Author's Note: So, this was on a whim. As soon as I saw the new Luminous Arc section, I was instilled with a desire to write something for it. Anyway, I don't own Luminous Arc, of course. I wouldn't have TIME to write fan fiction if I was that completely awesome.
Taking the Plunge
Johannes looked back at the clergy. They gazed at him in awe, with faces filled with wonder. Wonder... and expectations. He is to be the catalyst through which God Zehaal would finally return to this world, and they would finally destroy the vile, hated witches. With him rides their hopes, their dreams. The future, their lives, it all depended on him stepping into his cocoon – his grave – and giving up his own. As long as he died, they would live, survive to see their god, in all his splendorous might, take back what was rightfully theirs: the world.
The plan had seemed simple at first glance: Become Zehaal's vessel. As the date approached for his most holy of sacrifices, Johannes began to do what no good leader was supposed to do: He was filled with doubt.
Grand Cardinal Johannes was afraid.
Once in the chrysalis, his body would undergo rigorous changes, mutations, all in the name to make a more perfect body for their Sovereign to be born into. His body would, in effect, be possessed while he – nay, his soul – would be then forced to separate viciously from it. Zehaal did not share with his minions.
His breath came out rasped as he stood before the massive husk. He would be trapped, awaiting death's sweet embrace in the darkness. Was this sacrifice's life worth so little to be thrown away, all to summon their god? A part of him felt that some other should be forced to stand before this torture trap, that he was almost too holy to become Zehaal's canister. 'Let some other be in this place,' he thought miserably.
Of course, he was the only one who could be the sacrifice. Since he was but a child, he was the only person amongst these secret sinners that was pure, that was true. It was up to him. He was not just a simple sacrifice anymore: he was nearly their savior. He couldn't be the true savior; that was up to Zehaal. But his death meant life for all, and how could he rob them of that? How could he be so self-centered as to deny all these people the chance to live?
He could not condemn them all to die. To do so would be sinful. To do so would prove his unworthiness. Despite all of the fear of the unknown, that was his solace. The knowledge that he could very well lead to the safety of all, it was all that he could do to give up his body, his mind, or even his soul to serve his god.
Still, there was some nagging feelings at the edges of his heart. The eternal 'what' if?'... Johannes decided.
He took the plunge.