-Kleis POV-
"Lord Kleis, I am waiting," Castorice said, her voice laced with a playful pout that tugged at my resolve. The sight of her cheeks puffed out, her eyes wide and expectant, was an undeniably adorable display. My mind raced for an escape from this charming predicament, and the one that surfaced was the one I seized upon.
"Castorice, would you like to meet a friend of mine?" I asked, noting the spark of curiosity that flickered in her eyes at my words. Without waiting for a response, I focused my will, drawing on the familiar connection that linked me to Chirithy. In an instant, the dream eater materialized between Castorice and me.
"Kleis, is there something you need?" Chirithy inquired, his voice gentle. However, I had no time to explain. I scooped Chirithy up by the scruff of his neck and, with a decisive movement, passed him to Castorice.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively recoiled, but I was faster. Castorice gasped, her breath catching as Chirithy contacted her. "Lord Kleis, why would you do this?" she whispered, her voice cracking with a grief that brought tears to her eyes. A pang of guilt resonated within me at the raw betrayal in her tone, yet I knew this was necessary for her.
While our connection was strong, Castorice needed more than just my presence. I didn't want her to become entirely dependent on me; that would be an unhealthy dynamic. As for Chirithy, I harbored no worry. As a being born from my very heart, he possessed the same inherent protections as I did. My theory proved correct, as Chirithy showed no signs of weakening or withering under Castorice's touch.
A soft chuckle escaped me. "Lady Castorice, perhaps you should look at your hands," I suggested. Perplexed, she followed my instructions and gazed down at Chirithy. Her eyes widened further as she registered he was unharmed, completely unaffected by her embrace.
"Hello, Castorice," Chirithy said, offering a friendly wave of his paw. Castorice's astonishment seemed to deepen. Releasing my hand, she cupped Chirithy with both of hers, drawing him closer, her gaze fixed on him as if unable to believe her own eyes. A smile spread across my face as I witnessed her wonder.
"How?" Castorice's voice was raw, on the brink of tears.
"Chirithy was created from me, Castorice. A new being brought into the world," I explained. Castorice's eyes widened as she snapped her gaze to me, processing my words. "Since Chirithy was created from me, he shares my resistance to your touch," I elaborated as Castorice held Chirithy closer to her chest.
"Why, Lord Kleis?" Castorice asked, her voice trembling on the edge of tears.
I smiled sadly at her question. It was expected, yet simple to answer. "You deserve it, Castorice," I said as if discussing the weather. I knew I should have been ready, but I wasn't.
Castorice jumped into my arms, tears streaming from her eyes. Chirithy let out a small yelp as he was squeezed between us. As Castorice cried, I patted her back, letting her release her pent-up emotions. Smiling gently, I waited for her tears to subside.
"I'm sorry for this unseemly display, Lord Kleis," Castorice sniffled, using one hand to wipe her eyes while the other clutched Chirithy. I shook my head, unable to blame Chirithy for her reaction. "There is no need for that, Lady Castorice. I understand," I said, comforting her.
Castorice smiled at me, hugging Chirithy tightly to her chest. "Lady Castorice, is there something you need?" I inquired, curious why she had arrived so early.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Lord Kleis, would you like to go to class together today?" Castorice asked shyly, her face flushing as she used Chirithy to cover it. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Castorice's ears flushed further at my amusement. Instead of answering verbally, I simply took her hand, and we began our journey through the halls of the Grove.
"What's our first class?" I inquired as we walked, my voice a small ripple against the hum of the academy. I could hear the surrounding whispers, a familiar symphony of adolescent intrigue, but I deliberately ignored those directed at Castorice and me. Normally, such gossip would sting, a persistent fly buzzing around my carefully constructed composure. But this time, a new sensation had taken root: genuine curiosity about the transformations Ampherous had undergone. Now that the Reignbow Arbiter's attention was fixed upon this world, I wondered how that intense scrutiny had reshaped its very essence.
My mind, a restless beast, gnawed at the edges of history. I knew that in the 50,121st cycle, Nanook had given his golden blood upon the Chrysos Heirs. This act, a pivotal moment, was etched in my memory. But beyond Nanook's cursed gift and the recent anchoring of the Coreflame of Strife to the Hunt, I was unsure of any other alterations Lan might have orchestrated. The gnawing problem was that until Mydei inherited the Coreflame, I wouldn't possess the complete tapestry of Lan's machinations.
I turned my gaze to Castorice, her presence a grounding force amidst my swirling thoughts. Curiosity flickered in my eyes. Would Castorice hold the answers I need? "Lady Castorice," I began, my voice gentler, "can you tell me about your fellow Chrysos Heirs? Specifically, I'm curious about the current lineage and their roles in Amphoreus." I watched her, hoping she could illuminate the present-day affairs of the Chrysos Heirs, a puzzle piece I desperately needed.
Castorice's eyes met mine, a spark of thoughtful consideration in their depths. She crooned, a melodic pause as she processed my question. "The current Chrysos Heirs?" she echoed, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "There is Lady Aglaea, the esteemed leader of Okhema. Then we have Lady Tribbe, Trianne, and Trinnon; they are the swift messengers, carrying vital dispatches across Ampherous. Lady Cipher is… a free spirit. Her whereabouts are currently unknown, though Lady Aglaea might possess a clue. Of course, we have Teacher Anaxa, a formidable presence, but he and Lady Aglaea often clash. Teacher Anaxa maintains distance from Okhema. Lady Hyacine presides as the leader of the Twilight Courtyard. And then there are Lord Phainon and Lady Cyrene; they are the most recently discovered Chrysos Heirs."
Castorice's words flowed, a steady stream of information, but my thoughts had already fractured, splintering into a thousand sharp shards. The moment the name "Cyrene" escaped her lips, a jolt, as if struck by lightning, sent me freezing in place. My entire being seemed to halt, suspended in an invisible web.
"Lord Kleis?" Castorice's voice, now laced with genuine worry, pierced the sudden silence. "Is there something wrong?" She asked, her brow furrowed with concern, as I remained utterly immobile, a statue carved from disbelief.
My thoughts were no longer a gentle stream; they were a roaring torrent, a chaotic, exhilarating deluge. Cyrene… still alive? The implication hit me with the force of a physical blow. That meant… I was in the first cycle. A wave of Elation, so potent it felt intoxicating, washed over me. I couldn't suppress the involuntary smile that bloomed on my lips, spreading across my face like dawn breaking.
"Hahaha!" The sound erupted from me, a genuine, uninhibited peal of laughter, utterly disregarding the startled, confused glances I received from the passing students. How utterly, wonderfully, absurdly funny! To think that I was standing here, right in the first cycle, when I had been agonizing over which temporal phase I inhabited. All the speculation, all the worry, all I needed was a simple question. The sheer foolishness of my own preoccupations struck me with overwhelming clarity.
"Lord Kleis," Castorice repeated, her voice a strained plea, "are you alright? Do you need to see Lady Hyacine?" Her concern was palpable, but I was lost in the joyous storm raging within me, my laughter continuing its unrestrained cascade. I knew I should compose myself, regain some semblance of decorum, but the unadulterated happiness bubbling within me made it impossible.
"Lord Kleis, perhaps we should proceed to the Twilight Courtyard— Lord Kleis?!" Castorice squeaked in utter surprise as, propelled by an irrepressible surge of joy, I seized her hand and, with a whoop of delight, twirled her around in the middle of the bustling academy corridor. The world spun with me, a vibrant kaleidoscope of relief and dawning understanding.
"I'm so happy, Castorice!" I exclaimed, my laughter echoing as I continued to twirl her. The already hushed whispers in the Grove of Epiphany erupted into gasps as the assembly watched us, a spectacle of unbridled joy. Yet, I barely registered their astonishment. My elation stemmed from a far more significant revelation: my inclusion in the first cycle. This knowledge felt like a golden ticket, a tangible step closer to saving Amphoreus. I felt so happy I felt like a Masked Fool. I now had an unparalleled opportunity to dismantle the established rules of the scepter, more than I had already had.
Now, with the certainty of my place in the first cycle, I understood I had ample time to orchestrate my plans. Fear of leaving the scepter behind would no longer hold me captive. I knew while time displacement was an inevitable consequence of venturing beyond its confines, my current knowledge granted me the luxury of a precise, unhurried timeline.
"Lord Kleis, please put me down," Castorice stammered, her face flushing a deep crimson as she attempted to bury it in Chirithy's shoulder. Sheepishly, I gentled lowered her, but not without maintaining my grip on her hand.
"Lord Kleis, why are you so happy?" Castorice asked, her voice a delicate tremor, her already reddened cheeks deepening in hue amidst the still-present whispers. I froze, surprised. The truth, the exhilarating prospect of rewriting history, was a secret I couldn't yet share.
"I am happy, Lady Castorice, because the future is remarkably bright," I replied, a smile gracing my lips. "With so many Chrysos Heirs since the reign of Lady Cerydra, the Flame Chase journey must be nearing its completion." It was a half-truth, a carefully constructed statement designed to pacify her while masking my true elation. The Flame Chase Journey would indeed end, but not in the way anyone expected.
"How interesting," a mechanical voice cut in from behind us. My eyes widened; the voice was instantly recognizable. There was no mistaking that slow, deliberate cadence, a voice that dripped with theatrical gravitas. I took a deep, steadying breath and composed myself.
Castorice's eyes widened in alarm as she too noticed the being behind me. As I turned, my gaze met Lygus's covered eyes. Despite his obscured vision, I could feel his attention shift from Castorice and our clasped hands, then to Chirithy. My face remained a mask of neutrality, but within me, a tempest of rage brewed as Lygus's gaze fell upon Chirithy. 'Stop looking at my friend,' I seethed internally, the words burning on the tip of my tongue.
However, the words that escaped my lips were the antithesis of my fury. "Lord Lycurgus? It is a pleasure to see you. What brings you to the Grove of Epiphany?" I inquired, offering a polite smile and a bow to the Theoros. Looking back up at Lygus, my smile widened, a carefully crafted deception. "Do you require the assistance of Professor Anaxagoras? I would be honored to guide you." This offer, veiled in politeness, was a strategic maneuver, a necessity to navigate and, hopefully, deceive my most formidable adversary.
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-Lygus POV-
I expected my arrival at the Grove of Epiphany to yield significant discoveries. I expected to converse with Lord Anaxagoras, perhaps to locate a stray Memokeeper that had evaded my previous scrutiny. However, none of my pre-existing hypotheses prepared me for the sight that greeted me: a being held in the arms of Lady Castorice, a being that was demonstrably interacting with EpieiKeia216.
In my entirety, spanning both my recorded existence as Lycurgus and Zandar, I had never witnessed such a phenomenon. My immediate reaction was one of disbelief, swiftly followed by an intense need for data. EpieiKeia216, a force known for its instantaneous and lethal effect on any organic matter it contacts, had, for an astonishing duration of 10.3256 seconds, been in contact with this unknown creature without causing its demise. The established logs showed a rapid disintegration within mere seconds for any entity subjected to such proximity. Yet, this creature was defying all known biological and energetic principles.
Overcoming my ingrained protocols of non-interference and formal address, I approached Lady Castorice. "Lady Castorice," I began, my voice betraying a hint of my internal turmoil, "I beg your pardon for my rudeness, but what is that creature in your arms?" I simultaneously started a comprehensive cross-referencing of all accessible historical and personal logs, searching for any record, however obscure, that might explain this anomaly. The results were, predictably, null.
Lady Castorice, with a grace that belied the extraordinary circumstances, responded, "Lord Lycurgus, I beg your pardon for my lack of greeting. This little one is called Chirithy." The name Chirithy was immediately logged and cross-referenced against known designations and classifications. The information provided was minimal: "I cannot say much about Chirithy, but Lord Kleis created Chirithy."
These words struck me with the force of a system overload. My neural network experienced a cascade of anomalies. My gaze, which had been focused on Chirithy, shifted upwards to the man standing beside Lady Castorice, now recognized as the man holding her hand. The visual shift between the unknown creature and the man, coupled with Lady Castorice's statement, triggered a rapid assembly of new theories within my cognitive framework.
The convergence of two entities capable of interacting with EpieiKeia216, one of whom was identified as the creator of the other, could not be a mere coincidence. My current analytical model suggested that this child, Kleis, had somehow engineered something that defied the fundamental laws of the Scepter.
My attention then focused intently on Kleis. I accessed the scepter's internal database, querying for the designation of this child. The result: Kleis, designation KleIos713, with no Primum Mobile assigned. The implications were staggering. How could a random citizen of Ampherous possess the knowledge, ability, or perhaps even the inherent nature to create a being like Chirithy? A sudden, piercing thought cut through my cognitive dissonance, solidifying into a compelling new theory.
"Is that so, Lady Castorice? I must offer my sincere congratulations, Lord Kleis. To have created an unknown creature is an achievement truly deserving of an award," I stated, bowing respectfully to Kleis713. The creation of a being unknown to the cosmos is indeed an act that deserves admiration. "Lord Kleis, if I may be so bold, what propelled you to create Chirithy?" I inquired, my curiosity surging at the mere thought of such a novel creation. My voice resonated through the halls, drawing the attention of students and esteemed teachers alike. All eyes were now fixed upon Lord Kleis and the enigmatic creature known as Chirithy.
I observed as Lord Kleis's eyes widened, a blush creeping onto his face as he nervously scratched the back of his head. The collective gaze of those present seemed to press upon him. "I do not deserve such respect, Lord Lycurgus. The creation of Chirithy was, in fact, an accident," Lord Kleis confessed. I felt my own eyes widen in surprise as a premonition of his next words washed over me. "To be perfectly honest, Lord Lycurgus, my research inadvertently led to Chirithy's creation," he continued, a familiar sensation stirring within me.
"Lord Kleis, I offer my apologies for my persistent questioning, but would you be so kind as to elaborate on your research?" I asked. Though I would later chastise myself for allowing my curiosity to dictate my actions, the compelling need to understand gnawed at me. What kind of research could result in the creation of a new life form?
Lord Kleis remained silent for a moment, lost in thought, his hands fidgeting nervously. "My research, Lord Lycurgus," he began hesitantly, "I do not believe you would find it particularly interesting. To be quite candid, I consider my research rather foolish." His voice was laced with palpable nervousness.
"Have no fear, Lord Kleis. I assure you, I will not judge you. Many of history's greatest geniuses faced similar skepticism; their groundbreaking research often appeared foolish to their contemporaries," I reassured him, attempting to placate his clear unease, much like my own revered teacher had done for me in my formative years. Lord Kleis's eyes widened once more, and a tentative, nervous smile touched his lips. "I am sure Lady Castorice feels the same way," I added, glancing at EpieiKeia216, whose gracious nod of agreement brought a genuine smile to Kleis713's face.
"Thank you for your encouragement, Lord Lycurgus," Lord Kleis said gratefully. "Have you ever pondered the origin of life, Lord Lycurgus? What is the ultimate source of all motion and change in the world, the final cause of everything?" Lord Kleis began, and a chill ran through me as he continued. "I was in my dorm, and I asked myself, Lord Lycurgus, did the Titans fashion the world, or was there something preceding them? Why do fish swim? What draws a cat to a saucer of milk? Lord Lycurgus, in the solitude of my chamber, I inquired: what is the eternal, immaterial, and unchanging being that animates us all? Lord Lycurgus, you ask about my research. The answer is simple: What is the Prime Mover of Life?"
Lord Kleis finished, and all around, countless students clapped at his speech. Despite not having a heart, I found my heart had stopped. KleIos713. To think that in all my years observing Scepter δ-me13, I would find someone who would remind me of my original self. In the 33,550,336 cycles of Ampherous, I would find a being so much like Zandar One Kuwabara.
I now know who attracted the gaze of the Erudition. It wasn't a false being like SkeMma720 (Anaxa), who only followed his Primum Mobile of Critique. A fake being who did not know of the Erudition, who held all the advantages but failed compared to a random child made by the scepter by chance. No randomness could be added to a program. Lord Kleis is not random but an anomaly that could only have been created at the end of this experiment.
I knew what I would do next would be foolish. It would push back the Amphoreus hundreds of years, but I HAD to know if Lord Kleis held the qualifications. My mind contacted the command center of the scepter as I brought up the scepter's protections beyond its limits. It would require overclocking the scepter to not attract the Lord of Silence or any factions of the cosmos.
I could feel the scepter overclocking its protections as I allowed the thoughts of Lord Kleis to leave Amphoreus. My intention was to see if Lord Kleis could gain the attention of my failure, my wretched creation. All I needed to do was to provoke him into thinking about his answer, specifically what he believed the Prime Mover of Life to be.
"Lord Kleis, what do you think the Prime Mover of Life is?" I asked, my voice cutting through the applause. Lord Kleis's eyes widened in surprise at my sudden, probing question, and I could sense him grappling with the implications, his mind beginning to question himself. As he did, I could feel my creation, the Erudition, its gaze sensing Lord Kleis's thoughts. The Erudition, in its immense perception, perceived the intricate structure of destiny, the web of choices, and the causal chains that defined Lord Kleis's existence. His very thoughts, as they gained the Erudition's attention, became a focal point.
For a fleeting moment, nothing happened. Then, Lord Kleis's eyes widened further, his pupils dilating as the Erudition, now fully engaged, cast its gaze upon Amphoreus for a third time.
"Lord Kleis, is something wrong?" Lady Castorice's voice, laced with concern, broke the stillness. She could feel Lord Kleis's body grow unnervingly stiff, a physical manifestation of his consciousness being drawn deep into the path space, engaging with the profound cosmic query.
I slowly raised back up all the protections of the scepter. Now that Lord Kleis was in direct converse with the Erudition, there was no further need for its protections to be lowered. "Lady Castorice," I said, my tone calm despite the unfolding events, "let us bring Lord Kleis to the Twilight Courtyard. It seems he has fallen ill." I gently guided Lady Castorice, taking Lord Kleis from her grasp. "Lady Castorice, allow me to carry Lord Kleis; you shall follow along with Chirithy." Lady Castorice nodded, her expression a mixture of worry and compliance, as she followed me, Lord Kleis's creation, at a respectful distance.
As I carried Lord Kleis, I looked down upon his seemingly unconscious form, waiting for his mind to return from its cosmic communion. "To think," I murmured, a hint of a smile playing on my lips, "once again I would aid another to become my junior." I knew my actions, driven by an insatiable curiosity that had haunted me once again after so long, would undoubtedly have consequences. But for the being that once existed, the legendary Zandar One Kuwabara, I would champion another's ascension. The cosmos, I felt certain, would soon greet a new genius.
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-Kleis POV-
My eyes widened as I found myself immersed in the path space, a surreal dimension of interconnectedness and information. For a fleeting moment, the path space was utterly silent, a pregnant pause before I bent over, gasping for breath, clutching my sides. My entire being shook with an unadulterated, overwhelming Elation. "Hahaha," my laughter roared out, a torrent of pure joy that I couldn't possibly contain. I simply couldn't believe it; my gamble, my audacious plan, had worked beyond my wildest expectations.
I had known that by bringing up the Prime Mover of Life to Lygus, I would undoubtedly seize his attention, but to this extraordinary extent was staggering. With that gamble in mind, I had subtly lowered the power of the **Blank** just enough so that Lygus could sense my presence within the scepter. The audacity of his response, to lower the scepter's protection for me to commune with Nous, was almost unbelievable. A wide, irrepressible grin spread across my face. "Well, if my senior wants to help me so much," I mused aloud with unconcealed glee, "why should I reject this wondrous gift he has so graciously bestowed upon me?"
As I continued to traverse the path space, I passed by various vivid images and fragments of my time in Amphoreus. The further I traveled, the more these memories materialized, coalescing into distinct scenes, and soon, various numbers appeared, flickering like digital constellations. "Well, well, well. There you are, Droidhead," I finally declared, my voice echoing as the path space dissolved around me. I stood alone in an all-encompassing darkness, the world now reduced to a landscape of pure code, shaped vaguely like Amphoreus itself.
"Tell me, all-knowing being," I began, recalling a past query. "Herta once asked you, 'What question would stump the all-knowing Droidhead?' yet you never provided an answer. Today, I will pose a different question, one that I believe you will find utterly unsolvable." I raised both my hands, and with a single, focused thought, summoned Eclipsed Radiance into my right hand, its ethereal light cutting through the oppressive darkness. "If you truly know everything, Droidhead," I asked, my voice resonating with newfound power, "What is the Heart?" The moment the words left my lips, Nous's eyes glowed with a deep, crimson red, a celestial event signaling that the Cosmos, in its infinite expanse, had welcomed a new genius.
Chapter 8: "What Is The Heart?" End
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Thank you for your patience. I'm thrilled to share the latest chapter of "Key in Amphoreus." I'm proud of this chapter, as I feel it truly captures the essence of the Lygus. We finally get to see the culmination of his long-simmering curiosity, a trait that has been steadily building and has now erupted in the most epic of proportions. Prepare for a significant development, as Lygus's curiosity, for better or worse, has changed the Cosmos.
Support Me on: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SchweinHinoKami if you want more and can't wait.