2019-10-19: If That Is Your Judgement

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  • Cutscene: If That Is Your Judgement
  • Cast: Citan Uzuki, Emperor Cain
  • Where: ???
  • Date: October 18th, 2019
  • Summary: Two men have a private meeting about recent developments.

BGM: (Xenosaga Episode I ~ Yasunori Mitsuda - Ormus) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjoREY3Zw78



"...And you are certain?"

So speaks the figure seated on the throne.

His own response is punctuated with a single nod:

"Yes, your majesty. She resembled the one you described. I am reasonably convinced she is one of them."

It is impossible to see what expression the emperor wears now. Not through that armor, concealing his entire figure. Neither does the man on the throne move. And yet, Citan has the impression of weariness. Or, perhaps something more than even that.

"...I see... then the Reploids yet function."

He stands as he always has, here before Cain. The chamber is but a void: beyond the point where he stands and the emperor's throne, there is nothing at all in here.

Nothing but the endless array of framed paintings, spiralling up into infinity. In this place alone the emperor's will is still absolute.

There is no sound in this chamber whatsoever. The silence that descends is total, enough to near-deafening in this complete absence of sound.

Only Cain himself dares shatter it.

"Continue," he commands, and Citan obeys.

"Understood. ...I was able to confirm the presence and power of the creature called 'Sin' with my own eyes, and learned more about it from the people of Spira, and the legends and stories that circulate regarding it." Briefly he closes his eyes, as if collecting himself. "It is a beast of cycles, one that rises and is then destroyed by Spira's summoners, only to rise again. ...It seems this has been occurring for quite some time, perhaps for centuries."

He continues after a moment's pause.

"Sin is no threat to us. ...On Filgaia, that is. While its activity appears to be largely confined to Spira, based on what we already know, it can venture further afield." He can only shake his head. "I cannot say to what extent. If we venture again to Lunar..."

The emperor does not respond. Citan knows by now the meaning of that silence. He is to continue.

"There is little else to report. The rest is as it is in the reports and records." He pauses. "May I ask you... what of 'their' determinations of late? I understand now what happened to that squadron in Spira... to say nothing of 'his' displacement. The artifice that Odessa controls is a grave problem." And he asks now of the emperor: "Your Majesty... what does the Ministry intend with Odessa?"

The emperor does not answer immediately.

"They wish... to see them destroyed," Cain finally answers. "As ever, they are confident. All else proceeds as it should. Odessa is merely a nuisance. Only 'he' troubles them."

Citan's own silence is weighty, this time.

The emperor then asks thus: "Tell me... has he awoken again? Since that time?"

Citan shakes his head. "No. I have witnessed no further awakenings since then." He pauses: it is a lengthy pause. "Your majesty... I am yet unable to make a final determination of his intent. Further observation is necessary. I believe... we still have time."

Another man would nod. Cain remains as still as a statue. And only at length does he respond: "If that is your judgement, then so it shall be. However..."

The emperor pauses.

"'They' grow ever agitated in their fear of him. Soon, they may act."