Fay
*`A long, dark hallway, flanked by dozens of bars leading into what appears to be prison-cells on each side. At the very end of the hallway, farther than the eye can see clearly, a faint blue light shimmers...`*
Joseph
`...I didn't expect that to actually work.` He moved the rock away from the door, releasing his hold upon it. It fell to the ground with a **Thud**, Gaige peering into the lengthy corridor. The stench was no doubt putrid, but it wasn't unbearable for one who had been well acquainted with the putrid smell of corpses for years. The hero's nostrils flared up from the rude introduction to the smell, but he eventually adapted _somewhat_ to it. `God, fuck that smell. It's either here or wandering around outside this cave though.` He would be going into pure darkness though if he were to enter the door. Though, he had already hatched a plan to avoid the darkness.

Gaige walked away from the door, moving near one of the tendrils. It'd be a gamble to try and touch one, having no idea what they'd do to a human. Instead, he opted to cut a portion off and telekinetically hold it near him. The man had no cutting tool however—in fact, he came with relatively nothing outside of that satchel. The man spoke four words, "_Okaarum_, come to me."

***```diff
- OKAARUM, BLADE OF THE PROPHET -```***

A sword made of bone manifested in his hand; the trusty weapon was that of soulbound nature, being a boon granted to the Prophet of the Order. He released his grip on the blade, telekinetically holding it and slicing a portion of the tendril off. Using telekinesis to hold the tendril piece which would serve as light, Okaarum was recalled, vanishing from sight. `This should do well enough.` He returned to the door, taking his first few steps inside.

_ _
The scent worsened, but it was still bearable for the hero. The tendril hovered just in front of the cloaked man, him glancing into every cell he passed, searching for objects inside them. Soon into the corridor, he noticed the faint, blue light in the distance. `...Hm?` He squinted, trying to get a good look at the light, but to no avail. For now, all he could do was continue to approach the light. Eventually, he began to near the blue light, incapable of deciphering what it was still.
Fay
Gaige approaches closer and closer to the blue light, and the scent only seems to get worse. While most of the cells were empty, some of them had, well... *Rotting bodies,* Corpses, of both humanoid and animalistic nature. Some were emaciated, all decomposed but skin-and-bones, while others were, indeed, nothing but bones. Bodies were few-and-far between, but when there was one, it'd be quite hard to miss.

Now within clear-sight's range of the light, Gaige could finally see its origins. It seems that the very end of the hallway opened up into another room, which was **Overgrown with the blue, glowing root, lining its walls and providing a source of light.** He would be able to approach unimpeded—















_ _
***```diff
- ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ```***
Robert
**```fix
"𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬."```**

**```cpp
"The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun."```**


A horrid abomination slams against one of the cell doors, desperately attempting to escape — to break the bars that bind it, and to stop Gaige. Its body was, in a word, describable as *Wooden* — vaguely humanoid, in shape, yet overgrown with gray, treelike roots, forming exaggerated and malformed proportions that uncannily defied the definition of a 'human being'. Its face was twisted, gnarled, and with a wicked smile, its misfitted eyes, drowned within overly-large eyesockets formed of interweaving wooden branches, bulged, staring at Gaige with a flickering gaze. Luckily, even the damaged, rusted steel bars could hold it back, denying it the escape it so desparately sought..

Marking the cage is a parchment, akin to the one he found atop the rusted door:

```fix
ᴠᴀᴀʀᴇᴋᴛᴀᴀᴋ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴀɪᴛᴏʀ```
Joseph
Gaige recoiled slightly at the sound of the creature banging on the cell door. He stepped back from the cell, eyeing the note. `Vaarektaak, the Traitor? Not what I had in mind for this guy.` He stared the creature directly in its misshapen eyes, ignoring its drivel, "Can you understand me?" Gaige questioned the beast. Learning whether or not these creatures could understand him would be a major benefit later on.

He eyed the blue light again, noticing it was being produced by the poisonous, blue root. He'd have to investigate the blue root later—for now, he had to attempt to quell Vaarektaak. Leaving this creature unattended could result in future disasters. Either he'd need to establish relations with the creature, or kill it before giving it a chance later on. He awaited a response from the unsightly creature.
Robert
**```fix
"𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. "```**

**```cpp
"The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun. The Sun."```**

—the creature speaks, over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. Its voice is human, yet corrupted, its tone mindless, in a droning chant. Yet, no matter how subtle it was, it felt as though there was a sense of longing. A longing for freedom, perhaps. A longing to see the sun, perhaps. A longing to kill, perhaps. Or a longing to be put to rest, perhaps.

Regardless, it was clear that it didn't hear a thing that Gaige said, continuing to speak, to chant, and to—

_ _
***```diff
- ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡＭ　ＳＬＡ```***

—desperately attempt escape.
Joseph
He let out a sigh, "So we can't chat, huh?" He looked back ahead at the roots, "Sorry, but I can't leave you here alive if there's a chance of you being my enemy. Goodbye, Vaarektaak." He paused for a moment, "_Okaarum_, come to me." _Okaarum_ was called upon, Gaige telekinetically aiming the tip of the blade at the creature's head. With a flick of his wrist, the blade impaled the mind-broken beast's head—the hero hoping to give it a quick death. He was no monster after all.

After putting the creature out of its apparent misery, he recalled Okaarum, turning his attention to the room which contained the blue roots. He made his way inside the room, still holding the tendril if a future situation came up that demanded it. He scouted the room out, looking for anything of importance.
Robert
**```fix
"𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦𝘬. 𝘌𝘻𝘶𝘦—"

—the blade pierces through its head, conjured of roots, and its mouth stops moving.```**

*A* Swift death, indeed...
Fay
As Gaige progressed through into the room with blue roots, he'd be met with a strange shift in atmosphere. The long-spanning liminality of the cell-flanked hall was much more eerie, darkened due to the lack of any notable source of light — however, the blue roots beyond the opening, glistening across the walls, granted the new room a depth and curiosity which vastly contrasted the utter darkness of the almost two-dimensional plane that was the hallway before. They gave light to the surface of furniture, which could clearly be made out in his closer proximity: a brass table, a desk with a shattered lamp, **A worn-out book atop that desk**, a broken quill at the book's side, and a dried inkwell with remnants of **Golden ink** To pair, and even what appeared to be **Glass vials,** Each empty, and some shattered. There were tools, as well, hung on one of the walls — a rusty old bandsaw, an axe, and a few bronze daggers that retained their sheen. 

The room was messy, yet relative to the past two places within the *Vektet* He had seen before, it displayed much more of an essence of organization and cleanliness, despite its state of deterioration caused by a great passage of time unattended. It almost appeared to be a workshop, or a study of some kind for whoever inhabited it prior to its apparent abandonment.
_ _

Though, perhaps abandonment was not the only thing that brought waste to this strange room. Perhaps it was *One* Of the causes, but it may not have been *The* Primary cause — obviously, the room had been overgrown with the roots which Gaige had determined to be poisonous, in their enigmatic blue glow. The roots burrowed throughout the walls, and, upon closer analysis of their form, it would be revealed that there were **Horizontal markings along their surface, akin to a wound left behind by a blade,** As there had once been an attempt to slash, sever, and prune their uncontrolled growth. However, beyond these visible cut-marks, it seemed that the **Roots only grew stronger,** Reinforcing about the spots in which they had been damaged, the slashes only serving to *Increase* Their vitality and circumference. Perhaps it was some form of natural defense-mechanism or preservation function that the roots possessed.

The growth of the roots was most peculiar. It almost looked like... They were growing *Downwards,* Starting from the **Roof.** They intertwined, spiraling in a descending formation, as if being **Naturally pulled down by gravity in their growth.** Of course, such a thought would only provoke Gaige to **Look up**,

Where it would then be revealed,

Something quite alarming, hidden from his sight, up until this moment in time.
Thomas
**`The face of a woman, hung upside-down, staring down at him. Her pearly eyes lay open, her irises lethargically scanning over his figure. She gives a slow and sickly breath, air trickling into her lungs through her paled lips.`**

It is then when the aberration of her physical form becomes apparent.

As aforementioned, she was hung upside-down, her excessively long white hair dangling just beyond Gaige's reach. Her face was pale, and her irises without response to swift motion; sickly, and nearing lifelessness, yet still human in nature. From her face, to her neck, to her shoulders, she was still within the bounds of what could be called human, if a little ill.

Beyond that, however, her flesh twists and corrupts, infested with intertwining branches of flesh-burrowing, wooden *Root,* The likes of which that, too, infested `Vaarektaak, the Traitor.` It twisted, curled, and flourished along her flesh, distending and corrupting her body beyond her collarbone into an incoherent mass of a lusterless, wooden root. The root extended up and up, like a cocoon that buried her lower body, extending to the very top of the ceiling, where it gradiently shifted from a more familiar and mundane wooden tone, to that of an effulgent, blue glow.

Unlike Vaarektaak, however, the corruption of the root did not seem to reach her head, leaving a single semblance of humanoid visage, clearly retaining intelligent life. The semblance of the root's growth was not unlike that of the man that Gaige had found, perished, outside, within the caverns.

*```cpp
"𝙼𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎..."
"𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍..."
"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚖𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞?"



"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝘜𝘬𝘶𝘦, 𝘜𝘬𝘶𝘦, 𝘜𝘬𝘶𝘦, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆, 𝑼𝒌𝒖𝒆..."```*

A repetitious chant begins to drone, and the root that stopped at her shoulders begins to advance, slowly crawling along her neck.
Joseph
As he entered, he released his hold on the tendril, leaving it at the entrance to the room. The blue roots which ran down the walls would suffice as light. He approached the brass desk, brushing his hand across the cover of the book. Unfortunately for the hero, the bound book had no title. `No title huh... A journal of sorts then?` He lifted the hefty book from its resting place, carrying it in his left hand. The cloaked man would have to read it at another time, opting to explore the rest of the room first. He eyed the quill on the desk, `Hm, seems like its a journal. Wonder who the owner of it was...?`

The golden ink placed the theory that this place could be related to 'The Sun' which Vaarektaak repeated mindlessly. Its color matched that of the Sun he knew after all. Gazing at the tools which lined the wall, he assumed the original resident of this room may have been a woodworker of sorts. Gaige turned his attention away from the desk, eyes scanning the nearby wall until he reached the blue roots. `Slash marks? Was someone trying to kill these roots? Doesn't seem like they had much success though.` He gave the roots a closer analysis, before gasping and backing away violently.

_ _
"_Okaarum_, come to me!" The man shouted, the bone sword manifesting within his hand. His head snapped upwards towards the origin of the roots, gazing at the grotesque sight of the woman hanging from the ceiling. Thoughts raced throughout his mind while he backed away, `She shares similarities with Vaarektaak... Not only with them, but with the corpse in the cave.` He kept his blade lowered as not to threaten her directly. Retreating all the way to the entrance, he now had a full view of the woman. He took note of her humanoid appearance, `Was she made into this... Thing by the roots?!` He scanned her cocooned and wooden body, attempting to establish communications, "Are you able to understand me?" He spoke with confidence, raising his voice to just below a shout.

He listened as she repeatedly chanted the name of Ukue, over and over. What stood out though was the mention of 'My lord'. `Ukue is her lord? Then this shouldn't be the heir that the note mentioned. Who is she then...?` He noticed the roots beginning to crawl further down her neck. Would she become a mindless beast like Vaarektaak before? He'd have to get this over with quick, "If you're able to understand me... Who, and what are you?" He questioned the lady, awaiting a response whilst prepared for the possibility of an attack.
Thomas
*```cpp
"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎..."```*

The woman murmured, speaking oevr, and over, and over again. That name — Ukue, the one titled Eclipse Guardian — was as important to her as as the Sun was to the man named Vaarektaak. Ukue, Ukue, Ukue, the one she sought, the one to return to the First Floor, the one who abandoned his past...

Desperation begins to overcome her. Her eyes roll in their sockets, as she speaks and speaks, oblivious to her surroundings and even her own physical state, until she hears a voice speak...

```cpp
"𝚆𝚑𝚘..."```

—she speaks, softly,

Those words roused memories. From months, years, decades, long ago...

```fix
« Stop it. Please, I beg. Stop, stop speaking my name! »
« ...Why? Why is it that you think... I extended my hand to you, that day, just for you to lead a life like this? »
« Stop it, please...! The root has already taken far too much from me... »
« Please, just remember your own name... »```

*`Ukue, O' Ukue...`*
*`I still remember... I still remember.`*

```cpp
"𝙼𝚢 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎..."
"...𝙾𝚔𝚘𝚝...𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝚊𝚡𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙲𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝."```
Joseph
Gaige's eyes widened in surprise. There still existed those who could speak to him in this world. He kept his blade drawn, thinking of what the most important questions to ask would be. "Alright Okot... Who is Ukue and how do you know him?" The man asked the root-infested woman, awaiting a response. There was no telling if the woman would succumb to the roots if he spent too much time on meaningless questions and actions. He had to learn more about who Ukue and their heir was. That was what mattered most.
Thomas
*```cpp
"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎... 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎..."```*

Once he had spoken Ukue's name, Okot repeated it, twice, slowly. That longing returned, overwhelming, for that name was all she had left to cling to. The Ezer had stolen away their duties, and the root had stolen away both her body and her mind. Only that memory, that name, Ukue, was what she had left to rely on.

```cpp
"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎, 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐..."
"𝙰 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍... 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚢, 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚢."
"The Eclipse Guardian, beloved of the Sun..."
"...𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚢 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚄𝚎𝚣𝚎𝚛..."```

*```cpp
"𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎... 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎... 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎..."```*


...A vague response, yet a heartfelt response, nonetheless.
Joseph
Gaige thought in silence for a moment, it seemed unlikely he would get a straightforward response out of questions such as what he had asked. He would need to strike at the heart of his current quest. He would no doubt keep in mind that Ukue was a so-called 'Lord of Mercy'. Perhaps they could be a future ally if he were to meet them on the later floors. "In that case..." Gaige spoke, locking his eyes with Okot's, "Where is Ukue's heir, Okot? I don't seek to harm them, only to meet them." From his tone, he wasn't asking Okot, but rather _demanding_ her to give him the location of the heir. Of course—he had no idea whether or not the girl knew where the heir was, but the demanding nature often proves to be effective in situations like this.

The hero also had no knowledge of what finding the heir would mean for him. However, the notes left by Ukue obviously instilled the notion that the heir was of _immense_ importance. If he were able to locate the heir, perhaps he could find answers to all of his questions about this place.
Thomas
```cpp
"𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛... 𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛..."```

The woman spoke questioningly, repeating the phrase. Her mouth held open, as she pondered, blinking several times lethargically. In thought, she remained entirely silent, as she struggled to recollect the meaning of such a title. How hard it was, for someone corrupted by the root... To remember, anything, at all.

```cpp
"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛... 𝚘𝚏 𝚄𝚔𝚞𝚎."```

She muttered, yet it was only after she had spoken the phrase that she recognized its significance. Her wearied eyes opened once more, and a spark of life subtly lit her face. It wasn't quite excitement, yet it was a refreshing sensation. Much better than the dreary, longing malaise that had encompassed these tens and tens and hundreds of years of her life, each day wearing at her mind...

*```cpp
"𝙷𝚒𝚜...𝚖𝚢..."```*

The words clumped in her throat. She quietly gasped for breath, her mind and body strained by the mere act of recollecting, articulating, and actually speaking. Her pale tongue rests for a moment, and her pale lips close, each dried, fatigued, and pained from years of suspension. It was... Incredibly demanding, or so it seemed.

Yet the root seems to pause in its growth, staved away by her mental determination to continue in individuality.

```cpp
"𝚅𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚒𝚛..."
"𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚞𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙼𝚘𝚘𝚗..."
"𝙼𝚢 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛... 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍, 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙸..."


"𝚂𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊 𝚋𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚍𝚞𝚝𝚢...

...𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛..."```

And so, her expressions, as subtle and tired as they may be, shift from that of fondness, to that of sorrow. Deep, pained sorrow.

```cpp
"𝚅𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚒𝚛...𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚞𝚝𝚢."```
Joseph
He watched as the woman appeared to fight back against the corruption of the roots. After the woman began regaining her sanity, he asked again, "I need to know where the heir is. I'm not out for their life, you can trust me on that." The woman had begun to speak, Gaige praying for a decipherable answer.

What he got was not the answer he sought, but it was useful nevertheless. `Vokeir—that must be the heir. And... Daughter? Is this the heir's mother...? Nevermind that—I need to ask her where the altar is while she's conscious.` He questioned the woman again, "Okot, you need to stay conscious for a short while longer so I can be of help to your daughter." He attempted to use what he had learned from the infected woman to connect with her more, "I need to know where the altar you speak of is. With that, I can help your daughter with her duty. If you can tell me that, I can be of use to her." He awaited a response from the woman, hoping that his distasteful use of manipulation would grant him an answer.
Thomas
```cpp
"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚊𝚛...?"```

The woman paused. Again, she blinked, slowly, akin to how she responded when he initially questioned where the so-called heir was. For the query *Who* The heir was, she certainly had an answer, and she only need peer into her own memories — regardless of how hazed they were — to retrieve an answer.

For this query, however...

```cpp
"..."```

She pauses, deep in thought. Her eyes close, for a prolonged period, and it almost appeared as if she had fallen asleep.






*```cpp
"𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠."```*
Joseph
Gaige waited in utmost suspense for an answer; with this answer, he'd have his next destination planned out. With who this woman was... And her current state of consciousness, she had to know. He smiled, speaking, "Well? Did you remember wher-" His speech was suddenly interrupted by her words. `"I do not know."` Similarly to the woman, he stood in silence, staring at her. Eventually, he spoke up in a calm manner.

"Really? You... Have no idea where your daughter is...?" He seemed puzzled by the woman's response. "Huh... That's an issue, isn't it." He scratched the back of his head, thinking. "Do you have maybe like a... General direction or something?" Gaige appeared to have dropped his heroic persona he had used in an attempt to manipulate Okot into giving him the location of the altar. He awaited a response from the woman regarding a direction.
Thomas
```cpp
"..."```

...There was no response. Her eyes opened oncemore, yet she did not again speak.
Joseph
He sighed in disappointment; it would seem he'd gotten all the information out of the woman that he could. His gaze averted down to the book which he still held in his left hand. `Suppose it's time to look through this then.` He looked over back where the desk was, noticing the sturdy, brass chair. Making his way to the desk, he took a seat in the chair, placing the supposed journal down on the brass construct. He rolled his neck, no longer deeming Okot a threat. _Okaarum_ laid at his side nevertheless.

The journal opened to the first page, Gaige carefully reading through it. With another flip through the journal, he'd read the next page as well—observing every detail with immense scrutiny. He'd continue this process until he reached the back of the journal, planning to reflect on what he read after having finished it.
Fay
The leather-bound book was, surprisingly, held rather well in-tact, despite what would assumedly be dozens of years without even being touched. Perhaps it had been preserved in one way or another; or, perhaps, this room in particular was less susceptible to natural wear-and-tear brought about by the neverending flow of time. Considering that the tools had not completely rusted away, in significantly better condition than the tools that he had found on the ground before he went beyond the rusted door, it seemed that its contents perhaps aged slower, in a way.

Nonetheless, the contents of the book were what was important. While the pages were exceptionally old, slightly brittle, and some clung to eachother, he could open it to its first page easily, for the most part. The familiar, light-gold ink that barely stood out from the background of the parchment that Gaige had seen two times in the past, now, appeared again, being the main script in-which the book was written. Now given three chances to familiarize himself with it, **Gaige could likely recognize the handwriting of the parchments' — and the book's — writer, were he ever to encounter it again.**

The contents of the book are as so:

**PAGE 1.**
```fix
"Unity in Disparity."
This is the concept upon which the fundamental beliefs of the Arue are construed.

The fiery image of the Sun, dividing light and dark asunder in its glorious rays of gold, meets the frosted image of the Moon, unifying the essence of the mystical secrets of the cosmos in its Eight Stages of the Unknown.

Two objects of whole Disparity meet eachother in a moment of Unity, and so the image of the Arue Arcana is formed — the Image of the Solar Eclipse.

This concept I know better than any other. Even the Ezer, and the Uezer before him, lord and mentor unto the Arue each respectively. For, I, Ukue, am Guardian of the Eclipse, and keeper of its many secrets.```

A break in the text, and it continues—

```fix
Sun - Disparity.
Moon - Unity.

The eclipse is the image of Unity in Disparity, for it is two objects in whole Disparity, brought together in a moment of Unity. Yet, deeper, each half of the Image of the Eclipse are, too, partitioned unto the ideals of Unity and Disparity. This is the nature of the Arue Arcana unseen: the Tenet of Sempiternity; the principle that there are limitless instances of Disparity in Unity within Disparity in Unity. The Image of the Eclipse represents Disparity in Unity, and the Sun and Moon each themselves represent Disparity and Unity, respectively.

The Sun — which we, of its order, know in reverence as Sol — is an object of purity. It cuts between the righteous and the unrighteous, and with its golden rays of holiness, divides the just and unjust. It, by the very nature of its existence, casts differences upon all things, living and unliving, for nothing can escape the partitioning light of Sol. So it is an object of Disparity.

The Moon, arbiter of the night, unifies all things of the mystical and the arcane, in its unillumining, yet guiding glow. It is a light, yet not one partitioning; a guide, a guardian, and a gatherer, to all those who seek the secrets of the cosmos. By its nature of eight parts, it unifies all things, living and nonliving, in the pursuit of the stars' mystery. So it is an object of Unity.```

```fix
Indeed, this follows the Tenet of Sempiternity, yet is not representative of it in its whole. For, sempiternity is infinity, and the concept of limitlessness. And so, all things that follow the Tenet of Sempiternity must be found, themselves, limitless. Where there is Unity in Disparity, there must be Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity. And where there is Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity, there must be Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity. And so it repeats, endlessly. For, it is said that, wherever we may look, there is Unity in Disparity, even within the concept of Unity in Disparity, itself.

The Moon represents Unity, yet follows the Tenet of Sempiternity; there is limitless Unity in Disparity within its seemingly single concept of Unity. For, the way of the Moon is split unto the Eight Stages; unified disparity. There is Disparity in its Unity, and thus Unity in its Disparity. So it is, within the Image of the Moon, there is Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity within Unity in Disparity. One may follow each of the Eight Stages of the Unknown, and find them all following of the Tenet of Sempiternity. Each Stage itself has an aspect of both disparity and unity, and within that aspect, too, there is to be found yet another layer.```

_ _
```fix
Yet the Sun is not following of this tenet.

The Sun is representative of the image of Disparity, yet within its image of Disparity, there is no image of Unity in Disparity. Indeed, one may say that it is a Disparate Unification of many a man, and thus follows the principle of Unity in Disparity, for it is an unified order under the concept of Disparity; yet this assumption is only mirage. No, rather, it could be said that the Sun, and its Knights of Sol, are an impure image unfollowing of the Tenet of Sempiternity; Disparity in Disparity, and Disparity in Disparity within Disparity in Disparity. It is an order under the Image of Disparity, the Sun, dedicated solely unto the aspect of purity; which is, in other words, Disparity. 

So it is, I seek to right this wrong, and to make the image of Sol following of the Tenet of Sempiternity. There must be Unity in Disparity within Disparity, that the image of the Solar Eclipse might wholly be complete.```

**PAGE 2.**
```fix
VEIE EZUEK - The Sun of Protection.
QQOQEIVUE EZUEK - The Sun of Reversion.

These are the prayers of Sol's Unity, and the requited second half of the Prayers of the Knights of Sol to make their order following of the Tenet of Sempiternity...```

...The book continues, in the same nature as the first page. The prayer — Veie Ezuek — is expounded on, as well as its counterpart — Qqoqeivue Ezuek — each as two parts of the aspect of Unity within the image of the Sun. While a complex subject that one uninitiated in the so-called Arue Arcana would have quite some issues fully comprehending, the basic nature of both prayers are explained in fine detail, granting him a foundational concept to attempt to grasp.

Perhaps, even, with some effort, he could **Attempt to utilize either of the two prayers.** The Veie Ezuek is said to be a prayer that forms a **Barrier of sunlight**, whereas Qqoqeivue Ezuek is said to **Restore a tarnished object to its former glory.** Most interesting, indeed...
Joseph
The cloaked man leaned back in the chair after finishing the book, looking towards the ceiling—not where Okot was. He yawned, stretching his arms out above his head. He leaned back in, turning the journal back to its first page, rereading it. `People really write like this huh? You're a real annoying one to learn from, Ukue.` He had recognized the handwriting as Ukue's from the notes left upon the door and the sign in front of Vaarektaak's cell. He reread the first page a multitude of times in an attempt to gain a basic grasp over the concept of 'Unity in Disparity'.

The man did not piece together his findings within his mind, instead elaborating on his theory out-loud, "The Sun represents disparity and the Moon represents unity. When the two overlap—the eclipse—there is unity in disparity." He paused in his explanation. What he had said was the utmost basics of the concept, but it was a start. "Of course—I have no idea what these 'Eight Stages of the Unknown' are, but they're related to the Moon. Anyhow, Ukue is a follower of the Sun—and not the only one." He points out another obvious fact from the journal, tilting the chair back and rocking in it. "Skipping past the explanations of the Sun and Moon's relation to their respective elements... These 'Knights of Sol' believe that by forming a unified order under the Sun, they've created 'Unity in Disparity'. Though, according to Ukue, what they've created is fictitious—not truly 'Unity in Disparity'." He took a breath, "And Ukue seeks to right the wrong of these knights." He finalized his explanation, tilting his head back against the chair and staring at Okot upside down, "Is that right, Okot?" He awaited a response from the woman.
Thomas
```cpp
"..."```

—she would not give a response. It was clear, from her visible reaction, that she heard Gaige's query, yet she did not appear to have an answer — or, at the very least, did not offer up the answer she had.
Joseph
He waited in silence, staring at Okot; he eventually allowed his chair to return back to its four legs, turning to the second page of the book and gathering his thoughts in his mind instead. It'd be apparent that the supposed mother of the heir didn't have the answers he sought _or_ didn't intend to give them up. He would just have to go off a hunch that his understanding of the concept of 'Unity in Disparity' functions was right.

`And now... The real interesting part. The second half of prayers that the Knights of Sol utilize. Question is whether or not I myself can make use of them.` He scrutinized the short, second page of the journal before rereading through the rest of the pages. He closed the journal gently, pushing his cloak to the side and opening his satchel. Sliding the book into the satchel, he stood up from his chair; he glanced at the woman for a moment, deciding to leave her alive. He exited the room, squinting at the motionless body of Vaarektaak—looks like he was dead. Gaige made his way out of the hallway and back into the cave which he first appeared in.

He stretched his legs and arms out, taking in the fresh_er_ air. `Much better than the rancid air in there.` He gazed at the corpse of the individual who he had found at the start of his quest. `No changes in him. Good to know.` Now that Gaige had made it to an open area, he'd be able to freely experiment with the two prayers he had learnt. The first one he would attempt to make use of would be the Sun of Protection. From what he had read in the later pages of the book, he'd have to extend his hand in front of him and say the words, 'Veie Ezuek'. Taking a deep breath, Gaige slowly lifted his arm, his hand in front of him. Using the book to guide his pronunciation, Gaige spoke the words, "_Veie Ezuek_."