[Center][color=bc8dbf][h2]Grima[/h2]
Level 6 (holding 2 level ups)
2/60 EXP

Location: Esaka - Lower Tiers
Wordcount: 940 (+2 exp)[/color][/Center]

Grima was not one to lose her cool. Nor was she one to show her weakness. That is why when she left Pit’s presence, she immediately made her way down several streets into another side alley, forcing herself upright and clutching the side of her head. The original body and mind, still trapped away in its unknown prison, was not afflicted by this agony within her head, but the vessel was. By their own name, they were tormented. Grima ran through everything that had happened recently, and it was increasingly evident that this agony in her head was not caused by the revelation of this world’s wrongness… But rather, something in her mind.

And thus, she had to calm herself, get her own body under control. Thus, she closed her eyes.

When Grima closed her eyes, the pounding headache in her vessel ceased, enveloped by the comfort of the endless void. Her vessel slowly breathed, slowly returning to a calm state, focusing on the pain to force it to subdue-

“Well, this is certainly a surprise.”

Immediately, Grima snapped her eyes open, whirling around. Yet instead of the alleyway, Grima only saw the same void that she had closed her eyes to… And standing before her was her own vessel. Or rather, a perfect copy. Her vessel from another time.

[color=bc8dbf]“[i]Robin[/i]”[/color] Grima said with distaste, standing straight as her surprise faded from her eyes, replaced by the Fell Dragon’s usual haughtiness, [color=bc8dbf]“I am surprised to see you still existing, but it would appear your final act was for naught. We both lived, yet I remain in control-”[/color]

“Yes, we did,” Robin interrupted, folding her arms as she looked back at Grima without a visible expression, simply analyzing her copy, “If it were not for Galeem’s light, you would have won. I did not have time to ponder the specifics, I just knew I had to act in the brief moment you were distracted” 

Grima rolls her eyes at that, shaking her head, [color=bc8dbf]“A desperate maneuver. One that hardly mattered in the end. This vessel is mine, and with it I will hunt down my original body and free it. You’re just an unwelcome tagalong”[/color] Grima says, turning around and bringing a hand to her chin, [color=bc8dbf]“Regardless, Galeem’s power seemed to have influenced more than just… Our world. Taking everything that its light touched and recreating it all into this poor facsimile. That angel seemed to recognize this vessel, indicating that it’s likely it effected [i]multiple[/i] variants of our world. But I’m sure you already knew [i]that[/i], since you have been seeing through my eyes.”[/color]

Robin ponders for a few moments, then sighs, “... I’ve seen more than just everything you’ve done since Galeem’s world was made. I also know your own past. Our… Memories seem to be merging, and I know what made you like this. Such as your creator-”

[color=bc8dbf]“Oh, and that means you can pass judgement on me, worm?”[/color] Grima snaps back, whirling around once more with a look of raw hatred, [color=bc8dbf]“I know what I was created to be. I am the culmination of mankind’s folly, their shortsightedness, their greed, AND their hatred. [i]I[/i] am their ruination, their judgement. And if you do not cease your ignorant preaching, I will cleanse you from my mind and finally be free of your-”[/color] Grima takes several steps forward, almost getting up into Robin’s face before the latter speaks again,

“You can’t. Or else you would have done so already. We both hate each other, and I know that if you had your way I wouldn’t be here. But you can’t… Because you’re sealed away again” the tactician points out once more, causing the Fell Dragon to fall silent as they continue, “The way I see it, we’re at an impasse. I can only observe, and [i]you[/i] can’t get rid of me. So… I’m going to continue to observe. And if I feel like I need to, help if I can. But you’re going to join these Seekers of Light and help them. [i]Without[/i] any of your backstabbing tricks. Otherwise, I’ll interfere as much as my position allows, and your vessel won't have a peaceful night’s rest for the rest of time.”

The ultimatum between the two hung in the air for several moments, permeating the void between them. Then Grima laughed. A soulless yet energetic sound as she ran a hand through her hair, [color=bc8dbf]“You think you’re in a position to bargain? With [i]me[/i]?”[/color] the Fell Dragon asked with mirth, before dropping to a serious expression, [color=bc8dbf]“You’re very fortunate that you are correct in your assumptions. I no longer require you, so I would simply kill you if I had the option. Thankfully for you, I have no intention on betraying these Seekers, and with your [i]unrightfully given[/i] access to my memories, you would know that to be true. At least, not yet. Our goals, for now, align. Galeem will pay for taking away my moment of triumph, and once everything is set right…”[/color] Grima trailed off, slowly smiling towards her copy, [color=bc8dbf]“I will finish what I started. Either with this collection of realms, or with your precious Ylisse.”[/color]

With that, Grima’s actual eyes opened, bringing her back to the alleyway where she had stopped to recuperate. Nothing had changed since her little dialogue with her copy, and so the vessel simply straightened her tactician coat and began to head out for the tournament battles she had today. Yet in the back of her mind, she could still feel Robin’s presence… And with it, her retort to Grima’s final words.

“We shall see.”