The severe discrimination shown towards the non-Blessed Enoch caused Frost to wonder if this was another factor that played into their gross neglect of life.
Blessed tend to find themselves in favorable positions within the Ateliers. The problem is, they probably view the regular Moons in a similar lens. Cer also despised anyone that wasn’t Blessed.
“Classism…”
Yeah. That kind of thing unfortunately exists here. And I thought it was only Cer with how her kind was treated. The thing is, it’s not a Nexus-only problem. When you have things like Soul Ranks, then those at the top are eventually going to consider those beneath them as inferior. Not that I can relate. But this world’s morals are the equivalent of Earth’s medieval past.”
Frost quietly complained as Galia basked in the moment, pleased to have so many eyes scrutinizing her.
Man… This gets worse by the second. Galia’s up next. I wonder if she’ll bring up anything she hasn’t told me yet.
“That reminds me, you have not learned much of her life from Earth. The time periods are too different to gain anything significant, but it must feel relieving to have someone like you here.”
It is. Galia has similar alignments with my own. Namely, she’s a firm believer of justice. What’s right in this world is completely fucked up. I’m just not sure where the Wandering Healer part comes into play. 19th Century… 1835. I almost can’t believe it. She’d be… what? More than 200 years old? Or less?” Frost couldn’t remember the exact date she had left Earth, but she vaguely knew that it was somewhere near 2030.
Frost wanted to wince. It was always difficult trying to wrap her mind around the fact that these ancient beings were so youthful. No… Youthful would imply innocence. Rather, they were perpetually in their biological prime, aside from those that had sustained injuries like Beholder E.
Galia still hadn’t spoken. Her eyes remained lidded, yet her gaze could be felt in the form of a sharp, cold prick on her nape. Like the serpent the triplets had endlessly declared her as, she weaponized the silence, constricting it around the throats of all. Knalzark displayed impatience, his fist bending the light twice as fearsomely.
“We think the same, you and I, O Amalgam.” Galia’s voice was utterly tantalizing, her mouth forming an all-knowing, humble smile as she addressed Frost directly. “The Blessed and the Non-Blessed. The Souls of inequality. There is substance behind the argument. But to condemn them for the sake of what one can, rather than thinking of whether one should, is a deplorable showcase of justice, and our lacking reach of judgement.”
Her presence was unmatched. The Stars above revered her and only her in a similar fashion as they did whenever the Archetypes spoke. Moons hesitantly withdrew the red in their vision, willing to hear Galia speak without the newfound blades of prejudices they had acquired.
Galia’s grasp was far larger than Frost could have imagined.
Were these Moons people she also saved like the triplets? Nav?
“It may be due to her moral standing. I may be deaf to the suffering, but even I can tell that she’s been operating her Atelier differently from the others. Frost. Are you forgetting your interactions with their personnel? The Peace Flocks that were sent out to protect that small town? The humanitarian mission of the 6th Branch?”
I haven’t. I’m just curious. The Stars I can get why, but the Moons? I doubt the Moons would be inclined to follow someone because of good morals alone.
Frost’s question would soon be answered as Galia finally introduced herself.
“Beholder Galia, of Justica Arms and all 11 remaining Branches, and their respective Apostles. The foundation of my Atelier is based on the principle of justice and judgement. Their intermingling is encapsulated by our motto – Justice must never stray behind Judgement. Its meaning is as obvious as the number of days in a year. Justice must be swift. It must be flexible. It must become the bullet of all efforts to secure a greater tomorrow. To drag behind means to sew injustice. This world has taught me well of how languid justice truly was before my ascension.”
Not only did she introduce herself, but she bragged and recited her words like they were holy scripture, much to the irritation of Knalzark. Her words were enchanted by her natural venom, as even Frost found herself entranced as she keenly listened.
“Unfortunately, it still continues. My 2nd Branch was so close to cleansing Scarlet Logic. That was until my trusted 2nd Apostle abruptly retreated. Several Beholders did not enjoy us breaking Atelier Law and Treaties. The Subderma Layer was severely damaged in that area too. But had my 2nd Branch prevailed, then we could have avoided this disaster altogether.”
“Which Ateliers ordered you to stop?” Frost demanded.
“Caldera Industries to no one’s surprise. The assault had damaged a section of the Root-Pillar Complex. CogitO because of a certain Star’s rampant abuse of their Repenters, which led to several significant reforms regarding their loaned personnel. ImpulseWorks due to the instability of the landscape. After all, the Nex Megalopolis exists on a thin slice of earth.”
Galia confessed, adding:
“As you can see, their resoning is sound. I was not the one who ordered the attack. If I could regain contact with my 2nd Apostle, then I am certain we can learn of the truth. I was elsewhere at the time. But if you must know – I was visiting the 10th Branch in Gnawer to investigate the disappearance of Monarch eggs from the Queen of Rock. I believe that describes our Atelier the best. We are the kind that will offer our aid unconditionally, so long as it is permissible.”
Her words contradicted the assault on the City of Spades, but if they were aware of it then why didn’t anyone at least attempt to investigate? Why was the Arbiter unable to dismiss their actions and allow them to spear the brewing heart of Scarlet Logic – the Heart of the City?
The Arbiter then answered for Galia:
“I have only just received my eyes. This is the first time I am seeing the Beholders. My judgement used to solely rely on actions inflicted against me, but now I have gained inquisitive powers. Amalgam. There is nothing I can touch beyond the Nexus without inviting Corruption. As you are aware, I was no better than a bystander for the last 15 years. My greatest accomplishment was my Risk Classification System, and this Council. As such, this has led to events outside of my jurisdiction.”
“I had to begrudgingly break Scarlet Logic’s base because of your negligence. I don’t believe a word. Not yours, Arbiter. But the Beholders. Don’t you dare tell me that the only reason you didn’t investigate was because of your ‘treaties’.” Frost dominated the room, exerting immense pressure as she threatened to enter the Third State.
Eyes lowered. None wished to speak aside from Galia who uttered:
“They were absolute. Can you begin to fathom how many of our personnel are at a knife’s drop away from assassinating the members of another Atelier? We have a long history. These Laws and Treaties guaranteed security, or else what we’ve all built were to come crumbling down.”
“You might not want to hear the extent of this fucked up game on the next rounds.” Satania smirked, twirling her hair. “But you’re the Amalgam. With communications lost, I know your great mind already knows the implications moving forward for distant Atelier Branches. Galia. You didn’t mention your wears and your involvement with the Adventurers and their Associations.”
She spoke on Galia’s behalf, wanting to speed things up. This had gone long enough, but not enough for Frost who understood the chaos that would ensue in distant lands.
Iscario had hit them far harder than she realized.
She couldn’t help but wonder if this was all just one component in the Fate Mechanism’s ‘Tenth Act’. The issue was that not even Act X knew what it was, and the orders did not solely come from her as there were other Living Looms who weaved the strings of the Fate Mechanism.
“I ultimately gained something from this. But those that perished can never come back.” Frost lamented.
Her hopes rested on Jury’s Atelier, which promised to prevent such an event from ever occurring again. While the Impuritas had strengthened and unified, Frost had learned that the Ateliers were as fractured as ever.
The Arbiter’s strive for unity became imperative.
Caught up! geez the ateliers are a mess, on one side I understand the breeding resentment but the escalation of it all to the point of mutual self destruction baffles me, even when against a destabilising mutual enemy they try to cripple each other and screw up Nexus as a whole, it makes it even worse when eliminating elite personnel and Nexus moons comes into the picture.
Thank you for reading all the way up to here! I've read through all of your comments and have been enjoying them along your journey!
Yeah, the Ateliers absolutely need an external (or internal at this point) body to keep them in line. We can't forget that these Ateliers were in a constant state of conflict in the far past, and they require extensive Nex generation to stay afloat. The less Ateliers there are, the more Nex they have for themselves. We don't know what happens to a Beholder when they run out of Nex yet either, so it might be something they're afraid of which is why they're so stubborn.
Too many egos competing, but it goes much more beyond just that. Later on much more of their reasons will be uncovered as we get to understand the Beholders, where they came from, their personal aspirations, etc.
Their character arcs will be quite important to the story.
Thank you for reading! I hope this answers your questions! If you have anymore questions, then I'll be more than happy to answer them!
@Syringe Thank you! Love the story and the progression thus far, both emotional and plot wise, this council and the detail it goes into is something I love, you'd think a meeting would be boring but the atmosphere, story and intrigue makes it as fun to read as any conflict Especially showing frost having given enough f*cks to not care anymore and lay down some actual rules, bonk them with extreme prejudice and actually make some progress for the nexus to finally recover properly in a long time.
Also looking forward to her adding to her moons and how she'd go about it, would definitely be interesting, there's already one candidate in that cat-child that survived the serum miraculously
Don't think ignis would choose beholder tho, she has goals but not involving looking after an atelier and more being hands on in helping out and being pampered by her now "new family", it would be interesting to see who'd take up the scarlet mantle but for some reason the first potential character's that came to mind is her Alter Aspects, either mimicry if she grows shrewd yet loyal enough, or the yet uncovered red riding hood theme'd her
"You might not want to hear the extent of this f*cked up game on the next rounds." Satania smirked, twirling her hair. "But you're the Amalgam. With communications lost, I know your great mind already knows the implications moving forward for distant Atelier Branches. Galia. You didn't mention your wears and your involvement with the Adventurers and their Associations."
Is long ranges comms like radio not a thing in this world?
If not, it's worth the Investment, hell the one controls it can have so much power over others. Cause by God, information network of this world is so weak and frigile.
Their long range communication was their teleportation array. (Can't quite remember the name) With it down, they need to set the system up again. Until then, long range communication is out.
@Akajaro i mean yeah that was a thing, but having secondary means of communication will be a lot more meaningful after this debacle.
Beside, If radio were a thing, information it can be trickle down to the lowest level personel just with the right tool without the need to see face to face or letters.
Though, people are lazy so invention without a demand like this would be put aside by all of them.
Long range communication does exist in the form of the Cognito/Cognition Transmitters and Recievers, but they are very flawed. We know Justica Arms Peace Flocks do use them, but their range is severely limited.
Repenters on the otherhand will always be constantly observed almost irregardless of distance unless they're outside of the Epiderma, near a Genesis Stone, or inside of a Corrupted Zone. This however breaches all sense of privacy. Their thoughts are essentially no longer theirs as CogitO can tap right into it, and we'll learn that it also does something else to them soon enough.
Akarjaro is correct that they did use the Hyperlinks for communication too. The Guilds used them extensively to move information around. Act X is another one that moves sensitive information via their Heralds/Missionaries, albiet far slower than the former methods.
Stars used to be able too until Iscario's betrayal. They can be used in the future, but they'll also be slow.
There is one last method that is arguably the best of all, and we'll be seeing it soon enough.
Thank you for reading!
@Syringe
There is one last method that is arguably the best of all, and we'll be seeing it soon enough.
Oh ho.. looking forward to that!