Even beyond the Philosopher's Stone, there are other goals. Strong language, 300 words.
One and the Same
Equivalent trade is the only law you recognize. Everything else fades before that, and you know that, far more than being right, or fair, things must be even.
Trying to bring back your mother taught you that it isn't always a case of giving. Sometimes it's a case of taking, and sometimes the recipient isn't the one to start the exchange. And when things aren't even, they hurt. You used your lesson right away: as soon as you'd recovered from your meeting with God, you said, "yeah, fuck you too."
You know that the universe – God – whatever they called it – has a personality. You've met it, talked with it, were scared shitless by that grin. But you don't believe the way they believe. God isn't someone who loves and gives and deserves praise and belief and gratitude. God is someone who knows and receives, someone who sits before the Gate.
So no, you don't believe in God, because the God you know and the God they believe in are completely different. They'd try and label the real guy a demon, but then they're romantic fools. They never saw the face of the sun. They never dared to fly high enough, if at all.
You want your body back. You want your brother back. You want your mother back. But you won't get them. God doesn't give, he takes; and the only thing the gate gives is knowledge.
Well, fuck God then, and fuck the Gate, and fuck equivalent trade. You'll do it anyway.
As soon as you can – and it won't be long now, you know – you'll break the rules and open the Gate without paying toll and learn it all and come out grinning like God. And then you'll take it all back from him.
That's what's equal. Yeah.
- end -
:: all things aside, we're much the same ::