The ending is never all that far from the beginning..[open]

[Lucan Aurelius]

These two orbs continued to shine, their conjurer's eyes focused straight on his targets. They were so tiny, so little compared to him. Why did they continue to become little problems for him that he had to clean up? They must understand that the existence of this world is against the laws that nature had dictated for all that lives. A perfect utopia was not perfect. The real world, in all of its darkness and lightness, was the true definition of balance. There was just so much for these people to see, so many sights to experience. It was simply illogical to restrict oneself to a single island, and not experience the fruits of the twilight.

A strong power emerged and entered his sensory line of perception. Its magnitude was similar to his own, and it was coming right for him. He held an arm out in front of his face, preparing himself for some sort of oncoming attack. But, it wasn't an attack. She had come to him, a goddess from the outside. She asked him why he was 'destroying' the innocents, when he could only shake his head at how there was just so much that she didn't understand... that anybody seemed to understand. "None can truly die in this world. The lives outside of this lie matter the most. If it were otherwise, then I would hold back."

"I am Lucan Aurelius, Lesser Deity of Dreamless Sleep." He could only offer this short moment to introduce himself to his fellow deity. Despite his status, however, he could not detect the woman who was about to plunge a knife into him. Thankfully, he flew upward in preparation of launching the energies at his foes. He saw someone who definitely wasn't a guard move up in front of them, her whole body shivering in fear. Yet, her eyes shone with defiance. It was enough to have him let loose his energies... but with different effect:

They split up into multiples, each smaller orb flying toward one guard each. They would hit their respective targets... and take them to sleep. They did not dream, and they did not writhe from the presence of nightmares. Utilizing any other attack would be far too destructive. The other priestess must not be harmed. None of them should be allowed to enter the cycle of reincarnation. He needed them....

Suddenly, there was an explosion around him of both darkness and light. The clash of elements consumed his body, and when the light show cleared, there he was with torn clothing and slightly fuzzled hair. He held onto his arm, in pain. As fleeting as the pain was, it was still quite an extreme blast. In response, he formed yet another translucent shield around him. The next explosion of energy clashed with this solid shield, and it flashed once as it absorbed the attack. Lucan raised his arm, maintaining the shape of the barrier.

"Why... why are you resisting? This world of lies cannot continue to persist. You are all in Cresselia's prison! Staying here would subject you to her absolute control! I am trying to-"

Speak of the devil... she had finally made her appearance. "Mother!" Even now, even as this dream comes to a close, she comes to make her move... to maintain her influence. Her lily scent kicked in, and the possibility of it turning all of these people against him was very, very strong. At this point... he wouldn't be able to use words. He'd be forced to act again. What can he do? What will he do?

[Jakob Klein]

Destiny watched as the new godling fought with the people of the dream, wishing she could do something for the poor girl who tried to sneak up on the god, suspecting she too would be 'killed'. As Lucan introduced himself, explaining that the people couldn't die, as if this was a justification for the onslaught.

"You speak as though the absence of death justifies the destruction of their homes, and their lives. Though you may nod end their existence, every one you destroy has a life which you take from them, many families who will wonder what happened to their loved one, not knowing that he or she still exists, in a new form. If you wish to free these people from the dream, as you so claim, then do so; stop breaking them instead." Destiny explained her earlier comments, fearing her words would fall on deaf ears. However, she saw that with his next attack, instead of 'killing' the guards, he merely put them in a sleep, so that they would be unharmed by the conflict. Perhaps he was not so unaware as he at first appeared. She hoped she would have time after this cataclysm to speak with the god before she had to return to Jakob's side, and learn his side of the story.

Regardless, now that Cresselia and Darkrai had arrived, the disaster proper would begin. The Lesser Deity watched as the god of lies spread her perfume over the battlefield, the illusion of safety drawing those present into her grasp. Solemnly, the Disaster God stood watch as Cresselia made her move. Now it was her brother's turn, and his next move would determine the fate of a kingdom...

[Darkrai]

"That is simply the nature of godhood: this world is ours, whereas you humans are the ants that crawled onto the cake. What rights you believe you have are null, just as this existence within the dream. Indeed, your life here has no purpose, significance, nor weight." The God took a pause, narrowing his single eye upon Ozdin. He floated off from the ground, replacing himself a foot away from the young man that dared to profess rebellion against a God. This was exactly the response that he would expect out of a human so rooted to this singular existence.

However...

"I have not the slightest interest in erasing you... nor do I have the slightest interest in helping you. But, you know..." Silently, he gazed off toward the direction of the fighting. "...it would be against our goal to hurt the Maidens. If it offers you any comfort, I will say that they will most likely not die." It was an idle statement, though he did mean it as he did all of his other words. He knew that Ozdin would still go against them. 

Another great energy emerged from the temple, and there was an odd silence. The stench of deceit was horridly strong here. His sister was here, intervening. At this point, he was willing to clash with her. They hadn't done this in quite a while. He took one more look at Ozdin before falling into the shadows and reappearing in the middle of the chaos. A shroud of black pulsed from an outstretched claw. The miasma of lies subsided, negating whatever 'calming' effects that were intended to be placed upon these people.

"Your light blinds, Cresselia. Paradise is something that, through blood and tears, is earned. What is there to live for if everything is given? What is the value of living if there is no true death? Everything must have a cost to prevent baseness in life. The darkness... can make the light all the more sweeter." Typical of Cresselia to disguise herself in her humanoid form. Has she ever appeared in her true form during her rule? 

"Silence yourself from those lies. By now, everyone in this room should know the truth of this false world. Admit it, my sister; you just want to satisfy your ego while disguising your desires under the cover of his wishes. Open their eyes, and realize that the end creeps close."