Valiance

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

If only it were always that easy.
*Takes off flying in that direction*

@Artifact

*Follows behind in swift bursts, leaping from platform to platform of Chickpea's creation*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Scans across a gold-laden building, looking closely at each individual captured in the reflection, when a rumble echoes from across the streets*

@Artifact

*Shifts my gaze in its direction*
Sometimes a clue is more obvious.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Nods with a suppressed aggression in my eyes*
If these imprints are a window to the past, then one will reveal what happened here. We just have to find it.

@Artifact

It’s the safest assumption.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

It’s my responsibility that brought them this fate, and it shall be my responsibility to free them. I am willing to shoulder that burden.

@Artifact

Then for all intents and purposes, consider me a tool to that end. I’ll put my feelings aside for the mission.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Growls*
The dragons conscripted don’t serve willingly. Once consumed, their wishes are unimportant.

@Artifact

The last thing I want is to assume and leave their fates permanent if we're wrong. If saving them is something you're sure we can and want to do.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Their life force is still there. Once I eat the dragon’s flesh, I may have the power to free them.

@Artifact

You could, regardless of this dragon’s wishes?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

How much collateral are you willing to bear on your shoulders?

@Artifact

It’s not collateral if they’re already gone. Take it from my experience- recovering from this isn’t in the cards.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Then we’ll catch it trying to flee and destroy it. Trap it in its own den. We should not harm these people.

@Artifact

If someone had come along before with the chance to do everything they could to stop that dragon before it came here and did this to them, I know all of them would have wished for it in a heartbeat. No one can afford half measures.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

If it intended to leave, why would it have waited? We cannot indiscriminately destroy their second chance.

@Artifact

It’s a home. But if it sees a threat coming, who wouldn’t hesitate to escape? Make a new one, somewhere else. On top of someone else’s.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

...
*Frowns*
Why? These people cannot get worse. But we may be able to restore them.

@Artifact

We prance around being careful and methodical, the dragon catches wind of what we’re doing, gets away, disappears and does this to someone else. This place isn’t in our hands, but if that happens, whatever comes next will be.