001

[forceofnature]

[More information? One new arrival, at least, has all the information she needs. The influx of energy from this one is massive, completely unsubtle, almost as if purposefully designed to attract the attention of anyone with any sense whatsoever of the divine. It doesn’t fade away nor does it seem to be easily localized. This surely wasn’t ‘Magatama Energy’…

Whatever ambiguity this might present is cleared up almost immediately. Despite that no one may be in the vicinity, the voice of a young girl sounds clearly throughout the city of Hinoto-Ri to nearly every inhabitant, as intelligibly as if the speaker were standing right next to those she addressed. …Perhaps too intelligibly. The first sound they hear is an vehement, despairing cry.]

NO!

This can’t be…! The forests… The oceans… The deserts and mountains, the tundra and the plains! W-Where are they?! Who did this?! What did you do to them?!

[For a few moments, the speaker seems too overwhelmed with ire to speak.  The sound of her breathing eventually slows...]

Humans. Look at this world. Look at it!

I knew this would happen.  In every world across every dimension, it doesn’t matter! You -- you’re all the same! See for yourself! This is what will happen if you tear through all of nature without respect for anything but your own wealth and gain! Are you happy?! My children… 100 million species. One hundred million. There's almost nothing left...

I am Viridi, Goddess of Nature, ruler of the Earth and all living things! And I will not allow this land to be desecrated any further.

They say there are monsters ravaging what remains. If you stand against them, then... heed the command of a goddess and CRUSH them!

Comments

[pastalishe]

[She's no god--just a very temperamental young woman with a flair for temper tantrums the dramatic.]

Bathing is a sacred part of my culture. [It's a game mechanic and everything! It's completely legit to have a bath in the afternoon!] Don't you dare dismiss me just because you're an ignorant buffoon.

[forceofnature]

No! Absolutely not! You're totally worthless to me!

Ooh, wait, you can get me an ice cream cone. I always wanted to see what non-anachronistic creamy goodness would taste like.

[forceofnature]

A labyrinth that only appears at a special hour at night...

And you're totally sure you're not just eating too many burritos for a late-night snack?

[That comment probably isn't worth responding to.]

Obviously, the final boss is inside that thing. We need to start a campaign immediately - none of this haphazard going in one or two at a time and getting turned around.

[forceofnature]

Sacred shmacred. If you stay in there so long, your skin will shrivel up and you'll turn into an old prune.

Or I guess, even more of an old prune.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

I completely agree, or at least that there's something important in there. Uh, sorry if that's still confusing.

I have some command experience, but the place kind of screams "deathtrap" from a military standpoint. Someone more used to exploring ruins or caves might be better to take charge.

[forceofnature]

Hmph.

Luckily for all of you, 'nature' encompasses creepy old caverns inside of demon-mountains, too. Broadly speaking. You'll have the perfect insights into proper spelunking technique and correct exploratory procedures.

[Read: Viridi will say 'ewww' for you every time you run into something gross and fuzzy growing on the walls.]

My sedulous care from my observation post ten miles away where I won't be at all affected by what happens inside the mountain is guaranteed to ensure victory in under a century.

[echo_of_a_jedi]

That's the most inspiring leadership I've heard since Revan.

Was mocking a Republic commander.

[pastalishe]

It's sacred! And I know better than to stay in the bath too long--I am not a wrinkly old prune!

[primordial]

Um, no, I can definitely say that people aren't rainbows or sparkly snowflakes or anything...anyone who says that definitely has their rose-colored glasses on. What can I say, humanity loves to destroy. It's just a part of what it means to be human.

[A pause.] Well, what can you see, then, if anything at all?

[dodgecharms]

Maybe something like: "Viridi: putting the force into force of nature."

[electricyousei]

"Back home I was involved in the third attempt to terraform Mars, as you have done it one more time successfully than anyone I know perhaps you would be willing to look over the methods used."

[forceofnature]

You're welcome.

It's the least I can do. I mean, I'd go explore myself, but. Goddess and all. You'd probably spontaneously combust just being within 10 feet of my radiance.

[forceofnature]

Do you know, I heard that soaking too long in hot water was identified as a primary cause of fever of the brain. I think this might go a long way towards explaining the evolution of humankind and their propensity for rampant destruction.

[forceofnature]

That's not acceptable! Being human is about having the potential to seek the higher paths you were meant to achieve! Not the lowest!

And what sort of question is that? I can see lots of things. The sky, the earth, the city crawling with humans... I could see you right now if I wanted to. Oh, and I can definitely see why kids love cinnamon crunchy squares™.

[forceofnature]

Hmm.... Not bad!

I was thinking... "The forces of nature: restoring the earth to its natural state when it's become infested with parasitic little apes that consume and destroy everything they touch and clearly don't deserve the bounties of nature or even to keep ahold of their souls anymore but no Hades you can't have them either."

Maybe that's too much of a mouthful.

[forceofnature]

Unless you suddenly develop god-like powers, I really don't think my advice is going to have any practical application. Just remember that contrary to popular belief, oxygen is highly reactive and extremely bad for your health in high doses.

................Wait hold on; I don't want you destroying any other planets! Wasn't ruining one enough?!

[dodgecharms]

Umm.

If it's all the same to you, I'd really rather keep my soul.

And yes, that does seem like it might be a little long.

[electricyousei]

"Actually, the two wars on Mars have nearly destroyed it, which is why I'm involved in the recovery act. Come to think of it given the general population decline nature on Earth is making a rather effective come back. Its a shame there are too many greedy idiots and it won't last."

Ruri sighs, physically and mentally.

[forceofnature]

[A longsuffering sigh.]

Humans and their miniscule short term memory.

[dodgecharms]

...what?

[forceofnature]

"You've already destroyed another planet?!" Viridi would be shrieking if she even did anything as undignified as shriek. ...It does sound rather shriek-like, regardless. "Aaaugh! This is why I should have put my foot down centuries ago!"

[electricyousei]

"No, I didn't do it. I'm involved in the recovery act. Idiots did it."

[forceofnature]

Never mind.

Anyway, the point is... Nothing is destroying this planet anymore - humans or demons.

[dodgecharms]

[Aaaaaaawkwaaaaaaaaard...]

Umm, yeah!

[And then, mumbled:]

I'm so sorry if things start dying around me for no reason

[forceofnature]

...

Sorry, what was that?

It sounded like a confession I should pretend not to hear until after our Social Link levels up so I don't have the urge to smite you on the spot.