Goodbyes said. Farewells given. Familiar faces present and others only here in memory.
Frost didn’t know these people well enough to call them ‘close’. But she’d be lying to herself if she said that she didn’t care about them in some way. Though their journey here was short lived, and their destination was nothing short of a nightmare, she was at least glad that they were still alive.
Not everyone could happily call this ending their closure either. Vendettas, grudges, grief, and despair filled the hearts of the Adventurers as they wandered through these smoldering ruins in the company of one of Frost’s miniature hers called Innocents.
She did not know why they didn’t disappear immediately, but some had already fizzled away into fragments of light and rose to illuminate the darkened skies.
They helped rummage through the city, salvaging any mementos left. Some found solace with pictures and items of lost loved ones, while others could only kneel in the places where their homes once stood.
Cer, Ber and Res aided in quelling the flames, leaving only Frost, Jury and her newest two companions in the company of the others, including the Scarlet Logic Dawn Team. Ignis buried herself into the feathers by her shoulder, all the while Our Happiest Moments, which she had come to name as Snap, sat on her head.
They were ever grateful for her help. They knew the journey would be perilous, but nothing quite like this. Via, Jaris and the other Patrons took a step forward and lowered their heads in unison.
“Thank you! Thank you for salvaging what you could… even if nothing could be saved in the end.” Jaris thanked her from the bottom of his heart, this time without the fear he once held of her. “It was a strange experience. A felled Corrupted, the Hungry… In all the 15 years I’ve spent wandering Grandis’ highways I have never met a person quite like you.”
His voice however pained was filled with respect. The Frost he now saw was no monster, and the Adventures behind couldn’t help but to feel the same way.
“What he means is that he’s sorry for being afraid!” Via exclaimed, bowing so far down that her head scraped against the floor as always. “Frost! Can I say something! We’ve said thanks a hundred times already, but this is the first time I truly want to thank you!”
“Raise your head. You don’t have to go so low for me.” Frost said as Jury nodded in agreement.
“I must! You… Frost! Ahem!” She suddenly threw herself upright, slapping her cheeks together for some reason before she pulled out the Script. “Remember when I said I had a secret for you? Frost, since the beginning, I knew you weren’t only just a healer.” She revealed, causing Frost’s feathers to rustle.
“The real reason I desperately wanted you to come aboard was because the Script told me to bring the black-feathered Amalgam to Divas Pass! The Director of the Floor of Purpose says they’ll pull as many strings for you if it means… awakening them?” Via announced, finally showing Frost the contents of the Script.
Everything she said was true. It was all written there, even the blurb at the end regarding the Director of the Floor of Purpose.
Awakening huh… of not only the Floor of Purpose, but the Director himself. I thought they were already awakened, like me?
“Awakened perhaps meaning to change further?”
Maybe… I want to believe it’s the opposite of the Corruption. Awakening implying… well, opening your eyes and not being blind sighted by emotions?
“A literal interpretation. I like it.”
She wondered how these commandments were even predicted in the first place, never mind the outcomes that led them all here.
“… Via. Do you have any use for that Script?” Frost simply asked, reaching for it.
“No. When a Script is completed it disappears soon after. Do you want it? I’ll gladly hand it over!”
She took the strange page into her hands. The fabric was incredible. No matter how hard she tried to tear of puncture it, it sustained zero damage.
Nav. I have the Script in my hand. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
“Consider it your dessert.”
Frost, having enough of these things, rolled it up like a scroll and turned around briefly as she scoffed the Script down her throat. As expected, there was nothing that could resist the maw of the Amalgam herself.
< Unique Ability Gained >
< ABILITY: String Theory >
< EFFECT: You may see the strings of those attached to the Fate Mechanism >
< However random or arbitrary each motion of our actors is, they are all accounted for in this grand theatrical >
String Theory… huh.
“A different kind from the one you’re thinking of. Fate Mechanism… it may be related to Act X’s technology.”
The ones that create the strings. We have more things to look out for ahead.
“Indeed we do.”
“That’s right.” Jury whispered, chiming into their mental conversation.
The after taste was somewhat delicious. She couldn’t exactly put her finger on what the taste reminded her of, but nonetheless, she wouldn’t mind eating a few more of these in the future.
When she turned around, she was met with a couple dumbfounded faces, particularly by those within Scarlet Logic who understood that it was impossible to destroy the Scripts. And upon now realizing that Frost was actually someone with much more authority than they realized, considering the Moon triplets seemed to obey her command to cleanse the city of its flames.
Out of all of them, it was only Via who had a strange strand hovering above her. She reached out a hand kindly above her head and tried to touch it, but her hand only passed through it as if it wasn’t even there.
Recomposing herself, she cleared her throat and finally revealed her identity to them all.
“A healer. An Apostle. An Adventurer. Someone that eats a little too much. I’m everything you think I am. But my name remains the same. I am Frost, the Amalgam from the Floor of Amalgamation.” She announced to them all with the Nexus rising high behind her visage. “I was born in the Nexus as one of the beings you call a deity. But in truth, I stand echelons higher than them.”
Whether they believed her or not mattered little, save for the Scarlet Logic. She wanted them to know exactly who she was and relay her name deeper into their Atelier, which she knew would be responsible for nursing these slaves.
But she would be a complete fucking fool to let Scarlet Logic take them in the first place!
“Cara. I will only ask you once. Will you allow me to take the slaves under my wing?” Frost asked the dumbfounded woman who could fold her arms, wince before suddenly erecting herself straight with utmost respect.
“At least keep us along for the ride until you find a suitable place to keep them. We’re heading the same way anyway. And besides – you have one of these.”
She pointed to one of the little Frost’s who waddled over, presenting the golden ticket that Calfasio showed them a while back.
“To the Golden Index! They’re not picky with numbers entitled to a single ticket!” Usa rapidly nodded her head, her ears flailing up and down. “That’s the first Aterlier I wanted to get into!”
“Oh please. Ignore her. She just wanted to be one of the bunny girl dealers at the Carpal Casino.” Fran, the tamer, muttered.
A casino? Huh?
“Carpal Casino. The Golden Index are very economy orientated.”
… still, a casino?
Frost couldn’t wrap her mind of the idea of a casino being in a fantasy world like this. Although, fantasy was now quite a stretch.
She mentally sighed.
“I fit the criteria, don’t I? Just no ticket~ But Frost – I mean…”
“Continue calling me Frost.”
“Alright. Frost! I’m sure you can try striking a deal with Beholder Carpalis! She’s the only one that’s never around in the Nexus, so she’s likely to be there in the City of Diamonds!”
Our first location to visit. That makes things easier for her. But it sounds risky waltzing directly into an Atelier’s turf.
“The ticket will compel them to treat you as their guest. If they do happen to know your identity; just know that they will be branded as a betrayer of the Nexus much like Iscario if they so much try to harm you.”
Oh… that’s right…
She remembered that Iscario’s betrayal was not because he defected from the Nexus, but rather because he tried to kill her, the Amalgam. While not everyone knew this truth, she was certain that the Beholders themselves did.
It gave her confidence that she could at least talk to them. If not, then violence was always an option. Admitting this was somewhat humorous to her. From a nurse to a healer… to who she was now.
This world was slowly but surely changing her.
* * *
They parted ways with the Adventurers and the Patrons, leaving them behind in Divas Pass. By some miracle, the Scarlet Wolves managed to remain alive. Fran gifted the Patrons with these creatures. A bit away from the border of Brandar was a town where they could purchase additional caravans for their travels.
Also – Hellen, Alice, Furio and Anna were still here. They were all headed to the Nex Megalopolis, so they may as well tag along until they inevitably parted ways. Around 36 of the slaves followed closely, defended by Furio and Anna in the far back who, to Frost’s surprise, conversed with some of the women with a strange friendly yet crude manner.
Frost had them cleansed with her magic as well. It was just unfortunate that they didn’t have enough clothing for them all, only wearing the feathered vests she made.
Also, it was Cer, Ber and Res’ mission was to oversee Frost until she returned to the Nexus. Kind of like her personal bodyguards.
No one knew what happened to Calfasio. Only that he disappeared from the inn and likely died.
Frost didn’t want to tell them of his tragic end, how he despaired and became a Corrupted. So as they walked along a dirt road surrounded by an endless field of grass, Jury cusped onto Frost’s hand and pulled her a little closer, sensing her emotions.
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“The ocean… I’ve never seen it so closely before.” Jury whispered. Frost adored her warmth as her heart began to strangely ache. “The world is so wide. Frost. I’m glad I’m still allowed to see new things all the time.”
“I’m just as glad to be here to share them with you.” Frost said, smiling fondly up at her.
For some reason, she found it somewhat hard to keep staring into her eyes. Frost’s face, for perhaps the first time, flushed in response.
Did she miss seeing Jury that much?
The mini-Frosts gathered around, shoving past the Moon triplets who lagged slightly behind as weird heart-shaped symbols appeared over their heads.
… why the hell are they like this?
“Like who?”
The Innocents. The little me’s.
“They are a reflection of you Will no? I’m sure you can understand that much.”
Frost, having realized what he meant, felt like her palms were sweating after so long as Jury’s hand felt a little warmer, tightening her grip.
“Jury… Um… Er… Listen. I think I’ve missed you a little too much.” Frost spoke uncharacteristically sheepishly, as if she was struggling to find words.
She knew exactly what this throb in her heart was. But she didn’t know how to convey it.
“Mhm. Me too. There were books I read in the Library. Many, many books. I always thought how nice it would have been if you were also there with me. The Archivist showed me one book that I fell in love with.” Jury looked up to the Nexus, and then, stared down at Frost with a beautiful smile.
“Oh? What book was it?”
“That’s a secret~” Jury teased, causing Frost to seem a little… unsatisfied. But that changed when she felt something warm and slightly wet touch her cheek.
“Huh…?” Frost whispered in disbelief.
Jury kissed her. She pecked her and retreated with a small hum, leaving Frost somewhat bewildered as she placed a hand on the freshly damp spot.
Frost’s heart melted as she wore a vibrant smile, causing the miniature hers to walk silently by her side, all staring up at her as if with anticipation. And it wasn’t just them, but almost everyone behind them.
“… I see. Jury. It’s probably weird hearing me say this all of a sudden, but – Jury… I think I’m in love with you.” Frost placed her head against Jury’s arm. “I don’t know when this started, but I think I’d rather tell you than to ignore it.” She spoke.
There was a brief silence that felt like an eternity for her.
The road ahead felt longer than it seemed, and the trail they followed didn’t move at all until Jury placed a hand on Frost’s cheek, gently cupping it.
“I know exactly when mine began. When you pulled me right out of the Black Forest. I couldn’t help but to believe that if it’s you, then I’m sure no matter the darkest forest, the bleakest road, or the strangest tides – it’ll all be fine so long as I’m with you.” Jury relayed her love back.
… I’m so happy right now. Nav… can my emotions really heighten from happiness?
“Just what do you think hope is?”
Aha… I want to cry.
“Of happiness? Emotions are contradictory…”
I hope one day you’ll come to understand this fuzzy feeling.
“I’ve missed you while I was inside of the Library. Every passing minute, every passing second – all I could think about was the time I was missing not being by your side~”
“Library…” Cer ended up speaking aloud, taking one of the mini-Frost’s as hostage in her arms. “Oi. Could you be talking about that Library?”
“There’s multiple libraries?” Jury questioned.
“No… er… Res. Take it from here. I dunno how confidential this one is. Cause we only know of the 2nd Advent, right?”
Frost’s feathers did not rustle, indicating that they were aware of other Advents. It piqued her interest, and before she could speak; Res poked something on her eye before speaking.
“Good. They won’t be able to hear us. I’m more than certain she’s talking about the Eternal Library. Did you see a little girl with black hair running around?” Res cautiously asked.
“In a pale dress? That was the Archivist!” Jury exclaimed.
“Ahhh. She’s no doubt been invited into the Eternal Library.”
Nav, do you have any info now?
“Now I do!”
< The Eternal Library; The First Advent >
< “An endless library containing compendiums of the past, present, and future. All knowledge whether from Elysia or worlds beyond are compiled into this one place, written in a 56-character set and 1,000 paged books. Due to this, finding a coherent book is nearly impossible without the aid of the Archivist.” >
Reminds me of the Infinite Monkey Theorem. Get a monkey to write enough gibberish and eventually you might get something coherent out of it. That’s probably where your knowledge comes from.
“And perhaps why it is also patchy.”
“Are there any other Advents you’re hiding?” Frost had to ask, knowing how influential these Advents were.
The Nexus was but one of these things.
“Two more, but they’re unconfirmed and not within the Nexus like the First Advent.” Res explained, entrusting them with this knowledge since Frost was an Archetype.
“Hm. Being?”
“One is supposedly an apple, and the other is internally called the Piece of the Fallen Star. You hear stories of claiming their wishes have come true. That’s what the fourth Advent does. It grants wishes.” Res concluded, making a strange face. “Not sure how true those two are. But then again, rumors are rumors until they wipe out an entire Sector. Just like the Big Red Heart.”
4 Advents huh. And the 3rd Advent is an Apple. Unconfirmed as well. Most likely related to the one the princess ate.
“The 4th one is interesting…”
A wish granter. What do you think Nav?
“Of what?”
Using it to grant your wish?
“… we shall leave that until the time comes.”
Frost smiled to herself, enjoying the presence of all these people until Cer spoke one last time.
“But how interesting. You actually spoke with that little pipsqueak? That’s kind of rare.” She huffed, squeezing the cheek of the poor Innocent in her arms.
“Hmm? The Archivist is a nice girl.” Jury defended.
“She is, but she doesn’t speak. No, not that. Look, technologies aren’t made or found because some genius thought it up. Alright! Listen up! I’m telling you this because you’re probably going to become my superior one day, so remember me well! Remember this flawless rescue mission of your lover over there!”
Cer began, walking up ahead of them as the Innocents threw up a question mark above their heads. The woman then spun on her heels and folded her arms, speaking with unrivalled conviction.
“The Eternal Library is a close secret because of the kind of knowledge it contains. Not everyone gets a tour like you. If people knew about its existence, then think about how many people would try to breach into the Nexus just for a taste of the power it grants.”
Frost held her breath, almost immediately understanding what Cer was trying to convey.
“And the people that did get this tour of a lifetime… well, to put it bluntly –
– They discover a technology that resonates with them and become a Beholder!”
* * *
< Observer of Hope >
MP : 1,000
ATT DEF : 0
MAG DEF : 0
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