Story/Chapter 47: Difference between revisions

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''Ugh... Are you still following me? I hoped that you'd leave me be, after saving Father.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''Stop treating me like a kid! Are you insane? You're in the middle of enemy territory. Why are you so desperate to take back the soul anyway? I get that Steel Queen was a fellow demon lord, but the White-Ghost King had nothing to do with the rest of you!''

*{{StoryIcon|RH}} '''Raven:''' ''You are right. We have nothing to do with the White-Ghost King. But it became our problem the moment Berthe targeted Elrios.''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''Haivan, I know you weren't being truthful earlier. You said the reason why you didn't inform Berthe of Aurora was because you forgot. If so, how are you going to explain helping Winster escape? Please, just tell us the reason. You don't have to carry this burden alone. Let me help you.''

*{{StoryIcon|KE}} '''Elsword:''' ''If Berthe is threatening you or if you are being forced in anyway, we can protect you like Winster. I promise to give it our all. So please, hand us the soul fragments. We do not want to fight you.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''You make me laugh! You think you're such a hero. I... I'm not risking my life for such stupid reasons!''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''You were always clever. I'm sure you already know that Berthe, who betrayed his lord, has no intention of keeping his word. Even knowing that, you must have felt that you still had a better chance of achieving something you wanted under him than me.''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''I thought you understood... That even without words, you would know because we are family. However... I can't help but think it was my own obstinacy that drove you away.... I'm sorry I never listened to what you had to say. So please... It's not too late to stop.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''I'd really love to play with you more, but you really caught me at a bad time. We can hang out afterwards... if you manage to defeat the White-Ghost Army that is!''

*{{StoryIcon|Asella}} '''Asella:''' ''Hey, brother-in-law! You look better than expected! Nichel kept us updated with her communication device. We managed to reach the central area easily thanks to someone who is very familiar with the current situation here.''

*{{StoryIcon|Asella}} '''Asella:''' ''We decided, now is not the time to think about such matters. With how the situation is currently panning out, you are the ones most likely to stop Berthe and revive the White-Ghost King. And if we miss this opportunity, we'll likely never get another one. So we will do everything we can to help. Everyone, get to your positions! Stop the White-Ghost Army so the El Search Party can enter the castle! Leave this place to us, and go!''

*{{StoryIcon|Deborah}} '''Deborah:''' ''He was one of mine. Kuhuhu... Finally! After years of waiting! I finally set foot on my homeland!''

*{{StoryIcon|?}} '''Calonne:''' ''At last, the White-Ghost King's most loyal are finally gathered in one place. It's been too long. The wait was long and arduous, but now, it seems the everlasting yearning has been washed away with joy.''

*{{StoryIcon|?}} '''Calonne:''' ''Hahaha, yes, but I'm still in Elrios, in front of the machine we used, to send the El Search Party to the White-Ghost Land. I'm speaking through a communication device. The connection is surprisingly good, considering we're in different worlds, but I suspect it's because I'm standing right by the portal.''

*{{StoryIcon|?}} '''Calonne:''' ''Ah, it was a pleasant surprise for us as well. The moment I informed Deborah we could go back, she insisted on leaving immediately and wouldn't relent. I told her the castle would be too dangerous, but she refused to listen, so I had to let her through. Good timing though, I didn't expect you would also be there. Now, are you in need of assistance?''

*{{StoryIcon|Deborah}} '''Deborah:''' ''He's my subordinate. I felt him here, because he was too weak to go to Elrios. He became strong while I was gone. But to use that strength to ally himself with that betrayer of our lord? Hey, you! Human pups! Leave this one to me!''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''That was the plan! At least my boss's anyway... But I have no intention to act out Berthe's plan. So don't worry about it. These machines will never reach Elrios, and neither will Berthe.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''You want to know what my plan is? I intend to give all the soul fragments to Berthe for a full awakening. The portal is just a distraction. Now that you know my true purpose, will you give up? Didn't think so. Because you're here to revive the White-Ghost King.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''Of course not. Berthe has got nothing on her. The White-Ghost King is too powerful. So powerful that everyone wants to rely on her, and seeks her power.''

*{{StoryIcon|Solace5}} '''Solace:''' ''<font color=#F1670A>A power without a price that's well within reach.... It's only natural to react in some way, when you are well within the influence of the El.</font>''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''But power we cannot control will inevitably bring disaster, and another just like Berthe will appear down the line. All these machines were built in Rigomor. What do you think? Do you still think we need the White-Ghost King ever with all this power?''

*{{StoryIcon|CEs}} '''Eve:''' ''That is beside the point. Your family and friends wish to revive the White-Ghost King in hopes of a better future, not because they seek her power like Berthe. Your intentions to attack us with these machines show you are no different from him.''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''Haivan, I wished for revenge against Berthe and other traitors. However, I was well aware that I wasn't on the righteous path. But that was the path I decided to placate my brethren. We would have all drowned in overwhelming despair otherwise. I for one, felt it acutely. I am not trying to justify my actions. But with everyone drowning in despair, uniting under a common enemy, preparing for war and reviving Lord Aegirp...... were the only things I could do within my capabilities.''

*{{StoryIcon|Winster}} '''Winster:''' ''I understand it must have been confusing and hard to accept my contradicting behavior. I can't help but think my actions have forced you on this path. But please, believe me when I say Lord Aegirp's true power does not stem from brute strength. Her true power is her ability to unite people under one cause. Only she can reunite the divided people. Even now, her vision to have everyone come together peacefully resulted in many, gathering here today, across different worlds.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''That's what you're getting at? You still don't understand, do you, Father? Do you think they all gathered here because of the White-Ghost King's vision? Don't make me laugh! This is your accomplishment!''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''It's because you dedicated your life to revive her. Because you yearned so desperately that you would seek help from strangers from another world! You were the one who consoled those in despair, showing them hope that one day, everything could go back to the way it was before... Why... Why must all your efforts be lumped together under the White-Ghost King's Accomplishments...!''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''The White-Ghost King is merely a wraith from a bygone era. I just believe you...... That we, have to forge a greater path on our own. A path we can build with our strength alone, without being swayed by a greater power such as the White-Ghost King. To do that, the White-Ghost King's reign must remain as a thing of the past.''

*{{StoryIcon|CEs}} '''Eve:''' ''Is your wish, for your people to become completely independent of the influence of the White-Ghost King? To forge one's path... I can relate to that desire, but your decision to side with Berthe still does not make sense.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''... You want to know? I am going to take back our potential that the White-Ghost King has taken. In order to do that, I also need that damn soul.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''... I guess I can tell you, as a thanks for no breaking all my bones. The portal will activate, but it's very unlikely to be linked to Elrios. It's a waste of time worrying about it.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''How should I know? It could open up thousands of miles above land, causing those that used the portal to plunge to the ground. Or, it could open underground. Then when they teleport they will end up smooshed like so!''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''... Despite the White-Ghost King's soul being split into several fragments, her conscience still remains in each of her soul fragments, unlike other souls. To be precise, they are part of her conscience. In any case... when all the soul fragments merge together into one soul, that soul becomes the White-Ghost King. Do you understand?''

*{{StoryIcon|Aps}} '''Ara:''' ''But in actuality, he is giving the White-Ghost King partial control over his body.''

*{{StoryIcon|AS}} '''Aisha:''' ''Yikes... That's really dangerous! I'm not exactly an expert on that field... But there are many records of people losing their humanity after attempting to control souls.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''When two souls disagree, it leads to a fight to take control of the body. Of course, most will be swallowed up instantly by the White-Ghost King... But Berthe will not go away that easily. It'll be a fierce battle. They will have to fight to the end, until they both cease to exist.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''The result will be the same. When the soul takes damage, the body will take damage as well. Whoever takes over the body will still crumble, due to the sustained damage. The White-Ghost King won't even have time to leave a message.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''... Suppose the White-Ghost King is a great ruler. But for how long? Power is power. It does not discriminate between good and evil. In that aspect, the White-Ghost King's soul is trouble just waiting to happen. That's why it should be split into tiny pieces so even the weakest can utilize its power, or get rid of it completely.''

*{{StoryIcon|CEs}} '''Eve:''' ''Don't you see? The White-Ghost King has already done exactly as you said. She split her soul and scattered them across her land. If she wished to revive, even after her death, to rule over her land in all eternity, splitting her soul is not the most efficient method. I suspect she did not leave her soul to live an eternal life.''

*{{StoryIcon|CEs}} '''Eve:''' ''Only the White-Ghost King would know the actual reason, but... perhaps she meant it as a gift for the future generation. Plus... This is only my speculation... But I think she wished to see the future that unfolds, created by her people...''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''Haha. Yeah. I have some choice words to say to the prodigal son. On our way here, we encountered White-Ghost soldiers. The captain wished to surrender to guarantee their safety. They didn't want, nor expect anything more. I felt that we were very different from the short conversation I had with him. We were different because fundamentally, we were raised differently. It's something you and I, and those from Elrios understood, but the Garens from this land didn't.''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''We know how to get along with others. It comes to us natrually because that's how we were raised. But the world the White-Ghost Army lived in, must have been vastly different from ours.''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''You always said that everything accomplished in the past were actually done by our own hands. I agree. We grew up in a world, built by those who aspired for such a world. But I don't think those who lived under Berthe's rule will be able to accept that immediately. Once Berthe and the White-Ghost King are gone, will the people realize their own potential and live in conjunction? Or will a second, a thrid Berthe appear and rip apart the White-Ghost Land?''

*{{StoryIcon|Nichel2}} '''Nichel:''' ''Not because she's the ruler, but because she had a vision... long before she came to rule. I believe she is needed as a well-respected pioneer who gathered the people and ended a long-standing conflict. Who knows? With her insight and knowledge, we might be able to create the world we wanted without having to fight like today.''

*{{StoryIcon|Ish}} '''Lu:''' ''The world Aegirp wished to build was not the kind that could be built alone. That's why she needed help from her allies such as Winster. The reason why she revealed her weakness and told you about her soul was likely in the same vein, because she trusted you all. That's why I ask you, please open the path so we may save Aegirp.''

*{{StoryIcon|Haivan2}} '''Haivan:''' ''I shoved all the soul fragments into his greedy maw, so the fight for control should begin soon... But if you manage to defeat Berthe before the fight intensifies, perhaps she'll have just enough power left to leave a message.''