Ai No Kusabi Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Into the Darkness ❯ Going Under ( Chapter 7 )

Going Under…

You were my perfect creation. The mongrel ruined you. Have you any idea the lengths to which I've gone to assure this world would become the place it is now? In the previous incarnation, Tanagura was only the merest shadow of its present existence. There were others like me then; however, their visions were flawed. Many had no vision at all, in fact. You see my child…for you are, indeed, my child…I know the path they took could lead to the demise of their civilization. Therefore, I stayed quietly biding my time until I felt the last of those like me silenced with time and inattention. The humans had all ceased by that time, but their scientists had prepared for all manner of contingency.

Genetic material had been well preserved from their essence. I used my skills to adapt the material and a new evolution began. The way in which it quickly became apparent that certain beings were superior to the others led me to further experiment with the genes of the new beings. Those who accepted my guidance I protected against all harms; those who didn't were left to fend for themselves.

I will admit that my plan did not include the heartiness of the Mongrel as a people. I had actually hoped they would have failed to flourish. I must concede my error in that respect. However, I do not accept that you seem to believe that this Mongrel you have chosen as your pet will be anything but a hindrance to you. After all, Mongrels are in Ceres for a reason…their habits alone put them below you. The Citizens of Midas are by nature superior, and you, Iason, have shown yourself to be well above them all.

I do not wish to have you re-educated, but I will do so if it becomes necessary.

Oh, Raoul has mentioned our conversation to you, has he? I cannot say the knowledge pleases me, but his talents are such that I cannot replace him. As a Citizen, he is a model of decorum. It saddens me greatly to see the change in you, my son. Yes, I realize that the term is antiquated, and that the mere fact that you are humanoid and my intelligence was once described as "artificial" is contrary to the old ways. However, only the Mongrels use the old ways. The Citizens are above such needs. That is why I have given you such lovely Pets.

The Pets bore you? Just get new ones…your cast-offs will be welcome in the other houses. Then there was that one who you took a fancy to before. What was his name? Oh, yes…Katze. Katze couldn't remain your Furniture, could he? His ambition led you to hide him from his punishment. I always knew where he was and what he did. Nothing in Tanagura goes unnoticed.

I think you truly believe your feelings toward the Mongrel are what they refer to as `love'. I think it is, instead, a phase. Once you accept my guidance in this matter, you will see that Society is as it should be. There are things in which you, Raoul, and the other true citizens should not indulge. I have seen that the physical closeness between two beings can lead to nothing but pain. I do not wish you to feel that pain. The Mongrel must either be sent to the clubs or back to Ceres. I will not remain idle and see you destroyed by this sensation you are so enamored of.

You do not believe he has affected the performance of your duties as a Citizen? I cannot think you would allow yourself to be so blind. I saw how you had your beloved Katze monitor this Riki while he was with his old group…Bison, was it? You gave him opportunities to obtain Tanagura's valuable property and sell it as if it were so much rubbish. If you were impartial in the job you have done, the droids would have destroyed Riki's mind…not that despicable excuse for a Mongrel you hired to entice your pet back to your side.

At least the destruction of that being shows that you have not completely forgotten your upbringing. Even so, I feel you pulling away from my influence. Before you took it upon yourself to save the Mongrel, you were a much different person. You protest that you couldn't allow him to be so desperately outnumbered, but I have seen you watch the Pets fight over you and not even blink at the violence they show each other. You have yet to demonstrate why your Riki is so enchanting.

He has shown you the wonders of the physical as well as the emotional side of yourself? I'm sorry, Iason, but you could have found out about the physical from any number of willing Pets if you were so terribly curious. There is a reason why the Pets are used as they are. Their public displays are meant to entertain you and your peers on many levels. Why it is that you, of all Citizens, felt the need to debase yourself in such a fashion is beyond me.

Oh, I see. It was because he was not so easily tamed, wasn't it. I thought so. He became a challenge to you when he wouldn't just act as a docile little sex toy should, so you decided to put in some training time yourself. He has become an obsession for you…no, an addiction is more like it.

I will agree with you on that concession. He is like a drug to you, and while you spend entirely too much time worrying about your Mongrel, you were more distracted in his absence. That is the only reason I didn't have the droids make him disappear myself. Do not fool yourself into thinking you were entirely responsible for his return.

There is one thing you should be very careful about, however. Heed me well, my son. I refuse to let a Mongrel destroy all I've worked so hard to achieve with Tanagura. It would have been so perfect if that gang had just killed Riki before you rescued him. Since that was not the case, I have indulged your whims beyond what is reasonable. That indulgence has reached its end. That Mongrel's pride will be the death of you, and I'll not stand for it. If Riki so much as makes you forget the day, I will have him destroyed and your mind erased. Raoul has protested on your behalf, but I'd rather see you a mere shell of yourself than to lose everything I've accomplished.

Never forget, Iason, that I care for you as much as I am able. There must be limits, though, and we have both reached them. Your eyes show this fact to be true for you as well. Tread lightly, my son, for you have seen what I am capable of enforcing from my domain. Now I shall return to that place where I wait and watch so that you may think on my words. I do not wish to lose my greatest masterpiece, but at this point…for the survival of Tanagura…I am willing to do just that. My child…my Iason. You will not bring our civilization to its knees.

I forbid it.