winds_voice | 10 - [Video/Action]

[Video]

[It's late afternoon and Eley appears to be sitting outside somewhere on an incline just outside the village, with a full view of the sky. It's at this time that he decides to address his journal. It's been a while and a lot has happened recently that he feels he should mention...]

I would like to say a general 'welcome back' to those who have returned from the draft. To those who were injured... I hope for a swift recovery. To those who lost friends and loved ones, I hope that they will find you well when they return. They will need your aid again.

[He pauses a moment, shifting tone slightly to something more serious, slightly sad.]

While I understand the necessity of this conflict, the threat of violence still makes me uneasy. I... must ask, is war something that is common across all worlds? Have you too seen great battles and the destruction they can cause? I would like to hear your stories, if they are not too painful for you to share. I would especially like to know if you believe it possible to live in a world free from conflict.

[Action]

[Eley won't be moving much from his spot today. He's in a thoughtful, almost melancholy kind of mood and finds himself watching the sky as it succumbs to darkness, the stars his only company. At least unless someone finds him sitting out here at night on their travels.

Or hears him. Because sometime during the night he'll start playing on the harmonica Rudy gave him. He's been trying to practice as best he can and while he can at least make a sound on the thing, he hasn't quite managed to string together a melody. You won't hear a particularly beautiful song then, just a series of notes that seem to be played to fit his mood. Whether or not you find it annoying or endearing is entirely up to you!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It is good to be back, Eleytheria.

As for your question...it would be extremely difficult. It may be possible for humans to achieve peace, but...there will be conflict amongst animals and things. Until recently, my world had been generally peaceful, except for the occasional bandit attack. But now things are getting worse.

Saleh. It is good to see you again. Are you well?

Hmm, I had not thought about the non-human creatures of the world. It is true that wild animals will sometimes attack for their own survival. The dragons of my world are also another problem. If humans were to achieve peace amongst themselves however, I believe I would be... satisfied.

May I ask what has happened in your world to begin such a decline?

I'm fine. It was rough out there, but we managed to survive.

I see...humans often fight amongst themselves for very different reasons from animals. Some hearts are not so quick to change, and that is what makes things so difficult.

As for my world, it began when the Great Dragon sensed an evil energy flowing from the southern part of Magvel. Shortly after, Grado, the empire in the south, began to invade the neighboring countries. I had heard that the emperor of Grado was a man of peace, so I don't believe that this was a mere coincidence. The soldiers have been so busy fighting Grado that bandits have been running rampant with little or no opposition.

I am glad to hear it. I would not wish anyone to face such a dangerous situation, especially not against their will.

Yes... I fear that some hearts are too black to change at all. While it is not my business to interfere, I hear stories. It seems that those who hold power in my world are quickly growing more corrupt. Much like your emperor, I am sure this was not always the case. It is... troubling.

I wonder if it is natural for humans to always take advantage of such dire situations as well. Even when my people trusted them openly and let them wander freely, the other kingdoms of Aether betrayed the Agkelons and took what did not belong to them.

It is indeed troubling. I can't help but be curious as to the source of the evil energy. I have a suspicion, especially if the Great Dragon felt the need to intervene...I just hope that I am wrong.

A suspicion? Then what do you think may be causing this? Perhaps I can find some parallel in my own world if it comes to it.

There is a legend that took places hundreds of years ago. The Demon King was threatening our world, and the Great Dragon aided a group of heroes in sealing him away using the Sacred Stones. Each of the stones was kept in each of the nations for the generations that followed.

The Stone of Grado was the stone that contained the Demon King's soul, so if the evil energy is coming from that direction...it could very well be the power of the Demon King. He may have found a way to break free from his prison...but again, I hope I am wrong...

Demons... I keep hearing mention of them, yet I am unaware of their presence in my world. However it seems that your theory does make sense. I would hope it is not the case but... would there be any other explanation for such a sudden change?

Thinking about this makes me uneasy. I... may have to investigate further in my own world if I ever return home.

I cannot see any other explanation for such a sudden change. Most of the time, a human heart can gradually change, either for better or worse. Demons are not usually responsible for human behavior.

I would hope that you do. If such demons exist, it may require power like yours or any other gods to defeat them.