The rest of the week was fairly uneventful for Johnathan. He was able to resume going to his classes after his conversation with Edba. Thankfully they had no problem staying in his dorm while he went about his normal routine. He wasn't sure whether they could be seen by others, so it kept things very simple. All and all though, the week went rather smoothly. As those Friday classes ended, Johnathan made his way back to his dorm. He had the weekend to get some more of his independent research done. Walking into his dorm, Edba was laying on his bed. They seemed to just be staring at the ceiling. Deep in thought.

"Yo Ebda, I'm back. You alright?" Johnathan casually asked as he went in search of his car keys.

Floating up out of bed, Edba vanished and reappeared near Johnathan's side. He seemed fairly unaffected by them doing that. "Yes, I'm quite alright. Simply tracking the progress of our opposition."

"Opposition? You mean the swords? Since when could you track them?" Johnathan looked at them surprised. They hadn't mentioned it during the week. 

"After the fourth cycle of our dance. I was defeated then, but in the instance before I faded I became intertwined with the sword that governs souls. He was what delivered the final blow to me. Now where he goes, I can sense it. "

"How could that happen? Seems odd you'd connect with him at a moment like that."

"It's unclear to me if I'm being honest. Perhaps it's the moment I came to possess a soul, and this entered into his domain. Truly I could not say."

" …Do you know where they are now?" Johnathan asked. He wasn't entirely thrilled with the idea of tracking Roy's movements. However rationalized that if he could keep tabs on him, he'd be able to gauge when he'd contact him next. And how close he was in his own goals.

"As we speak, they are currently outside of Paris. Doing what I cannot say."

Of course he'd already be there. Johnathan expected nothing less from his friend, but had to admit he wished he wasn't so diligent sometimes. Grabbing his keys, he knew he had to pick up the pace. Edba seemed to understand, and the pair made their way to Johnathan's car.

The highway was nice and steady. Luckily, there wasn't too much traffic. Johnathan had made sure that he and Edba left after rush hour. 

"The roads will probably lighten up more as night sets in. We'll probably be there in 2 or 3 more hours." Johnathan stated, keeping focused on the road.

Ebda seemed rather fascinated by the car ride. Their users usually traveled using the powers Ebda granted. Teleporting or reality warping. This was so different though. They enjoyed the wind coming in from the window.

"2 or 3 hours hm? Given the last time you gave me an estimation of time, forgive me for being somewhat skeptical." Ebda teased, much to Johnathan's chagrin. 

"You're just never gonna let that go huh? I was tired…"

"Forgive me. But someone of your intelligence mistaking a gap of 40 years for that of 20 is amusing. Especially given your embarrassment towards it."

"I didn't get the gap wrong! Just the year. Your description of everything fits with the war from 20 years ago. But your description of the technology definitely confused my head." 

Ebda shrugged softly. They shot him a smug little grin, similar to something Roy would do. Razor sharp teeth like any other Nightmare. "In fairness, it did little to your ability to convince me into our current ordeal. So I believe it all worked out,hm? "

"I guess so, yeah." Johnathan glanced over at them, a soft smile on his face. It made him happy to see Edba being much more lax. His first real interaction with them didn't really do their personality justice. They definitely seemed to be more of the mischievous and curious type. Something he could relate to. It made things easier for both of them.

An hour into the ride, Johnathan felt Edba staring at him. He was much more accustomed to it by that point, but still he could tell they wanted his attention. "Staring daggers at me isn't the only way to get my attention ya know."

"Apologies. I'm merely trying to figure out how to ask you something. "

"Better to just ask. Trust me I ask a lot of questions myself. Better to just get it out there."

"Very well…Your reason for doing this. You stated that it merely didn't make sense and that was what compelled you to try changing fate. Is that true though?"

Johnathan's face shifted a bit, his gaze seemingly more focused on the road now. "What makes you think it isn't the truth?" He said, casting a glance towards them.

"Do I need to remind you? I'm very much a part of you now. Not as an invading entity. I can tell you are hiding something. Given time I could find out what it is. However, I respect you enough to give you the chance to tell me."

Johnathan took a hand off of the wheel and rubbed his face softly. He didn't want to do this right now. He didn't know how they would react. But Johnathan did want to keep the goodwill he was building with Edba. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to speak.

"Alright, Alright. Just promise not to overreact."

"As you wish. Though I doubt what you have to say will induce much of one."

"Okay. You've seen in my head. That Nightmare you based your appearance on. He's my best friend, Roy."

"Ah that explains the great degree of comfort his image gives you."

"Mhm…Well he's the one that had me looking into this stuff in the first place. He needs the information, since well…He is the wielder of the Sacred Swords."

Ebda didn't know how to respond to that at first. They definitely weren't mad, but seemed…perplexed. "Hm that's strange…"

"Strange how?" Johnathan seemed taken aback by their lack of anger.

"Two individuals of close relations have never found themselves in this situation. I've seen descendants of those weapons later pick them up as those before. But never two individuals of prior relations…"

"That so…" Johnathan began to think deeply about that. Another thing that seemed off about events that were happening. For him, this more than proved that there was something causing them to be at odds. He had his suspicions. Two individuals to be precise, but with the little information he still had there was no point in investigating it further at the moment.

"So do you plan on telling that Nightmare about your current predicament?"

"Hm? I mean, yeah? He told me so why wouldn't I?"

"I'd ask that you don't."

Johnathan scowled at them, "Why the hell not!? He could help in some way. Plus he told me, why wouldn't I tell him too?"

"You are acting like a fool." Ebda boomed. They let their power flare, which cleared the road completely. Johnathan continued to drive, tentatively. "We are on a path walked by none before us. A path that you have chosen. Regardless of your feelings, we must keep this secret. If you and that Nightmare are as close as you claim, I have no doubt he will come running to you if you tell him. If he comes unprepared, he'll perish. The moment we cross paths we are sealed into combat. There will be no journey. There will be no fixing things. No matter the faith you have in him, you. Shall. Say. NOTHING. In order for you to find any success, you will need to compromise your morals. Sacrifice that pure heart to achieve your desires."

Johnathan was stunned into silence by their reasoning. He truly couldn't argue with it in the slightest. But it still unsettled him. That was the first time since the two met Ebda had truly acted like the embodiment of evil and sin. He couldn't say he liked it too much. However, Johnathan knew deep down they were right. 

About everything.

Regardless of what he said, it was true. He was attempting to defy everything. But in the process he'd have to abandon what he knows. What he feels. He knew Roy. And how he can be. Edba was correct, the instant he knew what was happening he'd come running. Roy isn't one to listen to reason often. He does what he wants according to him, and Johnathan knows that. And perhaps now was his time to take a page from his book.

"... Alright. Alright I'll stay quiet on it. But I refuse to hold back any information that could help him on his journey. That's okay at least?"

"Yes that is fine…I'm sorry for losing my temper in such a manner. I merely fear for your safety…and my own to an extent."

Johnathan took a second to calm himself down. "I'm not mad,Ebda. Hard decisions have to be made. But I'll try to cause as little harm as possible with those decisions. I wanna save my friend. So I'll do what I need to."

Edba simply nodded to his answer. They still felt some guilt in the way they responded to him. However, they could truly feel Johnathan's resolve. He meant what he said. Edba just hoped they could keep from guiding him down a worse path. They reigned in their power, returning the world around them to normal. Thankfully, Johnathan had the foresight to get off the highway when things became more heated.

The rest of the car ride was spent in silence. Neither Johnathan or Edba could truly find more to speak on. Soon they pulled up to their destination though. 

The Grand Temple of Genesis. 

Well the one that was in Washington at least. These structures existed just about everywhere. A place of worship for those who believed in the god Genesis. The Grand Temple was most important in terms of record keeping, not so much worship. Johnathan's knowledge of it was vague but from what he understood each Grand Temple was connected somehow. This allowed them to share and store information from all over without a need to travel far. Exactly what Johnathan needed for his research.

In order to stay undetected, Edba set about putting Johnathan's car within her version of the world. Johnathan was curious about that place having seemingly gone in several times to this point. How Edba had the power to either create or enter a world just like their own. However, he wanted to focus on the task at hand. He was well and sure that the clergymen present would allow someone not deep into the faith into their records. Despite this, Johnathan was prepared to do whatever he needed to bypass them and get what he needed.

Approaching the building, Johnathan had Edba close behind him. The two were noticed almost instantly by two clergymen guards. Nocturnal monsters, a lich and a golem. Both very powerful monster types. But exploitable. As Johnathan continued to walk, he started to become cloaked in the very darkness of the night. Edba knew better to leave his identity easily seen.

"Halt, you are on hallowed land. State your business or face the consequences." The lich stepped forward with the golem, already in a defensive stance. The two seemed nervous though. Looking at the mass of shadows and malice approach.

".... I'm sorry, but I need your resources. I promise you'll be unharmed. " Johnathan spoke, his voice modified by Edba. It was a voice that seemed like nothing. A yell, yet a whisper. Something distinctly inhuman. A force of nature. "Now…Fall." As his voice resonated through the air, the two guardsmen felt their very souls lose all purpose. Their minds and bodies unable to react to that sudden change they both instantly passed out. Johnathan figured both couldn't handle the pressure that Edba could put off. He couldn't when they first met. So he figured others couldn't when it was used purposely.

Entering the building, Johnathan and Edba encountered more resistance. But no one could stand before them. Their wills were too weak, souls not as pure as they believe. One utterance of a word from them was enough to put them on the floor. Some attacked on sight of the being before them. But to no avail. Nothing could stop them. At least not here.

"This is definitely efficient. I do feel bad though…" Johnathan thought as they continued towards the archives.

"It is not the most honest way, but it is our only way. Remember why you're doing it." Edba encouraged John, their minds firmly connected in this form. Soon all distractions were dealt with. The entire temple swiftly left helpless to the pair. Yet the goal remained the same.

Heading down, the temple archives were a great deal different than Johnathan expected. Instead of rows upon rows of books, scrolls and tablets, there was only an altar. The room itself couldn't be much bigger than a closet, adorn with many pictures and markings connected to Genesis. The altar radiated with a form of magic alien to Johnathan. It was so powerful, even within Edba he could feel his body trembling from it.

"Fuck…That is intense. Edba, will you be okay..?" Johnathan couldn't take another step. He needed to know he wouldn't hurt them.

"There is no need to worry..While I can't  keep my form once you get close, I can keep you conscious. Once you step away, I will be unharmed and waiting." Edba was calm as they spoke, being sure to put Johnathan at ease as best they could. While he was still nervous, Johnathan readied himself to proceed. 

With a deep breath, he stepped forward and near instantly Edba seemed to be blasted from him. His body recoiled from the pressure of the altar. The magical power was beyond anything he could have expected. He looked at his arms and he could see wisps of black smoke-like energy still on his body. Clearly, Edba was fine. The energy of the altar was just making it hard for them to communicate. They were fine. He was fine.

Time to gather information. So far Johnathan had a bit to work with. Edba and the swords have existed for as long as the world. Both were in some way a product of Genesis, and at some point there was at least one other monster to wield the swords besides Roy. There was also the mention of Uriel. He recognized the name but knew little of him. So he has a basic outline to begin.

Reaching out, he placed his hands on the altar and began to think. From his religious history class, he knew that these altars worked off thought. So he needed to simply think of what he wanted to see and then it would pull whatever he needed to him. First, he wanted more information specifically about the swords. So he concentrated deeply. Letting his other thoughts vanish one by one. Until finally there was only a single one left.

"The Sacred Swords…"

Suddenly a rush of information came from the altar. Covering the room like a spiderweb as magic bought,what seemed like, limitless information around him. Johnathan was stunned, his eyes wide with wonder at the sight. He had come to the correct place. 

Wasting little time, Johnathan began to quickly comb through the vast amount of information. Much of it did little for him. Drawing, poems, similar stories. Many things that depicted the swords but said like about it. Until he found something. Written by a Giant named Cain, it seemingly had the domain each of the blades had control over. None of the names or locations though. It wasn't much but it would be helpful for Roy, so he decided to read the entries.

The first one was the sword with domain over souls. Probably the same one Edba had mentioned. According to the entry, it has free range over souls. Souls being the emotional core of living things, housing their emotions, personality, and will. The sword only being as powerful as the wielder's own soul. Which to Johnathan, meant Roy should be more than fine with it. 

Next is the sword with domain over life. The energy that allows the living things in the world to persist. It is arguably the strongest of the swords, only contested for that spot by one other. It allows the person wielding it to sense life all over the planet, and to become one with it. Control it as they see fit. So long as they can handle the strain.

After is the sword of minds. Originally thought to be one of insanity, it is by far the most dangerous sword of them all. While allowing the wielder full control over their thoughts, aspects of their mind, and even the ability to manifest those aspects into raw power it is dangerous. For those who cannot face and accept those aspects will find themselves harmed by the blade instead of helped. That very much worried Johnathan. Of all these, this would be the one he'd warn Roy about the most.

Next is the sword with domain over the body. The most straightforward sword, but by no means weak. It grants full body control to the wielder, even down to a microscopic scale. Able to replicate and repair cells near indefinitely. Very good fundamental sword.

Lastly, the sword of chaos. This one confused Johnathan at first. A sword with domain over chaos didn't seem to fit the holy armaments. However, reading further it seems to reference primordial chaos. The point of origin for everything and the energy all magic is pulled from. This must be the one that competes with the sword of life as most powerful.

From all he could gather, those blades were definitely as incredible as he hoped. With what they could do, he was very confident Roy could…He let the thought go from his head for the moment. No need to think of it if he could change fate. Nearing the end of the document, Johnathan noted two more things.

Apparently these swords weren't forged with this purpose in mind. To be tools for getting rid of Edba every hundred years. They were gifts to mortals in order to give them a chance. Because of that, they aren't without one major flaw. In order to use them, the wielder must give part of themselves to manifest the blades and feed them to keep them summoned. This could have dire consequences if they use them for too long without giving themselves time to recoup what they gave up. 

He also kept Cain on his mind. He knew Giants were considered to be very wise monsters. Having longer lifespans than most. But this information was a bit too spot on. Johnathan started to suspect he found his other monster wielder, but looking deeper couldn't find more about Cain. In fact, all he could find was apparently his confirmation of death. Meaning asking him about the information would be out of the question.

"...Damn…Damn okay. I gotta get out of this rabbit hole." 

Johnathan had found plenty to tell Roy. Now was time for his own research. Particularly into Fate. What was it exactly? Johnathan had been told it was a path each person walked. Stagnant, and leading strictly to one outcome. 

Death.

 It always sounded right, but with everything happening now he'd have to do some rerouting.

Once again focusing on the altar, the prior information vanished and was replaced with something new. This web of information was even more vast than the swords. Texts constantly talking about Uriel, about interpretations of Fate, even documented paths people have walked. Something stuck out to Johnathan though. An account from an angel, claiming to have supposedly worked for Uriel. Johnathan couldn't pass that up. If could give insight into a domain he knew next to nothing about.

Master Uriel was always harsh but fair. Seeing the infinite amount of paths that mortals walk, it would tire him out quite often. We Dominions serve him as best we can, but he has grown more agitated of late. He whispers things. "This won't do." Or "They're failing her grace." I don't know what he means. I doubt I will. My deployment here ends soon. Settling below sounds nice to me. 

-Dominion Orion

This offered little to Johnathan at first glance. It only told him a little of how Uriel acted. He sounded nice but very strict on how he does things. As well as being very dedicated to his work. But Johnathan did catch one thing. "They're failing her grace." He whispered, frowning his brow softly. He has to be referring to mortals but why? A lack of faith maybe? He sighed, if that was the case that didn't help his situation.

Johnathan began to think of other angels. Specifically the other archangels, the most powerful ones. Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Azazel, Ariel and Chamuel. According to most research, alongside Uriel, they all are the original angels. The very first to exist. Created by Genesis to help run the afterlife. Anyone of them could be influencing things. All it would take is sneaking around Uriel's back. Tampering with something. But it still left Johnathan with a why. 

Checking the time, he only had a few more hours till the sun rose. He wanted to be back on the road by then, so he didn't want to waste time on anything else unimportant for the time being. Now he had one more thing on his mind.

Genesis.

The creator. God herself. Johnathan heavily doubted Genesis was involved somehow. They had no reason to be. Least to his knowledge. But that was the thing wasn't it? To his knowledge Genesis had no reason. But he was God. Genesis' reason for things weren't meant to be understood by Johnathan. But he had to trespass into his thoughts somehow. Speculate and find a reason why things seem wrong. It was the only way to a solution.

For a final time, Johnathan focused on the altar and just as before new information exploded out for him. As to be expected there was seemingly a lot on Genesis. They were the focal point of the religion after all. So to narrow things down, Johnathan expressly focused on reasons of Genesis. Why she did things or why she didn't. This greatly reduced the results.

Going through Johnathan found many things, but nothing solid. Most, if not all, of the information presented were just interpretations. Nothing solid. He grumbled. Coming so far, just to hit a wall now wasn't going to cut it. He needed something. Anything for this. He continued to trudge through the multiples of useless information until he found one. Deep within this web, there was a picture of a single statement. Almost purposely drowned out of everything. Written in demonic lettering, Johnathan was stunned to see it.

This isn't the first world she made, and it'll probably die like the others.

Had he seen this anywhere else, Johnathan would have dismissed it. But the very fact it was here, in the information pertaining to Genesis' reasoning for doing things. Hidden as if to keep it from common knowledge. Johnathan backed away from the altar, shutting it off in an instant. Edba reformed and recloaked him as well, out of sheer concern.

"Are you alright,my pure heart? What did you find? "

"...Quite a bit. More than enough for Roy. A lot for us." Johnathan sighed, regaining his composure. They needed to leave now. Johnathan had enough to know what his next course of action was. 

Heading back up, the many people in the temple were still unconscious. A good thing for Johnathan, as he didn't want more conflict for the night. Though something caught his eye as they were leaving. Something was on the people there. A black mist that seemed to flow from their bodies. Similar to what was on him when he was at the altar.  He was concerned, but figured it might be residual energy from Edna's power. Nothing to fret over, at least for now.

Getting back into his car, Johnathan sighed and relaxed as Edba reformed separately in the passenger's seat. Dawn was beginning to break as the two drove off from the temple. No one was aware they were ever there.

"So, are you going to explain what you found? Anything that may help us. You mentioned your companion but little for us. " Edba leaned against the dashboard as they made their way to the highway once more.

"Well like I said I found quite a bit. But a few things stuck out to me. Now I think I know our next course of action."

" Elaborate. You've said basically nothing with that statement. "

"Sorry. Sorry." Johnathan scratched his nose bashfully. " I found some new suspects for whoever has been changing things. The other archangels. Not sure which one but any of them could be at fault. More importantly, there's an angel here on earth. One that worked directly for Uriel. I figure we should go find them, and ask a few things."

" What makes you believe they will give us what we want? "

"I mean it's not like we've done anything really bad. Knocked out a few people, started a fire… Nothing that's hurt anyone." Johnathan paused a bit, staring off at the road. Even saying that out loud bothered him greatly. He was no stranger to hurting others. He had been in plenty of fights in his youth. But it was always against bullies or local gangs. But to do what he was doing to innocent people. It bothered him. What more of his morals would he sacrifice for this?

"...We'll do what we have to Edba. We really don't have much of a choice." Johnathan continued to stare at the road as he drove back to his school. He wouldn't be there much longer though. More to sacrifice. Edba simply sat and waited. They felt the conflict brewing deep in Johnathan's mind. That he was struggling. They couldn't offer him comfort though. Just continue to guide him down this path. Towards salvation. Or destruction.

………………………………………………..

………………………………………………..………………………………………………..

The sun rose slowly over France as a new day beckoned. The city of Paris starting to buzz to life, many visitors made their way in. Chief among them being Roy. The Nightmare had spent the better part of a week traveling from where he had gotten off the train. Finally he was there though. And being in the city he could feel it. Deep below rested a great deal of power, similar to Caliber and Vertigo. His next sword was here, he was sure of it. For the time being, he needed a place to stay. His fur was starting to itch and he hated it. 

"Better be a bloody cheat hotel close by." He grumbled, adjusting his bag as he ventured deeper into the city.