A Miracle For A Soul (Ru Li Cheng)
| A Miracle For A Soul (Ru Li Cheng) | |
|---|---|
| Date of Cutscene: | 21 May 2024 |
| Location: | Yinghua Imperial Temple |
| Synopsis: | Ru Li Cheng is forced to make a choice, and he may have made the wrong one. |
| Cast of Characters: | 7580 |
Agony.
Ru Li Cheng lay there upon the slab, staring up at the clouds of incense being gathered beneath the Temple roof. Here in the grand Imperial Temple, the greatest of Yinghua's accomplishments had been achieved. Here in the Imperial Temple were the ninety-nine gods forged; here in the Imperial Temple were the spare limbs and organs for the gods maintained; here in the Imperial Temple was the vast theological wing kept active, plumbing the mysteries of the Engine of Heaven.
But for the moment, to Ru Li, all it was was a very beautiful hospital.
The theotechnician had already been by while he was strapped down. It had been confirmed that he had not suffered any irreparable damage - any wounds necessitating replacement of limbs or organs - and thus would heal naturally on his own.
Ru Li could not help but suspect that some degree of influence from Bai Li Ahan, or one of the other gods who opposed his outreach and appointment as ambassador, was involved in that decision. He could almost hear Bai Li Ahan's declaration that the Empire need not waste resources on a foolish, errant divinity.
And yet it was not Bai Li Ahan who entered the vaulting Temple amidst the hustle and bustle of humans going about their day. The aura of purity and wisdom, of truth and knowledge; the taste of honey and sweet wine, the smell of wildflowers on a spring day; the feeling of a gap across otherwise marless machinery.
Bai Lu Ahan. The Prototype. The Eldest. The Chief Advisor.
Ru Li struggled to sit up, to transform into his metal mien, but at best he could manage to rise feebly to meet the mechanical gaze of the First of the Gods. He attempted to bow, but Bai Lu Ahan waved his hand aside, and with a gentle motion, pushed him back down.
"Congratulations, Ru Li Cheng, Ninth of Nine Ru Cheng Gods. You have done the impossible twice in this last day."
"I do not understand, Eldest." Ru Li stared up at the other god's metal face, at the flickering symbols in the tempered-glass eyes of the First. "I failed. I mean, I succeeded, but because of others, and in doing so, cost myself enormously. And the Empire, as well."
"Yes, you did." Bai Lu Ahan's mechanical grille shimmered, the impression of lips being pursed firm in Ru Li's mind. "Both of those things are true. And were it not for your failure, we would not have discovered something impossible within you. Were it not for your success, we would not have the opportunity to convince the Emperor of a new position."
Ru Li tried to blink, but the crack in his left eye made it very, very painful. "I beg your pardon, Eldest, but I do not take your meaning."
Bai Lu Ahan produced from his splendid robe a scroll. "The Emperor would like to purchase the crater of Quicknest City in order to set up a theological encampment. We have discovered a potential new avenue of deepening our understanding of the Engine of Heaven within you, and Quicknest provides a means to both begin that understanding and establish further goodwill in the Multiverse at large."
Ru Li's jaw dropped open.
Bai Lu Ahan laughed, a sound like ringing bells. "I expected that response. It will, of course, be purchased in exchange for relief, both material and governmental. Setting up a provisional government and establishing an independent zone where citizens are subject to Yinghuan rules instead of Quicknest rules is crucial to us."
"You want to colonize them." Ru Li's heart stopped beating for a single instant. Every gear ground to a halt. "You intend to establish the first permanent off-world colony of Yinghua."
"Yes."
"Even though we fought to give them independence. To free them from the grip of both a madman and another Empire."
"That is correct."
"Why?" Ru Li managed through his shock. "What value is there in blasted land? It has been strip-mined utterly by Petra Soroka and Doctor Eggman. Every bit of value has been ripped away. The people have nothing - even food will be scarce, with the land barren. And what could you have discovered within me that changed even the staunchest of isolationists?"
"Light."
Ru Li paused. "...excuse me?"
Bai Lu Ahan walked to the end of Ru Li's bedside. "Your senses must be dulled from the damage, or you would have sensed it already. We extracted from you during the exploratory surgery a power we did not understand." He held up a jar.
Within that jar was light, light held in place a small blue glow in its center. Light that Ru Li recognized immediately. His breath caught in his throat. Again, every bit of ticking stopped for an instant. Then, his voice almost silent, he breathed out.
"Ultraman Belial."
"So we believe, yes." Bai Lu Ahan held the jar of light up. "Or, at least, a piece of his power remaining within you. We believe it was activated by your actions during the Quicknest operation, and may have kept you alive despite your self-destructive activities."
Bai Lu Ahan set the jar down near Ru Li. The light surged brilliantly, bathing the room in a brilliant, pure glow, until Bai Lu Ahan moved it away, and the light died. "We believe that this represents a form of theological exploration we have not yet seen - a chance to examine the greatest of mysteries."
"Souls."
"Souls," Bai Lu Ahan agreed, "Categorized, quantified, and perhaps even reproducible. It is only a fragment, but it is a fragment of power that responds to you, and you alone. With that in mind, we intend to attempt to perform a remarkable operation - if you are able to get Quicknest to grant us what we want."
"An operation?" Ru Li felt a tingle down his spine. "What kind?"
"We intend to develop for you the first off-world Miracle."
"...for me?"
"The light responds to no other. You are the only one, currently, who can utilize it. So, once we have developed this Miracle, it will be installed within you, in order to further your activities as an ambassador and off-world example."
Ru Li's lip trembled. He stared at the light. Everything he wanted. Power that was beyond him. A chance to grow. A chance to change. A chance to become stronger. To become more reliable. To take a step closer to being someone upon whom Futaba, and Lilian, and everyone else could be assured of.
"And you wish for me to persuade the Commonwealth and Quicknest, in exchange for this?"
"That is correct."
The light danced in front of him. Ru Li reached out for it, and it seemed to him as if it reached back. Finally, quietly, he said,
"Very well."
"I want your word, Ru Li Cheng."
"...I give you my word, Bai Lu Ahan."
Bai Lu Ahan put a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations, Ru Li Cheng. You may herald the dawn of a new age for Yinghua."
With that, he walked out, leaving Ru Li staring at the light upon the table, alone with his thoughts, and with a deep pit in his stomach where should have been joy.
