I was wrong, History.
Of course you were, Lum. To what particular time are you referring?
Ellion and Sindl. I was wrong to hate them.
You pick the one time you were right about something…
No, History. These events around Cicero were steeped in violence and emotion. Mistakes were made by everyone. There’s no room for hatred.
Ellion and Sindl are evil, Lum.
Not evil. None of us really are. They did something wrong and used poor judgement. I want to help them.
A waste of your time. People are what they are. They never change.
I don’t believe that. We all want to be something more.
People try to improve themselves, and they always fail.
But they keep trying!
Bah. We’re getting no where. Which reminds me, I have a present for you.
Oh?
Yes. Your ring. The one Siben made.
How can it be a present if it’s already mine?
Don’t spoil the fun, Lum. Take the ring. Now, do you know how it works?
Yes, I think you need to wear it and concentrate. It creates a shield around the mind by using your positive emotions.
So you think of a wonderful thought?
Not just any merry little thought. It has to be something important.
And then you’ll be safe from the Primals?
Yes, it’s supposed to protect from tempering, as long as you can keep your focus. It’s good that we have the rings, we’ll need them for the plan.
Yes, the primal attack on Ala Mhigo.
Actually, that’s just a trick.
What?
Ellion told me. The well of Aether is being used for three different plans, none of which are real. The Garleans have been spying on us, and we’re going to catch the spy. Different members of the Night Blades and the Grim Echo have been assigned to each plan, and we’ll see which one of them is countered by our enemies. Then we’ll know where the leak is.
I see. And what are the plans?
Well, we’re trying to summon a Primal in Ala Mhigo, as you know. There’s also a plan to mix wind aether with earth aether and create a chain reaction.
An Aether bomb. Crude, but effective. Easier than summoning a Primal as well.
And our third idea involves opening a Voidgate.
Heh. Madness.
Did you just laugh, History?
Simulated emotions, Lum. Don’t worry. Most people are faking it too. So each of these plans is just bait…a mole hunt to discover how the Garleans have infiltrated your Companies?
That’s the idea.
For this to have a remote chance of working, the people involved with each plan can’t know about the others…yet you know all three.
Ellion trusts me. I’m not the leak.
Yes, of course. Of course, Lum. You’ve proven to be quite reliable and loyal.
I’ve made my own mistakes, History. I don’t want to repeat them.
No, that wouldn’t do at all, would it. Now, your ring…how will you make it work? What’s your happy thought?
I have so much to be thankful for these days. These past few months I’ve made new friends and found someone I think I can share my life with.
Besides me? Ah. You mean Ellion. He’s your happy thought?
Yes, he makes me happy, but it’s more than that. There’s a real future for me, a hope I haven’t felt since I was young.
Marvelous, Lum. Simply marvelous. Put on your ring, then, and think about your future. Something is bound to happen.
Of course you were, Lum. To what particular time are you referring?
Ellion and Sindl. I was wrong to hate them.
You pick the one time you were right about something…
No, History. These events around Cicero were steeped in violence and emotion. Mistakes were made by everyone. There’s no room for hatred.
Ellion and Sindl are evil, Lum.
Not evil. None of us really are. They did something wrong and used poor judgement. I want to help them.
A waste of your time. People are what they are. They never change.
I don’t believe that. We all want to be something more.
People try to improve themselves, and they always fail.
But they keep trying!
Bah. We’re getting no where. Which reminds me, I have a present for you.
Oh?
Yes. Your ring. The one Siben made.
How can it be a present if it’s already mine?
Don’t spoil the fun, Lum. Take the ring. Now, do you know how it works?
Yes, I think you need to wear it and concentrate. It creates a shield around the mind by using your positive emotions.
So you think of a wonderful thought?
Not just any merry little thought. It has to be something important.
And then you’ll be safe from the Primals?
Yes, it’s supposed to protect from tempering, as long as you can keep your focus. It’s good that we have the rings, we’ll need them for the plan.
Yes, the primal attack on Ala Mhigo.
Actually, that’s just a trick.
What?
Ellion told me. The well of Aether is being used for three different plans, none of which are real. The Garleans have been spying on us, and we’re going to catch the spy. Different members of the Night Blades and the Grim Echo have been assigned to each plan, and we’ll see which one of them is countered by our enemies. Then we’ll know where the leak is.
I see. And what are the plans?
Well, we’re trying to summon a Primal in Ala Mhigo, as you know. There’s also a plan to mix wind aether with earth aether and create a chain reaction.
An Aether bomb. Crude, but effective. Easier than summoning a Primal as well.
And our third idea involves opening a Voidgate.
Heh. Madness.
Did you just laugh, History?
Simulated emotions, Lum. Don’t worry. Most people are faking it too. So each of these plans is just bait…a mole hunt to discover how the Garleans have infiltrated your Companies?
That’s the idea.
For this to have a remote chance of working, the people involved with each plan can’t know about the others…yet you know all three.
Ellion trusts me. I’m not the leak.
Yes, of course. Of course, Lum. You’ve proven to be quite reliable and loyal.
I’ve made my own mistakes, History. I don’t want to repeat them.
No, that wouldn’t do at all, would it. Now, your ring…how will you make it work? What’s your happy thought?
I have so much to be thankful for these days. These past few months I’ve made new friends and found someone I think I can share my life with.
Besides me? Ah. You mean Ellion. He’s your happy thought?
Yes, he makes me happy, but it’s more than that. There’s a real future for me, a hope I haven’t felt since I was young.
Marvelous, Lum. Simply marvelous. Put on your ring, then, and think about your future. Something is bound to happen.
