Description: The problem with sleeping, ancient superpowers is that there exists a possibility for those beneath them - in this case, the humans - to eventually gain power that rivals their own. Kain R. Heinlein is the closest thing humanity has to a potential 'savior', though those familiar with him would scoff at the notion. Still, he is certainly a potential problem, and those with vested interest in the Cult's success have singled him out as a top priority. The charming holy man Goenitz arrives at Kain's doorstep tonight, a single, simple question on his mind, and alternatives in hand. The alternatives involve a whole lot of another single, simple question. A whole lot.
No matter how powerful a fighter is, a human simply can't fight /all/ the time. Even as one of the most powerful men in the world, Kain R. Heinlein still has some down time. And so how does he spend his free time, when he's not fighting, training, or taking care of business? Numerous ways, actually. But at present, the blond man sits at a desk in his mansion's library, with a large book open in front of him.
Kain's book collection is one to inspire jealousy from experts on a number of topics. He has a number of rare texts, including some where his are the only copies that still exist. In some cases the world at large doesn't know that there are /any/ copies still around. The book open in front of Kain is one of the extremely rare type. An extremely old work on chi.
Modern science has done some wonders with the manipulation of chi; Kain has seen what NESTS has accomplished. But people have been doing amazing things with chi manipulation for a long time, as any ninja could tell you. Ninja clans aren't the only ones with secrets, though, and ancient documents like these are perhaps the best hope for recovering some that have been lost. Of course, Kain doesn't plan on sharing them with anybody, so in practical terms for most people they might as well still be lost to the mists of time.
Ah, but there are forces in this world that no true human would ever be able to comprehend or understand. The forces at work, the strength of the undercurrents of true, real "life" are too vast for simpler minds to plumb. Ah, but there are some who have been trying. That is the tragedy of the human condition. The millennia-long journey for understanding that will never come without... a blessing.
He ascends the steps leading to Kain's front door, each step seeming to shift the 'intentions' of the world. The air is curiously still with his movement, but every hollow thud that meets his boots seems to grow moreso as he makes haste to his ...somewhat high-bred audience today. It is as if the closer he comes, the further his world expands around the mansion, the further space stretches to accomodate him.
..ah, but what is that.
Just a feeling, nothing more. Yes?
The priest comes bearing a simple package, wrapped in old leather, secured shut with thongs and other dandies of brass decoration. This he cradles in one hand, as he looks up towards the great door of Kain's estate. There is no indication on any security system that he ever truly walked through any other gate, any other defense. There exists no 'image' of him on any camera, no alert on any sensor of human origin. There is no warning to his arrival.
Except when the supernaturally tall man politely knocks at Kain's door.
The fact that Goenitz's presence goes unnoticed until he deigns to reveal himself has a significant impact on how things are handled. Normally the door would be opened instantly, someone having already positioned themselves when the visitor's approach was noticed. In this case, a message is sent to Kain from a member of his staff. Not that he needs it. Once Goenitz stops hiding his presence, Kain suddenly stops and looks up from his book. A hand moves to a button on his desk, sending a signal to his house stuff to make themselves scarce. Good help is hard to find, and it's annoying to have to replace them.
It's only a short while later that Kain himself opens the front door. He doesn't know who is here, exactly, but for the moment he doesn't need to. Kain can sense things that ordinary people can't, and that is telling him that this is a /very/ important visitor. And that if he'd come outright seeking violence, there probably wouldn't be much left of the building. "My apologies for the wait. I was in the library."
And for the most part, Goenitz is still as he waits. It would be improper to announce yourself thus and then succumb to impatience. When Kain answers the door personally, he finds not even the faintest of irritations betrayed in a altogether sublime countenance. A satisfied expression seems secondary to eyes so blue so as to be near white. But the pupils seem .. strange, somehow.
"Of course," the man the priest's raiment greets, quickly and without thought, as if considering no lowly servant fit to answer his calling, anyway. "I expected nothing more from a learned man such as Kain R. Heinlein." He pronounces the last quietly, precisely. It should be expected. There is none who would come to this estate not knowing to whom it belongs.
".. Ah. Forgive me for my impertinence. I am but a lowly messiah..." he introduces himself simply, offering no name as of yet. "If I may beg the favor of a chair and a moment of your time?" he asks quietly, lifting the aged leather-clad bundle at his side. It has the heft of a tome. "I have brought you a gift, the only gift I would find suitable for an academic as yourself."
After all, it is only just and polite that strangers call bearing gifts.
'Messiah', eh? Under the circumstances, Kain refrains from comment on that one. Being rude would generally seem to be a pretty bad idea, really. "Certainly. Please, come in." Yes, at the moment keeping things polite and friendly seems like a good idea.
Kain steps back and gestures for Goenitz to enter, then leads him in. It's a short walk to the library, which has seats for entertaining visitors, as well as a small liquor cabinet. "Can I offer you a drink?" Kain might be able to use one himself. Despite his exceptional personal control, Kain is... nervous. Even just spending a short while in the company of this man, Kain can tell he's powerful. Very powerful. Perhaps not insurmountably so... but powerful enough to make him want to think very, very carefully about presenting a challenge. There aren't many like that in the world... so how is it that Kain hasn't heard anything about him?
"Thank you. You're too kind."
Following Kain inside, Goenitz seems to take in every detail of Heinlein's lavish abode, making great to-do of tapestries and portraits as they present themselves, but never really saying much in truth about them, his voice of little passion regarding most pieces, but not entirely impolitely so. As Kain bids him entrance to the library, Goenitz sets the bound volume upon a surface not too far from it, leaving it there. He is inspecting Kain's books as his host offers him a drink.
"Mm? Ah, forgive me, but I must refuse." He raises a hand and gestures at the collar at his throat. "I refrain from the baser pleasures."
He seems either not to notice or not to mention Kain's discomfort, such a thing being an infitesimally small betrayal of his host's great control. He himself is at ease. This person seems to have the countenance of a man who has already made peace with his God, and in the light of whom not even the end of the world concerns him overmuch.
To that end.
"May I?" he asks Kain of a seat, before allowing himself to claim Kain's hospitality, settling into the plush seating. Steepling his fingers just so, he twists until he hears them pop, muted. He breathes. "'Twould not be best to dawdle, for these are quite exciting times we are living in." Saa, saa... "Perhaps it would be simpler if I asked a question first."
"Tell me--as a learned man... what do you know of the coming end of this mortal world?"
There are a few possibilities Kain can think of here. First: This is a test. That's the good one. The other possibilities are that his guest is insane, or he's completely serious. Both are extremely bad when you're dealing with an individual this powerful. It would seem to be time for Kain to pick his words carefully.
Kain takes a seat himself, giving him a moment in which to think. "Well... there are a number of sects that are quite vocal about various religious reasons for the world ending, as well as various people who misunderstand the Mayan calendar system. But I think, perhaps, that you are referring to something else." Kain watches Goenitz carefully, trying to gauge what might be going through the other man's mind.
"You are as perceptive as they say, Mister Heinlein."
The man seems pleased by Kain's measured response. He seems to understand at some level that Kain chooses his words carefully, and is weighing the priest's intentions out with every eyeblink. Understand, that when Kain senses him, he senses nothing but a faint satisfaction to offset the gravity of the subject with which the so-called messiah seems engrossed.
Folding one leg over the other, he starts. "Allow me to explain. The story with which you should become rapidly accustomed begins millennia ago, when an ancient force became dissatisfied with the works that humans wrought upon the globe. That being sought to wipe them from existence, but he was prevented from doing so by cursed folk, betrayers of the righteous light. That force was sealed away, and the people were left to their own devices, to desecrate the noble world as they saw fit."
He seems not to begrudge anyone this past; the man who sits with Kain no is no base zealot. He is completely imperturbable. "However, there are those who saw truth, and sought to ally with these deity. On this, the eve of that deity's return, they gather, and prepare for a great rising the likes of which humanity will not see again."
Goenitz peers over the ridges of his knuckles at Kain, studying him. "Understand that I only share the history of this deity with one of the unenlightened with a certain reluctance... but it is necessary to continue our conversation. The supreme power to which I refer, obviously, is Gaia's Everlasting Will..."
"'Orochi.'"
As far as Goenitz is concerned, it is the most important word Kain will ever know in his lifetime. The priest taps his last fingers together, briefly becoming only slightly less than utterly sublime as he asks Kain in full seriousness: "Do you understand now of the power of which I speak?"
For various reasons, those in the know about Orochi have generally kept their knowledge to themselves. But something that significant couldn't be /entirely/ erased from the occult record, although much of what is out there is vague, or even contradictory. So Kain has heard the term, and knows at least a bit of the story he was just told. Of course, it was usually presented from an opposing perspective.
Kain pauses for a moment before responding. "Yes, I believe I understand what you are speaking about." And that doesn't make Kain entirely happy. He's still not sure where this conversation is going, but he doesn't much care for the subject matter thus far.
"Ah.." The glimmers of something other than peace in the beyond vanish into the AEther. "Then you are truly learned." There is something in his mannerisms that suggests that he feels as if he is not really speaking to a comrade, but to a burgeoning student. He is satisfied with Kain's words. Kain's lack of disbelief in the Joyous Word will make this conversation a simple one.
"But... there is a difference between being learned and being truly enlightened."
Goenitz looks up. "You see, Orochi is the supreme deity to which we all should bow, the force that I call 'master'." It's interesting the words he chooses--he does not elect a specific gender for this being, but nor does he refer to it in vagrant terms such as 'power.' "We are approaching a time in which the slate will be wiped clean, and all will kneel before the will of the Planet. The difference between men, then, largely, are those who kneel before or after the Coming."
Pinky tapping. "There are certain of us who have become concerned about you, Heinlein. You have heard of this Will, yes? Then in the coming war, a certain distress must be expressed in your ... neutrality. So I admit being slightly disingenuous with my first. I do not come bearing one gift. I come bearing two."
He opens one hand, disengaging it from his other. Palm to the ceiling and the air above the estate, he proposes simply and once. "In recognition of your earlier contributions to our cause.. I come to extend an invitation. Join us, and be spared the all scouring wrath. Taste the milk of our labors. In this, there are only two sides to the coming conflict. Necessarily, you understand."
This leaves Kain in a somewhat awkward position. On the one hand, if Orochi should win, well, his side was simply stronger, and Kain can't really complain about that. But on the other, despite what some people might think about his morality, Kain personally feels that he acts for the greater sake of humanity. Something that, from what he's been able to gather from his studies, will be rather irrelevant if Orochi comes to power.
Kain steeples his fingers, looking at Goenitz carefully. "And what, exactly, will happen, once your victory is at hand?" If there's ever a time for trying to carefully read someone, it would be now... assuming Goenitz even gives a straight answer, of course.
Goenitz's eyes slowly drop from the ceiling, from the ephemeral 'everything' that he would supplicate his master with. Even someone such as he had to admit that basking in the otherworldly glory of Orochi was an ending befitting all who would worship. Even someone such as he, born noble but wretched for yet still being so far, will find solace in that end.
"Your question seems trite, unanswerable in the tongue of today," he observes, passively. "What words do we have to describe everlasting paradise? Simply this. Once victory is at hand, the Planet will be at peace, and those who serve will become one."
A slight, wan smile.
"Or do you ask what will become of the nonbelievers?"
Kain smiles thinly. "Oh, I think I can imagine what will happen to them." It's not something that's too difficult to guess at, after all. "No, I was more interested in just what will happen to the faithful." Heinlein maintains direct eye contact with Goenitz. "I'm afraid I am not, generally, a religious man, though I assure you I am taking you quite seriously. But I would appreciate a straightforward answer."
To that, the messiah raises an eyebrow. "Oho?"
"I would have imagined someone so blessed with the breath of the mother to be a praying man himself. You are full of surprises, aren't you.." He seems amused.
"It is as I said." Goenitz mentions lightly, "There is no word in any human tongue that describes the full scope of affections the Orochi has for those who follow. The kiss of the guardian is enough, even in this day and age, to bless once-traitorous clans with true passion. Are you not familiar with the Yagami...?" he asks simply.
Goenitz waves a hand. "Let us abandon airs. This is a tumultuous time in which we live. Even the blood of our devout must necessarily be spilled to enrich the tree that will unlock the gate. But even in death, the strength in your limbs will go to that being's strength. I talk of nothing short of immortality. However. For someone so curious so as to the rewards..."
Those strange alien eyes hood once.
"Perhaps 'life and purity' is enough, considering the alternatives?"
Now Kain has to think very carefully. He's a man of some principle, even if many people might not believe it. But he is also not a stupid man, and his more important principles allow the lesser ones to be jettisoned if need be. And and it doesn't seem likely that Goenitz will react well to a negative response, despite his general politeness thus far.
Goenitz's answers do not seem to indicate a future Kain is interested in, but he also seems to be offering a much shorter future as an alternative. Kain looks at the other man for a long moment without speaking. "I think... that you have a very compelling argument." Well, if nothing else, keeping Goenitz talking means that much more time for trying to come up with some way to deal with him more directly. "What would I need to do to enter Orochi's service?"
"Ah, so you are a God-fearing man at heart."
Good. That means that Kain can, in fact, be reasoned with. That's fortunate. He would so prefer to keep their discussion civil, if time and eloquence permit. The priest taps his fingertips together once, finally lowering his hands. But perhaps sensing Kain's apprehension regarding his potential service, one can see Goenitz's patience wane in small increment. Words are chosen with equal care--interesting for someone who seems to have very little to worry over in the coming days.
"Of course... your blood is not noble. If there is no offense taken when it is said, then let me say forthright that mongrels have a longer path to follow to true enlightenment. Fortunately, even between mongrels and true servants of the master, the method of entry is the same. Give yourself over, fully, and realize that your world as it is is coming to an end. Believe. That is enough to justify our gift of acceptance. Enough to justify the bounties which we offer you."
He peers at Kain closely. There is gravity in that glare, and you can tell in that exact moment that the person with whom you speak is not human. "Tell me then.... are you ready to believe?"
Kain reflects on the fact that he really doesn't know the extent of Goenitz's powers. Will the man know if he's lying? Of course, even without such an ability, were the situations reversed Kain would not be very trusting of anybody who agreed to such terms under such circumstances. There's not much time for reflection, though.
If Kain were a hero, at this point he would probably denounce Goenitz and attack him. If he were a coward, he would submit, and serve Orochi just to be on the winning side. But as he is, Kain knows that a desperate attack remains an option... but it's oh so much better if he can live long enough to acquire some intelligence on his enemy. And so, he replies, "Yes."
And just like that, the tension drains from the air.
"Ah.... that is good," the blonde-haired man breathes, satisfied. Apparently he seems not to suspect anything in the slightest. Around Goenitz, the concept of 'danger' no longer seems to exist. "That is good. I was afraid for you, my son. But today, the wind favors you.." Adjusting the hang of his coat over his knee ever so, Goenitz smooths out the wrinkles from his pant leg before standing. "I'll ask no more of your time. Giving yourself over, there is much for you to think on and to experience."
Goenitz extends an open hand to Kain.
It is one of the few chances one gets to touch him.
He raises his free hand, gesturing. "Our flock grows. It is the better for having you, Mister Heinlein. Perhaps one day we can become conversation partners. I'm sure it was a pleasure.. Oh.. forgive me. There is one more thing."
So, a reprieve. For now, Kain doesn't need to worry about being considered an obstacle standing in Goenitz's way. That's a very good thing. But you'd better believe he has plans for a great deal of research into just who the hell Goenitz actually is and what he's been up to. Preferably expendable people, though. For now, Kain will just be happy to get him to leave.
Heinlein stands up, reaching out to shake Goenitz's hand. Possibly he should be suspicious, but he doesn't think Goenitz has a real need for subterfuge here, and it's not like there's a weapon that he might have up his sleeve that Kain would need to be seriously worried about, compared to the power Goenitz possess anyway. "Oh? What's that?"
"There is still the issue of your blood."
It happens entirely too fast. The moment Kain grips Goenitz's hand in friendly handshake, he should know he has nothing to fear from a hidden gun, or a dagger. That is because the moment Kain touches Goenitz, he will understand exactly what kind of power Goenitz is talking about when he is referring to a divine will from Heaven.
Though somewhat unassuming aside from his European height, the priest is entirely too strong for his frame. Stepping into the handshaking motion, Goenitz responds primally. It is as if he is reacting from before the time of conventional modern arts. One step leads him towards slamming his bare fingers into Kain's jugular vein. Up to the second joint.
There is almost no time to respond, no time to think, no time to act before it happens. It isn't entirely clear when Goenitz split his fingertips, but it will feel.. it will feel as if nothing short of liquid hate is spilling over into Kain's body. White hot, twisting, almost pure agony. If this much transgresses, well--Kain won't have much of the wherewithal to ponder over his plans any further.
It wouldn't be entirely accurate to say that Kain expected something like this, but even so he was still prepared for it. Just not well enough. He moves almost the instant Goenitz does, but the other man is /strong/, and Kain can't twist away or strike back before the fingers drive home. And then he freezes, eyes widening.
The hate surges through Kain, but he has a great deal of experience with hate, and keeping it in check. If it weren't for that, Kain would have burned Geese tower to the ground himself, ages ago. Or died trying. He's more powerful than Rugal when that man tried to claim the Orochi power, and he's more powerful than the various unfortunates whose Orochi blood Goenitz has manipulated, and without their existing susceptibility to the power.
A gurgle escapes Kain's throat, and even though his head is tilted back, he's able to turn his gaze down to make eye contact with Goenitz. One hand reaches up toward the other man's wrist, chi flickering in and out between his fingers. Then his entire body jerks and his eyes roll back as even more of hate hate swirls about inside him, leaving him hanging on by his metaphorical fingernails.
The blood drips. At first in small droplets, coalescing into a pool that likely ruins Kain's expensive floor. Goenitz would consider it a shame, if he cared at all about the lavish trappings of society.
The feeling that consumes is totally alien. The physiology of the person currently holding Kain down like a spider pinning a fly is simply unreal. Though he looks the part, though he talks the part, when faced with the person known as 'Goenitz' in this context... it's hard to say what about him is truly human at all, if something in his blood can so directly contrast with human nature.
The blood begins to well at Goenitz's boots.
There is nothing but the faintest evidence of disdain from Goenitz when Kain makes eye contact with him. There is no predatory leer, no anger, nothing that you feel in your own veins radiating from him. The control that Kain has over his own emotions... well, let it be said that Goenitz has only that self-satisfied air about him, and nothing more, despite every muscle in his body standing at attention right now as he hoists Heinlein's body a little higher, presumably to increase the infusion.
"Ah, try not to fight it," Goenitz advises him, in a fatherly tone. "This is the blessing of God. The Word. The Kiss. It comes from a time long before, before this tawdry era of commercialized play fighting you children are so fond of. You see, to truly be one with and believe in God is not something you can simply say. You have to feel it. To understand it in every way. You should be happy. Normally I don't dirty my hands with those of original sin... but for you, my son? I make an exception."
With that, Leopold twists his arm just so, viciously wrenching his hand free of Kain's neck and leaving him to drop to the floor as he might. He leaves only that burning, alien feeling to suffuse Kain after wrenching his arm free, and despite the look to the contrary, he somehow manages to do so without taking half of Kain's throat with him.
Kain crashes to the floor, still twitching, now coughing up blood. He manages to roll onto his front and tries to start lifting himself up on one knee, then slams a fist into the floor hard that wooden boards shatter. A low growl builds in his throat, while with his other hand he digs into the floor with enough force to leave gouges in the wood.
A blue chi glow surrounds Kain's entire body, slowly darkening to black and then starting to crackle with flames here and there. The growl builds to a scream of rage and pain as Kain manages to get to his knees, clutching at his head. The energy around him continues to build, to the point that even a regular person would probably be able to feel something deeply wrong.
And then slowly, it begins to subside. Kain staggers to his feet, then whips around to face Goenitz, snarling. Then he suddenly grunts in pain, falling to one knee and supporting himself with one hand. His skin is a noticeably darker shade, and his already light blond hair is now almost white. He glares at Goenitz, his face twitching rapidly as he barely manages to keep his anger in check. He doesn't seem to trust himself to speak.
Fascinating.
He's glaring at him with such spite, such enmity.. Folding his hands together, Leopold claps for Heinlein's considerable change in attitude, hardly seeming to recognize exactly how close Kain just came to wiping out the entire estate in one massive blast. That, or he simply isn't concerned. So yes, he applauds, Kain's blood still slick on his hands.
"You've done well. Your body is strong." He spreads his hands. "Strong enough to bear the knowledge of its own limitations. To that end, you have only begun to repent. As I said. The winds truly do favor you..."
Preternaturally calm, Goenitz sends a whipping motion down the edge of his coat with an open hand. Blood does not stain his garments, despite the mess. "Unfortunately, there are some trials that must be undertaken alone. It would be troublesome for our joyous work to have a free-minded disciple right now. So I must bid you farewell."
The evangelist raises a bloody hand.. and snaps his fingers.
In this, Leopold Goenitz is hardly gentle. The resulting force of wind that kicks up around him spreads his coat wide in a controlled fashion, before kicking forward to whip around Kain's body. The force of this gale is easily enough to throw Kain bodily into--and possibly through--one of his bookcases. In his weakened state, Kain would likely not stay conscious through the ordeal.
In the blink of an eye fire springs to Kain's fingers, but it's true that he's worn out from the stress his body, mind and soul were just put through. He doesn't get a chance for even a token attack against Goenitz before the wind picks him up and sends him flying into a bookshelf. The wood cracks under the impact, and proceeds to dump several shelves worth of books onto Kain as he falls to the floor, unconscious. The impact alone was probably enough to take him out at this point, but some of those books are quite heavy.
Only then does Leopold make it a point to dab his hands with a handkerchief absently, watching the intense flames of Kain's chi spin through the air, stirred by his own torrential winds. As the papers and books topple, he smiles faintly, grimly setting about his own fastidiousness.
Without lifting his chin, he looks up, not daring to do so with anything less than that same eerie smile upon his face. "Another servant for you, Lord. Another day in many of which your praise should and will be sung."
Always the gentleman, Leopold locks the door behind him as he takes his leave.
Log created on 16:00:05 02/06/2011 by Kain, and last modified on 22:12:25 02/12/2011.