The Reifier Klamen's entire organizational structure rests upon the foundation of Anak'shi worship. As followers of the god of death, rebirth, balance, and war, they approach their religious practices with solemnity and purpose rather than fanaticism.
Theological Foundation
The Silver Church, as Anak'shi's religious organization is known, began when people across Terra reported receiving identical messages and visions in their dreams. Despite vast distances separating these individuals, they all described the same divine presence and teachings, lending credibility to what might otherwise have been dismissed as mere fantasy.
What distinguishes Anak'shi worship from other death-oriented faiths is its focus on the complete cycle of existence rather than death alone. While Anak'shi oversees death, his domain equally encompasses rebirth and the balance between these states, creating a philosophy centered on natural transitions rather than finality.
The Reifier Klamen interpret Anak'shi's teachings as a mandate to maintain cosmic balance by removing irredeemable corruption from the world. They view themselves not as mere killers but as instruments of necessary transition, helping souls return to Anak'shi's cycle when their corruption threatens greater harm to the world's balance.
The Six Foundational Tenets
Anak'shi's teachings crystallized into six core principles that have remained unchanged since their first revelation:
Do not slay those who are innocent.
Respect all life, no matter how great or small.
Do not waste life.
Do nothing to another being without their consent.
Do not assume corruption without due evidence.
Aid the less fortunate.
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A seventh tenet was added by a later leader and Chosen of Anak'shi: Do not force others to follow the faith, or your views of the faith. This addition came after Anak'shi had observed prolonged abuse of his teachings. The deity communicated directly with his chosen agent, who received this divine guidance following a period of reflection on how the faith had been misused over time.
These principles create a framework that values life even within an organization dedicated to assassination. The seeming contradiction resolves through their precise targeting—the Klamen eliminate only those whose corruption threatens greater harm, viewing such actions as necessary sacrifice to maintain cosmic balance rather than desirable in themselves.
The Clean Death Doctrine
Central to Klamen practice is the doctrine of "clean death"—the belief that death by bladed weapon provides the purest transition from life. This teaching holds that edged weapons cleanly sever the connection between body and soul, allowing proper passage into Anak'shi's domain without the spiritual disruption caused by other methods.
While pragmatism may necessitate alternative methods when circumstances demand, bladed weapons remain the preferred instrument for planned operations. This doctrine explains the organization's emphasis on sword mastery despite the availability of more efficient modern weaponry. Firearms, while used when necessary, are considered "unclean" due to the debris they leave in the body and their disruptive impact on the soul's transition.
Each kill is viewed as an offering to Anak'shi, marked by silent prayer as the blade takes life. This ritual context transforms what might otherwise be mere murder into a solemn religious act, sanctifying the violence within their theological framework.
Daily Worship Practices
Individual worship primarily takes the form of meditation and reflection. Members typically dedicate 30 minutes to an hour daily contemplating Anak'shi's teachings and examining their application to current circumstances. Many use periods of enforced inactivity during missions as opportunities for additional meditation, turning potential boredom into spiritual practice.
Communal worship follows different patterns depending on life stage and organizational role. Children and those in active training attend services twice weekly, while adult members typically participate in formal worship once every one to two weeks, with frequency varying based on individual preference and operational requirements.
These services emphasize practical application of Anak'shi's tenets rather than abstract theology. Priests frequently use case studies and ethical dilemmas to illustrate how principles apply to specific situations. Children's services employ age-appropriate teaching methods that maintain engagement while building foundational understanding.
Religious Hierarchy
The Left Hand of Anak'shi maintains the organization's religious functions, with ranks from Novice through Archimandrite supervising spiritual practice across all Reifier Klamen facilities. These religious specialists balance traditional priestly duties with operational support, often assisting field teams through specialized counter-detection techniques.
Higher ranks within the Left Hand possess additional capabilities related to demon containment and banishment—skills particularly valuable during incursions from pocket dimensions like Holifen. These abilities represent one of the few manifestations of direct divine intervention, with Anak'shi granting specific powers to his most dedicated servants.
The spiritual authority structure maintains balance with the operational hierarchy, neither subordinate to nor dominant over the Right Hand. This arrangement creates a system of complementary influence rather than competing power centers, reflecting the balanced nature of Anak'shi himself.
Death and Afterlife Beliefs
The Klamen hold that Anak'shi personally oversees the cycle of death and rebirth. Upon death, souls enter his domain for cleansing and preparation before returning to life through reincarnation. This cycle continues indefinitely, with each life offering new opportunities for growth and development.
Unlike some reincarnation-based faiths, Anak'shi's teachings emphasize continuous forward progression rather than achieving final release. Each cycle builds upon previous experiences, with souls gradually accumulating wisdom across multiple lifetimes. This perspective creates a fundamentally optimistic worldview despite the organization's involvement with death—each ending merely precedes a new beginning.
Particularly faithful followers sometimes receive messages from Anak'shi regarding departed loved ones, providing assurance of their peaceful transition. These communications typically come through dreams or meditative visions, offering comfort that transcends ordinary grief. This direct divine contact represents one of the most compelling aspects of the faith, providing tangible spiritual connection that many other religions can only promise.
Rites and Ceremonies
The Silver Church maintains several key ceremonies marking significant life transitions:
The Naming Ceremony occurs shortly after birth, formally introducing the child to Anak'shi's protection. Parents commit to raising their child according to the tenets while the community pledges support for the family unit.
The Dedication Ceremony takes place at age seven when children begin formal education. This ritual marks their entry into active organizational participation, with appropriate responsibilities and expectations.
The Transition Ceremony occurs at age sixteen upon completion of primary education. This significant milestone recognizes the shift from childhood learning to specialized training, marking the beginning of adult organizational roles.
Marriage ceremonies unite partners through both spiritual and administrative bonds. While neither mandatory nor forbidden, marriages require official Klamen sanction to ensure proper record-keeping and resource allocation. The organization fully supports both traditional partnerships and polyamorous arrangements in accordance with modern Solar law.
Memorial services for the departed focus on celebrating their contributions and acknowledging their continued journey through Anak'shi's cycle. Rather than extended mourning, these ceremonies emphasize the ongoing nature of existence beyond physical death.
Integration with Operational Practices
Religious principles permeate all aspects of Klamen operations, from target selection through mission execution. Before any assassination is authorized, extensive evidence must demonstrate irredeemable corruption, fulfilling the tenet requiring due evidence before judgment.
Field operatives receive training in theology alongside combat techniques, learning to integrate spiritual principles with practical actions. This integration creates practitioners who understand not merely how to kill but when killing serves Anak'shi's greater purpose.
The blurred boundary between religious and operational activities distinguishes the Reifier Klamen from purely secular assassin organizations. Their killings serve both practical and spiritual purposes simultaneously, removing corrupted individuals while honoring their god through proper ritual observance.
This religious foundation explains the organization's remarkable longevity and consistent purpose across centuries. Where secular groups might drift from their founding principles through leadership changes or cultural shifts, the Klamen's theological core provides an anchor that transcends individual leaders and historical circumstances.
