The Great Expanse

In a dark corner of the universe distant and free from all other things floated but a lone spiral tower with no apparent entrance, though it was both hollow and larger on the inside than it appeared externally. It looked no more than two stories tall and perhaps only a dozen meters wide, but within was what could be called a seemingly endless library.

Through hours of tireless and peerless study Ezrael had hunted down billions of books spanning the universe, finding each and using magic to make an exact copy as close to the original as he could. Some were bound in ancient rituals which he could simply not replicate, nor did he want to. The last thing he desired was summoning a demon by reading one of the texts. The library had shelves that stretched to the roof each meticulously categorized and organized in a system of Ezrael's own conception.

It was the perfect place for the man, if he could be called a 'man'. He was locked off in a world of his own. It was a prison, or perhaps a tomb, where he would spend the rest of his days in peaceful and lonely study until he found new purpose or until he died. After all, he was not about to extend his lifespan without good reason. He walked among the shelves, book in his left mortal hand while his right raven-clawed talons hung loosely by his side, occasionally brushing with the length tassels of his hair that dangled freely. The horns that crowned his skull pointed towards the book in his palm as his eyes swept from left to right intently.

The structure had been tirelessly protected, with magical wards capable of detecting anyone who might breach the boundaries of the walls or otherwise appear within them. But at a same time, he had become lax with the measures, as after all, who would want to seek him? Who even still knew he lived?

There was not many a being cosmic or otherwise who would venture so far out into space, but some things, for that what it was, a thing cared little about the Aschen machination or the peril's of Terra or even the wonderings of other far reaches, no this was something beyond little ken, although it possessed a humanoid form its very appearance was merely one it chose out of theatrics. A figure donned in complete yellow, a liquid metal mask where all the screaming mouths over it seemed to move and gravitate like some twisted Rorsache blot, of course it was again not necessary. But it merely stood out there appearing to float, but it's feet touching invisible floor. The man Ezrael had likely heard of this thing, many had, a sign upon him pressed doom and utter defeat. The best name for him in human understanding was The King in Yellow.

Eldritch, perhaps this is best way to describe the unknowable and unseeable abomination or aberration. It seemed to shimmer and spark before immediately it was inside the library. It merely turned and regarded everything before it spoke. Well not conventionally, instead it seemed to command you to listen and pay attention, any attempt to ignore was stifled. Instead it rang out in your mind, "An exile of your own choosing, how decadent. Now whisper my name and know who I am. I have been curious of finding one worthy of what I intend. Shall we begin this Masquerade?"

Ezrael's head rose the moment he realized he was not alone. He had no fears of the dark, nor was there any darkness within this library, nor any movement or sound of anything ever but he. So it was with this knowledge he normally strode around unphased by the the world he had built. But in this moment, his defenses raised, both physical and magical in nature, a structure of black-metal plates forming into a swirling wall around him, accompanied by an overlay and underlay of magical guards.

His head turned to acknowledge the interloper, his eyes gazing sternly at them for a moment. He recognized him and his symbol, but his instinct was quick to provide an answer so that he need not think. And Ezrael's instincts were quite peculiar. "Giving it names gives it strength. By denying its name, we deny its presence," he stated simply. It was another one of his natural protections, this one a mental shield that filtered certain information to protect his mind from things he might not be able to protect himself from normally.

In a sense, he was talking to the air, and the other happened to hear him.

There was what almost sounded like a condescending chuckle, but the figure or the thing did not appear genuflect in reaction, instead merely stood mutely despite that cruel sardonic sound, "Who needs suggested power lil' one when power is what one dances with. I don't need my name to be said, but it does make things less demanding shall we say. On the otherhand we can likely skip that as you appear to very much know you are in the presence of aristrocracy." another horrible laugh, it rang through the whole library, "Unlike your aristrocracy my power is neither limited to one Kingdom or one Throne." the sardonic ringing clanged heavily inside reverberating loudly, "Of course I did not come here to merely play word games as delightful and decadent they are. I have other intentions."

Noting the defenses it sniffed dismissively, "Lil' boy playing with the powerful. Your protections are merely jokes or parodies to me. I am not halted by acts of violence or even humble attacks. I am though curious you have all this power yet sit in this place, in isolation while the cosmos turns. Things are stirring, otherworldly aberrations, not as old as I, but nonetheless intriguing." despite it's eloquence, when it spoke it hissed the words and they screamed in your head, "Let's do a test, bow to me. Bow and I shall explain more of what my machinations are. Remember, you know who I am and you know I unlike my breathren do make deals that benefit others."

Ezrael's eyes were staring, practically boring into the air, like he was trying to see something that his mind wouldn't let him. It was just a shimmer in the air in his mind, and it was difficult to focus on, eyes occasionally making a sharp movement to stare at a nearby point. "I acknowledge defeat in the same sense that I have not yet attempted an assault, but I have not acknowledge submission in the same sense that I have not yet tried to remove myself from existence."

His arms folded before his chest and he straightened. "I am aware self annihilation seems extreme but I have had much time to contemplate who or what might wish to encounter me and what risks are involved. In many outcomes, I have weighed up that death may be preferable. Similarly, the fact such an event has occurred lends credence to my belief that I may be sought as a tool or a weapon, and I have some reservations to what ends I am being used towards."

His words were spoken with a slight tenseness to them, but his body seemed relaxed. He would need it to be should his mind become compromised, so that he might preserve his own soul.

The thing donned in yellow listened and nodded until it finally spoke, once more without voice, "If I had wanted mewlings cowards who danced my steps I would have gone to Terran folk or Aschen citizens. I can gather a cult in hours praising my name, but in that is boring and achieves so very little." it moved closer while continuing to figure, "I see potential which is little ignored, I see something profound and beautiful, untapped mana just waiting to be unleashed. I see fear and dread at what could be thrown upon the terrified denizens." a pause, it's arms lifted and removed the wailing, screaming mask, to reveal a void, "I see someone who could see my true face and not be driven mad. I have plans Ezrael, machinations only I fully understand, but your connection to this cosmos being one of sound-mind, you could do something for me. Be my eyes and in return what do I offer, something no one else can give you, not power, not fame. A purpose, just be the eyes and tell me what is going on, there is stirrings in Hell, Erebuz an aspect of Destruction is ever moving and there is something of a murmur as a Dragon awaken's, I can't be everywhere despite what I am. And also you can speak to these mindless cretins and not find yourself bored of them. It is just Masquerade, a dance while the universe and galaxies burn and smoulder, things are happening and I am sick of relying on cults, a person like you could do far more. And also even give your opinion on all this."

The flicker in the air split in two, which was disconcerting enough to cause Ezrael to frown. It was again his mental shielding protecting him for what he might have seen otherwise, as whether or not he would not go mad from seeing the face was not something he was wished to chance.

"And leave my library to go meddling in the matters of the material?" he queried to the air, "I accept the terms put forth here, no more, no less." Hell. Erebuz. Aspect of Destruction. These words spurred a fire in his stomach that he couldn't quite explain. Perhaps it was a distant aching of his body or mind recalling that he had once called himself a mage of destruction. How dare someone or something else sully the term with a greatness less than his own.

"The day that I no longer find the mindless cretins fascinating is the day I suspect I shall kill myself, or become something so great and terrible that I will be on the other side of an encounter such as this." It was sung with a note of pity.

The Unspeakable Aberration nodded apparently happy with this, although with the void being his face, nothing could be quite discerned, "As you are no doubt insulted such pretensions from this upstart, I shall suggest where to find them. In the deep recesses of Hell within City of Dis you shall find the cretin himself. Since you have agreed to these terms our meeting can end, unless you yourself have some deep pressing questions that demand answers. I shall make my leave and my remarkable game can continue. To think me taking on an ally, even I never predicted this outcome." it rang out with same sardonic chuckle which pierced the mind like a million sharp spears, "I dare say this is my best game yet" replacing the horrific visage over the void, the King waited, if there was nothing else to be said, it would begin to vanish, eventually leaving nothing but a pile of yellow frayed robes with voice calling out, "Remember, The City of Dis, that is where you can find Erebuz."

After it was gone, the split in the air, there was a sweeping of magic across the room along with a fine wall of dust particulates, checking to see if anything still remained. Finding nothing but himself and the robes, Ezrael's finger twitched to ignite them, wanting nothing of it to remain as evidence, both for his own mental well being and in case others came looking. Who knew who he might meet next. And then he turned about and set off, defenses lowered once more, as he sought to study just a little bit before he set out.