Curiosity

[abyssbound]

Sender: Asura
To: Everyone
Subject: destruction

Does anyone here know anything about destroying gods? How about stories from your world about spells or artifacts that could strip a god's divinity?

[Yes, that's the entire inquiry. Asura doesn't care for mincing words on this topic.]

Comments

[b_a_n_g]

What's your definition of gods? From my experience, they are just powerful people who tend to be assholes, but perhaps yours is different.

[abyssbound]

Of course there are those, too, but this particular god is a bit different. It never wanted to be a god, but it became one out of necessity to avert an unacceptable fate. It can't control its destructive power, and so it suffers in darkness where the only one it can hurt is itself.

[b_a_n_g]

As most unwilling that come into power seem to do. It isn't an uncommon story.

If it is a god, I would suggest investing serious time into learning and mastering the new abilities granted. To search for a way to die is a waste of potential and it's the highest sign of personal weakness.

Everyone suffers. It builds character.

Poooossible content warning for mental health issues ahead

[abyssbound]

"Suffering builds character" is something someone close to me once said, though his views were misguided. He had also suffered more than anyone should ever have to endure. He thought himself worthless, hating and blaming himself for the suffering of those around him. He ran himself ragged taking on their pain and suffering as if it were his own, and though he was surrounded by people who loved him, he could not comprehend a reality where he was not hated. Overcoming conflict builds character, but suffering in excess just destroys the one who is suffering.

If possible, I would like to eliminate that god's power without killing it, but if killing it is unavoidable, then it would be an acceptable outcome so long as its power is also removed from the world.

[b_a_n_g]

Misguided from your point of view based on your experiences, but if this person had suffered as much as you seem to indicate, his world view was shaped by that. He was clearly taking on the pain of others to fill a void of past mistakes least they repeat them again and again. This suffering created focus and focus created purpose and purpose provided power to endure the suffering.

You know what they say: power cannot be created or destroyed, only changed. Perhaps you want the power of the god for yourself.

[abyssbound]

[ You. Asura doesn't like you. ]

You're making a lot of assumptions about something you don't have a clue about. I'll let it slide this time since you are ignorant, but I will not abide slander toward that man.

[ Reaper can slander Asura all he wants--he's long stopped caring about what people think of him, but speaking ill of Taishakuten is intolerable. ]

I have no interest in a power that would prevent me from living my life on my own terms.

[b_a_n_g]

Is that because you care dearly for that man, so your emotions blind you to the possibilities? Perhaps you've watched him struggle and suffer from what you have described and it's clouding your judgment.

But you are interested in power.

[abyssbound]

I will admit that I am a selfish man and that I do care deeply for him, but I also know his mind and I have seen his past. His guilt was through no fault of his own, but foisted upon him by those who used him for their own gain.

Not that power.

[b_a_n_g]

Then perhaps instead of searching for power to destroy what is part of him, you search for power to actually help him deal with the gift he's been forced to endure. That would be a better service and do far more to show your care of him.

[abyssbound]

Hah, now I see. You assumed the man I'm talking about is the same one whose power I'm attempting to destroy.

[b_a_n_g]

The flow of the conversation makes it seem that would be a likely conclusion. It wasn't as if you were using any names.

Do enlighten me to the details.

[abyssbound]

That's an understandable conclusion, even if it's wrong.

I'm keeping the details vague on purpose.

[You must reach friendship level 10 to unlock his tragic backstory]

[b_a_n_g]

Thank you for the correction without details. It seems like you aren't looking for answers, just bemoaning your situation.

Excellent. It would have been boring if you gave it all up anyway. This is better.

[Information hunting was a specialty of his. He was practically rubbing his hands together.]

[abyssbound]

Don't get me wrong, I am looking for a potential solution--there are no known answers to this problem in my world. But while there might not be a weapon that can destroy that power in my world, there might be answers in other worlds, which is why I'm asking here.

[It's the identities of the people involved he's keeping vague. It also helps cast a wider net for possible solutions.]

[b_a_n_g]

How confident are you that any suggested solution will be remembered when we wake from this dream world?

[abyssbound]

Not at all. Even so, if the possibility exists in another world, then I'd be a fool not to pursue it. If the dreamer is powerful enough, then dreams are sometimes capable of affecting the waking world as well.

[b_a_n_g]

I don't doubt that. For every problem, there is a solution in another plane of existence. I still wonder about what it will cost you.

[abyssbound]

I'll assume that's out of morbid curiosity rather than genuine concern.

[b_a_n_g]

Oh definitely. I don't know you well enough to experience any manner of concern for you. Perhaps if I follow you around enough that might change, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[abyssbound]

Well, I'm not seeking in your concern, so feel free to lose interest whenever you like.

[b_a_n_g]

Perhaps after I've trolled you a few more times. That will be something you can look forward to.

[abyssbound]

You sound like a bratty child with nothing better to do.

[b_a_n_g]

One of those is right. The other is not.

[abyssbound]

Then I'll choose to accept that the true one is "bratty child."

[b_a_n_g]

Oh yes, I'm only twelve. Will you be my daddy?