futurology | text | un: Sasaki

Like a few others here, I'm among those who met the goddess Nalanni. And like others there are things I learned from having a conversation with her. First and foremost, I'd like to request some help in conveying a message she intended for her people.

She wanted them to know that she loves them, and that she knows they can go on without her.

At the time, I was struck with the thought that she'd considered her own passing a possibility. And now that I've seen mentions of slaying gods here, it seems she wasn't wrong. Maybe some of you know more than me, but I'm not convinced it's the only way. Having said that, I'm not blind to the reality that those are our orders, and that there are those who will follow them.

I'm more interested in helping the Nalawi. I gave my word that I would do whatever I could, and so... To those who are already making efforts to ensure the Nalawi are able to sustain themselves, whatever may come, I'd like to volunteer any help I can provide.

If anyone wants further information on the conversation I had with Nalanni, please let me know. I'm unsure how much would be redundant, since admittedly, I've picked up on recent developments here and there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nothing exists in a vaccuum. The actions we take invariably have consequences. Even if it were possible to change what they are, even miracles require a certain amount of power.

Would it be worth it -- to save two lives with a massive amount of power that could be used to help countless others elsewhere?

[ Perspective. ]

It means there was a period in my world's history where magic, the occult, gods and goddesses, and heroes played a dramatic role in shaping the course of events.

It is my understanding that they retreated from the world or were otherwise rendered powerless. Whether or not they still exist, they no longer play a part in human affairs. The age of man, of technology and civilization has superseded their existence.

Edited (omg i cannot spell!!!) 2016-05-28 18:32 (UTC)

Ideally, I'd wish to save them all. That being said, I've yet to find an ideal world.

[As much as he wants to spare lives, he comes from reality in which that's far from possible. Sometimes he can manage, working within the system, but...often, he's delaying the inevitable at best.

Too soft.

Arima's words echo in his mind]

I see. It's hard to imagine such a place, but then, I thought the things I'm experiencing now could only be in fiction.

From the sounds of it, that transition was more peaceful and gradual than what's to occur here.

[ And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? There is no such thing as an ideal world. ]

No world is exactly the same as another.

The gods and goddesses that reigned during that time period were not always kind. Some were, but others were just as cruel and petty as you might expect their human counterparts to be.

There were wars and battles, much as there have been since their age has passed.

As long as there are people, those capable of free will, there will be conflicts.

I couldn't argue against that, much as I wish I could. Even those with a common cause may conflict, just as it seems some of us do.

Forgive me for this comment if it sounds strange, but the way you discuss these matters makes me think you've been around for far longer than myself.

[Worldly isn't quite the right word, but it comes close]

[ If that's your way of asking if he's an old man, you would be right, Haise. ]

Heroic Spirits such as myself are beings removed from the bounds of time.

I could not tell you how old I am, but I have served as what we call a 'counter guardian' for hundreds if not thousands of years.

We clean and maintain timelines - a role very similar to what is expected of us here.

There is no program such as the Timeline directing our actions, but there is another power that does.

Edited 2016-05-29 14:38 (UTC)

[He never would've guessed quite that ancient though...what a notion]

That's the first I've heard the term. Are Heroic Spirits a particular rank, or a state of being?

[Can't help but be curious, being told something like that]

From the sounds of it, this must be pretty familiar ground to tread. At least to some extent, since some particulars must surely vary.

[ He's got the white hair for it and everything...! ]

Heroic Spirits are figures of myths and legends, sometimes heroes of great renown, who achieved great deeds in their lifetimes. There are those who qualify by other means, but such individuals upon their deaths are removed from the cycle of incarnation and become powerful spirits that can be summoned into the world.

[ There's the Holy Grail War to consider too, but that's a whole other can of worms. ]

Particulars vary, but as I said -- solutions rarely factor ideals of morality or justice.

[ It's cleaning up others' messes, cold logic, and reducing the overall collateral damage. ]

I'd never heard of something like that before. Where I'm from I'd expect to find something like that in a novel, but that puts differences in some perspective. So great deeds are usually the qualifying criteria for people like that?

It sounds like one would be forced to stop thinking in human terms. It might just be my thinking, but that sounds like an incredibly taxing sort of job.

[To put aside personal beliefs that way, and act on what was deemed the best course. It's all theoretical to him, something he knows he can't fully relate to, but...

In some small way, he thinks he can, just a little. As someone who'd had it impressed upon him that he was a weapon to be used]

Generally, yes.

[ There are exceptions, of course, but when aren't there? As for the rest of Haise's analysis...well. He's actually quite right. ]

To become a Heroic Spirit is to become a tool for another's use. We safeguard humanity, but we have no say over who summons us or why.

More often than not, we acts as weapons and nothing more.

[ So....yeah. Thinking in human terms doesn't really work. ]

[He may not be able to relate to the mystical nature of what's being described to him, but that last part...

That last part he knows quite well. For the CCG, he has the same role. Having been told this much, he knows the circumstances surrounding it are quite different, of course. The actions he was to take would never have such great significance]

I can imagine why it would take particularly strong people for that kind of role.

[At the same time, he can also imagine it would still be frustrating]

Thank you, for explaining it to me in such detail. I realize it wasn't the original subject we were discussing, but I found myself curious once it came up.

[ It is incredibly frustrating, but that's something Archer largely keeps to himself. The foolish choices he made, the ideals he once held that shattered under the weight of so much death -- these things are personal and rarely ever discussed. ]

There is nothing wrong with asking questions.

I hope my answers have offered some perspective.

[ Why they're here and what they're meant to do... He doesn't expect everyone to be cold and logical like he is, but tempering emotionalism, in his mind, can only be a good thing. ]

I appreciate the time you took in elaborating on the subject, especially as someone more experienced in this area.

[Taking actions that change worlds in this way. It would've been unfathomable just a short time ago, for him]

It does give me a few things to think about.

text | un: Sasaki

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