Shadows Over Fluorgis: Shrouded Hope
| Shadows Over Fluorgis: Shrouded Hope | |
|---|---|
| Date of Cutscene: | 27 December 2012 |
| Location: | Fluorgis |
| Synopsis: | The Shard Seekers have gained a reputation as a reliable and successful adventuring group, motley crew though they be, in their quest to be recognized as a legitimate Clan of Fluorgis, gain access to its Fire Crystal, and to thereby develop the Shard-seeking device needed for them to pursue their primary objective. But fate conspires to undermine them, even as the tide of darkness rises throughout the worlds. Manhattan has been consumed, and its citizens scattered. But what of the shadows over Fluorgis, and the chill that has settled over the desert sands?
The Fire Crystal, silent, sheds its radiant light... |
| Cast of Characters: | Ivo Galvan |
| Tinyplot: | Shadows Over Fluorgis |
"You can't be serious."
The twist of his mouth and the quiver of his eyebrow proves that Ivo's composure, though unbroken, is pushed to its limit. He looms, slender though he is, over the bespectacled bureaucrat seated before him, the desk between them arrayed with countless forms. "We've collected the fee and filled out all the correct forms," the knight-errant continues, "and been a credit to the city. The citizens of Fluorgis know and respect us. What possible cause could you have to reject the Shard Seekers' application for official Clan status."
"Please understand," the man says, with a hint of sympathy not stereotypical for a government official. "The city council has been reeling ever since the fusion of the worlds. The engineers of Karnak continually inform us that the Fire Crystal must be protected from any possible subversive elements, and we can't be as lenient as--"
"I work with the engineers of Karnak!" Ivo interjects, raising his voice slightly, displaying an ire unlike him, his blue eyes flashing beneath swaying black bangs. "Together we've developed a prototype device that can help /protect/ this world! I have a written recommendation here!" He taps one of the papers on the counter. "You won't find a group of adventurers better qualified! But we /need/ access to the Crystal to complete our project."
"Nevertheless," the official responds, spreading his hands helplessly, "as I've stated, barring some extraordinary achievement in service to the city, there is a freeze on Clan applications until the council can take stock of the current political situation and catalogue the... origins of our many new citizens. Just for census purposes!" he hurriedly adds, as Ivo's eyes narrow.
"Ever heard of a place called Manhattan?" Ivo's tone is grim, even dark, as he leans over his adversary, lips tight. "When the Heartless gather," he then adds, quieter, "you won't care /where/ your allies are from, or what they look like, or what their political aspirations are. You'll just be glad they're there. Because when darkness falls..."
He turns on his heel, leaving the paperwork where he's left it, as a bead of sweat drips down the still-seated mousey man's brow.
"...you don't want to be alone."
- * *
A hand shoved into his pocket, the other cradling his forehead, Ivo heaves a sigh upon the steps to city hall. Shaking his head slowly, he lowers his arm and gazing helplessly up at the early evening sky.
"Sorry, chief," he murmurs. "My plan failed after all."
It's been almost four months since the day he, Reize, and Lily joined forces with the prospect of seeing the Shards of lost worlds across the multiverse. Since then, they've made countless wonderful new friends and made a home for themselves, but in their complacency, the darkness continues to spread. Deep down, Ivo might be content to go on like this, to ignore the plight of far-off peoples in favor of an interesting and peaceful life in his own corner of the worlds. But the Shard Seekers aren't shard-seekers unless they're seeking shards. He can't allow their purpose to become hollow, whatever his true ambitions.
Besides...
The blue-cloaked swordsman gazes up blankly as rare clouds lazily gather, fracturing the light of the desert sun, a shadow slowly spreading.
The darkness hounds him, as though it were his past.
"...The others won't be satisfied with this."
Crossing his arms, Ivo furrows his brow, ignoring the curious glances of those passing by him on their business in Fluorgis's administrative hub.
"An 'extraordinary achievement', huh..."
After a moment, a corner of his lips quirks upward, a little of that curious, playful light returning to his eyes. Even at the darkest hour, there is hope. And where there is hope, there is a way forward.
"We might just be able to manage that."
But even as he smiles, Ivo must suppress a shiver, pulling his new white and navy-blue scarf tighter about his neck, as the clouds continue to spread. Arching an eyebrow, he glances up once more before sauntering on his way, back to headquarters... as the shadows spread over Fluorgis.
