Divine Contemplations

Ahsch stood with his back to the short wall that ringed the 'church,' his arms crossed as he frowned, once again brooding. Mahat was curled at his feet, and Aena stood nearby, on the lookout. Ariin, Dorin, and Kirasiel were still in the building with the Queen, interrogating Ymanis further, though Ahsch's sister had almost insisted on staying with him. But he had all but commanded that she stay, because he needed to think.

His visceral reaction bothered him.

For sure, the Church of Irzton was the poster child of everything that could go wrong with organized religion. Well, he reconsidered. _Maybe not everything. At least they don't control the government totally. Or burn people for having different thoughts._ But even excepting that, the Irztonites put a far more bitter taste in his mouth than anything back on Earth had. Perhaps because, where Earthian religions were inherently open to human meddling - the reincarnation CEO lady had said that Earth had no gods, after all - Ahsch knew that Irzton was real. And given he was a god of justice, the absolute _in_justice that the Irztnoites practiced was... disgusting. Foul on a level that both legitimately nauseated Ahsch and ignited a wrath unlike anything he'd felt before.

But why?

He suspected it had something to do with his divinity. What he didn't know what what, specifically, was causing the reaction. He did know it wasn't the mere presence of another religion - he got along perfectly fine with the Utsusians; actually liked Kakais' Shepherd; and while he wouldn't say he was fond of the Bikullanians, he didn't respond negatively on the same automatic, instinctive level that he had felt in the 'church.'

Ahsch considered if it could be from conflicting teachings, but ruled it out quickly: there was a small degree of gnosis in holy books, and he had copies of all the major religions' texts. The Irztonite Testament was half legal document, so it wasn't exactly enjoyable reading, but again, Ahsch didn't find it rage- or vomit-inducing. Nor was there anything that actually ran contrary to Enochiel's teachings.

So he thought back a bit harder on the conversation he had just come from. When had the feelings started?

...you blasphemous heathens who would dare disrupt our divine work...

You are a charlatan, your church a lie, and your faith is false, Ymanis.

Ahsch looked up at the building in front of him. Supposedly a place of worship, holy and devout. In truth, a lair of corruption, greed, and petty hatred.

"False worship," he murmured. "Self-righteous lies. Corrupting and perverting the divine..."

Curious, Ahsch briefly contemplated the idea of someone preaching his faith, but in a way that ran contrary to his true teachings. A small, dangerous flare of rage bubbled in his heart, but didn't ignite, as there was no true target against which to burn.

He nodded, relieved to have figured it out. As a divine being (or semi-divine, his actual godhood being somewhat unrealized as of yet), he clearly had an innate reaction to the divine being perverted. Which did give him hope that the real Irzton wasn't a prudish, self-righteous asshole.

Though if that was the case, then why wasn't he...

"Lord Odestag." Ahsch flinched slightly at the Queen's greeting as she approached. Behind her, a small group of soldiers were escorting Ymanis away, and Ariin, Dorin, and Kirasiel stood nearby, quietly observing. "Your ability to bind words is... exceedingly useful," Orleya said, her words measured. "Perhaps you would be willing to return to R'sath with me and negotiate a way to put that gift at the disposal of the Kingdom."

Ahsch was about to decline, but paused and closed his mouth as he thought. Once again, some divine knowing told him that, while it was technically possible to do that, Fate would find it to be a significant imbalance. An imbalance that he, as a divinity, would be held accountable for. He thought for a moment on how to phrase it to the Queen. "My actions here have not been a gift, or even a show of support to the Kingdom, Queen Orleya. Enochiel was directly wronged by Byrdrek, Fauna, and the Ch- the Irztonites. There was a balance to settle, and my use of that 'gift' was in accordance with that. To give it freely to the Kingdom would not be the same. A god requires payment, as well as to settle their dues with others. As the Kingdom has aided Enochiel, he..." Another pause, and Ahsch spent a moment considering. Then, with an almost resigned sigh, he tried again. "The Kingdom has aided Enochiel, and so He owes a debt to you. However, almost nothing was given to Him, so He owes almost nothing to you. To achieve what I believe you wish, would require that the Kingdom of Starlight make the Order of Enochiel the state religion, place it above and beyond all others. This is not something I believe you want, nor is it was I - nor Enochiel - wish. The support of the Ruling Family has gained some slight favor with Him, but nowhere near enough to provide what you want." Ahsch cracked a small smile. "Nor would I, personally, want to sit around all day to bind words to Truth on command. No offense, but I have many other things that require my attention."

Queen Orleya seemed momentarily concerned as she remembered that Ahsch wasn't just the Prophet of Enochiel, but the god - or to-be god - in the flesh. However, she quickly relaxed when Ahsch didn't threaten, or get offended by her request, and simply stated how things were. "Of course, Prophet. I should apologize for my presumption."

Ahsch waved dismissively. "There's no need. You merely want the best for your Kingdom - there is no offense to be taken in that alone."

Orleya smiled. "Still, it was thoughtless and arrogant of me to suggest suborning the power of a god to our will without offering anything of value in return - and you are most likely correct that the price for such a boon would be far greater than the Kingdom would be willing to pay." The Queen glanced towards the carriage Ymanis had been locked into, then took a breath. "It is time for Us to return to R'sath," she said, her voice raised to alert the soldiers and servants that stood by to attend their Queen. She looked at Ahsch and inclined her head - deeper than she had for Ymanis barely an hour earlier, he noted. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated in this matter, Lord Odestag, Prophet of Enochiel. We shall ensure that the King and Our fellow Queens are appraised of that."

Ahsch bowed. "Your praise is unnecessary, My Queen, and I am humbled by your consideration."

In political-speak, Avery commented, likely being kept updated by Mahat, She feels they owe you and wants to do something to help either you or your religion.

Ahsch sighed mentally. I may not be a royal, but I'm not blind.

Avery gave a small snort in his head. _You are dumb pretty routinely though, so I thought I should make sure. Take care to think of what you want - they might offer something specific, or they might ask what you want, sort of like the royal cunt did when you first got here._

Ahsch kept his frown internal at Avery's insulting reference to Kirasiel, but didn't say anything. He knew his wife was still... raw about what had happened all those months ago, and Daydreamweave was not the way to have that conversation.