CHAPTER 12
Diplomacy never really changes. It’s all about contact between two sentients. It doesn’t matter if it’s between a Xeno and a human or even one of those darned entities. All that diplomacy requires is an ability for shared understanding and a mutual desire for continued survival. No more, no less.
— A diplomatic philosopher
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THE VOID REALM – ALEX’S PERSPECTIVE
Alex opened his eyes to a sight that defied comprehension. Before him stood—or perhaps was—an entity so vast and alien that it bent the edges of his perception. Its form was incomprehensible, a swirling amalgamation of color, shadow, and movement, pressing into the very fabric of his mind.
As Alex stared, an unbearable pressure built at his temple, growing stronger with every moment.
It’s too muc—
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NOTSARAH’S PERSPECTIVE
notSarah watched with mild annoyance as the mortal’s head exploded. Brain matter and neural pathways scattered into the infinite void, disassembling into abstract fragments. She gave an exasperated sigh.
Sister, she thought, turning toward the incomprehensibly vast entity beside her. I can’t believe I need to say this, but could you please present yourself in a way that doesn’t kill our very mortal guest? I’ll wait.
Her sister seemed momentarily abashed, her form collapsing inward before slowly coalescing into a smaller, more humanoid shape. It resembled notSarah’s own form but appeared younger, and she had clearly left in a few tentacles for comfort.
That will do.
Now came the hard part. Reassembling the mortal’s mind and body was manageable within the void realm, but the process was delicate. She set to work, piecing together fragments of neural patterns and reforming his physical structure. Why brother ever entered into a contract with these flimsy creatures, I’ll never understand.
As notSarah concentrated, she paused, trying to recall the mortal’s exact facial features. After a few hundred attempts, she felt confident she had something close enough.
Good enough, she thought.
“Let’s try this again,” she said aloud.
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ALEX’S PERSPECTIVE
Alex blinked, feeling disoriented as he found himself standing once more. He glanced around, noticing notSarah beside what looked like a miniature version of her. The smaller entity’s form was humanoid but distinctly off—inky tendrils writhed at its edges like an octopus trying to fit into human skin.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
A little disconcerting, Alex thought.
Let’s try this again, notSarah said.
“Again?” Alex asked, his voice unsteady. “This isn’t the first time?”
notSarah’s dark, unblinking eyes met his. There was no answer. Only silence.
Alex, meet my younger sister. Before your parlay with our brother, I’ve brought you here to have her apologize for your lost kin.
Alex’s thoughts swirled in a haze, his body still not feeling entirely his own. He nodded absentmindedly.
notSarah turned to her sister. Now, apologize.
Her sister pouted, crossing her arms. “It’s not my fault they’re so squishy! And I don’t see why you and brother are so upset about the cascade. If anything, they should be apologizing to me!”
notSarah raised an eyebrow, her expression stony. The younger entity’s form rippled under the weight of the silence.
After a moment, the sister turned to Alex, her voice dripping with reluctant disdain. “Fine. I’m sorry. There. Are we done now?”
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ALEX’S PERSPECTIVE
Alex’s mind raced. He stared at the creature masquerading as a human, his incredulity rising. This is the entity that ruined my family’s lives? Caused fear and chaos for generations? And all I get is...
“A petulant ‘sorry’?” Alex said, his voice sharp. He turned to notSarah. “Is that seriously what passes for an apology here? Because where I’m from, that’s a failing grade.”
Turning back to the younger entity, he stepped closer, his voice steady but firm. “And you—what gives you the right to kill and torment my family? Don’t you void beings have better things to do than—”
The creature’s form began to expand, tendrils lashing out, her shape growing darker and more unstable.
What is that? It’s too muc—
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NOTSARAH’S PERSPECTIVE
notSarah sighed as she watched Alex’s head explode again. Bits of his mortal essence floated into the void.
Sister, you really need to stop killing him. If we do this too many times, we risk diverging too far from the being known as Alex. Then we’ll need to rely on brother for yet another cascade.
Her sister hesitated, her form coiling inward. “I’m sorry, sister,” she said, her voice meek. “It’s just... I don’t have a great handle on this whole finite form thing. When he said that, I lost control.”
notSarah gave her a small, reassuring smile. It’s okay. You’ll get used to the emotions that come with puppeting a mortal form. Let’s try again, and then we’ll take him to brother.
The sister nodded, and notSarah began the delicate process of reforming Alex.
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93 REFORMATIONS LATER
With a long sigh of relief, notSarah guided Alex away from her sister and toward their brother. She felt reasonably confident she had gotten his face right this time. Probably.
Close enough, she thought, as they approached the next stage of this interminable ordeal.