Days seemed to have passed within the boundary of the Isolation Sphere. The Arbiter’s Council felt like it had already gone for an eternity, when in truth it had only just begun.

All members had finally finished introducing themselves, resulting in the lulling silence that followed. An intermediate phase began as the Arbiter gave them time to collect their thoughts. Beholders studied one another indiscriminately like hunters searching for an opening.

None were scrutinized as heavily as Jury however. On one hand they took offence that a no-named Beholder who had only just ascended into power had significantly more sway than they did. On the other hand, they pondered on the technology she possessed, already developing concepts of how it could be integrated with their Aspects and their Atelier as a whole.

The ability to prolong time even by a fraction of a second was significant enough to raise the brows of potential enemies. The fact that it could be dialed ten times faster or slower changed their tune fairly quickly.

And it was through this intermission where the Beholders were allowed to freely discuss amongst themselves. The Arbiter began a countdown as a tail was thrust above her, steadily ticking away like the hand of a giant fluffy clock.

“Time… A powerful technology indeed. How have you managed to create its origin piece so quickly?” Beholder E. was curious, his words implying a certain piece of information that had had never crossed Frost’s mind.

Jury didn’t answer immediately, likely taking advice from Nav.

“I’ve been around for longer than you can imagine.” Jury avoided answering him directly, the best course of action according to Nav.

“Beholder E.’s question strikes me as strange. He’s implying that one needs to create their technology, rather than receiving it. The Archivist states that this is a half-truth. Beholder E. was one such person who needed to create his technology from knowledge gained within the Eternal Library. But this isn’t possible outside of the Library itself.”

I’d be pretty fucking impressed if someone could make a black hole with the tools they have in this world. Does that mean the Eternal Library provides the tools necessary?

“No. The only tool required is a powerful will and the Archivist’s silent guidance. He may be referring to how quickly she managed to gain it from within the Library. This is something he should not know, so it’s bizarre that he is asking this question.”

Jury once mentioned that her dreams within the Library went on for an untold length of time, usually for days, to weeks, to perhaps even months on end. Dare it were years. This was how she gained so much knowledge in what only seemed like a single night, a testament of Jury’s conviction, and what sewed her longing towards Frost so early on.

Frost and Nav over analyzed Beholder E.’s words like hawks, dismantling every letter and every imagined inflexion of his hollow voice.

He then spoke again:

“I see. Then you are like us. An existence subservient to the shell that we call our body.”

“That is incorrect.” Beholder Knalzark dismissed. “Envy is a dangerous serum. Being trapped in a metal coffin has made you believe that we are tainted. One look at that Umbra and you’ll realize that it is not our technology that dismantles us.”

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“Hahaha. It’s half and half.” Beholder Umbra laughed without ever smiling. Her resemblance to Carpalis’ mannerisms were eerily similar. “No one called it a taint. It would be best if you didn’t jump to such arbitrary conclusions. Let the delusions of a broken heart persist. Though, if you wished for it to end, then I’d be happy to provide my services Beholder E.”

“This is the 15th anniversary of my rejection for you to unite me with death. It will never claim my soul. A Demon of your caliber must fear the drive a human has to persist.” Beholder E. uttered; all the while Beholder Marionette whispered numbers underneath her breath.

“2.71, 8281, 8284, 2904…”

“I think humans are silly for trying.” Beholder Umbra insulted. “A star does not wish to extend its life. It transforms. To go against the inevitable results in a star that devours light. Humans are no different.”

“That’s enough. The forever-war of your kind is a disgrace to bring into the Arbiter’s Council.” Beholder Descartes 3 brought up even though she was a human.

Then, she quickly turned to Jury.

“Beholder Jury. I am issuing a notice of a future partnership. We will approach at a time appropriate following this session.”

“I’m afraid we already have reservations.” Galia interjected. “It would be an insult to allow your kind to take the lead when you have only been squandering for the last century after the ‘Brain Drain’ incident.”

Her words caused the woman, who had appeared entirely innocent throughout the Council, to possess eyes akin to that of a monster. The human element was merely a façade, and deep within was an entity that wore it as a skin.

The event Galia referred to was yet another Atelier War that saw CogtiO lead the charge against a now destroyed Atelier at the cost of losing very valuable personnel. It was also around this time that Beholder Descartes was split into five distinct identities.

The event itself had taken place more than 200 years back, and CogitO had slowly been making advancements into understanding the mind. Or so they believed. Frost still struggled to grasp how long these people had lived for.

The untold stories they must have…

“But I’m kind. Fair. Honest. Satania.” Galia addressed the Primordial Demon of Wrath almost too casually.

“Allow them. It would be best if we came to an agreement sooner rather than later. Lucy will have me hung by the tongue if I returned without some kind of gift. I have an ‘Arbiter’ of my own in the form of a prideful Demon. I’m more concerned on how to wash out her stench.” Satania glared at the Arbiter menacingly.

Meanwhile Enoch watched on with a proud smile on her face. She was just happy to be here. Magus sifted through a deck of cards, laying down magical tarots.

“Marvelous. For them to all get along so splendidly brings a tear to my eyes.” He comedically wiped his nonexistent eye, causing Promised Oath to firmly nod, all the while Evergreen blankly blinked, wondering what he was talking about. “Are you afraid my friend?”

“No. F-Forgive me for asking but –”

She was hushed as a gloved hand was sent to her lips.

“We here are equals. Where is your pride, Evergreen? I am but a magician that specializes in card tricks and smiles. Respect me only as much as you respect yourself. In spite of what you see, there is an underlaying tone here.”

“A foundation.”

Enoch, who stood the closest to the Golden Index, answered confidently, seeing the same thing Magus did.

“Not of trust, but necessity. Necessity can build trust, but that is only as strong as the forces outside exert on the group.” Magus explained to Evergreen.

“Think of deep-water fishes.” Enoch added, humoring the Archetype of Hope.

“Precisely! When the pressure disappears, the fish explodes. What I’m trying to get at is that we are in a position where the pressure binds us. And this pressure is unbelievably dangerous. A school of fish swim together because alone they are weak.”

Magus slipped a hand onto the table as the intermission slowly came to an end when the Arbiter’s tail reached at exactly 9 o’clock. A soft, golden glow emerged through the cracks of his hand, and Frost immediately recognized what was underneath.

“But we are no fish. We are those that prey on it. Therefore, it would be wise to turn our teeth to the competitors. This is but the humble opinion of a mere magician.”

It was one of the Seeds that could induce Corruption.