The Depths of the Heart

In this Our World story, Calias visits New Babylon just in time to defend it from Valtron's new puppet.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

```
April 20th, 2021. A teal blur races through the streets of the Twin Cities. It does not stop until it reaches the gates of the grand royal nation in the middle of Golden City: New Babylon...

Calias:
*Calias the Phoenix waltzes up to the gates like he owns the place. The gates are apparently closed...* "Hmm? Hey! Anyone there?!"

Tide:
*One of the Babylon Guardians swoops down from above the outer wall: Tide.* "By declaration of the king, the gates have been shut until he can recover from his wounds. I apologize, 'Your Highness', but you cannot enter."

Calias:
"Huh? But I ju-- Wait, did you call me 'your highness'?"

Tide:
"It was lacking any respect, but I am required to refer to you as such."

Calias:
"Okaaaay? Thanks, I guess? Why can't you let me in?"

Tide:
"No one enters until the King has recovered."

Selphius:
*Over a comms system, Captain of the Babylon Guardians, Selphius the Caladrius, speaks to her underling.* "Let him in, Tide. King Nihil has requested an audience with the prince."

Tide:
*Tide rolls her eyes so far back in her head her pupils disappear.* "...Yes ma'am..."
*She begrudgingly scans her wing, opening the gates.*

Calias:
"Thanks, Tide. You're a saint!" *He salutes, before dashing inside as the gates close.*

The city of gold that comprises most of New Babylon is eerily quiet. The streets are empty save for a lone fruit seller.

Babylonian:
"'Tis a slow day... But at least my stand has not fallen."

Calias:
*Cal walks slowly through the city, reminiscing on his past adventure with Selphius and Nihil...* "..."
"Oh hey, fruit guy! Where is everyone?"

Babylonian:
"...Who? Me?"

Calias:
"Yes, you."

Babylonian:
"I haven't a clue. Perhaps they are observing Red Fountain Day."

Calias:
"Wha... What is that?"

Babylonian:
"The day we celebrate the building of the red fountain that rests upon the hill over there."

Calias:
"Oh. I think I get it..."

Babylonian:
"'Tis either that, or they are in prayer for their king."

Calias:
"That might be it..."

Babylonian:
"Regardless, I must sell my fruits. Shall you buy one?"

Calias:
"I'm not hungry, thanks."

Babylonian:
"Hmph. Alright. Then begone."

Calias:
"Okaay, I'm going."

Cal continues through the city before reaching the stairs to the palace. Selphius runs to meet him.

Calias:
"Hey! Selphie!!"

Selphius:
*She runs full-force into Calias, squeezing him in an aggressive hug.* "Salutations, Calias!"

Calias:
"GK! I'm happy to see you too!" *He returns the hug, slightly suffocating.*

Selphius:
"You came to see Nihil, correct?"

Calias:
*He lets go of her before answering.* "Yeah... I heard about what happened at the Peace Gala... How's he doing?"

Selphius:
"He will be fine. I believe he is being... What do you call it, dramatic?"

Calias:
"Nihil? Dramatic?"

Selphius:
"He has been spending an unhealthy amount of time in his chambers alone. Perhaps your visit will cheer him!"

Calias:
"Here's hoping. Did he really want to talk to me?"

Selphius:
"...That may have been a falsehood. Tide would have not let you through the gate." *She seems embarrassed...*

Calias:
"Oh well, hope he's surprised to see me!"

Selphius:
*She grabs his hand.* "Let us not waste another minute, then!"

Calias:
*Cal tries to hide his blushing as he follows Selphius to the royal chamber.*

Selphius rings a doorbell-esque device, and moments later, the lock retracts. Cal and Selphie quickly enter the room...

Selphius:
"Your Majesty--Sorry. Nihil... Calias is here."

Nihil:
*The king of New Babylon, Nihil the Phoenix, turns to face his clone and the captain of his guard. It is immediately clear that something is wrong as his left eye is black with a red pupil...* "...Calias."

Calias:
(His eye... It looks like Polybius...) "Uh, hey buddy... You feeling alright?"

Nihil:
"Physically? I am fine. However, due to recent circumstances, I have had to reconsider a lot of things... Namely, New Babylon now officially recognizes you as my next of kin, Prince Calias."

Calias:
"Huh? W-Why?"

Nihil:
"You have heard of the events at the Peace Gala, correct?"

Calias:
"Yeah..."

Nihil:
"I had two times where I barely escaped death..."

Calias:
"Nihil, dude... Don't--"

Nihil:
"Quiet, Calias. I need to make sure my kingdom is taken care of. It is simply a precaution."

Calias:
"..."
"...Explain the eye."

Nihil:
"..."

Selphius:
*Sensing some tension, Selphius tries to smile. It is not contagious...*

Nihil:
"You came at a bad time..."

Calias:
"I wanna know, man. Is that Polybius?"

Nihil:
"..."

Perhaps saving him from answering Cal's question, a voice comes over Selphie's comms.

Tempest:
"Captain! There is an intruder! They appear to be armed with enhancements!"

Nihil:
"We shall speak of this later. Let us go deal with this interloper."

Calias:
"...Alright. Let's do it."

Selphius:
*Selphie shouts into her comms as she darts for the door.* "All Guardians, let us dispose of this threat!"

The trio dashes to the city entrance, where all three of the Babylon Guardians are fighting... a purple sludge monster?!

Calias:
"What the--?!"

Turbine:
*Turbine gets smacked by the monster, sending him into a building.*

Nihil:
"...What is this?"

Selphius:
"Proceed with caution, but TAKE IT OUT!"

Tempest:
"Yes, captain!" *Tempest tosses a bolt of lightning at the monster... It lands, and the monster seems to... glitch out?

The monster disappears. In its place...

Jayden:
*...Is a panther with a magenta aura...*

Nihil:
"Who..."

Polybius:
*Within Nihil, a voice speaks.* ("Lend me your body. I must speak to this being...")

Nihil:
("What makes you think I would do such a thing?")

The Guardians attack the panther, but are scattered instantly by his powerful aura.

Jayden:
"Is that you... Polybius?"

Calias:
(How does he...?) "HEY! You wanna tell us what you're doin' here?!"

Nihil:
"..."

Selphius:
"Calias, I would not provoke him..."

Jayden:
"Come on out, Polybius... It's been what, three thousand years since we last talked?"

Polybius:
"..."

Nihil:
("Fine. So long as you relinquish your control as soon as you are finished...")

Polybius:
("If there is anything I will do, it is keep my word.")

Nihil:
*Nihil closes his eyes, before opening them again, only now they are both black and red...* "Valtron."

Jayden:
"Ah. So it *is* you..."

Calias:
"N-Nihil?"

Selphius:
*Selphius instinctively puts herself between Calias and Polybius...*

Nihil:
"What do you desire of me, you wretched stone?"

Jayden:
"Come on, you know the two of us have very similar goals..."

Nihil:
"Is that so? I cannot fathom what you mean..."

Jayden:
"I can explain once you've left that stupid Babylonian body behind."

Nihil:
"..."

Calias:
"No..."

Nihil:
"I have made a promise. If you want me, you must take me. I will fight to the bitter end of this body."

Jayden:
"That can be arranged."

Calias:
"Ni--Polybius!!!"

Nihil:
"Calias. If you value this life, then help me be rid of this creature."

Calias:
"...Whatever. Let's thrash him."

Selphius:
"Please... Stop him, Calias."

Calias:
"Don't worry... I'll fix this..."
*Cal kneels into a starting stance and begins to glow teal.*

Nihil:
*Polybius does the same, glowing orange.*

Jayden:
"Surely you cannot hope to beat me..."

Calias:
"I wouldn't underestimate us..."

Jayden:
"I welcome the challenge."

The phoenixes dart from their starting positions, while Selphie revives her team.

Jayden:
*The panther reaches to the sky, creating a virtual tornado of virtron cubes. They begin to fly in every direction, but mainly directed at the phoenixes...*

Calias:
(That looks like the tall weirdo's powers... Who is this guy?!)
*Cal barely dodges the cubes, running circles around the illusionist.*

Nihil:
*Polybius continuously rams the tornado with spin attacks, attempting to break it down.*

Jayden:
*He clenches his fist, spewing all the cubes at once; they blast Calias and Polybius backwards.*

Selphius:
"Calias! Are you alright?!"

Calias:
"Ugh... I'll be fine!"

Selphius:
"Backup is on its way. I am simply waiting for my healing potions to take effect!"

Calias:
"No worries! Keep up the good work!" *Calias charges a spindash and rips towards the panther, however, he's stopped by a new illusion: a distorted Hunter Klein...*
"Wha--?"

Klein:
"Long time no see, pal..."

Calias:
(It's... just an illusion! Push through!) *Cal flips over the illusion, tossing it across the hall.*

Nihil:
*Polybius speeds in, grabbing the panther and pulling him into the air.* "Tell me. Why would a Heart of Chaos want to align with me? The servant of Order? ...Unless you were corrupted..."

Jayden:
*His eyes glow red.* "You know nothing, fool. I wish to serve our master, that is all."

Nihil:
"Since when do we serve the same master?"
*He blasts him with a torrent of Chaos Spears.*

Klein:
*The Overlord illusion recovers and Chaos Snaps to Calias, attempting to slice him with his Chaos Blade.*

Calias:
"Whoa!" *Cal dodge rolls out of the way.*

Turbine:
*Turbine reenters the fray by tackling the illusion.* "GO SQUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH!!!!"

Klein:
*The illusion disappears.*

Calias:
"Thanks!"

Jayden:
*With one swift kick, Valtron's puppet kicks Polybius's puppet to the ground.*
*He then turns to face Calias.*
"Did you like what I whipped up for you? I once had access to the minds of everyone on this planet... Your sister's mind gave me just the right idea..."

Calias:
"Can't you let a dead man lie?" *Cal runs in and leaps at the panther, who catches his foot in some illusionary, black, bone-like vines, before swinging the phoenix into the walls, multiple times.*
"GAK!"

Selphius:
*At this moment, Selphius rides in on Tempest's back, leaping down onto the panther with her Neutralizer.*
"BEGONE, INTRUDER!!"

Tempest:
*Tempest sends down a lightning bolt charge for the Neutralizer.*

Jayden:
*Distracted with swinging Cal around, the panther is caught off-guard and is hit by a great electric shock.*
"GRAAAAAH!!!!"

Valtron:
*A magenta gem shoots out of the panther.* "..."

Nihil:
*Polybius stands up and locks eyes with the gem.* "Leave. Now."

Valtron:
"...Fine. You win this time... It seems my new host requires more training..."
*The gem wraps the panther in a magenta aura, before vanishing into thin air...*

Calias:
*Cal struggles to get up before Selphie runs to help him.* "Is... he gone?"

Selphius:
"It looks like it..."

Nihil:
"..."
*Polybius closes his eyes before he collapses.*

Calias:
*Cal runs to his side.* (Please don't be dead...)

Nihil:
*Nihil's breathing returns to normal...*

Selphius:
"..."
"Help me carry him to his chambers."

Calias:
*Cal nods.*

Several hours later...

Nihil:
*Nihil sits atop a high tower in New Babylon. His two blue eyes can see the whole city, as well as the bay area of Golden City...*
"Polybius... What are you hiding?"

He gets nothing in response...

Cal:
*Cal and Selphie have decided to join Nihil on the ledge.*

Nihil:
"..."
"I apologize for keeping this from you..."

Calias:
*Cal sits in the middle of Nihil and Selphie.* "...It's cool, man. I just wanna know what all of that was about."

Selphius:
"You concerned me..."

Nihil:
"Yes... Polybius. He has dwelled inside me ever since I reawakened... He first made his presence known to me when we were trying to prevent New Babylon from crashing..."

Calias:
"Man... I wanted to pummel him so bad for what he made Grizz do..."

Nihil:
"..."
"I do not know his intentions... But I believe I have come to an understanding with him..."

Selphius:
"Similar to a deal?"

Nihil:
"I suppose. He emerged today only because I let him. And he kept his promise to relinquish my body directly afterwards..."

Calias:
"That's true..."
"..."
"So long as he's not causing trouble, I guess I'm okay with all that... But, come on, dude... Next time something is bothering you, you gotta tell us! We're your pals!"

Selphius:
*Selphie smiles at him.*

Nihil:
*Sigh.* "I suppose you are right... My journey in seeking atonement has caused me to become... stubborn..."

Calias:
*Cal leans over and pulls Selphius and Nihil into a group hug.* "Stubborn? You? Never..." *He laughs.*

Nihil:
*Nihil is able to chuckle alongside him.*

Selphius:
*Selphius is smiling like an idiot.*
"...I am glad I was able to meet the two of you."

Calias:
"Huh? Getting sappy now, Selphie?"

Selphius:
"Is this a bad time?"

Calias:
"Nonono! Course not! I'm uh... really glad you are in my life too."

Nihil:
*Nihil turns his face away, so as to hide the tears now welling up in his eyes.* "I... share the sentiment."

Calias:
"One day, we're gonna look back on this and ask ourselves, 'Why were we sitting so high up?' 'Cause, y'know this seems like a safety hazard."

Selphius:
"You are a coward."

Nihil:
"Yes. Why don't you learn to live precariously?"

Calias:
"Tell me you're joking..."

Nihil:
"Is it that simple to tell?" *He laughs.*
"On the subject, however... Jack Beakton paid us a visit. He stated you had been struggling with something?"

Selphius:
"I was wondering about that too... Are you okay?"

Calias:
"Yeah... I let my weakness show. But I'm getting stronger now."

Selphius:
"That is good to hear. You had me worried..."

Calias:
"Come on, Selphie... You don't have to worry about me."

Selphius:
"I may not have to, but it seems I cannot help it..."

Calias:
"Huh... Well, thanks..."

Selphius:
*She only smiles in response.*

Nihil:
(...My friends... I wish these moments could last forever...)

The trio watches as the sun sets before going home...
Nihil's secret is out! Polybius seems to have a past with Valtron... And Team Revolution has made a lasting memory. What is next for our favorite otherworldly birds? Find out soon in Festival of Chaos!

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Calias the Phoenix
* Tide
* Selphius the Caladrius
* Nihil the Phoenix
* Tempest
* Turbine
* Jayden Night
* Polybius
* Valtron