[ Thankfully for Zack, maybe, he isn't all that familiar with religious ideas of heaven, hell, or judgment. He's only been to one church in his life -- a broken down building with nothing in it but a grove of flowers.
He lets out a soft breath. ]
I just wanted to know - I've heard that you preach about the Void and...what's supposed to come after.
Could you explain it to me?
[ He's heard vague generalities, but he doesn't really know anything about it. ]
[Inasmuch as he's able to. Unfortunately, most of what's available to them is far from detailed. He recognizes Zack from Leathann, already lands on the keen suspicion that he is an ally of Gilgamesh's who may have aided in raising Leathann, and speaks calmly, hiding little.]
As a shardholder, you must know of the Uaine Cridhe, the great Sacred Gem all of our shards were once a part of. The nature of that gem and hence the fragments of it—the shards lodged in our chests—is existence. Existence as we have ever known it and come to understand it, existence beyond our comprehension. The Void is the Uaine Cridhe's twin, tied intimately to it. As our shards are creation and existence, the Void is death and destruction.
At least, I believe this to be so. Everything I have discovered within my short time in the Drabwurld points to this conclusion.
[ Creation and existence versus death and destruction.
Kirei says the Void and the Uaine Cridhe are both entities beyond their comprehension, and honestly, Zack can believe that easily enough. He's seen the Void up close, and even though he's only starting to learn how to use his shard, it makes a certain amount of sense to him.
It also explains why the warm light of the shards remind him so much of the Lifestream. Life and death tied together in an inextricable cycle.
He's quiet for a long moment before he answers. ]
I see.
[ A beat, then- ]
So then....they balance each other out? With this cycle of death and rebirth?
... Correct. [It is surprising, heavy information, but it is not necessarily difficult to comprehend.] All of creation is thrown into existence, and according to the natural pattern of the universe, all things are eventually consumed by death. The complexity of life cannot simply continue without check.
I do. I can only hope it is true, with all of my soul. For that would be God's decree—or that of whatever God or religious, spiritual force you believe in, don't you agree? Once death takes all, the beginnings of life should rise up from it again. I do not know whether it will be exactly the same, or whether each of us will reappear. I do not know what the content or peace of that universe would be.
But I am convinced the universe will come back, and it will be right.
[ He is very aware of this. He just wants to make sure he's making the right ones this time.
He's quiet again. ]
I see.
[ He remembers the words he spoke to Gilgamesh, words spoken in passionate anger but no less true for it.
This world is my second chance. This world is my rebirth. And I'm not afraid to give it up, to be nothing forever if it means everything else that's already been lost and destroyed has a chance of coming back.
He takes a breath. ]
Thank you, Father Kotomine. That's all I wanted to know.
That is it...? If you have any other questions, you may ask them of me. I have spoken to Gods, worshipers, and the people about the Void and the great cycle.
That's all, yes, I... I just realized, a little while ago that the process of life and death back home sort of...echoes what I've been hearing about the Seelie way since I got here.
I just didn't know any details, and I wanted to hear it...explained better, I guess.
[ A beat, then- ]
Rebirth sounds better than everything withering away and dying.
[No, it isn't. He's lying, but no would ever be able to tell.]
It is difficult to accept death. It is difficult for some to believe in what they cannot have faith in. But in all worlds life begins and ends. It would be no different in the center of all worlds.
No one knows the exact details of how death and rebirth cycle, but it is precisely because those great forces are beyond our comprehension. Simply because we can act, it does not always mean our actions are right.
I was told, Zack Fair, that "endless twilight" awaits us if the Void is destroyed. Truly, withering away. Falling to a demise we will never recover from again. In that case, there is little doubt that an end granted by the Void—to be followed by rebirth, afterwards—is far more merciful.
[ It's a hard choice, but once it's done and over with, there is no looking back.
Maybe that's why, after being reminded of how terrible death and destruction really is at Leathann, he was so willing to make that statement. He's face this choice before -- to die so others could live. It's not new to him, which is why he can accept it.
After a long moment, he answers. ]
...That's what I think, too.
[ As grim as all of this is, he would rather life be born anew than nothing ever be born again. ]
... I am glad for you, if this is so. It is my duty to clarify the truth of the Seelie cause—and more importantly, support creation. [And death. Destruction. Mostly that part, actually.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He lets out a soft breath. ]
I just wanted to know - I've heard that you preach about the Void and...what's supposed to come after.
Could you explain it to me?
[ He's heard vague generalities, but he doesn't really know anything about it. ]
no subject
[Inasmuch as he's able to. Unfortunately, most of what's available to them is far from detailed. He recognizes Zack from Leathann, already lands on the keen suspicion that he is an ally of Gilgamesh's who may have aided in raising Leathann, and speaks calmly, hiding little.]
As a shardholder, you must know of the Uaine Cridhe, the great Sacred Gem all of our shards were once a part of. The nature of that gem and hence the fragments of it—the shards lodged in our chests—is existence. Existence as we have ever known it and come to understand it, existence beyond our comprehension. The Void is the Uaine Cridhe's twin, tied intimately to it. As our shards are creation and existence, the Void is death and destruction.
At least, I believe this to be so. Everything I have discovered within my short time in the Drabwurld points to this conclusion.
no subject
Kirei says the Void and the Uaine Cridhe are both entities beyond their comprehension, and honestly, Zack can believe that easily enough. He's seen the Void up close, and even though he's only starting to learn how to use his shard, it makes a certain amount of sense to him.
It also explains why the warm light of the shards remind him so much of the Lifestream. Life and death tied together in an inextricable cycle.
He's quiet for a long moment before he answers. ]
I see.
[ A beat, then- ]
So then....they balance each other out? With this cycle of death and rebirth?
no subject
no subject
He's heard people talk about it before, how all life comes from it, and when people die, the souls return again to river underneath the earth.
It sets his mind at ease hearing that, but it doesn't make him feel any better about what happened with Leathann. ]
That makes sense.
[ What else can he say? ]
Do you think everything really will come back? When the...rebirth happens?
no subject
I do. I can only hope it is true, with all of my soul. For that would be God's decree—or that of whatever God or religious, spiritual force you believe in, don't you agree? Once death takes all, the beginnings of life should rise up from it again. I do not know whether it will be exactly the same, or whether each of us will reappear. I do not know what the content or peace of that universe would be.
But I am convinced the universe will come back, and it will be right.
no subject
He's quiet again. ]
I see.
[ He remembers the words he spoke to Gilgamesh, words spoken in passionate anger but no less true for it.
This world is my second chance. This world is my rebirth. And I'm not afraid to give it up, to be nothing forever if it means everything else that's already been lost and destroyed has a chance of coming back.
He takes a breath. ]
Thank you, Father Kotomine. That's all I wanted to know.
no subject
no subject
That's all, yes, I... I just realized, a little while ago that the process of life and death back home sort of...echoes what I've been hearing about the Seelie way since I got here.
I just didn't know any details, and I wanted to hear it...explained better, I guess.
[ A beat, then- ]
Rebirth sounds better than everything withering away and dying.
no subject
[No, it isn't. He's lying, but no would ever be able to tell.]
It is difficult to accept death. It is difficult for some to believe in what they cannot have faith in. But in all worlds life begins and ends. It would be no different in the center of all worlds.
No one knows the exact details of how death and rebirth cycle, but it is precisely because those great forces are beyond our comprehension. Simply because we can act, it does not always mean our actions are right.
I was told, Zack Fair, that "endless twilight" awaits us if the Void is destroyed. Truly, withering away. Falling to a demise we will never recover from again. In that case, there is little doubt that an end granted by the Void—to be followed by rebirth, afterwards—is far more merciful.
no subject
Maybe that's why, after being reminded of how terrible death and destruction really is at Leathann, he was so willing to make that statement. He's face this choice before -- to die so others could live. It's not new to him, which is why he can accept it.
After a long moment, he answers. ]
...That's what I think, too.
[ As grim as all of this is, he would rather life be born anew than nothing ever be born again. ]
I wasn't sure before, but...I am now.
no subject
... I am glad for you, if this is so. It is my duty to clarify the truth of the Seelie cause—and more importantly, support creation. [And death. Destruction. Mostly that part, actually.]
no subject
...I appreciate it, Father Kotomine.
I won't take up anymore of your time.