The Priest and the Liar [Remus/Donovan C]

[Remus]

In this regard, Remus had a bit more insight as to how the inquisition worked. Living within the walls of the Etrurian faith, he'd often seen both sides. Lifting his hands to his lower jaw, Remus bridged his fingers and gazed at the blades of grass in the distance while he let thought dominant his function. The blue haired priest could acknowledge and agree to most of what Donovan said. However as he thought about how to word his opinion, he felt it best to start with the first point that came to mind. "The problem is...that in Etruria..it is welcome. Almost every town welcomes to overbearing presence of the Inquisitional forces. They may look overzealous to the world, but because they offer absolute security, everyone within reach of their forces has literally nothing to fear. Our orphanage was on the countryside. The brigands who attacked it were a rare occurrence. Even then, the fist of the inquisition came down upon them far faster than any might have expected. Though..watching those men burn was unpleasant to say the least. Hmm..."

He took a brief pause before continuing. "I think the issue stems from the fact that the people of Etruria enjoy where they are at largely. Those who do not find devotion in the Prophet are far and in-between, because the rest of the world has seen that singular side of him which lies responsible for Ostia. Where as, in Etruria his choices have done nothing ill unto us. When the world calls a leader the people have enjoyed safety and peace under thus far; what else would you expect them to do? That isn't to justify his actions mind you, but I've seen the other side of this situation. I've seen the mother and babe who a villain would harm, stopped in the act by the inquisitors that patrol the streets. I've seen the people beneath the armor, heard their confessions, know their humanity. I believe that is why this is a frustration situation personally...because they are still human. They have thoughts, dreams, hopes, and goals...and the knowledge that these people are simply doing what they feel is right places it on that side. What do you do when fighting a war where both sides have legitimate cause to feel they are just? The war is violent. Both sides fight with the fervor and passion of conviction that only comes from a man fighting for that which he holds highest. His own beliefs. When that day does come Donovan. Should Etruria decide to attack any place..be it Ilia..Sacae, Lycia, Bern, I fear I personally may not be able to handle the sheer number of dreams which will be lost. I am but a healer...so to be in a place where my healing will do little good to mend the broken souls that come with loss in faith..? Well..I can assure you it is most frustrating."


He took a moment to collect the rest of his thoughts before speaking upon the matter of dragons. "You believe what you see, and that is admirable. However, what about magic you have not seen? Until you have seen beams of light cascade from the sky to create immense craters of burned away land. Do you deny it exists? Until you've seen magic conjure up barriers that can block even the strongest of magics, or can whisk you away to another location in the blink of an eye, would you still doubt it sir? It is entirely your prerogative, and your beliefs are unto your own; but I confess myself surprised that you have such a rigid outlook towards mystery while being such a developed story teller. Do you suppress your wonder then, or logically disprove it's likelihood until you've seen otherwise? Mind you I am not asking to be facetious but in genuine curiosity. "

[Donovan]

The priest’s words disturbed Donovan greatly. Not that what was being said made him think less of the priest — far from it. What caused the silver tongued man such discomfort was that he could understand why the people of Etruria felt as the preacher described. Most of them had lived in that country their whole lives. Seen no more of the world than their little town could offer. They were already astute worshipers before Kraft, and now that he’d shown up to help keep them safer in their day to day lives, they didn’t care what else the false prophet did. “I suppose, Remus, that I may have forgotten something. I come from a family who traveled freely everywhere we wished. We spoke what we wanted, ate what we wanted — when we could afford to— and did what we loved, rather than what we needed, to survive. Because of this, I value freedom and independence more than anything — it’s why I could never be a soldier. I’m not too great at following orders. But, I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I understand where they are coming from. Not that I stand by it, but I do get it.”

Shaking his head, Donovan leaned forward. “You misunderstand me, Preacher. It isn’t that I believe what I see. It’s that I understand how stories are made. Magic isn’t a story; it’s a plot device. the story isn’t told through the eyes of a great beam of light. It is told through characters. I can easily believe that the magics that you describe exist, as it is ultimately just the added layer of excitement on an otherwise normal story. Dragons, however, are not merely plot devices. They are characters in all of the oldest tales. And that means that they must have something in common with humanity, something that made them relatable. Human.” The mercenary scratched the back of his neck and looked off in thought, trying to find the way to formulate this idea.

“I suppose the best ways that I can put this is; I believe that there were a group of people that went to war with our ancestors. They were likely fierce warriors and mages, more than capable of holding their own. At some point, someone started to refer to these people as ‘dragons’. Telling the masses of great scaled monsters who breath fire and fly through the sky. They can change shape and live amongst you, so keep an eye on everyone, who knows who’s the enemy!” The mercenary shook his head. “I hate this type of strategy to recruit and build morale. Dehumanizing your enemy and make them greater monsters than the world had ever seen. But it is common in war.” Pausing, the mercenary took another small swig from his flask before leaning back down. “I think it has less to do with me having no sense of wonder, and me just having to respect the way that these thousand year old stories can often get out of hand.”

[Remus]

Remus felt the inclination to somberly nod as Donovan spoke. He couldn't really comment on it further than him also agreeing to Donovan's stance of understanding. However the priest felt his legs slowly starting to get tingly. As if pines and needles danced within and poked his skin all over. He rose up after a moment. Merely to stand and stretch out his calves a bit. He used his staff to balance himself and support his weight as the priest spoke thoughtfully. He chuckled even while he gazed at the sky. Slowly, he lifted a hand to run it through the shaggy azure strands of hair which messily clumped around his head. The priest didn't know exactly how to word his next thought. Perhaps it was just better to speak openly and honestly? It was what he'd always done before. It /should/ work then shouldn't it?

Extending his other arm, he lifted his hand to his chin and clasped it thoughtfully while speaking. "I guess my personal reason for differing from that belief, and keeping in mind it's just that... my personal belief; The entire foundation of Elimine as we know her revolves around those dragons. Putting it into terms similar to your own, if I may? Humans have been fighting humans for all of recorded history. Save for the scouring. Hundreds upon hundreds of conflicts where man turned to his fellow man for various reasons; all ultimately unjust in aggression. History speaks of the condition of man and dragons prior to the scouring. Living in harmony. A cause unclear, and likely one we'll never know, breaks into war. Mankind rallies behind mighty heroes, and over-comes this threat that would have destroyed all of mankind otherwise. What made Elimine such a figure of splendor. She was able to heal wounds caused by dragons. She helped her comrades over-come dragons of all things. Though I suppose we may never know the precise truth to the matter eh? Would not be the first time I imagine, that history has dangled such mysteries over others heads. "

[Donovan]

The mercenary could only watch and laugh as Kitchi, having stolen both of the boy’s little shoes, decided to go after Amelia’s. The young girl was more bold than Owain, but Kitchi was preternaturally gifted at stealing, so it would be quite an exciting battle. Donovan looked back toward the storm, lightning dancing through the sky. “You know, there’s no reason to be so polite, Preacher. You’re allowed to disagree with me.” Hearing the blue haired healer’s take on Donovan’s rationality was similar to hearing his mother’s. “My ma is a firm believer in faith, just like yourself. So I can sympathize with how you feel about dragons - on why they have to exist…. I will submit to them having existed. For the sake of argument, dragons were as they are described today. Do you think that that changes how unjust war is? How unjust the Scouring most likely was?

“You speak of that time where humans and dragons lived together in harmony. Which means that these creatures and our ancestors must have had enough in common to not want to annihilate each other from first encounter. My question, Preacher, is if you think that the cause of the Scouring was any less petty or unjustly aggressive? Surely both sides were in the wrong just as much as they were in the right? The way I see it, humans and ‘dragons’ were both trying to commit genocide. And both were doing so, so that their own species wouldn’t be slaughtered.”

Donovan hadn’t ever given much thought to the Scouring as anything more than a story, but having this conversation about it reminded him of something his father always told him. “History is crafted by the masses. It is often inaccurate and sometimes outwardly false. It is the greatest story ever told, and it is told to make the people feel good about themselves. That is why all outsiders are distrusted. Foreigners, nomads, my people — the troupers of Elibe. We are not strong in number and therefore we are not given a positive appearance in history.

“The same is likely true for ‘dragons’, regardless of whether they were giant lizards or not. They probably didn’t deserve their fate anymore than we would have. The Scouring was the greatest war this world has ever seen. But it was still a war. There were heroes and villains on both sides — despite what history and your holy scriptures tell us. That isn’t to take away from what the Saint did — she saved and protected innumerable lives. But the scouring isn’t your basic ‘Overcoming the Monster’ story. It was a Tragedy. There were no real winners; we just lost less.”

[Remus]

The priest felt a heavy sorrow seep into his very core. After-all, he was right. Though, he'd been of the same stance Donovan had just mentioned for many years. He remembered spending endless hours within the libraries through out the few towns he'd been to; often reading as much as he could discern about the scouring. At the time, he'd initially be searching for more information and historical context on Elimine. However, as he learned more? He couldn't help but feel a desire to simply become as aware as possible over the time period. The priest shook his head slowly, a smile still upon his face; yet every edge and sense of context towards it turning to sadness. Remus gazed towards the children while he observed them. The fox kit faced a new challenge in the form of Amelia. Faster than Owain, and a bit...crazier...the girl was actually dragging the fox kit around by having bitten her own shoe and was pulling on it to tug it away from him. Er..yes...Remus would address the many reasons that was unhealthy for her later. "Your right, and I agree entirely as to the tragedy. If we did live together in harmony. What broke this? What event definitively triggered it? Context aside, it would not change the reality of it; and that is the sad part. An entire race is either on the cusp of extinction, or extinct, because of our actions and choices. Humanity is responsible for wiping something out so entirely, that even if they still linger within our world, I doubt we shall ever know. Nor would I blame them for that scarcity. Despite this, the scouring is not the only tragic war. The most tragic mayhaps...but tell me Donovan."

Now the priest turned to gaze at him. Honestly, he didn't know how to do anything but smile, even though his sorrow bled through it. "Those people in Etruria. Those families who have people in the Etrurian army, or Etrurian inquisition, who..blind by faith and zealotry in a false figure or not, wanted merely to do what they felt is right...imagine that as well. As I learned the whole tragedy of Ostia...I was saddened. Not only because of the Lycian lives lost. Because, Etrurian lives, were lost too. Individuals swept up in a storm and only sought to do right by their families but knew not how; guided by a false hand. However..where the real sorrow of those lost lives comes in..is where Lycian lives were lost defending their homes...what did the Etrurians die for? What cause was there for them to die? Their tragedy is a different one. Those who perrish defending their homes will forever be remembered as heroes and saviors. A paragon to the vanguard of Lycia. The Etrurians, the genuinely good hearted people guided to horrible deeds by a man comprised of purest venom..not only did they die in vein...but they will never be heroes. Their families will be scorned by their association to the entire world. Their graves spit on. They shall be viewed as oppressive conquering monsters. When all they were trying to do, was what they thought was right. Were their acts right? No, nor will they ever be justified. However, in the storm of faith and zealotry that is conjured up by the prophet; that which should be singularly iron clad is twisted and perverse. Every conflict like that is also a tragic one. Every life needlessly lost...a sorrow I wish I could mend..yet know I shall never have a means to."

[Donovan]

It was a strange afternoon. There were clear blue skies ahead of the rag tag group guardians, yet there were being pursued by a terrible storm. A fox was stealing the shoes of children and a young girl was playing tug of war with the small beast — by pulling with her teeth. And the silver tongued mercenary, who had approached this priest with the intention of manipulating the blue haired man into revealing any dark intentions, found himself discussing the philosophy of war and dragons. Kitchi waited until Amelia pulled back on the shoe with more force before he let his trophy go, causing the young girl to roll backward from the extreme force she was using. The footwear now flying through the air, Kitchi ran after it - trying to pick it up before his nemesis could recover. Whether that was be possible would be another story.

“You’re right, of course. I fear that if the Holy Land moves against the rest of Elibe, your people will face the plight of the dragons — that is, if they lost. All of their lives lost, not to be remembered as heroes or even soldiers, but monsters and zealots. War is… devastating. Always. It is only the good ones who end up being used and destroyed. Most of those men will be fighting because they’ve been lied to and manipulated. Hell, maybe even more of them will fight because their families were threatened. All those men and women would likely be killed in vain.” A darkness penetrated the bright green eyes of the mercenary, “Unfortunately, their deaths would be unavoidable. Necessary. Because if Etruria’s control expands… The freedom and lives lost would be something the world could never recover from.”

“Aye, Preacher, war is terrible, but sometimes war is unavoidable. The Scouring was a tragedy, but if mankind had not been the victory then we would have been destroyed. Sometimes you just have to fight so that the ones you care for can survive.”

[Remus]

There were few creatures blessed with being able to match Amelia upon Elibe's soil. Sadly, Kitchi was not one of these blessed paragons of talent. Amelia was able to retrieve the singular shoe drifting through the air and scamper through the grass. Though the flashing sight of orange bobbing up and down as the kit bounded after her became an ever quickened occurrence, she had a definitive advantage at the moment. One small step for Amelia. Another giant leap for Amelia kind. Remus had paused to observe the moment, similarly to Donovan; caught up in watching it unfold before going back to his answer. The priest shook his head. It was not the sour nature of the conversation's notion that he disliked. It was the acceptance that violence was forced at times. On this matter, both his sister and Nayru had discussed at length with him.

"I personally can't accept that. Humanity still burns to a degree from repercussions of the Scouring. Heroes that once stood tall have remained scarce since the days of the Scouring. They eight shouldered a burden armies would have had to. The few protected the many. Ever since, mankind has flipped unto it's opposite. The few in power shield themselves behind legions of men that die wantonly for their own gain. I can not accept that the only solution to these few being replaced by better individuals should cost the lives of thousands and thousands of innocents because of manipulative misguidance. If I have to find it I will. A peaceful solution. Even if I can not save but a few lives; it would be a road better walked. If mankind continues in this cycle. From Bern unto it's neighbors, and then the neighbors unto bern; Etruria unto it's neighbors and they unto it...we are dooming ourselves to that same fate as the dragons. Who will have power when Etruria falls? Lycia? Ilia? Sacae? Bern? Who then will stop them when they inevitably cycle into invasions? Every time, history goes through these patterns. The strong do not help the weak through out our history. They Conquer them. That is the cycle I would break. I would shatter the gears of that machine with every ounce of my might, had I any might to."

[Donovan]

Amelia was a monster. She had managed to grab the shoe out of the air, and burst off running into the grassland. Kitchi’s fiery fur could be seen bobbing up and down as he chased her. Suddenly, the fox kit stopped bounding, and he disappeared into the tall grass. The mercenary stood up in order to get a better glimpse of what was happening across the field, expecting what was going to happen next. Kitchi had been born and raised in Sacae, before his mother was killed by that hell hound and Donovan adopted him. He knew how to hide in this grass as well as any creature of the plains that didn’t want to be hunted and killed. Amelia slowed down to see where the kit had gone, the hand holding her shoe idly swung by her leg.

Suddenly, the dash of fire leapt out and snatched the shoe straight from Amelia’s grasp, bounding back into the grass and disappearing. Surely, this war was not over, but it certainly would be entertaining to watch. Sitting back down, Donovan looked over at the priest, “Never underestimate a fox, Preacher. They know how to trap you better than any other beast I’ve ever seen.”

The mercenary listened to his employer’s ideals and shook his head, though he wasn’t sure if it was in disagreement or sadness at the state of the world. “I agree, Preacher, the innocent shouldn’t have to die to protect the few truly bad apples at the top. They really shouldn’t. But you can’t reason with some men. Some want to own the world, others want to consume it. And then there are those that want to burn it down around us all. You cannot convince them off that path. The only way to take a man like Kraft out of power without harming any innocents would be to assassinate him. And what good would that do? The people who love him would still love him. The institutions he built would still stand, and, if anything, he'd become a martyr even more powerful than before. The nation would be thrown into chaos with no one there to fill that vacuum and turn the country around. I wish things could be solved peacefully, Preacher. But I don’t know how it could be done…”

[Remus]

This time it was the priests turn to laugh as the girl who would grow into the Empress of the Amelian Empire some day attempted to beat the fox kit at his own game. He saw raven strands of hair vanish while the girl did her best to drop down into a crouch upon the field of grass. Leave it to the young girl Amelia to find an abstract way to go about her trouble. This jovial nature seemed to bleed into Remus' reply as he turned to smile at Donovan with his hand lifting to his chin in thought. "Honestly? There is one thing the people would accept above the prophet. Elimine. As a people, we place her aspirations to the highest standard. It is true, some have taken to following this prophet despite his actions diverging off the path those morals dig; I do not however believe they would disregard it entirely. Those of the inquisition still yield to the church. A man of Elimine is still held to standards above others, but also revered above them. While it is true that the church shares it's share of corruptions, it is by no means hopeless to find peace. "

The priest clasped his staff to his figure, gazing upwards as a soft breeze ensnared them. The gentle gale coiling around and cooling the landscape in a single brief and fleeting breath. Remus organized his thoughts further before replying to the young mercenary. "If the people had a figure to rally behind. Someone to rival the Prophet. Likely another high standing member of the faith, or the nobility were they still alive, would be best. However it is difficult. The royals are dead, and few in the church would openly promote peace over zealous war. Those few that do, well they dare speak loudly. However...if they could get the love of the people first? That would act as a shield. After-all..Zealotry goes both ways. Though I do not mean to imply manipulating the people, I do know that people will rally behind that which they love. If people loved someone who promoted peace more? Etruria would purge its self of the Prophet for harming, or killing such a figure. At-least, if the figure was one of Elimine's chosen in their eyes."

[Donovan]

The mercenary watched as Amelia disappeared into the grass. He was curious what would occur next, knowing that the fox kit was unlikely to reappear very quickly with a predator on the loose. “Right. Of course, the Saint. I should hope that you are right about people holding her above Kraft. I mean, what is a prophet to a deity? I was never raised under the faith. But I have learned more than enough about it that I can say with certainty it isn’t for me. I’d say that I hope that doesn’t offend you, Preacher, but if it did, it honestly wouldn’t be my problem. Besides, you don’t seem the type to be too caught up on who worships who. I should hope you look more into character than religion when you determine your friends.”

As the cool breeze drifted from the mountains, Don could smell the tell tale sent of rain flowing with it. It would start to pour soon. The group would either need to set up for the night or try to push through a torrent. “I’d agree with that, the only way to save the people from as much upheaval as possible is with the right figurehead. Though even that would result in Civil War if history has proven anything. But still. If the long lost kid of the Holy Land’s dead king cropped up, we’d have a much better chance of turning Etruria into, you know, a place not run by a lunatic. It’s too bad all his sons are dead.

“I’m not gonna lie. I do end up thinking about this sort of thing a lot. Everywhere on this continent seems to be in uncontrollable chaos. Bandits, monsters, war, famine. Rebels and Oppressors. Rising dead and Demon Kings. I’ve even heard stories of an assassin attempting to take the life of a Marquess not too long ago. Sometimes I wish I was in a position to help solve these problems. Other times… I’m just glad I can’t get a whole garrison of men and women killed because I made a bad call. Besides, even if I wanted to become someone important on this sinking ship we call Elibe, who would want to follow the sell sword son of a trouper? My destiny is here. On the road.”

[Remus]

Remus replied almost instantly. It was easy to reply when his truest thoughts on the matter were ones of his personal belief. He could simply speak honestly. Though that was what he did at almost all times. "Well see....unlike a large portion of my faith..I don't actually view Elimine has a god per say...I believe she was just what her name indicates. Saint Elimine. She strove to better humanity with all of her considerable knowledge and might. I chose to believe that she personally did not intend for Etruria to have these grand inquisitional armies or be a -power all others had to fear in the corner of their minds. It just seems so out of place to everything we know of her or are taught of her. So even if the Etrurian text were to speak wrong of Elimine in say....feats..or personal choices; the version they teach still wouldn't agree to that which Etruria practices now. Which is why I personally do not agree to it. This is not attempting to better peoples lives. It is a madness with no method consistent to our philosophy of life. "

The priest shook his head as he shifted his staff to better support his weight while watching the small children. Owain was content to sit back and simply watch the spectacle going on. From his height as an adult, he could see far easier than Owain, and Remus chuckled as he saw Amelia crouched within the grass prowling around trying to find the fox kit. For Kitchi, the fox kit, followed behind her with his small orange rear raised slightly and wiggling as if to pounce. How the tables had turned for the moment it seemed. The priest gazed back to the mercenary he spoke with, before thinking back to Elias once again as he spoke. "The problem is..people revere the Heroes as gods..all over Elibe, but they weren't. They were human...this much is certain, thus why they appropriately symbolized the best of us while leading us. We had rallied behind our own who looked to be the best of what we ourselves could aspire. That is why I follow Elimine to begin with. A congregation of individuals trying to strive towards bettering themselves through helping others tirelessly. That is what Elimine spent most of her recorded life doing, and what I intend to do as well. To see others such as the prophet who desecrate the name of said Saint's will...it saddens me. Saddens me greatly, and even more so that others are lost enough to follow. "

[Donovan]

Kitchi followed behind the girl, shoe dangling from his mouth, tail raised above the grass. Suddenly, the girl turned around, standing up — but just as quickly the fox had dropped it’s tail, hiding it from sight once again until the girl turned back around and began to seek him out in the tall grass once again. Slowly, the tail began to rise from the sea of green, like a shark fin emerging from the ocean. “I’ve always been an unorganized person — a trait I inherited from my father. And for that I am eternally grateful. Being part of some larger movement. Devoting my life to it… I feel like it would get too messy. Too much structure, too much order makes us lose what makes us all so special. Unique. That’s why I don’t like churches or armies or governments — how do I know that the leadership’s interests are the same as my own? I don’t know, Preacher, people always talk down to chaos, thinking it creates monsters of men and leaves destruction in it’s wake. Sure, it can do that, but without chaos, we lose our edge. We lose our freedom. And without freedom, we lose ourselves. Men like Kraft leave mankind in ruin — not because they wage war, but because they strip the individuals who follow them of their identity. Leaving them as nothing more than the shell of a zealot. I cannot think of a worse fate.”

The mercenary had a thought, then, about what had been plaguing his homeland — the undead monsters. “This is a little off topic, but how do you think those revenants and the other undead have come to rise? I know that there are rumors or Hargus and Ostia. But it all seems so incredibly… sudden. Almost coordinated. I’m not quite sure what I’m saying, here. But I’ve fought a few monsters this past year and most of them acted like nothing more than husks. Some of them, though, seemed to have intelligence. On some level, at least. What do you think is really happening, as a man of the faith?”

[Remus]

Remus couldn't be sure precisely what to make of the spectacle. He equally couldn't decide what was more ridiculous, Amelia crawling along on all fours, or Kitchi stalking her as such. The sight of it was almost too much, but certainly filled the priest with mirth as he chuckled before shifting his gaze to the sky. Quietly pondering and mulling over the thoughts within his head as he looked to Donovan with a slight chuckle. "There can exist Freedom and order Donovan. The two may not by synonymous but it is easy to have such. Look at the tribes of Sacae. They have rules that are, from what I have seen, at times far more strict than any government. Each tribe has different and diverse personalities, emphasized even more so on an individual level without taking away from the lone person. It is entirely possible, but I don't think all people honesty wish to maintain individualistic identities. That isn't to say it is okay to remove the sense of self people have; but there are just as many who would rather be part of a whole then stand out on their own. I believe that comes down to preference. " Though as the conversation of Sacae came up, Remus thought to the thin staff with twin feathers tied to it resting in the wagon; The priest recalling the old Sacaen Shaman that had tended to his wounds after the battle at the City of Heroes quite well.

It was only fitting that Donovan mentioned Hargus a moment later as the priest had thoughts fresh on his mind about it. The priest shifted his poise uncomfortably while he looked back to the children. His tone grew a bit colder, and the priest even a bit pale despite the smile upon his lips; something he just didn't know how to lose. "Hargus...was a monster entirely unlike anything I think Elibe has seen...ever..or if so..in several lifetimes. Just...a horror that words can not appropriate describe. What we say the heroes were of the scouring...he was to the void. The power to just...kill hundreds in an instant, with wanton whim and no hesitation. I shudder to imagine abominations of his caliber wandering the world. Though his powers were vastly similar to that which is associated to plaguing Lycia. He turned hundreds of men and women into undead monsters...commanded an army of gargoyles...summoned a behemoth of a monster out of sheer whim...and the ground turned black and ashen where he tread. I...am not a skilled story-teller..nor a story-teller in general...so I say these things with a sadly serious tone. Hargus..was Evil incarnate. "

[Donovan]

"Aye. I suppose freedom and order can live in harmony. There are good as well as bad things that come out of both order and chaos. What I’m concerned with, is that when both are taken to their greatest conclusion. Freedom can lead to things like the tribes of Sacae or the unfortunate surplus of bandits that had been plaguing our continent. Order can lead to safety and security for your people, or a complete stripping of the people’s rights. You’re right, of course. The answer, as it so often does, falls somewhere in the middle. But I think you are wrong about people not really caring about maintaining their individualism. Sure there are those that would like to be a part of something bigger. Not concerned with ego or fame. But I don’t think that those people would be satisfied being another cog in the machine. Take away their family, their passions, their entertainment. Remove from them every song they’ve ever heard, every show they’ve ever seen, every chord they ever struck on their grandfather’s lute whilst trying to win the heart of some neighbor’s comely daughter — Take away that freedom, those instances of self, and you’ve removed their humanity. to be apart of something bigger is not to be a part of the hive. That is what separates mankind from the world of the six legged freaks building tunnels beneath our feet.”

A chill rushed down Donovan’s spine as the priest spoke of Hargus; The man, the myth, the monster. he tried to find the words to continue on, but was - for once in his life - unable to find many that were adequate. All he could manage to come up with was a simple sentence, “Well, let's hope that he is the worst we'll see.” His tone somber and dark, the echo of George’s screams rang through his head and the green clad man found his flask drifting to his lips. “To fallen heroes who's names will never be remembered.”

[Remus]

Remus realized at that moment. He'd never spoken much to others about his time at the City of Heroes. The blue haired priest quietly bowed his head, as Donovan took a brief toast towards the countless defenders who had perished. The priest felt himself grow unusually somber for a brief span before he lifted his head and looked outwards. Though he smiled faintly, he spoke in a much softer tone. As if not to upset those who he had just spoken a silent prayer for. "It truly was a place of Heroes. Surrounded in ware...where powerful and skilled warriors displayed power to their fullest might. Men and women fought as if they were the next generation to the great heroes. I saw men standing side by side as they faced unthinkable odds and suffered mortal wounds. Men fighting monsters like the great one eyed giant that Hargus had summoned and rode upon for a time. It was...breathtaking. The moment the giant appeared, tens of fighters rushed forwards to confront it. Gargoyles filled the skies, wyverns above fighting those, while literally hordes of undead tried to kill all around us.

I remember a woman clad in green saving me twice over from gargoyles. I recall healing them as they battled a shade like man, who had blackened skin and moved far beyond what any human should. Honestly...the level of destruction Hargus showed while still impressive, made me fear that people would arise with that level of destruction to stop him. Which I suppose is a topic seldom delved into...but think about this Donovan. If a great evil has vast power, so much so that it bleeds from every crevice of him and destroys all around him...and heroes arise with that same level of power; what is to become of the areas they fight? Devastation on an untold level. The city of Heroes to a degree...may take many years to recover. I remember seeing the blackened ground, grass dead and lingering essence of dark magic still present. That was just one though...multiple beings on such a scale? Even if they have the purest intent..they would need masterful control to prevent innocent casualties. A paltry concern in the face of so many realistic and applicable fears to be sure, but one I think of none the less. "