"So with that said, Ms. Karsten, shall we establish the conditions of our contract?"
Pleiades said this while sitting on his throne, as if he were a divine deity looking down on his servant. His inhumane eyes glared down at Crusch, with no passion or tone behind them. However, despite his usual indifference, Crusch could sense a flicker of optimism in his presence, as if to say, "I truly do need you; please help me." Crusch sighed quietly to herself. It was now time to reach an arrangement with Pleiades, but, as she had previously stated, she would consider herself in this situation; therefore, her response was as follows:
"Yes, it is; as you said, it's about time we come to a definitive, so how are we doing this Pleiades-san?" Keep in mind, however, that I will not accept anything that I believe is unjust to me."
Crusch stated, calmly but solemnly. Pleiades' reaction to this, on the other hand, was as follows:
"Of course, Ms. Karsten, I will not make an unfair deal; in fact, after seeing what I have to offer, you might even want to work for me." I am many things: greedy, inhuman, wicked, nice, neutral, and, most importantly, I am a man who will do anything to attain his goal, no matter the sacrifices required. I can be your worst enemy or your best friend; therefore, this will not be a master-servant relationship; instead, I will make it 50/50, and before any major decisions are made, you must agree to them as well. In this manner, we can strike an equilibrium between good and wrong. And, to be honest, Crusch, there will be moments when we need to do things that are ethically wrong, but it is a little sacrifice for a greater purpose."
"So, Crusch Karsten, former candidate for the throne of Lugnica, do you believe you can harden your resolve?" and forge your thoughts from steel? Because there is no going back once this contract is signed. We shall do anything Nexus-3 tells us to do. It will be our gospel, in a way; Nexus-3 was my creation, but it was designed to be beyond my comprehension the moment it was activated two thousand years ago. Before it, you and I are just variables; it will choose the best course of action for us to take. And in order to reach the realm of Od, we must go beyond the surface; we, or more accurately, you, must relinquish the concept of your humanity. Furthermore, many people will die—men, women, children, and the elderly—and there will be instances of genocide."
Pleiades said, as he presented his left hand and said as such while looking at it.
"Think of it this way: on one side, we're the bad guys, and my left hand represents the chaos we'll cause." There will be times when we will sail and wolf down everything in our path, innocent or not, for they are a stepping stone for us to rise higher."
From there, he looked at his right hand and said, as follows:
"However, there will be times when our actions benefit billions in the short or long term." Our actions can cause those around us to regard us as leaders and heroes. To assist someone in exchange for something or to control events in order to get our desired outcome. We don't move for no purpose, but we can do a lot of good in the world as we move to reach towards it."
Finally, he moved both of his hands together, fusing the good and the bad as he explained the significance of this motion.
"And finally, but truly, this is where we stand in all of this, at the crossroads of good and bad, being or not being, doing or not doing." To defy fate, violate the rules, and transcend the laws of creation, we must first construct our own fate. And Nexus-3 switches us from what was previously decided for us to what we want. Finally, we escape the fate of the universe, freeing ourselves from the constraints of reality, only to become ensnared in the web of another order. However, instead of fate being determined for us, Nexus-3 will respond to our desires. And carry us to the end of our desired outcome, one step at a time. As a result, I'd rather control my fate than follow the fate predetermined for me. And thankfully, this machine can help me and you attain our aim. After all, I don't want to live my life in the dark, not knowing what my future will be."
"I'll admit that I don't have complete control over the path Nexus-3 takes; what the machine says amounts to us going beyond fate itself." It was created to make the impossible possible, so we must act in accordance with its objectives."
"So I'll ask once more." Will you accompany me on this perilous journey, Crusch Karsten? Will you bleed with me? Will you inflict as much pain on me as I will on you? Will you serve as my crotch when I am unable to walk, as I will for you if your legs are severed? Will you commit atrocities in the service of a higher cause? Will you throw away your morality when it is required? Will you be my eyes when I can't see? Will you push me forward if I can't hold on? Will you be my sword and I your scabbard? Tell me, are you ready to go into the unknown that is Pandora's box to reach Sefiroth?"
"Or has your mortality surpassed your desires?" Perhaps you were never meant to be. But I believe your resurrection had a purpose. I will not, however, bind someone to me if they cannot accept me." So, Ms. Karsten, by accepting me, I accept you as well."
Pleiades said as he waved his hand, and by doing that, a door manifested behind Crusch as he continued his speech.
"As such, Ms. Crusch, two paths are before you now. Behind you is a door that will take you outside the shadow garden. That path represents regret, a missed opportunity, and also a new beginning. If you walk through that door, all your memories of me will be erased, and we will never see each other again. As such, you will roam this world without knowing who you truly are. Eventually, I believe you might find the truth, but not enough of it to come to a conclusion. As such, you will live a new life, not as Crusch Karsten, but as a mere idea of what she was."
"In some ways, Ms. Karsten, this path can lead to beneficial as well as detrimental outcomes, but I know it is not the path you want." It is not the road you wish to take."
Pleiades murmured as Crusch looked toward the door behind her, puzzled.
Her attention was soon drawn elsewhere. Pleiades stated as follows, causing Crusch to turn back towards him.
"In some ways, Ms. Karsten fleeing is the easiest path for all of us, or so we think, but in reality, Ms. Karsten fleeing is never easy." Nobody knows it better than myself. I tell you this from experience, not some philosophical message: "I have tried to run away many times in the past, just wanting to escape from it all, but in the end, my problems always come back to me in some shape or form."
"In any case, Ms. Karsten, allow me to introduce you to the second path, which is the path of death and rebirth." By burying one identity in order to become an entirely different entity."
As he rose from his throne, Pleiades pointed to it, almost as if handing it to her. Crusch was both startled and perplexed by this, wondering why a monarch would yield up the seat of his kingdom to another. In another case, she didn't understand the man known as Pleiades. His acts are so out of the ordinary and foreign to her that she feels she is playing directly into his hands, despite being presented with a path that puts her on an equal footing with him.
Overall, Crusch felt she was being manipulated, but she was also given the option to do good for herself. Pleiades is viewed by her as a man who cannot be controlled even if bound by shackles of equality. His very presence is a manifestation of disorder and the personification of change. To put it another way, you can have the universe and God on your side, but in the end, you're playing Russian roulette with a ghost. The bullet can touch him, but it will only go through him; with no damage done, but when it's your turn, you're going to lose. That was how Pleiades was perceived by Crusch, as a man who remained even though he did not belong. He was like an immovable object; there was no way to win with him.
Pleiades, on the other hand, continues his explanation on the second path.
"Ms. Karsten, taking my throne is equivalent to saying you are the queen of the king; of course, this is only a metaphor, but it means a lot in the grand scheme of things." I am offering you everything that I am, and you are doing the same. That inquiry and answer, yes and no, is our relationship. If we agree, it is; if we disagree, we cannot move forward until you and I reach an agreement. In this contract, Ms. Karsten, your statements have the same weight as mine. All I want is for your cooperation; we're going in blind because we don't know what Nexus-3 will tell us to do. But I also want you to understand that it doesn't have to be this way, but if it is, I don't want the good, the terrible, and the ugly to push us away. In some ways, we're like a dream team; alone, we're are formidable, but together, we're unstoppable."
"With that said, Ms. Karsten, what do you want from me, what do you desire, what are your conditions for the contract to be formed between you and me?" Remember, I'm only asking for one year of your time; if you want to continue, by all means, go ahead; I even encourage it. So state your claims right here and now."
Pleiades said in a very convincing voice, then and again, his entire speech from the beginning to the end was filled with wisdom beyond her, and it was all so convincing. So much so, that this man could make a speech about pencil shavings and it would still be an epic speech that could move the hearts of many, or that's how Crusch felt about his overwhelming charisma despite his monotone.
Then and again, It is popularly believed that all devils have a tongue of gold.
Crusch, of course, has been awed by this tongue on numerous occasions and will most likely be awed by it even more in the future. Yes, she had already made up her decision, and her response was as follows:
"All I want from you, Pleiades, is two things: your word and your cooperation. And by that, I mean your promise to set me free any time I want if I feel what is being done is not worth the sacrifice. Of course, I know there will be times when the morally right answer will be the wrong one, but if there is even the slightest hope of upholding justice for the weak, then at the very least I want to try my luck at preventing chaos. Although if there is no way, then I can agree to turn a blind eye to it. After all, you can't save them all, and people die when they are killed; unlike me and you, they cannot ressurect when they are killed, nor are they truly immune to all damage like you are."
"And, with your cooperation, I wish for you to assist me with whatever I request, though I can agree to the 50/50 rule." If you say no, we'll have to find a way to balance the wall. If you can agree to keep your word and provide me with your cooperation, I will keep you in mind and aid you in every way I can while adhering to the 50/50 principles. So, do you accept my terms?"
Crusch Karsten inquired, and Pleiades simply nodded his head.
"Of course, now that our terms have been agreed upon, sit on the Nexus Branch and make yourself at home." By doing so, a temporary contract will be formed between me and you, making us equals."
Crusch nodded her head as she approached Pleiades' throne and gazed upon it, as she had spoken to herself.
'So, this is the Nexus Branch; it's a work of art, and I'm not sure I really comprehend its potential. But, in my opinion, this thing could be the actual antithesis of Od Laguna. And if the sword saint represents world order, Pleiades is the alternation of order. Valerie is the one who maintains equilibrium, while Pleiades is the one who wishes to rise above it. So, who am I, and what role do I play in all of this? There is only one way to find out.'
'In a way, sitting on this thing is like me saying I will wage war on the entire world, but I'm not a terrible person. But I don't regard myself as morally decent either; on occasion, I believe that the real Crusch Karsten was someone like that, but there's also the possibility that I'm mistaken, but thankfully I'll understand it clearer when Pleiades helps me retrieve my memories, so let's do this for me and for Crusch.'
With those words mentally spoken, Crusch proceeded to take her position on the throne of Pleiades, and it was then that she saw it. There was an army of uncountable monsters and Mabeasts in front of her, all kneeling to her. They came in many shapes and sizes, including humanoids. The ones that stood out the most to her though were a swarm of rabbits, a big floating white whale, and a large black serpent staring at her. It was almost as if these primordial monsters were a reflection of the power she now wields. The ability to demolish the world as she knows it.
The power of Pleiades.
Her gaze was drawn to Pleiades, who was staring at her with those monstrous eyes as his featureless figure remained in her direction. He was like a demon king at times. If he had this much authority, which he had obtained entirely by himself. With her by his side, how much more monstrous could he become? With the key to Pandora's box now in his hands, how much more powerful could Pleiades grow to be? The only way to know is to wait and see.
However, the pact was now formed, and Pleiades now had Crusch on his side. It was now time to give her a gift unlike any other, he continued, reaching for a fruit on the tree, which he plucked and offered to her. Crusch, of course, reacted in this manner to the fruit.
"Isn't that fruit one of those fruit that contains a vast amount of knowledge within them; why are you giving this to me?"
Pleiades' remark, on the other hand, astounded her.
"Ms. Karsten," I did promise you that I would return your memories, and this fruit contains all of the memories you have lost. However, I feel compelled to give more than that. As a result, I've decided to gift you this fruit in memory of Crusch. This fruit is all of which are Crusch, alternative and non-alternate, and more. This implies you'll have access to a limitless quantity of Crusch Karsten memories from multiple timelines, many of which are incompatible with our own. As the epicenter that connects every Crusch into one entity, you Crusch Karsten will be the ultimate Crusch, or composite Crusch, just as I am the composite version of all Subaru currently known as Pleiades in this universe, the strongest version of all other versions."
Crusch looked into the dark palms of Pleiades and saw a dark purple crystal fruit that looked like a pomegranate. And she grabbed it from his hands while looking at it closely, whispering under her breath as both her hands held the fruit of the tree of knowledge.
"All of which is Crusch Karsten Ha?"