The sense of...familiarity grew as Manaka spoke. They had both been expected to kill, and to die, by men seeking their own Holy purposes. He's not surprised Manaka was chosen by the Grail itself. Women, in the Order's history, were the ones who had access to incredible divine power. His own supernatural abilities were granted purely through Valtiel's...blessing. "The Order knew. At least, they knew what Valtiel truly was. After I had been beatified, Valtiel would show me the Otherworld; what the world was like under the skin. It was bloody. And dark, and grey. Festering and raw. And it was filled with monsters."

The smile slipped slightly and his words came out...rehearsed. He clasped his hands together tightly. "Those who suffer greatest are best loved by God. And only through suffering can She awaken to open the gates of Paradise, for when the suffering of Her followers becomes so great She will cleanse the world of sin in Her fiery fury. So we must endure our sorrows and darkness, until She can purge them with Her light."

"...I had to suffer. So I could Awaken her. The priests told me that, when they took me to the altar. 'Give thanks. Give praise. The Holy Mother will love you as Her son.'"