Amanises slammed her fists against the door of light attempting to reach Klein. She summoned the River of Eternal Darkness combining it with the symbolisms of twilight, death and darkness and struck the door of light. Following up with space-time in one she slowed the rate at which the door of light repaired itself while she used her authority of serenity to hopefully allow Klein to regain his senses.
The gap wasn't large enough for her to fit through while she maintained her symbolisms and Lumian was outside. One of her hands reached out and a mirror appeared in it. She threw the mirror through the small hole in the door of light.
The door repaired itself and grabbed her leg. She struggled to break free however the Sefirah castle had become even stronger. It pulled her in.
***
Lumian outside noticed that Sefirah castle had been repaired. He saw the door of light reveal itself as it grabbed him with its illusory tentacles. He struggled against them however it was futile.
***
The angels of Earth had become extremely panicked.
"What should we do?" Fors screamed.
"Miss Magician, please refrain from yelling. I understand your panic, however I am an old man and my hearing is very sensitive." Pallez replied.
"But we just had our only defenses against the outer gods disappear!" Fors exclaimed.
"It is indeed an issue for everyone. How three great old ones disappeared is a great mystery. However, all we can really do is act like everything is normal." Pallez said.
Fors calmed down and began thinking.
"Alright. Franca should be able to fill in for Lumian with her queen status. Us two and the Gehrman avatar can cover for Mr Fool. The main issue is the Eternal darkness." Fors's gaze looked at the cosmos.
***
Klein and Hela sat around a table with Sharron and Maric. They had just explained their situation with the transmigration to the other two. Silence enveloped the room.
"So… are you okay mentally that is?" Sharron asked.
"Better than when we first found out about this." Klein replied.
"Should we call you by your old names in private then?" Maric asked.
"I don't see why you should. Maybe call me Klein I guess."
"You know this went a lot better than I expected." Hela said.
"I mean you transmigrated before meeting us so the time we spent was all with you. So I don't really see why much would change between us other than us knowing more about you." Sharron replied.
***
Within Sefirah castle The Fool took grasp of the mirror which had suddenly been thrown through the door of light.
"Arrodes?"
"Yes, great master, is it me. Are you okay?"
"Y-yes."
Lightning struck the Fool.
"Great master. Please answer honestly."
"I-I don't know. Am I?"
"No you're not. Great master, do you need help?"
"Yes."
"Help is on the way. You are not alone, please remember that."
"Thank you Arrodes."
"He" held Arrodes to "his" chest. "He" felt a sense of relief wash over "him" and Sefirah castle fell silent.
"I want to go home." Klein cried, with tears running down his face.
***
Within the River of Eternal Darkness the Evernight goddess emerged. In front of her she witnessed a woman dressed similarly to herself however she wore an iron crown, had a pair of pale wings extending from her back and within her six arms were the uniquenesses of the darkness, death and twilight giant pathways. Her appearance was illusory and seemed to be covered by a grey fog.
"Are you me from that other world?" Evernight asked.
"Yes." She replied.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm here to bring back Zhou or Klein. Whichever name he used." The Eternal Darkness replied.
"Why is your form like that?"
"Well most of it is due to becoming the Eternal Darkness, but the rest of it is due to the fact that things went wrong when I was sent here. It seems I am essentially a spirit bound to you. Though it seems like I am also bound to Sefirah castle. From what I can guess is the only way I'm leaving is if Klein leaves as well. How much I can interact with the world seems bound to you as well." The Eternal Darkness analysed.
"You feel stronger than a regular great old one for some reason."
"Huh, I feel stronger as well despite not being able to use that power. Does you accommodating the Sefirot and uniqueness also do the same for me?"
***
Lumian was crying in a corner of an alley.
"This is so unfair! Klein gets his real body and Amanises gets her version who is at least sequence zero. But all I get is a 9 year old kid!"
"Miss, is he ok?" Young Lumian looked at Aurore.
"He's just being a baby. Don't grow up like him."
"Isn't this a sign of your bad parenting?" Jenna asked.
Aurore went silent.
"For one not his parent. Secondly… um give me a minute."
Alista Tudor and Cheek whistled in the corner hoping not to be noticed.
***
"Hmm, indeed this is an issue." The Eternal Darkness said to The Calamity of Destruction.
Lumian looked down. "Just laugh already."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Amanises said with a sly smile.
"I hate how you have more emotion for some reason."
"Isn't this a good thing for our humanity?"
"Klein probably thought the same thing and from what you saw that looked to cause a problem."
"Well given the planet isn't destroyed yet it seems Arrodes managed to help. Also it isn't so bad that you got the kid you as despite the other Amanises accommodating the Sefirot and uniqueness it is essentially as if I accommodated them as well and I sense that once we return I will have to pay a great cost." Amanises said.
"Hmm, won't that make us more likely to converge in to the fourth pillar?"
"I'm not sure but given how Klein had accommodated the things under his pathway it seems like it will not effect convergence or at least not towards non-neighbouring pathways."
"But there will definitely still be a risk as we are considered somewhat neighbouring pathways."
"I will see if I can cut off this connection however it seems like someone deliberately planned for me to absorb more uniquenesses and Sefirot from these other worlds"
"And for me?"
"Probably the same. As the you here will likely travel along the divine path as well. It's just a matter of time."
"Do they want to end the universe?"
"I don't know."
The Evernight Goddess listened to the conversation while playing with the kid Lumian.
"Miss what job do you have?"
"I work for the church." Amanises replied.
"For the Eternal Blazing Sun or Steam and Machinery?"
"Evernight Goddess."
"Oh, I heard they were all weird. Are you weird?"
'Oh, I'm definitely jumping Aucuses later.' Amanises thought.
***
Klein and Hela were eating at a Cafe when a newspaper boy ran down the street.
"Major murders in Backlund! Over 100 killed in one night! Military and Churches searching for the mastermind!"
Klein bought a newspaper and showed it to Hela.
"Looks like Mr Fool got the job done." Klein said.
"Seems like "he" went a bit overkill, we only hired him to kill an angel."
"Well Backlund is safer because of "him"."
"Mhm, shame the Tarot club meeting was cancelled this week as I wanted to see the recording." Hela mumbled.
"Why would you want to see that?"
"I have no clue."
Hela took a sip of Klein's sweet iced tea.
"Why do you like this?"
"Got a problem with sweet iced tea?" Klein frowned.
"No, nothing, it's great, just not my thing."
Klein glared at Hela while drinking his tea.
"Yeah sure."
"You know, isn't it weird? The Fool looked like a mix of Klein and you before transmigration." She said changing the topic.
"That is definitely weird. However, it could just be a coincidence." Klein replied.
"You of all people should be suspicious of coincidences."
"You're right, but what do we even ask "him"?"
"I don't know. Why does he look like that I guess."
"If "he" smites you I'm not involved."
"That's unfair "he's" the one that looks like you!" Hela yelled.
"I'm not the one asking a god why "his" face looks like that!" Klein yelled back.
"When I die just know it will be your fault!"
"What do you mean by my fault? You're the one courting death!"
"Come on, don't be a coward!"
"You're trying to get me killed aren't you?"
The two continued arguing, not noticing the strange stares they were getting. During the argument a smog crept in as people began coughing violently. Klein and Hela realised something was wrong.
"Quickly everyone get inside and cover all the gaps in the building!" Klein said, guiding people inside.
Klein went to the bathroom and took four steps counter-clockwise to enter the grey fog. Inside he saw The Fool covered by a large amount of fog.
"Klein, is there something you need?" The Fool's voice echoed through the castle.
"There is something wrong in Backlund!"
The Fool looked down.
"Hmm, indeed there is. Don't worry it won't be a major issue. It is just some roach scheming to advance to sequence 0. You don't have to worry about it." The Fool replied calmly.
"Great master. May I speak?" A voice came from the mirror in The Fool's hands.
"Yes."
"I believe that you should intervene to prevent more lives from being lost and also use this as an opportunity to make amends for your oversight in Tingen."
'Tingen..' Klein's thoughts wandered.
"I suppose I should." The Fool said.
Klein descended from the grey fog and his head began spinning.
'The Fool was in Tingen. How? What was "he" doing there? Why didn't "he" stop the massacre?' Klein leaned back against the wall and his breathing was heavy.
Hela found Klein in the bathroom and saw him panting against the wall, with tears welling up in his eyes.
"Klein what happened?"
Klein looked up but didn't speak. Hela approached and pulled him in for a hug.
"Wha- why?" Klein asked.
"You just seemed like you needed it."
Klein cried burying his face in Hela's shoulder.
"You don't have to wear a mask anymore." Hela whispered in his ear.
***
The Fool's main body appeared over Backlund; "he" stole the plague from the affected victims before grafting the smog to the spirit world.
The Fool then opened a door appearing in front of George Augustus the 3rd. "He" looked at the surprised emperor with a look of contempt.
"Who are you?" George asked.
"You may address me as The Fool."
"Why are you here?"
"To end your little plans." The Fool replied bluntly.
George Augustus distorted the space around The Fool in an attempted surprise attack. The Fool simply waved "his" hand repairing the space around "him".
"You really are a curly haired baboon aren't you?" The Fool mocked the emperor.
"Why do you want to stop me? You need a black emperor to fight the apocalypse and the orthodox gods have already given their approval. So why would a hidden existence such as yourself risk angering them?" The angel said in panic.For one we don't need you. A true god is nothing to the outer deities outside the barrier. What we need is an Anarchy. Secondly I don't care what the true gods think as like I said "they" are useless in fighting the apocalypse without becoming above the sequence. In fact some of them are a liability and others are only taking up the ingredients to make an above the sequence. Finally I just don't like you." The Fool explained in a monotonous tone.
The Fool turned the emperor in to a marionette before using it to call the rest of the people involved in the conspiracy here. Once everyone arrived The Fool revealed "himself" with an indescribable smile.
"Hello everyone~." "He" said in a playful manner.
The angels were frozen in place as they were hit with blind stupidity.
"Now that I think about it, you guys are still alive in my world. Perhaps I should change that when I return. After all, you all were also involved in all those deaths." The Fool had a cruel smile.
All of a sudden a sea containing all colours emerged swallowing the area. The angels disappeared as Adam entered.
"Zhou, what happened to not interfering with my plans?" Adam asked.
"Well I changed my mind." The Fool replied.
"You do understand how important it is for Earth to have a God Almighty right? Especially since you took the position of Lord of the Mysteries from this world."
"Well the Primordial God Almighty will awaken in your body anyway so maybe I'm doing you a favour." The Fool joked.
"How is your humanity?"
The Fool was surprised at the sudden question.
"It's… in shambles to put things lightly."
"Do you need help?"
The Fool was confused at the question. This wasn't like Adam.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I don't want an out of control pillar destroying the world."
"Well I will manage without you. I got Arrodes and apparently help is on the way."
Adam looked at The Fool with a solemn expression.
"Despite being much weaker than you I can see through you quite easily. You say you have given up on retaining your humanity however I can tell that inwardly you wish to remain human."
"I don't think it is possible. At least not anymore."
"And yet a part of you is still fighting."
"I want to do things that I can only enjoy as a human, but now that I see the reality of the situation I think it's impossible. So I have resigned myself to making the other versions of me happy."
"Interesting. Why do you think it's impossible?"
"I have already accommodated an extra Sefirot as well as the uniquenesses and I will likely do so in many more universes after this. I was already struggling to maintain my humanity when I only had my own universes. So how am I supposed to keep my humanity when I have more?"
"I don't know this isn't an issue that I have thought of. But you said that you will be going to other universes so maybe you will find an answer in one of them."
"Why are you trying to help me?"
"Didn't I already answer that?"
"I want a real answer."
Adam sighed.
"I just don't want someone else to end up like myself. Devoid of humanity and without emotion. Life becomes dull and monotonous. Is a life like that worth living? The only reason I continue on is to protect the world and I see you have the same purpose. But a life only lived to protect others isn't really one at all. Sure it is meaningful but it is a life where you can only suffer in silence." Adam's words contained a hint of emotion unrecognisable compared to his usual tone.
"All I lose is myself; some things are more important than others." The Fool replied dryly.
"Yes, but is it wrong to want something as simple as emotions? Is being a slave to humanity without having it really worth it?"
"I don't know why you're saying this out of all people."
"These are just my words. Sometimes people do things that they don't agree with or want to do for the greater good. You and I both know that."
"But why do you want to help me instead of yourself?"
"Because I am long past the point of return. I have no humanity at all, these words I speak have no real meaning behind them. They are just a response I made based on my original self. But you still have hope, you have some humanity and that is why I want to help you. Because I think that is what the human part of me would do."
The Fool watched Adam and the Chaos Sea retreat leaving the angels of the Loen Kingdom on the ground.
"Fine, I'll leave them alive and I guess I'll help with your plans just a bit.
Notes:The Fool sat in Sefirah castle. The table was different than usual as it was round. 4 figures sat around it as they drank tea.
"Congratulations on accommodating the River of Eternal Darkness Amanises." The Fool said.
"Thank you. But I think we should talk about the elephant in the room." Amanises replied.
"Why? You were the one who brought Lumian."
"You know what I'm talking about."
"You mean Adam?"
Amanises shot "him" a glare.
"Not my fault." The Fool turned "his" head away.
"You!"
Amanises reached over the table grabbing The Fool by the collar.
"Why don't we talk about actually important things?" Adam came to the rescue.
"Shut up! This conversation is for true gods and above!" Amanises yelled.
"Isn't that a bit arbitrary?" Adam asked.
"Alright fine this is between me and Zhou."
"Alright." Adam shrugged.
"Can I have some more sweet iced tea?" Young Lumian asked.
"Sure." Adam said with a polite smile.
Amanises suddenly slammed The Fool on the table.
"Are you at least going to pay for the damages?" The Fool asked.
Amanises threw "him" across the room.
"Broke ass god." She muttered.
"Do you need therapy?" Adam asked.
"You know what I think I do." Amanises said.
"Alright what's wrong?"
Amanises looked over at The Fool.
"Zhou, do the thing."
The Fool was about to make a remark when a tea cup was thrown at "him".
"Fine, but work on your anger issues."
"I'm not taking advice from Mr "I won't interfere much " ."
The Fool summoned an image of Klein and Hela inside a room.
"See the problem?" Amanises pointed aggressively at the screen.
"I don't." Adam replied scrutinising the screen.
"So much for enhanced perception."
"She's just overreacting." The Fool said.
"Isn't this kind of like Fors Wall's books?" Lumian asked.
"Umm, I don't think you should be reading those books." The Fool said.
"What's the problem with them?" Amanises asked.
The Fool summoned a book from the historical void and opened it to a specific page. Amanises scanned the book and her eyes visibly widened.
"I need to bleach my eyes. I'm too innocent for this." Amanises cried.
"Damn, mass murderer can't stand a smut scene." The Fool joked.
"Wait if this is like the novel. No no no. Zhou let me down right now, I'm killing your other self!" Amanises yelled.
"I'm not letting that happen. Also I don't think they are that far yet." The Fool replied.
"Zhou, my friend, please let me down. All I want is a talk." Amanises didn't hide her intentions very well.
"What is my universe's version of you saying?" The Fool asked.
"I don't know, I kinda forgot about her."
"You forgot about the entire reason we are here because your best friend and an alternate universe version of me are getting close. Like I'm not even sure they realise their feelings. Also since when did a joke you made become so serious?"
"Since that happened. So let me down and I will just have a quick painless talk."
"You know pain and a conversation aren't usually put together."
"Weren't you the one who told them the secret of transmigration?"
Silence filled Sefirah castle.
"Alright fine, we'll delay the meeting for this. But I'm going with you to make sure nothing goes wrong."
***
"Really? You're doing the Clark Kent disguise?" Amanises said disappointed.
"It's a classic and for some reason the others don't want to go through with it so I haven't used it yet." The Fool replied.
"Yeah because it's a stupid idea."
"It's only dumb if it doesn't work."
"It only works because you're using literal magic. You could walk in butt naked and no one would bat an eye."
"Hmm."
"Stop!"
"Alright, alright."
The Fool waved over a waiter.
"Sir, what would you like?"
"Just put the monocle on already."
Amon rolled "his" eyes.
"Mr Fool, you're not fun."
"If you're going to spy then spy with us. Also tell Adam he needs a better disguise."
Adam climbed out of the bush and walked over with Lumian.
"I thought the bush was a good one."
"It never works as well as you think it does." The Fool replied.
"Amon get us all some sweet iced tea and pancakes." The Fool said.
"I better get a good tip for this." Amon mumbled.
"Loen doesn't have a tipping culture. Also I don't think anyone here is from a place where that is customary."
"Can I have waffles instead?" Amanises asked.
"We ran out." Amon responded.
Once the food was brought out Amon sat at the table with them to spy on the others. "He" moved "his" monocle from "his" right eye to the left eye."
"I hate you all." Amanises said.
Lumian took off his fake moustache to scratch his nose. Adam still had a branch on top of "his" head.
"I don't see what the issue is?" The Fool said, smirking.
Just out of view Amanises saw the other version of herself wearing a trenchcoat with an absurdly large fedora, she was also smoking a pipe for some reason.
"Why are you even disguised? No one else can see you?"
"No clue who you're talking to." Eternal Darkness Amanises replied in a deep voice.
"Why are you going along with this?"
"Not my universe's not my problem. Plus this is entertaining as hell."
Inside young Lumian's view he saw Aurore tackle the other Lumian.
"Stop trying to get him to drink!"
"It's good to build tolerance early!"
***
Klein and Hela were eating breakfast together and happily chatting until someone was thrown in to their table.
"Mr Fool?" They both shouted in confusion.
"I'm going to kill you!" A woman shouted from another table.
"We better run."
The Fool got up and picked up the two of them before running.
"Who is that?" Hela asked.
"Amanises." The Fool replied.
"Why is she chasing us?"
"Well mostly me but you two would probably get in the crossfire."
Suddenly a kid was thrown through the air and was caught by a tentacle.
"Come on, Lumian is too far!" The Fool yelled.
"Why are you wearing glasses by the way?" Hela asked.
"For a disguise."
"It was a pretty bad disguise."
"It worked pretty well when we were spying on you guys."
"You were what?" They shouted in unison.
"Yeah there were 5 of us."
"Alright we have a lot to talk about after this, not just the spying thing but something else." Klein said.
***
Inside Sefirah castle several people were sitting around a table.
"So all that was because of a joke Amanises made." Hela reiterated.
"Yeah pretty much." The Fool replied.