6 hours ago
The answer Jer knew was not the one he'd choose. His gut still said the man needed to die -- and die quickly. He was a menace to society -- a danger. But he was one of them now, and the man before him was too. This was a revolution inside the ranks of the Atharim. Gods playing powers like they did in the day. He should end Eliot where he stood then take his own life in honor of their forefathers.
But Jer didn't. "I know you want me to say we spare him, save him. But he carelessly blew up several blocks. He has killed one of our own and injured another. What else would you have us do?"
Eliot chuckled. "Of course that is your answer, you have no other way. What if you could teach him? Or collar him to a chain of our own making. Make him one of ours or at least not a danger to the world with his explosive nature. You and I had unremarkable opening acts. Nothing to draw the attention. Your boy god traitor you hunt. How did he spark?"
Jer shook his head. "He's an American. I have no idea and no record beyond his coming to Moscow."
Eliot smiled. "Fire I'm told. Killed an oni with fire protecting his sister."
Jer nodded. "Makes sense, but what's your point."
Eliot pushed another article towards Jer and he read it still unsure of what the article had to do with anything. It was just about a bunch of random muggings by a local gang in the warehouse district that the boy had blown up several warehouses.
"What if our explosion was self defense? Totally accidental, unintentional. He's a scared boy looking to keep himself safe. He's only channeled when he's been in danger with our people. Not until. Self defense and protection seem to be a key to the volatile reactions of nearly every godling on record. Very few spark with violence just because they could."
Jer frowned. "You want to rehabilitate these dangerous people. How do you want to control them? We can't."
Eliot chuckled. "Not yet, but maybe -- one day. Until then we have us and others like us to control them. And there is sedation, and if they do not want to learn then they can join the ranks at Almaz and put on a good show for the masses."
But Jer didn't. "I know you want me to say we spare him, save him. But he carelessly blew up several blocks. He has killed one of our own and injured another. What else would you have us do?"
Eliot chuckled. "Of course that is your answer, you have no other way. What if you could teach him? Or collar him to a chain of our own making. Make him one of ours or at least not a danger to the world with his explosive nature. You and I had unremarkable opening acts. Nothing to draw the attention. Your boy god traitor you hunt. How did he spark?"
Jer shook his head. "He's an American. I have no idea and no record beyond his coming to Moscow."
Eliot smiled. "Fire I'm told. Killed an oni with fire protecting his sister."
Jer nodded. "Makes sense, but what's your point."
Eliot pushed another article towards Jer and he read it still unsure of what the article had to do with anything. It was just about a bunch of random muggings by a local gang in the warehouse district that the boy had blown up several warehouses.
"What if our explosion was self defense? Totally accidental, unintentional. He's a scared boy looking to keep himself safe. He's only channeled when he's been in danger with our people. Not until. Self defense and protection seem to be a key to the volatile reactions of nearly every godling on record. Very few spark with violence just because they could."
Jer frowned. "You want to rehabilitate these dangerous people. How do you want to control them? We can't."
Eliot chuckled. "Not yet, but maybe -- one day. Until then we have us and others like us to control them. And there is sedation, and if they do not want to learn then they can join the ranks at Almaz and put on a good show for the masses."