The Waif stepped back and allowed Haruo Sakaki to move away from him. The Earthling's mind was full of doubts that flew around like crows making a nest in his brain. "I think I might be able to answer some of your questions regarding my race," the Waif said. Haruo looked at him with narrow eyes.

"What do you know? You're insane."

"I'm not insane, I just perceive things differently than most people do. Would you like me to help you?"

"I doubt you could do anything considering that we're prisoners aboard our own ship," The Earthling scoffed. "Seems like your god decided to turn his back on us again." The Waif shook his head.

"I don't worship the Exif's god," he explained.

"You're an atheist then?"

"No. I'm aware that there is an omnipotent being in some other dimension, but it's not what they serve."

"So they're evil cultists, is that what you're saying?" He blinked slowly before nodding slightly.

"They're...sinister people." Haruo glared at him.

"You're lying. You're crazy, you don't know what you're talking about! If they were evil, they wouldn't be helping us, would they? They'd let us die at the hands of Godzilla." The Waif pulled his legs close to his chest as the crows landed softly on his shoulders and head, scattering feathers on the floor.

"If you want to hear what I have to say..."

"Let me guess: the Exif are planet conquerors via evangelism and summoned a kaiju to destroy the Vyxtra's planet."

"Not quite. They were vicious creatures before they inevitably came into contact with Aizadrra." Sensing the Earthling's unfamiliarity with the name, he explained, "It's a being made of energy who devours planets."

"And they supposedly worship this thing?"

"Yes. The Pope was not kind to me when I refused to acknowledge it as god."

"You're a crazy heretic then," Haruo concluded. His gaze softened slightly. "What did they do to you?" The Waif didn't meet his gaze. That was a question he'd rather not answer and a topic he never liked to discuss. The memories were always fresh in his mind so he couldn't forget them. Sometimes, he was able to make others witness such events. But the pain and torture he was forced to endure should never be placed upon anyone else other than himself. Haruo Sakaki had already lost his home and parents; he was already trapped in Metphies' invisible web. He didn't need to see anymore suffering. However, the universe was not benevolent and soon he'd have to be persecuted as the rest of what remained of humanity.

"I don't want to talk about it," he mumbled. "It would be a burden for the both of us." Haruo laid on the bed across the room with his back turned towards him. He was worried, angry, confused, and most of all scared for his and everyone's saftey on the ship. The Waif pitied him.

"Get some sleep, Sakaki. Tomorrow will not be kind to you." He heard the younger being grunt as he shifted into a more comfortable sleeping position before settling down.

"The night is dark and full of terror," a crow murmured. "The ravens will sing the songs of the dead."

"Yes," he agreed. "The feeble bird must be killed if it wishes to become a pheonix."

"The stars will fall," another crow said.

"Father's wrath will be poured upon the serpents with flowering faces."

"In due time, dear siblings," the Waif assured. "The children of sin must first be killed if we are to proceed." He closed his eyes. "All things shall be according to the will of God."

"But the Earthling does not know of the Exif's true face. How can he possibly be the--"

"He and the others have been fed lies. They must be purged."

"They will be gifts to Death.""When the reaping soon begins..."

"...the good wheat will be stored in the barn and the bad will be burned. What is, is what shall be." The Waif opened his eyes a little and watched Haruo toss and turn in his sleep. How pitiful, he thought to himself. Even in sleep he's tormented.

"Is something wrong?" he asked in concern.

"No," Haruo responded, turning towards him. "It just takes me a while to fall asleep."

"Do you fear me?"

"I don't trust you."

"You trusted me when I told you where to find Metphies' quarters. What made you change your mind?"

"Shakurin mentioned you so I assumed that you were with him." The Waif nodded slowly. Of course he'd assume such a thing. "Are you involved in his plans?"

"If I were, I wouldn't be here now would I?"

"No, you wouldn't. Still, I don't trust you."

"I wouldn't trust anyone on this ship if I were you. Sinister things happen where no one would think twice to look. Really though, you shouldn't lend your heart to Metphies. He'll taint it with sweet words that'll poison you. I should know."

"He isn't bad. He cares about me more than you think and he'd never do anything wrong so stop saying things like that or else." Sensing Haruo's anger, the Waif fell silent. The crows landed on the floor and some nestled in his lap. As he watched two of them flutter around the room, he began reading Haruo's thoughts. The rashful human was deeply concerned for their safety and feared what had happened to the scouting party. Were they dead? Possibly. Was Metphies alright? That depends on your definition of the word.

The Waif had mixed feelings towards him. On one hand, he was a good friend towards Haruo and a reliable person to seek advice so long as it didn't revolve around religion and entropy. However, he had clothed himself in the beautifully horrific gowns nihilism which, despite the rogue Exif's pleas and reasonings, he refused to discard no matter the cost. That was a planet-sized problem the Waif feared could never be solved. If Metphies shared his gowns with Haruo and the other Earthlings who were easily swayed, the planet would become a solar system of nihilistic cultists who rejoiced euphorically at the sight of Death.

The Waif shuddered at the thought. Despite his attempts to nudge Metphies onto the path given to them by their Father, the priest strayed further from said path and deeper into the twisting, dark forest where the wolf awaited to devour his supper. He had hoped that little Haruo would be the spark to lead him back on the path he originally began on. He was terribly wrong. So wrong, in fact, that he was beginning to doubt that there would be no salvation for the priest when the day of harvest came. It was something he didn't like to think about but needed to be put into consideration. Haruo's voice startled him from his thoughts ask he asked, "What did you mean when you said that thing about shadows and ravens? I don't get it."

"'The shadows know all and the white ravens carry songs of death on their beaks.' It's a prophecy given to me by the Valashta through Gematron Calculation. I felt like I needed to tell it to you."

"What does it mean?"

"You'll have to find that out on your own, Sakaki. I can't tell you everything that's going to happen although I wish I could."

"Why?"

"You're important to the universe. When you were born, the Holy One chose you to be mankind's savior."

"You mean my hatred for Godzilla?"

"No." The Waif took his necklace off and stared at the pendant for a moment. "Long ago when a person died, there was a ritual in my culture, where we would burn the carcass and merge the ashes with dirt to symbolize that the old, sinful body has been killed and discarded. Since the body is no more, that allows the purified soul to climb the Ladder of Stars to reach Corea and be one with our Father." He lifted his head. "Symbolically, the burning of a carcass would be the process of emotional and mental change in a person, be it good or evil, pain. The climb is the process of ascension. Only when we fully ascend do we become one with God. That is when we recieve our reward: immortality. When you burn your sinful nature and ascend, you will be mankind's motive to do the same. It's humanity's love for sin that keeps it from burning the body. Their stubbornness will be their downfall, but you will be their hope."

"Immortality, huh? Did-- or, are your people in the ascension stage as you call it? Is that why you age slowly?"

"No. My people fell from the Ladder when they sought immortality through their own means, refusing to go through the long, painful, process we all should. Instead of immortality, they discovered what they could about the universe and, seeing there was no alternative way to reach the end prize, began worshipping Death who had tricked them into believing that there was no such thing as eternity. They sacrificed their planet to the Devourer and forced the remaining faithful ones to never speak 'heretical' words that went against their doctrine." Haruo furrowed his brows in confusion.

"If that's true, how come the rogues let the Vyxtra take over the ship and hold us captive?"

"I'm not sure," the Waif admitted. "Whenever I try to read their thoughts, they block me out." He sighed. "The clergy has become so divided and corrupt nowadays, it's hard to tell who's your ally and who's the enemy." Of course, Haruo didn't fully trust him and that was fine. In due time, he'd understand. Then he would be able to transcend. The Waif just hoped that he would be able to carry on without his guidance. He stood up and sat next to Haruo who glanced at him with a frown. "You know I can't sleep on the floor." The latter was silent and scooted over so he could lay beside him. "Thank you." The Waif let his hair down before laying down and pressing the necklace in Haruo's hand. "I've been waiting for so long to give this to you," he said softly. "Keep it close and don't lose it."

"What's this?"

"Something dear to me. When the time comes, you'll know what to do with it." Haruo looked at it for a moment in curiosity. "Promise me, you'll keep it safe."

"I promise." Good. As long as he kept it by his side, no one would be able to kill him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here it is! The sixth chapter of Requiem has "finally" been published. I had a lot of fun writing this and can't wait to write more Exif lore in future chapters. Unfortunately, this is where the good stuff ends and the angstiness starts so get ready for that.What the Waif said about ascension is something physical that they need to achieve. It's more spiritual and internal.

Also, did you notice that I gave the Waif two different ways of speaking? I did that on purpose. Don't worry it has to do with his backstory and personality. In the next chapter, we see what happened to Yuko and the others.