[ Just her luck. A lot of memories she can't really brace for getting displayed on the Omni network or goodness knows what other outlets. There's definitely something along the lines of a put out expression crossing her features, though it borders on unease when all's said and done. ]

Wonderful. I mean, not to diminish your friend's achievements, if that's what he wanted of course.

[ Well if it happens there's not a lot to be done, as will no doubt be demonstrated. So she'll move on as well. Sterilizing? Gaia considers the word.]

I guess that could be a way of putting it? [ After all she's no scholar. ] Light is mostly a state of stasis while Dark is one of activity. They're the poles that can draw the other elements. When most of the world was consumed by the Flood of Light, it became what was called the Empty. Endless land saturated in Light-aspected aether. Living beings consumed by it were changed into aether-starved beings called sin eaters. The stronger ones could cause others to change. Sometimes it was quick. Other times the change took a while.

[ Her hands are wrapped around the cup as if to seek solace out of it. She might be able to talk calmly about it, but she's not unaffected by the tale. For many reasons. Taking a deep breath, Gaia looks up and speaks with a more positive tone. ]

But things are better now. The source of the sin eaters was found. And a cure was found for the afflicted that hadn't yet changed. And a solution restoring the Empty had been found. There will be a future for that world. And one day the balance will be restored for all of it. I'm sure.

[ Her tone indicates this is more than just wishful thinking on her part. She's certain. ]