: "I take it that it is just as difficult to gain audience with him as the imperial court?"
Mana: "Not especially, actually. It might be a valuable trip to make."
Mana: The birdman coughs. "Is there a final question? If not, there's something I wish to show you."
Vladislav shakes his head. "Whatever it is I could ask likely pales in comparision. I will keep in mind to visit Shade District should things play out as intended. Go on."
Mana: The Sage Joch raises his wings towards the heavens and the hand of the mana goddess reaches down from the heavens, peeling open the Imperial Tower (with a polite, apologetic nod to the Emperor as her fingers pass him) and pinching his head in a delicate grip. It explodes into a cornucopia of light, that radiates out onto the world. And where it falls there is life, and all pain is
Mana: erased, and all sorrow is gone from the universe, and the door to paradise is flung open and all across the world that joy outpours. The Goddess waves politely as she lifts her hand back up to the heavens, blowing a final kiss to Titania, the city where all pain has yet been erased, and where all bonds of hatred between kin (for all people are kin) have been severed.
Mana: Let this be a rebuke to those that say I have doomed Titania, that my prophecy has wrought its end. If there is truth in this, it is not of my doing. For you stand in a world where my head has fallen, and where that has not brought joy to the world. Such things are not in my power.
Mana: …Anyway…
Mana: The guard returns, after some time. He coughs, looking over the five of you: The elderly man, the teenager, the Ironclad, the woman with serpent scales, and you, Vladislav.
Mana: "…Which one of you is the Sage Joch?"
Vladislav stares at the guard with a stoic face. Their decision was to be made by their own hand.
Mana: The guard looks down at a page he's carrying. Then he looks up. Then he points. "That one. Come with me." And that one does.
Mana: You're left alone in the library for a bit.
Vladislav paces around for a few moments, glacing at those who are left.
Mana: The woman speaks up. "It'd be funny, you know, if we all did the " I am Sage Joch " shtick, but…"
Mana: The ironclad makes a quiet "Hm."
Mana: The woman shrugs. "I know. Wouldn't be right." She nods in Vlad's direction. "You. So… what did he tell you when you were in that corner, over there?"
Vladislav shakes his head. "What needed to be done."
Mana: She chuckles to herself. "I'm impressed."
Vladislav: "I would have taken his place had he asked. I am not sure why he is content with this outcome. I can only assume that the surprise has yet to come."
Mana: "They burnt my copy, you know. So… there's only one way to find out."
Vladislav: "The Emperor's copy is not so easily obtained."
Mana: She turns over to the young boy, walks over to him, puts an awkward, almost-consoling hand on his shoulder.
Mana: After a little bit, a guard comes down. "You're all free to go."
Vladislav glances up at the guard. "Where at noon is it being held?"
Mana: "Wisp. The Hall of Marble."
Mana: He ushers you all into the elevator. The Ironclad barely fits.
Vladislav: "Would it be possible to get a day pass for the event? We have offered you our cooperation."
Mana: The guard coughs, and taps a gauntlet against his helmet. "You know what? I'll make it happen."
Vladislav: "You have my thanks."
Mana: The guard leaves you, for a bit, when you come back to the mezzanine of the tower.
Mana: He returns, soon after, with four passes. He hands Vlad one - a daylong pass between Wisp and Undine.
Vladislav nods to the guard before glancing at the others. "Do you plan to stick around after the execution?"
Mana: The boy looks up. "I… might not be around for it."
Mana: The Ironclad looks over at the silent, iron legion.
Vladislav: "… understandable, of course. Should you wish to contact me with any findings, please direct any mail to the Vacuus Tree in Tacaroon. I will endeavor to see this conclusion on my own."
Mana: The serpent-scaled woman smiles. "Yeah. I'll let you know if I run into anything."
Vladislav gives one last firm nod to the others before making his way out of the tower to see the sun again.
Mana: It shines brilliantly.
Mana: And so it was written.

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