audience: kate

[mygod]

Comments

[sootprints]

No one? What do you mean?

[mygod]

Do I need to repeat myself?

There was no one here. This is your holding place, something of a pig pen for sacrifices.

[sootprints]

[ ... ]

... I see.

Have there been sacrifices before us?

[mygod]

Not in the sense that this is a cycle to feed the same god, no. There may have been, in ancient history, seeing as from what I understand the cult is attempting to follow old instructions of a long forgotten ritual.

But as far as you're all concerned, you are the first and ideally the only that will ever be summoned for this purpose.

[sootprints]

... Hmm.

Can you tell me more about this cult? When did they form, and what do they believe in?

[mygod]

They formed some decades ago, though the exact origination date is unclear.

They believe in an all-powerful god that will be able to make all their dreams come true. It will cure their ails, heal their sorrows, and mend their broken lives back together. It only needs to be brought into existence, and then it will reward the faithful.

[sootprints]

Those are some lofty promises.

How did you come to be a part of this?

[mygod]

Invitation. I want to be clear that I knew it was a cult. Most people who are part of it don't seem to be aware, but I think that's the case for most cults.

But I was curious and bored. There is promise to this one that other cults don't necessarily have.

[sootprints]

Promise...? What made you think that?

[mygod]

This is personal conjecture. The others will give you their own reasoning.

[ to clarify ]

However, I am an atheist. I do not believe in gods or deities. I understand that this is a departure from some of the people here, who claim to know their gods so well and be their champions. But for this—I think it is a creature or an existence of great power, and I find myself curious. I believe it is possible to manifest it into the realm we exist in.

I simply do not think that this is the right methodology to reach that conclusion.

[sootprints]

Do you wish to use a different methodology, then?

[mygod]

[ shrugs ] Sure.

But if I did, I'd want to be able to destroy it. Or send it back from whatever pocket of the universe it's from.

I have little interest in the promise it offers because there is nothing I want. I only want to see it for myself.

[sootprints]

Just to see it...? That sounds dangerous, bringing it out just to antagonize it. What if you fail?

[mygod]

I don't fail.

But I'm not cult leadership. So they might fail.

[sootprints]

You're awfully confident...

Is there a reason for that?

[mygod]

Is there a reason to not be confident?

[sootprints]

Yes. If you're planning on going against a force that's more powerful than you. You would need a very good reason to feel confident in that situation.

[mygod]

Then I can simply say that I don't believe it is more powerful than I am. You are right that strategy will need be undertaken to ensure that is the case, but that is also part of the process.

I don't undertake foolish endeavors.

[sootprints]

Are you really saying you're more powerful than a god?

[mygod]

Did I not just say I'm an atheist?

[sootprints]

But you did call it a "great power." The divinity isn't the issue... it's whether it's some mighty entity that can do all or even any of the things its believers think it can. Surely you couldn't match that?

[mygod]

Why can't I?

I am here because my world possesses no gods. I do not think this will make me a believer, but I would like to see something more powerful than myself.

[sootprints]

I can't say I understand that reason...

[ but she suspects that trying to argue it won't get her anywhere right now. ]

... May I ask, are you a human? Or something else?

[mygod]

Something else.

Would you answer the question in turn?

[sootprints]

[ ......

smoke starts rising from her head as she falls silent. ]