Part 59 "The Vast Darkness"

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Home sweet home. Larson's mansion. It seems quite different since we last left. I'll bet. Colder. Bluer. The fading sun outside through the stained glass above the door gives the foyer an otherworldly hue. Yes. This will do nicely. For what exactly? Cain won't care whether we're

Inside or outside. Look, time is what we'll need ultimately. I have to be out of sight and then attack from a distance. He can't see me coming. These rooms and hallways offer plenty of ways to sneak around to get to an advantageous position. Plus I needed clothes. And I know they'll fit me here. Besides, it was here, the Red Right Hand, or the Mines. And I'd rather not return to the mines, if we can avoid it. The memories here aren't much better.

Feels lifeless. I love it. Fair enough. Well given how cold it is outside, at the very least it's shelter from the snow. How long has it been since we left the Dreamlands? Probably under an hour. Not long at all. But I'm sure Kane has sensed you. Of course. Go get ready. I'm gonna find something to wear. Get ready? How do I know. If all goes according to plan, this'll be easy for you. Short and sweet. I don't

I don't understand. Look, even if my lighter is the opposite of Cain's darkness, I still don't understand why that What makes you think there is anything to understand? Well there must be a logic to this thing. There must be a weak We are talking about forces birthed from a metaphysical alien womb. Now Lothotep walks on land because he wishes to appear human, not because he relies on gravity. His form holds no space, no size. He is a thimble and a planet when he chooses to be.

To define him is to taste air, to hold mist, to understand the emotions of a brick wall. You are not in the same stratosphere of understanding as the forces you find yourself up against, Arthur. He was not and is not bound the way myself and John are. Look, if it helps you can pretend that lighter is a target setter. If it makes you understand the concept a little cleaner, pretend it's red paint, and I'm the arrow. Alright.

Look, honestly, kid, I'm not trying to be difficult. The manger enlisted my help when he lost everything important to him. The lighter was his doing, and I doubt he wishes to share what it is about that item that makes Nala Thoutep susceptible. Susceptible to what To whatever I wish to do to him. Death, primarily So it makes him vulnerable.

Look, if it is so important, why didn't you tell me to use it back in England, in the forest, when you tried and failed to kill him the first time? She looks annoyed, as if debating. I am debating. Fine, you want the honest answer? Yes. Eagle. I didn't think I needed you. I didn't think I needed the manager. I had enough ire within from my time in prison to kill Cain in ways you couldn't imagine. That anger blinded me. Why kill him? Why not trap him? He he's right. This is

Look, Cain is his father. I'm not discussing this. There are a million reasons why Cain must die, and only one to imprison him, and right now we don't have time to discuss the reasons. Suffice to say my hubris will not cause us to fail this time. As a last resort, then. If Arthur should die outright or or the lighter lost in some way. Yes, if you utterly fail in always, I have options. But imprisoning someone as powerful as Cain takes a great deal more effort. Well how much effort? Maybe!

Look, I need clothes, and you two need to prepare. Prepare how? I don't know, however you want. You just get that lighter on. I'll do the rest. So you say.

哇 Welcome back. To the house? Or the home. You put me through the ringer there, back in the Dreamlands. We were both through the ringer. Believe you me. It was a struggle. But one worth having. And I'm glad you came back to me. We need to see this thing through. To the end. Agreed. Well I suppose let's look around. There may be something of use. Upstairs? Sure. So, what's the plan for the lighter? Am I being naive to assume we just slip it in his pocket and that's it? If he's wearing a suit.

Not naive, no. It can't really be that easy, can it? What's easy about the road we've taken here? Very little. I hear what you're saying. But if it is truly that simple, it doesn't negate all that's happened. Right here. Bedroom. Not one we've been in before. Do you want to take a look? It's not unlike the one we saw last time we were here, although no dead body in the bed, thankfully. Move around a little bit. I'll let you know if anything jumps out uh visually.

Do you think she's being honest with us? No. Agreed. The question is what is she lying about? Her obsession with killing Cain. Yes. Why? I want to say hate, but But what? Yeah. What happens when the manager is the only Navithotep left? You mean if only one remains. One version across all worlds. Look, Cain's goal was always to kill all of them, to become the most powerful one, and and then use the Blackstone.

And if Cain is gone, then the manager So? Lilith told me that the manager before losing his daughter, before all of this, also wanted the Blackstone. Also wanted to put an end to this world. The manager did. Even the best version of Nalothhotep is no outright ally of ours. U so killing Kane may only give the manager what he wants. What? You don't think that's part of his plan, do you? Who the manager? What if all of this is just one long car?

One long and drawn out way to give the manager exactly what he wants. If Kane is dead, what happens to the Blackstone? I don't know. You don't think Lilith I'm not even convinced Lilith would know this. What I'm saying is Perhaps we're all being played. There's nothing in this room. Nothing of note. Right, right. Look, what does the devil do? Convince the world he doesn't exist. If the manager wanted the stone and wanted to end all of existence,

What better way to do it than to make us kill the final cane? Exactly. Then the stone is his, and the last variant is out of the way. I didn't get that feeling from the manager, did you? No. But isn't that exactly the way he'd want it to be? But then why save us? Why bring us back? Why use us at all? It would have been easy for him to stand back and let Lilith kill Caine, had her do the dirty work. Maybe. Maybe there's still pieces we don't have.

I'll tell you what though. Believing that the manager is doing this out of the goodness of his heart is a tough sell for me. Okay. Even if that's the case. Then what are our options?

Closet. Anything? You want to fight him with a broom? No. Then no. So what are our options? We could tell Lilith. I don't know whose side she's on right now. She does seem to be on the side of existence. Yes, I suppose, but I'm not convinced she'd buy it. And even if she did, you know what could she do to stop it? We don't kill Cain. She doesn't? No, she traps him instead. We tried that. But not since thinking about it this way.

Look, I think it makes perfect sense. Even if she doesn't believe the manager has an ulterior motive, even if she doesn't think that he would manipulate us, she must see the benefit to not having him be the last Naruto Thhotep alive. Right? Right. We know she was imprisoned. The realm of darkness or shadows or nightmares or or something. Maybe she knows how to send Cain there. It's risky. The door. Bathroom. Head in? Sure, if you There is another option. Which is?

We delay putting the lighter on Cain. That seems far riskier. Right, but Lilith agreed that if I failed she'd trap him. As a last resort. Did she though? All I mean is look, putting the lighter on Kane is the manager's plan. And clearly he was very sparse with details about what it is and what it does. You felt its light though. We both have. In the dark world. I don't get the feeling the lighter is evil.

No, I don't either. I hear you. And I do think the manager is in a position to gain a lot should Lilith kill Kane. I agree the lighter is clearly something of the manager's machinations and And for those reasons I I do have doubts. I I suppose really it comes down to how much you trust Lilith. That's a tough call. Didn't she also say the manager knew where the obelisk was? But what if putting the lighter on Cain is the very thing that brings about the end? For all we know, Lilith is the manager.

Yes. It's a good point to decide. Whose side are we on? If we trust Lilith. If you trust her intention, then we should speak with her. Tell her our fears about killing Cain in regards to making the manager the last Narlathotep and the power that it could bring. But that doesn't discount the possibility that she could still side with the manager.

that she still chooses to kill Caine. For all we know she may be happy if the manager is the last Nala Thotep. Why? Why? Because she's Nala Thotep's daughter, John. I She still killed my parents. She still despises humanity. Our goals are aligned only as so far as stopping Cain. Beyond that we are nothing to her. I forgot that once, and she made me regret it. What happens after all of this? The Blackstone, the Waylay, the true intentions of the last living Nala Thhotep, it's anyone's guess.

Is it not possible the manager offered her something for all of this? You're right. It may feel like we only have one choice left. But I'm not convinced even if we walked away from Cain That we be walking away from them. I trust that Lilith wants to prevent Kane from using the Blackstone in the obelisk. But that is only as far as our goals aligned. Then we need to decide if we want to follow their plan.

Or our plan. What do you mean? We don't have a plan. And it hasn't hurt us before. Well much I just mean to say, how many times have we been here? even in this house. We've managed to find a path forward. The best one we know how. So we just don't use the lighter? Not right away, no. I think you're right. I think if we can consider all of this a possibility, then they have two. And that makes them inherently untrustworthy. I'm not keen to follow blindly when so much is at stake.

Or all of this is wrong and we're just complicating matters. No matter what, I have your back. God damn it. What? It's just When do we start believing again? What do you mean? I don't have. Faith, not in the way I was taught to. This journey of ours, it's taken us to the edge of it, really. You know, we stood before the endless nothing. A dark world filled with angry indifference and stared into the abyss with unfaltering purpose.

We've watched our friends die, our enemies lost within the mud of their own pained histories, all the while, screaming for forgiveness. But where does this path lead? I don't follow Ike. When do we start believing again? Believing in what? Good.

When do we stop doubting every intention? Second guessing every offer. Looking for the Machiavellian intent behind every red apple. I don't think we've lost our faith. But I have We stand here in the home of our former enemy, with a different villain, to attempt to stop an even greater foe. And all the while I can't help but doubt every word, every offer.

Every decision, searching for the intention behind it. That's not losing faith, Arthur. We have been manipulated. Lilith has absolutely tricked you, and me multiple times. But I don't want to think that way. You want to be naive. No! I want to believe in goodness. I want my faith back. My faith. Inhumanity. These forces, these creatures, they're not humanity. Aren't they though? I argued with Lilith, tooth and nail, and while her words spoke villainy, her actions

Those made between her words were actions of care Mercy for Aliashaw. Outrage at a loss of herself, defensiveness for what happened to Faraud To manipulate you. She let me keep the rope. श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श्श She understood that. She understood how important Fouraux to me. You didn't let Faraud go. I'm sorry. Nothing I understand. Do you? This journey, it's taken so much from us. Don't let it take your faith. Let this be the time of the

Let this be the place. I am through trying to outmaneuver these gods. I'm tired of second guessing every intention. Without reason And that's it, isn't it? These theories we've concocted their possibilities without reason. Without tangible proof, merely theories. That's exactly the kind of distraction you have. Agreed. Well. So For peace of mind, let's share our theories with Lilith, and perhaps Okej.

Oh, is there anything in here? Well it's a simple bathroom, vanity sink, a tub. Nothing that would fit in the bag you found. Speaking of, where did you find the On the way to Cacosa. Found it in the sand around a mailbox. Is it a A messenger's bag, yes. I think maybe from the war. All right. Yes. That's fine, Lilith. It's stuck. Feels locked. No, no, it can't be. It Why can't it be? ДИНАМИЧНАЯ МУЗЫКА What? The light?

All the light it's gone What? Stop stop What do you mean it's gone? Hold the light from the window It's gone, Arthur. I can't see a thing. It's pitch black. Get the lighter! Arthur! No, no, no, no. Well but we'll just just to light the lamp. Let's keep the lighter safe. Right, right, okay, okay. What? It's filling the room with a pale yellow light, but on the wall, on the far wall it's projecting a shape.

A window A window It's appeared on the wall as if it had always been there ringed in polished gold and warm light. It's round ornate with strange curls at the top and the bottom of the window. Where did you f trade it for it? There's there's movement. Through the window, Arthur. I see a figure, but they're out of focus. Move closer. Carefully. 아시아 A street It's day A man walking quickly. Angrily, it's... A city. New York? No No, Arkham, I think. Arkham. He walks

He passes a man who throws a bucket of water on the street. He nearly steps in it but moves out of the way quickly. He turns his head to the right, as if hearing something on the other side of the road he The man is you, Arthur. Or a version of you. What is this? Who you're walking, still walking fast. Like you're avoiding something. Someone. A woman is following you. Angrily. She has dark hair. Her eyes are fixed upon you. I can't hear her, but she calls you. A and you stop. Arthur it

It's Faraud. Foreau? She's older. A young woman, eighteen, maybe. She she's She's speaking to you. What about? What about? I don't know. Hazis from one of the worlds, one of the realities she took me from. Perhaps one left that She's saying something. Heeded. You're arguing, I think. I I can't tell but With her there's a moment of calm. You're crying. Scared, maybe. A and she What? What?

You can't see him, but she does. He pulls a gun, Arthur. She runs to you to protect you. He fires. Arthur! No! Arthur, he shot Foreau! No! He shot her dead! Arthur! No! Arthur the- Bring it back! Bring it back! Light, you son of a bitch! Where is it? It's gone. Where is it? The willow is gone. Arthur, it's just light now and A reality? that didn't die in the dark world. I don't know where we are. Well. Are we all in? Furaux was Listen, Arthur! You are right. Asking you to let go of the world.

and selfish. But you still need to focus on now. If you are going to keep her in your heart, then do not lose yourself. For all we know, this is Kane's doing. Even the window. Even the window! Right, right. You are stronger than this. I am. I am, alright.

It's a stone tunnel. One way. What about the door? A dirt wall. Right. These tunnels like the ones beneath the mansion. Real or an illusion? Doesn't make a difference. The tunnel opens ahead. And wait wait wait wait wait stop What it's open a cavern before us massive and a sheer drop Ei... Ei... Ei... Ei... Ei... Ei... Ei... Ei... I do. Where are you? Show yourself! Why would I do that? Oh, so you can slip that little lighter into my pocket? You boys, sure talk loud.

What wider? SUP! You're working with my daughter! I told you she'd like you. But I think you bet on the wrong horse there, boys! After all, how can you trust such a mischievous little monster? The wall behind us, it's moved up. We're at the edge of this. So, are you going to jump? What's below us? Trusting humanity again, remember? Trust me, I I can catch you. Arthur, I can't see what's below us. Or anywhere. We're on the edge of this abyss. Nothingness is all around us. Will you hold on?

That's not a choice. You're you're pushing us into the abyss. You know you're right. Let me see if I can get it. The wall behind us, it's receded, and the tunnel it It seems to lead back to the bathroom. Below you! Letting go. Behind you? Holding on. Which will you do? This isn't even a question, you I want you to make the choice, nonetheless. He wants us to let go. He wants us to fall. So we head back. Exactly. Or is that what I want you to do?

After all, I gave you the choice. The illusion of choice. What is an illusion anyway? Does a disappearing bunny not still make you sad? Does your heart not ache reading a sad, sad story? Do you not scream when the bullet? Rip through your daughter's forehead. You don't let him get- Even illusions can cause real pain. This choice is an illusion. One of your games, and I am choosing not to play. Another illusion of choice! Arthur! Arthur!

You want me to let go? What are you doing? Let's let go. Arthur! Jesus! The boy really and truly let go all that baggage, all that growth. Look at his arc, his character development, his transformation. God damn it. Where where are we? Not just any schwamp. The carriage. Antoine. Where Cain appeared. Where we were reunited? After your English campaign? What heroism! What sacrifice? Another illusion.

I am not my daughter, Kitten! This is not a nightmare. I am the three ghosts. Future, present. The past. Antoine. Antoine. What has happened, my lord? Jesus Arthur, he's He's where we left him before. Before he... Why are you doing this? You wanted to let go! How on earth is this letting go? Well, how isn't it? Did you let go and now you're here? You brought us here! No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You brought you here. This was your journey.

I just wanted the black stone! Now, you want to dig it out again or my lord, what do you mean dig no cane? I I don't understand. Why are you? What do you want? What I want? You know what I want. No, I don't. You have the stone. You have everything you need. Not everything. Not yet. I am sure she knows. She's been fucking with me since the very start. I see that now. Though why she bet on you, I still don't see that wager paying off. But I'm betting that she told you she bet on me.

Because I can stop you. You can stop me. He's close. Closer then. I still don't see him though. Keep those eyes peeled. I can. She knows it. And I know it. You know it! Oh, I hear that tremble in your throat. You're facing off against forces you can't even comprehend, little one. Then? Show me enough games. You're like your daughter, bringing me through memories. I told you. They're not memories. My lord, I don't understand. Arthur. What are you doing back so soon? Oh, where is Arya?

Surveil, my lord. Alive in this world! Enough of this. Of this? Of this? Right, right, right, right, right. But don't understand. No! Why? Why kill them? Why? If you have to ask, then you don't deserve an answer. Surveill and both of their heads. You know, you were standing right there when you said it, you know? I never should have opened that damned book. Remember? Wanna see what it's like?

What it's like I We'll have to skip over the ghost of Christmas present. But Lilith is being slippery anyway, so are we going with Lilson or Wilith? If we never met. To the future! We're on a street outside Arkham, maybe a a suburb. Snow is falling. Thick white flakes. We're looking in on a house through a large bay window in the front room. Evening governor! Teas a brisk and chilly one. Biscuit inside. Cain is perched on the roof, looking down. Bathed in shadow.

I can't see anything. His face is hidden. The action is in the house, Corn Cobb. It's It's Christmas. Toreau. Is there two? Sitting on your lap as you carve the turkey. Daniel. Even Marie is there. As if she's in a wheelchair. You all look so... More than that. An illusion. And yet... Doesn't it? Alright. There. No, you're not. And all these people still ended up together, and somehow. Foreau is alive. What magic is this? It's just that. It's magic. It's not real. Oh, but it can.

Infinite Worlds, Arthur. Sure, maybe this one is just a projection. Perhaps. This one is a heart tugging Norman Rockwell project. Reality doesn't have to be far from

I promise. Arthur, what does any of this matter? Your plan is to end all of it, to stall No, Artie. That's just my wager. That's what you told us. If you want to go. I'm about my bet, so be it! But my truth is to kill Azatoth, ascend to his role, and reshape reality. You're the naysayer who thinks it can't be done, but have you even heard the odds? What does it matter? What have I told you the odds? The honest to God odds of me succeeding at replacing Azetoth. Better than one in two.

Better than a flip of the coin. You still have that coin, right? No, I don't. No? Catch. So even if that's the case. This doesn't exist. It says who! I can carve out a little slice of life for you. Hell! My cosmos will be infinite. I could see to having a whole planet where this is a reality. Like it is now. Only better. A literal heaven oath.

It's bullshit. So cynical What makes you think we would ever believe you? What have you done that is honest? Everything I've done is honest. Are you really going to tell me that anything I've done was a surprise? I I I can't tell what your goal is here. Why bother? We have nothing to offer you. I told you I don't have everything I need. What else is there? Can I trust you to talk in person? Wearing a black robe like like the ghost of Christmas future.

His face is still hidden. Why are you hiding your face? Don't worry about it. Now we can talk man to man with the street between us. Can't have you putting that lighter on me just yet. Not till I know what it does. I'm here. I'm listening. My plan only works if I have the last two lines crossed off my list. And they are finding the obelisk and killing the last Narlathota. I'm betting you know where one of those two things are. But maybe not both.

What do you say? You tell me where my little doppelganger is, and I'll create a world for you. For Farah, for Daddy, for Johnny, for every little spark of joy in your life. Is it really that picturesque? It's Heart wrenching. Right onto the crystal glassware. Well then, Kane. Fuck you Well sir if you think this is even a choice for me you have so misunderstood who you're up against Up against Shush It's my time to talk

See, I've seen your colors. I've watched your dance. I've been seated during each and every one of your grand entrances and exits, your overtures and annoying little rants. Then let me now say what I think you so desperately need to hear. No.

See, I've met your daughter. I know her intimately, and I've seen what makes her tick. And I see it in you now. A little child who's never been told no. My grand journey brought me full circle to understand that in the end, it's the limitations that make us who we are. And sweetie, you really need to put some rails on that ego. It's okay to deny yourself every once in a while, and if you can't do that. And I happily will. No. You don't get the answers. You don't get the meaning.

You don't get the location of anything. And if you come to me, if you try to lay those fingers on my brain, I will slip this lighter into your pocket, and then you'll really see what it feels like to get fucked. Six ways from Sunday. Anything to add there, banana peel No. And the name's John Asshole Touchet

We're back in the bathroom. Where is I don't see him? The tunnel? Gone. The door? Still locked. Why? The bathtub. Arthur, I hear it. Jesus Christ. Don't describe it. Arthur! Don't! God damn it! We're at the top. I got her. You've grabbed her. I got her. She's she's drowning Arthur. No, no, no, I haven't. She's still sinking. Arthur. Not letting go. I have her. It's not coming off.

the water are you not letting go goddamn kate Arthur she's sinking in the tub she's drowning Arthur are you still gonna let go pretty easy when it's just your life You need to let go. I can't I can't let go, Artie! Let go! Arthur! Let her go! I can't! This is why I said it. I know. You love Foreau, but you're only killing her. Keeping her in your arms. She's... She's drowning, Arthur. You're just you're watching her drown over and over again. I can't. I won't just she's no

She's my life! What if you don't let go? You're only killing her again. LET'S GO LET'S GO I'm drowning! Let go already. I can't get around the top! اشتركوا في القناة She'll drown just like she did. You can't change this. What are you- Hang out! What are you doing? Arthur! I may not be able to pull her out. Get out of the tub! But I can get in with the Arthur! I may not be able to change what's happened But this time, I will not let her be alone.

يَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ نَوْ She said, Father, Father, You have her. The tub grows in size. It's... It's massive under here. But you're still holding her. Come on, really holding her. Arthur, you will drown! This isn't how it ends. This isn't how it needs to happen, Arthur! Let her go. I'm so sorry.

But she was taking you down. Taking us down, Arthur. No, she wasn't that. She was drowning us. That wasn't for O, it was it was Kane and I know. I know, but still it she whispered I didn't let go of her because of what do you mean? You didn't hear it. Here her No I was holding on content to hold on. I...I couldn't let her...I know...I know...I... I heard a voice in my ear. Arthur, she whispered to her. What did she say? Not now. She said it has to be. Colder.

Arthur Kane has been him. But there's no way to know for sure. I could tell. Feel it. I could feel her. Her light. It was I Okay. Alright. What?

Where are we? I don't know. It's pitch black. The lamp he left on the floor of the bathroom. Fuck I can't see. All right. It's the other pocket. Oh yeah, what's this then? Oh fair enough. It's okay. What? That's not lighting. There's always a first time. A voice. I can't see anything. Hello? Are you there? Who who's there? Noel? No. Noel! Get straight ahead! Where are you? I can hear you, but I'm on the other side of the wall. Jesus Christ!

What the fuck happened? What happened to you? Where where are you? Where are we? Wait, wait, wait. What Adam Fry. The king borrowed his voice. Why wouldn't Kane? What? This must be another trick. What's something that what what's something only you and I would know?

God damn it! It's me. He's gonna take you away from me. This doesn't make any sense. Why would he keep you alive? Why why now? Why do you know? John's right. God damn it, Arthur! My name is Charlie. I I thought maybe Roland was the voice in your head. I picked you up and At 845 for Red Hook, he No, no, no, no. You I was late. I knocked on Marie's door at 857. No. It is him. Where are we? Where are you? Threshold, Arthur. Threshold. God damn it! Kane! Breathe easy, boys! He's alive! Why?

Why did you keep him alive? He's We're in a I don't know The Grand Opera House! You know, I saw our mutual friend Collins in the nosebleeds as a young lad here I just thought that's where I want to perform He's on stage. There's a a set behind him, a house set like a living room. But it's covered in blood, Jesus Christ. A failed stage production. A little benevolent feature I orchestrated with some friends. But they took break a leg a little too literally.

He's standing to the side, his face still hidden beneath a black hood. Where is Threshold? Where is no light? Is that really what you want? Cause if so, then we can make our deal right now. Your fuck you speech landed. But now that you've touched the reality of how dark I can make your days, surely you're more open to a deal, right? The blood on the set it's Old. Months, maybe a year, I That's enough. I told you. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Look. Just do me a favor. From one father to another.

Just consider my offer. Seriously. Consider telling me about the other Narlathotep. You can't be serious. Deadly. Look, I can pull everyone up on this stage and kill them one by one. Maybe you can't see Antoine and Surveil's heads explode, but I can buy you a bib for the splatter section I can make here. I can use that stick all day long. But I do grow tired of it. You don't seem tired of it. No who am I kidding?

I'm ravenous but truth be told and I'm a little embarrassed to say I've chewed through a lot of meat if you catch my drift. I gotta keep some of your peanut gallery alive until you destroy everything. Just think about it! That's all I'm asking. Take a moment, sit down, and discuss Choices, remember? Just be sure that you don't want to tell me if I never even give you a chance to decide what kind of host am I. I'll be back.

He's gone. He's never gone. He wants us to what? To decide whether or not to tell him about the location of the m of Nalathotep. All right. Is there any harm in considering? What is there to consider? Nothing. But if that's what he wants. I don't want to see Marie on that stage or fine. So do you want to tell Kane about the last Norla Footup? Well i if we did, maybe he'll spare some brutality. Right. Right. But it would still only be in the short term. I can't I mean no, I I don't

I don't understand the play here. I don't understand much of what he does. That's not true. Not entirely. His motivations may have started out nebulous, but they've become quite clear for the most part. So why leave us? Why offer a choice if he knows we're not gonna make it? He's nowhere? I don't see him. He's capable of putting us in a box.

And tossing us into the ocean. He isn't keeping us here. He doesn't need us distracted, he doesn't require anything of us. Other than to think about the other Nalithotep. Why? Why would he want to do that? Why would he want him on our minds? You're just a clever little rat, aren't you? What is he? He's behind us. I can feel! Oh powerful as I may be! I just can't read that little mind. Now I need you to focus on what I want. He's in the seat behind us, Oliver!

Yes, Arthur! We rolled out of the seat backwards and are oh on cane! You you I know what to do! You squirm me! Just just set still. Stop! We've gotten some distance. Cain sits in the theater seat, his hand red with our blood, but Oh god. Oh my head. Oh my he Don't you worry about it!

My fingers may have been massaging that hippocampus, but I didn't leave any holes. There's no blood on the back of your head. His fingers entered but left no mark. Everything I needed. I got without tearing your head off. See you just wanted me to think. of the manager. You just needed for him to be top of mind. Literally. His face, Arthur its. It's been revealed. He's he's not immune to the Blackstone's effects. No

Upon Cain's face is a sinister smile, a devilish cracked grin that spans the length of his head from ear to ear. His teeth are jagged, his lips cracked with blood and splitting his eyes. You think that even a being as powerful as me wouldn't be affected by his own creator? And yet no one is immune from Azatoth's influence. My god. Well not yet. But soon. His black cloak hangs unmoving. I suppose I don't need this anymore. Venom!

He drops the cloak altogether and rises, floating above the audience seats. So the Whaley. What a name. Kane, you can't listen to me. No, I can! And I will. See, you may not have. in my wager, but boy has my resolve never been stronger. I knew you'd think of the last Narlathotep when given the chance, just enough to tell me who he is and where he's hiding. I knew I could get you to change your answer on the same question because well my dear you are

So predictable. Your entire species. Your goal on this earth. I've seen it over and over and over and over and over again. There are no moves I haven't seen coming. He's floating in the center of the room. The chairs beneath have

All disappeared. He's looking down from above and and Alright, Arthur. Everything's in place. We're good? We're good. What's that? You're right, Kane. We're awfully predictable. You saw all this coming. From a country mile away! Except for what I just slipped in your pocket. What's that? He's all yours, Lilith. You always were a terrible. You still have the lighter in the cane's pocket! He's directing this. İzlediğiniz için teşekkür ederim. That's lighting cane off with the springs. Pure white.

Light is growing from his arcane, from his pocket. A light that covers his body. It splices him into little pieces. Is is he? He's gone. Arthur? Oh God. Jesus Christ, Arthur. Huh. How did you? I hoped I I only hoped that Lilith would be there. Waiting like she said. And that you would give me the sign. And when you pushed back, when you tumbled into Kenya. I put the lighter in his pocket. I wasn't sure you had it in you. Me neither, to be honest. I knew you did.

So so wait, what now? Well well that makes the manager the last narlophot alive, right? Right. Listen. If he's the last. You told me that he was That originally he wanted to end the world as well. To do the same thing that Kane was going to do. Can we trust that? Given that we don't know where the Blackstone is either. Yes. Yes, we can trust the manager. How much? Well, let's not keep talking about the arc.

It's much better than a flip of a coin, put it that way. Right. Oh. Look, he could have double crossed me at any point. Hell he could have sought out Cain. Uh he had all the information Caine wanted. For better or for worse he is on our side. Besides, with the manager being the last of his kind, it gives us a unique benefit to the Blackstone, one I hadn't mentioned. Which is? Wait, where is it? Those effects that corrupted Kane were permanent, but only because he WIT!

What? Where is Where's the coin that Cain gave you? What? What do you mean he gave you a coin? I thought you put it in your left pocket. No no the lighter was in my left pocket. The lighter was always In your right pocket. I put the lighter in. Oh Oh don't mind me I'm just remarking at this lovely light I mean it's but this one isn't yours. This one is mine. See? What's the matter? Now? How about now? It's the coin. He changed it in your pocket. He made the coin feel and look.

Like a lighter. I didn't even notice we we still have our Don't blame yourself, Marigold. It wasn't your failed plan, was it? Dun Ha ha ha! You had to kill me, didn't ya? Oh, have you learned? Vengeance will only get you so far! You have to let things go, my dear! Right, Arnie? Let go! Well suppose that's still too hard for you two. Will you get there? The next time I ask though, you better be a hundred percent, okay?

Oh gosh! And how'd you like that little scene? I know Juba so well! Oh really? Bet you didn't see this coming! Oh no, you got me! Oh come on guys You're all so quiet so shocked That's not fun Anywho, I suppose this act is over. Tear down, boys! The stage. The living room set is falling over. The whole theater is a facade. We're We're outside. Outside of Larson's mansion. We're still in Addison. On the ice, the lake outside his mansion. You, me, and Lilith. Cain stands barefoot between us.

In a black suit. Maybe 30 feet away. You know, I still may give you that earth, Arthur why not? This family of ours seems to have a bond with you, eh Lilith? You're her favorite, and I... Well, I can't get enough of you! You're like catnip to me. You know, it hurt killing you in England. It really did. So I'm gonna take a page out of my own parenting handbook.

I don't want to be a do what I say, not what I do, type of daddy. So instead of killing you all, something I so desperately want, I am going to let my vengeance go. I have what I want. And I know where I need to go. So you two, or three, you just enjoy from the ice. Okay? Kane? Yeah. I you speak up, dear Nothing Ah You were always a disappointment So an Artie Sorry that the final act of this play will have to be without you. Till the next eternity!

He's gone. Bastard. You Me? Me what? You just had to try to kill him, didn't you? How dare you turn this on me! You're the idiot who couldn't tell his left pocket from his right. Did you need- to trap him yes it wasn't a case of killing him or trapping him both needed you to do your fucking job really I don't know maybe I know killing him would have worked if you had to I knew it would trapping him have worked

without the light. I don't know. Okay? Great. Fucking great father careful. The ice isn't strong. Oh fuck you, Arthur. You dare to make this my fault. This is not about me. It is about you. You fuck. Fucking villain! Couldn't you say she ate your bloodlust in other weights? That wasn't about bloodlust, you idiot! It's always about murder with you! You killing Vale! Killing Antoine! The last time I did not kill them! You are so full of shit!

You despise him! You couldn't even stand up to him! You coward! You shut your fucking mouth before I break your jaw clean off your face! Well, I'm glad you're disproving your need for violence. Fuck you. This failed because of you. Enough! Both of you! Of me! You needed to kill Kane. You needed to kill Vale. Just like you needed. to kill my parents. Cause you are a monster. Killing your parents was the greatest kindness I gave them. How? Because it spared them. What?

I picked you. You are my favorite. I knew I needed someone. A human a lure for Cain and I chose you partly because yes, your parents were followers of mine, and partly because you were well a good fit. I knew once Cain started becoming obsessed with you, that he would torture your parents mercilessly, without end, without remorse. Forevermore if it meant understanding you one percent greater. I killed them because I knew it would prevent him. From ever laying a finger on them.

I killed them because they were good followers of mine, and they deserved a better end. than at the hands of Cain. I don't believe you. I don't care if you believe me. It's the truth. I believe you. Well, I'm glad. And you should too, Arthur. We've come this far. We need to start believing in each other. Fine. All right.

I'm sorry. So what now? He's going to head to the way late. He'll turn the place upside down to find him. Because the manager knows where the obelisk is. But the manager won't be there. But I can't travel like Cain can, so we can't get there. God is cold. No. But we can. What? How? This water is cold. Cold out. Or sorry.

We die. Arthur, we have no idea if that would work. We have nothing to prove that the way is still there, or that the mechanisms that brought us there in the first place are still in place. Yes, we do. Foreau told me. Foreau? I know, I I can feel it. That's what she meant, John. That's what she was saying. Well, Lilith, what do you think? I say try it. Trust Foreau. Fuck it. Let's do it. Alright, look. I can get to the obelisk. How? It's closer than I care to admit.

Once I let the manager know he can activate it, it'll let Cain know where it is, and then I'll be ready. To do what? To trap him this time. You're sure? Yes. He's right. You're right. Besides, even though I trust the manager, he's still a Nalothhotep and I don't want him to be the last one alive. Agreed. Okay. So you'll be there to trap him. When the moment is right. Which moment is that? I am going to put this fucking lighter in his pocket. The right light of this time. Sure. We can do this.

All right. Then I'll be waiting out of sight at the obelisk. You'll have to find a way to get there. Don't let him leave the way lay until I'm ready. Not until he senses it. Well how do we keep him there? Shouldn't be too tough. He can't resist you. When will we know that the obelisk is p activated? You'll know. You'll sense it too. All right. Well, I better hoof it then. I have miles to go and Well this ice isn't exactly stable. See you at the end. Lies. Yeah. See you there. So long. Lilith.

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