✤ One. (voice;)

[kingslight]

[The Network. As useful as it may be, Regis is quite hesitant to use it. Why? Well, there's plenty of reasons 'why' but none any better than the fact there's depraved criminals lurking about. How depraved? Those twisted enough to devour the corpse of their victims for all to behold. His brief conversation with one of these killers completely stamped out all of Regis' desire to converse with others in his realm.

That is until now.

After speaking with Faith regarding this sinful realm and the deities who rule it, Regis decided now was the time to seek an audience with the alleged "Gods". Though, how is he to speak with them? It's not as if they broadcast themselves on here often. Since Regis has arrived, these so-called deities been silent, oddly so. Still quite anxious about using this Network as a means of contacting these False Gods, Regis eventually does speak after a moment of deep contemplation.]

I humbly beseech any and all who knows of the "Gods" to speak plain and true.

[His voice is quiet but not without certainty. He's a king after all. Hesitation isn't permitted even in strange matters such as this.]

The last several weeks have been quite daunting to plenty and many who've endured great hardships. Bonds have been broken and friendships lead askew by murderous endeavors of those who perverted the good image of many. With this known to all of us here, I think now would be the time for the Gods to speak.

Is it in hubris alone that 'Fear' and 'Hope' would steal others away from their rightful worlds for the sake of this war of attrition? If so, there's much to discuss and I'm willing to do so in private if the public channels ill-suits any who speaks.

[He ends the recording with that for now. It seems as good a place to end it. Now the wait begins...]

Comments

[kingslight]

[The long pause unnerves Regis quite a bit and the inquiry that comes after has him wrecked with worry.]

Of course, Noct. Ask.

[kittycaterer]

[ He knows what following through with this means. Should he be successful, this brings them one step closer to being brought back to Eos. To both Lunafreya and Regis back to the afterlife, or... Wherever it is that they go. And it makes him sick and pained. Noctis' hands clench and loosen, desperate to alleviate the tension that plagues him. ]

[ When he finally looks to his father, it's with eyes that seem to gleam the way they once had as a scared, young boy. The same look he'd given his father at the age of 8, terribly ill and so very much convinced that he wouldn't make it. Those eyes are masked in the face of a young man who's struggled for so long to appear calm and collected all this time. An attempt that failed long ago. ]

You...

You're there. With me, right? Not physically, but--

[ Noctis' throat tightens, pained with a lump that forms in time with the burning in his eyes. He can't look at Regis that way, and so he turns his attention away quickly. ]

Please tell me you know what I'm getting at.

[kingslight]

[Regis could feel his heart constrict once he sees those fearful blue eyes. That look brought back decades worth of memories that all rushed through Regis' mind in just a single prolific flash. It ruins his heart and shortens his breath some. He knows the fear that claims Noctis well. He knows it so well that the very same fear that haunts Noctis, also haunts him. Likened to an illness, Regis has tasted that fear on a number of occasions and often has he defeated it with hope.

This is no different.

Instead of succumbing to the awful shadow of fear, Regis allows Eos' grace to claim him instead. The Light of the Dawn is missing from this dark and damp cave but Regis carries it with him always within his very soul in the form of hope. That's why when those wise peridot eyes gaze upon Noctis, they're so warm and serene.

The king reaches forward and claims Noctis' hands within his own. His hands are warm and strong, protective even. Noctis could feel his father's pulse through his palms as evident of his beating heart.]

I am with you always, Noctis.

[His grip tightens some out of emphasis.]

The same blood that courses through my veins flows through yours. I'm always there with you and even when the end draws near; I shall remain by your side now and forever. Father and son will not part. I am with you, my soul forever linked with yours because of that sacred bond. Not even the Lucii would dare deface such as bond even after my death.