animus_network | [video]

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[video]

*Enoch had finally been reminded of the network earlier in the day, and what had happened reminded him of something he wanted to get out there.

So here he is on the video feed, looking mildly distressed, but for the most part composed.*

The theory about the phantoms here...I don't believe it's true. They have a vaguely human shape, but I never saw any resemblance to...to the person its voice belonged to. As well, I was with someone else when we were attacked earlier, and we each heard different voices from the same phantom.

It must be an illusion.

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So, they are...ghosts, then?

It is much more complicated than that. Without the application of the Hilbert Effect, they might as well be. However, they are souls that exist within Imaginary Space.

*There is a long moment of silence as Enoch stares at the screen in confusion, trying to make sense of what Wilhelm said without asking. And he's clearly failing at it.*

What are the "Hilbert Effect" and "Imaginary Space"?

I'm afraid it is not easy to explain.

[ He tilts his head, curious if Enoch will press the issue. ]

*Considering there isn't much to do here that isn't inherently dangerous...*

And you won't try?

[ Blink. ]

Perhaps the simplest way to describe it would be the dimension of space parallel to our own, rather than the Upper Domain, which is above us.

*Enoch is a curious man, there isn't much else to say about it.*

So...

*If the "Upper Domain" is Heaven, that helps put it in perspective. Heaven above, The Darkness below, Earth between...and if this is beside that...*

...something of another Earth?

The original Earth has been lost. From the time in my universe, humanity has become space-faring, and has colonized several new planets.

"Lost"?

*His mind is...willfully blanking on this one.*

It was destroyed.

[ Let that sink in a moment, Enoch. ]

*One of his hands grips his opposite arm, holding a bit too tight to be a casual motion. He looks down, lips slightly parted and working very lightly as if he's trying to put words to an idea that just won't come out.

Finally, he looks back up at the screen.*

How?

Humanity unearthed a relic they did not understand. It was a foolish decision for them, but it was necessary.

[ As for what it was necessary for, Wilhelm doesn't elaborate. ]

Wisdom unearned...

*He seems to be talking to himself.

Slowly, he recalls Wilhelm had prevented him from touching the Compass in Meridian, and his eyes rise to meet his, questioning.*

Humanity unearthed the Zohar, the doorway between the Upper Domain and the Lower Domain of the universe. The earth has since disappeared, and is presumed gone forever.

....As a planet, it ascended. *It's the sort of slow monotone that comes from shock.*

That is, perhaps, one way of looking at it.

*Enoch sat a moment longer in stunned silence.

And then his mind worked on it a little more. It wasn't the only time such a door was opened - not on Earth, but...

...had Earth ascended? Or been destroyed in a fatal reflex of divine fear, like Zeph had mistakenly destroyed Meridian?*

I'm not certain I want to think of the others.

No, likely not. As we had discovered a derelict piece of the earth floating through space later.

...I see. *Quiet, strained and shaky. Pained, and his face was shifting to match.

It may be another Earth, but he still gave up so much, still hurt so much, in his efforts to save his own. Even if they might be gone anyway...

...not that he wanted to believe that yet.*

If it is of any consolation, the piece we found was the final resting place of Mary Magdalene.

*Enoch looks up, opens his mouth, clearly a bit confused, before closing it and shaking his head.

He doesn't know who that is, of course...*

[ That's somewhat surprising to him. ]

Is there anything else you would like to know?

*Too early, in this case.

After a moment of silence, Enoch shakes his head again, solemn this time. What else was worth knowing?*

I see.

[ Wilhelm nodded. ]

In that case, I have something else I must attend to, now.

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