Izurich
Xaltwind"Are you sure?"
"Sure about what?"
"Your plan... Aren't you afraid of... complications?"
"Like what?"
"Well, for one, the current Generation seems rather strong, stronger than those before, not to mention they plan to make a move too."
"So? I'll crush them all the same."
"But-"
"But what? Do you think I am not able to handle them? Don't forget your place."
"It's not that, just... we, you, have waited for so long, what would another 50 or 100 years do?"
"I have been tired of waiting since a long time ago, woman. It does not matter who stands before me. False Kings or the dogs of my pathethic little sister, I will crush them all the same. And now be silent. I might not be capable of killing you but you can feel pain just all the same."
"..."
And thus, the final act began.
An invitation. The guests were all the same. For some, it might occur as stupid to simply show your face to those who would soon be your enemies. Yet, tradition was tradition. Then again it wasn't too unheard of fragile alliances emerging from the opening ceremony, being the one and only time every Magician was forced to a truce for a few more hours. And for the most paranoid of all, disguises were still a thing.
The hall, being in the middle of New Sealand's capital and only city 'Little London', was part of a rather old and grand building which served as sort of Headquarters for The Voice of Change. A place she and her attendants were residing in as long as Ragnarok was underway. The very same place that those without an Letter of Invitation registered to attend the Holy Ritual.
It was a strange mix in atmosphere. On one side, some rather grumpy looking beings made no secret out of their distaste for others, creating a tension in the air that was quickly defused by those who hadn't even realized what they had gotten into; taking good care of the very tasty buffet while having light-hearted conversations with others. That was, until The Voice of Change spoke up.
"Attention everyone!" A soft female voice, standing on top of a stage, spoke up - loud and willful enough to silence any chatter that had been ongoing before. "My name is El 'Maria' Fran, also known as The Voice of Change as most of you should know." She looked with a smile into the crowd, a hunch of sadness. "I am truly grateful, to all of you. Some of you may seek glory, some to settle feuds, others may just seek a thrill. Others...may just want to kill. Your reasons may be numerous. Your morales might be ambiguous. BUT, it matters not. For I want you to remember, once again, about the purpose of this holy ritual." She fell silent for a bit, letting her magical enhanced voice settle in.
"Above all, no matter how insignificant you may think of of your possible death. Each and everyone of you is important. Small or big, powerful or weak, old or young, in this battle, alive or dead, everybody has a purpose. Everybody is a winner. For that we shall never forget, if the World Snake is to ever break free, all is lost." Clearing her throat in a symbolic fashion, the room now got louder again, alas, The Voice was not finished yet.
"As some of you may very well be aware, every 50 years there can be... certain... kind of changes to the rules, mostly ensuring that no harm comes to those who walk blind. It is our, and my, duty to protect them from the many great powers you are capable of orchestrating. But it is also my duty to do my utmost to ensure each of you can fight without any worry for those without Talent. So... this year, I, The Voice of Change, has a gift to all of you." With that, the woman closed her eyes, speaking in silence.
Feelings. Pictures. Sounds. Smell. A happy memory. No one could tell how long it was, but appeared like hours, as The Voice of Change chanted her indescribable rhythms like a spell over the entire room - even the numerous servants were not spared.
"Alright." Her voice cut deeply into everybody like a painful blade, the words she had just spoken not recallable by anyone.
"Take a look at your right ring finger." A simple silver-ring was now attached to it, regardless of how much jewelry they wore before. "It's a simple, yet powerful spell, made just for the purpose of this Ragnarok." The Voice of Change closed her eyes for a second before continuing. "It's a tool to create an alternate dimension to ours, a copy, you may say. Void of any, if not most, life. In there, you may battle as you wish." Another moment of silence, giving people enough time to be amazed or skeptical about this tool.
"Now, rest assured that this Ring is compatible with whatever abilities you may have on your own. Of course, you're not forced to use it either. Also, it should go without saying that it won't allow you to hide from your enemies. An aggressor can simply drag you into it, and once inside, escape is not that simple." A small chuckle escaped her lips. "But you shall see. Now, to enter, simply wear it and speak 'Duet'. You can escape the same way - if the conditions have been fulfilled, that is. ... It should go without saying that you're NOT allowed to discard the ring." With that, The Voice of Change clapped her hands three times.
"4 more hours until midnight." 4 more hours until the slaughter would officially start. "And for those of you, who still feel uncomfortable with my gift." Her eyes gazed a view of the competitors. "I can offer you the same talent on a more inner level." With that, the woman was done. Simply leaving to backstage, ready to receive those who still held the opinion of extra care.
For the others, they were still free to do whatever they wanted. Create alliances, make friends, enemies, collect information, prepare for the oncoming battle and so on... .
"Sure about what?"
"Your plan... Aren't you afraid of... complications?"
"Like what?"
"Well, for one, the current Generation seems rather strong, stronger than those before, not to mention they plan to make a move too."
"So? I'll crush them all the same."
"But-"
"But what? Do you think I am not able to handle them? Don't forget your place."
"It's not that, just... we, you, have waited for so long, what would another 50 or 100 years do?"
"I have been tired of waiting since a long time ago, woman. It does not matter who stands before me. False Kings or the dogs of my pathethic little sister, I will crush them all the same. And now be silent. I might not be capable of killing you but you can feel pain just all the same."
"..."
And thus, the final act began.
Act I - Purpose
An invitation. The guests were all the same. For some, it might occur as stupid to simply show your face to those who would soon be your enemies. Yet, tradition was tradition. Then again it wasn't too unheard of fragile alliances emerging from the opening ceremony, being the one and only time every Magician was forced to a truce for a few more hours. And for the most paranoid of all, disguises were still a thing.
The hall, being in the middle of New Sealand's capital and only city 'Little London', was part of a rather old and grand building which served as sort of Headquarters for The Voice of Change. A place she and her attendants were residing in as long as Ragnarok was underway. The very same place that those without an Letter of Invitation registered to attend the Holy Ritual.
It was a strange mix in atmosphere. On one side, some rather grumpy looking beings made no secret out of their distaste for others, creating a tension in the air that was quickly defused by those who hadn't even realized what they had gotten into; taking good care of the very tasty buffet while having light-hearted conversations with others. That was, until The Voice of Change spoke up.
"Attention everyone!" A soft female voice, standing on top of a stage, spoke up - loud and willful enough to silence any chatter that had been ongoing before. "My name is El 'Maria' Fran, also known as The Voice of Change as most of you should know." She looked with a smile into the crowd, a hunch of sadness. "I am truly grateful, to all of you. Some of you may seek glory, some to settle feuds, others may just seek a thrill. Others...may just want to kill. Your reasons may be numerous. Your morales might be ambiguous. BUT, it matters not. For I want you to remember, once again, about the purpose of this holy ritual." She fell silent for a bit, letting her magical enhanced voice settle in.
"Above all, no matter how insignificant you may think of of your possible death. Each and everyone of you is important. Small or big, powerful or weak, old or young, in this battle, alive or dead, everybody has a purpose. Everybody is a winner. For that we shall never forget, if the World Snake is to ever break free, all is lost." Clearing her throat in a symbolic fashion, the room now got louder again, alas, The Voice was not finished yet.
"As some of you may very well be aware, every 50 years there can be... certain... kind of changes to the rules, mostly ensuring that no harm comes to those who walk blind. It is our, and my, duty to protect them from the many great powers you are capable of orchestrating. But it is also my duty to do my utmost to ensure each of you can fight without any worry for those without Talent. So... this year, I, The Voice of Change, has a gift to all of you." With that, the woman closed her eyes, speaking in silence.
Feelings. Pictures. Sounds. Smell. A happy memory. No one could tell how long it was, but appeared like hours, as The Voice of Change chanted her indescribable rhythms like a spell over the entire room - even the numerous servants were not spared.
"Alright." Her voice cut deeply into everybody like a painful blade, the words she had just spoken not recallable by anyone.
"Take a look at your right ring finger." A simple silver-ring was now attached to it, regardless of how much jewelry they wore before. "It's a simple, yet powerful spell, made just for the purpose of this Ragnarok." The Voice of Change closed her eyes for a second before continuing. "It's a tool to create an alternate dimension to ours, a copy, you may say. Void of any, if not most, life. In there, you may battle as you wish." Another moment of silence, giving people enough time to be amazed or skeptical about this tool.
"Now, rest assured that this Ring is compatible with whatever abilities you may have on your own. Of course, you're not forced to use it either. Also, it should go without saying that it won't allow you to hide from your enemies. An aggressor can simply drag you into it, and once inside, escape is not that simple." A small chuckle escaped her lips. "But you shall see. Now, to enter, simply wear it and speak 'Duet'. You can escape the same way - if the conditions have been fulfilled, that is. ... It should go without saying that you're NOT allowed to discard the ring." With that, The Voice of Change clapped her hands three times.
"4 more hours until midnight." 4 more hours until the slaughter would officially start. "And for those of you, who still feel uncomfortable with my gift." Her eyes gazed a view of the competitors. "I can offer you the same talent on a more inner level." With that, the woman was done. Simply leaving to backstage, ready to receive those who still held the opinion of extra care.
For the others, they were still free to do whatever they wanted. Create alliances, make friends, enemies, collect information, prepare for the oncoming battle and so on... .
