dev 5 - cleansing sin's work

Some of the things can't be avoided just like that.

And where Keitaro cleansed majority of the plains on his own effort, he never really did so around Briar... and he's certain that the Pride he knows was also responsible for certain deaths, much like her men. But deaths are inevitable on the place such as Agartha, are they?

The wind was howling. The southern reaches of the plains were certainly less bloody, but Keitaro doubted that there was nothing worthwhile to find, no essences to send to their afterlife. After all, some were clinging to disappointments in their life, desperately trying to fix them - only to never be offered any solace.

He knew that feeling not so long ago.

"You know, Ashalle..."

"This might be an odd question to ask, but where most deaths happened around Briar? Or... where did you, or your men, mostly kill anyone? Aside of the border with Dusk. I already had my work there."

A sudden question no doubt, but the budding Spiritmancer had his own reasons. If he were to commune with the dead efficiently, he knew that he had to do so around the places of death; he may not appreciate the particular family so much anymore, but Thera herself taught him that much.

And considering her accomplishments as a Spiritmancer? It would be stupid to ignore.
(Keitaro)

You never forget. She pauses briefly, her gaze flickering up towards the skies themselves. The howling winds...The reaches of this area were far less bloodied than what one might've thought. No. This area of the plains were much less decadent, much less loitered with the Sinka plant than the ones where most of the wars has been dropped. However, considering the fact that encampments have now made way to Dawn...Keitaro's objective might just be much, much more easier.

"...My men didn't really kill anyone. I did." It was an effort coined between her and Isaac Shimasu. There, she learned the true nature of the angel that so many others had 'enjoyed'. Within his own right...He was a devil. Sadistic. Cruel. And during those times, the coldest of his emotions had comforted her...Forcing her to take solace within the fading, dying light within the eyes of Dawn's paladins.

"If you want to look for them...They'll be closer towards Dawn. West of here, where the old watchtower used to be." But what would many of them think in coming into contact with Keitaro? Hmm..
(Ashalle)

"I've covered the areas next to border already. But, ah... if they're closer to the west, then we'll look around the west as well."

It's something that he always kept in his mind. Whereas most would remain blind to the world that surrounds them... Keitaro's own eyes would perceive many things that ordinary mortals or magi cannot see; the essences that linger behind those lost beyond the Veil, the spirits wandering this world because they can't move on.

That's his task as Spiritmancer, to help them.

The feet of Shenlong kick into motion, hopeful that the Pride would follow. After all, she should know better where those deaths took place... as she's the one who caused them. He wasn't really going to blame her for it - in truth, at times he wondered how he didn't become excessively bitter and jaded in his own right. So much happened... so much, that at times he thought he could fall.

Maybe he already did, and he just wasn't ready to admit it. But... he'd like to believe that this is not the case.

"Tell me."

"How many did you kill? And what did you do to them, exactly?"

Keitaro suffered from her might first-hand... he knew how terrifying it can be, how those beautiful butterflies can be turned into volatile insectoid monsters. A cruel end he didn't wish for anyone.

Except certain some.
(Keitaro)

She was ruthless. Lost within rage and sin. Incapable of coming to terms with the death of her brother - but promising that Sors Ultovex would feel every bit of her wrath just as Kamui had felt within his final moments. When others spoke of him being pathetic, of being sad, of being sick within the cell...It turned her into something that she couldn't ever fathom. It turned her into the ruthless, sickening murderer that she is today...And it took over four deaths for her to calm down. To feel as if he were avenged...

"..." She understands what he was attempting to do. But was it necessary for him to understand the deaths of the many warriors that she had fallen? What good would it do to relive those moments where she ended their lives...Outsideof reminding her how she had done it. Nevertheless, with a shake of the head and a slight smile...She'd speak..

"Four. Five, perhaps." A pause. "Some of them, I beheaded...Others, I snapped their neck...But most of their fates turned into something beautiful." She extends a single hand...And as it unfolds, he'd be able to see a single butterflies. It flutters wistfully in the air, making no sound...But hanging above their heads.

"They're a part of the hive now." Twisted as it may seem...But they also served a purpose. They were going to be used for war against Dawn, however...Some could say that she had a sudden change of heart.
(Ashalle)

There isn't even a shrivel of doubt in his doubt that somewhere along the line, she may have killed other people of lesser importance... those that were trying to protect the actual magi. But it's that tragedy which occurs the most often in the place like Agartha, isn't it? Those that are strong dictate the rules and fate - and those that are weak would be better off staying from everything.

Except, that wasn't always an option.

"Quite a number you got there. Impressive." But that would only mean that she's a living beacon to these spirits. Perhaps, if she was able to actually see them... she'd realize that someone like her should be long time haunted. Not by the actual souls of these people, but by their essences, the lifeforce and energy that lingers after their death. The very spirit, the embodiment of that life.

"What would you say if I told you that I see them gather around you?"

Such was the truth. As far as he learned Spiritmancy… he realized that spirits are awfully simple creatures, and they cling to something that they know - in this scenario, that would be her, their killer or their friend. All around her, he could see those shadows gather; some vengeful, some regretful, some smiling... but none can do anything to her.

After all, they're not granted form. Yet...

"Would you see them all over again? Even the one you wanted to avenge?"

"Even if briefly?"

Thankfully, materializing a spirit temporarily was a lot easier than actually binding it to real world. Something that even he could do.
(Keitaro)

"...I would tell you that I wouldn't really care." But it's nothing more than a lie. There were moments when she would capture glimpses of them - when she could see their lifeless gaze. Sometimes filled with spite, sadness, or anger...She imagined them all within her mind's eye...Or perhaps, she was just merely sensitive to the things of another world. Or maybe, it was all just a part of her imagination. Nevertheless, she'd cross her arms...Opting to look the other way.

"I warned them. I warned them all. And if they didn't feel as if they could stomp on my city at any given time...Then it wouldn't have happened." She might be suffering, but so are they.

"The only one I'd care for seeing is Kamui - and unfortunately, he didn't die here." Looking at their faces would do nothing for her. Setting their 'essence' free from these plains? Even moreso.

"There's no reason why a murderer would like to go back and look at their victims again.." But in many cases, she came back to the crime scene..

 Why? Why is that?
(Ashalle)

It's true enough, materializing the essence of someone who hasn't died here would be exceedingly difficult... to actually contact a spirit like that, the spirit mirror is required - something that he's lacking. But as for her victims? This field provided an ample opportunity to work with.

"If you wish to see Kamui, then you might have to endure seeing those you killed for a bit." He pauses. "After all, I'm only a budding Spiritmancer… and summoning something so distant, without having immediate access to their place of death, is very difficult."

"That also requires purgatory mirror, made of soulsteel… something that I don't have yet, unfortunately."

"But, ah... perhaps you have something like that?"

An idle shrug. He might as well ask... after all, soulsteel was a valuable component that he was lacking, and something suggested him that the Pride might have it. Knowing her, it's doubtful that she would actually have much to do with it, really...

And yet, the flow of mana occurs. It stretches all around them, extending from Shenlong- giving just a tiny bit of extra time to those that would otherwise be never heard again.

"O spirits of fallen, hear my call. Appear before me, and witness the reason of your death - gaze upon her, and let go. It's time for you to meet another life."

It sounds like a mix between comforting and demanding speech, but really, he couldn't bear to see them gather around Ashalle, with her unknowing what exactly is happening. If anything... this felt like she deserved to see.

And few forms appear around her.

Some saddened, some furious, some regretful... each with their own frustrations, but they're clouds, foggy memories of those that once lived. With studious perception, it is them, those that she killed - but even if given this form, they cannot speak, they cannot do anything.

Stuck in spiritual catharsis that slowly creeps upon them.

"...Quite an odd bunch, aren't they?" He finally turns his gaze to Ashalle.
(Keitaro)

There is a silent, growing animosity. It is found within the quickening breathes of the sin. How she attempts to look away from their beings - but instead of finding peace within her own right, there was nothing more than rage. Fury. She hated them. Sick. And twisted. And abominable. She couldn't speak...But she finds another entity speaking for her. The presence of sin that seemed to be angry with the fact that he...Offered the such a luxury.

"Why would you let them move on when they wouldn't do the same for you. For any of the people that they killed..." Spirits and souls may be two different entities but...With the calling of the rain. With the dancing of their essences around her frame...The darkness, the void within her heart didn't think that she would allow it.

 She wanted these plains to be bloodied.
 To remain as a constant reminder.

 Not to be cleansed and 'wiped' of all sins and deeds. "Odd...? No...They're all pathetic. Sad. Sick little things that deserved their fate." Oh, she's livid within her own right. Not at him, per se...But at the fact that they're here now. And..Surprisingly, she does have soulsteel...Technically.

 But all things in this world are not free.
(Ashalle)

Oh, he knew her rage.

In reality, he was more than aware that hardly anybody would mourn him the moment he's gone, save alone perform such service for him... and while it was hurting in its own right, it also didn't matter to the budding Spiritmancer that much. So long as he could have satisfying impact in life on his own, he was okay with that.

After all, everybody dies.
Not everybody truly lives.

"Ashalle…" A small pause lingered, reaching out to her shoulder. "These people are dead. Their souls are long gone. These essences... are mere reminder of your rage to those that can see it - but not everyone can. It's energy-sensitive people like me who can."

"And the numbers of such people are dwindling. But... what matters more is that this reminder is for yourself. It is good that you stay alert, that you remain vigilant, that you remember just how bad people can be."

He inches closer. The grip softens some, giving a small caress from her shoulder to the base of her neck- it sought to comfort the Pride, to offer her whatever solace he can give without overstepping his bounds.

"But in reality, you're only hurting yourself. Rage and hatred are two-headed hydras... and I believe their side had long forgotten these people."

"Let them go. Let this experience make you better... but don't let it drag you down."

One could misunderstand this as mercy to these spirits... but in reality, all that he desired was for her to remain in control, while keeping what makes her this way. The essences stared at her, silent, stuck in spiritual catharsis that was slowly undergoing its way - all assisted by Shenlong's mana.

Whether she no longer grips or not... they would go. Soon.
(Keitaro)

There is only one thing that is more honest than love. It's something that she had come in terms with within her life. Something that caused her to live the sin that she had become. And to love this rage, this ire, this hatred within the very depths of her being. So asking for her to let go and give in is not something that she would like. Not when the pain of having both has been so overbearing within her life. Not when she likes it so much...

"I know...But these feelings are the things that make me.." These feelings are the things that keep the fire within her soul burning, that keep the ambition for her to be great...To be the best from sinking into nothingness. So getting rid of those images within her mind. So exorcising these demons and forcing them out...To pass on do nothing more than befuddle the sin...

 In the end though, she doesn't stop him. Instead, she merely looks forward - her gaze drifting elsewhere...A single, slow sigh spilling past her lips. "I can't just let go.." But despite such a thing, she can see their essence vanishing from the plains themselves...

 But she doesn't try to fight it.
 She doesn't have the power to.

 Otherwise, maybe, she would have. "Why are you helping them, Keitaro?"
(Ashalle)

To know her feelings would be to know Ashalle.

At least, that's what he figured out... and so far? He's only convinced that he figured it right. Just as he expected, she didn't fully understand the reality behind his words - it is perhaps why he chooses to elaborate, why he chooses to draw a tiny smile on his features.

"I'm not asking you to let go of these feelings... these feelings are a reminder as to why you should be cautious about such people. Why they deserved it in the first place." After all, mercy is often wasted on people that don't deserve it at all. And those that were spared once can end up being very vengeful later...

"I ask to let them go, not those feelings. When they die... they become practically irrelevant. Even if they were to be brought back, as impossible as it is now, they will never have the same light again. In a sense... I ask you to let them go, so you don't have to be plagued by them."

"But remembering their crime is a wholly different manner."

The catharsis nears its end... the fogginess of the spirits becomes all more apparent, and they gradually fade. If anything, this is his own help to let them move on, so they could finally pass on to the afterlife. Something that these spirits were no doubt struggling with.

"Why do I help them? Because someone has to. When the ghosts plague the lands, when they haunt the living... reality becomes something more morbid. It becomes unbearably dark and twisted, all in the wrong ways. This world is cruel..."

"It doesn't have to be ugly."

A smile, and his hand gradually escapes her features. Maybe she needed this comfort, but they could always speak more. Not like they are in a hurry anywhere.

"Well... this sums it up."

"The spirits are gone. This place is... cleaner now."
(Keitaro)