Collects issues 187-200.
Cerebus #187:
Cirin reads Cerebus' mind and sees his memories of the Judge during his last Ascension. She reveals that he is indeed Tarim, also known as "Belinus Two-Tounges" and claims he was exiled to the moon by Terim. After trying to impress her with threats, Cerebus sees Mars, or the crimson sphere passing by. Cirin says this is the sphere of purification and cleansing, and with that, they are both un-bloodied and healed, minus Cerebus' missing ear.
Cerebus #188:
Upon entering the asteroid field past Mars, what she calls the Sea of Sadnesss, Cirin explains that each piece of rock is the imprisoned soul of someone who rebelled against or disobeyed the Goddess. She appeals to Cerebus' senses to convert now while there is still time. Angering him, Cerebus calls on Tarim to strike at her. To his surprise, a blast of energy crushes several nearby rocks and reincorporates them into a giant hammer about to smash Cirin. Unfortunately it's only an illusion.
Cerebus #189:
When a passing asteroid smashes the throne, Cerebus and Cirin attribute the event to their respective dieties. Thus, they resume their fight to prove who is favored in the Ascension. An invisible barrier forms between them, preventing them from contact, and the platform splits in two, sending them in different directions all by themselves.
Cerebus #190:
Cerebus recalls a childhood experience where he was attacked and stabbed; the fear which followed made him cry out to Tarim begging him to fix things in exchange for his lifelong good behavior. We also see Cerebus' father delivering him into the hands of a magician who "suggests" to his father that Cerebus would make him a good apprentice.
Cerebus #191:
Approaching Jupiter, Cerebus is reminded of Jaka's death when he spoke out against Tarim, denouncing him forever and blaming him for the loss of the one person who he truly loved. He tries to think happy thoughts and placate Tarim in his own thoughts but has great difficulty. He recalls "fire and brimstone" sermons from church as a child and relates "being cast into the pits" with his approach to Jupiter's dark spot.
Cerebus #192:
Cerebus thanks Tarim for sparing him as he leaves Jupiter behind. He begins to philosophically approach who he is, and realizes that he is who his creator made him to be; if his creator wanted him to be different, he would have made him so. Cerebus is then distracted by a sound calling from behind him; upon turning to face it, he is smacked in the face by a pie.
Cerebus #193:
The voice Cerebus hears identifies itself as his creator, but someone named "Dave". Dave tries to explain that he is not a God, but does create and control his surroundings; ultimately, only Cerebus can make the choices which will lead to his own happiness. Dave also reveals that he did not kill Jaka... she is alive and well with Lord Julius. He shares a brief glimpse into her recent life and helps Cerebus to admit that he doesn't know a thing about who Jaka is.
Cerebus #194:
Moving on to a second truth, Dave brings Cerebus towards Saturn where he has been trying to speak with Cirin without much success. Upon telling her that she was created by a man named "Dave", Cirin launched into a maniacal fit of screaming making further conversation impossible. Dave proceeds to tell her story to Cerebus. It is revealed that Cirin is actually an imposter named Serna. Cirin was a good and just woman without ambition or militaristic tendancies and was the inspiration and founder behind the movement that bears her name; she also happens to be the old woman Cerebus had tea with back in Cerebus #164. Serna was the one with amibition for power and military might, and upon reaching a level of influence, Serna betrayed her mentor and friend, switched identities with her and sentenced Cirin to internment for life.
Cerebus #195:
Dave concludes the recounting of Serna's story and of what became of Cirin, and lets him know that he will never be a conqueror and that Jaka doesn't love him in "that way". Dave reveals to Cirin that Cerebus can not give birth (as a result of the stabbing as a child); with that knowledge, Cirin is no longer threatened by him, and doesn't care anymore. At this point, Dave lets Cerebus ask the questions. Cerebus' first question is (referring to the medallions around his neck) "what are heck are these"? Dave recounts the story of the ancient Pigts who saw him as the messiah to come and created his sword, helmet, and medallions.
Cerebus #196:
Dave tells how Cerebus's sword, helmet and medallions were not only the conduits of his magic, they were linked to his destiny. Cerebus sold his helmet at one point to buy paint with which to make himself blend into Boralean society; if he had not, and kept all three of them to the point where he met the Pigts, he would have become the supreme conqueror of his dreams. Instead, the loss of any or combination of the three items caused a fracturing of his destiny and led to the series of adventures, oddities, freaks, and failures his life had been repleat with. Still hung up on the news of Jaka, Cerebus is not paying much attention. So, Dave places Cerebus in a new life where he and Jaka have been married for more than a year.
Cerebus #197:
In his alternate life with Jaka, Cerebus becomes keenly aware that he can't make her happy. Through several revisions and changes to this alternate life, Cerebus fails to find a way to keep her happy and content or have some kind of meaningful relationship with her. In the last of these variants, Cerebus lusts after his new neighbor, Joanne. Fulfilling this lust and crushing yet another heart in the process, Cerebus realizes that it has gotten late in the day and Jaka will be waiting for him at home.
Cerebus #198:
Cerebus returns home from his affair with Joanne to find a suicide note from Jaka explaining that she loved him so much that she couldn't be an obstacle to his happiness. Dave ends the dream of what might have been as they arrive on the surface of Pluto. At this point, having exhausted all other avenues of reasoning and illustration, Dave gets angry and violent with Cerebus, trying to make him understand the effect of his nature on those around him. Dave likens Cerebus to a stye on his eye and proceeds to set about "remedying" the situation by operating to remove the offense to his being.
Cerebus #199:
Cerebus recovers from his "operation" and is told that he can now see his entire past as a pattern. He has the choice of avoiding a repeat of that pattern. Dave also gives him the choice of choosing any destination for himself he wants. Hesitant at first, Cerebus chooses Jaka's current life, but is convinced that the pain it would cause him is too great. Emotionally broken and not having the will to continue, Cerebus politely asks Dave to leave him on Pluto alone forever.
Cerebus #200:
Regretting his decision, Cerebus decides that since he is just a character in a story, he can force Dave into action simply by failing to be interesting. Three weeks later, Cerebus is still there, starting to go crazy. He tries calling Aardvark-Vanaheim to talk to Dave's boss, but finds that he doesn't have one. Finally realizing that he's been a scoundrel and an undesirable character, Cerebus admits his failings and resolves to learn from the mistakes, lest he pine for Jaka and die alone, unloved, and unmourned as the Judge had foretold. Almost instantly, Dave returns. He had been waiting for Cerebus to make this revelation. Dave then returns him to the place he most wanted to be, the tavern at the foot of Wallis Castle near the Wall of Tsi.
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