Amanises's eyes froze at the revelation, while Klein's smile grew in intensity. His mind began to drift once more as he made use of both his knowledge and the information streaming from the Spirit World to construct a full picture. A moment was all it took before he narrowed his eyes and glanced back at Amanises. But he didn't speak—his patience palpable as he observed the dark pools of her eyes deepen. Already at the Servant of Concealment stage, beyonders of the Darkness pathway could see through all sorts of concealment and secrets. An ability which took a qualitative leap upon the Knight bearing the Fate of that which was unfortunate.
"A deep deception to misdirect prying eyes," she uttered after a few seconds. "For Devils, this is easy, especially if there's ample truth mixed in." She unconsciously paced around, seemingly oblivious to Klein's stare. "Three centuries. That is the amount of time since the Devils did anything major to advance their goal of polluting everything. There have been sporadic instances of those bloody freaks and even the Filthy one appearing to harass the mutants and co, but no major moves from the Monarch "Himself"."
"Searching for the Abyss? The timeline does align with the 'higher surge' in the River's tributary I theorised." She halted, finally turning to Klein. "What's the situation of the Tenebrous World?"
"Recently pervading the real world," Klein answered nonchalantly, confident in his answer. Very few things could hope to completely bar his prying, but he knew there was more.
Amanises nodded. "Then it's unlikely they found the Abyss, or made it as you said, when that "guy" made "His" grand debut."
Klein had bearable trouble holding back from bursting out laughing at her description of a certain Sun God. She shook her head, a smirk framing her face. "Likely during, or not long before the Divine War." She held his stare. "How related where the Mutants to all this?"
"Very," Klein tersely affirmed. "Having received a revelation from the Source of Curses, Farbauti didn't immediately initiate "His" grand trap, but instead made a bolder move."
Amanises's ears—both sets, perked up.
"He directly met with "His" arch nemesis."
The Fool's words made the Knight's composure falter. She had difficulty imagining the scene. She could only picture the Wolf and Phoenix meeting with the Giant.
"Doesn't make sense, right?" Klein's words snapped her out of delirium. Though, a contemplative look took over as she ruminated what he said.
"A revelation, trap, and the Source of Curses. The Tenebrous World's involvement is that deep?" She found it incredulous, and Klein nodded in acknowledgement. "We can go over the sacrifice part," he suddenly said. "The sequence 0 ritual for Abyss entails turning a landmass of continental size into an Abyss. We already discussed how they are all instinctively drawn to attempt the apotheosis ritual, one way or the other."
She shifted. "The trap or sacrifice involves that Filthy…"
"Monarch," he completed. "From what I've garnered, the born Devils have mostly gone extinct. This mass genocide occurred at the eve of the Divine Battle."
A thought came to the Knight. "The curse the Mutant King used on Lilith and Flegrea came from there? The Tenebrous World?"
Klein conceded. "While the Abyss apotheosis ritual involved turning a part of the physical world into an Abyss, the Chained is far more personal. The aspiring True God needs to mummify and bury "Their" body in "Their" mausoleum, fill "Themselves" with the potion, and then commit suicide. "They" must remain in this state for at least a hundred years. The difficulty here is two fold: the sheer vulnerability "They" would be in for such a prolonged period, and not letting one's Spirit and Will perish." As he explained, he could see his companion appreciate his details, but wished for him to get to the point. This caused him to scratch his head as he ruffled the bag slung over his shoulder, and gifted her a maize.
"One step at a time my Knight," he enjoyed her eye roll for a moment before he resumed. "Both Monarchs likely met twice in the past three hundred years. But it's strange, isn't it? The Mutants don't show an extended period of inactivity as the Chained ritual would suggest."
True, Amanises tilted her head, continuing her munching. "You're suggesting Farbauti shielded Kvastir." She started, after a deep swallow. "I'm sure you can at least feel why I'm so sceptical."
Klein let her eat more, building the tension before he spelled out, "Farbauti is simultaneously the most sane and insane Deity. The latter part is easy to understand given "His" Pathway's inclinations, but for the former… Bar Lilith, "He's" the only one possessing not an unrelated high-level characteristic, but rather a neighboring one. Heh, in this sense, "He's" even better off than this Sanguine Ancestor was, given "She" also possessed an Apocalypse Beyonder Characteristic."
Amanises frowned, but she did remember Klein briefly mentioning a pleasant meeting between the Sun and the Moon sometime ago. Something absurd if one were to examine the states of most Deities—not everyone was as fortunate as the Giant King.
"Farbauti decided to involve Kvastir in "His" scheme," she began after quickly finishing her snack. "The latter's opinion isn't needed as much, instincts will do the rest. From there, Farbauti assumed "His" place through some means while keeping the illusion that "He's" still desperately searching for the Abyss." Her brows couldn't help but knit, reaching this. "The restraint needed for such a feat would be utter insanity. Whatever characteristic "He" has, I'm guessing Abomination based on your words, it shouldn't be enough to hold back the pinnacle of the Abyss pathway; one completely unrestrained by all… Unless part of the revelation "He" received was key? Devils are extremely slippery for most due to their premonition. With a Sefirah's help, sensing and seeing in detail the impending doom to "His" life centuries down the line, isn't outrageous."
Still, she had a hard time believing this. She equated Farbauti's situation as a being deprived from the bear minimum in life, until suddenly, the peak of luxury landed on your feet with zero strings attached. But rather than indulge or at least improve your situation, you'd rather keep suffering based on a relatively vague revelation that your possible long days of luxury would meet an abrupt end.
Making use of Klein's current unique disposition to answering everything in-depth, the Knight questioned, "What about the Abomination ritual?"
"To receive the blessing of a True God," Klein responded, finally having completed his light snack. "With what we know, this perfectly complements "Their" plans. Farbauti and Kvastir can 'bless' each other, then the result will be a Maddening Curse originating from the Source of Curses. From there, the Devil Monarch will share the burden of this curse with "His" followers, sacrificing them to the Sefirah using this unique connection. Kvastir, on the other hand, will keep the curse and modify it to fit "His" goals. Both Lilith and Flegrea met "Their" Ends."
Amanises nodded. "I recall you talking about the God of Spiritual Creatures surviving?"
""He" was in fact included in the ritual," Klein mentioned in relish as they circled the field, heading back for their abode. "Of course, Kvastir bore the burden."
What a ritual indeed, Amanises mused, glancing up at the sun. Her own nature felt revolted by the unique shine it radiated.
Of course, that wannabe ensured Tolzna's survival and advancement. Well, better that than "His" crazy parent. And I'm guessing this complete reshuffling is "His" current long term goal. Her eyes returned to Klein's as they walked in silence, both deep in their thoughts.
"An excellent explanation, though it has a clear hole," she broke the stillness. "The greater invasion of the River and the Nation makes sense given who accommodated them. But the Tenebrous World…" her words trailed as a chill slowly rose up her spine.
Klein kept walking ahead, though he had noticeably slowed. "Coincidences are common in this world partly ruled by the Dragons and "Him". But, there's only one being who can so thoroughly make me ignore such crucial details."
An audible gulp passed between them as a cold sweat suddenly trailed down the Knight's temples. Aren't those motherfuckers dead!?
Klein stopped and shifted, a smile on his face though his eyes were neutral. "After reaching a certain level, it is understandable to feel a little overwhelmed by your overflowing capabilities. Not even I was the exception." He shook his head, turning fully to face his Knight. "Here, I lacked any crucial sense of crisis. I could take it slow, cover my tracks, and prepare. But after I accommodated the Uniqueness with such ease… Some arrogance seeped in."
His closed fist slowly opened as greyish-white blobs of lights ascended towards the sun under Amanises's watch. She recognised this as the Fantasy into Reality authority of a Visionary, though most of her focus remained on Klein who peered overhead. "After discovering these gaps previously ignored, a phrase which I had abide to, strengthened: 'Power in Unity.' I am not alone in this world; to aid Grisha in "His" goals," he locked eyes with Amanises, "And you, my Knight into becoming Darkness. Only through this can we all brave through the long stretch of time ahead."
Amanises felt her heart strings hearing this, a bashful smile forming. "I mean, since you insist, it'll be impolite to refuse," she tucked her hair as she spoke, averting her gaze.
Klein laughed out loud as they appeared in their courtyard. Placing the bag full of harvest on their porch, he gestured with his hand, snapping Amanises's attention to it. Empty. But she knew she currently faced the Darkness Uniqueness.
"Now then my Knight," Klein's eyes glinted as his entire demeanour shifted. "How about we go on a date?"
…
Disorder, Order; the strange and persistent polar opposites, both vying for the other. Gone were the times of fragile unity, as a single mishap was all it took for their ingrained instincts to take over. But these equals could only stalemate and contain each other, an external force was once again needed to change the status quo. One which already sat perfectly between their essence.
The Shadow of Order was one of "His" key symbolism. One of two which had been ruthlessly ripped apart by Mysteries as the Almighty enabled it. But "They" were no more, and "He", though greatly diminished, remained.
"Or so I thought." This was one of the rare moments that "He" could peer through "His" restrictions, veiled behind the contradictions. A mere glance was all it took for "Him" to understand what had occurred. "Both of them? Already? But that is absolutely impossible. Unless…" A trace of emotion bubbled within. Back in "His" heydays, "He" would've dismissed such preposterous possibilities. But after experiencing the impossible make possible, reshaping the Universe at a whim in such a short time… Well, gone were "His" sceptical days.
"Hahaha!" A powerful laugh that would have shaken the Universe to its core, could now barely reverberate within "His" prison. "Fate remains miraculous. Not even "He" could have imagined such a development… And opportunity."
The lamp shook, but endured within the Shadow of Order. A change was about to assert itself.