revelation

Dietfried says, "So. Zee last sing."

Dietfried says, "..."

Dietfried let out a slow breath. Then they turned about, focusing on Ambrose with a sharp gaze.

The pattern of speech. Not quite so flamboyant, no, but pausing just as often. The way he paced his sentences matched up. The poison magic they had seen from him matched up.

And there was an amalgamation of shadows near him before. That hadn't gone unnoticed despite the anger directed toward Kali's lack of cooperation.

They looked him over again. Was it a bow the creature had used?

"I sink I recognize you."

"It took me a vhile, but it matches up. You vere zee vone zhat told me you sought you spotted zhat mutant vaiting outside zee temple, zhis temple, for me. And you vere zee vone who vanted to help set up zee ambush." They tilted their head slightly.

"Vere you so upset, because you could not add zhat little girl to your repertoire?"
(Dietfried)

"Oh?"

Was Ambrose even trying to hide it much? Not quite. If anything, the Prince was almost taunting others to come and discover it - perhaps they would find out about it and amuse him by confronting him about it.

And as much as Dietfried does exactly that.. it's not quite what he expected.

"Took you long enough."

He smiles. Evidently, the thought of being 'exposed' didn't really concern him that much.

"Well, you found me. It's been quite a fun ride, hm? Besides.."

"I'd even say you grew as result, no? Finally stopped being a wimpy, shaky mess that you were once I found you." A pause.

"Now look at you. Getting all confident and ready to take on the world."

"If anything... I'd even say that I made you."

Where would Dietfried be if that night never happened to him? Would he still wander about the world aimlessly, not really doing anything in particular.

"So what now?"
(Ambrose Roche)

The fact was, Dietfried hadn't quite seen much magic from Ambrose. No more than the runes that were used to heal them on occasion. The young foreigner couldn't exactly have their suspicions without that.

But finally, they did recognize it. And their heart sank with the confirmation. He'd been right there the whole time.

The reason they had nightmares. The reason they still struggled to tell whether aggression was their own. Why they were never sure if a thought was from their own mind or not. They stared, unable to immediately process all the thoughts that came to mind.

One particular instinct had remained. In the face of fear they managed to keep the response he'd placed into their mind. Aggression.

Pale white mist was already steaming off their form.

I'd even say that I made you.

Was their whole life just a toy for these things?

Dietfried glanced down at the shiny new set of armor they wore. The weight wasn't entirely familiar, but they could get used to it fairly quickly. "You know vhat I said."

A deep breath. They met his gaze. "You know vhat I said I'd do to zhat sing. Picking on innocent people like zhat. And especially messing vis me. You.."

"Hafe put me in a fery awkvard position, Herr Ambrose."
(Dietfried)

Perhaps to Dietfried's own surprise, the Prince remained eerily silent, watching.

It's almost as if he expected him to take initiative here and decide what exactly he wants to do - whether he wants to try and make him feel helpless, or perhaps he wants to make a new living for himself. Regardless..

Roche stayed, watching.

"I know what you said."

"And I expected you to meet him again - but instead, you met me. Quite strange, isn't it?"

No doubt the reason why Ambrose was willing to 'help' Dietfried catch the masked figure once more. A set up, a premise for them all to meet.

Yet still, he cannot quite grasp it.

Ambrose lets his hands hang. While Dietfried speaks, he paces about the room- silent, pondering. His gaze pointed to the ground for the time being, if only to turn towards him after all.

"Innocent people? Oh, please..."

"Their lives were pointless and filled with irrelevancy. They were nobody - and they would remain that way, if it wasn't for my intervention."

Clearly, Roche saw it different.

"You don't know what's really out there. This place? This... Esshar?"

"It's the ground for some of the most pathetic, spoiled and languid people I've ever seen. They're content with wasting their life away doing something pointless, day by day, month by month, year by year-"

"- decade by decade." He pauses.

"Until they're forgotten on the pages of history. Some don't even get on these pages in the first place."

How many people left with their dreams unfulfilled? How many of them did nothing with their lives, up until it was far too late?

"My reasons, my goals-"

"They're beyond your understanding, Dietfried. I will not explain them." The Prince had his own reasons- his own mystery.

"But these people? They needed a push."

"You needed a push."

And still, he finally takes a step closer. Still, he stares him down, awaiting.

"But if you're still convinced that you can pull this off.."

"Go on. You can attack me right here."

"It won't even reach Asphodel. I promise. But--" Then, there's one last pause.


"Whatever choice you make right here, it will define you for the rest of your life."

(Ambrose Roche)

"I vas looking for him. Each time I vent I found somesing new to fight. But it vas nefer zee masked figure zhat I vanted to see. It was alvays some oser monster to fight."

And yet, they found him. "Zhat's a talent, zhough. I vent looking for trouble. And I'fe found it. Here you are."

. . .

Dietfried curled their hands into fists, then splayed their fingers, then curled them again. The young foreigner's nerves were still there. Still, anxiety crept into them facing off against this. This thing that had infected them with traits that were not their own.

It made them want to scream. The acidic pain that was that cacophony of voices rang in their ears as a hollow memory.

Why did it have to be like this? Why did he have to pick on them when they couldn't even defend themself? What in Esshar and the rest of Eternia was their luck?

They let a shaking breath loose, finally able to speak again. "You said zhen, zhat you vould gife answers."

"Find answers on zee eastern strip of Esshar, past vhere zee Deep Company vonce vas, from zhere go to zee abandoned temple vhere monsters svarm. Search or forefer be restless." It was a summarization, but it was damn near spot on.

"I don't care vhat you sink is beyond my understanding. I finally found you. So answer. Vhy. Gife me your reasons."
(Dietfried)

"I know."

It may come as a surprising revelation to Dietfried, but Ambrose was very much aware. Quite frankly, there was even a reason to that.

"I wanted to see how you would handle that struggle, what you would even do."

"If you were just another disappointing thing that decided to remain hiding inside the city walls... then that'd be the end of it."

"But you didn't disappoint, to my surprise."

Quite frankly, it was actually rather.. endearing, to an extent. How far did Dietfried come, after he was given initial push? After all, when he was just confronted in such manner, he was naught but a shaking, weak mess.

"You were helpless."

"Now look at you."

Different. Standing up for himself, for what he wanted- but still, Ambrose smiled. Dietfried was interested in the answers - of course he was.

He had him.

"I will not tell you all of it, even now. But.."

"You deserve part of the truth."

It was not up to discussion just how much Dietfried would hear, and yet, the Prince begins to explain. It was a somewhat long story, but..

"The land I come from is filled, without a doubt, with shadow of death and suffering."

"It stagnated. It became a place of court games, a place for people so removed from reality that they forgot how to move forward - even if they claim to possess incredible gifts."

"I want them all to have a fair shot to fight for what they believe in."

Perhaps Dietfried could even piece it together, but..

"That stagnation must change." Here, he steps closer- his arms remain folded underneath the cloak, posed in his manner.

"Change.. is something that people fear."

"But change can be good. Change is necessary here as well - on Esshar, for people endlessly fight for the nations, for ideals, for their leaders.."

"But never themselves."

It is shrouded in the veil of mystery- uncertainty. But it's just like Roche said - it will not be revealed entirely.

"What I seek to do is impossible to do alone."

"It's why I seek others. Some already joined me." Perhaps akin to the masked person that approached Ambrose earlier..

"Some are still being watched."

He pauses, his gaze directed only to Dietfried for the time being. There, he finally adds.

"Like you."
(Ambrose Roche)

One day you will be my pet.

Dietfried couldn't help but recall the words. Since they'd gotten to Esshar things had been vying for their attention. Pulling on them in different directions, pushing them to be something different. Pushing them to learn quick, or perish.

It was just as he said. They weren't the kind to hide, despite what had happened to them. Despite the fear. Even the terror in their heart now wasn't enough to make them flee.

I wish to see you become strong, so you may be a challenge before I claim you and turn you into an undead...

They hadn't run then, either. When they finally figured out just why that dullahan was being nice to them. Why it had given them a blade. The response was the same. They stood their ground. And they even fought, despite knowing they might not win.

You were helpless.

The young foreigner shuddered. Despite just how much they hated it, the man was at least partly telling the truth in what he'd said before. They were changed. Forged. Strengthened by what he'd done.

If he hadn't attacked them that day they didn't know what they'd do now. The reason they challenged the creatures that picked on them, the reason they raised their blade, the reason they unlocked their magical potential, all of that...

Look at you now.

Without help, they wouldn't be so brave. They wouldn't be so decisive. They wouldn't have such strong opinions. They would have shut down entirely after their mask was taken.

There was an itch even now to grab their blade. A glint of ethereal blue glowed behind their eyes.

"So you're Apropriyan. And you vant to see to it zhat Esshar does not become so stagnant as zhat place." They tilted their head slightly. "You vant to see people who seek zheir own goals, zheir own stories, raser zhan following zee crowd, or being brainvashed to follow a single doctrine. Or being blinded to who zhey are."

They were mostly guessing. Mostly. But it sounded reasonable. From what they knew of Apropriya, what he said, it lined up.

"Und you sink zee best vay to get people to do zhat. To change und grow. Is to attack zhem. Vheser zhey are helpless or not. As opposed to maybe training zhem? Helping zhem to zheir own two feet?"

Whatever choice they made here, would define them for the rest of their life.. That's what he said. Their hand itched for the hilt of their blade.

"Do you expect me to join you? After all zhis. What you did to me. If I profe to hafe vhatefer you're looking for, vhat zhen? Vhat's your plan?"

For now, they continued to refrain from making a choice.
(Dietfried)

A lot of it was right.

A lot of it was wrong, too. But Ambrose does little to elaborate for these intentions and reasons- the Prince knew all too well how such games are played, for he was born in them, he was shaped by them as he grew.

Caution was necessary.
Such play was necessary.

"Correct."

He remarks briefly- both about his want and his origin. He was indeed Apropriyan, and to see Esshar become so stagnant would rather be...

Unfortunate.

"Whether people live by Cain's gift or not is irrelevant. What's relevant to me is that they do not fall to becoming pathetic husks of their lost potential."

"And perhaps once people are ready to fight for what they believe in... we might turn to something else entirely."

Changing the status quo was not easy - and before he makes exact plans with it, he must ensure that it's a possibility. Planning too far ahead simply gets one caught up in endless plotting and scheming..

A fate he would do well to avoid.

"Do I think it's the best way to get people to do that?"

"Probably not. But.." He gave Dietfried another look- a smile.

"Seemed to work for you. After all.."

"You're here. You're different now."

That much is something that simply cannot be argued against. No matter how Dietfried may feel, or what he may say, it's objectively true. Though..

"No. I don't expect you to join me."

"You've already fulfilled the purpose I gave you with that push. From now on - it's your track. Do whatever you want, run wherever you want."

A pause.

"But.. if you just happen to tag along, if you want to know just how deep that rabbit hole goes?"

"That'll be another chapter of this little tale."
(Ambrose Roche)

It was quite impossible to deny that he played some part in it. Eventually Dietfried probably would have learned similar lessons, but nothing had stuck with them so thoroughly as that particular day. Nothing since had the same impact.

That was the objective truth. And honestly? There wasn't a particularly bad reason for it either. It was an amoral way of doing things, even spilling into the immoral.

But it was effective. At least for some. For them.

The young foreigner lifted a hand to their head. Their fingers pinched the bridge of their nose, visible pain evident in their expression. It was hard to think. So much of their mind had been focused on revenge.

Still. There was another path. And either way it seemed like Ambrose was the one laying the brickwork.

"I hate you."

"I hate you. I hate zhis. I sought I knew vhat I vanted to do vis you-"

That blade. When had they even drawn it out? It was almost as if time skipped forward a few seconds, and they went from steaming, unarmed, to holding the point of their blade angled just under his chin.

"I still hear zee screams, sometimes. I still hunger because of you. I feel sings and I hafe to vonder if zhat's really me, or somesing else."

"For all you vanted to gife a push, vhat you did in zee end vas a little more zhan just change sings. I'm not-" They paused, taking a deep breath. There was a flicker of ethereal blue that sparked across their form, but that faded back to mist after a moment.

"I'm not me anymore."

"Und you're still pulling zee strings. I still see it. I can feel zhem on my neck, my wrists, my mind."

Dietfried didn't shift even an inch, that blade held impossibly steady. There was a fire behind those eyes. Blue 'flame' dancing. "I vant to break zee script, break avay from zhis little game."

. . .

"But.." They finally lowered the sword. "Zhere's no real vay to do zhat, visout becoming stagnant. Returning to zee vays of anxious, magicless, younger me. It's zee least expected."

"Und zee most boring."

"... So I hafe to fight you. I hafe to make you feel vhat I felt. Because I beliefe zhat actions must be repaid. I take your vord zhat it vill not reach Asphodel." The young foreigner swallowed hard. Would they actually be able to do something this time?

"But if you need rest. Or you are injured. I vill not fight you now."

"Because despite zee fact you didn't gife me vone vhen I vas smaller. I like to fight on fair ground vhen I can."

…

"Und zhen, vhen you feel vhat I felt. I vill be getting more answers from you."
(Dietfried)

The Prince was unbothered.

How many times he's been threatened with a blade like this? How many times people expressed such feelings to him - how they hated him, how they felt so many things around him, how he made them go through these turbulent times. But..

There's only one point.


Nobody is ever indifferent around Ambrose.
Nobody feels nothing.


They all feel a certain way around him- perhaps it is the way how the Prince worked, or perhaps he's had a way with people - but such a fact made him smile. It's odd..

To see someone stare at the cold steel right before them, yet only show a smile.

"The point was to make you feel something. Anything."

"And it worked."

He'll never be the same. Perhaps he could try to run from this - try to hide away from all that happened to him, try to forget, try to shove it away as far as possible within his mind, but..

For what?

It will bring naught but stagnation. It will bring him back to stage one. It will undo everything that he's built up so far.

"In time, Dietfried, you will realize something.."

"That I've been very kind to you." It's a strange claim to say.. and yet he dares.

But why?

"The world is cold, indifferent. It would rather see you forgotten - and if you tried to crawl out of this shell of yours, you would be destroyed."

"Stomped before you could even blossom."

"But I allowed this. I allowed you to bloom."

"I created you, whether you like that fact or not."

Perhaps it is the dark magic of Occult that he wields which speaks through him- or perhaps it's his mind shaped, influenced by it; but it didn't seem like a clear cut possibility. If anything..

It was truly Ambrose speaking.

"But-"

"We will fight later, then." A pause.

"What you did just now is bold. I want you to think of what you'll do exactly once we clash again."

"Because you'll need to know what you're doing. If you don't? You'll just fall."

There, Roche finally begins to move past him- poised and calm.

"Prepare."

"While you have time."
(Ambrose Roche)

It was hard to stare him in the face. Hard to meet that smile and still feel any hint of confidence.

That wasn't why Dietfried lowered the blade, however.

They were being honest. That they would prefer a fair fight. One where he wasn't injured. Even if that meant it would be harder for them, and technically more unfair. They still wanted to meet the man at his best.

The young foreigner bowed their head forward somewhat as the man spoke, their eyes covered by those long locks of gold. Their expression was dour, along with a mix of other things that were hard to place.

It was physically painful to know how much truth there was in his words. They knew already what he'd done for them.

And so they were in an awkward position of being in some form of debt, and yet strongly desiring revenge. What a difficult conundrum they had to mull over.

With a faint 'swish', they sheathedthe blade.

They didn't answer until the man had already passed them.

And all they offered when they did finally break the silence? "I vill be ready."
(Dietfried)

Ambrose Roche says, "Oh, I most certainly expect you to."

Ambrose Roche says, "Until then, farewell."