[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/221005/7d7c778891f3387ab231a2bbd26f2d1e.png[/img]

[b]Word Count:[/b] 1,032
[b]Level 7 Ganondorf:[/b] 68/70
[b]Level 8 Sandalphon:[/b] 64/80
[b]Exp Gained:[/b] +2 (+2 Rapport)
[b]NEW EXP Balance---[/b] 70/70, 66/80

[h3]Frozen Highland ~ Krat Zoo[/h3][/center]

Ganondorf had not left the stagecoach just yet. His body was still rather sore from the near-trampling he took in his previous fight against the elephant carcass. His current condition thanks to the Gravemind spirit was already proving itself to be a nuisance, even after only just one day. Also in the stagecoach was Sandalphon, who thus far had taken it upon herself to stay with the ride even as the other Seekers were fanning out during their travel through Krat Zoo.

When Ganondorf joined her in the stagecoach's interior, Sandalphon gave a nod of acknowledgement but didn't talk to him straight away. Instead they coexisted quietly, if not silently, thanks to the clatter and creak of the wagon, and the intermittent yelps of the rat outside. After a bit, though, the archangel gave voice to the question that had been running through her mind.

"A question if I may, Ganondorf. Given the precarious but powerful position the members of Moebius find themselves in, it's reasonable to assume they would resort to anything to prolong their own existence. For the sake of preparedness, I wanted to ask: in your world, has there ever been anyone who successfully cheated death, to your knowledge?"

[color=797979]”Hmm.”[/color] The warlord hummed, his brow furrowed with thought. He was currently eating a fruit that he found among the Seekers’ food rations to try and help his regeneration process along. [color=797979]”Such magic certainly exists in my world. And it can even take a number of forms.”[/color] After another bite, he looked closely at the Triforce humming on the back of his right hand.

[color=797979]”The Triforce, for instance. Even a single piece such as the one I carry grants great power. But if all the pieces were held together? Then legend states it can even grant the holder’s greatest wish. I imagine something like immortality would be child’s play.”[/color] He paused to take another bite of fruit. [color=797979]”But there is power to be found in death and undeath as well. There are many such cases in my world of the dead continuing to linger in the form of Poe spirits or undead creatures called ReDeads. If anyone from Moebius hails from my world or has a cursory knowledge of such things, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they might try to use such methods to maintain themselves.”[/color]

Sandalphon pursed her lips, her pupils in the shape of inverted triangles. Lingering as an undead was not an option, and it seemed well beyond her to claim even one piece of the Triforce, let alone three. For the sake of keeping up pretenses, though, she continued with her clinical inquiries. At the very least, these methods would hopefully be impossible for Moebius as well, so long as they did not hail from Ganondorf’s world. “And these are the most practical methods you’re aware of?”

[color=797979]”They are what I’m… most familiar with.”[/color] Ganondorf clarified for the archangel. [color=797979]”Hardly practical, of course. But then again, achieving eternal life rarely is, is it?”[/color] He gave her a knowing expression as he scarfed down the remaining bits of the fruit he had been eating. He considered grabbing another one to further along his regeneration but decided against it, thinking it better not to burn through rations so quickly.

[color=797979]”Perhaps an alternative is to simply join them?”[/color] Ganondorf suggested with a wide grin, the pretenses slipping for just a moment. [color=797979]”That is what the Seekers’ previous leader did.”[/color] He added in reference to Princess Peach.

Sandalphon’s pupils changed into vertical slits. “The princess had been transformed into an Other, and subjected to constant, extreme mental pain, to the point where she couldn’t even think without consuming a serum synthesized from human brain matter. Subjected to such torment and despair, it is not a surprise that she would take any alternative.” She looked away, her expression cold. “My point is that there are far worse fates than death. Barring any explicit brainwashing, Moebius are still immortal parasites. Such an existence could twist anyone into a monster.” She placed a hand upon her chest. “My existence is of little consequence. I am not interested in eternal life, especially if it would make me into a tool for evil.” Considering who she was speaking to, she might have entertained the thought that Ganondorf wanted to become Moebius itself, if not for the implied thralldom to Galeem.

In some other iteration, Ganondorf would have certainly joined Moebius. Not this one though. The warlord had already developed a burning hatred for Moebius and thus wouldn’t be caught dead among their ranks. [color=797979]”I’d heard of her unfortunate… transformation.”[/color] Ganondorf finally said, [color=797979]”Though I must admit this is the first time I’ve heard it in detail.”[/color] He paused for a long moment before finally adding, [color=797979]”Truly a shame.”[/color]

[color=797979]”Well,”[/color] Ganondorf said, [color=797979]”Whatever it is you’re planning to do with this knowledge you're gathering, do use it wisely, won’t you?”[/color] He asked, deciding he’d regenerated enough and got ready to get out of the stagecoach. [color=797979]”I’d hate to have to sit through another dull discussion about electing a new leader.”[/color]

Sandalphon turned pupils like asterisks on him. “Are you sure? Without me in the way, your claim would be much stronger.”

[color=797979]”You would think that.”[/color] Ganondorf conceded, [color=797979]”But I think we both know there’s enough people in our ranks who simply would never be persuaded to trust me.”[/color]

Question marks greeted his response, as if he’d piqued her curiosity, but Sandalphon did not feel comfortable enough with her understanding of human emotion to inquire further.

[color=797979]”Let’s just say,”[/color] Ganondorf said, [color=797979]”That the well’s already been poisoned. By that Twilight Princess, and by Bowser to a lesser extent.”[/color] With that, he departed from the stagecoach so he could rejoin the other Seekers and resume exploration of the Krat Zoo. The damage he’d sustained from the elephant fight earlier wasn’t completely recovered. But this would suffice for the time being. Ganondorf made a mental note to himself to invest in carrying spare food to eat for recovery in the future to avoid these kinds of annoyances.