II. Red

[eightofseven]

[For once, "Al Saiduq" has chosen to make himself visible again. But rather than stare intently at people like he usually does, he seems to be thinking about something instead.]

[Namely, what it is he would do now. From his conversations with people here (mostly Oz), the possibility that he would come to be despised by all was becoming too great to ignore. Normally, self-preservation would be among the least of his concerns, and even though he now knew (albeit not firsthand) that death was impermanent in this world, he didn't know what would happen with regards to the Shining One's situation if he were to fall in battle. It wasn't time for that yet. He wasn't ready.]

[If you come and speak to him, he'll greet you with a "Hello", and possibly with a nickname, or a title maybe, if you have one.]

Comments

[galaxiapride]

Considering this entity is powerful enough to pull us from different worlds and reduce our powers, it may be the only option so it better be vital.

[eightofseven]

It would be the more likely possibility, yes. It was the same in the world I observed.

[galaxiapride]

And it was the same for me when my fr--acquaintances were fighting the last abomination threatening my world.

[eightofseven]

Is that so?

Then how did you acquire the powers used by your enemies?

[galaxiapride]

[That surprises him]

Excuse me?

[eightofseven]

Perhaps it is not so similar after all... Humanity gained the power to copy the skills of demons and use them for themselves.

[galaxiapride]

Those are learned skills.

[eightofseven]

You would call it "learned" when a machine does it for you?

[galaxiapride]

[There's a bit of relief in the way his shoulders twitch. So he's not talking about his natural biology...]

If it is stored in memory, then yes.

[eightofseven]

Even if it is in the machine's memory, rather than their own?

[galaxiapride]

Does a pilot not know how to fly if the airplane is the one doing the flying?

[eightofseven]

Is there not more than one way to fly?

[galaxiapride]

Don't divert the question.

[eightofseven]

Very well then. It does not. However, while humanity as I knew it was able to summon and control demons, the means of using their skills was given to them.

[galaxiapride]

Like children attending school then.

[eightofseven]

I have never been a teacher.

[galaxiapride]

Have you ever been a student?

[eightofseven]

I cannot rightly say that I have.

[galaxiapride]

Then this argument is going no where...

[eightofseven]

They were given it, and have no knowledge of how to create it for themselves.

[galaxiapride]

I'll concede to that.

[eightofseven]

Then if you did not have their powers, what happened?

[galaxiapride]

I'd fight tooth and nail with all the dignity I have.

[eightofseven]

Merely so that you could try to live? What is your reason for living?

[galaxiapride]

Because I want to.