Amanises has had an eventful time.
In the two days that had passed since her second meeting with Klein and first meeting with Grisha, a lot had gone down on her side. All this stemmed from a single existence—a fool that remained seated at his divine chair.
Klein Moretti… You truly are one troublesome individual, even towards your acquaintance. When she returned back to her house after the gathering between her, Klein and the One whose name must not be thought of, ended, the Evernight demonic wolf had pulled "His" subsidiary gods into another meeting. During it, "He" had interrogated them of the anomalies that had occurred in Antigonus's mansion, but surprisingly none of them had any recollection of the events whatsoever. They couldn't even recall showing up to Antigonus' mansion; not even Antigonus "Himself" had any memories of what "He" had done for the whole day. This prompted the evernight demonic wolf to speculate Giant's king's involvement in this matter.
On the other hand, even if Amanises had expected something from Klein, even she was mildly taken aback by the level of sealing that was done on the memories of these Subsidiary gods. No, this is more like theft than sealing. Entire memories have vanished from their minds…
As if not chaotic enough, multiple massive barriers composed of greyish white fog had been erected on the outskirts of the Annihilation demonic wolf's kingdom and on each of the Subsidiary god's mansion. This put the entire settlement in a state of panic and disorder as they felt like they had been under enemy siege.
Once Amanises got to know of this, she immediately put the details together and came to a shocking realisation. Klein! He erected multiple barriers all around the Master's Divine Kingdom! This created a sort of misdirection, allowing him to conceal my disappearance but also the suspicion that would have aroused from having a random barrier around my house!
Though these hadn't lasted too long and shortly dissipated. The king of demonic wolves had been enraged from this chaos, and at the same time amazed. His previous speculation was immediately discarded as "He" could confirm that this was the work of Sefirah Castle, but "He" was even more amazed by the sheer fact that some entity out there had control over the relic left behind by the Original Creator.
This had ignited a spark within this ancient god, as "He" sent out a large pack of wolves outside the demonic wolves settlement, to investigate any Miracle, wishes, puppets, or abstract activities that may have suddenly began to occur in the world. In addition, "He" handed over the same task to all "His" subsidiary gods, strictly expecting some results. If it wasn't for Flegrea's extreme condition, "He" may as well have gone out himself to search for the existence that may have gained control over Sefirah Castle.
Due to these reasons, the last two days in Demonic wolf settlement, had been anything less than chaotic. It was only now that Amanises finally had the leverage to relax and rest herself after having been tirelessly handling the situations from the previous incidents. I am too tired to even think. Lying on her comfy cushion, Amanises sighed and wagged her tail.
As she yawned and bumped her head downwards, an ethereal voice suddenly interrupted her rest. "Prepare." Amanises instantly recognized the voice to be that of Klein, and only then remembered that today was a meeting day. Instantly she stood up from her cushion and sat back down, concealing her entire house, while she herself stopped all her motions, patiently waiting for her 'Friend' to pull her inside Sefirah Castle.
She didn't have to wait too long, as in just a few moments, a crimson hue entered her vision as her surroundings immediately became filled with an ancient castle, dotted with a greyish white fog. Amanises now found herself seated on an ancient high back chair, in front of her stood the ancient copper mottled long table, the thickish greyish fog gently swaying at its surface. Above her, an ancient dome held by various long pillars of varying heights, while the thousands and millions of stars in the sky brightly shone.
At the long end of the table, sat the Attendant of Mysteries, Klein Moretti. Klein wore a smile on his face, as he brought his hands upwards and tipped with his long hate, while his lips parted with themselves, allowing a sweet and charming voice escape from them. "Nice to meet you again! And, what's this? Your condition seems much more stabilised than ever before!"
"Same here. And all the credit is due upon you!" Amanises greeted him in the same gesture, while her lips subconsciously curled upwards, forming a grin. Their gazes remained fixated on each other, as Amanises leaned herself back, so did Klein, propping one of his legs on the other, he thought for a second and spoke. "How is the situation?"
Amanises gaze narrowed. "Not very good thanks to a certain fool that doesn't belong to this era…" She snickered, causing Klein to tip his top hat and scratch his head. "Ehe~" He slightly chuckled and waved his hand, smiling once more while looking at her, waiting for her to continue. Amanises couldn't help but sigh and shake her head once more. "Flegrea has confirmed that there is someone with control over Sefirah Castle... He has sent out a pack of wolves as well as tasked all "His" subsidiary gods to investigate any unrelated Miracle Invoker and Attendant of Mysteries activities... "He" is hell bent on finding you." Amanises tilted her head waiting for Klein to respond.
Klein keenly listened to her and then began to ponder. I see, well I did expect Flegrea to begin looking for me in full force after the Antigonus incident… I wonder if this will affect the future events. Klein caressed his chin while his slender fingers tapped the armrest of his chair.
A few moments later, he spoke up. "I expected that." Klein paused and looked up at the starry sky as he continued, "There is no need to worry. I am currently in the City of Sanguines, the demonic wolves shouldn't be able to reach me there… Hehe, even if they did, dealing with them won't be troublesome." Amanises nodded, as the detail of him being potentially the strongest sequence 1 ever flashed in her mind. She also picked up on another key detail, City of Sanguines… Moon City. What business might he have over there?
Some "peculiar" details and knowledge of the city surfaced in her mind, as Amanises couldn't help but slightly frown. Nonetheless, she took in Klein's words and sighed. Klein, only just now, picked up on detail he had not paid attention to in the past; Amanises being aware of sequence and potion names. "By the way, How do you know about Sequences, Potion names, and all that?"
Amanises looked up at him. "How do I know? Red Light Aiur Moria told me." Klein was baffled, and he did not attempt to hide it. His body straightened up and leaned forward on his chair resting his arms on the table. A gesture that spelled "Go on." Amanises, noticing this, explained. "While doing mysticism research, I went on a stroll through the spirit world and eventually came across an old spirit. I asked some questions and ended up getting Red Light's Honorific Name. Though I was warned that it was unlikely I would receive a response. I decided to pray anyway and actually got the Red light to converse with me.
""He" didn't say anything very useful, but when I asked about what these pathways were, "He" very vaguely gave out some information. Mostly, "He" told me about the concept of sequence, and that 'The Pathways are much more than what they seem on the surface. Another way, or dare I say, the best way to describe them would be 'These are the Natures of the Oldest Ones, the characteristics being the embodiment of "Their" will.' I also got some of the sequence names of Fool pathway, as well as Darkness and Death."
Klein keenly listened to her, while analysing each and every word. Hmm, she probably received a response due to her unique condition of being perfectly "sane" unlike other subsidiary gods. It could also be due to the overlap in past, present and future that happens in the spirit world, which might have very vaguely made the Red light aware of some future connection she would hold with me, the great ruler above the spirit world. Regardless, the analogy is interesting and Amanises should have made sense of it after getting the knowledge of Great Old Ones. Klein nodded and paused for a moment, as he analysed the peculiar look Amanises was giving him.
He tilted his head, confusion visibly dawning on his face. The environment returned to serenity, as the two of them stared at each other, one wore a look of confusion while other that of peculiarity. What do you want? Just say it? Why are women so complicated?! Klein inwardly lampooned , and finally, after some long stress inducing time, Klein deduced the hint Amanises was dropping him and sighed inwardly.
"You want me to explain pathways in detail to you?" Amanises instantly shook her head vigorously. Even if she is a Mythical Creature, cliche tendencies still follow her… I suppose it is a good thing; her humanity is strengthening… Klein shook his head. Leaning back on his high back chair, he thought for a moment and then began speaking.
"There is another way to refer to Pathways that is The Paths of the Divine. The Paths of the Divine are a series of 10 Potions that grants its consumer Mystical Abilities and authorities allowing them to transcede the normal boundaries." Amanises nodded and then asked, "Potions?" Klein smiled and continued, "Yes, Potions. The Mythical races all possess within them characteristics that can be used as the main ingredient to create potions. These potions once consumed by Humans or any race for that matter, allow them to rise the sequence, and transcede their boundaries becoming something… Extraordinary. To tread the paths of the divine, the potion formulas are specifically or even potions themselves are specifically made for Humans."
For Humans... but? Before Amanises could think further, Klein leaned forward and asked, "What do you think is the essence of the paths of the divine?" Amanises thought for a moment, and linked Klein's question to his previous statements. Potions specifically made for Humans to rise the sequence... She slowly parted her lips and replied, "For… Normal humans to rise to true deities?"
Klein grinned, and elaborated
"The essence of the paths of the divine is for normal humans to ascend to true deities. The Mythical creatures that wander around unprecedentedly and rule over this current world are but mere ingredients for humans to use to rise in power and to tread on the pathways." Klein leaned forward towards Amanises and slowly said, "In fact, the heart of a dark demonic wolf like you is the main ingredient for Servant of Concealment potion."
Amanises felt a chill run down her spine as Klein leaned back on his chair. So what you are telling me is that I am essentially an ingredient for some random guy to use and rise to be a Servant of Concealment… Amanises began to think of herself as an ingredient and then shook the thought away. I need to gain a human body quickly!
"I see… So I am assuming these potions are essentially a liquified version of Characteristics." Klein shook his head. "Liquid isn't essential. Some of the potions can be both liquid and gaseous. Regardless, You are right. The potions are essentially characteristics." Amanises narrowed her gaze, "Then why can't one directly consume the characteristics?" As soon as she said that, the answer itself popped in her mind.
"Because doing so is dangerous for normal humans and might lead to loss of control and becoming a monster. The potion formulas are designed in a way where it reduces the chance of losing control, and for this reason they have a main ingredient and a supplementary ingredient, and at a certain level rituals. Main ingredients for actual potions, while supplementary ingredients are to neutralise the madness within the potion. As you said, Potions are essentially characteristics."
Amanises nodded in acknowledgement and then asked. "But who designed these potion formulas?" Klein rubbed his temples and rapped the edge of the copper mottled long table. He turned his head towards Grisha's seat and slowly asked a question. "Do you remember when I mentioned the Blasphemy Slate, in our previous meeting with Grisha?"
Amanises recalled the scene and nodded. Klein remained silent for a few more seconds before turning his head back towards Amanises and replying in a serious tone. "The Blasphemy Slate is a mystical document that holds the potion formulas of all 22 Paths of the Divine." Klein paused, gauging her reaction which was that of amazement and curiosity. He then dropped the bombshell. "It is also what remains of God Almighty's dead body, other than the characteristics of "His" pathway."
Upon hearing this, Amanises mind went blank. It took her a few moments in processing this information, but as soon as she did, she immediately blurted out. "Remains of the Omnipotent and Omniscient?!" Klein chuckled, bringing his hands to his mouth. Amanises also quickly composed herself, reassessing her usual demeanour.
"I doubt even Grisha is aware of this at the moment, but, Yes. When God Almighty died at some point at the end of the first epoch, part "His" remains within the chaos sea condensed into the Blasphemy slate that Grisha now possesses." Amanises listened with great detail and picked up on two key points.
Considering Grisha now possesses the Blasphemy slate, and that it is the remains of God Almighty, it makes sense why "He" managed to gain a connection to the Chaos Sea… Also, Klein previously mentioned that all Great Old Ones perished at some point in the first epoch… Including God Almighty and Lord of Mysteries… But…
She hesitated for a moment and then slowly asked in a calm and ethereal tone, "How did "They" died? What caused these great existence to perish in the first epoch?" Amanises noticed Klein visibly becoming motionless. He remained silent, while his gaze remained fixated on her. After a while, Klein spoke up, replying "Lord of Mysteries and God Almighty fought with each other. They both perished."
!!!
Lord of the mysteries and God Almighty fought and killed each other?! Did the other Great Old Ones died in the fight between these two pillars? Also, Why did they fight? What caused such a great catastrophe? Countless questions invaded her mind, prompting Amanises to sort them out one by one. She slowly calmed her mind again. While sorting her thoughts, she had put one question above all others that occurred from the release of such information.
"How are you aware of all this information?" Klein's smile widened into a grin as he leaned back, eloquently resting his body on his high back chair. "You don't have to know." Amanises wasn't surprised by his answer, in fact, she had expected such a reply. Pushing the matter of his knowledge aside once more, before Amanises could ask him anything, Klein waved his hand and said, "Don't bother. I can't reveal as to why "They" fought at the moment. When the time is right, you will get to know." Amansies opened her mouth then closed it again.
The reason Klein could not make Amanises aware as to why the two pillars fought was that he would have had to reveal the info over Outer Deities, eventually getting on to explain the World Barrier. This would have only raised many more questions, which Klein was neither in the mood of answering nor did he see Amanises current condition fit to know so much unknown knowledge. Besides it isn't like he knew the details of the fight.
One thing at a time. First, is to get your condition and humanity fully stabilised, then I can gradually reveal the secrets of this world… Eventually it's very truth.
The palace was soon engulfed by a thick veil of silence as neither of them spoke for sometime. The thickish greyish white fog gently swayed around, as Amanises further cleared her mind and decided to get back on the previous topic. "If Grisha possesses the Blasphemy slate, then I am assuming "He" wishes to use it for the betterment of Humanity?"
"In fact, Yes. "He" wishes to get rid of the Mythical Races and redeem humanity from "Their" shadows. I also wish for that too, but I do not have the strength to fight against a sequence 0. This is the main reason why I must obtain the Fool Uniqueness." Klein explained, in a nonchalant tone. Amanises remained still, as she asked once more, "By the way, What exactly is Uniqueness?"
Klein tilted his head and replied, "A Uniqueness is the embodiment of a pathway's authority. It is what allows a sequence 0 to bear absolute control over the pathway, and the corresponding authority that originates from it. You can consider it as the main ingredient to become a Sequence 0, alongside the three sequence 1 characteristics."
Amanises mentally noted the explanation. "You need three sequence 1 characteristics to become a sequence 0?" She asked to which Klein nodded and replied, "In fact, there are only three for each pathway. The number of characteristics are limited, and hence, there are only three sequence 1 characteristics and at least nine sequence 2. But in normal cases with the sequence 1 Beyonder Characteristic being a complete set, the number of sequence 2 Beyonder characteristics will decrease by three.
Amanises repeatedly nodded. She then took note of something and asked, "Are you aware of the potion formulas of all Pathways? As in, have you read the blasphemy slate?" Klein nodded, causing Amanises to gasp in shock. Amazing! He knows so much more than I initially thought! She didn't try to hide her amazement, letting it form her face.
"I am assuming you have to do more than just merely drinking a potion to advance? The ingredients should have their corresponding mental imprint within them." Klein nodded and explained. "You are right. Starting from sequence 5, a human being must perform a certain ritual and then drink a potion to advance. Not doing so would greatly increase the risk of losing control and dying or turning into a monster.
"The rituals are needed to anchor one's humanity, so that they could maintain their mental stability during advancement and fight against godhood. Speaking of which, starting from sequence 4, a human begins to gain godhood within them. In fact, they can be considered demigods at this point. Their body would also begin to undergo mutation under divinity, as they gain an incomplete Mythical creature form. This form becomes completed at Sequence 2, which at that point, a human being truly transcends his boundaries becoming an angel—a subsidiary god, and a true Mythical Creature."
Amanises keenly listened and took her mental notes. Mythical Creature… It seems Klein was either born as a human and somehow managed to rise to Sequence 1, becoming a Mythical creature in the process or perhaps he was transmigrated into the body of one like me… Likely the latter, since I am pretty sure no one is aware of the info of pathways as a whole, other than him, me and Grisha. Well, there's I guess that also includes the seven lights… And maybe some other hidden existence which I am not aware of…
She smiled, proud of herself, more specifically on her ability to pick up so many details and quickly analyze them. To be honest, I don't think there is anything Klein could tell me that would surprise me too much... She witnessed Klein continuing. "There is another thing I should have mentioned by now, and that is…
"All Mythical Races have originated from Humans."
Pause. Hold on. What!? Amanises was, in fact, immediately baffled by Klein.