Ethereal Paradigm: A Canvas of Black - Chapter 79 Stygian Changes

“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.”

– Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein

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Still, inside the sealed off cramped space, I proclaimed a call to outmaneuver an established natural law, with all of this intricate overlays in my field of vision plausibly due to Azazel’s ongoing operations and the execrations of what she called as the Pandora, I noticed the changes that I am currently withstanding, and the consequence of such utilization does not also like to reserve its right to remain silent…

Like a significant fragment of my life being sucked out from my very self, the consequence of using it was also worth the penny. So this is what it is like huh… for a human to outmaneuver a firm law. It’s as if a vacuum is closeby to drain, not dirt, but a portion of my soul.

The whitening of my hairs’ thick extremities. My ‘now-black’ fingernails. And new clothes that seemed alike to that of a dark charismatic English Nobleman’s, that replaced my torn school uniform, a crepuscular apparel that looks very unworldly due to its color which is darker than that of the descriptions of the void.

Positioned in my right and left sides, appearing completely out of nowhere, emerging from a thick fog of darkness, were these air-drifting symmetrical Celtic crosses, which were about my height encrusted not with Gold, but with monochromatic silver and made entirely of obsidian. And the two are chained with the third cross found at my back… One that is relatively larger and bleaker to behold.

And the perception of the changes was not limited to me, but also in the verdant surroundings which turned black in a mere instance the moment I proclaimed the Paradigm Shift, and that, not even this sealing place could maintain its vainglory when it comes to securing the outside world from the aftermath.

The surge of my chosen power… I can feel it, not seeping through my veins though… It’s constantly being radiated by these Celtic crosses accompanying me, especially the largest one on my back. The negativity. The despair. The sadness. The ill intent… It’s as if the whole world’s negative emotions are stored there, and from it, a massive outsource for power…

“Master, all have been a success… Do you wish to proceed to the outside world?” the physically unavailable AI Maiden asked only showing this audio symbol.

“Yes.”

“Affirmative Master. I conjoined the skills from your Paradigm Shift, ‘Dark By Default’ that could disintegrate this sealing Paradigm at will. Please take a look at the skills… I will display them over your vision as an overlay.”

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Pandora.exe

u003c Scanning Skillsetsu003e

u003cDisplaying Organized Skillsu003e

….

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Oh. I just noticed. How plainly weird it is to have an AI accompaniment in this surreal world that once has been perceived only via fairy tails. I don’t know why but it’s really a weird feeling… It’s like being born in the medieval era, but you have a computer with you that should only exist via a thousand centuries or more from that specific time frame… Well, whatever. Having someone like Azazel is even far more convenient than having that Goddess all around and besides, it looks like her algorithms really are designed to help, and her assistance would spell A1 benefits, so why not?

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Dark By Default Skillsets

u003cUnlocked 4/22u003e

I. The Fool

II. The Moon

III. The Wheel of Fortune

IV. The Tower

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” 4 over 22?” I asked wondering why there were only four displayed on the overlaid interface.

“Yes, Master… The remaining 18 has some major requirements that must be met… Do you want me to scan the requirements for more possible skillsets?” The AI answered making her host’s (which is me. of course) benefit from her cameo beyond potent and apparent.

“You can do that?”

“Yes, Master… Scanning the skillsets’ requirements would be easy, but whether or not if achieving the requirements are uncomplicated and undemanding, is beyond my control.”

“Hmmm… I see. But, these four be enough to do a major trick or two, right?”

“Yes, Master. By having that four skillsets alone in your arsenal makes the chances of getting out of here at an utmost 100 percent. In this state, you won’t have to worry about your paradigm being canceled. You can utilize much more intricate and powerful offense by your Paradigm Shift’s supplementary and much more superior skills than what your Paradigm is able That makes the probability of you fending yourself from the approaching danger in an utmost 93 percent.”

“Hmmm… The calculations. That’s quite high…”

“Yes, Master… That’s what it means to be under Goddess Lacrimosa’s talents over negative forces manipulation having passed unto you. ” the AI responded, showcasing her deep praise for the character-sporadic deity. But the question is, is it really pure praise though? Nah… Might be her algorithm again.

Ah, how I wish that I could have the tools to change her program… How did Lacrimosa even create something like her anyway? Oh yeah… I remember this AI’s introduction prior, to how she said that she was created using the Goddess’s points of authority before it reaches zero, which is clearly a good endeavor instead of lying it all to waste… Still, I can imagine her using her mouth but not her brain…

“Y-yes… So now, I can choose any from these four available skillsets right?”

“That would be the case, Master… You can choose and rechoose on your own accord, or you can also call into me for activation in times of dire predicaments. I am autonomous, so if you’re in a major problematic situation, I will rake my own initiative to act.” She exclaimed sounding like an AI in those fiction movies of mechs taking their initiative to conquer the whole world.

Not that I’m worried though. I have access to her settings (which she considers an act of lewdness)and she can adapt to my preferences… So as long as I don’t get in the way of her functionality, I’ll be fine and I have Elon Musk to back up that claim.

“Ok, shall we choose now then…” With all of that said, I then focused on the choices inscribed in the overlay… Well, whatever… I think anything will do just fine at this state and I can choose and rechoose anytime I want. I just want to recon with Shiro, see how she’s doing and possibly get some fresh air.

“Oh by the way… It did not mention as to how long can I attain this form in the Persona Interface…”

“As long as your ‘Crossange Arsenal’ is still accompanying you, you won’t have to worry of duration, Master.”

“Crossange Arsenal?”

“That three crosses in your range, Master… Its blackness can tell you how much time you have left… It’s like an Hourglass. If it turns white from its obsidian color, then you know that the limit is reached… If you want to exceed the limit however, we can do that too, but the consequence, I presume is very detrimental.”

“Roger,” I responded, even though of the intricateness of her explanation.

So basically these three Celtic obsidian crosses are called ‘Crossange Arsenal’. They will act as indicators of the limit. If they turn white, then I know that I’m already standing at a very dangerous threshold.

Something tells me that it has more uses though. For whatever reason…

Guess I’ll find out soon… I’m becoming rather indolent on asking questions that I will still find the answer later, whether I like it or not…