The Primordial Record

Chapter 2022  We Paved The Road

Noctis did not flinch from Eos’s reaching hand, clearing his throat while brushing invisible dust from his sleeves, he unhurriedly said, “I know your foundations are more robust than most can ever imagine, Lord Eos, but as you have found out, killing me is only hurting you and not me. Every memory you have taken has come from Noctis, the Primordial, and not from me, the Architect of End. How long do we have to make this dance before you admit your failings and allow me the chance to explain my position?”

Eos paused, his hand an inch from Noctis’s face. Although the Primordial of Screaming Void did not show it, his heart, which had been accelerating, slowly settled. He may have a flamboyant attitude, but Noctis did not want to die. Primordials were never meant to be killed, and every time he was killed, it took a toll on his individuality and psyche.

He had lied that he was not affected by all of these deaths, when it would only take a few dozen deaths until his mind began to fracture. He was already struggling to exist in two timelines as it was, and repeated deaths would only take him past the limits.

His true body that was now fused to the Temple of End did not experience time because the temple existed outside Existence, and there was nothing like Time outside Existence. If not for the connection that he had with this avatar of his inside Existence, Noctis would not even be able to perceive Time.

“Tell me, Noctis,” Eos finally said, “Do you believe the words coming from your mouth? Close your eyes and review all you know of me, and tell me you do not see where this story ends for you.”

Nictis shook his head in defiance, “I do not believe that I cannot make a difference, and that my death would be the best outcome for your cause. You are making a mistake by not effectively using me, Lord Eos. The Temple of End created you and the Primordial Record to become the source of change that exists beyond the scope of Enoch. Don’t you see?…”

Opening his palm, Noctis created a small representation of Lumen, the wings of Enoch,

“Lumen saw the future and saw the past, it knows that Enoch could not contain the power of End, and that the last Luminous had fallen in a pit that could never be dug open. It also knew that the true culprit that led to the destruction of the Luminious was themselves and not Enoch, they poured all their fear, needs and pain inside a child, and that was the trap laid by End to destroy them, but you should understand, End, like Origin is just a force that can be controlled, and in the Temple of End, all the methods needed to control this power can be found, we can be your ally and teach you all that you need to know.”

Eos blinked in amusement, “You dance around the question, Noctis. You think that I do not see the trap inside your words, or the shackles you give to me and call them gifts. Perhaps you might not have known that I would find the Temple of End this early, or be able to collect any information from my Incarnation, but that no longer matters. What has changed is the fact that I now know the Architects exist, and the Temple exists, and so all your secrets can no longer be your own.”

Noctis’ face changed, and he stepped back, “You would make an enemy out of us? Do you not have enough? Do not forget, we were the ones who created the Primordial Record; we paved the road for an existence like you to be born, and we may not appear to have much muscle power on the surface, but I can promise you that the Temple of End is the most dangerous party in this conflict. We have been the ones in the shadows, and everything you are is because of our blessing!”

Eos cocked his head to the side, “Do you not realize that all the words you are saying, instead of making me back down, are only assuring me how foolish I will be not to get into the roots of the Temple of End.”

Noctis laughed self-deprecatingly, “Ah, I forgot that the worst way to communicate with you is via threats. Lord Eos, I was not threatening you, only stating a fact. You cannot beat Enoch and End without the power of Lumen and the Temple of End. You do not know the power of Lumina or the might of Abhima… so many mysteries and wonders are still hidden from your sight, and they cannot be found in this present Existence or any in the past. Lumen holds them all, and you would be wise to take heed of my words, Lord Eos.”

“You surely present a great argument for your life, Noctis,” Eos spoke slowly, “But you see, I have been burned one too many times to trust the words of those whose machinations do not align with my values. There is no friendship between mortals and gods, and for so long you have seen yourselves as gods over all, and I can never trust you.”

Noctis smirked, a cold gleam in his eyes, “Even with all this, what can you do against me? My mind is far from this body and is shielded by the Temple itself that dwells outside Existence. Your reach may be absolute inside Existence but not out of it.”

Eos grinned, “Well, let us find out how much I can reach for you.”

His hand that had been paused began to reach forward again, and Noctis could only resign himself to perish again when this realm shook as if caught in the midst of a realm-wide earthquake.

Noctis opened his eyes, and he suddenly laughed, “No, don’t tell me that you are already under attack. Lord Eos, is this the right time to be creating a new enemy?”