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| The Sage hears the words of the Adjudicator of this Grail War. “I recognize your- Hm?!” The Rishi is quickly swept up by the flow of the Goddess. “But Lord Shiva desires-” The Goddess immediately denies the Dance-desuwa. “But-” NO BUTS-DESUWA! The Goddess insists. The Night of the Heavenly Dance is apparently scheduled after the Wedding. “But the Dance is to celebrate the Wedding of Lord Shiva and Lady Parvati…” The Wedding Planner’s schedule is absolute-desuwa! “I… see… I shall defer to your judgment, Lady Hera…” Lord Shiva and Lady Parvati watch on in bemused mirth. |
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| “Hail, Befriender of the Seven Headed Serpent King. Your method of meditation is familiar yet never I have in all my Eons witnessed such a form. It reminds me clearly of the River between Worlds. Are you willing to part with your mentor’s teaching? I am willing to part with knowledge of my own.” The Sage is always a willing student to those who are privy to knowledge he lacks. The Sage of Destruction’s respect is given to the Sage of Water and his student. |
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| “I know you, Rider of the Seas. I have seen you in the Seas between Worlds. Yes yes, laugh and rebuff me as you like…” The Sage’s eyes were stone-cold as they stayed on the God. “Tell me… Are you content with your choice?” The God denied everything, because being on the sidelines was what he wanted. The Sage shook his head. “The Destruction of your Family was not your fault. It was Fated to End. God or not, you could not have done a thing.” Then what is the point of having Power? The Sage’s eyes glowed. “To choose what comes next. Choose wisely.” |
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| A God who has committed Mahāpātaka. The Great Sin of Thief. A God who created a city meant only for the Asura. A God who imprisoned Humanity to torment and extort. A God who was a trial for Humanity to overcome. A God who bestowed games upon Humanity. A God who gave Humanity a Chance. A God who is- “A thief.” Without another word, Berserker stepped away. For a game is not a game without a player to play it. |
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The Sage silently scanned the Rider eating at a table stacked with feasts for kings and queens. Determining. Judging. Discerning. Though they are comrades, an uncertainty remains underneath the visage of joy and innocence. He watches as months worth of crops grown by the meek is swallowed wholly with each bite and yet she still hungers. The girl asked why he was staring because it was spoiling her appetite. “Are you a Rakshasa?” A Rak-wha? His eyes narrowed. “A manifestation of Vritra?” Who…? “You are in the wrong World, Daitya.”
“… You should have kept your dumb mouth shut. Especially when you’re the one who destroyed mine.” |
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| The Sage can only look on in pity, but what is the point of giving this pity when the two have no need of it? “They are forever barred from Samsara.” An observation from the Rishi. “To eternally reincarnate in forms of metal, they are no different from the Bhūtavāhanayantra. I suppose the treasure that they guard is each other.” His eyes linger on them as they work their trade. “To reincarnate the Gods into machines, much like the ones from their lands… Could Lord Shiva have sent me here because of them?” This hypothetical affront to the Gods is not yet built, but time will tell if the Architect and his Son will succeed… and if the Sage will Destroy it. |
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| “I acknowledge the Trickster who heralds the End. I acknowledge the Protector of the Home. I acknowledge the manifestation of the two as One most resembling Lord Ganesha. I shall listen to your plea.” The Mediator of the Hearth gave his compromise. The Sage contemplates their words. “Three days. Three Forms of Divinity. The Three Gods of the Trimurti. The Three Goddesses of the Tridevi. I shall allow Three days by your silvered tongue and honeyed words, but no more. Prove to Lord Shiva that this World is exempt from Destruction. Either through the Sword or the Tongue. Only then shall I abstain from the Dance.” |
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| Disdain. Pity. Fury. Disgust. A cocktail of uncharacteristic emotions bubbled inside the Disciple before they fizzled like the embers of a forgotten fire. Memories of a mundane life belonging to Shiva flashed before him. It was a halcyon life that had a definitive End. That? That is not an End of the World. It was Oblivion of those Memories. What makes it any different from Destruction? A new World always comes after the End. Oblivion? There is Nothing. Not even the Death he so disliked. Perhaps the rebel leader revels in this contradiction and oxymoron of Memories, but… the Sage now knows why he is here. To grant Absolution to this Soul. |
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| The two men exchanged looks between each other, determining if their relationship can be something other than “Opponents belonging to the enemy team”. Augh… Guess not, the Knight would say as he draws his spear. “Does my character trouble you?” It could be any reason why I’m just going to run you through, so does it matter? It’s just business. “It was Fate for that Land to End.” The Knight pursed his lips. Don’t make it personal, he would say aloud. Don’t pity me, he refused to say. I have drowned monks before, he would threaten. But they both know that was a lie. “Then let us see for ourselves if this Sage can drown.” |
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| “I have heard of your great deeds, O’ Mighty Heracles. Or rather, O’ Mighty Vajrapani. Is the man from the Bodhi tree still doing well?” The Ghost of Heracles cannot help but feel sheepish and embarrassed at hearing a person of great importance sing praise of her husband. “Am I not allowed to compliment someone other than Shiva?” The Archer stumbled on her words, citing that because she has visited India with her Husband, she knows that she cannot meet the eyes of the Sage for being responsible for killing the bodyguard of the Enlightened One. It was very awkward explaining the circumstances. |
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“Ah. So that presence was you, King of Heroes. I greet this wizened iteration of you.” The Sage bowed. “The End? It is a necessary component of the World, much like Death. An aspect both you and I are familiar with.” The Lynchpin of Heaven expresses distaste. “The Gods have wronged you, this I know. However, I owe my existence to Lord Shiva.” The King of Uruk rejects the idea. “To… be free? But I am free. How lamentable. It seems the Wisdom of different Lands can often be incompatible. Which is interesting because… did you not visit my Land long ago? Ah. Vimana is being treated well, yes.” Two Wisemen exchange words so casually.
“Hm? Why are you not on the Gold Team? That… is a good quandary… Why are you not on the Gold Team…?” The Sage is at a loss for words. |
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| The reflection of a God, mirroring the reflections of Mankind. The Sage knows well the Fates of such existences. The God sneered, claiming that he is as much a God as the Sage. “Yet you do not Hunt the waters that flow from my head.” To taint the waters of the Universe, it is not an appetizing idea at the moment. The God cites his own reasons. “You are still a threat to the World.” Then Hunt, taunted the God. “It is not your Time.” The Sage would cite the very same reasons. The God would click his tongue, annoyed before he and the pack/storm lurked away for more exciting prey. |
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The two existences are irreconcilable as can be. “To deny the Gods is to deny the World.” The Gods have ruined the World for me and my people! Retorted the accursed King. “The End of your People was through your actions.” Actions that were caused by the indifference of the Gods! “The Gods’ inactions are no excuse for the folly of Men.” Are we not their children? Should they not cherish and treasure their beloved worshippers?! “It was a test and you have failed.” And they have failed us all! “The World should not be victim to your madness.” And yet it is destined to be victim to yours!?
Their exchange and inevitable clash can only be described as a Tragedy brought about by the whims of unfeeling Gods. |
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| To be continued within Route Shiva |
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Originally Posted by Morg van Destro
