Believer II: Ms. Vertin, did you just say the "Emanation" has happened?
Believer II: Just now?
Vertin: More precisely, its 24-hour countdown has begun.
Vertin: There's always a buffer period before the "Storm," during which the Storm Syndrome gradually spreads from the Critical Point across the globe. The symptoms are different every time, and we have yet to discern a pattern.
Vertin: With the help of Laplace Scientific Computing Center, the best we can do now is to send a 24-hour warning prior to the "Storm."
Vertin: Another minute has passed.
The hall is once again filled with the whispers of the white robes.
On this island dedicated solely to the study of the "Emanation," the situation has far surpassed their imaginations.
888: Please remain seated, everyone. We are still in the middle of a vote!
888: The "Emanation" holds no influence on this island. The discussion must continue until a satisfactory conclusion is reached. No other subjects shall be brought up until then.
The banshee, acting as Custodian of the assembly, raises her voice, drowning out the arguments.
Despite the unforeseen turn of events, she remains committed to her duty—the debate must go on.
888: Come here, 37. Can someone please bring her a blanket?
Her voice softens as she looks at the frail, slender girl in front of her.
888: 42, go with Sophia and check on those Abraxases.
Believer I: ...
The man bows and leaves.
Order is restored under the dome once more.
210: Ah, good news, good news indeed!
210: We are freed from the pain of choosing whom to blame, are we not?
888: What?
The rhetorician raises a hand with a triumphant smile.
As usual, he's offering a new perspective, or what some might call another attempt at stirring up the crowd.
210: The "Emanation" is coming. The tides of pneuma will pour from above and wash away all trivialities.
210: By then, human intruders and the international powers of this era, along with the turmoil they brought,
210: will all be dissolved and poured into the ditches like gunk.
210: And we will regain our shores and return to the study of essence and Forms.
His words are met with silence.
The crowd is lost in thought. Having long detached themselves from the phenomenal world, 210's words are striking a chord.
37: No, it's different this time!
The petite figure stands on her feet.
She is pale as snow from her coma, and did not bother to put on the blanket given to her.
37: The island has fallen ill!
37: It's getting bloated, stagnant, and sluggish, drifting into the World of Matters where ignorance reigns.
37: Soon, the tides of pneuma will wash over us, sweeping away the fragments of the phenomenal world.
Believer IV: What did you say?!
Believer IV: In other words, we will all be taken by the "Emanation"? This ...
Believer V: This is unthinkable!
This is terrible news, one that nobody wants to hear right now.
The impact is like a bomb going off, the crowd is buzzing with fearful whispers.
The lady next to 37 stands up, still holding the unused blanket.
Believer II: 37, you just woke up from a coma. You're not well.
Believer II: Why don't you take another rest?
37: No, no time for that. I'm here to warn you.
37: Apeiron is gone. I can no longer sense It. This has never happened before!
888: Why are you so surprised, 37?
The question is asked softly, but it cuts like ice.
888: You should know the reason of Its alienation.
888: You brought outsiders to the sacred place. You betrayed the Scriptures' teachings and angered Apeiron!
37: ...!
888: Of course, I may have jumped to this accusation, as Manus Vindictae also intruded our sacred place without permission.
888: People! As of now, there's no proof that the "Emanation" will influence the island. 37's account is lacking.
888: And we are still plagued by suspicions, accusations, and the damages done to our home.
888: We are to proceed with the hearing and reach a final verdict on both the Foundation and Manus Vindictae.
The attempt to refocus the assembly fails as half the audience turns their attention to the gate.
Sophia has returned, standing hesitantly in front of the entrance.
Sophia: I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I shouldn't have intruded the Hall of Truth, but ...
Though irritated by the constant interruptions, the Custodian immediately notices her peculiar expression.
888: Sophia, weren't you and 42 checking on the Abraxases?
888: What is the matter?
The Corrector gestures in the air, her voice shaking.
Sophia: The Abraxases don't look right! Their beaks, no, their entire heads are melting into oil paints.
Sophia: And 42 ... We were on the beach, suddenly, he ...
Her words trail off.
Beyond the open gate, the screeching of the bird monsters completes her sentence.
The other believer appears behind her, shoving Sophia aside as he flails and stumbles into the hall. His face is melting, colorful oil paints forming a puddle on the floor.
Believer I: Hahaha! Now I see, it finally all makes sense!
Believer I: There never was the Truth, nor the transcendental! Everything is a lie! Nothing but shadows on walls, flickers of fire, and fragments of reality!
Believer I: No one will survive the oblivion! The island will be destroyed amid its conflict!
Vertin: ...!
Vertin: Is that the Storm Syndrome?
888: 42, your face ...
Completely disregarding those around him, he bursts into maniacal laughter, casting an arcane glow in his palms.
He jumps onto a seat and knocks over a row of torches.
Believer I: NO ONE!
Vertin: 888, stop conversing with him!
Vertin: We must subdue him, now!
COMBAT
Vertin: He has the Storm Syndrome!
Vertin: Please, listen, everyone. 37 is right. Something's changed on this island. Your immunity to the "Emanation" has been weakened!
42 lies motionless on the floor, his face still a mess of colorful paint.
Fear and uncertainty quickly arise around him.
Believer IV: How? That's never happened in the last eight times!
210: A feeble induction, my friend. Just because you've never seen a purple cow, doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Believer IV: Must we talk of logic now?! 42 has literally been "emanated"!
Believer II: First the army, then the "Emanation." Everything's been falling apart since the outsiders arrived on this island.
Believer II: The Foundation and Manus Vindictae—one of them must answer for this.
Believer IV: Then you should also ask 37 and number "0" what they've done in the sacred place to anger Apeiron so much!
37: I ...
Vertin: No, 37 didn't cause this. I told you. It was Manus Vindictae!
Vertin: They broke the peace agreement and launched suicide attacks. They forced their way into the cave.
Believer IV: You and them are equally responsible on this matter!
Believer IV: They at least paid with their lives. What about you?
Believer IV: You claim that 42's abnormality was caused by the "Emanation," but how are we to believe that it isn't, in fact, the work of your arcane skills?
Believer IV: As we went through your belongings, Ms. Vertin, we found a golden sampling device. Enlighten us: What exactly is the Foundation looking for here?
Vertin: That's ...
Arcana: Heh-heh.
From the other side of the hall comes a soft chuckle.
Arcana: Good, Vertin. Good.
Arcana: Let the confrontations be louder and the struggles be harder.
Arcana: I wonder what shall come of this.
6: Silence!
The gavel slams down with a heavy, undeniable thud.
The host of the assembly rises to his feet, his face unusually grave.
6: The debate will end now.
6: Since we were unable to come to an agreement, further discussion is pointless. There are more pressing matters to attend to.
6: This will be the end of the assembly, and my decision will be the final ruling:
6: I demand that both parties leave this island at once.
The decision is clear and final.
As the number of reconciliation, 6 has been mindful of his use of unilateral authority.
Yet, there are no objections this time.
Vertin: ...
The hall falls into a silence—a silence that demands a decision.
What to do?
Leaving the island would be a huge loss. The discussion about the "Storm" has only just begun, and the depths of the cave is yet to be explored.
Worst of all, the leader of Manus Vindictae—she can't be left here with the School of Apeiron.
Will she accept the verdict? Will she appeal?
Just what exactly is she after?
It's a zero-sum game, where the first one to react is more likely to lose.
The best course of action is to wait.
Arcana: The decisions of my fellow brethren shall be respected.
Vertin: ...
Vertin: I also agree with your verdict.
She casually agrees, just as she did when asked to pledge on the stone bangles.
Arcana: But may I ask for one small doubt to be dispelled?
Arcana: Ms. Vertin and I will depart ere long. Do you truly not desirest aid from us?
6: You're kind to ask, miss.
6: It is true that our circle has been disturbed, but we see it as a mere turbulence of the phenomenal world.
6: He who holds the compass decides the circle. This will not shift the center of our focus, nor change the shape of our beliefs.
6 bends down, laying his hand on 42's forehead.
6: Μηδὲν ἄγαν.
Believer I: ...
Believer I: breathes peacefully
Vertin: He purged the Storm Syndrome with an arcane skill?!
Vertin: I never thought it'd be possible.
The leader straightens up, looking as composed as ever.
6: The light of intelligence has cleansed 42 of confusion. It is also what the island needs.
6: The incident will be properly handled, and my ruling stays unchanged.
6: I expect your words to be matched by actions, Ms. Arcana.
His tone is cold, leaving no room for negotiation.
Arcana: Certainly. It was a fair and just decision,
Arcana: if only one could depart amidst such unfavorable weather.
Arcana: I presume Ms. Vertin will also appreciate more time to prepare for the journey, what sayest thou?
Vertin: ...
It is a reasonable request, and her expression is nothing but decent and sincere.
6: The hourglass empties in two hours. Please leave before that.
Vertin: Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
The decision is met with no further objection from the people.
6 puts away the hourglass and looks at the silent audience.
6: Lastly, I would like to share a story,
6: to conclude today's meeting, and respond to Ms. Arcana's tale.
Arcana: I am most honored.
The leader raises his hands and faces the people.
6: I, too, have heard the story of the first circle. But in my version, more followed.
6: The first of man were intimidated by the enormity of nature and constantly tried to defy and escape it.
6: Our ancestors, however, had the opposite reaction. They found solace in nature, which welcomed them with a nourishing embrace, sharing its vastness and sublimity without reservation.
6: It was the perfect harmony. The moment the circle ceased to represent confrontation and avoidance.
6: As we bathed in Apollo's illumination and wandered the tranquil shores, our souls resonated, and we were lifted to a higher wisdom.
6: This was how we conquered our fears, emerged from ignorance, and allowed ourselves to indulge on the essence and Forms.
6: This was the rise of the "classic man."
6: May you all be blessed with the courage for reconciliation, the determination for peace, and the devotion to nature—qualities no less noble than caution and defiance.
6: You may all leave now.
37: Please, just a moment!
A clear voice rings across the hall, stopping 6 in his tracks.
Her robe flutters as she stands up on the high podium.
37: I will fix our circle!
37: 888 was right. I have enraged Apeiron. I am responsible.
37: I will go back to the sacred place, pass Its test, and ask It to share the divine light of Gnosis, so we can learn the Truth about the essence.
37: I will make up for what I've done, I promise!
6 turns around, his eyes meeting the gaze of the determined star.
6: It has been three hundred years since the last challenger had their success in the cave.
6: 37, are you aware that we have other means to cleanse the island, even if you don't bring the matter to Apeiron?
37: Yes, I'm aware.
6: Then are you aware of the price you will pay, should you fail Its test?
37: Yes, I am.
6: Then you shall have my blessing.
He leaves, ignoring the murmurs of shock.
The gavel is thus brought down.
The long debate has finally come to an end.
The outcome is still acceptable, things will just go back to square one.
Besides, the concepts exchanged on the "Storm" and the samples of asymmetrical nuclide R are already significant advancements for subsequent research.
More importantly, if the School of Apeiron cannot form an alliance with the Foundation, they must be stopped from joining forces with the enemy instead.
This is a chance to take the initiative and avoid being caught in a reactive position.
All that's needed is to stand up and nod.
Vertin: I respectfully accept your verdict.
Agreeing was the easy part.
Now comes the real issue—what will she choose to do?
Arcana: My choice matches that of Vertin's.
Vertin: ...!