Dominus stands, arms outstretched and metal wings relaxed. His beady orbs stare right into my eyes as I return the favor. One aspect still bugs me about this whole thing.
"Are you doing this just so I leave, and so you can kill these people freely?"
Dominus' head shakes back and forth, the beak of the Bado almost graceful in movement. Then, finally, he bows his head down as he makes an oath.
"I would never. I promise you and the Mother Below, Wyatt Iron Graves, that as you fight Alexos, I will do nothing to these people here."
My eyes squint even further, the battle just a hundred feet away or so telling me the opposite. I can feel my gut shake at the fact he knows my middle name. How does he know that?
"And what about those fighting? If I do this, will you stop that fight?"
The corrupted Bado, twisted into an infuriatingly respectful man, slowly shakes his head in refusal.
"That is not something I can do, young Graves. This pact between us is one of gentlemen; a fight will transpire regardless. One can just create some guidelines to smooth out ugliness. And while I wish we could have an entirely fruitful exchange, Mother is insistent, and blood must be shed. Soon, her eyes will bloom from the twins, and if things are not how she wants, we all will wish they were so."
His words don't wholly make sense, the bit about the twins enigmatic. But I can grasp what he means. Dominus, twisted by the Darklight, still has a personality; only its reason for existence is the Mother Below, so concessions can be made, but not entirely. This fight will happen whether I accept or refuse. The only difference will be if I'm strong enough to prevail over Alexos.
And so, reluctantly, I reach out my hand, a final question on my lips before I accept this worshipper's plea.
"And how do you know so much, Dominus? How do you know my name, my Sigil, and so many other things?"
The Bado smiles once more, but, this time, not to himself. Instead, he beams upward, his lips creeping backward behind his beak in uncomfortable shivers. Then, his beak opens to answer me as I take the liver in my hand.
"Mother sees all when the twins above cross the sun, her sight and ears unlimited, of which, the Eclipse is coming, and soon, her eyes will open. But as for your intricacies and those of your friends, the Mother hears when her name is said, and as such, I can hear it too should I focus. That eminence remains for a time before fading."
I can feel my skin crawl thinking of all the times I've mentioned her name, unknowing that I was drawing attention directly to myself. What kind of being can hear when just their name is spoken? What power allows that? I... I can't even fathom it.
"Can she see anyone who says her name? So truly? Is she that fathomless?"
Dominus nods before stepping back and waving me to the forest behind.
"Only those who have forged a Dominion can hide from her. Well, them and you. Your soul is shrouded to her for some reason. Almost as if... eh, we're taking up a lot of time. The Phantom should be close. Go. Meet him and slay your better."
A wave of relief fills me as Dominus says I'm also invisible to her. But if I'm invisible to her, how did I feel that pressure when I gained my Absolution? Or... do Absolutions not come from her? If only I and the people like the Prime who have no more Absolutions to commit are invisible to her, then what exactly are they? It's said they are Proofs to the world, but what does that mean?
I feel a tingling in the back of my mind as if I'm on the verge of some breakthrough, but I push past it and concentrate on the liver in my hand. The resonance is there, a pulling feeling toward the liver from the depths of my mind, my Sigil telling me to take it.
And with a glance at Dominus, the Manipulator's hands up, I do. I take it because, even if I don't want to, the alternative is to fight vastly outclassed against a man skilled beyond his years and Sigil, just as I am.
Alexos has been on his own fighting, skulking, tricking, and lying for years, yet he has not died. I'm sure thousands have tried to put the bastard down, probably dozens stronger than I am right now. To put the nail in that coffin that is the Phantom Pain, a man with two titles yet not being an Angel, will be difficult.
Many know of him for his tricks, evasiveness, and ability to escape any danger. But not today. Today, for Edmund, he dies.
It will be so.
My grip tightens as I crush the liver, unknowing even the artifact's name, as my mind reaches in and takes the trio of Sigils, tossing aside the two that do not resonate with me. Finally, without any tricks, deceit, or treachery, I return to The Cabin in a single blink of an eye. Yet, all the while, I watch Dominus, waiting, expecting him to do ambush me. But he does not.
The shaded walls and low light feel comforting, an escape from the dangers of reality for just a moment. But, I don't allow myself to savor the moment of peace. Instead, I take my steps toward the tome, relishing in possibly the last time I may ever arrive here. There are talks about it being destroyed somehow. And, if a creation of a fallen God is to be broken, it is likely to happen when the Mother opens her eyes, as Dominus put it.
My eyes take in the incomprehensible text of the tome as words enter my mind, each hammering home my new strength.
The reader of this page now plants their feet steadily onto their fifth step of the stair, the Nave, and for that, I congratulate you.
Your fifth Sigil towards Freedom and toward Limitlessness.
The Forthright Escapist
The escapee in a world that prevents release. Able to open their mind to that which may never be. Able to Release your mind of its limitations, spiraling your thoughts to eternity's edge where each thought is everlasting. The Escapist is still in reality's prison, their minds leaving the bounds of fact to find freedom. Your boundary of conducted Ether has prospered further, your mind and body capable of withstanding the eternity of thought you may now possess.
Your eyes have grown furthermore. Still, three figments, yet their sibylline rises in succor. Even if you can glimpse eternity, pondering should always be an act of caution, not desperation.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
One added boon exists for my dear Forthright Escapist. Your Absolution is approaching the singularity. Henceforth, when you breathe your gasp, your skin, bones, and viscera shall fortify to be more capable of withstanding your defiance.
May your journey, while certainly filled with manipulations, be glorious, long, and worthy of my aid.
I finish reading as the words end in my mind, and understanding comes just as quickly as the text enters my consciousness. But I still take a moment to think all the information through. Of course, it's less than last time, but that's expected. After all, this is not a breakthrough like the last time; 3rd to 4th Sigil is far more critical than 4th to 5th.
So, Release now works on my mind? How does that even work? It says my mind can spiral to eternity's edge, but what does that mean? Can I think faster? Activate skills faster? It's not really clear, but I'll figure it out, I guess.
I reckon the next bit about my eyes is referencing Madness and the Metamorphosis that allowed it to occur. So, the effects are now more potent? I wonder how much, as they are already quite mighty. I still have the figments from Starkbluffs active. My legs' speed and durability enhanced this whole time, even with the bizarre look. Maybe I can try some new things out after this.
The final bit is about Strugglers Gasp, the signature skill of my Absolution growing even further. The toughening of my bones will be huge as I often break bones in the Bloody Palm when using it. The goodbye portion is also slightly different, which is usual, but this time, it mentions manipulations. Are these warnings? I think they are. I'll have to be extra careful of Dominus. Perhaps, he will even attack me the second I leave, not that the conclusion makes much sense.
So, next, I turn toward the form of my Sigil on the page. As I do so, I read the final words underneath.
A trio of eyes exists in pivoting motion with fetters wrapped around two while the third fumes with blood. Besides that large Sigil, compiled of three, rests not just one, but two ordinary Philosophers, the Sigils only slightly different from usual due to their proximity of the others. Still, they make zero sense.
An Escapist is able to use their burgeoning mind to find the way to Freedom in a manner unknown to any but themselves. But for an Escapist to grow further, they must Release their soul alongside their mind and body, forming the trinity. And to be prepared to do so, they must find an answer to the Escapist's Metaphor.
If the soul is trapped in the prison of suffering, what is the path to its freedom?
To continue, my Forthright Escapist, place your mind within the Sigil and return to whence you came.
Forcing the Metaphor into my memory, I place my hand upon the Sigil in the tome's pages and leave The Cabin. I can't wait even a moment. Who knows if Dominus has some control over this with the Mother Below's help?
****************
My eyes open to the same familiar field as if nothing has changed. Dominus stands just before me, unmoving yet smiling as its talons continue to point behind me.
A distance away fights Johnny, the man trying to win against another Angel. Their fight seems to be one to last a while, for Johnny's eyes have improved substantially from before his advance. From the few seconds for each eye in total, a full minute has bloomed. That means his Glitch can be used almost a hundred times in each eye before blinding himself. Though, I reckon it is still difficult to use on other Angels as he seems to be cautious with it.
The difference between a skill from an Absolution and the Power that they become is massive, an almost insurmountable gap for any one person. I guess there is a reason why it's common knowledge only a few have ever bridged that fathomless depth. The First, the Prime, and my father are the only ones I know. More may exist, but I doubt it. The rarity for two to potentially be alive at once is incredible. For three? No way. Humans aren't that gifted. I've learned that over my time as a Sigiled. The only way to bridge that fissure is to dogpile and gather many powerful individuals to gradually weaken and kill the Angel.
The Manipulator gazes intensely at me, eliciting a promise from his lips as his talons guide over the semi-distant fighters.
"The deal is set. I will not partake in this war."
I meet his gaze for a moment, considering just attacking him. If I kill him, all the manipulations are over, right? But... then, Alexos will likely ambush me, Virgil, or Johnny. Probably me, and he's most liable to do it while I'm still fighting the Manipulator. Can I survive a sneak attack from him? I... I don't think so.
The image of his cutting off Hura's head from a single lapse in awareness speaks volumes. I need to fight him upfront. If I give Alexos even a chance to turn the tables toward him, I'm dead. So are Johnny and Virgil. That man is too dangerous. And while Angels are strong, enough people can pull them to the ground.
So, instead of joining Johnny's fight, joining Virgil's, who seems to just be buying time for Johnny, or attacking Dominus, I turn around and sprint for the forest.
Alexos will die.
My feet carry me with incredible speed, Shadowed coming into form with my even smoother Ether from the advancement. The boons I gain as a Philosopher are massive, but based on what others have told me, a large portion comes from my very early Absolution. The earlier you acquire one, the better, as your soul has more time to sync with your Sigil, increasing resonance with the Sigil, resistance of Ether, and form your future Power.
I'm confident that Johnny will be fine without me there, as what can I really do to join that fight? Bullets are flying every which way, and even if he's landed a few, Ray won't fall. Virgil is also unlikely to die, the man more focused on saving his family that dying with the Motherbound.
But if I don't do as Dominus asked, stop Alexos, then a much bigger problem will occur when he arrives. The Phantom Pain will affect Johnny and Virgil's minds, having them feel the unreal and struggle to find him, only to promptly die.
The strings of the Manipulator are apparent, but it is precisely because they are so obvious we can't help but dance according to them.
If Johnny doesn't fight Ray, then Ray can just kill the hostages, same if Virgil doesn't keep the two Motherbound occupied.
If I don't go fight Alexos, then Johnny and Virgil will likely lose their fights.
Only a few parts of this are not yet clear. For example, where are Abraham, Heath, and Bonfire? Did Dominus account for them as well? I can only hope he either didn't see them or ignored them, but I doubt that is the case.
Abraham is powerful, even with his issues with his Sigil. Bonfire is too and had the pyro not been injured, I'm confident this situation would be very different. Bonfire could, while healthy, take both of those remaining Motherbound and then join Johnny without much issue. In contrast, Virgil is forced to just dodge and prolong the fight using his shadows. Though, I suppose Bonfire is more liable to join the unconscious than clash like that.
And so, I run toward Alexos, headfirst into the greatest and most hated opponent of my life, without worry for my friends. They will be fine. I know they will be. But they won't if I fail. Alexos wants the lantern, yet I struggle to fathom him up and leaving after getting it.
Trees pass by as I use them for shade, my speed blitzing me forward as I use Breakneck to move even faster, the two figments in my body unchanged but still condensing gaseous Ether for me. I can feel it far more accessible for the Ether to compact, almost as if the environment of my body is gradually becoming more hospitable for Ether. I need to restart the figments for their new potency to be seen.
But I push those thoughts aside as I catch wind of movement up ahead and immediately start funneling Ether into my eyes. Insight blares with fury, improving my ability to see Ether, as I see a body coming out of a shimmering cloud that keeps him from sight. Even with my view of chains, Alexos could still hide from me.
I pump my legs, the shadowy form with Adumbral's aid moving eerily toward Alexos. But once I get within a hundred feet or so, the man notices that I detect him and pauses his movement to stare at my dim form.
He raises the Blooming Spider Lily at my form as I pull myself out of it, cutting the flow of Ether to Adumbral.
"Hello there, Alexos. Happy to see me?"
The man snarls, his face still shifting before my Insight as he lowers the legendary Colt, knowing it's useless against me. Apparently, that's still not enough to break through his illusions entirely. But I guess he got better. I'll need to use Daydream as well.
"Graves... Do you have any idea what I've been through since you betrayed me?! I---!... None of that matters. If you give me the lantern, I will let you live, regardless of our woes. I only care for that lantern, so please, give it to me."
Alexos seems furious initially, but I grow surprised as he reins it in and pivots into desperation. That control... it's not just Ether he has such profound control over. It's his whole existence. I'd already have gone red with rage if I were in his position.
Sadly for him, however, his dream of reviving his family is impossible. After all, only I've seen the thing that devours the dead's dead.
"No can do, Alexos. And even if I did, it wouldn't matter. Your family is gone, entirely gone. I went to the Underworld with Johnny, and we saw the truth. It is not what the legends say. An eternal war wages beneath the surface, one that leaves the powerless dead and devoured by a God."
Alexos stares at me as I see his face lower. For a moment, I think he'll surrender or give up with his dream crushed, but he just looks back up at me, eyes wild and frenzied.
"You. Are. Lying. You all lie! All you do is lie! If Gods exist, then why can't they come back, huh? Why not!"
The Phantom's head shifts to the right as if looking at something before focusing wholly on me. His voice becomes tranquil before rising to a tumultuous crescendo, the world visibly shaking at his proclamations as shimmering illusions intrude on my senses.
"No... you just wish to see me suffer. Just as your father did, you say these things to break me. But I will not. For years I have struggled, Graves. For years I have walked amongst the worst of the world, slept with the most outstanding demons, and wed even the darkest horror. I will break you. I will tear you from limb from limb. And then, I will go and prove you wrong."
My eyes widen as the Phantom Pain, Alexos, disappears entirely from my sight, his illusion overcoming my eyes. Frantically, I turn to find him, Daydream bolstering my sight, but he stays hidden. Trees begin to warp, fires begin to sing, and lightning cracks as pain rolls up my spine.
Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Alexos is finally getting serious.
All this time, he's been either playing coy or careful, never willing to reveal his true hand. But now, he does. And, within that hand, are agonies worse than any I've ever met.