FIc: The Wrath of God
Title: The Wrath of God
Arc: Lior Rebellion
Place: After Not Death, But Transformation
Summary: Rising from the ashes...
Cornello whimpered at her feet, and she frowned in disappointment. Lust had hoped that he would prove more useful than this. And as she had been the homunculus that had sponsored him it looked poorly on her that he had escaped for so long. But something about the Lior situation had managed to pique That Person's interest, so now she had to go through the trouble of bringing him to Dublith instead of simply killing him.
She extended her claws and smirked. She hoped he resisted. Her orders didn't include instructions to keep him in one piece.
***
From the comfort of her armchair, Dante eyed the bald man critically. A mediocre alchemist at best, according to Lust, but extremely charismatic, which is why he had been chosen. But he let his ability to woo people go to his head, and she could use that.
She let a kind smile spread across her face, an expression that made her look like someone's favourite grandmother. The Xingian porcelain clinked gently as she set her cup back on its saucer. She kept holding the shallow dish, however, and let her left hand idly trace over the intricate designs as she talked.
"I can see you are a man of great skill, Father Cornello. I can help you create a true miracle if you'd like. A miracle that will even convince your disillusioned followers that you are a true prophet."
Cornello shifted a bit uncomfortably in his seat and eyed her wearily. Although his wounds had been bandaged and cared for upon his arrival, he didn't forget that the creature who had set him up, and then hunted him down, took orders from this seemingly frail woman. He was given a luxurious room to sleep in. His chair for this meeting was the most plush in the parlour. The china, that served a rich foreign tea, was obviously of the highest quality. All signs that he was now an honoured guest. But he doubted he'd be allowed to leave unless he complied with this woman's wishes. At least, not alive.
Then again, if she helped him back to his former glory, perhaps he could escape from her influence then.
He pasted his own grandfatherly smile on his face and gracefully took a sip of his tea. Setting his own saucer on the table between their chairs, he addressed his host.
"Any help from a lady of such vast skills and resources such as yourself can surely only lead to complete success. I place my future in your hands."
Dante finally set her own cup down and stood, but not before trailing her hand one last time lovingly over the rim of her cup.
"Then I beg you to follow me to the library. There is much to do, and little time to waste." She swept from the room quickly and Cornello had to scurry in order to catch up with her.
Left behind, but not forgotten, were two teacups. Their contents gradually grew cold, but the gold and red designs of a bird immersed in flame gave the illusion of warmth.
***
Stepping efficiently into the aftermath, Dante quickly side-stepped what was left of Cornello (mediocre was too high praise, couldn't lose anything less than his life even when guided step by step through the process) and strode into the center of the array where a grotesque body now lay.
'Good,' she thought, even as she began to ration out the stones necessary to stabilize its life. 'He wasn't a complete waste.'
It wasn't a quick process. Weeks passed before the creature was able to sustain itself, to look even close to human. Slowly but surely the homunculus gained vitality. It was coached in its role until it was finally time to put her plan into action.
Lior wasn't a complete loss after all.
***
He used to run a juice bar in Lior, back when alcohol was in such abundance that there were fountains full of wine. He had listened to Father Cornello with a religious passion, and believed in Leto with all his soul. He was so certain of his faith that he convinced himself he was willing to die for it, and joined the rebellion.
But when things started to go wrong, their prophet, the supposed avatar of Leto had run, leaving his followers, even the Holy Saint, to be punished by the military.
The bar owner hadn't been influential enough to be executed himself, but like all the others he was forced to watch as their leaders, the ones that had stuck with the rebellion to the end, were killed, one by one.
Until only the Holy Saint, dear Roze, was left.
His faith had faltered up until then; until he saw the peace she accepted her death with. She did not scream, did not cry or moan. She was not withdrawn into a fantasy of her own making.
She faced her killer, and *forgave* him.
And watching the flames consume her, and watching her still peaceful face, he could imagine that she didn't feel any pain at all; that it had been Leto's holy flames that had encircled her, and brought her to his side, purified of all earthly taints.
They were scattered now. A few here, and a few there, but never in large enough numbers to cause any resistance. But whispers still spread of the Holy Saint's sacrifice, and belief remained.
But even the believers were shocked, when she was returned to them.
***
"Our True Father, Leto, has returned me to you," Roze said with a smile. The plain wooden chair she sat upon was matched by a simple black dress that clothed her body. It was almost a replica of her favourite outfit back in Lior, except it had full sleeves in concession to the colder weather. Even her palms were shrouded in black gloves, the fingers cut out to give full sensitivity.
"His miracle is a true miracle, unlike the blasphemy that His corrupt follower Cornello committed in His name."
There were only three of them from Lior in this neighbourhood, but they sat in rapt attention as she told her tale. Even so they noticed little things that were different about her.
"My journey back to this world has not been easy, and has left me greatly changed."
Her bangs were pure white now, while before they had been pink, and her brown hair had darkened to a deep black.
"For although I was returned to life for my faith in Leto, even for the Sun God, it is not an easy thing to upset the balance of nature."
Skin once tanned permanently by the sun was pale, even by Central's standards.
"All the faithful will be restored, given time and dedication on the part of his remaining followers."
Her eyes were still a haunting shade of violet, but now the pupils were slit like a cats.
"We must destroy those who would destroy us, who already tried to destroy us, Leto's faithful."
But it was still her voice, and her shape, and her smile was still kind.
"For Leto could not bear to see those He loves so much killed again as soon as they are restored. We must make the world safe for the return of those we love."
And finally the man who once sold juice, and then fought for his beliefs, spoke up.
"But, Roze, Holy Saint, aren't you now at risk at being taken away again? Wouldn't that grieve him, to see you suffer once more?"
Fear spread amongst the other two who watched. Could they bear to lose their hope again so soon?
But Roze smiled, and this time it was a little sad.
"I am no longer Roze, or the Holy Saint," she confessed wistfully. "Sun God Leto had a higher purpose for me, and I agreed to sacrifice my chance for a normal life to serve His will."
She stood from the plain wooden chair she had rested on and held her hands out to her sides.
And suddenly she was consumed by fire once more, just as she had been the day that so much blood had been spilt, and their future had been changed.
They all began to scream with fear, but the fire did not spread, and Roze's voice came to them from within.
"They tried to harm me with *fire*, the holy power of the Sun. Would Leto allow one of His most loyal to feel pain through His own element? He sheltered me that day, as a reward for my service."
The flames died down again, and she stood exactly as she had before they had started, even her clothes untouched.
"He has remade me as his Messenger, his *true* avatar in our world. I am his daughter, and the bringer of his will.
"And I have come to tell the vile military that they have incurred his anger for denying us our freedom.
"I have come as the Wrath of God."
And the three Liorans bowed down and begged to be allowed to help her in her quest. Slowly, for they were still under constant watch, word spread of Roze's return, of her new status, and the mission she brought.
And Roze herself travelled to every small group she could find and slowly gained a more loyal following than Cornello could ever had imagined.
Slowly, as word spread, Roze's name fell into disuse. She was simply Leto's Wrath.
It was a pity that none of them ever saw the red tattoo of a serpent eating its own tail that marked her left hand, always carefully concealed. But perhaps it did not matter, for who among them would have understood what it meant?
***
Taking hallidae's plotbunny and running with it. If anyone wants to pick it up from here, go for it! ^_^ Comments and criticism greatly appreciated!
Arc: Lior Rebellion
Place: After Not Death, But Transformation
Summary: Rising from the ashes...
Cornello whimpered at her feet, and she frowned in disappointment. Lust had hoped that he would prove more useful than this. And as she had been the homunculus that had sponsored him it looked poorly on her that he had escaped for so long. But something about the Lior situation had managed to pique That Person's interest, so now she had to go through the trouble of bringing him to Dublith instead of simply killing him.
She extended her claws and smirked. She hoped he resisted. Her orders didn't include instructions to keep him in one piece.
***
From the comfort of her armchair, Dante eyed the bald man critically. A mediocre alchemist at best, according to Lust, but extremely charismatic, which is why he had been chosen. But he let his ability to woo people go to his head, and she could use that.
She let a kind smile spread across her face, an expression that made her look like someone's favourite grandmother. The Xingian porcelain clinked gently as she set her cup back on its saucer. She kept holding the shallow dish, however, and let her left hand idly trace over the intricate designs as she talked.
"I can see you are a man of great skill, Father Cornello. I can help you create a true miracle if you'd like. A miracle that will even convince your disillusioned followers that you are a true prophet."
Cornello shifted a bit uncomfortably in his seat and eyed her wearily. Although his wounds had been bandaged and cared for upon his arrival, he didn't forget that the creature who had set him up, and then hunted him down, took orders from this seemingly frail woman. He was given a luxurious room to sleep in. His chair for this meeting was the most plush in the parlour. The china, that served a rich foreign tea, was obviously of the highest quality. All signs that he was now an honoured guest. But he doubted he'd be allowed to leave unless he complied with this woman's wishes. At least, not alive.
Then again, if she helped him back to his former glory, perhaps he could escape from her influence then.
He pasted his own grandfatherly smile on his face and gracefully took a sip of his tea. Setting his own saucer on the table between their chairs, he addressed his host.
"Any help from a lady of such vast skills and resources such as yourself can surely only lead to complete success. I place my future in your hands."
Dante finally set her own cup down and stood, but not before trailing her hand one last time lovingly over the rim of her cup.
"Then I beg you to follow me to the library. There is much to do, and little time to waste." She swept from the room quickly and Cornello had to scurry in order to catch up with her.
Left behind, but not forgotten, were two teacups. Their contents gradually grew cold, but the gold and red designs of a bird immersed in flame gave the illusion of warmth.
***
Stepping efficiently into the aftermath, Dante quickly side-stepped what was left of Cornello (mediocre was too high praise, couldn't lose anything less than his life even when guided step by step through the process) and strode into the center of the array where a grotesque body now lay.
'Good,' she thought, even as she began to ration out the stones necessary to stabilize its life. 'He wasn't a complete waste.'
It wasn't a quick process. Weeks passed before the creature was able to sustain itself, to look even close to human. Slowly but surely the homunculus gained vitality. It was coached in its role until it was finally time to put her plan into action.
Lior wasn't a complete loss after all.
***
He used to run a juice bar in Lior, back when alcohol was in such abundance that there were fountains full of wine. He had listened to Father Cornello with a religious passion, and believed in Leto with all his soul. He was so certain of his faith that he convinced himself he was willing to die for it, and joined the rebellion.
But when things started to go wrong, their prophet, the supposed avatar of Leto had run, leaving his followers, even the Holy Saint, to be punished by the military.
The bar owner hadn't been influential enough to be executed himself, but like all the others he was forced to watch as their leaders, the ones that had stuck with the rebellion to the end, were killed, one by one.
Until only the Holy Saint, dear Roze, was left.
His faith had faltered up until then; until he saw the peace she accepted her death with. She did not scream, did not cry or moan. She was not withdrawn into a fantasy of her own making.
She faced her killer, and *forgave* him.
And watching the flames consume her, and watching her still peaceful face, he could imagine that she didn't feel any pain at all; that it had been Leto's holy flames that had encircled her, and brought her to his side, purified of all earthly taints.
They were scattered now. A few here, and a few there, but never in large enough numbers to cause any resistance. But whispers still spread of the Holy Saint's sacrifice, and belief remained.
But even the believers were shocked, when she was returned to them.
***
"Our True Father, Leto, has returned me to you," Roze said with a smile. The plain wooden chair she sat upon was matched by a simple black dress that clothed her body. It was almost a replica of her favourite outfit back in Lior, except it had full sleeves in concession to the colder weather. Even her palms were shrouded in black gloves, the fingers cut out to give full sensitivity.
"His miracle is a true miracle, unlike the blasphemy that His corrupt follower Cornello committed in His name."
There were only three of them from Lior in this neighbourhood, but they sat in rapt attention as she told her tale. Even so they noticed little things that were different about her.
"My journey back to this world has not been easy, and has left me greatly changed."
Her bangs were pure white now, while before they had been pink, and her brown hair had darkened to a deep black.
"For although I was returned to life for my faith in Leto, even for the Sun God, it is not an easy thing to upset the balance of nature."
Skin once tanned permanently by the sun was pale, even by Central's standards.
"All the faithful will be restored, given time and dedication on the part of his remaining followers."
Her eyes were still a haunting shade of violet, but now the pupils were slit like a cats.
"We must destroy those who would destroy us, who already tried to destroy us, Leto's faithful."
But it was still her voice, and her shape, and her smile was still kind.
"For Leto could not bear to see those He loves so much killed again as soon as they are restored. We must make the world safe for the return of those we love."
And finally the man who once sold juice, and then fought for his beliefs, spoke up.
"But, Roze, Holy Saint, aren't you now at risk at being taken away again? Wouldn't that grieve him, to see you suffer once more?"
Fear spread amongst the other two who watched. Could they bear to lose their hope again so soon?
But Roze smiled, and this time it was a little sad.
"I am no longer Roze, or the Holy Saint," she confessed wistfully. "Sun God Leto had a higher purpose for me, and I agreed to sacrifice my chance for a normal life to serve His will."
She stood from the plain wooden chair she had rested on and held her hands out to her sides.
And suddenly she was consumed by fire once more, just as she had been the day that so much blood had been spilt, and their future had been changed.
They all began to scream with fear, but the fire did not spread, and Roze's voice came to them from within.
"They tried to harm me with *fire*, the holy power of the Sun. Would Leto allow one of His most loyal to feel pain through His own element? He sheltered me that day, as a reward for my service."
The flames died down again, and she stood exactly as she had before they had started, even her clothes untouched.
"He has remade me as his Messenger, his *true* avatar in our world. I am his daughter, and the bringer of his will.
"And I have come to tell the vile military that they have incurred his anger for denying us our freedom.
"I have come as the Wrath of God."
And the three Liorans bowed down and begged to be allowed to help her in her quest. Slowly, for they were still under constant watch, word spread of Roze's return, of her new status, and the mission she brought.
And Roze herself travelled to every small group she could find and slowly gained a more loyal following than Cornello could ever had imagined.
Slowly, as word spread, Roze's name fell into disuse. She was simply Leto's Wrath.
It was a pity that none of them ever saw the red tattoo of a serpent eating its own tail that marked her left hand, always carefully concealed. But perhaps it did not matter, for who among them would have understood what it meant?
***
Taking hallidae's plotbunny and running with it. If anyone wants to pick it up from here, go for it! ^_^ Comments and criticism greatly appreciated!