Compiles issues #175-186.
According to an interview with Sim in Cerebus Companion 2, the Victor Reid storyline "occurs simultaneously" with the main one.

1415

Before Cerebus #175:

Victor meets with Carl Berge. "The printing deadline is five days from now". Victor Reid works on the new-improved Ascension.

Iest is reduced to "one big wheat field" (Guys) when the mountain is destroyed. (This presumably happens as a result, directly or indirectly, of the Ascension).

Cirin returns to Estarcion (Guys).

Jaka has her portrait painted (Minds) "a few months ago" during the second Ascension.

Cerebus #175:

The "messiahs" Po, Astoria, and Cerebus enter the cathedral to face Cirin and begin the "four issue discussion". Using his best chessmanship, Po points out the difference between Cirin and himself, truth and illusion, and makes all aware that they are at the mercy of Cerebus.

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Cerebus #176:

Po states that both Cirin and Astoria have both underestimated and patronized Cerebus from day one and that he now has them at his mercy, that the tools they normally use in administrating their power (cunning, deceit, treachery, etc.) "make a poor shield against a hard blade". Po reveals that his entire role is balancing the other sides, presumably to prevent the cycle from repeating again.

Cerebus #177:

Po points out the all three of them have led empty pursuits and that the issue of "God or Goddess" is pointless since the two are complimentary. He continues that leadership is a principle that all three have not entirely understood. Po also tells Astoria that she is now free and is something more than she used to be. Lastly, Po argues the concpet of the matriarchy and how society could be.

Cerebus #178:

Po confronts Cirin's hipocracy in the persecution of Astoria, pointing out that her own teachings denounce her actions. Speaking to Cerebus, Po reveals that the Aardvarks have random powers they can not control, and that they can only control themselves, not others. Also, a revelation about Cerebus' catatonia in Melmoth, and that this is the first time 3 Aardvarks have existed simutaneously.

Cerebus #179:

Astoria wishes to speak her mind before leaving Cerebus and Cirin to duke it out, and reveals that Cerebus is an hermaphrodite. She reveals that Cirin's attempt to give birth to an Aardvark failed, and that her son Artemis is human. Further, Cerebus could theoretically be artificially inseminated and give birth to a race of Aardvarks.

Astoria takes her leave to pursue a quiet life and a childhood dream.

Elsewhere, Swoon is transformed into "Kay Sarah Sarah", who is preparing to give away certain truths of the story from her "Big Book".

Cerebus #180:

As Cerebus and Cirin begin their fight in the throne room, Kay Sarah Sarah reveals that the "Big Book" has no record of Elrod's kingdom of Melvinbone nor anyone else from such a place; Elrod begs her not to turn the page, but to no avail. Elrod ceases to exist once and for all when Kay reads that he was simply an illusion created by Cerebus' proximity to the Chaos Gem (Cerebus #8), sustained by Cerebus' own belief in his existance.

Cerebus #181:

Cerebus and Cirin fight. Cirin is starting to become quite wounded, but uses her size and weight effectively to counter Cerebus' sword.

Cerebus #182:

As Cerebus and Cirin continue fighting, Kay Sarah Sarah inexplicably becomes "Forty-Thousand Eyes Roach". Cirin uses Cerebus' own sword to cut off his right ear.

Cerebus #183:

Cerebus and Cirin fight.

Cerebus #184:

The entire floor of the cathedral fall away around the throne itself which is where Cerebus and Cirin are currently fighting. Not only is the floor falling, the throne is rising through the very center of the black tower, taking off over the city with a celestial destination.

Cerebus #185:

Continuing the Ascension from the cathedral, Cerebus and Cirin are just a little perplexed by what is happening around them. Silent, and not fighting for the moment, the throne rises towards the moon, reminding Cerebus of the Judge he met there on his last visit.

Cerebus #186:

Cerebus anticipates the arrival on the moon, only to be shocked, and nearly unbalanced when they zoom right past it for points beyond.

1417

Cerebus allegedly takes back Iest from the Cirinists, according to Suenteus Po (Flights.

Oscar gets out of jail (Jaka's Story).

Victor Reid has writer's block.