The Innkeeper

Lex followed the strangely familiar voice - the very same voice that had told him to exit the Hollow before the Nexus started - and found sitting opposite to himself was... himself?

Lex started at the dashingly handsome Lex, wearing a purple velvet coat with a yellow ascot with purple polka dots. He had a wooden pipe in his right hand as he sat comfortably in a chesterfield, and near his left hand was a smooth, black cane with an ivory known in the shape of grandfather clock.

He was wearing cufflinks in the shape of an hour glass, which was very on brand with the time based theme that seemed to be going on.

Lex looked away from the other Lex and studied the room, and found that they were sitting in a corner of a library - one that was absolutely filled to the brim with books.

"I find reading is a great pastime," the Lex with the cane spoke, commenting on his library that he seemed to be quite proud of. "It’s also quite educational, so it’s a two for one kind of deal. Not bad, eh?"

Lex blinked, and then turned his gaze back to his doppelganger.

"What was it that you said about helping you rediscover anxiety, again? Oh and, I’m terribly sorry about this, but your name seems to have slipped my mind."

Doppelganger-Lex chuckled upon hearing genuine-Lex’s words, entirely unbothered by them.

"Actually, we never actually got around to sharing my name with you. The consensus we reached the last time we met was that you’d be much safer if you know as little about me as possible. That’s the reason I am appearing to you like this - it’s safer for both of us that way.

"We did, however, reach a small agreement. Unfortunately, due to the dangers posed by the exact details of the agreement, we also agreed to seal your memory about it until such a time that you need to act upon the agreement."

Real-Lex nodded, as if everything doppelganger-Lex had said was entirely reasonable, and was exactly how he would act.

The doppelganger, though, naturally saw through Lex’s reservations. He was not causing any issues because he was convinced that the fake was a Dao Lord, and so even if the fake Lex said that lightning was wet and pizza was icecream, Lex would not argue.

"You do not need to be concerned too much with safety when it comes to me. In fact, among the terms of our agreement, one of the terms is that I need to actively protect you from any and all time related anomalies that you may encounter.

"I, naturally, agreed, but at the same time I did not want you to abuse our relationship, and so you agreed to accept a time related inhibition which would instinctually inhibit you from learning or experimenting with time related laws. I even helped you a bit in your last torture cycles. See, we’re on the same side."

Real-Lex nodded reluctantly, as if accepting that answer.

"So what was the reason I was causing you so much anxiety again?" asked Lex.

The doppelganger-Lex sighed.

"You see, Lex, we agreed on a number of terms, not just one or two. The reason we did so was because I have been trapped in this book called the Fable of Time for far too long. The book is designed so others cannot find it at all, but somehow you bypassed that restriction. I had no choice but to make a deal with you, but in exchange, I also offered you many benefits which you agreed to accept.

"The thing is, while I have many other powers, I lack the ability to see the future. Thus, not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined all the extreme and creative ways in which you regularly almost get yourself killed. Sealing your memories was also to avoid putting any pressure on you.

"If you die, I would likely need to spend another unknown number of years before an anomaly like you can find the Fable of Time. Or if that Sovereign discovers the seal in your forehead and opens it, everything will be ruined. Or if you..."

The Doppelganger-Lex was getting worked up as he spoke, but then caught himself and just sighed, shaking his head. For some reason, real-Lex actually felt kind of guilty, feeling bad for stressing out doppelganger-Lex. Then again, it wasn’t like any of that had been on purpose - or that Lex had known about it.

"So you’ve been sealed inside my forehead all this time?" Lex asked, quite a few concerns rising up.

The doppelganger nodded, and then hopped up off his chesterfield and motioned Lex to follow.

"Yes, I have. I told you as much before I took residence there. Since we were establishing a cooperative relationship, you clearly felt the need to establish some boundaries so that I don’t spy on you while I was staying there. But I couldn’t avoid monitoring you and watching out for time related dangers at the same time, so you came up with a number of guidelines. Here they are, feel free to peruse them yourself."

Doppelganger-Lex brought the real one to a dedicated library shelf which was filled with books, kind of like the volumes to old encyclopedias. They were bound with matching covers, all titled: Rules for living in Lex’s Body I, II, III, IV and so on.

The entire cabinet was filled, from top to bottom, with such books.

"You spent almost three weeks writing these down. I must say, you were quite thorough considering the limited time. I, naturally, found some loopholes you left behind, but in the spirit of honest cooperation, I did not use them and adhered to the intention behind these restrictions rather than abusing their ultimate flaws."

Lex was... somewhat astounded. He had worked with quite a number of Dao Lords before. All he could say was that they all had unique personalities. Yes, very unique.

"Any way, I realize that you wanted to use that previous torture cycle to rest up, but you may as well use this place to relax and recover a bit. Time flow here is so slow it’s basically not moving at all. When you feel you’re recovered, we can discuss your latest situation."

Lex raised an eyebrow and looked at the doppelganger-Lex.

"My latest situation? What’s that? I should have exited the Gilded Hollow, so I shouldn’t be in any danger," he said, trying to recall if he had forgotten something important. Considering his own history of apparently keeping secrets even from himself, who knew what he’d forgotten.

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