He’d become familiar with the importance of “relationships” since Earth had been connected to the Labyrinth. In his opinion, this had been one of the weirdest things that had happened: being informed of when people did or did not like you. Reaching certain relationship levels also triggered certain events or behaviors. It was almost like a self-reinforcing prophecy. Having a pleased rank relationship with Sariel meant she was actually pleased to see him.
Of course, you couldn’t follow the rankings blindly. It didn’t tell you about a person’s character. It was just an indication of how people felt about you. Even if you reached a “Friendship” level with someone, if that person was a no-good, untrustworthy bastard, they’d be the type of person to betray you no matter what relationship rank you reached. That phrase, “he’d sell out his own mama” was actually true for some people, so a relationship rank did not mean you were safe from treachery. Everyone had their own nature, after all.
The men and women he’d led to the bunker had reached the eighth relationship rank with him, Trusted. That was why they had followed his directions almost without question. His mood darkened somewhat at remembering how many of the people who had trusted him had died, but the feeling quickly passed. Those men and women were just the latest in a long line of bodies he’d left behind.
Remy turned his attention back to his new life. Namely, that his improved relationship with Sariel had already shown dividends. She had shared info that she normally wouldn’t have. Information was worth more than gold.
Seeing as how sweet tea and a smile had earned him some points, he figured he might as well really pour it on. After all, you can never have too much butter on bread. At least, that was what his uncle always said.
“Thank you very much for the information, miss,” he responded with a pleasant tone. “I will wait a bit before deciding on a new name if that’s alright.”
She gracefully nodded her head, “Of course. Part of my purpose is to tell you of your new world and to provide you with the opportunity to ask questions. I make no guarantees that I can or will answer, however. Knowing that, do you have any questions before we begin?”
CHAPTER 3
Remy did indeed. Without preamble he asked, “What is a Being of Power and why do you think I’m one?”
She nodded again, expecting the question, “Let me say first, you are no longer human. Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to say that you are no longer only human. You have been altered to occupy a higher State of Being. At the moment of your death on your home planet, your spirit was captured. After that, I do not know all that occurred, but I do know you have been implanted with a Seed of Power. This can trigger any number of possible evolutions, but it has turned you into a god.”
Going to put a pin in that, he thought. Let’s stay on topic. “What happened to my body?” Remy asked.
“Left to rot, I would assume,” Sariel said offhandedly. This matter was obviously of no consequence insofar as she was concerned.
She might have been able to brush it off, but that simple statement made Remy’s head spin. Part of him had still been thinking that maybe this was some sort of strange firing of synapses at the moment of his death. That this was just a time-dilated dream.
No.
He’d actually died, and his body had been eaten by the cats. He took a deep breath, then shrugged. He’d never understood the point of worrying. I died, but now I’m alive again, sort of. Might as well embrace my new reality. So he asked another question, “Who brought me here then? Who ‘altered’ me to a ‘higher state of being’?”
“Do you not remember?” she asked carefully.
Remy furrowed his brows. Had there been a giant face? A giant- Even that wisp of memory faded away. “No,” he replied, shaking his head. He knew that something had happened after he’d died and before he’d come here, but he couldn’t recall it now for the life of him.
“Then you are not meant to have that knowledge,” she told him definitively, a firm look on her aquamarine face. “Suffice it to say that you have been given another chance at life. Most importantly, you have been provided this opportunity with your consciousness intact.
“The souls of humans are only quasi-eternal. If you had not ascended, your spirit would have continued on in some fashion after your death on Earth. The specifics of ‘who’ you are, however, would have been lost. It is rare, especially on a mana-void world such as yours, to maintain your consciousness after death. The power that sent you here must have taken special care to preserve your personality.”
Sariel looked at him pointedly, until Remy responded, “So I should be grateful to whoever brought me here?” Before she could answer he continued, “I have learned not to put my faith in hidden organizations.” She started to frown, but then he added, “I have also learned to trust my instincts, however. No matter what group is behind my resurrection or whatever it is, I am grateful for your help, Sariel.”
The Ethereal’s face softened. She considered her words before speaking, “The unique powers and sensitivities of my race make us ideal for facilitating encounters such as this. I will not discuss such matters in detail, but I will share that I have met countless beings from millions of worlds. Few would be able to suffer the extreme trauma that death can inflict and still have the inner strength to remain true to who they are. Most beg, threaten or simply become unresponsive, unable to process their new reality.” She paused, gazing at him intently, “Seeing your strength, I can understand why you were chosen.”
Your ability to bravely face the truth of your life after death has distinguished you from the masses. This has once again increased your relationship with Sariel. You have gained +450 Relationship Points.
Total Relationship Points with Sariel: +750
Congratulations! Your relationship with Sariel has improved from Pleased (+250) to Kind (+500). “It is my pleasure to help you!”
Remy was somewhat taken aback. He hadn’t been trying to sway her one way or another. It was especially strange because he knew that his emotions were being artificially suppressed. Was this a coincidence, or could the beings that sent him here possibly have foreseen this?
He was about to say something, but she suddenly waved her hand. A series of glyphs appeared in the air. They looked like a mix between Chinese characters and the digital numbers that appeared on calculators. After a moment, she waved her hand again and they disappeared.
“We do not have much more time,” she told him. “From what I understand, the majority of the people of your planet believe in one omnipotent and omniscient being that created the Universe. You call this being God. Though you have ascended to a higher State of Being and have evolved, you are nowhere near that state of existence. You are the lowest evolution of a godlike being, A Spirit Made Flesh.”
He nodded for her to go on.
“All gods have a nonphysical organ called a Divine Core. It will give you great power, but will not keep you safe, especially on this new world. Unlike Earth, Telos is not mana-void.”
“Mana?” he asked. “You mean magic?”
The Ethereal heard the confusion in his voice. She stopped speaking for a moment, searching for the right words to explain it in a way that he could understand. “On your world you understand the concepts of magnetism and electricity, correct?”