Multifarious

Myriad Reality

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Hm?

@Etcetera

Someone else must have had access to your lab. Intimate access. Because I was informed that the total number of entities that now roam Existence with this forbidden knowledge due to what happened today is two.
*Points at you*
Not just one.

Myriad Reality

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This appears to be a rather arbitrary force of nature. Most systems with that level of depth possess some degree of intelligence.

@Etcetera

There is truth in that. Maybe the time will come for you to learn more deeply of that, depending on how things go, because there is one more thing that I need to tell you.

Myriad Reality

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Surely there could be some form of reasonable negotiation.

@Etcetera

It’s an ancient system. Checks and balances are in place not because of the will of any one person. They are fundamentally part of nature, built into the way the world works. The people you see exerting the Lost Will of Nature are not doing it by their own volition or decisions, it’s reality’s way of presenting itself to us to correct anything it deems as corrupted or incorrect.

Myriad Reality

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I... see. I would have rather accepted punishment in her place.

@Etcetera

There would have been no relenting until you were killed. This is the value placed on the knowledge so few of us are permitted to know.

Myriad Reality

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What else could have caused it?

@Etcetera

Isolate this as well. The answer that makes the most sense is that she’s... Taking punishment for defending you. Standing in opposition to the principles of the Elements and the Lost Will of Nature.

Myriad Reality

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Is there anything in your training grounds that would cause that kind of effect? I was under the impression that you were all very much in control of everything there.

@Etcetera

I have a couple of ideas... None of which involve the training grounds specifically.

Myriad Reality

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...I see. Is there any update regarding a possible cause?

@Etcetera

It’s not physical trauma... Which is scarier, I think.

Myriad Reality

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*Attaches a cable to the terminal and types at the keyboard*

@Etcetera

*Returns after a few minutes*
Our best people are looking into it, but need more time. Her condition hasn’t changed.

Myriad Reality

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I’m willing to wait if you would like to.

@Etcetera

... Yes, please. Give me a minute.
*Holds my hands together to form a hollow circle as sparks begin to manifest within it, before I’m swallowed by a rift that disappears as quickly as it appears*

Myriad Reality

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Time passes quickly in times of crisis. Speaking of, would you like to check Zoey’s condition before we proceed?

@Etcetera

I would, but I can’t go with you.