On trying to be a team player at Soulgemmed

[firstofthefallen]

This is a fool's errand, you are aware. The greatest chance we have, perhaps, but. Well. I've never been an optimist.

...But I do not forget my obligations. When I have a debt, I pay what I owe.

Even if it is a march into oblivion, it will not be the first time I have.

Comments

[alephbet]

Players like to have happy endings for these things, or at least bittersweet. But obviously you can't know that in-game, so it doesn't help.

Either way, I think it wouldn't be any worse than you going it alone.

[firstofthefallen]

Me attempting it alone would be impossible, as I am now. Perhaps in time I would gain strength enough, but it would be arduous and as much as I could wait, I do not know if the world itself could sustain.

They are children there, Aleph. Only a few have the maturity a warrior needs, let alone the strength.

But they are your people, Aleph. I will not abandon them, but will pay your love for my people back in turn.

[To you, the only person he knows who so truly deserves to be known as Messiah.]

[alephbet]

Thank you, Lucifer.

[He didn't love and protect demons with expectation of repayment, but if he had, none would come. That wouldn't be love.]

If they have the time and the determination, they'll grow into it. Not many humans start out as warriors. Changing is the best part of being human, I think.

[Even he hadn't started as a real Messiah.]

[firstofthefallen]

...Such is what I hope.

[Such is the proof that you gave.]

Some of them already have such determination, but they have already paved a difficult road built on a disaster created by good intentions. Their infighting will increase. The only chance to calm it is to martial into factions, and assisting the greatest.

Where do you now tread?

[Somewhere nicer, somewhere that one such as you deserves, he hopes.]

[alephbet]

A world called Empatheias. The place runs on emotions, more or less - the local magic is done by concentrating them, and even if you don't have practice, strong emotions will spill over into the environment around you.

[For example, being able to talk to a dear friend after so long? That's making yellow flowers spring up from the ground around Aleph's feet as he speaks.

Freesia, for 'lasting friendship', not that he'd know the meaning.]

[firstofthefallen]

A logical method. Emotion can be a powerful magical conduit.

[Sorry Aleph, let your bud kind of just take the magic out of that magic right there.]

It sounds like a calm place.

[As you should have. As you deserve.

He misses you. Dearly.]

[alephbet]

[It's okay, he's used to magic being a thing that makes sense and has rules.]

Sometimes. Sometimes it's not. It's calm enough that a lot of people there don't know how to fight, but not so calm that I don't think they'll never need to.

I teach swordplay at a school now.

[He's not used to teaching, but he does his best.]

[firstofthefallen]

They will be without peer among those there, I'm sure.

[How could they not be, should you be their teacher.]

Teaching would suit you well, I think.

[alephbet]

Being the best in my world doesn't make me the best in any world that has ever existed or sent people to Empatheias. I'm sure there are better.

[Not that the compliment doesn't make him happy.]

I do my best, though. As long as people are able to defend themselves, I'll feel more useful.

...Living somewhere peaceful is still a little strange. I like a lot about the place - fresh fruit is amazing - but it does make me feel a little antsy if I relax for too long.

[firstofthefallen]

You humble yourself too easily.

Peace is something I never acquaint myself with, not for too long. But it can certainly have its advantages.

...You deserve the rest, Aleph.

[alephbet]

[He'd think of it as just not making assumptions about his own strength that he can't back up.]

You wouldn't like it, I think. So it's probably better that you're not here.

But I still miss you, a little.

[It's silly, and he knows it is. But he can't help it.]

[firstofthefallen]

You're right. I wouldn't really know what to do with peace.

[He was made to serve. And when he ceased to serve conflict became his calling and his all. Lucifer wouldn't know what to do with himself without something to fight.]

...We'll meet again, somewhere down the road.

[He misses you too Aleph.]

[alephbet]

[Aleph's like that in his own way. Made to serve, turned upon his creators and rejected his original purpose.

Maybe that's part of why they get along so well.]

We will. You're not getting rid of me that easily.

[firstofthefallen]

[You, Aleph. You alone does he find akin to him.]

...They are children, Aleph. And I do not understand their needs. I understand their infighting and reasons for it only on a fundamental level. I understand their apparent emotional needs and their willingness to feel guilt and remorse even less. They baffle me. I am not entirely certain how best to serve them, and much of the time I would have no qualm leaving them to their deaths.

But if you were here, you'd have loved them anyway, wouldn't you?

[alephbet]

I'm sure there are some I wouldn't have liked.

[He's not perfect or all-loving, and he doesn't get along with everyone. Some people have philosophies that are anathema to his, and even some people who are more aligned with chaos, he just can't stomach being around.

You can't be everyone's friend and he doesn't try.]

But I would have fought for them. Even the ones I didn't like.

[firstofthefallen]

No perhaps not. But you'd understand them more than I.

I hold no hope they can be brought to fighting condition. But I will try.

[alephbet]

Plenty of things sound hopeless until they aren't. Half of what we did together, if you'd told me I would do that when I was still a gladiator, I would have laughed you out of the gym.