Interlude: The Keeper’s End.

Interlude: The Keeper’s End.

Commissioned by Blfqy

Word Count: 2500

…

It boggled the mind as to how a Concept would be able to stand against an Aspect. Simple logic dictates that a god amongst gods would be able to triumph against any number of gods, even if they were amassed and unified into a single being. Just as a human is an apex predator amongst apex predators, capable of outfighting and overcoming every other threat in nature, the same could be said a Concept and an Aspect.

But, the moment I met Coda, I understood how Concepts could bring low Aspects.

Or, at least, the End and Conflict.

There were weaknesses to be exploited in both. Extreme reactions to certain assets utilized by lesser beings. I can only postulate that Concepts are not peers, but either vectors for toxins that either debilitate or kill Conflict or the End, or supplements which push either to greater heights.

We are counterweights to one another, with the Strategist being the tipping point that aids and harms neither, but is important due to that distinction. The Hero and the Huntress were capable of pushing Song’s abilities to heights hitherto undreamt of. I shored up their defenses against powers beyond reckoning. The Trickster, Pursuer, and Hierophant all had skills which shored up the weaknesses of the End and protected her from the Concepts aligned with Conflict.

Meeting Coda for the first time, I became very aware that I could reach out into the End and manipulate it. The source of her greatest power, the treasure which she guards, and from which she derives meaning is something I can touch, alter, and change. As the Keeper of Souls, I know that I can utterly take it from her and it will take the outside help for her to reacquire it.

Such as other Concepts.

I realized this the moment I laid my eyes upon Coda.

It was an instantaneous moment. One moment I did not know such things. The next I did. As a Concept, I had full confidence in my abilities against the End. My victory against her, in single combat, was all but guaranteed. Without outside aid, if I faced off against the Aspect of the End’s powers, I would be the victor.

However, that was without considering Coda herself, who was a distinguished Sorcerer and a being of firm conviction.

Those thoughts were very jarring to consider, especially as I offered the waif of a girl my hand and introduced myself to her.

“Lorelei Altringham.” I was aware of the eyes upon me. I had to wonder to what extent everyone was knowledgeable of my abilities. Did Miyakuro suspect it and share with Hyoudou and Ulrich? Was this a show of strength on part of the Preservers? Stiles might currently be in Coda’s care, there was no denying that she didn’t intend to stay. Though I wished to remain unaffiliated with either side, staying neutral whilst all fought for the sake of all, my presence here and now, brought by two Preservers, can be construed in the Preserver’s favor. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Coda.”

The moment her fingers grazed upon mine, I knew I was capable of cutting her off from the End. The formless void which she carried upon her back, lacking in anything which can be sensed and where a person can only be was mine to take away effortlessly. With the aid of my gods, I could most certainly do the same without our physical connection, but it would be a challenge. In contact? It would be as easy as breathing to take away from her the power she uses to grant peace onto others.

“It is nice to meet you too.” Coda shook my hand. She hid her emotions well. Was it due to skill or circumstance that she managed to act in such a manner? Her worth is unquestionable. She has suffered and endured for the sake of power. None of my council, who I’ve agreed to have all be present for this meeting, disagreed. This waif of a woman, composed into being through pain and torment, has decided to struggle and lift up a tremendous weight for the sake of others. “I am Coda, Lorelei Altringham.”

When my hand left her own, I took note of how long it was before my power could no longer affect her own.

I was aware that a multitude would decry me for my actions. Removing that power of hers would be an immense boon to Conflict. She would be relegated to two-thirds of her power forevermore, until I was forced to release it or returned it to her. She would be unable to take souls and grant them peace… as well as use souls as power for terrible, great miracles that cannot be outdone by other Aspects.

Yet, I could not cast my lot with them, when there are those who would accept Coda’s clauses and offers without hesitation.

How could I turn my back upon those who choose not to be bound by fate? Those who do not wish to strive for Heaven, with every insufficient life rendering unto them slight loss of self… or purging from the fires of hell? Should I take away her power without reason, I would be a tyrant subscribing to my own ideals and those who would support me. My works would be insufficient in justification and lacking in any true justice.

And, that was only from what utterly little I knew of justice now.

I am the Keeper of Souls now. My station is to arbitrate over the afterlife of all of humanity. The choices I make will resonate through eternity. My gods might be able to guide me now, but once my power is sufficient they will give way and leave only their power behind. I am they and they are me. Their manifestation in their current state is convenient. I am alone in my station and must approach it with caution… and be neutral in this terrible war that is engulfing all of Reality.

There must be someone who is respected by all sides, an individual who is just in accordance with the times, and who will be able to serve and aid all.

I could not imagine a Reality that could survive without such a person, especially with all the powers that be.  

“So, I would like to spend some time to know you, Coda. If you would have me of course.”

“I would like that.”

It felt nearly criminal to even consider robbing her of that power with the smile she gave.

…

Whereas Conflict was housed amidst humanity, within the center of an Arcology fit for a capital of a whole nation, Coda lived on a dead world in prefabricated disaster shelters. One lived in a mansion in a bustling city with all the amenities humanity can offer, while the other lived in stacked modules with the amenities expected of basic, free housing within Arcologies.

Both were privileged compared to those who continued to live in the Wastes, and I who was born within gilded halls and raised with a silver spoon in my maw, but I could not help but compare the two’s lives. I doubted there would be many who wouldn’t, since they contended with one another to near extremes and both their philosophies were had merits to which large portions of humanity would subscribe.  

Still, I couldn’t help but think that both were fond of their current situation and wouldn’t envy the other.

Song cared little for his furnishings, though he was certainly appreciative of anything that was given to him. Clean water, food, and safety were his paramount considerations in regards to a domicile. He’d take to a free flat, courtesy of the Arcology municipality,  with the same aplomb as his penthouse suite.

Coda was the same.

The survival modules were all lovingly maintained on the outside, their connections were firm, and the immediate surroundings were kept clean. Even the trash disposal’s filters were functioning perfectly, erasing the scent which came from lack of discipline that would arise within a few refugee camps.

I loathed to say that their suffering contributed to growth in their character. The notion was one that I had great difficulty with. I had personal bias towards certain beliefs that alienated me from many people. I couldn’t have that continue to be the case, given my circumstances. All I could do now was acknowledge it, make a note of it, and keep it in check.

Yet, I doubtlessly appreciated Coda’s dwelling more than I would any other refugee module.

It was a simple, clean space that was still homely. I’d feared that she’d be the Spartan sort, austere to a fault, but there were decorations within her home in the form of souvenirs. Not garish knickknacks, but tasteful postcards and little glass bottles filled with soil. I was quite interested in a battle which held ash from what she’d merely titled “The Conference.” I could only suppose that it was of a legendary meeting spoken about in whispers after South America burned and its Arcologies never arose.

She also served me ice cream, while we sat on the couch, and spoke over a movie.

This girl is absolutely fantastic at making others comfortable.

I would greatly prefer to think that’s why I like the module more than I would others.

Alas, that would be a lie.

I held her in higher regard due to her history.

That was undeniable.

Ah, the difficulty in trying to spend some regular, normal time with another young woman is difficult. I am far too used to afternoon tea, poorly-hidden attempts to rumormonger, and even poorer attempts at hiding blatant, seething anger. Hopefully, all of those young women who tried to get into my good graces solely to convince me to aid them or stay out of their plans are all faring better with me out of the picture. In all honesty, despite the immense responsibility of being a Concept, I appreciated being plucked from the politics of modern nobility.

Though, I admit that I never considered the fact that I’d spend my first time “hanging out” with the Aspect of the End. Or, of course, that I had to contend with continuously doing my best to stay unbiased and see her as another person. It was far from the normal meeting and friendship that I’d wished for, but it was better than all the other farces I’d been forced to endure the rest of my life.

Despite being on a dead world, in a refugee module, and spending time with a Dimensional Weapon in the shape of a young girl, I was honestly having a good time.  I nearly didn’t want time to continue passing, despite the difficulties I was encountering, both due to my social inexperience and my bias born of abrupt divinity.

At least, I could rest easy knowing that Coda was a good enough host that I endured both of those for as long as possible.

…

Eventually, the movie and the smalltalk came to an end. I shared with Coda my history, while leading her away from sharing her own, and we continued to consume ice cream. As time passed, Hyoudou and Ulrich invited us for dinner prepared by Camille and Alyss. The meal was a rustic coq au vin, courtesy of Camille, and Coda mustered the courage to overcome her past in front of her guests by consuming the meal without aid.

The time came for us to leave.

I was to leave with a good first experience in hanging out with another woman for the first time and a delightful meal.

By all means, that should’ve been the end of my first meeting with Coda.

It ought to have ended innocuously. That was all I’d intended. The plan was simple, but I had little experience in grander plans, so I refrained from flying too close to the sun. Perhaps, if I were to be spending time with someone of lesser import than the Aspect of the End, I’d have considered suggesting a sleepover of sorts, where girls become privy to personal delights… and thus be swamped with words regarding Li Song for a whole night. It wouldn’t have been a terrible affair, but once again it would’ve stretched my skills in spending time normally with others to its limit, so I contented myself with my small, secure victory instead of failing fantastically.

Instead, I was given a glimpse of what I had to keep in mind.

It lumbered in the horizon, framed by the setting sun, like a moving mountain. I was aware of the Monarchs, the Chimera’s answer to gods, and how they were used to utterly ravage South America and crush the Church’s forces with enviable ease. Exorcists, Saints, and Paladins which had nearly crushed the Templar in its infancy, who’d protected Europe from the supernatural for centuries, and who’d become a superpower after they arose from the ashes of their corpulent state of affairs had been nothing besides trifling things for the Monarchs.

Amassed, they became an avatar for the Aspect of Destruction.

They were artificial gods made solely for war.

And, the one lumbered towards the camp in fealty to Coda.

It was unlike all the other ones I’d seen pictures off. Those were ugly, terrifying things composed of tendrils, chitin, and hide that held innate, natural mastery over Sorcery that made them the nightmares of the soldiery. No matter how powerful your gun, your vehicle, or your armor, only those with unreasonable power could ever hope to fight against a Monarch.

The one that lumbered towards us now was a composition of darkness and ebony. It glided through reality with each step, as though it chose to simple be in the next space it occupied, and the weight of its soul was immense. It had one that was akin to an animal, but it was burgeoning with power to the point I wondered how even its massive frame could hold it all.

Apex.

Of course, I’d heard of the power before, but it’s gravity was lost to me until I looked upon its effects.

From a monster, the power had created something which would be worthy of any paradise, which would never be touched by the fires of hell, and which could be said to transcend the concept of death itself.   

I see.

That was the impetus of my conflict against Coda. That power was my drive and reason for fighting against her.  My gods war at the mere sight of it. They quarrel for two irreconcilable paths in regards to the power of the Aspect of the End. One side speaks of its potential for those who have fallen and those who will follow. The other whispers for its refutation of worth itself. What worth can there be in the face of such a power? Even if it could only grant perfection in power now, it was undoubtable that it will grow in potential in the future.

My relationship with Coda as a Concept would be either be as a conqueror or killer.

Unless I chose otherwise.