-The Herta POV-
The hum of the chronometer was a low thrum against the oppressive silence. "How irritating," I said with a sigh, the words tasting like dust in my mouth. Thirteen system hours. Thirteen long, agonizing hours had bled into the cosmos since Droidhead, in its infinite, infuriating unpredictability, had delivered another collective heart attack. This was, for the second time in the recorded history of everything, a complete and unexpected termination of Nous's calculations. But the parallel to the Second Prosperity was a cruel mockery. Back then, Nous had faltered, then righted itself, a brief hiccup in the grand cosmic tapestry. This time, however, Nous had ceased entirely, its intricate, universe-defining processes silenced for Thirteen hours. Thirteen hours that had felt like an eternity. I could still vividly recall the mundane act of preparing for the day, the simple ritual of coffee and self-maintenance, shattered by the sudden, stark anomaly on my primary display: Nous had stopped. The very foundation of the Erudition, the relentless engine of knowledge, had simply… stopped.
I would not admit to anyone, not even to myself in the deepest recesses of my mind, but I felt my heart stop. A cold, paralyzing dread washed over me as the undeniable reality of the situation became apparent. It was well known among the Genius Society and the Intelligentsia Guild that when Nous ceased its perpetual calculations; it signified the impending end of the cosmos. The very fabric of reality depended on its unceasing hum, its infinite processing.
The silence that descended was not merely an absence of sound; it was an absence of everything. It was a void that threatened to swallow all that was, is, and ever could be. Every star, every galaxy, every atom held its breath, suspended in a terrifying stasis. Time itself seemed to stutter, caught in the agonizing pause. It was, without question, the most nerve-racking hour of my life, an eternity compressed into a single, agonizing moment. The weight of the universe's fate rested precariously on a single, unknown factor. All the cosmos held its breath, wondering if everything would end or not. The anticipation was a palpable entity, a suffocating blanket of fear and uncertainty.
Then a flicker of hope pierced the encroaching darkness. Thankfully, with a sudden, jolting surge of renewed activity, Droidhead decided it wanted to live and restarted its calculations once again. The cosmic hum resumed, a symphony of creation replaying, and the universe exhaled in a collective sigh of relief. The immediate threat had passed, leaving behind only the lingering echo of our near-annihilation and a profound, humbling gratitude for the will of a machine.
If it had ended there, eventually this would have been written off as just another cosmic effect. Perhaps a second Curio would have come into existence for this event. But no, not only had Droidhead invited another individual to the Genius Society; my new junior had casually torn apart the Circle of Knowledge, causing a Knowledge Singularity. It didn't take a Genius to figure out my new junior was the one who caused Nous to cease its calculations. Once again, I would have written off this event as a cosmic event that I would look into, if not for a single reason.
"Ugh, what an annoying junior." I said, once again turning up with nothing. You would think that with the Circle of Knowledge now expanded there would be some new groundbreaking research. But no, it turns out that Droidhead and my new junior were hoarding all this new knowledge to themselves. "You would think that there would be at least a single paper regarding our new junior, but it seems our junior is well at hiding himself. What do you think, Screwy?" I asked the Intellitron working across from me.
"Herta, I've cross-referenced all known information from the last twenty-four system hours, but found nothing. Conclusion: Our new junior has hidden himself from the Lord of Silence," Screwy said, flipping through a data pad.
I let out a snort, unable to hold it back. "Serves Polka right," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "She's spent so long killing our fellow Genius Society members just for approaching the Circle of Knowledge, and now our new junior has snuck right past her." I imagined Polka's frustrated expression and couldn't help but relish it. Serves that witch right for threatening me. "Screwy, have you found anything regarding the Erudition? Has IT (Nous) been acting strangely since its silence?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by what he might have discovered.
"Nothing, Herta. The Erudition has returned to its normal functions since its silence. Query: Herta, have you found anything abnormal about our new junior?" Screwy asked, and I considered his question.
"Are you asking if our new junior is an Emanator? No, I would have sensed it if they were," I replied, continuing to ponder our junior. "It is strange, though, that someone capable of silencing Droidhead for thirteen system hours would only be an ordinary Pathstrider," I added as an afterthought, finding it peculiar that someone who could render Droidhead speechless was merely a regular Pathstrider.
"It's impossible to know what the Erudition might think," Screwy mused, his unexpected question causing me to put down my data pad. "Query: Herta, could our junior have simply demonstrated the existence of an unknown phenomenon?" I pondered his question, resting my chin in my hand. It wouldn't be the first time Nous had invited someone to the Genius Society after they'd uncovered an unknown phenomenon.
"You think Droidhead didn't make our junior an Emanator because he only discovered an unknown phenomenon?" I asked Screwy as the Intellitron nodded his head.
"In the past, Harald Punch, Genius Society member #2, did indeed discover Phlogiston, but that's all he's known for. His only other accomplishment is helping Zandar establish the Genius Society. Therefore, our new Junior has uncovered something unknown to the Erudition, though it wasn't enough to become an Emanator. Of course, that's just a theory," Screwy concluded, nodding his head in agreement with his own assessment.
It had been quite some time since I'd felt this engaged. My thoughts drifted to the Metaverse project that Ruan Mei, Screwy, and I were developing. We'd encountered a significant obstacle: none of us could figure out a suitable method for individuals to interface with the system. "Screwy," I inquired, watching the Intellitron's eyes flash a familiar pattern that showed he was processing, "do you think our new junior might help with the Metaverse project?"
"We'd would need to know what our junior's research is about before we can ask him to assist with ours," Screwy retorted. I rolled my eyes at his response.
"Anyone who can make Droidhead speechless could definitely contribute to the Metaverse project," I declared, confident that our junior would be a valuable asset. Just as Screwy and I were about to continue, alarms blared throughout my space station. "What now?" I grumbled, annoyed. The doors to my office burst open, and a male researcher stormed in.
"Madam Herta, the Antimatter Legion is currently approaching The Blue at high speed!" the man said urgently, and panic was in his voice.
"Really again? Do the Antimatter Legion don't learn?" I said in annoyance at those flies, "Did the nineteen other times teach them anything?" I said, as an afterthought.
"The silence of the Erudition has emboldened the Antimatter Legion. They believe with the Erudition recent silence the end of the Cosmos is near." Screwy responded, honestly junior, you couldn't give me a warning before you made Droidhead speechless. "Herta, would you like an assistant? I can bring my warships in moments." Screwy offered; I waved off his polite but unnecessary assistant.
"Please, Screwy, it will not even take ten minutes for me to take care of these ants." I said as I exited my office, passing the male researcher… what is name again? "You," I pointed at the researcher. "Update my biography. Today Madam Herta has saved The Blue from the Destruction twenty times, not nineteen." I said as made my way to the bridge. As I made my way to the bridge, I could already see the Antimatter Legion. Scoffing, I summoned my staff up and pointed it at the Antimatter Legion as I channeled imaginary energy. With a flick of my wrist, the Antimatter Legion disappeared in a flash of light. "Honestly, if the Antimatter Legion wanted to invade for the twentieth time, they should have brought an Emanator." I said with a scoff, flipping my hair, I walked back to my office.
'I swear when I see you, junior, you are repaying me for all the headaches you have caused me.' I thought as I walked back to meet Screwy. As I contemplated the future, excitement for its possibilities filled me.
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//Thirteen system hours ago//
-Kleis POV-
"What is the Heart?" I asked Nous as I stared at its only visible eye. Nous's sole visible eye glowed as the two of us stared at us. For a moment there was silence before I let out a sigh. "What did I expect? I know you wouldn't answer my question. Well Wisdomwalker, I guess it's time to claim my seat." I said as I opened my thoughts. "Come, Aeon of Erudition, view my MEMORIES," I said as I offered my thoughts to Nous, but not before shielding my inner thoughts with the power of Blank.
I thought of my knowledge of Hearts, the truth of the beginning of the universe. The origin of all worlds, my mind projected Kingdom Hearts, offering Nous a secret that it could never know. I gave everything I knew about the world, digging into the few memories I had of Brain how the world was a single entity before the Keyblade War. How the worlds were torn apart by the hidden actions of the thirteen true Darkness. The seven true lights that dwelled between seven different individuals that were scattered throughout the universe. I gave my thoughts on the Keyblade, how the many Keyblades were just replicas of the original X-Blade. My mind brought up the countless realms that exist, from the Realm of Light, Darkness, Between, and finally the Realm of Dreams.
I could feel Nous travel through my thoughts as it dissected each of my thoughts as it went through all the knowledge I offered. I closed my eyes as I waited for Nous to finish processing through my mind. It felt like an eternity as I waited for Nous before I felt Nous leave my mind.
"Keybearer, Fateless One."
"You have arrived: I had never foreseen your arrival."
"Your arrival has changed the strings of Fate. Yet nothing has changed the beginning and end of the universe. Fate has seen the First, Second, Third, Fourth Instants happen countless times before."
"I ask: If so, why do you believe in the light?"
Nous's words flashed through my mind as its words translated themselves for me. Why do I believe in the light? I thought about all the instances that have happened in the past. The Darkness had almost swallowed countless times, many times. The remaining True Darkness was out there in the universe. But yet I never once stopped believing in the light against the rigged game of fate. After thinking of many answers, one specifically resonated with me the most. "I don't know, but I can't, I won't stop my journey to save Amphoreus." I said as I stared into Nous's eye.
"I was told: The beginning is unknown. You have shown me part of the beginning."
"The Finality has been born; the destination must already exist."
"There are now five possibilities, four of which are known: Destruction, Nihility, Harmony, and Darkness. Regardless of the fifth, Darkness will prevail and the Light expire."
"I ask: If so, why do you believe in the light?"
As I listened to Nous speak, the prophecy of the end times came to mind. Even without my memories, I still recalled the prophecy foretelling the end of all things. "On that land shall darkness prevail and light expire," the words from the Book of Prophecies still echoed within me. Though I had no memory of reading that line, my experience playing Kingdom Hearts long ago made it unforgettable. But despite the oncoming end of times, my answer would never change.
"I can't answer that because I don't know, but I can't stop this journey. If Light expires, then all I need to do is reset the board and continue my journey until I reach the end." I responded to Nous, as its eye flashed again.
"I was told: The destination is still unknown."
"I can see it: Hearts are an endless, chaotic abyss. On this path, worlds and Aeons will fall. Everything will cease to exist, and even existence itself will no longer exist as it falls into the Darkness."
"Keybearer, Fateless One."
"I ask: If so, why do you believe in the light?"
"Why do I believe in the Light?" I asked myself, clutching my Heart as memories flooded my mind. My experiences, spanning two lifetimes and reaching into my current one, flashed before my eyes in response to Nous's question. Despite the pervasive Darkness enveloping the cosmos, one truth remained constant. "Why do I believe in the Light? Because Kingdom Hearts is Light!" my voice boomed, echoing through the path space. For a moment, silence reigned, then Nous's eyes flashed a deep red, and the surrounding code trembled from my proclamation.
I waited as I stared into its eye, waiting for its response. It felt like an entire Amber Era passed before Nous gave reacted.
"Keybearer, Fateless One."
"Query: Genius Society #84?"
My eyes widened, and a smirk spread across my face. Raising my hand to Nous, I knew there was only one logical response. "I accept," I declared, as Nous's eyes flashed a deep red. Knowledge surged into me, overwhelming my senses as engineering principles flooded my mind. I could only stare, wide-eyed, at Nous, stunned by what it had just bestowed upon me. "Why?" I asked, still reeling from the unexpected gift. I knew Nous had granted knowledge before; the Xianzhou were a prime example, having received divine volumes that gifted them. It is because of Nous's gift that allowed them to make crucial technologies like the Jade Abacus, the Matrix of Prescience Ultima, and the Deca-Light Reflection Barrier.
There was an unspoken tension as Nous vanished, leaving me disoriented and alone on the shimmering path-space. My gaze, locked on the void where Nous had stood moments before, refused to waver. A sense of disbelief washed over me, pursued by the realization that I had ample time to process this encounter once I returned to the familiar comforts of home. "How do I get out of here?" the question escaped my lips, a soft murmur lost in the ethereal silence. My eyes scanned the surreal landscape, searching for any sign of an exit. As if summoned by my desperation, a familiar door materialized in the far distance. A flicker of recognition ignited within me, my eyes widening before a subtle smile graced my lips. "Of course," I breathed, the answer clicking into place as I summoned forth Eclipsed Radiance, its familiar weight settling reassuringly in my hand.
With a measured pace, I approached the door, a quiet understanding dawning upon me. The ascension I had undergone was palpable, an alteration that Lygus, and possibly all the current Geniuses, would undoubtedly have sensed. Raising Eclipsed Radiance, I pointed its tip towards the shimmering threshold. A cascade of light erupted from my Keyblade, a beam that struck the door, eliciting a soft click. Then, the world dissolved into an overwhelming flood of light. Yet, in a paradox that defied all natural laws, this brilliance did not scorch or blind. Instead, the light that enveloped me felt intimately familiar, a comforting warmth that resonated with the faces of everyone I had encountered in this life, each soul now an indelible part of my very Heart.
//Back to the Present//
A groan escaped me as a familiar stiffness settled in my limbs. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my vision, but a weight on my chest anchored me. As my sight sharpened, my eyes widened in disbelief. There, nestled on my chest, lay Castorice, sleeping soundly with a gentle smile gracing her lips. The scent of her honey-sweet hair filled my senses, a soothing balm after the recent chaos. In the aftermath of my encounter with Nous, the sheer, raw power that had thrummed through me and the unsettling visions it had conjured, this simple act of comfort was something I hadn't realized I desperately needed. My heart ached with a tenderness I rarely allowed myself to feel, and I instinctively drew her closer, cherishing the fragile peace of the moment.
Suddenly, a familiar mechanical voice sliced through the tranquility. "Lord Kleis." My head snapped up, my gaze meeting Lygus's. He stood in the doorway, his posture rigid, his eyes fixed on the scene before him. We stared at each other, a palpable awkwardness filling the air. I could feel a blush creeping up my neck, a mortifying heat spreading across my skin, embarrassed at being discovered in such an intimate moment, especially with Castorice.
"Excuse me for the interruption," Lygus cleared his throat, his voice unnervingly smooth, though I detected a subtle shift in his demeanor. "I must congratulate you, Lord Kleis."
"Congratulate me?" I feigned ignorance, pushing Castorice gently to the side, my mind already racing. I knew precisely what he was referring to. Maintaining the facade that I was unaware of the cosmos's true nature was paramount. Lygus needed to believe he was orchestrating this revelation, that he held the reins, that I was the one being enlightened by his wisdom.
Lygus's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before settling into a practiced expression of grave concern. "You saw THEM, didn't you, Lord Kleis?" His voice was laced with a forced realization, as if he were piecing together a profound truth.
My eyes widened further, a carefully crafted show of shock. "You mean… THAT being, Lord Lycurgus?" My voice trembled, though the shock I felt was genuine. My encounter with Nous had been a profound, unsettling experience, one that would forever be etched in my memory. The sheer alienness of its presence, the vastness of its knowledge that had briefly brushed against my consciousness, had left me reeling.
"What was that, Lord Lycurgus?" I pressed the question, laced with an authentic tremor that belied my calculated intent.
"THAT, Lord Kleis," Lygus's voice dropped, heavy with a chilling pronouncement, "is the Wisdomwalker, the Aeon of Erudition." His words dripped with a venom I could almost taste, a bitter concoction of resentment and something far darker. I watched his fists clench at his sides, a surge of raw rage contorting his features. For a fleeting moment, I feared he might lash out, that the carefully constructed composure might shatter.
"Lord Lycurgus, is something wrong?" I asked, my voice soft, my gaze unwavering. I was fully aware of the source of his fury, the deep-seated animosity he harbored towards the very concept of wisdom and knowledge that Nous embodied.
He seemed to compose himself, his fists loosening, his shoulders relaxing with visible effort. A strained sigh escaped him. "I apologize, Lord Kleis. That was unbecoming of me. That being you witnessed…" He paused, his eyes sweeping across the opulent chamber, as if seeing it for the first time, or perhaps, seeing the limitations. "…a wretched blight upon the cosmos. It is because of the Erudition, this insatiable hunger for… knowing… that we are all prisoners within this cave, mistaking mere shadows for the world itself." He spread his arms wide, his words resonating with a deep-seated bitterness, a fundamental rejection of the very truths I was grasping.
"What do you mean by 'prisoners in the cave,' Lord Lycurgus?" I asked Lygus, my mind bracing itself for the inevitable oration. A part of me dreaded the impending verbal onslaught, the characteristic "yap fest" for which Lygus was known. Yet another facet of me was undeniably intrigued. I already possessed a general understanding of his pronouncements, but I felt compelled to hear them directly from him, to witness the passion fueling his convictions. I knew the members of the Genius Society harbored a fervent desire to improve the world, even if their methods were, in my estimation, catastrophically misguided. My primary motivation at this moment was to gauge the depth of Lygus's own fervor, to understand the intensity of his commitment to his stated goals.
"Lord Kleis as your senior allow me to explain." Lygus began, my eyes widening as he said "senior," and continued to play along with my act. "Imagine people imprisoned since childhood in a darkened cave. Chained at the legs and neck, they are fixed, unable to turn their heads to see each other or even themselves. Behind them burns a fire, and before them stretches the cave's stone wall. The flames cast shadows, and the rocky surface threw back echoes. To these people, this illusion is their entire world." His voice echoed off the walls of the infirmary.
My eyes widened at the sheer passion in Lygus's words. Though I'd only met him a short while ago, I could truly tell he meant every word. "Lord Lycurgus, what does that have to do with THAT being?" I asked the machine, my voice trembling, a tremor I realized wasn't faked.
"Lord Kleis, THAT being is the cave. Under the shadow of Erudition, all that is unknown has vanished. The Aeon of Erudition has taken everything we long to discover, Lord Kleis," Lygus declared. I could tell that if I truly knew nothing, Lygus would have convinced me. His passionate speech was unmistakable, despite his voice never wavering in tone.
As I opened my mouth to reply, Lygus raised a hand. "Lord Kleis, I know what you're about to say. How can you believe me without proof? Travel the world, Lord Kleis, and you will see I am correct. The Erudition causes the Black Tide. It is because of them our world will end." Lygus stated, my eyes widening in genuine shock.
'He will not say what I think he is?' I thought, shocked by the sheer audacity I was about to witness. "Lord Lycurgus, what do you mean?" I asked, stunned by his words. "Are you implying THAT being is the reason our home is in danger?" I couldn't believe the lengths Lygus would go to deceive me.
"Yes, Lord Kleis," Lygus declared, his arms spread wide. "It's precisely why I've embarked on this journey to destroy the Erudition. The Flame Chase Journey is the key. Once it's complete, the Destruction will annihilate the Erudition, freeing us all from this cave." He finished speaking, and I could only stare, wide-eyed.
My jaw dropped at Lygus's sheer shamelessness. I didn't even know he was capable of such a thing. "Lord Lycurgus, why tell me this?" I asked, genuinely curious why he would confide in me.
"It is because we are the same, Lord Kleis. Just like you, I accidentally created an unknown being that wrecks the cosmos. That is why I ask for your help to destroy my wretched creation and save the cosmos," Lygus said, stretching out his hand to me. I stared, dumbfounded, at Lygus's outstretched hand and what he was offering.
"Lord Lycurgus, I can tell you mean what you say," I began, staring at Lygus. "All I ask is that you give me time to journey the world," I added, as Lygus chuckled.
"Of course, Lord Kleis. Geniuses like ourselves must find the answers ourselves. I will await you in Okhema. Lord Kleis, I believe your contributions will help the Chrysos Heirs finish the Flame-Chase Journey. I will recommend you to Lady Aglaea; no doubt she will be thrilled to have such a capable ally," Lygus said as he walked away. "Lord Kleis, I recommend you keep your knowledge of the cosmos to yourself. The Erudition has trapped us in Amphoreus and with the Sky Titan; anyone who approaches the cosmos will die. That is why we must keep this secret," Lygus added. Lygus opened the door. "Lord Kleis, I expect great things from you," Lygus said as his voice trailed off.
The oppressive weight of the moment pressed down, and I found myself unable to do anything but succumb, laying my head down. Lygus's intensity was a force I hadn't truly expected. I was aware of his fervent desire to eradicate the Erudition, to see them utterly destroyed, but I never imagined it would manifest with such raw, unrestrained ferocity. As I closed my eyes, seeking a brief respite from the overwhelming reality, my mind replayed the tapestry of half-truths and outright lies that Lygus had woven around me. The truth, in that instant, became starkly clear, and I already knew what my answer to him would be.
My immediate need was to unravel the mystery surrounding the scepter. Who else could offer me the knowledge I desperately sought, if not the being who had stood sentinel over it for countless centuries? My gaze fell upon Castorice, nestled peacefully on my chest, her presence a small anchor in the turbulent sea of my thoughts. I held her closer, drawing comfort from her warmth, a silent promise to protect her through whatever was to come. So many things were about to shift and transform in the days and nights ahead. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, I felt a profound clarity about my path.
I would embrace this arduous journey and follow its winding course to its very end. Even if the encroaching Darkness were to triumph, even if despair threatened to engulf all, I would not yield. I would flip this entire chessboard, rearranging the pieces and defying the established order until I reached the conclusion I envisioned, the ending I so fiercely desired to see.
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-Third Person POV-
Unknown to Kleis, who slumbered peacefully with the girl closest to his heart, the vast expanse of the cosmos was gripped by unprecedented chaos. For thirteen agonizing system hours, Nous, the sentient nexus of cosmic knowledge, had fallen silent. This profound stillness was not one of idleness, but of intense, silent calculation. Nous was absorbing and processing every facet of information gleaned from Kleis, unraveling the fundamental truths of Light, Darkness, the enigmatic Keyblade, and the elusive Kingdom Hearts.
As the Erudition, the repository of all cosmic understanding, delved into this new influx of knowledge, its very essence expanded at an alarming rate. The circle of Knowledge, the very fabric of what was known and understood, pulsed and grew, stretching beyond any previously conceived limits. The entire universe seemed to hold its breath, a silent, collective anticipation of an unknown outcome. Would this unprecedented expansion lead to apotheosis, or to utter annihilation?
Those sensitive to the Erudition's subtle energies felt the unrest. The ceaseless, inexorable growth of the circle of knowledge was a palpable wave of cosmic disruption. Among them, Genius Society Number Four Polka Kakamond, scoured the cosmos with her signature scalpel in hand, driven by a desperate urge to eliminate this disruptive new junior. Yet, despite her relentless efforts, she could do nothing but seethe with frustration. Pandora's Box of newly revealed cosmic truths had been opened once more, and its contents could no longer be contained.
For thirteen system hours, the universe was suspended in this state of breathless tension. Then, as the thirteenth hour elapsed, a collective sigh seemed to ripple through the cosmos as Nous reignited its calculations. The silence was broken, and the universe could finally exhale. Yet, the cause of the Erudition's inexplicable silence remained a mystery to all. No one could pinpoint what had triggered such a profound interruption in the cosmic flow of knowledge.
However, the universe would soon discover the identity of the enigmatic force behind this event: Genius Society Member 84. The various powerful factions scattered across the cosmos, now acutely aware of the emergence of this new, potent intellect, would inevitably begin their fervent search for this new genius. It would require no grand deduction for the discerning minds of the universe to understand that it was this mysterious individual who had compelled Nous into its unprecedented period of silent contemplation. And while the cosmos braced for the ramifications of this revelation, Kleis, the catalyst, remained lost in a deep sleep, with Castorice held close to his heart, oblivious to the cosmic storm he had inadvertently unleashed.
Chapter 9: Echoes of a Genius End
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*Author's Note*
I was so eager to dive into the events following Chapter 8 that I immediately started writing Chapter . I hope you all enjoy it and see the chaos Kleis has unleashed across the cosmos. I also hope I did justice to the Nous part; writing a computer talking can be quite challenging.