Chapter 1445 (2/2)

His was an image that said ‘this is what we are’. It was an image of acceptance and encouragement, of a very particular sort.

Randidly’s mind was tracing the newly understood shape of this image as they moved to the middle portion of the house. They sat on adirondack chairs in the courtyard and Randidly refused the offered refreshment. Mr. Syllo calmly waited for him to bring up the reason for his visit while Randidly considered the image around him. The reason the image was so powerful was that it was so simple and stable. It encouraged people to simply accept themselves as who they were.

To put it another way, it would tell people not to deny or ignore their thoughts or desires, even if they were negative.

To some, this message would be encouraging and reassuring. The image would function as a salve to heal wounds and strengthen their Willpower. In others… it would lead to dangerous self-indulgence and a downward spiral of negative behaviors. Overall, it was a neutral image. It was a powerful, but a blunt tool.

Although Randidly knew the act would always end in disappointment, he still methodically cracked the knuckles of his right hand and then tried to crack the knuckles of his left. The motions were just so familiar that it was easy to thoughtlessly mirror them. “Several people that have interacted with your image have come to Kharon. I wanted to make sure that my city wasn’t being targeted.”

“Well, I didn’t deliberately target you… it’s more like your city is too dominant in the minds of most people. In a way, congratulations.” Mr. Syllo brought a straw up to mandible-filled mouth and slurped noisily. “I actually imitated you, Mr. Ghosthound, in my company. In placing the image at the center of everything that we do.

“I run a number of banks and lending institutions across the Zones; that’s how I encounter so many people. And it is my company’s policy to judge people’s future productivity by their current actions. Obviously there are some special circumstances that can be considered, but I believe that actions are what ultimately what displays a person's true character. I watch the way individuals behave and see the truth. Thoughts and emotions are just facades.”

Randidly tilted his head to the side. Then he chuckled. “Honestly, I’m not really one for philosophical debate. I just wanted to warn you: I don’t mind your ideology. And I have seen proof that your image increases the power of the people around you, regardless of other side effects. That’s good for Earth.

“But I’ll say this: Kharon right now is confident because I am present on Earth. That means they don’t feel threatened by these people that have felt empowered by your ideology to pursue their small grudges and give in to impulses. But after I leave… I don’t think Kharon will play as nicely.”

As Randidly spoke, he was imagining the confrontation between this image and Kharon’s. He saw in Mr. Syllo a new shape for the old privilege of the elites of Earth. Even after being warped by Father Karmin’s experiments, this man still came back and was able to manage quite a few ‘banks and lending institutions’. And to the weakness that he found in himself and others during the difficult transition to the System, he said this: “It’s not your fault. People cannot change.”

Honestly, Kharon could level this type of foe in its sleep. But Randidly was also aware that he didn’t need to be the only image in the world. As with this duos tournament, hurdles give rise to improvement.

It was hard to read Mr. Syllo’s expression, considering his features, but he currently seemed to exude amusement. “Are you expecting me to control people? Restrict the actions that they wish to take on their own?”

“...of course not, that’s against your code, right?” Randidly grinned like a wolf. “You believe that people will do what they will. People cannot change. They will ultimately follow their nature. But what is missing from your outlook is a recognition of perspective; these people that drifted into Kharon were not in the position to do anything about their emotions. In fact, indulging in them recklessly could be very dangerous, if one of our police officers lost his or her temper. Humanity must know patience. You should address that oversight in your creed.”

“And yet you claim not to be a philosopher,” Mr. Syllo observed.

Randidly shrugged. “I’m a realist.”

“Well, thank you for the warning. I will consider this.” The crab man said with a small bow. “As thanks… would you like me to tell you a secret about yourself?”

Randidly arched his eyebrow. Mr. Syllo spread his arms, one human and one crab. His image tried to approach Randidly again, only to be devoured by the Stillborn Phoenix. Randidly’s image whined, hungry for more.

After gathering his thoughts, Mr. Syllo spoke. “You are quite interesting to talk to, Mr. Ghosthound. I can feel your three images and the three desires that drive them quite clearly. But you know, I consider myself a study of human character. And all three of your desires… well, it is a bit like the guardian of hell, Cerberus. They appear to be separate, but they grow from one true core.”

“Oh?” Randidly said.

“Dominance. That is what you crave, Randidly Ghosthound. You wrap it in pretty justifications… but that is the true longing in your heart.” Mr. Syllo brought the straw to his mouth and took another slurping drink. “Is that not why you are planning to leave this planet? Because there is no more for you to dominate here on Earth? You cannot and should not contain your nature.”

Ha! The difference between what I am and what you think I am is exactly what I told you earlier. Perspective. A perspective that gives me a true understanding of my capability in the Nexus. Randidly glanced at Mr. Syllo. Then he smiled mildly. “...well, everyone can have their own opinion. Just… be glad we didn’t end up being enemies, Mr. Syllo. Don’t lose your sense of perspective in the future.”

Then Randidly left. Before too much of the day was lost, he wanted to reach out and heal Vualla.