Galacor: He appeared at the Star Forge, looking around before kneeling, the gears on his cheeks turning as he felt the ground. "Hmm..." His eyes flashed for a moment, scanning the area, noticing that the group was here before vanishing. "Interesting." He stood up straight, "Phantom Emperor..."
Phantom Emperor: The energy being formed beside Galacor, "Yes, master?"
Galacor: "Scan all possible timelines past the Central Point...search for elemental signatures." He tapped some buttons on his wrist gauntlet, connecting to the Emperor's mind.
Phantom Emperor: "Yes, master." He floated up, holding his arms out as small golden strings entered his forehead. His eyes flashed for a brief moment, "Negative signatures, location of targets unknown."
Galacor: His fingers paused against the gauntlet, gears slowing as the report settled in. He straightened, eyes narrowing. "A hidden narrative...Never would I believe elementals to have such things at their disposal." He turned towards the heart of the forge, watching Zilari craft god-like weapons. "Zilari...I have questions for you."
Zilari: He halted mid swing, his hand shifted back to normal. "The Phantom Assassin returns? With questions? I assume you found your contractor?"
Galacor: "In fact, I have...The others were here before. What did they get from you, and where did they go?" His voice remained stern, his lifeless machine eyes staring at him.
Zilari: Steam left his mouth as his molten eyes burned brighter, "You of all people should know I never reveal information like that."
Galacor: His eyes shifted, gears turning a bit as he looked around, staring at the forge behind him. "Are you still attempting to rebuild your lover?"
Zilari: His face shifted, "Of what relevance is this question?!" His hands shifted into blades, staring down at Galacor, but once he saw the Emperor standing by him, he immediately backed down. He knew better than to challenge him. "...I am."
Galacor: He held up his hand, signaling the Emperor to stand down, "You can either tell me everything I need to know, or I will destroy everything here, and Valkun can use you as a slave. Neither of us wants that, as you were fairly useful to me. Now, where did Wiliaquo and the others go?"
Ziliari: His blades retracted slowly back into his hands, metal hissing as it cooled. He turned away for a moment, gripping the edge of the anvil so hard it groaned. "They came here, asking for a way to escape this timeline, live free from Valkun's wrath and tyranny. I gave them a timeline shifter. A way out without ever being able to be found, not unless they wanted to be."
Galacor: "And then you destroyed the device." The gears of his cheeks shifted again, studying Zilari, "How did you know that?"
Ziliari: His eyes jolted toward Galacor, "How did you know-" He took a step back.
Galacor: He rubbed the chin of the Emperor, his metallic claws dragging against his mask. "How long did you really think it would take for me to gain back full control over the Emperor? I saw the timelines files. I know what you did."
Zilari: "Then you must have all that you need from me."
Galacor: His hand remained raised for a moment longer before lowering slowly. "You misunderstand. Knowing and confirming are not the same." The gears in his cheeks clicked into a tighter rhythm. "The shifter's destruction only proves intent. Not destination."
Zilari: He straightened, molten eyes narrowing as embers drifted from his shoulders. "There is no destination to give you. That was the point. The device severed their echo entirely once it was used. No trail. No scar."
Phantom Emperor: He tilted his head slightly, golden filaments twitching. "An absolute severance would require a convergence anchor."
Zilari: His jaw tightened. "Yes. And that anchor was not forged here."
Galacor: He paused, then let out a low, mechanical hum. "So they carry something older than your forge." He stepped closer, towering just enough to remind Zilari of the imbalance between them. "Something that allows existence without observation."
Zilari: "Call it what you want. Sanctuary. Refusal. Love." He met Galacor's stare without flinching now. "Whatever they found, it chose them as much as they chose it."
Galacor: The hum ceased. His voice was cold and precise. "Everything that exists can be observed. It is only a matter of cost."
Zilari: "Then you will pay more than you expect."
Galacor: He turned away, placing a hand briefly on the Emperor's shoulder. "Perhaps. But Valkun will pay first." He glanced back one last time. "You have served your purpose, Zilari. Continue rebuilding your lover. Pray I do not require proof of loyalty."
Zilari: He said nothing. He only watched as Galacor and the Phantom Emperor vanished, the forge's glow reflecting off his molten eyes while the weight of inevitability settled into the metal and fire around him.