Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Skullius lamented not being able to grant his Apostles Traits sooner. Unlike Ranks, where perhaps only the first was significant, Traits augmented what each Apostle was capable of and provided a clear guide for their growth path.

…But what did that mean, exactly? Traits gave Apostles three main advantages.

The first was that, depending on what the Trait stood for, an Apostle would obtain perpetually active, no-cost abilities that either defended or auto-countered enemy influences. The number of these abilities depended on the Apostle's present strength, and if the Trait was especially fitting for the Apostle, these new abilities would influence their Race and Class as well.

Apostles would also obtain a significant increase to their physical attributes – those that tied directly to the properties granted by their Traits, of course. This was supposed to be the major way in which Apostles in general optimized their physical prowess as they actualized their potential.

The third and perhaps most unusual boon obtained from a Trait was similar to something Skullius had experienced once before, when he reached Tier 4 back then: Flaw De-demonization. Similarly, an Apostle's Flaw would cease to be a detriment and instead become an asset that could be used for their benefit; of course, the degree of utility obtained depended on the nature of the Flaw.

(A/N: Refer to Ch.1100).

Beyrmir's Flaw was hardly a problem to begin with, so he likely wouldn't find too much of an advantage from having it flipped into an asset. However, the other boons were going to be significant for him. After all, his Trait was…

Gluttonous Imbiber.

"That's it…" said Skullius, smiling and withdrawing from Beyrmir, who also drew back and assumed his full size without restraint. His master pushed the scrolls around them away, making space for the Mercurian Legend's immensity.

There was no extravagant show after the bestowal of a Trait. It took a little while before an Apostle fully assumed it and incorporated it into their arsenal – an incredibly intentional process.

'If I didn't become an Authority and obtain Apexis' full allegiance, this would have still been impossible for me,' thought the Hybrid. 'The skill required to bestow a Trait can only be replaced by having the assistance of the guidance field. Tinkering with an Apostle's source is much simpler with Apexis' immaculate manipulation of all things Null Life.'

As soon as he felt Beyrmir's source, Skullius knew exactly what he needed to do to grant a Trait. He had to admit, when he devised the highly ambitious plan to create the Tycha, this was not an advantage he'd expected to gain at all.

Unforeseen rewards tasted sweeter than anything else. Grinning, Skullius beckoned Ferex to him. It was his turn.

The Apostle's greed was palpable. Ever since he had joined Skullius against the Liches, Ferex had seen a path for himself that his master had not at the time.

"Your soul is…impressive," said Skullius when he placed his hand on the Apostle's head.

"I'm humbled, my Liege…" Ferex flared with excitement. "But—"

"I know, I know!" said Skullius, laughing. In truth, he was quite baffled by what he sensed inside his loyal servant. It wasn't just a soul. "I really underestimated how far you were willing to take this. This is what you want?"

"Since I can, why not do it, my Liege? Do you foresee this backfiring against me somehow?"

"Not at all." Skullius chuckled. "And here I thought you socketholes were slowly starting to fall behind the Troops and Stars. You know what? This might be the perfect way to optimize the Order. The Troops and Stars will follow the alternate path with the Gene and you guys, the Divine route."

"I could certainly see to it that the others have souls and Inverted Prevalences as well."

And indeed, Ferex was the only Apostle with a soul, a project he'd begun when feeding off the leftovers from Skullius' slaughter of Death and Doom Knights. But of course, that wasn't all. Skullius had sensed it upon making contact with him, the sliver of a Broader Existence budding inside Ferex.

The path to becoming Divine in the Null Verse was different from what the norm was in the wider Reality. Skullius wasn't too familiar with the process himself, but he was sure Ferex was reaching the conditions to do so.

'Weaver could remedy that. I'll have Ferex ask about that later, and then he can begin helping the others with their own souls,' thought the Hybrid, disappointed that he didn't consider this on his own. 'And luckily for us, we have that blank Lich soul to use as a base.'

…But that was for later. Right now…

Skullius delved into Ferex's source, which was melding with his soul, slowly becoming one. The Apostle was quite like Araeyn. His Trait was obvious. It combined two aspects of him that were quite literally part of his identity at this point. Thus, when Skullius willed for his Trait to settle, it was as though Ferex's body greedily snatched and absorbed it.

Sleight Ghost, a Trait that combined Ferex's capacity for stealth and his soul manipulation powers.

Ferex drew away as soon as he felt it coursing through him, harmonizing his collection of abilities.

…And then there was Red Rage.

The smoke billowing from his face, the advent of a Flaw, made him look ominous. It was obvious that Red Rage was ashamed of it, and with good reason.

"You've been awfully quiet," said Skullius. Red Rage said nothing. "There's nothing more flattering than that plume of smoke on you, you know? It's a reminder for me just how devoted you are."

Still, Red Rage continued his mute streak. Skullius chortled.

"This is your chance to reverse it. You promised you wouldn't let the Flaw get the better of you, right?"

"Yes, my Liege," said Red Rage finally, desperately.

"Then show me."

Skullius granted the First Rank Apostle his Trait. It was a rather simple one but fitting: Governor.

Red Rage withdrew, invigorated. His beautiful, glossy form seemed to grow even more enticing to gaze upon, but the smoke spilling from his eye socket did not go away.

'Ferex and Red Rage's Flaws are different from the others. They transform them into different creatures altogether. I wonder how much utility we can get from that,' thought Skullius, watching the three Apostles settle into their Traits.

If Ferex were to become the Full Deck BoneTender again, would the Terror be on their side now because of the Trait, or would Ferex simply obtain its abilities?

Whichever would turn out to be true, only the future knew.

'The future sure is playing a lot of games, though.'

Skullius had begun thinking about Pherdanta and the recruits – when in this future they would show up – when he jerked suddenly. A message had reached him from Weaver about some discovery the Stars had made.

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