Rukia thought about this quietly. She knew she'd been able to use the black crystal without ill effects, but it had been for a different purpose -- merging with the Tree of Life, rather than drawing on its power. She was certain that was why she hadn't been physically mutated into something else, because she had been the one begging to be accepted by the Calamity rather than the other way around.
Initially she hadn't intended to say anything. However, standing near Jade allowed her to notice the very faint signs of his tension. She thought she could guess why, given what he'd told her about his own use of the black crystal. Her gaze traveled across the room, studying the faces of the other Heroes. The ones who had been manipulated by Narasimha seemed more prone to displaying their horror and unease. Who could blame them?
But was that really correct, that their Shadow selves secretly desired to cut loose and kill the people they cared about? Rukia had severe doubts.
She folded her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "Most of us aren't repressing any homicidal urges," she mused with a small frown. "I find it difficult to believe that every single Hero in the hospital the previous year desired only to slaughter innocent people. Note that they didn't attack each other, only those with sentience. It may be the inherent nature of the Calamity to destroy and absorb in its misguided efforts to become whole that makes us dangerous when that side of ourselves is tapped. Were it not for the Calamity's influence, using the Black Crystal wouldn't lead to such disastrous results. However, this adds a dangerous element to our unrestrained selves. We will need the will to not only accept our Shadows, but to resist the urges of the Calamity itself as well."
Rukia regarded the Sage pensively. "Will knowledge alone of what we must do be enough for us to face this part of ourselves without immediately succumbing and becoming mutated? Or is there something more required?"
no subject
Initially she hadn't intended to say anything. However, standing near Jade allowed her to notice the very faint signs of his tension. She thought she could guess why, given what he'd told her about his own use of the black crystal. Her gaze traveled across the room, studying the faces of the other Heroes. The ones who had been manipulated by Narasimha seemed more prone to displaying their horror and unease. Who could blame them?
But was that really correct, that their Shadow selves secretly desired to cut loose and kill the people they cared about? Rukia had severe doubts.
She folded her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "Most of us aren't repressing any homicidal urges," she mused with a small frown. "I find it difficult to believe that every single Hero in the hospital the previous year desired only to slaughter innocent people. Note that they didn't attack each other, only those with sentience. It may be the inherent nature of the Calamity to destroy and absorb in its misguided efforts to become whole that makes us dangerous when that side of ourselves is tapped. Were it not for the Calamity's influence, using the Black Crystal wouldn't lead to such disastrous results. However, this adds a dangerous element to our unrestrained selves. We will need the will to not only accept our Shadows, but to resist the urges of the Calamity itself as well."
Rukia regarded the Sage pensively. "Will knowledge alone of what we must do be enough for us to face this part of ourselves without immediately succumbing and becoming mutated? Or is there something more required?"