The decision has been made. LILITH Japan orders the Outsiders to mobilize to pursue the Imugi.
Given that they are in a foreign country, they are largely dependent on LILITH Korea’s resources. In response to the decision, the Korean branch provides some assistance: the Outsiders are given just enough vehicles to help transport them, essential supplies, and only a few operatives to help guide them. This is the most the Korean branch is able to give, as they must focus on relocating people and restoring peace following the attack.
LILITH announces that the Imugi is currently resting near Gangneung on the east coast and they must move quickly. The effects of Rift poisoning will grow stronger as they approach the source; a sign that they are close to a kaiju. Upon reaching the mountains just outside the city, LILITH informs them that they are right on top of its location.
However, there is no Imugi to be found. After searching the area, Outsiders will discover the source of the trace and the poisoning: eggs. They will find about twelve eggs. When they report their findings, Seokdang will curse. In their rush, they had followed the wrong trace. They didn’t track down an injured and resting Imugi—they tracked down the Imugi’s nest. So where is the Imugi?
Not long after, Outsiders will receive an update on their implants: the Imugi reappeared in Seoul. After seeing the corpse of its mate, it went berserk and attacked the city again. While many of the citizens were evacuated to nearby Incheon and remaining shelters, just as many perished, with the death toll at 168,000 and rising. LILITH’s Korean base is destroyed.
The Imugi was last seen flying north, but the Korean government prohibits the Outsiders from pursuing it again through their territory. By choosing to pursue the kaiju, the Outsiders have abandoned humanity and thus will receive no further support. They are ordered to leave the country immediately.
LILITH Japan will order them to collect as many eggs as possible and continue to the abandoned city of Gangneung, where they will arrange pick up and return to base in Tokyo.
▶ AFTERWORD.
Thanks everyone for participating in our first major Event Decision! We hope you had fun discussing what to do both ICly and OOCly.
After failing to capture the second Imugi and also failing to save a large portion of Seoul's population, characters will be shipped back to Japan. The events of the TDM will springboard from there. Feel free to use this post to thread out any aftermath threads if you would like.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards August AC.
[ Within moments of the update via implant, in the moments of what's probably stunned silence and the somber realization of failure, one voice pipes up. It's a wheezing smoker's drawl, and while the death count filters in, this is probably not the best time to open his mouth. Not that Silco has ever really cared. ]
Oh? You mean they couldn't even do the bare minimum of taking care of themselves in the end? No wonder they're so desperate to have us.
[ ]
Well, perhaps next time they will take it upon themselves to do something about it.
[ Nanami hadn't taken the survey and stopped following it after the first couple of comments. he'd made up his mind the second the options were presented to them and as someone who isn't prone to sharing his thoughts, he'd steered clear from the discussions.
there's always the possibility of failure in every decision and action. that his first encounter with this world and its dangers has ended in failure twice, well. if they could choose again, he'd stand by his choice to hunt down the dragon. ]
They wouldn't need us if they could.
[ a curious tilt of the head at the owner of that raspy voice. ]
Are you really blaming desperate and terrified people for not being able to defend themselves?
[Low, and sharp, the man leans against a surface, arms crossed over his lean frame and his lip curled in distaste.]
Do you know what it does to be powerless? Have no rights to your autonomy, to have a savior here to simply solve all of one's problems for you? To be beholden to those who hold all the power?
[ A gesture outward, he may be vile, but he certainly believes in this. ] Why are they not given what we have? There is very little that separates me from them, after all.
[ A beat. ] In fact...
Do you know what does separate me from them, the fact that I'm from another world. Oh, and that I've already clawed my way from where they are. It does a disservice to coddle them.
[ for a fraction of a heartbeat Nanami is worried that this man might be some kind of religious person, but as he listens to Silco, those concerns are quietly put to rest.
he can't claim to share Silco's experience. his world has its own horrors but they're of a different kind. ]
They're not asking to be coddled. They were asking for protection. This isn't a class issue, they're just ordinary people who are up against giant monsters.
[ and to Nanami the best way to protect them was to hunt down the remaining beast, even if it didn't work out in the end. ]
His smile splits a touch wider. Nanami has touched on something particular, after all. Ordinary people, he thinks, are not without the ability to become more. ]
[ what indeed, what indeed? someone with a complex. someone with enough strength and determination to, as Silco said, claw his way up from the bottom, but with his values knocked askew. like a certain someone Nanami knows actually. ]
What I think doesn't matter. It'd be more interesting to hear what you think you are.
[ A chuckle, now. Almost amused, but not quite, like all the humor had been sucked out of him long ago. ]
I am them. Do you think I speak this lightly? With no experience?
[ His hand gestured in the vague direction of the city. ] It is insulting. For us and them, to simply wipe this clean with no death or sacrifice on their part. It is insulting to simply wipe the danger from this world — at no little cost to ourselves — because we "pity" them. If LILITH would give me this nanotechnology, then why not them? Because they're more valuable? Because they wish to throw us into the grinder instead of them?
[ So. Silco may be psychotic, and obnoxious, but at the very least, he does not lack for conviction. ]
It is an insult to both sides to coddle them and treat them as if they are incapable.
[ Amidst the stunned silence, those are the first words she hears. And it doesn't take a genius to guess who they belong to. There is but one person she has talked to who has such callous disregard towards life, whose perceptions of humanity are so lacking in every way that matters. Not even Tezcatlipoca compares.
At least, she now can place a face on the man who murdered Quetzalcoatl. ]
Be silent, fiend. I will silence you if you spews any more poison.
[ Hearing the voice is probably one thing, but when Silco turns to face her, she's given a look at the monster that murdered her friend.
He's small. Thin. Old. His skin is scarred from his lip into his hairline. He's missing an eyebrow, and hell -- he's missing an eyelid too. One black eye stares at her unblinking. It doesn't take a genius to put a face to text, and his scarred lip curls when he takes a look at Eresh for the first time.
She certainly was consistent. ]
A fiend, am I? [ He scoffs. ] I have met fiends, and been pulled into their games personally. I have escaped those as well. Do not presume that simple because I see what you all from your white towers refuse to.
We are coddling these people, to feel so bad because their world is under assault.
Oh no, they are subjected to monsters. Who knew that humanity was so incapable of taking care of themselves.
[ There's a thread of something there. Some bitter resentment in his tone. He hates this place, these people. It's clear in tone that he finds all of this wanting for purpose. ]
[ O-Oh. After Callisto, Tezcatlipoca and Set, that's— Uh, unexpected? N-Not that she's going to comment on it! You don't choose your appearance. And unlike the other three aforementioned douches, at least his exterior match the interior! Maybe that makes him more honest? You wouldn't believe how many fake love interests in human books are hiding their inner ugliness by being super pretty! They trick you into thinking they're the male lead and poof! Two thirds in they're revealed to be the bad guy!
But no instead, he's... He's wearing his inner horribleness proudly on his sleeve! T-That's commendable? ]
[ With that non-existent interlude behind, Ereshkigal let him speak even as she scowls at him. As expected, he's just as bad as before and she's not sure there's even a point trying to argue with him. Set, she can see him changing, but that...?
No. She just wants him to be silent. ]
You have been summoned here to defend this world's humanity. Not to demoralize others.
[ Honestly the LILITH AI must be just about as broken as those they have in Chaldea, because some of the recent choices to defend humanity are questionable. ]
If you do not see cooperation and helping each other as a valid path for humanity, then begone and rid us of your presence!
[ He hissed a half-laugh in response, angry and derisive. ]
Yes, because I have a choice? How far do you think I would get, before they would drag me back, though perhaps if I am lucky they would send me home.
Do you think all of us want to be here? I had been on the cusp of everything I had been fighting for, and instead I must coddle those who should be able to manage themselves. [ had he actually been? Absolutely not, but Silco had been fighting tooth and nail to put an end to it all. He'd continue to say he was so close, even if the evidence pointed to something very different. ] Is it not pathetic that we ask them to do nothing more than cower? Do you think that is the best for these people? Mourn them if you wish, it does not bother me.
But if I were in this position, I would not want your pity. I would want to do this myself. If LILITH can offer us tools, what separates them from us, beyond will?
[ ... So he is really only helping because he is forced to. She wonders if he already tried rebelling and his implants stopped him? Regardless, his status as a threat is all but confirmed. If there is someone here with has motive enough to seek a flaw in the system in order to betray them— It is this man.
But first, to dismiss the notion that the humans of this world are pathetic and cannot help themselves. ]
The humans of this world have done more than cower. They were able to recognize their own limitations and overcame them through ingenuity. The technology that brought us to this world is the fruit of their work to save themselves.
[ For the very first time, she is thankful for Tezcatlipoca's presence in this world. Had he not been here, she would not have given the topic so much thought. She would have been taken aback by Silco's assertions. In such situations, what truth she knows in her heart is meaningless when she can't word it properly. ]
You were in their position once upon a time, weren't you? [And nobody came. Somehow he survived, and built his worldview from that. She figures that's the extremely short and incomplete version of his story. Souls who went through horrible situations and found no help... They are always those who take the most time to find peace in the underworld.] I understand Quetzalcoatl better now. You have been denied what makes humanity beautiful.
[ Whether it is what she genuinely thinks or pure scorn meant to get at him, it's unclear as Ereshkigal's tone softens up a bit as she concludes with: ]
[ His face draws into a sneer, and it turns his face uglier. Angrier. It draws in, and there's something like fury in his eyes. ]
That is where you are so, incredibly wrong. Even an idiot like Quetzalcoatl understood that. It isn't that I've been denied it. It is that I have seen what happens when you have it.
[ She is right, of course. Except for one small detail. One thing that Silco would never dare to share. Hell, even those whom had been in Kenos, and been granted the brief, fleeting presence of the only person Silco held dear — would have never been able to tell that one secret he kept close. His fingers twitched, instinctively, reaching for a pocket that didn't exist on his person. As if there was something that he was used to having that he did not anymore — that perfect crystallization of a soul so precious and worth caring for that he would have burned down every universe along the way, just to see it thrive.
The worst part was, neither he nor the bearer of the effort would have blinked twice at the sacrifice. ]
I do not expect you to understand. You have never been where they are at. If something is worth having, it is worth fighting for. Not calling a variety of people with powers and prominence to do the work for you. It makes them lazy, and distant. They do not know the weight of such sacrifice, if they are not in it themselves.
You continue to insult them, if you want to pretend that we are to be their secret saviors with no cost to them. Good for them, they have been able to find us, but if you think that is all their efforts should land them, then you are delusional.
[ Silco, of course, has no powers either. To him, this is simple logic. Why are they not getting these "upgrades" or weapons? Why are they pulled from their homes and asked to sacrifice, when the people here are not? It makes him sick to think of them so unwilling to have a hand in their uprising.
Then again, he would much rather be home, ready to wage war on a people that had put an end to his daughter's life, too. ]
[ As expected, trying to make him see reason is a lost cause. Not that what he says is entirely wrong, but the way he's wording it? "what is worth having" instead of "what is worth saving." The distinction between both proclamations may be nothing more than a single letter, but it reveals a lot to her.
Perhaps once he wanted to save. And he failed. Who or what? She doesn't know, but now he doesn't care for saving any more. He's lost his humanity. He's denying himself. ]
Had you already lost your humanity back then... You would not have saved what is worth having.
[ With that said, she walks past him. She will not waste any more time with that hollow shell of a man. He is beyond saving. Perhaps a better goddess could do just that... But a better goddess did try, right? And she failed. Right now, Ereshkigal just doesn't have the patience for this. Not the patience, nor the willpower.
She only stops when she's next to him to say one last thing: ]
You would have destroyed it yourself.
[ The man who stands besides her, the man who curses so much the humans who seek help and walk together— This man is incapable of holding onto something without breaking it. That much is evident. If he had lost his humanity before...
Perhaps he would have had the thing or person whose loss broke him.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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synflux2024-08-22 04:03 am
Silco | Arcane | Brimstone
Oh? You mean they couldn't even do the bare minimum of taking care of themselves in the end? No wonder they're so desperate to have us.
[
Well, perhaps next time they will take it upon themselves to do something about it.
no subject
there's always the possibility of failure in every decision and action. that his first encounter with this world and its dangers has ended in failure twice, well. if they could choose again, he'd stand by his choice to hunt down the dragon. ]
They wouldn't need us if they could.
[ a curious tilt of the head at the owner of that raspy voice. ]
Are you really blaming desperate and terrified people for not being able to defend themselves?
no subject
[Low, and sharp, the man leans against a surface, arms crossed over his lean frame and his lip curled in distaste.]
Do you know what it does to be powerless? Have no rights to your autonomy, to have a savior here to simply solve all of one's problems for you? To be beholden to those who hold all the power?
[ A gesture outward, he may be vile, but he certainly believes in this. ] Why are they not given what we have? There is very little that separates me from them, after all.
[ A beat. ] In fact...
Do you know what does separate me from them, the fact that I'm from another world. Oh, and that I've already clawed my way from where they are. It does a disservice to coddle them.
no subject
he can't claim to share Silco's experience. his world has its own horrors but they're of a different kind. ]
They're not asking to be coddled. They were asking for protection. This isn't a class issue, they're just ordinary people who are up against giant monsters.
[ and to Nanami the best way to protect them was to hunt down the remaining beast, even if it didn't work out in the end. ]
no subject
His smile splits a touch wider. Nanami has touched on something particular, after all. Ordinary people, he thinks, are not without the ability to become more. ]
And what do you think I am?
no subject
What I think doesn't matter. It'd be more interesting to hear what you think you are.
no subject
I am them. Do you think I speak this lightly? With no experience?
[ His hand gestured in the vague direction of the city. ] It is insulting. For us and them, to simply wipe this clean with no death or sacrifice on their part. It is insulting to simply wipe the danger from this world — at no little cost to ourselves — because we "pity" them. If LILITH would give me this nanotechnology, then why not them? Because they're more valuable? Because they wish to throw us into the grinder instead of them?
[ So. Silco may be psychotic, and obnoxious, but at the very least, he does not lack for conviction. ]
It is an insult to both sides to coddle them and treat them as if they are incapable.
no subject
At least, she now can place a face on the man who murdered Quetzalcoatl. ]
Be silent, fiend. I will silence you if you spews any more poison.
no subject
[ Hearing the voice is probably one thing, but when Silco turns to face her, she's given a look at the monster that murdered her friend.
He's small. Thin. Old. His skin is scarred from his lip into his hairline. He's missing an eyebrow, and hell -- he's missing an eyelid too. One black eye stares at her unblinking. It doesn't take a genius to put a face to text, and his scarred lip curls when he takes a look at Eresh for the first time.
She certainly was consistent. ]
A fiend, am I? [ He scoffs. ] I have met fiends, and been pulled into their games personally. I have escaped those as well. Do not presume that simple because I see what you all from your white towers refuse to.
We are coddling these people, to feel so bad because their world is under assault.
Oh no, they are subjected to monsters. Who knew that humanity was so incapable of taking care of themselves.
[ There's a thread of something there. Some bitter resentment in his tone. He hates this place, these people. It's clear in tone that he finds all of this wanting for purpose. ]
1/3
But no instead, he's... He's wearing his inner horribleness proudly on his sleeve! T-That's commendable? ]
no subject
Those are all the positives she can think of.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... B-Best move on to the next point! ]
3/3 i'm very sorry
No. She just wants him to be silent. ]
You have been summoned here to defend this world's humanity. Not to demoralize others.
[ Honestly the LILITH AI must be just about as broken as those they have in Chaldea, because some of the recent choices to defend humanity are questionable. ]
If you do not see cooperation and helping each other as a valid path for humanity, then begone and rid us of your presence!
no this is beautiful
Yes, because I have a choice? How far do you think I would get, before they would drag me back, though perhaps if I am lucky they would send me home.
Do you think all of us want to be here? I had been on the cusp of everything I had been fighting for, and instead I must coddle those who should be able to manage themselves. [ had he actually been? Absolutely not, but Silco had been fighting tooth and nail to put an end to it all. He'd continue to say he was so close, even if the evidence pointed to something very different. ] Is it not pathetic that we ask them to do nothing more than cower? Do you think that is the best for these people? Mourn them if you wish, it does not bother me.
But if I were in this position, I would not want your pity. I would want to do this myself. If LILITH can offer us tools, what separates them from us, beyond will?
no subject
But first, to dismiss the notion that the humans of this world are pathetic and cannot help themselves. ]
The humans of this world have done more than cower. They were able to recognize their own limitations and overcame them through ingenuity. The technology that brought us to this world is the fruit of their work to save themselves.
[ For the very first time, she is thankful for Tezcatlipoca's presence in this world. Had he not been here, she would not have given the topic so much thought. She would have been taken aback by Silco's assertions. In such situations, what truth she knows in her heart is meaningless when she can't word it properly. ]
You were in their position once upon a time, weren't you? [And nobody came. Somehow he survived, and built his worldview from that. She figures that's the extremely short and incomplete version of his story. Souls who went through horrible situations and found no help... They are always those who take the most time to find peace in the underworld.] I understand Quetzalcoatl better now. You have been denied what makes humanity beautiful.
[ Whether it is what she genuinely thinks or pure scorn meant to get at him, it's unclear as Ereshkigal's tone softens up a bit as she concludes with: ]
I pity you.
no subject
That is where you are so, incredibly wrong. Even an idiot like Quetzalcoatl understood that. It isn't that I've been denied it. It is that I have seen what happens when you have it.
[ She is right, of course. Except for one small detail. One thing that Silco would never dare to share. Hell, even those whom had been in Kenos, and been granted the brief, fleeting presence of the only person Silco held dear — would have never been able to tell that one secret he kept close. His fingers twitched, instinctively, reaching for a pocket that didn't exist on his person. As if there was something that he was used to having that he did not anymore — that perfect crystallization of a soul so precious and worth caring for that he would have burned down every universe along the way, just to see it thrive.
The worst part was, neither he nor the bearer of the effort would have blinked twice at the sacrifice. ]
I do not expect you to understand. You have never been where they are at. If something is worth having, it is worth fighting for. Not calling a variety of people with powers and prominence to do the work for you. It makes them lazy, and distant. They do not know the weight of such sacrifice, if they are not in it themselves.
You continue to insult them, if you want to pretend that we are to be their secret saviors with no cost to them. Good for them, they have been able to find us, but if you think that is all their efforts should land them, then you are delusional.
[ Silco, of course, has no powers either. To him, this is simple logic. Why are they not getting these "upgrades" or weapons? Why are they pulled from their homes and asked to sacrifice, when the people here are not? It makes him sick to think of them so unwilling to have a hand in their uprising.
Then again, he would much rather be home, ready to wage war on a people that had put an end to his daughter's life, too. ]
no subject
Perhaps once he wanted to save. And he failed. Who or what? She doesn't know, but now he doesn't care for saving any more. He's lost his humanity. He's denying himself. ]
Had you already lost your humanity back then... You would not have saved what is worth having.
[ With that said, she walks past him. She will not waste any more time with that hollow shell of a man. He is beyond saving. Perhaps a better goddess could do just that... But a better goddess did try, right? And she failed. Right now, Ereshkigal just doesn't have the patience for this. Not the patience, nor the willpower.
She only stops when she's next to him to say one last thing: ]
You would have destroyed it yourself.
[ The man who stands besides her, the man who curses so much the humans who seek help and walk together— This man is incapable of holding onto something without breaking it. That much is evident. If he had lost his humanity before...
Perhaps he would have had the thing or person whose loss broke him.
But he wouldn't have saved it. ]