Chapter Text
In Derelictus, Marie steps into the shrine to Incarne where she first woke up after losing her memories. The shrine is unoccupied except for a gutterkin acolyte in tattered red robes.
"I'd like a moment alone with the goddess," Marie says to the acolyte, pressing a pouch of coins into his gnarled hand. The acolyte nods and skitters off.
Marie looks around for eavesdroppers, and, satisfied of her privacy, sits in front of the shrine and places a gold coin onto the ceremonial altar.
Bowing her head in prayer, she says, "O Great Lady of Obligation...what the fuck?"
She pauses, but the heavens don't respond.
"All this time, you let me believe I'd done something unforgivable!" the drow continues. "I worked, and I toiled, and I nearly died a dozen times trying to pay off your debts! But guess what? I bought my memories back, and you know what I found out?"
She pauses again.
"That unforgivable mistake I made? It was bullshit the whole time!" she spits. "Pure bullshit! I thought that I fucked up and put everyone I loved in danger. But I never fucked up! I covered my tracks just fine! This whole time, we were sold out—not by me. By my own goddamned magister!"
The reclaimed memory runs through her mind again. Idina, turning her coat and selling out her own Ministry cell. And Marie, catching her in the act, only to be knocked out, dragged away, and dumped in Derelictus like a discarded can of cola.
"Well, I'm done," Marie declares, her fingers trembling as she begins to unbutton her crimson cloak. "My debts are paid. My soul is clean. Your patronage is appreciated, Incarne, but it's no longer required."
"Fair enough," a voice replies from behind her.
She freezes, then turns around slowly.
A smiling figure dressed in red stands regally in the quiet shrine, radiant with divine aura.
"Are you...I mean...you're..." Marie stutters.
Incarne nods.
Marie bites her lip. "I hope you won't take offense at my...ah...coarse language, My Lady."
The goddess lifts a hand. "No debts are incurred by such words. You speak truly. Our accounts are balanced. You are free to take your leave of my service."
"I appreciate it," Marie says, offering a respectful bow.
Incarne cocks her head. "Unless..."
Marie looks up.
"Unless you'd be interested in opening a new line of credit."
The goddess opens her palm, revealing a large coin unlike any Marie has ever seen. It's rectangular, glimmering like platinum, but impossibly light and thin, with seemingly random numbers stamped across one edge and a strip of inky blackness across the other.
"You've been an excellent investment, Marie. If you're willing, I'd like to invest in you further. This is the Ultimate Credit, forged from the flesh and blood of ancient debtors. Accept this boon, and once, and only once, you will be able to purchase anything. Physical, conceptual, or immaterial—it can be yours to command, and you will control it as easily as you would a knife, a suit of clothes, or anything else you own."
Marie's eyes glitter, and her head spins with possibilities. "What's the catch?"
"When the debt is recalled, your life will be forfeit, and you'll join me in the Palace Multifaceted—for as long as you can afford to do so." The goddess's expression is warm as she offers the platinum rectangle to Marie.
Marie hesitates only a moment. Then, gingerly, she accepts the goddess's favor.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you," Incarne says.
"You as well."
"When you've decided how to spend it, simply speak my name three times, and I will appear."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Marie says. "I've already decided what I want."
The goddess blinks and raises an eyebrow.
Marie hands the Ultimate Credit back to her patron. "I'd like to purchase the Palace Multifaceted, please."
A smile spreads slowly across Incarne's face. "Oh, clever child. Very well! As you wish, so shall it be!"
Red-gold fire envelops Marie without consuming her as the goddess throws her head back and laughs.