Location: The Mausoleum of King Deshret, Hypostyle Desert
Current Form: Human
Status: Eating geometry, confusing the historian
The interior of King Deshret's Mausoleum was a labyrinth of floating walls, holographic lasers, and elevators that didn't seem to follow the laws of physics.
"It's magnificent," Alhaitham observed, reading the runes on a wall. "Advanced light-based technology from an era predating the Archon War. The energy efficiency is remarkably high."
"It's annoying," Dehya grumbled, kicking a wall that suddenly turned transparent and made her stumble. "Why couldn't the Scarlet King just use doors like normal people?"
"Because he was a drama queen," Raiden said, floating upside down (gravity manipulation) to walk on the ceiling. "Gods love puzzles. It makes them feel smart."
They entered a massive central chamber. In the center, a giant machine made of golden triangles and lasers materialized.
Algorithm of Semi-Intransient Matrix of Overseer Network.
"That is a very long name," Paimon squinted.
"Let's call it 'The Triangle'," Cyno suggested, brandishing his spear. "It guards the central control unit."
The machine hummed. It fired a laser beam that cut a stone pillar in half. Then, it turned invisible.
"It has cloaking tech!" Dehya shouted. "I can't hit what I can't see!"
Alhaitham adjusted his headphones. "It projects an electromagnetic field to bend light. If we disrupt the nodes—"
"Boring," Raiden dropped from the ceiling.
He landed in the center of the arena. He closed his eyes.
[Magic Sense: Active].
To Raiden, the invisibility was useless. He could see the flow of energy. He could see the tasty, high-density Primal Construct core floating right there.
"Peek-a-boo," Raiden whispered.
He vanished - [Shadow Step] - and reappeared in mid-air, directly grabbing the invisible core.
SCREEE.
The machine screeched as its cloaking failed, revealing itself struggling in Raiden's grip.
"You look like a spicy Dorito," Raiden remarked.
He bit the corner of the golden tetrahedron.
CRUNCH.
Sparks flew. Ancient circuitry shattered.
"System Report. Consumed: Primal Construct Core. Analysis: Golden Logic Data. Taste: Metallic, tangy."
Raiden tore the core out of the machine. The massive construct collapsed into a pile of scrap metal.
"Done," Raiden tossed the empty casing to Alhaitham. "Souvenir for your desk."
Alhaitham caught the scrap, looking at it with clinical interest. "Fascinating. You brute-forced a logic puzzle by eating the logic."
"Hunger is the ultimate logic," Raiden wiped oil from his lip.
They reached the final chamber. A holographic recording of the ancient priest Kasala played.
It showed the truth: King Deshret hadn't been betrayed by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. He had sacrificed himself to stop the Forbidden Knowledge (Abyss) he unleashed. Rukkhadevata had used her power to shrink herself and purify the land.
The desert and the forest were never enemies. They were brothers who lost their way.
Cyno watched the recording, his grip on his spear tightening.
"So..." Cyno whispered. "The Akademiya's teachings... that the Scarlet King was a tyrant and the Dendro Archon his enemy... it was all lies."
"History is written by the victors," Raiden said softly. "Or in this case, by the guys who control the edit button on the Akasha."
Cyno turned, his eyes burning with a new intensity. "The Sages. They have distorted history to sow discord. They must be judged."
"We're going to judge them so hard," Raiden patted Cyno's shoulder. "But first, we need a plan. We can't just walk into the Akademiya and start punching people. Well, I can, but you guys would get arrested."
They returned to Aaru Village to strategize.
Alhaitham laid out a map of Sumeru City.
"The objective is to rescue Lesser Lord Kusanali from the Sanctuary of Surasthana," Alhaitham explained. "However, the Sages monitor everything via the Akasha. If we enter the city, they will know."
"Unless," Alhaitham held up the Divine Knowledge Capsule (the red glowing one from Port Ormos). "We input corrupted data into the Akasha. We can manipulate the information the guards receive."
"We're going to hack the government," Raiden grinned. "I love cyber-warfare."
"Here is the breakdown," Alhaitham pointed.
1. Cyno will infiltrate the Akademiya and "arrest" Alhaitham to get him inside the Grand Sage's office.
2. Dehya and the Eremites will stage a riot to draw away the Corps of Thirty.
3. Nilou (via instructions) will dance in front of the Akademiya to distract the public.
4. Isak (the village kid disguised as Nahida) will lure the guards away.
5. The Traveler will connect to Nahida's consciousness to coordinate.
"And what about me?" Raiden asked, leaning back. "Am I the distraction? The muscle? The caterer?"
Alhaitham looked at Raiden.
"You are the Nuclear Option."
"Oh?" Raiden raised an eyebrow.
"If the plan fails," Alhaitham said seriously. "If Scaramouche awakens fully... if Dottore intervenes... you are the only one who can match them. You will be our shadow. You will wait until the critical moment."
"Stealth mission," Raiden nodded. "I can be stealthy."
"You are a 200-meter dragon," Paimon pointed out.
"I am a ninja," Raiden insisted.
The group infiltrated Sumeru City under the cover of night.
Raiden sat on the roof of the Bimarstan, watching the stars.
"Great Sage. Status of Scaramouche."
"Analysis. The Shouki no Kami (False God) is 99% complete. Dottore has left the city to negotiate with Nahida in the mental plane, but his clones remain."
"Dottore left?" Raiden frowned. "Coward. Or maybe he's plotting something."
He looked down at the street. A familiar figure was walking alone.
Layla. The sleep-deprived astrology student.
She was sleepwalking, writing a thesis on a floating paper.
"Inazuma... stars... destiny..." Layla mumbled.
Raiden jumped down, landing silently next to her. He caught the pen she dropped.
"You're working too hard, kid," Raiden whispered.
Layla (Sleepwalker Mode) looked at him. "Are you... the night star?"
"Something like that," Raiden put the pen in her pocket. "Go back to bed. Tomorrow, the city is going to be very loud."
The operation began.
Alhaitham walked into the Grand Sage's office.
"Scribe," Grand Sage Azar sneered. "You have returned. Have you come to confess your betrayal?"
"I have come to deliver the Divine Knowledge Capsule," Alhaitham said, holding out the glowing red object. "I realized that true wisdom lies in the creation of a new God."
Azar laughed. "Excellent! You finally see reason!"
As Azar reached for the capsule, Alhaitham flipped it. He swapped it with a corrupted data stick he had prepared.
"Actually," Alhaitham's eyes flashed. "I came to resign."
He slammed the data stick into his own Akasha Terminal.
VIRUS UPLOADED.
The Akasha System flashed red. Information overloaded. The guards connected to the system suddenly saw false orders.
"Intruders in the east!"
"No, the west!"
"The Dendro Archon has escaped!"
Chaos erupted.
Cyno burst into the room.
"Grand Sage Azar!" Cyno roared, electricity crackling around him. "In the name of the General Mahamatra, you are under arrest for crimes against the Archon!"
Azar panicked. "Guards! Stop him!"
But the guards were confused by the Akasha.
In the chaos, Aether and Paimon rushed toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
But the path was blocked.
A massive mechanical gate slammed shut. A clone of Dottore (The Doctor) stepped out, clapping slowly.
"Impressive," Dottore chuckled. "A coordinated rebellion. Very theatrical. But did you really think we wouldn't anticipate this?"
He snapped his fingers. Four Ruin Graders activated, blocking the path.
"Traveler," Dottore smiled behind his mask. "Let's see how you handle my toys."
Aether drew his sword. "I don't have time for this!"
Suddenly, the ceiling of the corridor dissolved.
Not broke. Dissolved.
A black, oily substance dripped down, eating through the stone and steel like acid.
Dottore looked up. "What?"
Raiden dropped through the hole. He landed between Aether and the Ruin Graders.
He was wearing his human clothes, but his shadow was that of a massive, winged beast.
"Hello, Doctor," Raiden smiled. It was a smile full of teeth. "Alhaitham said I was the Nuclear Option. I prefer 'The Garbage Disposal'."
He looked at the Ruin Graders.
"Scrap metal," Raiden dismissed.
He raised a hand. [Gravity Crush].
CRUNCH.
All four Ruin Graders were instantly flattened into pancakes by immense gravity. Their cores shattered.
Dottore stared. "You... The Anomaly. I have read the reports. Subject: Raiden Ragnvaldr."
"And I've read your file," Raiden cracked his neck. "Subject: Dottore. Status: Expelled. Hobby: Being creepy. Fate: Lunch."
Raiden took a step forward.
"Aether, go get the Radish. I'm going to have a chat with the Doctor."
Aether nodded and sprinted past them.
Raiden stood alone with the Harbinger.
"So," Raiden said, his voice vibrating with [Dragon's Fear]. "Which segment are you? The Omega Build? Or just a disposable beta?"
Dottore laughed, pulling out two jagged daggers. "Why don't you come closer and find out?"