Heresy (formerly Dogma)

Act 1 - Exordium

     Even gods can become disgusting creatures corrupted and swallowed up by greed and lust for attention and power. This is what the god of the underworld thought as he watched the decadent group before him. Ruki rested on a hand and bit his finger as his dark left eye and blind right eye narrowed. He listened in silent compliance until the moment they all turned their attention to him at long last.

     "So, Ruki, what do you think? People are really showing us some love finally, huh?"

     "Fools. Such insolence and impertinence. All of you. You feed off whatever attention is thrown at you like some depraved crack whores. Meanwhile, the children you abandon and leave to die are the ones you should see the value of. Instead, you hug your favorite toys simply because they worship the very ground you piss on and hug them even tighter to your infected bosom when they go against the exact things that you all preach. Vile, pea-brained swine."

     Flabbergasted murmurs and outbursts flooded between the pillars and throughout the temple. Ruki only wryly smiled, cautiously wiping his hair away from his blinded eye and face.

     "Preposterous! Hog-wash! What complete heresy you spout, foul-mouthed devil! How dare you!?"

     Ruki only smiled wider. "People are the only gods they need. Each and every one of them has what it takes within themselves to achieve and overcome anything. Whether they believe in us or not. I will start my own religion and following. Then, we shall witness karma."

     More astonishment surged throughout the room.

     "Ruki, you traitor! You have fallen! I want him confined to his temple immediately. Kai! Enact my will!"

     Ruki glanced over slowly at the beautiful angel with light brown hair and blonde streaks sliding through the length, who had been soundlessly taking notes until the announcement. Kai stood gracefully to his feet before he ushered Ruki from the room. He followed the god of the underworld closely until Ruki made it to the door of his dark temple. There the grim reaper and demon respectively, Uruha and Aoi, calmly stood guard. The dark and ornate gate slowly slipped open and Kai followed Ruki through.

     Ruki took a seat between a servant clad in black lace and another clad in white with elegant masks upon their face before he carefully pulled on his own dark and ornate mask.

     "Did you know?" Kai inquired.

     "Did I know what?"

     "That they would label you "fallen" for that statement?"

     "Of course I did. I have a mind and went against their mindless fodder and dogmas."

     Aoi smirked as he finally entered the chamber and sat adjacent to Ruki with Uruha close behind him. "Curious, naughty little angel?" Aoi grinned, the remark, in turn, causing Uruha to flash a sharp-toothed smirk as well. Kai glanced at the god seated before he also took a seat slowly.

     "I am. I want to hear more of Ruki's beliefs and dogmas."

     Ruki flashed a genuinely amused smile before he rested his arm on his knee.

     "Finally, some else worth talking to. Well...Humans are creatures of both shadow and light. A little more light, an angel like you in passing. A little more shadow, a demon just like our dear Aoi here. They are also like clay. They are malleable to breakage, obstacles, traumas, etc. They are just vying for survival with the odds stacked against them like any other animal. Some turn into butterflies and others turn into shit. However, mindset is everything. They can choose between a god they don't even know or themselves to believe in. I'd prefer they believe in themselves and become their own god. They know what is right or wrong and can also think rationally for grey areas when not corroded by intense emotion. And they're bound to make mistakes. Even gods such as I do."

     Kai nodded along carefully as he absorbed Ruki's words. His hands played with the satiny fabric of his trousers as he thought of a calculated response. "So, what do you really want?"

     Ruki's eyes stared deeply into Kai's core. "Simple. I don't want greedy or corrupt deities. I want beautifully and terribly human and unique ones that are themselves and genuinely care for the children they create and their roles."

     Kai once again nodded along. That did seem to be an issue in recent times lately. The gods were always bickering or having contests over who had the most followers and shrines, etc. Though, it never used to be that way. They all had truly become corrupted over time. Perhaps, they had been around sins for far too long.

     "That's an interesting perspective...So, how do you plan to gain followers?" Aoi's and Uruha's eyes flew open at Kai's inspection. Ruki hummed lowly in acknowledgment as he sat up straight and stretched his arms over his head.

     "Well, I've fallen apparently. According to your ruler, Kazama, and his little friends. So, I'll just have to do it the traditional way. I'm going to personally save a child and start a ripple." Aoi and Uruha seemed shocked as Ruki divulged his plan in its entirety to the angel.

     Kai was just as surprised. "Personally?"

     "I am not so godly and impeccable that I would not help someone that cried out for help when he feels forsaken by that useless lout you once devoted yourself to."

     Kai bit his lip as he attempted to not take Ruki's words too personally. "You have a point." Ruki smiled knowingly at the angel's remark.

     "Perhaps I have something for you to do as well, little bird. I want you to find someone I can save. Use the scrying orb and focus in on one little voice for me. They won't bat an eye at you. Now, will they, my little owl?"