Just like how one acted as a father, kings and rulers had their beliefs. Even on Earth so countries saw their people as disposable, while others would go to war for them.
"It is difficult to explain, Juno. For one we are different."
{I am aware. I am not like the warm bloods so I do not understand. Even your words are difficult. But I do know more than I did before. Lizardkin refers to my brood. Vampires refer to the pale ones.
Reapers are the warm bloods. But I do not understand. What are monsters? What does this word an?}
"…"
Juno showed great developnt in the short ti I t her. For one, despite being a monster she wanted to learn about humans. She reminded of scientists and researchers. It was because of people like her that the world learned.
[My lord, monsters have two definitions. An inhumanly cruel or wicked person. An imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening. Or a congenitally malford or mutant animal or plant.]
Hearing Exa's explanation my own world view was revealed to be outdated. It was true. A human could be considered a monster if he was wicked enough. Any being that deviated from the norm was also a monster.
But for Hellsgate, the second definition was what we used the term form. Any being that was large, ugly or frightening. This was why elves and dwarves were not considered monsters. Ultimately it ca down to fear.
If I wanted to have Juno, Roach and her allies in the future, it was necessary to separate them from the monsters. Nas and words had power. And unlike the forr Reapers, I found it stupid to remain to use them.
My {Kindred} were all silent. They were probably contemplating what monster ant just as I did. If our eting with Roach taught us that monsters had intellect and goals. Juno showed us that they also had values and ultimately humanity in them.
Phillip's lecture echoed in my mind once more.
"Now, many people often found themselves at odds when defining what a man was. What constituted one? Was it his form? His mind? His will? Each and every definition was t with criticism.
If it was form, then are disabled and amputees no longer human?
"If it was his mind, then are ntally retarded people classified as aliens? If it was will then then shouldn't insects and animals who had will be classified as human? It was a slippery slope as the opposites of these ideas were also valid."
If even real people were considered monsters because they were wicked. Then the depiction of man bullshit Phillip kept going about was wrong. It was sothing much more simple. It was humanity. Benevolence, and ultimately compassion.
I looked at the armlets on my hands as I wondered. Was that why Devil's remains cleared malice? Because they were the best representation of humanity?
I clenched my fist as I gathered my thoughts. This question would probably take a long ti for to answer. But luckily there was no reason to rush.
"Juno. A monster is anything that has no benevolence. So long as a being can love or has compassion, It is not a monster."
{Then, am I one? If I am not, why do you refer as such?}
"For that I apologize. Much like you do not know of reapers, I also did not know anything about of your kind before. Prior to eting you and Roach, almost all knew was that your kind killed mine."
{Indeed. But that is because, unlike most reapers, you and your group are the only ones who can understand us. And for so reason, I understand you.}
Hearing Juno, I suddenly missed Jo. Her seemingly unimportant {fate} beca the reason, that we could even create this alliance. My heart grew full from knowing how much Jo was helping despite not being by my side.
'My darling, I will definitely love a lot when I return.'
'She will be most pleased to know that, Husband,' Jo's sister replied with a beautiful smile.
"We need a new na for you, Juno."
{A new na?}
"Yes. Monsters are what we call the ones we do not understand. You and the Lizardkin are no longer monsters to us, thus we should call you sothing else."
{I see. Then what should we be called?}
I then thought for a mont. What should we call this group of beings? They did not possess human bodies. But like humans, they exhibited, love, understanding and benevolence. Like the Reapers, they were forced to live and die by the status quo.
And it was only at this mont that they were able to wake from their nightmare. All because my shooting star allowed them to be heard.
Waking from a nightmare. That ones who awoke.
"You will be called the Awakened."
{The Awakened? But we are not asleep?}
I couldn't help but chuckle at her innocent question. Just giving them a new na was not enough. If I wished to truly help and work with the Awakened, I should give them sothing to hold on too.
'Mind Setting: [Wizard].'
Shifting one of my settings from [Commander]. I floated and approached Juno's head. Jas and Lilly followed after .
"[Inventory] Raging hunter. Liv can you please?"
Pulling out my only remaining handgun, I gave it to baby Liv. Knowing what I had in mind she took the revolver even though she pouted.
She then shot the middle of my free hand's palm. I then turned to Juno; her large eyes all blinked before her voice asked in confusion.
{What are you doing?}
"Juno, if you are to understand those not from my group, you would need to be able to talk with them as well. I gave my power to Roach as proof of my brotherhood with him.
"I wish to do the sa with you. But more so, I need a leader for the Awakened. Roach is the king of the Lizardkin so it cannot be him. Do you wish to take this burden?"
{Roach can be both could he not? He has the strength to command many.}
"He can, but I want you."
{Why? Why do you choose among all the others?} Your next journey awaits at My Virtual Library Empire
"Because you genuinely want to understand us. You are the 2nd one I no longer deem as a monster. Despite you sisters all understanding my words, none of them chose to speak to . Only you did. And I need your power. Through you, I intended to gather the Awakened."
{Why should I help you?}
"For my goals I intend to fight my way to the bottom of Hellsgate. Killing everything that intends to get in my way. I have no need for Hellsgate after. If you help , I will give Hellsgate to you as your kingdom. We will kill every monster and save every Awakened."
{What if you betray and deem that I am a monster?}
"I do not have an answer for that. I took a gamble in saving you all. Such risk is necessary to understand one another. I believe in you which is why I make this offer. But should you betray . I will kill you all."
{…}
"Decide. If you do not wish to do so, we part ways here. And I will no longer try to ally myself with the Awakened."
{There are thousands of beings in this place. Yet you risk all this because of ? There are far more better beings in my opinion. This burden is too great.}
She was not wrong. But sohow, my gut told that Juno was the best person for this job. This being held no prejudice and had compassion.
Unlike Roach who had the ntality of a ruler, Juno reminded of a sage. Soone, who would be wise enough to guide my sworn brother.
"I trust in you, Juno. There truly might be smarter Awakened than you. But they are not the ones who will aid now. We reapers have a saying 'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' You and I are both here for a reason. And much like how I t and fell in love with my {Kindred}, there is a reason why you are here now."
{The best way to predict the future is to create it. I see. That is certainly true.}
"Your answer?"
As the 50-foot Lizardkin Dragon stared at , I sohow saw her anxiousness and excitent. The giant beast then began striking its scythes together as it roared.
{THEN SO BE IT! I JUNO ACCEPT! I AM AWAKENED! I SHALL LEAD THEM OR DIE UNDER YOUR BLADE!}
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