Chapter 3.4: The Plane In Between

“My name is Oanoa and I am the creator of this realm you are visiting.”
His voice is deep and powerful, something they wouldn’t expect based on how frail he looks. They presume he’s old, being a powerful and dimension creating sorcerer after all, but he looks like he’s not a day older than 40 human years.
“My title is the Beholder. Not ‘Voyeur’ like your succubus companion suggests.”
Cyrzana takes a step forward. “I am no one’s companion, eye tyrant,” she snarls and she threateningly points her finger at his face. Her sharp black nail is only inches away from his eyes.
“Watch your tongue, demon.”
She lowers her hand slowly and takes a step back.
“Well”, the Beholder says, “let’s continue with the more interesting part of this story: your presence in this place. You took longer than I expected. The Way of Blood became a bit boring after a while, but the fight with Hadriel made up for it. I didn’t expect you could beat him. I really thought you were a goner, cleric. Luckily you survived. You can’t be prophesied heroes without some minor setbacks, though, but I guess it’s all been a bit much. Do you wish to come in and have a seat? It’s been a while since you have had a proper chair to sit down in.”
It’s all happening a bit fast for them.
“Yes, please”, Bruq stammers. “I have some questions, though.”
“Yeah, me too”, Oslando says.
The other party members nod in agreement.
(Perception 18)
Their host smiles again and they all notice his thin, pointy teeth. There are at least four times more teeth in his mouth than they’ve seen on any human before.
“I hoped so. If you didn’t have any questions, I would almost think you all were insane.” He laughs shortly but loudly. This mouth also opens up more than it does with humans.
“But we can discuss everything with some beverages and something to nibble on, don’t you agree? Come in, please.”

“How do you want to do this? Do you want to take turns asking questions or do you want me to just start telling you everything I think you need to know?”
Oanoa stares at Mero, but the other adventurers feel like the Beholder is looking at them as well. His tattooed eyes stare at them. They are without a doubt magical in some way.
“Maybe just start telling us things and we’ll interrupt when we have any questions, because I currently don’t know where to start.” Oslando draws their host’s attention and receives a smile as response. No teeth this time.
“Very well”, he moans as he stretches his back and limbs. “Again, my name is Oanoa and I also go by the name of Beholder. I created this plane, the Eyes Between Worlds, and it’s my task to observe and document everything that happens in your world and in Abaddon. I look through the mirrors to see what passes. That’s how I knew you were coming. I literally looked you in the eye, but you couldn’t look back, because we were seeing different things.”
They listen in silence and process everything he says to them. He keeps turning around, floating above the floor, so his two true eyes can look at everyone at some point.
“I mostly focus on Abaddon, but some of my eyes on that plane there have gone blind, sort of speak. Not much later, I saw Hadriel stealing one of my portals in your world and the cultists took it from him shortly after. A couple of days later - I guess it was days, because time goes by differently here - I saw you from the other side of the mirror and I knew directly you were going to be lifesavers.”
Bruq raises his hand and Oanoa, who has his back turned towards the satyr, turns around immediately.
“How is it possible for time to pass differently? And is it going faster or slower?”
“Much, much faster”, he says quickly as if he’s in a hurry. “I only have eleven eyes and I have to check dozens of mirrors, write everything down and adjust the portals on the floating platforms around my palace. Don’t worry about aging. Other spells prevent you from aging as long as I want to.”
Bruq’s question is answered, but Lyssa dares to ask the question that’s on everyone’s mind. “How do you have eleven eyes? Are you not human?”
He smiles again, with an even wider grin this time.
“Of course I’m not, dear”, he exclaims and he points to his painted eyes. “I am called the Beholder, because I literally am a beholder.”
(Intelligence 10)
Bruq’s mouth falls open.
“No, no, no”, he lames and picks up his weapon. “Beholders are cruel and vile. They are one of the most evil species out there. They are fucking monsters. Please, be joking.”
Oanoa slowly shakes his head and tilts it all the way back. His robes wave around him wildly before the magical wind rips it off his body and blocks their view of him entirely.
“Oh”, he laughs, “I really am a beholder. I am even more than that. I am their father, their grandfather. I am their ancestor.”
The robes disappear and Oanoa reveals his true form.