[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

I've a question for anyone out there who may have answers.

I have been flying over Gaia yet... it has changed. Things are not as they were. Some places are gone, others have appeared in their place.

[There's a long pause.]

I wonder... what has happened to those that were in these places? Gaia has changed so drastically... is this because of what has been happening? These glimpses into the past?

My question is this; what is to happen to us? Will Gaia one day rip us out and cast us somewhere, as it has done to many of us previously?

Where does the madness end?

Comments

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

What places have changed?

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

All of Gaia. Villages have vanished, replaced by new ones.

The Evil Forest has been replaced by some crystalised land and a shimmering forest, it seems much of Gaia is now changed.

[voice]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

[Actually unsure what to make about Balthier's question, Aerith decides to try her best in explaining it. She figured that Gaia was changing for the worse, but she has no proof of this other than the whispers she hears constantly at night. With nothing else than the cryptic words of Matoya lurking within her mind, Aerith is probably one of the few people who could possibly answer this question.

Although, Aerith wishes she had something good to say regarding this matter.]

Gaia isn't in control here.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

If it was, my dear, I'd assume Gaia would get rid of what she like does not want.

I know not who is in control, but I would assume it is not someone or something we can easily combat.

[voice]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

[She sighed since Gaia probably wouldn't mind getting rid of them all.] Yeah, it's...Gaia is a little angry with us, but this problem isn't Gaia's fault.

There's something else causing this, but no one knows what it is.

[Aerith paused briefly once she thought of the Iifa Tree and Garland again.]

Maybe, but could this something be the Iifa Tree?

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

I have yet to visit this tree, but from what I have picked up, it seems to be the source of things rather unpleasant.

Would it not be that we could burn it down, then perhaps everything would be solved.

Yet it may make it all worse.

[voice]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

That's what I am afraid of...

If we burn down the Iifa Tree, something bad could happen. You see, there's this guy named "Garland" running around. He's old man dressed in black armor who was last seen at the Iifa Tree. Some of the Gaians I spoke to say that Garland is dangerous. There's rumors going around about him, but I can't tell fact from fiction.

Maybe if people were to gather together to find Garland, maybe we can stop the tree without using fire.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

We? My dear, you seem to think I would go charging into battle with an enemy I have no information about.

Is it not that you are part of that little group-- Avalanche or some such?

Ask them. They'll like go running off to kill the man.

[voice]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Hmph. You haven't changed at all, Balthier! You are still a creep like before.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

I am a 'creep' for not wishing to charge into battle with no strategy or intel?

Where I am from, that is called being intelligent. Storm into battle, get yourself killed. See if it bothers me.

Any hero knows you cannot fight a battle with an enemy you do not understand.

Now, mind your tongue, little girl.

[And bye bye, he'll cut the transmission.]

[voice]

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

No you're a creep for being a pompous, self-righteous, jackas--[OH! Connection is cut.]

...I wish my materia still worked.

[voice]

[tidesnpcs.livejournal.com]

It's happened everywhere! We're all so shocked! The cartographers are in tears, kupo!

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Indeed, I have seen these changes happen as I've passed. Perhaps they should wait before remaking their maps, just in case we have another unpleasant switch.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

There must be a connection... Seeing all those places from our past, then the landscape changing like this... Has it really changed that much?

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Indeed it has. Gaia has changed all over. Places have changed before my very eyes. Vanished and replaced by others.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Vanished? What places vanished?

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Many places. Ambervale, though I am unsure of what replaced it. Small villages. The Evil Forest, replaced by a shimmering crystal land and a wood.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

What about the people?

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

...gone with them.

I landed nearby a small village, and the people who had been there vanished with it.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

That must mean... Hundreds of people...

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Quite. Hundreds if not thousands. If they have gone to other worlds, then we may hope they are well, but the prospects are unlikely.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Unlikely? What do you mean?

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

What are the chances of that many people simply being misplaced? I'd like to imagine that, but alas, I am rather a pessimistic person.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

You think they're dead? No... I don't think so. I know the story. Places from other worlds appeared here in a flash of light... Is it so hard to believe that it worked in reverse too? A friend of mine even saw refugees from this world in another world that he visited.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Oh?

Then perhaps that is some form of relief. The very thought that friends and families had been torn away from each other... [A sigh.]

I... heard of what happened to your betrothed. Are you both well now, Tifa?

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Yes, we're doing well. Cloud has lost his voice, but that's much better than losing his life...

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

That must be difficult, but what of you? Are you alright? It must have been traumatic.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

I'm fine. It was a bad few days, but now I'm just grateful that we're all together again.

Hmm, I haven't asked how you're getting on, Balthier. Isn't it a bit dangerous for you to be posting publicly?

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

It likely is but I'm not stationary even now. I won't be found.

Not that I actually did it, mind you. Murder? Messy business on its own. Assassination? Far too much effort.

[voice]

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Even so, be careful. Isn't there any way you can clear your name?

[voice]

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

[She's reluctant to talk to him, but the content of his message is important, and she figures it should be addressed.]

I wouldn't put it past Gaia to do that. Question is, have these places that have disappeared returned back to where they're originated? That is, if they belong to another world.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

I would like to assume they have, but if we are in a world not our own, and they once were, is it not entirely possible that they may have gone to yet another world?

[Voice]

[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[An unfamiliar voice posing a very relevant question. Edgar picks this one up.]

It seems as though things are spiraling out of control everywhere, even in places where things should be relatively peaceful.

I hope no one's been... torn apart by these shifts.

[Voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Peace is a difficult thing to obtain and keep when the rest of the world is in turmoil.

It is possible. More than likely, I would fathom.

[Voice]

[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

I'm sincerely hoping not, but with all the chaos these shifts inherently bring, I can't help but think that it's happened. I hope that I'm mistaken, though.

[Voice]

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

That could our fate, yes. It does not seem outside the realm of possibility, unsettling as it is.

[Voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Then perhaps we should value those we have with us, as we may lose them soon.

[Voice]

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

[Ouch. Her voice is a little strained when she does respond.]

I think of this often.

[Voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you do.

...are you well, Mjrn?

[Voice]

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

[Mjrn is a terrible liar, so she doesn't bother.]

...no. Reks is gone. It is difficult to care about anything else.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

How unlike you to give up without a fight. Tsk, tsk, Larsa.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Giving into the will of what others impose upon you? Hardly fit for an Archadian, I assure you.

Glad to hear it, Larsa.

[voice]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

The answer to your question... we can do nothing but await its' discovery.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you are wrong. We must be able to do something. Sitting here with naught to do but wait?

It's like you don't even know me at all, Princess.

[voice]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

... I grant you there must be something, and I share your dislike of being played, so. The answers you desire may fall even out of our grasp, Balthier...

Yet this does not mean they should not be sought, I know.

[voice]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Yet this poses the question of what we may do.

I will admit, I am at a loss. Gaia is tricky, very tricky. It is only a matter of times before another game is played upon us.

[voice]

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

I... cannot answer that.

[It's obvious she doesn't like to admit such a thing, but it's true.]

So many people, families, at the whim of this world.