Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)-Chapter 1134. The End of The Atelier War

A smoldering trail of fire split the Grand Stage into two halves. The chasm was deep enough to expose the thick pipework that ran beneath the Grand Stage. Purified Liquid Nex served as a coolant for these pipes, which were responsible for delivering Scripts to various locations across the City of Strings.

Normally, they were near indestructible outside of a Beholder-level attack. Because of this, they did not require much protection, let alone maintenance. However, a figure had moved through the Grand Stage moments earlier. None had caught exactly who or what it was, but judging from the aftermath, it was obvious whose trail this belonged to.

“… Was the Head reported to be this powerful?” An Exarch, one of the highest-ranking members of Act X, did not know the true extent of the Amalgam’s power.

Just earlier, they had witnessed the Amalgam’s speed as she left the Grand Stage in pursuit of Beholder Marionette. Additionally, they were aware of various feats the Amalgam was capable of, such as her ability to devour Souls, manifest Corrupted, amplify Skills, and so forth.

But they had never seen the Amalgam utilize their full power in person. Little did they know, however, was that the trail she left behind in the Grand Stage was but the side effect of her but one of her powers.

Indeed, the devastation she brought, which unintentionally wiped out nine thousand Anointed Anids, was the side effect of her flames. Heralds, and even the dreaded Missionaries choked on the superheated air as steam rose from their bodies.

The Amalgam’s mere presence brought the Atelier War to an utter standstill.

“Benevolent Exarch. The Milinid has ceased delivering reinforcements.” A Missionary spoke to a limbless Exarch, who sat in the center of a pile of bleeding bodies. “Has a new Script been ordained?”

“I have not received word of a new Script. O’ Lachesis has slowed. Regrettable… She must not have expected the Amalgam to be this strong.”

The Missionary slumped forward, understanding what this meant.

“Are we still tethered to the Living Loom?”

“Marionette still lives. Erect that spine. I sense the Living Loom’s presence.”

The moment these words left her lips, the invisible strings that tethered them to Beholder Marionette sent vibrations into their minds. This was caused by the Milinid, who possessed total control over the Actors of Act X within its proximity, which was especially useful in large-scale combat.

This was why Act X was exceptionally organized in combat, since the individual pawns did not need to think about their position. They merely needed to execute the Milinid’s commands, which were often delegated to the Exarchs.

In any case, the message they received: though silent: was louder than the booming footsteps that emerged at the other end of the Grand Stage. Its design allowed for even the smallest sound at one end to echo across the entirety of the arena, much like how one could whisper at one side of a Colosseum and be heard from the other.

“Stand down. Lay your arms. Regroup, and bow. We have been instructed to stand aside, as ordained by Beholder Marionette.”

“The Living Loom…”

The Missionary in question yearned to turn in the direction of the footsteps but did not allow herself to indulge in her curiosity. Even Missionaries seldomly saw Beholder Marionette. In fact, one could count the number of Missionaries who knew Marionette’s physical form on two hands.

It instilled immense reverence, and the Missionary alongside thousands of Actors: from the lowly Acolytes to the Heralds, the Missionaries, and even the Anointed Anids: fell into total silence, their heads bowed.

The presence of two deities was upon them. Even Lachesis, whose strength was comparable to a Beholder, retracted her weapons and fell to her knees. Jury panted, exhausted from her constant clashes with Lachesis.

She didn’t immediately catch onto why Lachesis had suddenly prostrated before her. Strange. Lachesis never spoke of Marionette as a deity. Thus, why would she be prostrating before Marionette, if those footsteps belonged to her?

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That was until a sudden compulsion to drop onto her kneels assailed her. Her feathers rustled, and she instinctively understood the source of this pressure. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

“The Arbiter… Walks with Marionette…” Lachesis reverently uttered, as if reciting holy scripture.

Thousands of long shadows were cast along the Grand Stage as a holy light emerged from the end of the Grand Stage. Once that light passed through the outer pillars, the shadow of two figures swallowed the entirety of the Grand Stage.

The reverence they felt came from none other than the Arbiter. As for the second sensation, which compelled them to bow in respect, came from Marionette. Even though they were suppressed by the weight of the Arbiter’s presence, a single command would be enough to allow them to resist it.

However, given that the Arbiter and Marionette walked side by side: this was extremely unlikely.

In fact–

“Cease. Our quarrel with the Head ends here. You have done well. Rest, my Actors. The Warp and the Weft that make up the Script are limited in space. However, time has no limits. Those with Scripts that are not time-gated may rest. The Head permits us such newfound freedom.”

Not a single word was spoken. Not even a cry of acknowledgement, as one would expect from an army. The silence unsettled Jury, whereas Acedia seemed pleasantly impressed by their obedience. Acedia likened humans to pets. The more obedient they were, the higher her regard for them became.

Once the order was released, the Actors of Act X began taking the injured towards the Milinid legs. However, Marionette raised a hand, and they instantly froze. If one possessed Frost’s [Stringed Theory] Ability, they would notice that Marionette’s hand was holding their strings taut, hence, why they were frozen in place.

“Allow the Amalgam to conduct her healing. The Head is, if nothing, merciful to our kind. Consider it a blessing, given that we were at war with them, however temporary. Ah… Do bring that experience to future endeavors. The Scrips will expect nothing less of perfection from our survivors.”

Michaela’s twelve wings flapped. A halo of light formed five meters behind her, and it banished the shadows of the Grand Stage, save for hers. Twelve of her own shadows stretched from where she stood to each end of the Grand Stage. Those who were caught within it experienced an unbearable chill.

Few Acolytes fainted, whilst others who were caught in the light prostrated until their faces melded with the marble. Yet, even that was not enough. Facial features cracked, and blood spilled from their orifices. No matter how flatly they pushed themselves onto the earth, it was not low enough in the presence of the Arbiter.

This was the effect of an Ability called [Ascended Domination]. When Michaela was in the presence of beings she classified as lesser being, then, they would experience tremendous pressure. Blessed were exempted from this, of course, and it was thankfully selective.

However, as the Arbiter and a representative of the Nexus, she maintained this pressure. The Actors came to realize that they had only fought the grunts of the Nexus and were still overwhelmed.

They did not dare to imagine what would have happened if the Arbiter took it upon herself to eradicate Act X.

They had the Head’s mercy to thank.

“Lachesis. Were you working around a technicality?” Marionette steadily approached Lachesis before twirling her fingers in the air.

Suddenly, the Actors of Act X began touching their ears. Strings were not made of a single strand, but of multiple filaments. One could imagine how a rope was made from multiple threads. She severed one of these filaments that were responsible for their sense of hearing, and then, another for their eyesight.

And just to be certain, she then severed the string that granted them sensation within her declared territory. There were Insectids who could comprehend vibrations.

Lachesis steadily rose to her feet, leaving her rapiers on the ground as she stared at Marionette with cautious, yet fond eyes.

“It does not violate the Script. I was doing my job.”

“As you should. ‘Occupy Beholder Jury’s time. Disable her Skills.’ You interpreted it in a rather pacifist manner. I am thankful.”

“… Thankful? Marionette… What happened between you and the Head, if I may ask?”

Marionette tapped on her chest, and Lachesis’ shoulders relaxed, having understood precisely what this meant.

“… Is that still you?”

“Then, shall I address you as your namesake?”

“Marionette is my name.” She smiled.

“… Understood.”

The Moons of the Nexus and the Mimic of Amalgamation began rounding up the injured in preparation for Frost. At the same time, Alcina separated the severely injured from the healthy, and stabilized anyone that was on the verge of bleeding out. Metal cuffs were used to clamp down on wounds.

“Your wrist will break, but at least you won’t die. Construct, baby. Slap the cuff on.”

“Master. This. Girl. Is. Crying. Those. Are. Tears.”

“She’s crying tears of joy.”

“I. Beg. The. Differ.”

“Eeh. Babe would say otherwise.”

Marionette then gave Jury a faint wave.

“Jury. Will you fetch your lover for me? It is time to make amends.”

“… Frost must’ve… Mm… Whatever she put you through, I’m sure it’ll be for the best in the long run.” Jury suppressed the urge to boast in front of Marionette. She despised Marionette for her stubbornness, however, she did not want to judge her too quickly without understanding her side of the story.

Thus, she kept her mouth shut and gave Marionette a subtle, thankful nod.

“It’s over then, right? The war?” Jury asked.

Michaela then answered:

“It hardly counted as a war. But yes. Our enemy is not Act X, Beholder Jury. The true enemy lies above, behind the door of the Fate Mechanism. What transpired today is a warning of the future. I am grateful that there is a semblance of an Ego in there, Beholder Marionette. Because were it not for it, or for Frost’s mercy, then: It would have been very easy to remove that Star’s influence.”

Marionette faintly smiled.

“I have come to understand it well. But know that my death was not ordained.”