fallacies
Puyo Mage
The nature of an Underworld is dependent upon the culture from which it spawns.
In general, it would to the living be as an embodiment of their attitudes regarding death -- of the reward or punishment that comes of adherence to morality.
Beni-Enma gives that she's heard that long ago, the Utsushiyo was one with the Underworld -- but personally, she finds this to be a manner of afterlife difficult to accept.
She gives that as of such a point that the humans of a given locale cease to place any importance or mystery in death, the Underworld itself becomes "a Fantasy depreciated of value."
Thus, she describes herself as a Heroic Spirit that came to exist within a Underworld that was no longer feared by Man; no longer held of any necessity; an existence that could no longer grant salvation. The Underworld was at the time of her formation already obsolete.
The Enma-Tei as well is soon to become a thing of the past. No longer does it offer salvation to humans that lose themselves in the mountains. No longer does it offer healing to the Eight Million Gods.
Neither the Underworld nor the Enma-Tei are of necessity to the Utsushiyo of the present day.
Beni-Enma gives that their role is over.
Once, long ago, a lone Kamuro wandered astray within the mountains, and came upon a grand mansion. There, there were none of the adults that would abuse her, and the grounds were filled with wondrous things: Warm beds and cushions, and beautiful gardens; and cute sparrows that played among the trees. She thought that this must be a blessing of the Buddha, that she would see such a sight before she died.
However, by that point, she had for days wandered without food or rest, and crying at the sight before her as she prayed, she breathed her last.
After becoming an Oni of the Sparrows, and being granted administration of the Enma-Tei, Beni-Enma was told that as the Mayoiga was the location where her mortal self drew her last breath, he would allow that the sparrows in its gardens be her servitors when she comes to act as its administrator.
But Beni-Enma desired to once again witness the World of Man. Therefore, becoming as a small red bird, she flew out from the mountains, and sought out a human village. There, she was captured by an old woman -- but the woman gave her over to an old man, who for some reason lived alone. Under his care, Beni-Enma was able to nurse her injuries.
After healing, she asked him why he saved her to no gain of his own. To this, he replied that he didn't know -- but that it isn't wrong to help others when they need it. After this, he told her not to be captured again. However, at the time that he allowed her to fly free, she came to know of his circumstances. The old man was unable to pay his yearly dues, and the people of his village refused to help. Without assistance, he might be put to death.
Thus, when he came to lose himself within the mountains, Beni-Enma drew him to the Enma-Tei -- and after repaying him for his kindness, she presented him with two boxes, telling him that he wouldn't be able to leave unless he took one of them. Satisfied merely at having met Beni-Enma again, the old man took the smaller box, and returned to his village. Thereafter, he found within the box a treasure that would allow him to live peace for the remainder of his life.
However, years had passed since he went missing, and he returned unaged. The villagers wondered at this, and when they asked him what had happened, he told them that he was helped by a Buddha in the mountains, who told him that if he were to live his life properly, nothing ill would befall him.
The villagers were jealous, but their responses were varied. Some suspected the existence of a wondrous place in the mountains, and so sought it out. Some attempted to follow the advice of the old man, with success and failure. In the end, however, the old man chose in secret to expend the treasure within the box to the happiness of his village. The village prospered, and became a happy place, where all things were in accord.
However, the old man was ever the odd man out, and the villagers excluded him in their association. Beni-Enma couldn't comprehend this -- couldn't understand why it was that he took no claim of responsibility in the flourishing of his town. Rather than telling anyone, he became known as a teller of tall tales, spinning out stories wherein living decently is rewarded by karma.
When he died, he died alone, but it was with a smile. In death, his funeral was attended by many -- but not because they were aware of his actions. Rather, they were people who were saved by his stories.
The old man, who derived happiness from helping others, was not himself granted happiness by the treasure that Beni-Enma imparted to him.
Beni-Enma gives that even as the Enma-Tei is now an existence without meaning or relevance to Man of modernity, it remains a place where the axis of time isn't bound to the advancement of the time of the Surface. Therefore, so long as it continues to exist, there remains a chance that someday, she can once again meet the old man. Ergo, even though the Enma has indicated that the time approaches for her to retire with him to the Reverse, it's to once again encounter the old man that she continues to defend the Inn.
... somehow, it turned into a story about Emiya Shirou ...
In general, it would to the living be as an embodiment of their attitudes regarding death -- of the reward or punishment that comes of adherence to morality.
Beni-Enma gives that she's heard that long ago, the Utsushiyo was one with the Underworld -- but personally, she finds this to be a manner of afterlife difficult to accept.
She gives that as of such a point that the humans of a given locale cease to place any importance or mystery in death, the Underworld itself becomes "a Fantasy depreciated of value."
Thus, she describes herself as a Heroic Spirit that came to exist within a Underworld that was no longer feared by Man; no longer held of any necessity; an existence that could no longer grant salvation. The Underworld was at the time of her formation already obsolete.
The Enma-Tei as well is soon to become a thing of the past. No longer does it offer salvation to humans that lose themselves in the mountains. No longer does it offer healing to the Eight Million Gods.
Neither the Underworld nor the Enma-Tei are of necessity to the Utsushiyo of the present day.
Beni-Enma gives that their role is over.
Once, long ago, a lone Kamuro wandered astray within the mountains, and came upon a grand mansion. There, there were none of the adults that would abuse her, and the grounds were filled with wondrous things: Warm beds and cushions, and beautiful gardens; and cute sparrows that played among the trees. She thought that this must be a blessing of the Buddha, that she would see such a sight before she died.
However, by that point, she had for days wandered without food or rest, and crying at the sight before her as she prayed, she breathed her last.
After becoming an Oni of the Sparrows, and being granted administration of the Enma-Tei, Beni-Enma was told that as the Mayoiga was the location where her mortal self drew her last breath, he would allow that the sparrows in its gardens be her servitors when she comes to act as its administrator.
But Beni-Enma desired to once again witness the World of Man. Therefore, becoming as a small red bird, she flew out from the mountains, and sought out a human village. There, she was captured by an old woman -- but the woman gave her over to an old man, who for some reason lived alone. Under his care, Beni-Enma was able to nurse her injuries.
After healing, she asked him why he saved her to no gain of his own. To this, he replied that he didn't know -- but that it isn't wrong to help others when they need it. After this, he told her not to be captured again. However, at the time that he allowed her to fly free, she came to know of his circumstances. The old man was unable to pay his yearly dues, and the people of his village refused to help. Without assistance, he might be put to death.
Thus, when he came to lose himself within the mountains, Beni-Enma drew him to the Enma-Tei -- and after repaying him for his kindness, she presented him with two boxes, telling him that he wouldn't be able to leave unless he took one of them. Satisfied merely at having met Beni-Enma again, the old man took the smaller box, and returned to his village. Thereafter, he found within the box a treasure that would allow him to live peace for the remainder of his life.
However, years had passed since he went missing, and he returned unaged. The villagers wondered at this, and when they asked him what had happened, he told them that he was helped by a Buddha in the mountains, who told him that if he were to live his life properly, nothing ill would befall him.
The villagers were jealous, but their responses were varied. Some suspected the existence of a wondrous place in the mountains, and so sought it out. Some attempted to follow the advice of the old man, with success and failure. In the end, however, the old man chose in secret to expend the treasure within the box to the happiness of his village. The village prospered, and became a happy place, where all things were in accord.
However, the old man was ever the odd man out, and the villagers excluded him in their association. Beni-Enma couldn't comprehend this -- couldn't understand why it was that he took no claim of responsibility in the flourishing of his town. Rather than telling anyone, he became known as a teller of tall tales, spinning out stories wherein living decently is rewarded by karma.
When he died, he died alone, but it was with a smile. In death, his funeral was attended by many -- but not because they were aware of his actions. Rather, they were people who were saved by his stories.
The old man, who derived happiness from helping others, was not himself granted happiness by the treasure that Beni-Enma imparted to him.
Beni-Enma gives that even as the Enma-Tei is now an existence without meaning or relevance to Man of modernity, it remains a place where the axis of time isn't bound to the advancement of the time of the Surface. Therefore, so long as it continues to exist, there remains a chance that someday, she can once again meet the old man. Ergo, even though the Enma has indicated that the time approaches for her to retire with him to the Reverse, it's to once again encounter the old man that she continues to defend the Inn.
... somehow, it turned into a story about Emiya Shirou ...
