Ω → two [video]

[oforder]

[ During the chaos, Wilhelm hadn't been seen at all, until almost a full hour into the monster flood. Despite the screams, violent shaking of the tower, and the destroyed barrier, Wilhelm seems abnormally calm, staring into his compass. For a while, the video continues like this, until Wilhelm takes a sip of his wine, and calmly moves his hand towards a chess piece, only slightly moving it across the board. ]

It begins.

[ He comments quietly. The room he's in appears to be one of the lower levels of the Tower, clear of monsters, at least for now. There's books, of course - Floor Three? - but Wilhelm seems to have found a rather deserted corner of the room without a whole lot in it, to set up his temporary compass-staring desk. ]

[ Directly to T!Allen: ]

Allen, I will need you to find and collect a few people for me, to ensure they are not harmed. Do you understand?

Comments

[technologic]

[April is just being a stubborn ass who doesn't want to face him. And she audibly huffs to herself.]

... Then what would you do?

[oforder]

[ Wilhelm finally turned his head to sort of look at her, side-eying the self-proclaimed mutant. ]

I wouldn't harm you, if that is what you are asking. I have nothing to gain from doing so.

[technologic]

[April still doesn't face him, and shoves her fists into her coat pockets.]

Glad to hear it. [And this is where she goes to head up the stairs.]

[oforder]

Unfortunately, I cannot use my power to stop you, as this place has robbed me of it for the duration of this invasion.

[ Wilhelm then turned to look back up at her. ]

Though, what I can tell you is that if you die up there, many more will die as a result. Fate has always had a very dramatic domino effect.

[technologic]

[Now that gets her to pause, and she finally glances her shoulder at him.]

... What?

[oforder]

[ Wilhelm is now directly facing her, one of his hands behind his back. ]

You were going up there to protect others, correct?

[ He now returns his gaze to attempt to make eye contact with her. ]

If you die, more will die as well. Of course, if you are willing to risk it, I can do very little to stop you.

[technologic]

[She turns a bit more towards him, her expression hesitant.]

... How do I know that you're telling the truth?

[oforder]

What reason would I have to lie to you?

[ He blinks, his gaze not moving for a second away from her face. ]

I did not have Allen bring you here out of the kindness of my heart, April. One of the first lessons I learned in my role of protecting humanity was not to allow sentiment to cloud my judgment.

[technologic]

You want to stop me from going upstairs, right? So there's one reason.

[But she does turn to face him fully, some of her annoyance fading a bit.]

... Don't worry, I'm aware you had me brought here for something.

[oforder]

I am not blind to the suffering the others in this tower experience, April. But I must not take unnecessary risks. I do what humanity is far too nearsighted to do on their own.

[ Wilhelm then turned, and slowly made his way back to his makeshift office, the feels of his shoes tapping quietly against the stone floor of the tower, echoing strangely in time to the horrific noise coming from the floors above them. ]

But as I said. I cannot stop you if you wish to disregard my warning.

[technologic]

[There's just silence from her as he walks back, and then the sound of her sighing loudly before she can be heard walking down the stairs and moving to lean against a nearby wall.

It seems she is willing to listen now, though she still doesn't look too happy.]

[oforder]

Good. You are willing to see reason.

[ Wilhelm turned to the Compass for a moment, and frowned. ]

It is in flux. It is difficult to read.

[technologic]

[She gives a huff, but curiosity does prompt her to move a bit closer to get a better look at the Compass.]

Is it because of all the chaos going on?

[oforder]

It is is more than that. I have had difficulty reading the Compass here, and I suspect that it has to do with the monsters themselves.

[ Chaos had very little to do with it, he was sure. After all... Yeshua wasn't even here. ]

[technologic]

Hmm? ... Oh, is it cause the monsters minds aren't the same as a humans and so it messes with the Compass?

[oforder]

I believe it is more than that. The Compass has, in the past, read the collective minds of Realians, androids, and even Gnosis. These monsters are something else entirely.

[technologic]

I see... Though considering where we are, that doesn't sound surprising...

... But what's a Gnosis?

[oforder]

Humans believe they are monsters.

[ What they actually are is very difficult to describe. ]

[technologic]

... Buuuut they're something a lot more complicated than that, I'm guessing.

[She sighs and leans back against the nearby wall so that she can curiously look at the Compass.]

[oforder]

They are the physical manifestation of a will that rejects the universe. As such, they did not rejoin with the Collective Unconscious upon death, and drifted into the realm of imaginary space.

[ ... Yeah. Just let that sink in. Complicated enough for you? ]

[technologic]

[Judging by the look she just gave him? Yep, it is.]

Yep, definitely complicated.

... And what about a Realian? What's that?

[oforder]

Synthetic humans, often commercially manufactured for purposes of labor or entertainment, and sometimes for military or law enforcement use. They rendered androids - the politically incorrect term is 'robot' - obsolete, as they are easier to create, and are more natural in function and appearance.

[technologic]

[And probably for the first time that she had been down here, she actually seems to relax as she blinks over at him in curiosity.] Wow, seriously? Technology must be really advanced where you're from!

[oforder]

Yes. Humanity has long since abandoned earth to settle distant systems.

[ Also neglecting to mention that the corporation he is the CEO of made all of that possible, but not for the reason she would likely think. ]

[technologic]

That's incredible! [April doesn't seem too concerned about that, mainly cause she's amazed by the idea of humanity moving to other planets. Considering it's only something she's read about in old books back home, it's not surprising.] But... what happened to earth?