Fade Away (takes place after Conquest)

[fourth_rider]

1. (More for those who were on the mission)
[Upon their return, Fyra and her mount remain in the hangar, not too far from where the shuttle touched down.]

Morte...

[The damage taken by the Steed is also present in his regular form: bits and pieces of him are missing, and he is forced to limp around for the time being.]


The Grim Shift. I know you feel that the fault lies with you for not using it earlier on, Mistress. However, we had an agreement that being cautious was the best approach: it was something only to be considered if absolutely necessary.

Looking back, it's fortunate that triggering it seems to have had no detrimental side-effects on you. I could ask for no more than that.

[However, Fyra still looks worried.]


...


...I will recover, so there is no need to use that expression. This is a small price to pay for averting a disaster...

[He then turns towards you.]

Most importantly, you have our gratitude. Without your presence, not only would we have lost, but Ett would have been able to spread her forces beyond that region.

For us, this was a hard lesson in how to manage future encounters.

---


2. (Open)
[Later on, while Morte is having a well-deserved break, Fyra is alone outside Sakihama base. She stands on a hill, where there is a view overlooking the city.]

An inability to decide outside protocols. A directive that seeks nothing but one harmful goal. If not for what happened...I would be the same.

...Can this truly be used to protect?

[It's hard to tell if she's speaking to herself, or if she realizes that you're there...

Additionally, there are small orbs of light hovering around her that move in random directions. They aren't fireflies.]

Comments

1)

[in_over_his_head]

I just did what I could and hoped for the best.

I owe the both of you a lot more for managing to finish things off...

[Calvin is taking a deep breath, looking all the world like a light breeze could knock him over.]

[fourth_rider]

That was a gamble in itself. We had to at least be sure that Victory had no remaining special features.

Since we lack data on our kin and ourselves, keeping our strongest hand hidden is the only option. More so when we do not know what using it entails.

[The Rider shifts her attention to Calvin too.]


You...do not look well.

[in_over_his_head]

I can understand that. No point using a trump card if the other side has a way to turn it over.

And... looking like this is an Occupational hazard, especially after fights like that.

[Not to mention always having the bad luck of the draw to be involved in things way above what many would percieve to be his league.]

I'll be fine after a few days of rest. Probably...

[fourth_rider]

[Fyra nods.]

You deserve that rest.


Indeed. Coming after you lost your equipment to your superiors, what you achieved was quite the feat of skill.

[in_over_his_head]

... Usually just surviving is that much of an achievement with what gets fought around here...

But... thanks. Both of you.

[empress_without_a_throne]

"Grim Shift"... is this another power beyond your ability to erase things regardless oftheir, I suppose you could say durability?

[fourth_rider]

Beyond, no...

It is that power's true appearance. You could consider it mine as well.


...Up until now, only small portions have been invoked.

This is why we had to be certain that Ett was not hiding a similar feature.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Well your thoroughness is appreciated. If not for you, we all would've gotten overwhelmed sooner or later.

... Although something's on my mind, now that I think of it.

[fourth_rider]

Something...?

[empress_without_a_throne]

The sequence you and the other Riders talked about... it's been disrupted because you came out first.

But what's going to happen when you're the last of the four?

[fourth_rider]

...

I do not know.

[She does understand the implications here though...]

2

[yassaimossai]

Hey. Sorry, but I can't help but overhear. Your lights lured me in.

[Chris approaches from behind, looking like she doesn't care and she was just passing by.]

You took the highest possible place to brood on, didn't you?

[She's also breathing heavily from the climb.]

[fourth_rider]

...?

[A surprised Fyra turns to face Chris. She tries to shoo those lights away by waving her hand. They continue to hover near her though.]

You are...

[Wait, this is one of those girls who can sing, right?]

[yassaimossai]

Just a superhero of justice, passing by.

[fourth_rider]

...Superhero of justice.

Is there something you need?

[yassaimossai]

What, you took this seriously? I was joking, you know!

And it looks like you need something here, not me. You think you're one of cursed people?

[fourth_rider]

...

[She takes a few seconds to consider that.]

Cursed...no. But I have...doubts.

[yassaimossai]

Afraid of your power?

[fourth_rider]

Its original purpose makes me wary...

And after the previous battle, that purpose is very clear.

[yassaimossai]

Who cares about crap like that!

[A sudden outburst from Chris as she raises her voice. But when she speaks again, she's more quiet.]


My own Relic's purpose was to wreck you guys. And look at me! Now I'm on the same side... kinda. But I don't think I made a mistake, not this time.

What I'm saying is, it doesn't matter what the "original" purpose some grandious asshole set up for one power or another.

What matters is what you do with it.

[fourth_rider]

...Do you truly believe so?

[yassaimossai]

Why would I go all the way out here if I didn't?

[fourth_rider]

[Chris, you'll find the person you're talking to suddenly approaching you... until she's almost literally in your face.]

...

[yassaimossai]

Eh? Wh-wh-what are you doing?!

[fourth_rider]

...You came here specifically to tell me that.

Is that not what you said?

[yassaimossai]

No! Wait... I mean, maybe. Okay, maybe. Let's go with yes for now.

What's your point?

[fourth_rider]

[Fyra raises a palm, that comes to rest on Chris' head.]

...It is appreciated, Superhero of Justice.

[yassaimossai]

Wh... really?

I was joking about the superhero part...

2

[lostamigo]

[Heavy steps mean that a certain someone is approaching. Daniel tries not to touch the lights.]

How familiar.

[fourth_rider]

[The footsteps make her turn around.]

...This is familiar...?

[lostamigo]

The thing you talked about. Kind of reminded me about something. From the distant past.

...Not as distant as the past you're used to, I guess.

[fourth_rider]

...I thought that I might have been mistaken.

But, after meeting Ett, there is no doubt about what the nature of this power is.

[lostamigo]

You were made to be Death. Yes. To unmake.

And because of that you're worried. That you can't do anything, but destroy. Am I right?

[fourth_rider]

[She nods.]

Is it wrong to...?

[lostamigo]

Just 'cause you were made to do one thing doesn't mean you can do that. You can use your skills for a different, better purpose. Or just do something completely different.

...I know what I'm talking about. Trust me.