002 :: Second Case :: [Video]

[enamoredbytruth]

[Naoto can be seen wandering around, the landscape looking much like that of the Planet's Core. She's obviously in thought, and has the crystal in hand to speak to both factions with ease. Something's been bothering her lately. The detective looks around, eyes cautious, and then sighs as she finally puts words to the thoughts she's been having

Comments

[chance_betrayer]

I don't think it's about being on the right or wrong side. Or one side being good and the other being evil. People with Cosmos say Chaos is evil, and people with Chaos say Cosmos needs to be destroyed. I don't know why the two are fighting, but I don't think they're really all that different from each other.

I have to listen to my heart, and follow my own destiny. I don't believe that sitting back and letting Cosmos win is going to get me home, so I'm going to do all I can to ensure that Chaos wins the war.

[enamoredbytruth]

So you believe that the choice isn't left to the gods, but rather left to the ones taken here by them? If so, then how do they determine where they belong? Surely I can't be the only one who was unwillingly dragged into this.

[chance_betrayer]

I didn't choose to be part of this, either. But someone else said it might have to do with what we did in our home worlds. I helped upset the natural balance in my world, so I guess it makes sense that I'm with the God of Discord.

[enamoredbytruth]

I see. So based upon our previous actions, we can land on either side. That just makes the choices all the more confusing.

[Voice]

[mirage_dive]

...It's not a simple matter, though. Nothing is ever simple like that. And these gods are even more complex than any world we can think of.

Anyone who stands for justice and all that still has some darkness inside them...and anyone who's hellbent on corruption was once good. It's a weird cycle. I've seen it all first-hand.

I think...instead of being divided based on ideals of "good" and "evil"...maybe whatever god called us to our place saw something in us that they found useful. Some kind of quality. Some kind of darkness inside someone who seems pure on the outside, or the potential to do great things from someone who's consumed by their own selfish agenda.

War is always like that.

[Voice]

[enamoredbytruth]

[She pauses, listening, and thinks a few seconds before replying.]

I see. There are many sides to people, much like masks or façades we wear from day to day, to help us understand or just get by through our daily tasks. Life is full of these moments, everyone has them. I know this myself.

But if we are being brought here for a specific quality, then that only further proves we are but pawns in a game. While I don't find this surprising, I've yet to see either god show themselves to us. I wonder- if they want us to win for their side, then why not speak to us individually and see us face to face?

You must forgive me if I seem new to this- I'm just a detective, not a warrior. War is not something we're taught or trained to do.

[Voice]

[mirage_dive]

You're right. Apart from the voice I heard in my dream...I have yet to see any god. I can't decide if this is a strange twist of Fate or some weird kind of experiment yet. Since we're trapped here, all we can really do is what we're told, and they're taking advantage of that. Both of them.

Whatever side you're on, maybe they thought your skills in gathering information and drawing conclusions would be useful. War is gruesome, but it's rarely without tactic.

[Voice]

[enamoredbytruth]

Understood. I'm unsure as to what exactly they're looking for, as I have things back at home to return to. But I will do so, so long as the promise to return home is kept.

This is true. While I have had combat experience with my Persona, I do believe my strengths lie in the mind rather than being physical.

[video]

[hallowedlight]

Light is not always used for good, just as darkness is not necessarily evil. The two are ever-changing things. Good people fight for Chaos, and I myself wield darkness and fight for Cosmos. The person you are and the choices you make are more important than what you may seem on the surface... To see things in black and white would be oversimplifying matters.

[A matter Cecil has had plenty of time to think long and hard about, with those on Chaos who think him better suited to their side for being a dark knight... Not to mention he has a friend on the other side. No matter how much he thinks about it, this is always the conclusion he comes to.]

[video]

[enamoredbytruth]

Of course. [She nods.] I was merely observing both sides from a first glance. One doesn't always wear who they are on the outside, we have many sides that come into play in order to live and get through our daily routine.

I suppose I should have considered that before speaking. I've had enough experience of my own to know how different people can be.

So we are decided then by our actions, and who we are. If that's true, then we could fall on either side, depending on what is seen.

[video]

[hallowedlight]

To an extent, yes. But even if you're placed on one side against your will, it is possible to defy even the gods. It is your own actions that dictate who you are, not the judgement of divine beings. Who we are is not fixed; we're all capable of change.

[eightfold_devil]

There's no such thing as good and evil.

[enamoredbytruth]

I highly doubt that. Some may dance between the lines of the two, but there is still good and evil among everyone.

[eightfold_devil]

You maggots are so narrow-minded it's sickening. Who determines what is 'good' and what is 'evil?' They are outdated, subjective words whose definitions vary with their wielder.

[enamoredbytruth]

Maggots? I am anything but a maggot! Your quick judgment of me could be called being "narrow-minded" as well, couldn't it?

[Video]

[zerosuitjill]

...Trust me, I've thought about this a lot since I arrived. I can't speak for Cosmos, but I know Chaos has the ability to pull us from whatever time period he wants--that's what it seems like, anyway. That said... I'm sure our pasts aren't exactly a secret to him.

I figure it's not intentions he's concerned with recruiting. [She pauses, thoughtful--and conflicted] ...It's likely that your history is all he looks at. Your past affinity for killing--and your potential for it, maybe.

[Video]

[enamoredbytruth]

[Naoto nods, understanding.] As far as I can tell, Cosmos is about the same.

I've faced a god before, so our lives are much like books to them. What surprises me is that if they are so eager to pull us into this war, then why haven't they shown themselves?

[There's a moment where it looks like she's considering something, then she shakes her head.] However... the one I encountered only revealed herself after Senpai confronted her. When he told her to stop, she refused, and told us that she would only cease if we fought and won. It was only after we defeated her that she said she would no longer interfere with anything on our world.

I wouldn't know. These gods are elusive and as vague as the message they leave behind.

[Video]

[zerosuitjill]

[She considers this for a moment.]

If they need us to fight for them, maybe they can't show themselves to us--not without facing the risk of a backlash. Chaos especially. The fact that they throw us into battle, sometimes send us home, suggests that they don't care about our well-being--but Chaos retaliated when his soldiers starting hurting each other. Either his resources are limited, or they really do need us; maybe it's not just a game, after all. Not entirely.