Chapter 19
Eric van Genus' Audio Journal #19: Alatrism & Misotheism
Let's take a break about my reincarnation journeys for a bit and discuss something that many have asked me for a while. Something about alatrism and misotheism some people asked. What are they? Alatrism is, according to the dictionary, 'the recognition of the existence of one or more gods, but with a deliberate lack of worship of any deity'. Misotheism means' hatred of god or hatred of the gods'. Like I've been saying, they are not gods. They are just beings that have evolved naturally or artificially by certain means. And I don't exactly hate these higher beings per say. Some do teach mortals about creating civilizations like a teacher teaching a pupil, which I can respect. Yet they ended-up enslaving the populace to their will, forcing all to their fucking ways rather than opening up to learn the ways of others. Stuff like that is common for primitive assholes. Like the morons in the dark ages with their "crusades". I mean, that Jesus guy taught everyone about being a peaceful, nature loving hippie that loves all but people rather followed how he died instead of following his teachings. I'm not saying that I hate these beings, they just teach them about how to evolve and boom, the primitive gain equal footing. Or just let life evolve on their own. Truth be told, I rather learn how to travel across space than spending time in some temple because of my adventurous spirit that can never be satisfied. Progress is made by moving forward, not standing still. But I wish we can ask these higher evolved lifeforms to leave and let us evolve on our own, but sometimes people refuse to let things go. Like power. And control.
But if you want the perfect definition of misotheism, try Salem. That woman is the very definition of misotheism. Well it is her fault for trying to defy them and their own fault for lack of communication and proper understanding. At least that's what I believe. Like I said, I don't hate these beings that are more evolved than all the other backwater worlds. Just wish they could try to let things be and let life evolve on their own rather than starting a war or something about evolution. Kinda that war between the Ancients and the Ori in Stargate. The Ancients used evolutionary means that includes technology. Not good as natural like the Old Ones from Warhammer 40K, but more efficient. Yet they never try to force anyone. The Ori prefer spiritual means of evolution and all that power went to their ethereal heads and wanted to be worshiped. Back on topic about the Old Ones, they didn't care much about all the other primitive beings until the C'tan came and try to eat them, made an almost unstoppable race that are still at large, have the Eldar rip-off their tech, and disappeared. Rinse and repeat with the Xel'Naga, except the whole being devoured thing. Just betrayal. Although not sure taking the essence of these higher beings will have you evolve into them, but that is one theory I would like to try out one day.
But I'm getting WAY off topic. I don't exactly hate the higher beings and they are not gods. To be honest, if I do become one, I rather disguise as a mortal and teach rather than being some overwhelming presence that is forced to be worship. And I- *phone rings* Fuck! Sorry, gotta go! Gonna have to end this.
Over at the Ruins of the Emerald Forest, Chapter 2 of RWBY: Grimm Eclipse...
Team RWBY and Prof. Port headed towards the next location to repair the security network. The next area is comprised of ancient ruins of a long, and nearly forgotten, civilization that existed long before the kingdoms. Yet we all know the fate of the civilizations and the first humans. Salem unifying them and going against the gods that led to their downfall.
Port breathes in the air, "Another area, another security network in need of repairs. Keep an eye out for any clues about who did this. We're all counting on you!" he says via the scroll while on top of a rooftop.
The team moves forward as Port jumps from rooftop to ruined rooftop. He's very agile for a pudgy old man. While looking for the next device, they attack all the Grimm they encounter with everything that they got yet manage to dispatch them with ease which comes to no surprise. Yet Blake notices something next to one of the pillars. She breaks from the group and heads to something shining in the sunlight.
Yang grabs a Boartusk by its tusk, flip it over, and punches right through it. "Whew!" she wipes her forehead with her left arm and the Grimm disappears, "Killing these things have gotten a lot easier since Mountain Glenn."
"I agree." Weiss agrees as she sheaths her weapon. "If we keep this up, we might be able to-"
Ruby jumps in on the conversation, "We might get our licenses early!"
Weiss pushes Ruby away with her finger, "We might be able to get harder missions."
Blake is at the pillar and goes, "Huh, look at this." Blake shows another golden chess piece to her team and an amber coated card.
Her teammates approach her and look at the new card Blake found. It is made of Amber yet the contents are barely visible.
"Let me see." Weiss takes the card and tries to look at it.
From what she can see, she can see a picture of a mammoth with four tusks, orange orbs with yellow stars, a black orb with a white kanji that means earth, and some numbers and text that are barely readable.
"There is some sort of card in it, but it looks like some sort of...trading card?"
The girls look at the card and get a better look.
"Is that an elephant? With four tusks?" Ruby asks.
"It looks like it." Yang takes a closer examination, "I think the words say, 'Amber Mammoth'."
"Guess that makes sense." Blake connects the dots. "But why would anyone seal a card in the same gemstone as the card name?"
"Talk about taking it literally." Yang smiles.
Ruby takes the card and takes a closer look, "I think I've seen a card like this before. The way the card looks rings a bell, but I just can't remember."
Blake takes the card back, "Anyway, let's head out."
Team RWBY continued on as they cleared out more Grimm. Yet while doing so, they came across a chasm with an amazing view of the ruins.
Ruby looks down and shouts, "Helloo! Echo!" her voice echoes.
Weiss is a bit nervous, "That's a long way down."
Yet Blake and Yang are admiring the view of the ruins overcome with nature.
"It's beautiful." Blake compliments the beauty of the ruins.
Yet Yang says, "I've always been more of the outdoorsy type."
"But how do we get across." Blake looks at the chasm.
Port jumps down and looks around and notices something. A mechanism of some sort, "Hmm, I know it's a stretch, but maybe you operate that mechanism to extend the bridge."
"Good idea!" Ruby uses her semblance to get over to the lever and pull it.
" HA! It worked!" Port glad his idea works, but... "And...seemed to attract some Grimm. Happy hunting!"
The huntresses-in-training are protecting the bridge mechanism while fighting off the Grimm. Yet the drawbridge is being slow as more Grimm show up.
Ruby looks at the bridge, "Come on, come on, come on!"
Yang complains after bunching a Creep, "JEEZ. Take your time, why don't'cha?"
Weiss says after stabbing a Beowolf in the heart, "Just a little longer!"
They continue on as the bridge is almost done raising.
Yang asks Blake, "How much longer!?" before ripping off a tusk of a Boartusk.
Blake looks at the bridge, "Almost there."
Once the bridge is finally raised, the Grimm stop attacking.
"Finally." Yang cracks her shoulders, "Now lets go."
They head further into the ruins to finally find the security network device. As they enter in, Ruby found another card, coating in amethyst, on the ground.
Ruby smiles as she runs over to it, "Finders keepers!"
Yet as she runs up to get it, Blake snatches it up before Ruby does which she trips.
"Let's take this back to Beacon." Blake holds the card.
Ruby raises herself up, "Oh come on! I found it! And its finders keepers!"
"No," Blake says as she puts the card away, "These are important. They maybe a clue on what is happening."
They continue on as they finally come across the security center. Yet they noticed that the area has cages with the same M symbol as the pin on them. Some of them looks like they've been torn and ruined. Others look like they're intact yet seem to be old and worn.
Port pops in, "Just as I thought: more sabotage from our friend with the symbol. But those cages...was someone trying to capture Grimm? Yet why use flimsy cages? It appears that someone it making it look like... Hrm...I don't like the looks of this. For now let's just focus on the objective. Defend that control center while I undo the damage. Get ready!"
Prof. Port works on the device as Team RWBY defends him as the Grimm attack. Despite being a little tired, they continue to fight on as they try to get the security network back up and running. One of the Creeps try to attack Port, but Yang jumps in and smack its head. Then she tries a combo with Weiss as Weiss turned many Grimm into frozen popsicles and Yang bash 'em into pieces. Ruby and Blake try their own teamwork as Ruby uses her petal burst that turn both her and Blake into black and red petals as they slash their way through in a tornado of rose petals. After a while, the Grimm have been defeated and the device is working again.
Port wipes his brow, "Good show, team! I've just received a report... Hm that's right, the symbol we've been seeing belongs to Merlot Industries, an old research and development corporation - far before your time. The company was crippled by the collapse of Mountain Glenn, where they lost their primary facility and chief staff members. They never recovered from that incident and eventually shut down. Which begs the question... why is their technology suddenly popping up in the Emerald Forest? Hrmmm, I've never been one for riddles and history - more a man of action if I do say so myself. But I think I know someone who can help... Onward! To VICTORY!" Yet Port looks at the cages, 'However, I do have a feeling that something big is gonna happen. Merlot may look like they were involve, but it looks more like a false lead.' He looks at the topaz card he found, 'Just what are these for?'
After the team leaves, Hector and Butch are continuing their hunt for the cards. They made it to the spot where they found the Amber Mammoth card.
Butch sniffs around, "Same huntresses and huntsman. Cat Faunus. Found one of the cards. This card was deliberately placed here. Hmm..."
"Any luck?" Hector approaches.
Butch stands up, "The card here was placed deliberately. I'm guessing Gris."
"One of the members of the Council?" Hector finds it hard to believe.
"Must be one of his pranks." Butch sighs in disapproval, "That guy can be a real menace."
The duo headed over the next area where Butch found another scent.
"Another card was here." he brushes the ground, "One huntress was running here. One smell of roses. Saw the card. Same cat Faunus took it before the rose huntress can take it. Complain on finder keepers rule."
"How do you know that?"
"Just a hunch. The rose one smells of immaturity."
"Now you're just being creepy. Like a stalker."
Butch stands up and looks at Hector, "My kind are supposed to hunt our prey for endless miles. Never giving up on the chase. We were raised to be better than the Huntsmen at tracking and killing."
Hector shrugs, "Whatever."
Lastly, they made their way towards the control center. Unfortunately, the device is being secured by some of Atlas' military and robots. Some of them are inspecting the cages with the Merlot symbol on them as they try to piece together on what is happening. Both of them hid on a rooftop of a ruin not too far with Hector having binoculars.
"Hmm..." Butch looks at the site through the binocular function in his helmet, "Looks like they already took the card. And the bait."
"Guessing we should head towards the next area." Hector lowers his binoculars and look at Butch, "By the way, what kind of security do those cards unlock?"
Mountain Glenn, Before Chapter 3 of the Game...
Over at Mountain Glenn, Gris and some of the Evolutionaries check the place out to see if there has been any changes.
"Any luck?" Gris is bored.
A human sergeant reports, "All the negative energy in the area have been removed. No trace of Grimm either."
Gris groans, "Same thing every day."
"Although, you are adding to that negativity. Um, sir." the sergeant gulps after saying something to Gris' face.
Gris gives a threatening glare at him as the sergeant is worried about the consequences.
Yet Gris smiles, "You're also adding some of that too just by being scared."
"Uh, right, sir! And, sorry sir."
Gris places one hand on the soldier's left shoulder, "It's all good!" he gives a thumbs-up, "Besides, we've got what we need so lets blow this taco stand and head to the last place we need to head to."
The sergeant salutes, "Thank you, sir!"
"Drop the sir."
"Yes, sir!"
"I said drop it. And don't use formalities."
"Gotcha'!"
Eric van Genus' Audio Journal Continuation
Okay, where was I? Oh yeah. I rather be living as a mortal than be forced into being some object of worship. Guess how well that Emperor did in that Warhammer 40k universe. And if I'm honest, gods should mind their own business. Like with the Old Ones from the same universe. But if the gods treat people right and prefer to guide them through technological process rather than having their followers be tyrants, I'm okay with it. Except now though, I'm afraid the gods of this world will return and wipe us out for good. Especially that I've finally decided to deliver the primordial truth about reincarnation. Although I did take some shortcuts, but it is actually more like cheating. I don't regret it, but I would like to help unite people, bring scientific enlightenment and progress, and have them reach for the stars.
But I wonder if that one world that I helped is starting to see me as a god that delivered salvation. Oh well. Can't go back, even if I do reincarnate. Unless I do the Misfit at Demon Academy route just to see how things went. Anyway, hope that my project will work if they ever come back. At the very least, I gotta protect this world from destruction. First, the people that are monopolizing everything. Creating new technologies that are later spread across the planet with each kingdom having their own unique tech like Menagerie is doing right now. Then taking down that bitch, Salem. And finally, wipe out the Grimm once and for all and replace them with something different. And hopefully we can send people into space. But I did promise the Transformers, sorry, Cybertronians that they get to leave and form their own Cybertron.
Getting back on the whole 'me being a god thing', I could give it a try. Never tried it before in like any of the reincarnations I've tried, but I'll give it a shot. In the meantime, I got to head to Atlas.
End of recording.
AN: ALRIGHT! Got another chapter done. Hope you guys are doing well and NOT voting for Trump because he has our stimulus checks hostage and I need to get presents for my relatives in December. And HEXEN, I hope you enjoy your question being answered in the form of Eric's audio journal. But it may not give a direct answer, because things are crazy because of the holidays. Speaking of; Happy Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, so I won't forget and do so ahead of time. In the meantime, stay healthy and stay safe. And for the love of all that is fucking holy in the fucking multiverse, please don't vote for Trump. PLEASE, DON'T VOTE FOR TRUMP!
Later taters.
