Chapter 4: Catholicism WOW!
Cheerful humming echoed throughout the depths of the Jade Mountains, a tune that seemed at odds with the somewhat dreary and oppressive tunnels that snaked throughout the bowels of the construct of nature.
The delighted skipping was just piling it on.
Not that Asia could help herself, she had just discovered a bird's nest of newlyborns that had inextricably ended up in one of Ddraig's hoards, the little creatures somehow thriving in such an unconventional environment. One of the chicks had hurt it's wing when gamboling about, prompting her to use her Sacred Gear and heal it.
The ensuring chirps and delighted movements of the little bird had put her in good spirits, a pleasant mood that she decided to share with her two companions. And she knew just where to find them!
If the past week had taught her anything, it's that the Dragon's favorite spot was in the waters of the small lake he created. And if he was in the lake, then that means he almost certainly had Irina cleaning that one spot directly above his tail.
She couldn't help but giggle.
For all that the Angel complained and moaned, she never outright refused to do so, always going about the task with her utmost effort.
It was actually rather cute, especially since for all his bluster and imperiousness the Crimson King was often left purring and twitching like some sort of spoiled cat during the baths.
It was a funny dynamic.
Entering the vast space that she had decided to label, 'the bathroom', Asia grinned as she saw the outlines of her two companions through the light screen of steam, Irina perched on one of the mossy rocks and sitting cross-legged, Ddraig submerged in one of the lower tiers with only his majestic head peacefully resting on one of the higher levels.
It was only when she was close enough to listen in on their conversation that her steps faltered.
[I am not denying anyone's right to believe in what they wish, Foolish One. What I am saying is that your faith-as a whole-is rather ridiculous and destined to collapse at some point in the future.]
The Angel look scandalized as she shot back, "How can you call it ridiculous? The faith is real. God exists and the people know it! If it is not us, his messengers, walking the Earth and aiding those in need then it is his blessings of Sacred Gears that affirm his existence! Yet you say our belief is destined to fall?!"
Not raising his voice in the slightest Ddraig calmly replied,
[You misunderstand me, Foolish One. I just so happen to agree with you that any religion that tries to delude it's believers into accepting that the target of their prayers is something beyond what they can touch, see, smell or hear is naught but a cheap hustle. You are correct, Yahweh is real and the people know it. But that does not make your unwieldy and untenable beliefs any more sturdy.]
"And just what, exactly, do you find so untenable, Emerald Emperor?"
[I thought I told you not to bother with titles...anyway, your system is untenable because it is mired in hypocrisy and rife with corruption. Justice, transparency and fairness is the bedrock of any Human civilization, a society built on a sand foundation does not survive a storm.]
Irina did not appear any less skeptical.
"Hypocrisy. Very well, Ddraig, what exactly is so hypocritical about us?"
[Allow me to borrow both the core tenet of your faith and one of your most popular sayings as proof then. The heart of your faith in Yahweh, the bedrock, is that ascension to Heaven will be a result of your faith, not the deeds you perform. Lastly...'Thou shalt love thy neighboor as thyself'.]
A brief rumble emanated from the Dragon's chest.
[Two admirable teachings...that have either been perverted or ignored so thoroughly throughout history that it's honestly amazing your kingdom hasn't come crashing down around your ears yet.]
The Angel narrowed her eyes.
[Allow me an example that so perfectly demonstrates that whatever it is you preach to your masses, it's not what is practiced. Namely, the Nekoshou and Vampire massacres your Templar carried out.]
Sudden shock appeared on Irina's features, an expression mirrored by Asia in the distance.
"What?! But those battles were carried out as acts of self-defense! Those two factions had been attacking our borders and corrupting the faithful with promises they had no intention of keeping! And when the Templar went too far they were punished with excommunication! Where is the misdirection in all of that?"
Ddraig's gaze was pitying.
[Much like your earlier interactions with the Cardinal that lead you here, Foolish One...you have been lead astray and outright lied to. Those massacres were not the result of aggressive actions or ideologies on the Vampires or Yokai's part. It was a deliberate plot on the Church's end, because they felt threatened. I was there, Foolish One, and I know of what I speak.]
The Drake' eyes narrowed.
[Your Templar killed thousands-tens of thousands-for simply living as circumstances required. The followers of your faith had begun to coexist quite peaceably with the other two. The Yokai were interbreeding and forming working families with citizens of your lands, others willingly becoming sources of food or servants for the Vampires in exchange for material or monetary goods. And the successful trade was nothing to scoff at either, I bartered for quite a few high-quality meats while I was there myself. It was a pleasant experience, a town I would have happily visited again in a few decades.]
There was a derisive snort.
[Your followers were doing the unthinkable and the 'Heretical'. They were thinking and acting for themselves, outside the tenets of your dogma. And what was their reward? Zealous, deluded fools marching forth to burn and crucify, bringing an end to a truly admirable township. And what was their punishment? Excommunication? Are you not the one who has agreed that it is not actions that determine one's eventual paradise, but one's faith? What purpose does cutting ties with these Templar serve, other than to say, 'oh, they aren't our problem'?]
Irina floundered for a moment, eventually bowing her head and quietly replying, "I cannot pretend that despicable things have been done in my Father's name...and that some of the faithful have been less that perfect representatives of our ideals...but I still maintain that those in power wish to carry out Father's will to the best of their ability."
[Ah yes, those in power. Someone like the Cardinal that sent you to your death, aided and abetted by his fellows? A Cardinal, who is subordinate only to your Pope? Face it, Foolish One. These representatives you vouch for have long abandoned any pretenses of 'doing God's work' in favor of creating a dynasty of false faith. THAT is why I say your Catholic Empire is doomed to fall. If you, as the messengers of God, take no action and abide by the decisions of a rotten Church...what will everyone else believe?]
Silence.
Irina could only slump, at a loss of what to say. She knew she was right, could feel it in her very soul...but how to put that feeling into words, when every fact and example put forth by the Dragon seemed to counter it?
"You are being unfair, Ddraig. And you are confusing the Church with our faith."
Both sets of eyes shifted to Asia, Irina's violet ones widening in surprise while amusement danced in Ddraig's.
[Ah, Little One. Come then, tell me of my unfairness and confusion.]
Asia only gave a peaceful smile, sitting herself next to the Angel before explaining, "You say that the Church is rife with hypocrisy and corruption. I happen to agree. Father Strada often was mumbling about how our leaders were demanding heavier tithes, for more Exorcists and Priests at the cost of competency. But you are mistaken on one point. The Church is just a label."
With a genuinely admiring smile Asia turned to face Irina.
"When Irina came to escort me to you, it wasn't to the Church that all of Vatican prayed. They prayed to her, to God. Because that is what we believe in. The Church is just a brand, an apparently badly run one at that. Even if it were to collapse today, our faith would continue. Because there are good people like Father Strada, Sister Quarta, Brother Gesualdo and everyone else of Vatican who will believe in God regardless of whether we belong to an organization with a recognizable name. Because it is the idea we believe in, not the label."
The nun closed her eyes, a confidant grin spreading across her features.
"That is why you're wrong, Ddraig. As long as there are good people who believe in him, Christianity will not fall. Only it's house. And a house can be rebuilt."
The cavern fell silent, only the light gurgling and steaming of water providing a backdrop of noise.
And then the Dragon started laughing, great snorts and growls of amusement as the shaking Drake's body sent small waves of water flowing outwards.
[Well reasoned, Little One! I have no rebuttal to that, after all...I would be a poor Dragon indeed if I did not believe that great things can happen only through strength of will and a refusal to give up. Very well, you have convinced me.]
Asia smiled beatifically and turned to Irina-
-only to frown as the Angel seemed downcast, her voice bitter as she asked Ddraig, "So why were you so dismissive towards me? Do you take pleasure in decrying my faith and beliefs? Or-eep!"
Irina's short cry coincided with a 'gentle' nudge of the Dragon's snout, almost knocking her off her perch.
[My genuine apologies if it seemed like I was belittling you, Foolish One. But do not assume that I was making fun of your faith just out of idle amusement, I enjoy your company too much to alienate you.]
The Angel blinked once-
-and suddenly blushed before awkwardly shifting on the rock, her voice sheepish as she responded with, "O-oh, w-well as long as you know what you said and are sorry about it..."
Ddraig hummed deep in his chest before asking,
[As an apology, would you like to hear about my travels with the son of God?]
Both girl's eyes widened as Asia excitedly asked, "You knew Jesus?!"
[Knew him? I spent almost four years in that unnervingly optimistic hobo's company, blowing raspberries at Satan and turning water into wine. And then getting drunk off of it. Good times…]
Both young women suddenly looked a good deal more cautious as Irina carefully said, "That sounds...quite different from the tales I know of?"
A grin split the Dragon's maw.
[Indeed. Now let me tell you the truth of the man who insisted I call him 'Buddy Christ'.]
Two despairing groans echoed throughout the cavern, counterpoints to the gleeful laughter of Ddraig.
If you caught the reference in this chapter's title, good on yah! We have a somewhat similar taste in movies then :D
Next chapter Kunou arrives on the scene, stay tuned for that!
