Post by Taiga on Aug 28, 2015 1:25:03 GMT
Music for your enjoyment, and to set the mood as the post progresses!
The journey to hell was, well, not quite what he thought it would be. A trap door opened up below Taiga, and he fell through. Down through darkness, down through... yellow clouds? He passes through the clouds at speed, and they soon part before him, revealing a vast, ravaged landscape. The trees, or rock formations it was hard to tell, appear jagged and covered with spines and giant thorns. After a moment, the Arcosian soul-cloud realizes that he is not slowing down! Taiga attempts to call on his inner Ki to slow his descent and levitate, but to no avail; he continues his free fall, gaining speed.
Taiga's soul-cloud panics somewhat, and braces for the impact against the red ground below, or for what was likely to be a horrific impalement on one of the spiked trees or rock formations. But the impact never came. Instead, Taiga feels himself suddenly stop... He sighs and looks around, only to find himself in yet another line!
"Okay everyone! Please stay in line!" a buff, red ogre calls out to the souls. "You need to go through the Spirit Cleansing Machine before you enter Hell!"
Curious, Taiga peers around the souls in front of him, and spots a large, strange-looking device.
If he had lips, Taiga would frown at the device's appearance. He wonders for a few moments, on how the contraption operates, or how it supposedly cleanses souls. At that, Taiga wonders what purpose there was for cleansing souls judged to Hell. Souls were swept up into a tube, and dropped onto the machine's wheel, where they were then dropped into the machine itself. Souls are expelled through a port near the machine's base, looking no different than before, confusing Taiga still more.
His turn came, and Taiga slid down the tube and lands on a small seat. He sits idly until the seat drops him into the machine; which was an odd sensation. As he moves through, Taiga feels little jolts and what he could only describe as a pulling sensation, until finally, he drops out of the machine. He shudders and keeps moving along with the line.
"Thank you for your cooperation! And welcome to Hell!" a cheerful blue ogre wearing a business shirt and pants calls out to the line of souls. "Remember, no fighting or causing a ruckus, or you'll be locked up for a few hundred years! Other than that, please enjoy your stay!"
Taiga can't help but scoff at the cheerful ogre's words. How is one supposed to enjoy being in Hell? It is supposed to be a punishment, is it not? Taiga splits off from the other souls, and decides to venture around Hell. To be honest, it isn't quite the horrific punishment most religions make it out to be. Taiga even discovers a Soul Workout Center, of all things! As he continues his investigation of Hell, Taiga comes across a single, normal looking tree. Curious, Taiga approaches it; only for two very muscular ogres to step in front of him and send him away.
What more was there to find in hell, Taiga wonders? He supposes he could try to find the souls of his troops, or of his own people. A thought strikes Taiga; perhaps his empress was here? Could he somehow locate her, and plead for her forgiveness? Would he deserve it? At the same time, the words of someone else rings in his memory.
Taiga stops, hovering over the red sands of Hell. That woman... He never did discover her name. She seemed to be one of nobility, and had very little regard for the Empress, it seemed. Was it a failing of the Empress that led to their defeat at the hands of the Saiyan Solar Empire. Was it his failing? Or was it, as he had told the Noble, just a matter of Karma catching up with them? It was enough to drive one to madness! How could an empire that has stood for millennium be destroyed like this?!
If he had his heart still, it would be pounding hard with rage. It was easy to blame defeat on a leader, especially on a dead leader. But at least Empress Wyntre had the courage to face the Saiyan on Arcose. Or... had the Saiyans simply cornered her, and she had no where to go? More of the woman's words creep into Taiga's memory.
Bah... what did that Noble know? A noble WOULD think that it was anyone's right to seize power; which is why so many dynasties fractured and fell apart. People grabbing at power simply because they THOUGHT they had the right to... What Taiga doesn't understand, is why the Noble suggested that it was somehow dishonoring Empress Wyntre not to take power.... What did that even mean, anyway? He didn't understand it then, and he doesn't understand it now. But something else the noble said seems to suggest itself.
Taiga inwardly winces at this. This was something of a point he had to consider more closely. After all, as he understands it, Zexama is a Majin. And if a Majin took over the Arcosian Empire, could it truly be considered Arcosian? No, he supposes it cannot be. But still, Zexama held the next position of importance below Empress Wyntre. By their societal law, the transition of power would have been clear. He didn't mind that... or did he? Taiga hovers over to a cliff, and looks down at the other spirits flitting about below.
He had been conditioned to obey orders, to follow every command he is given by those of a higher standing than him. But, throughout their conversation, the noble pressed him; trying to convince him that it should be either him, or another Arcosian that should take the throne. Was that why the Empire seemed to be crumbling away? Should he just have abandoned Kanassa to its fate? Should he have done as the noble suggested and taken command of the Empire's forces and gone into hiding to rebuild it in his own image? Would that have gained them the time they needed to press back against the Saiyans? Perhaps this wasn't something he could answer on his own...
Taiga never really was able to get rid of his empathy; which is probably why his own forces were so willing to follow his orders. He was like them, but an Arcosian. He led by example, and conducted his forces as a meritocracy. He gave credit where it was due, and punished when necessary. But he was no stranger to destruction; as King Yemma reminded him, he had participated in sixteen planetary extermination missions. The first had been hard, the second not so much. His third extermination was easy, and the rest came naturally. He had snuffed out millions of lives in the name of his own Empire's prosperity; and the Saiyans simply did the same to him.
Revenge was pointless. This thought creeps into Taiga's mind like a snake. Even if, somehow, an Arcosian was able to take vengeance upon the Saiyans for destroying them and Arcose, there would inevitably be a Saiyan survivor who would dedicate themselves to revenge in turn. It was a never ending cycle. But what could be done about that, the spirit cloud wonders. Was there a way for the cycle to end? Or would it really come down to a complete annihilation of either the Saiyans or the Arcosians?
No… That couldn't be the only way. There had to be another way; there is ALWAYS another way. Why should the Empires eternally be enemies? ...What force in the universe could hope to stand against BOTH empires? This thought whirls around in his mind, gaining momentum and strength, consuming him.
The Arcosian Empire is simply not what it once was. It stagnated. It grew weak from millenia of facing little to no threats. The Saiyans, on the other hand, were purely battle hardened. It's warriors are mighty, strong willed, and above all, ready to do whatever they needed to to win. Was this it? Was that why they defeated Empress Wyntre and drove the Arcosian Empire down? Was this something he could learn from? Of course it is… Taiga thinks about the noble's words. It was so clear now… Why had it not been before? The Arcosian Empire was breaking because it lacked the strength of will. And so the Saiyans snapped the Empire's spine by killing the Empress and throwing its holdings into panic and disarray.
For too long the Arcosians had allowed their illusion as the most powerful race in the universe cloud their vision. It wasn't true… But it soon would be. He has a duty to his Empire. And Empire that needs a new vision, a new pillar. It needs his strength. Death is no excuse for failure. Would it be best to find his Empress here in Hell? Surely he could. A being as powerful as Wyntre wouldn't accept this weakened state for long.
Nor will he. Hell may be his prison, but Taiga has no intention of being barred from his newly born ambition. He will escape this place, and create a new Empire even greater than the last. This he swears.
Whew! I hope this wasn't a drag to read!
Shoki please!
The journey to hell was, well, not quite what he thought it would be. A trap door opened up below Taiga, and he fell through. Down through darkness, down through... yellow clouds? He passes through the clouds at speed, and they soon part before him, revealing a vast, ravaged landscape. The trees, or rock formations it was hard to tell, appear jagged and covered with spines and giant thorns. After a moment, the Arcosian soul-cloud realizes that he is not slowing down! Taiga attempts to call on his inner Ki to slow his descent and levitate, but to no avail; he continues his free fall, gaining speed.
Taiga's soul-cloud panics somewhat, and braces for the impact against the red ground below, or for what was likely to be a horrific impalement on one of the spiked trees or rock formations. But the impact never came. Instead, Taiga feels himself suddenly stop... He sighs and looks around, only to find himself in yet another line!
"Okay everyone! Please stay in line!" a buff, red ogre calls out to the souls. "You need to go through the Spirit Cleansing Machine before you enter Hell!"
Curious, Taiga peers around the souls in front of him, and spots a large, strange-looking device.
If he had lips, Taiga would frown at the device's appearance. He wonders for a few moments, on how the contraption operates, or how it supposedly cleanses souls. At that, Taiga wonders what purpose there was for cleansing souls judged to Hell. Souls were swept up into a tube, and dropped onto the machine's wheel, where they were then dropped into the machine itself. Souls are expelled through a port near the machine's base, looking no different than before, confusing Taiga still more.
His turn came, and Taiga slid down the tube and lands on a small seat. He sits idly until the seat drops him into the machine; which was an odd sensation. As he moves through, Taiga feels little jolts and what he could only describe as a pulling sensation, until finally, he drops out of the machine. He shudders and keeps moving along with the line.
"Thank you for your cooperation! And welcome to Hell!" a cheerful blue ogre wearing a business shirt and pants calls out to the line of souls. "Remember, no fighting or causing a ruckus, or you'll be locked up for a few hundred years! Other than that, please enjoy your stay!"
Taiga can't help but scoff at the cheerful ogre's words. How is one supposed to enjoy being in Hell? It is supposed to be a punishment, is it not? Taiga splits off from the other souls, and decides to venture around Hell. To be honest, it isn't quite the horrific punishment most religions make it out to be. Taiga even discovers a Soul Workout Center, of all things! As he continues his investigation of Hell, Taiga comes across a single, normal looking tree. Curious, Taiga approaches it; only for two very muscular ogres to step in front of him and send him away.
What more was there to find in hell, Taiga wonders? He supposes he could try to find the souls of his troops, or of his own people. A thought strikes Taiga; perhaps his empress was here? Could he somehow locate her, and plead for her forgiveness? Would he deserve it? At the same time, the words of someone else rings in his memory.
"So it isn't just a push back... Its a utter defeat. What a shame... Barely a ruler for a year and already she has let one of the greatest empires fall... An not only that but to our once weakest enemies. This shames the nobility and the great leaders that came before. Poor child.... she will not be remembered well for this."
Taiga stops, hovering over the red sands of Hell. That woman... He never did discover her name. She seemed to be one of nobility, and had very little regard for the Empress, it seemed. Was it a failing of the Empress that led to their defeat at the hands of the Saiyan Solar Empire. Was it his failing? Or was it, as he had told the Noble, just a matter of Karma catching up with them? It was enough to drive one to madness! How could an empire that has stood for millennium be destroyed like this?!
If he had his heart still, it would be pounding hard with rage. It was easy to blame defeat on a leader, especially on a dead leader. But at least Empress Wyntre had the courage to face the Saiyan on Arcose. Or... had the Saiyans simply cornered her, and she had no where to go? More of the woman's words creep into Taiga's memory.
"You are one fit to lead though... If you know you have the power? The current standing? Troops need a leader do they not? Isn't more dishonoring Wyntre by staying low rather then seizing the power that is your right?...."
Bah... what did that Noble know? A noble WOULD think that it was anyone's right to seize power; which is why so many dynasties fractured and fell apart. People grabbing at power simply because they THOUGHT they had the right to... What Taiga doesn't understand, is why the Noble suggested that it was somehow dishonoring Empress Wyntre not to take power.... What did that even mean, anyway? He didn't understand it then, and he doesn't understand it now. But something else the noble said seems to suggest itself.
"You'd really give dominion to a non Arcosian... A pink alien to rule the Arcosian empire? Other backers and nobility may not see this as the proper choice. Just because you hold such loyalty doesn't mean all others will. You see when an empress dies and a planet is lost... It does not show strong leadership. Nor does it say much of a new leader who isn't even present in the days of war."
Taiga inwardly winces at this. This was something of a point he had to consider more closely. After all, as he understands it, Zexama is a Majin. And if a Majin took over the Arcosian Empire, could it truly be considered Arcosian? No, he supposes it cannot be. But still, Zexama held the next position of importance below Empress Wyntre. By their societal law, the transition of power would have been clear. He didn't mind that... or did he? Taiga hovers over to a cliff, and looks down at the other spirits flitting about below.
He had been conditioned to obey orders, to follow every command he is given by those of a higher standing than him. But, throughout their conversation, the noble pressed him; trying to convince him that it should be either him, or another Arcosian that should take the throne. Was that why the Empire seemed to be crumbling away? Should he just have abandoned Kanassa to its fate? Should he have done as the noble suggested and taken command of the Empire's forces and gone into hiding to rebuild it in his own image? Would that have gained them the time they needed to press back against the Saiyans? Perhaps this wasn't something he could answer on his own...
Taiga never really was able to get rid of his empathy; which is probably why his own forces were so willing to follow his orders. He was like them, but an Arcosian. He led by example, and conducted his forces as a meritocracy. He gave credit where it was due, and punished when necessary. But he was no stranger to destruction; as King Yemma reminded him, he had participated in sixteen planetary extermination missions. The first had been hard, the second not so much. His third extermination was easy, and the rest came naturally. He had snuffed out millions of lives in the name of his own Empire's prosperity; and the Saiyans simply did the same to him.
Revenge was pointless. This thought creeps into Taiga's mind like a snake. Even if, somehow, an Arcosian was able to take vengeance upon the Saiyans for destroying them and Arcose, there would inevitably be a Saiyan survivor who would dedicate themselves to revenge in turn. It was a never ending cycle. But what could be done about that, the spirit cloud wonders. Was there a way for the cycle to end? Or would it really come down to a complete annihilation of either the Saiyans or the Arcosians?
No… That couldn't be the only way. There had to be another way; there is ALWAYS another way. Why should the Empires eternally be enemies? ...What force in the universe could hope to stand against BOTH empires? This thought whirls around in his mind, gaining momentum and strength, consuming him.
The Arcosian Empire is simply not what it once was. It stagnated. It grew weak from millenia of facing little to no threats. The Saiyans, on the other hand, were purely battle hardened. It's warriors are mighty, strong willed, and above all, ready to do whatever they needed to to win. Was this it? Was that why they defeated Empress Wyntre and drove the Arcosian Empire down? Was this something he could learn from? Of course it is… Taiga thinks about the noble's words. It was so clear now… Why had it not been before? The Arcosian Empire was breaking because it lacked the strength of will. And so the Saiyans snapped the Empire's spine by killing the Empress and throwing its holdings into panic and disarray.
For too long the Arcosians had allowed their illusion as the most powerful race in the universe cloud their vision. It wasn't true… But it soon would be. He has a duty to his Empire. And Empire that needs a new vision, a new pillar. It needs his strength. Death is no excuse for failure. Would it be best to find his Empress here in Hell? Surely he could. A being as powerful as Wyntre wouldn't accept this weakened state for long.
Nor will he. Hell may be his prison, but Taiga has no intention of being barred from his newly born ambition. He will escape this place, and create a new Empire even greater than the last. This he swears.
Whew! I hope this wasn't a drag to read!
Shoki please!