He couldn't begin to state the obvious, starting with how Anike's story sort of tied into all of this, to the misconceptions about Tra-el. And Northern felt he was very close… close to cracking the nut around the mysteries of the first origin.
And he suspected that to do so with the Librarians. He didn't think Hervath knew or maybe, he knew but didn't want to say.
But it had to be the Primordials. The way Anike spoke about the Primordials matched so well with the abandonnt of responsibility that Hervath explained about.
And the gods stepping up to take control made perfect sense in that regard.
Also, if the Origins were as a result of a flaw from one of the Primordials, their terrifying strength and ever expanding greed would make sense.
That was that. But then another legend yet spoke of the Constellations who were supposed to be descendants of the Primordials. It spoke of them and the world they created… in order to escape one of the Primordials that had refused to forget themselves.
Would this an there was a Primordial that refused to abandon their duty and the world had to suffer because of it. Albeit, the world at the ti was just a world of stars.
Yet again, Northern found himself with answers and yet even more questions. Questions about how the constellations ca to fit into all of this, about the battle that created the laws of the universe itself.
Where exactly did all of that fit into all these things. But then again, when he thought about it. It wasn't like all the Librarians disappeared at the sa ti.
There had to have been a progression. All this information was good. But Northern knew he wasn't going to get truly close to this whole story unless he got closer to the Origins themselves.
Of course, not closer in a fond manner. Unless he began to actively fight a couple of them, there was always going to be more and more questions.
But this much information was amazing. Finally, after so long, he heard sothing about Nexus.
'He's the Patron God of The Echo Realm.'
Northern narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
'And it just so happens that it was this world that I ca into… and then he even handed a gift.'
Northern was lost in thoughts looking back at his fall into Tra-el once again. This ti very delicately.
But there's been a lot that he might not rember, he rembered seeing Nexus, he rembered seeing the old woman. He rembered they were fighting over his soul as though he had the makings of a hero.
Or maybe he was just flattering himself at the mont but still, why were two great gods fighting for his soul. There had to be sothing fishy.
The fight had caused him to fall through the weaves of white plains, he kept falling and falling until he fell into Tra-el.
He might not have rembered the words spoken but he still rembered the event itself, he had never truly forgotten… even when mories about his past life were blurry at tis.
So there was a chance… a little chance… that maybe, just maybe, all what was happening right now was the very reason why Northern ca to this world.
Maybe Nexus wanted him to be here… to save it?
'I want to disagree with that notion, but if he was the patron god of this world then it can be far-fetched. Co to think of it, isn't he a god of trickery?'
Northern indeed saw at that mont the significance of a god's domain and how much it played. Nexus, he had never really thought about him being a god of Trickery, because all he had gotten from the god was blessings upon blessings.
But now, it was looking like Nexus might have played him into being a savior he didn't want to be.
Northern shook his head.
'That… but there has to be more…'
Because Nexus left his world on his own. He was a god, he could have saved them but he abandoned them.
There were several questions to this. Was Nexus the one that the Origins tried to kill. But according to the mories Northern saw, the gods had turned their back on the world at that ti.
And Prince Phainon was a tactic to earn their favor.
Northern just stood there, thinking while confusion tussled within his ntal walls.
He sighed and shook his head.
'I'll just worry about the rest when I'm beating Ul's ass.'
He shifted his attention to Hervath, who was standing silently and obediently looking at Northern.
"Thank you for the information… but I am still concerned about where your loyalty lies." Northern paused for a mont, "If I grant you protection, if I give you a place among us—what guarantees do I have that you won't decide your interests lie elsewhere?"
The Owl let out a sound that might have been a laugh, though it ca out more like a series of clicking hoots.
"Grand Lord Commander, look at . I am an abomination by any reasonable standard. The world I understood is gone. The court I served is dust. The only being who has shown any kindness in this new existence is your servant there." He gestured toward Abyss Tyrant. "Where exactly would my interests lie, if not with those who tolerate my presence?"
It was a fair point. Pragmatic, even. Northern appreciated pragmatism.
He looked at Abyss Tyrant again. "You trust him?"
Abyss Tyrant was silent for a mont, then he shifted and looked at Northern then shrugged.
The Owl flinched slightly at the response.
'He couldn't even vouch for ?'
Northern smiled a bit and turned back to the Owl-Doctor.
"Very well." He pushed away from the railing. "You'll stay. For now. Doctor Hervath—or whatever you wish to be called—you'll make yourself useful. Heal when healing is needed. Share your knowledge when I ask for it. Stay out of trouble."
The Owl bowed deeply, his feathers rustling with what seed like genuine relief.
"You are generous, Grand Lord Commander. I will not squander this chance."
"See that you don't." Northern began walking back toward the stairs, then paused. He looked over his shoulder at Abyss Tyrant. "Next ti you adopt a stray, ntion it sooner."
Abyss Tyrant's lightless eyes revealed nothing. But there was sothing in the slight tilt of its head that Northern had learned to read as acknowledgnt.
As he climbed the stairs, Northern could hear the Owl's voice behind him, speaking quietly to Abyss Tyrant.
"Your master is... not what I expected. I expected he was going to be… older? dear god… he does have an overwhelming presence!"
Northern allowed himself a small smile as he reached the upper level. The smile faded quickly though, replaced by the neutral expression he wore like armor.
'A doctor who understands the architecture of living things. Knowledge of a dead court's research.'
The possibilities were worth considering. But that was for later.
Right now, he had other matters to attend to.
'It's ti for to see what I can do with the Tomb Kings.'
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