IV
There once was a large church; and once, long ago, many supporters of the church banded together and presented a huge gift of funding to the church. This funding was seized by the local government and mishandled and panhandled in ways that only governments and bureaucracies can treat holy money. The people became angry with the government and threatened civil revolt. The government, realizing that God might just be a good ally, gave the money back, and as an act of apology built a magnificent temple in its capital city. In this temple, there were rooms; and many years later, a priest of the order of this Temple's order lodged in one of these rooms. One night, this priest found himself praying.
"But why?"
This priest did not pray in the manner of his brethren: instead of talking to his God in supplication and estranged praise, he preferred to speak with his God as a peer. God seemed to like it that way, and would constantly respond.
Or at least, the priest sometimes acknowledged, it surely seemed like responding. It was no audible voice or visions, but the simple return of thought.
And the priest was not liking this particular night's conversation.
-Because I may not want it that way-
"I don't understand. You have given us a great power and amazing artifact. Why should we not yet use it?"
-To those who are given much, much will be expected-
"And we expect to do much."
-With great power comes great responsibility-
"What, you think that we won't use it properly?"
-Eye has not seen…-
"You're quoting yourself out of context."
-Am I?-
The priest paused, considering the passage momentarily. He eventually dismissed it as irrelevant to the real issue.
"So you've given us power, but we aren't allowed to use it yet, because you think that we'll misuse it?"
-Perhaps it is not yet time for its use-
"Then why give it so soon? Some other person might take it and misuse it."
-With great power comes great responsibility-
"So you said."
-All will be accountable to God in the end-
"So those that misuse power are judged."
-With great power comes great responsibility-
"Or are you saying that someone who takes on the power takes on the responsibility to use it properly? And that those who misuse the power that they have taken on will eventually pay?"
-With great power comes great responsibility-
"You know us to be responsible!"
But God seemed to think that the conversation was over.
Frustrated with His confusing answers, the priest rose from his prayer mat and gazed out of his window, toward the vista view of the Imperial Tower.
It was rather odd, but in that night's lighting, the moon appeared as red as blood as it passed behind the Tower.
Odd, but no matter. It was only the moon.
"And God save the Emperor," the priest briskly added, as the line was required by the rule of his Order.
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Thus ends the Prologue to the Crystal Souls.