LETTER TO ALL - Diamonds may not be forever

[not_most_days]

To my fellow Heroes of Light,

I am sure that I am not the only one who is taking this current lull as a moment of waiting for the next boot to drop. Given our experiences in this world it always seems like it is one thing after the next with little reprieve. There is however a matter I believe that deserves addressing before it turns to become a new peril due to our inaction.

I have mentioned this to a few of our number in the past and again more publicly more recently. If this is the first time you are hearing this and you are not one of our new compatriots from the other group of Heroes you have my apologies. My intent was not to hide information but rather to make sure that a decision wasn't made rashly. Given the vision that a good many of us shared thanks to the Sage I feel that this decision was well founded.

However I cannot sit idly either.

Sometime back myself and a few others intercepted information that alludes to the discovery of the Diamond WEAPON in the northern reaches of the Lost Continent. That the information came from Artemicion and Palitutu was so quick to show up when we faced him makes this information suspect, but it cannot be disregarded wholly either. Furthermore, the Calamity is readily encroaching on that location.

The time has come for us to make a decision of what to do and more importantly to act. The sooner the better. Personally I believe we'd be better off without it but leaving it to the Calamity or our foes would be foolhardy. If we can find it and destroy it ourselves that may be for the best. To that end I would like to propose an expedition to seek it out and make a judgement where we find it. We may well need the same jobs we needed to tame the Ultima Weapon before Palitutu's betrayal.

I hoped to gather more information and I will continue to do so but this is all I have to offer at this time. I understand that there is the concern that our action will hand over another WEAPON to our enemy's hands but we cannot let that fear prevent us from acting either.

I would have all opinions on this matter, as well as any who would volunteer for this journey. Please reply at your earliest convenience.

Yours,
James Kidd



__________________________________________________



[Tucked within the first letter is a smaller enveloped sealed with wax and bears the telltale symbol of the Assassin Brotherhood. Any letters with this letter included are delivered personally by Bonnie albeit with a bit too much sneaky flair.]

To my Brothers and those who would be,

I believe it long since time that we gathered to discuss matters pertaining to our guild. Furthermore, we are now blessed with the presence of one of the founding members of the Brotherhood, and I would like to properly introduce you to him and discuss how we should proceed as a group from this point. I have done my best to do my Mentor and our Creed the honor they deserve but I am glad now to not have to do it alone.

While our Guild Headquarters remains in Aerilon I understand it is not an easy road to travel for all. The meeting can be convened in Aqures Ixen if need be. Regardless, I think it something we ought to do. Further details will be forthcoming but expect a call to gather within the week.

Yours,
Mary Read

Comments

[bloodypast]

James Kidd,

We've met in passing a few times, and worked together before. Further, while they take a different form here, WEAPONS are known to us on Gaia. Especially from the point in time I am drawn-from, we have faced and defeated Diamond WEAPON. Not that it was an easy task.

I am interested in helping, to subdue it and in more information, if my assistance can be useful.

--Vincent Valentine

[red_planet_blues]

Kidd -

Count me in. Last thing Palitutu needs is another Weapon. If you need someone to drive that thing once we find it, I can switch on over to Magitek Knight.

- Sparks Nevada

[thegreatninja]

Mary,

You know I'm in!

-Yuffie!

[vonspielburg]

[Two letters? For a moment, she wonders if this second letter about the guild was delivered by mistake, since Mary had always viewed Ellie with no small degree of skepticism. Has she changed her mind, or has her suspicion risen further? Well. There's little she can say in response to that letter, so she leaves it be for now. The second one that is said to be sent later will receive her attention. For now, she'll concentrate on the first.]

Mary,

Having seen what the Diamond WEAPON can do, I am fully satisfied in allowing the Calamity to claim it, and let it be done with. It can only bring devastation otherwise, no matter who holds control. However, I am curious as to these Jobs you mentioned being necessary to this other WEAPON Palitutu seems to have. I was not present when this took place. Can you tell me more?

-Ellie

[shinrasfinest]

[He's always one to address depending on which alter-ego Mary/James wants to use, out of politeness if nothing else.]

James Kidd,

I was otherwise occupied when the Ultima WEAPON was baited and apparently 'tamed' only to then have been stolen out from under us in the wake of Kalki's time-warp. It then proceeded to destroy yet more of Aqures, and I'm informed that it even attacked a significant portion of the stronghold at Esdham on its retreat.

Needless to say, I'm keen to offer any assistance I can provide in subduing this similar WEAPON before it too might end up stacked against us.

I'm not sure if others from my home world might have replied already, but there is an interesting correlation that needs must be considered. As was demonstrated previously, WEAPON are attracted to the Calamity --or traces thereof-- which seems to suggest their function is the same; to purge it from this world.

That in mind, I might suggest that the Calamity itself might trigger the dormant machine, as it draws closer. Or indeed, those Heroes who still hold a portion of the Calamity within themselves might not be the most suitable for any expedition in its direction.

~Sephiroth

[needsteaplz]

[Saori quickly replies and let Brigid directly deliver it.]

My Dearest Mary,

Of course I'll be there when the time comes on both counts. While letting the Calamity take the WEAPON has appeal, I think we might sleep better if we know it's dismantled beyond repair.

Speaking of the Assassin Brotherhood, I had an idea in mind I'd like to bring up when we all meet.

Yours Truly,

Saori

P.S. I must apologize to both you and Bonnie. It seems Aoi has a habit of sneaking over to your house from time to time.

[loyalrebel]

[Malik's handwriting is a graceful loop when he gets his own response back with Bonnie.]

Mary,

This means I have to make a speech, doesn't it?

-Malik

[umslay]

[The letter is hand-delivered by Mimi.]

Mary,

The biggest problem with racing Palitutu to the WEAPON is her ability to disable our jobs. I can always bypass that with a giant airship, but we may have to take Kalki's word and use the Crystal Knight Job to make sure we can still fight.

I'm all for taking the WEAPON for ourselves, but I don't want to make the mistake of playing into her hands again.

-Ales

[fearlessherosheart]

Dear Mister Kidd:

I must say, that if you have need of assistance, I am most pleased to offer sword and spell in your endeavor. I have been growing bored with my life in the city, and it may well be that the Calamity or your activity would attract the interest of Palitutu. Shoudl my talents be welcome, I would join you.

Yours sincerely,
Tazendra Lavode, Baroness Daavya

[jadethenecromancer]

Kidd,

I would be happy to assist with locating the Diamond WEAPON. However, the question remains what exactly we should do with it. Destroying the WEAPON might be the safest option in that it would be permanently out of Palitutu's hands, but keeping it for ourselves could present an advantage.

Of course, should we attempt that, we'd need as many Hackers as possible to pacify it. As I recall, we needed a dedicated team to gain control of the Ultima WEAPON while another engaged it in battle. We also won't have "Jessie's" help this time.

-Jade

[unyieldingspirit]

Kidd,

I'll be willing to lend whatever aid I can to ensure it ends up no danger to us. Given the destruction the Ultima Weapon is capable of, I'd sooner see it destroyed, but I realise others may see some benefit in keeping it. I suspect destroying it would be no easy task, in any case.

- K'pandolu Tohka

[shinra_dog]

Dearest Mary,

You know I am yours in any capacity ~

Seriously, though. I'm happy you found me a good candidate after all. Travel is no issue, I'll be at your meetings. Diamond WEAPON is a pain in the ass, but it isn't impossible to take down -- we've done it before. Just let me know what you need.

Also -- if any of my letters appear to have been opened, you have full permission to punish my moogle as you see fit. He is too curious for his own good.

Yours,

Reno

[If nothing else, perhaps the fear of another Hero will keep Sohma in line.]