forgiveness

Del mer Joyau asks, "Are you well? Is Mars resting?"


Basil says, "She is, yes. I'm well."

Del mer Joyau asks, "I see. Are you just idling for now?"

Basil says, "Mhm. We sorted out our business for the most part. Currently waiting on first battle to see the outcome."

Basil asks, "Why?"

Del mer Joyau says, "Oh- I meant literally, haha."

Del mer Joyau says, "As you are standing on the bridge right now..."

Basil says, "I'm idling, yeah."

Del mer Joyau says, "Mhh... I, of course, will side with Osrona..."

Del mer Joyau asks, "Naturally...?"
It's no surprise to him.

Truthfully, the fact that Del would be supporting Osrona is just something that came about naturally at this point, but.. it always puzzled him as to why Del exactly chose this road. As far as he's concerned, this has somewhat split Lionheart..

With both Osiris and Del being on the other side usually.

"Obviously."

"But why do you choose to defend Osrona in the first place?"
(Basil)

"I am an Arch Priest of the Church, Basil."

Their hands behind their back.

"The chance of me becoming Stellus when Pericles died in battle was high... It's my home, first and foremost, and part of it containing my Faith which I've dedicated myself to for over half my life."

"My faith is nestled there, it's where it shines the brightest. It's my duty to do such..."

Perhaps... this detail was maybe lost to the Lionhearts sometimes. Del's position with the Church.
(Del mer Joyau)

"That's not what I asked."

It isn't an invalid information that Del speaks of, but it's clear to him that Del misunderstood; even then, the Rhoynish doesn't hesitate to elaborate for a peculiar reason.

"Why have you ever decided to join Church in such manner?"

"What made you tie your life to it, and what made you dedicate yourself so much? It can't be just home alone. I understand the notion of defending home, because I've done so for Ilburg before."

"But home is where you make it. It's not just where you were born."

It's moreso a question of origin.. as to how exactly Del came to be in this position in the first place.
(Basil)

"Oh... Mhh.."

They misunderstood then?

"When I had nothing, the Church was there for me. No home, money, no parents. It's given me something since I was a child. Truly a light for me when I was surrounded by darkness. Scared and practically alone. Abandoned."

"I believe deeply in it, our values and teachings. An attack on Osrona is an attack to its Faith, its Order, and its Crown..."

Their head cants to the side slightly.

"Though recently, it is more personal. Myllenoris is foul. Their beliefs false, as well. I've not minded them, nor those who praise dragons. Yet I bore witness to their insolence. Sacrifices and believing that their demon extends beyond their forest walls. That is for war efforts..."

"But, I've dedicated myself to this because it's saved me and others. Within the Stars I find great solace.... My parents have been cleansed there, Pericles- Mh..."

That's a story, brief but, Del didn't come to preach and teach at the moment.

"As a Saint, he sits with the Creator rather his soul being cleansed and reborn..."

"I'm merely a faithful, I will always stay by where the light shines its brightest."
(Del mer Joyau)

He knows how it's like.

To be offered some degree of warmth from a peculiar source, and to feel attached to it once the time passes. In many ways, the same has happened to him back in Ilburg.. except they've done a few wrongs to him that caused him to be somewhat distant - yet, he was bearing no evil for them.

Instead, choosing to reside here, in Alabastre.

But it's where their similarities end in such manner; for he's witnessed the horrors that Osrona has done in the true, Old Ilburg.. of the things that Pelleaux House has done to them all and their people. If anything, where Del explains that, there's only a mild frown..

"...Everything is foul, Del."

"Including Osrona."

Basil held no real sympathy to other places. Even this war against Osrona was a means to take down what felt like the greatest, strongest foe yet.. and a way to ensure that Osrona, the empire that stood for about a thousand years, would at last fall or be taken away from its glory.

"Had you witnessed what happened in Old Ilburg, what Caleb Pelleaux has done- the head of the House whose star you follow- you'd understand what I mean."

"But I see this as nothing but parade. A masquerade in which everyone pretends to be righteous, claiming the evils of another."

"Never noticing their own."

Although, it felt like he was already going on a tandem of preaching, and instead, he'd merely shake his head a little bit.

"...No matter."

"Hopefully, Osrona learns from this lesson."

"Or falls."
(Basil)

"It is." Del agrees with a slow nod. "We commit atrocities like everyone else. These wars waged. Everything is subjective, who it's right to kill, when it's right."

Though, Old Ilburg? Del isn't quite knowledgeable of such. They know of Osrona's wrongdoings in the past against those of Rhoynish descent.

"Often it's quite hard to look at yourself when you look at others, judge them so harshly. When presented with a mirror for the first time there may be rejection of such notions. Though continued ignorance and failure to recognize and learn- Pushing forward."

"That's the issue."

Del hummed a bit thoughtful. Learn or fall?

"I hope the former occurs. Time will tell, though the past should be confronted and assessed for better decisions to be made in the now, and the future."

"We all merely do are parts in it all, though..."

"How is Ilburg now?"
(Del mer Joyau)

These atrocities is something that Basil could never forgive.

Truthfully, as much as he tries to look past the flaws of Osrona.. he just feels like he cannot. No matter how many times they plead to change, they plead to set up different deals, he sees nothing different about it all - and even now, it feels like the lot of them aren't sorry due to the wrongdoings that were done.

They were sorry only because they were caught for it.

Much like the first days of his childhood when he's encountered Osronans, he remembers the mistreatment, the constant prejudice against him which was prevalent all over- it is the sole reason as to why he wanted to improve the position of his kind all across Esshar..

Knowing that they're worth more than this.

"It's difficult to forgive any of this when I personally experienced it in the past, Del."

"You haven't been in the shoes of a boy that had his hand cut off for defending his sister, even if she's made a silly decision of disrespecting a queen."

"You haven't been in the shoes of someone who kept being accused of crimes he hasn't done." For as much as Basil has actually done certain things in the past..

A lot of what he's been accused for was, in fact, false.

"And you haven't been there to see how they would treat us like dirt." A pause. "But now?"

"Now they respect me."

"Because I'm a threat."

It's just how it works. It's why he perceived that it isn't just Osrona, but just about all kingdoms that deserved no particular mercy..

And he would rather see them be punished for all that they've done.

"As for whether they'd learn or fall.."

"Time will tell."
(Basil)

Del grew up with Rhoynish children, captives. Heard few stories, acted in their defense once. Though, it's true, they cannot know that struggle. They weren't born as someone oppressed by the Crown and the city as a whole.

Though, forgiveness?

"It takes a lot to sit down and forgive someone to wronging you. Sometimes, it feels better to let the hate boil out. Bubble and explode towards the one who caused such harm..."

"I don't think it's particularly weak to forgive someone. I think it's the opposite..."

"Though, I've not been maimed or falsely accused for crimes by entire life, and treated like lesser... From that point of view, mhhh..."

Difficult, difficult...

"It's good to stand for what you believe in then. The treatment has changed, thankfully. No person should be treated as less than. It's inexcusable..."

"But? You've gone from a mistreated boy to the successful, strong man you are today."

They paused, dark blue hues locking with the Rhoynish man.

"Do you think you would be where you are without it? Without crawling, that is. Are paths are set with such struggles for us to overcome. Each bruise shapes up, every obstacle, gain, loss..."
(Del mer Joyau)

These trials and challenges have indeed made him who he is today.

But it's something that he doesn't really forget or forgive regardless- if only because of the fact that as much as it has given him what he's become today.. it has given him a shifted perception of such, as if he could no longer ever trust Osrona or all that it stands for.

And for a good reason, too.

"It made me who I am today."

"But it also wasted a lot of my time trying to cope with the injuries I had, trying to cope with the constant hatred barraged onto me. I was called derogatory words a countless times that belittled me to be less than nothing, some sort of creature, an animal, not even a person."

"Just because I was born as a Rhoynish."

He remembers it all too well. He remembers all the mistreatment and abuse that he had to suffer, especially earlier on.. and truthfully? He feels that these feelings never truly left. He feels like nothing actually changed about it.

People are simply afraid to tell him anything these days, because they know what will come out if they disrespect or insult him - he would be more than ready to assert himself in a way that could leave permanent markings on them..

Or crippling injuries. Is it worth to disrespect the Rhoynish for that?

"I would be in a different place right now. Maybe I would not be the same.." A pause. The words for Ilburg, however? "Maybe I would be helping Ilburg recover from its warfare against Nethradin - for as much as it improved, it remains somewhat poor and unkempt."

"I cannot tell the exact outcome, though I would most likely be different. Whether it would be for better or worse?"

"I don't know that. Perhaps it's better I never find out."
(Basil)

As he speaks, they're compelled to move. One foot in front of the other until distance is no longer. Their arms wrapped around him slowly, head to his chest as he's hugged gently.

The hate for simply being him. No words could make it any better, mend the pain.

"I'm sorry for what they've done to you, Basil... My people, and their ancestors..."

An apology, though from someone who hasn't brought any wrong to these people, to Rhoynish. Is it worth much? Del felt deeply for them, for their plight at the righteous hands of the Shimmering City.

"Oh... Mh... I'm not sure how things would be either. Though, wherever you apply yourself, things will flourish. This land was mere forest some years ago... I'm sure Ilburg will rise from the state in was pushed down to..."

"Do you like this, though? Where you are now?"
(Del mer Joyau)

"What.."

The sudden approach and the embrace were something that clearly weren't expected at all- and truthfully, Basil didn't really expect it either. For the time being, he isn't even sure what to say about this, or how to feel about it.

Is he supposed to reject this? Is he supposed to accept this? Or was there something else? For the time being, Basil only remained still, only eventually reaching out to briefly tap upon Del's back- perhaps a sign of acceptance, but..

"--You're the first person of Osrona to ever apologize for mistreatment, for their ancestors butchering our entire clan and even the children, or to say that you're sorry to hear that."

Which makes the matter all more wrong to him, honestly. Del is but a single person amidst the endless sea of people that populate Osrona - and none of them felt that way.

Or at the very least, never cared to even say such a thing at all. Which is something that doesn't go without saying..

"You are one."

"And they are many."

To interpret this is left vague, but it isn't difficult to see the point.. that a mindset of a single person does not change the mindset of entire city.

"And.."

"Yes. I suppose I like what I am now. I was but a starving child in a desert city in the past, uneducated, unknowing and with nothing to rely on."

"Now that changed. I'm grateful for that much."
(Basil)

Confusion? Perhaps he's only really been embraced by Mars. Which is fine, but his words, after a bit of silence and a return with a light tap- It left them stunned, speechless.

Of the thousands of people within Esshar's capital city, only a singular person has ever apologized to Basil? Just one?

"I-"

What can they even say to that? Really? That the discrimination has run so deep, the roots thick and entangling so many that humanity for people has been lost...?

"I don't know what to say..."

It's true. Like a single little speck in the midst of the sky with a light that beams hatred. But, they move past it. It's frustrating to think about.

"I've apologized to Tea..." They whispered. "Kofe, too." Yet it doesn't make it any better.

"I'm glad you like this." Del didn't part from the embrace unless Basil stepped away. Their hold was light so, it would be fairly easy to wiggle away from.

"It's very, very nice. Stable, too."
(Del mer Joyau)

The hate they give us one that they would see returned unto them.

It's why Basil was of opinion that Osrona is the kind of place that creates its own monsters.. that if it had left others alone to their devices, or knew how to treat it all better, then perhaps they wouldn't find themselves lost in this position. Instead? It remains something that simply cannot be forgiven.

For they don't even begin to understand how much harm they've done - and it isn't even about the past either.. it's about the way that they mistreat them here and now.

Right in the present.

"Which confuses me all the same as to how you associate yourself with them." After all, one thing didn't make sense to him..

"You're different."

"Your dogma and faith do not become control - but instead genuine kindness and hope for something better. Your willingness to protect the place you deem home does not stem from hatred, or inability to see the notion of another, but from concern for the safety of people."

"It's why you don't belong with them. You're not like them."

"Maybe one day you'll see it."

Or maybe not. He cannot read into the future.. and sometimes, he isn't sure whether he would want to. Perhaps the future holds nothing good for him - and it'd be terrifying to find out.

"Stability is the last thing I need.."

"I want change. Until things change for my people, I don't intend to rest."
(Basil)

"Many of the Church are different..." Del explains. "Not everyone- I can't read their minds, know how they would react. But many are kind people..."

Though they will see kindness in everyone, monsters included.

"Mh... I've been told that before..." Something along the lines of the bounds of their kindness. Is it really unlike others of Osrona? Perhaps they are blinded to them all after living there for so long.

"Maybe, maybe not... I'm unsure. But, as long as I'm with the Church then I'm with them..."

"Things could have been different. A lot different..."

Del let him down now. Thin arms went to the side.

"My family is originally from Theria. I could have been born there, raised in the mountains. But, my grandparent was exiled, so I ended up being born in Osrona."

"Mhh... It's hard to say how things would have been. What do you think?" A fun hypothetical. At least it could brighten the mood, lift the air.

"Oh-"

The Arch Priest's hands came together in front of them.

"Change, change can bring forth stability. I believe it's something you all truly yearn for in the end... To be as you, unbothered and unoppressed."
(Del mer Joyau)

There are many things that could be said about this.

Truthfully, he imagines that someone might actually be different.. but those that stay to this dogma of being silent about the abuse, about all the mistreatment.. they aren't that much better comparing to those that actually do it.

Because they let it happen.

And whereas Del lets go of their hold upon Basil, he merely listens in to these words. Something about it felt as if in a different time, it could be different.. but right now, they have what they have with Osrona's abuse and inability to move on past their own wrongdoings.

They will simply never admit to it. And yet..

"..Change and freedom are interconnected."

"And I feel like Osrona has not had any change for far too long, so they remain in the endless cycle that they are stuck in now."

"The cycle that disallows them to see what they've become."

A fatal sin.. hubris, pride-one that could allow them to fall for all of their mistakes done.

"It's a dream I yearn for even now."

"Because I don't feel it's ever truly achieved."
(Basil)

What stuck out to them the most was 'cycle'. It's what they speak on quite a bit. The notion of dark and light is naught but a cycle that cannot be broken. Del does not support the 'dark', but the light that plays its role. The goal is total light.

Yet such a goal can never be achieved. Acknowledged, yet unlike the Teraphim who will support the dark for the sake of 'balance'.

"Stuck in a cycle, yes. Perhaps the teachings of the old are not enlightening us. Or the minds that look to them aren't utilizing them in ways for prosperity and progress..."

Del looked down to the stone, the bridge and the water. Blinded. But, everyone is blind to themself. Only gaining sight when fingers are to be pointed.

"It's hard to say... Maybe with time. Hopefully a change can come from this war..."

Their gaze met him briefly.

"One that isn't bloody and the death of Knights and citizens alike. It's what Myllenoris wants. To march upon our gates. While they say it's just the Crown, the King and the Queen, it feels like much more..."

They sighed...

"I'm tired of watching people... die."
(Del mer Joyau)

The cycle that could never end.

The cycle that did not bring about enlightenment at all, but instead damnation to their own culture and people. Truthfully, as far as he's concerned, the Petrakis line would eventually die - and it's only a matter of time until it does. Though, for now.. they've ruled this for over a thousand years, haven't they?

It only proves to the fact that it's an eternal cycle by now.

The same dynasty, unchanging and uncompromising, one that simply was unable to adapt to anything in this world- for they felt too important to really adjust to another. Yet..

"..I don't think that's possible, Del."

"The last time that they changed, according to the history, is when the Demons besieged them and massacred much of their empire. Only then they reconsidered some of their ways."

"But it appears Alexander holds himself very prideful, above others - enough to commit to things that he does."

And while one could argue that it's not about Crown alone.. it's exactly the Crown that does such things.

"Pride comes before fall."
(Basil)

"I've long accepted it." Del admitted quietly.

"We are born from war. The creation of our very existence stemming from such. War and conflict will not cease. The whys of it, maybe. But often it doesn't seem to matter..."

"It's as though it's written into our very souls..."

Their hands clasped together a bit tighter, eyes coming to a close to rest for a second, two, three, four... Del exhaled softly.

"I'm not in a position to really speak of His Majesty... His rule that blessed by the Stars itself. It will not and never be my place to argue against it..."

They pause.

"Though, war is silly and always will be... His actions sometimes questionable but done for the good of his people. Perhaps in his mind first. He will act on the will to act..."

"So, I suppose... I don't understand how people can feel so much pride..." Perhaps it's their more meek nature. One kind, far too kind. "Mh- In the self that is. I feel pride in my Faith."
(Del mer Joyau)

"Accepting such things only allows room for weakness and confusion, Del."

He could never see himself accepting someone's leadership when it's like this, just because supposedly it has been promised by the stars. What sort of leadership is it, one that causes for such atrocities to appear, especially over something as personal as what happened between him and Asta?

It only serves further to drive divide between the people.

"But we are born from war, yes."

"Us Rhoynish understand it better than anyone, considering that we were quite literally made for battle throughout our entire lives." Something that has become far too obvious with their traits.

"And even in death, we're forever bound in the battle against Nethradin."

It's why Basil never really was that shy to the idea of war.. but at least one that carried purpose. In this scenario? It carried none in his opinion, and was practically useless for all intents and purposes.

"Holding pride in your faith is good."

"Just don't forget that it can always have flaws in it, just as anything else. If you draw wisdom from a single source it becomes rigid and stale."

"And it's a way to never find out much more, being stuck with only what you have."
(Basil)

Weakness from acceptance?

"Is there only strength in defiance?" They ask curiously. "Knowledge in retaliation? Both can be a mixture. Acceptance and denial. I accept that we exist within a cycle that will never break." Del clarifies. There's no confusion there, only when trying to break something rigid this there.

But Rhoynish? Del didn't really know much about his people. They've asked Kofe
(Del mer Joyau)

Weakness from acceptance?

"Is there only strength in defiance?" They ask curiously. "Knowledge in retaliation? Both can be a mixture. Acceptance and denial. I accept that we exist within a cycle that will never break." Del clarifies. There's no confusion there, only when trying to break something rigid this there.

But Rhoynish? Del didn't really know much about his people. They've asked Kofe some questions here and there along the years but never really anything that allowed for them a deeper knowledge of his people.

Though now there's a difference in belief. To Del, that's wrong. But they wouldn't express it. There's no need to denounce his own belief when he's been respectful of theirs. They just smile.

"Is that a fate you welcome?"

Opposed to being sent to the Stars for cleansing then returned to the soil.

"Everything is flawed, but the Stars and Angels are true... Every expansive. They extend within the boundless sky- Truly something of interpretation. The guidance given. Like tools."

"How you use them matters most."

"Perhaps you can say many have not been innovative. It's not the fault of the teachings but who teaches and reads. I suppose I'm at fault. Though, would you say how I hold the Stars may be different from the Petrakis family?"

There is a difference, but perhaps the aren't close enough for it to be as apparent. The Petrakis line could be called a few things, like arrogant due to their lineage. At least to outsiders.

Del found the King rather humble, kind.

But their gaze drifts to the water, then to Basil.

"Oh- I had nearly completely forgotten while I came... All wrapped up in this nice conversation with you. Have you seen Owyn?"
(Del mer Joyau)

"There is knowledge in comparison."

"And there's strength in neither accepting or denying things until you learn about the subject at hand thoroughly." Truthfully, it felt like an issue that could be debated endlessly, if only because of the fact that they held different views entirely. And yet, where Del speaks of accepting the cycle..

"To accept that it can never break is to accept that you hold no relevance and no strength."

"We can change it all. Certain things are more difficult, true - but nothing is impossible."

And sometimes, it's important to feel that confidence. It's important to feel as if you could do it all.. that if you just tried hard enough, then perhaps you could touch the stars. Is it a bold dream? No doubt it is, but..

It's an inspiring one nonetheless.

"Even angels and stars can be flawed, just like anything in this world."

"Because otherwise, we would not have the situation we currently have at hand." Surely there would be some sort of divine intervention with each scenario of something terrible happening.. so while Those Beyond could perceive it as necessary, he only perceives it as a flaw of the world to repair.

Yet, there's one thing that they can agree on..

"But it's true. How you use it matters the most."

It reminds him of all the things he's done before.. of the endeavours in which he pushed himself beyond and has received backlash or consequences like no other. What have they taught him, exactly?

"It's been a pleasure talking to you, regardless."

"Thanks for this."
(Basil)