Kelsier looked around, but there was nobody else here. “Who?”
“Do not assume that the me you see here is the only me,” Fuzz said. “I am everywhere.”
“But–”
“Hush!”
Kelsier hushed, in part because he was happy to see such strength from the god after so long motionless. After some time, however, he slumped down. “No use,” Fuzz mumbled. “His tools are stronger.”
“So…” Kelsier said, testing to see if he’d be hushed again. “Last time. Rashek used the power, instead of… what? Giving it up?”
Fuzz nodded. “Alendi would have done the right thing, as he perceived it. Given the power up – but that would have freed Ruin. ‘Giving the power up’ is a stand-in for giving the power to him. The powers would interpret that as me releasing him. My power, accepting his touch back into the world, directly.”
“Great,” Kelsier said. “We need a sacrifice then. Someone to take up the powers of eternity, then use them for whatever he wants instead of giving them away. Well, that is a sacrifice I’m perfect to make. How do I do it?”
Preservation regarded him. The creature’s earlier strength was no more. He was fading, losing his human attributes. He didn’t blink anymore, for example, and didn’t make a pretense of breathing in before speaking. He could be utterly motionless, lifeless as an iron rod.
“You,” Preservation finally said. “Using my power. You.”
“You let the Lord Ruler do it.”
“He tried to save the world.”
“As did I.”
“You tried to rescue a boatful of people from a fire by sinking the boat, then claiming, ‘At least they didn’t burn to death.’ ” God hesitated. “You’re going to punch me again, aren’t you?”
“Can’t reach you, Fuzz,” Kelsier said. “The power. How do I use it?”
“You can’t,” Preservation said. “That power is part of the prison. This is what you did by merging your soul to the Well, Kelsier. You wouldn’t be able to hold it anyway. You’re not Connected enough to me.”
Kelsier settled down to think on this, but before he had time to do much, he noticed an oddity. Were those figures in the chamber outside? Yes, they were. Living people, marked by their glowing souls. More Inquisitors come to drop off a dead body? He hadn’t seen any of them for ages.
Two people stole into the corridor and approached the Well, passing rows of pillars that showed as illusory mist to Kelsier.
“They’re here,” Preservation said.
“Who?” Kelsier said, squinting. It was difficult to make out details of faces, with those souls glowing. “Is that…”
It was Vin.
“What?” Preservation said, looking toward Kelsier, noting his shock. “You thought I was waiting here for nothing? It happens today. The Well of Ascension is full. The time has arrived.”
The other figure was the boy, Elend Venture. Kelsier was surprised to find he wasn’t angry at the sight. Yes, the crew should have known better than to put a nobleman in charge, but that wasn’t really Elend’s fault. He’d always been too oblivious to be dangerous.
Besides, whatever the faults of his parentage, this Venture boy had stayed with Vin.
Kelsier folded his arms, watching Venture kneel beside the pool. “If he touches it, I’m going to slap him.”
“He will not,” Preservation said. “It’s for her. He knows it. I’ve been preparing her. I tried, at least.”
Vin turned, and seemed to be looking at God. Yes, she could see him. Was there a way Kelsier could use that?
“You tried?” Kelsier said. “Did you explain what she needs to do? Your opposite has been watching her, interacting with her. I’ve seen him doing it. He tried to kill Elend.”
“No,” Fuzz said, haunted. “He was imitating me. He looked as I do, to them, and tried to kill the boy. Not because he cares about one death, but because he wanted her to distrust me. To think I am her enemy. But can’t she tell the difference? Between his hate and destruction, and my peace. I cannot kill. I’ve never been able to kill….”
“Talk to her!” Kelsier said. “Tell her what she needs to do, Fuzz!”
“I…” Preservation shook his head. “I can’t get through to her, can’t speak to her. I can hear her mind, Kelsier. His lies are there. She doesn’t trust me. She thinks she needs to give it up. I’ve tried to stop this. I left her clues, and then I tried to make someone else stop her. But… I’ve… I’ve failed…”
Oh, hell, Kelsier thought. Need a plan. Quick.
Vin was going to give up the power. Release the thing. Even without Preservation’s assertions, Kelsier would have known what Vin would do. She was a better person than he had ever been, and she never had thought she deserved the rewards she was given. She’d take this power, and she’d assume she had to give it up for the greater good.
But how to change that? If Preservation couldn’t speak to her, then what?
Elend stood up and approached Preservation. Yes, the boy could see Preservation too.
“She needs motivation.” Kelsier said, an idea clicking in his mind. Ruin had tried to stab Elend, to frighten her.
It was the right idea. He just hadn’t gone far enough.
“Stab him,” Kelsier said.
“What?” Preservation said, aghast.
Kelsier pushed out of his prison bonds a few steps, approaching Fuzz, who stood just outside. He strained to the absolute limits of his fetters.
“Stab him,” Kelsier said. “Use that knife at your belt, Fuzz. They can see you, and you can affect their world. Stab Elend Venture. Give her a reason to use the power. She’ll want to save him.”
“I’m Preservation,” he said. “The knife… I haven’t actually drawn it in millennia. You speak of acting like him, as he pretended I would act! It’s horrible!”
“You have to!” Kelsier said.
“I can’t… I…” Fuzz reached to his belt, and his hand shimmered. The knife appeared there. He looked down at it, the blade glistening. “Old friend…” he whispered at it.
He looked toward Elend, who nodded. Preservation raised his arm, weapon in hand.
Then stopped.
His half face was a mask of pain. “No…” he whispered. “I Preserve…”
He’s not going to do it, Kelsier thought, watching Elend talk to Vin, his posture reassuring. He can’t do it.
Only one option.
“Sorry, kid,” Kelsier said.
Kelsier grabbed Preservation’s shimmering arm and slashed it across the Venture boy’s stomach.
He felt as if he were stabbing his own flesh. Not because of Venture, but because he knew what it would do to Vin. His heart lurched as she rushed to Venture’s side, weeping.
Well, he’d saved this boy’s life once, so this would make them even. Besides, she would rescue him. She’d have to save Elend. She loved him.
Kelsier stepped back, returning to his prison proper, leaving an aghast Preservation to stare at his own hand as he stumbled away from the fallen man.
“Gut wound,” Kelsier whispered. “He’ll take time to die, Vin. Grab the power. It’s right here. Use it.”
She cradled Venture. Kelsier waited, anxious. If she entered the pool, she’d be able to see Kelsier, wouldn’t she? She’d become transcendent, like Preservation. Or would she have to use the power first?
Would that free Kelsier? He had no answers, only an assurance that whatever happened, he could not let that thing Beyond escape. He turned.