"Yes. It means that pages can be added or taken away from her book. There is a chance that her life could be extended beyond the time limit of one year." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Alice held her breath.

If Allura's fate was slowly being changed… what about the black chains? Who was changing things?

"Tell me more." Alice leaned forward while Zal-Ka'Rith simply shrugged.

"Sometimes old pages show signs of potentially being torn out. Changes in the flow of events that result in Allura making a move and using her life as energy. Sometimes new pages show signs of being added in. Someone else out there is compensating for her injuries.

"I don't know if it's the Lord of Life or whoever, but I doubt the Lord of Life has that power. Especially considering she had already expended her abilities to help prolong Allura's life. Trying to get more out of her is asking the impossible.

"Which then leaves us with two possibilities." Zal-Ka'Rith raised his finger.

"Possibility one, her life is being extended by somehow. Either through the nightmare energy replacing the energy she needs to spend or…"

He raised a second finger.

"Someone is using their fate to offset Allura's."

Alice leaned back with a deep frown on her face.

Tampering with fate was… dangerous to say the least. Especially when you're tyring to overturn a 'decision' made by the cogs. Doing so would cause black chains to appear on your body and force you down a path you couldn't reject.

So, based on what Zal-Ka'Rith was suggesting, it meant that someone was essentially giving Allura their 'time' in order to extend hers.

And there was only one candidate that Alice could think of.

Kaden.

The prison he was in had traces of Famine. And knowing that he was out looking for Deva, it wouldn't be a far fetched idea to believe that somehow, he found a solution to Allura's problem.

Only… it wasn't a perfect solution. One where he's now heavily injured yet still helping her out in some way.

"Now you've told me all this, what exactly are you expecting me to do about it. Like I mentioned before, I doubt you're someone who'll make an alliance for no reason at all. There is no goodness in your heart. Just your own desire." Alice asked, turning her eyes to the Outer God.

"What does the Writhing Script want from my 'story'."

A wide grin stretched across Zal-Ka'Rith's face as he clapped his hands.

"Now you're understanding me. The greater your achievements, the better it is for me. I want to see you tear this Nightmare realm to shreds. I want to see you achieve the impossible, bring forth the inconceivable. For that reason alone, I have worked behind the scenes so that you may grant me the most sublime meal of all." Zal-Ka'Rith stood up as his enthusiasm was now bordering on insanity.

That look in his eyes was one Alice was very familiar with.

The same look that appeared on people like Asterlya when they talk about their hearts desire.

For Zal-Ka'Rith, that would be to witness her story come to its ultimate epilogue.

"My greed for this story surpasses my loyalty as an Outer God. So let us exchange information freely." He held his hand forward.

Alice stared at the hand before staring at Zal-Ka'Rith.

"I'm sure that even without you doing anything, you can witness my story approach its end, can't you not? Why go so far? Why help me to this extent?"

This was the part that confused her.

If all he wanted was a story, there would be no reason for him to interfere. Simply staying as a spectator would've been good enough.

Yet he wanted to give her information. To help her from behind the scenes.

"Nobody likes a story that comes to a premature end. Don't you agree? Even though fate may be on your side, the way it manifests may be different to what you imagined. How many times do you think you've managed to narrowly avoid a disastrous outcome?" Zal-Ka'Rith laughed, summoning a book out of thin air.

"Just like what I'm doing, there are other… spectators making adjustments to the fate of this world. They're making their own decisions in order to steer this world. Naturally, you stand at its centre. The Outer Gods, the Nightmare. The humans living on the surface, those who dwell in the Abyss. So many hopes and ideals converging into one.

"And depending on what happens, the ending you bring forth may either benefit them or destroy them. Wouldn't it make sense for them to extend their hand in an attempt to avoid their destruction?"

Alice stood up massaged her neck.

"And I'm guessing that's your reason for interfering. You want to guide my story so you get the most out of it?" She exhaled softly as the Outer God nodded his head.

"This is a transaction built on benefits. I will give you the information you require, I will receive a story like no other. Once either of us is of no use to the other, the deal is off."

Folding her arms, Alice thought about it for a moment. Before accepting this deal, there was one concern they must address.

"What about the other Outer Gods? What are they doing about this? I doubt they're content with just watching Nyer turn this place into a different realm entirely. Once Velouria is brought back, you'll be expelled from the Realm."

Turning around, Zal-Ka'Rith snapped his finger, creating a book that opened itself up. From the centre of the pages, a waterfall of words blurred into a stream of darkness that soon revealed an army gathering outside of their realm.

"The entrance to this world cannot accommodate so many units. Hence why the few of us that managed to sneak in will begin making preparations. One that Nyer has accounted for of course.

"They desire the invasion of this realm while Nyer desires sacrifice like no other. It's simply a race to see who will achieve their goal first. And Nyer naturally believes that he can out manoeuvre the army the Great Ones have gathered."

Flicking his wrist, the page shut as he turned around once more.

"He cares not for the destruction that will follow once the army has invaded. But I don't think you are of the same mind. You're someone who wishes to avoid such conflicts are you not?"

Alice scrunched her face but ultimately nodded her head.

It's as he said. This destruction… She'd rather avoid it if possible. Eldritch energy is annoying to deal with, especially once it takes root. Even with Suyin's help, resolving something like this, at this large of a scale, would take decades, maybe even centuries of relentless effort.

And that's not even considering the damage already done to their realm due to the Will of the Abyss and Nyer's plans.

An example being the North. With its destruction, even Verona had lost hope in its restoration.

Too many people have died. They can only take small steps at this moment and hope things work out.

"Fine. Say you are correct, aren't you still betraying your kind? It's something we've discussed in the past but I find it hard to accept that you're willing to betray them all after you're so close to 'winning' per say."

"Tsk tsk tsk, how wrong you are. We Outer Gods are slaves to our titles. It represents desires that we cannot fundamentally change after all. Unless you're a Great One of course but it's blasphemous to think someone like me can achieve such honour.

"Outer Gods like myself cannot go against our calling. For me, it will always be the pursuit for great stories. And the Story of Outer Gods are simply… a bore to me." He let out a sigh.

"What can I expect from the story of let's say the Silence Beyond Death? Nothingness. The core of his story is evident in his name. A spoiler, the worst kind of enemy for a scholar like myself.

"So naturally I'll betray my own kind as they represent my most fervent hatred." He let out a careless laugh.

An Outer God who will do anything and everything so long as it matches his desires. He may be an ally in one moment and an enemy in another. He's not someone you could put your full trust into as the moment a better offer appears, he'll defect.

That's exactly what happened in the past.

However…

[Leaving the Outer Gods to do whatever they want is dangerous as well. As… annoying as it may be, Zal-Ka'Rith is probably our best chance at keeping tabs on them as well as seeing Allura's fate at this moment.] Cayla reluctantly admitted.

Alice nodded her head.

Zal-Ka'Rith's books were a safe way to determine the potential of their fate. If pages start disappearing, it'll become a warning of what they may have chosen.

"Fine then. But this won't be a verbal agreement. This contract between us will only last until Allura is saved. Anything beyond that can be discussed at a later date. Is that fair?" Alice exhaled softly as she stomped her foot down.

A large array expanded beneath her. A Law of Agreement enforced with the power of her Sigils that interact with the soul.

Compared to a normal agreement, the damage this'll cause is on a whole another level. One that most would be dissuaded from accepting.

Yet Zal-Ka'Rith showed no such reaction.

Instead, his found amusement in her preparation.

"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. It feels good to be back by your side." He took a slight bow while Alice had a face of displeasure.

Zal-Ka'Rith, the Writhing Script has rejoined the party.