Snippet #2476599

Chaos watched Zoroark cautiously, realising too late that the demon was taking it far, far worse than he had thought. This was why he could not tell Maria. Even if she might not react like this, even if she wasn't in danger of being sent back, he still couldn't force her to share this type of burden. Zoroark also should not have been troubled with it. Demons were fragile creatures, in many ways... "I'm glad you understand," Chaos said quietly, before shaking his head at Zoroark's suggestion of another world. "I doubt it, unless it were a world demons were already present in, which would cause enough danger to make such a place undesirable. Whatever other world I sent you to would face the same fate, and I couldn't maintain two at the same time...this one is already hard enough, although I try my best. It's true I don't know to it's full extent the horrors of your world. I don't wish to. What little I have seen is repulsive enough, but it's impossible to save your people from their own natures. I met both Celeste and Sepiroth as children and they were both such...damaged little things. In comparison Hazel and Maria's lives seem like such a blessing. But I can understand you not wanting to risk your own child ever having to breathe that stagnant air...I don't know the sort of pain and fear you have to live with every day because I don't know anything," Chaos said quietly. "And not knowing anything, I can't expect to understand." He wanted to attempt to comfort Zoroark, but didn't know how and felt as though touching him at this point would be some kind of invasion. He remained silent for a long while, tracing a spiral on the back of his pale hand with one of his black, pointed nails before finally speaking again.

"...three options. One, I send all of you back to your own world and attempt to repair the damage. I would also give Maria the option to go with you so that she was less alone. After that I would stay out of your lives as much as possible and try to repent. Two, you stay, but you must assist me with the upkeep of this world to the best of your abilities. If your child showed the same prowess in magic then when they reached a suitable age they would also have to help, and so on and so on until either the world is fixed or the power in your bloodline has diminished. There is no guarantee that this will lessen the effects on the world, or that you would be able to cope with the strain of trying to fix it. Three, I remove your memory of this conversation and continue to work alone to the best of my abilities. Neither you nor Maria nor Celeste will know this world as anything other than a safe haven for you all to live in. I cannot make this decision for you, but the path leading to the most happiness for you and those you love is undoubtedly the third option, and I will make no judgement of you regardless of this choice. Of course, if you wish to retain your memories and leave me to my repentance without endangering yourself that is also an option, I simply felt it would cause you more pain to know the danger you are in. So four choices, really. You would expect a wizard to be more intelligent, wouldn't you?" Chaos smiled weakly, clasping his hands together. "It would be best for you to decide quickly. No doubt one of the girls will surface in search of breakfast soon."