Alexandros put his spear down.
His golden eyes, still void-like with dying stars, regarded THE Weavers with cold assessment. The Chaos surrounding him did not dissipate, but it calmed into something more controlled.
"The Paradoxians. Followers of Paradox."
His voice was measured now, professional rather than wrathful.
"Their philosophy holds that truth is found in contradiction. The highest understanding comes from holding two opposing ideas simultaneously and finding meaning in their tension. They seek truth through the embrace of impossibility."
He gestured toward the archway that shone with light both white and black simultaneously.
"Their gathering place is the Antinomia. Their debates are famous for producing insights that seem to make no sense yet reveal profound truths. Their members are known for being unpredictable, for seeing connections that others miss, for finding victory in apparent defeat."
His eyes narrowed.
"It is a fitting choice for ones such as yourselves."
THE Weavers smiled wider at those words.
Then they moved.
Their steps were eerie, synchronized perfectly as if three bodies shared a single will. They walked toward the Paradoxian gate in unison, their decrepit forms casting long shadows across the beach.
They passed through.
HUUM!
The transformation was immediate and disturbing!
Their togas materialized in patterns of obsidian-gold and white. Half of each garment was dark, half was light, and somehow both halves occupied the same space without contradiction.
But their faces...
Their decrepit features morphed!
The papyrus-thin skin filled out. The deep wrinkles smoothed. The gaunt angles softened into curves that spoke of vitality rather than decay.
They became vibrant!
Bronze caramel skin filled with ecstatic beauty replaced what had been ancient horror. High cheekbones. Full lips. Features that were simultaneously young and ancient, beautiful and terrible, inviting and repulsive.
Three stunning figures now stood where three decrepit crones had been.
But their eyes remained the same.
Golden light swirling with the authority of fate itself.
And their smiles remained the same.
Eerie. Cold. Hungry.
Zero appeared upon each of their togas.
Zero Merit.
But that would change quickly!
Alexandros looked at this transformation calmly before turning to his followers.
"Ophelia."
The serpentine Lochagos straightened at her name.
"Lead the Glossarians to The Lexicon."
She inclined her head in acknowledgment.
"And Geometros."
The abstract, geometric Lochagos shifted into a configuration that suggested attention.
"Lead the Paradoxians to the Antinomia."
He nodded in his strange, angular way.
The two Lochagoi moved to fulfill their duties as Alexandros remained at the Shores of Kleos with Leonikos, prepared to greet whatever other entrants THE Fallout might deliver.
But before the groups separated...
THE Weavers turned to look at Noah with their vibrant, beautiful, terrifying faces.
Their smiles widened.
"Yes, we must not waste any time."
"There are challenges..."
"...to be made in the Arena..."
"...and debates to be had, after all."
"We will see you again soon enough, Osmont."
HUUM!

"Just how did you all enrage an Absolute outside of this place?"
"It will be extremely hard. Any Absolute has an undeniable weight that will allow them to gain Merit rapidly. Even suppressed to Surface Depth, their understanding of Existence, their refined depth, their eons of accumulated wisdom... all of that translates into advantages in debates and contributions."
"You will have to work hard. And I will root for you as fellow Glossarians."
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