Heaven's BBS | Text

[subtract]

Posted: 8 May 2016 08:13 AM
From: Add

----------

For those who were not already aware, there was an ayakashi attack on April 28th. This ayakashi was actually a shinki that had become corrupted. Some of you may have known that shinki as Axel.

On April 25th, I spoke with Axel and the conversation turned to that of our memories and our existence as shinki.

Those of us who are new gods and shinki are not the same as the natives of this world. The distinction between "outsider" gods and shinki is vague, and some have been able to change from one role to the other through unknown means. Some shinki have even recovered parts of their memory without any ill effects, and so I had some theories regarding that at the time. I theorized that the aversion to discussing our pasts was a mental blockade, but that since we are not "true" shinki, it would be possible to break past this block over time and recover our memories without suffering the same consequences that native shinki might experience.

Axel suggested that our gods may know something of our pasts. Since he was a nora with several gods to choose from, he was also the most likely candidate to be able to convince one of them to reveal something to him. He willingly volunteered to test this theory. The plan was to learn something minor from his past life to avoid any serious damage should the theory be incorrect. Obviously, the plan did not go as expected.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what, exactly, he was told. The Roxas who also goes by Artemis was the one who spoke with him when he turned, and he has decided not to share this valuable piece of information. It could be that what he learned was deemed "too much", or it could be that any information regardless of significance or detail can trigger the negative response. This change also seems to have occurred very rapidly, and it's doubtful that it would be possible to prevent this type of corruption once its set in. I have had personal experience with blight and corruption, and the "normal" process is much slower than what Axel seems to have undergone. Axel was the first of our kind to die by this method, and unlike previous shinki deaths that have occurred, he has not reemerged since. It is possible that shinki who have died from memory-induced corruption cannot be revived by the Heavens.

Due to these details, I have decided to cease any further research on recovering memories via brute force methods, and would strongly advise against any other attempts at this.

It's unfortunate what happened to Axel, but if the Heavens had distributed this information properly instead of forcing us to gather it on our own, this entire fiasco could have been avoided. That is why I am now disclosing this information fully and publicly. If there are any further questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability should no one else step forward.

If you have an issue with me because of my involvement in this, go ahead and say what you want. Hate me if it makes you feel better about yourself. I regret my actions, but regret isn't going to change the facts. Don't expect me to humour you if you feel that mindless violence will somehow bring Axel back to life. I have better things to do with my time than be anyone else's stress ball.


And just in case anyone has too short of an attention span to read all of that:

Do not under any circumstances tell a shinki about their past. If you are a shinki, don't ask about your past. If you are a god and you know something about your shinki, don't ever talk to them about it.

If a shinki learns too much there is a high likelihood they'll become rapidly corrupted by blight and turn into an ayakashi, which will in turn spread to their god(s) until the ayakashi is disposed of. So unless you want to die in a very hideous manner, don't push your luck.

Comments

[bussounoshima]

[Well, shit. That's just great.]

Thank you for the confirmation. Had no one really been warned about this beforehand?

[subtract]

A native shinki named Yukine gave me some details previously. Namely, that pursuing information about our pasts is heavily discouraged and has been known to cause blight.

I can forgive him for his reluctance in giving out this information more freely, though, considering his position as a shinki of this world. The idea of a shinki regaining memories is completely unheard of to the natives here, so it's no surprise that they've never run into this sort of issue before.

[bussounoshima]

Do you think Heaven didn't actually know what would happen to him then?

[birdstheword]

[That's....a lot to take in. Hajime's read it over three times by now. She really liked that spiky red-head to. Poor AxelAxel. She already had a bit of an inkling about what would happen to a shinki that found out too much. Bishamon had warned her to be careful when Yuuki regained a memory so suddenly. Susu-kun, Elsa-san, Axel, Rise and Yuuki...there was even more then that that were gone now. More then she can count on both her hands.

While it must have been horrible. If she had gotten the vibe right on Axel, he probably wanted to go out with a bang. Just...not like this.]

Add-kun~! You still owe me ice cream. Don't think this gets you out of it. I think you could use something sweet too.

[subtract]

That's not happening any time soon unless you want to come here. I'm trying to keep the attempts on my life to once a week at most. [and while he wouldn't expect Hajime to turn on him like the other Roxas did, he feels safer with his god nearby for protection, especially since he's still recovering from the last attack...]

[birdstheword]

The GATCHA Delivery service it is! I can come to you, easy peasy! Zetta fast! Not a bit of the ice cream will melt! Just you wait. Oh! But You gotta let me know what flavor you like! And anyone else you want to share with! Add ons too!

Has that happened to you already or are you guessing? If you need some help, you could ask! Hajime here, listening loud and clear!

[Private]

[noli_oblivisci]

[Suddenly, knowing who the fiery ayakashi was, certain familiar details about them clicked into place. There's a heavy uncomfortable lump in her chest that she pushes through to focus on the details]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm sorry for your loss, and it took this to find out what that block is for.

The only reason I can think that the Heavens might not have distributed this information was it's easier for people to not think of something if attention isn't drawn to it. With the mental block, most shinki wouldn't have a reason to think about it their pasts. Whereas, we do.

[Private]

[subtract]

It was hardly my loss, so don't bother. We were barely acquaintances.

That's my theory as well, it fits with the information I've been able to gather. The Heavens simply failed to adapt to the changes brought in by outsiders.

[noli_oblivisci]

You were still familiar with him though I see.

Do you think it's possible to pass it onto the Heavens then? The fact they provide counsellors whenever new shinki appears implies they're at least trying to pass along some set of standards. If they really want to avoid shinki transforming, it'd be in their best interest to know to adapt then.



((Strikes=deleted))

[galactically]

[That's a lot of things to know... while Sheryl never met Axel in person but had one conversation with him at the BBS, she already knows at least two people who have and will be affected by his death. Roxas already told her that Axel died, and she surmises that Ayumu had romantic feelings for him...

Oh, boy.

Add will receive a private message instead of the usual text (and with proper capitalization for once).]

You couldn't have known that Axel would turn into an ayakashi just because he wanted to know about his past... but I appreciate your words. Thank you.

Things would be so much easier if the Heavens actually communicate properly about this. No wonder the management is so terrible! =A=

I have a friend who was once a god, died, came back from the dead as a shinki, and was then held hostage by the Heavens. They told him that longing for his old life was what they were afraid of. It's like they don't want him to be trusted with his own life! How stupid!

[subtract]

That's not entirely true. I knew at the time that it would cause blight, but we underestimated how quickly it would set in. It was a poorly calculated risk. [no comment on her thanking him. He doesn't feel like he's said anything worthy of gratitude like that...]

I remember reading something about a shinki who came back from being a god... if the Heavens reacted poorly to that, I wonder how long it'll be before they start arresting shinki who remember parts of their past.

Or perhaps they've already started. Yuuki was the first shinki to imply she'd remembered something, and then she vanished not long after. I always found that to be a bit suspicious.

[galactically]

It's no wonder why certain people would be upset if they learn that you knew, but blight is much different from being turned into a monster, though.

Oh, you must've read Otegine's BBS post. He's the guy I told you about! I don't even want to think about what those foolish higher-ups are planning... but I must admit that I'm curious. ( ︶︿︶)

It IS suspicious! Other people disappeared, too, like Miss Elsa. She's a goddess unlike Yuuki, so what's the deal?

Text

[makinuscream]

How fast did it happen - are we talking minutes, hours, or...? And were any of the gods aware that it was happening?

Text

[subtract]

It would be better to ask Artemis that question. I wasn't present when he transformed, all I know is what happened before and after.

Gods become afflicted with severe blight when their shinki become corrupt, so they would have been aware of that if not the direct cause.

Text

[makinuscream]

Do you have any other data on the ayakashi in general that you'd be willing to share?

private

[oathkeeper]

[At first Sora only reads the TL;DR. But after the implications of Add’s message he goes back and takes the time to read the whole thing.

He doesn’t reply for a long while.

At first he’s not sure how to feel. Learning that Add is the one that gave Axel the idea to press Roxas... He’s upset. Angry. If Add hadn’t pushed Axel into all this things would be very different right now.

But the aftermath of all this Sora has solidified one strong belief in this entire fiasco.

Is it really anyone’s fault this stuff happens? Roxas didn’t know he’d hurt Axel like he did. Add says right here that he didn’t know what would happen.

Everything is just one giant accident. One terrible mistake that would have been avoided had they knew more. But no one did.

The key words in Add’s message is that he’s regretting it all happening. It’s true, nothing will change what happened but how can a shinki be held responsible when he didn’t know his actions would come to this?

So instead of being angry, he just asks,] why didn’t you tell me this when you came to see me that one day?

private

[subtract]

[Ah. He was wondering when Sora would see this...

Honestly, if he made this message for anyone, it was for Sora's sake. Add wasn't really close to anyone else who knew Axel. The other Roxas already knew, and the last thing Add wanted was for him to be the one to tell Sora all of this. Even if it made Sora hate him... he'd rather be the one to say it himself, rather than someone else.

But it's still hard, and there's still a lot he's leaving out...]

I was being selfish. I didn't think it would matter if I told you or not.

[moonfang]

Then it's your fault.

[subtract]

In part, yes.

[shockshot]

If it didn't take much to push him over the edge...

I didn't really think about it. Maybe it's because I'm so new. But I have to wonder why any god would want to use a shinki.

We're dangerous, aren't we? We don't mean to be. We don't want to be. But we're kind of like...walking bombs, I guess.

[subtract]

Because shinki are the only thing that can fight ayakashi, and it's the god's duty to prevent them from becoming one. It's actually very simple.

Any power can become dangerous if left unchecked. It's not too surprising that shinki are the same, with the abilities we've been given. [He never really thought too much about it since gods are... well, gods. But shinki are pretty powerful, too, even if they can't use their full power on their own. A god is useless without a shinki.]

text

[minogame]

( Urashima had only been a new shinki when Axel changed and Pippa had used him to take the resulting ayakashi down. It both feels like a long time ago but not long at all, especially with how it's something that still hasn't been put to rest. Right after, he'd gone with Pippa to stay with Roxas, shortly after, she'd disappeared, people were asking about what happened, friends were stumbling onto memories, Roxas went into hiding not too long ago and now this.

This Add guy doesn't appear to be saying anything about that, outright, though. Urashima doesn't know everything but he knows just enough from the little things people have told him and he thinks, "So, this is the person Roxas hurt?" Hmmm... )

It was an accident?

( Giving Axel the idea that started all of this. It was all just an accident?

In text alone, it probably seems like a dumb question. Really, it is! But before Urashima comes to any judgments, he needs to make sure he truly understands everything. Enough people have been hurt by careless behavior and he doesn't want to contribute to the mess. )

text

[subtract]

That depends on which part you're talking about. The experiment itself was intentional, but the intensity of the results was unexpected.

I don't know if I'd call that an "accident", but I didn't intend to get Axel killed. [That's a waste of a perfectly good test subject, even if he takes out all the waves it caused.]

text, if you don't mind a late tag!

[koukai_kirai]

And it didn't occur to you that his having more gods meant more people at risk of being blighted, possibly to the point of death, if something were to go wrong with him. Even if you never expected him to go that far downhill that quickly, you should both have been aware that his actions could cause harm to all of them.

And I don't imagine either of you thought to mention anything of your plans to the gods whose lives you put at risk, by the looks of things?

[This is him trying really hard not to sound too mad, honestly. He knows it won't do any good to get angry at someone who's already aware of what they did wrong and trying to make amends, but damn, it would be satisfying to tear into the closest thing he has to someone to hold responsible for Ayumu dying -- for his failing to keep her safe -- again...]

text, there is no such thing as a late tag ヽ（ﾟヮ｡）ノ

[subtract]

[... those are some pretty legitimate complaints. He may not have thought through his plan very far. Telling any of the gods about it seemed too detrimental since one of them might oppose the idea and try to interfere... which would've been a good thing, unfortunately. But he was too wrapped up in his theories and making sure everything was done exactly right to worry about what might happen if it really did backfire.

There's a bit of a delay as he tries to come up with how to word his answer. He was braced for criticism, but it's still a bit hard to respond to.]

That wasn't a concern to me at the time, no. I had assumed that if there were issues related to blight then they could be resolved without incident. Informing the other gods didn't seem like a necessary step.