ACCOUNTABILITY.

[blackmass]

[The sound of footsteps is slow, but deliberate and without hesitation. And as they echo through the room he walks into view lacking fear, lacking hesitance, lacking...much of anything at all.]

[He's tall--perhaps taller than his profile had implied--wide-shouldered and built like an unbreakable fortress wall, wearing the solid black of a priest; the light catches a gold cross around his neck to confirm the fact. And as he steps forward, his long coat (the deep purple of poisons and nightshade itself) trails behind him before coming to a stop as he does.]

[A smile cut across his gaunt and pale face, but it was far from a pleasant one. It was the enigmatic smile of someone witnessing a joke only they found humorous, and yet it did not reach the dark and emotionless eyes that scanned the room briefly as though the priest was carefully calculating what course of action to take.]

At last we meet face to face, my Apprentices.

[The voice that leaves him is recognizable as the same one that was heard only moments before, but clearer in person. Now it seems to ring like the largest, deepest bells of Notre Dame itself, no louder than an ordinary speaking tone--the result sounds more like distant thunder heralding an oncoming hurricane.]

[The real difference lies not in how he speaks, but what he says. The short, impersonal sentences of the weeks prior are at last discarded, and the man before them speaks as a true preacher--a true wordsmith--would address his congregation.]

Rejoice and be proud of your accomplishments. Each and every last one of your number, dead or alive, has truly exceeded all expectations I had for this group. And now you have clawed and scratched your way here, on the backs of your fallen friends' struggles and failures. You have proven that their own accomplishments would not be in vain simply by standing here before me--I do not doubt that your success is the wish most of them held in their hearts, at the very end of their lives.

[He places a hand over his own heart, taking on a tone that nearly sounds genuinely proud...until a patronizing current begins to run through each syllable like a deadly undertow.]

Do you perhaps feel satisfied? You would be right to, for making it so far. Your sorrow, desperation, joy, determination...all of it has been a magnificent thing to behold as you fought to reach this point in time. Each second of it has served its purpose, and served it very well. I am one who believes such struggling and effort deserves to be rewarded, and so this alongside my own endless gratitude is what I will grant you in return for all that you have done for me.

My name is Kirei Kotomine.

[He holds his arms out slightly to his sides, a gesture that would almost seem welcoming if 'Kageshirou' did not react and coil--completely harmlessly--around his arms like a black serpent. The smile he wore turned to a razor-edged smirk, the challenge set before the remaining Apprentices clear even without his next words:]

And now that we have properly met, tell me: shall we continue our discussion?

Comments

[blackmass]

In a strictly technical sense, it is not a demon. And it is not 'someone' to begin with.

It has been given many names by humanity. 'Destructive mentality'. 'All The World's Evil.' 'Avenger.'

But it's truest name...is Angra Mainyu.

[iaspis]

"All The World's Evil"...

And you willingly work with such a thing?

[blackmass]

Of course. Avenger and I...we are the same.

[matchbreaker]

Should a priest really be calling himself evil?

[blackmass]

...Do you honestly think I am an ordinary type of priest at this point, Elda Marker?

[matchbreaker]

From my perspective, the majority of priests are evil!

[ Flatly, but with a chipper tone ]

But most of them aren't self-aware enough to see that!

[blackmass]

But that's exactly it, do you not understand? No...perhaps you and Hanyuu Furude may come as close to understanding as one can.

I was formerly of a group called the Assembly of the Eighth Sacrament--assassins working in the name of God, as Executors of His will. And I destroyed more heretics than I am able to count in that time. Vampires. Mages. Anything which opposed the teachings of the Holy Church.

But was that 'right', Elda Marker? Did they not have their own right to exist? What we Executors called pure actions and intentions were no doubt unspeakable evil to those we cut down.

Just because I am a priest does not make anything I do 'good' in the eyes of God or man.

[matchbreaker]

[ Oh...

Oh.

Elda's eyes shift, becoming the sort of predatory eyes that she bring to a more serious situation, as she brings herself to a more serious point.

... This man is everything she hates, for a variety of reasons, but particularly with that history... a templar, an assassin who kills mages (magicians?) and vampires- ]

If your "God" asked that of you, wouldn't he see it as "good?"

[firstaid]

It's called that and yet... Why did it not destroy me when it could have had the chance?

Perhaps Angra Mainyu is a spirit of destruction, but it doesn't appear to do so mindlessly. Unless it was acting on your orders, Kirei.

[blackmass]

It does not. I issue Avenger no orders, we simply cooperate for the same goal.

[firstaid]

And that goal is to feel alive, am I correct?

[Her expression softens.]

You said you've always felt such negative emotions. May I ask why? Did you become a priest and seek faith to find that feeling yet you couldn't find it there?

[blackmass]

...

[Kirei hesitated--he didn't falter, but for a brief second words seemed to fail him.]

What other people called happiness...did not bring me any joy. I am one who was born empty, finding nothing of worth in what the people around me considered beautiful or enjoyable. I followed the path of the Holy Church praying for salvation--praying to understand why.

But the only god that has ever answered me was Hanyuu Furude.

1/2

[firstaid]

What brings people happiness is different for each person. For some it's a god, for some it's faith, for some it's escape. However, the answer is different from person to person. For me, it was finding and obtaining a meaning and role in my world. I am a princess, however, what the world wanted for me as a princess was not what I wanted. They wanted to use me for power. However, I wanted to use my power to heal others. I am a poison. However, my friends told me I was not and saved me.

My friends also bring me happiness. I love them. And they love me.

Objects are not beautiful. I could have anything I wanted, yet I felt unfulfilled until I met Yuri, someone who had nothing, according to the nobles I lived around. Yuri was one of my first friends. I had Flynn before that, too. And then I met Rita, Karol, Repede, Judith, and... even Raven who betrayed me. However, I forgave Raven.

2/2

[firstaid]

[She smiles gently before her expression turns stern once more.]

I have met corrupt people like you. They were only met with death at the hands of others. If you continue down this path, that is the fate you will meet as well since there are others that won't forgive you. The law will not protect you as there are good people who will act outside of the law and walk down the path of a criminal to take down people like you.

[blackmass]

...You could never understand.

[It didn't sound like an accusation; if anything, Kirei sounded resigned to that fact.]

You are able to make those connections. I am not. And even placing that aside, I care nothing for justice. The world is not just or fair, even if there are 'good' people within it. If this should someday end before I awaken Avenger...then that will just prove the injustices of the world as I see it.

[oyashiromama]

...I don't want to make excuses for any other god. That wouldn't be right...and it would be presumptuous. But for many centuries, I wished to answer my followers, but I was unable. It's possible other gods wished to reach out to you...but were unable as well.

[elepe]

...All The World's Evil...

[What on earth did we all get dragged into.]

How utterly ghastly. Are you quite certain it did not mess with your head?

[blackmass]

I am certain. All that has been done by me was of my will, and my will alone.

[feistytrader]

Or in other words, you can be a jerk all by yourself.

[oyashiromama]

[...You have to be at least somewhat acquainted with "gods" of other cultures, as a god yourself.]

A concept, given form. I... Angra Mainyu. [Hanyuu finds herself...looking at the darkness.]

[blackmass]

...You understand now, don't you?

Angra Mainyu was evil upon its very creation. It is a concept given form, and knows only how to act according to that concept.

[oyashiromama]

How was it created? Did such a creature simply rise from the hearts of men? Somehow...I doubt that.

[blackmass]

Mankind wished for a tangible 'absolute evil' to blame when they suffered. And they created one, through suffering and sacrifice.

[oyashiromama]

[...]

Truly, that... From what I... [For a moment, a pang of bitterness flashes through her, but--]

That is how I became a god...but that isn't my only purpose anymore. Couldn't Angra Mainyu find something else too?

[blackmass]

It lacks your will. Avenger has not your independent personality or any such thing to truly speak of. I have witnessed it communicating with someone directly just once, but only through borrowed will and personalities.