The news of Cornelius Schlager's ascension to demigodhood, and his prompt execution thereafter, did indeed reach the ears of the Church of Mercala in Lispool, the faithful, and the town of Lispool as a whole. Even so far as to reach Lispool's sister city, Hyoya, did this news go. Although the Church did not immediately address the novelty, eventually was a statement released -- an in person announcement not provided by The Voice of Mercala or Bright Vajistra, but by High Priestess Mavis Haemin.
The address would not end with any cheers nor special proceedings -- just a reminder where true divinity lies, and what the consequences could implicitly and explicitly be if one were to try to overplay their hand and rely too keenly on that which should never be taken for granted.
Church Address Wrote:"It is true that the events that transpired upon the holy grounds of the Keeper's Terrace -- the Godly Stage where Zera was felled -- did happen. It is of great importance that this not be kept secret from those who were not present, for in the end, the tale would permeate through history. I have lived very.... very long, as many of you are aware; and never have I witnessed so much folly condensed into one man -- though the hubris... The hubris I have seen it time and time again, and I have seen the results. The results in which came ten fold, the demise of Cornelius Schlager, dreamer of usurping the God of Domination's power. It always ends the same way...
He was not chosen. This would not be a tale like Ryart, the Gold Dragon, whom with the love and pity of Our White Lady did he rise to deliver a definite blow to Zera. Cornelius was a fool, utterly drunk on his own machinations on how this world should be seen, viewed, and operated. He thought becoming a despot would solve so many intrinsic issues; that he could control all. Our White Lady does not agree, for She knows hegemony is one way to lead us mortals to damnation, ruin, and squalor. For She knows that binding us and vanquishing us would cancel all that mortals have worked for, all that we of the Church have worked for, to better this world. Cornelius thought he could challenge this, and we answered. Not just the Church, but everyone answered.
Even with Our White Lady guiding us, and this world, through Her scions -- we, the Mercalans --, we must remember that we live, ultimately in a mortal world. And that we operate via mortal means. And that although Our White Lady's blessing is great, She recognizes that we as mortals must rally together and help each other grow -- buttress each other in the face of inimical adversity and dangerous callousness. That we must answer the call when it comes, to better the world, ourselves, and our neighbors. That we must be tempered, patient, kind, loyal, and true. That we must not solely depend on divinity, but also on one another-- that we should look to divinity when the way must be shown, for that is how we as a people evolved and learned all we know. That divinity exists to guide, not to stifle, not to subjugate. Our White Lady would never wish for such a time to pass where Her children would be castrated from the freedom to make mistakes, and learn from them -- to grow. To be pressed under an unyielding, unforgiving thumb. To be capitulated by complacency.
Our White Lady is known as a peaceful, merciful protector -- but even She recognizes that such mercy has its limits, and no amount of mercy is enough to repair an indelible scar upon this world and our people if such evil is left to age.
Let it be known that we should all learn from Schlager's mistakes -- his greatest being his own complacency in pursuing that which is divine so churlishly. That we should all learn from Strega's foibles. That we should all seek to abjure the vindictive virulence of Black Falcon, that we should abate the innermost evil that seeks to seduce our hearts. That through conquering our worst personas can we blossom and proliferate into that which is holy -- into that which is love, and progressive for this world. And that Our White Lady would not have it any other way. And that Our White Lady would not wish to stifle and control, but guide and nurture. That free will, not one governed by a false god just as flawed as we, is imperative to our continued ascension into that which Our White Lady believes we can become.
A people who loves each other, seeks to keep life sacred, and our future bright. That manifests in countless ways, and no such ways exist under the rule of a despot.
And let it be known that no such power that Cornelius thought he could wield would ever manifest properly in the hands of those not chosen or anointed. For such power has only ever truly manifested in the sacred Mehana bloodline -- in Her Radiance, The Voice, in Bright Vajistra, and in those Our White Lady has chosen to help better lead us to a path away from the darkness that seeks to cloister the light within.
He was doomed from the very moment he ever dreamed of grasping divinity and becoming its master.
Heed not the example Cornelius has set for the world to see. Heed not his hubris and misplaced pride, his utter dishonor upon these lands -- upon the Alstalsian people. And heed not the possibility that such beings like Schlager seeking to eclipse this world and restrict all that grows here, all that is, would not be dealt with.
And remember: this hubris, this sacrilege Schlager and his co-conspirators caused... All due to complacency. Complacency that which should be curbed. Complacency that must needs be brought to a heel.
Praise Mercala. Blessed be."
The address would not end with any cheers nor special proceedings -- just a reminder where true divinity lies, and what the consequences could implicitly and explicitly be if one were to try to overplay their hand and rely too keenly on that which should never be taken for granted.
^Mercala's Favorite Apparently
(heh)