Chapter 342 - Pacts and Councils

After completing Her examination of the amulet, Akahi lifted her eyes to meet the gaze of Okuron. The giant craftsman god loomed imposingly over the Goddess of Fate and the Sun God.

A silence fell over the three as Yuzu noticed that there was actually a faint, dark miasma curling around Okuron. Even the coloured light flowing in peacefully through the giant stained glass windows adorning the walls seemed to turn pale and weak when it landed upon the shroud around Him.

Though she couldn’t feel it with her spiritual intuition through the vision, Yuzu had seen a miasma like this before, in the God of Life’s divine kingdom. It was the aura of Corruption, the physical manifestation of the ultimate and inescapable end of an Exalted’s existence.

“As for payment for my services.” Okuron extended his fist out to the pair, placing his giant knuckles on the ‘floor’ in front of them.

He opened his fingers, as if he were gesturing for them to place the payment in his palm, but it was actually the opposite. In the midst of his palm a small figure stood up. A somewhat lanky teenage boy made completely out of what appeared to be crumpled thick white parchment.

That’s… Yuzu felt a feeling of familiarity the moment she saw the boy, but she couldn’t place where she knew him from. Why do I feel like I’ve met this person before…?

“Paper Prince.” The Sun God bowed respectfully before Okuron’s son.

“Paper Prince.” Akahi bowed as well.

The parchment boy crinkled as he looked up wordlessly at his father, then hopped down onto the floor.

“As negotiated, you shall provide assistance to the Prince in his quest for the Hidden Knowledge.” Okuron stated.

“Are you certain that is all?” Akahi wasn’t questioning the terms but used the opportunity to add on to the deal, “We are still open to including You in the Pact. Your condition appears to be accelerating in severity.”

“The Council has reviewed and rejected your offer.” Okuron’s voice rumbled deeply, “Their decision has not changed.”

“You are one of the great pillars holding up the immortal world. To lose you to Corruption would be a great loss for all.” Shuma spoke up, “We offer this chance to You for the good of the world.”

“The Tapestry of Fate warns of an era of great turmoil and chaos around Your death.” Akahi said softly, “We must prevent it. Even if the Kings’ Council will not participate, nothing is preventing You from acting on Your own, for the good of You and Your people.”

As she spoke these words her eyes rested on the figure of the Paper Prince, as if to say, think of Your son, to the God.

The grand hall fell silent from Akahi’s words. Okuron closed his eyes, ruminating on his response. The black miasma around him seemed to grow thicker, the light from the windows dimmed.

Okuron withdrew his hand, leaving the Paper Prince on the table as he stood up slowly. He towered over the three, his face darkened with shadow as he hummed deeply.

“I shall adhere to the Council’s decision, that is final.” Okuron turned casually away from the ‘table’, signalling the end to their dealings.

He took a step away, leaving Akahi and Shuma unable to respond. The Paper Prince simply turned his head to watch Okuron leave. He had no eyes or mouth to show expression on his paper face. Whatever thoughts this son of Okuron had about his father’s Fate, he didn’t show it.

Before He left the chamber through a giant archway, Okuron paused and turned his head, glancing directly at Akahi.

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“I know what You fear.” Okuron rumbled softly, “The darkness between the threads of Your precious tapestry.”

Akahi’s confident and calm expression suddenly broke as Her eyes widened at Okuron’s words. Though she retained her composure, her hands trembled at her side. Shuma subtly glanced sideways at Her, as if surprised to hear that there was something the Goddess of Fate Herself was scared of.

The vision faded into darkness as Akahi could only stand and watch Okuron leave.

~

When Yuzu returned from the vision she saw Renshu looking at her with a patient, but curious gaze.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but at the same time she felt it shouldn’t be more than a few seconds. Perhaps half a minute at most.

She subconsciously licked her dry lips as she digested the contents of the vision. She had seen the origin of the Sun God’s amulet that was in her possession, the deal that had been struck between Okuron, Shuma and Akahi. There was a Pact that Akahi and Shuma had entered into— Yuzu assumed it had to do with the Sun God’s reincarnation, and perhaps even Akahi’s. There was a ‘Council of Kings’— no, they had called it the Kings’ Council…

And what was this darkness that Akahi was so scared of?

“I saw the history of this amulet.” Yuzu said at length, “It was crafted by Okuron, for Shuma and Akahi.”

“Mm.” Renshu replied in a mild affirmative.

“Akahi invited Okuron to enter a Pact with them, but he declined saying the Kings’ Council had rejected the offer.” Yuzu continued.

“The Council is the oldest order in the world.” Renshu replied, “It is composed of the Gods of Knowledge across the three continents.”

“You’re a part of it?” Yuzu asked directly. She had in fact already guessed that Renshu would know about the Council.

“Of course.” Renshu fanned himself casually, without an air of superiority, “The Council has only one membership requirement, which is that one must be a God of Knowledge. Its sole purpose is to share knowledge, for the betterment of humanity.”

“Was the Council opposed to Akahi, then?” Yuzu asked, “And that’s why you’re helping me?”

“No, it’s nothing quite so organized.” Renshu shook his head and chuckled, “The Council does not take action as an entity, nor does it impose its will upon others. In particular, we stay out of the affairs of other Domains. No, Yuzu, my interests in you are purely… personal.”

Yuzu felt herself deflate slightly. Renshu hit the nail directly on the head, answering her unspoken question — Was the Kings’ Council an organization that was opposed to Akahi and therefore could help her? A council full of Knowledge Gods seemed like perhaps the perfect counter to a Goddess of Fate.

Sounds like a dumb club full of old cudgers gossiping amongst each other. Yuzu thought disdainfully. What’s the purpose of knowledge if you don’t ‘do’ anything with it?

“You seem disappointed.” Renshu said.

“You said I should use the Sun God’s amulet, that it would strengthen me. But wouldn’t that be playing right into Akahi’s plans?” Yuzu asked, “The amulet was literally made to prepare the heir of a god. Using it to strengthen my body sounds like I’m doing exactly what Akahi wants me to do.”

“A boat in a storm must still sail its waves to escape.” Renshu replied.

Yuzu’s lips pressed together in a thin line.

“So you can see the past of objects?” Renshu changed the subject suddenly. Yuzu didn’t know what he was wondering about at first, but he followed up with another question, “What can you see from the mechanism you picked up from the Clockwork God’s ritual?”

Yuzu frowned as she pulled out the brass shell that Char Char had retrieved from the head servant’s multi-armed corpse. She hadn’t mentioned it but Renshu seemed keenly aware that it was in her possession, as he had directly spoke about it with confidence.

“You want me to examine its past?” Yuzu asked.

“I am curious about its owner. No, not the priest, but the God behind it.” Renshu said.

“The Clockwork God.” Yuzu named Him.

“Yes, he is… unfamiliar to me.” Renshu said, “He is clearly a God of Knowledge, though he wasn’t around prior to my long sleep. I have learned that he has been invited into the Council due to his recent ascension.”

“So he’s an ally?” Yuzu asked.

At this question Renshu’s expression twisted into an unsightly scowl, “This god intruded on the home of one of my followers, twisted their minds and sacrificed them for his scheme.”

“Will the Council do something about it?” Yuzu hazarded a guess.

“It depends on a number of factors.” Renshu said, “The members of the Council implicitly respect each others’ boundaries, but there is no specific rule against acting against other members. In matters of serious disputes between two gods the Council has historically taken an impartial stance.

No, this is not an issue for the Council. This is a matter between me and Him.”

You’re a God of Knowledge, can’t you just read the past yourself? Yuzu wanted to ask sarcastically. She almost did, if only to poke fun at the irony of a God of Knowledge asking her for knowledge.

But seeing Renshu’s annoyed and aggravated mood, Yuzu felt that such a quip would be unappreciated by the god. He might even turn his bad mood on her.

It wasn’t that Yuzu cared what Renshu thought about her, though. She was simply taking advantage of this opportunity that had shown itself.

“I can tell you about this object’s past.” Yuzu said with a glimmer in her eyes.

“What’s it worth to you?”