blueteamnovel 357. Assurance to Heal Carpalis
357. Assurance to Heal Carpalis
357. Assurance to Heal Carpalis
Archetype became a word of universal dread amongst the Exalted ever since the Arbiter’s slaughter 15 years ago. A total of 45 Exalted were eliminated in the blink of an eye, their bodies simultaneously collapsing like puppets who had their strings severed.
15 belonged to the Nexus itself. They were unassociated with the Ateliers and served for the benefit of the Nexus. The other 30, however, belonged to the Golden Index. Evergreen, Secur-80 – the Underboss of the Golden Middle – and the remaining Underbosses vividly remembered that day.
Close friends and companions succumbed to the overwhelming might of the Arbiter. The uncaring Archetype who took the reins of the Nexus that day changed the course of history for the better in many eyes, but the Exalted could never forget the terror of bathing in the presence of a being who stood above the shoulders of the Beholders.
The Archetype of Amalgamation was also one such entity.
The Archetype of Hope too had an eerie air about them.
No matter how friendly they seemed or presented themselves as, it did not change that they could instantly erase them with the snap of a finger.
Magus stood by Carpalis’ side, as Frost stood at the other end of the table flanked by an unnervingly emotionless woman with flesh colder than steel and...
“W-Woah. It’s pretty. So this is what a Guild looks like.” Anna’s eyes glistened as her silver eyes wandered the room, eagerly devouring every inch like a giddy child.
... this little girl, who was supposedly another unspecified Archetype.
Evergreen made a strange face as Frost, Magus and Nav greeted each other with pleasantries. She knew Carpalis and the Amalgam were always close, but to see them speak like old friends caused small roots of confliction to sprout. Her image of the Amalgam was someone indomitable.
This was the first time she had formally seen her, and she was expecting a huge, muscular woman draped glorious black feathers. Except she was much smaller than she imagined. Formidable for sure, but not quite like how her underlings propped her up.
Those eyes on the other hand spoke of a different tale. They could only belong to a being like an Archetype, for they carried a power that made it near impossible to study for more than a second.
So, she remained silent and kept a lingering eye on the twin-tailed Archetype.
“It’s so beautiful. You can tell whoever made this put a lot of thought into it.” Anna complemented this invisible person, turning to Evergreen suddenly with a slightly embarrassed face. “U-Um sorry. Am I allowed to touch the books?”
“Hm? Oh! You’re free to do as you please.” Evergreen was taken aback by her sweet tone.
As a lover of cute things, this Archetype ticked every conceivable box. But she refused to be swayed so easily. Surely, underneath those adorable silver eyes and small stature was a monster worse than the Arbiter.
In a way, Earth’s methods were considered primitive compared to healing magic. But for Demons and people who could not be healed – then her knowledge was revolutionary.
“We had tools, knowledge and experience cultivated over a course of centuries before we reached a point where we could cure what was considered incurable. Even then, a cut on the stomach wasn’t something anyone could heal in a day or two. It took time. So much care and effort just for what might look harmless to you.”
Frost kindly reached down for Carpalis’ blackened left hand and cupped it gently between hers. The air became sombre all of a sudden. Anna froze as slowly retracted a hand away from the bookshelf, not wanting to disturb the sentimental moment of calm.
It looked like Frost was proposing to Carpalis. It made the Beholder chuckle as she flicked the sleeve of her right arm onto Frost’s head.
“Demons are the kind of breed that take the path of least resistance. It’s ingrained into us. It’s why you find many of us to simply not care. Ahaha... this attitude is poisonous, but it is who we are. Will I be your test subject?”
“Please don’t word it like that.”
“Technically yes.” Nav was far blunter. “However, I believe it will be worthwhile. Your hand has an estimated 60% chance of recovery, and this is based on my biases. I have no other proof to back up my blind faith.”
“Ahaha... blind faith shall be all I need. If it is possible, then I do not see why I would refuse it. I cannot imagine it being worse than my current state. I was considering amputating it. Hehe... I feel like a turtle sometimes when trying to get onto my feet. Hahaha...”
Suddenly, Carpalis brought herself up from the reclining chair. The cracked Faustian Bargain that struggled to maintain its grip around her waist complained with twisted groans. The sleeve on Frost’s head then suddenly flicked to the side as to point in that direction.
“You must also be aware of the Corrupted too, I imagine. Fear not. Evergreen~”
Evergreen nodded and calmly relayed:
“The Corrupted resides in a holding room. It needed to be anchored with an additional Shambling Seal around the neck. It speaks and can understand our language. Amalgam. We believe the Corrupted was asking for you.”
“Do you know what the Corrupted is? We’ll go immediately.” Frost wondered.
Magus then took over as he twirled his top hat around a finger.
“It has no name per say, my friend! But, between you and I, there was a particular fellow who tipped us in. Oh, what a depressing, moody fellow. Demons are quite a saddening bunch. No offence to you, my dear Carpalis!”
“Ahaha...”
“Ahem.” Magus cleared his throat, throwing his hat back atop his head. “Are you aware of the recently acclaimed Nightmare that terrorized H5 not long ago? It’s here, and in form not too dissimilar from your face too! My Amalgam friend, ‘Mimicry’ seeks to speak with you. As for myself, I think I’d rather not be eaten. I’m not like a certain wolf with the stench of a wet dog!”