It was in the early Spring of 2044 that the Professor first understood what it meant to face the unbridled wrath of a god. The name of that capricious deity, was Mount Vesuvius.
On March 14th of that year, there was a great panic near the mountain when the local towns were overrun by waves of animals fleeing from Vesuvius. The sensors permanently placed around the volatile mountain for constant surveillance, reported no abnormal activity. So, it was believed the issue lay somewhere on the mountain. As a result, Morgan received an invitation from the Italian government to run an environmental survey of the area immediately. He accepted. Night and day, he combed the area, only to find an almost total lack of wildlife everywhere. The discovery disturbed him. Animals are highly mindful of their environment and would only abandon their homes and hunting grounds for nothing short of a disaster. So before the sun had risen on the 17th, he visited the monitoring station built into the mountain. Only to find the subterranean complex abandoned, coated in decades of dust and cobwebs. Not long after, the worst came to pass in the cruelest way possible, with an ironic twist.
On the 100th anniversary of its eruption, Vesuvius did so again thousands of years earlier than any prediction ever expected. Morgan was forced to take shelter within the station as Mother Nature reminded humanity that she followed her schedule. Hour after hour, the Scientist waited helplessly in that tiny room as the world rumbled, acutely aware that the end could come at any moment. His only entertainment came from watching volcanic rock crash into the ground. Eventually, the falling ash caked the window, taking even that morbid distraction from him.
Thankfully, the eruption was only minor; after 26 hours, it became safe enough for him to descend to make his report. An investigation was quickly launched, and it discovered that the overseer in charge of the monitoring station had been to blame. The overseer quietly closed the station without proper authorization to embezzle the funds. In the end, over 4000 Italian citizens perished, and the angry civil uproar that followed weakened the country considerably. Only a year after the eruption, Italy was strong-armed to join the ever-growing New French Empire.
While the greedy overseer played their part, it could not be denied that an entire country fell to a single blow dealt by an uncaring force of nature.
The deafening eruptions that once haunted his dreams echo at the back of his mind when Eris next spoke.
"You refuse?" Parroted an entity far more potent than any lowly volcano. Her eyes narrowed as she dug a long black fingernail deep into the table. "My dear Professor," the nail sunk deeper at the mention of his title, "would you enlighten your loving Host as to the issue in the generous terms I have offered?"
"Hmm." Murmured Morgan as the memory of Italy's ruin urgently whispered caution in choosing his following words. "All of it."
"All of it?" Asked Eris.
"All of it," he confirmed with a nod. Internally, he felt saddened as the perfect opportunity to comment about an echo in the room passed by. It was for the best, as even he believed his Host would not appreciate the comment. Also, they were not technically in a room anymore, as it had been destroyed minutes ago.
"Even the marriage proposal?" She pouted, her shoulders slumping.
"I'm sorry, but I have no choice." He sighed and placed the cooling coffee back on the table. "You are, quite literally, the most incredible and captivating creature I have ever met. However, the fact of the matter is that I don't swing that way."
"Pardon me?"
Damn it. Communicating with aliens would be increasingly difficult if he can't shake off his habit of using idioms. He clarified with exact and precise language.
"I am not sexually or romantically attracted to women."
"Oh, is that all?" She giggled before reality bent around the deity. Eris sat on his throne, a charming smirk under the Void black beard. He parted the curly hair obscuring his vision, and Morgan saw that their eyes remained the same. "As I told you earlier, I can be fluid." The voice was far deeper now, as masculine as the last one was feminine.
There was no moment of change; the Scientist didn't even blink. It happened in the minuscule space between one second and the next. Eris's slender frame and female aspects were replaced with a bulky and muscular body that would make mythological heroes of Greece green with desire and envy. Morgan could relate to the latter but not the former at all.
"I am not sexually or romantically attracted to men either." The Professor said with an apologetic shrug. "That ability is awe-inspiring, but before we become further sidetracked, I should warn you that no form could elicit such a feeling from me. The only love I can offer anyone is a platonic one."
"Oh dear." The Bodhisattva sighed and returned to the form and gender they had before. Well, I can not say that I am not disappointed to hear that. However, I will not press my affection on you if it is not received. Unlike some other lightning-throwing pigs I have had the displeasure of knowing." Her tone became light again. "Thank the Heavens we cast that hoary old goat out."
"Are you talking about Zu-" He started to say but willed his mouth shut. There was a better time for a history of Vajrayana Faction politics. That would come later. "Nevermind. Let's return to your offer. Its benefits to me are clear, but it mentions nothing of the rest of humanity."
Morgan started on his second piece of cake while she chewed on his words. He tried his best not to stare at his Host, but her expression became increasingly wrinkled in frustration as she searched for how excluding most of one's species from salvation would be an issue. It was as amusing as it was disturbing. This new Universe may hold wonders, but it may lack a value for life. Then again, he should remember who he was basing that assessment on. A deity of conflict may not have the best grip on sympathy.
"...It does not." Eris hesitantly agreed before adding, "I am dealing with the Gatekeeper, not with all of humanity, so the offer reflects that."
"True." Said the Gatekeeper. "However, as of right now, you are not only dealing with only the Gatekeeper but also with the Arbiter."
"Arbiter?" Eris gave him a look as if he'd sprouted a second head. "What is an Arbiter?"
"It's a title I just made up. As Arbiter, I'll negotiate on behalf of all Earthlings with the Factions of Vajrayana." He took a sip of the coffee. "By the way, as Gatekeeper, I give myself the title of Arbiter."
"Is this a joke?" Eris asked, and judging by her pursed lips, she was genuinely asking. "Is this revenge for my pet's behavior?"
"Nope and Nope."
"Then why are you-?" She interrupted herself as a possible answer came to mind. Dawning a sly grin, the Bodhisattva leaned forward, her voice a bubbly whisper. "Are you doing this to sow seeds of Karma?"
"Karma?" The Earthling chuckled darkly at the perceived joke. "Definitely not. I don't have a reason other than I am what I am."
*...*
The Professor violently whipped his head over to the orchard, a knee-jerk reaction that almost caused the chair to topple over. He had become overwhelmed by the feeling of being watched in that direction. However, he could see no one when scanning the new shoreline from the floating platform. From the cliff edge, something golden glittered in the setting sunlight—most likely an apple either shaken, blown, or knocked off its tree from the multiple natural disasters.
"If you are wondering if we are being watched," she said to regain his attention, "then we absolutely are. I would not worry overly much about it. My planet is protected from direct observations. As for this new responsibility, I am afraid to say that it is unnecessary. By the time my people are able to reach your planet, the remaining humans will be long dead. I can swear that on my Dao if you-"
"No need for that." The Scientist rejected outright. Unearned certainty is more disturbing than comforting. If you don't mind, I would rather you explain."
"Not at all. First, you must understand that the method used to prematurely connect the Bifröst would be rather crude. An Artifact known as a Realm Piercer would be deployed on Earth, forcing a tear in the Greater Barrier where the Bifröst is burrowing through. Once the hole is made, we will ram the bridge through the gap. This will create a connection into Cosmos and will make teleportation far easier, allowing us to remove you and any number of chosen. This forcible connection will unfortunately make physical travel nearly impossible for some time for an estimated three to six months."
The Scientist noticed a potential flaw in this argument and gestured to speak. Eris beat him to it.
"As you will undoubtedly ask, no, the Artifact can only be used on the Cosmos side of the bridge. The Greater barrier is meant to keep foreign forces out and not to keep anything within." She paused for any questions and, when none came, continued on. "Aether will be able to pass through unhindered, and that alone spells out your people's doom. Within days, the Earth will reach Continental levels of Aether saturation, the lowest level that can support active Cultivation. The energy will not affect humans, but it will have a drastic impact on flora and fauna. They alone will be able to utilize the Aether as they are born with the ability to cultivate. In hours, non-Sapiant life will become Spiritual Beasts more powerful than any living creature your world has ever produced. In days, they will advance enough to overcome any weaponry wielded against them. In weeks humanity will be forced out from their cities as wave after wave of Beasts hunt them. I doubt there will be more than a few humans left before the first Cultivator ever enters Cosmos."
"You seem very sure about this." Morgan said through a mouthful of cake. "I'm going to assume you've observed such changes in some of the animals teleported here."
"Every single one, in fact." She gushed and pointed to the Gu Sea. "My favorite was a creature you would know as a dolphin. What it is now has no name, but I added it to my Gu, and it seems to be faring quite well against the others. The rest were given away as gifts to our highest benefactors."
Typical. Morgan hoped the rich bastards got killed from playing around with their exotic pets.
"So this Aether can make animals into civilization-ending monsters." The Professor summarized with a snort. "How come we Sapient creatures get left out of all the fun?"
"Beings like us do not possess an innate ability to Cultivate," she shrugged. "So we require a method to be taught to us. Once, during the early days of the Universe, there were as many methods as grains of sand on a shore. Now, there is only one."
"There's that word again—Cultivation and its new friend, Cultivator," Morgan said dryly. "I'm going to assume that they mean something more than agriculture where you come from."
"Ka-kakaka! I suppose that depends on what you view as a crop." Giggled Eris before her mood and tone turned on a dime. She began to chant, each word carrying the force of a rip-tide. "To reach Enlightenment, traverse the Dao. To traverse the Dao, Cultivate the Eternal Foundations. To-"
"Cultivate the Eternal Foundations, accept the gift of Vajrayana." Morgan finished, to both their surprise.
The words came unbidden, the chant meaning nothing to him… and yet.
*Th-Thump, Th-Thump, Th-Thump, Th-Thump*
And yet they set his blood ablaze. He knew the chant, but no memory came to mind. Morgan had never heard it before, never spoken it before, this much he knew to be true. But they came as naturally to the Earthling as reciting the alphabet. The familiarity was starting to fade like dew bathed in the morning sun.
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The Professor would not let whatever the hell this was escape him without a fight. So he closed his eyes to shut out the alien world around him, desperate to hold on. Morgan repeated the chant endlessly in his mind, faster and faster with every repetition until it became an indecipherable cacophony of noise. Still, he persisted until his madness finally bore fruit.
*ba-rk, bar-k*
There! What sound had his mind drifted onto? It almost sounded like... No, it couldn't be... Yes, Morgan was sure now.
He heard a dog, his dog, barking desperately for him to return! This result actually made things more confusing as he had never owned a dog. Nowadays, he was too old for such a responsibility. Still, Morgan might have adopted a pooch earlier in life if he weren't always away from home.
*Plop*
Something fell on his leg. He opened his eyes and felt his cheek, finding it wet to the touch. Morgan was crying.
Why?
"I know you." Drifted a breathy whisper into his ear, her breath smelling of funeral flowers and the memory of cold iron. "We have met before…"
Morgan opened his eyes and turned to find Eris centimeters from his face. The divinity had finally left her wooden throne. She placed a gentle hand on either side of his head to keep him from looking away. Her hands were warm—so warm that he felt the heat even through his thick gray hair. They stood there gazing at each other for minutes that dragged on for hours.
The Mortal blinked, and the near-immortal was gone.
"Humans on Earth have come to dominate their home world with nothing but their wits and tools. An impressive feat, but my people were never so limited." Said Eris, who had now returned to her throne without crossing the space between. "My people came to conquer every Realm by utilizing the gift of Vajrayana. The element known as Aether. Harnessing its endless potential, we have transcended the pitiful existence the Heavens has allotted. These miracles you have witnessed this day are not the results of simple technology, for we require no such crutch. With our Cultivation Method, known as the Dimond Tantra, reality bends to our wills."
The Scientist-
No.
Morgan said nothing. He stood up and walked to the edge of the crumbling floor. There, Morgan gazed out to the purple sea of blood and violence, his mind struggling to cope. Old he might be, the man was not one to stubbornly hold onto beliefs when they clashed with undeniable evidence.
Yet, to his shame, Morgan had quietly ignored the many signs and chalked every impossible event to advanced technology. He had spent a lifetime filling up the well of knowledge, only to find the bottom was false, that the well ran far deeper than anyone could imagine. The notion... had scared him.
That was over now; his Host's words made sure of that. Magic, as his people would describe it, was real. Morgan can see that now.
While magic may have different names here, such as Cultivation or Aether. It still didn't change the fact that he was standing on a fucking floating platform being kept up by a literal divinity so it didn't fall into a sea of Beasts. How was all this possible? The Earthling wanted nothing more than to say he didn't know. But that would be a lie. Today, for the first time in his life, he knew for a fact the answer was magic… Fine. FINE!
That was completely fine with him! Today, it would be magic, and tomorrow, it would be Science. All he had to do was figure it out—all of it. He would not rest until he understood every step.
The Scientist returned to his seat and did his goddamn job.
"Eris, thank you for being so patient with me." Morgan nodded his respect, and she reciprocated. "I only have a few questions about this Cultivation Method, and then I'll have everything needed to restart the negotiations. Are you still willing to continue entertaining my selfish request?"
"My dear Professor," giggled the embodiment of strife. "Of course I will. I am nothing if not a proper Host."
"The Dimond Tantra," Began the Professor, eager to cure his ignorance. "Tell me about it. There's no need to go into detail, as I'll get there soon enough. Just give an idea of what to expect."
"KA-KAKAKA!" Cackled Eris, the laughter sending ripples on the purple waters below. As abruptly as it started, it ended. "My apologies. It is so amusing to instruct someone as intelligent as you in the way we do for our young. But no matter."
The Bodhisattva waved her hand, and everything disappeared from the table. With the same hand, she laid it flat against the table, palm down. Purple smoke began leaking out from between fingers, where palm met table. The smoke did not obey the whim of the air currents and collected into a tight ball at the sender of the table.
The swirling billiard ball hovered briefly before expanding outwards in all dimensions like an explosion in slow motion. Each wave and tendril of smoke reached a certain point before coming to a stop. This repeated until a violet-tinged image hung suspended in the air: a multi-level tower with multiple eaves flaring upwards, a pagoda.
The tiny double doors of the mystical hologram opened and grew in size while the rest of the building disappeared. The effect was impressive, like manipulating the POV camera forward in a game. The image became the interior of the pagoda. At the center of the simple room was an elevated platform where sat a statue wearing loose clothing. The stone figure was humanoid but otherwise completely featureless, with no face, clothes, or anything to suggest any defining characteristics. The statue sat with the legs crossed before it, both hands resting palms up upon its lap, the head slightly bowed forward.
"Every Cultivator alive today began their journey by visiting a Celestial Pagoda," said Eris. "The Faceless Guide is said to be the first and only Mortal to have ever reached Enlightenment and the creator of the Dimond Tantra. It is by Meditating before this statue of the enlightened that we Mortals are shown a path to grasp eternity."
"So you were not born as you are," Morgan noted as he soaked up every detail of the figure. You became one through Cultivation."
"Indeed, my astute Guest. In truth, the familiar form you see here resulted from my evolution and progression as I traversed the Dao," she admitted. "My original form was shed eons ago when I became a Bodhisattva."
A living creature that used billions of years as its measuring stick? What a dull existence. The Professor honestly couldn't see the appeal in living so damn long. However, the information of changing forms provided some context for Lysander's hate. To the Hellenistic cephalopod, it must've felt like Morgan was a dirty street urchant cosplaying as a god.
Morgan motioned for her to continue while he quietly enjoyed the pain he inflicted on the Kraken.
The Faceless Enlighten condensed back into the billiard ball before sections separated from the main body. Soon, 12 purple marble balls hovered in four groups of three. One by one, the marbles molded themselves into simplistic symbols.
The first group had a tower shield, a two-handed sword, and a hand formed into a fist. The group to its left consisted of a hood and cloak, a bow loaded with an arrow, and two daggers crossed over each other. The third had a gnarled staff, a hominid skull, and what looked to be a string of prayer beads. The last group consisted of an open book, a bubbling cauldron, and a coin with an unknown symbol.
The Scientist suddenly sat up a little straighter at the sight of these symbols. It was nothing like his reaction to the chant or that business with the dog. The symbols were familiar, as he had definitely seen something like this on Earth. And the comparison made him uneasy.
"A Cultivator will choose between one of the 12 Origin Classes comprising the four pillars of the Dimond Method. These pillars are named the Path of Domination, Deception, Manipulation, and Creation." Said Eris, winking knowingly at her alarmed Guest. "Not to worry; I will not spoil the surprise of discovering each Class for yourself. But I suspect you will choose the Sage, as you would flourish with higher Intellect and Cunning."
All symbols, save the staff, condensed together to form a miniature model of Morgan seated in the same position as the Faceless. The symbol for the Sage floated just above the model's head. The smoky projection's accuracy was every bit as detailed as his Holo-projector back home. He could see his miniature breathing steadily and, when he squinted, saw the eyes move under closed lids.
"The Origin Class is the foundation of one's Cultivation and will greatly influence the direction of growth." The staff descended into mini-Morgan's chest and dissipated into the model. Its eyes opened as it stood up with a grace that he had not been able to replicate in a decade. Once the choice is made, a Class Core is formed within the Mortal, allowing them to refine Aether into usable energy."
Morgan swallowed hard then. Unease had taken root in the pit of his stomach, and the growing feeling was finding it difficult to coexist with the slice and a half of cake already there.
"You mentioned that there would be growth." Morgan struggled to say. "How exactly does that work?"
"A very astute question my dear." Eris beamed at her student. "The Dimond Tantra method aims to refine the Cultivator into a gem of perfection. For the Mortal gem to shine, the unnecessary material must be removed. So, growth is measured in Cuts awarding Attribute Points to invest into Attributes. Initially, the newly made Cultivator will gain AP equal to one Cut and a single Skill as an investment by the Heavens. Further progress is the responsibility of the Cultivator, and they will need to fulfill certain criteria before they can move onto the next Rank."
Mini-Morgan began to walk in place over the table. Small balls of elements appeared with every step taken and began orbiting the purple model. First was a fireball, its flames dancing in a trail behind it. Then, a bolt of crackling lightning twisted into a double helix joined. He didn't know what came next as the Human looked away from his miniature self to stare dully at the Gu Sea. It didn't help ease the nausea.
"Eris I-" Morgan slammed his mouth closed as something sweet tickled the back of his throat. Once the danger had passed, he choked out the dreaded question. "Excuse me. I need to know if a Skill is a pre-designed sequence that utilizes Aether automatically for the Cultivator. The Skill can be triggered so long as certain qualifications are met and the minimum energy is available."
There are no atheists in foxholes. That aphorism was burned into his memory as it was a favorite saying of his mother. It meant that times of extreme stress or fear could prompt or rekindle a belief in a higher power.
The Scientist closed his eyes and did just that. As to who or what he was offering his prayers to, he hadn't the foggiest idea. He had never been particularly attached to any of the higher powers back home since they never seemed interested in him. To ask for their help now felt a little silly as Morgan had met two higher powers today alone. Granted, he hated one and got him banished to the deepest trench on the planet. The other he liked but wouldn't trust any assistance given without a signed contract. That left... no one.
Eh. He'll just throw a prayer out into the universe and owe a favor to whatever ensures the answer to his question is no.
"Yes, that is completely corrected." Answered Eris completely mystified. "How could you possibly have- Professor?"
Her confusion became concern as she watched her Guest wheel himself over to the platform's edge to evict the cake from its former home.
"Thank you." Morgan gasped and rolled back to the table where a napkin and water cup had already materialized. The smoke-creating mini-him was already gone as he took a long sip. He drained the cup dry and looked to the bewildered Bodhisattva of Discord and Strife. With a touch of madness in his normally monotone voice, he said, "I'm sorry you had to see that, but it can't happen again. Let me ask you something. This floor is being suspended mid-air by a Skill, right?"
*Stomp!* Morgan slammed his foot down for effect.
"No." Answer Eris as her mismatched eyes watched him with total fascination. Perhaps she didn't want to miss whatever strange thing he did next. "Levitation is a passive ability nearly all Immortals receive."
Passive abilities? Dear god, when would this nightmare end?
"I understand. But as a Bodhisattva, you've definitely used a Skill like…" The Professor searched his memory for the most basic example. His gaze locked to the center of the table where the smoke model once was. "Fireball. Did you have access to a Skill where you launched a ball of flames at a target?"
"...Yes." Her head bobbed. "The Skill was not named as such, but it essentially performed as you described."
"Alright." He took in a big breath. "Describe how the Skill functions."
"It was a low Rank Skill." She frowned as she was forced to recall a memory made potentially before his species even evolved. "A ball of flames would be conjured at the center of my outstretched palm… I could increase the destructive power by allowing it to charge for a time. When I wished, it would fly forth to strike my target. The Skill was quite controversial at the time as it would often cause much collateral damage."
Even in a different Universe, Fireball was still Fireball. Which was a significant problem.
"You misunderstand. I mean, how did the Skill do what you described? How did this Skill create fire when there was nothing to burn? How could it condense flames into a round shape? Why didn't the fire on your palm burn you? What force launched the ball?"
"Ah, now I understand what you are getting." Chuckled Eris as she snuggled deeper into her pillowed throne. "The answer is simple. The Diamond Tantra is a completely automated Cultivation Method thanks to the Class Core. What need is there to understand such nuances and mechanics? Nearly all interactions with Aether are handled by the Class Core. It is far safer than allowing a Mortal to directly control an unstable energy capable of altering reality. More importantly, this path to Enlightenment has been tried and proven. This is why it has become the only method left in Vajrayana. The other methods were simply outcompeted and faded to obscurity, forever lost to time."
The Professor stared at the Bodhisattva blankly.
"...You and nearly every Cultivator in Vajrayana have no idea how any of the automated functions of your own Cultivation works, do you?"
"A handful of Court agents are likely learned in the general principles." A cup of something steaming hot appeared in her hands, and she took a sip. Eris let out a contented sigh of blissful ignorance. "As for myself, I rarely bother with such questions. Clearly, it is working in my favor."
"Hmm." Morgan hummed as he too reclined in his padded chair. Something was brewing in the deepest, darkest, most deranged corner of the mad Scientist's mind. An idea that would most likely get him killed. "I'm ready to restart negotiations now."