meritocratic.♕

There were a lot of things going wrong in the world, but the most immediate problem right now was that the strong were preying on the weak. This wasn’t a world where people held positions of power because they were good at them, rather than because they were rich or influential, or one where people could live their lives to their fullest potential, free of corrupt systems.

The “strong” here were just stomping on anyone who couldn’t stand up to them. It was glorified playground bullying.

"Let’s change the definition of strength," Hibiki said, suddenly breaking the silence that had fallen over them.

"You never wanted just one kind of strength to matter, right? Let’s make people understand that we value every kind of personal merit, not just the power to push people down."

It had been a long time since Hibiki had spoken so many of his own thoughts about something this important. Yamato usually knew just what Hibiki meant when they talked about plans and problems, so Hibiki didn’t need to contribute a whole lot himself, but that was when Yamato already had plans and goals of his own.

Hibiki had been content to help Yamato see things differently, to affirm his ideals, to help him build the world they both wanted… but he had to do more, now.

He tried to organize his thoughts. 

"People don’t trust us right now. There’s too much tension between JP’s and everyone else… If we try to change everything at once, no one will take it well. Starting small might be best.

We can’t just order everyone to act how we want them to, so let’s show them instead. Something to show both JP’s and the people what kind of world we’re trying to make. We could accept some of the injured into JP’s clinics to show that we won’t only take care of the ‘strong,’ or take some of our supply shipments and distribute them evenly among people, instead of watching people fight over them… Like I said, we can’t fix everything at once, but if the strongest people in Japan make it clear that the power to destroy isn’t what we care about, something has to change.”

But this was not the first time Hibiki Kuze presented him with such a far-fetched idea. This happened several times during the lockdown, his position as both a member of society and a JP's member being the shining light to guide the Hotsuin when he would rather not take further risks that would endanger the country. 

The Chief had extreme faith in his second-in-command, and this was not going to waver now. 

- "Very well. I cannot say I fully understand this, but your judgement is sound... and at the present moment, there are many things about society that are unclear to me. 

I would prefer to eradicate the scum that poison my ranks and the rest of the government, but such an abrupt movement might raise too much awareness at this point. 

But, Hibiki..."

His voice was almost filled with unease. Not for himself, but for his partner. Yamato could deal with the bureaucracy and the paperwork, but he was aware Hibiki would want to do things for himself.

... He wondered if this was a really wise decision. One that offered more losses than rewards, more risk than profit. And when the risk is death, both the king and his knight should be well prepared. And Yamato did not judge them to be quite at that level.

Not yet. 

- "Who is to say that these people won't bite the hand that feeds them? I do not plan on living in fear, but this might put our lives in jeopardy. If I let the rabble inside HQ, who is to say that they will not try to destroy us from inside?

I am led to believe that Polaris changed the way humankind works... but men's desire, their thirst for power remains the same. Give the weak too much power, too much privilege... and they will be quick to abuse it. You see this now, and you have seen this with the rogue Summoners during the lockdown.

There is the option to use more "visible" facilities, but those are not safe from danger. From the ones we are supposed to rescue, and from the ones oppressing them.

Doing this will be like openly declaring war. Both parties might turn against us, and there is no one I can fully count on. Are you aware of this?" 

Alcor may have turned his back to the idea of a world based on merit but his allegiances lay with Polaris and what the Septentrione had of a heart; its affections lay only with the idea of mankind surviving and thriving. Every route that could have been picked by that small handful of survivors, everything they could have done, Alcor took a neutral stance on. 

It was not his place to truly judge the will of mankind, never was and never would be. His purpose was to test whether mans will was strong enough to face Polaris, nothing more and that role was what he accepted wholeheartedly.

"And as you have said, I have no reason to interfere and you have also stated correctly that I am merely an observer. As you and the survivors of the Trials are where this worlds new history began, you are not exempt from my observations nor Polaris’ own."

Though the two entities observed for different reasons, Polaris watched to deem whether or not humanity would face another set of Trials yet Alcor found that seeing humanity like this still pained him greatly. Perhaps he was still too attached to them despite his station or perhaps he’d never truly left his anguish behind even with his acceptance.

What you call "choice" is nothing but confusing the worthless pawns I had back then. Not that it mattered much in the end, but it is something I am well aware of your true nature." 

None of this was ideal for the young leader, either. But it was what he had, and it fell to his hands to change it. To constantly change and to evolve, to discover what he could change in this pathetic imitation of the world he desired. 

- "It would be best if you disappeared altogether. But I suppose asking for you to die is too much, considering you cannot do as much."

Troublesome. He could not imagine what face Hibiki would make if he saw Alcor again, alive - it had surprised the Hotsuin the same way. He thought the Septentrione was gone, and with him the faint memories of his childhood. At the time he had not time to think and mourn (he never did, finding himself not capable of such an act - not for him, anyway), and bitter regret filled his mouth once they arrived at this new world.

Emotions quickly shifted into embarrassment and humiliation. Embarrassment because this was not the world he wanted to show this man a long, long time ago. Humiliation because he knew it was inevitable Alcor would judge the current state of affairs.

And no one but Yamato Hotsuin was responsible for this decay.

- "Tell me, Saiduq."

- "Is Polaris "just"? I cannot see the world I envisioned in these fools. Is he just like you, capable of manipulating what we say to what is most beneficial to you?  

This is not what I... no, what we -he makes sure to include Hibiki in this- wanted. Definitely not. 

Unfortunately it would be hard not to notice but this is the path that mankind desired, was it not? If this is the will of man then no matter how brutal it is, he has no room to truly object to it. Lament, but not object.

It is clear that the Hotsuin yearned for something else, but this world would have to do. He said before he has no qualms as being painted as a villain, as someone who is nothing like his actual self. Yamato is willing to put up with that and more for the sake of this foolish, idealistic dream. Hadn't you turned your back on me, you'd have seen it too.