Scene #856: The Role of a Hero

Owner	Pose
Samael	SLUM URBANIA. This was where the dregs of society lived, the poor, the forgotten, the people who nobody cared about. Crime was rampant, and help from the police or any sort of authority was far and few between. Sieg would find an extremely odd scene, with a girl in a hat and coat standing behind another, younger girl. The younger girl looked scared, with tears in her eyes, but in front of the pair were several men. Each of the men had been impaled through the arms and legs, attaching them to the brick wall behind them, almost like insects pinned in a rather grotesque collection. The men were clearly still alive, but most of them had their mouths gagged, or for one unlucky bastard, he had simply had his teeth kicked in. "So all you have to do is finish them off. That's what you wanted, isn't it?" the girl in the hat said, placing her hands on the shoulders of the smaller, younger girl. A knife was placed in the younger girl's hands, but Sieg could easily see the grin on the older girl's face. "They took everything from you. So you just have to take everything from them. I made it so easy for you! So, all you have to do is take it." The younger girl, on the other hand, didn't seem so sure about the entire thing. "I just want to go back..." she said. It was obvious she was trying her hardest not to break down on the spot, and the only thing holding her back from simply running away was that subtle intimidation coming from her 'big sister,' who had firmly placed her hands on her shoulder. "Now, now. That wouldn't solve anything, would it? You have to face things like this sometime, don't you?"
Sieg	"Regardless of how many negative experiences you accumulate, no quantity of negative experiences can amount to a positive experience. It's simple math." A calm voice comes from just down the sidewalk. Just down the way there's a small grocery store that Sieg frequents, because it's cheap to shop there. Places like this don't intimidate him, and it isn't as if he can afford to shop anyplace else. Thrift stores and discount marts, all. Because he's good at math, he can account for many different factors and purchase quite a lot for relatively little. That's what lead him here today. A pair of brown paper sacks are tucked beneath each of his arms, which is strange considering the scene that he's approached. The simple truth of the matter is that the homunculus feels no fear over anything. The situation itself is grotesque and awful, but it's not the worst of what the homunculus has seen before. That in itself is disturbing to him, but he doesn't really have time to contemplate it just now. Sieg sets the paper sacks down on the pavement and surveys the men against the brick walls. He contemplates the subject momentarily and says, "I don't know this story, or how it came about. I don't even know people that well. I won't tell you not to do what you have to, but the kind of people I know who can take from others without limit..." "... Are pitiful, spineless wretches who spend their lives waiting for the day when the knife is thrust into their own backs, and looking for the opportunity to do the stabbing first. They are lonely souls who never really live." Sieg looks towards the girl and her 'big sister', blinking faintly at them both. This kid is incredibly strange.
Samael	The 'big sister' turned around, tilting her head at the newcomer. "Ohoh? Is this someone who believes that they hold better morals? Or perhaps, someone who wishes to intervene?" There was a slight tap as the girl holding the knife suddenly dropped to the ground. Was she knocked out? Dead? Who knew? Sieg could probably tell if he came closer, but it was up in the air if the girl would let him approach. As she discarded her previous toy, the girl in the coat and hat came forward, her hands tucked into the small of her back demurely, looking at the strange boy. "Oh, so what are you? You're not human, are you? Something more? Something less?" she asked, coming up to him, squinting. "No fear, though. But what else? Fear is part of being human, isn't it? So that just means you're different. Still, that last statement..." The girl turned around, humming to herself in a nonchalant way, before looking over her shoulder. "Are you going to leave these men to die? They're going to eventually succumb to their wounds, you know. Not that they deserve better. But what is your opinion on that?"
Sieg	"It doesn't have much to do with morals. People can only take a finite amount of stress, and willingly living a life where you have to constantly watch your back is hardly living at all. It's too much work, so the end result is fairly miserable." Sieg explains, neutrally. It's not that he doesn't think he is more moral than this person and her plans here, but he doesn't really feel a need to be self-righteous about it. There are plenty of objective reasons not to go around murdering people left and right, even if they have brought some harm. The irony of wanting to be a hero while criticizing the highly lethal nature of the magus's lifestyle is lost on him. He regards Samael with an expression of confusion, and steps towards the incapacitated girl while he answers, "I'm a homunculus, but whether I'm more or less human is subjective. I think sometimes I feel like less, but there's a part of me that's definitely more. I definitely started my life as less than human, though." Sieg tries to get a decent look at the girl. He's not comfortable exposing his back to this weirdo asking questions. Thinking that it's probably safest to keep talking to her, he continues to answer her questions, "I'll probably do what I can for them, but just because I don't think this person should kill them doesn't mean I think they deserve to live. I don't have the ability to heal injuries so severe, so there's only so much I can do. So I guess the answer is that I'll do what I can to ascertain the correct course of action."
Samael	"A homunculus? So, a created being. Ah, I see. I get it, now. You're a robot. Or at least, something like it. So. If you don't intervene on their behalf...if I told you everything I told her was a lie, that these men were all innocent...what would you say? What would you do? Or, even if..." The girl stood over to her collapsed 'sister,' placing a sheepskin boot on her head. "What if I were to just simply crush this girl's head? What would be your thoughts on that?" she asked, a smile coming to her face. "Perhaps this girl was responsible for many a misfortune. Maybe not. Still. I'm interested to see what you believe in." The foot came down, and Sieg could see that the girl was shifting her weight onto her victim's head. "So, homunculus. Are you simply a passive vessel? What do you think is the correct course of action?" The girl's expression was nothing but a playful smile.
Sieg	"Robot is probably too generous. I was more like a battery." Sieg explains, matter-of-factly. To somebody else it would be insulting, but it's the truth. Now, he's something a great deal more than that, but it doesn't mean that his origins were anything more complicated than that. Power was needed, so he was used as a source of power. That's all there is to it, and although it makes him feel rather worthless to contemplate it, he sees no reason to deny it either. Despite his initial cool demeanor, though... the homunculus is growing visibly troubled at Samael's... is it needling? It's hard to tell exactly what she's trying to do. Obviously the intent is to provoke a response from him, as it was to provoke a response from that girl. What, then, is the correct answer? As he had pointed out, there is no real purpose in making a horror show out of something if it can be avoided. "Aufhören!" Sieg's magic circuits rev up and he spits out a spell in the span of a heartbeat. It's a reckless thing to do, and he doesn't know how powerful this person is. If they're formidable, the command to 'stop' won't do much of anything, he's sure. The spell is a simple compulsion to cease action, in this case meant to stop the girl from being killed. In essence, this is his first line of defense. Sieg has enough magical power to brute force compulsions on people without much issue. The problem is if this isn't a person who can be compelled so easily... which is why he's drawn his left hand up into his right. Colossal power is there, if he needs it. But does he? If he knew the danger that Samael presents, Sieg would've already transformed.
Samael	The girl paused. Had Sieg's magic worked? It seemed so, at least at first. The girl then laughed, shaking her head. "You're trying to have it both ways. You're trying to stop me, while keeping me alive. That's greedy. It really is." Her laugh had a high, mocking tone as her foot came down harder. "Oh, don't worry, by the way. She's out like a light. She won't feel a thing. Though, according to you, it's alright to let the others die, so what's one more? Are you going to take me at face value, that she is innocent, and those men are all deserving of their fate? What do you think?" "Does a battery have a soul? Does it think, can it create? Obviously, you've grown out of your previous purpose, but by how much? Are you simply playing at being human?" the girl continued, her eyes boring straight into Sieg's. "An imitation. Going through the motions. Yet, there's something missing, isn't there? Something that you can't quite put your finger on, can you?" Another mocking laugh. "So. Maybe this will help your growth, or prove that you cannot really understand. All you can do is calculate towards the most optimal outcome, isn't that right? Or will you move? I'll tell you what: if you don't stop me now, I'll promise I'll leave this place and cause no more trouble. If you do move, however...I can't guarantee the safety of anyone within a hundred miles." The smile widened. "So, what say you?"
Sieg	"It's less that it's alright to let others die, and more that I don't have the power to stop those people from dying. I can get them help, but my abilities to deal with the situation are limited. I'm weak." Sieg explains, once more matter-of-factly. That is also a simple truth. In light of the fact that this woman is lying rampantly however, he can't really take anything she's said about any of these people at face value. Based on the sadistic choices she is attempting to inflict on himself, he can only guess that her goal was to do so here on a smaller scale. Because this person only had limited ability to inflict damage on others, the scope of her trials were small. In the meantime, while Sieg himself isn't all that strong, the scope of what he can do is still much greater. Because of that, the situation escalates. From a coldly rational point of view it would have been better if he'd never come along at all. However, the test that she offers rings hollow to him as well. The girl is a liar. Nothing she says can be trusted completely, except that her threats appear to be semi-credible on the simple basis of what she was doing here to begin with. At very least, she's beyond his ability to influence as a magus. Sieg frowns, his expression steadily turning quite harsh. Sieg glances towards the girl on the ground, and objectively he can place no value on her or any of these people. There is nothing to calculate, except the understanding that all options will bring suffering on a significant scale. The 'best' long-term option is to dispatch this person in front of him, which will limit the theoretical upper limit of suffering greatly. If he's lucky, he can even save the people in his sight. A great surge of power chases through the homunculus. It can be felt even by those who have no magical power, tearing away the veil of the world as it brings about a miracle. A mark upon Sieg's left hand becomes partially smudged, like ink that has been smeared onto his skin haphazardly. An additional portion of it remains, in the shape of a partial human heart now. The call of a great horn sounds in the distance. Sieg grows up in a handfull of heartbeats, a brilliant gleam of green spreading across his chest. He sprouts up to a great height, his clothing replaced with a magnificent armor, and his muscles swell to a physique that can only be described as inhuman perfection. His face fills out properly for a grown man, and his hair grows longer and somewhat more pinkish in hue. The only part of him that goes unchanged are his eyes. Siegfried had green eyes, but Sieg retains his own inhuman red. A great sword is slung across his back, and it is to this weapon he reaches with quickness unfathomable to a human. The sword swings free of its sheath in a wide, powerful arc that can only be described as clumsy. He wasted no time in attacking -- the swipe aimed to force Samael to give ground and move away from the girl she's standing on. "I don't have the strength to stop you peacefully, but you got the wrong idea about me before. Being greedy doesn't mean I'm unrealistic. And I am greedy." Sieg declares, drawing Balmung back in to prepare to defend himself, or perhaps to strike another blow if he has time. He isn't certain if he will.
Samael	As Sieg's transformation started, the girl clapped her hands together in excitement, apparently pleased at the display. "Oh, so this! This is what you were hiding! A knight? Oh, yes, a knight in shining armor! Not a mere battery, but something else. This is not yours though, is it? Is it stolen? Was it taken?" Apparently, the girl was not worried at all by the show of power, but she now displayed a childlike curiosity even as Sieg approached, sword drawn. As the swipe was taken, the girl grinned, waving a finger and pointing it at Sieg. Two sets of metallic wings unfolded behind her, yet they didn't seem to be attached to her at all. A feather broke off, before somehow unfolding into a blade that could match his own in strength, at least for now. Sparks flew as the blades clashed, though if Sieg persisted, he would probably find that he could push it back and clear a way to Samael herself. The girl didn't seem to be moving, her foot still firmly planted on her previous victim's head, and she had simply tilted her head, her attention now focused purely on Sieg himself. "So what do you intend to do? Simply kill me, saving all of these people? Or do you intend to try and drive me away, in the hopes that you'll be strong enough to prevent me from causing collateral damage? Tell me, tell me!"
Sieg	"No. This is mine." Sieg doesn't explain in depth right away, the clash of an additional blade forcing him to pay more attention. He's not an experienced fighter, with swords or otherwise. So he can't really hope to match Samael in a prolonged fight, but he doesn't know that yet. But he does know his approximate capabilities, and that he can afford to let her attack him freely. Even if it is a high-quality weapon, scratching this body will be difficult. It's how long he can maintain this form and keep fighting that is the problem, and he just doesn't know the answer to that. He pushes past, disregarding all defense to approach Samael. A look of annoyance, a hint of genuine feeling rather than carefully balanced odds, flashes across the black knight's face. To Samael's prodding he answers with conviction, "I will do what I can and nothing more." A vague answer, but even Sieg knows that he's probably engaged this person in a fight to the death. If the stakes don't include his life, then at very least it includes the life of this person lying before him. Ordinarily such a large blade should require at two-handed grip, but... The black knight draws it back one-handed and JABS with the tip, attempting once more to force Samael back away from her potential victim. His free arm is raised to meet what he suspects will be one of the pair of blades, but he isn't actually certain what to expect, and his battle instinct is poor. "If I die, I die. If I kill you, I kill you. My means are here before you; I have nothing else. You may call me Saber, O Nameless One, and if it is within my power to put a stop to your cruel games then I will." Saber declares, but he doesn't use it to punctuate any new, grandiose movements. It is simply his answer to her prodding.
Samael	"Yours? It doesn't seem like it. No, no. It must be someone else's. But you're not exactly the type to steal or take...so it was given? Yes, it must be so." The girls eyes narrowed slightly, but the smile remained on her face. "A created being, a vessel...are you a fake knight? Or are you playing at it? You smell of myths and stories. It's like a play, isn't it?" As her blade was pushed away, the girl didn't seem concerned or afraid at all, giving a toss of her hair. "What you can and nothing more? That's a silly statement to make." she quipped, before the thrust came her way. In the blink of an eye, feathers unfolded into jet blade shards, and one of them came into the air, just barely shifting the thrust's point to miss Samael's head by a fraction of an inch. The girl snapped her fingers, and the collection of blades suddenly lurched forward in a revolving swarm, apparently aimed to simply bore into Sieg's torso and tear a hole through him. Whether it'd actually be successful or not in doing anything but pushing the man back, however... "O Nameless One? Saber? You truly are something out of a myth. A knight. But I can tell...you're just playing at this. An actor, trying his desperate best to fool the world into thinking he is something else. You can put up a good performance, but at the end, when the curtain falls...everyone knows it's an act. A fake. But still...I want to know how good your performance is." The grin widened even further, and a slightly sadistic tinge colored the girl's face. "Show me."
Sieg	"It was a gift, but that still makes it mine." Saber says, pressing forward into the mass of jet blade feathers. It's not that they don't register, or that they're utterly ineffective. However... his skin is like the finest armor, even where it is bare on the chest. Drive a thousand thousand blades of fine quality into his flesh, and it would still not slay him. An ordinary person could not hope to harm him. Even an "average" being of power would have difficult leaving a lasting mark on his body. Even where vital or seemingly soft places are struck, actually penetrating deeply is impossible. There is no sense in half measures against the homunculus. The pain of it is not unfamiliar to Sieg, but with this body he can think through it. It's not like the first time he walked. If he were himself, it would be too much to endure. He would have been dead from the first strike, he is certain. Weapons that can endure Balmung would tear him asunder like so much rotting meat. He takes a step forward through the hail of blades, one eye partially shut more out of reflex than necessity. A part of him revels in this feeling of invincibility. It's not a feeling that he can indulge against this person. But it's difficult not to. To have this sort of power. To be able to stand up against this at all. Being able to live on -- even a whole human lifespan -- was one thing, but a gift of heroism is more than anyone could hope for. Opening his eye, Saber focuses on Samael. That is his target, but not his objective. The person beneath her is the person that he needs to save. But, technically, the people pinned to the wall nearby are also among that number. If he approaches too closely, they will be caught in the hail of blades. If he doesn't approach close enough, Samael can do as she wishes. One single attack will not do, no matter what. "It's true." Saber takes a step forward, mindful of his footing. He can move quicker than this, but he can't actually do so if he wants to be mindful of the people around them. Each answer comes with a step. "I'm not the original Saber, and Saber isn't the original me." Another step forward, and Saber takes his blade into two hands again. He'll need to try and fight more like Saber to make any progress. Multiple blows? He's not certain. Still not close enough, even with his reach, and these blades aren't making approaching easy. "But did the heroism of Saber's father invalidate his own heroism? Does receiving the gift of life from another invalidate one's own life?" One more step, and Saber tenses. He's close enough to begin his attack, but he doesn't want to strike just yet. The fight is meaningless if he doesn't assert his role and self. That is, after all, what she is trying to attack. "I've no intention of beginning my life by making the mistakes that he did. Is it so silly to tell the truth plainly? I will do what I can, and nothing more." Saber takes one last step in and begins his assault. The blade falls with dreadful speed, though it is without technique or skill. It falls many times, like a baseball bat swung rapidly at a far more dangerous and well-armed intruder -- perhaps not as dangerous as what is being directed at him just now, but certainly non-trivial.
Samael	"Oh?" As the storm of blades pushed forward, apparently having little effect than to push Saber back, Samael licked her lips, grinning. This was interesting. Very interesting. The storm of blades kept blasting themselves forward, though they were acting more like a water hose than an actual lethal attack, simply delaying his inevitable advance. "I don't see what that has to do with anything. You're just playing at it, pretending to be something else. Heroism? That's fun, I suppose. But then again, you're right. What are my words to you? Nothing but words, that's all." Was she agreeing with him? What was she going on about? As the blade fell, it was caught. This time, a knight in armor, wielding a blade just as Saber did, stood up and parried the blade. Within the helmet there was no light, and when he stood still, there was no tell-tale breathing. A mere construct. Still, it had enough strength to stand up to Saber's blade, and sparks flew as the knight, whose armor was the same black and red metallic sheen as Smael's wings, fended Siegfried off. "Though...maybe I shouldn't judge. I've seen a lot of people like you, you know. Those who wish to be heroes. Some failed. Some succeeded! Some got their power by themselves. Some inherited it, like you did! I guess, my point is..." The girl suddenly disappeared, and so did the knight. She reappeared, sitting on a nearby ledge. "You interest me. You seem different, maybe! It's rare to see such a being want to rise to the title of 'hero.' I like interesting things. So...I'll tell you what. You can have all of them. They'll all live, probably, if you get help. I won't even kill anyone else, buuut..." The girl put her fingers together, affecting a sheepish tone of voice. "Well, let's just say you caught me on the tail end of things. Oh, also!" The girl vanished against, only to reappear extremely close to Saber, but instead of attacking, she clapsed his left hand with both of her own, and closed her eyes. "I can see how this works. So, in return for letting me have my fun, and letting me see what you can do..." Her eyes suddenly snapped open, and her irises had gone from grey to red. Almost like Sieg's, actually, but it was obvious that they carried with them a sense of malice. Sieg would suddenly feel a huge amount of power flow into him as the air crackled with static, like a radio popping. It felt horrible and painful, however, like an uncontrollable raging fire shooting up his entire arm. It was almost as if pure destruction was somehow being forced into him, but in a way that was barely contained. The energy would burn back the smudged mark, yet in its restoration, Siegfried would have unbelievable pain as Samael pumped more and more energy into making the spell come back. As the girl apparently had no knowledge of the mechanics behind it, it seemed that she was just pouring more and more power into the mark until it did what she wanted it to do. The energy being wasted was immense, but eventually, the girl released Saber's hand, tilting her head with a smile. The mark had returned. As for Samael herself, the red irises were gone, and she took a cell phone out, throwing it at the man's feet. "There you go, just in case you don't have a way to get people here as soon as possible. But yeah, I think...that maybe you'll go far. Maybe you won't. I'd still want to watch and see what happens. You're not the type to give up and simply fade away peacefully, I don't think. Either way, something cool will happen, won't it?"
Sieg	No good. How many constructs can this person put between herself and Saber? The homunculus is uncertain, but he's beginning to believe that invocation of his Noble Phantasm is the only possibility for victory in this battle. To do so, however, would cause mass devastation here. At the very least, anyone caught in the arc would be vaporized. The question then is whether or not vaporizing a few bystanders is worth eliminating Samael. Assuming that he hasn't underestimated her defensive capabilities-- based on what he's seen up til now, this could literally just be for starters. He draws back and strikes again, attempting to disarm the knightly construct. It won't feel pain, so only decisive action will be successful. But the knight vanishes, and so does the girl. Away, in fact, from all the people he'd been trying to protect. Based on the time, the location, and where Samael is oriented he tries to determine how many possible casualties there would be for using Balmung. Saber lifts the sword and opens his mouth to begin to speak, but... then the girl says something utterly bewildering. "W...hat?" After all that, she's just going to let things fall where they stand? Saber had already determined that she was a liar, so it's no good to assume she's simply telling the truth. His expression turns especially stern and angry at the mention that this girl has probably already finished some people off out here. Why was she doing it? But... Objectively, he doesn't know this person's capabilities. It was a gamble transforming to try to face her to begin with. If he has an out that gets him what he wants essentially unharmed, then it's an out he should take. Not, however, without some caution. No assuming his normal form again until he absolutely must. A flicker of motion, and Samael lays her hands over his own -- both grasp his sword at present, and she seems poised to do something. The words that died on his lips begin again, "O Sword, L--" Pain seizes Sieg abruptly. It's not 'damage', merely pain. But it's enough pain to drown out his thoughts and bring a halt to his words. Even at his weakest Sieg didn't scream or call out when he was in great pain, when each movement was like shards of glass driven into his flesh. But his breathing becomes labored and his grip goes slack on his sword. In all, it's fairly obvious that the whole process is deeply unpleasant and difficult to endure. A segment of the heart, approximately representing the upper arteries, begins to fill back in on his left hand. The command spell had been black to begin with, but the restoration of the smudged segment of it has a sickly red outline to it. He ends up bracing himself against the great sword, staring at Samael in disbelieving bewilderment. "Why do these things? Why help me, needle me, and then give me the strength to do more? What was the purpose of what you were doing to that person over there?" Saber demands, his gaze turning to the fallen girl who held the knife a time before. His meaning is plain -- he simply doesn't understand.
Samael	"Why? Why indeed. Why not? Why shouldn't I? Is there a reason why I should not have done this? You tell me. But I'll tell you why I'm doing this. It entertains me, that's all. How people act. How people react. How does a person act when presented with these sorts of situations? It's all so fun and interesting!" A laugh came from the girl as she clapped her hands, nodding. "Though if it comforts you, maybe it's easier to think that I have no purpose. I simply do what comes to mind. But it's not like you care, right? You probably view me as a villain right now, and just like you, I suppose, that is the part I am content to play." She took another step back, nodding again. "But I think I have a tiny bit more experience at playing my part than you do. I enjoy it, really. It's fun, and keeps me occupied. I attract people like you, and I get to play with them for a little bit. Then everything ends, anyway. Or, well, it used to. Not anymore. But that doesn't concern you." The girl started to walk away, stretching. "But as for you...you're different. You've got my attention, and I'll be watching. Well, I'll be keeping track, at least! Like I said, big things will happen. Maybe you'll die. But it won't be in a way that'll be boring. And that, at least, is a reason to keep paying attention." Another laugh, and the girl simply faded away, leaving Sieg to clean up her handiwork.
Sieg	This is utterly incomprehensible to Saber. The notion that some people are simply cruel hasn't escaped him, but he has only had to deal with those people indirectly during his time with the Yggdmillennia family. Even then, many of them understood objectively that what they were doing was wrong. It's just that they didn't care as much in proportion to what they were trying to accomplish. This person seems to simply be uncaring on all levels. A sociopath? It's possible. She seems to value people on the basis of the entertainment they provide her. Therefore, the easiest way to be regarded close to a person by her is by being "interesting", or at the very least entertaining. The only problem is, the kind of things she finds entertaining are so... /twisted/. Sieg remains on his guard, following the girl's movements as she moves away. A glance is cast towards the cell phone on the ground, but... he's sure that if he gives her the opportunity she'll just start causing trouble again. "... Hmph. If entertaining you is the price of keeping other people from getting involved, then it's a fair enough transaction." He says to Samael's retreating form. At the heart of the matter, a hero needs an enemy to save people from to begin with. Without people like her, there would be no purpose for someone like him. It's only once she's faded away that Sieg calls anybody to help. In this form he can offer no healing at all, not even improvised, but he does stick around to make certain that all of the people here are carted off properly. And then, once it's over... The powerful figure of Saber moves over to the edge of the sidewalk, picks up his grocery bags, and walks back towards the warp gate.