NOVEL NEXT Chapter 212: Fairy Witness
"You know the Topology of my Fairy Witness rune?!"
For a moment, he forgot how to breathe. If She knew of its topology, then that would imply She knew the rest as well! He couldn't even imagine meeting someone who could, this soon… Every attempt at researching his own rune was met with dead end after dead end.
"Please." Soren stumbled to even say it as he stared at the distant rose. "Please tell me what I am…"
His two companion's eyes darted over him—Soren's hands were trembling, both with fear and anticipation.
"Am I human?" He continued to question the eternal flower, "A spirit? What exactly happened to me? What is that rune and why is it so deeply tied to my existence?"
Her voice came crashing down like freezing water. [I don't know.]
For a moment, it felt as if all hope in his body was lost.
But then…
[I don't know, but I can at least make a guess.]
His eyes shot open once more.
[I believe it may be related to Abstract Rune Synchronization. A very rare phenomena where instead of a mortal seeking out the presence of a rune to become a Phantasm, the rune itself seeks out the person first.]
"What?" All three of them looked at each other in confusion. It seemed that both Myrin and Cassia were unaware of such a thing. What's more, he hadn't fully explained his circumstances yet, but obviously, they had likely already come to their own conclusions. After all, even he wasn't really sure how to explain to them that his Abstract Rune's representation and his very own Runic Existence were conceptually the same…
[You've heard of Conceptual Override, correct?] The Blossom Sword Flower asked, to which Soren answered:
"Yes. It's a phenomenon that's observed when anima that holds higher dimensional concepts interacts with anima infused with concepts of a lesser plane. The lesser concepts become tainted by the influence of the higher dimensional concepts.
"I've mostly observed this effect with the Nameless Mist."
[Indeed,] She confirmed the validity of his answer. [Usually, these higher dimensional concepts are attributed to the anima exuded from Forgotten Runes. The Nameless Mist is one such example, but our very own Spirit Blossom Willow can also exude a similar effect through the spread of Aether. It is through this power that even the most heinous of daemons are locked forever in the Subterranean Shunning Grounds with no hope of escape.]
"But what does this have to do with the synchronization thing you spoke of earlier?"
[It has everything to do with it,] She answered. [In fact, I don't believe Abstract Rune Synchronization can exist without the influence of a Forgotten Rune.]
"What?!" Soren blinked twice. But despite his shock, a part of him had already theorized something similar before. As he understood it, the Forgotten Rune fragment he had obtained was accidental—not even Mr. Unknown was fully aware of how it happened. But more than that, that entity spoke as if it was familiar with the abilities granted to him through his Soul Weapon, and yet, not once did it ever mention how it was ever forged to begin with…
Soul Weapons, especially for vagrants, are not something that could manifest on their own. The person must purposefully obtain an Abstract Rune fragment then cast a ritual to lure it inside the Soul Chain's node. Any alterations in the incantation, ingredients or other instructions could result in severe backlash to one's Runic Existence. If the Abstract Rune could not be contained properly, the instability it will cause will doom the Phantasm before they could even have a chance to utilize their new abilities.
And yet, this entire process was waived for him… The Secrets of the Records ritual that he had conducted was nothing more than a Bestowal Type—a ritual meant for obtaining something from unseen forces, no different from a mortal invoking a prayer for a good harvest. Yes, it needed anima to work properly, but to say that it somehow had something to do with him obtaining The Records? Preposterous.
Despite the similarities between their names, Soren didn't believe for a second that the ritual was responsible for him obtaining his Soul Weapon. Even Mr. Unknown only ever attributed it as the reason for his arrival in Yarian and not for the creation of his Soul Weapon itself…
This obviously introduced a problem. If he was sent to Yarian with just the Fairy Witness rune fragment, that would logically imply that his Soul Weapon was formed during his trip through The Rift. The only thing he could point to as a potential culprit was [The Faerie Court].
Somehow, someway, this Forgotten Rune fragment tainted his Fairy Witness rune and this allowed it to willingly merge with him to form his Soul Weapon.
[As I said before,] The Blossom Sword Flower interjected once again, [With Abstract Rune Synchronization, the rune itself seeks out the person. There is no need to lure the rune fragment into the Soul Chain's node—it will willingly go there on its own due to the influence of a higher concept.]
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"What benefit does that even provide to it?" Soren's frown deepened. "Abstract Runes desire the growth of their influence—why would it willingly subject itself to my rule and limit this growth? The influence that is gathered will only be used to empower my abilities…"
[Your knowledge on Abstract Runes is too simple. Yes, their main goal is the spreading of their influence, but how they go about doing that is up to the rune itself. Some try to spread chaos or invoke calamities, feeding off the influence generated through sorrow and grief, while others desire more passive methods. At the end of the day, these Abstract Runes are nothing more than seedlings that will eventually turn into Spirits if given enough time.
[Your Fairy Witness rune also has its own considerations. From what I've been able to observe, its governing concepts are otherworldly spectation, fairy's curiosity, and story obsession. Strangely, these concepts somewhat go against the nature of fae. Spirits such as myself are nothing more than guardians of nature and beauty, as ordained by the Flower Maiden Herself.
[To desire stories and to be curious… These are sacrilegious to everything we Fae spirits stand for. The Goddess sanctifies temperance, ordaining that none give in to vice. After all, the concepts we rule over could taint Her vision of the forests. The only time we are given freedom is during the Nights of Twilight, where mischief reigns supreme. You, on the other hand, are not bound by such limitations. Your very rune demands thrills and new experiences.
[But even stranger, it is a rune that seems to exist simultaneously in multiple Planes of Existence.]
"What… do you mean?" He tilted his head slightly then glanced at his two companions. Both were just as perplexed as he was.
[Haven't you considered why you're able to grow your influence in Yarian? You, who had obtained this rune prior to your arrival on this world, had somehow grown its influence enough to even unlock a new Soul Weapon skill. How can that normally be possible?]
He paused for a moment to think then remembered something. The number of Rune Fragments according to Mistress Sienna were always fixed. Every Abstract Rune could only be made up of three Cores, nine Expression, or forty five Insight fragments. There are no more or no less in existence, no matter what Abstract Rune it was…
If the rest of the fragments for the Fairy Witness rune were on Earth, how has he been able to accumulate more of them here in Yarian? Did the influence of Astral Anima exist beyond the boundaries of this realm?
No, I'm still operating on a lot of assumptions… Perhaps this rune has always existed in both Yarian and Earth. And there is also the fact that both realms were connected through the same gateway in [The Faerie Court]…
Regardless of the why, what She was saying was the truth. One cannot accumulate influence for a rune that doesn't have more fragments of itself in that realm. Therefore, it was logical to assume that Yarian has always housed portions of the Fairy Witness rune… Perhaps those fragments have always been roaming the Beyond endlessly before Soren's arrival.
"I did always find it weird," Myrin said while rubbing his temples. "You were able to gain enough influence to reach 1 Expression fragment in only a couple months. As for me, I've had my Artist's Wand for much longer than you have and have yet to obtain enough Insight fragments to merge them into an Expression fragment."
Cassia shook her head. "Myrin, gaining more fragments isn't something that easy, especially when the rune you're merged with is something other entities also possess. Spreading the influence of your rune is one thing, but spreading it enough to supersede every other being that holds the same rune? Now that's difficult."
Soren nodded in agreement. Unlike him, Myrin's Feyscribe rune was obtained through a previous Runic Acquisition Festival. The spirit he challenged and defeated had given him a fragment of one of its runes as a reward… Obviously, the influence he could spread with just his measly Tier 1 Soul Weapon couldn't compare to the Fae spirit he had obtained it from to begin with.
And even if he could somehow spread the rune's influence more than that spirit, the mistress would not have allowed it. Offending a spirit whose nature and powers were unknown was a foolish endeavor.
As the mistress once said, those who hold the same Abstract Rune are destined to meet… He sighed then looked away from Myrin.
It made him think about his own future after obtaining his second rune. Would he not have to compete against the Blossom Sword Flower just to grow its influence?
As if sensing his thoughts, the radiant voice immediately answered. [The options I've put up for you are from runes I have not yet merged with. There is no need to concern yourself with such ideas.]
"A-alright…" He wanted to quietly curse. Soren almost forgot that the being before him was one that could read his mind at any time… Even his Fairy Bind spell had no effect on Her powers.
Still, the answer She provided reassured him, at least.
[But let us return to the main topic at hand. Your rune—as strange as it is—indeed has its own considerations. Since its fragments are spread between two worlds, it would have obviously tried to consider a solution to locate the other pieces it can't find.]
Soren's eyes widened. "You think that it chose to merge with me due to my ability to travel to other worlds?"
[Precisely. I am not sure how you managed to obtain that Forgotten Rune fragment, but during your journey to Yarian, it managed to taint the Fairy Witness fragment you had with you. And through that altercation, the Fairy Witness rune became aware of your ability to travel to other worlds and decided to choose you as its host. At least, that is what I have theorized to have happened.]
"....." Soren was speechless. There was still the question of why this altercation caused the creation of Figment—if the rune had already agreed to be with him, why was his Soul Weapon also actively rebelling against him and trying to usurp his body? From what he remembered, the flame always called itself a 'paradox.'
There was still more to this mystery that he was unaware of, but the Blossom Sword Flower's theory had already provided him with plenty of information to use.
For one, this could imply that the Fairy Witness rune doesn't only have fragments of itself in Yarian and Earth, but also in other realms… If so, its desire to become a part of his Soul Weapon would indeed make sense. Not to mention, the similarities between their desires…
Both Soren and the Fairy Witness rune enjoyed the thrill of seeking out the unknown. Curiosity was at the core of his being—his desires were all built upon that principle. One could even say they were a perfect match for each other.
It's no wonder my True Self manifested itself as my Soul Weapon…
"I never considered that you were in possession of a Forgotten Rune fragment." Myrin spoke, cutting through his thoughts. "But if we consider everything we've witnessed from you, it would indeed make sense."
"You don't seem that surprised?" Soren's brows furrowed.
"Are you crazy? How can I not be surprised?!" He shook his head then glanced at Cassia who was gripping at her own hair, trying to process the new revelations.
"So this is why he disappeared all of a sudden in the guild base…" She mumbled to herself. "He was using that ability to travel back to another world? How absurd…"