In a space surrounded by thousands of overlapping images, Cain and Edward materialized.
The young man staggered and collapsed onto the fractured glass panels that reflected the swirling images around them.
Edward's eyes flew open, his vision distorted as the world spun violently around him. He tried to regain his footing but failed spectacularly.
"Don't even try," Cain's voice cut through the chaos. "This place wasn't made for mortals. The only reason we're here is because something breached its defenses earlier. Stay put while I handle this."
Cain studied the glass panels, crouching to touch one carefully.
Hmm. Someone shattered the logic governing this place... using divine remnants. I wonder which rule they broke...
Meanwhile, Edward clutched his head. Ah, damn... I feel like that time those bastards kept beating me with that metal pipe. He fought to organize his thoughts and steady his vision.
Cain continued analyzing:
The General couldn't have done this - he borrowed the Impostor's power to sound the first trumpet. He'd be repaying that debt now.
The Fallen One is still serving his sentence... unless he had help. But who would help him, and why?
The Echo sides with the Mother, so it wouldn't be him. Then who...?
The Phantom... Yes. After his division, he's been trying to sabotage Her plans. And given his ability to travel through the Veil of Knowledge, he could have reached this place.
This doesn't solve our main problem though. The breach remains... No choice. I'll have to call Her, consequences be damned.
Cain produced a small golden eye from nowhere and crushed it with inhuman strength. Brilliant light erupted from the fragments before dissipating, leaving a floating eye in its wake.
The eye was predominantly white, with golden hues swirling at its center in concentric circles. An oppressive, divine aura radiated from it. Within those hues moved strange symbols - some intertwining like forgotten words, others splitting and merging like numerical concepts.
The golden circle divided into smaller spheres that scanned the entire space simultaneously before reforming into an iris that fixed its gaze on Cain.
Damn it... here we go again. He thought irritably.
The eye vanished, and the same golden light now emanated from Cain himself. His eyes transformed to match the divine orb's appearance as he turned toward one of the fractured panels.
Illusory symbols materialized before him. Cain approached the panel, studying it closely as the symbols trembled and merged with reality. The glass seemed to reverse its damage, the overlapping images dispersing and rearranging into fixed positions.
With a violent shudder, Cain expelled something from his body, and the eye reappeared in space.
Edward finally regained enough clarity to turn his head - just as his gaze met the eye. His symptoms returned with devastating intensity.
"You idiot! I told you to stay—" Cain's reprimand ended abruptly as he vomited violently across the glass panels.
...
Elsewhere, in a space flooded with blinding light, a figure hung imprisoned by chains extending from a translucent arm.
The being controlling the arm spoke:
"The debt for your borrowed power comes due. Per our agreement, you may repay with anything of equivalent value. What will you offer, Corrupt One?"
"I'll give part of what I am. That includes what you've always wanted." The figure's voice remained calm.
Mocking laughter echoed through the void.
"How amusing. You finally accept what you'll become."
"Shut up and take what's owed."
The chains lashed violently, tearing away an indistinct fragment from the figure. His once-gray eyes turned completely black, revealing depths of utter madness.
The translucent arm released its grip and caught the fragment.
"Very well. You may leave - though you're welcome to return should you need... further assistance."
"No. I have everything I required from you. Now if you'll excuse me, Swindler."
"You damned bastard."
The figure with black-hole eyes faded away as annoyed laughter echoed behind him.