Chapter 33: Cast Down Your Kings (Part 6)

"While it may have been too much to ask for considering what I pulled last time I was hoping our next meeting would be under slightly more amicable terms. This is pretty close to the opposite of that."

The Arctic on a cold day didn't have shit on the ice Telenia sent Harris' way, the Angel bitterly replying, "Agreed. Although out of common decency - no matter how much you seem to lack this particular attribute - I will warn you against trying to pull whatever answers you seek from my lips."

A razor thin smile that wouldn't have been out of place on someone half a second away from killing a coworker whose bullshit they were well and truly done with.

"If Gastofield couldn't break me then you won't."

Adopting a halfway genuine expression of hurt Harris replied, "Yikes. I knew you were going to have a lowered opinion of me but here we are, the ninth circle desperately trying to keep the bar from crushing it flat."

There was the briefest flickers of surprise from the Angel at his irreverent and joking words before icy certainty took over once more, her words terse.

"It was a mistake to have formed any positive opinion of you in the first place. You perfectly lied and manipulated myself and others into serving your purpose and only with the benefit of hindsight do I see myself as an utter fool for believing you."

"In my defense the only lie I ever told you and everyone else was the timetable of attacks. Every other word and implication that left my mouth was the truth."

Anger blazed to life in the Angel's eyes, tone sharp as she asked, "And that bit about not standing for the kinds of acts Gastofield and Beelzebub perpetrated, when you betrayed and took advantage of our budding alliance and friendship?"

"All perfectly in keeping with what I said. Or did Charlemagne intend to let the surrendering men and women peacefully go since they weren't the ones who dictated what Widukind did? He gave quite the impassioned speech, I'm sure everyone would have gotten along swimmingly afterwards. He and I would have been best pals, I'm sure."

Telenia's jaw clenched but she nonetheless kept her cool, no doubt remembering and able to guess just what the end result of Charlemagne's campaign would have been. Which raised her a further notch in the shapeshifter's estimation. A devout and loyal individual, but not to the point of sticking her head in the sand and pretending everything was sunshine and roses.

"Where is my comrade?"

"In the room right alongside this one, being watched over by Robin and Merlin in much the same state you are."

An amused smile tilted the male's lips.

"I don't think his wings will turn black but you can never tell with Merlin, she might get bored and feed him every aphrodisiac under the sun just for shits and giggles."

Telenia sent the man a narrowed glance, body tensing as she calmly replied, "If that is your angle then I wish you luck, although I would remind you that I suffered far worse depravity in Gastofield and retained the sanctity of my soul. Even then I would sooner blacken it than give you further opportunity to harm my kin."

Harris shrugged, leaning forward to where the Angel was restrained on an admittedly comfortable chair of mosses and flowers-

-and tapped the plants a few times as they unwound from Telenia's body, the Angel blinking before warily staring at him as he relaxed on his own seat.

"You're absolutely right. Besides, torture like the shit they practiced at Gastofield isn't my style. I meant what I said and if I'm going to torment you it's mostly gonna consist of you endlessly listening to me talk on and on."

Ignoring how the Angel carefully glanced around the room Harris said, "As a matter of fact how about we start now? I can talk at you and we'll see how that goes."

"The last time you talked with or within my presence Heaven suffered one of its worst defeats in recent decades. You'll have to forgive my less than enthused mood. And the distinct lack of trust."

"No worries, I'll just have to win that back over time. How about we start with me stating that I hold no ill will whatsoever towards Heaven as a whole and that I fundamentally disagreed with Charlemagne's actions, hence why I killed him? The execution of a few thousand surrendered people isn't what I would call a noble or particularly kingly attribute."

Expression suggesting she knew she was playing into his hands by responding Telenia nonetheless stiffly responded, "How magnanimous of you."

"That doesn't sound like a disagreement."

"...Why do you believe this conversation will earn you what you no doubt desire from me? You've already made it painfully clear that your word can't be trusted in the slightest, Harris. Just in case you forgot that part."

"Why would I need to fool you when I can just talk and convince you normally with words and reasoning?"

The height of skepticism and sarcasm was evident in the Angel's words.

"I find that immensely likely. Especially when you've been so openly regretful and apologetic for what you have previously done."

"Would me saying sorry have really changed anything, Telenia?"

Harris met the woman's eyed head on, bluntly remarking, "You seemed pretty insistent on reminding me on how I betrayed your trust just a few seconds ago, that's not something you apologize for with just a few words. Never mind the clear turmoil it brought you, or the demotion."

He gave her wings a pointed look.

"Or am I reading too much into the fact that someone of your strength - who once guarded Charlemagne - was delegated to simple scout duty?"

"...No, you're not."

Harris leaned back in his seat, spreading his arms wide as he said, "So are you interested in what I have to say or should I leave you be? Despite my earlier words, if you don't want to listen I'll take my leave and you can ride out the rest of this little adventure in comfort but isolation, being set free to return to Heaven after the fact."

A sour look came over Telenia's features, murmuring, "Yes, return with a second failure that cost my kin dearly. What a wonderful idea."

The Angel fell silent for a minute, eyes drifting closed as Harris made sure to hide his brief surge of regret at the circumstances he was forcing her into.

He'd had to disappoint or exploit a fair number of people whose company or morals he'd enjoyed in his previous life in pursuit of his ambitions, a state of affairs that he'd hated but accepted as the price of his personal quest.

The only apology that would mean anything to Telenia was to prove that her faith in him - as deliberately exploited and seemingly incorrect it may seem - wasn't misplaced. That carrying out his plots and intentions hadn't ultimately done more harm to what she treasured than it benefited.

Even this wasn't much of a choice, a bit of strong arming since even if she didn't want to listen to what he had to say…her duty compelled her to hear as much as possible, just in case she somehow found a means to return to the rest of her forces and relay what he might be plotting.

"What was the point of saving me from Gastofield, Xavier? Was it just to make use of the avenue I would open to Heaven?"

"No. That was just a happy coincidence when I came across you in Charlemagne's camp. I'll tell it to you again, Telenia. I despise those that have the power to make the world a kinder place and instead make it shit, either because it's easier or they find that entertaining. It's the same reason I both rescued you and then stabbed you in the back."

He allowed a wry smile to decorate his face.

"It was the right thing to do."

Telenia kneaded her brow, softly sighing as she said, "You really believe that, don't you? Against all common sense that says someone as intelligent and calculating as you should be cynical and realistic you genuinely believe those words."

"Of course I do. After all, I have to live by them. And at this stage in our thus far contentious relationship I feel that you deserve to actually believe what I'm telling you is the truth."

The Angel merely looked tired, staring at him while bluntly stating, "If you really hold true to those ideals that then you have to realize that by killing Charlemagne you might have saved those few thousand, yes…but did you not cause immeasurably more destruction by doing so and throwing all of his kingdom into chaos? Even now the Devils, Fallen and many others either openly seek to exploit this weakness, opening up countless fronts of battle and leading to enslavement or massacres far outstripping what the man may have led."

"I'll do you one better. Since Charlemagne was a proponent of education and books he would have endorsed his people to learn. And people with time to learn inevitably channel their energies into things outside of basic survival or giving birth to the next generation before dying. In other words, a society greater than what came before."

Now openly bewildered - and invested with the conversation despite her earlier hesitation - Telenia asked, "Then how does this conform with what you spoke mere moments ago? You-"

Her jaw clacked shut, dawning comprehension and growing horror in equal measure marring her expression.

"...You're insane."

"Confident in my skills and acumen is the descriptor I would use."

"You think you can do better? When no one among the wider spread of our cultures will ever trust you and what you bring to the table?"

"No one needs to trust me, they just need to trust that I'll always have my way in the end."

"Impossible. Even assuming you do eventually succeed and begin to create this supposed utopia of yours others will attempt to bring you down, either out of perceived threat to their power or past grudges. Perhaps they will need no other reason than you might succeed where they fail."

Now openly amused with the Angel's steadfast refusal to believe he could get ahold of his victory conditions Harris responded, "You make it sound as if I'm planning on allowing anyone the opportunity to take me down in so blatant a manner. An all out royal rumble, if you will."

He hadn't planted the seeds of a future alliance with the Yokai and Vampires just for shits and giggles, after all.

"This is unbelievable."

"Unbelievable? Understandable. Unattainable? Hardly. Mostly because I'm confident I can do what every other pantheon, monarch and despot has never really tried to do. There's a secret to a meaningful, worthwhile peace between all the disparate peoples in the realms, Telenia."

A pained, resigned groan left the Angel, head dropping into her hands before a defeated sigh filled the room.

"Very well, if you're so insistent I'll take the plunge…what are you planning, Xavier?"

"Wasn't that painless? I didn't even have to so much as touch you."

"Yes, you're a paragon of chivalry. And this was by no means painless."

The shapeshifter merely smiled, knowing full well that he had the Angel back on board. As a suspicious, wary and distrustful passenger, sure…but on board. And quite frankly he just needed an in for the scheme rapidly brewing in his twisted little mind, nothing more and nothing less.

"To answer your question allow me to ask one first. Why, exactly, are all of the various pantheons, Human kingdoms and any other form of ruling body fighting and striving against each other? Sure, there's alliances here and there - some of them even last for a long time - but at the end of the day most groups are at each other's throats."

Playing along with his request the Angel responded, "There are a myriad of reasons. The two most obvious are ideological differences or competition for resources. A subset of problems might be wounded pride or a perceived power discrepancy that could threaten a collective's sovereignty."

A slight frown marred Telenia's features, Harris wondering if she had been a scholar as a sidegig as she seemed to channel an inner librarian rather effectively with her demeanor…or maybe that was just the consequence of having lived for so long.

"The latter two are especially prevalent with older gods and goddesses that once reigned supreme, such as those of Sumerian and Norse origins. To see themselves decline so while others rise to near uncontested prominence is no small danger to both pride and security."

She crossed her legs, chin resting on an upraised palm while continuing with, "In most circumstances the answer to Heaven, the Grigori and the Devil's surging levels of influence and strength would be to ally with many of these older pantheons but there exist no small amount of tension and feuds that extend centuries - if not millennia - into the past."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Need I even list all of the differing beliefs and behaviors our many cultures share?"

"As much as I enjoy hearing your voice I don't think either of us want to be sitting here for the next few months. You're right, of course, but is there a common theme among all of these scenarios? Something that sticks out to you?"

Quickly correcting her posture as she realized she had started to relax in his presence the Angel guardedly responded, "I'm sure you'll tell me."

"Well since you're so insistent…"

Expression suggesting she had just bitten into a lemon filled with warm vomit Telenia nonetheless kept her eyes on Harris as he said, "The vast, vast majority of people in this world - whether they be Human or not - rely on leaders to make critical decisions for them. And that's a problem when those people aren't very good at their job."

He ignored the Angel's rightful skepticism before continuing with, "Life is busy. It's chaotic. It's full of a daily stream of issues that are of paramount importance to the person living it even if that person is just a simple fisherman. Going to war with your flesh and blood on the line - whether it's your own or your friends and family - for such a nebulous concept as national security or the furthering of your lord's wealth is a bit laughable when your most pressing life concern is making sure you have enough to eat, wouldn't you agree?"

"...This is more of a Human concern but I cede the point."

"I wouldn't sound so detached if I were you, Telenia. Aren't all the gods, divas and demons performing most of their battles in the Human realm over the control of Humans?"

There was no right answer to that as Harris continued with, "This predictably becomes a problem when the leader in question is only out for their own self interest while also being shit at their job. And what are the people to do then?"

He raised a hand, stating, "The obvious answer is to rebel, or remove the ineffectual party in question…except organizing and sponsoring an entirely new form of government or rule isn't easy in the slightest, never mind that the people have to agree on this new ruler in the first place. And people are nothing if not good at disagreeing with each other. Long story short deposing an established bloc of power isn't as easy a solution as one would think."

He'd seen alot of that in his old world. Endless talk of bringing down oppressive or ineffectual leaders, of doing away with those that were failing in their appointed job of caring for the people they controlled.

Most of the time it was just that, talk. Because at the end of the day doing anything was hard. Whether individually or in small groups the world was such a vast and complicated place that ensuring things turned out alright was almost impossible, assuming everyone agreed upon a new course of action to begin with. And that wasn't even getting into the minefield that was whether people were actually discontent enough in the first place to start bringing out the guillotine. If basic needs were met it took a special sort of drive to change the world.

"While roundabout I can't help but feel as if you're implying Yahweh has failed in his duty to lead and watch over Humanity."

Telenia's words were sharp as Harris offered a guileless smile, responding, "Are you still not locked in a war centuries long, with an ever increasing death toll on all sides of the conflict?"

"Only because the four Satans rebelled and rejected Yahweh's designs, their refusal of-"

Her jaw clenched shut, Harris smiling as he said, "Thank you for proving my point about failed and hastily made rebellions. Doesn't matter how well intentioned or intended God's designs were if he failed to account for all of the people under his control and what their desires were, or how they might react to them."

Now openly irate with his words Telenia sharply asked, "So, what? Do you intend to assume this grand, overarching throne for yourself? To lead because obviously you have everything figured out, is that it?"

Finding the woman's sudden vehemence genuinely endearing Harris chuckled, responding, "Hell the fuck no. I like to think I'm good at governing myself but entire realms? Fairly sure I'd make it a week before everything fell apart. I wasn't kidding when I said things were complicated and taking on that kind of leadership is too much."

"Well at least you're humble."

"The humblest. No, it's not me who will rule the world but my companions."

"...What?"

Offering the Angel a smile he stated, "Well obviously they're smarter than me, for starters. But those rumors of me traveling to the Yokai lands? Let's just say I left with a fair few friends."

After all, Merlin - despite her insanity and playfulness - was a masterful negotiator and politician who had laid the foundations for the Round Table and what would become Camelot, an insanely difficult prospect that had given rise to one of the most well known legends across the realms.

Robin? The strategic brain who - when not leading a ragtag group of misfits to victory over established and powerful militaries - had covered the logistics and bureaucratic issues of an entire kingdom, never mind her connection to Grima, an ancient and experienced soul.

While Est may not be any grand or brilliant mind like the other two she was just as crucial, his proverbial ace in the hole for the myriad of powerhouses that walked the various worlds. Her ability to absorb magic - any magic - was simply too powerful a talent to pass up and as long as she was at his or his companion's side they were all but guaranteed to be safe.

"But…but how do you plan to usurp the very nature of worship, of something bigger than yourself?! Do you intend to stylize you and yours as gods?"

"No, not really….although technically Robin is already a Dragon God. Regardless, there's a companion of mine you've yet to meet that will all but guarantee the sanctity of the soul even beyond death."

He smirked, already fairly certain who he had in mind.

"I'd dare say she's a sight more kind than any of the gods that inhabit this reality."

"...You've truly lost your mind."

Rising to his feet and looming over a now terrified and awed in equal measure Telenia Harris cheerfully responded, "You're probably not wrong. Can't think of too many other people who would be crazy enough to attempt what I'm doing…but now I'd like a favor from you, if you'd be so kind. It would save me a lot of hassle."

She froze, knowing full well that if she didn't agree to his offer then he'd find a way to do it regardless…likely with far more destruction and chaos as a result.

"Can you arrange a meeting with Eae for me?"

Having a reputation really was indispensable for matters like these.