Lord Of The Mysteries: A Slug of Time

Shrouded in gray fog stood the Ancient majestic palace with a vast dome supported by ancient pillars. Directly under the dome stood an Ancient, long bronze table, with Twenty-Two high back chairs, ten on both sides and two on ends.

At the long end of the table, on the divine throne of The Fool sat Klein who had just recovered from his initial grief and loss. 

Well, let's straighten things out... I am currently in the Second Epoch. At least, this can't be the work of those brothers… Klein pondered. As far as he knew, none of the deities in the fifth epoch had authority over time. Even Amon, who was a slug of time, should not have the level of authority required to send him so far back.

Then it only leaves one existence that should be capable of such a feat, but I don't see a reason why "He" would do so. After all, What benefit could "He" reap from sending me to a distant past? Klein then noted an anomaly with himself. Even though he had zero anchors in this time period, his condition was completely stable.

"This..." Klein closed his eyes and began inspecting himself. Soon he realized that some unknown existence had erected a seal inside him that was preventing The Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth from corrupting him and taking over his body. 

Klein was even more baffled now. Not only was this unknown existence capable of sending him to the past, it was also capable of sealing the corruption stemming from a Great Old One—A True Pillar. 

As far as Klein knew, apart from the Mother Goddess of Depravity in "Her" peak, only one existence stood equal to the Lord of The Mysteries and that is God Almighty. But I fail to see a reason for "Him" to send me back in time either. And besides "He" does not possess authority over time. On top of that, is "He" even capable of sealing the very embodiment of a seal? Though Klein wanted to disregard this theory, he still kept it in mind.

Regardless, I should probably stop thinking about how I am here. If this existence is capable of such feats, chances are I'll never be able to know about "Them" in my lifetime… Or until I am the Lord of Mysteries.

A sigh escaped him as he deeply inspected this seal within him, mentally noting down its peculiarities and limits. This seal can completely resist the madness brought about by the Beyonder Characteristics. But it is a little fragile, it would probably break at some point before the world barrier fails.

Hmm but still, its durability is a little insane for it to shield me from a Pillar. Also, from its current strength, I could potentially accommodate the Fool Uniqueness. I definitely can't advance to Sequence 0—the qualitative change brought about will destroy it.

Klein sighed once more (How many times has he sighed in a single day?). If only the seal maker was a little more generous, then I could have probably advanced to Sequence 0. Klein lampooned out of habit. His mood was slowly lighting up, as for a long time, he could push aside issues revolving around madness and corruption.

Still, my situation is shrouded in mystery. While there's no imminent danger, I should remain cautious. Klein reminded himself. He leaned back on his chair and began thinking about what he should do now.

One thing is for certain, I shouldn't be present at this time, and yet here I am. This means history has changed. Does this mean my existence has given birth to a new timeline? Klein paused and examined his hands. He rendered an image of his body in his mind and then wondered.

I am still in Klein Moretti's Body, which means I have physically traveled back in time, and not spiritually. I also have my two Sequence One Beyonder Characteristics with me. Klein slowly rubbed his chin. 

One Beyonder characteristic is from the curtain. The other belonging to Zaratul should technically be somewhere out there in this era. The other Sequence 1 Beyonder Characteristic should be with the Annihilation Demonic Wolf Flegrea as well as the Uniqueness.

I am pretty sure the Beyonder characteristic corresponding to Zaratul in future and the one in the curtain should have disappeared in this timeline due to my existence. After all, except for certain special cases, there can only be 3 Sequence 1 beyonder characteristics. I, who has already digested the said characteristic holds overall higher authority over them, and so the current undigested beyonder characteristic would disappear under the law of beyonder characteristics indestructibility. There can never be more than 3 sequence 1 beyonder characteristics and there can never be less than that. Of course, under certain 'circumstances' this law can be broken, but I doubt even the omnipotent and omniscient would be capable of maintaining "His" envisioning of characteristics, through time and history considering "He" shouldn't have fully revived.

This also explains why my cocoon broke open in the second epoch, when it was supposed to break in the 5th epoch, because I already exist here in this timeline. It's similar to the principle of Uniqueness. Just like how there can never be 2 uniqueness of the same pathway, there can be two spirit bodies of the same person.

Every being originates from The Original Creator and so every being is unique in one way or another. While consciousness may be replicable by a visionary, that isn't the case with the spirit body, the very core of a person. When I came to this timeline, there were for a moment two versions of me, one inside the cocoon and one inside this body. Since my life order is much higher than the one inside the cocoon, it immediately broke and my soul probably merged with me. This explains my fragmented memories. I have double the memories for a portion of my life. This is also helping me strengthen my humanity!

Klein couldn't help but curl his lips. While he didn't like the fact that he had lost all his anchors and friends, there were quite a substantial amount of pros to his situation too. And besides I haven't completely lost them, I merely have to wait for them to be born. Klein then paused and giggled, This time I truly will be an Ancient Deity by the time I'll form the tarot club again. Assuming I'll survive till then.

Klein composed himself, and leisurely laid back on his chair. I should take advantage of my situation. Considering my cocoon has already been broken, history has already been altered. Since it changed, I might as well cause mayhem and shift certain situations in my favor.

Starting with acquiring and accommodating the Fools Uniqueness. Once I become the Half-Fool, my strength and authority will at the very least reach Sequence 0. This way, I'll be able to better influence things, and won't have to always worry about running into danger. I'll also be able to borrow the Error and Door authorities of which would make life overall much easier.

Nodding in affirmation, Klein came to a decision to acquire the Fools Uniqueness and accommodate it to become the Half-Fool. Speaking of which, I don't even have to do the ritual considering my very existence is an anomaly in all History, Fate, and Time.

When I came to this time period, my fog of history which spans up to 5th epoch collided with this time's fog of history which only spans up to 2nd Epoch. This creates a contradiction since the 3rd, 4th and 5th epoch has yet to happen but the fog of history of those times already exists. In this way, History has been Fooled.

Not only that, originally I was supposed to be born in the 5th epoch and so I should have been inside the cocoon of light during this period. But not only is that not the case due to my existence, my fate which was to tread the Fools pathway in the 5th epoch has already been played out. However, I am now in the second epoch. In this way, Fate has also been Fooled!

And Time has naturally been Fooled as well! Simply because I shouldn't be in this era. My fate and history has overlapped with this timeline which naturally creates a contradiction in time!

Klein lips curled up into a grin. The more he thought about it the more he realized just how much the pros outweigh the cons. If only I knew it would have been this easy, I would have agreed with whoever sent me back in time! Klein laughed a little, before settling his emotions and coming to a decision.

It's settled then. Currently The Fool's Uniqueness should be with the Demonic Wolf Flegrea who has accommodated it and in result went mad... Wait!? Klein summoned a gold coin from the historical void and tossed the coin. It gained some height before landing back in his palm and disappeared.

Klein had divined if the Annihilation Demonic wolf was still alive, and found the answer to be affirmative. This means the Giant King Aurmir's betrayal hasn't happened yet... 

Klein seriously divined his exact current time period and found that there was still quite a bit of time before Aurmir's betrayal and the fall of Flegrea.

At least another Ten years or so… Klein nodded and formed a plan. Then, I should wait until Flegrea perishes and then retrieve the Fool Uniqueness from "His" body. I can leave the Sequence 1 Attendant of Mysteries characteristic for Antigonus so that The Antigonus family can be formed in the 4th epoch, and support the Tudor empire later on.

Yes, while I will create changes in history according to my needs. I will still let the major events in history take place, so as to not birth any large, and unpredictable changes. For example the Fall of the Ancient Sun God, so the Era of Gods can take place or the War of the Four Emperors, since that led to the creation of Loen, Intis and other countries.

I need to make sure that the changes I create wouldn't hinder the overall development of this timeline. Klein summoned a pen and paper and wrote down this statement noting it as a rule that he must follow. He then went back to his plan to take the Fools Uniqueness and came across a single variable. 

Amanises. 

The Evernight Godd- No. 'Amanises' shouldn't really be a hindrance to this plan considering at the current time "She" is only a Sequence 2: Servant of Concealment. If I want to take the uniqueness "She" wouldn't be able to prevent it. But this may cause me to be hunted down by "Her" church in the future and might ruin some of the changes I wish to make in the 3rd and 4th epoch.

Klein came to a very easy solution for this problem. To befriend Amanises. It has only been maybe two years since "She" was born, and so naturally "She" is going to be in a much more vulnerable state due to naiveness and "Her" still very much unknown circumstances. If I can help "Her" during this time period and gain "Her" trust, then she can be a powerful ally of mine which would certainly allow things to be much easier.

Yeah, I am definitely not going to manipulate "Her" to do my bidding, Klein seriously added.

This wasn't the only reason Klein wanted to befriend Amanises. He simply felt it was a natural thing to do. Amanises had aided him throughout his journey. "She" separated the Sequence 9-1 beyonder characteristic, saving him from his fate of losing control. "She" directly blessed him, an act which helped Klein on multiple occasions. "She" also helped him kill himself against Amon, betted on him from day 1 and went out of "Her" way to protect him against the Antigonus family notebook albeit by sending him into a dangerous spot.

Klein was naturally grateful for "Her" help. So, now that the position was reversed, he felt it was the only right thing to do so. 

And, I would actually have someone to talk to. I won't have to be completely alone which would certainly help with my mental sanity. Klein rubbed his temples and came to a decision. I'll approach "Her" later on and gain "Her" trust during this time period. I can then help "Her" in digestion and in accommodating "Her" uniqueness and rising to Sequence 0.

I'll then have a Sequence 0 ally, and through "Her" I can keep my schemes concealed as well as myself. This would provide me with adequate room to do my own things. I can also teach and tell "Her" about various things she should be aware of such as outer deities, Great old ones, World Barrier… And maybe also about how this world is Earth, I doubt "She" would be aware of it by now. More than likely, "She" got to know of this when "She" met the Ancient Sun God.

Speaking of which, I should for the most part keep my existence hidden. Considering I am an individual that has authority over a Sefirah, I may very well be hunted down by the various deities and king of angels. It is better if they are not aware of The Fool…. I can get Amanises's help as "She" can more effectively conceal me.

Klein sighed and got up from his seat, This should be it for now. My main goal is to befriend Amanises and gain "Her" trust and make sure my existence wouldn't be revealed…

I also need to focus on maintaining my humanity. I don't have any anchors currently. I can't rely on avatars and the seal to keep me balanced. I'll have to do it myself.

Yes, this is supposed to be humanity's darkest era. I should go around the world and connect with the now enslaved humanity, maybe even help them albeit groundly. Klein looked down and slowly shook his head.

Humanity doesn't come just from anchors but also from "meaningless" human interactions. If I can help people and share a part in their suffering, it will in turn strengthen my connection with humanity and help me in keeping my mental condition stable. I need to remain as 'humane' as possible. This needs to be one of my top priorities.

Remember, You are he not a "He".

Klein nodded, He then extended his right hand and pulled a historical projection of himself from when he was a Sequence 2: Miracle Invoker. Klein then entered a concealed state, allowing him to descend in the projection.

The reason Klein used a historical projection instead of his real body or an avatar was to minimize the effect of the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence. Amanises was a subsidiary god to the Annihilation demonic wolf Flegrea, who had accommodated the Fools Uniqueness. If Klein were to pop with his real body, he would inevitably attract Flegrea's attention.

But through the use of a historical projection of a lower sequence, and at the same sequence as Flegrea's subsidiary gods, Klein could minimize the effects to an extent. Albeit the possibility of attracting "His" attention still wasn't negligible. So even if Klein were to get in trouble, he would be able to easily escape by simply canceling the projection. 

Klein's projection took a step forward leaving Sefirah Castle and immediately appearing back into the forest he had awoken in. He canceled the historical projection of staple foods which he had used for the luck enhancement ritual. 

He then closed his eyes and borrowed Door's pathway authority from Sefirah castle and entered the spirit world. Klein kept his eyes close and focused as if trying to sense something. He then began walking in a certain direction and continued onwards for a while before coming to a halt. He then walked outside to the real world appearing on the edge of a cliff.

The ground beneath him appeared fractured, crumbling away while the crimson moon shined atop. Further away from him, layed a sprawling settlement stretched across the desolate landscape. An amalgamation of various grotesque cities inhabited by humans and monsters alike. Their movements and appearance resemble corpses, marionettes with their string's cut off, wandering through the desolate lands like forgotten souls.

Majestic mansions, each one of them crafted with extravagant style and detail, layed in starking contrast along the decay surrounding them. It was as if to mock all the passerbys who looked at them with envy.

Drilling from these lifelike-lifeless corpses were illusory, thin lines which extended to the sky, stretching to an infinite height. These extensions vanished into a swirling greyish-white fog that hung heavy over the settlements. 

This greyish white fog concealed at its center an ancient black chapel, the crimson moon hanging just above it, naturally complementing its appearance. An eerie silence enveloped it, as if no living nor non-living thing had dared come close to it for over a millenia. 

This was the Divine Kingdom of the Ancient God, King of Demonic Wolves, Flegrea!

Klein slowly moved his head, observing the various small and large cities set up by "His" Subsidiary gods. His gaze then pierced through the whole settlement landing at its furthest outskirt. There he saw a small house that appeared more lively than the rest. Moon flowers and night vanillas flourished around the house, their delicate petals glowing faintly in the eerie crimson light.

This was the small abode of one of the subsidiary gods of Flegrea, The Goddess of Misfortune, Amanises.

A slight smile spread to Klein's lips.