Heresy (formerly Dogma)

Act 2 - The Caged Puppet

The thought alone made Kai anxious, but he agreed with the god on so many levels when he really contemplated it. Ruki, though very blunt and creative with his thought processes, had also always seemed very kind and understanding. Even though he was rumored to have quite the temper too. Kai thought perhaps it was indeed a necessary change. It took a couple of weeks, but the more he talked with Ruki, the more he liked and fell into alignment with him.

Kai stood quietly as the purple light swirled and licked at his face as he stared into the glittering ethereal orb. His god, Kazama, stood gaily beside him. It was obvious the god was listening only more to his praises and not the wailing that Kai was trying to hone in on and comb through. Though, to human ears, the orb simply sounded of inhuman screams and screeches. Finally, Kai landed on a single male voice begging, calling, and praying for help. And it did sound dire.

"So, Kai, what is Ruki up to?"

Kai rapidly tucked his newly gathered data away in his mind before flipping his hair out of his face a bit. "Most of the time he's silent, and I can never tell what he's thinking." the angel supplied. "He usually converses with that demon, Aoi, or the grim reaper." Kai shifts before digging in the pocket of his cardigan. "He did say to pass this on to you, though."

Kazama shrieked out loudly as the angel dropped an egg into his palm before it burst open with maggots and other carrion creepy crawlies. "DISGUSTING, PERVERSE HELLION! And he calls us the vile ones!?" Despite Kazama's clear panic, it took all Kai had in him to not laugh. "Make sure you keep an eye on that damned Ruki! He's sure to be up to something." Kai nodded as Kazama left the chamber before he released a few soft giggles.

Once Kai double-checked his information, he left to "keep an eye on Ruki". The said god was happily humming and playing Cat's Cradle with his white clad servant, Light, when he returned. Ruki's eyes looked up as he noticed Kai through the smokey, incense-laden room.

"My little bird returns. Have you done as I wished of you?"

Kai nodded curtly as he lowered himself to sit before the god. "I have. I heard a voice. He goes by the name "Reita". Maybe you can use your spiritual eye to identify him."

Ruki smiled at the angel before he cupped a hand over his blinded eye and leaned forward carefully, trailing his other hand along the smooth floor tile. The botafumeiro started to swing where it was held as the dark curtains also started to billow. The god spoke in a low and darkened tone as he continued to rub his hand over the tiles.

"Found him. I can see him, Kai."

The angel stared at Ruki with slight awe. He  had never seen Ruki use some of his powers before. Ruki sat back gingerly and rested his hands in his lap as his eyes met the angel's.

"You have done well, Kai. The man is in dire need of help. The poor thing is pitiful...filthy...forsaken...He's completely ripe for the taking. If I can win him over, he'll be the perfect one."

Kai felt his chest swell slightly. In all his time serving Kazama, he was not used to receiving praise for anything he did. Maybe he'd chosen the right path after all in serving Ruki... Kai stared at the god as he climbed to his feet slowly.

"It's time to set my plan into the initiation phase. But first...I think a change of look is befitting." Ruki smirked as he snapped his fingers. Magically, his appearance had changed. He wore a rounded veil hat with black robes and his hair in soft waves. "Now, let's go save my sweet boy."