INTRO EVENT: Dawn Of A New Age

[tamerunion]

The story which has begun to revolve at full speed
Dyes the earth red
The globe is an empty paradise
Let's save it with our hands...

A new day dawns in the Digital World. Technically, it's been a scant few since Tamers first appeared in the Digital World, but today... today is especially momentous. The reason for that is that today is the day that Tamer Union's mission fully begins in earnest. However, the path ahead will not be easy, and will be fraught with danger for human and Digimon alike.

But maybe, just maybe, these disparate people can work together to save their worlds.

Mission Start
The message is sent through on Tamers' digivices early in the morning. It comes from the leaders of Tamer Union, Sunflowmon and Nanomon, who give the directions to gather in the main assembly area of the HQ. When Tamers arrive, they'll find a group of allied Digimon there; essentially, TU's support staff, as well as Panjyamon, Mummymon, and Bitmon. The reason they give... is that it's time for Tamer Union's mission to begin in earnest.

Once everyone is assembled, it's Sunflowmon who speaks first. "Thank you for gathering here today, everyone," she said. "I apologize for the fact that it's taken this long to bring you all together, but we're ready to discuss Tamer Union's mission. Nanomon?"

Nanomon nods, and walks out in front of her. "Hello," he began. "You are all here because you chose to answer our call. All of your worlds are being plagued by some sort of phenomena, and we know that something in this world is the cause of it. We'd like to talk to you about what where we'd like to start focusing our attention."

He took a deep breath, and began explaining the matter of the strange phenomenon known as "Alias". A horrifying, frightful condition that drives Digimon to savagery, where they loose all sense of themselves and become ravenous monsters. He explains that the phenomenon first appeared on the mainland, and that Sunflowmon's master, Rosemon, sent her to restore Tamer Union in an attempt to solve what was truly behind Alias's sudden appearance.

Once Nanomon was finished, Sunflowmon stepped forward, and began to speak solemnly.

"Unfortunately, by the time we managed to bring you all here, Access Island lost contact with the mainland," she explained. "So our ability to pursue this mission is at present quite limited. What we can do right now is do our best to try and make sure that Alias doesn't spread and take over this island... which is why we need you Tamers to be vigilant and patrol the areas of the island that are open to us to determine if Alias has reached Access Island yet or not."

She frowned, and continued. "Furthermore... Tamers are not yet allowed into all areas of the island. The Digimon of each region aren't all sure they can trust you yet. For that reason, you may only be able to use the Trailmon to visit Panorama Plains, Material Jungle, and Pixel Coast.

"I'm sorry. I know after all this, you must all want to get down to business as quickly as we can. But right now, informing you and asking you to stay vigilant is all we can do. I would advise you all to also try and see what you can do to be helpful in the city... and if you want to try building a life here, you'll have our full support."

There looked to be so much more Sunflowmon wished to say. Unfortunately, she had run out of words, so she simply concluded with: "That's all we have for you. If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them."

With that, the meeting was over. That left Tamers with a couple options: one, to approach Sunflowmon, or discuss the matter among themselves.

A Wonderful Day In Our Neighborhood
The inaugural meeting may have been somber, but the Tamers would find Access City bustling and ready to welcome them when they ventured out into the city proper. It turned out that there was something of an event going on, which seemed to be perfect for those still trying to acclimate themselves to their new surroundings: A massive sale in the business district.

All the shops were coordinating with one another. Stores had their wares at reduced prices, which would be a good way for one to spend the stipend they received from Tamer Union. Everything from food to furniture to entertainment was available, and best of all affordable. Others had free samples ready to give out, which were thankfully more palatable than the food served by Ebidramon at the welcome party.

That wasn't all. For those not concerned with buying up anything, there were shows being put on out in the streets by street performers: "human" pyramids, musicians, magicians, jugglers, just about anything you could imagine. And the Digimon putting it on? They would be quick to drag any observers into their performances, whether they technically agreed to it or not.

Even if the rest of the island wasn't ready to trust offworlders yet, it seemed Access City was more than willing to.

Rail Riders
Some time after the big meeting, Tamers would get yet another message on their Digivices, this time from Panjyamon:

Have you all taken a ride on the Trailmon yet? It's an ice way to get around!
Puns aside, he was right. The Trailmon of Console Station were more than willing to carry passengers to any of the available locations. Perhaps you want to get started on patrolling the island for signs of ALIAS. Or maybe you want to get the lay of the land. Or maybe you just want to go to the beach. In any case, your tickets are free, and the Digivice's version of the Handbook has more than enough information for you to read up on the areas before you go.

That being said, there's some goings on that might catch one's eye. A bunch of shifty looking Digimon are riding the Trailmon more than usual. Not only do they make a ruckus on the train, they're going in and out of cargo cars both prior to and upon exiting the train. Do they have permission to do that? And why are they off in such a hurry, and in such large groups?

In any case, this looks like an ample time to find out.

This prompt can be used one of two ways: players visiting the various areas to search for signs of Alias or just because they fancy doing so, or to pursue the Goblimon mystery. If you'd like to pursue the former, you can either NPC them yourself (the Goblimon would turn out to just be everyday troublemakers), or you can request an NPC below and possibly get involved with larger matters!

Comments

[aetherweaver]

"Maybe in the space between cars? They won't fall out, and maybe the fresh air will do them some good." Probably not, but at least they'd be out of the way of the other passengers.

The question about his weapon gets a nod. "It is. I'm a little surprised you recognized it, with how few I've been told there are..." He knows he certainly didn't know what to think the first time Alisaie pulled it out. "But I've been studying the art for some time."

[lightingway]

Taiki smiled brightly. "That seems like a fine idea." Bending down, he hoisted one of the dozing goblimon over one shoulder. "That's wonderful, though! One of my closest friends studies the art, and she tried to teach me, once, though I confess she's much more skilled at it than I. I'm given to understand there's not that many practitioners left."

Gazimon tilted his head to the side. "So... what, you two're from the same world? That's convenient."

"Apparently! I'm Taiki Unryu. Yourself?"

[aetherweaver]

He picks up one himself, not bothered very much by the weight. Botamon's eyes go wide in admiration, and Nara'a chuckles. "I started with thaumaturgy at a young age, though with no formal training it got occasionally... explosive." He smiles at the memory, despite having gotten yelled at afterwards. "And I studied some more advanced forms when I came of age and went to Ul'dah. But then I stumbled on red magic and it just felt... comfortable. Though I also have a friend who studies it - she's the one who pointed me to my teacher."

And then he'd excelled, and she'd been sulky for a bit at his progress, but then got over it. "Nara'a Sunvara. I take it you're an adventurer, too?" He certainly looks the part, at least.

[lightingway]

The viera's ears perked up. "Another thaumaturge? A man after my own heart- though I learned the basics elsewhere, the Order was very helpful in showing me the more refined aspects. I ended up leaving the Order to train in black magic eventually, but I like to check in with Cocobuki. I'll have to let him know you said hello, if ever I get the chance to say so."

It wasn't that difficult, really, to haul open the door, and shove the unconscious goblimon firmly in the corner. That should keep them out of trouble. "I was under the impression there were only a handful of red mages left, though. Was your teacher one X'ruhn Tia, perchance?"

"Gesundheit," Gazimon muttered.

[aetherweaver]

"Black magic, you say..." His eyebrows raise, but not unkindly. He deposits his Goblimon and closes the carriage door. "He was, in fact. He's a good man, for all the wandering that he does. I'm glad to know him." The comment from Gazimon gets a confused look, but he shrugs and sits back down, Botamon bouncing onto his lap.

"I was only brought here with a few of my job stones. I wonder, if you're a black mage... do you have others along with you? ... You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I know how highly coveted some of them can be."

[lightingway]

Taiki smiled warmly, locking the carriage door behind him and taking his seat again. "Ugh. Tell me about it, I've collected some few over the years but for reasons I can't fathom, only three made it here with me. Black Magic is what I've practiced the longest, of course, but I was very fortunate to be taught as a White Mage as well-" he paused, realized what he was, technically, saying- "-with the blessing of the Padjal, mind you." He grimaced, slightly, as the last would almost surely identify him.

"The last I have on me belonged to a man named Fray, who taught me the arts of a Dark Knight." It wasn't... technically a lie. Gazimon's brow furrowed as he looked up at the viera, considering this information.

"So... I'm lost. What's the difference between Red, White, and Black magic? Seems like kinda a pain in the ass to keep track of."

"Not particularly. It's largely down to the focus of each discipline and which elements they draw from- though I'm hardly a scholar. I'm only particularly familiar with the more practical applications than the deeper theories."

[aetherweaver]

"Essentially. I could go into theory or history, but I doubt that you really want to know. If you do though, let me know."

... A White Mage? Strange. He would have heard of another non-Padjali White Mage - or at least A-Ruhn-Senna would have doubtless made some sort of snide comment about it. But the comment about Fray has his ears perking at attention.

"Fray, you say... strange. I know someone with that name as well. I walked the path of a Dark Knight for a while, but took up the path of the Warrior instead. I also have my Red Mage crystal with me, obviously..." He hesitates on the last one, tapping his fingers against the seat next to him. "... As well as my Reaper job crystal." He's aware of how that sounds, and he's aware of what the connotations are - and the connections with Garleans, if he knows of it.

"It's strange..." Hm... "Strange that we seem to know people in common. Especially Fray." He meets Taiki's gaze, his ears pinning back slightly in a mix of suspicion and sadness. It can't be that he's from a reflection - they wouldn't know the same people.

... Could it be? He's not sure. But he has to make sure he's safe. If Taiki is who he's starting to think he is, he'd at least recognize this. "But I suppose adventurers tend to go whither the wild rose blooms."

[lightingway]

Wait... no. How could Nara'a know 'Fray'. How could he be a Dark Knight, there were only two left?? No, Drusila's 'family' was incredibly small, there was no way the other man could have been part of it without his knowledge.

And that password. That could have been leaked by any member of the Scions- especially since the Waking Sands had been raided, but...

His eyes narrowed as well, mind racing. What were the possibilities, here? An Ascian agent? Someone from another Shard- no, how could he possibly know the same people?

It... wasn't possible.

"Does... somebody wanna clue me in on whatever cloak-and-dagger thing you guys got goin' on? I read stuff, I know a secret passcode when I hear one."

He... he knew time travel was possible. Knew that he himself and G'raha both had travelled into the past, affected change... Raha had been sent into the past believing that the world he'd left behind would vanish, but what if it... didn't? Shtola had idly mused about it at times, the prospect of that world remaining and the world they lived in now being an accidental byproduct... Could it even be possible? What could have changed? Nara'a had clearly met the same people, but- had they said the same things, committed the same acts?

"Botamon, help me out here, you got a clue what they're on about?"

With shaking hands, Taiki reached into the recesses of his robes, drawing out a tiny object, something he'd only shown to a precious handful of people. Only the Scions, Amon, Hades, Hythlodaeus, and Venat knew that he had it, knew what it was... and the latter four were dead.

It was a soul crystal. A very special one. "Curious turn of phrase. I've heard of folk pretending to be me in an attempt to get drinks for free, on occasion, you know. But you seem... familiar to me, in a way I can't describe. I'd like you to tell me what this is, if you can."

do de do major Endwalker spoilers

[aetherweaver]

"No idea!" Botamon replies cheerfully. He's got no clue what's going on, but whatever it is it doesn't seem dangerous.

Nara'a feels his heart stop as he spots the crystal Taiki brings out, and he clutches a hand to his chest. Not only is it Azem's crystal - his crystal - but the memory of using it to bring back the others is still fresh in his mind, painful. His grip tightens around his shirt and he has to force tears back.

Even still, his voice is rough when he responds.

"... That's Azem's soul crystal. Mine, in a way." He looks up, voice barely audible over the clacking of the train. "... Our crystal, isn't it?"

It's the only explanation he can think of. He knows of the reflections, and the way that timelines had shifted due to everything G'raha had done. But this? This is something different. If he has that... then there's no way that he could be anything other than a person in the same position as him. The Warrior of Light.

Not a reflection, not a different timeline... a different world? But a world so close to being the same that the same people were in it. He struggles to find the words to explain, his mind racing with theories, but... none of that matters at the moment.

"... You've been through a lot these past years, haven't you? I... think that I know. I think that I know very well."

[lightingway]

Taiki had to sit down. "Kami preserve me," he breathed. "I... yes. That's an understatement, and no mistake. Gazimon, to... answer your question. I... think Nara'a may be me. Somehow. That is... uniquely strange. Nara'a..." He'd understand. He'd know, wouldn't he?

Not... everything, most likely. Surely not- they seemed to have such different personalities and their relationships with others had changed... But what would have stayed the same, then? "This is. A great deal to think about."

"Uh. Yeah. That uh... Whaaat the hell have I got myself into, here."

[aetherweaver]

"That's... that's right." Botamon nuzzles at his tamer gently, trying to make sure he's calm. He pets Botamon's head absently, smiling slightly at Gazimon's response.

"I mean, I could say about the same thing. We're both the Warrior of Light..." There's no mistaking that crystal. It's something only the Warrior of Light would have, only something that's been given to them. "So you're... everything happened for you too, then. Even Ardbert..."

Even Ardbert sacrificing himself to save him. "... Taiki..." It's a strange feeling, looking at someone who knows, deep down, exactly what he's been through. "... Well, I guess I don't have to explain how tired I am."

The nightmares of losing friends, of them twisting into monstrosities, of them sacrificing themselves and never returning... someone gets it. Someone knows. It's been an issue for him ever since Ultima Thule, and at least this is someone he doesn't have to hide it from.

[lightingway]

Ardbert. "I'm- not certain we've exactly the same experiences, I can't know for sure. I suppose we could compare notes, but... No, you don't. Gazimon- I... ah. Haven't been entirely truthful with you."

"No, really, you think? What's a 'Warrior of Light'? What do you mean 'he's you', that doesn't... make a lick of friggin' sense, I mean- I always got the sense you were bein' cagey about yourself, 'specially around that tall dude in the cloak, so obviously you ain't a shazam's family or whatever-"

Taiki groaned. "Azem's familiar."

"Yeah, that."

Taiki inhaled. "Gods, I need Shtola for this. I haven't the head for keeping track of higher-level concepts like- like time travel and- oh, what the hells did she call it we were all drinking and I can't for the life of me remember. Multiverse hypothesis? I think so... Kami fucking preserve me, and Erichthonios is going to be a problem and his- friend. Themis. I haven't met Themis, but with my luck they're both future members of the Convocation of Fourteen!" And he'd already let slip that the Scions existed to this 'Themis', unknowing of who the other man was. "Azem was a man who lived many thousands of years ago, before our star was sundered from one world into fourteen. If this is all true, and Nara'a is not some elaborate conjuring of my feverish imagination- then the impossible has somehow happened, and we have both inherited the same man's soul, experienced the same journey, made the same friends, and fought the same foes."

Gazimon stared for several seconds... and quietly climbed up onto the bench again. "That... don't sound real possible."

"And yet, here we are. This," he waved the soul crystal around, "Was created by one of Azem's close friends, to preserve his memory. The number of people who know about this item, that I have it, and what it does, are vanishingly few. Dramatically fewer, the number of people who also know about 'Fray', or Ardbert. Only one man knows about Fray, and my relationship with Ardbert is as private as it could possibly be." He sighed. "The only thing that I could think of- is that in traveling to the past, I somehow... created a timeline in which mayhap my mother never had me- or I died young, or... something, that caused the mantle of Azem to fall to another."

He was tired. He was so tired. There were so many questions. "Nara'a... whatever the cause, I'm sorry. I truly am. I wouldn't wish this life on anyone." He smiled, sadly, as a question was brought to mind.

You who are our future, tell me this and tell me true. Has your journey been good? Has it been... worthwhile?

"Though... I suspect, if we've anything at all in common, you wouldn't have given it up for the world. You're still here, after all."

[aetherweaver]

"Themis. I've met him. There's something familiar to me about him, but I don't know what it is." It's odd, something at the back of his mind... but he'll investigate those feelings later. "I don't know, though. I also traveled to the past, so maybe it's something like that."

He's tired, but excited by the possibilities. He's not gotten to bite into another mystery in a bit, at least not one that doesn't threaten the world. He'll have to think about it. Botamon looks at Gazimon, a little lost but ultimately pleased that their tamers seem to be getting along.

"It's not as if you have anything to apologize for. You're right that I wouldn't have given it up for anything. It's been... amazing. It's consumed my life and turned it into something greater than I can imagine. And... I'd be lying if I said it wasn't fun at times, between all of the threats."

"So you're okay? What does 'Warrior of Light' even mean?"

How to even put something like that into words? "... Simply put, it's the savior of our star. The one who stands against the coming foes and defeats them. ... But it's more than that. It's not a title we pick. It's... complicated." And tiring. So tiring...

But rewarding. Taiki's right, he wouldn't give it up for the world. "And so are you. That's no small feat." There's a million ways that he could have been killed up to this point, but he's pushed through. Taiki must have, too... it's a lot to take in.

"... Thank you, for what it's worth. If our worlds really are the same, just... slightly different... thank you for saving it. We both have people we care about there... and I'm glad that someone's been there for them."

[lightingway]

His head was spinning. This was all... so much. Gazimon didn't look much better, though at the very least it wasn't his life that got all... timey-wimey.

"So... the both a you've been through this whole... 'save the world' thing, before, then."

Taiki nodded. "Yes... I'd thought, hoped rather, that with my greatest foes all vanquished, the world might well stay saved for a time. And yet..." He gestured, vaguely, at his surroundings. "At times I feel like a maid to a particularly unruly nursery. As though I've just finished cleaning, only to find less than a bell later the place is knee-deep in filth again."

"So... why the hell did you volunteer? Clearly there's other people willing to help. Did you even sign up for this crap?"

"No," he admitted, after a moment. "When I left Kugane for Eorzea, my grandest dream was to earn an apprenticeship at the Weavers' Guild and master the craft. I took up adventuring work to make ends meet, and... well. All the rest was based on chance meetings."

"So why... bother? You coulda backed out at any time. It sounds like this wasn't your ball game, why even..." Gazimon trailed off.

Taiki glanced at Nara'a. "... When I was a boy, I left the Wood I had once called my home. There were people who took me in, people who were inordinately kind to me. And, when invaders came calling, seeking their land and their blood, because I could not help them, I fled as far as I could, to a nation overflowing with wealth and resources. Here were a people drowning in wealth, while the poorest among them scraped and bowed and begged for the merest scraps at their masters' tables- they could have done something. It would have been easy, left scarcely a dent in the piles of gold they'd stolen from years of exploiting those beneath them. But they did nothing. Garlemald did not threaten them, and so they were content to feast while others around them were conquered and enslaved. You're right, of course, in that it wasn't their fight. They had no reason to intervene... and the price of their indifference was innocent lives. My first home burned, my second conquered, my third a nightmare of poverty and disease... And I came so close to losing the last. All for the sake of the apathy of others. I don't know what Nara'a has endured, not all of it, at least, but I do know that, if we've arrived at the same destination, he must feel the same way. To ignore the plight of those I might conceivably save is not wisdom."

[aetherweaver]

He laughs a bit at the analogy, but goes quiet as Taiki keeps talking. The pieces start clicking into place... so that's why he invokes the kami. And to see his home burned and invaded... he feels a little guilty. He'd never had invaders directly threaten his home. He'd fought for those who'd been affected, but he'd never felt it quite so keenly himself.

"I... left home to train at the Thaumaturge's Guild in Ul'dah. I'm from the Wellwick Wood between Thanalan and the Twelveswood. I was... hm." How to put this in a way that doesn't sound odd to outside ears? "Keepers of the Moon are matriarchal. Men aren't really considered needed other than for having children. So many of us grow up and are expected to leave home anyway, only returning occasionally to our clans - or whatever clan we take a mate from." He knows how that sounds, but it's just how he was raised. "But I was mocked for wanting to take up magic rather than hunt. I was clumsy for a long time." He brushes his hair aside to reveal a larger scar - faint, but crossing diagonally down his forehead past his nose.

"Home was... it burned in the Seventh Umbral Calamity, but it survived. We survived and adapted to the new monsters roaming out woods. It was considered not worth an attempt at occupying when the Garleans came to Eorzea. Not enough strategic value or enough resources for them to want to control." Which is fine with him - as much as he has conflicting feelings on home, he doesn't want invaders near it. "... But I fought for people who were invaded anyway, even if it wasn't affecting my home. It was the right thing to do, and I had the power to do it."

He gestures towards the other Warrior, a sad smile on his face. "To keep more places from being invaded and burned. I... wouldn't wish that on anyone. And maybe now, given the situation in Garlemald... maybe we can have peace. Though I wouldn't wish their situation on anyone, either."

The last bit gets a more genuine smile out of him, though there's still sadness in it. "We fight. We fight for those we have lost. For those we can yet save."

[lightingway]

Gazimon looked perturbed by all this, but said nothing else.

"Garlemald... And the Ascians, I suppose. I hated them for so long, you know? They'd cost me so much, so many times... all of them just victims, in the end. Some of them," he thought, sadly, of Hades, "I don't think I'll ever forgive. But... I understand. I don't regret killing them... but I do regret that I had to do it. Even Zenos was just a product of Garlemald's... psychotic dedication to war." No... there was too much blood on Emet-Selch's hands to 'forgive'. Forgiveness wasn't his to give.

He smiled, though, beaming at Nara'a. "It's not all doom and gloom, though. Were I whatever forces had arranged this 'Alias' business, why, I'd be quaking in my boots, just now! Two Warriors of Light? Why, we'll have this whole thing solved before teatime!"

[aetherweaver]

"I know... some of them have done more damage than others. And a lot of the frustration... well, I took up Warrior recently for a reason. And Zenos... he could have done so much good, if he'd only taken the chance to look around." He'd like to think that in the end Zenos understood a bit more, but he also knows how unlikely that is.

The conversation turns though, and he smiles back at Taiki. "Of course we will. I think we might need some help from others, but I'm sure that whatever it is we can get through it together." Botamon bounces again. "And with your help too, of course."

[lightingway]

Taiki nodded, beaming. "So you see, Gazimon? Your star is in capable hands!"

Gazimon... nodded, slowly. "Okay, so... can I ask what the deal is with the big tall guy in the robe? You got real antsy around him and he seemed nice enough. You got history or something...?

Ah. Now wasn't that a can of worms. "Not... with Erichthonios, no. Or at least I don't think so. There's... a certain amount of time travel involved, and it's all a bit uncertain-"

"Oh, great."

"-but it's more to do with the... society he comes from, and the people who exist at the top of it..."

[aetherweaver]

"The other one, too..." Though Themis is significantly smaller, he still poses a Problem. "But yes, they have a... long and complicated history with how our star is today."

How to even put this? He's not sure if he can put it delicately.

"I'd ask that you - neither of you -" He looks to Botamon. "Let them know that we're aware of them other than what we've encountered in the Digital World. We can't exactly explain why we know things to them without admitting the time travel bits. Which while unbelievable also might set into motion effects that change how our worlds are."

He can't say that he's pleased with the whole Sundering and reflections bit, but he'd also rather not create another Calamity by misspeaking and setting off a chain reaction!

[lightingway]

Gazimon rubbed his face. "Uh... slight. Problem with that."

Taiki winced. "Er... yes. I actually may have already- used the, ah... 'Azem's Familiar' explanation. Is that the story we're supposed to present to everyone? If I'd met them in Elpis, that would be one thing, but here... people talk. And kami forfend they should peer further than the surface, if any of them try to pry into that particular connection..."

[aetherweaver]

"... I see." That... will make things more difficult. He rubs his face as well, trying to think. "Well... hm. I haven't told them I'm a familiar, but I haven't said I'm not, either. If they want to poke at my aether, then... I can't exactly stop them. They're much more powerful than us in many ways, after all."

He just... sighs deeply, scratching one of Botamon's ears idly. "Azem was known to travel to distant lands, so for all they know we're strange because we weren't formed and developed near Amaurot or Elpis. Who knows what sort of adventures Azem had in other regions." Though he doesn't know how far apart the Ancients lived... it might be enough to put their suspicions at bay for a while.

[lightingway]

Taiki sighed, rubbing his face. "It's all gone complicated. I've the vaguest feeling I know Erichtonios and I can't put my finger on why. I sincerely hope he doesn't turn out to be one of the Convocation, but at this point..."

[aetherweaver]

"At this point, it wouldn't be out of the question, given our general luck." He grimaces and gives Botamon a squeeze. "If he is, we'll just have to deal with it. We all agreed to help this world, them included."