((Sleep deprivation is a helluva drug.))
Thank you.
[17][8 vs. 4+3] "Lacey," You begin, "Have you ever wondered or doubted about the Council? Why should a God need one? You can confide in me." You lace your words with your aura, pressing them into Lacey's mind with a twist of Willpower, inducing the compulsion for truth.
"Yes. I have had my doubts about the Council." She admits, concerned. "Why would a Good need to listen to mere mortals?"
"I am still young with my Divinity." You blithely assure. "The Guidance of Mortals is valuable to me."
"Ah." Lacey nods nervously. "I'm...I'm sorry for my doubts, Mother Pheonix."
"But, please remember, Emma is my mouthpiece. I trust her completely." Lacey certainly believes your lie, but you catch Emma's glance. "Could you assist me with the first rites?"
"Yes, Mother Pheonix." The zealot bows her head, breathing out a sigh. "I can conduct their first rites and acceptance into the Holyland. Please listen intently...?" She turns to the twins, prompting.
"Ethan [A2911+AB]."
"Finn [A2912+B]."
Weird names.
Lacey begins to direct them earnestly and quickly. She gives orders on their choreography with the air of a patient mother. The twins, after a glance to you, begin listening in earnest. Their demeanor shifts as they straighten from lazy slouches and take on an aggressive stiffness of which you approve
[17+1] You take a deep breath, in and out to steady your nerves. You stiffen your back, clear your face of emotion, and square your shoulders. You unleash your wings and strengthen the reaction, making them stand proud and tall. Then, the three fall in line behind you, and the brightness of your wings force their eyes to the ground. The armor moves to flank them, unbowed. With one last deep sigh, you step out on to the stage.
[11, 11, 6+1] You force your Willpower into your voice, and sparks fly as the sound booms through the auditorium. Not quite as loud, as you would hope, but all of the hundreds of thousands gathered here. Those in front look a little pale, but even those of weak constitution still sit upright, stiffening at your words.
"What does it mean to be redeemed? " You begin lifting the volume of your voice.
"Gaze upon these figures, these two believers that stand before you not with animosity, not as malicious spirits, demons clad in the armor of hatred, but as mere men with hopes and dreams who, through my grace, are no different than the faithful gathered here today." You pause after this to scan the crowd with a sweep of your eyes. At random, you fixate on an individual, before your gaze finds another.
"They were not always thus. In the distant past, these were soldiers of the Baron of Steel, inhuman demons that sought the demise of all we held dear. As we all know, the strength of these demons was so great that they were only stopped at significant cost through the desperate struggles of our Crusaders, believers bearing the weapons of righteousness." You explain, clearly, earning you nods of approval from some of the Scholars
"I have reached into the souls of our hated enemies, reached deep into their beings, and I have given them the gift of faith. I have transformed them, transformed the very essence of their souls from living evil into base humanity, and in so doing I have offered them the greatest gift we have to give, the gift of redemption."
[12]The projection of light is difficult, and Lacey would not be able to reach them if you lifted them. Instead, you create a halo of light and fire, igniting it suddenly. The brothers twitch, but then still as the fire dwindles to a rising light.
"In our holy mercy, in our sacred kindness, who are we to deny them this gift? Our ancient enemies have become our strongest allies, as we should never turn away those that wish to atone for their sins, even ones such as these who truly have so very much to atone for. Alongside our brave Crusaders, they will purge this world of the Plague and bring us justice for the loss of our Holy SEED."
Their glowing halos brighten suddenly as Lacey daubs their foreheads with black oil. The armors, kneel as well as Lacey steps forward to daub oil on their 'helmets.' They rise only to bow to you as their armors raise cutter blades of red fire -- in triumph.
"This is the meaning of redemption! This is what it means to save a soul! Witness today the final step in their holy transformation and rejoice, for in Phoenix and in SEED even the most wicked can find hope and love. No one and nothing is beyond redemption! Hail Pheonix! Hail SEED!"
[-] You do not even give the crowd time to react, turning away imperiously and striding off the stage.
[15+1][15+1][14+1] You can hear them cheer your name in return. You make sure you are backstage before you let a wry smile find your face. You extinguish your wings as you walk, and once again feel the uncomfortable burning sensation in your shoulders as you hide them away. An itch that is only relieved when you free them again.
Emma claps slowly, gently, "You're getting more comfortable with that."
"Thank you." You plainly state, giving her a weak smile.
"You want to talk to me about Probabilities, correct?" She gestures towards the door.
The garden is free of blood, cleaned in your absence. One of the significantly reinforced shutters is open on the side of the room. It lets you gaze over a valley as the plants drink in the waning sunlight. Pinpricks of stars dot the horizon. A fresh blanket of snow lies on the bottom of the valley, over a half-frozen stream. Stunted plants, withered by the cold, hang over its shiny surface.
"The Ancestors tell me I have some gift with Probabilities that even they lack. Perhaps they are trying to build my confidence, but your approach tells me that they may be telling me the truth. So, what answers can I give?"
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Topic: McCreary's Planet -- (FINISHED) (Read 252178 times)