Katsumi: So your father remembers everything. That’s very impressive—why is it called…photographic? What does that mean? Nithara: You make a good point, Davian. I’m no mage, myself, but I’ve never desired the ability to do magic, because I never had it.
Allison: Oh, I'm sorry. My mind's been all fuzzy lately, I don't know why. I think it's getting worse, too. Matra: I think it would be best if you went home, Allison. I guarantee it will improve your condition. Allison: You think so? Okay. Thank you, then. *Matra throws a ring of cards around Allison, Rush, and Roll, and the three disappear.* Matra: I think that may have been my fault. Ellis: You think so? Matra: Why not? Magic is a wonderful thing. It enriches the lives of anyone who uses it!
Kyris: I guess it is impressive in a way. Still, it can also make it hard to forget bad things... Which is why I am glad that I do not have a photographic memory. The reason it is called a photographic memory is... To begin with, a photograph is like a painting but instead of being done with a brush, paint, and canvas, it is done with a machine called a camera. It is called a photographic memory because you are able to recall things with your mind just as easily as looking at pictures to remember every detail about something. Kyris: And that whole mess just makes me even happier that magic does not exist in our world. I am sure you could have found a way to keep the timeline intact in your world without having to mess with Allison's mind, Matra. I seriously hope that she will not suffer any lingering side effects because of this.
Matra: No, she shouldn't be experiencing any lingering side effects of my spells. Actually, this talk of memories works into my working theory about that girl. Mettle: Is it a working theory about your flawed magic nearly wiping an innocent girl's mind? Matra: *Ignoring Mettle* You see, there is an interesting interaction between memory magic and a certain type of magical construct. You know what I'm talking about, right Ellis? Ellis: ... I do, but I don't like what you're implying. Certain magical constructs can be constructed using the creator's own memories as a base component. This is my specialty, and the outcome is quite powerful. A construct made this way can be more easily mentally linked to its creator. The drawback being... well... Matra: If they were to lose those memories, they could very well lose their sentience. It seems this woman was created the same way. There is one problem, though. I did peak through her memories, and she actually did grow up like a normal human. She also had a Control, which I understand to be exclusive to living beings. Quite the mystery. I'm almost upset that I sent her away before I had the chance to properly understand her. Maybe I should call her back, without Ellis and Mettle, this time? Ellis: Absolutely not. I one hundred percent forbid it. Mettle: You get it! Magic only enriches the lives of the people who abuse it. It's a predatory art that preys on the weak. Matra: That's not true. It's very beneficial when used properly. *To William* Would you mind sharing your experience? I'm sure there are avenues you could take to solve you problem. The best way to fight against magic is with magic, after all.
William: "Long story short I was cursed and now I'm slowly dying. The curse also affected my personality..."
Katsumi: So a photograph is like an instant painting? Fascinating! Truly, there is much about your world I would love to see firsthand. Ayana gasps. Ayana: That is horrible. Is there no way to break it, or at least counter its effects? Sapphire: I am familiar with a number of magical plants. Perhaps one of those could help?
Frederick: As do I, for the most part. Which really helps out when you're not allowed to write much down else risk a secrecy breach. But I imagine it's just that to him: memorized facts and figures. Even if he wanted to, I'd be very surprised to learn anyone where you come from has the emotional energy to care about a family of 100 as much as most care about a family of five. At some point the family just gets so big that it's impossible to stay invested without focusing on the ones closest to you. Especially when you live long enough to get great-great-great-great-geat-grandchildren. Frederick: You'll forgive me if I don't quite take your word for it. That's what humans think too, but they're very, very wrong. And they aren't just wrong about there being no magic in the world. They're wrong when they think they aren't magical. They're every bit as magical as I am, it's just... not in any usable form. Not until they mutate or are turned. Well... not usable to them, anyway. Being overflowing with untapped magic is the only reason vampires like myself can survive off their blood. In fact, just about every part of the human body is overflowing with magic. With other animals, if they've got any at all, it's all concentrated in specific parts, like the eyes of a newt or the toes of a frog. Not much use for anything but potions most of the time. Frederick: Hmmm... I don't know all the details of your current relationship with your father, but if I were you, I'd be really suspicious about what went down here. I'd want answers, and I'd be doing anything I can to get them. It's just a hunch, but I think there's a story behind that. And if I knew there were any mysteries behind why my mother died... I'd be doing anything I can to get closure.
Katsumi: The humans in your world don't do magic? None at all? Ayana: That makes no sense. Not everyone can do magic, of course, but what kind of world is it where no one does? Nithara: And you say your people can have great-great...ugh, you know what I'm referring to. I'm familiar with varying lifespans--elves can live at least a hundred years longer than the average human without the use of magic for either. I must ask, though, what you are that your race can live that long. I've never heard of anything with that long of a lifespan.
William: "I don't know if there's a way to break it, I've been looking for a long time." William: "Sure, what have I got to lose?"
Frederick: Wait, elves get old where you come from? The hell? ...I'm starting to wonder if it's even safe to be here. The laws of physics and magic seem completely alien. ...No, stay calm, Frederick. Cyrus could come back at any time. ...Ahem! I don't know how things work where you come from, but where I come from, immortality is one of the most basic things being magical does. That's why we call the magical races "immortals". As for "doing magic"... Elana! Elana: Yes, milord? Frederick: You want to take this? I already explained this, but you could probably do it better. Elana: Of course. "Casting spells" isn't really something anybody can do on their own aside from extraordinary circumstances. Most of us, like myself, need to make a pact with one of the great Old Ones in order to do it. I'm a witch of Astaroth. I have been one for nearly 300 years now. Frederick: I notice you still have that portal open. Elana: I don't know how far Astaroth can reach. If my connection to him is severed... Frederick: Granted. Yes. That would be bad. Very, very bad.
Nithara: Do elves…not grow old, where you come from? Your elves are immortal? Sapphire: That’s ridiculous. What kind of race simply never dies? Ayana: I mean…gods. Sapphire: Yes, but elves aren’t gods. As far as I know, anyhow. At any rate, yes, elves do age, though we do so slower than humans, of course. Katsumi: And you must make pacts in order to cast? With…Old Ones? What does that even mean?
Kyris: You are so right. Father does not care about all of us equally, that is for sure. Kyris: To be honest, I find it hard to believe that with the level of technology we have it would be possible to still keep something like that hidden. You can still be right, but I am almost completely sure that magic really does not exist in our world. But since there is no way to be completely sure, I see no point in arguing about whether it does or not. Kyris: Oh, believe me, I want to know the truth about why Father treated Mother like he did. At the moment, however, I have more current concerns to deal with. You see, the moment I leave this place and return to our world I will once again be held hostage by Davian and his crew. I have tried escaping, but that did not go as planned. Right now, all I can do is wait for Father to pay the ransom they demand. Davian: I don't think you will be gracing us with your presence that much longer, Your Highness. The location is almost agreed upon and once we get our money you will be on your way home. Jefrye: You are talking as if you have already gotten away with the money. With all my ships out looking for you all across the Helios System I seriously doubt that you will be on the loose much longer. Davian: Hmmph. Guess time will tell who gets the last laugh, Attack Dog.
Matra: *Holds another card up to William.* Absolutely nothing if I'm the one doing it... Okay, what the hell? Mettle: What is it, "Master Mage?" Matra: This is completely different from our magic. If I did try to create a counter curse for this, I'd just end up sending a lightning bolt through his brain. Mettle: Ah, you probably shouldn't do that, then. Matra: Sorry, William, but it seems that my skills can't help you, here. Matra: Wait, hold on. Do I understand this properly? You are making a deal with Davian to turn over Kyris, yes? After the deal is completed, you're going to immediately go and hunt him, again? What's the point of setting up the trade, then? Are you saying that the noble captain is going to play dirty and trap some pirate? That's quite low of you, Jefrye.
Matra: And your magic isn't even your own? That sounds very awkward and... less than versatile. Are you limited to specific actions, or is it more that you petition one of these Old Ones and they might help you?
Jefrye: Considering your own view on how to handle problems, I am a little surprised to hear you say that, Matra. Pirates are a serious menace in our planetary system and as Admiral of the Inter-Planetary Alliance, it is my job to make sure every last one of them is put behind bars for good. How that is done is of minor importance considering the deeds they have done.
Matra: As a peacekeeper, you should know the great importance that honor has. If the ones who enforce the laws and punish criminals are no better than those criminals, why would the common man emulate them? Who is the man to emulate if there are no authorities that rise higher than the very criminals they set out to punish? When it comes to doing what's right, the most important quality you need to have is honor. It's through honor that the common man is emboldened and inspired to emulate you, to want to set out and deliver justice. If those who deliver justice have no honor, no higher moral code they adhere to, than the justice they deliver will be tainted with the same blood that's on the money of the criminals that are locked away. I may be willing to resort to evil methods, but I'm under no illusion that what I do is right. I fully expect that, once I've done what I will do, the Platinum Hand will come for me, and they will deliver the pure, righteous justice that I will deserve. Only then, once all of the blood and filth of the council and myself are purged from Yara, can I say that my job is done. The common man will emulate those in power. If he sees good, he will do good. If he sees evil, he will do evil. If you are good, then you will breed a new generation of righteous peacekeepers. If you are evil, then you will breed a generation of villains who run the world. No good can come from an evil man, anything they produce will be tainted with the evil within their souls. Would you sink so low and taint your soul with the same rot that has tainted the criminals you set out to catch? It might be one evil deed, but one evil builds to two, which multiplies to four. Before you know it, your soul will be as rotten as Davian's. Only good men can do good, Jefrye. I think it's best you remember that.
Jefrye: You are completely right about that, but this is about more than just piracy. They have captured the love of my life, and you are telling me to just let them get away with that?! No way! That is never gonna happen! Kyris: Jefrye... Stop it. You— Jefrye: Yes, I know that your don’t feel the same way about me anymore. But that doesn’t change the fact that I still love you more than anything else in the universe. And what I am willing to do in order to keep you safe. *sighs deeply* If you had just said yes when I asked you to let me go with you to Ares... Then we wouldn’t be in this mess. You’d be home now... with me... Kyris: *placing his hand on Jefrye’s arm* You know that no matter how much we might want to change it, the past is the past. And right now... If you let your feelings for me cloud your judgement then you are just going to make things worse, not better.
Elana: Think of it more like painting. If you think of magic like paint, that's already with me, and my pact merely provides me with a brush. Each of the great Old Ones provides a different "brush", and while almost any brush will suffice for the most basic techniques, when you get into the truly advanced and delicate arts, you'll find your particular "brush" is more suited to some crafts than to others. I don't really need Astaroth's active assistance for any of my magic. I simply need to keep His favor in order to keep His gift.
Ellis: When you put it that way, it sounds like it's the same brand of magic that Captain Sail uses. Matra: Yeah, the same goes for Adra's magic. Honestly, I can't really come up with any arguments that don't make me sound like a hypocrite. I'll have to- *His Platinum Hand tattoo starts to glow, and he smiles.* I'll have to come back later. Right now, I have business with the Hand. Farewell, my friends! *He throws seven cards on the ground, and they start to circle him. A pillar of light surrounds him teleports him away.* Mettle: Good riddance, I say. Ellis: *To Elana* That's a very beautiful way to describe magic. Are you an artist, or do you just like to talk with flowery language? Mettle: Is there anything you haven't tried yet? There has to be something you can do about it. Ellis: Not all curses can be lifted, Mettle. Mettle: If you're referring to Echo, I would counter with the fact that we aren't really trying to lift her curse, now are we? Mettle: Don't listen to Matra; he's the worst kind of hypocrite. There's nothing wrong in fighting to do some good, whatever that magician says be damned. Ellis: I would like to know something, Jefrye. What would you do if your leaders turned corrupt? Would you fight against them, or fall in line? Would you join with the pirates of your world?
William: "There's nothing I can do about it, the witch who cursed me said it won't go away until I die."
Mettle: Well, there's the solution, right there. Do you have any form of revival magic? If so, you could just die, then have someone revive you. The curse is gone, you got to experience death, and to got to live at the end of it. It sounds like a win-win-win, to me. Ellis: Ignoring the many potential problems with that plan, I assume?
