Act Two - Lux Aeterna — Chapter 17

In the Shade House at Ciudadela Park, David Martín gives Andreas Corelli ten pages outlining a new approach: begin with the prosaic and biological foundations of belief rather than overt mythology. Corelli calls the pages strange but interesting, probing David’s idea of a youthful, warrior messiah shaped by nature.

David argues that societies with vast, aggressive youth populations channel violence and desire through religion and war, proposing symbols, death iconography, and strict hierarchies that subjugate women and comfort adults through grievance and belonging. He adds that old age oils belief when mortality looms.

Corelli challenges the viability of such symbols for women and the effect of martial imagery, but concedes the approach’s potential. Satisfied, he extends David’s deadline, announcing travel for publishing business and promising to reconvene in two or three weeks.

After Corelli leaves, David reflects that he crafted exactly what Corelli wanted to hear to secure time to understand the commission and its dangers. Though his gambit succeeds, David remains anxious and physically shaken, aware he is deepening a risky deception.