"…Doomed?" I asked nervously.
"Yes. Unfortunately, you soul has been shattered. While its strength has increased sevenfold, when you die your soul will cease to exist. Heaven is no longer something you can experience."
If I had lungs I would be hyperventilating. Holy shit… holy fucking shit… why? Why me? Why did this have to happen? I can feel my sanity begin to crack under this revelation. "It is an unfortunate state of affairs. There is, however, something that can be done to fix this." Leviticus’s words help bring me back to reality, and Victor helps steady me before I fall in shock. "If you were to go to Heaven yourself, as you are now, God may pity you and fix you himself."
"You said this is a nexus for all dimensions. What’s stopping us from going to one now?"
"There are many gateways around the Emptiness. We have no idea which one leads to Heaven, the reality above all others. Before we were completely unable to even open the gateways. With you, however, things may be different."
"How so?"
"Your new body and soul allow you to wield the incredible powers of Thaumaturgy. It is a magic and science that works in every reality. Usually when anyone tries to practice it they go insane trying to understand it. You, however, are in the perfect position to undertake this task. If you wish, we will begin training you in it right away. However, should you refuse, remember that your hopes of Heaven will be lost forever, and your death will mean your mind will be lost to the infinite blackness." Of course I accept the training they offer. It’s not like I have another choice. "I deeply thank you. We will assist you in any way we can, as we are also trapped in this dimension. Your training begins immediately." Every robed figure in the room stands up from their kneeling position and promptly leaves into other parts of the tower.
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Leviticus leads me into a dark and dingy part of the tower. From what I can tell we are underground. "This is where we keep our most sacred relic of all, in wait for you to use it." On the opposite end of this room is a door with two Praetors guarding it. As the doors open and we walk through, I see a pedestal with a dimly lit book on it. "Behold, the Thaumonomicon. Everyone who attempts to read it goes mad, but your unique soul and physiology will allow you to read and comprehend it."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"Is there any risk to this?" The book itself feels as if it’s warding me off.
"From what I can tell," replies Leviticus, "you will still experience a severe mental fracture. The reason it’s so dangerous to read is because the madness is tangible. It seeps into your soul and stays with you forever. We call it Warp."
I have no choice. I must save my soul. I pick up the book and open it.
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My mind is filled with a billion billion thoughts at once. I see all the unseen specters sitting in their quiet chambers, all the liars spinning their webs. I feel unadulterated power entering my mind. Malice itself penetrates my superego as everything spirals into the incomprehensible. My mind is filled with untold knowledge stolen from entire realities. Suddenly I awake back in reality. The book crumbles to ash in my hands. Leviticus’s breath falters for a moment before he says, "It worked."
After opening the book, they lead me to my room to meditate on what the book has taught me. I reflect on what I have learned:
Essentia is what composes all real things, and there are many types of it. From mice to gargantuan planets, everything is made up of a unique combination of Essentia.
Vis is the tapestry of reality: a constantly flowing energy that permeates every dimension. It is utilized in every dimension differently. Some dimensions use it to cast spells, some use it as a power source, but none of them ever use it to its full potential. They do not know Thaumaturgy.
Flux is the counterpart of Vis. The heavy use of magical equipment in an area produces Flux, causing the Vis to be pushed out of the area. My new body produces Flux, which will allow me to easily dispel any hostile use of magic against me.
Rifts are shatters in reality formed by Flux pollution in an area. Since I can control Flux, I can also control rifts. They can lead to anywhere in any dimension except Heaven or Hell.
Taint is the physical manifestation resulting from Flux pollution. It is the substance that my body is now made of and that covers most of this dimension’s terrain. I can see why.
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After hours of self-reflection and pondering in my room, I begin to hear voices while I focus on certain parts of what I learned. They prevent me from thinking about this knowledge. I realize it is the Warp I contracted from reading the tome. I will have to engineer a solution to this.
I walk out of my room and past the Praetors guarding it. They kneel as I walk by. I pass several robed figured that step aside as I walk. When I arrive in the throne room, I approach Leviticus who seems to be talking to some Praetors. They immediately stop their conversation and look at me.
"Let’s get started."