by Endesu » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:17 am
The reaper nodded. "Yes, the advantages of a dreamworld are many fold, though there are drawbacks. Though if you'd care to get into a discussion concerning the nature of dream worlds and the like, you'd be better off chatting with your friend Enlil on the topic, don't you think?"
He paused, took a lengthy sip, then set his glass down on the heretofore-unseen minibar, located fairly close to his seat. "There are special exceptions to every rule, and I have made only two exceptions today. You are one of those exceptions. Exceptions tend to rise under special circumstances... and I can assure you that disastrous circumstances are already under way, circumstances that threaten the natural order which keeps we reapers employed. But let's not delve too deeply into that."
He took a further drag from his cigarette and looked at Kelne thoughtfully. "But, yes, this was some time back. Several centuries' worth, in fact. I cannot give an exact count of years, myself, but rest assured that it is no shortage of time in which the Infinity Corporation has developed."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "As I've said, the Corporation continued on for some time throughout the years. As their technology improved, thanks in part to the bizarre powers of the orb of power that had been left them, so did their outreach, and they began extending outwards, touching upon several words, whether friendly or hostile, and began attempting to spread their ideals and ways like so many seeds caught in a storm of winds.
Their friendly and peaceful manner helped convince those who weren't certain about their intentions to take them up as partners, friends, and the like. They spread to quite a few worlds in this galaxy, and from there set up a hive mind of sorts, one that would insure a constant web of communication and cooperation between the various bases.
It was at this point that the Corporation formally divided itself into three branches. One branch focused itself on the research of light and shadow energies. Another branch focused on the interplay between robotics and intelligence. The last branch, as opposed to conventional research, simply positioned itself as a sort of peacekeeper force and withdrew to keep a vigilant eye over as many worlds as they could cover.
I myself had several worlds to visit during these times, but the death rates remained low, save the occasional battle with a force hostile to outsiders and/or resistant to change in their policies. Thus my work was low, and I did not notice certain changes as I should've.
Not that I could've necessarily done anything about it in that case, but I wish I could've seen it coming... the orb of power, the same that Fi had used to insure his position of dominion over his empire, was, as stated, used as a source of power for the vast array of technological devices that the Corporation had at its disposal. Fragments of it were distributed amidst the two research branches, though the peacekeeping branch declined, claiming that it had no need for this additional power.
The effect of this power was not obvious at first, but came into play much later... only after the peoples were established on their worlds, only after the bases were set, only after peace had surely settled in for all involved in the Infinity web...
... did the rotting occur. The orb of power seemed to be a magical device that simply exuded power, but how very wrong the peoples were. It was far more than that... the orb did indeed give power, but in return, it siphoned positive emotion from the users. The power given in return carried with it negative, harmful, antisocial emotions. The orb of power had thus rotted at Fi's soul, having thus turned an already cruel and bitter being into a truly savage and murderous one (hence the massacres he had commited in the so-called name of 'national security'). What do you think became of the Infinity Corporation employees who were also, similarly, exposed to the effects of this orb?"
Once again, the reaper took a brief break, taking a few puffs from his cig.
***
This time, the dragon began to convulse, and now vomited a stream of acidic blood onto the side of the ship, eating and melting away at one of the wings. The generated water seemed to catch in its throat, and in a blind panic mixed with rage, it began to slam its claw just around 32, aiming to squish the Minion where he stood.
Stephen was now holding on with less success than before; his sword, jammed part of the way into the dragon's midsection, was, at this point, his only prevention from plunging into the ground far, far below.
"Be careful, you idiot--" Stephen shouted, but his words were cut off by the sudden stream of acid blood which came down once more, coming dangerously close to the dragon.
He was not happy, to say the least.
***
Jikuro did indeed not hear him, and the moody trio made their way to the forest. They headed to a blank patch in the dirt. At this point, the bandaged man produced a shovel and began digging a burial trench in the patch. Jikuro set Greg's body down on the ground and simply watched the man do his work, seemingly emotionless concerning the whole process.