How do you make someone believe a story? In anticipation of this very moment, I've asked myself that question quite a lot over the past week or so.
The answer I've arrived at is that it depends...on the story, and the audience. Are the implications good, or bad? Deep down, will your audience want it to be a true story, or not? Is the story mundane, or fantastical?
Curiously, after reflecting on the question, I'm convinced of a couple other things. For a mundane story, where the story's elements and events are familiar, plausible, the biggest evidentiary burden is proving that specific events actually occurred as described, and one must contend with disproving the audience's alternative interpretations and theories about that proof. Additionally, people are quick to pick and choose parts of your story to believe. However, for a fantastical story, where the scope and events of the story seem impossible according to the audience's preconceptions, often one only needs to shatter their preconceptions to earn the audience's belief, and the audience is more likely to treat the story's credibility as a binary problem.
Fortunately, the story of the Nephilim, my story, is most certainly a fantastical one. So, the answer to my question, how I convince the elves to believe Elira's story about me, is actually straightforward.
Take the single most incredulous part of her story, and show them it's not impossible. In other words, prove to them that a being of unfathomable power who bestows inexplicable gifts to the elves can exist.
As it happens, I fit the bill perfectly. And, I've planned out the perfect stage performance to prove it to the elves gathered here today.
I take a final breath. Then, under the bewildered gazes of the crowd, I put on my most confident expression, clasp my hands behind my back, and walk forward.
As I emerge onto the steps below Elira, taking the spotlight as I separate from the others, the crowd's attention slowly shifts to me. First, in surprise, then confusion, then finally...scattered realization.
Before it can progress from there, I teleport myself fifty meters into the air and hover with a flight spell, staring down at the crowd. My sudden disappearance elicits cries of shock and fear from the crowd, until a few onlookers spot me in the air above them, directing the rest of the crowd's gaze to my location.
A stunned silence descends over the area, every eye moving to me, while anxious whispers reach my ears. After a moment of suspense, I activate a spell in front of me to amplify sound waves towards the crowd. Then, I speak, giving the crowd a polite smile for anyone who can see it.
"Thank you for your attention, elves of the Kingdom {Elvish}!" (Mizuki)
My voice booms over the plaza below, carrying far better than Elira's enchanted item. A palpable shock emanates from the crowd in the wake of my address, and I smile to myself. I actually debated quite a bit whether using mass telepathy or speaking Elvish would be more impactful – I'm satisfied with my choice now.
"Some of you may recognize me as Mizuki – the human, the servant of the Elder Dragon Nedonera, the crippled mage. However, as Queen Elira has implied, none of that is true, except my name. In reality, I am a Nephilim that arrived here from another world less than a year ago, and as you can see, I am not without magical abilities... {Elvish}" (Mizuki)
To emphasize my point, I raise my hand, as if reaching towards the sky, and set my magic to work. Above us, the sky begins to darken, causing the crowd to whisper nervously, but I do not stop there. As day turns to artificial night in the surrounding area, my real demonstration of power begins, and massive arcs of electricity begin to tear across the sky.
BOOM...BOOM, BOOM!
RUMBLLLEEEEEE!
The very air trembles, the artificial lightening tearing the atmosphere apart beneath the dark sky, thundering with violence like a storm of my own making. Several cries of terror erupt from the crowd below at the sight, waves of fear beginning to overtake the elves in its ranks.
Then, it all fades.
The light-absorbing mana barrier in the sky, the alchemy and vector fields targeting the air's electrons...as I dismiss my spells, the atmosphere returns to normal in the blink of an eye, casting warm, reassuring sunlight across the crowd below. Slowly, the hysteria that threatened to break out fades, the eyes of tens of thousands of elves finding their way back to my form floating in the sky.
A realization worms its way through the crowd, the connection between the strange storm, my declaration, and the absence of any incantation becoming clear to them. A stunned silence settles over the area again. Seeing their shocked faces, teetering on the edge between fear and awe, as if waiting to be told which is the appropriate response...I smile, lowering myself in the air until I'm only ten meters or so above the steps below. Still flying, still a silent testament to my abilities, but not so domineering, so removed from them.
I speak, my voice laced with something warmer, more reassuring.
"My apologies to anyone that was frightened by that small demonstration...I merely wished to alleviate any doubts that might have lingered about the validity of Queen Elira's description of my kind's abilities. {Elvish}" (Mizuki)
At my words, some faces show confusion, others disbelief, and a few pale slightly at the characterization of a 'small demonstration', but most relax to some degree. Seeing the tension in the crowd reduce, I continue in their native tongue, keeping my voice amiable.
"With that out of the way, I think it's only fair that I clear some other misunderstandings surrounding myself. For one...allow me to reintroduce my wife,Nina. {Elvish}" (Mizuki)
Without waiting for confusion to form over the unfamiliar name, I snap my fingers performatively, the sound amplification spell in front of me causing it reverberate over the area. In time with the echoing signal, a translucent blue forcefield construct shimmers into existence, forming a large platform beneath my feet, connected to a stairway that trails down...
Right in front of Nina's feet.
[Fufufu...Ciri, Ilina...watch in reverence as I flaunt my place as first wife!] (Nina)
Nina's smug voice echoes in my head, carrying with it satisfaction and superiority so thick that I nearly stumble in the air. Behind me, Ilina's jaw clenches, though she has no way to respond without making a scene. In contrast, Ciri, stationed near Ilina in a maid outfit even now, only exudes amusement and a small hint of mischief through our shared Bond, responding telepathically.
[Indeed, Nina, congratulations. You, as his original wife, and soon, my Mistress as his smartest and most beautiful wife.] (Ciri)
Nina's snorts telepathically, her bragging unfettered by the subtle dig. I also can't help but roll my eyes. Does Ciri really think that such a shameless attempt at flattery would fool anyone? I glance at Ilina, curious about what she'd retort if given the ability, only to almost cough blood at the sight of her.
Her arms are now crossed under her chest smugly, her smirking expression like satisfaction incarnate, storm grey eyes full of silent approval. She's actually falling for that blatant manipulation!?
Ciri's voice echoes in my head, clearly a private telepathic message.
[Fufufufu...give me a couple centuries, Husband. The Princess will come around." (Ciri)
The bold declaration causes me to stiffen. Clearly, however she may act outwardly, her intentions are no less problematic than before.
I sigh internally. Whatever, I guess...it's not my problem anymore. I told everyone where I stand, Ciri included.
Nina arrives by my side in the air, wrapping herself around my arm provocatively, and I turn my attention back to the now stupefied crowd of elves. Seeing their reactions, Nina lets out a gleeful laugh.
"Hehehehe...oh, I'm quite enjoying their reactions! See, isn't this much better than that tedious master-servant act you insisted on?" (Nina)
Of course, Nina speaks out loud...right into my voice amplification spell...causing her words to boom across the plaza below. So, the few elves that remained skeptical about our relationship are forced to confront reality. Frantic, shocked whispers erupt from the crowd, rising in volume.
I glance at Nina, the cause of the uproar, and her unapologetic grin causes my mouth to twitch. Not sure what else I expected honestly.
I shake my head, then clear my throat loudly. The sound passes through my megaphone spell, echoing in the ears of the gathered elves, and the crowd quiets once again.
"I am sure these revelations are confusing for many of you, perhaps even frightening. I understand that you may have questions, concerns...more than I can address here. That's why, after this Royal Announcement ends, Queen Elira has arranged a reception in the palace. I will be there for anyone that wishes to attend and satisfy their curiosity by speaking directly.
"For now, I'll tell you all this – much as my ancestors did in the past, it's my intention to support and protect the elves. As some of you may have already guessed, the trains that have emerged around Lady Alara's new city, Eden, are actually my doing. I'm also happy to announce – or rather, confirm the rumors – at the request of Princess Ilina, I'll be building more trains between Avalon and the other capital cities. {Elvish}" (Mizuki)
On cue, I snap my fingers again, materializing a translucent, silver staircase between the forcefield I'm standing on and Ilina's position below. While the crowd erupts with excited discussion, the news about the trains no doubt the source of their fervor, Ilina climbs the ethereal staircase I constructed, her steps full of grace, her beautiful face carrying the striking, domineering expression of a future queen preparing to issue a command to her subjects.
Arriving on the makeshift sky platform with Nina and me, she pauses, casting a reproachful look at the former. She whispers, quiet and directed away from my megaphone spell, her voice like a sheathed blade.
"Shameless dragon...just you wait." (Ilina)
Nina gives her a subtle smirk in return, pushing her chest slightly firmer against my arm. Something dangerous flickers in Ilina's gaze at the sight, sending a cold sweat down my back, but she remains restrained.
Then, Ilina smiles, cold, beautiful, and abrupt enough that it does nothing to alleviate my anxiety. She takes another step, positioning herself so that she's partially facing both me and the crowd. Then she speaks, making sure it can be heard by the crowd through my spell amplification this time, her voice polite and full of warmth.
"Thank you, Mizuki, for fulfilling my request...you're truly a dear friend." (Ilina)
My eyes widen slightly at the unexpected address, conveying no small amount of affection. That was...not part of the plan for today. Alas, I barely get time to be surprised by her words before she throws the playbook out the window again.
In front of the shocked and confused crowd, under the horrified gazes of her mother and the elven nobles, Ilina walks right over and wraps her arms around me in a hug that's far too tight to be confused with a polite greeting between acquaintances. As the borderline intimate hug passes the two second mark, and the crowd of elven onlookers breaks out into furious discussion once again, Ilina whispers in my ear possessively, just barely loud enough for Nina to hear, her tone heavy with mischief.
"Oops! Seems I may have started some rumors. With how long I've been gone from the Kingdom, all that time spent traveling alone with you...who knows what they'll assume we've been up to, and for how long. Eventually, they might even wonder if I was first after all..." (Ilina)