[He doesn't answer at first, giving that question the thought that it deserves, especially... all things considered. His answer might have been different months ago, a solid no- because what have the gods ever done to him except help him in the fulfilment of his quest? He hadn't enjoyed the pain of Titan's visions, or the trials, or their voices in his head, but he understood the need, and the power they'd granted him had been too incredible to not be worth the trade. He'd rather be sore and exhausted than dead, thanks.
Now, though... he's faced them all, save Ifrit, he's felt each and every one of their powers, bore their marks upon his skin. He'd faced the Draconian and been handed down his fate at last, and he knew now that all along, they'd been sparing his life in order to sacrifice him in the end. The grand plan of the gods, the prophecy passed down through the generations, would trade him for the sunlight. No dawn for him, no crown, no kingdom to inherit. His fate was an empty legacy. He has plenty reason to resent them for it, for building him up just to tear him down.
Quietly he brushes his fingers across the inside of his left arm, an idle gesture he'd been doing more and more since he awoke. It's not the same in VR, and they're covered by his armor, but he knows they're there. He felt their touch, trembled in their presence, listened to their words, reminding him of his duty.
"O King of Kings, restore the Light unto this world." "The fate of this world falls to the King of Kings, His Providence consecrated in the divine Light of the Crystal."
Do you not resent them?]
...I think... in a way, they're just as trapped as I am. [He tears his gaze away from his arm and looks ahead, watching the empty horizon.] They're meant to safeguard Eos, but they've had to watch it slowly fall apart over hundreds, even thousands of years. They don't feel evil to me, just... so much bigger than any of us. They're looking at the past and making choices that feel right for the best future of our world. If part of that choice is me, then unless I can come up with something better, who am I to argue? If it wasn't me, it would be someone else.
[And he wouldn't wish this upon anyone, just to spare himself the trouble. Even if he doesn't always feel like the right choice, even if it sometimes feels like too much for a single person to endure. He frowns, brows furrowing, and glances over at her.]
I guess the answer is, it doesn't feel right to resent them. They're doing what they have to, to save everyone. It's the exact same goal I have.
no subject
Now, though... he's faced them all, save Ifrit, he's felt each and every one of their powers, bore their marks upon his skin. He'd faced the Draconian and been handed down his fate at last, and he knew now that all along, they'd been sparing his life in order to sacrifice him in the end. The grand plan of the gods, the prophecy passed down through the generations, would trade him for the sunlight. No dawn for him, no crown, no kingdom to inherit. His fate was an empty legacy. He has plenty reason to resent them for it, for building him up just to tear him down.
Quietly he brushes his fingers across the inside of his left arm, an idle gesture he'd been doing more and more since he awoke. It's not the same in VR, and they're covered by his armor, but he knows they're there. He felt their touch, trembled in their presence, listened to their words, reminding him of his duty.
"O King of Kings, restore the Light unto this world."
"The fate of this world falls to the King of Kings, His Providence consecrated in the divine Light of the Crystal."
Do you not resent them?]
...I think... in a way, they're just as trapped as I am. [He tears his gaze away from his arm and looks ahead, watching the empty horizon.] They're meant to safeguard Eos, but they've had to watch it slowly fall apart over hundreds, even thousands of years. They don't feel evil to me, just... so much bigger than any of us. They're looking at the past and making choices that feel right for the best future of our world. If part of that choice is me, then unless I can come up with something better, who am I to argue? If it wasn't me, it would be someone else.
[And he wouldn't wish this upon anyone, just to spare himself the trouble. Even if he doesn't always feel like the right choice, even if it sometimes feels like too much for a single person to endure. He frowns, brows furrowing, and glances over at her.]
I guess the answer is, it doesn't feel right to resent them. They're doing what they have to, to save everyone. It's the exact same goal I have.