The god's forgotten one...

Darkness...this was the only component that would be found in his blackened heart.  Through years of merciless trials, endless tribulations, Leo had grown only to hate.  Twas all he knew...twas all he really cared for.  As long as there was fuel for his hatred to feed upon, he could remain at peace...so to speak. 

What started all of this anger?  What was the beginning of Leo's downfall into the abyss?  Not even he was for certain.  Perhaps his brain was unbalanced chemically...perhaps his head was not screwed on tight enough...regardless, there was nothing he could do that would allow him refuge of his feelings towards Cain. 

He walked into an unfamiliar place.  He was clothed in his usual attire of light battle gear, colored in black.  His beard waved about in the wind as his piercing blue eyes gazed about...

"Where for art thou Cain?...useless..." his voice was raspy as he spoke in a low tone.

Radix was hardly the kind of place a God would typically be. Pocket Dimensions were considered a major weakness to a lot of them, seeing that they depended on a connection with the Core to maintain their unreal strength. A lot of Gods, even the lesser ones had some degree of control over reality if not wielding complete control over a specific aspect of it. For this reason, Pocket Dimensions were considered largely hostile territory to the majority of them. They evaded them, and avoided business relating to them whenever it was brought up.

This was mostly due to the incident with the FelGoddess, Sera. Within her pocket dimension she had trapped many, many gods. It spoke more to Sera's power than the weakness that Pocket Dimensions created within the almighty beings, because even with their source of power cut off even a weaker gods has more energy in their body than most mortal planets could produce in billions of years. Still, the stigma from wounds so freshly carved remained, and like any exposed wound it had quickly become infected and remained in the minds of the population of Gods.

Yet, Cain understood. Such a prison was a rare creation, and so seldom were these anomalies created for the sole purpose of spiting the Gods. Radix was on speaking terms with Cain at the very least, and while the God had not made a habit of venturing into his realm (named after it's creator, of course) there were rare occasions that it was selected as a neutral ground. Provided, Cain's power was still immense, but it was reduced by a large amount. Cain's cloak, for instance, was a limiter. It capped his power, bringing him down to around one percent of his maximum potential.

That may sound like Cain was weak, but in that state he was still strong enough to crush whole dimensions. However, a Pocket Dimension was much more potent than his cloak. If the cloak brought him down to a single percent of his power, the pocket dimension brought him down to a single percent of that. Provided, Cain in this state was still capable of going toe-to-toe with an Omega Seraphim (though far from being able to win that fight) an thus a large threat. Yes, Cain's power was immense.

His physical form, however, was significantly less imposing than the one in the cloak. Rather than a nine-foot tall behemoth of a creature, Cain was in his form from before he was a god. From when Cain was just the eighteen year old, running from a monster that he didn't understand. Fighting demons in a dimension that he didn't know. Fighting his best friend at the edge of the Omniverse. This Cain looked much, much different than the imposing figure that also existed outside of Radix all across his region of the Omniverse. This was Cain almost one-hundred-thousand years ago.

The Cain that walked through the Streets of Latonia was a lanky, blonde teenage-looking male with a serious, brooding face. His eyes shone fiercely with that characteristic acid green that was so common of his visage, and he walked through the crowds of people that bustled through the Latonian Plaza, their words slipping by him like fish in an ocean of thought. Casually, almost, he bumped into the man that had spoke his name, and letting his eyes fall upon him briefly nodded at him, only to to keep walking as if leading him somewhere.

His thoughts waged a war on his mind...millions of them running around like the mad hatter all at the same instance, yet something interrupted them.  A slight bump to his right shoulder as he locked eyes with the guilty party. 

"In some sort of a hurry?" he said with an obviously aggravated tone.

His blue eyes grew wider as a scowl formed upon his cold face.  Perhaps the young one meant nothing by bumping into him.  Leo was easily triggered, so to speak.  His had the patience of an old man, yet the shortest fuse when it came to his temper.  Quite ironic in any case.

Cain stopped moving through the group of people, seeing that his presence did not carry through in his new form. Something that he should have expected, but neglected to consider nonetheless. His attempt to be nondescript failing, he instead turned and faced the man, responding to his question. "Apologies. I was attempting to imply my identity." Simple and flat, those acidic eyes burning a hole through Leo's chest. The voice was a far cry different than Cain's usual tone when speaking. He sounded mortal, fallible. He moved his head about, scanning the crowd. 

The man's stoic stance as the people bustled around him lent itself to his aura. His eyes locked onto Leonidas, practically emotionless while the tall, skinny form of Cain stood in stark contrast to the flow of the people, who parted around him easily. "If you wish to speak, then you must follow me. We'll not bother these people with our affairs." He would turn away from Leonidas, and begin to walk into the crowd with the intention of leading the man towards an alley. There were no decrypt buildings in Latonia, so that option was right out.

What he had first perceived as just another villager, a common citizen, was far from that.  It would appear now that the one he had previously called was already there...as if he were there waiting on Leonidas. 

Without another word coming from his lips, he followed Cain into the alleyway.  Though he kept his right hand upon the hilt of his battle axe just in case.  One never knew what would happen when interacting with Cain.

Cain led Leonidas through the crowd, politely stepping through the masses with silent but knowing looks cast at those whose path he so easily impeded. He moved like a shadow upon their faces, taking himself into the alley some distance in, as to avoid any visitors or eavesdroppers. His gaze set upon Leonidas like cement as he turned to face the Void Runner, gauging him up and down as though he didn't already know who he was.

Cain was far from all-knowing while still possessing an immense amount of information. Yes, he knew of Leonidas, the Void Runner. The bitter one seemed a more suitable title. A heart stained with hatred, so much that it was almost palpable in the air as Sin Energy wafted from his body and the few invisible creatures in the world flocked towards a newer, heavier source. 

"You have called, and so I have come. It is not often a Void Runner wishes to meet with one of my kind."

Leonidas followed through the horde of citizens until they reached the alleyway.  He slipped his right hand to his hip, grabbing hold of the battle axe that laid in wait...it wasn't as if he planned on attempting to assassinate Cain, yet he did not trust him in the least.

"And why is it you think that Void Runners tend to avoid... your kind?"

His tone was dry, almost sarcastic as a sly grin would form slightly on his lips.

Cain noticed the man's hand shifting on his ax. He didn't claim to be an expert on mortal intentions (rarely were they so different as they thought), but he did observe them enough. Tens of thousands of years, and he knew enough about them to know this was a cautious act, not an aggressive one. He also decided it was a moot point to tell him not to be cautious. Not because it would not have worked, but because him relaxing or not wouldn't change the outcome of the conversation.

"I don't think they actively avoid us," he explained, "just that our paths seldom intersect. The Gods are just beings of immense power rallied under a set of rules and made to behave. The Void Runners are agents of a greater balance. Sometimes, the interests of Void Runners whose duty is to intercede on behalf of the core, and the Gods who are forbid to intervene unless dealing with an inter-dimensional threat, clash. Other times, they parallel." He crossed his arms and looked to the man before him, casting a shadow from him with his eyes.

"What of you, Solomon?" Cain had already noted Solomon's attitude. It was not beneath his notice, and even though he was weaker in this state he was not dumber for it. The man's disdain was palpable, but disdain against what? It seemed to be a general discontent, but sometimes that hatred had a hard, sharp point.

"Curious..." he answered as he stroked his beard. 

The faint smirk had now faded into a blank stare.  His blue eyes simply looked into the being that stood before him as thoughts continued to wage war upon his mind.

After a moment his lips divided as the Red Sea, spilling out yet another questionable answer..."And say I do not believe in these 'gods' in which you speak of...have you any proof of their existence?  Surely I have not seen their works, nor any miraclulous designs of theirs.  If they indeed do exist, how then is there so much hatred and malice in the known worlds?  How then did my family come to such an untimely end if the gods be in existence?  Have you any proof that you, Cain, are who you say you are?  You appear as any other mortal...perhaps you could pass as a Void Runner, yet a god?"

Leonidas' voice grew more excited and elevated as his words progressed.  As he finished his rant his right fist released his axe and slammed against the firm wall directly behind him.

Cain displayed no emotion, looking Solomon dead in the eyes. So this was why the Voidrunner wanted to meet him. Any god would probably do, as it turned out, but the answer he received would not satisfy him. Cain knew this off the bat, and wasn't totally bothered by it. Not because he was cruel or unfeeling, but because he was blunt. Straight to the point. Dancing around it never did people any favors, especially in a situation like this. It would seem that Solomon had an idea of the Gods that was... incorrect. Even so, Cain would see if the man could be made to understand. The mortal mind was so limited to their perception.

Cain shook his head. "None, in this place. Here we stand separate from the rest of the Omniverse, and this specific incarnation of me has had it's powers wain due to the severance. Once it leaves it will return to full strength. As for our works and designs?" Cain shifted on his feet, remembering the war for order, waged before the Basic Order Doctrine was created. "We don't intervene in mortal affairs. Not anymore. Not for tens of thousands of years. Yet, you tell me of your family's death as though actively we should have prevented it. Why? Because it was gruesome? Because it was terrible? Because they were your family? Or, are you just afraid because you don't know what happens when the mortal form ceases?"

His skin began to crawl as Cain relented his answer.  The gods choose not to intervene?  Was that really his explanation and reasoning for allowing so much hatred to be in the omniverse?

"Perhaps you choose not to admit that you don't have the power nor authority to protect the innocent...to change anything that happens...how then can you call yourself a god?  What is it that you do that makes you such?  Surely it tis not this puny form you've chosen for yourself to be seen in."

Cain really didn't need to engage in this discussion further, because it was evident the man wasn't interested in listening to what he was going to say. Rather, the man was clearly more interested in proving himself right. Hence why he was insisting on proof, of course, and reason which he was more than happy to deny if it sounded inconvenient. That was unfortunate. The logic of a God was beyond mortal comprehension. First because it was logic that, unlike other kinds requires great suspension of disbelief. Second, because Gods saw things that others did not in the way the Omniverse functioned.

"I don't protect the innocent. I keep your entire existence from imploding in a single point of destruction. The "innocent" are just as necessary as the "guilty" to function in the Omniverse, and to regard them all as anything other than mortals surviving is incorrect. When beings survive, they hurt one another. There is no equilibrium where they do not." He knew that all to well, having been hurt himself in a time before he was taken by the Core and given this power to govern all things.

"If there be no need for beings to survive, then I see no need for the 'gods' to live on 'governing'..." he growled as his hand grasped his battle axe firmly, yet chose to leave it in its sheath for now.

"The point of life is to live...to survive...perhaps if you so called 'gods' would do your job these beings down here would not desire to bring harm to one another..."

"We don't govern. We safeguard." Cain noted the man's hand tighten around his ax, and took the implication of the man's threat in great stride. It didn't even phase him, yet the man still insisted that it was the responsibility of Cain and his ilk to ensure that mortals did not suffer. He also seemed to have a misunderstanding of what the Gods "jobs" were.

"Tell me then, what do you think my job is?"

A small smile crept across Cain's face. Finally, some semblance of an expression from the stoic individual. He didn't interact with Mortals. Not usually, and now he could see that Void Runners weren't very different from normal mortals. He had always known that, he'd supposed. He's seen it across the Omniverse, but personal interactions were always different. They offered perspective, rather than objectivity. It was good to be reminded exactly how one dimensional mortals really are.

"So in your opinion, as defined by your beliefs," Cain stressed with a touch of condescension, "I'm supposed to be... superman?" He thought referencing the comic character would lend itself to pointing out how ridiculous the logic sounded. "Always there to save the day, to pick you up when you are down, and in general make sure your lives are free of strife. So, I'm supposed to negate most of the beauty of mortal life?" Cain's body tensed, and his smile faded back to his stern expression. "You are an arrogant one, but not the only one to believe that they know better than something infinitely their greater. You would be very unsurprised, I imagine, to find out that most mortals think they know better than us. They give us names, worship us, and we're not even there. They create other Gods out of their imaginings and plead to them, assigning benevolence to their worlds and trying to see a greater meaning."

Cain turned his head towards the sky of Radix. "You are a product of such a world. I don't fit what you would call a God, because you've never met one and yet developed an idea of what we should do, and who we should be. It's ignorant. The Gods owe you nothing, and you owe us nothing in return. We aren't in your lives. We don't demand your praise or worship or sacrifice. Such things go against our Laws. The Omniverse is what matters. You are largely inconsequential. You are but flea that crawls on a mammoth, unaware of the terrible truth and much like a flea, even if it were explained in great detail to you it would simply pass over your head, and you would only be more confused than before."

"Yet, how does one explain to a flea that it is both inconsequential and important at the same time? One does not. The flea will never realize this. It barely comprehends it's own existence. My judgement is not clouded. Your understanding is merely limited and incomplete. That is not your fault. You are but a man, trying to understand something that you can not ever hope to comprehend in full." He stated the above in a calm, matter of fact fashion. His tone was even, not angry or distressed. It was like he was explaining to a child why the sky was blue.

"Tis my opinion that a 'god' should, if that tis what you are, use their every capability to protect their creations...otherwise it would merely be you or other 'gods' neglecting your purpose."

Leonidas continued to listen to the remainder of Cain's explanation.  As he did so, he slid his axe back into his sheath fully and ran his fingers along the blade...feeling how sharp it was.

"Why must everything be so?  You speak of the gods not interfering with mortals and vise versa...why can't everything work together for the good?"  his temper was on a downward spiral as his heart beat began to slow down.

"How is it that I can come to a greater understanding?" he asked out of all sincerity.  Though he presented this tough image, he truly desired to understand more in depth the creations around him.

And despite what Cain was certain would make the mortal angry, Leonidas had surprised him. Perhaps the man was not so one dimensional after all.

"You wish to understand, then." Cain shot him a glance, returning his gaze from the sky back onto Leonidas. "All I can assure you is that the only greater good is something beyond perception, beyond reproach... it is balance, and order. Not within dimensions, but within the Omniverse." He looked at Leo straight in the eyes, and in a moment of empathy he spoke. "Mortals are so frail. Eighty years, one hundred or a thousand. Gods are cursed to outlive them all, watching as the worlds creep by and forget themselves. Some worlds are hellish, some heavenly..." His voice trailed. Eden, the world which could be considered the Throne of the Gods was such a world.

"But that never remains consistent. Worlds change, people change. They fluctuate towards black and white over an endless eternity. But it was not always that way. The rules that we abide by are not meant to protect us from responsibility. It is to protect you from us." Cain approached Leo, inching just a few feet closer. "Because a God is not a wielder of true creation. Not we gods. We are beings of endings. Of absolute Armageddon. If we are not restrained, all we touch decays. In our creations are the seeds of destruction for what came before."

Cain stepped back again, once more looking up towards the sky.

"I have said that you are both inconsequential and important. Who you are doesn't matter. Leonidas has lived innumerable lives. A dog. A king. A priestess. Many times over and over have you been reborn. "You" do not matter. What matters is what you are, not who you are. You are life. And, you were chosen by the core to be a Void Runner. Leonidas is still inconsequential. The core of the Omniverse has other plans for you. I wants for you to matter. To achieve understanding, then I encourage you: travel the Omniverse. You can never understand what you never see. Through your loss you have forgotten the other aspects of yourself. You are but a shadow of your former potential. If you want to understand, you must become greater than loss' puppet. But ultimately, you will need to do so by your own power." A true smile did finally grace Cain's face.

"Imagine if every mortal would ask, 'How is it I can come to a greater understanding'?" He looked Leonidas in the eyes once more, that acidic gaze still burning, but now it burned differently altogether. "Because that question exists, it proves that mortals can be free of our oppressive shackles. They can have their own paragons to look up to, instead of we foolish Gods to worship."