Chapter Text
A/N: I have arrived from hell to bring you this first Fic. of mine to show my vision to all future readers.
Driven by laments, mourning and despair from the EOS of my first Gacha game. So do not expect any consistent updates now.
I AM GOING TO PUSH MY AGENDA OF ANY PROJECT MOON X [insert work of fiction] TO SPREAD THE DISEASE OF THE CITY GIVEN TO US BY OUR GLORIOUS LEADER KIM JI-HOON.
This section also contains many spoilers about Lobotomy Corporation, Library of Ruina, Limbus Company, WonderLab, Leviathan, Distortion Detective, and Arknights.
*
Scratches marred the once perfect road, which had been beautifully and dutifully laid down by workers for the people to walk, march, and run upon. Now, it was scarred by signs of a battle between two city-dwellers, their weapons both born from the same source but forged through different paths. One weapon was drawn from the deep wells of the human subconscious, drawn forth by the Bucket; the other, crafted by past geniuses and their minds that shaped ideas and drove the ever-forward march of the Age of Humanity.
The empty road, once alive with movement, now stood deserted, a silent witness to the escalating feud between them. The fight had driven away every last spectator, fear gripping those who dared linger. Punches, kicks, slashes, and Pillars were hurled through the air, but as the fight wore on, a visible gap grew between the battered, heaving form of the former EX-Agent and the unyielding presence of the Arbiter of the Head.
"Must you truly indulge in such vulgarity? Not only causing great damage to our surroundings but even going so far as to threaten the life of a colleague of mine."
A soft, sophisticated voice reverberated from the figure cloaked in elegant black and gold, surrounded by floating Pillars, each aimed and poised to deliver a verdict upon the one before them.
"No, no, you misunderstand! I pride myself on being quite the gentleman in battle! Why, your dearly departed colleague often said as much? But to ignore such an opportunity handed to me by your Claw, amid a fight as arduous as this, would be nothing short of foolish."
The response came back, bursting with a delightfully twisted sense of humour that was impossible to not hear. His laugh was a mix of sardonic wit and unhinged bravado. Blood trickled down his temple, but his posture remained defiant as he adjusted his grip on his weapon.
The figure opposite the Arbiter spoke, dressed in a white tailcoat with subtle black accents. In his hand, he wielded a stylized scythe, its staff filled with the notes of a melody only the wielder could hear. The weapon was aimed directly at the head of the Arbiter's colleague.
The Executioner of The Head struggled in the grip of the E.G.O. wielder, a figure feared by all the inhabitants of the City. To face such a being in battle was to invite certain death. Yet now, this once-dreaded figure had been reduced to a mere captive, weakened and fatigued from the numerous wounds it had sustained. Its dreaded weapon, a prosthetic arm with a clawed end, now a mangled prosthetic, lay discarded beside them, and its once-imposing mask alongside its coloured serums were respectively dented and broken from the confrontation.
"....ghh...a-th...e."
"nnaaaa...u-ssse...them-m..."
The muffled sounds were desperate attempts to communicate with a colleague-an unspoken plea for a powerful strike to end the standoff. Noticing this, the wielder of the scythe tightened his grip on the captive's body. The tip of the blade inched forward, pressing against the back of the Executioner's head. After adjusting his stance, he prepared to engage in dialogue with his adversary, seeking the answers he desperately needed.
"Your colleague is in no condition to heal himself. Give me my answers now, or I end him here."
The E.G.O. wielder exhaled slowly, body tense, eyes scanning for any signs of an incoming attack.
"It's unwise to make demands when you haven't even asked your questions."
Came the sharp retort, their hand twitched, ready to summon another Pillar, a slight, dismissive smile crossing their face, fueled by the desire to eliminate the hostage-taker for his insolence.
"You don't know the questions?!"
"What kind of questions could possibly lead me into these circumstances? What questions drive someone to draw The Head's attention over simple inquiries that every soul, at some point, asks themselves, day after day?
A flood of emotions surged within him as he spoke, a volatile mix of rage and self-reproach. The weight of his feelings settled like a heavy cloak, his body coiled with tension, muscles taut and ready. Each fibre of his being was alive with the anticipation of what would come next. In his ears, a faint melody echoed, intertwined with the rapid beat of his heart, focusing his attention entirely on the enemy before him.
"Ah, the question involving 'Why?'-the timeless enigma that has plagued humanity since the dawn of existence."
The Arbiter's voice was cold, tinged with sarcasm and mockery.
"You seek answers to the nature of existence in this world, to the suffering so common it defines this City. You're asking why things are the way they are, aren't you?"
With an air of unwavering confidence, the Arbiter replies, cutting through the tension with a crisp, chilling certainty. With a burst of laughter, the EX-Agent seizes the Executioner, the tension momentarily dissolving in the unexpected levity of the moment, up before piercing him through the shoulder with his scythe and then taking it out to kick him forward to the ground.
"Pffffff..."
"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
"Ah hah hah hah... hah hah... hah.."
As his laughter subsides, he breathes in and then out, while the injured hostage bleeds on the ground.
"I apologize for my presumptuous and simplistic approach, as well as for giving you an erroneous impression of my goals."
The E.G.O. Wielder said, his tone calm but laced with a quiet intensity.
"There was a time when I sought answers to such questions with clarity and fervour. Yet, as the years passed, I came to understand the simple truth: even if those answers existed, they would offer me no satisfaction. What I sought was not knowledge, but something external-something I believed could solve my everything, to make me feel whole in a way I convinced myself I could not achieve on my own."
He confidently gestured with his free arm, directing attention to the injured figure. The motion was purposeful, highlighting the peculiar gloves that had emerged during the battle but had remained unused until now. A brilliant flash of light, golden like the sun's rays, erupted from the gloves-sharp and fleeting-casting ominous shadows across the battered road. The Claw's bleeding stopped in an instant, and his jagged wounds began to mend, the torn flesh knitting together as though touched by some unseen grace.
"Having grown beyond that time, I no longer remember why I sought to answer such a great question that greater and lesser men than I, have struggled with. But I've come to understand this: some questions should never be answered."
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. He levelled his scythe at the Arbiter, its blade gleaming like a fragment of the void beneath a moonless sky. The Arbiter's unflinching gaze met his, calm and calculating, as though weighing every move before it happened. Then, as if acknowledging the threat, the Arbiter raised a hand.
The air trembled.
Without hesitation, the EX-Agent lunged. The scythe sang through the air, a whisper of death carving its path toward the Arbiter's throat. A deafening crash echoed through the street as massive Pillars descended in an instant, encasing the road around them in a cage of unyielding stone.
The blade halted hair's breadth from the Arbiter's neck, trembling with restrained power. The ground shook again as one final Pillar descended with deliberate precision, hanging like a guillotine above the EX-Agent. The massive chiselled stone hovered ominously, waiting for the Arbiter's command to crush him where he stood. Both threats hung in perfect balance.
The scythe shimmered, humming with lethal intent, while the monolithic slab pulsed faintly above, a reminder of the Arbiter's control. For a moment, neither moved.
The EX-Agent tightened his grip on the scythe. The blade hummed with restrained energy, its edge trembling as though eager to bite into the Arbiter's throat. The Arbiter, unmoved, tilted their head ever so slightly, their cool expression betraying no hint of fear.
"A question, are you willing to die for this?"
The Arbiter said, their voice smooth as glass, unbroken by the danger at their neck. The EX-Agent's eyes narrowed. His voice emerged as a low growl, a crescendo building beneath his calm exterior.
"Are you?"
They stood locked in a perfect impasse. The scythe hovered at the Arbiter's throat, a hair's breadth from spilling blood, while the Pillar above the EX-Agent loomed, its crushing weight poised to fall with a single command. The air between them grew impossibly thick, as though the road itself dared not exhale. Unspoken resolve pulsed between them, heavy and electric, freezing time in its tracks.
Neither moved. Neither yielded. And in that breathless silence, the question hung unanswered-an unspoken battle of wills, waiting to break.
"But the fact remains that," the EX-Agent said, his voice low and sharp, cutting through the silence melodiously. "I seek answers. The question now is whether you will answer me or refuse."
The Arbiter studied him intently, one cold, calculating eye raking over his form with the precision of a scalpel. Their gaze lingered on the scythe in his hands, the way he held it with such unshaken confidence and grace. When they finally spoke, their voice was deliberate, like a blade drawn slowly from its sheath.
"A seeker... and a fool, do you truly believe you'll survive the price of your own curiosity?"
The Arbiter said, their tone measured and faintly dismissive, each word precise as if intended to wound. The EX-Agent's grip on the scythe didn't falter, his expression unwavering.
The Arbiter continued, their voice as cold as the unyielding stone around them. "Answers you seek, I will provide. But before we continue, I must know: who are you? You are no ordinary opponent to have travelled so far from the Library located in the Outskirts-that much is certain."
The EX-Agent smiled softly, a flicker of relief crossing his face as his gaze drifted toward the arm poised to end his life. His expression softened, and when he spoke again, his tone shifted to something unexpectedly cheerful, almost warm, as if the tension had suddenly loosened its grip on him.
"I expected the agents of The Head to know everything about me, but it seems I've been overlooked. Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Alessandro, and I am an assistant librarian on the Floor of Philosophy otherwise known as by friends and colleagues, Doremis."
He said lightly, his voice carrying a quiet mirth.
The Arbiter paused, a flicker of bemusement crossing their otherwise impassive face as they regarded him. Their cold, unyielding demeanour faltered, just for a moment, before they regained their usual composure. They looked at him with calculated interest, their expression cool, almost amused.
"Doremis, you say? An assistant Librarian of the Floor of Philosophy."
The Arbiter repeated, their voice steady but laced with condescension slight sneer curled at the corners of the Arbiter's lips, the disdain clear in their tone as they gave Doremis only the briefest acknowledgement.
"I am Athena, Arbiter of The Head. Now that you know who I am, tell me... what answers do you seek from me?"
They stated their voice as sharp and concise. Doremis's smile remained, though it took on a more serious edge. His eyes narrowed slightly, as though weighing the question before he responded, his voice steady.
"I seek confirmation of my theory," he said, his tone deliberate. "And an answer about the existence of other worlds beyond the one we reside in."
The Enforcer's eyes narrowed, their sharp gaze fixed intently on the Feather before them, searching for even the faintest trace of deceit or omission. Doremis, the self-proclaimed ex-employee of L. Corp., responded only with a silent, content smile quiet defiance that belied the deep exhaustion etched into his features and the fatigue weighing on his strained body.
"You still haven't fully elucidated your questions so how do you expect to receive your answers?"
The Enforcer spoke, their tone cutting and deliberate, their expression betraying no hint of emotion only cold, unwavering certainty of its factual statement.
"I could go on for days, unravelling every thread of my theory, but before I do, I expect feedback on my previous statement. And I want it to be crystal clear, with no room for misunderstandings-d'accordo?"
Doremis began, his voice steady but insistent, the blade of his scythe glinting as it hovered closer to the Arbiter's throat. The figure clad in white responded with vivid clarity, their voice unwavering, betraying not even a flicker of fatigue. Cold eyes met Doremis's intensity head-on, unflinching as they began to speak.
"To put it plainly, the existence of other worlds is already known to the inhabitants of this City. But that is not truly what you seek. Instead, you search for something different: Light life brimming with untapped possibilities, existing beyond the confines of this City and the boundaries imposed by it. A world unshackled from the Wings of the World, the Singularity, the Backstreets, the Syndicates, the Fixers, the Rules, the Great Lake, the Black Forest, the Hunt, the Ruins, the Taboo, the Eye, the Head, the Claw... and above all, those humans."
The Arbiter said, their words precise and deliberate. Their voice sharpened with intent, the Arbiter leaning forward just enough for their words to carry the weight they intended for.
"Those humans capable of manifesting their power becoming something greater. And, just as often, those humans consumed by that same power, collapse into nothing more than Abnormalities, with warped and shattered egos."
The Arbiter paused, drawing in a breath. Then, with a familiarity that struck deep into Doremis's memory, they added, their tone cutting yet hauntingly recognizable:
"You wish to tread where no one else ventured, where such familiar cruelty and despair are nothing more than distant whispers-fantasies conjured by the fearful mind. You desire a life unbound, where you live, you suffer and you sacrifice dictated only by your will."
As their speech concluded, the Arbiter's piercing gaze locked onto Doremis's. The words hung heavy in the air, their resonance undeniable. Doremis' content smile faded, replaced by a neutral expression. His scythe wavered for a brief moment before he lowered it entirely, his arm falling limply to his side.
"I could never have put it better myself, I want to see such a world... because I've wandered every corner of this City, seen its wonders and horrors, and only now can I admit that it was all for nothing. I wasted my time searching for something that could make me feel complete."
He admitted, his tone soft but firm, carrying the weight of a past realization. He then exhaled slowly, his voice tinged with both regret and a quiet determination.
"Not because my desire was misplaced, or my dreams beyond reach, but because I failed to recognize that I wanted them in the first place even if they were right in front of me. It was all a foolish effort maddening cycle that would have ended in misery if I continued blindly seeking something I did not want."
Doremis' expression softened, a faint shadow of a smile returning to his lips while closing his eyes and looking towards the sky as if entranced by something. He spoke once more with an assured and determined tone.
"But I do not despair over such anguish. I've learned that only you can satisfy yourself and that happiness holds no meaning unless wanted. That is why I will continue my journey to seek an ideal, to pursue that desire to obtain it, even if what I seek remains shrouded in mystery, an enigma I may spend a lifetime unravelling."
"And so know this, even though Stars may fall, they still shine brilliantly for all to see their light enduring, even in death."
Then, his eyes opened once more, the sharp glint of resolve returning. A monocle materialized over his right eye, gleaming like a shard of distant starlight, accompanied by the many other gifts bestowed upon him. Without hesitation, the Arbiter launched the overhead pale Pillar, its vast weight descending with deadly speed, meant to crush the Librarian beneath it.
Without hesitation and with no room to dodge, the newly empowered librarian raised his gloved hand toward the descending Pillar. The moment his fingers brushed against the stone, it changed silent, sonant movement-in colour to white, the weight supposed to cause harm was no more and instead stopped, promptly fading away. Facing each other once more, the E.G.O. wielder stood unscathed, His scythe was now raised, its deadly blade gleaming, aimed straight at the Enforcer's throat-a silent promise of what was to come.
In the brief silence, he slowly, almost reverently, turned his gaze back to the Arbiter.
"Now that your attack has been defied, I would love for you to listen to my theory. Is that alright with you?"
The Librarian said, his voice calm, yet carrying an undeniable confidence. The scythe remained poised at the Arbiter's throat, its edge faintly gleaming in the dim light. His words were not those of a man who feared death, but of one who had evaded it-at least for now. He held the Arbiter's gaze, unwavering, the weight of the moment hanging between them.
"Though your might is undeniable, there are forces far more powerful than strength alone. And now, I offer you something else arrangement, a deal, one I intend to bring before The Head."
For a brief moment, Athena's sharp gaze flickered, something like interest piquing beneath the calm detachment. He remained unmoving, but there was an undeniable shift in the air, as though he was considering the weight of Doremis's words.
"You wish to speak to The Head?"
Athena asked, his voice smooth and cold, though a faint undercurrent of curiosity laced his words. The scythe remained poised at his throat, unwavering, but Athena's tone held no threat a quiet observation. There was no anger in his voice, only the detached truth of something far beyond Doremis's reach.
"I cannot reach them, regardless of my will, but your request still intrigues me,"
Athena continued the statement devoid of any emotion but laced with an implicit understanding of the imposed limits that he could not overstep, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded Doremis.
"For now, you will not have an audience with The Head. So speak your proposal. I shall listen."
There was a subtle shift in his posture, something almost imperceptible, but enough to signal that Athena's interest was piqued. He motioned subtly with his hand, and in response, a shadowy figure that had appeared at the edge of the road moved forward.
A figure emerged from the darkness, encased in a vat of metal and glass, submerged in an eerie liquid. The figure inside appeared glitching, static rippling across their form like a broken screen, humanoid yet entirely featureless, their shape unsettlingly white. The air around them buzzed with an eerie, otherworldly hum, and their voice crackled with a distorted, radio-like static, as though attempting to escape some deeper void.
Apollo, a Beholder of The Head, floated within the vat, their head turned towards him, their body glowing with an intense light. While studying Doremis intently, the silence thick as their non-physical gaze locked onto the librarian.
"I, too, will listen."
Apollo spoke, their voice a distorted rasp, deep and unsettling, the sound resonating unnervingly in the air. Doremis regarded the Beholder with a discerning gaze, then opened his mouth, a hint of mirth playing across his features.
"Huh, I was wondering when an Eye of The Head would appear. Now the trio is complete. So, what brings you here to listen to me?"
Doremis asked, his tone lightly curious, but with an underlying sharpness. He was intrigued by Apollo's presence.
"Curiosity, mainly, to see what a Star of the City, one who's been wandering across districts for almost 10 years, could offer to The Head. And to record the deal so it may be reviewed and then approved or not."
Apollo replied in their glitching, static-filled voice, the words echoing around them. Their answer was non-committal, their voice giving no hint of emotion, merely the facts of the situation. As the last syllables of their voice faded, Doremis's lips curled into a wide, satisfied smile, content that his words had been heard, that his voice had finally reached them.
"Listen carefully-this is not something I will repeat, so pay attention."
Doremis began, his tone deliberate and calm. He leaned forward, his gaze steady, as he took a measured breath to ensure that every word carried the weight of his intent.
"I am requesting to be sent to a world where The Head's rules do not apply, a realm free from its constraints. The choice of subject for this experiment is critical: the individual must not disrupt the City's ecology through their prolonged absence. They must possess the potential to provide meaningful insights, someone capable of demonstrating how a denizen of the City adapts and responds when released into an unfamiliar environment without regulation."
Doremis paused briefly, his eyes scanning those before him for any sign of reaction. The intensity of his gaze added sharpness to his words, making it clear this was no idle request.
"My proposition is rooted in the hypothesis that the relationship between The Head, its denizens, and the City mirrors that of an ecologist, humans, and their environment. The Head's rules act as mechanisms of balance-preserving not only the socio-economic system of the City but also the delicate harmony of its inhabitants. These restrictions exist to mitigate the impact of external disruptions and to prevent non-human entities from destabilizing the system. In essence, these rules ensure that the City's delicate ecology is preserved."
He let the thought hang in the air, giving them a moment to absorb the premise before continuing.
"By observing me in this unbound state, The Head would gain a singular opportunity: to study the ramifications of absolute freedom on an individual who carries the potential for significant behavioural insight. Such an experiment would allow The Head to analyze the decisions and actions of a subject who operates entirely beyond the confines of its influence. This would yield invaluable data on the nature of an unmonitored existence, all while posing no risk to the City's structure or balance."
He paused again, his expression softening slightly, though the resolve in his voice remained firm.
"I offer myself as the subject of this experiment. I will serve as a living example tool if you will, to push the limits of the capabilities one born under The Head's laws and their effects. Through me, The Head could explore the consequences of a denizen of the City operating without constraints. This experiment could deepen its understanding of its people and perhaps even open avenues for more interactions between The Head and its inhabitants."
The scythe remained poised, and steady as Doremis continued, his voice sharp yet carrying the faint undertone of an impassioned plea. His words wove together like threads of a tapestry, pulling the focus of both Athena and Apollo into his argument.
"Continuing my theory, it bases itself on one simple truth: the rules imposed by the Head, the prohibition against collateral damage are shackles for many different types of advancements. These constraints stifle innovation in the very fields that might carry the greatest risk but also the most profound rewards. As a result, many scientists preemptively abandon their most daring proposal, marking it as 'too dangerous,' focusing instead on countermeasures for damage control, never truly unleashing the full potential of their technologies."
Doremis spoke, his eyes locked with Athena's, then Apollo's, as though daring them to challenge his logic.
"And consider this, Alternate worlds-those untouched by the Singularity, the Backstreets, or the Wings are unbound by these restrictions. They may hold the key to evolving beyond the stagnation that plagues this City, specifically in its upper echelons."
Doremis pressed on, straightening himself, his tone growing more forceful, more certain.
"I hypothesize that when humanity stagnates, it becomes bound to its environment, to its rules. But when unshackled from those constraints, humanity might achieve growth beyond anything we've ever seen in this City. If I'm proven wrong, nothing changes for the Head. But if I'm right-if I'm right-then you stand to gain something extraordinary."
He allowed a beat of silence, watching Athena's cold, calculating expression and Apollo's unblinking, static presence. Athena's gaze remained cold and calculating, but there was an almost imperceptible flicker of intrigue. Apollo, meanwhile, hovered silently, their glowing form unflinching, static crackling faintly as though contemplating his words. The Arbiter's voice broke the quiet, his words as sharp as steel.
"And why should The Head risk anything for your theory? You are but one man, an anomalous figure who has evaded death countless times, true, but ultimately insignificant compared to the City's grand design."
Athena asked, his voice as cold and unyielding as steel. Doremis let out a low chuckle, his scythe lowering just a fraction, though not enough to entirely break its menacing stance. His posture softened, but his tone remained unwavering in its confidence.
"Insignificant, yes. And yet it is the insignificant-those who question, who dare to challenge-that drive change. The Wings, too, started as nothing. The Library, insignificant as it once was, became a Star of The City. Even the Head itself began as an idea-nothing more."
"And I mainly propose this because if not here then I'll find my way to that world alone, one way or another."
He gestured widely, his palm open, the faint golden glow from his gloves casting dancing shadows across the broken road.
"Another factor to play is the most significant event in recent years the White Nights and Dark Days, which were catalyzed by the Seed of Light, which reached the very heart of every single person in the City, sparking massive upheaval. In that brief, chaotic period, the City achieved an all-time high of activity seen only in Patent Wars or the battles against the Bloodfiends and Machines."
His smile widened, almost reverently, as he leaned forward, his voice quiet but fervent.
"The Head prides itself on knowing everything. But what greater knowledge could it gain than to understand not only something beyond its reach and a human who has been irrevocably changed by the Seed of Light, as well?"
"Send me not as a tool for the City's gain, but as an experiment. Let me venture beyond this place, to uncover answers that even your current Singularities cannot provide. If I fail, you lose nothing. But if I succeed... you gain everything."
He paused, his smile now bordering on triumphant, his voice almost hushed with awe at the possibilities. Apollo's glowing form flickered slightly, the static hum growing louder before dimming again.
"You propose... an intriguing hypothesis, but I must ask how did you come to possess knowledge of these Alternate Worlds, the ones untouched by The Head? Such knowledge is not easily obtained, especially without risking consequences to your mind."
Apollo intoned, their voice distorted but tinged with a mechanical sharpness. Doremis didn't falter. His smile widened as he shifted his gaze towards the Beholder, unruffled by its presence.
"Ah, it's quite simple, really, I used the experimental mirror technology of the Ring. After only a brief exposure, I was still able to speak clearly, without signs of any significant damage to my brain. Through several favours, I managed to obtain my own piece of mirror tech. From there, I sought out someone who could upgrade it for me and found them at the LCB Department. It wasn't easy; I had to take on many different jobs just to pay for the request. But once it was done... I was able to view the starlit skies of many different worlds. Ones beyond the City's reach, untouched by The Head."
Doremis replied, his voice steady, yet carrying the quiet thrill of someone who has finally found an opening. Apollo's glowing body flickered slightly and the liquid they were floating in bubbled a bit.
"Your value, Doremis, does not lie in success or failure, It is in the data you are able to provide. Should your venture yield nothing substantial, you will be remembered as a mere anomaly, discarded like all those before you. But if it produces results, then... The Head will decide your fate."
Finally, the Beholder ominously spoke, their distorted voice voice colder, more deliberate this time. Apollo's glowing face fixed on Doremis', a low hum resonating with chilling finality. Athena's expression remained impassive, but his voice was sharp as ever.
"You speak with confidence, Librarian, but you overestimate your worth and underestimate the cost of what you ask. Still..."
Athena trailed off, his voice steady, each word laced with a cold calculation. He glanced at Apollo, and a silent understanding passed between them. Athena's gaze returned to Doremis, now softer but no less cutting, a dangerous edge hidden beneath his calm demeanour.
"We have deliberated, The Head may view and decide whether to allow this experiment of yours. But understand this: if you fail to provide what we seek, your existence will be put in the concept incinerator."
Athena declared, his figure an unbending pillar of authority, his words deliberate, final. Doremis remained unfazed. His lips twitched slightly, a flicker of something dark behind his eyes, but his posture remained steady. He bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the gravity of the threat, yet his voice was unwavering.
The air thickened with an almost suffocating silence, the weight of Athena and Apollo's words sinking into Doremis like a heavy stone. The space around him in his vision seemed to cease, as he prepared himself mentally for what was to come a possible and maybe inevitable destruction.
"To properly signify the agreement of both parties to your request, I propose you shake hands with Athena."
Apollo's voice broke the silence, reverberating through the air with the weight of finality, Athena's gaze was unwavering as he stared at Doremis, his expression cool and unreadable. Apollo, who had remained silent until now, flickered in and out of existence like a distant star, a presence that was felt and not seen.
Doremis didn't hesitate. With a faint smile, he extended his hand toward Athena. His heart raced with a strange mixture of triumph and anticipation. The familiar weight of his scythe on his back, and his mind. The golden glow of his gloves faded, slipping away into the ether, signalling that this moment this confrontation was over.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Doremis said softly, his voice calm, yet carrying the full weight of his resolve.
Athena nodded once, his movement sharp and decisive. He nodded back in silent acknowledgement. Then, with a fluid motion, they shook hands, for one to step into the unknown, for the other to merely watch over him. The silence of the abandoned streets pressed down around them, but Doremis felt the moment stretch on, a strange sense of finality settling in.
.
..
...
....
.....
......
.......
"URGH..h.."
The world shifted in an instant.
A searing pain tore through Doremis' body as if his insides were being eaten away by invisible teeth. His vision swam in a haze of darkness and agony. He tried to glance up at Athena, but the smirk on his lips told him everything he needed to know. The pain intensified, gnawing at him, and eroding his willpower as well. He collapsed to the ground, struggling to stand, but his body betrayed him, his sense of balance was lost, and his legs buckled beneath him.
"Are you ready?" The Enforcer's voice was low, filled with certainty.
Doremis tried to focus, his breathing ragged and eyes working against him.
"More than ready."
Apollo's voice followed, calm and deliberate, the words hanging in the air like a curse.
"Then you may proceed."
With those words, the ground beneath him seemed to vanish without warning. Doremis felt himself plummeting, the unknown awaiting him, and with it, perhaps his doom. His senses scrambled for something to hold onto, but there was nothing. Just a deep, endless fall, spiralling into an abyss. He reached out for anything, his arms weak and trembling, his vision darkening, the world slipping away from him like sand through his fingers.
"Use your own eyes to watch things as they are."
A distant voice lingered in his mind, Athena's cold words echoing through the chaos. He couldn't see him, couldn't grasp what was happening. His body felt weightless as if sinking into quicksand, his limbs heavy, his mind clouded. The pain, and the darkness, all began to meld together as his body continued to fall into the abyss.
"Then you may see it."
Then came once more the Arbiter's voice, distant and all-knowing. The words faded into the endless dark, yet they somehow clung to his thoughts. Memories of black tea leaves flickered in his mind, their aroma mixing with a bitter despair that seemed to suffocate him from within. The scent lingered along with the familiar words.
"However, you will inevitably forget why you wished to see it once you reach that point."
Doremis blinked, disoriented, but when his eyes focused, a breathtaking sight unfolded before him. He was entering inside a bubble, surrounded by an expanse of colours, stars swirling in the vast unknown, swirling like the heavens themselves. Above him loomed colossal pillars-grander than mountains-shining in four familiar colours that made his heart race with panic. And beyond them, an unfamiliar night sky stretched infinitely, dotted with stars that pulsed with an eerie, foreign light.
"Peek into your own universe, as everyone else shall."
The moment the words entered his mind, the Pillars moved and everything went black. The sound of descending curtains filled Doremis' ears as if the closing of an act. In that fleeting instant of nothingness, Doremis' heart pounded wildly in his chest. It was not only fear that held him- it was exhilaration, a sharp thrill coursing through his veins, coupled with the rising tide of rage. He felt alive, unshackled, as if the very essence of his being was rising from deep below the waters that were his previous world.
With a cold snap of metallic fingers, the dice were cast, and now he could walk a path where only the unknown awaited him.
*
That is it for my first-ever chapter, hope it makes people happy.
And here is a photo of the protagonist in Lob. Corp E.G.O. and E.G.O. gifts:
Yeah, I used Picrew since I cannot draw anything worthwhile and fully specked-out agents are all become overdesigned to hell and back.