Four Split Personalities

"I believe the eighth pillar should take responsibility for this. It’s because of your previous words that he has become even more confused."

The second pillar sighed, seemingly dissatisfied.

"It was just a joke."

The eighth pillar, seated in the large chair, shook his head helplessly and said, "I didn’t expect the new comrade to be so... well, uncomposed. I actually thought he would at least be someone who had seen the world. Clearly, I was wrong."

"I can’t understand..."

The tone of the second pillar became stern as he spoke in a deep voice, "Why, after that previous incident, would you still do such a thing?"

"If by ’that incident’ you mean the time I deliberately led the fourth pillar to reveal his true name, causing everyone to have their memories erased once by Domination, and resulting in my punishment of being submerged in nothingness for a full five seconds..."

The eighth pillar spread his hands and said leisurely, "I can only explain that I was simply acting out of curiosity at the time, and this time, well, I was confident I could stop him before the third pillar gave an honest answer. But to speak the truth, I really didn’t expect this representative of ’Chaos,’ the third pillar, to be so... invigorating."

"Are you questioning Domination’s selection?"

A flame emerged from the similarly early-lit, but thus far silent, wrathful red giant pillar. The voice that thundered like roaring thunder dispersed through the void: "Watch your words, eighth pillar."

Facing what was essentially a threat from the wrathful red giant pillar, the eighth pillar did not show much emotional fluctuation but simply stared at the blazing flame and smiled, saying, "You jest. I was merely expressing my surprise, and as for questioning Domination? That foolish act is not something I believe any of us, who have witnessed its vast power, have the courage to undertake."

"Hmph..."

The flame did not say anything more to the eighth pillar but instead manifested a face with indistinct features from within the glow and faced the dark purple giant pillar, speaking in a deep voice: "You may call me the seventh pillar."

The third pillar, who had failed in his attempt to ’awaken,’ realized this was neither a dream nor a hallucination and could only reply in a low voice, clearly puzzled: "Hello."

The flame at the top of the seventh pillar flickered slightly, as if nodding in acknowledgment.

The platform once again became quiet. Whether it was the fourth pillar, with its appearance resembling the Eye of the Mage, the eighth pillar, manifesting as an indistinct human form, the second pillar, conceived as a hand resting on a giant sword like an eroding statue, or the last to speak, the seventh pillar, all fell silent, with only their corresponding giant pillars radiating streams of light indicating their presence.

As for the third pillar, who was confused, whether he had managed to calm down or became even more frantic, he followed the flow and stopped talking.

A moment later, the snowy white giant pillar located at the twelve o’clock direction trembled slightly, and a female figure in a white gown with indistinct features quietly appeared at the top of the pillar.

"It seems that everyone has finished their exchange of feelings..."

She first looked around at everyone. Those eyes hidden behind thick fog swept over the eighth, seventh, fourth, and second pillars before finally settling on the third pillar, and she said slowly: "Welcome, new comrade, you may call me the first pillar."

"Hello... first... first pillar..."

The latter replied tentatively, sounding very nervous.

Aside from being completely at a loss about the situation, the woman who called herself the first pillar also made him a bit uneasy. Unlike the straightforward conversations he had with the other four pillars before, the aura she emitted nearly made him feel Suffocation, although he seemed not to need to breathe at the moment, the feeling was still there.

"Calm down, third pillar. Although you may not receive answers immediately, your confusion won’t last long."

The first pillar’s indistinct face seemed to reveal a smile, and she said softly: "You are here because of the Great Sorcerer’s selection. He has determined that you, like everyone else present, possess some kind of quality. That is why he has brought you here and given you the identity of the third pillar. Though this number does not hold much significance, beneath Domination, the nine pillars are equal, including myself. Perhaps each of us comes from a different background, but at least in the ’Assembly,’ we are all equals. There is no need to be reserved, nor do we need to feel inferior."

The eighth pillar covered her mouth with a smile: "Of course, that being said, the status of the first pillar is actually a little higher than the rest of us."

"I am merely here to convey Domination’s will when necessary. Beyond that, I am no different from the rest."

The first pillar glanced at the eighth pillar, speaking indifferently: "I think you understand this."

"Indeed, that’s exactly the case."

Different from the nonchalant attitude displayed when being rebuked by the second and the seventh pillars, the eighth pillar became much more compliant after the seemingly casual glance from the first pillar, which inadvertently proved his earlier claim that "the status of the first pillar is actually a bit higher." However, if this was intentional, it would indeed prove the assertion that the nine pillars are equal.

Perhaps it was just a spontaneous remark, but the implications within these few words were enough to show the profound depth of the eighth pillar.