325. Before the Upper Sanctums

The Awakened Archivist had the power to bestow and remove Corrupted Personas from people. The Eternal Library had finally integrated a ‘borrowing’ system with these Corrupted books. For normal Corrupted on the other hand, it did not yet seem possible for normal people to bear their powers aside from the Archetypes themselves.

But she wondered if it might be possible later as concurrent Floors and Archetypes Awakened.

There were major differences between Ber’s Corrupted Persona and one that was borrowed. For starters, Ber could progressively manifest certain aspects of it as her emotional state rose. On the other hand, Ignis could only wield very small aspects of it for a short period of time. Prolonged usage would result in Instability; the same condition that caused Ber to become consumed by the Black Swan.

It also depended on one’s compatibility, which was not something Frost could gauge. Ignis and the Iron Candle’s compatibility was perfect for obvious reasons. She was, after all, the fire to light the wick of the Iron Candle.

Still, they treated this as a net positive. Ignis struggled offensively in terms of damage, so having access to Corrupted Skills would further bolster her strength. Additionally, Anna offered Ignis an indefinite Invitation to her Library.

She was now given a choice between becoming either a Moon, or a Beholder somewhere down the line. Understandably, Ignis wanted some time before she could answer. As a Moon she wondered if she’d become the slave of someone else, and as a Beholder she questioned if she’d become the very thing she despised.

But when she looked at the triplets and Jury, she found that there was no wrong answer.

“It took more than several decades before I came to the decision myself.” Galia assured. “In the meantime, we’ll need others to fill in the power vacuum Scarlet Logic has left behind. Would you be able to fit that niche, Beholder Jury?”

“I am not willing to send people to their deaths. My priority would have to be keeping the Ateliers in check. That’s what I feel like matters the most. We don’t want another Scarlet Logic. And I’m scared of what’ll happen to Frost if things keep going the way they are.” Jury argued. “I want to break down the taboo. And if something’s wrong with the Blessing of the Nexus and the Corrupted, then isn’t it in everyone’s best interest to stop with the barbaric methods?”

Indeed. While there was still no telling what had happened to the Nexus, they had a hunch which was confirmed by Ignis who retold the words of the White Wing – that the Blessing of the Nexus may not be able to prevent people from becoming Corrupted as effectively anymore due to Elysia’s interference.

Aside from the Beholders, the Impuritas, the Ateliers and the Archetypes; there was Frost and Elysia who held significant influence over the Nexus. If the Arbiter wished to stave Elysia away, then Iscario might have been trying to do the same to her.

The end goal wasn’t so clear. Aside from wanting to become Corrupted.

It caused Frost’s blood to boil.

Suddenly, she inquired about Iscario, to which Galia’s eyes silently shut as the Arbiter became unnaturally silent. A foreboding air surrounded them both as they traversed the bridge, entering a wall of fog that rose hundreds of meters into the air. It tumbled gently onto their shoulders, massaging them as they voyaged through the fog.

Galia then answered as she pulled out a black lantern that infinitely burned with a white flame.

It took the appearance of a bright star.

“Iscario was the Apostle of my 12th Branch, anointed by his own blood for a just cause. Once upon a time, that young man was my brightest. He was the tip of my spear, the teeth of my blade, and the bullet of our justice. Unfortunately, what spiraled him into a path of blasphemy is not known. I’m shocked that someone I’ve watched grow had become so vile. If only they had a mother around.”

Galia hovered several Justica Arms above her, each pointing down at herself. They looked like the fanned feathers of a mechanized peacock. At the same time, the exact number of tails wrapped around her throat as the Arbiter lightly strangled her.

“If only indeed.” The Arbiter could only utter, soon removing her tails. A red mark was left along Galia’s flesh, a reminder that she was insignificant in the face of the Arbiter.

She then added:

“Iscario is a topic I myself wish to delay until I recover more of my memories. While I understand the circumstances of our past world, my memories of this world are vague.”

“You were alive here before you became the Arbiter?” Frost questioned.

“I was. All I remember is darkness, chains, a golden tree that bared apples, and…” The fog spiraled into an outstretched palm, forming an invisible blade. She slashed once, and the wall split in half, revealing the grand entrance of the Upper Sanctums.

“… my dearest Price of Paradise.” She gently caressed her blade before it fizzled to nothingness.

Frost wasn’t satisfied with their answers, but they didn’t seem to know too much regarding Iscario. Either that, or they were hiding something from her. Sooner or later, she’d unravel the truth from them. After all, Iscario was her mortal enemy. Even if he was but a mere fallen Star of the Nexus, the personal vendetta she held surpassed all previous woes and conflicts.

She vowed to take his life no matter what.

… no. Not no matter what. I don’t want to bring normal people into this again. This time, I want to be better. Frost silently affirmed as she suddenly entered the limelight.

The world felt warmer the closer they approached the Upper Sanctums. Hopeful faces surrounded her, but for some reason, Frost couldn’t bring herself to smile. Noticing this, the Arbiter hovered a tail above her head. She never directly touched Frost, but the presence alone felt like she was being embraced by a fluffy creature.

“I’m sure there is much going on in your mind. That pain is shared amongst all. It’s always a matter of who can hide or justify it the best. Take pride in the fact that you are essentially the opposite of Elysia.”

“… in what way?” Frost wondered.

“That she Corrupts…” The Arbiter then looked over at Jury, Ignis, Snap and Ber before returning to Frost. “… And that you can make people realize who they truly are. That in itself is a form of salvation, isn’t it? It is one thing to shed light on a person’s darkest moment, and another to climb into that well to save them. You have done many wrongs, but you are still quite a warm person. Did you know? Beholders and Moons have long lost their ability to shed tears.”

Frost was thankful to hear these words, and she knew how hard she had tried to save people from their Corruption. Unfortunately, there were a few that couldn’t be saved, and Corrupted that needed to be Archived, such as the Main Sequence ones.

It caused her eyes to sting. Anytime someone validated her efforts would undoubtedly cause her to break down into tears but this time, thanks to the warmth of her closest friends, she managed to keep a straight face.

* * *

“What happens if an Archetype is, let’s say… unconscious or dead? What happens to their Advent?” Cer brought up an interesting question.

“It is uncertain. But I think people will have free reign over the Advent. There was a 50 year blackout before the Archivist awakened. You can imagine the chaos that occurring during that time when the books were free for the taking.” Galia answered.

“When did you become so talkative? When we asked you the same thing, you’d just stay silent and sip away on your coffee.” Ber complained in an aside, but she was largely ignored by Galia.

“In short, it’s looking like Iscario wanted me away from the Nexus. With what we know about Elysia, they’re probably working together.”

“Plausible. But there is still so much we don’t yet know.” The Arbiter answered as they finally entered the Upper Sanctums.

Here resided the broken Receptions of the Ateliers, the Workshops of the Beholders and most importantly;

The Floors of the Archetypes.