01 | Video

[butterflyguardian]

*There is a man in a butterfly mask staring into the camera and smiling. It feels like he could stare into your soul, but while it's slightly unnerving, it's also comforting. He seems friendly enough, anyway.*

I can assure any others that are here that the destruction of an entire universe through artificial means before its time is close to impossible. Do not fear. We will find a way to return all of us home.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Philemon, a spirit who dwells between the conscious and subconscious mind. It is a pleasure to meet all of you.

Comments

[fallen_stage]

Abridge it then: I have nothing but time.

[butterflyguardian]

There was at one time no distinction between right and wrong, light or darkness. In the vast void of nothingness, something...awakened into thought. The first consciousness. All was well for a time. ...until it asked itself the first great question. "Why am I here? Why do I exist? Perhaps I am not meant to exist at all."

This conundrum of existence and nonexistence caused it to fracture itself into two. And thus the spark of creation reverberated well into the physical plane.

[fallen_stage]

Quite the origin story. You are one of those two?

[butterflyguardian]

I am. I sense that the other is also here. His name is Nyarlathotep.

[fallen_stage]

So, both halves of the first consciousness of a universe... Strange for two halves a soul to be so independent, and I assume neither of you have been cycling lives?

YOU SAW NOTHING

[butterflyguardian]

We changed when humanity evolved, but no. We are as eternal as the universe itself.

*...no comment on the two halves of a soul bit.*

Considering the topic of conversation, that was pretty hilarious.

[fallen_stage]

Eternal souls as well, never cycled through? Your universe must function very differently... But that does answer the question of how you know its functions so intimately.

[butterflyguardian]

I'm glad. Might I ask how you know this yourself...?

[fallen_stage]

Oh, I only knew the function of my own planet, which cycled its souls between death and birth. The memories would be stripped in the process, nurturing the planet. I can only assume the universe would function in a similar way.

[butterflyguardian]

Oh? How strange. I have never heard of a universe that reincarnated souls in that fashion.

[fallen_stage]

Where else would souls go? An afterlife of some sort? They cannot linger too long after death, or they turn into ghosts or monsters.

[butterflyguardian]

It seems that our universes are very different in their nature and operation.

[fallen_stage]

Not surprising, all things considered. I would wonder at all of our commonalities, but doubt our... saving didn't take that into account. In fact, this Tower is much more homogeneous than my planet.