Just like that, their moment of respite suddenly neared the end. All good things could never continue forever. Even stars would one day die out. But what mattered the most was that the Floor of Amalgamation was a place they could always return to.

When high tides weathered them down; when the journeys devolved into nonsensical fighting; and when the world reared its horrendous side for the nth time; this place would always stand as the last bastion of purity.

A sanctuary to ease the mind, body, and soul.

Their paradise.

Today was the 21st of the 9th month, 350 PA.

The Arbiter’s Council was due to take place in only two days on the 23rd.

There was still much to do before the deadline, and unfortunately repairing the Coat of Prejudice was not one of them. Kissaria’s location was not known. The ImpulseWorks HQ – M-A1 – was likely where she was, but Carpalis offered a scoop regarding Kissaria’s status.

“A T-4 Artificer betrayed the T-4 Council. It’s likely the culprit is our Artificing friend.” Carpalis claimed as she watched Frost, Ignis and Mimicry from the entrance of the chamber.

It was only a rumor she had heard from various networks: all from word of mouth from ARU Personnel. But she was convinced that Kissaria was likely facing severe punishment due to the unauthorized opening of the intercity Oblivion Gate.

“Our forces spilled into the doorstep of their homes. Can you imagine how they would have felt? War is a complex dance that I’d rather have no hand in.” Carpalis threw a sleeve into the air, knocking it against her head. “Because it tends to take them away. Hehe. Get it?”

“Do I laugh?” Mimicry blankly blinked, tilting its head as it wondered whether it was appropriate to or not.

In that moment, the unchained, white-haired entity received the most stringent stares from Ignis and Frost.

“Is that a yes?” It asked again.

“Never with Carpalis.” Frost left it at that. “She’s going to be your superior moving forward. If I’m the first in command, then she’s the second.”

Ignis didn’t speak a word as they sat across from one another on the cold, stone floor. It was a surreal sight to say the least, and one would wonder why Frost brought Ignis along rather than Nav or the Archivist.

The reason was because she wanted to teach them both at the same time. Also, Ignis wasn’t that far off from what Mimicry was capable of. Both were able to transform their bodies, although the mechanisms were quite different.

Mimicry could only transform into things it had devoured, whereas Ignis more or less was able to mimic things more freely. It was unknown just what was Ignis’ ‘true’ form, as they came to the realization that her current form was just a perfect replication of her previous body.

However, Mimicry lifted its arm up upon command, and was able to transform it into an extended mouth. A slit ran from its palm all the way down to its chest, the false fabric revealing a crimson tint for even its clothing was a part of its body.

Ignis did the same, and she was able to construct a bone blade at will.

Both were capable of biologically augmenting their bodies, requiring biomass to fuel their powers. Mimicry’s transformations took highly grotesque and monstrous forms, whereas Ignis’ stuck closely with a more ‘human’ feel to it.

Regardless, they were equally terrifying.

So, what did Frost want to teach them? Aside from common sense with Mimicry, she wanted to pass on her knowledge of biology. If Mimicry were to serve for them, then it would be wise for Mimicry to also understand what its body ‘shouldn’t’ be able to do.

Likewise, what it contained within its body was equally as important. Mimicry could not bleed easily, as it could manipulate its own blood as though it were a muscle. The rationale behind Frost’s push for its perfect body composition was to keep Mimicry’s identity a close secret for now until she could fully trust it to uphold similar, non-murderous values.

Mimicry felt like a blank slate at times, staring intently at Frost like she was its Goddess, but showed some distaste whenever Ignis was given a fraction of a second of attention.

This is exactly what I’m afraid of. I know it can’t hurt anyone, but if this thing tried to look at Jury like that then I’d –

“Another thing.” Carpalis broke Frost out of her trance, just moments before they were going to have Ignis attempt to create life with her newfound powers. “It seems that an unauthorized shipment was sent to Emvita. I heard an unwanted Site was being reinstated.”

“G-Z7? This is the first time I’m hearing it’s unwanted. How come?” Frost asked.

“I’m just parroting what I’ve heard. I have ears and friends who used to be in high places. So many fallen birds~ That Site isn’t supposed to exist. You may hear more of it from the Abyssal Mother. The Arbiter’s Council focuses on issues brought up between each Atelier. It’s a political game of who can convince the blind Arbiter that all is well… Ahaha…”

Carpalis shifted her stance, lurching forward into the light of the chamber eerily.

“This will be the first time the blessed Arbiter’s veil will be lifted. I spoke to Galia hours beforehand. The 15th Council is expected to go on until the end of the month.”

“Do they usually go on for that long?”

“With an Arbiter that was incapable of penetrating through shallow lies? They were short, concise, and devolved into pathological finger pointing. This is expected to be thorough. The end of the month at the latest. The beginning of the year at most to enact tangible change.”

“What happens to the Nex Megalopolis in between?”

“It’s already being restored. You and I can only be in one place at once. Beholders have more damning concerns than the residents of our cities.” Carpalis regretfully admitted. “However, something may be arranged ahead of time. Before you lash out, do remember that Beholders have assets outside of the Nexus. I’d wager that their loss is weighted higher than the state of the Nex Megalopolis.”

“… I didn’t think about that.” Frost swallowed. “Fucking hell. There were no options on the Hyperlink Relays aside from the 6th Branch too. I didn’t think much of it, but that’d mean every other Hyperlink Site across Elysia’s been hit.”

“That is the likely outcome. Meaning Beholder factions are fragmented. As you can tell, I am the only Beholder active within the Nex Megalopolis. The others are assessing damages. It’s major speculation on my part, but that is my take on the situation. You’ll hear of it in full in due time.” Carpalis rocked her head, as if also unable to weigh the implications this held.

If this was true, then the Beholders’ reach was not only significantly weakened, but also vulnerable and could be taken over by Impuritas groups. Frost wondered if they already had in the past, hence why they had access to certain technologies.

Whatever the case was, she’d be finding out very, very soon.

“I’m going to feel lonely up there without you.” Frost sighed, causing Mimicry’s chest to split open, revealing teeth for just a second.

Ignis glared at it.

“Don’t do that.” She warned.

“Bigger assimilator doesn’t feel the need to become its true self?” It asked.

“I’m not an assimilator. I’m a giver. Huge difference.” Ignis drew the line that differentiated it from Mimicry, before Carpalis suddenly hummed:

“Aww. Don’t guilt trip me. I’ve had that done to me enough. Hehe. Worry not. Magus shall be representing my Atelier, as well as my trusted Evergreen and Promised Oath.”

“He’s the one that can make people disappear if they break their promises, right? Does it work on Beholders?” Frost asked.

“If it did then he’d be taken out of my political sphere by ‘accident’. If you knew how deep the blood feuds between the Ateliers went, you’d go mad. It’s unlikely all of it will come to the surface. Beholders aren’t as untouchable as you think, however. You have reminded them of the fact.”

“I’m aware that not everything will be conclusive, but if they can’t at least come together and realize that their methods will only create more enemies, then the Nexus is not a place for them to stay. If their bullshit infighting can’t be stopped, then the least they can do is prevent it from spilling onto the streets. The Impuritas were created by them. Therefore, I want them to be held accountable for letting things spiral out of control.”

Ignis silently agreed. Mimicry didn’t know how to react to it, but it absorbed Frost’s intentions with bright eyes. Carpalis suddenly approached them, placing both sleeves onto Frost’s shoulders as she crouched behind her.

“I sincerely hope that your mission succeeds. My vision lives within you like a star.”

And like a star, Carpalis reached out for Frost…

… but she had no hands to clasp it.

 

* * *

 

The following day was spent tinkering with the White Light Apparatus as well as preparation for the Arbiter’s Council. A lengthy briefing was held between her and the Arbiter for hours straight, all the while Ber superficially fixed the Coat of Prejudice.

No.

She improved it.

Its effects were still disabled, but its appearance alone would be enough proof that she was the Archetype of Amalgamation, and not the Black Dove. The golden feathers that once lined the inside were now integrated with the fur-like feathers beyond, woven between like highlights.

Frost replaced her tights with black, tight pants that possessed impressive flexibility, as well as black boots to match. The Badge of Fragmented Aspirations and the Dream Shatterer were worn to match her apparel.

Ber prepared two versions of the coat. The feathered one was of course the real Coat of Prejudice, but the other had a design that Frost quite liked as well, and so, she layered them above one another.

It was a fairly simply garb, with straps, long fabric that draped from her elbows, and golden feathers that protruded from her armored shoulders.

This wasn’t done by Ber alone, however. Days earlier, she had made an emergency order with a tailor from the Common Hub.

Frost thought it was an Atelier Item, but it came from an incredibly talented individual rather than a corporation.

And the very next day –

 

< Entering the Arbiter’s Council for the First Time >

 

< Welcome to the Arbiter’s Council >

 

– History would finally be made.