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| “ | Then I leave it up to you... I atone for my crime by doing so...
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Emperor Cain (天帝カイン, tentei kain) is an antagonist in Xenogears. Once focused on protecting humanity until the "time of the Gospel", he came to secretly desire an age where humanity was freed from the fate Deus has laid out for them.[1]
Biography[]
Cain's throne being carried by his worshippers.
In E.C. 0000, the mother of humanity used the original parts of Animus to create Cain and the twelve members of the Gazel Ministry. Cain, as the first human, was to be a manager of the Gazel Ministry, directing them in their search for the Anima Relics, which were scattered across the planet after the crash of the Eldridge.
Cain and the Gazel Ministry used Kadomony to create the rest of early humanity, in order to make the Animus that were needed for Deus's resurrection.[2]
In E.C. 0010, in order to control the growing population and shape them for Deus' resurrection in the future, Cain and Myyah encourage the belief and eventual worship of him being an advent of god. [3]
As Cain began to be worshiped as the advent of god among the growing population, Abel and the first incarnation of Elhaym spread a philosophy of free will that ran counter to it, presenting a hindrance to Cain's plans.
Cain fires at a fleeing Abel and Elly.
Stone carving in Anima Dungeon 2 depicting the death of Elehayym at the hands of Cain.Likely carved by Abel himself.
In 0011, Cain carried out his plan to kill Abel. Elhaym attempts to admonish and persuade Cain in order to save Abel's life, but Cain counteracts her plan.[3][4] As Abel and Elhaym fled from his pursuit, Cain fired a bolt of energy which hit Elhaym as she shielded Abel with her body. Abel hears her tell him to live before she passes away.[5][3] The event went on to plague Cain's conscience, developing in him a sympathy for the very humans he had a hand in creating.
After the Shevat-Solaris War, in 9506, Cain reached out and contacted Karellen and Myyah at the Ministry's urging. Karellen agreed and the two forged an alliance of mutual dependence with one another: towards humanity's future.[6]
At some point, Cain began offering up his body for use in experiments, in a bid to try to change the fate of humanity. While his body was unable to age or die before Deus is resurrected, the experiments damaged his body, which left him dependent on Karellen's life extension treatments, as well as his own power, to continue living.[3] Cain's coffin-like suit, mask, throne, and a good portion of the Imperial Palace in Etrenank was used just to keep him alive.
In 9164, it was determined that humanity has reached the final level. Solaris was founded and Cain served as the Emperor of Solaris and the de factor ruler of all life on the planet, while Karellen and Myyah pushed their own agendas.
However, while Cain was sincere about coming to Karellen for his help to save his "children", the Ministry was not. Once an ally of Myyah and the Gazel Ministry, Cain's actions over the many years caused a rift to form between him and his many allies. Cain wished to be freed of Deus, while Myyah and Karellen both wished to revive Deus for their own reasons, with the Gazel Ministry playing the part of eager pawns.
In 9975, Cain allowed his DNA to be used by Karellen to create Ramsus. The plan was to create an artificial Contact, but the real intention behind Ramsus' creation was for Ramsus to be the one to kill Cain.
In 9996, Cain sent Citan Uzuki to the surface in order to keep constant vigil on Fei Fong Wong after he was brought to Lahan by Wiseman. Citan's task was to see if Fei was the Anonelbe, a person Cain believed would free humanity from their fates as parts for Deus's new body. However, Cain was unsure if this would be accomplished by somehow rescuing humanity, or by destroying humanity altogether.[7]
Xenogears[]
Cain speaking to Citan.
Cain and Citan communicate several times over the course of the game, allowing Citan to keep the Emperor abreast of all the recent things happening around Fei and his group.
When the subject of Fei is brought up later with Cain, the Gazel Ministry scoffs at Cain, believing that the Contact is only a "poison" to them, not a "remedy".
A projection of Cain is seen placating Solarians civilians with a speech when Elhayym and Fei infiltrate Etrenank. However, this was earlier implied to be one of Cain's clones.[8]
After Citan uses the Solaris equipment to safely interrogate Id, he reports to Cain his conclusion: Fei is not their enemy. Citan also felt that Cain did not need to intervene, as "humans have the potential", and "[m]anagers are no longer needed".
Cain leaves the rest to Citan, saying that by doing so, he atones for his crime of killing the first body of humanity's Mother, while trying to kill Abel.[3]
After all the Anima Relics are activated, Ramsus is manipulated into assassinating Cain. With Cain's death, the Ministry is able to use the Gaetia Key, in turn losing their usefulness to Karellen, who deleted them. The use of the Gaetia Key turned the majority of the world's population into Wels causing Mahanon, the main hull of the Eldridge, to rise from the ocean floor.
Quotes[]
- "Yes, the Gospel. We are the people expelled from paradise and forced to live on the cruel surface of the earth. We who fill this land will once again return to the presence of God in paradise and live there eternally. That is the Time of the Gospel. That Time is at hand. We, the Gazel, must find God's resting place by then and resurrect him. That is our final prayer." (to Citan)
- "My beloved children, you can be at ease. The Gazel Ministry and I planned the destruction of the gate long ago. The people chosen by god... we, the Gazel, will return to god's paradise. To the sleeping mother god... The time for our immortality has come. We have opened the door to 'Mahanon'... the place where god rests, the source of wisdom and power. The surface dwellers will no doubt use this opportunity to seize its power. However, there is no need to be concerned... As long as Solaris has this power... Let's show stupid beasts, the Lambs our real power." (Cain's clone, during a public dedication to quell the Solarians)
- "Your purpose...? You were fated to it from your birth. Why haven't you realized that it does not arise from your own free will?" (to the Gazel Ministry)
- "We have already done our part. It is time to pass the helm to the next generation. The people will not perish..."
Trivia[]
- Originally, Cain's armor was going to be silver.
- While Ramsus is made to be a copy of Cain for a specific purpose, the existence of other clones is only mentioned once in the game.[8]
- Cain's face is never shown beyond the orange skull-like mask used to keep him alive. However it is stated in Perfect Works that while he would look similar to Ramsus, it wouldn't be exact since Ramsus' appearance was altered by his fusion with the original Kahran Bekker.
- Cain's name is a reference to the Biblical story of Cain, who murdered his elder brother Abel out of jealousy. The Book of Genesis considers this the first murder in humanity's history.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Perfect Works, pg. 303.
- ↑ Perfect Works, pg. 11.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Perfect Works, pg. 174.
- ↑ Perfect Works, pg. 165.
- ↑ Perfect Works, pg. 159.
- ↑ CAIN: "Haven't you been working for humanity's future... for humans to live longer? That is why I assisted you..." KRELIAN: "Yes, that's right. I try to lead the people in 'my own way'. That hasn't changed in the least."
- ↑ Perfect Works, pg. 175.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 KRELIAN: "As usual a clone may be used. Those fools won't know the difference."