imeeji_frontstage | Flowers of Heaven II: Star of Bethlehem

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Flowers of Heaven II: Star of Bethlehem

Who: lost(?) idols
Where: ???? a mysterious courtyard
When: day 490

[ You awaken to the feeling of cool stone at your back, and a night sky overhead.

All around is a courtyard—a wide circle of marble tile, alternating black and white, interspersed with stone benches and flowerbeds and ornamental trees, all lit by the lambent gleam of strangely vivid starlight.

It is beautiful. And it is decaying. The stone is cracked; the flowers wild and overflowing between the cracked stone; the trees bent and twisted with age, the ground around them littered with fallen fruit. There is a fountain in the center of this space, but it too is broken-down: the water sits stagnant, and nothing remains of the design except a basin and the shattered base of a once-golden sculpture.

—And surrounding it all are not walls, but dense mounds of kudzu, climbing over itself until it towers as high as any watchtower.

How did you get here?
The last thing you vaguely recall is a sudden fit of drowsiness. There’s no sign of any guide or host around, and your powers don’t currently work either. In fact, if you have any corruptions, whether mental or physical, they too are … gone? No, perhaps that's not quite it; you can still feel them—faint, like a phantom limb. Invisible, and unable to affect you.
But there is one notable exception to the rule: all wings, corruption-induced or not, remain in place, as natural as the starlight.

There are other idols around you, all waking up the same way. Is this meant to be some kind of game…? ]

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[Sorry for breaking your brain poor angel.]

Sounds like it's something you were looking for?

Of course! Of course, if this one had known that it could be found, but this one doesn't understand...

...how something true could have been summoned to such a place, but perhaps... lies might eventually become the truth, through grace.

What exactly do you mean, "through grace?"

The liar hell has already been trying to turn lies to truth, but somehow I don't think you mean it in the same way.

Even if they profess a new, true heaven—rather, they wish to take the values of Lies and make those heavenly, to attach the name of the celestial heights to what exists, to things that they control.

Rather... perhaps enough still believe in heaven such that belief may yet bolster that which remains.

So faith in the true heaven could help restore it?

[Although he's sort of grimacing inwardly at the thought.]

This one—

...does not know, exactly. The Creator is gone, so... would it call the Most High back? Or simply bolster that which is holy?

If the Most High were to return... surely, this one would be barred from the gates for her faithlessness. But—the true purpose must be Creation itself. For that... is what this one loves. Therefore... this one hopes, but knows not what to hope for.

[Ugh Creators Ugh.]

What exactly do you mean by Creation itself?

"For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies." All of that which lives uponst all the worlds, and was ordained to enjoy their bounties.

Which includes you; which includes all people, strictly human or not. This one in fact is partial to the dumbo octopi. But this one thinks you are very cute!

Edited 2022-08-09 02:39 (UTC)

I feel like I got some bonus information there, but... Thanks, I think?

I guess in the end - what do you want us to do to help you?

Well—this one cannot undertake such a rite alone. Therefore—to that end, this one will walk the paths of blue flame, but I ask... that those of you who have found yourselves here with me do so as well.

...rather, it is hardly fair of this one, as such a way is, in fact, the best way out. But—this one is desperate, and—things that involve choice, and will, this one is still not practiced at.

[He nods.]

Last time, it was hard to hold onto anything after the ritual, so I might end up forgetting. But if I can, I'll do it.

What about after the ritual? Once we all get dragged back to Imeeji again. Is there anything we can do from inside there to help you out here? We do have that ship hanging around and all.

The knowledge you have imparted to this one is... unbelievably precious, already. This one only regrets that there is not more that she can do.

With grace—this will not be the last time we see one another. Perhaps... I may yet be able to find this extant ship.

We'll see. Who knows, maybe I'll end up graduating before then.

But just in case... could I get your name? I'm Izanagi... or maybe Hizumi would be better.

This one is called Haniel—and thank you, Hizumi. You have earned this one's gratitude.

If you obtain your escape from the forces of the Enemy, this one will be glad as well. But you have been very kind.

Haniel, then. It's nice to meet you.

And, well - I think just about everyone here's pretty sick of hell's rule, so helping out's a no brainer.

Praise be—then, of course, this one will do what she can.

And for what there is about to come—this one must apologize, for it will be difficult. You know this. But... if this is possible, then all manner of things are.

Hey, better to suffer with a purpose than just for someone else's entertainment, right?

...certainly so. Blessings be upon you, Hizumi-who-is-called Izanagi.

Is there anything else you can possibly tell me? About this place, or what happened when Hell took over.

This place... this one knows little of, admittedly. This one was... pressed for time, when finding one who she could secret away from those beneath the throne of Vengeance who keep watch over the fallen.

This one knows precious little of the Enemy's workings, as well, for... well. This one had given up the cause.

This ritual... would it only help one other angel again, or...?

At once, yes. It's very personal, you see.

So even with all these people, we can only help one at a time?

[Hn...]

Only in this specific sense. Take heart, for there are many more ways to do good!

Got any suggestions?

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