[voicetest] it's this guy

[unsunderworld]

[To the surprise of absolutely no one.

Shadowbringers spoilers abound beyond this point.]

Comments

[unsunderworld]

It does tend to be less terrible with company, you realize.

[Seriously, you have a very lonely city here.]

[scourgingstars]

I'm not the sort for companionship.

[unsunderworld]

I see. That's a pity.

[It sounds sarcastic, but he does mean it genuinely, in his way.]

[scourgingstars]

[A shrug.]

I see no reason for pity. Solitude is far less complicated than the alternative. It's simply easier this way.

[unsunderworld]

Simpler does not always mean better. Unless you intend to say that buildings such as these are inferior to the mud huts mortals have used in ages past?

[It is possible that he may care more about the buildings than the people who live in them. A little.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn answered in a thoughtful hum, turning enough to look over his shoulder at the Citadel.]

That's not even remotely the same thing. A building can't callously betray anything. If a structure collapses and kills everyone within it, no one's fool enough to presume the building held malicious intent or the like. I'd sooner be alone with an empty city than suffer companionship of anyone mortal or otherwise for very long.

[unsunderworld]

But they will heartily blame the architect.

[Malicious intent or not.]

I envy those who can find satisfaction in nothing but their own company.

[scourgingstars]

...Interesting, I don't recall using the word 'satisfied'.

[unsunderworld]

[Raised eyebrows, now.]

Are you not?

[scourgingstars]

And what, pray tell, does it matter to you? From the sound of things, this world will have lived and died in scarcely an instant by your perspective. What should you or indeed anyone care if the very architect of this star's ruin should be left to live and die unsatisfied?

[unsunderworld]

Because I am still human, if not human as you know it, and all humanity is in want of a kindred spirit. For what other reason would I take an interest? I need no help in ushering in the end of any world I might choose.

[scourgingstars]

The last thing I need or want is a human's advice. Humans are as they have ever been and ever will be--vile, backstabbing creatures only ever working in their own self-interest with not the faintest thought for anyone else.

[unsunderworld]

That's "mortals," thank you. I had no self-interest even when I was capable of it. Such things are a product of the sundered world we wish to restore to its former glory.

[scourgingstars]

Do forgive me if I find that concept as hard to believe as a carnivorous chocobo.

[unsunderworld]

Half of our people gave their lives in an attempt to create salvation for the other half. And then half again, to try to restore those who had already been lost, and the world that was ruined.

And I am entirely capable of creating a carnivorous chocobo here and now if you truly desire it.

[scourgingstars]

Well, I'm properly thrilled for you, but this world has a bit of a history in discarding those who care enough to bother sacrificing their health and life in the name of the people's welfare.

[unsunderworld]

With a fourteenth the compassion of the world before, who would expect any differently?

[scourgingstars]

That would have been useful information to have before anyone ran off doing selfless and stupid things as though they meant something.

[unsunderworld]

There are only three of us remaining, we can hardly be everywhere.

[Well, they do have the uplifted, but the point stands.]

We haven't taken an interest in this shard in a very long time. Difficult to get anything done when almost all its aether is tied up in what you call gods.

[scourgingstars]

...

[That got his attention, at least.]

'What we call' gods? I'm afraid I don't understand.

[unsunderworld]

Beings created from aether and worship, that drain the land around them - the people of the Source are more like to call them "primals," these days.

[scourgingstars]

You seem hesitant to call the Six 'gods' at all. So what, precisely, does that actually mean?

tfw you find an unfinished tag sitting open in a tab and can't remember where you were going with it

[unsunderworld]

Primals are sustained through worship and aether - what you would likely call simply 'magic.' They are not natural beings, but more the living manifestation of an idea or intention.