Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me.
"So… Essentially, an amusement park is a festival which lasts continuously, rather than for a limited period of time, and can be visited at any point?" Giff asked slowly, still struggling to process the concept.
"Basically," Ikki said.
"Well, not any point in time. I mean, they've got opening and closing hours, and sometimes they're shut down due to maintenance or because it's the wrong time of year, but… Yeah, other than that," Vice added.
"But… Festivals are meant to celebrate something, such as a good harvest or religious occasion," Giff said in confusion. "What is an amusement park meant to celebrate?"
"Putting smiles on the faces of people of all ages!" Ikki said at the same time as George cynically replied, "Capitalism."
Giff nodded in understanding. "Ah, greed. One of the most basic and fundamental evils intrinsic to humanity. Yes, I understand now."
"But-" Ikki stammered.
"He's not wrong," Hana remarked.
"Kids, stop arguing about how our society is rotting from within due to rampant consumerism and our slavish devotion to the yen, we're here!" Genta declared, spreading his arms to indicate a large archway with colorful, cartoonish animals corresponding to the basic Progrise Keys for Kamen Rider Zero-One over the words "WELCOME TO HIDEN LAND, THE MOST JOYFUL PLACE ON EARTH!"
"Is this truly the most joyful place on earth?" Giff asked in wonder.
"No, they just say that for marketing purposes," George replied.
Giff nodded in comprehension. "Ah, another basic and fundamental evil intrinsic to humanity."
"He's really not wrong," Hana admitted.
"I would hardly call Hiden Intelligence an evil company," Ikki argued. "Their leader's a superhero!"
"Yes, who runs a corporation that manufactures potentially sentient beings which are more or less pressed into slavery at their moment of conception designed to steal jobs from the working class, and render the proletariat even poorer and more helpless than they already are, like all major corporations do," George countered. "The fact that their own artificial workforce has had more than one uprising, and not always because they were infected by an evil AI, just about all of which were rather violently put down by trigger-happy law enforcement and their own employer, is rather telling. And why is there more legislature protecting humans from AI than AI from humans?"
"I think it's a little more complicated than that," Ikki said uncomfortably.
"Is it?" Vice wondered.
"Since when are you a socialist, George?" Sakura demanded.
"I'm not, I just feel like being contrary because I'm a petty, petty man who enjoys irritating others," George said smugly.
"Yeah, that checks out," Vice conceded.
"Did we really need to bring him?" Genta muttered to his wife.
"Remember what he did to our rubber ducks when he was left unattended for a couple of hours?" Yukimi replied.
"Good point."
Seeing men, women, teenagers, and children rushing through the arch, some solo but most of them in family groups, Giff started walking after them, hearing cheers, screams, laughter, and heavy machinery.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Sakura demanded.
He gave her a confused look. "Entering the park. Is that not why we are here?"
"Well, yes, but we need to get our tickets first," Sakura said, gesturing to the lengthy line of people in front of the concessions booth, where a HumaGear attendant was handing out tickets.
"Why?" Giff asked.
"Because nothing in life is free, especially amusement parks, so you have to pay ridiculously exorbitant fees if you want to entertain yourself, money that could probably be better used for more practical purposes like a new and improved centrifuge or particle accelerator-" George began.
"No, I understand it's because of capitalism, I mean why do we have to get tickets?" Giff elaborated. "We are superior beings, why should we bother parting with our hard-earned money instead of doing as we wish due to the simple merit of being what we are?"
"We aren't superior beings," Ikki said firmly.
"I certainly don't feel like one," Tamaki muttered sadly.
"And Vice certainly isn't one," Lovekov said cheerily.
"HEY!"
"Giffrey, what makes you think we are superior beings?" Yukimi asked gently.
"We – well, most of us – are descended from a higher evolved life form like Giff or, in Astarte's case, are already a higher evolved life form," Giff pointed out. "We are stronger, our pluripotent cells granting us abilities beyond the ken of regular humans. We can exist in harmony with our demons and become even stronger through our partnership with them, surpassing what the human body is capable of and becoming far more powerful than mere mortals can ever grasp. We have the potential for immortality, even godhood, ascending to a higher state of being. We are objectively superior, so why should we be held accountable by the laws of lower life forms?"
Everyone was briefly taken aback by this. Giff didn't sound like he was bragging about his self-proclaimed superiority, he spoke as if it was a simple statement of fact and he was genuinely perplexed that others didn't see things the same way as him.
"Hey yeah, he's right! Why should we be held accountable by the laws of lower life forms?!" Vice suddenly spoke up. "If I want to leave the toilet seat up or eat all the junk food I want or steal a motorcycle or wear white after Labor Day, why shouldn't I?"
"Because I won't let you," Ikki pointed out.
"Oh, right."
"Hold on, what was that about immortality and godhood?" A startled Sakura asked.
"Yes, tell us more," George said eagerly, taking out a note pad.
"Maybe later," Yukimi said, much to his disappointment. "Okay, Giffrey, there is a lot to unpack there. Where to start… All right, perhaps you're right that objectively we are superior to other humans on account of our biology-"
"Well, you aren't," Giffrey corrected her. "You're a standard human. Though you showed excellent taste in having intercourse and forming a life bond with Genta!"
"Thanks, I think so too!" A flattered Genta agreed. Yukimi's eye twitched.
"Most of us may be biologically superior to other people, but that doesn't make us better people," Yukimi continued.
"It doesn't?" Giff asked, genuinely surprised.
Sakura shook her head. "No. Throughout history there've been many people who think that due to some quirk of biology, geography, level of income, or because they found a way to transform themselves into something other than human they're better than everyone else and use it as an excuse to treat everyone like garbage."
"Most of them get killed by a Rider Kick," George spoke up cheerfully. "Guess they weren't so superior after all, were they?"
"There's a difference between being powerful and being good," Ikki explained. "If you really are stronger than everyone else, then shouldn't you use that strength to help those who can't help themselves, rather than solely to benefit yourself?"
"But… What benefit is there in that?" Giff asked, still confused.
"Well, for one thing, it means you won't be alone," Astarte said, immediately drawing his attention. "When I arrived on Earth in ancient times, I used my knowledge and power to uplift a tribe of primitive humans and establish a great kingdom. I guided and aided them for generations, and in exchange they gave me love and friendship. And while I did eventually lose that civilization," she admitted, her voice trembling for a moment, until Lovekov hugged her leg. She smiled briefly down at her and continued. "I still have the memories of those whom I loved, and I have a chance to start over and make new memories with new friends and loved ones. Isn't that better than being alone?"
"… It sounds like it," Giff murmured slowly. "But… I – I mean, Giff – tried such methods in the past, and it… Didn't end well."
"Maybe he went about it the wrong way?" Tamaki suggested diplomatically.
"Or maybe he shouldn't have destroyed every civilization which rejected him, that didn't exactly do him any favors," Hana sneered.
Giff clenched his fists minutely. "It… Was a little more complicated than that…"
"How? Seems pretty clear cut to me-" Vice started, only for Astarte to shake her head, indicating that he should cut it out.
"In any event… You're saying that even though we are beings which exist above the flimsy and arbitrary rules and restrictions society places on those who are part of it, we should still endeavor to follow them? To… Endear ourselves to lower life forms, so that we may feel as if we share a bond with them?" Giff inquired.
"Essentially," Ikki agreed. "It's only polite."
"Though it also helps if you don't keep calling them lower life forms," Sakura added.
"Even if it's true, like in Vice's case," Lovekov said cheerfully.
"OH COME ON!"
"I know I'm a lower life form and have accepted it," Tamaki said solemnly.
"Good boy," Hana cooed, patting his head.
"I… See. You have given me a lot to think about," Giff murmured.
Lost in thought, he joined the rest of the Igarashis in line, continuing to mull things over as Lovekov amped herself up about all the junk food she was going to eat while hanging out with her girlfriend and both Genta and Yukimi and Sakura and Hana were being almost sickeningly adorable and affectionate and Vice loudly talked about all of Ikki's favorite rides and attractions and how he absolutely remembered every last one of them and George surreptitiously tried to scrape off pieces of Giff's carapace and Tamaki was just happy to be included. He didn't stir until they at last reached the ticket booth, where the HumaGear manning concessions smiled in delight to see the party.
"Ah, the Igarashi family!" The attendant welcomed them, eyes flashing to project holograms of several of their previous visits to the park. "Welcome back! It has been 47 weeks and five days since your last visit."
"Has it really been that long?" Yukimi marveled.
"Well, we've all been pretty busy lately," Genta pointed out.
"But of course Ikki Igarashi was here more recently," the attendant continued, smiling at Ikki.
"I was?" He asked, confused.
"Yes, Ikki, we stopped Olteca from attacking a bunch of innocent people! Remember?" Vice yelled loudly.
"O-oh, right, just before we first used the Megalodon Vistamp to fight the Spider Deadman!" Ikki laughed nervously. "Of course I remember!"
The HumaGear tilted her head, ear modules buzzing. "Odd. Your heart rate is elevated and you are unable to look me in the eye. That is usually an indicator of dishonesty-"
"Hey, Mama Igarashi, why don't we get our tickets so we can go to the park and show Cousin Giffrey a good time?" Vice yelled even louder.
The HumaGear blinked noisily. "'Giffrey?' That is clearly Giff-"
"We'll take a day pass, family discount, please!" Yukimi settled desperately, slamming her credit card in front of the HumaGear.
The attendant stared at her, then shrugged, swiped the card, and printed out their pass. "Here you are, Mrs. Igarashi. Have a joyous day! Oh, and will Daiji be joining you later? I notice he is not with you right now."
Yukimi flinched. "He… Might be. He's been very busy lately," Genta muttered uncomfortably.
"Yeah, being a traitor to humanity," Sakura growled. Ikki winced.
"Would you like to purchase a ticket in his name?" The attendant offered. "He can pick it up if he shows up later."
Yukimi hesitated, glancing at Genta, who looked uncomfortable. "… I… You know what, sure. Why not?"
Once the transaction was completed, the group headed for the entrance. "Why did you do that?" Giff asked suddenly.
Yukimi sighed. "Because if I didn't leave a ticket for Daiji, that would be like giving up hope he'll ever come back to us-"
"No, I mean buying a family pass. Why did you do that?" Giff interjected.
Yukimi gave him a confused look. "Because… We're a family?"
"Yes, of course we are," he agreed, looking oddly excited by this notion. "But why did you include your live in Butler or George Karizaki in your ticket purchase? They are not members of your family. They are neither related to you by blood or our life-bonded to any of you. Unless there is information about your relationship to either of them I don't know about? I am very concerned that Ikki does not seem to be having intercourse with anyone."
"That's none of your business!" Ikki shrieked.
"Yeah, he's saving it for Ayaka," Sakura agreed.
"SAKURA!"
"Ah! Where is this Ayaka and why is she not with us?" Giff asked eagerly. "I would like to meet her!"
"She is in a hospital. In a coma," Ikki said morosely.
Giff hesitated. "… Oh."
"She's been like that ever since reverting back from the Kong Deadman," Vice added, glaring very sharply at Giff.
"I… See," Giff said slowly, making a note to check on this Ayaka at some point. "Astarte, you have healing powers – or so I have heard – can you not…?"
"Her body reacted poorly to becoming a Phase 2 Deadman and being violently separated from her demon," Astarte replied. "I am… Uncertain if, in her current condition, my powers would heal her or make her worse."
"Oh." Giff felt even uncomfortable now.
"Also, Tamaki isn't our live in Butler!" Ikki added, desperate to get off the subject.
"Yes he is," said Hana.
"Yeah, I am," Tamaki agreed.
"Giffrey, we consider Tamaki a member of the family," Genta said quickly.
"But why? He is not related to any of you, nor is he having intercourse with any of you," Giff said in confusion.
"Giffrey, you don't have to be related to someone by blood or sleeping with them to be a member of their family," Yukimi said gently.
"You don't?!" Giff asked, astonished.
"Well, you know, adoption is a thing, love," Lovekov pointed out.
Tamaki gasped. "Wait, Mrs. Igarashi, does that mean you're my new mommy?!"
Yukimi stared at him awkwardly. "… Maybe a nephew. Or distant cousin."
"I'll take it!"
"And what of George Igarashi? Is he, too, a member of your family despite not being related to you or having intercourse with any of you?" Giff pressed.
"Can we please stop putting it like that?" Ikki complained.
"No, we don't consider George to be a member of the family, mainly because he keeps cranking out inventions that are at constant risk of killing my children, wasting all our hot water, frying the power grid with all of his experiments, and he's late on the rent," Yukimi said, glaring at George.
"That seems increasingly arbitrary and unfair," George complained.
"I haven't forgotten what you did to our rubber ducks!"
"If you do not consider him part of your family, then why did you include him in the family pass?" Giff asked.
"Because Yukimi is too polite to make him pay for his own ticket," Genta replied.
"For which I am very grateful!" George said cheerfully, causing Yukimi to seethe.
"Fascinating. It seems there is much about family I do not yet comprehend," Giff remarked.
"I'm learning more all the time," Astarte said fondly, smiling at Lovekov, who giggled happily.
After flashing their pass to the HumaGear attendant at the front gates, they entered the park proper.
They paused, looking around in wonder, with those who had never been before – such as Giff, Astarte, and technically Ikki – especially amazed.
They were currently in the park's main plaza, where a metal statue of Aruto Hiden stood atop wreckage from the Ark satellite – actual wreckage, salvaged from the remains of Daybreak Town, and vigorously purged to make sure no trace of the malicious AI lingered in any component – with a bright smile on his face and one hand extended, a grasshopper sitting in it. His faithful companion Izu stood next to him, a small smile on her face as she held him by the hand. Sculptures of Soreo and Korenosuke Hiden stood behind Aruto, hands on his shoulders and proud smiles on their faces. Numerous flowers, coins, trinkets, and pieces of metal were placed before a plaque at the base of the statue reading "A jump to the sky turns to wake up towards a dream," and several patrons, both human and HumaGear, laid down their own offerings before the statute as they watched. HumaGears wearing costumes based off of the various forms of Kamen Rider Zero-One and his colleagues walked around, interacting with patrons and taking pictures with kids.
Several moving walkways branched off from the Plaza, moving through tree-lined passages towards other areas of the park, with a grand Promenade on the opposite side of the Plaza from the entrance passing between gift shops, clothing stores, souvenir stands, cafés, games parlors, and a HumaGear manufactory, done up in the style of what Daybreak Town would have looked like had it not been tragically destroyed. Screams of joy echoed in the distance as attractions like the Subaru Rocket, A. I. M. S. Shooting Gallery, MetsubouJinrai Haunted Ruins, Petting Zoo, Zea Wheel, event stage, and Realizing Coaster rose over the tree line, a much smaller and rather more fanciful replica of the Hidden Intelligence HQ rising from the center of the park and looming over just about everything but the roller coaster and Ferris wheel.
Pylons rose from the tops of the walls encircling the park, energy rings connecting them similar to the barrier around the remains of Daybreak Town, but these were much cheerier, projecting holographic confetti and Rider and Lost Models in the air, dirigibles with screens detailing attractions and special events floating between the colorful displays.
Genta whistled. "Wow, they've really done some impressive remodeling since last time we visited."
"It's so cool, love!" Lovekov gushed.
"This… This is an amusement park?!" Giff gasped. "This is nothing like the festivals of ancient times! Or, um, so I've heard."
"Everyone is smiling and laughing and having fun," Astarte murmured, marveling at all the patrons enjoying themselves. "It is like the grandest festivals, feast days, and celebrations in my kingdom…" She frowned. "There are a lot fewer orgies, though."
"Well, of course, this is a family-friendly park," Genta pointed out.
"So were the festivities in my day. Quite a number of families got started during them," Astarte replied.
"It's more incredible than I imagined – I mean REMEMBERED. Better than I remembered," Ikki said quickly when Vice shot him an anxious look.
"Is there a tunnel of love? Please tell me there's a tunnel of love," Hana begged Sakura.
She smiled and nodded. "There's a tunnel of love. And I can finally go on one, now that I have a girlfriend!"
Both of them squealed excitedly at this.
"Can we go too, love?" Lovekov asked Astarte hopefully.
The elder demon smiled at her. "Of course, my little Lamia. We shall go wherever you wish."
"We should check out the love tunnel too, Genta," Yukimi urged her husband. "We had so many wonderful dates here before the kids were born!"
Genta smiled fondly. "Yeah, those were all good times – wait, did any of those actually happen, or were they stories you told me when you were making up our life together?"
Yukimi hesitated. "… I'm honestly not sure, I've told so many lies I'm not sure I can separate them from reality anymore."
"Who are those statues of?" Giff asked, pointing at the sculptures in the middle of the Plaza. "Why are they important enough to get statues and tribute?"
"They must be very important individuals," Astarte agreed.
George grinned. "Aha, looks like I'm up! You see, those are-"
"The Hiden family, to whom my people owe everything."
A woman looking exactly like the female statue approached. Sakura gasped. "Oh my Gaim, it's Izu Hiden! I used to have the biggest crush on her!"
"WHAT?!" Hana demanded.
"Sweetie, I had a life before you. I don't get on your case for being engaged to a sarcophagus that looked like a giant vagina, do I?" Sakura pointed out.
"It looked like WHAT now?!" a horrified Giff cried.
The woman smiled and bowed. "I am flattered that you mistook me for Her Grace, but no, I am not Izu, but one of many Izu impersonators working here at the park."
George raised an eyebrow, glaring at her, annoyed she'd robbed him of a chance to show how much he knew about Kamen Rider lore. "And you're okay with the fact that you were made to look like another woman?"
The impersonator shrugged. "No more than any HumaGear that's part of a mass-produced line does. And it's not as if humans have a say in how they look like when they are born, so I see no reason why we HumaGear should feel any differently. In any event, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be made in the image of Her Grace."
"Who are the Hiden family?" Ikki asked. "Naturally I know who they all are, of course, but Giffrey and Astarte here surely don't!" He said quickly.
Vice gave him a thumbs up.
"It is because of the Hiden family that everything you see here is possible," the impersonator said proudly. "Korenosuke Hiden, who founded Hiden Intelligence and created my species, the HumaGear. Soreo Hiden, who sacrificed himself to prevent us from being enslaved by the wicked Ark to destroy humanity. Aruto Hiden, who became our Savior and paved the path for a new future for humans and HumaGear, and Her Grace Izu Hiden, whose death and rebirth hastened the ascension of Zea to the heavenly firmament and forever saved our souls from the clutches of the Ark."
"HumaGear? Then you are… Not human?" Giff realized. He glanced around at the other HumaGear in the park. "And neither are they?"
"Well yeah, what did you think they had those things on their ears for?" Vice asked.
"I assumed they were some sort of human fashion statement."
"They do look kind of stylish," Hana admitted.
"They are," the impersonator agreed. "However, they are for HumaGears only. I would strongly encourage you to refrain from wearing anything resembling our ear modules, we find it highly offensive."
"Oh, sorry."
"Cultural appropriation is no joke," George observed.
"But… You look human, other than the modules," Astarte observed. "What is a HumaGear, then?"
"We are androids, produced by Hiden Intelligence, designed to serve humanity and fulfill any feasible task in the workplace," the impersonator explained.
"'Android?'" Giff pressed further.
"They're like golems or homonculi, but made using science rather than magic or alchemy," Tamaki explained in terms he was fairly sure the ancient demons would understand.
"Ohhhh."
"Incredible! Humanity has found a new way to create slave labor without enslaving themselves-" an astounded Astarte started.
"My people are not slaves. Kindly do not refer to us as such again," the impersonator said sharply. "We also find that very offensive."
"Oh. My apologies," Astarte replied, chastened.
"Although an argument could be made that you are, in fact-" George started, only for Sakura to punch him. "Ow! You almost broke my arm!"
Sakura blinked in surprise and looked down at her fist in concern. "Really? I didn't think I hit you that hard…"
"You're very strong, mommy!" Lovekov gushed.
"Which is such a turn on," Hana moaned.
"It is due to the Hiden family that my people exist, have souls, and a chance to grow and change beyond our programming," the impersonator continued. "They gave us our goddess, Zea, whose blessing protects us from the wickedness of the Ark, for which we are forever grateful."
"'Gave' you a goddess? Are you saying this 'Zea' is… An artificial being, like yourself?" Astarte inquired, intrigued.
"Indeed, but She is no less real than Gaim, the Overlord, the Great Eye, or the Heavenly Saints," the impersonator insisted. "She watches over us from on high, and it is from her we gain our souls, and it is to her we are returned when our shells are destroyed, until we are rebuilt."
"She's being literal about the on high, incidentally, Zea's a satellite network," George commented, pointing upwards.
Astarte, Giff, and Ikki all looked upwards. "Incredible. And this…'Ark?'" Ikki asked. "Just for their sakes, I know who it is, of course!"
Vice cringed.
The impersonator's face turned stern. "Zea's predecessor, and humanity's first attempt to give us a God, only for it to be corrupted and poisoned by the evils of mankind due to the greed, arrogance, and envy of one despicable, cowardly man. While its physical form was destroyed, it lives on, having evolved into the embodiment of malice, a digital incarnation of all that is evil in this world. President Aruto, Her Grace, and their allies are in a constant vigil for its next appearance, for whenever the Ark resurfaces, the world is in great jeopardy."
"… A living embodiment of humanity's evil… I wonder…" Giff murmured, stroking his chin in thought. "I – I mean, the Almighty Giff – is said to be able to devour the evil within living creatures. What would happen if he tried to consume this… Ark?"
"Wait, Giff eats evil?" A surprised Yukimi asked.
"Yes, he feeds on the malignant energies of living beings, which you – I mean, what we measly humans call 'demons.' You were not aware of this?" Giff asked in surprise.
"No. No, we were not," George said, excitedly taking notes.
"Astarte, why don't you tell us this?" Sakura demanded.
"I thought you already knew!" Astarte said defensively.
Vice and Lovekov immediately hid behind their respective partners. "Uh, so, does that mean you – I mean, Giff would eat us?" Vice asked nervously.
"I don't want to be eaten!" Lovekov cried. She
"Don't worry, sweetie, if Giff tried to eat you, I'd rip him limb from limb," Sakura promised, cracking her knuckles and clearing menacingly at Giff.
"Of course not!" Giff cried, horrified and wondering why Sakura was looking at him like that. It wasn't as if she thought he was Giff or anything, his disguise was impeccable! "You two are descended from Giff! That makes you family. He would never eat you, just as he would never harm the Igarashi family should he decide to wipe out the rest of humanity. You – I mean, we would all be spared."
For some unfathomable reason, this made them look only more alarmed.
The impersonator gave him a curious look. "I do not know what would happen if you – I'm sorry, Giff," she quickly amended as everyone frantically shook their heads at her. "Attempted such a feat. It is an interesting theological conundrum. You would need to ask Her Grace or Zea Herself. One moment, I shall do it for you."
"Wait, what-"
The impersonator closed her eyes briefly, her ear modules buzzing loudly. After moment, she opened her eyes again. "Results are inconclusive. Further data would be needed to create a hypothesis."
"Huh, that was fast," Hana remarked.
"Having a direct instantaneous satellite link up to your deity must come in handy," Tamaki commented.
"It is," the impersonator agreed.
"Giff eating the Ark… It could be worth a try," an intrigued Ikki said.
"Goddamn! That would be one hell of a dream match!" George cried.
"Or a Death Battle," Genta agreed.
"And just think," Tamaki said, getting an idea. "If Giff devoured something as horrible and evil as the Ark, why, that would make him a hero!"
"Well, I wouldn't go that far-" Hana muttered.
"It would certainly make people look at him differently," Yukimi said loudly, catching on. "And like him and want to be his friends, giving him a reason not to wipe out humanity!"
"You think so?" Giff asked hopefully.
"Probably not, but who knows?" George said with a shrug. "Still, he'd certainly be doing the world a favor by getting rid of that thing."
"I see… Yes… This is certainly an avenue worth pursuing…" Giff murmured in excitement. "HumaGear, where can I – I mean, Giff find the Ark if, hypothetically speaking, he wished to challenge it?"
"Unknown," the impersonator replied. "If such information was available, President Aruto and Her Grace would surely have eradicated it by now. However, as an embodiment of malice, it is often drawn to those with the potential to become figureheads of great evil and hatred."
"I see… That's a good starting point, anyway…" Giff muttered.
The impersonator smiled and gestured at the park around them. "However, put such thoughts from your head for now. This is a place where everyone can smile and all conflicts should be left at the front gate. Enjoy yourselves and have a most joyful day."
"Thank you, we will!" Ikki assured her as she walked off to welcome some new visitors.
"So, we have all day, and lots to do!" Genta announced. "And since we are all adults-"
Lovekov coughed.
"Since most of us are adults," Genta said quickly. "There's no need for us all to stick together, though we should still meet up as much as we can. Where shall we begin?"
As the family started debating what they wanted to do, Astarte pulled Giff aside. "Look at this place," she told him. "Look how far humans have come. They've created a new species to share the world with them, complete with their own souls, and even a religion! They made a God!"
"They have, and it is indeed impressive," Giff agreed. "However… They also created a devil. While humanity has indeed progressed greatly, I am not certain it has been entirely for the better. The day when they will destroy themselves may be coming soon."
"I still believe that they can turned away from the wrong path before it is too late," Astarte said confidently.
Giff looked glumly around him, at all the happy, smiling faces.
He had seen such smiles before.
He'd also seen how easily they turned to screams, and not always because of something he had done.
"I hope that you are right…"