Everyone loves a hero.

[17:13] Gallen Pax says, "Anyways..."
[17:13] Gallen Pax says, "Oi."
[17:13] Gallen Pax says, "You."
[17:14] Gallen Pax says, "Energy lad."
[17:14] Anguisa Mälenköch says, "Revan."
[17:14] Anguisa Mälenköch says, "Revan T- Just Revan."
[17:14] Gallen Pax says, "-- Revan? Hmm..."
[17:14] Gallen Pax says, "Then I definitely wanna 'ave a word wit' 'em even more now."
[17:15] Finnae sighs
(Finnae)
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[17:15] Jaxxun says, "I have a headache."
[17:15] Romulus took a step back, droplets of sweat formingon his back. "Sorry" He half-whispered, seeing the drakanite on the verge of murderous rage. Aethern simply glanced around again before letting out a sigh. He made progress. He actually made progress for once yet... Still messed up.
(Romulus Aethern)
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[17:15] Gallen Pax asks, "Mind if we go sum' place? Quieter than 'ere, prefferably?"
[17:15] Finnae hugs Anguisa
(Finnae)
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[17:15] Finnae whispers something.
[17:16] Anguisa Mälenköch whispers something.
[17:16] Anguisa was hugged! She'd hug the teenger back however, despite barely knowing her still!
(Anguisa Mälenköch)
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[17:16] Anguisa Mälenköch whispers something.
[17:16] Anguisa Mälenköch whispers something.
[17:17] Finnae whispers something.
[17:17] Anguisa Mälenköch says, "Oi, Revan."
[17:17] Anguisa Mälenköch asks, "Are you fine going alone, hm?"
[17:17] Finnae whispers something.
[17:17] Anguisa Mälenköch whispers something.
[17:17] Anguisa Mälenköch whispers something.
[17:17]
{LOAD GAME}

[17:17] Revan Task asks, "Mmh..?"
[17:18] Miranu whispers: Come find me later. I want to talk to you about something interesting.
[17:19] She continued onward, vaguely gesturing Romulus from his location to follow.
Then, came another voice.

… Who was this? She glimpsed over her shoulder, but didn't quite turn around. In fact, there lied another question.
How did whomever that was, know her name?

"Huh?" Ruby eyes skimmed in the general direction of the voice's source in the crowd. "Uuuuh… A spar?" she asked.
A sigh, and a shrug, before she continued onward having turned her head away. Despite wandering off anyway, her voice called back to them.

"Sure. Walk and talk first..." she claimed, likely fixating to bring the spar to wherever she planned on heading first.
(Selena Nokamata)
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[17:19] Revan Task says, "Ah, I cannot go far.. But I will try my best."
[17:19] Miranu whispers: I'll remain around here.
[17:19] Gallen Pax says, "Good nuff 'fer me, son."
[17:19] Anguisa Mälenköch whispers something.
[17:19] Gallen Pax asks, "Follow me, yeah?"
[17:19] Finnae sighs
(Finnae)
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[17:19] Anguisa Mälenköch says, "Mhm."
[17:19] Revan said suddenly forgetting his whispering voice.
(Revan Task)
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[17:19] Anguisa Mälenköch says, "Don't get in trouble."
[17:19] Anguisa Mälenköch says, "Yet."
[17:22] Gallen slowly made his way to the dojo, him taking the time to think and how to approach the topic he had in mind. Offering him a seat on the bench facing the arena floor, he spoke.

He was quick to get to the point...

"So what made ya' turn 'gainst 'yer country?", overly blunt, one might say.
(Gallen Pax)
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[17:33] Approached, the Leader of the failed rebellion would tilt his head curiously as to what the man might want with him. Making their way to the dojo, Revan was not adverse to combat, and would quickly ready himself battle Gallen at whatever stakes he might have set for him.

Yet instead of a match to a death being offered, it was a seat. Only further confused, Revan would be faced with something far worse, casual conversation. Though he would atleast be spared by Gallen's blunt opener, it would be something easy for him to answer.

"I didn't."

His hair had grown long and disheveled beneath the helm that signified his position within the church, the Arcanium no longer hiding the tired visage. Burns and scars littering the exposed skin of that poked out from his priestly robes and templar armor.

"I betrayed my father, I did and am doing what I feel is best for Theria and it's people."
(Revan Task)
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[17:44] Running a hand through his beard, Gallen took a heavy drag from his cigar as he listened to Revan's few words.

"Mm, well, history is often told by the victors, son, an' far as I know ya' ain't win. Ya' lost...", he said with his eyes looking at the arena floor -- glazing over as he lost himself in thought.

"Ya' lost everythin', I might add.", a little salt for the wound, but it was not done with ill-intent, just stating the facts.

"Are ya' still lit wit' that fire, son, or are ya' aloof an' without a purpose now?", Gallen wasn't sure what to think of Revan just yet, and he was trying to do more than just size him up -- he wanted to get in his head and pick his brain...

Gallen wanted to understand Revan before he acted on anything. While he might've dreaded small-talk, this was the sage's way to try and be fair, and even if he was unsure if he was an enemy or not, it was the veteran's form of kindness.

The benefit of the doubt.
(Gallen Pax)
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[18:02] Despite whatever Revan believed, Gallen made a valid point. It didn't matter how right the Fireblooded believed himself to be, his word did not mean anything so long as he didn't hold that helm, and his words were not shout from the mountaintop.

But that wouldn't stop him from shouting all the louder.

Gallen would note how he thought that the Disowned Task had lost everything, and while there was certainly plenty the disciple of dragons lost, there would be a sudden snap from him.

"Not everything."

He had lost much of his family, who were now hunting him, the land he owned, the resources in the chest, he had lost the blessed artifact, and now there were those who believed another carried his title. Yet he would still know what he still had, and he was incredibly thankful for it.

"I still have my family." The one he had made himself, and was not bound to by blood, his loving wife, and the ambitious youth they adopted, as well as their extended family who welcomed veteran them in Myllenoris.

"I still have the loyalty and support of those who followed me.. And I still draw breath. It sickens me to have such a shallow opportunist and tool wearing an artifact of pride and freedom and thinking he has the right to excommunicate me."

Revan was slow to talk, picking his words carefully, but it seemed that the veteran had touched some sort of nerv, and the dull droll would soon become more heated as Gallen stirred the embers to life in the ashen husk of Revan.
(Revan Task)
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[18:16] Gallen would of never admitted it, but he was a master at evoking emotions from others. Seldom did he find others that could not fall victim to his words, for better or worse. As a person that acted as a leader, even if they did not see themselves as such, it was a valuable skill to have. Should he of had ill-intent, it could of been easily used to evoke the worst parts of him.

However, that was not how Gallen operated -- far from it. Revan could of been able to feel it -- the underlying motives Gallen was trying to move towards as they spoke. The Nysean Sage came here not to berate or hurt his pride, he'd come to inspire him.

"I 'ave my pride, but that dun' mean I ain't 'appy ta' be proven wrong. Ya' went from a leader, ta' a man who sticks ta' 'is guns. 'Yer a fighter though an' through. Maybe there would of been a time I'd o' tried ta' kill ya' on the battlefield...", he wasn't sure if this was entirely true. Gallen hated the thought of killing anything other than demons, but his promise to Walter was evidence enough that there were always exceptions to every rule.

"I'm 'appy that it never came ta' that. I can see that 'yer a good person, or at least I'd like ta' believe ya' are.", he continued.

"'Owever, we both 'ave people in high places we need ta' topple. I wanted ta' ask 'fer 'yer 'elp in doin' such a thing, but...", he turned his head to look him in the eyes. He had the eyes of a man who had spent his entire life fighting for others only to have his kindness returned to sender, with the courier the primal feeling of hatred and bitterness. Yet in defiance of that tiredness, there was a subtle flame that had managed to stay alit through all the pain and suffering; a look of a fighter.

"I want ta' know where ya' stand in this war now 'fore I ask anythin' o' ya'. Do ya' stand wit' Myllenoris an' against the demon hordes?", he inquired. He assumed he wanted to save Theria rather than have it be burned down, and that was a better alternative in Gallen's eyes. After all the failures, he still chased after that dream...

To save as many people as possible. Even if it was unreasonable and unrealistic -- as he'd come to accept -- in a world full of cynics and pragmatists, someone had to try, right? If not him, then who else would keep that innocent desire alive?

As far as he knew, he was the only man alive who would bother chasing that dream, as well as the only one who had the means at attempting to keep that dream alive.
(Gallen Pax)
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[18:41] It didn't go past his notice how he was carefully toyed with verbally to spill his true intentions, he knew with a single deep breath he could stop and reflect. He could lie, and try to deceive the Sage, yet that was the maneuver of the Tasks. It was funny to him, however, how Gallen worked. He picked a question, somewhere to start, and then he'd lead with an insult to gauge the person. It was oddly familiar to a technique he used himself.

People seemed to show their true colors with they were flustered, cheeks flushed with red like a burning fire that compels them to confess. Yet what secrets did Revan have for himself anymore, everything he did was for the Tasks that disowned him. There was an odd liberation that came with the thought, that he no longer had to keep their secrets, or do things their dastardly way.

Though as Gallen continues, recognizing Revan as a leader and a warrior, even acknowledging his resolve to endure the worst as the rebellion turned on him. A smirk forming on his lips as he chuckles at the notion of battling the man at his side to the death. Though as he is thankful it doesn't come to that, and comments on Revan being a good man, the smirk would vanish almost in a puff of smoke.

"Mmh.. I.. Have been misguided.. For a long.. long time.. I am thankful for the people in my life who were able to see the good in me.. And stuck by my side, nurturing it and.. Helping me become who I am now." There would be a moment as he held his breath, silently sighing through his nose as if he were in some form of pain. "But I.. Still have a long.. long way to go.. But I will get there, with my boots on the heads of those that think they're higher than me."

Pachua thought he was high lord, but Revan had been injured during their fight- a blessing that Revan would soon learn to pass on to his followers. Yet now he had recovered, feeling stronger and with renewed purpose.

"Mmh.. I suppose Victors truly do write history.. We lead a revolt to push demons from Theria so that we could then join Myllenoris in the march to extinguish them.. We do that now, but we simply.. Have more pushing to do."

Rudimentary plans and set backs, his arms would be folded across his chest as he growled lowly again, yet he enjoyed Gallen's blunt and calculating way of handling things.

"So yes.. We join Myllenoris to extinguish the Witches and their Demons.. We cannot afford to lose the vale to them.. So.. Tell me.. Who do you wish to see toppled?"
(Revan Task)
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[18:50] Revan Task says, "I've been vibing to your pb"
[19:07] "Son, ya' dun' know jus' 'ow similar we are.", Gallen's tired demeanor was further betrayed by a hearty and boisterous laugh.

"Ya' know... I spent my whole life trynna atone 'fer my past. I'm damn well certain no matter what I do I'm still condemned to burn in Hel one way or another...", that smile and laugh seemed to dim. A wry smile came over his face as he thought back to all the sins he'd committed in his past.

Eyes glazing over once more as his thoughts went back to his younger years. His youth had been spent fighting for a revolution that led to many innocents dying. The once-Butcher of Cellis had led a dozen different burnings of Osrona in his past -- men, women, and children slaughtered during the time he embraced the belief that the ends justified the means.

What a fool he had been.

"But... I've also come ta' realization that it dun' matter whereI go when I die. If anything, I think that might jus' be my one saving grace at a shot at restin' in peace -- ta' work 'fer the good o' others even if I am doomed ta' suffer. In the end, it ain't always 'bout the goals ya' 'ave in mind, I think...", he coughed a bit after a bad drag from his cigar.

"Its 'bout 'ow ya' get there in the end that makes the difference.", hanging his head for a a few seconds, he soon raised it and looked out into the arena again.

The words would soon continue to pour out from his mouth as he expressed his beliefs.

"People know a hero when they see one. Too few characters out there flyin’ ‘round like that – trying to save others jus’ cuz it’s the right thing ta’ do. Lord knows people need a hero like that... courageous, self-sacrificin' people that set examples 'fer all o' us. Everyone loves a hero.

People line up for ‘em – cheer ‘em an’ scream their names, and years later they'll tell of ‘ow they stood in the rain ‘fer hours jus’ ta’ get a glimpse o’ the person that taught ‘em ta’ ‘old on jus’ a second longer. I believe there is a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble... an’ finally lets us die with pride, even if we have to be steady and give up the thing we want the most – even our dreams.", said the once-wayward man.

"I...", he laughed a bit embarrassed. He was going off on a tangent. Gallen found that he was doing that more the older he got, so for the sake of time he'd move back the final question he'd been asked by Revan.

"Back to the conversation at hand...", said the veteran. "I intend ta' kill Walter Docro, an' take over Osrona.", he said bluntly with those melancholy eyes. What a tall order he had in mind.

(Gallen Pax)
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[19:49] The more the two spoke the faster the two began to size the other up, though Revan was at a stark disadvantage as Social Studies was not his forte, so he was hardly privy to any scuffles the veteran may have been in. Though as he spoke, there was an odd kinship between the two, kindred spirits found in war, perhaps they had suffered similar fates, yet as he spoke Revan would understand.

Atonement.

Ever since he had made his friends in the Dragon's Tooth guild, he had hurt those around his with his careless attitude for his safety and others. He learned what it meant to hurt emotionally, and empathize with another, and after that he sought to correct himself through corporeal punishment when he had done wrong.

It was all reinforcements from his childhood, his father's unrelenting and cruel mentorship leaving the son in bandages for almost two decades, yet still Revan would continue to beat on himself for when he did wrong.. Howdid he feel now? Part of him still felt guilty and dishonored, but the other half of him felt determined in his pursuits, the path was set before him, he simply had to talk it.

The elder would speak of finding peace, and it was a thought that never crossed the Fireblooded's. Revan expected to fight in this life and the next, be in back on the mortal plane, or with the other warriors behind Vanaheim's gates. Yet then he mentioned a concept that Revan had always felt the opposite of..

Ends justified the means.

Yet as he realized how his holy crusade was called in the name that fighting with Demons was immoral, he would then knit his lips into a thing line, something he would have to now debate at another time as he watched Gallen cough on his smoke.

Again, he would go on another tangent, which Revan didn't mind at all, it game him more time to be introspective, to listen and learn from his age earned wisdom. Hespoke of heroes, and the Dragon Disciple would seem to lose interest, but as he spoke of heroes, Revan could only think of his wife and her altruistic kindness. He had tried to carry himself like a dragon, strong and powerful in it's solitary lair.

Yet he desired for more than that, a family, and comrades he could revel with. The Priest wanted a place of his own where those he cared for were free to come and do as they please. Often Revan was not drawn to action unless it came to his own personal gain, yet the concept of being a hero? He wasn't too sure how he felt about it.

"Mmh.. Walter is formidable.. But.. It seems we both have respective lands to claim.. Mmh.." Altruism. "I.. Look forward to fighting by your side.. And.. perhaps.. After Theria has been reclaimed.. We can gift Osrona to you."
(Revan Task)
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[19:54] Gallen Pax says, "Possibly."
[19:54] Gallen Pax says, "Even if ya' do, Walter won't let go o' power without a fight."
[19:54] Gallen Pax says, "'Es a tyrant, after all."
[19:54] Revan Task says, "I would expect to pay nothing less than the Therian price for it."
[19:54] Revan Task says, "Through blood and fire."
[19:54] Gallen Pax says, "Heh. 'Fore we part ways, though..."
[19:55] Gallen Pax says, "I wanna see what ya' got in ya', son."
[19:55] Revan Task asks, "Mmh? That so?"
[19:55] Revan Task says, "Very well."
[19:55] Gallen Pax says, "Show me the person that tried ta' topple Dun."
[19:55] Revan Task says, "I never turn down a challenge. "
[19:55] Gallen Pax says, "Hehe."