#fromtheveil

Zenoclio: ...Hello Gwyneria. I’m surprised to see that you’re down here. You normally laze in the clouds around this time, doing nothing but napping.

Gwyneira: ...Yes... As much as I would rather spend my time lounging, I have a reason for being here.

Zenoclio: And that reason is...?

Gwyneira: [Silence]

Zenoclio: Gwyn, did you really come to see me just so you can waste both of our time?

Gwyneira: [Sigh] ...The other sisters and I have noticed that you have been behaving somewhat differently as of late.

Zenoclio: Excuse me?

Gwyneria: There is no need to hide it, Clio. We’ve all noticed it. The decrease in teasing, the uncomfortable expression you have when you think that others aren’t looking...

Zenoclio: [Silence]

Gwyneria: Even Miyako and Aniyah has noticed a dip in the average amount of sarcasm you use when speaking with them.

Zenoclio: Okay okay... Yes, I’ve- [Sigh] -been rather uncomfortable as of late.

Gwyneria: Why? We’re all concerned for you.

Zenoclio: [Silence]

Zenoclio: I’ve...been sensing something off.

Gwyneria: What is o-

Zenoclio: Space-time.

Gwyneria: ...I’m sorry?

Zenoclio: My Palkia side has been sensing something. Something...beyond.

Zenoclio: The last time I felt that something was off like this... It was due to the sudden increase of Ultra-Space Wormholes. But...this feels different.

Gwyneria: [Silence]

Gwyneria: Different...how...?

Zenoclio: That’s...where I’m not sure. My power over space is far more limited compared to the God of Space themselves. But...I can’t help but feel that something has...

Zenoclio: [Silence]

Gwyneria: ...Clio?

Zenoclio: It feels that...a hole has been made. No... Not a hole... A door.

Gwyneria: A...door?

Zenoclio: That’s what I think. But this door feels nothing like the Ultra-Space Wormholes. It feels that it leads to something much further away...

Gwyneria: Why have you not said anything? Xiomara should know about this.

Zenoclio: I didn’t want to cause a false alarm, Gwyn. You know that she wants to be bothered far less than I do.

Gwyneria: She is still our sister. The realm of Space is your specialization as the Sister of Palkia, just as Clouds and Lightning are my specialization as the Sister of Thundurus. If you feel that something is off, it is more than enough of a reason to inform others.

Zenoclio: Heh, you have a point, as you always do. Very well, I’ll go speak to her about it.

Gwyneria: If it ends up being something that’s to be concerned of, there’s a good chance that we may have to investigate it.

Zenoclio: That would be interesting if that were to be the case. It’s been a long time since any of us have left this place.

Gwyneria: Besides Quintoria and Iniko stepping out into civilization to obtain a few trinkets for us, that is.

[Silence]

Zenoclio: I hope that this won’t be as big of a problem as it seems to be. There are no more gods left to take care of the universe.

Gwyneria: You know that’s incorrect, Clio.

Zenoclio: [Laughs bitterly] Whatever gods that remain don’t possess nearly as much power as they initially did, did you forget that?

Zenoclio: There’s a reason why we exist here, Gwyn. We exist as wielders and inheritors of the last of the true power of the gods. Any Legendary Pokemon that still live among mortals are merely shells of what they once were.

Zenoclio: That...is why some Humans are capable of catching them in the first place.

Gwyneria: [Silence]

Zenoclio: I...will take my leave now. Thank you for speaking to me, Gwyn. Go head back to the skies and laze around, otherwise you might actually gain a work ethic and become a decent contributor to society.

Gwyneria: I-

Gwyneria: [Silence]

Gwyneria: I see that your sarcastic tongue hasn’t lost its edge.

There are many tales of how the universe of the Pokemon was made, yet all of them point towards a singular source - Arceus. Although true, there is considerably more to the story.

When the universe was born, it was unstable. This lack of stability eventually caused it to split, forming three sister realities that were all connected to each other.

The first and most largest of the sister realities is the Prime Realm, the second and smaller sister reality is the Ultra Space, and the third and most smallest of all is the Distortion World.

The moment each sister reality became stable, an entity was born within each. There was Arceus - Goddess of the Prime Realm, Necrozma - Goddess of the Ultra Space, and Giratina - Goddess of the Distortion World.

Each of these gods were intimately connected to their reality, their omniscient and omnipotent power allowing them to shape and twist their realm to however they desired.

Due to the nature of the realities being in constant proximity and association of one another, the three gods considered each other to be sisters - just as their realities are. As each of them forged their realms, they would frequently visit one-another.

Due to her reality being the most vast, Arceus created numerous entities to help her manage the Prime Realm. By splitting her power, she gave life to numerous entities that you know to be Legendary and Mythical Pokemon - each a given role to play in the Prime Realm. Together they constructed reality into what you know today, from the laws to the stars to life itself.

Due to Ultra Space being considerably smaller than the Prime Realm, Necrozma saw no need to create entities to assist her. Instead she created her own laws, structures, and life. Through her power she made it so that Ultra Space could easily connect itself between the Prime Realm and Distortion World, for easy access so that the entities of the three realities may easily traverse from one to another.

For Giratina, the Distortion World was so small that its size could never compare to Ultra Space - let alone the Prime Realm. Between the three sisters, she was considerably close with Arceus due to how the Distortion World was constantly in touching distance with the Prime Realm. Always in awe of how Arceus and her Legendaries were shaping their reality, Giratina attempted to create her own miniature Prime Realm. This however did not succeed and instead creating a reality that vaguely resembles the first sister reality, for Giratina did not truly understand the workings of the Prime Realm.

As time passed, Arceus and her Legendaries eventually crafted a Prime world - a place where they can create a masterpiece, where all life is concentrated. As the world grew and began to sustain itself, they decided to move their attention back to the Prime Realm as a whole.

However due to their love of the newly forged world that is brimming with life, they wished for it and all those within to always have some form of guidance, so that they may never be lost on their journey of growth. Arceus and the Legendaries made a decision: To take a part of their power and let it manifest into smaller gods that represent themselves.

This decision is how multiples of single species of Legendaries came into existence.

With the creation of these caretakers, new definitions were made. The caretakers of the world became known as the Lesser Gods, sharing a likeness to their creators in appearance and the role they play. The original Legendaries however were known as the High Gods - or more commonly referred to nowadays as True Gods or True Legends, due to their unmatched power as well as being the first to be born into reality.

Upon witnessing this, Necrozma decided to create her own versions of Lesser Gods - lesser, weaker versions of herself. These smaller Necrozma act as keepers of Ultra Space and the Ultra Beasts the dwell within, also creating gateways and vast networks between the sister realities so that all entities could interact freely.

Giratina also desired to create her own Lesser Gods, however the restrictions of the Distortion World prevented her from doing so. Yet due to her immense admiration towards Arceus and the Prime Realm, through sheer determination she managed to separate part of her power and create a singular Lesser God - a lesser Giratina. Although this lesser Giratina had no role to play like the Lesser Gods of the other realities, the High Giratina felt great pride towards her creation and treated her like a daughter she always desired.

With this, the three realities and their gods continued to prosper and grow...

...until they didn’t...

It’s well-known that they try to integrate into time, to become one with it.

Although time cannot be altered, the infinite paths make the Vex the ultimate entities.

They have already mastered the power to walk between timelines, to have their Axis Minds and Sub Minds connect with each other across the infinitely spanning rivers of alternate timelines.

The Vex can draw their numbers from any source. The past, the present, and the future. Their connection with one-another means that every machine knows the mistakes that was made in another timeline, the choices that caused success, and more.

No Vex is without knowledge. Even in timelines where they first come into existence, their connection to the Vex Collective makes it so that they know everything all others know.

It’s an odd paradox. Has there ever been a time where the Vex knew nothing? Or did they already know everything when they first came into existence before all other realities branched out?

I am rambling...

What I’m getting to is that because of how infinitely spanning the Vex are, how can one truly stop them? It doesn’t matter if you stop the Vex in your reality. Their connections with one-another means that if they were to succeed in another, your victory means nothing.

They seek to fully integrate themselves into time, to become a law just like it. A law of physics. A law of logic. They wish to become one of the fundamental rules of reality itself.

That rule is that they exist. That they are the only true answer. That all things lead to them: The Vex.

How can such a foe be stopped, when they learn from their mistakes in current realities and then apply this newfound knowledge in others?

Yet this brings another question...

If the Vex can do all of this across all of the infinitely spanning rivers of time, why have they not won yet?

...

...

There is one last thing, something about time that has never been spoken of.

Time is a river. Yet like many rivers, there are some that are never connected.

Completely separate rivers.

Completely separate universes and realities.

Despite never being able to touch, sometimes there are methods to connect such rivers to each other.

Lengthy channels carved in the earth, causing the waters of one to go through a long journey before connecting to another.

Such things are rarely ever a natural occurrence. If one wants one river to connect to another that’s considered out of reach, it requires outside forces to connect them.

The Vex tend to stay within their own river, only focusing on their primary objective to what applies to them.

But what if...

...they were to create a channel to another river that never had a connection to theirs?

...

All I am saying...is that the Vex are not a simple existence that’s being talked about.

This information is relevant, for the Vex are far closer than you think.

[PoV: Zolviks]

I am accustomed to darkness, but the shadows of the Vault are...far more unsettling. It contains an air that is dry...yet damp, old...yet new. It radiates a constant feeling that makes me wary, that its interior is...out of place.

Keeping my form low I crawl across the ground, my eyes glancing from one place to another for...any sort of activity.

Activity was not something I found, no... Instead I found the corpses of Fallen, and upon seeing their coats and tattered banners, I knew they were part of House Wolves - the House that Skolas led into the Vault to steal Vex Technology.

I heard the tales - how one of the Risen followed the Wolves into the Vault and began slaughtering them. Skolas did end up accomplishing his goal, but at a heavy cost.

...

That was over a year ago, so the corpses should’ve long since rotted.

Yet here they are, looking as if they were freshly killed. I suspect that this is the Vault's doing, how time flows differently within its walls...

...

In the end I didn’t question it, since what is there to question? What answers would I find? Nothing. I am no longer in a place to ask questions that contain answers I will never find.

Instead I did what us Fallen do best - which is scavenge and steal. I searched through their corpses for anything of use. I found several unused Ether Vials on the remains of several Captains - in which I eagerly refilled my mask with one of the vials while stowing the others. On the body of a Vandal I found an undamaged Wire Rifle, it took me no time at all to yank the weapon out of their claws and hook it to my back-plate. On further inspection I noticed that they also have a still-functioning Cloaking Module - something incredibly important for my survival within the Vault.

After careful prying I managed to pull it off from their body and after carefully inspecting it for any damages, I attach it to the back of my helmet. With it in place I tap the device with one of my upper-arms, enshrouding my form with distorted light so that I am invisible to the naked eye - or at least mostly invisible, for the only traces of my existence are faint ripples in the space where I’m standing.

I...am in a far better spot now. I have more Ether. I have more weapons. I even have better stealth.

I stand high, a faint sense of hopefulness filling my being.

I came in here with little to nothing, yet now...I have at least a little more something...

Looking down at the dead Wolves, I feel that hopefulness turn into disgust. With a low hiss escaping from my maw I pull out one of my sheathed Shock Blades and stab it into one of the corpses, the serrated edges easily sinking into their flesh.

The action brings me a great sense of satisfaction, for House Wolves were the ones responsible for fracturing my House further.

...

My House...

When...I think about it, I am the sole survivor of House Winter. With me being the only member, does that make me Kell?

...

I couldn’t help but grin a bittersweet grin.

I...never thought I would reach a high point of leadership. I clawed for it just as much as my brothers and sisters had, but I never possessed enough strength to even become a Captain - not much a Kell no less. HA! If one were to say that Zolviks were to become a Kell, I would stab them in their neck for insulting me with impossible fantasies.

Yet...if I am the only remaining member of House Winter, then...that makes me its Kell.

Zolviks, Kell of House Winter.

The thought of that would be so much sweeter if it weren’t for the fact that I’m the only one left that wears House Winter’s banner.

The universe is cruel... Very cruel...

With a growl I yank my blade out of the corpse and proceed deeper into the Vault, my feet barely making a sound against the stone that was converted by the Vex.

...

The Vex....

...

Ever since I entered the Vault of Glass, I never once saw a single one of those machines. This makes me wary. Very wary.

The Vault of Glass is not abandoned, I know that well enough since the Vex activity on Venus is still strong - although far more weakened after the severe blows the Risen have dealt to them.

So where are they?

That is another question with answers I do not know, but the answer of this one? It makes me afraid, for I could discover this answer any minute...

That is why I must be careful...

If the Vex were to find me before I find anything I could make use of, it would be my end.

Even with my newfound spoils, I would be helpless if the entire Vex Collective of Venus were to hunt me.

Yet I still must go deeper...

...

Such a broad question many would think. What possibly could I mean by monster?

Do I speak of a twisted appearance, an individual so ghastly that infants would scream upon sight of them?

Or perhaps do I speak of their thought process and decisions , how their actions would disgust and horrify others?

Let us dwell on the latter, oh reader mind.

We all have our own goals, our own objectives. We seek to accomplish something, to reach the end where we succeed in what we’ve been working towards.

This varies greatly from individuals, however the actual goal is not what matters in this conversation. It’s what one is willing to do in order to accomplish said goal.

Sacrifice is a common occurrence in reaching your objective, but to many it becomes questionable when you begin sacrificing others in order to further your goals.

To throw one under the bus so that you may take their place, to mislead or misinform them so that they won’t get in your way, to stab them in the back so that their existence won’t jeopardize your goals - they’re all spurred from the desire to succeed at all costs.

But are these sacrifices necessary? Perhaps to the one who is working towards their goal, but others will think very differently. But what does it matter? Conflicting opinions will forever exist, yet which party is truly the wrong one?

Does it depend on the scenario? Perhaps...

Let us dwell on what’s familiar, oh watcher.

The HWDP.

Do you consider them to be monsters, oh reader mine?

Many of you would say yes, I feel. To you they are a heartless organization ran by heartless people, dragging others into their dark and corrupting grip so that they may enact terrible things upon innocents - both Human and Pokemon alike.

They abduct Pokemon from their homes and experiment on them against their will.

They carefully watch over their own employees, permanently silencing those they deem a liability.

They develop weapons both biological and mechanical - whether it be Pokemon hybrids or cybernetic weapons - all geared to combat other Pokemon.

They’ve done all of these terrible things and much more, but for what end? To prepare for a war? To en-mass an arsenal so that they may combat Pokemon efficiently?

Yes. They are monsters through and through, heartless beings who needs to brought to justice to face their crimes.

That is what many would say.

Yet are they truly monstrous? Are they truly monstrous for sacrificing so many others to achieve their goal?

The ones who run this organization fear Pokemon, yet why do they fear them so?

Do they fear Pokemon because they are naturally more powerful? Do they fear them for what Pokemon have done to them in the past? Do they fear them for what Pokemon might possibly do to them in the future?

Did they once fight in a war against Pokemon? Watching their own people being slaughtered by a foe that’s naturally superior?

Or perhaps are they envious? How they were not created equal, where Pokemon possess abilities to warp their world around them, yet mankind have nothing?

Mankind may have sprawling metropolises, but what’s stopping Pokemon from doing the same? They possess more than enough ingenuity to invent their own devices and cities, yet why do they copy from mankind?

Is it because they have no need to do it themselves? That their powers never made it that it was required to invent things such as medicine in order to survive?

When mankind had striven to survive by inventing things that are more convenient for them, did Pokemon see this convenience and decide to copy it for themselves? Thus making it so no matter how much mankind tried to keep up, Pokemon always ended up being one step ahead of them?

Perhaps, but this is merely one assumption.

In the end, the HWDP is attempting to create things that will give them a permanent edge over Pokemon. Something that isn’t a nuclear bomb - where it would destroy them along with their foe.

They are preparing for a war, a war that they intend to win with as few human casualties as possible.

Yet are the Pokemon truly a threat? Is there an unseen tension that’s building, where Progria and Evolutia will end up declaring war on one another?

Or is this simply paranoia?

...

The HWDP have sacrificed so many. They have inflicted so much pain and death to get where they are, yet are they still considered monsters?

Maybe...just perhaps...

...this...is actually a noble cause? That by sacrificing several thousand lives, they intend to save millions more?

Or is this a monstrous cause? That by sacrificing several thousand lives, they intend to kill millions more?

...

Such a heavy question, oh reader mine.

In the end, you see them how you deem fit. They're your thoughts alone, after all. Your opinions. Your views.

Yet keep this concept in your mind, oh watcher.

If you were to go to the extreme to do something you deem necessary, would you consider yourself to be a monster?

Perhaps not, but maybe other people would?