Belboz Prepares for a Merger

Belboz replied: "But the reason you would be listened to was because you would be appearing in fulfilment of the prophecy. My other self is also familiar with the prophecy, of course, will probably have been expecting my 'creation' of you, and will have drawn the same conclusion as I just did, that only a girl created using Agony as a template could be your equal."

"But surely your other self won't be aware of the latter part of the prophecy that we've only discovered today, thanks to Ecstasy?" Uxton objected. [13758]

"He doesn't need to know that," Belboz said. "I believe he will be expecting Joan, and he will know that only a girl based on Agony could be her equal. Anyway, as I said, we must find out for sure whether all this is correct. The best way of doing so will be for me to briefly merge with my other self. Then I will know all that he knows."

"But won't it be dangerous?" Ecstasy asked, looking concerned.

"Very, but I think it is worth the risk. After all, I've already attempted to sacrifice my life once for our cause."

"But if you learn all that the other you knows, won't he learn all that you know?" Embron asked.

"Our situation is so desperate, that I don't think we've got anything to lose," Belboz responded. "Besides, I don't think that I've got any really important secrets that he won't already know. Now, if you could all just keep quiet for a moment. I need to concentrate for this."

Belboz seemed to stare intently at a fixed point on the wall. They could see his mouth move, as if he was reciting something, but nothing was audible. Then his eyes rolled up, so that only the whites were visible. Then he remained like that, absolutely motionless, for at least a minute.

"Do you think he's all right?" Jastina asked Uxton. "Should we try to snap him out of it?"

"I'm not sure," Uxton confessed. "I'm afraid that this is rather beyond me."

1. Then Belboz slumped to the floor.
2. Then Belboz returned to normal. "I succeeded," he said.
3. Then Belboz returned to normal. "I failed," he said. "He was expecting the attempt, and was able to counter it."
4. Then Belboz apparently returned to normal. "I am the Belboz who came with Arthema," he said. "'Your' Belboz is now at Arthema's camp, probably her prisoner."

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree