☆01 || video

[menphina]

[ The video opens to a cat-eared lady sitting under a tree! (Her duck has her device balanced on his head) ]

Probably an odd enough question, but are there others who have jumped multiple worlds before ending up here?

[ And she begins to explain, hands moving animatedly. ]

Thing is, I've ended up in two absolutely different worlds before this one, and gone home- but my memories are so fuzzy about who I met there that 'tis hard to recall some things. Sometimes they clear up when I meet some of the people, but... I know I'm missing some memories...

[ She sighs and sinks back against the tree then. ]

Name's Megumi, by the by. Matriarch of the Utakata family- and don't call me a cat-girl. My kind are called miqo'te, and I'm of the Keepers of the Moon clan! And I suppose I'm a Warrior of Light, too, but 'tis normal to have plenty of those in every world I've been to. Hullo, friends...

[ A little wave. ]

Honestly, I'm missing a lot of friends and my children too... wish I could see them and know how they are, but- sometimes they end up here, and sometimes they leave and return -

[ Her ears flick up, as there's a noise above her. Then a crack and she blinks and lifts her head, only to shift back quickly, eyes wide- ]

What th- Alphinaud?!

[ And a very boyish yell sounds from above! The camera staggers, but catches a blur before it focuses on a silver-haired boy falling into her arms from what seems to be the top of the tree, and both end up staring in shock at each other. ]

That was the fastest I've had a wish granted!

[ And the feed ends!! Welcome little Alphinaud, again! Replies will come from both Alphinaud and Megumi! ]

Comments

[reviven]

They are remarkably quick, but the phone clearly outpaces even their most diligent.

[ It probably helps that they're not violent dungeon bosses too. He nods along to her explanation before gently interrupting– ]

Your crystal is beneficial to your star then? And multiple people were chosen to wield the element of light...can they all transform into Eikons?

[menphina]

Eikons? Are you a Garlean, Joshua Rosfield? Hiding a third eye somewhere under that pretty mane of yours?



[ ??? ]

[reviven]

Last I checked, I only had the two eyes. That is simply what we call the beast-like forms of the Dominants that were blessed [ or cursed ] by the crystal. Long have we had eight, all masters of their sole element, be it light, wind, ice, fire, lightning, darkness, earth...All except one who can master them all.

[ Which probably might sound insane to her or perfectly logical, depending on how her world functions. ]

[menphina]

Dominants? Quite the word. Not one I've ever heard used, except in bed. But...


[ Oooh. ]

What you're saying sounds terribly like what summoners do, if one can master them all. I'm not one myself, but I've learnt their ways. Could do it if I trained again, but I've no grimoire or soulstone- the latter helped me study the art and utilize it to help the one teaching me, but I've little experience beyond that.

But that's getting ahead of myself! The beast like forms are called Primals! Maybe Alphinaud can tell you more about them... actually, I wonder...

[ Her expression falters. ]

... pity, you missed her being here. She's the only other person who could become as a primal.

[reviven]

[ Why would anyone use that word–...oh. Well, he has an educated guess, at least. ]

It is a pity indeed, but even your summoners sound incredibly powerful if they are able to channel the power of many primals simply by training. In my world, magic is a birthright or a punishment, depending on who you ask. Such untempered use of it ails the body over time.

Do your summoners suffer any similar consequences?

[menphina]

[ Thinking... ]

'tis possible for the body to be pushed beyond limits and cause it to be drained, aye- but 'tis a very specific condition that causes it and the absence of aether, breaking the cycle of life in a living being.

[ Explaining the blasphemies, dynamis and aether drain may be a bit difficult though.. ]

That is why much counts in protecting oneself with the right armor and accessories too. Though some mages work better the less they're dressed... but because of the existing aether in our world and in our bodies, 'tis rare that anyone goes overboard. Aether is just a part of us in some form or the other. In fact, most who cannot on their own need the assistance of large amounts of crystals to amplify their magics that much.

[ Thinking more... ]

Summoners also don't utilize the full force of the primal themselves. They use egis! Do you know what those are?

[reviven]

I do, although egis in our world are constructs produced by the Dominants themselves. Some are even sophisticated enough to exude a degree of sapience that is quite unsettling, enough to fool others into thinking the egis are human as well.

It would seem your world has found a way to coexist harmoniously with magic...I am quite envious. This one, too, harbors no ill will towards its magic users. Instead, they have taken a more egalitarian approach between those who wield it and those who do not.

[ Would that they could have been born into a world like this. It's enough to tempt a man into never returning home. ]

[menphina]

Huh... they can do that, huh? They sound...

[ Dominants sound scary. Hot? No wait, he said they strain their bodies... ]

I suppose... though, 'tis not always as so. There's a people- the Garleans. They've no aptitude for magic or controlling their aether. One of mine mates is a Garlean- they're powerful with technology of their own making. Seems like those that can use magic- looked down on them and drove them into a harsh land. They created what they did to survive and struck back.

We've been trying to get along and help them now after their land was destroyed, but 'tis not easy. They don't trust those that use magic and don't want their help either, if they don't have to.

[reviven]

My apologies for being too quick to judge. I was not aware you had endured such hardships at the hands of those who would allow themselves to be ruled by blind fear over logic.

Then, perhaps, we are both fortunate for the reprieve, however brief it may be.

[ Assuming they don't spend years upon years here...but he doesn't want to contemplate that just yet. ]

Were these Garleans among the threats that Hydaelyn bade you to fight against in order to protect your star?

un: academician ✧ video

[leveilleur]

[See that little white-haired elezen in the corner there? That's none other than Alphinaud peering into the screen. He gives this young man a curious glance before deciding to butt into the conversation. Leave it to him to do so once they mention "eikons".]

While indeed the Warrior of Light is capable of many wondrous feats, I have yet to meet one who can...transform into such an entity. The alleged Eikons we've faced are nothing more than false deities conjured by fairytales and myths.

In Eorzea, they're referred as "Primals", and these creatures are well-known to cause havoc across our world.

[reviven]

[ It's good to see the young lad standing upright at last. ]

Then they are not quite so different from Eikons, except our Eikons are very much real, and their summoning only comes at a cost to the Dominant's body.

How is it that your Primals are able to manifest into reality? I imagine simply thinking up such a creature would not give life to thought.

[leveilleur]

[As vertically challenged as Alphinaud is, he's thankfully unharmed after that nasty fall.]

Pardon me, but by "Dominant", are you referring to the individual who becomes their host? If so, this vaguely reminds me of when the acting imperial viceroy of Doma, became the physical manifestation of Tsukuyomi, an ancient deity well-known in the Far East. She was one of many rare occurrences that I have noted of mortals becoming Primals–I mean, Eikons.

[He lets out a thoughtful hum as he ponders about this strange phenomenon that has haunted him since arriving to Eorzea. He cannot help but think of his late grandfather, Louisoix. He was the first of many who would achieve "godhood" in a last ditch means to save Eorzea. There has been countless others since his death.]

You are indeed, correct. Primals—Ahem! Eikons are constructs of concentrated magick manifested into legendary figures or mythical creatures by their would-be summoner. Due to the nature of their existence, an eikon must consume aether, the essence by which all life is born, from its surroundings, eventually rendering the surrounding area lifeless and uninhabitable, thus becoming a threat to the world.

[reviven]

Indeed yourself, though one may consider it more of a partnership once the Dominant has learned to take full control of their Eikon. Then they may utilize the Eikon's strength as they see fit.

[ Sadly, to unfortunate ends most of the time, but he's sure Alphinaud can read enough between the lines. Untapped power like that is bound to beget violence unto any world that houses it. ]

The Dominants can consume aether from the crystal to augment their strength to an oft cataclysmic degree. Likewise, our crystals also drain the earth of life...It would seem our worlds are more alike than I would have initially assumed. Tell me, do any of your Primals go by the names of Garuda, Titan, Odin, Ramuh...?

[leveilleur]

A partnership that would ultimately lead to great destruction in the wrong hands.

[Yes, Alphinaud excels at reading in-between the so-called "lines". If he wasn’t, he wouldn't have made valedictorian among his peers in Sharlayan. The boy is quite astute. Nevertheless, Alphinaud nearly does a doubletake when Joshua starts blurting out the names of these Eikons.]

Seven hells!

[He nearly let out a curse under his breath. It seems he’ll never escape these phantoms, no matter how hard he tries. ]

To think there are other Primals out there possessing such names is beyond me! I was hoping to never hear of them again, but alas. Is it safe to assume there's a Shiva, Ifrit, and even a Phoenix?

[reviven]

[ That list is remarkably on point with the three Dominants currently in this world –as far as Joshua knows. He better tread more carefully. ]

And Bahamut as the eighth. As much as I hate imparting such troubling knowledge unto others, I do believe it is best we take advantage of this unique opportunity to exchange information beyond the boundaries of our worlds.

Your world is certainly fascinating. If I am understanding correctly, your Primals must be destroyed to keep them draining the world of all life? What of your crystals then?