(BGM: Ar Tonelico II OST: Omoi (Feelings)
Life. Death. Origin. To Cease. Purpose. Truth.
These are all words that are ingrained in us as living beings. The question whenever something greater exists outside of our mortal reach. Is there a life after this one? Or is every living being cursed to one day fade and cease to be? This is a question that we will never know the answer to, but what if we are not alone in this search for answers? From a greater perspective, we and our planet are collectively only a small speck of dust in our galaxy, which in turn is only an even smaller part of our universe. But what if our universe is one of several equally massive spirals of worlds, just like ours?
All of these different universes form a space called a "Dimension". Our Dimension is not the only one out there. Those that have managed to break the limits of our existence and have seen what is beyond knows that there is a state of unlimited and infinite possibilities. Those who have discovered this never-ending canvas of stars and universes call it, "The Great Sea of Existence".
No two worlds are the same, as the variables are virtually endless, no matter how strong the similarities. There is only one thing that all that has ever been created in the Great Sea share in common, and that is one rule. All that is created must cease to exist. When a life comes to an end, they lose their sense of self and awareness, but this is because the soul is separated from its corporeal form. All souls without a shell are drawn to a location that exists outside the boundary of any known world, said to exist in the exact center of the Great Sea.
That is a mythical place where all lost and deceased souls converge to seek rest and rejuvenation. A place where those who have left us are cleansed and reborn. The new souls then eagerly wait to find a new creation which they can grant life to. No single entity truly dies this way, and those who have spread terror and sorrow in their lives are given a chance to become someone capable of great good. The balance of life and death in The Great Sea, and the location where the souls are cleansed share a common name. The Cycle of Souls.
The Cycle is said to have existed before time itself, and now, very soon, one soul in this Cycle is about to awake for a very rare occasion.
What is about to be told is The Story of Existensia, The Dimensional Bridge, as several beings are about to be united in one a journey of unforeseen wonder and danger.
This is Existensia!
A tale that transcends the boundary of worlds!
The very beginning, The Cycle
(BGM: Flow - 01 - Birth)
The souls that somehow remember the Cycle recall slowly floating around a very calm and serene sea floor, with a calm sea above which reveals the gentle rays of a sun trickling through the surface. The rays give a sense of relief and calm, and many burdened souls can feel their chains slowly letting go. The sole population of this sea floor is small lights that slowly float around in peace. Every light sees themselves as the form they had before death, but others can only see the slight reflections of the shining lights around them.
Among of all of these lights floated a translucent boy with his arms outstretched, his eyes were closed, as he drifted into a peaceful slumber. Like all souls that were there, he did not remember who he was, or why he had passed on. He just basked in the moment of deep peace he found himself in. He breathed slowly and peacefully as other lights reached out to the surface. Those were souls that were content.
The boy stopped in his tracks as he felt an ethereal and warm feeling surrounding his very being. He opened his closed eyes slowly as he heard a calm voice speaking to him. "Claus." called the gentle voice out to the boy it embraced. "Have you awoken from your slumber?" The boy fully opened its emerald eyes and nodded. This voice belonged to the only other figure that the boy had lied its eyes on, ever since he had gained sentience. Trough it was a completely new impression to him, the voice felt safe and reassuring. It was almost... motherly.
The boy slowly nodded in response to the question. "That is very good." answered the warm voice. "As you know, you will soon wake up to a whole new life, filled with possibilities and happiness. It will also be filled with strife, hardship and injustice, but I believe you will become someone create when you reach the surface." The boy clutched to the arms that embraced it. He knows this wondrous sensation of relief and fulfillment would soon end, as his time for reincarnation grew close. "Claus, do you have a last wish before your next life?" asked the voice while looking down at the boy. He whispered a few intelligible words towards the figure.
"You want me to follow you to the surface as we part ways? Of course, Claus." answered the voice as its embrace grew wider to lift the boy. The boy saw the surface approaching as his body almost naturally gravitated towards it. "Be safe, be fortunate, and most importantly, may your new life bring you happiness." The arms released the boy as he could almost touch the surface. "Claus, for me to have been able to hold you again... Find a great life out there, and I wish you all the best. My beloved son..." said the voice as it faded away while the boy's hand reached above the surface.