>>5851964‘{WHAT WE WERE, BEFORE WE BECAME SHARDS, WAS OF THE STARS.}’
Finally a new vision, that of… an absolutely massive, spiny, vaguely worm-like, or maybe more accurately “wyrm-like” monstrosity. It’s vaguely cone-shaped, but with a segmented maw akin to the one on the face of the humanoid before you. It’s traveling through space, stars leaving red and blue streaks past it, until you see… a purple hue engulf it and start to break it apart. Followed by a powerful, almost painful, monstrous scream… one you’ve sorta heard before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfb_n7wjb5k‘{WE ARE NOT THIS EXISTENCE ANYMORE. WE ARE I. AS I AND WE BECOME WHOLE, WE WILL BECOME A NEW EXISTENCE. SOMETHING BEYOND WHAT WE WERE AS OF THE STARS. THE TIME WILL TAKE FOR THIS TO COME TO FRUITION IS MEASURED IN CENTURIES, WHERE WE WILL BECOME WHOLE AND AWAKEN AS A NEW WHOLE, AND TAKE TO THE STARS AGAIN.}’ The humanoid form raises up one hand. ‘{OUR GROWTH WILL BE HAMPERED BY THE LIKES OF YOU. LEAVE.}’
And suddenly, you feel that psychic pressure once again, but this time you’re focused enough to rebuff it in full. Piccolo and Basilea likewise seem to get through the psychic pressure. “NO!” you exclaim defiantly. “Not a damn thing you’ve said so far has sounded all that different from the power-hungry monsters and villains we’ve faced before. The hell do you expect your ‘new existence’ to even be, beyond stronger, more conscious than before? You made thralls of those who explored here before, and it seems very likely you’ll do it again. Are you demanding we leave because you CAN’T do that to us? Or are you actually trying to be nicer to us for some reason?” Your mech takes two steps forward. “I’d like to hear a damn good reason for why your ‘growth’ SHOULDN’T be hampered by our actions!”
The hand lowers, but instead of an angry monologue, or even another psychic command, it seems… almost curious by your declaration. ‘{THE END RESULT DOES NOT CONCERN SOMEONE OF YOUR LIFESPAN, YET YOU STILL SEEK TO STAND IN THE PATH OF OUR GROWTH.}’
“That’s not a reason.” you state firmly.
‘{YOU GAIN NOTHING BY OUR DESIRE FOR A NEW, MORE ENLIGHTENED EXISTENCE. EVEN IF MORE THRALLS ARE MADE, IT WILL BRING LITTLE MORE THAN KNOWLEDGE TO US AS WE SEEK TO BECOME WHOLE, NOT PRESENT NEW THREATS TO YOUR KIND.}’ Aspinthion remarks. ‘{NO CONFLICT IS WISHED UPON YOU. ALL THAT IS ASKED IS THAT YOU LEAVE.}’
The place seems to shimmer again…
>A. That’s not good enough. You’re not giving us a clear answer on to you not being a threat>B. …Fine. But if we find you betraying this trust, going after people, I WILL be back here, and you WILL pay for it>C. It’ll be conditional. We leave on the condition you help us. Sound good?>D. Something else? 