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Men's minds, yes. Your mind, however, appears shielded from my surface telepathy.

You're not human, are you?

You're correct in that assumption. The clerics tend to refer to me as a demigod as I'm not truly a god. Yet. I guess it's fitting. You aren't simply a human either, are you? You're something more. [He mused. He had never met a mutant before, never mind someone with such a developed mind. It made him rather curious. But also cautious, not sure how well his usual tactics would be received.]

I am one of a new breed. Homo sapiens superior, the next step in mankind's evolution. As one of the first and strongest of my people, it falls to me to be their protector and shepherd during this, their time of testing. [He explained, not sure how to feel about this being just yet. He has met and fought entities that claimed divinity before, the so-called Eternals, but this man is not like them. The power is there in him, but it feels different from an Eternal's power. Warmer.]

You have it too, don't you? My gift. I can feel you at the edge of my mind. [It's a strange feeling, to be on the other end for a change. Up until now Charles Xavier was the only telepath he'd met who could read through his psychic shields.]

[He listened to what he was being told, expressionless, not revealing how he felt about it. The man spoke like a cleric however his terms carried little weight for Aiden. Mortal words didn't mean much to the gods.]

What you consider a gift that sets you apart from others is just a piece of a divine nature. Peeking into the hearts and minds of mortals is kinda our job. [He smiles ever so slightly. His own ability is crude in comparison to the gods.] But yes, I have it too. It's rarely I meet someone as powerful as you though.

Edited 2018-03-12 06:11 (UTC)

[He chews that over in silence, considering his response. Under ordinary circumstances, he would not be given to talking much about his past. Few people living even know his birth name. But he suspects that this being, be he god or demigod, already knows it. And even if Exodus does not believe him to truly be God, he can't deny that there is something familiar about him.]

I don't know why I was born with this power. Even when I was a child I could feel it inside of me, something buried deep within made me different somehow. [He stares at the young man who is neither truly young not truly human piercingly.] Who are you? Where did you come from? You are not like the other self-proclaimed demigods I have known. None of them shared this... this piece of divinity you speak of. They were all just pagan pretenders who worshiped only themselves.

Edited 2018-03-13 04:52 (UTC)

You were given that gift for a reason. It was your fate to have it. You may consider it a gift of this God of yours or simply something that just was supposed to happen. Fate works in ways that only the Sisters truly grasp. Even gods are bound by it.

At least it's true for the gods that I call kin. There are others I've yet to meet. Like yours. Others have called them God, but if we're being honest he was a little bit of a dick.

[It's the best answer he can give. He's aware things work differently elsewhere, something he had gotten into arguments over. But he do tries to be reassuring even if it isn't quite in his nature.

That and the only "God" he have met was Chuck from Supernatural. Someone whom abandoned his position. ]

I'm Áedán, son of Altwidus the Wise. I'm from the world of Sîaera. I cannot speak of the ones you have met but I can assure you that self-worship is the last thing I'd engage in. [In fact he's disgusted by it. People pretending to be gods rubbed him the wrong way. A god's responsibility is their worshippers after all. That much had stuck with him.] Divinity is a piece of my very being. It comes naturally. That and the tenants of Eógan are firmly in my mind. Even if I don't always follow them, I do respect them.

There is but one God, and He is everyone's God. That is what I was taught, from as far back as I can remember. Fate is just His plan, though we all have our roles to play in it.

[That is what he has known and believed, at least. But how can that belief explain Áedán, who has all his power yet speaks of gods from other worlds?]

I was born Bennet du Paris, but today most know me as Exodus. Tell me, Áedán of Sîaera, how can it be that I who was born of a man and a woman shares a power with you who is the son of a god? There must be a reason for that, though for all my power I cannot grasp what that reason might be. I might almost believe you a devil sent to deceive me, except that hearts and minds do not lie and I can see yours. [Something Áedán has allowed, he thinks, since he could not grasp at his thoughts earlier.]

Tell me more of these tenants of Eógan, and of Sîaera, and yourself as well. How did you come to be here, Áedán of Sîaera? Yours is not another world in space, I think. You come from somewhere further away, do you not?

Yeah hence the dick part. He called me a "pagan". [He looks less than impressed at that.] That's not true. There are many gods. For one to claim to be the only one is if you ask me, ignorant. My father is one of several gods. Each god have their area to care for and their worshippers. Refusing to acknowledge that rubs me the wrong way. It's hubris.

Please just call me Aiden. It's much less formal. As for your question I honestly don't know exactly why. I'm not a god, I don't know everything. But as far as I know it's a part of the world. Some are born mages, some have gifts like yours. The threads of Fate decide what your place shall be. As it has been decided for me. In some cases it's even passed down through the family line. It's the answer I can give you. As for me, telepathy is as much as my mind can grasp of omniscience until the day I accend. Like you said, the gods knows everything and is everything. I'm not there yet.

The tenants of Eógan deals with how the gods should act and what limits they need to stay within. It's a code of conduct basically. With gods having such extensive powers, rules needs to be established to not fall into utter chaos. As for Sîaera, it's just a planet. With humans, elves, dwarfs, continents and a rich wildlife. It was created by Sîan a very long time ago as a place to call home. Just like the Earth that you are from. Although technically we aren't from the same universe. I'm a traveler. I enjoy experiencing the world and make a bond with it. I get it from my father Altwidus. Although he doesn't engage as much as I do, but prefer to just archive what's happening.

[He then falls silent as he considers Bennet's other inquiry. His mind closes up just in case. Because he isn't sure just how much he wishes to reveal or how much there's to say to satisfy the question. He could speak of the prophecy or his mother. But he has an distinct feeling that might be unwise. He isn't sure how much there's to say.]

I'm certain my father would appreciate such an inquiring mind as yours. There are some things that mortals shouldn't know though. As for me, I'm shaping the type of god I will be still. There are many paths I can follow. Each with their consequences.

Edited 2018-03-14 11:03 (UTC)

[He frowns a troubled frown at that. He can feel the truth in Áedán's words, but they go against everything he was taught.] Before I became what I am today, I fought for what is today known as the Catholic Church. In my day, it was just "The Church." Before I could swing a sword, or ride a horse, or even read and write, I was taught that there is but one God, and all the rest are pretenders. I believed this, even after a madman awakened this power in me that would cause many to dub me a god themselves. I have believed this all my life, and now you tell me it is not true. Everything I was taught tells me I should strike you down where you stand. Can you, who sees into my heart as I have seen into so many others, understand the... the dilemma this causes me?

You say you are not a god, Aiden, but I feel something in you that I have not felt from anyone else, not from Queen Isabella who knighted me, nor from Apocalypse who awakened me, nor even from Magneto who I once believed was Him reborn on Earth. If you are not a god, Aiden, then what are you that I feel this from you? Or... perhaps you do not know that yet, any more than I know what it is I am? If that is so, then perhaps Fate brought us to meet to learn from each other.

[As Áedán explains the tenants of Eógan to him, he nods his understanding.] There must be an order to follow in all things, laws which all from the highest to the lowest are governed by. But if that is so, then is there not one God above the others who sets that law? [He frowns again, realizing that might be a lapse into his old way of thinking.] You seem young, even if I suspect that you are in reality much older than I. Travel is the sport of youth, I traveled much in my own youth after being knighted. Though it was usually to places the Church wanted me to go.

[He can feel it when his companion's mode, already difficult for him to perceive, closes off from him altogether. But he doesn't try to force it open. He suspects such power is beyond even him, and he is too intrigued by this being to risk alienating him anyway.]

If what I believed all my life to be truth was falsehood, then I want to know the truth. As much of it as I can, even though I understand that certain truths are too vast for mortals to grasp. In truth, Aiden, it would be a relief to know if I was still mortal. I have lived now for over 800 years, I do not know how long that is in Sîaera but here on Earth that is several lifetimes. In truth... I don't even know if I can die.

That you aren't raising your fist against me speaks magnitude of your character. A willingness to listen rather then reacting. Many men would probably not stop and listen and try to attack me. That wouldn't end well for them.

[He then chews the question over.] Surely you are somewhat familiar with polytheism at least? I can't imagine it would be non-existent in your world. Surely our worlds can't be that different? I do understand your dilemma, even if I'm unable to see myself in that situation. I do know though that even in my world there are groups of people being told there's just one god, one truth. It's... troubling. Most aren't as, if I may say so, ignorant.

[He tilts his head slightly. None of the names were familiar to him and he couldn't stop himself from reaching out for more context of those names. Something Bennet may or may not be aware of. Just surface thoughts, not wanting to go too deep. More out of courtesy than anything else.]

Perhaps because I'm not mortal, nor mutant? That's what you call yourself is it not? My heritage is divine and ancient. It leaves its marks upon me. My aura can overwhelm lesser men. I know I'm the son of a god. I know what Fate has planned for me. I just seek... something more.

Yes you're correct. In a way. Eogan is the king of the gods, ruler of the sky. He was one of the first. He was there when his wife Sîan molded the fundaments of the world out of the dark clay of the void. Before her, there was nothing. As the rulers, we bow to their guidance. Sometimes... some of us needs convincing. Things can get heated in the halls of the heavens, just like how all children rebel against their parents at one point.

[His next line of inquiry gives Aiden pause. He truly wish he could settle his concerns. But he knew too little.] I do wish I could lay your concerns to rest. I do believe you're in truth mortal, but something within you is stopping you from dying. Maybe forever. [He muses over it.] I don't know enough about the world you heir from. Heck, I hardly know everything of my own. Sure, there are others I can ask, gods that would know. But if our worlds are truly that different, maybe even they will come up short.

Which is most troubling. Also... if you're 800 years, I think you're actually older than me. [He makes an amused huff at that] Of course that depends on your definitions. A year on one planet may be several years on another.

There was a time when I would have done that. That, and more. Even when I first awakened in this modern day I was changed more in body than in mind... but then I entered the service of a man who believed he was God. Not even a god, but God. I believed in that man, and in his service I made... mistakes. Terrible mistakes.

[He nods.] I have heard the term, though it was not in use in my day. My day was... less than hospitable to those who did not believe in the God of the Church. As a knight I was charged with putting such persons to the sword. I never stopped to ask myself if they deserved the ends I gave them. A knight's purpose was to obey his vows, not question them.

[He can feel Aiden's presence in his mind again, like a ball of light flitting down the hallways of his mind. And perhaps it is foolishness on his part, but he does not raise any shields against the searching presence. He opens his doors, allowing the Sîaeran to see his memories of a time long since lost to history, of a young and bold adventurer who became a knight. He allows Aiden to see Eobar, the Black Knight who he fought beside in the Crusades. He allows Aiden to see Apocalypse, the ancient mutant who lured him out into the desert and pitted him against a monster to awaken his power. He allows Aiden to see the moment he turned on Apocalypse and the price he paid. He allows Aiden to see Magneto, the man who woke him from his 800-year slumber and who charged him with being his herald. And then, finally, he allows Aiden to see himself in Magneto's service. The things he did that were right, saving mutants all around the world... and the things that haunt him, humans and mutants he killed on Magneto's command as readily as he killed those enemies of the Church 800 years ago.]

That's what I am, or thought I was. Magnus told me mutants were the next step in evolution, that we were humanity's successors and that this world was ours by right. I believed him, but now I wonder. Human scientists say now that mutants are only an aberration, an evolutionary divergence caused by radiation and nothing more.

[The answer he gets then is such that Exodus has to consider his response. The crusader in him wants to demand the truth, to seek it out himself if he must. But he knows a little bit now about the dangers of presumption, and to make demands of this being would be very presumptous indeed.] I know not the rules and laws of your realm, nor do I know if outsiders are even permitted entry therein. But... if possible, I would like to meet this king of the gods, Eogan. If He is the god that made me I would like to kneel before His throne and give unto Him the grace that is His due. And if he is not my maker I would like to meet Him anyway, for perhaps He knows the name of my maker.

[He lifts one gloved hand and stares at it.] With this hand, Aiden, I can take life or I can give it. I have taken life from men with this hand as easily as men might flick a switch, and with this same hand I have raised those who were dead to live again. What right have I to such power? You are the son of a god. Your heritage is your right. But my heritage is an illiterate French journeyman and a milkmaid who dreamed of a better life for her son. Nothing less and nothing more.

Even so, I was given this power for a purpose, though I know not yet what that purpose is. [After talking of such grave matters, he blinks at Aiden's huff... but then he smiles a slow smile and chuckles.] With your lack of prudence, I can readily believe I am your elder.... though I suppose prudence is not often needed when you are the son of a god.

Edited 2018-04-06 22:31 (UTC)

I'm not questioning your knighthood, du Paris. In fact I'm from a time which's alike to the one you grew up in yourself. These "modern times" is as foreign to me as they probably were to you when you were awoken. I'm not as unfamiliar with vows, religion and royal duties as you think I am. Of course we have more gods, more faiths, even people similar to you that wield unusual powers. But it's still the same. There's still evil to deal with.

Alas, I don't know much about the mutants nor this radiation that you speak off.

You're welcome to visit Sîaera, however I'm afraid the realm of the gods are forbidden for mortals to enter. Of course gods are allowed to visit the mortal world. [He's however not so sure how likely it's that Eógan would wish to meet this man.] My father would be curious in any case.

Taking and giving life isn't as uncommon as you may think, not in my world. However, the price is high if not done with the blessing of the gods. But I imagine that what I find normal in my world, isn't in yours.

Nor does I. [He smiles.] But isn't the interesting part figuring it out?

Prudence? [He huffs.] I might be a demigod but that doesn't mean I have to be a saint.

Edited 2018-04-06 22:51 (UTC)

So the knighthood does exist in your world. It is good to know that even if it has passed on into history in this one, that it yet lives on in another. Interesting that our worlds should be so similar in some ways, yet so different in others. I wonder if your Eogan made my world as well as your own, or if he has a brother who made my world.

In truth, I know little of it myself. What I do know is mostly what Magnus taught me, and he was not the most objective of teachers.

Well, perhaps not just yet. You have traveled long and hard to come to Earth, I am sure. It is fit that you be allowed to satisfy your own curiosity before indulging mine. And I have duties here that I must attend to before departing for another realm. [He's glad that Aiden reminded him of that, however circumspectly.] You are welcome to accompany me as long as you like, of course.

Among mortals the taking and giving of life is rare here, though certainly there are other beings on this world capable of it. They are more monsters than men, though. Perhaps there is a price to be paid for such power on this world as well as your own.

[He chuckles.] I suppose it is, at that. A quest, as we would have called it in my day.

I hope you don't intend to reveal your true nature to my followers, I daresay they might be disappointed to hear such levity from the divine. [He lowers his head to hide his smile, though.]

Perhaps my world is younger than yours. There's no way to know after all. As for Eógan having a brother... that I don't know. If he have one he has never mentioned him in any case.

[There's a smile tucking on his lips.] Thank you. I'll see how long I decide to stay. There's still much to be seen.

Returning someone from the dead isn't something mortals should fiddle with. The Sisters do not appreciate that. When they cut the string, it shall remain cut. Messing with fate awakens their fury.

A quest is what we call it back home too. [His smiles grows broader.] I shall try not to. Wouldn't wanna ruin their expectations.

In my day we believed God created the heavens and earth in seven days. Now it is said the world is billions of years old. I suppose some things will never be known for sure, even by beings such as us.

[ Lifting his head, he takes in a breath of the cool mountain air and exhales gladly. ] Indeed. This is a beautiful world, even though it has changed much from the time when I was young.

[Some of his good humor deflates at that next comment from Aiden, though.] Perhaps it is just as well that I do not visit your world at once, then. When I first realized my power to raise the dead, I used it to return four of my brothers-in-arms who had recently died in battle to life. Two of them died again, but two lived and still live to this day.

I must ask, how did you come to find me? [He gestures around them.] This village is small and remote. I can't imagine you found yourself here of all places when first you arrived on this world.

[He considers that but decides against commenting on it. He knows, or at least thinks he do, how his world were made. A god making a world in 7 days wasn't farfetched. But he didn't know Bennet's world.]

I can't imagine they'll be pleased no. But their influence is contained to my world. Besides fate is a strange thing. Perhaps you were meant to rise them from the dead. Like I said, others in my world has managed the same. But usually with the blessing of the gods. Others have taken more... unconventional paths.

I like small remote villages. Finding you was just coincidence. Though not entirely. I heard word about you being a special kind of man. I got curios.

Those four I raised were noble souls who fell in battle with an enemy I brought into our home through my own folly. If I am to be judged for that, by your gods or this world's gods, I suppose I will simply have to face that when the time comes. But I do not regret it, and given the choice I would raise them again. A commander's duty is to his men first and foremost.

Hm. [He looks thoughtful.] I believe the word for that is 'serendipity'. These people know who I am, though the few outsiders who come here believe their tales of me to be merely the superstition of mountain people. I come back here from time to time, when I need to remember who I am. I imagine you probably have such a place for yourself on your world.