- Karna and Topaz (B):
Karna: Hm, never thought I'd find you here at the Abbey of all places.
Topaz: Mere curiosity. Nothing more.
*Karna then sits down on the pew next to Topaz*
Karna: So, I suspect your people doesn't have temples akin to this place?
Topaz: Our god needs no monument. He only brings death and balance to the world. Azrāʾīl only demands work and respect from his faithful. No need for such... frivolous idolatry.
Karna: Hm, so your belief prefers to keep things simple? I can understand. Harder for it to destroy a religion if there is no central temple to burn down or where all of its worshippers are congregated. Tell me, does Azrāʾīl have an appearance?
Topaz: He does not. He only exists before our lives are snuffed out. He needs no form. Only that he continues the cycle of life through death. Compared to that, what does this continent's Goddess stand for?
*two then stand up and walk up towards the Goddess Statue enshrined in the service room*
Karna: Going off schematics alone, it is stated that as the "Mother of all Stars," the Goddess has created all life on Fodlan after creating all of the world and its laws. It is stated that the efforts of maintaining her own creations that span beyond this world alone caused her to be in need of rest, and to this day, she sleeps at the bed of stars, with her people waiting for her return.
Topaz: So she's nothing more than an overglorified architect that has grown lazy. Pathetic. For us, Azrāʾīl existed as the world has existed. It wasn't created, it was simply there this whole time. Creation is man's work. Destruction is the work of the divine.
Karna: So your people don't believe in creation myths? Do your people care of where they might've come from or how the world came to be?
Topaz: We don't need to ask those things. It is not of our concern, and to those that do, all they're doing is daring Azrāʾīl to wipe them out. It's not a case of "if" but "when."
Karna: I think there's a reason why religions build in the first place. They think that by building something from this world that they came to be, including their supposed origin stories, it'll please their god that they're making something for the canvas of creation that had come to be. To show that their work wasn't in vain, and that through creation, they will accomplish in their god's stead and further his work.
Topaz: Why create when it's only going to be destroyed? Why cling to life knowing that we'll all die?
Karna: I don't know, why are you alive?
Topaz: Because it is not our time.
Karna: Exactly. That's what they think too.
Topaz: They run. My people have already accepted the truth.
Karna: For me, I think it's the worshippers trying to please their god as much they can, not wanting to die when they can do so much more for their god's sake. Your people and this religion are not so different.
Topaz: From these cowards? How so?
Karna: Well for one, both of your religions killed a lot of people not falling in line within their line of thought. Humans need to believe in something lest we all shrivel up and die faster than we normally do. But it is in belief itself that drives people to do things. Anything, no matter how much it goes against the "truth."
Topaz: ... Are you insinuating that my people's beliefs are invalid?
Karna: Eh, they did something. For one, they survived living in the deserts and canyons where only the most hardened and stoic people can survive, let alone, survive for generations. And the fact that they accepted Zoltan's people and his kids means that they might be compassionate to other people to some degree.
Topaz: ... We're more than willing to accept if my people die off. But even after our deaths, our god will continue existing without us.
Karna: So detached from life itself that you're willing to go that far... Well, I won't stop you. But just keep this mind: no belief is invalid if it did something.
Topaz: ... I'll keep that in mind.