[Preservation]Aeon — Qlipoth.
Colin Iliad instinctively murmured the divine title. He had never heard of this god before, yet the name came effortlessly to his lips.
"Preservation Aeon… Qlipoth…"
Its true name surfaced in his mind naturally, though he did not speak it aloud — that would be disrespectful.
Colin felt his faith begin to waver. It was as if his devotion to the "Lord who created all things, the omniscient and omnipotent God" was no longer so absolute.
The shackles on his body seemed to vanish. He found he could move freely again. Bathed in amber light, warmth filled every corner of his being.
Colin stretched out his hand, as if to touch that unreachable existence. He did not crave contact — he only wished to draw closer, even just a little.
"Qlipoth…"
He spoke the god's true name.
It was irreverent, the sort of act that might invoke divine punishment. But Colin didn't care.
…He was gambling…
…Gambling that this one was merciful…
…Gambling that this one was forgiving…
…Gambling that this one loved mankind…
He admitted to himself he was selfish…
…Greedy…
…Never satisfied…
…Always overreaching…
All he asked…
…All he prayed for…
…Was that the god might look upon…
…Just once…
…Just a single glance…
…At Silver City.
High above, the magnificent god seemed to hear his plea. The colossal single eye turned to gaze at the tiny Colin Iliad.
Colin's outstretched hand froze. He was once again immobilized. Space itself solidified into unyielding amber.
The Amber King raised His immense warhammer, bringing it down toward him.
Did I gamble wrong…?
——
Perhaps it was because He had left His original cosmos for a new one. Or perhaps Aha had tampered with Him in some way. Qlipoth did not mind. Whatever the reason, He found His humanity more abundant here. He could faintly sense emotions — joy, anger, sorrow, delight.
He had just ridden Aha into this world when He sensed the will of [Preservation]. This man was the very first being in the new world bearing that will. The Amber King decided to grant him a measure of favor.
After all, this would be His first believer here. Perhaps he could even be persuaded to build walls.
He saw Colin striving to protect his kin. That was good.
So He froze the space around him and drew the man's consciousness into the Interstice of Destiny.
He had decided He must establish His divine majesty here, begin a new divine life in this world. He must not, like certain other gods — one god, two gods, perhaps a handful of gods — conduct Himself in a sloppy, undignified way.
He heard the human call His name, offering up his plea.
Within the Interstice, the man's mind was like an open book. Even though Qlipoth was not the Aeon of Memory, He could have read it freely.
But Qlipoth did not. This was His first believer; he deserved some grace. So He chose instead to listen to his prayer.
The man confessed his selfishness, his greed, his endless hunger, his shameless demands. Qlipoth found no fault in this. All humans were like this. Such flaws did not displease Him.
The man prayed that Qlipoth might look upon Silver City. Very well. Since it was the request of a believer, why not?
Following the tether of his thoughts, Qlipoth glanced at the so-called Silver City. Their millennia of endurance unfurled before His gaze. A fine place…
He saw the deeds of Colin Iliad, his efforts to preserve Silver City, his years of unyielding vigilance, the footsteps he had set upon the path of Preservation.
His gaze crossed time. He saw the near future, saw Colin dissolving into the sunlight, saw that even in death he would still stand firm in Preservation.
Because Light was the very meaning of all things.
——
You human… you truly please Me!
Qlipoth shed the façade of solemn majesty. Raising His colossal warhammer, He swiftly sealed the Interstice, lest some god of mirth leap out and snatch away the SSR He had just drawn.
The hammer fell, delivering the blessing of Preservation.
——
Colin Iliad's consciousness returned to his body. He felt the once-solidified space loosen around him.
He had no time to examine his changes, only sensed amber light coursing across his form. His right foot pressed hard against the ground, and with an explosive crack of air, his whole figure shot forward toward the Black Knight.
The Black Knight, charging at three of them, drew Berg's resolve. He thought of sacrificing himself. Flames ignited in his hands, shaping into a blazing spear that leveled at the oncoming monster.
Though a "fire mage" who could bring light was important, he was caught in an awkward middle ground. After the earlier sacrifice of two others, it fell to him to serve as the expendable one, paving the way for the two who mattered most.
Facing the mythical form head-on, his body sprouted fleshy growths; countless eyes opened across his skin. Having lost a corrupted shadow, he was already weakened.
Enduring the maddening whispers clawing at his mind, Berg stood ready.
But Colin struck first. He arrived above the Black Knight, both hands gripping his greatsword that now gleamed with amber radiance, and brought it down in a mighty swing.
A vast phantom loomed behind him — a giant with a warhammer — overlapping its hammer with Colin's sword.
The Black Knight seemed bound, frozen in place, unable to move as the blade descended.
Dong.
A sound like a colossal bell reverberated.
The Black Knight was gone, leaving only a scatter of Beyonder traits on the ground, ranging from Sequence Nine to Sequence Four.
(End of Chapter)