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.
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[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.