The careening darkness of Carcosa deepened, casting a suffocating weight upon the Landship as the Ordeal of the Midnight began.
This should also be my first Ordeal of the Midnight experience without any kind of strings attached to the systems and notification that was helping before the event of Nihil.
And honestly, now that my mind was not imdiately bombarded with the fact that midnight had arrived, I felt my senses and perception beco much clearer than usual.
Or it was just my new existential height taking an outright effect.
"Guess I will miss that screaming daily ssage."
The air turned dense, sharp, and cold, almost tasting of iron, as the spiraling moon of madness shifted its eerie hue to a violent crimson. Sowhere in the distance, an otherworldly hum echoed—a sound that wasn't carried by wind but carved directly into the soul.
I stood on the Landship's observation deck, the thrum of its engines faint beneath the mounting tension of the night. This wasn't the Ordeal of the Dusk, with its erratic yet manageable chaos. The Ordeal of the Midnight was always different to a much dangerous degree.
It was when Carcosa finally bared its fangs, its horrors unbound and inevitable.
Though we did got a midnight event where we just got a free 12 hours of peace that one ti,
"Right, the special type Calamity Object."
I narrowed my eyes, my senses heightened by the weight of my existence. There it was—a presence, ancient and deliberate, its oppressive aura spreading like ink over the barren land ahead. I focused my attention, pushing my awareness outward to encompass not just the Landship, but the surrounding expanse of Carcosa.
A figure appeared in my mind's eye, larger than life. It wasn't a creature, not in the conventional sense. It was a monolith—tall, imposing, and blacker than the void between stars. Its surface shimred faintly, not with light, but with the absence of it, an anti-glow that seed to absorb everything around it.
"Looking from the presence, that is not a Qliphoth Object, at least," I muttered, my voice low but steady.
Kuzunoha, standing nearby with her ever-present air of intrigue, tilted her head and smiled. "Ah," she said, her voice dripping with amusent. "The Mirroring Well. It's been a while since I've seen one of these. A particularly entertaining entity."
"A well?" I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "It doesn't look like one."
"That's because it isn't," she replied, as her umbrella cast an even thicker shadow on her eyes. "Not physically, at least. The concept of a 'well' doesn't have to be literal. The Mirroring Well draws from what is within and reflects what could have been, pulling what might be an outside strings into this giant ball of yarn that is Carcosa~"
Her explanation brought so sense of clarity, but also unease. I felt the weight of its presence pressing against my mind, a distinct sense of potentiality, as if the entity itself was an infinite nexus of possibilities waiting to be unleashed.
By now, the rest of my confidantes and so bastioneers—Verina, Charis, Viviane, Lupina, Primus, Lydia, Alia, and Erika—had gathered on the deck. Through the MSUs, the bastioneers still stationed throughout the Landship received the sa vision of the towering monolith.
"Can you identify it?" Kuzunoha's gaze fixed on , her crimson eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Surely, with all of the lessons you got, you can at least sense its purpose."
"You got reminded of it, huh."
"Obviously, I'm your teacher."
"Haah~ I'm hoping that you would just explain this new Calamity Object like the reliable secretary you are~"
"And 'm hoping that you would try challenging yourself like the charismatic and reliable leader you are~"
"Alright, you said the keyword, and I will try my best analyzing this Calamity Object," I snickered.
Facing the direction of the supposed Mirroring Well, I closed my eyes, reaching deeper into the layers of my perception.
My heightened existence allowed to glimpse the nature of entities like this, but I lacked Kuzunoha's centuries of experience and proper navigation to unravel the countless layers of essences and wrapped planarity to even try prodding the full existential portfolio.
I'm referring to Calamity Objects and the likes, of course, since I had already possessed the instinctual mastery when it cos to probing an average mortal.
Though, I could already say that I was already adept enough for my level. When it cos to Calamity Object, I could discern—an impression of its strength, its conceptual essence, and its the, but not its na.
Grasping the epithet of a calamitous entity was surprisingly harder than what I imagined it to be.
Regardless, since the Mirroring Well was more or less an inanimate Calamity Object, or at least in its current stage—analyzing it wasn't really that much of a challenge.
"It's a well," I began, opening my eyes and addressing the group. "Not in form, but in function. It draws out potential versions of anyone who touches it, but it doesn't stop there.
"The vessel it creates will be identical to the one who touched it. Physically perfect clones, but what inhabits those vessels will be sothing else entirely—alternate versions of the individual, plucked from the infinite web of possibilities."
Erika let out a low whistle. "So… we could end up with a twisted, murderous version of ourselves running around?"
"Exactly," I replied. "For example, if Verina were to touch it, we might get a version of her who's a deranged queen, or one who's spent her life consuming the souls of her enemies. The possibilities are endless—and unpredictable."
Gazing out at the towering Mirroring Well, an entertained grin began spreading across my face.
This wasn't a threat—this was an opportunity. Through my Mini MSU, I issued a command to Yora, who was at the helm.
"Yora," I said, my voice calm but firm, "Adjust course and approach the monolith ahead."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the communication channel, the faint hum of the engine accompanying Yora's hesitant response. "Are… are you sure, Lady Narcissus? That thing doesn't look friendly."
"I'm certain," I replied smoothly, my tone unyielding. "And if it were truly deed hostile, Verina's musket satellite would have already obliterated it."
"Righty-o," Verina backed up with a deadpan snarker tone.
The Landship began to shift, its engines purring as it adjusted its course to move toward the Mirroring Well. The towering monolith lood larger with every passing second, its oppressive aura brushing against the edges of my heightened awareness.
Viviane's voice broke through the silence after a realization. "Wait—what exactly are you doing, Narcissus?" She stepped closer, her sunset-colored eyes narrowing as they flicked between and the approaching monolith. "You're taking us closer to that thing?? What is your reason for this decision, young Narcissus!?"
"As you expected" I said, keeping my gaze on the Mirroring Well. "This is a chance to strengthen the bastion—no, to surpass what any bastion could ever hope to be. A gift from Carcosa itself~"
"A gift?" Viviane echoed, her tone steeped in skepticism. "That's a dangerously naive perspective for sothing like this. The Mirroring Well is anything but a gift. You do realize the risks, don't you? Touching it could summon a doppelgänger, one that might be hostile, unpredictable, or outright insane."
"Exactly." I turned to her, my smile unwavering. "But it could also summon a perfect ally—one with all the enhancents and Theotech-based augntations of the original individual. Think about it, Viviane. A free clone of soone as powerful as my bastioneers. No resources wasted, no ti lost. If we handle this carefully, it's an opportunity too good to ignore."
Her arms crossed over her chest, and her frown deepened, the lines of her elegant face hardening. "And what happens if the clones aren't so cooperative? What happens when you're staring at an alternate version of one of your bastioneers, one that's spent a lifeti becoming the worst version of themselves?
"At worse, what if the one that inhabited that cloned vessel is that of a god in their reality?"
I shrugged with a nonchalance that only seed to deepen her disapproval. "We'll judge them accordingly. That's what we have Charis for. Her ability to see through lies and perceive the truth of a soul is unparalleled. And if the clones are hostile, we'll simply eliminate them." I gestured toward the bastioneers gathered around us. "We have more than two godly individuals in this landship, another god or two won't be that much of a hard issue."
I could hear Kuzunoha chuckling in the background.
Viviane's sharp gaze lingered on , her silence showcased her inner conflict. Finally, she sighed, though her stance remained tense. "I shall respect your calculated decision. But do know that you're still gambling with forces you don't fully understand."
"Perhaps," I admitted, stepping closer to the edge of the observation deck and letting the wind whip against my hair. "But isn't survival in Carcosa one continuous gamble? The Mirroring Well is a tool, and like any tool, it's only as dangerous as the hand that wields it." I looked back at her, eting her gaze with quiet confidence. "This is our chance to expand the bastion's strength exponentially. I'm not letting it go to waste."
Kuzunoha chid softly from her place beside , her crimson eyes sparkling with amusent. "I must say, Narcissus dearie, your boldness never ceases to lighten the weight of my chest~"
"That's because your jugs are too large," Verina answered out of nowhere. "Better remove the whole thing clean. I can help you with that."
Kuzunoha rely snickered at the comnt. "Too bad that I doubted your credibility when it cos to performing surgery, Verina."
At that mont, Charis spoke up, her childlike voice carrying an eerie composure as she cradled Lupina in her shadowy hands. "The case of large-breasts aside, Father is correct. The Well may seem dangerous, but its potential is limitless. If a clone is dangerous, I'll see it. If it's useful, I'll know. We can turn this to our advantage."
"And let's not forget," Kuzunoha added with a sly grin, "That you, Viviane, are one of the best adjudicators of morality and truth in this bastion. Surely you'd enjoy having a front-row seat to determine the nature of these potential allies—or enemies."
Viviane didn't reply imdiately, her sharp gaze still focused on the Mirroring Well. Once again, she sighed, though her posture was still as stoic and regal as ever. "Fine. My only ssage is for you to practice more caution in this plan of yours, be prepared for whatever horrors this gamble might unleash."
"Always," I said, my tone unwavering as we have finally reached the close proximity of the Mirroring Well. "Now, let's begin."
The Landship slowed as it neared the Mirroring Well, its monolithic form towering over us like a silent sentinel.
I activated my Mini MSU again, sending out a command to Yora. "Hold position here. This is close enough."
Turning to the gathered group, I outlined the plan. "Listen carefully. Each of you has a role to play. When a clone erges, it will be apprehended imdiately. Charis will assess its soul, and the rest of you—Kuzunoha, Viviane, Verina, Primus—will probe its mind and essence for any signs of danger. The bastioneers will provide containnt and support. If the clone is safe, we'll integrate it into the bastion. If not…" My smile hardened. "We'll deal with it accordingly."
There was a ripple of acknowledgent among the group. Even Erika, who thrived on chaotic zealotry, seed uncharacteristically focused, her hands resting on the hilt of her Prismforge.
"Who's the first candidate?" Lydia asked, her tone calm and asured.
"Naosi," I said without hesitation.
The group exchanged glances, and Viviane raised an eyebrow. "Naosi? Why her?"
I folded my arms, my smile returning. "She's the safest choice. Her physical vessel isn't combat-oriented; her worth lies in her creative and intellectual capabilities more than anyone. If her clone retaliates, it won't pose a significant physical threat since she is also the one with the weakest physical strength. And whatever version of her mind we get, they won't be able to utilize her muscle mory to rebel properly."
Kuzunoha clapped her hands together, clearly entertained. "Oh, I do love how your mind works, darling. Let's see how this little experint unfolds."
Through my Mini MSU, I summoned Naosi to the observation deck. A few monts later, she appeared, her expression a mixture of curiosity and unease.
"What's going on?" she asked, her gaze flicking between and the towering monolith. "And… I have a bad feeling about this."
I stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Naosi, you've been chosen for a very special experint. All you need to do is touch that monolith."
Her eyes widened. "Touch it? That thing looks like it wants to eat my soul!"
"Don't worry," I said with a calm smile. "We'll handle whatever happens. Just trust ."
Naosi hesitated, glancing at the others for reassurance. Finally, she swallowed her saliva. Taking a deep breath, she approached the Mirroring Well.
The mont her hand touched its surface, the monolith pulsed with a dark, resonant energy, ripples of anti-light spreading outward like waves across an abyss.
The world seed to hold its breath.
Sothing was coming.
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