To think that lying fish would continue to thrash even beyond the grave was migraine inducing. Beholder Marionette was correct. It was through the Red Herring where Frost had been led to believe that the Ateliers were the source of their obsessive, monstrous philosophies that sought to rob people of their humanity.

So when she heard that Act X was created because of an Impuritas group, she couldn’t help but to question what exactly was the truth. Frost pondered on this as Beholder Marionette intricately explained how the Fate Mechanism predicted outcomes.

And as it turned out…

“The Fate Mechanism does not predict outcomes. It constructs them. It creates the Play that we Actors must dance upon the Stages laid out for us. The Scripts serve to push it along to reach its predetermined ending. That ending is the resolution.”

“Was my Corruption a part of this theatrical? The conclusion you – or that White Wing wanted?” Frost spoke with a severely sharp tone, urging her to tread carefully but to also confess the truth.

“I don’t believe it is. I seek for the fated Tenth Act. What became of you was not a doing of mine. Too many strings overlap. When one vibrates, they trigger another. With all due respect, O Amalgam – Your Corruption was undoubtedly a steppingstone for the web of strings, tugged by the likes the of Living Looms such as myself. It was unavoidable.”

Living Looms. Implying that she’s not the only one that can directly influence the Fate Mechanism.

“But it does not mean we were always aware of it. This makes for a splendid introduction into an arising issue of ours – I am not the only one who manifests the sound to commandments. I am merely the most influential amongst them. But I hear you. I understand what you wish. The brutality of the commandments… it is people who interpret it in such a way that results in brutality. However, I can arrange substitutions.”

She was far more willing to explain herself than Frost was comfortable with. It felt almost insincere, like this was just another step towards her one goal.

The Tenth Act.

“You will make substitutions. I assume the Director now controls the Advent?”

“Uncertain. But I can explain what he seeks. To quell the number of interferences in the Web. To limit the number of Living Looms that have access to the Fate Mechanism.”

The Advent of Purpose was like a God in the eyes of many. Act X was one of many cults that interpreted the strings. There was a glimmer in her eye that hinted that there were problems even within Act X itself, which she silently promised to bring to light in the next phase of the Council.

Frost gained far more insight into the matters of the Advent of Purpose. If the Advent of Desire was anything to go by, then it meant that its use wasn’t limited to just the Archetypes.

Absolute authority only arrived when it was merged into the Nexus, although there were still complications, such as the uninvited guests that occasionally arrived within the Archivist’s Library.

Even the Star Child couldn’t stop the wishes from being granted. She was happy that Marionette was willing to make changes, although words were different from actions. For all she knew, this was a ruse to get on her good side and postpone severe repercussions.

Also, before the torch could be passed on to the next Beholder, Frost needed to ask one last thing.

“What is the Tenth Act? I’ve loosely heard of it before, so I want to know what exactly your Tenth Act entails. What’s the end to your means.” Frost peered into her eyes, filling that void with light as she searched for a meaning before she could even answer.

But alas…

“It is what the Advent of Purpose seeks. It is not my desire. It is my purpose. Our mission to conclude it. That way, I can at least look forward to the remainder of my existence.”

… there was nothing within. She had no ambitions. The goal of the Tenth Act wasn’t even hers, but of the Fate Mechanism itself. How much could she believe this? Frost had seen broken people before, but none could hold a candle to this woman, who lived only because the Advent demanded that she did.

She was the very embodiment of purpose itself, and sought to bestow those like her with purpose, whether good or bad. Frost could not even conceive of this level of disrepair. She didn’t possess a personality, and Frost thought back onto the Heralds who clearly did, but then onto the Wandering Healer and the Twins – Orth and Thras – who were similar husks like her.

If she couldn’t begin to imagine – or frankly avoided imagining – the conditions that led them to their state, then what could have possibly happened to Beholder Marionette?

The answer caused cold daggers to prod at her mind.

“The Tenth Act serves to be equally the finale, and the beginning. Where alpha meets omega. The great convergence. ‘The Great Attractor’, as I’ve so heard the whispers trickle into my ears. I have been preparing for it. I assure you; I am on the side that begins than rather ends.”

“I’ve had enough of prophecies. However, if this is truly something the Advent seeks, then I’m going to need to consult you and the Director personally.” Frost was absolutely not going to let this slip by her or give it a shrug of the shoulder.

This alone deserved its own Council meeting.

So that’s why they’re called Act X. They’re named directly after the Tenth Act. Nav. Any thoughts?

“Nothing I can think of. But the mention of ‘side’ alludes to a conflict. I imagine it will involve the Impuritas.” Nav said. “’The Great Attractor’… In your world, there was a phenomenon of the same name.”

I’ve heard of it. I’m guessing you know what it was?

As Beholder Marionette’s lengthy introduction finally saw its curtains close, the Arbiter moved onto ImpulseWorks. Meanwhile, the Moons were left in disarray as arrows of truth riddled them. Those wounds would not be healed easily, but they’d also make them far more ready to stand by Frost’s side.

Nav then answered:

“A mysterious gravitational enigma that seemingly pulls systems, stars, and entire galaxies and their clusters towards it. If names in this world carry meaning, then we can interpret this as the amalgamation – you. Or worse, the culmination of everything. I predict that this will be a conflict between us and the Impuritas… but the mention of the ‘end and the beginning’ makes little sense. This should now be one of our major focuses.”

Thank you. Exactly. I am not going to let another prophecy go its way. Not after what happened.

Frost vehemently vowed.