2019-09-21: Crisis of Faith - Revisited
- Cutscene: Crisis of Faith - Revisited
- Cast: Seraph Clarine
- Where: Macalania Woods
- Date: 2019-09-21
- Summary: Spending some time alone in the Macalania Woods, Clarine voices a request that goes unanswered...
Chaos has not yet erupted within the Macalania region. War would be visited upon this place in time, but for now, it is but a distant possibility.
It is late at night, and the crystalline woods glimmer faintly in the glow of the Blue Star high above. Quiet has fallen over the area, within only the pattering of nocturnal wildlife going about their routine providing the occasional break from the silence.
And, high above, laying back in the canopy with her arms folded over herself and staring up at the starry sky, is the Seraph of Light, Clarine. While she did normally enjoy being out this late, here, in this place, she felt comfortable and at ease. And at the moment, she wanted to be alone with her thoughts.
Thoughts that drift back to Besaid, where she made her stand against Althena's Guard as attempted to stake their claim to the temple. Where she found herself once more on the opposite side of someone she considered a good friend.
She lays there for a moment in quite contemplation, considering everything that lead up to that point, until eventually, she stands. She stares up at the sky, as if searching it for meaning - or, for the any sign of the one who currently occupies her thoughts.
And then, she speaks. She speaks to someone she knows is not listening, and who would in all likelihood not respond even if they were.
"Althena, my goddess... It is I, your servant, the Seraph of Light, Clarine. There is...a matter of great importance I must speak with you on." Clarine begins. She takes a deep breath - a centering gesture, as the Seraphim do not commonly need to breathe.
"I...I stood against your Guard. I understand that they are...th-that they are, um, the chosen arbiters of your will, but... it has...become increasingly, um...increasingly, difficult, to stand by and...allow it to come to pass." To her, it is a confession of great magnitude.
"I know...um, I would like to believe still that you a goddess of love and mercy, and...and I still love you, dearly, but... it is because I love you that I can no longer tolerate atrocities being committed in your name - even if they may be, um...well-intentioned. Even though...even though they are your will."
There's another breath.
"I want... I want to know why. Why you have turned against them so. Are the people of Spira not your children still, as the rest of us are...? Why have you instructed your chosen to meet them with steel and fire rather than an open hand...? As your servant, your messenger, I must... I must ask you to reconsider this. Reconsider this crusade, reconsider the edicts you have passed down of late. I know...I-I know very well that mortals can be...unkind, and cruel, and they can do such awful things to each other, but..."
She hesitates, folding her arms in front of her and gripping tightly the cloth of her sleeves.
"B-but...I know, as well, that they possess great capacity for kindness, to care for one another. To do great things, take great burdens upon themselves solely for the sake of others, even if they were to gain nothing from it. I had...I had forgotten, that mortals were still capable of such things. But I know that now. The people of Spira are no different."
Once more, she hesitates, bowing her head.
"...Please. Give them another chance. Until you do...I will do what I must to protect them. Even...even if it means opposing your will."
And then, silence. Clarine lets out a breath. A part of her had been afraid she would be struck down on the spot by a bolt from the heavens...but, it was something she had to say out loud.
Though she hoped to have the opportunity someday, she knew she might never get the chance to say it to the Goddess directly. But it was something she needed to say for herself - something to solidify the path she had chosen, to represent her newfound determination.
Silence once more falls over the Macalania Woods. They continue to glimmer faintly in the light of the Blue Star. And, perhaps that glimmer has become just a little brighter, from the light of the Seraph Clarine as she descends from her perch.
It may be small, and faint, and it may sometimes waver, but for those who look for it...it is a strong, reassuring light. One that will look after you the best it can.