Victorious advance

[Anastasia]

Quietly, as much a whisper, "Alicia, can such a being give up, accept nothingness?" Antenora asks. "Have things degenerated to the point where Primus has surrendered to despair?"

[Ebiris]

"Is not an empty void where nothing changes a perfect representation of static unchanging order?" Alicia asks in turn, trading question for question since she has no answers. "Is despair the right term to use for such a being?"

[Anastasia]

"In that moment I understand, because my own sorrow at such a thought resonates deep," Antenora exhales a slow, gentle sigh. "What a perversion of what order should be, if you are right."

[Ebiris]

"... of course," Alicia speaks up a moment later. "That's only a surface reading. You and I both know that even if Creation were to be rendered away to nothing... there would not be true Nothing. All the infinity of Beyond would remain, with all its multitudes of weird and strange beings and concepts never even noticing that Creation was there or gone. So... where does that leave us?"

[Anastasia]

"It reminds me of creating in the Beyond," Is Antenora's eventual reply. "The ability to Create in Limbo is more restrained, restrained to Creation's limits, but still there. In time One needs neither to create."

[Ebiris]

"Io told us of his own attempt, remember?" she prods. "I wish I'd asked more, but I could feel his sorrow. Whatever wonders he created, whatever attempt at a perfect Creation forged from a blank slate... naught remains but his own memories of it, of that I'm sure."

[Anastasia]

"I know." Antenora admits, "But Io could journey farther, and maybe one day over come that. I believe this Creation mirrors and hints at what is Beyond in its way - including the ability to ascend higher. It's merely....it's just that....I was serious when I said that if all else fails, I will endure beyond Creation and not rest until I can give your soul a new realm to reside in."

Looking into your eyes, "I'm terrified of having to fulfill that promise and being along for so long. When I think of Primus accepting oblivious and justifying it, I feel the existential dread deep in my bones. My mind eternally returns to Eblis."

[Ebiris]

"One is the loneliest number..." Alicia says softly. "That's what I said to him, and I could tell it stung. In any case I'm glad Io came back to this Creation instead of trying again with another fresh start elsewhere. We can use the help."

[Anastasia]

"So am I." Antenora agrees. "Do you think it's worth visiting him again, that we can make any headway there?"

[Ebiris]

"Do you have anything new to say that we didn't last time?" Alicia asks. "I don't think belabouring any points will make a difference to him, but the right surprise would."

[Anastasia]

A pause.

"Jessica," she finally says. "Showing him that we won't be alone."

[Ebiris]

"Hmmm..." Alicia hums. "I'm not sure. She's not One, and Eblis doesn't much care for deities otherwise. It might prompt more questions as to the how and I wouldn't be able to put him off as easily as I did Malcanthet just now, especially not if we're initiating with her front and centre."

[Anastasia]

Antneora hmms, "Perhaps I should contact him directly and see if we can even talk. If any part of him can be reached and pulled back from the chasm he's hurled himself into, then it's my duty to do so."

[Ebiris]

"It can't hurt, you're his equal and opposite in many ways so perhaps," Alicia nods, putting her tea aside. "Just promise you won't go visit him without backup, preferably myself or Syala at the least."

[Anastasia]

"I agree," Antenora says, "Is there a way to make our communications audible to you, Alicia?"