Of Cults and Commoners

[Arcadus]

Thread title: Of Cults and Commons
Participants: Open
Job Thread

Rating R

Location: Southern United States.

Circumstances: Arcadus, Immensley bored, decides to test out a theory he has about certian human magical traditions. 

Starts When: Arcadus Make his post.

Note: Anyone is able to join this, either in opposition to other participants actions or in support of participants.

[Arcadus]

Swathed in blue and surrounded by tomes, Arcadus took in its symbols, becoming words, becoming sentences, forming ideas, ideas strung together over paragraphs, fibers on a thread, twisted together. On t hose threads beads of arguments, posits and suppositions forming a necklace of ideology and structured belief. Layers upon layers of conceptual jewelery and fascinating constructions passed across his eyes as  he attempted that true question. What was the nature of humans? Strange creatures, mistakes, accidents, but so filled with purpose, and with so much vigor in thier own existance. Such contrast to his own kind. Arrancar were the final form of hollows, sapient beings that existed for their own purpose, to grow and flourish. 

But humans had no such.. evolutionary structure. Descended from apes whose environments  favored tool use and larger brains, they had no such purpose. So they invented them. Or so they thought. While Arcadus could not hope to know the intentions of the Gods that did exist, he found it so fascinating that Humans invented new ones, new ways of belief and entire new ways to view the world. So many gods, so many rituals, of prayer. From ritual to ward off those gods they formed to symbolize the foul, the evil, to prayers and custom to attract those things they wanted, fortune, fame, comfort, skill. They all seemed to draw from a number of congruent ideas.

Chief among them, at least for beliefs descending and borrowing from Western continents, was two chief ideas, one white and shining, and one dark and pitched. The shining truth and its pursuers and seekers, its objective, solid form was said to exist.  The path of the Hermetic, at least traditionally. The idea that existing within the world was a single theology, a true form to all things. This idea inspired so much of both faith and science, from Hermes Trismegistus, "Thrice Great", Prophet of ThoTh and Hermes, to a mortal by Isaac Newton, who this book told him was some kind of pioneer in mortal sciences. 

The dark, hidden truth, was that of belief. That perception, and the conviction to hold it, pervades over reality. This formed the basis of magic, of witches and warlocks who for eons were lauded and feared. For what was perception, but how we experienced reality. Like tainting a well or feeding animals bred for slaughter different feed, you could change the color, texture, and nature, of reality. That concept intrigued arcadus, enrobed in his starlight library. Further, if one could exploit this concept, there was great power to be had. 

Arcadus stared at the pages of these tomes, eclectic and occult in nature, so full of attempts at this truth. There was an imbalance. Turning to a desktop computer, Arcadus began to research what was the way s and forms of modern religion and faith. if such tomes were on the truth of both, surely there was an imbalance. Tomes, written word, theory and structure. These were agents of order and light, and there needed to be some kind of investigation into the dark, and submersion of the light to right this balance.  

As well, surely the idea that if enough believe something it becomes true only extended to their own perception. It couldn't change the hue of a stone, or overturn a coin. All evidence pointed towards there being nothing but mental effects of faiths and rituals. But of course, only sciences measured this, nothing of the spiritual world in which HE lived had seriously investigated this. So for this an experiment needed to be created. A method by which a group of people could be made to truly believe something spiritual and meaningful, and see if it changed to accord this belief. 

So in this, he could form a belief, a cult, around something. But what., what to center upon this experiment. To diefy something, to form a new god perhaps, a true spiritual change, would be needed. A measurable goal, of spiritually empowering something. And what better candidate to inspire worship and tribute than himself. If it worked, he'd be empowered beyond his current state, and even in the event of failure, his knowledge would have expanded and his ego massively satiated. 

So the plan was to position himself as an entity to be worshipped, but by who and what capacity. Well, the most gullible and impressionable folks seem to be those humans in the south of North America, of the Christian denomination that gathered in great stadiums to see their sophist that they call priests speak and lie on the content of the book they claimed to worship. Worshipping a god of free boons, miracles and healing to which they could not see.  Tithing always. 

And the symbol to fashion himself as. An angel, a diefic messenger there to change the word of God and forge a new covenant with these "worthy" His attire would have to conform to thier ideas, mantling their essence and symbols healing the sick, blessing those  in attendance. These he could do with words alone, though reading thier souls would prove an even more effective proof of his powers, as well as "destroying sinners" and producing "the divine flame of god". As well, gathering up all the gold used, as well as jus the general wealth these preachers owned, would prove useful to him outside of this experiment. Souls too would flow to him, empowering him in the moment or being stored for later for The Ritual. 

Donning white and gold robes, He stood in from of his mirror, swishing and pacing to best accentuate the effect. As well he needed wings, which an aura effect should allow to manifest a ghostly pair. Testing in in the mirror, he pulled to himself a book on avian anatomy and art of angels. It would seem that avian anatomy was only considered in certain depictions, and likely wouldn't be noticed, both for the nature of his audience, and the fact that he was masquerading as a divine creature. 

From here all he had to do was sit and understand their ideas, their symbols, their invocations. Arcadus set himself down and began to watch, to tune into megachurch footage to understand their exact weaknesses, the lines they use, the beliefs they shield and the beliefs they flaunt. In this he would understand how to bend their perceptions, who to bring them to understand and bend thier perceptions to his whim. To deify him as an angel, and a smiter. And in the worst case, He'd have to deal with some Shinigami and book it with a chest load of ryo. 

[Arcadus]

There's a strange aura about watching television, or anything on an LED screen for a long time. While spiritual beings weren't plagued by the eye strain caused by excessive exposure to blue light, there is a phenomenon that occurs past that. Anything you look at after that, is tinted yellow, and yellow becomes grey. As for why this was occurring, Arcadus stared at the yellow pages of an old book wondering how in all of the layers of Los Noches it had turned grey, only swift research in the effects of too much television alleviating him. 

He'd been researching these "mega churches" as they were called by detractors. Specifically the methods with which they gathered disciples and ardent supporters. And among the various threads, different denominations and faiths, several factors were revealed, like gold being panned from the murky soil of a riverbed, and they were exactly the conditions Arcadus had wanted for this experiment. This was the crux, the cornerstone, of his potential experiment, and why the exact petri dish was so readily available. Smiling to himself, he began drawing up notes and diagrams to better illustrate this, as this operation required care and disciplined planning to carry out. 

Firstly, why did people join churches? Well, besides the attempt to find a path of hope, salvation, or redemption, most people joined a church because it was a community. That community that their parents went to, their friends went to, that holds the only community events of interest. People also desired community for the sense of belonging, to be a part of something more than themselves, and to spend time with others and have others spend time with them. This begins as a simple club, but often becomes a real family to which people entrust their time and dedication to improving. This invests a person to the point of ensuring that they have become a member, and one who has, at the least, bought into the social aspects and benefits of being a part of the church.

Secondly, how is this sense of community, and loyalty utilized to organize and to keep its member as a part of the church? It is rewarded with social affirmation, and straying from the group, or rather, what its patriarch defines and the group line, is met with social pressures to toe the line. And while those who are thick skinned enough to ward this off and leave are lost, those are not the people coming in the first place. They are those who are desperate for affection and affirmation. People who need to be told they are doing the right thing. So when this community that has given them those things, told them they are good and htat they are deserving not just of praise, but a higher power's mercy and love, it is hard for people to really go back, especially when social pressure becomes harassments, bullying and threats.  

Thirdly, with this rod and flail, what does the cult do to gather further support. First, like soldiers in an army, it conviinces them that they are worthless without the army. That in the absence of their gods they are naught but dirt and sand to be walked upon by greater beings. They are convinced that they are, at least at present, are wrong. Sinful, lacking enlightenment, lower order. Which ever label, it remains the same. The people now cowed, are convinced that they need to stay in the group for the next step, to ensure that theier earthly, mortal corpse automotauns they inhabit will be purified by the leader of the group and its gods. This ensures servitude in both an attempt to demean, but give a pathway to salvation that involves servitude.  

Fourthly, convinced of needing salvation, the fourth step begins. In which, the guilt of sin is leveraged for the church's, and more accurately, the objects of worship's own ends. To which the member is convinced that htier salvation only can come through acts of devotion, more than simple attendance of sermons and rituals, they must sacrifice. This sacrifice takes the form, most likely, of something that benefits the oligarchs of the cult or church. Money, hours of life, flat out servitude in some cases. Sometimes it means living on a compound with them. All things are on the table when serving the perceived divine. And of course, one must bring others to the church as well, starting the cycle for others. 

Fifthly, with a complex of doubt and dependence, there must be a satisfaction of the sacrifices made in peoples lives. Mainly, that would be the performance of miracles, and focusing the acts of the gods as the reason for any positive movement in people's lives, rather than any action of their own. The "performance" rather than performing, ensures that no miracle is needed, just the appearance and idea of one presented. In this phase, it is ensured that a person's faith is solidified, and they are brought into the fold. 

Sixth, once they are in, the faithful need to be kept in. So, the outside world is made into their prison. The outsiders are not clean, are not holy, they are the outside, the agents of the adversary. They are jealous, sinful, and in conspiracy against you. Any wrong committed by the church is right, and the consequences of the cults actions are spun as instead the vile conspiracy of the adversaries and enemies of the church and you should be afraid of them, because they are out to persecute you for the faith you have found with the church.  

Seventh Fear of the outside formed, the faithful are forced to turn inward, to the church and its leaders for both safety and salvation. Their life revolves now around the church. They are its servants and it will prop them up as the ideal of the lower members. Completely subservient, a perfect example of these in the lesser stages of the process. They find contentment when in the churches walls and are purely ecstatic when in the presence of their god and leaders. These are those that fight, oppress, and kill for the church, those that give it a real structural power over its people. They are its examples, and the moments of glee and true happiness, shown and exalted to the masses, are contrasted by true fear and horror at the unclean and sinful outside. This is the end of a cults indoctrination, true servants to its leaders, who will sacrifice all for it. 

Arcadus, armed with this, began to form his plan. To make use of this Christian end times, that begin with Rapture, he would envelop himself in the trappings of an angel, to which he would appear before a congregation and declare that he is an angel who has come to prepare them for rapture. That in order to find salvation, they must do the word of god for 90 days and 90 nights, after which they will be raptured. All he needed now was a physical form to be seen. And he knew where to get one. 

Standing outside the shop, owned by an Akki named Kitai, he was told he could purchase a Gigai here. As for how he felt about the whole ordeal, he was unsure as to how to react. The shop was intensely spiritual in nature, and could not be definetely defined, seeming to change to the viewer, and Arcadus's.. condition in his inner world was causing it to shift appearances rapidly. Despite the unseetling visiual, he stepped in to the store, and laying eyes on the sole counter clerk, began to speak. "I've been told you're Kitai. I've also been told you sell custom Gigai's. And from what else I've heard about you, I'm willing to bet you'll hand it over for free, for a chance to get in on a good scheme. What do you say?"

[Kitai Yoru]

Kitai was not used to 'slow days'. Sure, his shop was usually pretty barren in terms of people, that was nothing new for the Saika. Most of humanity couldn't see his shop, let alone enter it. It was something he had hoped to avoid, but the raw amount of reiatsu he poured into his craft radiated into the environment around him. To the normal person, it wasn't invisible, so much as it was unnoticeable. People saw it, and promptly forgot about it, deeming it not worth their time. Every so often the occasional person managed to get through the doors regardless of that fact, but today wasn't one of those days.

No, today was slow because nothing has actually happened. No hollow attacks have popped up lately, no random Soul Reaper has come to try and kill him, and the last Quincy that tried to slay him found herself decapitated in a crater. After his little stunt in the Soul Society, he did what he used to do after a big event, and laid low for awhile. He had forgotten how boring that was though. No one to battle, no one to annoy, no one to just talk with. These were the days that he misses being a member of UE.

Uzaki at least shared his love of crafting, and gave him pretty good reactions when he bothered him. They were a community, not friends, but a group that could usually rely on one another. The pay hadn't been half bad either. Just write a report on whatever mischief you cause and get a grand in cash. It wasn't a bad deal, all things considered. Still, it was better that he left. He can still remember the day he finally snapped. That repugnant whore of a Quincy was the straw that broke the camel's back. Losing his arm and leg like that finally drove him to total insanity, and he tried his best to burn this world to the ground.

Kitai was seated at one of his counters, leaning against it as he fiddled with one of his guns. The Colt, he named it, less in honor of the actual creator of the weapon, and more in reference to a show he'd watched a season of. It was a hand cannon in every sense of the word. All power, little finesse, and has enough recoil to shatter every bone in a regular persons arm. Still, the bullet would kill just about anything it struck, and probably blast through every building that stood in its way. It was heavy in his hand, maybe three times the weight one might expect of something its size.

It was one of his display pieces, and not something he could actually use anymore. This particular one was made before his first death. Back when he was strong enough to move mountains. He looks down at his fist, clenching it as hard as he could. He sighed. In terms of physical strength, he was little better than a regular human. He put the gun back in its display case. He hated quiet days. It gave him too much to remember. What he lost. He glares down at the chains, wrapped around his wrist. Reminds him of what he gained.

Luckily for the Lunatic, his thoughts were interupted, as the bell on his door chimed. His head snapped up, and he gave his best attempt at a friendly smile. He likely failed at it. "Hello there! Welcome to the Kitai shop! How can I help you?" He said, still not used to greeting potential customers. The man that stood in the door was an interesting one, and one that was very clearly not from around here. He was extremely tall, matching Kitai in height, but this man clearly filled it out better. The man was rippling with muscle, something that was apparent even with the clothing he wore.

This wasn't just some walking slab of meat either. The man was, and pardon the pun, devilishly handsome, with a charisma he couldn't hope to hold a candle to. The Saika blinked and tried his best to snap out of this weird admiration he felt for the man. What kind of ability was this? He focused his mind on what he was saying, rather than lookin gat the man. The man new him by name. Normally he'd say that wasn't too hard, given that his store sign literally had his name written all over it, but clearly his knowledge went further than that.

Sell custom Gigai? He'd considered it in the past, but had shot it down fairly quickly. Every time he wanted to create one, he had to release his Darkskill to do so, making it fairly pricy for him to do so. Add on top of it the fact he was selling in the Human World, and it became a fairly niche thing to sell. Then again, if they were looking for a gigai in the Human World, that meant they might be desperate to get their hands on one, meaning he could get top dollar for them. What a devious idea. Still, that didn't mean he would just give some random stranger one for free.

Though, he had been complaining he was dangerously close to boredom not five minutes earlier. Ehh, it wasn't like it would hurt him to listen to the stranger, who was very clearly an arrancar. The mask was always a dead giveaway, and usually the only way Kitai could differentiate them from humans or Soul Reapers. "'For free' you say? My my, you must have something pretty interesting in mind if you're betting that. Then again, I'm bored as hell, pardon the pun, so I'm willing to hear you out. Heh, just be prepared for the consequences of disappointing me."

The Lunatic gave him a wicked grin, as he started fishing around in a nearby drawer. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled out a roll of measuring tape used to measure people. He hasn't used this in a long time, the last time was when he made a guy some Steel Silk clothing for some jackass named Guujin. It took him three hours to make him the armor, and when he came back to pick it up, the son of a bitch punched him so hard he flew three blocks back.

So, as Kitai took the stranger's measurements, he released his Darkskill. Whether or not that would be used to either kill this man or help him would be decided after he spoke his mind. Kitai would stay mostly silent as he did his job, and allowed the man to tall him this plan that he had in mind, this 'good scheme' as it were. It would take the Saika all of five minutes to finish up his measurements, in order to make a gigai that would fit the man who seemed to be made more out of marble that actual flesh. He figured that was his Heirro, but he could see that this was someone with a great deal of strength behind them.

Out of Hell posts: 10 1/3
Dark Skill release: 100
Starting in a Gigai body: 5,000
Total Reiatsu Remaining: 12,900/18,000

[Jeff Franklin]

Jeff was looking at his new mark shining in the light cast by all the fire surrounding him, this brand was sitting visibly on the back of his hand. It hasn't been long since he was made an official member of Orobas's Legion, but it's been long enough for him to be grinning like a madman. The perks he gains from this horrendous wound placed on his hand would allow him to walk around in the different realms WITHOUT that stupid mask and cloak. Waving his hand around in front of his face, admiring how painful it was for this to be melted into his skin, Ah, that was a good time.



Wandering outside of the Sanctus base was proving to be real annoying, after all, Jeff was consistently noticing more people being tormented and could only be a little jealous. The problem is he had important things to be working on, such as cleaning the world of all those who he considers tainted. Of course he also needs to protect all the innocent children, but that was going to be challenging, especially because most will grow up to become just as bad as the adults the spend time with.



For know however, Jeff just wanted to enjoy the perks from this brand and there's only two people he ca really show off to. So quickly raising his chain wrapped arm he plunges it into the air before him, with the image of the greenhouse where Shitoke goes firmly in his mind. With the tear forming in front of him and the image in his mind, Jeff rips the tear wide open and walks through it. "Hold on my boy, Papa's coming!", with those words he steps out of the tear which immediately seals behind him, seeming to realize it's existence and so it swiftly fixes itself.



Looking around only proves one thing to Jeff, the stupid defense surrounding the Seireitei messed up his entrance, thus keeping him from reaching Shitoke. "Now where am I, and why is it so warm?" Trying to move air through his shirt to cool off he also takes a glance around. There's only one place that would make him feel this warm and it wasn't the place he belongs to, one large rumble blasts a certain substance up into the air. This substance of course had to land directly on his face when he took the time to turn his head and look around. The substance was non other than Lava, and he was currently standing in the middle of a volcano.



Looking up shows that it's a long way up to the top, to make matters worse the top was also sealed showing this wasn't even a volcano that has erupted yet. He would say it looks like it might soon but what does he know about nature except it has many amazing ways to hurt you. It was in that moment the rock he stood on broke and he sank right into the flesh melting substance below. After what felt like an eternity of intoxicating pain, the lava finally managed to end him, he only wish it took a little longer.



Lurching from the spawning pool, Jeff could only be disappointed by the fact it's been really difficult to see his boy recently. Ok, if I can't see my boy, than I'll see my other mentor, letting that thought run through his mind Jeff gets up and repeats the process, this time focusing on Kitai's shop. Walking through the tear Jeff screams, "Have no fear, for Jeff is here!" Sadly while he screamed this, he failed to lock on to the exact spot due to Kitai shop shenanigan's, ending with him falling face first into the floor behind Kitai. Jumping up from the ground he looks at Kitai, blood trickling down his forehead, "No more mask and cloak for me!"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Out of Hell Posts}Remaining: 1/40

[Arcadus]

Arcadus knew his words weren't bluffs, but he needed to elucidate the demon in front of him that they were worthwhile to the demon currently running its hands and measures around his form. The black smoke of his release hinted that either he needed to either do this to form the gigai, or that there was very much a danger to asking that. Considering that he was within grabbing distance, and his thin frame, that shouldn't be hard do deal with. Measuring up his form, he was likely a mage of some sort, spiritual techniques were almost certainly his forte, only enforced by his reputation and history. 

As well, it would do well to expand his acquaintances and allies outside of Hueco Mundo. Arrancar and Hollows weren't always the most reliable, and while demons weren't always different, they had rules that extended beyond obeying strength and power. As for this particular one. There was great use to allying with Kitai. He was a proficient craftsmen, even rivaling himself, and was of generally good reputation among people Arcadus wanted to ingratiate himself to. They were low down and scoundrels, but so had he been once. 

Sensing him out confirmed his spiritual prowess. A massive pool of rieatsu welled in him, along with a potential power that gave Arcadus pause. But despite the flicker of hesitation, like walking past a candle flame, it roared to life again as he felt out a particular feeling. So many of those he interacted with in Hueco Mundo were unaffected or far too stoic to show the effects of his charisma and beauty, but not this one. Whether platonic or something more he couldn't quiet tell, but his mere appearance here had sank hooks into him. This wasn't going to be easy, but he already was up to his knee through the door, pawns arrayed in formation, there was no need to hold out. 

"Oh I don't make such claims without substance. I have a plan, an experiment to test a hypothesis of mine, and I want you to play a role. No matter the end, we will both walk away rich, and if all goes well, more than rich, empowered. I've come across an interesting quirk of human religious and magical practice. The concept that belief can shape perception, and that perception can shape reality. I want to see if that's the case. I had a plan to have multiple immensely powerful spiritual beings, like us,"

Arcadus gestured to himself hand placed across his chest, fingers splayed, before flourishing his hand towards Kitai. His fairly blank, but pleasant expression had shifted into a soft, kind smile. Brows moved to frame sapphire eyes in a beam of geniality. His posture, upright and tight, had shifted slightly, before readjusting to make sure the measurement's were not off. He had planned to have to find someone to play devil to his angel, but he had a feeling that he had already found them if they agreed to make him such an intensive item. Not to mention the handsy nature of that endeavor might lead to other things, but matters at hand of course required focus. 

"The plan would be to announce ourselves as different figures of their religion, and to state that their Armageddon was coming, and that through that group worshiping a new figure head, either in exchange for powers or protection, we would see if the concept would reveal itself to be true. This might take the form of new powers, strengthening our already substantial might, or some new form, depending on the worship. Even if it does not pan out, the worship isn't just prayer. Its sacrifice, tribute, things both of us would stand to gain. As well, for you, I think the potential for mortals, sinners, to pledge their souls to you would be very attractive to you in particular. Not to mention I can unveil the plan further, but I need to know you are at least willing to help me with my first step, forming a physical body to appear before them."

"The amount of money and time these faithful spend, or "donate" on their leaders is enormous, and these leaders are by and large mundane but charismatic mortals. They live in mansions, chaperoned and chamfered everywhere they go in luxury vehicles. They live like kings, convincing so many to part with so much, with nary a hint of spiritual power between them. Think of what we would be able to convince them to give up with our powers and will."

Arcadus's smile was unrelenting, soft and welcoming, with a hint of sly withholding. He needed to lead them on into the plan, tell them enough to appear truthful, which, well, he was. There was no intent to deceive the demon in front of him. He just needed him to come along far enough to see the rewards, and from there, the experiment's structure should finish that out. And even in a worst case scenario, the funds gathered would at least go into buying the ring. He desperately wanted that ring. To know the hows and whys of it, to use its power, whatever it was, for his benefit. It was going to be good, it had to be. 

"As well, should they fight, being of opposing factions in their cosmology, we'd benefit greatly both from those who do develop spiritual abilities, and the potential shinigami who, attracted by such upheaval, we can kill or imprison. That, and there's nothing like war to raise treasuries and centralized power and worship. These mortals are a ticket to wealth, and if I'm wrong, and worship does empower its idols, we'd be made demi-gods." Arcadus shifting from his upright and stiff stance to spread his hands and arms, as if to demonstrate the enormity of what he was proposing. 

"Are my answers to your satisfaction, Kitai." The sentence did not end with question, but more an assertion wearing the skin of a question. He needed to press his advantage of enticing offer and his raw charisma. Make it seem like matters where already decided, and that these were formalities. Of course, that was a method of perception changing reality, but not the means by which he meant. The experiment needed to happen, if only to gain funds. He needed to explore his options for gaining power, and wealth was certainly an option for that. Wealth made friends and bought allies. It also bought weapons and armor, and with enough of those and more wealth, it bought armies. 

Something caught the corner of his eye. A normal looking office boy, bolting in through the doors. He has a similar aura to Kitai, definetely of hell, but a sort of sickly sweet taste to his aura. Definitely an akki, but of what variety, he wasn't sure. He aslo seemed to know Kitai. Very well, according to the excited childish glee he approached him. A potential ally, and a futher in to the world of demons. This was definetly easy prey, adn Arcadus would savor every second of it. 

[Kitai Yoru]

Watching this man emote was quite the spectacle, if he was being honest. He was sure sure of his words, so sure of himself, that you couldn't help but feel drawn in to what he was saying. Kitai was sure that this person could have made discussing the weather as entertaining as a soap opera. Whether it was from years of dedicated practice, or that he was naturally this appealing, he couldn't tell. What he could tell, however, was that this man would rob him for everything he owned if he wasn't paying attention. Kitai knew the type of person this was, they were common in Hell.

Deal Makers. A simplistic name for them, but one that fit. Deal Makers down in Hell loved to make contracts for those desperate for something, be that a service, power, or something more. The possibilities were endless with these people, and they used their charm and wit to trick people into entering deals that benefited them in the end, usually screwing over the poor sucker who dared to make that deal to begin with. Kitai loathed those people with a passion. He was tempted to try and kill this man just for the sake of it, but like he said earlier, he was bored.

The man also appeared to be bored as well, seeing as he could barely make heads or tails of the reasoning behind what this arrancar was telling him. The person, he hadn't introduced himself yet, seemed to want to make himself into a cult leader. He wanted muster a large gathering of people to worship him, just so he could siphon money from them? That... kind of pissed Kitai off. He wanted to brainwash the masses with his words. He wanted people to pledge their lives and souls to the two of them. Becoming a pseudo god to the humans, whom they would provide power and status for their loyalty.

Kitai stopped measuring the arrancar. He stood up straight, and looked him dead in the eye. This man clearly only knew Kitai through his reputation. His words had the opposite effect on the Saika. He was tempted to kill this hideous monster standing before him. This abominable thing was a serpent wearing the form of a man. Then again, he knew from the start this thing wasn't human. Arrancar were just hollows by any other name. To kill people was one thing, to steal their freedom was another. Freedom was the thing Kitai had been striving for for the past half decade of his life, and to hear someone was so willing to rob that from another...

The Lunatic had been about to say something to the spirit, when something crashed to the floor behind him. He stared at the man for a moment longer. "Wait right there." He told him voice lacking emotion, as he turned to find the source of the interruption. Turns out, it was a screaming idiot, faceplanting into his floor. The man was of a fairly typical build, leaning more on the muscular side, with black hair and an average face. He also had the Chains of Hell on his person, and a voice that was eerily familiar to the Saika. He had yelled something a moment earlier... Wait, no...

Kitai couched down to grab the teleporting idiot, before forcing him to his feet. The reference to his mask and cloak confirmed it. This screaming idiot was Jeff. Without a mask and cloak. Kitai couldn't help but stare at the 'younger' Saika in shock and awe. "How the fuck...?" He muttered aloud, grabbing the Hellion's face, twisting and turning it, trying to find the gimmick or illusion that was hiding the things that Saika were required to have to be outside of Hell. It was impossible, completely and utterly without a shadow of a doubt, impossible.

"Jeff, what the fuck did you do?" He couldn't help but ask, dumbfounded at the spectacle that stood before him. Screw boredom, this day was turning out to be a rollercoaster of emotions for him. Excitement for getting another customer, incomprehensible rage at said customer, and mind numbing shock at another Saika without a mask or cloak on. It was one heck of a day. "Know what, don't want to hear it right now. Shush. Shush. Shadap." He tells him, turning around again. Taking a deep breath, he addresses the man whom he expects to be patiently waiting. "You. Disgust me." He tells him flat out.

"And if it weren't for this pain fetishist behind me, I'd be ripping you limb from limb for even daring to talk me into becoming a false idol." Kitai had a thunderous expression on his face, one that promised violence at the slightest provocation. "You want to create a religion focused on yourself? A sort of fucked up social experiment to see how far you can take it?" Kitai grabbed Jeff by the shoulder. "Well, every religion needs its Devil. And this one can be yours." He tells him, a violent smile spreading across his face. "I'll provide you and Jeff a body, for this little game of yours."

In Kitai's right hand, an exact duplicate of Arcadus appeared, its manifestation all but instantaneous to the naked eye. He shoves forward into the hopefully waiting arms of its new owner. It was a near perfect copy of the man, missing only his mask and hollow hole. "You can play the part of a deity, while I support Jeff in becoming an origination to free your people from you. Show them the light, as it were." Kitai didn't understand everything this man was saying. He wanted to form a cult, if his words were any indication. He would never take on a public mantle like this, but he was sure he could convince Jeff to act as a leader for people.

Then again, Jeff liked to go along with things. He honestly couldn't remember the last time Jeff told him no. He didn't say no when he super glued him to the nose of an airplane, or when he... when he... Huh. He hasn't had too many experiences with Jeff, if he was being honest, but he was sure that Jeff could be a great leader. Or, at least, a great figurehead for Kitai playing politics against some guy that pissed him off. Speaking of which. "You did want an opponent for this, right, mister....?" He said, rolling his hand out in front of him, expectantly.

Out of Hell posts: 10 1/3
Dark Skill Gigai body: 3,225
Total Reiatsu Remaining: 9,675/18,000

[Arcadus]

His plan was in need of adjustment, but things were still on course. Despite Kitai's apparent disgust with him, he had agreed to play the part as a bringer of knowledge and freedom, the very role he had envisioned for him, though doing it through a proxy who, by all accounts, was some kind of lackey or ward. Not optimal to say the least. As for what to do about it. It seemed like he was quite interested in the freedom of these mortals, but as well, the truth of the matter, despite being a part of the masquerade they all kept dancing in. Perhaps a change of position, or a shifting was in order. 

He seemed to value truth and freedom above most other things which was so strange for an akki. He might have misjudged who he had first approached for this. He should attempt to find a way into his good graces, and find out what and why of his beliefs is possible. He was going to get that Gigai, and he wasn't in the mood to fight someone like Kitai. Charm was the way forward, and he needed to make sure that at the very least, this ended peacefully and with him leaving with the Gigai. 

"I think you misunderstand my intentions. This experiment is an experiment in free will, in perception and how it affects the world. It is within the choice of people to leave or stay. Just because my words are sharp and heavy, does not void their agency. I am interested in seeing if their belief can be used to empower someone. Whether I am correct or not, these people will be freed and let go. If anything, this is an opportunity for you, to free them from the lies of their current cult, of course now with the oversight and protection from the reapers that I can provide."

His smile had turned to a more serious expression. Kitai was all business, and was clearly unhappy with the way things were going. But, Arcadus did get the gigai he wanted, and he could potentially make some caveats in Kitai's favor if he really needed to. That would mean he wouldn't get to have as much fun, but it would also mean that the experiment would go smoothly. As for Jeff. Jeff was a pawn, and until proven otherwise should be expected to follow orders. 

"As well, I had intended for you to play the part of a secret or dark bringer of knowledge, much like the Christian's Satan. I'm glad that is a role you are willing to play. As for myself, I intend to position myself as an angel from the Christian God, come to warn people of the rapture and to do deeds in their gods name, while positioning myself as the idol to be worshipped so that the experiment will play out effectively. I am sorry to have kept a detail that might have enticed you from my initial pitch of the plan, I didn't know you cared for mortals, it is an.. unusual trait amongst either of our kinds." 

Kitai needed an incentive. He was a moral being, so it might be good to give him an in. He was all about freedom, so giving him a long leash to work with would be a good idea. Jeff would likely be dispatched if he proved to be an issue, and as for the shadowy figure in front of him, appeasing him would save him a lot of pain and trouble in the future. Keeping things in check shouldn't be hard though, considering that despite his apparent disgust, he was still going along. 

"Now, to make this overall easier, are there any rules of engagement or general limitations to be put on this, to avoid any discomfort or hard feelings in the future of this experiment. You are free to do as you wish, even if it is to reveal the true nature of the spiritual. I am simply in need of an opposing religious force to heighten fervor amongst my group. Do what you will, return their wealth stolen by their current preacher, educate or empower them, what ever deeds you feel are necessary or needed. You could teach them magic for all I care, I am not going to stop you. I just need an opposing force to the group I will introduce myself to. You are free to ask for any conditions on mine or your end."

Arcadus's grandiose stance had shifted for a more focused stare. He was focusing his attention and energy towards Kitai, both in an attempt to appear genuine, but as well to leverage whatever use his charisma had over him. It was important he continue to agree. This plan was not going to die en-utero. "You asked my name. Ser Arcadus, Trecera Espada."

[Arcadus]

Seeing the dumfounded look on Kitai's face, even before having said his name, Arcadus figured that a.. simpler explanation was in order. Apparently despite Kitai's engineering and mechanical prowess he wasn't a man of many words, or long words. Like a young adult might be a bit much for him. Maybe like those remnants of caveman tribes from... Nevermind, He needed to focus. In terms of what he could explain it as, likely as for primary education. 

"I think I might have confused you. I have an experiment in which, these people, who have proved themselves to be very easy to find faith in anything, through worshipping these mundane preachers, will be  used to demonstrate whether or not perception can alter reality. I want to test this because its a common idea in mortal philosophy and religion. Because it is so common, I want to test the limits of those axioms. I understand that perception can change how people see things, but I want to see if we can force the concept to change the hard tactile reality we see." 

Arcadus's tone had take a less formal, gentler tone. It was like a very senior teacher explaining something to a first year student. He wanted to make things as clear as possible to ensure no issues further down the road. There needed to be understanding if they were going to make use of each others time in this form. It was tantamount to failure of the experiment if they were going to stumble at some point because of moral quandaries. Kitai wasn't the smartest or most eloquent tool in the shed, but he was a tool, and a powerful one at that. A tool he could leverage into a future ally. Someone who can make gigai's like this basically ensured he'd be able to infiltrate anywhere he needed to while maintaining a physical form. 

"If we can do this, it is a way to empower ourselves and potential avenue for ensuring we aren't challenged by.. others, as I'm sure you, an Akki out of hell would worry about. The money and time we'd get from these people would be better used on benefiting them anyway, since right now it's just being funneled into private jets and mansions for the narcissistic god complex preachers who currently use their powers to oppress both their flock and anyone in their reach. I think that interests you at least, and" Looking around the somewhat dusty and miskempt shelves, with a hint of empathy in his voice, his firm stone face softening to show a mote of compassion "you could definitely use the money yourself." 


Looking at the gun on the table. It was a fascinating object, definitely a powerful weapon, but it lacked capacity. That capacity would mean the wielder would be hesitant with their shots, potentially not using them at opportune, but not perfect moments. If it has more rounds to fire, it could be a really fierce weapon. Maybe an item to be make in conjunction for it. Some kind of magazine that feeds from somewhere on the body, like a belt. No, the belt would be encumbering. Maybe if they were transposed from a mock magazine into the gun, that would be good. It could be stowed pretty much anywhere, and allow a person to fire rapidly, without worry, and as an added bonus for the seller, allow that mindset to fuel more sales. Ideas for later. 

[Kitai Yoru]

Kitai could feel himself going cross-eyed at the long winded explanation that the arrancar was giving him. Kitai was someone who could make magnificent items from the basest of materials, fight on par with some of the strongest people in all three worlds, and could easily force even the calmest and levelheaded of individuals into a seething rage, with nary a few words. But listening to long form explanations about something he had little experience in? While the man himself was an extremely distracting individual to begin with? Yeah, no, that wasn't something Kitai was capable of at this time.

Thankfully, the man noticed this and changed his approach. It boiled down to, 'arrancar wants to form an organized religion to make a crap ton of cash, and possibly alter reality through people believing something really hard'. That was the best way to dumb it down in his own mind, because that sounded like an insane amount of work. He was someone with borderline anti-charisma, he actively drove people to fits of anger, mostly directed at him. He was a walking beacon of negative emotions, because he was so damn annoying, a fact that he was proud of, if he was being honest.

He was glad Jeff had shown up, because now he could shove all that 'responsibility' on to him so that he didn't have to. It would mean he still went along with the plans of the arrancar. And said arrancar would still be amassing a gathering of humans who would be convinced he was a god through petty displays of power and raw, unadulterated charisma. But, he could also play the savior of those people because, in Kitai's mind, 'Cult Bad'. He also wasn't buying the 'but they have free will' argument from the, apparently, 'Espada' either.

Humans were dumb. Scratch that, everyone on some level was dumb. Humans were dumb when it came to being controlled by group think. Trick enough of them into believing you, and you can convince the herd to regulate bad think through a variety of different methods, none of which are particularly pleasant. Then the Soul Reapers, willingly taking on the title of a deity, and thinking they can police the entirety of the afterlife, and making it illegal to be of a particular race. It was madness on such a level that even Kitai himself couldn't approve of.

And now this Espada, Arcadius he called himself, wanted to exploit the inherent idiocy and desire to fit in that all people had? Kitai judged him harshly for that, but was willing to go along with this plan of his. The Lunatic couldn't very well kill him while he resided within the Human World, because whether he liked it or not, Kitai's fighting style was entirely too destructive to the environment around him. Most of his techniques would destroy large swaths of land, and potentially hundreds of thousands of people if this Espada was someone comparable to himself.

Maybe he was exaggerating the death count, maybe he wasn't. His fight with Orobas, and even Priscilla to a degree, proved that he couldn't really contain his battles to small contained areas. So, he would have to go along with the scheming ghost. At least for the moment. He might find an opening later on to shut down whatever madness he has planned at some point, but now wasn't the time. That, and if what he says is true, this is a pretty interesting 'get rich quick' scheme, and Kitai did quite like money. Kitai liked his own items, and making them was a blast, but that shit on the Black Market...

"Wait." He says aloud, suddenly hearing what Arcaidus said about him. "What did you call me?" The Lunatic focused on one word, singling it out amongst the others. He still heard what the Arrancar was telling him, but his brain caught up with that one word. "Did you just call me a Fucking Akki?" Kitai's grip on Jeff's shoulder tightened considerably. The Lunatic wanted to rant at the man for the assumption, but he merely took a deep breath, letting go of Jeff, before calmly explaining. "I. Am not. An Akki. I, am a Saika. Jeff here is as well. Akki are hideous Hell abominations that deserve everything they have coming to them, AND DESERVE EVERYTHING THEY HAVE COMING TO THEM!"

The Saika let loose a bit of his reiatsu as he yelled. He took another calming breath. "Look. Just... Give me a time and location, and we'll show up. You want someone to oppose you, we'll be there. I need time to gather my shit and move it to wherever it is you want this to go down, and if you say it's in Karakura, you're even more bored and insane than I am." He told it to him straight. Between him, his batshit plan, and Jeff breaking all known laws of Saika, he was being jerked around too fast for him to enjoy all the chaos around him. Not to mention he wasn't the one causing it.

Hosting this even in Karakura was practically begging the Shinigami to come raining down in droves, not to mention Uzaki Enterprises, Xcution, and the other two dozen spiritually aware individuals that claimed residence in this spiritual hodgepodge they called a home. This man seemed like someone who bothers to think ahead, so he likely had a location in mind well before he graced his humble little shop with his presence. He spied Arcaidus eyeing up the Colt he left on the counter. He wanted to tell him the price, but with the jab taken at his shop, he also wanted to give him a one finger salute.

At that moment, a voice called down from the backroom. "Hey! Who the fuck are you screaming at?" Someone called out to him. Kitai actually palmed his face at the reminder. "Get the fuck up here! You're watching the shop for awhile!" Muffled cursing could be heard, as the voice made their way out to the floor. From out behind a door, a man strode in. It was... a second Kitai. He looked identical to the first one, only this Kitai was wearing an undershirt instead of a respectable shirt and jacket. He took sat down where the original Kitai had been sitting, and watched the scene play out before him.

Out of Hell Posts: 10 3/3

[Arcadus]

The Saika's anger seemed more directed towards his misunderstanding and case of mistaken identity. At least it wasn't a direct opposition. As well, he seemed to understand his words better. Though no reaction to his title as Trecera, which was an interesting contrast. He'd have to make sure he knew the difference between different races if it could cause this much offense. As well, he had no idea what was going to happen with.. Jeff. As for managing a time an place. A month should be enough time for him to whip the mortals into a frenzy, and from there see if that was the case. He'd also want to see who would be gathered by this. This was going to be so exciting. 

"I want you, and your associate here, to go and appear in the South West of the United States at a specified mega church in a month. I will send you the details through the mail. Feel free to gather whatever allies or accomplices you want to, or inform who you want of my actions. I will be in that area, and afterwards I will send the information once I feel my experiment has progressed to the stage in which I need an opposing force to enter the picture. As well, I will send some helpful information in forming a cult, based on my experiences in the proceeding events. As well, I am sorry for mistaking you for an Akki. It is a mistake I do regret."

There was regret in Arcadus's voice, though the source wasn't clear. He needed to move on, and get on with the rest of his responsibilities. As for these two, they seemed cowed or bored enough to go along with this plan. Taking a last look around the shop, he slipped into the gigai like a well made suit, stretching and flexing his physique. Satisfied, and fixing his hair, he thanked Kitai, and sauntered out of the shop, out into the streets of Karakura. It was time to begin drafting his approach and picking the specific churches to target. As well, he'd have to perfect those wing aura things. What an interesting fellow. 

[Jeff Franklin]

Jeff sat there waiting for this little meeting to come to an end, Jeff was iffy about what this meeting was leading into, Kitai just tossed Jeff into the equation to act as a sort of sacrificial lamb for him. Jeff also got to see Kitai get very upset at being called an Akki, in fact Kitai began squeezing Jeff very hard, satisfactory hard actually. After one final big squeeze Kitai let go of Jeff, which he was disappointed about. The conversation between the two was nearing an end, suddenly another voice appeared behind Kitai and Jeff, that voice sounded eerily familiar.



Sure enough the owner of that face showed himself after Kitai yelled for him to take over watching the shop, the person who showed up was non other than... Kitai. The second Kitai moved to sit down behind the counter where people would buy whatever item they would have picked up from the shop. The other man Kitai was talking to told him how he would receive the information about where and how to start this plan, after which he would slip on the new Gigai that was made for him and he would Saunter out of the shop.



Jeff would look at Kitai and begin barraging him, "Did you just throw me under the bus? I feel you did and of all things I'm supposed to be the leader of a cult? You do know I would kill anybody who joins eventually right? Also, what do you mean what did I do? I did absolutely nothing bad or at least detrimental. All I did was become pat of the Sanctus, my other mentor is a leader of it anyway and at least this way I get the benefit of not needing to wear that stupid outfight, all it required was me being branded after all and that was oh so delightful. Finally, why did you stop squeezing? You didn't even break a bone and I know you could if you wanted to."



Finally finished with his barrage of answers and questions Jeff would turn to the other Kitai, "So what are you exactly? I know he can make bodies for others and himself but I didn't realize he could make a literal functioning clone that has his mind." Whether or not his response to the original Kitai would have upset him, Jeff almost ignores him up until he finishes talking to the clone, after all, Jeff is pretty used to bloodlust being directed at him.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Out of Hell Posts}Remaining: 2/40

[Kitai Yoru]

Finally, after not paying for anything, the man took his leave. Arcadus was a very wordy bastard, that was for certain. Kitai still couldn't make heads or tails of the guy for the most part. Getting a read on what he was actually up to was difficult. What he could tell, however, was that he was cunning, charming, and was bordering on psychopathy. Oh who was he kidding, he was an arrancar, he was probably closer to megalomania at this point. He could and would kill, though whether he would do it for fun or not, he would have to see. He's only dealt with so many arrancar, and the ones he had dealt with weren't too cheery of individuals.

The name Espada tickled at his brain, as he tried to search through his memories for where he'd heard the term before. He had to have heard it from one of the arrancar he'd fought in the past... Was it Col? No, that didn't seem right. He was living in a hole in the sand in the middle of bumb fuck nowhere, sitting in his pitch-black cave doing spider things. 'Trecera Espada' definitely sounded like a title, and he figured that a homeless guy wouldn't be ranked up that high, even with how strong the spider had been.

But, much like when he dropped in on the middle of his conversation with Arcadus, he was interupted by Jeff. Ah Jeff. The anomaly on the hour. He gave the Saika his full attention, as did Kitai two. They were both listening intently on what the masochist was saying. At the moment, it was mostly nothing interesting. "Oh please, if I threw you under a bus, you'd probably get off on it." The Lunatic rolled his eyes. The man had been begging him to put him back into the Blood Pool of all things; he doubted a little thing like becoming a leader of men was any less torturous.

The meat of the conversation came up when he mentioned something called 'The Sanctus', and some other mentor. Who the hell was his first mentor? How and why does this so called 'leader' have the ability to negate the mask and cloak requirements to escape from Hell? He had to know. "Jeff. Buddy. Pal. I've been out of Hell for quite awhile, and clearly my information is out of date. What is the Sanctus?" He said with what he felt was a fair bit of frustration. Was this an organization that formed in Hell of all places? Was it some group of Saika that managed to figure out some kind of workaround to the mask and cloaks? He needed to know.

As for the second question, not the one regarding to why he didn't intentionally hurt him, but the question he leveled at Kitai Two... Well. "What aspect of Hell did you think revolved around making living bodies for yourself? I'm pretty damn sure your Aspect is Pain or Punishment, given how into it you are, but what kind of Hellish power did you think brought people back to life?" He asked him, sounding slightly bored in tone. Kitai Two let Jeff think for a minute, before replying to himself.

"My Aspect of Hell, or Resurrection. In life, I was extremely tenacious, crawling by way back from the brink of death numerous times. In death, I'm much the same. The first stage of my power lets me bring myself back to life through the creation of corpses. They have no soul, so spiritual beings can use and inhabit them, as you saw with the hollow just now. My second stage lets me bring back to life anything that once houses a soul. By using a fragment of my, his-" He gestures over to Kitai with a nudge of his head. "-I can either drag the soul soul back into their body, or rekindle the reiatsu of the dead, and reforming the soul based off of the reiatsu I'm working with." He explains to Jeff, as clearly as he could.

Whether he understood or not, he wasn't going to explain it again. He wasn't as generous as the arrancar was, apparently. The real Kitai palmed his face at hearing his explanation. It wasn't that it was inaccurate, it was that he really didn't care to have anyone know the exact details of his power. He didn't know how easy it was to break Jeff, but he figured he'd crack after someone refused to keep trying to crack him. He really needed to learn more about Jeff if he was going to keep popping up unannounced like this. Teleporting to random places through Hell portals... He couldn't exactly stop that, now could he?

Maybe the Black Market would have something that could stop that. He'd have to check. Anyway. "Great. And now you know that little tidbit of information. Lovely." He glared at the clone, who unapologetically started to work on the gun that had been left on the table. A fragment of Kitai was what it was, or at least, a fragment of who Kitai was when he was wearing it. The reiatsu that permeated the bodies he made and wore had enough life and reiatsu in them to rekindle the spark of life they had, and thus, had the effect of making an exact copy of the person.

"Yes, I can bring back the dead. And if that little bit of information gets out, I'm turning you into a human again and making you forget your little adventures in Hell." He threatens the Saika. He had no idea if he could actually bring back a spirit, like Hellions or Arrancar or the like, but Jeff didn't know that. He really hoped the pain lover didn't call him on his bluff. But back on topic. "Anyway, I'm sure you'd make a good anti-cult cult leader. You love pain, and what's more painful that leading a group of humans? I'm sure every time one of them comes to you with a problem with be another migraine for you to enjoy."

He didn't know if that would or could convince Jeff, but he also had a month to talk him into doing this stupid thing. Why was he trusting the words of a complete stranger? Because he was both bored, and sure of his ability to kill said stranger. Why did he want Jeff to go along with it? Because he was bored and wanted to see what kind of person Jeff was outside of wanting to be horribly tortured and mutilated. Why did he want to keep Jeff around? He was a decent replacement for Impo, and probably wouldn't betray him. Not yet anyway. And he still needed to find out what the deal with this 'Sanctus thing was.

Out of Hell Posts: 9 1/3

[Jeff Franklin]

So Kitai begins digging into Jeff's many questions, starting from his bit of saying Kitai just threw him under the bus, which is mostly true. The problem is Kitai isn't wrong, he absolutely would love to be thrown under a bus. So what he has basically understood is Jeff does indeed enjoy pain, maybe not emotional or mental pain, but pain non the less. So, know the only thing he can think about is Kitai physically grabbing him and throwing Jeff under an actual bus, Oh how great that would be.



Then Kitai immediately switches his focus towards the Sanctus, specifically what the Sanctus is. So he isn't aware that Sanctus replaced the Envainar? Well, it seems I do have some explaining to do. Looking at the Kitai... he assumes to be the original, Jeff begins to dive into the information he believes to be the most important stuff, of course, before he had a chance to tell him what the Sanctus was, Kitai quickly explains how there can be two of him in that shop. Apparently his Aspect of Hell revolves around Resurrection, allowing him to create full on clones of himself that actually holds it's on consciousness.


Transitioning pretty suddenly, Kitai also explains to Jeff that he would make a pretty good Anti-Cult leader, which he actually isn't against. Honestly if it comes down to it, he can just get rid of all his followers after this plan is finished and done. It was after this Jeff would go and explain what the Sanctus is. "So the Sanctus is the organization that replaced the Envainar, Orobas who was the old top leader of the Envainar, decided that reworking the Organization would be the best thing to do, officially giving three other Hellions a position equal to his. Orobas being my second mentor is the one who's legion I am joining and because I joined the Sanctus they used there connection with Lucifer to allow any with a brand from any of the four legions to be allowed outside. It does, however, seem like Saika are still only allowed outside for a small duration compared to the other Hellions."

SPOILER: Click to show

{Out of Hell Posts}Remaining: 3/40

[Arcadus]

Sitting in his laboratory, Arcadus found himself surrounded by sheafs of papers, single monitor having become the only light in the room for... it was hard to tell now. He'd started off trying to learn more about how these churches work. Watching anything related to them, sermons themselves, news around them, any works from the significant members of the church that went on. He'd become consumed by it. There were a few take-aways. Mainly, that much of his theory in how to form a religious organization filled with zealots was true. His suspicions had been confirmed, the more he studied these strange little people and thier strange little lives. 

Watching the preacher, clutching his podium like a cliffside, screaming out into the crowd of people, it followed a similar structure every time. Opening with a prayer "As we are gathered here on this blessed, blessed, day, I lead us in prayer. Our father in heaven, king of glory, faithful father, we adore your name and glorify you forever. It is by your will that we are alive and healthy and you have given us the grace to converge. You promised us that whenever we call upon your name, you will answer us with your presence. Come into our midst our father, fellowship with us, visit us with your overwhelming presence and make your blessings abundant in our meeting today. As we start this meeting, from the beginning to the end, glorify yourself and make us satisfied in you."

There was a strong feeling of, almost groveling before thier god. As if it was some best to be appeased and welcomed in with gifts and adoration but prayed to in hopes of being spared. A thing to be transactional with, that in exchange for thier worship, grace and salvation from the hell they kept mentioning. It did always seem like a close approximation of the hell he knew. Of course, they moved into whatever issue the preacher felt was at large with his flock at the time, but not before asking for donations to the church. 

"I ask you all here today, that if you love God, if you love his church, be sure to send your checks in, or pass forward your tithes into the baskets what are, uh, being passed around. As Christ said, render unto Ceasar which is Ceasar's and render on to God that which is God's. So today, I wish to speak about a issue that is near and dear to my heart, and no doubt, the hearts and minds of the parent's gathered in the crowd here today." Arcadus sat up, he knew what was coming, likely whatever issue they had been funneled to about by either a secretary or they just chose because it was what they saw on the news or television. It was always some topical issue, and it was going to be tied to some moral panic. Arcadus's wondered if there was some hack fraud following a formula or if this was really all improv. 

"I come before this congregation, all of you childred of God, and I say, I have been made witness to a true threat to the purity, to the innocence of our children. This threat, is a menace, and it hides the specter of homosexuality within it, of course, the satanic marxist path to damnation, that no doubt the Devil himself, has orchestrated. I speak to you now ladies and gentlemen gathered here, of professional wrestling. It hides within it the specter of the demons of the gay agenda, strong sweaty men colliding for a crowd of perverted onlookers, in the guises and mantles of any number of demons, wizards, and vile creations of SATAN."

Really. Wrestling. What today was practically a fusion of the two great greek traditions, theater and the actual sport, was somehow a vessel to corrupt the youth. Rolling his eyes, Arcadus lootked at one of 5 half eaten sandwiches on his platter next to him, and startled as he saw a face he really did not want to see at this moment. Maybe the daze, or the lights, or simply not having seen yellow light, had drawn him out, but Valeron, or at least his spectre, sat on the table next to him, robes and pointed hat all a deep midnight blue. Valeron began to open his mouth before the preacher continued. 

"AND WHAT IS MORE, THE C E O of THIS HORRID EVENT, IS FULL AND AWARE OF THESE EVENTS, EVENT TAKING TO THE RING ON THE SIDE OF SATAN. I TELL YOU ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN GOD, THE WWE IS THE RING OF THE DEVIL, OF HORRID LUST AND WRATH, THAT SEEKS TO PERPETUATE VIOLENCE IN YOUR HOMES, TO GLORIFY DEMONS AND WITCHCRAFT,  AND WHICH DESIRES TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO LUST, WITH SCANTILY CLAD HARLOTS USHERING EACH NEW ROUND OF DEPRAVED VOILENCE. I WARN ALL YOU LISTENING HERE BEFORE ME, OR WATCHING ON LINE AT HOME"  The preacher had begun to practically support himself as he yelled himself hoarse before his congregation, and Valeron spoke up.

"It wasn't always like this you know. Not like with television, we had scrying mirrors for that. I mean, man and their gods. They weren't as, distant. They didn't always walk among us, but they did speak to us, and we to them. It was.. contractual, but both sides knew that. Who you call Heracles was our god of the hunt and strength, who we made offerings to in exchange for his gifts. Odin, wisdom and revelations of magic. So on so forth. But we understood the nature of them. Powerful beings, but beings, not omniscient all-beings with the petty concerns of a nosy neighbor."

Arcadus stared at the spectre before him. He needed rest, and this was proof of it, seeing hallucinations of the souls that refused to die in his mind. "For as much as you talk, and as much space you decide to take up in my mind, you don't pay rent, and you have the nerve to be an illusion confronting me here, about the nature of divinity. Ironic I know, but all beings need rest. I'm not a golem, though you know all about those don't you mage. You," Pointing at the specter, legs crossed on the work table, "Are not supposed to be here, and if any more of you are going to get out I'm going to go find the hollow. I don't have time for this, and I'm going to go take a break."

"I know you are, and I was thinking I could help. I know you took interest in the arm of fire on the counter at the flesh master's shop. I have an idea on how to help with your idea, which we both know is more than just ingratiating yourself to a powerful smith. I know the runes needed to make the rounds leap across the distance, and you don't. So I have a deal. You stay up for another twelve hours, and I show you the runes. That way I get to stick around and out of my cage, and you learn something. Deal?'

Through gritted teeth and a glare, the deal was struck, and as the lathes and drill presses whirred to life, Arcadus felt a distinct enjoyment, both in having something to work on, a break to just fix a problem in front of him, but to do it with someone. It was the same as he felt with Akando. That warmth of companionship, kin flame to his ambition. He didn't know if he liked it yet, but it was warmer than laying on the floor listening to the ramblings of a half mad lich, kept together by wild fervor and the wages of his gods' slaves. He grew to hate that preacher in his time studying him, and he felt that at the least, he needed to die, if not in front of his congregation. If he wanted to cite verses, "Eye of the Needle" should ring a bell. 

Later, Kitai would find a package on his doorstep, containing blueprints, runes, and a single speed loader, with a note. "Feed it ammo, and touch the base to a Colt. Thank me later. -Arcadus"