Jon looked down at the Fragment Of Theft and Lie Mana Core in his hands, humming thoughtfully as he manifested Lethe down on the table beside him. The Mask Of Jade Lies softly emanating the unmistakeable presence of a Memento Source Item.

  Given that he was alone within the Wonderous Citadel Dwelling, there was no need for him to obscure its concepts with the Heretical Chalk Protection or limit them to just his greater Source. Despite the conversation that he had with Eis the previous day, he had taken her advice and allowed his battered spirit-mutation to rest before elevating his Memento Source Item to Knighthood.

  The process of creating a Memento Source Item from a Memento Source Fragment was done through the System integrating each ingredient into the enormous white-cube. Other than his Title; Polemarch Of Jade Warfare, it required nothing else of him specifically, merely the other three external components which formed his personal Memento Source Item.

  At Knighthood there requirements were exactly the same.

  One Lie Mana Core capable of unlocking the Knight-Ranked restrictions within the preexisting Lie Mana Core.

  Another fragment capable of layering its concepts atop the established ones.

  Another Knight Ranked spiritual item that with synergistic concepts to the Mortal Ranked spiritual item that formed the basis for its structure and appearance.

  Alongside a Knight Ranked Title; which would add new effects to the Memento Source Item and strengthen its connection with his greater Source. It was perhaps the most influential aspect of the four ingredients, although, in his experience was secondary to the fragment which he wanted to integrate.

  ‘Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms was formed using Father Of Shapeless Carcosa as the foundation. It possesses quite the number of synergies with the existing Fragment Of Facelessness. Although I considered integrating a Fragment Of Transformation into Lethe, a Fragment Of Theft better suits the direction I want to develop it into.’

  ‘The Fragment Of Thieving Envy is just the beginning. Hopefully I should be able to form at least two more dual-fragment pathways before ascending to Lordship. Hopefully earning me a couple of new Title Fragments in the process…’

  [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier] and [The Fools Advance, Inversing Life And Death] were two such abilities that he hoped to transform into dual-fragment pathways.

  Other abilities such as [Wrath Is The Paradise Whispered On Thou Lips] and [Rhapsody Of The Cold Star] would have to wait until he attained Lordship. He would need additional concepts in order to transform these weaker abilities into powerful triple-fragment pathways.

  Jon let out a small sigh, soothing his growing nerves.

  There was no point in putting this off the ascension of his Mask Of Jade Lies any longer. Amadeus had long since elevated Flavius Imperialis from Mortality to Knighthood and he was sure that Delila and Maliq were both not far behind. The only other person that he knew had a Memento Source Item in their possession was Wilheim.

  Who was at least a month or two off elevating the Dimensional Dungeon Shadow.

  ‘Let me see how much of Lethe will change,’ he thought to himself.

  Reaching down and grasping onto the Mask Of Jade Lies, Jon noticed numerous different system notifications appear all across his vision. Memories of him first obtaining his Memento Source Fragment flashing through his mind.

  Fragment Of “Theft” discovered.

  Would you like to integrate this into your Memento Source Item?

  “Lies” Mana Core discovered.

  Would you like to integrate this into your Memento Source Item?

  Knight Title “Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms” detected.

  Would you like to integrate this into your Memento Source Item?

  Jon allowed the notifications to remain visible, scattered across his field of view. Activating his Fragment Of Library he manifested a hand-sized, egg-shaped mask, emanating the subtle presence of “allure” and “memories.”

  One last system notification appearing in the centre of his vision.

  Knight Ranked “Truth-Scale Mask” detected.

  Would you like to integrate this into your Memento Source Item?

  Without hesitating any longer, Jon accepted each of these integration notices, feeling the Memento Source Item in his hands tremble in excitement at its growing development. Despite it being an inanimate object, it was intrinsically connected to his Source; containing within it the lingering concepts of the Polemarch Of Jade Warfare.

  Lethe manifesting illusory-metaphysical lines emanating from various sections across the Mask Of Jade Lies. White-coloured lines stretched out from the Memento Source Item, flowing across his arms, shoulders, and upper body as though tendrils trying to envelop his flesh, mind, and spirit.

  The process was remarkably similar to the formation of Lethe, albeit with a few exceptions.

  The false faerie ward that he had set up beforehand quivered as the Mask Of Jade Lies bloomed with an incredible amount of concepts. Lie natured spiritual energy overflowing from within the smiling mask, seeping out and saturating the inner walls of the Wonderous Citadel Dwelling.

  The white-coloured lines came into contact with the Fragment Of Theft and other Lie Mana Core sitting in the palm of his hand. The purplish-blue fragment dyeing the extended white-line a similar colour, before slowly vanishing into the Memento Source Item.

  Lethe absorbing the Knight Ranked Alluring-Memory Mask in a similar manner, alongside his spare Lie Mana Core. The flowing white-lines which extended towards his chest seemed to penetrate through Murmur-Arhat Marrow and Yaochi-Mudra Prana as if his marrow-mutation and lifeforce-mutation did not exist.

  The barriers formed through his Three Seas Of Knowledge lowered willingly, although encountered a momentary resistance from both his Longinus-Rune Spirit and Helel-Star Pride. Both his Hades-Draconian Shadow and Carcosa-Form Horrors motionless as the concept of “memento” creeped closer and closer towards his Source.

  Entangling themselves around the Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms. Despite the presence of the impossible white-black hole construct within his Source and the concepts contained within, the Memento Source Item ignored them in favour of his newest Title.

  Pulling at it as though a wobbly tooth.

  As a result, almost causing Jon to drop the Mask Of Jade Lies from his hand, lifting his free hand in order to grip at his chest. The sensation of having concepts pulled from out of his Source pained him greatly, the structure of his greater Source resistant to things leaving after having entered.

  Despite the white-black hole that existed within him, the pull of the Memento Source Item was far greater in both strength and potency of concepts. Jon did not know what a concept of “memento” encompassed but did know that it was unique enough throughout the integrated universes that it allowed for the creation of Memento Source Fragments.

  The full process must have lasted no more than five minutes, but it was an excruciatingly slow process for Jon. Whether it was through the guidance of the System or the inherent nomological laws contained with Lethe, it carefully but gently removed more than ninety percent of all the concepts relating to the Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms.

  Allowing them to flow through its white-coloured lines and into the Mask Of Jade Lies.

  The lingering concepts that formed the Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms maintaining a connection between his Source and Memento Source Item, in the same manner that the Polemarch Of Jade Warfare did more than a year ago. Jon was no longer able to call upon the effects of his Knight Ranked Title, feeling the effectiveness of his Hades-Draconian Shadow and Carcosa-Form Horrors dwindle for half-a-second, before-.

  The Mask Of Jade Lies crumbled within his hands.

  His eyes widened.

  Witnessing the birth of his Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies.

  [Fragment Of Facelessness]

  [Lethe; Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies]

  (Memento, Lies, Facelessness, Mask, Smiling, Ability, Technique, Enhancement, Buff, Self)

  (Theft, Truth, Scale)

  Effect (Knight): Elevates Lethe; Mask Of Jade Lies into Lethe; Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies. Lethe has transformed after the integration the Knight Title Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms, Fragment Of Theft, Lie Mana Core and Knight Ranked Truth-Scale Mask.

  Lethe possesses the ability to discern vulnerable lies amidst half-truths. Lie natured spiritual energy manifests a Truthful-Scale within the mind, capable of measuring falsehoods against veracity.

  Lethe possesses the ability to steal one ability from a target for a short duration. This effect can affect a number of individuals equal to the Rank of the Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies.

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Lethe possesses the ability to reshape metaphysical qualities relating to oneself. These transformations are temporary and affected qualities must possess the Self Trait.

  Abilities with the Theft Trait and Self Trait all possess increased effectiveness while wearing Lethe.

  Increases the ease of comprehending concepts and notions relating to “horrors,” “shapelessness,” “theft,” “truth,” “mutation” and “the self.”

  The corners of Jon’s mouth curved upwards as a chuckle threatened to escape his throat. Jubilation and delight started seeping out of his Fragment Of Mind, while his Helel-Star Pride reared its ugly head, overshadowing even his Carcosa-Form Horrors which lurked above his Sea Of Knowledge.

  Both Eis and Rana congratulating him, hearing the effects of his new Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies.

  “Temporarily stealing abilities? Without inflicting a debuff!?” Rana exclaimed, the sound of her leaves rustling and shifting alerting Jon to her presence. The bodhi deva tree seemed shocked, if just her words alone were anything to go by.

  Eis nodded from within his Sea Of Knowledge.

  “That is quite a powerful effect. Although I do wonder what a “short duration” actually encompasses. Assuming that the stolen ability itself both drains lie natured spiritual energy and also requiring lie natured spiritual energy in order to be activated then…” Eis’ voice trailed off towards the end, allowing Jon to interject.

  “Then the mana expenditure could be something outrageous.” Jon finished, before hearing Eis’ continue with her train of thought.

  “Although the effect does not state a “random” ability either? Is it possible that you would be able to choose which ability you could steal?” Eis muttered, causing Jon to pause, eyes widening in realization.

  Looking down at the jade-coloured mask in his hands, Jon cradled the Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies as though it were the most precious treasure in the entire world. The fact that it strengthened both his Fragment Of Draconian Shadows and Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa was temporarily forgotten as he focused solely on the second Knight Ranked effect of his Memento Source Item.

  The possibilities were…

  Jon was barely able to contain his maniacal laughter, acting his proper age and grinning as though a loon while jumping up and down across his bedroom. His gaze turning towards the sight of Flavius Imperialis through his bedroom window, an itching sensation creeping up the length of his spine.

  ‘I think it’s about time… I formed my fourth spiritual vein…’

  Break.

  “Damn… you two almost had me there. If it were not for Shamael and his summoned companions I would have been toast!” Theodore chuckled, stepping over the corpses of the Honeyed-Swarm Matriarch and the Revenant Wolf-Mother, finished retrieving all of their fragments.

  The blonde-haired man wiping his brow in an overexaggerated manner before gesturing for Itsumade to reveal himself. With two clicks of his fingers, the Quiet Death Of Light And Virtue manifested itself from behind its Memento Source Item, snorting before shaking its head from side-to-side.

  “You should have taken control of at least one of them Theodore. Lacrimosa is capable of controlling up to three puppets at-.”

  The Murder Of Temperance And Humility hissed at the blood-night acerodon tyrant to stop speaking, raising one finger to his lips, and gesturing towards the enormous lernaean-spell hydra beside them. The corpses of the Principality Of Concealed Harvests and the Throne Of Forbidden Autumn laid scattered around it, half-devoured and half-decomposing.

  Theodore softly patting the Legionnaire Of Virtuous Pestilence, allowing his hands to brush against his dark-azure scales.

  “His other summoned companions might hear you. Just because we killed two of them, doesn’t mean that the rest of them won’t try and inform the others of our actions. You know the limitations of Lacrimosa, there is no need to voice them aloud,” Theodore lectured through gritted teeth, glaring at his summoned companion.

  Itsumade growling in response to his words but not daring to voice his reply.

  His nutjob of a summoner might feel the need to integrate a Fragment Of Sight or Fragment Of Weakness into him at Lordship, further ruining the intended structure of his concepts. Even if he missed the opportunity to integrate a Fragment Of Marrow at Knighthood, there was no way he would miss out after Theodore became a Lord.

  … Not while “Jon” still lived at least.

  The Fourth-Veined Knight continued to adore Shamael, transformed into a lernaean-spell hydra. Although his Mindless Thread Control was limited to just three targets, he was not able to control all three of them at once while simultaneously fighting himself.

  Ironically, his control over his Memento Source Item was not great enough.

  It was not something that could be resolved in the short-term, given how close the Voracious Swarm Mother was to Springtown. After more than two months of baiting the System-generated Lord out from the depths of the Shifting Rust Dunes, had he finally been able to enact his plan.

  He had spent more than three weeks recovering from all the injuries he had sustained with his battle against Jon. The effects of his Twin-Fire Avatars were limited given that his lifeforce had been damaged as a result of being pierced with a Fragment Of Eradication.

  Itsumade had taken him as far away from Springtown as he possibly could have gone in an effort to prevent Jon from tracking them.

  Although brief, his Throne Of Dark-Knowledge remembered the effect description of a specific debuff Jon had inflicted him with. [Branded Envy] was capable of tracking individuals over several kilometres, and he never once found out what his Memento Source Item was capable of.

  His Fragment Of Heal had its limits, even after being improved by a Fragment Of Regeneration. Itsumade had recommended that one to him, alongside a triple-fragment pathway that required a Fragment Of Time.

  “Hm?” Theodore lifted his head, feeling spiritual energy crawl up the length of his Mindless Thread Control. Information flowing into his Fragment Of Mindless-Erasure. His brows twitched in response, communicating with his other puppet.

  The blonde-haired man let out a small tsk, biting his lower lip as Nicolai’s senses merged with his own. The sight of three Memento Source wielding Knights battling against a dwindling insect swarm caused his brows to cringe inwardly, not recognizing the third, feminine-looking figure beside the Wisdom Of Myriad Lands.

  ‘Another one?’ Theodore thought to himself. Slightly annoyed at the unforeseen factor in his plan. Through the eyes of Vessel Of The Metallic Mountain, he was able to perceive the Title of this young human woman.

  His eyebrows twitching in familiarity as he observed her through the eyes of his Memento Source wielding puppet, wondering just where he had seen her before.

  “The Archon Of The Reigning Stars…”

  Theodore hummed.

  “Should you play the role of my third puppet?”

  Name: Theodore Jeffery Manson

  Age: 30

  Rank: Knight

  Tier: Fifth-Vein

  Title: [Murder Of Temperance And Humility]

  Mana Core(s):

  [1]: Knowledge

  [Fragment Of Devour]

  [Malignant Knowledge Art; Swallowed Memory Maw]

  (Knowledge, Devour, Spell, Ability, Debuff)

  (Memory)

  [Fragment Of Foresight]

  [Providence Of The Third Eye]

  (Knowledge, Foresight, Ability, Self)

  (Karma)

  [Fragment Of Mindless-Erasure]

  [Mine Is The Black Erasure Of Knowledge]

  (Knowledge, Mind, Erasure, Passive, Ability, Enhancement, Resistance, Self)

  [Fragment Of Phantasmal-Knowledge]

  [Lost Knowledge Art; Glitched Information Haze]

  (Knowledge, Illusion, Information, Spell, Technique, Debuff)

  [Fragment Of Teleportation]

  [False Knowledge Art; Information Teleportation]

  (Knowledge, Teleportation, Spell, Technique)

  (Body)

  [Fragment Of Burden)

  [Cursed Knowledge Art; Malevolent Truthful Whisper]

  (Knowledge, Curse, Spell, Technique, Debuff)

  (Truth)

  [2]: Blood

  [Fragment Of Marrow]

  [Ours Is The Blood That Colours Skies Red]

  (Blood, Marrow, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement)

  (Poison)

  [Fragment Of Thirst]

  [Gluttonous Blood Art; Piercing Sanguine Fangs]

  (Blood, Thirst, Spell, Recovery, Debuff)

  (Fangs)

  [Fragment Of Vulture]

  [Itsumade; Quiet Death Of Light And Virtue]

  (Summon, Blood, Vulture, Memento, Silence, Darkness, Spell, Ability, Debuff)

  (Lull)

  [Fragment Of Heart]

  [Regrets Of The Lord Of Ichor]

  (Blood, Heart, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement, Passive, Self)

  (Abundance)

  [Fragment Of Light]

  [Inverse Blood Art; Shining Blood Light]

  (Blood, Light, Spell, Buff, Debuff)

  (Inverse)

  [Fragment Of World]

  [Crimson World Of Bellona Pallas]

  (Blood, World, Spell, Technique, Ability, Construct)

  (Life)

  [3]: Knife

  [Fragment Of Weapon]

  [Behold Thy Lustrous Knife, Born From Scarlet Death]

  (Knife, Weapon, Summoning, Spell, Ability, Debuff)

  (Spirit)

  [Fragment Of Slash]

  [False Knife Art; Vein-Severing Slash]

  (Knife, Slash, Technique, Ability, Debuff)

  (Rune)

  [Fragment Of Eradication]

  [Imperial Knife Art; Death-Piercing Deliverance]

  (Knife, Eradication, Technique, Spell, Ability, Debuff)

  (Death)

  [Fragment Of Key]

  [Thieving Knife Art; Lock-Picking Slash]

  (Knife, Key, Spell, Technique, Ability, Construct)

  (Lock)

  [Fragment Of Trap]

  [False Knife Art; Burst-Blade Explosion]

  (Knife, Trap, Spell, Construct, Debuff)

  (Explosion)

  [Fragment Of Sheath]

  [Behold Thy Shimmering Sheath, Woven From Stolen Grace]

  (Knife, Sheath, Summoning, Ability, Storage, Buff)

  (Storage)

  [4]: Lies

  [Fragment Of Illusion]

  [First Lie; Phantom Dream]

  (Lies, Illusion, Spell, Sensory, Perception, Debuff)

  (Smell)

  [Fragment Of Aura]

  [Fa?ade Of The Truth]

  (Lies, Aura, Technique, Buff, Debuff)

  (Deception)

  [Fragment Of Imitation]

  [Second Lie; Smiling Copy]

  (Lies, Imitation, Spell, Technique, Ability)

  (Truth)

  [Fragment Of Faceless-Lies]

  [Thou Art The Monarch Of Faceless Lies]

  (Lies, Spirit, Facelessness, Mutation, Spell, Technique, Ability, Buff, Self)

  [Fragment Of Destruction]

  [Liturgy Of The Lost Star]

  (Lies, Destruction, Technique, Enhancement, Debuff)

  (Fire)

  [Fragment Of Mutation)

  [Smile A Little Smile]

  (Lies, Mutation, Ability, Enhancement, Passive, Self)

  (Theft)

  [5]: Fire

  [Fragment Of Knife]

  [Behold Thy Scorching Knife, Birthed From Rose Light]

  (Fire, Knife, Summoning, Ability, Weapon, Debuff, Debuff)

  (Mind)

  [Fragment Of Burst]

  [False Fire Art; Multiple Flame Pellets]

  (Fire, Burst, Spell, Debuff)

  (Preparation)

  [Fragment Of Avatar]

  [With Thou Beside Me, Fire Shall Burn Eternal]

  (Fire, Avatar, Ability, Technique, Spell, Construct, Buff)

  (Twin)

  [Fragment Of The Golden Sun Titan]

  [Half-Fire Transformation; Sun-Incineration Titan]

  (Fire, Transformation, Titan, Ability, Technique, Buff, Debuff, Self)

  [Fragment Of Barrier]

  [Defensive Fire Art; Billowing Fire Shield]

  (Fire, Barrier, Spell, Shield, Defensive, Construct)

  (Bulwark)

  [Fragment Of Ashen-Nightmares]

  [Spiritual Fire Art; Nightmare Cinder Curse]

  (Fire, Ash, Fear, Spell, Curse, Technique, Construct, Debuff)

  [6]: Life

  [Fragment Of Curse]

  [Malignant Life Art; Profane Life Hex]

  (Life, Curse, Spell, Debuff)

  (Poison)

  [Fragment Of Aegis]

  [Behold Thy Virtuous Shield, Delivered From White Purity]

  (Life, Aegis, Summon, Spell, Defensive, Shield, Buff, Self)

  (Reflection)

  [Fragment Of Evolution]

  [That Which Evolves Through Life]

  (Life, Evolution, Ability, Spell, Technique, Enhancement, Buff, Debuff, Self)

  (Transcendence)

  [Fragment Of Heal]

  [Innocent Life Art; Lingering Recovery Seal]

  (Life, Heal, Spell, Recovery, Buff)

  (Regeneration)

  [Fragment Of Bacteria]

  [Corrupting Life Art; Malicious Contagion Seal]

  (Life, Bacteria, Spell, Debuff)

  (Corruption)

  [Fragment Of Lifeforce]

  [Threading Life Art; Puppetry Prana Seal]

  (Life, Lifeforce, Spell, Buff, Debuff)

  (Marionette)

  [7]: Mind

  [Fragment Of Control]

  [Lacrimosa; Mindless Thread Control]

  (Memento, Mind, Control, Threads, Spirit, Traceless, Ability, Construct, Buff, Debuff)