thenightmarebegins

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[Voice]

A chance to return...

[A pause, along with the sound of water rushing behind him. Vincent has been coming to the Battle Dome ever since that announcement to go to the simulation of the place he wants to truly return to.]

I cannot help but still wonder what price will be paid for such a chance... and whether it's worth the potential risk.

[Not to himself, of course, but to the people and worlds involved.]

I suppose only time will tell for certain.

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[Actually, this is the part that Grune is willing to share. The partial truth is better than nothing--or so it seems to her.]

A woman named Schwartz recently descended to the world of Melfes. Her strength was such that both she and I could not remain in the world with all of our powers without causing it great harm, and so I made the choice to seal myself until I could drive her away.

I can see why they would honor that request... [If only for the sake of keeping their experimental subjects at lower strength, as is their habit.]

Then... you were able to drive her away?

I do not know. I have yet to confront her. I can only hope I will be eventually victorious.

[Otherwise, she and Schwartz will be the only people to know Melfes had ever existed.]

A formidable task... but I assume you know what you must do to battle her when the time comes.

I do. [It is what she has done countless times before.]

But I will be unable to carry out my duty if I remain here.

I understand... Many have left duties unfinished by being taken here.

Indeed. Though it seems that does not matter to our captors.

The preservation of their own interests always comes first to them.

I have not noticed any instance wherein our own interests have been anything other than the most minor of considerations. I doubt I would be able to recall such a case even had I been able to retain my memory for the duration of my stay in Luceti.

That's right. If they ever did anything for us... it would always be to their benefit above ours.

[And pure coincidence if it somehow did benefit them somehow.]

...Meaning we should take extreme care with this supposedly upcoming visit.

[If this turns out to be yet another trick, she will be particularly displeased, given how hopeful some are becoming.]

We should. I cannot see it going according to plan... whether they intentionally alter what happens, or it's ruined through their incompetence.

[Vincent really wants it to work out right, for his own reasons, but he knows too well what could happen.]

Do you believe they are truly that poorly equipped to carry out this experiment?

[Others had spoken of the disorganization in their ranks, as well. This is hardly encouraging.]

For something this complicated... I would say so.

And yet preventing this occurrence would be impossible, I presume.

[It isn't a question. Even if they were capable of doing so, those who wished to take the chance of returning home would doubtless attempt to stop them.]

Entirely impossible.

[It's too late now, as it tends to be once they've announced such occurrences.]

[She gives a frustrated sigh.]

I confess, while I am certain there must be some way to sabotage their efforts, I am finding it difficult to discover a means to do so.

They hardly make it easy... They guard their secrets well.

Which would explain why they have remained in power for as long as they have.

[She quirks an eyebrow.] Though their success is surprising, given their lack of organization.

Perhaps not too surprising, considering how much they keep us in the dark. We have no means to take advantage of their disorganization.

That is true. Despite the best efforts of many, it has been frustratingly difficult to put together any sort of coherent picture of the organization. It seems they are adept at this, at least.

It lends the impression that if we did find out what they keep from us... we could easily gain some advantage.

[How, exactly, and what, remain unknown. But if someday they gain just a little bit... it might lead somewhere.]

It does. [Her voice turns wry.] It is something to aspire to.

We have little else to do with our time.

Do you believe so? I personally find myself quite occupied.