Scenario:Anre - The Great Contradiction

The Great Contradiction

The One-Rift Spear finally speaks to Anre, sharing the tale of a man who once shared his same ideals during the War. He wielded unparalleled power in the name of ending conflict, but at the cost of countless lives. The spear insists that using the threat of violence to deter violence itself is a paradox.

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It's long after dark. All is silent on the Grandcypher deck, save for the sound of a spear piercing the wind.

Anre: Another dud.

Anre: It appears the wider you cast your net, the lower the quality of your information becomes... I must remember this next time.

Anre: Or perhaps I've been looking at this all wrong...

Using his network of merchants, Anre has obtained information and materials from far and wide to potentially awaken the One-Rift Spear.

However, despite his resources and numerous attempts to elicit a response, none have proven successful.

Anre: (When the spear spoke with me previously, I remember there was a Gold Relic involved...)

Anre: (It gave power to the Revenant weapon, and my connection with it was amplified. Surely its all related somehow...)

Anre: But the question remains—just how did (Captain) awaken the Revenant weapon then?

Anre: There shouldn't have been a way for her to establish such a connection with this weapon as I have...

Anre: Somehow, an ordinary—no, extraordinary skyfarer was able to achieve what was thought to be impossible. But how?

At that very moment, the One-Rift Spear in his hands emits a brilliant light, cutting through the darkness of night.

???: I see... So it appears you know more about us than originally believed.

Anre: ...!

???: I've not encountered a mere skydweller with such knowledge in ages... Since the War, perhaps.

???: I had thought you to be another convictionless fool, but it appears I may have been mistaken.

Anre: And good evening to you, One-Rift Spear. I'm glad to see you're finally in the mood for conversation.

Although slightly startled by the voice at first, Anre quickly composes himself to respond.

One-Rift Spear: Hmph... So you figured out I was simply pretending to sleep. Quite the clever one, aren't you?

Anre: I won't claim that I was certain of the fact, but I did believe we would speak again one day.

Anre: You, on the other hand, have completely seen through my intentions, have you not?

One-Rift Spear: Naturally. Even in our dormant states, we always remain connected with the pulse of the skies.

One-Rift Spear: I ask you this. What kind of power are you seeking from me?

Anre: ...

Anre takes a deep breath before reciting the answer he's engraved into his heart countless times before.

Anre: I seek the power to quell the existence of conflict itself—an absolute power to prevent the inevitable.

Anre: A power so overwhelming that its mere existence would be enough to deter evil.

The One-Rift Spear lets out a sigh, as if a great tension had been lifted.

One-Rift Spear: I see. So you also seek the same ideal.

Anre: The... same?

One-Rift Spear: Your assumptions are correct—I am indeed able to bestow unparalleled strength to my wielder... just like I did many ages ago.

Anre: Many ages ago... Are you referring to the War?

One-Rift Spear: Correct. During this time of great bloodshed, there was a man whose spear techniques were unrivaled.

One-Rift Spear: A man forgotten by history... he too sought after overwhelming power in hope of ridding the skies of conflict.

One-Rift Spear: He would eventually be the one to wield me, and I bestowed upon him all of the strength I could muster.

One-Rift Spear: But along with such power comes great responsibility... and inevitable sacrifice.

One-Rift Spear: In times of peace, the existence of such power may quell conflict itself. But in times of war, it must be more than just a threat.

One-Rift Spear: In the end, the ultimate deterrent for conflict was the sheer number of lives buried through violence on the battlefield.

Anre: I see... So you believe this to be an inevitability for someone of my conviction?

One-Rift Spear: That is one side of the story. His efforts would ultimately contribute to the ending of the War.

One-Rift Spear: However, the number of casualties and sacrifices made in the name of peace would be too much for him to swallow.

One-Rift Spear: The amount of devastation made left him questioning if he had made any real difference at all.

One-Rift Spear: Upon realizing what he had done, he fell into despair and disappeared from the pages of history.

One-Rift Spear: His name doesn't appear in any records of the War—his regrets live on solely within my memory.

The One-Rift Spear lets out another sigh.

As if mourning its former wielder, a faint but unmistakable sadness lingers in its voice.

Anre: So what you mean to say is... Overwhelming power cannot deter conflict merely by existing.

One-Rift Spear: Correct. One must understand this truth when wielding such power—one cannot prevent conflict merely through inaction.

One-Rift Spear: The greater the power you seek, the greater the sacrifices when the time to wield it arises.

One-Rift Spear: If you truly wish to rid the skies of conflict, you must be prepared to make that choice.

One-Rift Spear: Considering how much thought you've given this, I'm sure that this comes as no revelation.

One-Rift Spear: It is a grim reality, but one you must face if you do not wish to meet the same fate as he once did. Consider your options carefully...

The spear's voice fades from a whisper into silence, leaving Anre alone in the dark of night once again.

Anre: Wielding such overwhelming power isn't something to be taken so lightly...

Anre: Indeed, this is a truth I have long realized.

Anre: However, even so...

Anre takes another look at the spear, glistening under the moonlight, before uttering a response.

His words would go unheard, quickly fading into the silence of night.