((Collab Post between Double and Letter Bee))

[b][i]Flashback, The World of Luna Dial[/i][/b]

Hakim the Wise had set up a new laboratory in this strange world, a strange world where his Faith and Creed had been suppressed by the arrival of new powers that served the existing establishments. Deep in the mountain of Kilimanjaro, Africa, where the Selenian tide had not yet penetrated, Hakim was doing experiments more ethical than the ones he had done before. Operating Magitech simulations over and over again, he was experimenting with The Light, hoping to find a new source of energy that can allow Replicas to survive without taking strength from their originals...

There was another presence in the laboratory, without any real announcement or warning. One moment Hakim had been alone, and the next, there Cain was. His mastery of the Corridors of Darkness was well known, some might even say it was frightening. Someitmes it was as if Cain could simply just teleport at will. He was silent, but only for a moment. He was here for a purpose and it was best not to drag it out with any uneccesary theatrics.

"Restarting the Replica Program?" Cain asked, getting right to the point, "Tocsax told me. Asked for my help, even. Granted, I may not be able to stay around on a constant basis, but here I am regardless."

Hakim nodded at that and said, "Thank you, Cain. And I'm trying to find a way to remedy the most obvious problem with what Tocsax wants - Right now, I need to find a way to give 'No, I', a truly independent existence and my current hypothesis is that it would need a source of mystic energy to make it true.."

"There are many energies that could qualify as 'mystical', but in my experience that typically means it is something exceedingly rare and dangerous to deal with." he had noticed the studies of the Light by this point, "Huh, interesting. Most people I have ever known are fascinated with the Darkness, despite the Light presumably having just as much to offer." but then Cain had another thought, and decided to voice it.

"Do you suppose we are doing these Replicas any real favors by creating them? Appearances aside, the bodies are still synthetic at the end of the day. You ever wonder if we are dooming them to a life cursed with immortality? Fated to linger on for eternity while watching everyone they know and love die around them...?"

Hakim looked at Cain, saying, "I've considered it, but one should remember that there are already a myriad of ways to extend life in the Multiverse already, thus mitigating that risk. That, and if the Replica chooses it, they can ask for 'aging' to be installed into their new bodies. The keyword being [i]ask[/i], of course - I do not want to decide others' medical decisions for them."

A brief shudder, as if old memories and traumas were reasserting themselves.

"Fair enough." Cain replied, "Ah, but we are not here to have a philosophical discussion, are we?" he added, deciding to bring things back on track to the issue of No. I, "Have you considered Time Magic, perhaps? That particular vein of magical energy is used for the explicit purpose of speeding up or slowing down... or even stopping things altogether."

Hakim nodded. "That would be Emperor Michael's area of expertise - He'd be happy to help, but he's also busy preparing for the inevitable counteroffensive against Leo and his ad-hoc Multiversal Empire." A sigh, "He only has a shadow of the Old Keyblade Order's power, but dreams of rebuilding said order. That might not work out well."

"Luckily for us, I happen to be Renovation's resident loremaster. I could always have a gander at the scrolls and see what I can learn of the subject myself." he gave a small shrug, "But I must admit that would take a bit of time. I would need to undergo the research over time, and hope that I can produce the results we need by the time it becomes necessary for the mission. Ah, but speaking of which, the War Council will be starting soon."

A Corridor of Darkness opened behind Cain and he turned around to face it. This revealed the emblem that marked the back of his long black coat. It was silvery and white, appearing to depict a pair of axe-like weapons forming an X shape, and thus producing the shape of a black heart within the negative space of the emblem, "I should be getting back, I have a bad feeling that the Emperor will need me there soon. I have a request of my own too: Replica bodies, just a few. I wish I could explain what I need them for, but it would take too much time. And... Hakim?" he gave one more glance back at the other man, "I am sorry, for how I treated you when you first started the Program. You may not believe me but, I had a good reason for opposing it before." he did not say anything more or wait for a reply, instead silently vanishing into the Corridor that would take him back to his own quarters on Renovation.

"Salaam, Cain," Hakim spoke as his acquaintance disappeared. "And thank you."

[b][i]Palace of the Blachrenae, Renovation[/i][/b]

Through out the War Council, a seemingly unassuming figure stood in the corner of the room. He wore a black coat, but not one of the hooded variety that Tocsax was known to use. His was merely a black trench coat, the turtle neck of a pale shirt could be seen to give an indication as to what Cain was wearing underneath it. In his hand he held a heavy tome, open to a middle point in its pages and he appeared to be focusing his on it, while only offering the occasional cursory glance at the guests.

Cain wasn't there to participate in the council, per say. There was no information offered during it that he was not already well aware of, or even was the outright source of in the first place. But he was there for a purpose nonetheless. He wanted to see the Keyblade Wielders with his own eyes, and observe their behavior and mannerisms for himself. They were certainly not like the others, that was for sure. But, flaws or not, they would have to do. More than one of them seemed like experienced warriors or mages. As for the others, it wasn't as obvious, so Cain would have to continue his observation before coming to any real conclusions.

Giorgios and Damianos gave them the standard introduction. Sometimes Cain could swear that they rehearsed these things, but that was neither here nor there. Two of the warrior types responded with a polite enough etiquette, suggesting they were not mere brutes or mercenary types. The other two were whispering in a shushed tone. They couldn't possibly have known that Cain would be reading their lips. An... interesting conversation topic, though Cain would wager they couldn't take on either of the escorts in his own opinion. Still, these two were sounding like they were going to be an annoyance if they weren't properly kept in check.

When everyone else had left to follow Giorgios and Damianos, Cain remained behind, at least briefly. In another few moments, he disappeared into a Corridor that would take him to the throne room. Once again, Cain discretely placed himself in a corner. Somewhere he wouldn't be as noticeable as the Emperor, Empress, or Tocsax. He wasn't here to participate, only to observe.