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

[abyssbound]

[Phrasing]

Because I need to destroy a god. [ Obviously. ]

[concierto]

[It is what it is!]

And why would you want to go through all that trouble? It seems like far too much work.

[abyssbound]

Because it's a reluctant god of destruction that can't control its own godly power, which causes it to suffer and hide itself away from the world. I want to destroy its godhood to return its freedom to it.

[concierto]

[Chinhands...]

Is that so. And you think destroying its godhood would truly set it free?

[abyssbound]

Yes.
As it exists now, that god must be imprisoned behind a barrier that keeps its destructive power contained. Were it to step out of that cell, its power would annihilate everything around it. Destroying its godhood would allow it to walk in the sunlight once more.

[concierto]

Ehe, I see. Walking in the sunlight once more, is it?

Do you perhaps miss the sun? Or is it a certain someone who shines just like it.

[abyssbound]

[Very perceptive, Venti. His response gets a short, dry chuckle from Asura, even if he can't hear it through the pages on the journal.]

To walk beside that person in the sunlight once more would be my fondest wish.

[concierto]

[He had a feeling. With all the hints he's gotten over the time he's learned about Asura.]

What a beautiful wish! I almost have to write a song!

Does the journey have to be so grim, though?

[Does he have to destroy his godhood?]

[abyssbound]

[ Unfortunately, yes. ]

You'll be wise to keep that song to yourself.

[ Asura is fine with the life and reputation he's built here in this dream world; the last thing he wants is for the people to pity him or mistake him for some kind of tragic hero. ]

Nothing in my life has ever had a simple and pretty solution--this is no different.

[concierto]

Oh, what a shame. A song unsung.

[He's pouting.]

If that's the case? Have you learned anything useful so far?

[abyssbound]

[dealwithit.jpg]

Only that most of the answers I've gotten so far come down to "find a stronger god to defeat them."

[Asura cracks a wry smirk on his side of the page. They make that suggestion like it's such a simple solution.]

If only it were so easy.

[concierto]

[Venti snorts. Well...]

It isn't an unnecessarily wrong answer, though.

[Not that Venti is going to let on that he might know more or anything like that...]

[abyssbound]

Power like that requires a more specialized solution than pure brute force. It needs something capable of nullifying the power itself. That destructive power is so volatile that simply hitting it harder would result in catastrophic and far-reaching fallout.

As it currently exists, it will eventually dissipate on its own, but while I could wait another few millennia for it to fall to manageable levels, I am a selfish and impatient man.

[concierto]

Oh, what are a few extra millennia here and there, hm?

In all seriousness... I've always heard stories that there are ways to at least strip or restrict a god's power. Would something like that ever do?

Then again that sort of thing might also take a stronger god. Ho hum.

[abyssbound]

[Agonizing without the one who to whom his heart belongs by his side, that's what.]

I am willing to hear them.

[concierto]

[Time to be... Venti.]

Oh! But that might come with a bit of a cost. A bard doesn't always work for free, as you know.

[abyssbound]

What do you want?

[concierto]

Let's see... A story. Start to finish.

[abyssbound]

[There's a pause before Asura begins to answer, as if he's considering the terms. When he finally does respond, he does so thusly:]

Fine, I'll tell you a story, but I don't feel like writing it all out.

[In other words, Venti's going to have to come see him in person if he wants Asura to tell him anything.]

[concierto]

[...!!]

Fair enough! Would you like to meet again? Just name the place and drink and I'll be there.

[abyssbound]

[ Somehow it feels like Venti interpreted that very differently than intended... ]

I'm home most evenings.

[ It's a noncommittal answer and he'll likely come to regret indirectly granting Venti permission to just drop by whenever he feels like it. ]

[concierto]

[He interpreted it exactly how he wanted to!!]

And I'm free most evenings! I'll see you soon.

[And Venti will indeed show up unexpected with an expectant look. After a night of prying a story out of Asura...]