[attr="class","eris99"]

A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Smoke and mirrors, lies upon lies. People continue to question if they are standing next to humans or ghosts, panic and unease continuing to grow and blossom in this garden of shadows.[break][break]

And in the midst of it all, she notices a minor commotion. An interesting trio of stranger, familiar and bittersweet uncertainty. Of which the lattermost seems to be in some kind of distress. Her feet feel anchored to the ground, and yet her heart persuades them to muster strength to move. Closer to a lingering regret. Closer to a feeble attempt to make amends.[break][break]

"Excuse me, Miss." A hand reaching out to tug at her dress, Eris raises her voice just enough to be heard over the clamouring ghosts. "Is everything alright here?"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]She stops in her tracks and the Luxray beside her follows suit. Still as a deer caught in headlights as she turns to meet that draconic gaze; Paired with a Dratini and a cup of coffee in her hand?[break][break]

"Miss Freya." Tremors still rock her voice, her body tensed to bolt but for once, she doesn't just act on the instinct. Perhaps, out of concern for the bandages that still wrap around Reiner's torso and her own limbs.[break][break]

"What are you doing here?"

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[attr="class","eris99"]

A MILLION MILES AWAY

[attr="class","eris100"][break]

[attr="class","eris109"]Slowly but surely, everything would become a piece of the ruin and the rot. She is no exception, haunted by his very words as it digs her grave deeper and deeper.[break][break]

She already does. Even if their heart remains strong, if their will whispers every little drop of determination and uncertainty. In them gaining powers, they've grown more and more bold. More and more keen to throw themselves into the parted maws of danger and have their bodies crunched by the weight of their newfound responsibility. Not because their fighting spirits have been stoked by their patrons, but because the boons they have been gifted give them plausible reason to act beyond their mortal station.[break][break]

"What does Volcanion have to do with this?" A mention so tangential she feels like she's been drenched by a bucket of cold water.[break][break]

"You don't know how hard I've been trying." Running herself ragged trying to fix the kingdom, search for the princess, check in on the Volcanion. That he isn't trying to throw himself off the edge again.[break][break]

"Not everything changes just because you want it to! Just because you put your heart and soul into it!"[break][break]

It's just like how things were when she'd put her very all into attempting to find and help Azelf.[break][break]

"But none of it matters to you because there's no results."

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[attr="class","eris99"]

A MILLION MILES AWAY

[attr="class","eris100"][break]

[attr="class","eris109"]And she...[break][break]

Sharp breath. Quiet breath. One that stirs far too many sensations in her chest.[break][break]

She had been scared. Filled to the brim with so many worries that would find no outlets as they chose to drown. And now, there is no hiding how much she shakes. Every bit of confidence she had built up; Chipping, crumbling back down.[break][break]

"Am I..."[break][break]

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[attr="class","eris99"]

A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Alive, but also caught in this digital web of dreams. She watches as the world begins to shift in shapes and colours, uncertain what each piece might become until they actually do find their perfect form. Flowers, a hint of verdant fields - A fleeting reminder of the tricks Hideo Kino had pulled on her in their battle. All too quickly swept away by the calling of her name.[break][break]

Her head snaps up. Looks one way, then the other. Tilted oh so slightly as she tries to catch a glimpse of the one who calls. To the ones that walk the path between dreams, this child seems far stranger than the last. Perhaps, it is the scar that mars her left eye. The way it has become a clouded pink instead of a vibrant red. Perhaps, it's the way that familiarity seems to jolt through her gaze, then becomes shrouded by a look of pure confusion.[break][break]

Tension through the body. A trembling gaze that can't seem to tear away from this presence.[break][break]

"Who are you?"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]An agreement forged between soldier and teen, one that will be kept in days to come. Watching as he rises to his feet, Eris remains seated, unable to muster any strength to stand up.[break][break]

"One last question. If you'll allow it."[break][break]

Her heart trembles, her eyes seeking truth whilst her entire being is smothered by lies.[break][break]

"What do you think was the right thing to do in that situation?"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]Like moths to a flame, everyone hustles from one room of the mansion to another. Journals read through and weathered by time, statues smashed and thoroughly examined. Whatever ghostly happenings occur, people flock to it because there is nothing else to grasp in the situation save for the growing despair of not being able to escape.[break][break]

But as someone who has been trapped in far too many 'jails' to count, she knows better than to let the mentality of being stuck forever get to her.[break][break]

The concept of a time loop is brought up. Fair enough, the explanation is reasonable and matches with how the little tear she'd accidentally made in one of the journals mysteriously repaired itself.[break][break]

"But the statue didn't fix itself."[break][break]

Oh, how close she hovers around danger. If only because she knows him to have been of great help during their last unfortunate murder investigation.[break][break]

"That means your theory is wrong, or there are exceptions to the rule."[break][break]

Exceptions that could most likely be exploited, if they so managed to figure it out.[break][break]

For now, she watches as others play with the illusion, uncertain of what to make of it. Is it a clue? Or simply a distraction from the horrors to come? Taking a quiet breath, her eyes scour her surroundings with whatever dim light that orb provides.

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]There is fear in the eyes. Fear that has been given room to breathe after being strangled by her soul for oh so long. It taunts her, tells her that she should absolutely run. And in all honesty, her own instincts scream the same thing too.[break][break]

A hungry dragon released from its binds, a man that has ichor dripping down his fingertips. From the way he seizes control of the situation to the way he sizes her up like fodder for his pet. Every fibre of her being recognises this being as a threat drawing close to Cillian Quinn's strength.[break][break]

Parted maws eagerly seek her throat, sharpened teeth ready to sink into flesh if not for the Stone Edge that bursts from the earth. A brutal projectile, aimed oh so deliberately for the bottom jaw of the Roaring Moon. As that happens, deep indigo ribbons wrap around her arms, cold steel seated within her very grasp as they sing a hymn of guidance and bravery.[break][break]

There is nothing to be afraid of. Not this beast nor the man who commands it.

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"][player]https://file.garden/ZejXkWIVb22iuWuT/Knife%20to%20the%20Throat.mp3[/player][break]

"Pon!"[break][break]

This isn't good. From the corner of her eyes, she just about spies the young ogress being pushed back. But when Eris so much as tries to take a step towards her, she is cut off by a vicious plume of fire, the searing heat burning exposed skin and reminding her just how seriously Rockets take the subject of betrayal.[break][break]

"You're not getting away you traitorous bitch!"[break][break]

"What's up? Frustrated that you can't keep this damn mutt on a leash?"[break][break]

A click of her tongue, Eris takes a step back as she swipes at her belt and tosses a pokeball right at the ancient Entei. Contrary to expectations of equally fierce and menacing challengers, the one that pops out is none other than a Wooper with anger so passionate that she slams her head right into that of the Gouging Fire. Along with Socks flutters a friend, a Ralts cradling a shimmering orb as they help to pass on that burning will.[break][break]

One touch is all that needs to happen, a crystalline sheen starting from the heart and spreading quick to the rest of the body. In that moment where the two pokemon separate from the force of collision, Sock's antennae glow a frigid blue, icy particles gathering around her like a sky full of stars.[break][break]

"Cool 'em off!"[break][break]

In an instant, an Icy Wind sweeps through the battlefield, bitter cold gnawing at the bones as the Gouging Fire stumbles and roars. Neither beast nor Rockets are spared from the buffeting storm, allowing Eris just enough time to turn her attention back to Ogerpon and reach her hand towards the Iron Crown.[break][break]

Chains wrap around the paradox's neck, pulled tight with a yank of her hand and forcing the beast to look right at her.[break][break]

"Oi, asshole."[break][break]

Bright is the smoldering flame to her glare, bright as the flickers of red willed into existence. And yet, her voice is calm, whispering of an acceptance that permeates all of her being. There is no running from the hell she has been cast into. Her flesh will be carved up and her bones licked clean by fires. But in the midst of this fate that she oh so futilely attempts to fight against, there is just one thing she will not accept -[break][break]

"Get away from my friend before I kill you."[break][break]

Over on Andrea's end, Jalapeño does its best to strike at the moving shadows. They are swift, relentless, but even they have openings they exposed when they attempt to land yet another punch. And with a rage of a fearsome crocodile, it manages to shoot one of its assailants down, ripping a Marshadow right out of its cloak of darkness whilst the other hastily retreats back into the shadows.[break][break]

Green will-o-wisps flicker around its wavering body, bright red eyes narrow as the warrior clenches its fist. Then it lunges, aiming a Shadow Punch square in Jalapeño's chest. Following its lead, a second Marshadow emerges from the dark, attempting to land a Poison Jab on Andrea's back. Unfortunately for this war-mongering soul, it will find itself interrupted by a Rising Voltage, electricity crackling as Reiner rushes in to slam it into the ground.

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[attr="class","eris99"]

A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]"What makes us human?"[break][break]

A conversation kept between two elusive souls, held upon the banks of a sacred lake in Littleroot.[break][break]

"What separates us? Why did he say you to have no heart?"[break][break]

Being of emotion, the literal first manifestation of the beauty and ugliness of a soul.[break][break]

"Is it because you don't perceive emotions like we do?"[break][break]

They gaze back at her, curious coo upon their breath as they hover a little closer to her.[break][break]

"I get mad at him for what he's done... but also... there's this... pain." In her chest, one that just won't subside no matter how many other self-imposed responsibilities she tries to immerse herself in.[break][break]

"How do you feel about him?"[break][break]

Was he right?[break][break]

Though the words remain unspoken, there are times she fears that there is nothing she can hide from this sprite. Times where she wonders whether the feelings that swirl in her chest are truly hers.[break][break]

Silence. A faint veil of sadness falling over their expression.[break][break]

And without another word, the pixie disappears into the lake with a quiet 'plip'.

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]There must be so many thoughts that cross Rex's mind, a battle maniac denied all that he wishes for by her very insolence and stubbornness. There is a soft fizzing of steam and a click of gears, the creaking of a knight as he attempts to rise to meet the burning spirit of the man.[break][break]

"You're not in a good state right now." A hand placed against Volcanion's frame as if attempting to push him back down into a sitting position. "Don't push it."[break][break]

The gentle snap of a steam pipe against her hand, batting it away as she's met with a glare. For a moment she'd forgotten herself, forgotten just how much distrust still remains no matter how hard she's tried to bridge the gap. Reiner growls, but she wards him off and sharply pulls her hand to her chest.[break][break]

"Sorry."[break][break]

Oh so small and unsure of herself, her hand cradled as she takes a step back. A few more steps allow her to follow Rex towards the exit with a disgruntled Luxray in tow.[break][break]

"Isolde." When she looks back, it is not for the knight, but the princess that has been entrusted to her. "C'mon... we've gotta go."[break][break]

A poor mechanical doll, pitiful fake that Volcanion holds no shred of love for. One that looks to the knight and coos with such innocence, ignorant to the fate that her look-alike has been putting him through. When called for, she turns to follow, dainty steps clacking against dusty stone floors. But before she steps too far, she turns back, all to give the Volcanion a curtsey before finally following the duo out of the lonely room.

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]It is them in silence for the next few minutes. Just them in their own little world as she tries so hard to keep herself together. He will not deny her what she wishes for. Not once has he tried, knowing that she would simply go in on her own one way or another.[break][break]

And she too, knows he would do the same if she ever tried to stop him in kind.[break][break]

"Hideo." Finally, a cracking voice to break the silence. A deep breath as she steadies herself. "Do you... remember that time in the simulation, when I asked you what would happen to us after we found Azelf?"

[break]