Two Sides Virus

[masked_god]

Might I ask, human, why I was brought back for this farce? The hovering sun asks the burned man. Already half his face is developing sun-burn, while the other half appears to be frost-bitten.

The answer is obvious. My powers fade in the face of otherworldly madness. The black hole responds. Thus, you may return.

The way of light is not madness...

It is chaos! Madness and Destruction...

And your way is better? The way of Stagnation and Despair?

Order will always triumph! That is the way of this universe! To fight against despair is the true madness...

Then it is a madness worth perpetuating! For is not heroism grown from the struggle against stagnation? The Light must fight, even if it will always be defeated.

Pain and suffering come from fighting when there is no need to. Chaos does more harm than good. Stagnation is the way of pleasure.

Stagnation is slavery. Closed minds and empty souls. Order will invariably lose belief in the face of true wonder...

And the two ideals continue to bicker. Meanwhile their subject looks incredibly bored.

"Its as if I've been trapped in Seminary all over again...I hope they shut up soon."

Comments

[aquaticrush]

What's going on?

[masked_god]

Some kind of morality virus, I assume.

Oooh, I like her! She's wonderful! So much chaos!

You should be careful around hoodlums such as this. Everyone knows what happened the last time you cared for such a child...

[aquaticrush]

Mine are just making fun of me.

Oh, come on. You know you're useless. Why is it any worse when a little you says it?

Because you're supposed to be working on your self-esteem!

[masked_god]

Oh dear. Does it always sound like that in your head?

We hardly see the problem in hearing multiple viewpoints.

Except when those viewpoints lead to disorganized thinking!

[aquaticrush]

Usually.

That's true, but we're supposed to be working on our self-esteem.

Which will never happen.

[masked_god]

How unfortunate. Would you like some assistance with that?

Another apprentice, kaaree? Isn't that a bit dangerous?

No! This is the perfect suggestion. One needs esteem to survive the wonderful wide world out there!

[aquaticrush]

You don't need to!

Um, don't worry. We're just wary of people offering help sometimes.

Even if it's needed.

[masked_god]

Oh, I know. But Kefka cares for you, and it would be a pity to have your potential wasted by those irritating deamons.

Though your 'friends' are quite sensibly wary.

As should you be, Kaaree. Any who ally themselves with chaos...

Don't listen to him!

[aquaticrush]

I thought Kefka-san just thought I was annoying.

No more than anyone else.

Everyone should be able to like who they do!

[masked_god]

From what I understand, he is frustrated by your former allies and ideals. However, given how much he bothers you, I would guess that he does indeed care for you in some way.

Is that all, Kaaree? Or is it that she reminds both of you of young women you were unable to save? Why open yourself up to that kind of pain again?

Silence, you. [He waves away the lurking black hole]

And anyways, youth has licence to be annoying. How else will you learn who you are and what you are meant to be?

That implies that people cannot change their fate, of course, which you know to be a lie...

[aquaticrush]

People you couldn't... no, that's prying, I'm sorry. I hope you're okay. Your small virus selves seem very upset. Is there something I can do to help?

[masked_god]

It was a long time ago and, as they say, the girl is dead. [He smiles a bit sadly] It no longer hurts to talk about her, though I couldn't say the same about Kefka and his protege.

[aquaticrush]

I'm sorry.

[masked_god]

...don't be. She was a wonderful young woman and she died so that the universe might live.

Look, now you've made her sad!

Death is what happens to any who are so foolish as to thwart the natural order.

[At the last comment Kaaree's eyes glint and he turns with a stare so cold that it freezes the black hole in its orbit.]

What was that, again?

...ah. I meant that order is necessary to remember heroes who have died for the cause of progress.

[aquaticrush]

Please don't say those kinds of things! Don't insult your regular self like that. I'm sure the both of you understand!

But you let us insult you. What's the difference? They're not going to listen.

No, standing up for people is good. It means you haven't given up, even if it feels like it.

[masked_god]

Thank you for your kind words, but I'm afraid your friends might be right. There is little I can do to banish these demons...but just because they can speak aloud now doesn't mean I need to pay them any mind. I learned to ignore their voices long ago.

[aquaticrush]

It's horrible.

[masked_god]

A bit, yes. But these voices are a part of us, are they not? Even when they aren't so...physical.

[aquaticrush]

That's true, but that makes it more sad.

[masked_god]

Really? Our doubts and fears define us as much as our triumphs. To ignore them invites them to become stronger and ruin our lives all the more when they finally express themselves.

[aquaticrush]

I suppose.

[masked_god]

Repression is a dangerous road to travel. Denying one's fears and desires only leads to madness and sorrow.

[aquaticrush]

That's true, too, even if it's scary to trouble people.

[masked_god]

Its a balance, is it not? Everything in life is.

[He gestures to his two orbiting stars and both nod ruefully.]

[aquaticrush]

I'm not sure.

[masked_god]

Really? Why not?