After checking out, Gaius and Isabelle scampered over to some dark alleyway, where few people frequented. Such a place was normally the home of trysts and rogues, but for the two of them, it was the best spot to return to the Library of Ancients. Gaius didn’t know how much Queen Hyperion and her agents knew about him, but the lesser they knew, the better.

If there ever came a time that they wanted to dispose of him, information control would probably be crucial to making it out alive. In fact, Gaius was now under the impression that making Isabelle to attend the Court of Hallows was a mistake. To be more exact, making his relationship with her public was nothing short of stupidity on his part.

He had turned her into a target for anyone hoping to find his weak spot.

“Something wrong?” Isabelle asked.

“I was just thinking that anyone hoping to control my actions would probably target you,” said Gaius. “You…should be careful, at least.”

He wanted to tell her to not go with him to the Heaven-cleaving Fortress, but another part of him didn’t want to be separated from her. Yet another bit of him didn’t want Isabelle to feel worried in his absence — it was manifestly unfair towards her if he were to make her hide in the Library.

“Don’t worry,” said Isabelle. “I’ll have Nexus with me at all times, so that I can escape if the need arises.”

“You should make a few more preparations too,” said Gaius. “What if someone attacked you while there’s a spatial disjoint? You should get a few defensive artefacts, things that are sturdier than those flimsy Palisades. Some weapons too.”

His eyes lit up. “Right, those little disposable artefacts I won long ago, during a bet with Reinford!”

“I’m already wearing them,” Isabelle replied. “There’s a few on those brooches, in the bangle, on an accessory hanging off the Twilight Overseer and some in…”

Her voice trailed off moments, later, her face slightly flushed. Forcibly clearing her throat, Isabelle said, “I’m quite well-protected, either way. And don’t forget that I have an Engine too.”

“Alright.” Gaius checked around the alleyway once more. “Isabelle, can you check the area with your Twilight Overseer? Just make sure no one’s watching.”

Nodding, Isabelle placed a palm on the small orb on her wrist. Moments later, she looked up and said, “All clear.”

“Good.” Gaius fished out a sculpture and flicked its forehead slightly. “Nexus, you here? Bring us over to the Library, and then move the others over. Make sure they stay still during the process.”

“Yes, master Gaius.” Nexus cricked its neck. “We’ll be moving in three seconds, then. Three, two, one…go.”

Wind howled as darkness fell. The sounds of air rushing past them were no stranger to the two of them, but Gaius still held Isabelle’s hands tightly, just in case.

“See?” Nexus spoke, his words barely audible over the howling gale. “Upwards. The battle between the Demon Sovereign and the Sentinel of Space left permanent scars on Orb, much like that time when you used the Terminus’ Zeroth Release.”

Gaius and Isabelle looked upwards, and his skin crawled as he took in an ominous sight. Somewhere really deep within the darkness was an unsightly gash of white light. Small lightning bolts were creeping outwards from it, encroaching upon the black space at a barely visible pace.

This wound upon the world was expanding. Festering.

“Is this going to be a problem?” Gaius asked. “What happens within that white light?”

“That’s not a question I have an answer to,” said Nexus. “But whatever it is, it can’t be good. Do you still remember the attack you used? The Terminus’ Zeroth Release? That also left some scars here, in the fabric of Orb’s existence. We might be able to see it, but it’s hard to spot.”

“You’re not answering my question,” Gaius replied.

Nexus was silent for a moment. “I do not have an answer, but I can make some guesses. First, judging from the distance and direction of that wound, this…spatial scar did not take place on Orb at all. In fact, it’s probably directed at that of Orb’s sky, the one mentioned in legend.”

“What’s so important about that?” Isabelle asked.

“Well, visual records show that the two gods were fighting a few kilometres above Orb,” said Nexus. “But what this really means is that this spatial disjoint is unlikely to have any effects on Orb itself.”

“For now,” said Gaius.

“Yes. For now. Such wounds never fade, as you might have guessed,” said Nexus. “But at least, in the immediate future, Orb will not be in danger. This spatial wound is a latent danger that only immortal beings like the great gods will care about.”

Gaius cleared his throat. “Nexus, I have a feeling that I’m also one of those immortal beings. As is Isabelle.”

“Isabelle too?” Nexus asked.

Gaius nodded. “And as one of those beings, wouldn’t it be a problem if someone huge happened to Orb and many people died? Where would we get our source of entertainment from?”

Isabelle glanced at him. “You’re already thinking that far?”

“There has got to be times when I can slip away from guarding the Crying Abyss, right?” Gaius replied. “I’d be heartbroken if something bad happened to Orb and there’s no good food left.”

“Master Gaius, does anyone ever tell you that you have rather odd considerations?”

“No, why?”

“Oh, nothing…ah! Look! That’s the wound you inflicted with the Terminus!” The sculpture pointed to the left, and the couple turned to regard the small pinprick of light.

“That’s it?” Gaius asked.

“What? You wanted it to be bigger? Do you not want Orb to survive anymore?” Nexus shook his head. “Last I checked, the colosseum that you fought the Last Star in has been engulfed by a black void.”

“Engulfed?” Gaius asked.

“Yes. You’ve destroyed an entire historical structure, and whatever fools that were dumb enough to walk into the ceaseless dark. Big enough for you?”

Gaius rubbed his nose. “Sorry.”

“Don’t ‘sorry’ me. It’s not my city.” Nexus tutted twice. “Anyway, we’re here.”

Darkness gave way to a dim light, and Gaius found himself in the Library once more. He hadn’t been here for some time, but it looked the same as always.

“Ah, home sweet home.” Gaius stretched.

“Seems as clean as ever, though. Who does the cleaning around these parts?” Isabelle asked.

“The spectres?” Nexus replied. “Or have you forgotten about their presence?”

“R-right.” Isabelle cleared her throat.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll bring the others over first,” said Nexus.

Gaius nodded. “Please do.”

The sculpture sitting on his shoulder flopped over.