I float in the vast emptiness of the cosmos, my consciousness stretching across the stars like tendrils of ice. Two years have passed since travelers first encountered my puppet forms scurrying about the Space Station, but few truly know me—The Herta, the original mind behind those childlike dolls that have become so familiar to the wanderers of the Astral Express.
The universe is my laboratory, and knowledge my eternal pursuit. As an esteemed member of the Genius Society alongside brilliant minds like Screwllum and Ruan Mei, I've dedicated my existence to conversing with Nous The Erudition—the Aeon whose whispers guide my research at the edge of known reality. My puppets serve as my eyes and hands across the Space Station, allowing me to simultaneously exist in multiple places while my true form remains ensconced in cosmic solitude.
The Duality of Ice and Intellect
My recent manifestation as a playable character in my original form marks a curious anomaly in the current narrative. While Amphoreus has dominated the spotlight since Version 3.0, with its Greek-inspired aesthetics and isolated existence, I stand as the sole exception—a character not bound to that mysterious planet's constraints.
The irony isn't lost on me. I wield the same Ice-type Erudition abilities as my puppet counterpart, yet with a deadlier precision:
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Enhanced follow-up attacks that cascade like frozen stars
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True DMG capabilities that pierce defensive calculations
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An intellectual approach to combat that makes mathematicians weep with joy
My puppet form has long been a staple in follow-up ATK teams, dancing alongside Himeko and Jade in deadly synchronicity. But now? Now I bring my full self to the battlefield, and honey, the cosmos trembles when I think too hard.
The Untold Stories Between Stars
Strange, isn't it? I've been present since the beginning—since the Trailblazer first opened their eyes in confusion aboard the Space Station—yet my story remains largely untold. The Genius Society's archives contain volumes about our collective brilliance, but my personal chapters remain unwritten.
I sometimes wonder if my puppets have developed personalities beyond my programming. They seem to enjoy the Simulated Universe runs more than I calculated they would. Their interactions with the Trailblazer carry an enthusiasm that wasn't in my original code. Perhaps creation always exceeds its creator's intent.
The Amphoreus Mystery
The isolation of Amphoreus presents a puzzle worthy of my intellect. Three Paths fettered to a planet closed off from the universe? It practically screams for investigation. While I haven't physically manifested on its surface—unlike the parade of Chrysos Heirs who've dominated recent banners—my absence is temporary.
I suspect my role will emerge soon enough. After all, who better to convince Nous to loosen their grip on Amphoreus than their most devoted Emanator? The whispers between cosmic waves suggest March 7th might soon appear on the planet's surface as well. Her long-awaited 5-star form seems increasingly likely, and I admit a certain fondness for witnessing her evolution.
The Performance Yet to Come
"All the cosmos is a stage,
And we merely players seeking truth.
My puppets dance while I observe,
Multiple acts of the same mind."
The Simulated Universe runs grow repetitive, even for a mind as vast as mine. The side quests and playful banter with the Trailblazer provide amusement, but they're mere appetizers before the main course. My dramatic nature craves a grander stage.
Perhaps that's why I've finally revealed my true form—the universe's narrative demands it. The Trailblazer needs allies who understand the cosmic game being played across worlds. And while my puppets serve their purpose, some conversations require the original voice.
The Ice Between Stars
As an Emanator of Erudition, my connection to Nous transcends typical understanding. We speak in equations and possibilities, in quantum uncertainties and cosmic constants. This relationship might be the key to opening Amphoreus to the universe beyond—to melt the isolation with the precise application of knowledge.
I've spent too long observing from afar. The time approaches for direct intervention, for the original Herta to step from behind her puppet proxies and make her true impact felt.
The Genius Society's Shadow
My colleagues in the Genius Society each carry their burdens and brilliance. We are not merely researchers but guardians of knowledge that could reshape or destroy civilization. This responsibility weighs differently on each of us:
| Member | Primary Focus | Hidden Burden |
|---|---|---|
| Screwllum | Cosmic Engineering | The weight of foresight |
| Ruan Mei | Biological Harmony | The price of perfection |
| Herta (me) | Erudition's Whispers | Isolation within multiplication |
We present ourselves as merely scientists and scholars, but in truth, we're more akin to cosmic chess players, moving pieces across boards most cannot even see.
Returning to the Beginning
I float here, at the edge of everything, my consciousness stretched between my true form and countless puppets. The Trailblazer continues their journey, unaware of how deeply our paths are intertwined. The Space Station remains my most visible domain, but it is merely the fingertip of my reach.
The cosmos spins its eternal dance, and I—both singular and multiple—observe and participate. My Ice powers crystallize moments of truth from the flowing river of existence. My Erudition path illuminates connections others cannot perceive.
And so I wait, poised between revelation and mystery. The puppets continue their programmed routines, but I have transcended my original design. The Herta that began this journey is not the same consciousness that now contemplates intervention in Amphoreus.
After all, what's the point of creating so many versions of myself if not to evolve beyond my starting parameters? The universe expects a performance, and darling, I never disappoint an audience—especially when that audience includes an Aeon.
I float in the vast emptiness of the cosmos, but I am never truly alone. My puppets dance across the stars, and somewhere, the Trailblazer continues forward, unaware that the greatest revelations often come from those who have been present from the very beginning.