Initially published: 2010/11/16

Revised version published: 2010/11/23

There are some MAJOR differences between the two versions, least of which is this now fitting almost-neatly into #135.


Part 4 – Exploit (1005)


Interesting.

"What is so interesting about destruction?"

These futures. Come closer. Observe.

"…What am I supposed to be observing, exactly?"

Patience. All will reveal itself. Look.

"Four humans. …But they're just humans. What's so special about them?"

Do not discount so lightly the human ability to adapt, or their refusal to submit to fate. They have a habit of disrupting even the best laid plans. Like this man. Study him closely, my servant. Tell me, what is it you see?

"I – very well. He's made an orphan in the initial attack, joins a rebellion and dies in a foolish assault on one of the Kikoutei. Somehow I cannot see what is so interesting."

Now look at the others.

"…oh."

No matter which of the four dies initially – and one always dies – the others tread the same path. Truly fascinating. One could say they are reflections of the same soul, merely split across different futures.

"But how is this even possible? How can four people follow the exact same destiny—wait. This man, he's different to the others. He doesn't have the same destiny at all; he's—what? He just vanished."

Indeed? Intriguing. So in one potential route… So it appears. All possibilities shall be made equal.

"Master? What is he doing?"

Let us discover for ourselves. It is clear that this man has identified an alternative future. His humanity demands he seize upon it. However…

"…He's going to die."

Yes. It would seem so. Yet in death, he shall be victorious. All it will take is for another to find the same method… and another, and another… Humans are unique and complicated creatures. They never create exact duplicates of another's actions. But in time the differences in their method build up, until eventually one finds an immutable moment and exploits it.

"I still don't understand what You mean."

This young man here… the Signer… he and his, what to call them, counterparts shall confront and defeat a temporal paradox with no preparation, no prior knowledge, nothing but sheer tenacity and a refusal to submit to fate. They are very much alike, our paradox and this trio. They found the same way to confront and defy the past.

"Time."

Very good. Yes. They used Time itself as a weapon, and were aided in their attempts by an immutable point in temporality.

"The Crimson Dragon? But…"

Patience, my servant. Have patience. The Crimson Dragon is a manifestation of the good in human hearts. It would not act to thwart a future that could save mankind. The paradoxical one … it is possible he caused more damage than his method could possibly have resolved, thus, the resolve to stop him at all costs.

"…forgive me."

Your curiosity is nothing to be ashamed of. Wait. All shall be revealed.

"But I don't understand how these three can be of use. None of them has displayed anything remarkable. They're just—"

—Human.

"Yes. They're human, and they live and die as humans. They're not like us."

Do not forget that we too were human, once. ...But you do not remember those times, do you? The past has hidden itself with your rebirth. Fear not, my servant. One day, you shall remember.

"Master. The humans."

Yes, yes… Perhaps we moved too hastily. The possibilities were not in our favour. Our paradoxical fourth has shown us a new path, though he targeted the wrong part of the equation. Tell me, my servant, what would happen if humanity no longer had access to Momentum on such a grand scale? Or, indeed, if a cataclysmic event were to happen in the past. One capable of limiting, if not eliminating, the danger that Momentum presents to their evolution. What then?

"There wouldn't be any need for this destruction. We could save humanity before things got this far…"

Exactly. Hence we shall need our paradoxical fourth, and his genius. Find him before he dooms himself, and lead him to the Dome. Do not let him know who you are.

…And as for the others…

"Just what is it You intend? Why these three, of all the ones on this Earth? There is nothing special about them."

They are the same.

"I still don't understand. You said it yourself. Humans don't copy each other, so they can't…"

They defy such boundaries of logic. Watch, and observe carefully. From the moment of the attack their timelines correlate with pinpoint precision, as do their circumstances. At the exact same moment, in each variation, he loses his family. If he survives the event, precisely eleven years, five months and three days afterwards, the same woman becomes an important part of his life, and expires. Eventually he is left alone, believing himself the last human alive. This is always so, no matter which timeline prevails. This is the source of his despair. He cannot accept the fate that befell him and humanity, much as we could not. A warrior's heart is an easy thing to predict. Offer him the chance to save his doomed brethren… and he will accept without hesitation.

"And You are doing this… why?"

You already know the answer. All possibilities must be made equal. If observation is to be believed, this man—the variations of this man—have demonstrated his selves to be deserving of an alternate path.

"…Who is he?"

His name is… Aporia.

"Aporia? Is that really his name? No wonder he appears to be a cosmic plaything."

Developing a sense of humour, how curious. It appears you are starting to remember what it is to be human. Soon you will be capable of walking among them.

"You are definitely proceeding with the plan, then?"

…Indeed. This one first. Conceal yourself for now, my servant. Should Aporia turn against his designated path, you and whichever warriors of humanity you ally with shall carry the task of stopping him.

"I hear and obey You."

Ah… wha—where…? Where… nngh… no… no!

…Look at me, child. Do not cry. Nobody can hear you from this place. … Very good. Trust me, child. Trust in me. Have faith, and you shall enter into an alternate possibility.


A/N: And with this chapter, we slip a little into the familiar territory of Gin & ~speculation~. If you are at all confused about what exactly happened in this chapter, drop me a line and I'll explain as much as the story will allow me.

Beta-read by Heleentje.