As Vera told Lex about destiny and fate, he could not help but think about the Midnight. Inns barrier. It isolated destiny, and basically hid anyone inside it from outside influence. For the most part, Lex always interpreted that as a way of hiding what happened inside the Inn from observation on the outside. Also, as far as his basic understanding of destiny went, he imagined it isolated that somehow.

Now, though, he wondered if destiny was some external force, acting on everyone in the universe, since one could hide from it in a barrier. Was it a law of the universe, acting on everyone, or was it the result of some phenomenon or some unimaginably powerful being?

Honestly, any of those theories could be true, but it was unlikely that Lex could grasp any of them any time soon.

More relevant to him, however, was understanding how he could make use of destiny. After all, the Nexus event affected destiny, not fate.

"The thing about destiny" Vera continued, "is that it does not need to be big. One's destiny can be something as simple and minor as opening a can of beans for someone. Most people fulfil their destinies pretty easily. The problem, then, is that the lives they live, and the decisions they make, often get them bound up in other people's destinies. Also, the amount of good or bad karma they accumulate affects any subsequent, or even concurrent destinies they may hold.

"In essence, everything we do affects our future destiny, and that destiny pulls us towards a certain direction regardless of how it does that. The Nexus event, then, is like a clean slate for the universe. It's like a refresh button, after which everyone loses any attachments they have to future destinies, and get new

ones.

"The thing is, after the refresh, all your karma from before the refresh doesn't matter, nor do your actions or affiliations, so the pull of destiny on you is totally and completely negated. For us oracles, it's an amazing gift. On one hand, our predictions of the future get messed up and we lose our abilities leading up to, and a short while after the Nexus event. On the other, all the accumulated negative karma towards the universe stops affecting our destinies, and our destinies go back to being something simple, like watering a flower on a certain day."

Vera paused, looking at Lex as if he could fathom all the profound possibilities of what she had just hinted towards. To a very large degree, he could, yet he did not interrupt her.

"A clean slate, like that, is extremely valuable on its own. But if someone knew the exact timing of that refresh, of the Nexus event... well, then they could use that to plan something... major."

Vera's voice almost trembled as she spoke, and that told Lex that she had something specific in mind as she said the word 'major'.

"For example, one could do something that could grant extreme benefits, but would usually follow up with massive repercussions, making it not worth it. However, if such a task were to be completed moments before the reset, one could potentially get away scot free.

"Of course, these only include things with indirect influence on people. If you piss someone off, Nexus event or no Nexus event, they'll still be pissed off after. Yet if you, for example, accurately spy on a secret of the heavens, a secret that would normally earn you tribulations which would most certainly kill you, and you happen to do it right before the Nexus event, you can avoid the tribulation. "This is a poor example because the nature of the Nexus event makes looking into the future a moot exercise. But the premise remains true. Besides, it's not like looking into the future is the only way one might attract trouble. If timed properly... one might even be able to... mess with Time itself right before the Nexus event, successfully evading the consequences... theoretically, of course." Lex raised an eyebrow, and instantly thought of the seal in his head. Maybe after the Nexus event, he might be able to open the seal. For now, at least, opening it meant certain death.

But Lex wasn't thinking about messing with time, or the heavens. No, Lex himself had something more relevant to himself in mind.

"Thank you, I understand," said Lex, looking at Vera solemnly.

"Good. I hope you do," said Vera, nodding. "By the way, I know all of this was theoretical, because no one in recorded history has been able to accurately guess the timing of the Nexus event. That is exactly how it should remain, and even if someone does learn the time of the Nexus event, they should not under any circumstances directly claim as such, regardless of their location or the securities they have in place. But such a thing is impossible, so it doesn't really matter."

Although Vera's words were casual, the look she gave Lex was very serious, as if she was afraid he would not understand her warning.

"Yes, of course this is all theoretical," said Lex with a casual smile. "The only reason I'm asking you this is because the Inn might host a public event themed for the Nexus event, so I'm researching some games the guests can play. Who has the time to actually care about such stuff!"

Vera nodded once more, as if she truly believed everything he said, and left.

Lex continued to sit on the bench a while, though his attention was focused towards Jack, who was getting closer and closer to finding the Nexus point.

Lex had a premonition that the future was going to be very turbulent, and the next few years would be the last peaceful years for a long, long time, so he needed to prepare as thoroughly as possible.

The best way to do that... was to enhance his own personal strength as much as possible. After a few more hours of sitting and admiring the view, Lex disappeared, leaving the Midnight Inn behind.