Monarchs of Ruination

"Is it fun… watching yourself struggle? Being toyed with by these insignificant pests lurking in the shadows?"

The Fool, lounging as if watching a grand spectacle, posed the question to NOX, who stood beside him in silence.

But 'NOX' did not reply. His gaze remained locked onto his younger self—a figure veiled in white ash, still deep in divination, tirelessly searching for a path to revive his family.

A moment passed.

Then, at last, 'NOX' turned to the Fool, his voice steady yet unreadable.

"What are you doing here?"

The Fool gave him a look—as if he were the true fool for asking such an obvious question.

How could he not be here?

There was so much happening—so much drama, so much entertainment. And soon, the grand crescendo of it all—the 'ultimate betrayal'—would unfold.

How could he possibly miss such a show?

If he weren't here to witness it live, he'd have to turn back time and watch it later—a dull, pre-recorded disappointment instead of experiencing the raw, unfiltered chaos. And that? That would be bothersome.

Seeing the Fool's expression, NOX fell silent again, as if he no longer cared for an answer.

But the Fool wasn't done.

If conversation no longer interested NOX, then perhaps a riddle—posed as a joke—would stir a reaction. After all, he simply couldn't help himself.

"You remind me of a child who calls the ocean shallow—because he has only ever waded in puddles.

Or a moth that calls fire gentle—because it hasn't been burned yet.

Or a man who thinks himself wise—because no one has bothered to correct him."

"Tell me, which one are you?"

At those words, NOX's eyes immediately narrowed. "Are you calling me ignorant? Or implying that this chessboard has become too vast for me to play?"

"Ke ke ke ke ke ke…"

The Fool erupted into manic laughter, his eerie amusement echoing in the void.

And seeing that he had NOX's attention, he couldn't resist pushing further.

How could he not?

There was nothing quite as amusing as watching someone wrestle with their own irritation.

Because it was only in those moments—when they acknowledged his presence, when they reacted—that they truly treated him as 'The Fool'.

And so, he twisted the knife with another joke.

"See, you're the only one who gets me… which means either you're special, or I'm contagious!"

"Enough with your jokes!" NOX snapped, his voice edged with urgency. "Tell me—what am I ignorant about?"

For NOX, this question was everything—as if the answer itself held the weight of his very existence.

He needed to know.

Who was so powerful that even he, in all his awareness, had failed to notice their presence in this grand game?

Because NOX understood one thing about the Fool—he never joked without meaning. Beneath every jest, beneath every riddle, there was always a hidden truth.

And the Fool would only give answers if one could first solve the puzzle themselves.

But the Fool did not answer immediately.

His gaze lingered on NOX, unreadable, unsettling.

The void around them fell silent.

For a long moment, he simply watched—observed—relishing NOX's seriousness, his quiet frustration.

How could he not?

This was too much fun.

"Ke ke ke ke ke ke…"

Still, NOX did not react.

Finally, the Fool let out one last chuckle—low, knowing. As if to say he had enjoyed watching this older, wiser NOX just as much as he had enjoyed watching young NOX.

Then, for once, his voice took on a rare seriousness.

"You were the biggest hidden hand until a few moments ago, but after your younger self started this cosmic clown show, a few big players decided to join the fun."

His eyes gleamed with something between amusement and caution.

"Players we can never win against, because if we even dare to defy them… our very own powers will betray us."

NOX narrowed his eyes. He didn't need much time to contemplate whom The Fool was referring to.

"But I thought they would never interfere in the affairs inside?"

There was something off about this. The Primordial Guardians had always remained bound by their duties—detached, impartial. What could have compelled them to act now?

What had NOX done to break the balance, to draw the attention of entities who should have remained uninvolved?

The Fool leaned back, his grin widening slightly.

"Normally, they wouldn't… but it seems we both crossed a line when we touched 'Taboos'."

Even as he said this, there was an air of uncertainty, as if even he wasn't entirely sure of the exact cause.

"No… We are not the only ones who have touched taboos. And we did not break any fundamental rules…"

NOX's voice trailed off. Then, his expression shifted—abruptly stopping, realization dawning upon him.

"Wait… Why are you including yourself in this? How are you a part of this?" NOX demanded, his voice sharp.

If the Primordial Guardians were acting against him, it made sense for them to target his younger self. But why would they involve this clown?

And worse—why would they use his younger self to do it?

The Fool, with a sly grin, didn't seem at all surprised by NOX's growing frustration. His gaze lingered, clearly savoring the chaos he'd stirred.

He could've easily answered NOX's question—but where was the fun in that?

Instead, he opted for the truth, but with a twist. Just enough to turn up the heat without fully revealing anything.

"I may or may not have tampered with the 'Great Will'... which may or may not help your younger self change his destiny in a few moments."

A brief, pregnant silence followed, hanging in the air like an electric charge.

Then—BOOM.

NOX's aura exploded in an instant, shaking the very space around them. His eyes blazed with anger.

"You… you stupid clown! What have you done?!" His voice shook with rage, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He had spent so much time plotting against his younger self, carefully weaving every thread of fate to manipulate his own past.

And now, this damned Fool was saying he might or might not have undone all of it?

NOX's hands clenched. He wanted nothing more than to erase this irritating jester from existence.

But he knew the truth.....

He couldn't even do that.

Reason?

Because this annoying bastard had the ability to manipulate [Probability].

He could twist chance into certainty.

He could turn an impossible event into a guarantee.

And worst of all?

He could erase the very line between [Probability] and [Inevitability].

It was the most infuriating ability for anyone who wanted to fight him. Because the odds of landing a single punch on this damned jester were exactly 0%.

It was a power crafted entirely for his own amusement—a weapon designed to annoy everyone who tried to oppose him.

NOX exhaled sharply, forcing his rage down.

He refused to start a meaningless fight. Not against him.

Not when the Fool would only find it entertaining.

NOX took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.

"I know you better than most," he growled, his voice laced with anger but restrained. "Behind every word, every action, there's always a joke. So what's your 'joke' this time?"

"Ke ke ke ke ke ke..."

The Fool laughed. He laughed as if NOX's words were the greatest compliment ever given to him.

Then, his expression shifted—mocking, taunting.

"You're asking the wrong questions." He paused.

Then, with an exaggerated sigh, he tilted his head and sneered. "Did you become stupid from all that time spent scheming against your younger self?"

Then, he fell silent again.

His gaze lingered on NOX. His expression was unreadable, yet his eyes held a challenge—a silent dare.

'Ask me the right question.'

Realizing what that look meant, NOX sighed, his frustration only growing.

Finally, he gave in.

"Tell me, oh Great Fool, Seeker of Truth… What are the right questions I should be asking?"

The Fool shivered.

Oh. Oh, that sounded wonderful.

Hearing those words, spoken in NOX's voice, was the greatest musical composition ever created.

For a moment, he just basked in the pleasure of it.

This—this was what true fun should be.

On one hand—watching the drama unfold with younger NOX.

On the other—annoying the mature NOX.

It was… perfection.

Then, something clicked in his mind.

Wait…...

Technically speaking, both versions of NOX were not the same person.

Their interests, their goals— they might not even align.

And if their goals conflicted… wouldn't they fight?

Would they try to kill each other?

A battle between Mature NOX vs Younger NOX.

The First Paradox vs The Child of Mythos.

Oh!

Oh, that would be beautiful.

Just the idea alone sent shivers of excitement through him.

So much fun. So much entertainment.

He must see it.

Wait—wait.

If mature NOX dies at the hands of younger NOX… wouldn't that make this NOX the real Fool?

Wouldn't this entire thing become the greatest joke in existence?!

The more he thought about it, the more exhilarated he became.

He was about to annoy NOX with another joke when—

"If you so much as try another joke or riddle, I swear I will make it my ultimate goal to erase your entertainment everywhere you go." NOX's tone was deadly.

The Fool: "….."

A dramatic sigh. "Fine! It's your loss."

Though clearly dissatisfied, the Fool relented.

"The questions you should be asking are: What do the Primordial Guardians want from your younger self and that Lucas kid? And how are they planning to use them?"

He leaned forward, his grin returning.

"Since you begged me so politely, I'll indulge your curiosity."

"The Guardians aren't targeting us. Not directly. Their goal is to create a 'variable.' A variable strong enough to flip this entire chessboard upside down."

NOX frowned. "Is that all?"

"Maybe." The Fool shrugged nonchalantly. "Or maybe they're tired of this world's obsession with [Destiny] and [Duality]. Or maybe they're just sick of the Heavens meddling in everything. Who knows?"

He paused.

Then, his voice dropped, becoming unexpectedly serious.

"But one thing is for sure. They succeeded." The Fool's eyes darkened slightly.

"They are about to create two absolute monsters."

"More monstrous than even Taboo beings like us."

NOX froze.

He could sense the weight of the Fool's words. If even The Fool—a being of great power—spoke with such dread, then these monsters were no joke.

NOX swallowed, trying to comprehend just how terrifying the future had become. If his younger self was to become one of them... what kind of creature would that be?

Then, another thought struck him.

"Wait... How do you know all of this?"

The Fool was a wild card, a chaos bringer—but not an oracle. These were not secrets he was supposed to be capable of knowing.

The Fool tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now, that's a question worth asking."

He looked as if he were about to answer—or more likely, irritate NOX with another joke first.

But before he could speak, his expression shifted.

Something caught his attention.

His gaze snapped toward the younger NOX, his eyes widening with pure, unfiltered excitement.

Then, as if savoring the moment, he grinned.

"The first 'Variable' is about to arrive!" the Fool said, his voice playful, growing even more excited for the upcoming sequel—a spectacle he had already titled The Ultimate Betrayal!

NOX also turned his gaze to his younger self, who was desperately trying to revive his family. As he watched, his thoughts seemed to drift, and his face became unreadable.