Post by ssri on Sept 6, 2020 9:45:39 GMT -5
The atom-in-ouroboros glows bright crimson against the darkness, pulsing, almost alive. It slowly fades to darkness, as the scene shifts.
We are in an empty arena, the seats shrouded in darkness, faintly visible amidst the shadows. In the centre of the arena is an open clearing, illuminated by spotlights. The floor is covered with sand and sawdust, stained a dirty red with blood. At the corners of the clearing stand four enormous censers filled with incense, releasing plumes of thick smoke into the air.
In the centre of the clearing stands a woman. She is tall, slim, her features a curious mix of Japanese and South American. Her hair is jet black, her clothing reminiscent of a nun's habit fringed with red instead of white. Her eyes are piercing, filled with a sort of seductive defiance, drawing the viewer in and daring them to look away.
Behind her is an enormous black banner emblazoned with the atom-in-ouroboros, smoke rising lazily before it.
The camera comes closer, until the woman fills the screen. In the bottom left of the screen is a logo, a stylised flame drawn in the shape of a serpent, alongside the word "UNBOUND".
The woman tilts her head as if in amusement.
"Please, allow me to introduce myself. Some call me the Empress, some the Prophetess. You may address me as Cassandra. Remember that name well. You will hear it often.
"I am addressing you today on behalf of the Spirit Science Research Institute.
"To some of you, this name may be unfamiliar. To others, it is a name which may inspire confusion, fear, hatred - even ridicule. It is this which we hope to change. Our goal is to present the simple truths of Spirit Science and Amorality to the world, to light a flame in the darkness, a flame which will burn out ignorance, weakness, submission and conscience wherever they may lurk.
"Two years ago, we - the Institute - shocked the world, did what none thought possible, and took power of the nation state now known as Pierreia. The armies of the world sought to crush our ambitions before they had even begun.
“They failed.”
Cassandra’s face fades out to nothingness. The screen is filled with footage filmed with an unsteady camera, cutting rapidly from one scene to the next. Here, we see flags being torn down, statues dynamited, a unit of militants dressed in grey laying siege to a palatial building. There, a city square filled with smoke, a group of UN soldiers retreating before the advance of an enormous tank, the atom-in-ouroboros painted in red on its black surface.
A series of talking heads fill the screen - politicians, clergymen, heads of state, business leaders - as a news ticker scrolls past under the heading “THE WAR FOR ZEBOIM”. Last, we see the inside of an enorrmous Cathedral, Cassandra standing before the altar, flanked by twelve companions. A man kneels before her, arms bound behind his back, head bowed. Cassandra raises her arms, a ceremonial dagger clutched in her hands, plunging down as the scene fades out.
We return to the arena, Cassandra staring deep into the eyes of the viewer, as if reading one’s response.
"The world deserves to know the truth - the truth of who we are and what we believe, our goals and ambitions laid out for the world to see, free from the distortions and lies of our enemies.
"For our enemies are many - those who would keep humanity bound by chains of morality and materialism, superstition and remorse. Our enemies are invested in the old order and will fight to the death to preserve it. This is a fight we welcome. It is a fight we will win.
"In the coming days and weeks, we shall present ourselves to the world, and in particular, to the people of Carnage. It is our hope that you will see the truth of our claims and come to accept the teachings of the Spirit Science Research Institute. For those who refuse…"
She pauses, smiles as if to herself.
"We have ways of dealing with the recalcitrant. Let us leave it at that.
"We have plans for this company. Big plans. You shall see. I have already seen."
She bows her head.
"Go now, and do what you Will."
She smiles and winks at the camera. The camera comes close, focused on Cassandra's face. Her eye fades into the atom-in-ouroboros as the screen turns black.