What is Good?
952 Words
"Eehh-Mmmm... Sooo, what are you doing here?" asked Vanessa.
The ogre spoke calmly in a monotone voice, "I was born with immense strength and power. And I've devoted that gift to defending those in need. That need here is to protect the shrine".
Vanessa stared at the map, finding their way to the shrine by matching the shape of the swamp with the images on the map, "Soooo why did you attack us in December"?
"You stole from a church".
"Oki, but, they were kids," answered Vanessa.
He clenched his fist, "They needed discipline".
Vanessa closed her eyes for a moment and shrugged, "Doesn't sound good to me".
"Oh really?" he smiled, "Tell me, how much did you enjoy hearing that snake crackle to its death? Or how much did you enjoy slaying Gula? Did you enjoy seeing R'bi bleed a mere foot in front of you? Or how about when you slayed an archangel of God who came down to perform his duties to the land"?
Vanessa had no response.
The ogre stopped her to stare into her eyes, keeping her attention solely on him, "You're not good. Nobody is except God... You're just a human who has found an outlet for her treacherous ways. A means to satisfy your bloodlust without penalty. You're no better than the serial killer who stalks women at night".
It made her think for a moment that maybe she really was evil. After all, he was right. Slicing her sword through an opponent gave satisfaction that if performed in the real world could bring about serious penalties that she wasn't willing to risk.
"Ask yourself this kiddo, do you really think all evildoers see themselves as evil? Or are we just living the lives that we have in the way we know how"?
There was something about his words that struck her deep.
He laughed, "I tell you what though... At this rate, you will be forced to make a decision. The love of yourself at any cost to achieve your desires. Or the love of others that will do nothing for you".
She watched him merely turn away, pressuring to lead them towards the shrine. It wasn't much further.
Unable to shake off the chill his words left, she sought his wisdom, "Sooo what can I do to prevent making that bad decision"?
He held his chin high, breathing in, "You must find those who threaten your way and correct them to their right path. Only then will yours be clear and lifted to your goals... Otherwise, they will interfere with your desires".
"And who are they"?
"Now that's your job," he chuckled.
Amazing how an ogre's words were more harmful than his fists. The odd feeling of this theme. Alongside Angelica's letter and now three former enemies' words all drove her mind nuts for a riddle that just couldn't be solved. There was one thing off about this.
"Why didn't you just go to the shrine yourself"?
The ogre smirked, "We are damned to remain far from the shrine. It's only upon being escorted to it that we can fulfill our duties".
She squinted her eyes, "But you can walk around and find it".
"You can't force a horse to drink against its own will. Sometimes it takes wearing it down for it to realize what it needs".
"I don't get it," she answered.
"Think about it sometime. You'll be surprised how blatantly the answers are in front of you".
She looked at the map, realizing the shrine was in the area. They both looked to find it covered in vegetation. It was unkept for ages. Practically abandoned. The ogre knelt down, brushing his oversized fingers along the shrine's stained stones.
She glanced over, "Why are you crying"?
He shook his head, "We have come so far from God that the people don't even see The Lord's gift to Earth. It is the action of humans that has led to this".
He clenched vines in his fist, "I will stay and guard the shrine. However, I will also take care of it. Maybe one day faith can be restored to the land".
Vanessa laid her hand on his shoulder, "We will".
At the same time, she saw a letter stuck between two roots. After gently pulling it out, she read it to herself.
"It took a while. But I realized the one causing this curse was someone next to me. My own teammate. I hope you don't fall for the same trap. You must be careful not to believe all of the words you hear. Luckily, I also learned that if those around me have ill intentions, then maybe those from afar have my best interest in mind".
Vanessa screamed, holding her forehead, "Why, why, why, why, is his so confusing I don't get it how everything is pointing me everywhere and give no answers to anything".
The ogre smiled, "Your run-on is amusing. But I have you know that the answer is clear as day. You must grow as a person to see it or else you will never be worthy to make it to your objective".
Though tears didn't fall, Vanessa wept as light from the shrine came into her chest.
Not too far away was a spirit looking right at the, which continued her confusion,"I, just, don't, get it".
He smiled, "You should get going. The next shrine needs you".
She pouted with her head down, "Oki...".
She sprung up with a finger by her face, "But one more question... What is your name"?
"It's Alice," he answered in his usual monotone voice.
"Ah, yes... That is a pretty name".
"Thank you," he said, "My mother gave it to me".
- Writer
