AETHER BEASTS

07/2/2023 - [I'M BACK. DAILY CHAPTERS. ONE A DAY AT THE VERY LEAST BUT I WILL TRY AND DO TWO. ALSO PLEASE PLEASE READ THE NEW AUXILLARY CHAPTER.]

"Well, by now you know you're not in your world anymore," Aneva said mentally.

"That much is obvious," I replied, and sent her the mental equivalent of rolling my eyes. "I want to know how I'm here, how to get back, and anything else you can tell me about this place. You said you knew it, and you sent me the language."

"I'm aware," Aneva said. "Very well. Let's begin with where you are, and your chances of returning."

That didn't sound good, but I paid attention as she spoke. I also kept an eye out and my senses sharp on my surroundings. I couldn't sense as well normal due to the fact that there was no ambient aether in this world, but if bandits and whatever the magic man had been attacked once on the road, it could happen again, and although, I didn't think an ambush would stop me, no reason to let it happen.

"Well, you might already be aware of some of this, but your world and this world exist within an ocean of worlds, a multiverse, an interdimensional cosmos, whatever you want to call it, and between these worlds, lies two things. First is the void, the emptiness between worlds, and pockets of existence. It is non-existence, nothingness, and only those powerful enough can survive. Now, this is only one layer, and the other is the astral, a place of pure energy, hundreds of different kinds mixing, and from which all sorts is born."

"Alright," I said slowly. "And where is the astral."

"In between the worlds, weren't you paying attention?"

"But you just said the void was the space in between worlds."

"Humans," she spat. "So narrow. It's not so simple as you think, the realism beyond this world. I said layers because they exist atop and below one another, taking up the same space in different dimensions of existence or non-existence in the case of the void, but that's not important right now. When people travel between worlds, they tend to use the astral, creating tunnels, or links from point to point or using an anchor to travel."

"Is that what happened to us?"

"Yes, that alchemist's ritual was essentially one part of a tunnel, and usually when activated would have created a portal."

"But it was interrupted."

"Indeed, and honestly, you should be grateful you're still alive, and not torn to pieces, although your do possess that blood."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean when it all went wrong, it went wrong in such a way that a tunnel was still formed, albeit an unstable one. Most of the time, you'd just end up floating about in the astral, which for you would mean the destruction of your physical form as the astral is an energy plane."

I paled and wondered if it had been my divine bloodline that had saved us, but no, I had felt nothing from within. I had tried to conjure some of it when we'd been frozen, but nothing had come.

"Ok, and can you make a tunnel for us to get back."

"I could," She said, and I waited, knowing what was coming. She was silent for a long moment, and I sighed. Aneva gave nothing for free, and I wondered what the price for this would be. I certainly wasnt going to be releasing her, and I let her sense that as clear as day.

"Well? What do you want?"

"We can talk about my price, after. For now, you should be more focused on getting your... friends back."

I was momentarily taken aback, having expected her to put up a list of demands, or try and trick me into releasing her or something equally bad for me. "That's it, we'll talk about the price alter?"

"Is that a problem? Would you rather we deal now?"

"No, just... You know what, it doesn't matter, Your right, I need to focus on the others," I said and heisted before continuing. "Will... Will Zirani be ok?"

"The who- She'll last, thought if she doesn't find something to sustain her past that, she will fade, and die. She is a creature of aether, an aether beast as you'd say, and she is not powerful enough to sustain herself indefinitely, especially not here. I suggest you find her first."

I cursed inwardly. I was on my way to Sandra as she was closest, but if Zirani needed me sooner, should I turn back? No, I could feel Sandra much more keenly as time went by, and she wasn't too far. I'd grab her, and then head for Zirani, and finally Misty. I pushed down another wave of worry and concern for them. They were all strong and could handle themselves. That thought brought up another question. "Aneva, what's the magic here like?"

"It's not like your own," she said. "It's not a stable progression, nor is it as defined, or advanced for that matter. It's energy-based, some magical form they call mana, though that term is used in many worlds for many different types of energy. The astral houses pockets and each of these pockets contain a singular energy while the greater astral is a mix."

"You're being surprisingly helpful," I pointed out. "Should I be worried?"

"You mean more so than usual?" 𝐟𝓇ℯe𝒘𝘦𝒃𝑛𝒐ѵe𝙡. 𝑐𝗼𝓂

I blinked in shock. "Was that a joke?"

Aneva didn't respond and a moment later I felt her go dormant once more. I shrugged inwardly, thankful she'd helped me and not put up too much of a fuss about it. I was also relieved to know she could get us back home. That had been the greatest worry after my concert for the others. I focused and felt their bonds, reassuring myself, that they were still whole, and alive. That much I could tell from the bonds.

"I'm coming," I muttered. "Just wait, I am coming." I tried to push that thought through the bond along with my emotions. I sent my love for them, and determination to find them. I felt it move down the bond, and vanish. Maybe it would reach them eventually or just fade. In any case, I hoped some part reached them. And maybe they were looking for me and each other as well. Misty was smart and she was closest to Zirani. Maybe she'd go for Zirani while I got Misty, and then we would meet up. I hoped.

"Just wait, I'm coming."