[center][abbr=Octopath Travelers][img]https://i.ibb.co/88KWNj5/OTbanner.png[/img][/abbr]
[sup]____________________________________________________[/sup]
[color=FFC6C6][u]Level[/u]: [b]10[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 188/100[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 239/70[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=2e2c2c]----------------------------[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=gray](both holding 1 level up)[/color]
[color=lightgray]Word Count: 636 (+1 exp)
[b]Location[/b]: The Under[/color][/center]
If the Radiance hadn't been a being made of pure light, its demise would have been a visceral sight. When its spirit was ejected from the remnants of its ethereal body, the Seekers knew the fight was won. Therion let out a sigh of relief and Primrose caught her breath. The both of them approached the front of the train where Ganondorf and Ms. Fortune had been fighting, joining the others as they regrouped to make sure things were really finished. Magikrab joined them as well, mentioning that with the Radiance gone, the infection in the Under would slowly disappear as well - an unexpected but welcome result of beating the Guardian.

It was also fortunate that it seemed their exit from the dream realm would come automatically, and they wouldn't have to search for a way out. But when they did reappear in the real world the group found a surprise awaited them. Instead of the Organization member that had appeared to help facilitate their way into that dream world in the first place, they could Consul F slaying the Radiance's former host and... Therion's eyes widened in surprise. Was he really trying to chance sides now?

[color=D34C25]"[i]Never betrayed us?[/i]"[/color] Primrose asked, bewildered at this turn of events. She had expected the Consul to run if he was scared, not to grovel for forgiveness. Even so, she was not about to grant it. [color=D34C25]"You were never on our side in the first place, you wretch."[/color]

The dancer raised her arm, summoning her magic. She had a mind to bring this chapter of the Seekers' story to a complete close, leaving the Under with no Guardian nor either of its Consuls. She was stopped only by her friend stepping forward, holding out his own hand to block her.

[color=BC8DBF]"Wait,"[/color] Therion said. He stared (practically glaring) at F. As far as he could tell, the Consuls weren't bound to the light of Galeem like the rest of the world. If they were, how could they exert control the way they'd shown they could? He also couldn't imagine someone like F being press ganged into joining these 'Consuls,' which just meant that every evil he'd committed was his own choice. Therion was under no illusion that F wasn't a villain. And he, like Primrose, was still pissed at the Consul for everything he'd thrown at them. But executing someone who was pleading for their life, even someone like F, felt wrong. He wasn't sure if he would have cared as much before, but now he knew it would at least leave a bad taste in his mouth. He glanced at Primrose, and then the rest of the Seekers in turn. [color=BC8DBF]"Let's... hear him out first. At least."[/color]

Primrose pursed her lips, but ultimately let her arm fall back down to her side. She did not release her hold on her magic, though Therion didn't mention it. He didn't trust F either. But if he was willing to give them information in exchange for his life, it was likely he'd be telling the truth - and then they could all get some insight into the group opposing them.

Queen Sectonia, physically embodying their victory against the area's Guardian, wasted no time in trying to gather such information. She asked about the Flame Clocks and the Consul's hierarchy, important questions to be sure. Primrose and Therion let her speak and F answer. But there was something else that both Travelers had been wondering for a while, something they could only really speculate on until now. 

[color=D34C25]"What do you all get out of this? Protecting Galeem, ensuring the world stays like this..."[/color] Was it just to enjoy feeling powerful, reigning over their own little chunk of this weird world? There was no answer that would reverse Primrose's opinion of the Consul or make her rethink the Seekers' mission, but she wanted to know all the same.