A bead of sweat formed on the Knight's brows, only for it trickle down her neck. She gulped heavily, her blazing focus locked on the thin air before her, appearing empty but she knew better. A deep sense of dread raised every thin strand on her body, yet she continued to watch—even an alternate dimension separating it from her, didn't fully restrain its effects.
Careful. In her concealed state, Amanises guided a spirit world creature to tilt the golden Phoenix accessory. The instrument's doors for eyes opened and a drop of colourless water flowed from the darkness, accompanied by a deep sense of stillness. Her jaw went tight as she observed the drop's momentum decrease as it crossed space, before vanishing.
Right then, the throb in her heart quelled, a long withheld breath unconsciously escaped her.
Instantly, she drew a deep breath once more. Using the Uniqueness's is extra dangerous… She gave herself a mental pat on the back and commanded the spirit world creature to return with the mystical item. Exhaling, she spread her spirituality, dragging the space which had automatically 'opened' before her, into her concealed world.
It had to be said, when it came to using mystical items, she considered herself a novice. Of course, that was for real mystical items.
Having Ancient Scholars… or Scholar of Yore as my entourage really made me spoiled. She shook her head with a smile. Naturally, using the Darkness Uniqueness came with its drawbacks. In this case, it aimed to kill its user for good the instant it was put to work. Not even Klein sealing it in an entirely different realm was enough. Fooling and Deceit fell in the same category due to the Uniqueness working on instincts and in a concealed manner.
But its ability are worth it. Her floating form shifted, gazing deeply into the Spirit World as she completely bypassed all obstacles to settle on one hidden pocket of space. Their laid an innumerable number of characteristics and muted artifacts. Darkness which is the Destination of All Things. This was the artifact's ability, and Klein, upon studying it, specifically warned her. "Even a sequence 0 Darkness would find it difficult to handle such dangerous ability. The death it caused was anything but trivial."
At least this helped in my digestion. As she settled the Uniqueness in her lap, at last a part of her finally shifted to her side. Sitting there, like "He" had always been, was Grisha in simple, white clergyman robes streaked with a black pattern. "His" soft eyes blinked as "He" smiled at Amanises who could only scoff in response.
What an headache… Klein had left her with "Him". Having seize the two Uniqueness in the battle, Klein had immediately left to attend to some "personal matters" with them, leaving Grisha and Amanises to deal with the other artifacts and Beyonder Characteristics as well as each other while in his short absence. Well not so short now; what's taking him so long?! This Sun God didn't seem to mind as "He" spoke, "A Knight can carry their people's burden, granting them prosperity. But they can also part with it, plaguing others with Misfortune?"
You already know, why ask? Amanises didn't look at "Him" further, though Grisha's eyes flickered with bronze light for a moment. "The Sun can unveil all that is concealed, but your thoughts lay elsewhere entirely."
Well, a certain someone tends to keep my thoughts in an alternate realm. A smile threatened to form but she quelled it. Indeed, dealing with the Darkness Uniqueness and the corresponding high-level characteristics in this way, helped her digest her potion by about one-fifth. This event was further highlighted by her summarising a key acting principle.
She didn't hide the Phoenix accessory in her hands immediately, but instead dismissed the trembling and prostrating creature which had aided her. "What now then? I suspect you mean more than just small-talks, or maybe deduce my thoughts." Her brows knitted. She was speaking out of character, but her irritation was undeniable.
Pathway revulsion? She looked down at the accessory. I do feel more confident with this in hand. Though, it better not became overconfidence…
Grisha nodded, "His" deep gaze returning to stare into the Spirit World.
"I was bored."
"…"
So "He" does actually mean small talks and deduce my thoughts… Amanises lampooned while her lips twitched uncontrollably. Grisha ignored her expressions and exhaled.
"A Knight wishes to venture deep into the Darkness, but it stares back, and she holds its gaze."
"Why take such direct measure? One which might consume her along her journey, to truly stand side-by-side with the Ruler above," "He" looked at the seven lights, Amanises following as she could vaguely discern a seat of honour beyond.
"You play matchmaker now?" She looked back, speaking with amusement. "I didn't take you to be that kind of person." She enjoyed "His" silence for a while before "He" answered, "Humanity is fascinating for one lacking it."
"He" lowered "His" head as Amanises blinked, staring down from high in the clouds at what looked like a city. The bright Sun now stood as their backdrop.
Their eyes wandered with Amanises spotting many familiar infrastructure being built in the growing collection of settlements.
So, this is "His" kingdom? The Human Kingdom? She glanced at Grisha who continued. "Humanity remains a fascination due to the gulf laying between it and the essence of power."
Amanises paused for a moment, before her smile broke into laughter. "Hahaha! You want friends! Why don't just say that!?" She leaned back, holding her belly glee.
Grisha wasn't embarrassed by her reaction, causing her to pout and wipe her imaginary tears. "At least pretend to blush or something… Oh, yeah! No humanity, my bad." She shook her head, her lips curving once more.
So autistic… Reminds me of someone. Her mind drifted to her tight friend, back when everything was normal. Though, the reminisce stopped as she recalled how the Pre-Epoch times had ended.
She let out a sigh, composing herself. "We have our differences, maybe a bit unwarranted on my side, but thankfully you're logical and I'm a mature adult." She placed a hand on her chest. "Struggling with fading or non-existent humanity... Though we don't have similar experiences, I can relate somewhat. Maybe even Klein can as well." Her expression brightened. "Combine this with our Pre-Epoch connection and you've the foundations for friendship to bloom."
Her eyes locked with "His" gold, before she broke into a chortle once more. "…Heh, what would they think if they knew their God is a shipper?" She pointed at the cityscape below.
"They would be elated since my Word teaches them about love."
…Tch dammit, there's a lot we can improve here. She shook off her thoughts. "Friendship doesn't need transactions to be maintained. But as great existences, we ought to keep some… hmm…"
"Aura?"
"Yes, exactly," she snapped her fingers in approval, enjoying the strong winds on her face. "Mhm in any case, lets get this sorted first." Grisha shook "His" head. "And perhaps I'll show you around afterwards."
Amanises tilted her head and stared at "Him" deeply with confusion. "There is something I'd like to show you." The environment around them shifted rapidly. Amanises now found herself in an empty cathedral, the wall and floors of which were made of bones of giants, skulls of elves, ribs of phoenixes and fingers of mutants. Crimson pour through the holes in divine scriptures carved with delicacy onto the walls and ceilings.
Before Amanises could truly admire the view, her attention was caught by an object placed at the alter in the centre. It was a golden lamp covered with mysterious and complicated symbols.
By pure instinct, Amanises took a step back followed by Grisha. She barely withhold an intense shiver having completely forgotten about this artifact. "While sorting through the items, I found this. Thought you might be interested."
Because he probably knows about it? Amanises had long before concealed her thoughts. She inhaled and exhaled, the words of Klein flowing back into her consciousness. The Lord of Mysteries had Son of Chaos consciousness into a golden lamp.
A magic wishing lamp… Undoubtedly, this is it. The aura radiating from it feels strangely familiar too; courtesy of Lord of Mysteries and Klein. The two of them stayed at fence, unsure of how to act. Grisha was more or less interested in watching Amanises whereas the latter was contemplating her options in silence. Wait for Klein or approach it? The Great Old One shouldn't be able to act directly with that seal in place. But again, that is a Great Old One… We are all like child's playing with bunch of toys that don't even belong to us when in comparison to "Them".
Slowly Amanises nodded her head and exhaled while approaching the Magic Wishing Lamp, trailed behind by Grisha. She figured having the Darkness Uniqueness with her and a true god with Sefirot should be enough to deal with this restrained threat. I can also attempt put it in slumber with the River's water.
She took a good look at the lamp, the crimson light reflected off its shimmering gold surface. Grisha merely narrowed his gaze as Amanises raised her hand rubbed the lamp with her slender fingers.
Immideatly the lamp shook causing Amanises to retrace her hand. The Golden Lamp vibrated with intense motion causing Amanises and Grisha to ready their guards. The wick at the spout of the Magic Wishing Lamp suddenly ignited, emitting light that looked like viscous water, spurting upwards to form a blurred and distorted pale golden figure.
The pale golden figure stared at them coldly, averting its figure from Amanises to Grisha, lingering just a second longer before turning back to her as if observing some unseen authority of pillar. Before it could have spoke or Amanises and Grisha could have acted, the front gate of the cathedral opened up and a greyish white fog immediately begin to permeate the space.
The greyish white fog erupted in the entire cathedral in an instant rendering all manner of observance useless. Even the crimson hue dampened and the sound of footsteps echoed followed by the shadow of a thin silhouette; the silhouette of a man, appearing almost floaty with a massive array of tentacles waving around his figure.
The Genie in the lamp completely froze at this sight. Countless threads immediately weaved in its mind followed by an image taking over the silhouette's unseen figure. The very scary image that had ingrained itself into his mind by now, that Pillar of Omnipresence that had bestowed a fate worse than death. Whereas Amanises suppressed a smile and Grisha felt a weird sense of… annoyance?
"Mysteries!" Uttered Genie.