Chương 104: Chapter 103 - On the borders of sanity

Selendil and Dee looked at each other in silent communication, and Selendil was the one to metaphorically step forth first. This was her universe and her problem after all.

"What is the nature of the Void?" She asked in an already familiar attempt to not influence the reply with what she already knew or suspected.

"You'll have to be clearer with your terms. The word obviously has meaning to you, but it does not for us." The old voice stated.

"Now, now. We can make a guess." The voice filled with power said with clear pleasure at just being able to speak with someone new.

"Knowing the history of her people and the path of the recent events, she is likely referring to THAT, right?" The childish voice released an eerie cackle.

"A failed experiment of a failed experiment!" It cried out, sounding more than a few marbles short of a full set.

"The brat is right." The ancient voice stated firmly.

"The…Void, as you call it, is a failed experiment made by the universe. We could debate whether the universe itself is a failed experiment or not. I think it works rather well, even if the results are a bit unpleasant for us personally."

"A failure! A dismal failure of a once noble pursuit!" The child-like voice cried out again, this time with a sad tone. Both Selendil and Dee increasingly got the sense that the being might not be entirely sane.

"Sanity is the prison of those who lack imagination!" The child cried out in a mocking tone as if in response to their thoughts.

"Yeah about that." The ancient voice said with an audible sigh.

"In this place, your thoughts are not really hidden. You're not wrong though. Eons of solitude can have a detrimental effect on even the sturdiest of minds. There are few beings in the multiverse who can go through what we have and not suffer at least some consequences. It takes a very particular type of mind to be able to withstand the pressure of so much time. Some of those beings that most people call gods can do it because their natures are different. They don't view time in the same way.

For the rest of us however… well, I've heard things, but I've never met anyone who could do it."

"You two are both confusing and scaring our guests again." The powerful one interjected once more. The ancient voice just ignored the powerful voice and continued as if not hearing anything.

"The interesting part is that it's not power that will help you stay sane. I was the weakest among us when we started this experiment, and I might be the least affected, and even that's debatable." Dee and Selendil felt more than saw the being gesture towards the powerful one.

"That one might seem sane and stable, and that impression would not be entirely wrong. The problem is that it's a surface-level impression that hides the fact that the personality beneath has made a complete shift. That one used to be the cruelest and most callous among us. Some would say that this is an improvement, but that doesn't change the fact that she has changed radically." The whole situation seemed to be veering in a strange direction, so Dee tried to bring things into focus.

"You said the Void was a failed experiment. What was the experiment trying to accomplish?"

"I believe you already figured it out. We keep an eye on beings of your strength and your mind is already screaming out the answer. Truth be told, I should've tried to stop you from interfering in things as knowledge of such things spreading can be detrimental, but I believe your interference this time should be more positive than negative." The powerful one explained.

"The Void is the universe's attempt to siphon off mana. This universe was never all that rich with mana in the first place, but you'd be surprised at how much it can gather over enough time once siphoned off into what you call the Void."

"Why call the experiment failed then? It seems to have done its job." Dee pointed out the obvious disconnect in logic.

"Because many times it's not just about the result. Sometimes the most important part is why the experiment was done in the first place. The universe wanted to siphon off the mana to help the people of the universe develop. Sometimes having options is not a good thing, especially when one of the paths is one that will never go anywhere. The mana would've been a distraction. Universes with only a single power tend to be faster to develop due to increased focus.

The experiment succeeded in the primary goal of draining the mana, but despite that success, the people didn't develop as the universe wanted. And the place where all the mana was siphoned off to became a problem. A potential source of danger. So the universe devised a potential solution to both problems." The ancient one was one to expand on the point.

"The Dhar?" Selendil realized where this was headed.

"The Dhar!" The child laughed in a mad cackle again.

"The greatest accomplishment and the second largest failure of the universe! The universe thought itself so smart! Create a race with the greatest potential and give them access to something that will push them along to quickly reach that potential, while also providing a way to deal with the Void should the mana ever break free. At the same time, the aid that the universe provided these new pawns would eventually lead to their demise! Imagine that!

Faithful caretakers that will step aside once their work was done, whether they wanted to or not. Once the flock was raised, the sheep would go on to develop on their own while the shepherds went away to grant the sheep enough space to grow on their own. But the work of the shepherds was left unfinished! The Dhar were not willing to share and too quick with their own demise!

And instead of safeguarding against the perils of the Void, they even brought the potential danger of the mana back with their insatiable curiosity! Their premature downfall pushed the universe's development back, almost to the beginning!"

"Or would've without you. With your appearance, a partial victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat." The ancient one pointed out.

"You're going to have to explain that one. I thought the whole point of the Great Song was to create someone like me? I never understood why." Selendil questioned. It was one of the things she 'knew'. So far she had seen nothing to implicate anything that she 'knew' to be wrong.

"You're right. That is what the purpose became. Anyone powerful enough could've finished the song and thus brought about the end of your people. However, not just anyone could've become what you've become. I wouldn't feel guilty in your place; the universe has been aiming for creating someone like you from a time long before your birth. If it had not been you, it would've been someone else. Assuming someone suitable came along. The required potential is rare even among gifted species."

The powerful one once again seemed to read Selendil's mind.

"However, that's not what the original purpose of the song was. Originally your kind were all supposed to perish."

"Why? Why do all this? You called the universe a failed experiment as well. And you speak as if it's alive." Dee seemed to be puzzling her way towards a potential answer.

"Ooh! She's a smart one! She will eventually figure it out!" The child said in a surprised tone that sounded almost sane for a moment. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"The universe really is alive. Or at least it has a mind of its own. I suppose one could call that a form of life. That's the experiment we created when we made the universe. Usually, the universe is managed by beings similar to us, but we wanted to create a universe that would be able to manage itself. It worked, in a manner of speaking. The universe can manage things, but our presence is still required which defeats the whole purpose. And now we don't have the control the others in our position would have."

The ancient one admitted with a deep sigh.

"Trapped! We're all trapped! We'll be stuck here forever!" The child's voice seemed to be growing distant as if it was falling down a chasm.

"The crazy one is right. We're stuck. As for why, universes develop and grow more powerful as those within do. Some universes are not capable of even withstanding beings of your power for long periods of time. But, with Selendil's ascent to power, the universe got a rather sizeable upgrade. Now it has more power and control over what happens." The ancient one sighed again.

"And how does this benefit the universe? What does it want to do once it develops?" Selendil asked with a displeased tone. She wasn't exactly pleased with the cause of all her pain, even if she understood the rationale on some level and knew her people had ultimately benefitted for a long time.

"I don't think even the universe knows." The ancient one said in a thoughtful tone.

"I don't think it's smart enough for that."

"Wait, wait, wait! Not smart enough? How intelligent is the universe supposed to be?" Dee focused on a very important point.

"I would compare it to a very sophisticated program. It has the ability to learn, and it's very intelligent in some things, like coming up with the Great Song and the Dhar. It can predict cause and effect to minute detail pretty far into the future, though it can make mistakes as we've mentioned. However, when it comes to things it has no expertise in, it's dumber than a brick. I don't think it even considers what to do with more power and development. It just thinks that's a worthy goal and tries to achieve them.

Partly because we set those goals for it and never really considered the consequences." The ancient one admitted.

"So what's supposed to happen to me now? I don't really feel like obliging the universe in any further demands if that's the idea." Selendil stated in a firm voice.

"Your purpose is actually now fulfilled. You're somewhat useful just by existing, as you speed up the development of others with just your presence and the small little things you teach and gift to those around you. I believe the universe is hoping you'll still be useful in small ways like that, but essentially your part in all this is done." The powerful one explained.

"I have to admit, I didn't expect that one. I was pretty sure the universe expected you to destroy the Void or something." Dee pointed out.

"Oh dear, no!" The powerful one denied immediately.

"The Void may be a failed experiment in many ways, but it does serve the original purpose it was created for. Mana has now become almost like a pollutant to the universe. If it came back in large amounts, it would upset many of the currently existing ecosystems and deal another blow to the development of many galaxies that were not affected by the Dhar. That's without any of the beings that have been born as a result of that mana that you've already encountered.

And if the Void was somehow destroyed, all that mana would be dumped back, and the results would be catastrophic."

"Unless you want to destroy the Void and strike back at the universe!" The child came back with a suggestion made with mad glee and slight hope.

"What's the lives of a countless number of innocents as long as you can get revenge, right? I can feel that you are at least tempted."

"No." Selendil denied right away. If the choice and the reasons for taking the choice had been presented to her right after she woke up from stasis, she might have decided differently, as she had been mad with grief. Vengeance would've sounded a lot more appealing back then, no matter the cost. Now she had grown a certain amount of fondness and appreciation for the 'lesser' races. Perhaps she should call them new races instead. Either way, there were now costs she wasn't willing to pay.

"Good." The powerful one stated.

"It would've been a pointless bit of spite with a terrible price, both in lives and to your soul. The current situation is already good enough. With no help from those that come from the Void or the Dhar, the door is much harder to open. It could be closed even tighter, but that's not your responsibility. Even the beings that helped with the creation of the latest rift did so under the total control of the Void entities and with a generous helping hand from Dhar technology.

Without either of those things and without the help of the Great Song pushing them like the Dhar were pushed, they will need eons before they have the necessary technology. By that point, they should've even forgotten the Void even exists."

"Are there still more of these beings around? Outside the Void I mean?" Dee asked, referring to the Void Wraiths. That was the main thrust of what Selendil would want her help with anyway.

"There are two. However, they are weak. Their life is already fading, cut off from the mana that created them. They will be gone in a couple thousand years even without your interference." The ancient one explained but continued.

"However, I can sense that you will not be satisfied until they are gone. I can give you their locations. We would not mind seeing them gone either. Even if they are not a danger right now, sometimes fate can be a fickle bitch." The knowledge suddenly just appeared in Selendil's mind. The first location was not a big surprise. It was one of the galaxies the Dhar had mostly neglected due to lack of resources, so it made for a good hiding place.

The other one was actually very close to where the Dhar's home galaxy had existed a long time ago. That one was a bit unexpected.

"I see." She stated simply.

"I want to finish this war that started so long ago, even if it's not necessary. I feel I owe it to those that died in battle." What happened after was another matter entirely, and since the universe had created the problem, it could also damn well deal with it! For a brief moment, she considered the possibility of striking some sort of blow against the universe that had caused the deaths of her people, but she knew that to be a futile gesture.

Even if it could be done, what would the benefit be, aside from a brief moment of satisfaction? She knew the follies of seeking blind revenge. With the worst of her grief already abated, once she was done with the remaining Void beings, then she felt she might be able to leave the past behind for good. The universe was done with her people, and maybe it was time her people should be done with the universe as well. That realization felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

She had some slight ideas about what she could do once this duty was off her back completely. There was still the issue of the Shaer, and her tentative plans with the Shinzen, though now that she had realized how much the universe might benefit from that project, she was getting second thoughts. She still felt she should honor the memory of her dead people in some way. She might just have to wait for a proper opportunity until she could deal with that one. And what then?

She had no idea, but at least she'd be free to find out. While Selendil was going through her moment of realizations, Dee and the three beings could feel a sort of peace and serenity settle on her. It wasn't yet complete, but it was getting there, and it was even affecting her surroundings in a palpable way.

"She is starting to figure things out." The powerful one said, careful to not disturb Selendil's moment of enlightenment.

"You caused this on purpose, didn't you?" Dee asked pointedly.

"Of course. Neither of you is truly aware of what it means to have the sort of power you hold. You are much more aware of it than her though. You affect the reality around you in many ways. Without even doing anything consciously, the threads of fate gather around you. While she is in turmoil, her surroundings will also be in turmoil. She doesn't cause that turmoil, but she does exacerbate it. A conflict that could've found a peaceful solution before will suddenly turn bloody just because she's present.

The effect is subtle but it does grow worse as time passes and she doesn't learn to control it. You know some of this from experience. She doesn't realize it just yet. On the other hand, if she is at peace…" The powerful one explained.

"Then the effect will be opposite." Dee finished.

"Why do you care though? From what you've told me, you should hold little fondness for the universe. You certainly shouldn't care much about the little things like a random war in a galaxy or two."

"Despite everything, this is the universe we created. I may not be in the best possible situation, but I still want to see our creation thrive. Perhaps eventually something will change and we can go free." The being replied.

"I'm mostly just curious. I always was. I want to see what happens in the future, and having the whole universe wrecked by a vengeful Nakshatra just realizing how powerful she truly can be would put a damper on things." The ancient one stated.

"I just want to go home!" The childish voice cried and for a moment sounded actually sane.

"Please. When you return, tell those at the Crossroads what has become of us. Maybe someone there can help us. Maybe someone there still cares enough to help us. If nothing else, just tell someone we exist. Eventually, they will also be able to contact us, and then we'll have someone to talk to once you're gone." Suddenly the two of them found themselves back in their own bodies.

"So that happened," Dee commented.

"What? What happened?" Nox's voice asked.

"How long were we gone?" Selendil replied with a question of her own.

"Gone? You haven't gone anywhere. If you mean the psionic call you were emitting, then that just ended. I take it that that's not what you experienced?" Nox realized quickly.

"No, it wasn't. Our call was answered. Perhaps not exactly in the way we intended, but we did find what we were looking for." Selendil replied. She looked towards Dee.

"So I'm guessing your meeting with the same beings in your universe was different?"

"Very. Though I only ever met two of them. They were decidedly more…sane. Well, I'm not sure if I can say that much, but they were at least better at hiding it. I think these ones were right in at least one thing. Time takes a toll on a person's mind. Do you still have the information you were given?" Dee asked with a wry smile. She certainly remembered one of the beings in her universe having a slightly tenuous connection with sanity.

"I do. Finding these places should not be a problem. We still need to wait a bit to figure out what happened to the people on the other side of the wormhole, but after that we can leave." Selendil mused.

"Or we could just close the wormhole…" Dee suggested.

"What does it matter what happened to them for as long as they're not trying to open another rift, nor do they have the capability? It's a bit callous but it would solve several problems and would take very little effort."

"That's…not entirely a horrible idea. Still, I think we should wait for news for the time being. We can close the wormhole later, but it will be much harder to open again once closed, should the need arise." Selendil decided.