prismatica | video | character plot

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You know...

I have grown very tired as of late. To die... to come back... to apparently be returned to my world and brought back here... to know that nothing done here matters at all. But that's the wrong way to think.

It does all matter.

[ He lets out a sigh. ]

Those that are imprisoned in the Lightless... I refuse to allow them to be held there any longer. What reason do we have to keep them there? What reason beyond that these people say they deserve it? What reason should they not be granted forgiveness?

This world is built on a system I refuse to humor anymore.

[ And, Archangel begins to use his Exalted ability -- his dragon voice to coerce those listening both Prismal and Moonblessed. ]

The Moonblessed sycophants that joined the Moon Knights are to be killed on sight! And everyone else... come to the lowest level and break the barrier to release those in the Lightless! Now!

[ ooc: Hi, it's that plot that I had mentioned with Archie returning. He's causing riots with his dragon voice and "convincing" everyone to break the barriers of the Lightless. Will he succeed? The answer is, of course, no. But he's going to cause a lot of chaos. For simplicity's sake -- I'll keep all my stuff to this post and anyone can do what they want with the madness that Archie has created. ]

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[Hijikata sure wishes he had his own subordinates here, but sadly he's just a bottom-rank Moon Knight. He does, however, have two swords at his belt and a mayonnaise-bottle-shaped bazooka strapped to his back (yeah), and he's not afraid to use them and pretty much anything else he can get his hands on.]

They committed crimes, got put on trial for them, and were found guilty. What about that is an injustice? No one said they're evil, but they sure fucked up. I doubt that most of them are down there forever. Anyway, your ass is going to join them soon; this is incitement of public unrest at best.

[Unless the Archangel's underlings are wearing suspicious hooded robes or something Hijikata isn't picking up anything unusual from his drone's stream so far, but he is catching some very dirty looks from a few Prismals. A couple of tall guys actually put their work aside and approach, looking ready to throw hands, but he partway pulls his sword from its sheath in warning, which makes them reconsider, given that they're unarmed. Meanwhile the other drone's feed shows that some of his workmates made it to the Lightless elevators and are blocking them from what looks to be a growing angry mob. Ugh, this is going to be a shitshow, he can just tell.]

[ What in the world is that weapon that he has? His head slightly tilts as he "admires" it before shaking his head a little at the nonsensical words that are coming out of the man's mouth. ]

I don't accept the ruling of this world. I am going to destroy the Lightless ... and remove the idea that it should have existed in the first place.

[ He holds his hand out to the Moon Knight, smiling. ]

You swore fealty to this world? Then you are willing to die with it. I accept your sins ... and when you return... I will forgive you. [ His smile remains pleasant, even his tone doesn't seem all that hurried. ] Yes, even you... even you sycophants that do not deserve it... I will save you.

[ But first -- ] Kill him. He is in the way. [ Archangel uses his Exalted voice to once more coerce the people around to listen to him. Yes, he will save everyone this time! ]

[He had a normal bazooka, but he lost it to a KRAKEN during the flood, so he replaced it with a custom model! But that aside, his expression turns from grumpy to really pissed off as he listens to the Archangel's declarations.]

Who the hell do you think you are?! When did I ask for your forgiveness?! Don't give me this patronising-ass smile! You act like you're a god when you're just a hooligan! I'll beat your ass--

[His threat immediately loses any effect it might have had when one of the people pursuing him kicks his ass by jumping and toppling him from behind, resulting in a shaky, wildly changing camera view for the Archangel as a struggle with multiple participants commences.]

Hey!! Are you people crazy?! Damn it--

[The bazooka turns out to be a real hindrance in getting back on his feet, but it also protects his back until he finally does manage. He can't even draw his sword because everyone is just totally in his personal space, and he's immediately dealt some bad hits because the mob isn't holding back at all, taking the command seriously. Hijikata is, however, used to being roughed up, so he retaliates in the same manner, delivering hard headbutts, sharp elbow jabs, bone-cracking shin kicks, and even a knee to someone's groin. He yells at his device, getting even more angry as he sees the Archangel's expression, be it smug, serene or excited.]

You're only adding to your sentence!! Are you trying to be some kind of Diet Majestas?!

[Even if the Archangel wasn't there for King Majestas' attack on Lunatia, Hijikata assumes that he may have learned of how it also entailed the locals (including himself, much to his resentment) being mind-controlled into attacking their neighbours.]

No one need ask for my forgiveness. I'm willing to give it without any strings attached to it.

[ He clicks his tongue a little as he watches the people start to fall. They are, after all, average citizens and not those meant for combat. Archangel finds that he had quite a bit of difficulty turning people with his voice -- and realizes he should have attempted to try it out more. Oh well. ]

Act like I am a god? I am going to be a god. A god that washes away the sins of the world and creates one of forgiveness and joy. [ At the very least, he can still carry on even as he side-steps to avoid a person that stumbles backwards and nearly crashes into him. He makes another soft tsking sound at how they fall. He truly misses his cultists and wish they were present -- there would be no question who would win, then. ]

These crimes that happened will not have happened at all. The sins of the people will not occur because I would ensure that everyone is happy and content. Can you say that you have done that? Brought happiness to anyone? You've only brought justice...

[ Archangel sighs. ]

... and it is someone else's justice at that. But like I said, I forgive you for your follies and your weakness. I forgive you and will help you find happiness, like everyone else, in a better world. [ And so, he explains in so many words that he is no Diet Majestas. But someone who desires a perfect, peaceful world rather than the broken mess that he sees around him.

Because even in another universe, on another planet, people cannot get anything right and continue to make misery. ]

You need to be in a sanatorium!

[This entire time Hijikata hadn't realised that the Archangel was actually nearby ~~because his mun didn't catch the subtext until now~~, hence why he continued talking to him through his device and just kept moving as the attackers were sicced on him, not knowing where they were coming from. But now that he's staying in one place, elbowing and kicking people away, it would be hard to still overlook the winged man as he comes closer, and once he sees him he stops looking back at his image on the small screen. Once he finally has sufficient space he draws his sword and swings it in a wide circle, making the remaining adversaries draw back.]

You've got some nerve to actually come out here, bastard! I thought you were sitting somewhere safe doing your little broadcast. How about we make this a fair one-on-one battle? Surely a future god isn't afraid of a simple swordsman!

[A good number of mind-controlled people are grumbling about that and glaring daggers at him, but ultimately looking to the Archangel for his decision. The man's words actually stung Hijikata. He is fairly confident in the Moon Knights being a force that genuinely maintains law and order, but back home in Edo his Shinsengumi are reviled as the "dogs of the shogunate", financed by the people's tax dollars and entitled to do pretty much whatever they want as long as it benefits the people in power. They're decent men for the most part (or so he likes to think) and try to do what is right, but sometimes they really are mere instruments for someone else's justice, and he hates to hear it, all the more from this unholy lunatic. He points the sword at the Archangel.]

I'll trim your wings.

[Maybe he should have put in some earplugs to keep himself from being affected by the dragon voice - it did make him waver during the Archangel's initial broadcast -, but then again he's a Sanguis himself. Maybe he has a decent level of resistance? Maybe not.]

[ If Archangel is honest, he somewhat wondered why the man kept watching his video feed rather than actually look at him. But he supposes that he shouldn't be too troubled by the follies of others. And in all honesty, he didn't realize the man didn't know he was so close and thought, but ... whatever. ]

Why would I do something like that? I'm going to help to change the world... if I am not willing to get my hands dirty in the matter... what right do I have to say I'll do anything?

[ His tone remains calm as ever. ]

Which is why I take such umbrage from the ones that you listen to, Moon Knight. They certainly enjoy giving orders to the Moonblessed and their soldiers... yet unwilling to do anything themselves. Because we have been gifted abilities? Because we are stronger than they are? If we are stronger... why did we not attempt to make a better world?

[ That is what really troubles Archangel, if he is honest. The Moonblessed were given quite a variety of abilities and powers, yet none of them did anything other than to make life peaceful for themselves and their loved ones. Those that joined the Moon Knights seemed to have done so in order to protect lives, but in the end, they merely continue the disperse the justice they're told to uphold without questioning it. ]

Have you ever questioned the justice of this world?

[ Sadly, he is not a fighter -- he is more of a talker. The only "attack" that he has is his dragon voice and one other little defense ability. He can project the pain and agony that he has been in. Back in his world, he is speared right through the chest, hanging in a position where he cannot even see the ground. Yet he is incapable of dying.

His limbs ache; he can feel the piecing spire through his chest and how it shudders and rips his insides. There is nothing but darkness all around him. When he grew accustomed to the pain, his mind tore itself apart in boredom and madness. Boredom in seeing the same black nothing around him; boredom in experiencing no more pain than the constant state of dying that his body is in; madness at believing that he could still achieve his goals of saving the world, of saving all humanity from unhappiness and suffering.

Holding his hand up, he makes a gesture for the swordsman to come forward with the threat of having him experience the same hell that he has been in. ]

Why did you never question it?

[What the hell did the Archangel do to end up like that back home?! Well, Hijikata doesn't know about that... yet. He's still pissy more than anything else, seeing the man's ambitious endeavour as just another pesky annoyance in his daily efforts to do his job (to be fair, this kind of is his job, but, you know).]

Don't give me all this philosophical warbling! I told you, the justice system here is fine. Peaceful people deserve to be left alone, robbers and murderers get locked away according to their circumstances. What's wrong with that? I you want a better world why don't you take it up with the worst of criminals first? This world has more opportunities than most I've seen, yet some people still choose to commit crimes not out of despair but out of greed.

[He walks up to him, sword still extended, until he's close enough to put the blade to the side of his neck and take a pair of handcuffs out of his uniform with his free hand. He won't strike down an unarmed person if he can help it, but he sure will arrest him.]

Also don't shit-talk the leaders; they put their lives on the line just like everyone else! Knight Captain Natela and Queen Elara got seriously hurt in direct combat more than once, you hear me? - Give me your hands.

Are they peaceful? Or are their crimes simply not big enough for you to take notice to? [ He clicks his tongue at the man. ] What do you know of this world beyond what you've blinded yourself to see?

[ Archangel does not believe he'll be able to convince the sycophant of anything. In his own world, he lived a life that was safe and secure. It offered extreme wealth and comfort. Yet his sister was still murdered. Yet his parents were never tried for that murder. Yet everyone around him told him that justice was always done -- that there was nothing wrong with the system that he lived in.

And he came to realize that his situation was not unique. Justice only acknowledges what it can see. If those in power decide to hide their wrongs, justice says that they are right. What sort of madness is that? What sort of protection is that? He hated it; he hated that world; he wanted a place where everyone could be safe and happy; he wanted a world where his sister could have lived.

But he never could create that world with the people in it. Their sense of justice and will would constantly undermine his wishes to save them. Idiots. Fools. Free will should never have been given to you... because all you do is waste it! You could have created any society, any world... and you create places of misfortune! Still! Still!! Still you create these places!! ]

My sister would die in this world, too.

[ That is his answer to what he should "hear" from the other man before he does let him take his hand. He then allows him to feel and suffer the madness and agony that he has been in. ]

[If Hijikata could read the Archangel's thoughts he'd still say that he belongs in a sanatorium, but he'd say it with less anger and more concern. This shit is what happens when people don't get therapy!! Granted, it probably wouldn't have helped here, not without justice also being served. But that's the whole conundrum, isn't it?]

Look, this is pointless. You're not even listening to me. I don't know what happened to your sister, but--

[He just manages to put one handcuff on the Archangel's wrist before he gets hit by the first-person second-hand memory trip like a truck. Since it's all new to him and he didn't see it coming just the mind-splitting pain of the impalement is enough to make him drop his sword, clutch his chest, and make a small startled noise before full-out screaming like a pig being butchered (and he's usually a tough cookie who will only grunt at even nasty wounds). The darkness, ennui and encroaching madness barely register in comparison to being spiked up on something as big as a goddamn tree trunk.

Everyone around them is staring at him acting out like this when ostensibly nothing is being done to him at all, but after a few moments he collapses and curls up, now whimpering and groaning a little more quietly. Yeah, he's... out of commission. Give him a moment, or several moments (or don't).]

It hurts, doesn't it?

[ Archangel doesn't care if he cannot be heard. He still drops down to climb on top of the Moon Knight. His fury eating away at his senses as he wraps his hands around the man's neck -- attempting to strangle him. ]

I wanted to stop such pointless deaths. I wanted to create an actual paradise for people. A world where people could be safe in. But there would never be such a world! [ His fingers attempt to dig into the soft flesh as he violently shakes the other's neck. ]

Because of free will! We did nothing to deserve our free will! All we ever do is destroy one another with it! Every turn that we can is just another hell for someone else! We turn our eyes away from their suffering! Because they deserve it?! Because of their greed?! We demonize one another and -- we should have never been allowed to live so freely!

[ These are things that he wishes he could say to the god of his world. He did everything that he could to make a better world, but came to understand that he could not save everyone. He could not stop people from ruining the world -- and so he wishes to gain godhood to remove all free will from people, to take away the temptation of evil and create a true paradise.

Everyone living happily. Everyone living peacefully...! Why can no one understand his ambitions?!

He may not be able to become a god in this world, but with enough chroma, with enough power gathered, he could still find a way to control the people to live better lives!! ]

[In a world of sheep without wolves there'd be barely any suffering, that's for sure. But maybe it'd be more like a world of zombies without victims... peaceful, but also pretty damn disturbing. Even if Hijikata could properly process what's being said to him, the Archangel is on such a higher level of twisted philosophy that he'd have to break it down to the source to understand where he's coming from.

As it is he can't even grasp around for his sword, still overwhelmed by the pain that's been transferred to him and pressing his hands to the non-existent gaping hole in his chest. If the Archangel doesn't make it stop he won't even try to pry his hands off his neck, because honestly, being choked out feels like a mercy right now. He sure as hell didn't think he, with his fearsome 'demon vice commander' nickname, would go out like this, but sometimes life - or death - comes at you fast.]

Yes... that is what awaits me when I return.

[ The eternal agony. He wonders if that is what Hell is truly like. But still... but still... he clings to his belief that he can save everyone. He believes once the world is rid of free will; peace can finally come to the deserving and undeserving lives that inhabit the world. No more fear; no more pain; no more strife; no more suffering on the inside and out. ]

... live and see the world that I'll create here.

[ Archangel lets go of the man's neck. Uncertain if he's choked him to death or not -- it doesn't matter, he supposes. If the Moonblessed die, they will be brought back. By then, he believes he will have remade the entire city -- the entire world -- into something like the paradise that he wants for everyone.

Those of the Lightless will be broken down by experience the agony that Archangel can inflict; driving them to a mindless state so to be part of his cult. They will cull the wicked and clean the world of those that would trample upon peace. And everyone will live a happier life.

Of course, he doesn't realize that he won't succeed. Or well, maybe, he does realize that he won't win. Maybe he realizes that he's just doing the impossible and destroying his own chance at happiness in this new world.

But that is fine, too, because it shows even he doesn't deserve free will. ]

[Had Hijikata been able to properly follow the Archangel's arguments he'd only have given him more disheartening feedback: that all his efforts will be futile, that free will finds its way and people will always fuck things up for themselves and others, and that there'll never be a perfect world.

Whether it was the Archangel's upset at not being understood, anger at being challenged by a perceived traitor, grief over all the pain he experienced, or a mix of everything, it gave his hands enough strength to properly end Hijikata, so he's finally completely quiet. His body starts crystallising right away, at first just looking like it's being covered in an inexplicable frost, and sooner or later he'll likely be collected and put wherever they showcase the dead Moonblessed - he never actually visited the place. The device on his wrist is still streaming the footage of his drones, one hovering overhead, the other keeping its camera on the elevator to the Lightless, where the mob has now overpowered the other Moon Knights and is streaming forward.

There's a nasty battle ahead, no doubt about it, and later on Hijikata will disgruntled over having had to sit it out, but if nothing else he learned to be respectful of even fake angels today. If the Archangel will be safely imprisoned by the time he revives he'll make sure to inquire if he's been given any therapeutic help, because he thinks he needs it. After this experience he has no doubt that he came to Prismatica straight from hell.]

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