The Architects of Life

Loki and his companions were traversing through a peculiar dimension on their way back to Iris. In one area, time moved abnormally fast, with an hour passing in just a few minutes. In another, gravity seemed to reverse, making them feel as if they were walking towards the ceiling.

“What is this place?” Takahara muttered. “It feels like gravity is flipped upside down…”

Morino supported him as they moved forward. “Be careful, it’s messing with your sense of balance.”

“Stay calm and keep moving. If we get through this, we’ll reach Iris,” Loki said, calmly directing the group.

Pico laughed as she approached Loki. “Loki, say something funny!”

Loki flashed a brief smile before throwing out a lighthearted joke. “Alright, do you know why the ground loves sticking to the ceiling? It’s because the floor is a huge fan of the ceiling!”

Noah gave an exasperated grin, and the others chuckled quietly. However, none of them knew what awaited them ahead.

Having successfully activated the device and prevented the collapse of the dimension, Loki and his companions made it safely back to the temple. In the grand hall, Iris was already waiting for them.

“I’ve confirmed that the device is functioning properly. The collapse of the dimension has been averted,” Iris said softly. “Well done, everyone.”

“Thanks, Iris, but there’s still much we need to uncover,” Loki replied.

Suddenly, a thought crossed Loki’s mind—he remembered Serena.

“By the way, Iris, about the mermaid Serena we met on our way to Aerial… She mentioned that her sister died in a storm. Could you tell me more about that?”

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For a moment, Iris’s expression grew somber, but she nodded gently. “Serena’s sister was caught in a powerful storm and dragged into a dimensional rift. The storm was caused by instability between dimensions.”

“Does that mean there’s a chance her sister is still alive?” Loki asked.

“There is a possibility. But first, the dimensions need to be stabilized. Once that’s achieved, we may find a way to rescue her.”

Loki recalled his promise to Serena and renewed his resolve. “I see… If that’s the case, we’ll do whatever it takes to stabilize the dimensions and save her sister.”

Iris smiled. “That will be your next mission. We’ll need your help to save Serena’s sister and restore stability to the dimensions.”

With a gentle nod, Iris led them deeper into the temple, to a secret room where no one else had ever set foot. Inside the room, Iris began to speak quietly.

“We live in a four-dimensional spacetime. That is, three spatial dimensions—length, width, and height—along with time. However, this is just a fraction of all the dimensions that exist. According to M-theory, there could be as many as eleven dimensions in the universe. These dimensions influence each other, and in some of them, the laws of physics are different.”

Morino frowned. “I know that our powers are connected to higher dimensions, but what kind of forces are at play here exactly?”

“The gods exist in ten dimensions. As M-theory suggests, there are up to eleven dimensions in the universe, and they all interact with each other,” Iris explained, continuing. “Additionally, each of these dimensions contains countless parallel universes with different physical laws. For instance, in one universe, the speed of light may be faster than in our current one.”

“I see… so our powers transcend dimensions and affect these other realms,” Ginga muttered, arms folded thoughtfully.

Suddenly, Pico asked Iris a question she had once posed before, this time with greater curiosity. “Iris, what exactly are dimensions?”

Iris smiled as she responded. “Dimensions describe the extent of space. In a three-dimensional space, there’s length, width, and height. When you add time to the equation, you get the four-dimensional spacetime we’re familiar with.”

“So, as more dimensions are added, the expanse of space grows?” Akiba asked.

“That’s correct. And beyond the fourth dimension, the higher dimensions are far beyond what we can understand. In the fifth dimension and beyond, things become even more complex,” Iris paused for a moment before continuing. “The gods, being higher-dimensional beings, can interact with these dimensions in ways that transcend our understanding.”

Iris then began explaining the concept of the multiverse. “In quantum mechanics, the Many-Worlds Interpretation suggests that every choice creates parallel realities. In other words, our actions and choices influence countless worlds, each of them existing simultaneously.”

“Our decisions have an impact on other worlds too?” Matsuda asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, they do. And gravity is one of the forces that flows from higher dimensions into the four-dimensional world. That’s why beings in the fourth dimension, like us, can experience gravity,” Iris continued. “However, understanding higher dimensions themselves is incredibly challenging.”

Takahara, taking notes, nodded thoughtfully. “Fascinating. This theory could open up a whole new avenue of research.”

“Furthermore, the evolution of life is also influenced by higher dimensions,” Iris said, casting a glance around the room. “The foundation of life was designed by higher-dimensional beings. There are elements in life’s evolution that go beyond what Darwin’s theory alone can explain.”

“So, our very existence was shaped by the hands of the gods?” Morisei asked, intrigued.

“To some extent, yes. But not everything was predetermined. Your choices also played a significant role in the process of evolution,” Iris replied quietly.

As Loki stood silently, absorbing her words, he began contemplating the path that lay ahead for them.