What can I say about this world? Well, my first impressions were good. I could breathe invigorating air with only a slight unpleasant odor. Unlike the Refuge air, it wasn't nearly as invigorating. However, it was still far beyond the putrid air of the dump city. Above all, the remarkable thing about this place was its relative cleanliness, especially when compared to the dump town.
Sure, there was still plenty of garbage littering the streets, but walking them without occasionally stepping over, or even around, mounds at least several meters high made up of objects, toxic substances, and muddy water was now possible. In fact, it was often much higher, up to tens or even hundreds of meters if the room's height allowed.
Admittedly, on closer inspection, the sanitation of the place could have been better. Nevertheless, if I had to compare, I'd have to imagine the worst possible dump in the filthiest city. Hygiene and comfort were thus greatly improved, and I didn't even dare to think what it would be like in the worlds above.
Indeed, thanks to the data on the map, I'd hypothesize that there were still other worlds with beings much more potent than here. However, I needed help getting to the accesses the map indicated, as these required a higher level of authorization. And that was probably just as well, as I'd hate to take the wrong path and go straight to my death.
After all, the power of such beings... never mind, I'd better refrain from thinking about it for the time being to preserve my sanity. Instead, let's get on with exploring this place. The corridors and halls were already much more prominent on average than those in the unloading city, giving the sensation of open space, though hardly enough to keep the air from smelling musty.
At least, when approaching high-traffic areas, the various body odors, whether of the living or of still-fresh corpses, should be less strong there since diluted in a larger volume of air. However, this was based on the assumption that this world was less densely populated or had a larger urban area.
Unlike the city dump, the structures in the rooms that served as living quarters were much better maintained. Instead of looking like half-collapsed ruins, they were simply dilapidated, having undergone numerous works to be refurbished and thus postponing the inexorable date of their end.
In fact, the impression of patchwork was omnipresent in the city, giving it an atmosphere of rebuilding civilization. If the landfill city seemed to have come from a post-apocalyptic world, this city heralded the dawn of a new age. The first light of day could not yet be felt here, but it was clearly no longer pitch-dark. It was a warmer night, illuminated by a veil of light almost imperceptible but present nonetheless.
As we strolled along, I could not help but notice the excellent condition of some of the tools. Where you'd have to look for at least a day to find even a half-drinkable tool, I saw a spotless tool once an hour or, if you were a little less observant, once every five minutes. My respect for the gangs increased a little, as I was fascinated by their ability to unearth so many functional tools.
More generally, if I'm being sincere, the floor was cleaner - or less dirty. Of course, here and there were still a few corpses half-gnawed by putrefaction and by the few animals surviving in this hostile environment. In fact, it wasn't all that surprising, given that animals were already present in the dump town, albeit extremely rare given the harsh conditions.
At least, with more animals to munch on the rotting corpses, the air was less overloaded. Thanks to these animals, the air was breathable; at this revelation, I could only feel great sympathy for them. After all, they had done an excellent job providing service for my future home.
Indeed, when this world became the world assigned to my Class, I would be required to stay there much longer than in the expeditions of the dump city. Certainly not as long as in the Refuge, but still at least a few hours every day, if not the vast majority of the time at times. This world abounded in a number of activities other than gang warfare.
But then, I'm straying a bit from the original topic. And anyway, you'll have plenty of time to discover this world when I'm transported there by the System. So, as I would be spending a considerable amount of time there, I was grateful to the animals for helping to purify the air. However, I hadn't yet realized how lucky I was at the time.
As a result, most of the corpses were nothing more than scraps of bone, some flawless enough to give the illusion of shine. Moreover, there were few bloodstains or toxic substances on the ground. As for the latter, they tended to congregate around vast pools rather than the various puddles and streams of the city dump.
Therefore, there were almost no toxic substances, making it much safer to wander around this town - provided, of course, that you didn't dip your limbs in these noxious pools, with the surrounding air as noxious and unpleasant as the dump town. And on reflection, that was the only thing these two worlds had in common, at least in environmental terms.
Toxicity always smells the same no matter where you go... or all those noxious liquids come from the same place. After all, the provenance of all this waste was fascinating, especially as no one seemed to be manufacturing anything in the dump town or even here, as I would only come to understand much later.
If this town was just about safe, it was also very annoying. The cause was its deplorable and unnecessarily complicated architecture. I really wanted to know who the architect of this place was. But why? Nothing... I just had a sudden urge for murder. After all, we'd been going around in circles for a few hours already. But the most worrying thing was yet to come: we couldn't find our way back to the Refuge.
In other words, we were having a little problem. We were at the mercy of every danger this world had to offer, with no way of returning to safety or turning back. Indeed, all we had to do was stay in the area surrounding the Refuge, diverting people's attention away from this place, which offered a bulwark of safety against threats from the outside world.
Under normal circumstances, this reasoning would have been valid. However, in my current case, it was undermined by the simple inherent characteristic of this world: its changing architecture. If the dump city was a normal labyrinth in terms of its messy architecture, this city, with its very particular architecture, was a moving labyrinth.
Here, the pattern was constantly changing, so much so that I wondered how people found their way back. Or was it just an innate knowledge shared by the inhabitants of this world? As a foreigner, we were at a disadvantage in every respect, and our expedition no longer seemed like a walk in the park.
I could only blame myself for having been so excited at the prospect of treading unfamiliar ground, of exploring a new land teeming with mysteries, that I forgot to take precautions. Even then, I was fond of adventure, even if, paradoxically, I hated danger. Unfortunately, this attitude would play tricks on me again in the future, even if it is subtler each time.
Whether it was door exits that changed, occasionally revealing familiar rooms. Or doors that were blocked just before you entered them. Or dead ends that revealed rooms close to the Refuge but opened onto dead ends, blocking the walk for dozens of minutes. It was no exaggeration to say that it was a real obstacle course.
We could only wander helplessly through what was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful labyrinths I'd ever seen. And if, in addition, the landscape had had an oppressive atmosphere with rooms in extreme conditions, then I could have awarded it the prize for the best labyrinth of all time... And indeed, the only one I would have avoided setting foot in at all costs.
So, it was a complete maze in terms of mechanisms, which didn't help our current situation at all because, to our great dismay, our troubles were just beginning. We'd already been wandering this endless maze for almost six hours when we came across a very different room. And we were undoubtedly delighted by this change until…
Until my apostle, coming to his senses, abruptly hid himself, looking undeniably frightened. If, at first, I didn't understand, wanting to question my sister about her maneuver, I suddenly turned pale with shame. It had been a very close call. It took us a few minutes to catch our breath and calm our fear.
Fortunately, being in a dark, narrow, dirty alley, our silhouettes weren't readily visible. However, we knew we wouldn't remain invisible forever, given that our alleyway was opposite a large avenue. Indeed, one point I'd forgotten to mention before was the changing luminosity between rooms and corridors.
Unlike in the dumped city, where the light wasn't always weak, sometimes, it was even bright. So we weren't in perpetual darkness. On the other hand, we could just as quickly be in the deepest darkness as in the brightest whiteness. A change that sometimes occurred in barely a room or corridor. I could only thank my luck for bringing us to such a corridor.
Nevertheless, we definitely couldn't avoid trouble, especially as we heard ominous noises from behind us. And as we saw silhouettes approaching from behind, we decided to hide as quickly as possible, feeling our hearts quicken. But we soon found out that the strangers didn't seem to have noticed us. So we were genuinely relieved.
But the relief was short-lived, for by the time we saw the position of the protagonists, the screams, the weapons held in their hands, and the brutal, even sadistic gestures all painted a charming picture of what could potentially befall us.
And all we could do was stand by, hypnotized by a surreal scene, as more blood soaked the walls with each grand gesture of the two humans. And as if that weren't enough to torment the poor victim, the two assassins were kicking and screaming all the insults they knew.
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In fact, I didn't need to ask Systalia to find out the content of her speech. Strangely enough, I had a clear and limpid understanding of their conversation this time. Insults were a universal form of language. Or was it violence more generally? It was hard to say.
To be perfectly frank, this scene was very trying to watch, even if it was nonetheless fascinating. The violence and frenzy that the two humans exalted with every fiber of their being was genuinely captivating. So much so that I was seriously torn between attraction and repulsion for this kind of act, between the side of my passion and the side of my reason.
I knew the scene was horrific, but even so, part of me couldn't help but find it pleasurable, almost enthralling. And for me, the fresco painted by this scene was a thing of beauty, even if I couldn't pinpoint the exact part that was.
What was certain was that something resonated within me, within my Void, within Us, something that would only wait for an opportunity to come to light. Something I had to accept one day if I wanted to become complete. I sensed it in the depths of my Void. And for a brief moment, I was exhilarated by this thought, before emerging from my trance and paying attention to my sister.
My apostle decidedly disagreed with me on the matter. Indeed, I could feel a swallow in her throat, a drop in her facial temperature, and a fixed gaze as if she were in a second state. And I could only sympathize with her horror at witnessing such a shocking scene.
After all, taking one's own life was radically different from seeing others do it. Especially since, in the dumped city, it was rare for anyone to take pleasure in killing. Most people clearly looked resigned to death or murder since that was a lot of life.
Indeed, gang warfare for control of the city's territories and the rare supplies of drinking water and victuals was the only activity many people knew. As a result, murder was trivialized and seen as a necessity. In fact, it was almost seen as a job, a task reluctantly performed for survival.
On our many jaunts into town, we'd witnessed gangland massacres, and each time, the majority of humans seemed almost apologetic about the tragic outcome, expressing remorse for the deaths they'd caused. A sentiment I could only admire, given my inability to understand or even express it.
And it was perhaps for this reason that people would stare at us, fury written all over their faces, as we killed their comrades, without showing the slightest emotion or repentance for our actions. Especially since, in our case, there was no excuse. We had no need to perpetrate such actions, at least from their perspective, especially after finding Refuge. And that was the distinction between us and them.
In their eyes, we must have looked like monsters, a nameless monstrosity that couldn't possibly belong to the same species as them. And indeed, they were right, for I could never have been related to them. Perhaps I was irredeemably an abomination? But that's okay because I've long since made peace with this part of my being, of my Identity, of Us.
From now on, I cherish the full extent of my good and bad sides. Especially the latter, because I hesitate to conceive that I could have good sides. Besides, had I made the right choice by accepting myself as I was without wanting to change... I'll never know. And anyway, the end could obviously have been worse. In the end, I had probably made the best decision.
Once I'd got past my initial appetite for the situation, I actively started to get scared. What would you say? Simple: the longer they stood there, the more likely they were to become aware of our presence. Especially as we couldn't risk escaping since they'd notice us straight away. As a result, we were trapped in our hiding place, waiting patiently for them to withdraw after they'd finished their rampage.
And just then, they decided to stop. Glancing at the two men, we could see the damage: the victim was unrecognizable, his face so disfigured and his body so butchered. At this point, we could hardly call him human; at best, he was a disgusting mass of flesh worthy of the worst experiments of mad scientists.
Just seeing this monstrosity, which had once been human, made us nauseous. And this distraction proved fatal. For a while, we were shocked by the vision of the poor victim's disfigurement; the murderers approached us, their faces looking doubtful as if startled by third parties.
Perhaps my sister had cried out in fright or made a noise as she was startled to discover this horror? Whatever the case, they spotted us and were obviously up to no good. And so we made the courageous decision to... scram like cowards.
Of course, they didn't wait a second before coming after us, their determination clearly visible in their eyes. After a brief glance back, we didn't wait a second longer, jumping over a mound of garbage in the hope of reaching an adjacent room. But that was hardly enough; afterward, they reached our room, ready to battle.
If horror had pushed Systalia's body beyond its limits, we soon had to face the after-effects of this act of desperation. Dizziness and nausea presented themselves, giving the impression that the room was constantly spinning. And then, as fate would have it, my sister fell from exhaustion to the point of fainting. And as she struggled to stay conscious, her legs failed to respond to her resolve.
So, as things stood, running was now impossible for my sister unless she suffered severe after-effects, which I hoped would be temporary. She could only burst into tears, the sharp pain of cramps and spasms so engulfing her mind that all communication proved fruitless. And so as not to suffer the same fate, I disconnected myself from her nociception, trying in vain to calm my panic.
We could only watch helplessly as these two terrifying humans approached, waving their sharp knives with frightening smiles. These humans sincerely had no need to peer into the abyss of my Void to claim madness. They could only have been born with it or been its incarnation. Such were the delirious thoughts that arose in me amid all this terror.
As our two assailants drew closer, their deranged smiles seemed to increase in intensity, the delight all the more visible on their faces. I could only stare in horror as their smiles became more and more disturbing and their eyes more and more hungry. I had called them mad before, but I had to rectify my words: they were monsters.
I couldn't imagine them as humans; they transcended that category just as they exceeded every conceivable form of insanity. Until now, I'd never felt so powerless in a situation, unable to do anything but suffer the decisions of others, of people who had only their own selfish intentions at heart.
Even though I didn't want to admit it to myself deep down, I was just as hypocritical as those two frightening humans, if not more so. Indeed, I was essentially a selfish person. I possessed personal ambition and sought an Ideal. I was uncompromisingly determined to complete my being and find my Identity, no matter what the consequences for others.
Because for me, morality was just a chimera, a strange and incomprehensible idea. At least for now, since I'd barely taken my first steps in the World. I hadn't yet been sufficiently exposed to the morals of this society to imbue my mind with particular values, either for or against them.
The two monsters advanced slowly, enjoying seeing the fear in my sister's face. Although I must confess that my memory of this event could have been more reliable. Did they have to kill us? And why without a spell? Had we seen something we shouldn't have?
Multiple questions raced through my confused mind without finding the slightest beginning of answers. And in any case, I had no time to think about it, for they were already close to us, gleefully observing the frenzied flailing of my sister's arms as she desperately tried to protect herself from our assailants.
It was all in vain, however, and after a few minutes, one of them grabbed her arm, clearly bored by the pathetic spectacle. It was time for our end, and I could only note this with a sad sigh. I was on the verge of abandoning this life until this despair paradoxically eased my panic enough for the gears of my mind to start turning again and...
My Will awoke from the depths of my essence, accompanying the Void's Will and, through their union, reforming Our Will for the umpteenth time. I was elated once again, and all traces of discouragement disappeared from my being. I had the confidence to accomplish anything, a feeling of omnipotence I would never tire of.
But there was a significant problem: Our Will couldn't spread outside my apostle because of the lack of connection with the only suitable receiver: The Book. My apostle wouldn't touch it, preventing me from projecting Our Will. I tried to communicate with her, but there was no response. She was far too obsessed with her own pain and distress that all my requests went unheeded.
Unfortunately, it was too late: one of the two assailants plunged a knife into Systalia's body. Robotic blood flowed profusely from the wound while the two assailants were stunned beyond conception? Of what, I didn't know precisely? But in retrospect, I suppose watching an android or even trying to understand what they were witnessing had stunned them.
After all, there were only a handful of androids in this World. And not everyone was lucky enough to come across one in their lifetime, whether in this world or the world beyond. In any case, my sister's vision was becoming dangerously blurred. So all I had to do was wait... No! I wouldn't give up! Or at least, I'd send them with us to the afterlife.
Such were the thoughts tinged with Our Will as I screamed at my sister, taking advantage of her newfound attention to the outside world due to her acute pain to make myself heard by her. Were these thoughts of me or of my Void? It didn't matter because, for the moment, the distinction was ambiguous, and it was hard to know the limits between Me and others if such a notion was even sensible.
Fortunately, between two attempts to scream, my sister finally heard me, carrying out my orders without flinching. And with the bit of strength left in her arms, she grabbed The Book from her garment pocket. I was thrilled! After all this time, I was finally going to be able to show the World my true power. Whether this enthusiasm belonged to Me or to Our Will, I didn't know.
I did know, however, that now I would become the Death who would reap the lives of these two ignoramuses. And so, Our Will amplified, rising ever higher towards its proper form, until... No! Why? Something dared to block Our Will and protect these two thugs! For the first time, rage broke out within me, the result of the apparent injustice that had led to our deaths.
So, with all our might, the Void and I pushed back the invader. Whoever stands in the way of Our Will's infiltration, we'll tear them apart with our relentlessness. For nothing should resist us in this World. Such were our proud thoughts, which, against all odds, were translated into reality.
Indeed, no doubt overwhelmed by the pressure of Our Will, the mysterious protector stepped back, letting Our Will reveal itself to the World in all its splendor. The surroundings were transformed into a kaleidoscope of immaculate whiteness and blackness, showing the Void's undeniable shape to all those who aspired to madness.
And the two malefactors would not be disappointed, for their wishes would soon be granted, now able to complete their sweet madness. What ungrateful people, I thought. They didn't realize the honor I was doing them by showing them my Void. In the end, I could only witness with jubilation the final form of their alienation as they stuck their costly teeth down their throats, signing their bloody end.
Nevertheless, I could only catch a brief glimpse of their corpses falling limply to the ground before being seized by an excruciating pain in the depths of my being. Too bad I didn't have a body, or I'd have broken my vocal cords with my shrill screams. Had something cracked inside me? These were my last impressions before my apostle fainted, followed shortly afterward by my loss of consciousness.
And so began our first intriguing and desperate battle amid a bewildering new environment. But this was not yet the end of our adventures on our first day in this strange world, nor indeed its climax...