Round 2 - 1 ;; Aftermath

[lufenia]

[The battle fades around you, and once again, you feel almost as though you are in a dream. The feeling only lasts a moment, before you awaken in your room, off of the stronghold of your god. A voice echoes in your ear, and though the speaker is not visible, you can feel them around you.]

[Unlike the previous times Cosmos has spoken, her voice is

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CHAOS

[lufenia]

[The huge throne that stands at the head of the Edge of Madness is now even more imposing, due to the huge four-armed being occupying it. Two of his hands are folded in front of him, and he stares down balefully toward any warriors that draw near. A dark, turbulent aura seems to surround him- do you dare draw close?]

[silentbeyond]

[Exdeath doesn't have questions. He does have something, though.

Wounds sustained during the previous battle must have weakenned the dragoon, because he is being telekinetically forced to walk a few steps ahead of Exdeath as the tree heads at his own agonizingly slow pace toward the throne. It's only when they reach it that he lets go.]

A traitor.

[bound_skyward]

[It was that battle with that irritating lightning-magic woman. What he wouldn't give for a rematch right now. Kain struggles futilely to move against the telekinetic force guiding him. There's considerable rage in his expression. Being forced against his will is beyond loathsome.]

[Once let go, he gasps in pain and nearly collapses, but then forces himself to straighten and stubbornly face Chaos.]

[lufenia]

[Chaos watches the slow procession toward his throne with an inscrutable expression, and vague interest. He does nothing to stop Exdeath's treatment of the dragoon. When Kain finally straightens, he turns his attention to him.]

Have you nothing to say for yourself? Or are you just as Exdeath says?

[silentbeyond]

[Exdeath's sword floats over, sliding carefully into the gap between helm and backplate to touch the back of Kain's neck. Just in case.]

Since before the purification. I recall it.

[bound_skyward]

[Kain stiffens with another quiet gasp at the cold metal pressing against his neck. Then he hardens his gaze. He's determined to face this like a man. Even if the electricity-induced wounds are really hurting, right now, and walking just aggravated them more.]

So he claims, yet I see no proof that I am.

[lufenia]

[He knows of Kain's betrayals in the last cycle, probably better than Exdeath himself does. He was the first one who branded Kain a traitor. He was hoping for a change this cycle... but it seemed that it might not occur. He stares down at the both of them.]

Then tell me. What has he done in this battle, to show that he is... or is not, a traitor?

[silentbeyond]

One of Cosmos' chosen. He has been protecting her.

[bound_skyward]

[Kain's glare turns more defiant, though he's still all too aware of the sword at his neck. But his mind has long been made up, he'll do anything for Terra. That and choosing his own path has long been important to him, especially now that he's been told of his past.]

My decisions on who I'll fight and why aren't yours to make. I have a will of my own.

[lufenia]

[When he speaks, Chaos's voice is loud and thundering. He is rather displeased with this.] You are a warrior of Chaos. You have no place among those who fight for Cosmos.

[silentbeyond]

[Exdeath just stares down at the dragoon. If he had a face, he would be smirking right now.]

[bound_skyward]

[Kain can FEEL the power of that smirk anyway. It's all getting to him, pushing him to take some kind of action. Foolish action, he knows. But he sees he has no choice. He's not being forced to move against his will at the moment. He's free to do what he wants although he'll have to do it fast with Exdeath and his weapon there.]

[So he leaps to the air in a sudden instant, flying down to attempt a stab at Chaos. Despite the hard look of resolve in his face it's probably pretty obvious he's not in good shape though and that his attempt to stab won't be as strong as it usually would be.]

[lufenia]

[Unfortunately for Kain, that attempt at attacking will not win him any favor with Chaos. It only proves his treachery. And so Chaos holds little back, lifting a hand to send a fireball at Kain, to knock him away. Once that is accomplished, he speaks to Exdeath.]

Restrain him.

[hallowedlight]

[Cecil hasn't forgotten Golbez's warning, about the kind of god Chaos is and what his followers are like. And the conversation haunts him even now, after the battle. Was serving Chaos faithfully in the battle the right thing to do, when his brother told him he once served Cosmos? What else could he have done? It seemed so much easier to just fight because he was told to, instead of complicating matters and questioning his loyalties.

And yet... He can't help but doubt himself, or ignore his conscience eating away at him. He wants answers -- and who better to provide them but Chaos himself?

The dark knight approaches the throne, and kneels respectfully before it until he is permitted to speak. The god of discord is an impressive and terrible presence.]

[lufenia]

[Chaos eyes Cecil for a moment, considering the warrior he'd snatched from Cosmos. That darkness was serving them well, thus far.]

Rise and speak, warrior.

[hallowedlight]

[Cecil does as commanded, not betraying any hint of fear or other emotion that would be taken as a sign of weakness.]

You said you would explain our purpose here, and so I have come.