Steering Committree

Steering Committree

Year 187 (continued)

The Triumvirs heard it from their god, and they were honestly lost for words. How do they even explain that the Aivan church will now be assimilated? Do the prayers now go to me, instead of Aiva? There was a lot to think about.

Edna and Lumoofs first comment was, A true god is incredibly intimidating. They had not felt such a strong sensation. Already, messages were flying everywhere throughout the world, requesting for information on what had happened.

Indeed. I now understand the huge gap between our power. If the levels each resulted in an exponential bump in power, perhaps the Gods would be someone in their... level 300s? Or maybe 400?

The Triumvirs of Aiva were incredibly puzzled, and distressed. We... we must discuss this.

None of you leave. I said to everyone present, including the Triumvirs. A cage of roots emerged around the entire area, and coated it with all the anti-magic aura. And no messages.

Everyone nodded.

First, I want to hear everyones thoughts. What do you think of assimilating the Aivan faith to ours?

The Triumvirs were at a loss for words. I need a lot more time to process this. It is too sudden to find out that our god has decided to abandon us.

The problem of assimilating, no, taking over the Aivan faith is a lot more complicated than it seemed. If I could nod, I would. Indeed, and has such things ever happened in the history of the world?

Lumoof could answer that. No. In our records so far, that has never ever happened.

I looked at Kei and Stella who were both present. I spoke as if I wasnt one of Earth because the Triumvirs were present. Both of you came from the other worlds, and have seen similar schisms in faith. Surely your histories would enlighten you the moments where a faith or a temple is torn apart due to differences. What happened then?

Stella was the one who answered, She was after an adult when she came, so she had a more thorough education on the histories of Earth. War. Civil war.

I ask of you three, and of your knowledge of your priests, and your people. Do you think they will accept an outright conversion to my faith so easily?

The three Triumvirs all shook their heads. Engka was the one who stood to respond. No. Many have believed in Aiva for years, decades, perhaps even centuries. So many priests preached of Aivas greatness and kindness, of Aivas powers, of Aivas sense of duty to our world. I am afraid that what that lady said was true. If we were to follow what Aiva willed of us, the Aivan church will break apart. No. I am convinced that they will go to war against us, even if we are the Triumvirs.

Indeed. Exactly. This message, if spoken, the other priests of your faith would say all of you have been corrupted, your minds altered by my powers. You three will be hunted and killed.

The three Triumvirs could imagine it already. Such a message could never be accepted. What Aiva asked was for his followers to abandon what they have known their entire life, and I saw that it was impossible, even if his logic had a sense to it.

Stella looked at the Triumvirs, and then back at Lumoof. Aeon, what... what are you proposing?

We say nothing of what Aiva had said. Everyone gasped. I asked that everyone present to seal those divine words in your mind.

The Triumvirs looked at Lumoof. ...but?

Your god commanded you to obey me. And my first order is for you to keep everything that happened a secret among secrets. We shall maintain our separate faiths, and the Aivan church will continue. Let no one, other than your successors, ever learn of what Aiva has said.

One of the Triumvirs immediately kneeled. Thank you Aeon for your wisdom. The other two immediately followed.

Aiva may desire that I take over, but it is not in my interest to do so.I have no desire to wage war against the Aivan church, and have no need for the churchs followers. The central continent continued to grow, and I wasnt about to just accept the shit that this god decided to throw my way. But we will have peace between us, and in the future, friendly relations. But I may have requests for you, that I hope you will assist me to carry out.

The three Triumvirs nodded. That should be fine if we keep it discreet and find ways to establish a secure communication channel between us. A ceasefire and a peace treaty should not be an issue either.

I saw so many potential pitfalls in absorbing the Aiva faith, and already the world has lost enough. It doesnt need another crusade, one triggered by the supposed capitulation of the Aivan faith. Those who believed did not see reason or arguments, and people will act based on their feelings and their conviction, even here. When religions back home broke apart due to fundamental differences, it always led to war.

We dont mind wars. We even allow wars between our vassal kingdoms.

But the Aivan war has the potential to trigger serious questions of the possibility of the faiths coexisting peacefully, and it would be a war aimed at me, and it would be a war we dont need. No, more importantly, I did not want what I am implying should I absorb the Aivan faith, a similar fate awaited the other 3 temples. I want my faith to be one that can coexist with the other four, and that we can all work together.

I also saw problems even if they did accept my faith. I was limited by the natural geography of the world, and so, even if they believed in me, I wouldn't be there to protect them. It would not be fair for the Triumvirs either, when they would have to defend my cause and the only way I can do so is to send my Valthorns across the sea and fight a war.

Not until I figure out how to properly cross the oceans. Using Lumoof as an avatar is like a stopgap, and I would like a far more permanent arrangement.

One of the Triumvirs apologised. I had not expected Aiva to escalate from an alliance to an outright absorption of our faith.

At this point, what is the sense among your people? Would they accept an alliance?

Honestly, its a mix. Many admire the strength of the Aeonic faith, and the powers that backed it. But out of principles and loyalties, many prefer to remain with the other three. An alliance may also trigger some dissent, though I expect it to be more mild. That said, it would be riskier for the Aivan believers on the other continents where the other three temples are stronger.

Then we shall not rush into it. I decreed. Let us have peace, and we shall be friends. Allow our forces to travel to kingdoms who follow your faith. Perhaps in time, an alliance will be a natural evolution from friendship.

I have the time to play the long game, and there was no need to rush things and create so much bad blood. A war won by friendship will last longer, anyway.

Good enough.

They want to know the contents.

Tell them to ask the Triumvirs. We are not at liberty to disclose. Push the problem to someone else.

-

The Triumvirs made an announcement about a week after our meeting, that a special conference was held with the Faith of Aeon and that a great peace treaty has been agreed in principle, that all aggressions arising from faith should thus formally cease. The formal terms will be signed at a later date.

It sent messages flying, as the other three temples demanded to know the details. At this point, the three Triumvirs have not left, and they sought my guidance.

Act as if I dont exist. I responded. You three are to lead Aiva like normal, and that means you must be free to make decisions on that basis, so long as it does not contravene our agreed peace treaty.

The Triumvirs had to leave quickly, as those back on the Eastern Continent will have plenty of questions. But they first leaked that it was a peace treaty brokered by the Aivan God, and that the two faiths have agreed to peace with no reparations on either side.

Peace wasnt so bad, and most of them could accept it. The Aivan church would have to cough out some sums from their own treasuries to compensate the kingdoms that were most devoted to the war, but that was it.

Peace as the Gods will? That was plausible, believable, and certainly, it aligned to what most kingdoms wanted. A war with a continent an entire ocean away? What good does that do?

It was easy, in this case, to claim it was their Gods will.

A lie, but necessary one. I have bigger problems to fry.

-

Im not feeling too good. Kei admitted privately to Stella. The whole thing with the gods made her feel a sense of dread. And theres no one I can talk to.

Stella patted her back. Its a useless gesture, shes a golem so she doesnt feel any physical muscle soreness. Oh come on now. Theres me.

You were not a hero. You dont know what it feels like to suddenly be told that were just nothing more than medicine. That we are unstable medicines that would harm the flesh.

Stella sat next to her. Its something you and the other heroes have realised to some extent, so I personally believed you would have expected it.

Its one thing to suspect your parents dont want you, and another to hear it straight from the horses mouth.

I would never have imagined you would think of the gods as your parents. Stella sat. Thats honestly quite creepy.

Kei caught herself. Yeah. Thats a bad analogy. I guess its like your crush telling you to buzz off, I guess?

Thats still kind of weird. Stella laughed. But cheer up. Now that you know they dont really care, theres no reason to take their requirements all that seriously.

I mean... how do I put it. Kei looked at Stella, her eyes were a little watery. I think its predatory, what they are doing, they pick us and send us across the worlds, tell us, us young, impressionable souls seeking validation, value and recognition, that we are destined to be heroes, instill within us this sense of grand purpose, magically influenced our minds such that we stick to the goal.

Youve known that.

Yeah, but hearing it said so matter-of-factly really is different. Kei said.

Stella smiled. Heroes are just like young innocent fresh graduates who are sucked into the corporate feel-good mission statements and sent out to the world, only to discover that their support isnt great, and the purported values are nothing more than just something written to satisfy some arbitrary rating system.

Kei turned and looked at Stella. Shit. Corporate life is like that? Despite their age, I still occasionally forget that all these heroes never had any working experience. This hero stint is probably their first job.

Thats what my friends say, and you seem to be manifesting similar symptoms. Burnout from work. A realisation that everything is just corporate speak.

Kei had a look on her face. Wait, are you saying Im having a quarter life crisis?

Youve been at this hero thing for a while, and then you moved on and now focus on helping the heroes. Now youre wondering why youre doing it all in the first place. That sounds like a quarter life crisis. Youre feeling lost, even without the gods mind control.

Kei gently smacked Stella on the arm. Stop it, youre making me feel worse.

Am I wrong? Stella sat. I mean, weve known each other for how long?

You didnt seem that interested in being my friend at first, though. Kei responded.

Im just slow to warm up.

Really.