“ | I want... to be... with... somebody. | ” |
—Retrace CII: The Nursery |
Introduction
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The Core of the Abyss (アヴィスの
The ultimate purpose of the Core of the Abyss is to be destroyed by Glen Baskerville, destroying the universe and thus bringing an "End" to the Tale. Thus Jury guides the incarnations of Glen Baskerville, who serve as the Tale's "Crossroads," not telling them of their true purpose. Glen is tasked with isolating the Core, only allowed to visit her under extreme circumstances. One of the main tasks of Glen Baskerville is to destroy the souls of any red-eyed children, as these are the only people unable to be perceived by the Jurors and thus capable of interacting with the Core. These people were dubbed Children of Ill Omen, eventually made to face extreme prosecution even outside of the Baskerville Clan.
Though usually referred to as an "it," (それ, sore, literally "that") the Core is capable of human personality and emotion, as discovered by Lacie, a Child of Ill Omen. Though Lacie attempted to maintain her companionship with the Core, she was eventually forbidden by Glen. Thus, Lacie instead attempted to provide other companions for the Core, first in the form of two stuffed rabbits, then in the form of her biological children. The Core became the surrogate mother to her twin daughters, named Alice and the Intention of the Abyss. After their birth, the Core bound herself to the Intention's soul.
Her fear of further isolation following Lacie's execution caused the Core to retreat into the Intention of the Abyss's body, causing the Abyss to grow dark and her power to be significantly diminished. This allowed for the Tragedy of Sablier, an event in which the "Chains" distinguishing the material world and the Abyss were severed. Had the Tragedy successfully dragged the world into the Abyss, the Core would be destroyed and the Tale made to End. This was a great trauma for the Core, causing the Tragedy to be engraved into the Hundred Cycles and made to repeat.
Appearance[]
The Core is represented as a light, amorphous mass when not inhabiting a physical body. This mass changes shape and is not always a coherent whole, though it is at times shown squishing or reacting to a physical embrace.
Otherwise, the Core takes the form of the physical body she inhabits. Originally, this was the Intention of the Abyss, depicted as an short, adolescent girl with long white hair. The Core's influence on the Intention of the Abyss's human body eventually caused their physical body to break down. Their hands and limbs became distended, their sclera darkened, and the lower half of their body became a mass of tentacles with a dark maw.
Though never shown possessing the body which formerly belonged to Jack Vessalius, it is presumed her influence would have fewer ill effects on this physical form, due to Jack's body having gained many of the qualities of a Chain. Thus, it can be assumed she would look like a blond haired adolescent boy with green eyes, though it is unclear whether the body would age further after she possessed it.
Personality[]
The Core was not born with a personality and, prior to meeting Lacie, had no sense of self. Her entire existence prior spent in isolation, the Core did not understand the depths of her loneliness until forming a relationship with Lacie. Despite this, Lacie theorized the Core's loneliness had in itself created the Children of Ill Omen, likely in reference to the Abyss being unbound by time.
After learning the joy of companionship, the Core became terrified of solitude. Lacie's death caused the Core to grow obsessed with what remained of her in the forms of Alice and the Intention of the Abyss. She hid herself within the Intention's body, refusing to come out in any but the most dire moments for fear of causing her harm. The Core then became fiercely protective of the Intention and, to a lesser extent, Alice, making it impossible for the Intention to harm herself or for any harm to be inflicted upon her by others. The Core's fixation on Lacie and grief over her loss would remain at the forefront of her narration until the Intention's death.
The Core is generally depicted as kind, but very afraid. She lashes out at those who attempt to separate herself and the Intention of the Abyss, but is acknowledged as having done this out of care for her. Just before the Intention dies, she describes the Core as crying for her sake. Despite this, the Core is convinced by Alice to allow the Intention's death, acquiescing out of empathy for the Intention's wish to die. She rewards Oz for killing the Intention, even going so far as to extend his and Alice's life so as to allow them to say goodbye.
Quotes[]
- "Stop... Stop... it. Don't hurt... Alice..."
- "Alice is the precious gift Lacie left behind!"
- "I don't want her to go...I don't want to be all alone again..."
- No...No...No...I don't want to be alone again"
- "Alice...from now on we will never be apart!"
- "L..Lacie"
- "Lacie...I feel so cold. Without you, I don't want to alone... Alice"
Appearances[]
- Retrace XXXVII: Glen Baskerville (Mentioned only)
- Retrace LXVIII: Glen* (First Appearance)
- Retrace LXIX: Alice*
- Retrace LXXI: Black Rabbit*
- Retrace LXXIII: A note*
- Retrace LXXVI: Alice&Oz*
- Retrace LXXVII: Vacant*
- Retrace LXXVIII: Decision*
- Retrace XCI: Juror (Mentioned only)
- Retrace XCIV: Blaze*
- Retrace XCIX: Shade
- Retrace C: Ossia
- Retrace CI: Oswald
- Retrace CII: The Nursery
- Retrace CIII: Call Your Name
- Retrace CIV: Will
(*) - Denotes that the character did not appear physically, but as a part of another character's memories.
Trivia[]
- Coming soon!