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Bright Jade Fluff
12084d
>eternal life
"Eternal life? You stay away from my family."
>Nothing like that, Burns. True, eternal life. That's why I made you the way you are: to preserve you, until Piaculum could arrive. I can't give you real eternal life, unless you're still alive to receive it. The dead are outside of my reach.
>Where can I learn more about this 'Piaculum'?
"What the hell is Piaculum?"
>Piaculum is one of many names for the god that I serve. The mortal men and women we're trying to save call his body Piaculum, as well. You fought with a small part of his flesh recently.
"You really expect me to trust something like that?"
>His flesh is stained with the sins of all those lives he's saved. It's his burden. The further those pieces are from his reach, the more difficult it is for him to control them. It is good you sealed it away, until Piaculum can retrieve it.
"What do you want me to do?"
>Enjoy life. Do what you'd like to do. Protect your family at all costs. Above all, please, don't take any more lives. I can do nothing to help the dead.
"I've never killed anyone."
He smiles.
>I know. Just make sure the soldier that's a part of you doesn't either.
>What 'purpose' would you assign to me?
I'm not sure what you mean by this. But, I'll try to ask anyway.
"What purpose do you want to give me?"
>The same meaning that anyone deserves, Burns. To be happy. To love and be loved. We'll build a new heaven, a new paradise, together.
"What are your plans for Kitty? For my wife and son?"
>The same as any person. I only want to see them safe, unharmed, and alive. Everyone is equal. We all require salvation. Even me.
>the world's governments
"What about my world? Its countries, its identity?"
>Would you really be sad to see it go? Is there anything here worth protecting, aside from its people? Your governments, your pride, your sins, will vanish, forever. Piaculum will give you a new, perfect world, unlike this one.
>personal freedoms and rights
"And what about my free will?"
He laughs, rather heartily.
>Yes, your free will, will stay intact. You couldn't be much of a person without it, could you? Like most people, you fear your own salvation. But that's good. Fear makes you aware. Those that are afraid of the change appreciate it most. It pains me to see anyone in pain like that, but... it's unavoidable, sometimes.
>those that oppose you
"What if I don't want your salvation? What if I don't want eternal life?"
He samples the drug between his fingers and considers this.
>Everyone needs salvation, Burns. Whether they realize it or not. Would you abandon John, if he took a path in life you knew wasn't right for him? I don't want to sound cruel. But, sometimes, you have to do what's best for others, even if they don't realize it. I'll tell you now, no one that Piaculum has saved, has ever regretted it.
>Burns, I know this has all been overwhelming. But, I'm only here to help. I'm hurrying as quickly as I can. Every day, people are dying, all across Nahala. We can't reach them all. Please, protect who you can.
The image of the man I believe to be Caiphas, one of the digens Kitty once described to me, wavers and fades.
The dream that came for me, releases me. I fear its return.
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