“Wow, temporal anomalies huh. I had travelled through time and space. I could be anywhere in the universe at any time. Hell, I could be beyond it all…”
“Yes'' said Abcier, “Though I can't confirm exactly where you are in relation.” “Right,” Michael replied, “uhhhhhh. What's that Well and Mana Network it mentions?”
“To explain that I need to give a bit of a lesson of biology, basically the Ether or as you’d call it Mana is a type of energy that is slightly out of phase with the world and its contents but can still affect and be affected by the populace, animals, plants and even rocks, air and water. This energy is lethal to living things that either don’t have a Well, a way to channel that energy or if those things move into an area with a sufficiently different density of Mana.
The Well is what stores the energy and the network helps to absorb, direct and utilise the energy which is how we get magic or as they are called here: “Powers” named after the god of Power who manages the different magics, the mana in the world, and the Domains.”
“Alright, I get that” Said Michael biting into a pear like, dark blue… fruit? “Now you’ve given me even more questions. Firstly, what or who are these gods and Domains?”
Michael was a religious person back home and now with him in another world with gods and magics is definitely something he wasn't taught in scripture studies.
“Well, the gods are beings of pure mana that look after different concepts and parts of the world, people who study these parts or concepts have names based on the god that it relates to. There are:
Knowledge, who I follow, he is the concept of the mind, intelligence, knowledge, learning and the like so a Neuroscientist from your world would call their profession something like “Ofoaki okki aipuiaroki” which basically translates as ``Knowledge of Brains.” It is because he is the concept of minds that mental magics are forbidden as it is seen as encroaching on a gods territory.
Creature is the concepts of peoples, animals, plants, microorganisms and other living creatures. But sadly I don’t know much about him.
Power is the concepts of Mana and Powers throughout the Domains, there are some Powers that are forbidden so these are locked away but there are also other laws around Powers either from the gods or governments. Time Travel or Time Manipulation for example are forbidden.
World is the concept of the planet itself, all its domains, from its highest heights to its very core. He manages it at his discretion but unfortunately I don’t know much about him either.
There are three Domains, translated they would be the Domains of Air, Land and Water but are also known as the Domains of Sky, Ground and Sea. There are a lot of names just in our language! he said, chuckling.
“The Domain of Land is where we are now, living on a landmass of stone, sand, dirt, grass. Just like home.
The Domain of Air or Sky is where the creatures of the Sky live, the Domain starts from about 10 up to 100 of your Kilometres into the Sky. Sometimes on a clear day you can see their cities. Massive structures made of cloud and sunlight sometimes hidden from view by massive cloud barriers. A truly amazing sight to see.
The Domain of Water or Sea is where conversely the creatures of the Sea live, massive bulky creatures living at the bottom of the world, as Mana gets denser the further down the Domain starts from about 4000m to the bottom of the world. Even lower than the Marianas Trench in places.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
As you could guess there is sometimes contention between the three. The Sky believe themselves superior because they are closer to the edge of the Sky itself looking down from on high while accusing the Land and Sea of spying and jealousy.
The Sea on the other hand feels they are superior as they are overall more powerful than those of Land and Sky, fishing is an especially touchy subject with them and they accuse the Sky of causing massive storms and maelstroms that disrupt the currents that their world.
The Land on the other, other hand feel they are in the sweet spot and of course some feel they are better than the other. Accusing the Sky of spying and causing storms and the Sea of sinking ships, tidal waves, tsunamis and the like.”
“Wow, that's a lot to take in at once. I was half expecting that I’d have to find all this out on my own, not get it hand delivered.”
“Well we’d prefer to talk to OutWorlders as we call them, like yourself who may be disoriented from the Crossing and while I am free to answer some of your questions. I can't answer all of them. But you are able to ask the gods with the Rule of Three.”
“Ok, now you’ve lost me.”
“Haha, it's ok. Basically when OtherWorlders arrive, if someone reaches a high enough rank or if they accomplish something of great worth they are able to ask three questions that must be answered if possible from either one or each of the gods. As you're not from around here you get to ask three questions to all four. Lucky you.”
“Anything? What do you mean if possible?”
“Sometimes, there are questions that either the gods can't or won't tell you.”
“Well that's not ominous at all. Ok I need a bit to think about this, anything else I should know?”
“Hmm, three things.” He thinks holding up a finger for each point.
One: Over time a language system will be created and a System as you might call it will be made available so you can start to learn the language.
Two: Similar to languages, you are also able to create your own Powers or learn them from others. If you have a Power or magic from your world that you would like and is not forbidden then you can create it. I’ll leave a book behind that goes more into that.
And finally, a warning: There is an Institute of Applied Mana and Powers. They have an OutWorlder research division and can find you if you're not careful. You would be taken away and experimented on if you're not careful. Staying here and not causing too much of a scene will mitigate it somewhat. But gods know when they might find you.”
“Oh” Person stayed silent. Well, that's brilliant, he thought. A group who wants my head. While thinking this Abcier pulled out two leather bound and thick hardcover books. A Red and a Brown leather book.
“These are books on the basics of Powers and Mana'' pointing at the Red one “While the other is an Attalrininw to English dictionary. Ask the Coans here if you have any questions.” Guestering to the family. “I will give you one of your weeks to think things over and will return then. I can promise you that so long as you do nothing outstanding, The Institute will not find you for at least a month.”
“Ok, a week then. Thank you for coming, I really appreciate it.” Holding out his hand to shake. Abcier grabbed it normally as did the good Doctor Rath. Looks like handshakes are universal, or multiversal?.
After saying a quick goodbye to the Doctor and the Coan family Abcier headed out the door with Dr Rath and I turned to the Coan’s. Giving them a smile I mimed sleeping as guess what, I was exhausted from that talk and eating. Crazy.
Looks like mum understands and helps me up walking me to the room and into the bed. Wow I look thin standing up. A bit more filled out but dam.
After getting in she says “Pis aktiai”. Maybe like a goodnight or something but after a smile and wave, with the kid managing a wave from behind her I realise I completely forgot to ask about their names or introduce myself. Well that can be for the morning.