The Supreme Ciphers were not typically summoned as Kieran had just done.
Each of the Nine Supreme Ciphers usually started revolving before the next one coalesced to ensure the subsequent Cipher rotated opposite to the previous one. That created the required enigma for its principles to operate.
Currently, each arm spun in unison, the left spinning counterclockwise and the right spinning clockwise, which was completely strange to Kieran.
This was not his conscious doing.
If he had to describe the feeling, it was as if an esoteric understanding was guiding him. A familiar one that he couldn't entirely connect with but could grasp hints of its presence.
'Book… that's you? You're helping me?'
Though he received no answer, Kieran was confident in his assumption. The Compendium was the only thing he possessed capable of utilizing Significance in ways beyond his understanding.
The Flame had broached the subject vaguely, imbibing enough information to veer Kieran towards influencing the Anchor, but never delved into great detail, using the same excuse Agatha, Scar, and others had used.
The Way of Ascension was a unique journey for the Disciplined to grasp individually, for it was a test of temperament and fortitude.
Many made it to being Disciplined, for it was the most straightforward transition, and many also succeeded in becoming Novices, but fewer would make it to the Adept Tier, and far fewer would become Masters.
A Disciplined's road ahead grew steeper with every step in the procession taken. And every step gained a greater meaning, which is why only the premier stages — Untaught, Disciplined, and Novice — could be guided.
The rest had to be walked alone.
Initially, Kieran had not understood why he needed to arrive at answers alone, but after dissecting the hints embedded in the Cardinal of War and Flame's words, as well as interacting with people like Aerys, Rhaenys, and Adeia… he had grasped the gist of their unspoken purpose.
Kieran was to extrapolate his ambitions through the lens of his aspirations. All parts of his journey had to bear his unique flavor, or it would not solely belong to him. It would be a confluence of his experiences and several others.
In that way, it was as if Kieran was a construction worker of sorts.
'They could provide the tools… but I'm to do the labor myself, paving a road from everything that's given.'
The comparison was more apt than Kieran gave it credit for. It had fit the goal of being shoved into this mayhem and his current efforts. To utilize his Realm well, he must become an artist of… well, significant proportions.
Lifting his hands, the idle Significance vibrated, as did the accumulations of mystical essence, the Testament of a Fiend's Defiance, and the Furthered Scales of Balance.
Right now, he was a Master that was not a Master. Still, he could embody its strengths with the help of the Compendium, which had a connection of finite endurance. The longer he idled while considering how to resolve the issue, the fainter the link to the mysterious book grew.
'Take action while the help is there.'
Following the subtle influence of the Compendium, Kieran pulled the buoyant energies toward his psyche. Shocked by how little resistance he faced, Kieran's eyebrows shot up. He had underestimated the potency of his Will and what it could do when utilized like a Master.
Will was an abstruse and multifaceted construct.
It could serve various uses if the wielder was privy to them. Rather than a weapon or shield, to Kieran… Will was more like an intangible hand that could grow tangible if given enough permanence. But all that felt impossible to the current him.
He required ample growth to reach that state.
With the help of this strange guidance, which put Kieran in a trance-like state, he imbued the adrift Significance. No immense change symbolizing his success in his endeavors occurred, but Kieran reckoned he was on the right path once he heard the Flame shrieking in his ear.
"My child, what are you doing?! Why are you exhausting the Significance when you can let me Condemn it first? It serves little use to you in its current form."
Kieran commonly attributed the Flame's outrage to parts of its plans being ruined, but he didn't trust that notion anymore. Even when it acted like this… the Flame always found a route to its desired outcome.
All he could do was ensure he made prudent use of the Anchor's vestiges. The remnants fortified Kieran in a way that made him feel beyond his former self.
A question poked at him.
'Is this what it means to be an Archmaster? But… this all feels too strange. Why do I feel I'm missing integral pieces to cement this as progress? Why is everything I'm doing feeling so incomplete?'
It didn't take much thought to understand that he was more than ever, but Kieran felt a void in his agency — a glaring inconsistency.
What did he lack?
The answer was what he mindfully ignored… Aspects. He had a Realm like a Master or Archmaster should have… but nothing inside it. It was empty and left Kieran feeling hollow. He felt like a husk of what should be.
Like this Trial… Kieran was a facsimile.
'Will all this be in vain again? Will I end up losing it all once more and having nothing? In the end… everything I've worked for in the Trial will vanish.'
Depressing thoughts brushed against his mind, but Kieran strove to keep himself together. It wasn't the time to fall apart. And, in the back of his mind, Kieran knew his words weren't entirely true.
The weight of everything had simply pressed on him all at once. Until his every footfall radiated confidence bereft of all symptoms of doubt, Kieran understood the domain of a Master was beyond him.
Which was a realization he, oddly enough, did not despise. It grounded him and made him understand that he was far from perfect and a current work in progress.
But in becoming grounded, Kieran understood things. With a more profound control over the Realm and his Spirit unbound, Kieran accessed his memory more clearly.
The room of muted brilliance reappeared, and it allowed Kieran to perceive those last bits that had always existed outside of his grasp.
'Individual.'
A rune lit up inside the room of muted brilliance, shining much brighter than the rest as Kieran spoke its name in his mind.
'Salvation.'
Another followed suit, becoming a shining star of similar proportions.
Kieran paused, staring at the final rune before the connection to the Compendium petered out completely. Its name came to mind, and he spoke it calmly.
'Unity.'
With the announcement of these three concepts, the room of muted brilliance erupted into innumerable motes of dazzling light. Knowledge flowed into Kieran's mind, expanding his horizons and filling him with mystic acumen.
What should have been a dizzying amount of information felt like a breath of fresh air to Kieran.
Then, he opened his eyes in the Darkness Below. He unsheathed his blade, engulfing it in a blaze of crimson fire. Without a word, he slashed down with a bizarre immaterial weight to his attack.
And the darkness was cleaved by his blade, allowing Kieran freedom without the Flame's assistance.
'I appreciate the help, Book.'
