What is a Beyonder?
Adam had long harboured a private conjecture: that a Beyonder was merely a man whose mastery over his craft had transcended the ordinary—one whose devotion, sacrifice, and relentless discipline had elevated his talents to a plane so refined that it appeared unnatural. Such individuals, he believed, were hunters of unparalleled instinct, assassins whose presence dissolved into silence, or readers whose minds could pierce meaning itself. In their chosen paths, they had surrendered something vital, and in return, attained excellence that bordered upon the inhuman.
Steeling his thoughts, Adam lifted his gaze toward the trio, silently awaiting an answer that might affirm his theory.
Yet before Leah or Ryan could so much as inhale, Valentine spoke.
"A Beyonder," he declared, with calm certainty, "is one who has consumed a potion and thereby acquired supernatural power—power bound to a corresponding pathway. Each pathway is composed of nine sequences, descending from Sequence Nine and culminating at Sequence Zero. Consider them, if you will, as the pathways of the divine. There are twenty-two such paths known to mankind."
Pathways of the divine?
Adam made no attempt to conceal his intrigue.
"So these sequence pathways," he asked, "are a form of ascendant hierarchy? A ladder of power—where the higher one climbs, the greater one becomes?"
Leah answered him with a solemn nod. "Yes—but understand this well: not all sequences are equal. Some pathways counter one another; others exist in mutual support. To choose a pathway is to accept that your allies and adversaries are, to some extent, already decided."
Her final words carried a quiet warning, one that urged Adam to reflect deeply upon any choice he might one day make.
At this, Adam released a weary sigh. "And you truly believe," he said slowly, "that I am some sort of Beyonder?"
The three nodded without hesitation.
"How else," Ryan added, "could you have evaded Lumian's tracking? His skills are not something an ordinary man escapes."
Adam found no immediate reply. Instead, his thoughts turned inward, seeking refuge in another question—one that felt safer to ask.
"If you believe me to be… special," he said, "then which pathway do you think I belong to?"
He asked not merely for their judgment, but for insight into himself—into the instincts and peculiarities he had displayed without conscious intent.
Valentine's response was unexpected.
"I do not believe you belong to any pathway," he said. "I believe you were born with Beyonder powers."
For a brief moment, silence fell heavily upon the group. Leah and Ryan stared at Valentine in visible shock, while Adam, keenly observant, noted their reactions with growing unease.
Perceiving their confusion, Valentine continued swiftly.
"A Beyonder who has accumulated excess characteristics, and seeks to rid himself of them, may pass them on to his offspring. The only other viable alternative is purification—most commonly through the abilities of the Sun Pathway."
He paused, then added with sober gravity, "This knowledge scarcely scratches the surface of the Beyonder world. Should you ever wish to walk that path consciously, you must remember one rule above all others: never see, and never hear, that which you are not meant to perceive."
Adam's breath caught.
"…Like that fleshy giant," he murmured, "at the peak of Blood Mountain."
In that instant, understanding dawned with dreadful clarity. Moments after beholding that abomination, his mind had grown clouded and unstable. He had not merely witnessed a monster—he had gazed upon an evil god.
Anxiety tightened his voice. "Do you know its name?"
Ryan replied gently, though his expression was grim.
"We cannot be certain," he said. "Such names are not easily known… nor safely spoken."
I don't think that's the case. Ryan interjected and continued when we investigated the altar of the evil god our state changed to either the past or the future. It was quite a bizarre and frightening experience to behold.
After that silence permiated the area, Adam didn't have anymore questions to ask as he wanted to fully grasp what he had just learned.
He sighed and mumbled in his head so I was right not to approach lumian, he's a beyonder of the hunter pathway. I wonder if aurore was one. It seems like im intertwined with the world of mystism I can leave.
If what valentine said is correct then I was born this way. One of my parents must be a beyonder of the spectator pathway.
the pathway appears to be non lethal and mainly focused on understanding other people and one's self.
I hope I'll be able to find them.
Adam suddenly had the urge to used the restroom. He politely excused himself and went there.
Leah, valentine and Ryan watched the strange figure distance himself headed for the rest room.
Only when he was out of sight did Leah ask valentine.
If he's from the spectator pathway, that would explain his intense observation skills, it appears similar to that of a hunter.
After Leah said that she pondered for a moment before saying .then how was he able to free us from the dream, I'm sure that a half spectator wouldn't be able to do that.
yes. Ryan agreed as he had similar thoughts to Leah in this regard .
then they both turned their gaze to valentine who was just stood there silently.
Ryan then asked valentine. What do you think is the reason Adam could free us from the dreamhold , is he also an anomaly like lumian is.
Valentine espressed his opinion on the matter.
No I don't think he's an anomaly.
Ryan and Leah each let out a sigh of relief and slightly relaxed where they seated.
They both thought they had accidentally brought an anomaly with them, from what they experienced in Cordu they needed to be weary of possible corruption.
Valentine then continued, but it's quite peculiar we emerged from the ruins largely unscaved. Although I said Adam might be from the spectator pathway and he bare some of their characteristic. I too was curious as to how he was able to free us from the dream.
Leah and Ryan continued listening. valentine was the oldest and most likely was more experienced in the real of mysticism.
I have a theory that Adam is not just half a spectator, he is also half of a barb.( a half spectator basically mean a person born with a minimum abilities of a spectator I believe its similar to Xio Derecha's situation as she too was born as a half arbiter due to one of her parents having excess beyonder characteristics)
Half a bard.
Isn't bard the name of the sequence 9 of the sun pathway.
authors note: hey everyones how do you feel about this chapter, if this one didn't intigue you the next one will. Anyways comments and vote. these motivate me very much.