What's the difference between a god and a devil?

[and then the button is pressed]

Ah- testing, testing. Okay, it looks like we're good to go.

Yes? I think? Yes. Right.

Attention, residents of Luceti! There was... a bit of a mix-up. Sorry. You've probably all been wondering what's going on out there, aren't you? I mean, aside from what you've figured out yourselves. Well, The World of Their Future Organization is here to help!

...That's what we're called. I mean. For those who don't remember or haven't heard. It's a thing. You know, I never really understood that name until now? Because it never existed except that it's been around for hundreds of years? Time travel is so weird.

Anyway, this was supposed to be conveyed to you, like, forever ago, but then things got crazy busy and a couple of things were... overlooked? By someone. I mean. It's a big world, things happen.

But this is from Romaeus! For real! Aaaaand... go! What button is-- oh.

----

Greetings, residents of Luceti. I'll warn you ahead of time that the following message is pre-recorded, as I am currently on an expedition of sorts. It could be months before I return to the village [edit: it's been three so far!] and rather than leaving you all in the dark, I'd prefer to be able to convey some information immediately. [edit: or not! sorry!!]

As you've likely already deduced, the mission was a success. The cultists have been all but eliminated, General Theo saved, and the organization known as Malnosso never formed. I'm not generally one for dispensing praise, but in this instance it is deserved. Well done, you saved the world.

The main benefit of this turn of events is that it gained us several hundred years worth of resources and time not spent on fighting murderous cultists, as well as the vast majority of manpower we lost to the army or through sacrifices. With the information you brought to my past self, the progress made at this point before your venture was nothing compared to where we are now.

I will be blunt: we are going home. We're not there yet, and it's not likely to be easy, but we will succeed this time. This eternal cycle will end.

For the sake of protecting this project from outside interference, I can't share all the details yet. What I can say is that there isn't much time. A few months, perhaps. [edit: it's been three!] We're so close.

What weaknesses you have now, physical, emotional, mental- anything you struggle with. Develop them. Surpass them. They will be targeted. This could be the difference between life and an endless death for you all. Or, perhaps more importantly, the difference between remaining here forever or going home.

I can't give you an exact answer for when this will occur, but be prepared. And whatever business you wish to conclude in this place, do it soon. There may be no coming back.


----

Okay, here's a more up-to-date message. I'm sure Mr. Romaeus didn't know that we'd get such a big influx of newcomers, but wow, did we ever! It's been happening all over the world, in every enclosure we've got. Stragglers still appearing out in the world have been in danger of Natural Shifts, so Shift experimentation has been pretty much halted since it all started. All our manpower has been funneled to search and rescue, supply distribution, and trying to figure out just what the heck is going on. It's been a very busy couple of months!

The running theory right now is that whatever Mr. Romaeus is doing has triggered something within the planet that reversed all the Shifts we created to send people home in the first place. They used to reverse themselves at random before, because we hadn't found a permanent solution yet, but it's normally scattered and a lot slower. This was like - bam! - suddenly everybody's back. Nobody saw it coming. We're taking it as a good sign, since I don't think it would've happened if we weren't making progress, but... yeah. Downside being we're totally overloaded, now. Hundreds of years worth of sendbacks and they're all here again...

Anyway, we're a lot better off now! Which is why we're trying to get back on track with you guys. Like Mr. Romaeus said up there, you guys must have questions and he's set up a bunch of pre-recorded answers via ANI. I'll handle whatever he didn't anticipate and get a proper answer to anything we don't have immediate information for as soon as possible. Sound fair?

Rin Okumura, I require your presence in the Battle Dome.

The rest of you, kindly pay attention, as I'd rather not have to repeat myself. Tomorrow morning - that is, the morning of October 1st, going by the ever-popular Earth calendar everyone seems to favour - an Artificial Shift will occur and pull you back in time, similar to the one a number of you experienced in the Zompania enclosure. Unlike that shift, however, this time you'll be going back years, not days. A few hundred, give or take. Your enclosure existed back then, more or less, but the technology level of that era was... lacking, to say the least. A few of you might remember the old days, so just imagine them older still. Establish yourselves and get comfortable, as you may be there for an extended period. This is not your typical shift, and the Malnosso are unaware of what's happening. Keep it that way.

You'll receive instructions after you arrive. I can't give you specifics because it's really up to you to make any progress, but you're a smart group. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Bring with you only what you can carry- necessities, not luxuries. If all goes according to plan, you'll return to your homes as they are now with no harm done. I can offer you no guarantees, however trust me when I say that everything you leave behind is better here rather than there.

Rise early, be prepared, try not to throw up. It's a significant jump and I can't promise it'll be a pleasant experience. I'd apologize, but it really is for your own good. Best of luck to you, and hopefully you'll fare better than those of the past did.

[Locked to the Organization, Unhackable]

[The entry itself is posted in Raine's journal, but it's definitely not Raine in the image.]

Bil. Your attention is required immediately.

[It's a low but obviously feminine voice, familiar to some perhaps.]

Before you new kids ask, no I'm not one of the people that captured you, no I can't let you go, yes I'll answer any questions I can if I feel it's safe to divulge that information. Please keep the death threats to a minimum since you'll just be wasting your breath, it's unlikely I'll be missed.

...there.



Hey kiddos. I got a job offer for you.

Remember those intruders some of you stuck it to a few months back? Well, I'm sure this comes as no surprise but the general public is having a bit of trouble with them as well, and have been for...hm. Quite some time.

Seems like your captors may have wised up, but I think they need a little reassurance. They can be such finicky things after all, and even with all the talk going about among employees about how darn good you all are, they're still wary about letting you out of your cage. Really, once bitten and twice shy, but only if you're an animal. Silly things.

But enough about the Organization.

Kids! How would you like to work out a little aggression? Bet I could get some of you some first-class accommodations in exchange for just a little bit of battle and danger. Though I suppose some of you would like that, wouldn't you?


[[ooc: PLEASE NOTE that the first thread with John is a preceding backstory to this post. Not necessary if you don't feel like it, but just some plot for you to chew on if you like.]]

Enough is enough; I'm opening the barrier to them, so prepare yourselves. They've gathered at least 300 or so. Kill them all.

The power cap has been lifted, and they are weakened, but I can't keep it that way forever. You have 48 hours. Do not waste this chance, or all of you will die the same way he did.

I've done what I can do halt their progress, but now it's your turn. Kill or be killed- your fate is your own. They reach the village in less than a day.


ANI, status.

Svala. A word.

How charming, that my refuge has become yours. As thrilled as I am to have company in the tunnels, it's in your best interest to vacate as soon as possible. You have 12 hours to do so; if you're not out by then, trust me when I say you'll regret it. Get out.

In regards to the village situation, a resolution is being made, and negotiations are under way. There will be no more murders, unless you lot decide to kill each other. Behave.

Lastly, the cat's out of the bag, so to speak. Jacob has been compromised, so don't bother calling for him via journals anymore. I'll be taking over correspondence for now. Before you start pointing fingers about who is to blame, it was bound to happen anyway. He never was the best with computers.

It seems that I have some extra time on my hands, so if you have questions for me, I might indulge.

Alright, children, gather round. I have a proposal for you.

My research on your fellow Filials isn't going particularly well, so rather than kill off your precious schoolteacher, I've opted to try something new. Thanks to 'Jacob' and the work of my former comrades I've managed to cultivate a few cures for your little death penalties. The problem is, I need you lot to try them out on.

So, which of you would like to volunteer? I promise I'll be as gentle as possible. ♥

Jacob, be a dear and vouch for my sincerity. I don't think they trust me.

I hope you had fun during your 'Christmas', little children. It was rather exciting, playing 'Santa'. I hope I can do it again next year~

You lot might have noticed I've moved the barrier. Or maybe you haven't? Sluggish mice. Honestly, the things I do for you. It's like you don't even know I exist.

By the way, if you haven't managed to figure out the little code we use on your research reports, you have my sympathies. Except not, because even an infant could figure those out. Anyone who hasn't found your report (lazy bastards), I've left you a little present outside the tunnel entrance.

And for the record? My name is not John.