Prologue:
Nerjinx Sane, was a particularly smart and wealthy individual. 35 years old and in his prime.
He mastered a great deal of the physical and natural sciences, delved into the fields of archaeology where he hoped to find the answer to his deep and underlying problem of boredom and emptiness which was a result of an excessively well off material life.
He encountered an arch... site unlike any he had seen on the earth; in the exceptionally large desert of North Africa.
The site had been an oscillating anomaly that kept blipping on his semi-artificial intelligence computer radar.
His powerful SAI computer had finally managed to zero in on the site, but now came the problem of physical access.
He had not brought much on his tourist helicopter.
And the ever shifting sands of the Sahara were not going to make it easy to access the site.
Having pinpointed the location via satellite, he frustratingly turned to leave in order to return with support and extraction equipment.
However, surprisingly the sands unnaturally shifted, revealing a black trapezoidal pyramid. Curiosity ate away caution as he approached the phenomenon.
This was certainly not human.
The pyramid could approximately fit in box 3 ft in height width and length. And it seemed surreal- as if it was alive.
Nerjinx made a note of this sentience, but he could not help but touch it. And when he did. It lit up and said some garbled language which Nerjinx could not understand.
The pyramid burst into a cloud of infinitely small, but collectively visible particles which invaded his body. The whole situation had unknowingly attracted attention from a distant world and far removed universe.
A powerful but wizenedly old man using his colossal mind uttered a word and consciously created a portal at the spot.
The unconscious Nerjinx who was in a great deal of pain was sucked into the warp like portal. And smuggled magically into a distant, terribly powerful and frightening land where great energy the likes of which Nerjinx had never seen was to be witnessed.
Nerjinx would incorporate his legend in this land much as the alien tech had been incorporated into him.
Nerjinx arrived in large atrium and tower where he wobbly, then mechanically as lifted by an unseen force to face an old man sitting on a throne.
Beside his throne were shelves of books fascinating in appearance and in front of the throne lay a desk of various mysterious trinkets.
Sane was flummoxed at first but soon curiosity got the better of him. An otherworldly experience was sure to cure him of borderline boredom.
The curious Sane approached the man on the throne who stared at him with glowing piercing green eyes. Although Sane could feel the man was powerful, Sane did not feel like a curious cat about to be squashed; he actually felt the opposite, it seemed the man was glad about Nerjinx's arrival.
"You are most welcome, to my humble abode" said the man.
Nerjinx Sane, smiled and replied, "It was quite the welcome." Sane shrugged off his discomfort and further approached the throne but kept a respectful distance.
The man scanned Sane with his eyes, he seemed to read Nerjinx like an open book but his eyes were not intrusive at the same time. The man continued, "My name Arcturian albeit that was what i was originally called." "I have had many a name in many a world and quite lengthiest names that the list could stretch on for miles on end." "But who and what I am are not that important unless you a curious to know." "So you can call me Arc"
Sane processed this information with its implications. But Arc continued without allowing Sane to speak. "You have been chosen; Nerjinx Sane, to a degree of randomness as well as partly to your on effort. To possess power. As i once did. The pyramid of an ancient technological time is now a part of you."
"The pyramids powers rest in its ability to contain one's soul and memory and transmit you to any place within universe's vast and myriad galaxies." "The pyramid follows you as a part of your being and it is ethereal, supernatural and as old as time is in the universe." "It contains secrets which even I, Arc have not explored."
"Why you may ask have I parted with so great a power and handed it to you Sane?" Nerjinx Sane - "I have no shred of a idea why? But it sure is quite thrilling to be here." A smile appeared on Arc's face - "You remind me of my younger self - brilliant but excessively bored. However the reason I have brought you here is that; not only did I use the pyramid to explore my known universe, I endeavored to explore other universe dimensions and this came at an energy cost that affected my very being. My soul albeit indestructible is returning to its former universe and the pyramid has rejected me."
"So now" Arc continued "I pass this marvel to a successor". "As to whether you are worthy of so great a boon is determined by the questions you ask and the choices you make; beginning now?"
Nerjinx mind rapidly began to process the implications of the words and for some reason he felt a clarity of mind which he realized was a result of the pyramid now embedded in his body. It felt like a cool breeze in summer's heat or a draught of pure crystal water on a hot day. Sane asked, "I understand that i have been gifted a marvel, how will i unravel its secrets, surely there is knowledge you can pass on?"
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Arc laughed, "Not only are you brilliant you have greed and ambition and are quite bold!" "I will pass on "some" knowledge if you make the right choice?" "There are severals books on the 3rd layer on the shelf on my right. They contain all the possible ways to become a worthy contender in any of the worlds you visit. Choose the right book?"
Nerjinx Sane approached the shelf, he scanned with his eyes and all of a sudden a interface popped up, it displayed the books in English have translated the different symbols and various odd letters.
Magic: The Arcane Art Qi - The Internal Vessel Art Aura - Physical Mana or Qi Manifestation Psi - Psionic Mind Power Space and the Void - Planar Exploration
Small Particles:
Surrounding Structures & Inner Frameworks
Domain - Consolidation of Mana, Qi, Psi, Aura powers
Energy:
............
Physics & Mathematical Formulae - Combat Oriented Potions and Alchemy - Healing and Infliction
Mineral Structure & Encyclopedia Plant Anatomy & Encyclopedia Creature Anatomy & Encyclopedia Sentient Race Anatomy & Encyclopedia
Nerjinx Sane studied the interface and made up his mind which book he would choose. But to confirm his choice he thought of dimissing the interface and it naturally vanished. Sane looked how the books physically represented themselves and he found that not only was "Energy" the odd one out it was the largest but the most modest of the books. He reached out his hand in choice and touch the book on energy.
Arc laughed and was more amused again. "Energy is never annihilated it changes form." " You have deserve the whole collection; you have made the right choice." "These books are the only things you will take with you." "I give you knowledge to accompany you - Sane- on your journey." " As for the wisdom to use this knowledge and the experience to wield it - I leave the "journey" to teach you."
Nerjinx Sane was a bit puzzled how was he going to get out of this odd aditorium and take these massive books with him.
His thought was interrupted by Arc - "I know what you are thinking, speak to the technological pyramid of time as I liked to call it, but you may live to find out its true name and purpose; it will solve your current predicament."
Nerjinx Sane eyes lit up in understanding.
Arc sighed - "My time is up." His body began to erode and vanish in a swirl of bluish-white energy.
Nerjinx Sane closed his eyes. After everything he had seen he took the old man's words to heart. In his mind he said "Hello".
"Yes" came the reply.
Sane: "Who are you?"
Pyramid - "I am what you call "Alien Tech" in your language - English that you speak. "
Sane: "Can I call you "AT"."
AT: "Sure master."
Sane: "What is your purpose?"
AT: " I cannot tell you now; however, I will accompany you in every world you visit as a servant and ally for you to gain stratagems and sources of power."
Sane: Sounds surreal and too good to be true.
AT: "Well, master having been incorpo-rated in your body I serve only you."
Sane - "Incorpo-rated eh!" "I guess I will add an R or I to your name. I definetly cannot call you RAT even ATR, or ATI sounds ludicrous if i say it out loud; I think i have got it. I will call you..... ART.
Sane - Acronym for Alien Incorpo-rated Tech - ART - aight that one sounds better.
ART: I like the acronym : scanning and searching neurons
ART - Memories found:
Art of War Art of Science: Science of Art Art of Investigation - Artificial Intelligence
ART: "I am rather pleased at the memories associated with my acronym."
Sane: "You are welcome ART."
Sane: "So how do I get these books and how do i get out of here?"
ART: "This is a sub dimension created by my previous master Arc in contains his treasures and books; I can create another sub dimension - of your own - and transport the books to it. I would not advise you to touch the other treasures- though a waste to leave behind- they have restrictive curses placed upon them."
Sane : "Thanks for the warning."
ART: "You are welcome - Master."
ART: Place your hand on each of the 14 books.
As Sane touch each book with his left hand he felt a weird but pleasant sensation trickle down his arm and the books vanished.
ART: Since you are as of yet a child when it comes to magic and void space law. I can only perform magic through touch for you.
Sane was astonished he knew the books were "somewhere" but they had vanished into thin air.
Sane- "Now the trillion dollar question how do i get out of here?"
ATR - There are two options, the first requires a great amout of energy which sadly you do not possess - planar teleportation. The second option is to die and be reborn after which by ancient magic I will teleport to your location and rejoin you.
Sane - The first is an impossible option the second is far-fetched to believe and requires trust and faith which i have a rather small amount of as a scientist.
ATR - The subspace will soon collapse estimated earth time
00years -00days - 00hours-15minutes-45seconds-35microseconds
Sane: I got only 15mins to decide on only one sure death option - damn.
Sane: After all that I have experienced today, I am definitely a believer in magic and energy and "Higher Beings"
ATR - Excellent conclusion master - so based on memories - pick three options for death:
Option 1 - Brain Aneurysm Option 2 : Heart Attack
Option 3 Alternative - Both - Sudden and Quick Death
Sane: Curiosity sure does kill a cat.
ATR: Rebirth is an excellent way to build a foundation of power. The ancient magic placed on you by my incorporation keeps all your memories intact upon rebirth and will be by yourside master or should i say incorporated within you.
Sane: ATR go ahead. I guess i go down as a scientist who took a leap of .......
With a simultaneous brain aneurysm and heart attack. Sane died and ATR formed a pyramid and vanished from the subpace which began to collapse.