Unbound-Chapter Nine Hundred And Eighty One – 981

"Noctis’ dead tits! You scared me, ghost."

"I am not a ghost. I am Knowledge, a Memory construct in service to Emperor Nevarre.”

"Yeah? Same difference.” Evie leaned closer squinting one eye and then the other. “Why’re you so…wobbly?”

“And why’re you a rat?” Shadow shouted from the table.

“I—” The construct did look wobbly to Gabby. It also looked annoyed. “I am an amalgamated Memory construct, a repository of knowledge, shaped to be most pleasing to the Path of Rule.”

“A Geist,” Elowen said.

There was a flicker of something Gabby could call relief on the construct's face. It inclined its head toward the mage. "I see you are a woman of discernment and Intelligence.”

“Don't blame them. Most of us are Unbound, and those that aren't, well, they've forgotten about your people a long, long time ago."

"What's a Geist?" Kevin asked.

"They're a Lost Race, like Kobolds and Minotaurs, but they’re also a people that helped rule the Golden Empire. They had a strong sense of community, a great Intelligence, and were responsible for many of the etheric advancements we still use today."

"Oh!" Evie snapped her fingers. "He's like that Vvim guy, the one Felix used to know.”

Gabby didn't know what Evie meant, but Knowledge inclined its head to the icy chainlady as well. "Vvim. Yes. A survivor of the Ruin and an exemplary member of the people that I am modeled after. I am not Geist, but those that forged me were. Your knowledge does you justice, Elowen, especially in this fallen Age. All modern records I’ve internalized have illustrated just how much has been Lost."

"Well, you need to look in the right places," Elowen said, "and some of it takes reading between the lines. Records of the Geist exist, but they're really few and far between, and most of their accomplishments have been attributed in one form or another to the Nym by scholars. But there are some, a minority of mages, who believe that the Geist had a greater hand in the Golden Empire's glories than any have given them credit for."

Knowledge’s eyes flashed silver. "Wisdom in this fallen Age. I am glad to hear of it. This was learned while in the Violet Tower?"

"It was.”

“A pity then that the Violet no longer exists.”

Elowen winced. “Don’t remind me. The libraries there were truly fantastic—unmatched in etheric research and a treasure trove of all sorts of information. Its destruction…it's the one time I’ve been disappointed with Felix.”

Gabby raised an eyebrow. “He destroyed it?”

“His Beast consumed it all.”

Hoofbeats clopped closer, heralding Beef and Wendell. “He fixed it, though!”

“Not the libraries and treasure reserves. Those didn’t come back when he restored the Warden’s Keep.” Elowen shrugged. “I’m not blaming him, Beef. I guess I’m just feeling wistful.”

“The loss of data is a wound on us all,” Knowledge said solemnly. “My other selves are in Levantier now and while they are slowly working their way through the Lucent Towers and the Emperor’s keep, it will take a significant span of time to truly absorb the research of so many magi.”

Other selves? Gabby almost spoke up, but Elowen was faster and far more curious.

"Absorb? What do you mean by that?”

"Precisely what I said. My purpose is to collect data; to arrange information within the banks of the river of knowledge I represent. So it was in the ancient days, long Lost, and so it will be again. As the Emperor has expanded his power and Authority, so too have my capabilities—and responsibilities—grown.”

“So you absorb information and act as a living repository?” Elowen’s smile was wide and the silver chains between her antlers jangled with her delight. “I like that a lot.”

Knowledge didn’t respond to that, but turned instead to Evie. "You spoke of Core Manifestations."

The girl scrunched up her face. "I did?"

"You did. These Ghosts of yours, you said they are a manifestation of your power."

"Well, yeah. It’s a Skill."

“Is it?” Knowledge peered at her. “Check your core space. Do you see it shining above your city of ice?”

Evie frowned, closed her eyes, and immediately snapped them back open. “Hey! It’s all pale and see-through! What’d you do?”

Knowledge didn’t so much as flinch when the slender warrior advanced on him. “Ghosts of the White Wastes remains as it was, Evie Aren. Can you not see them cavorting about? I can sense its resonance even from out here…but it is not a Skill. Not yet, anyway.”

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Evie shoved her finger in the construct’s face.“Talk plain, rat.”

“What you experienced as a Skill was a temporary echo. You might enjoy several more uses before it becomes inaccessible to you, at least until you’ve properly woven its pattern.” Knowledge smiled, and Gabby shivered. It was a false thing, like an eye on a moth’s wing. “Until you have my help.”

Wendell stepped closer, his bulk casting a shadow across the street. “Are you threatening her? Or is this a bad joke?”

"I do not threaten, Wendell Reyes, and I am incapable of joking. Emotion is not part of my construct."

The hell it isn’t. The thing was brimming with emotions, they were just all weird ones. Gabby flexed her hands. She wasn’t sure where this was going, but if they had to fight this thing she’d be ready.

“You’re still not talkin’ plain.” Evie groaned. “What do I gotta do to keep the Skill?”

"Plain. Yes, I can simplify my words. Evie Aren, you are experiencing the beginning effects of Core Manifestation. In order to solidify it and retain your Skill, you must weave its full pattern.” Knowledge folded its furry hands into its voluminous sleeves. “In Ages Lost, one of my roles was to delve the core spaces of my charges and their direct families. Emperor Nevarre, in his infinite mercy, has expanded the parameters to include…everyone.”

For a moment, silence reigned outside the mess hall. Until it didn’t.

"What do you mean everyone—?"

“That sounds like Felix—”

“Weaving? Again? I just got done with those damn Pillars—!”

"What exactly is ‘delving’?" Gabby asked, voice booming over the rest. They quieted immediately.

“An investigation of another’s core space,” Elowen said. “Felix has performed one on all of us, but the ability is very rare.”

“Simply put, I extend my senses into your core space, ascertain information such as the state of your foundation, the strength of your cores, the vibrational signature of your Skills, and a slew of other data points. This will help me build a workable model of where you stand now and how you might advance in the most optimal way possible.”

Gabby blinked. “Optimal—? You’re talking about being a guide to leveling up?”

“More than just that, but—I see your meaning.” Knowledge’s head tilted and its eyes flashed silver before nodding. “For the exchange of some mild agony, my guidance will also increase the chances of you weaving your full Core Manifestation without destroying yourself in the process.”

"Oh," Evie straightened up. "Why didn’t you say that in the first place? Now that sounds burnin’ useful.”

"I dunno." Shadow unconsciously touched his chest. “‘Mild agony’ sounds shady as hell.”

"Power," Knowledge intoned, "is a choice, and all choices have consequences. Now, Evie Aren, are you ready to begin?"

"Blighted Night, you make it sound so fun. Go for it, Ghost.”

“Hm. Excellent.” The construct paused, its entire form freezing in place for an instant before reverting to a neutral stance. Like a flickering image. “This will be most efficient if I were to handle all present in unison. One of you asked about the Emperor’s change in parameters: I have been instructed to delve the Unbound and his inner circle first. From there, I shall move through the Talons of the Fiend's Claw before processing onward."

That wobbliness that Gabby had spotted originally increased as Knowledge shrugged its tiny shoulders. His form jittered around the edges as first one, then two, and then a full half-dozen copies of himself stepped out of his shadow. One walked toward each of them, expressionless and eerily silent.

Gabby stood up from the bench, suddenly uncertain. "And this is safe?"

"Quite safe," Knowledge said in unison from six separate mouths. "It has already been performed on Vessilia Dayne, and she emerged unscathed. Aha, there it is.” Knowledge reached out its white-furred hand, pressing toward Gabby's midsection. All of its copies did the same to the others present. "Do we have your consent for this?"

“And this will give me a roadmap for advancement?”

“As much as we can provide.”

Gabby took a breath. "Then…yeah."

"Very good." Knowledge’s hand extended just a touch further, and to Gabby it was like it moved in slow motion. "This should take only a few heartbeats."

"Should?"

"Due to your lineage, there is a ten percent chance of devastating complication. But it is no matter. You are quite sturdy."

"Wait—"

A silent pulse thrummed from Knowledge's hand, and Gabby's words fell limp from her mouth as her Mind blanked with pain. Everything blazed. Golden light rioted within her as something foreign stretched through her channels. Its touch was cold and gleaming, like solid silver turned liquid, and it trailed behind it a rawness that gouged flesh and Spirit alike. All at once, the silver tumbled into her core space, flaring against the golden power that lay within, and through the pain Gabby felt a sharp and distinct yelp of alarm.

It wasn’t hers.

Panic gripped the silver, spinning now into an orb. A rush of power followed, expanding its diameter in a rush and driving through the golden light. Weapons of radiance slashed for the growing orb, but Gabby yanked them back. She gagged, her insides rioting, but she held her core still as the silver power sank into her…and faded.

She blinked, and found herself staring at the ground. The world had come back into focus, and she was kneeling amongst the remains of a shattered table. Gabby sat back on her heels, pain still fresh in her chest and splinters lingering in the crevices of her gauntlets. At some point, she’d smashed the table, hurling everyone back. They were standing around her now, some holding their heads or chests, and all of them staring daggers at the copies of the Memory construct.

Gabby's throat was hoarse, and her stomach dropped. I screamed? She hadn’t heard anyone else.

A copy of Knowledge stood before her, flickering more wildly now, clearly unstable. The others nearby bowed neatly to their friends and vanished back into the Geist standing before Evie. Not hers, however. It continued to watch her with those creepy eyes.

Gabby glared. "What the hell was that?”

"Very curious.” Knowledge folded its clawed hands together. “Your strength is incredible. The complexity of your foundation, core, and Skills are profound. It will take me some time to find the way for you, but you are a challenge, and I appreciate that.”

"What are you talking about?"

“Not all core spaces are the same, but it is a general rule that complexity equals strength. Gabrielle, the only one with a more complex core space than you is the emperor himself.” Knowledge smiled that same fake grin. “You should be elated. Your Bargain and the touch of multiple Divines present an intriguing opportunity."

Gabrielle pulled herself back to her feet. "What opportunity?"

Its grin widened, until it stretched the bounds of the Geist’s face. “To join the Emperor on the Broken Path. To become a god.”