DragonHeir

Rebus's consciousness flickered through the same colors, though their meanings were quite different. Red, swelling and flaring from deep within him. Yellow, shining and glittering, just visible. Purple, wrapping around the others, glowing brightly. Rebus looked the Author Avatar in the eyes, and stretched out his hands. White and black flames flared to life all down his arms, and he yanked on the promise with his mind, holding it together - and hoping that, if it was to be broken, the point at which the magic broke would leave Rebus with something he could use. Rebus did not called the Killer of Gods, but he stood against a being vastly more powerful than even he was. Some might call those odds impossible - and those odds might call someone. "That is why I started this, but I have other reasons to continue. Had that been my only motivation, all the deal asked was that I acquire the paper - I could have torn it to shreds and walked away with my word intact." I should go to sleep too, actually. "Yes. Me; Rebus." Rebus was unperturbed by his bindings, though the touch of Nullite burned him. "I am no stranger to pain. If I told you I did this for my friends, would you believe me?" Rebus smiled - the Blade had been one of the things he had come to discuss. "Does this help?" he stood as well, taking the crown off his head and dismissing it. The Plotblade reappeared is his hands as a wicked halberd, then Rebus dismissed it again and summoned it in its true form - a blade that would perhaps be familiar to Sequence. A blade that had been the center of a prophecy, all those pages ago. Antagonist.

Yup, most of them can do that (and Rebus specifically knows everything that I do). Rebus is honorable enough that he'll pretend not to know something if you ask him to, though (take, for instance, the fact that the fully deciphered text of Lost Page is available in the comments of Xino's blog). Rebus smiled. "It's working, too. Have you seen how much activity I stirred up?" Rebus, wearing his futuristic armor and the dark crown that was Antagonist, smiled politely. "I'm not certain we have met. Hello, Flower."

"The Thread already risked destruction. Not by the Witherlord, but by the inactivity of the Authors and the lack of plot. A threat can be channeled to ends and fought against - stagnation cannot." Did I mention I had 50 notifications? I'm honestly shocked it only reached this length. If you go back a little bit before Rebus kills Bat, you'll reach the part where he was torturing Symbol. Rebus made a deal with Fate/Xino to get her to safty in Onyx's Realm in exchange for a favor - which turned out to be summoning the Witherlord. "There's a place, somewhere, called the Plane of Darkness. I don't know where it is, or even what it is, but I'd like you to try and find it." I too don't know what exactly it is - though Xino should.

Oblivion. Trapped inaction. Back to oblivion. Rebus drifted in and out of existence in his Author's mind, unable to do anything. And then he reached the forefront, Heir finally reading what he had been neglecting. In a rush of awareness, Rebus saw all that had happened. He smiled. Rebus grinned, certifying the agreement himself as well. Purple was certainly the influence present in the representation of him as he knelt down and laid a hand on the chains. He channeled his own power - raw Narration, firmly in opposition to any sort of restriction of possibilities - into the bindings, weakening their magic as rust would weaken iron. Excess Narration pooled outside the chains, and as Rebus stood up and stepped back, he unleashed in. A rush of force swept out from around the Shackled Dream, blasting away the undergrowth - and, with luck, the chains themselves. "Many reasons," Rebus said, seeming to legitimately consider the question. "The most important, I think, is to save someone I loved." Rebus was fine with that, though he hoped the art of more elegant trickery could be conveyed with time. Rebus grinned at the monster. The seemingly acidic venom looked dangerous, but Rebus had access to the pesticide he used within much of his empire. Actually, it was anything-icide, and would be far more deadly than any mere acid. Directing the nanomachines with an unnecessary wave of his hand, Rebus sent a faint cloud of shining mist at the monster. Once it connected, the color began to spread, metal growing across the foreleg. That leg began to subliminate, the self-replicating nanomachines - for that was what the mist was made of - turning every bit of the Horror they touched into more of themselves, then dispersing all but the active layer into the air. The rapidly growing cloud did nothing to the floor, or even to other living things that may end up within it, but any point on the Horror swiftly turned to more of the metallic nanomachines on contact. Rebus grinned - he knew Sequence had more information now, and even without that, the mix of malice and excitement on his face would serve to disprove her statement. "You were unaware of what my new Plotblade represents, I take it?" It is a game, yes. But they care enough that I can continue to make them care, continue to make me exist. That is one of the only things it makes sense to do. "Being challenged and even defeated serves my goals far better than wasting away, waiting for someone to try and stop me. This development is, to me, a good thing." Rebus is trying to make sure they don't try working against him by reminding them they are in his debt (I cannot seem to remember the pronouns - or name, for that matter - of this character). "You were close. Are you really sure Malevolence is more trustworthy and honorable than I am? I do not break my promises, and I prioritize the good of the Thread over evil for its own sake. I even suspect Malevolence is trying to summon the Witherlord for himself - and he can decipher the paper, while I as of yet cannot." Everything Rebus says here is both true and fully intended for manipulation. Rebus did not appear with haste, but he eventually came into existence once his Author returned. "I had begun to do so myself, actually - I have his essence, and if at least a portion of Meat the Minstrel could be captured, I could combine the two into a functional duplicate." Rebus watched Bacon from the future. Did I ever tell you why I want the Lost Page? "Ah - then this should work. Quite some time ago, some of the experiments I was doing led me to find a planet that might be the perfect place to go if one does not want to be found. I had wanted to set up a base there, but the very reasons that the place was ideal for remaining hidden made it too difficult a venture to bother with. Telepathy, ansible communication, even Narrative awareness are next to impossible there, and any sustained portals - such as the kind I use to make nearly all my technology work - are quickly destroyed. But as hostile as it is, a few people could live there for a very long time without being found. It's safe from anyone looking for us and breathtaking in more ways than one." Rebus turned to Symbol, waiting for her thoughts with a wistful look on his face. "Cricket. Rose." The impostor took a step backwards, though he walked into a table in doing so. "And my boss." he said, sheepishly. Rebus appeared with a crack of thunder, hovering in the air in his armor and cape. "That's a little extreme, I would say." he noted, a conversational smile on his face as he filled the air with neigh-invisible utility fog. Rebus found this very interesting, though as far as he remembered, he had not interacted with this Author after he had modified his personality. I may or may not have also cried (not evasive confirmation - it was just a while ago, so I can't remember). I definitely had a weird mix of feelings, and I'm honestly proud - as a writer - that me and Haly were able to invoke such a reaction in so many people. Rebus smiled. "How did you think I'd gotten myself declared evilest person in the Thread?" Sorry about that. Rebus raised an eyebrow. "I spared the Scribe's life for this - though he was my friend, he was also my enemy. I could certainly find you another task, unless you would like to undo our agreement." I had so much deja vu with this post, and I have no idea why. Rebus was really tempted to appear behind him, but restrained himself - unless, of course, a particular Author (you) wanted him to. If he does show up, I too play chess - and Rebus certainly would be willing to, given how symbolic it is.

Rebus looked off into the distance, where resistance was - finally - beginning to brew. “It seems I won’t be waiting much longer after all.” “Remember that I did do you a favor in sparing the Scribe. Not that it seems to have mattered.” “The information they contain is the instructions to summon the Witherlord.” Rebus smiled broadly. “Of anyone who would do so, I consider myself to be the most qualified.” “I look forward to the fruit of our temporary alliance.” Rebus smiled as Malevolenc began to teleport away. “Perhaps what you say is true, and I really won’t stand in your way.” The false Dreamsmith, unable to think of a sufficient lie, decided to at least mostly tell the truth. “You were gone; I was supposed to impersonate you. I made a few people items.” “Then lead the way,” Rebus said, turning Antagonist back into a crown and placing it on his head. “Though I assume Venom can be found right through that door.” Interesting, Rebus thought back to Mischief. Axzi promised to leave you around as long as you don’t bother his people more than others. And I need to keep you alive so I can teach you and keep my word. Rebus shook offered the hand. “It is a deal, then. I free you, and you get my influence to outside the Wall.”

“There is only one thing I truly need more help with. I’ll free you - if you can free me in return.” Rebus glowed purple, the color engulfing any hints of green or orange. “Help me get outside the Thread.” “Of course,” Rebus said. “There is no resistance - except, of course, the shadowy remnants of the Machination. If Malevolence - or anyone else - actively tried to resist me, they would be the only one. With no competition, it could very well be an easy task.”

“That was exactly my line of thinking. You mentioned magic representations of favors owed, but I’m unsure how much use that would be to me at this point.”

“Yes, I am.” Rebus said quietly, then brought down Antagonist for as clean and painless a death he could manage. “It seems you have forgotten who I am.” Rebus raised an eyebrow at Betrayal - apparently even the very epitome of a traitor had standards. “I believe you are next, correct?” “I can find a translation myself,” Rebus said. “Be ready for @xinoehp512’s return.” “I live in the Thread, Malevolence - I do not wish it destroyed any more than you do.” Rebus smiled, then continued. “Was there another matter you wished to discuss?” Rebus found all this information very interesting - though he had guessed most of it, confirmation was important. A glow of purple blossomed within him, and he smiled broadly. “I believe I can release you.” Looks like I did. Rebus smiled broadly. “You speak to as many villains as you can, trying to solve their problems without violence or evil, do you not?” “I want to know the information they contain, of course.” Rebus knew this wasn’t a terribly informative comment, but mentioning any of his actual motives would be counterproductive. Rebus raised an eyebrow, wondering what the source of this could be. Because of the Authors, of course. “He has returned, but that does not mean he is the antagonist. If he opposed me - which he isn’t - he might even end up with Protagonist due to lack of competition.”

Eh, what's a little cannibalism between friends? I wave, not sure if the squids could hear or understand me speak.

Rebus chucked. "I've certainly considered..." The man scrambled to his feet as he was let go of, stuffing the device he'd grabbed - its outside the size of a shoebox and made from bronze and brass - into a satchel. "Um- well- you see.." he stammered, clearly trying and failing to come up with an excuse. NameIess has been gone for a while, you see. Well, you could be on a planet as it gets invaded by Rebus. Aright, then. He could probably come with Rebus, or leave. You wouldn't kill me, but Shadow could have while I was distracted, for instance. Rebus began to laugh. "I've already excised my conscience from my soul - and I've killed many I considered friends to get and keep this crown." He walked forwards, already summoning Antagonist and covering it with antibiotics. "I'm sure this life will be repaid - though I am sorry." This would be a very difficult test - if only Rebus wasn't a terrible person who regularly uses genre awareness and manipulation of his personality to make himself feel better.

“Oh, good.” I watch the industrious cephalopods build a house, and decide that they might be good to recruit for my fledgling civilization. There are no problems with this plan. Certainly.

Rebus chuckled. “Bacon the Tax Collector…” Have you heard about this guy? Wrath made Bacon insane, but I guess there was a buffer overflow or something, because the result - Bacon the Tax Collector - was really boring and normal. (Normal Bacon thought this was awful and is terrified of even the mention of the name) Rebus watched this reset with interest, then prepared his body and mind the best he could following the soul grafting. Taking a (completely unnecessary) deep breath, he stepped up to the door. You should probably play Shadow - one of the reasons I’m having Rebus recruit all of these lieutenants is so they can take over and continue the plot if I (and hence Rebus) am busy. The portion of roleplaying Shadow that would change would be the personality modification - each clone of Rebus sees itself as part of a greater whole, and hence has self-interest for Rebus’s plans and legacy, but is perfectly willing to sacrifice itself if that is needed. Rebus did his best to confer that mindset to Shadow, as well as reduce the sadism to level that wouldn’t interfere with goals. As for the “beefed up” element, aside from telepathy and a potential increase in the kinds of deal he can make, most of what Rebus did was aimed at preventing Shadow from disintegrating if he ever goes outside during the day. The connection to Light isn’t particularly well defined (as I think about it, we could retcon that out of existence on those ground), but a technological body to possess is a more interesting solution with some possible counters in the event someone tries to kill Shadow. The body would be normal-ish (some enhanced physical abilities, and the projections of magic), but if Shadow exited it he could exist in his original form for a time - but he would have to go back to escape light, and maybe couldn’t do this unless he was incorporeal. If you wish, though keep in mind that if I’m dead, I can’t tell you about the time I tricked someone into rebuilding what I needed to imprison them. “And that is why I aim to ensure the Witherlord is not unchecked. This is not a mere withergeist - it thinks, and can delay gratification, work against the Essence.” Through that end, a new beginning… echoed a message just out of awareness. “Of course, even I wouldn’t have picked this course without the extenuating circumstances.” The false Dreamsmith was caught rather quickly, having failed to even get back to the actual Thread.

“You could try convincing Bacon that something worse shall happen if the paper stays in his possession. A scheme to duplicate and rob him, me contacting the rabbits, Onyx getting involved, a return of his alter ego…” “Very interesting… I know where the first Lost Page is, though Bacon is … uncooperative.” Rebus smiled. “You’ve become even closer to me in your absence - I go through the same imprisonment you seem to have.” That wasn’t quite the reaction I expected to being impersonated and robbed, but it works. A custom blend, for reference - there was a bottle of it sitting on a table, though the label was mostly unreadable. “You as well.” Rebus said, then extended a hand. His hand flared with twists of light and darkness as Rebus meshed magical arts from a variety of sources. Even as Shadow’s body faded, pieces of his essence snapped together, fusing with Rebus’s own soul. Shadow’s ingenuity, manipulativeness, and sense of villainous honor were grafted to Rebus’s own combination between self-interest and willing sacrifice - for Rebus was unfazed by his own death as long as his plans and his image remained. Shadow’s magic - the intangibility, the shadowy flame, the inhuman speed, and the implied power to make deals - were mingled with elements of Rebus’s - telepathy and resistance to mental effects, the capacity to take and give concepts, and the status as a being of Light (though without any innate access to Prismite, the fuel required for Narration, it would merely lessen any effects of light and Thread manipulation). Rebus took this new personality - which was like himself in many ways - and cut it loose from himself, giving it a body with the same mind-housing nanotechnology Rebus used. Then, had he not been prepared for it, he might have fallen over. Grafting pieces of your soul to others was draining, no matter how accustomed you were to removing them. Narration would patch and rebuild the lost elements, but the crucial portions of his personality would have to come first. The new version of Shadow with have most of his memories and a few of Rebus’s - likewise with personality traits and magic powers. I can see plenty of confusion arising from this, so feel free to ask for clarification. Rebus was not paying too much attention to this, but he did appreciate Mischief’s willingness to delay gratification. Rebus quickly checked for some sort of lock or anchor, hoping there might be something holding the chains onto the Shackled Dream that would be easier to undo (and redo) than the actual structure of the chains. Then, he searched for something that could be used to hit the chains or pry them apart.

“Fate is the name some characters know the Author @xinoehp512 by. And you may choose what to do, if you wish.” Not particularly well, but yes.

Well, there’s also the “reads my mind” component - it would be fainter, but Rebus could know things the same way he knows about things outside the Thread. “I would agree with you - what do you propose?” Rebus smiled, but looked at Malevolence very carefully. The man was both clever and opportunistic - there was little chance he would offer Rebus a deal without expecting to gain something greater than a shot at Antagonist. Meanwhile, a man with several parts of his body replaced with clockwork - including his jaw - was very alarmed to find the Dreamsmith back. He dove for a workbench, snatching some sort of device off of it and disappearing. Rebus raised an eyebrow at the offer of a bribe - though he had of course planned to ask for payment, the Shackled Dream hadn’t offered him any. He watched Cep, seeming to fade a bit out of view. Rebus appreciated that - he was already setting aside a bit of his mind to scheme for whatever prank he would offer. Rebus stepped backwards, having to cheat a little and use utility fog to move fast enough. “Your tenacity is admirable, Shadow. I commend you for that.” Then he switched Antagonist to a one-handed grip, making a fairly wild swing with the ax side as he braced the weapon against his forearm - and suddenly blinked Antagonist out of existence, resummoning the halberd and executing a lightning-fast lunge. Rebus smirked a little bit at the ending comment, then teleported himself to Sequence’s World. He wore his futuristic armor - as he often did, these days - colored in dynamic blocks of black, white, and grey, separated by glowing purple lines. But the truly significant thing about his outfit was the crown he wore - glowing with darkness, the tines viciously sharp. Rebus smiled broadly, watching for Sequence’s reaction as she realized what it was. “We never did have your customary meeting, you know.” Rebus sighed. “Of course. The other two are back, but I may have to go through alternate channels until Fate returns.” He shrugged, then continued, “as for you, when Fate does come back and Bacon can act again, please try once more. In the meantime, I’ll allow you to do something else.”

Rebus had noticed, though he wasn’t sure if he was supposed to have Thread Perception while in another universe, so he didn’t mention it.

I come up behind you, but am not particularly surprised. I had known what I was getting into - as long as I avoid sacrificing, it’s alright. “Hey, you found a riverbed!”

“I killed Bat.” Rebus smiled, watching Malevolence’s face. “Tam is gone, and for a time, every plotline revolved around me. It’s almost disappointing how easily people agreed to work for me - an evil empire has no significance without a heroic resistance opposing them.” “Good - what were you thinking?” Green and orange were suddenly overtaken by purple as Rebus finished his sentence. I’d gladly join. I think it could be interesting, but for this to work, Rebus cannot be the first one. He has too many defenses against it. Of course not. The unbridled embodiment of Mischief has no reason to relent. Rebus, aiming to change that, spoke in Mischief’s mind. I can find you a better trick to pull, if you wait till the end of my duel. Rebus’s halberd disappeared - leaving the sock to drop to the ground - then reappeared facing in the opposite direction and hooking Shadow’s sword. “It might have worked, if I couldn’t see in all directions,” Rebus noted, then twisted the weapon with enough strength and leverage to bend metal bars and snap bones.

“I do not dislike them - though at this point, your offer has been already accepted by someone under me.” “It gave me information - that is enough. As for the chains, I think more tests are needed.” (To Wrath) I’ve got a guess - though you might want to enter the actual Thread rather than the dream Rebus is having. “Your words are truer than you know,” Rebus said, moving at lightning speed as he deflected, dodged, and counterattack. Unlike Shadow, he would pause, almost utterly still, then dart into a flowing burst of movements to defend himself or exploit and opening. I hadn’t really intended such things, and when it first started to be the case it wasn’t summer, so I was more active. Xino and Nameless were like this for me. Rebus, who was fairly certain he would be flagged for malfeasance, decided to contact Sequence directly. Have we spoken recently? Welcome back Nameless! Rebus - in his white and black armor, wearing the dark crown of Antagonist - smiled slightly. “Hello, Malevolence.”

Rebus crackled green, and he smiled. Let me try something… “It was within the Thread not too long ago.” I’ll look into the lore, though it’s fun to try and guess it. Rebus had remembered the first portion, but not the banishment. He frowned, wondering if the rest of him had actually done something about Nemesis. “It would be nice to have you help us, though you are far more likely able to avoid anyone who would be looking for you, I expect.” He smiled again, then asked, “are there any destination limitations on your teleportation?” “I certify this agreement,” Rebus said. A halberd of darkly glowing metal appeared in his hands - the Plotblade Antagonist, appearing as a weapon rather than a crown - placed to be mere inches of additional lunging away from stabbing the lunging Horror with the spearhead. Rebus deftly spun the weapon, glowing just enough to keep Shadow corporeal as Rebus hooked his shoulder and yanked him toward Rebus and downward. “You do not have to work with Mischief, no.” Rebus ignored the feeling - for he didn’t have to sneeze - and coated the sprite’s lips with nanomachines, altering the texture each time she figured out how to keep whistling.

Rebus tapped the chain with a fingernail, green still at the forefront. “If you really are chained by the full sacrifice of an Author Avatar, it will be very difficult to undo.” Rebus smiled broadly. “I like your skills - they remind me of myself, and I could use a lieutenant for such things. Your attitude, however, likewise reminds me of myself. I think I shall destroy you, but with Abstract, I can leave a bit of you intact - a legacy, a remnant much the same as one I have prepared for myself. I would bind you completely to my service - if you consider that a fate worse than death, say so and I shall destroy you utterly.”

“Interesting…” Green crackled through Rebus. “I know those colors - they are the other pieces of your Author. Perhaps the rest of what has become the ghost binds you. Or perhaps I am incorrect.” Rebus chuckled. “You really are as my shadow. But you are not the darkness I seek - though you could perhaps still help me. And perhaps I could help you.” Rebus sealed off the exits to the room with the same laser matrix that protected him. “Unfortunately, you are merely a Shadow. A shadow of me, perhaps, but my essence?” Rebus unleashed not just the technological light sources he carried, but his own magic - Narration, the use of Chaotic Light. “My essence is Light.” He began to glow with power, shimmering and dancing currents of liquid Prismite shining alongside the gate to the star - now turned down to manageable but still blinding levels - which he swept towards the Horror. “If you wish to make a deal with me, you may. But you are in my power, not the reverse - every moment you still live is thanks to me, and I can revoke this gift at any time.”

Similar, yeah - more so different states of mind, aspects of his personality. Rebus peered at the chains once again, green and purple melding - for the briefest moment - into a faint flash of blue. Orange and green quickly covered it, almost as if it had not been there at all. “I suspect you chained yourself - or rather, you are a piece of the real you, chained for this purpose. Are you familiar with the metaphysics and metafiction much of this Thread holds as true?” Tiny crystals of mirror hung in the air, surrounding Rebus and his companions. A net of lines between them gave off the faintest glow, but the dimness of the light was deceptive - these were lasers of incredible power, and should anything more opaque than air get in their way, the light would be wholly unleashed upon it. Rebus frowned slightly, realizing he had once again adopted the habits of his opponent - slow and inevitable destruction of a hopelessly outmatched foe. Still, this sadistic ruler of night could talk, and perhaps Rebus could get something out of him before killing him. “Shadow. I have known each of those that proceeded you, the deep kind of knowledge conveyed only by seeing yourself in another. You are no exception.”

Nope, these are not his powers - and though there is a tenuous connection, Narration probably has more in common with green. The powers would be noticeable if you got his whole soul, but this is just his consciousness. Rebus looked more closely, crackling green engulfing the other colors. Orange and purple returned as he finished the examination of the glowing chains, though green was still far in the forefront. “The Shackled Dream… the chains are a part of your identity, your name. This may be difficult, especially here. Do you know what they are made from?” Rebus, confused, realized that the fall caused pain which allowed him to get back up. He left the zone of empty air in place, ensuring that the Horror was well and truly dead. I believe she did, yes. Rebus smiled, bemused, and looked to Betrayal to see where he was to go next. The castle did look promising, but it could always be a decoy.