Chapter 3 : The Morning of Exposition I: Of Souls and Minds
She was fading , falling through some black , featureless abyss. She wanted to fall in , deeper and deeper . Above her , was flashes , flickers of memories too painful to look at ,too painful to be among . There , every detail of those memories were made sharper than ever , was made very real, almost unbearably so. She relieved everything , and was glad to leave it.
Then , suddenly , right below her was the faint glow of a light . It sung of warmth , it sung of a gentle melody of joy , of dawn , of some place better . And the storm of images faded away , becoming a thinner , and thinner , less distinct pinprick in the abyss. And she was then embraced in that light .
That light suffused into her , penetrating every atom , every fibre , every neuron , every thought , like the embrace of the heated room after leaving a winter storm, like the one last year.
The feeling was difficult to put in words , at least in words her native language possessed. It was like a comfort , like a cup of hot chocolate , like soothing words after the tears. It was like being out on a gentle beautiful day , or feeling content , and calm , and at peace.
It was a warm afternoon , a cool evening , a beautiful , optimistic dawn . The closest experience was like her habit during her first year , where she went to the top of the battlements of Hogwarts , to watch the sun gradually rise over the horizon. Or perhaps an early morning flight in her second year , fifty feet above the highest tower of Hogwarts , in pre-dawn . She loved seeing the sun rise , and the sun set , there was something symmetrical about that. And in there , that feeling , she lost track of the time.
She felt a peace . It was the kind of peace one felt after the tears had stopped , when a warm embrace or gentle soothing words of a loved one was besides you . And somehow , she didn't feel much pain at that . It was fading away . Was it really that painful? Was it better to feel pain here? She could remember , alongside that long histories and long experiences that was not her own , something deep , vast , infinitely more profound than herself, and somehow , she felt better. Her loved once , her close friends, well , that of the previous soul . She appreciated them all , but was mourning them going to resolve their loss ?
But what about her soul . What did it mean to be a mind without a soul , belonging to another soul ? And just one of many minds . She realized now that those presence , those soft voices at the back of her consciousness were other minds. But not all minds were alike , were they? Some minds were not true persons , some were full persons . Which was she ? And what did it mean to be one mind among many others ? She right there and then felt insignificant , small , tiny , like some intruder , despite the calm , warm light surrounding her.
Not really . The light around her rippled in waves. If she could jump here , she might have jumped for a moment . Then she recognized that voice . She had just heard it , back in that manor , in that dream . Strange , it now seems like a distant memory , like it happened to someone else that was not her . It was the light . Something was happening in the light .
A rather troubling thought occurred to her. Was her mind being tampered?
Well , do therapist tamper with minds then? Besides, it was not just your body that was grievously wounded here . This mind itself was in a rather bad way too .
Well , if she was to tamper with someone's mind , she might make it so that the person with tampered with would be unable to feel uneasy about it , she supposed. But she did feel uncomfortable with it .
At least you are willing to talk . That one problem when you take a fully realized mind previously attached to another soul. There's always to identity problem , you see.
A problem with identity? Well , she supposed so .
She suddenly realized she was no longer falling . The same bright warmness still surrounded her though , but she felt something gentle flowing over her , tickling her senses .
It means , wake up . She could sense the joviality in the voice. And her surroundings no longer rippled around her .
She didn't feel like sleeping any more . In fact , she felt wide awake, more lucid than she had been for many months. Only difference was , she didn't know the meaning of the word lucidity then .
She opened her eyes to see the rays of gentle sunlight , and a soft breeze pouring through the open window . She was in a room painted egg blue , sleeping on a bed . It was her bed , she recognized . It was her room , as she recalled it , she realized with a start , down to the last ornamentation, and petal of artificial flower at her bedside , to the calender on the table that looked exactly the same on the last day of the last summer holiday, nearly two years ago.
There was two things out of place though. Firstly , she could now , see , after sitting up , she was most definitely not in Ashton Place , not in an urban area , and , not in England . More like of the French Rivera in late Spring. And secondly , there was an ermine , the same ermine seating on the windowstill , looking out into the scenry beyond.
It spoke again . " You're awake. "
" I don't think it's possible for the vocal cords of an ermine to speak English. " She dryly remarked. " How long would this dream last this time, anyway?"
" As long as you want . Though I daresay it's far less of an illusion then a few nights ago. This illusion has a physical presence in base reality , and is accessible , if you have the appropriate … key." Unspoken explanations appeared onto her mind almost before she could begin to try to decipher what that creature was saying.
" A few nights ? Which date is it really , outside then ? And I take it that you don't use keys any more in the future?" She replied.
" One . Yes . Two , the morning of 2nd May , 0753H , Terran time. Though you have been asleep for a week in here – time compression is in effect here. Three. Well , some places do. It has fallen out of fashion in my time-line though." The ermine turned around, looking at her. Once again , explanations the unfamilliar terms silently appeared in her mind. Time Compression. Time inside was longer than time outside. An hour in here was seven outside. " My apologies , I forgot that the social norms of this time prefer eye contact , if possible. And , I know you would have numerous questions . While I could download into this mind , as much as it is safe to do so , I think you would prefer a more personal conversation , won't you?"
" Well , yes , I mean who won't?"She asked , puzzled.
" Millenniums of phone call , online chats , telepathic data transfers , A.I clouds, Akashic Querying , and so on produces a rather different culture . Face to face conversation is heading to obsolesce , eventually. " He countered. " But , enough of that . You have quite a few questions . How about this deal: One question at a time. "
" Deal." She shrugged. It was reasonable after all.
"Follow me out then . Unless you want to talk in bed ?" The ermine leapt down from the table , landed gracefully and walked out through the door she did not realize had existed until then .
She threw over her covers , and slid out of bed , following the Ermine out. But before going , she decided to try something. With a quick wave of her hand , the bed remade itself – wandless magic was feeling extremely natural now, it seemed. Satisfied , she walked out . It was then she realized that she was no longer wearing the attire she had a few nights ago . Instead , she was clad in a orchard blue , simple summer dress that extended down to the knees, straps of medium width going over her shoulder . The material felt smoother than silk . But , hey , time-travelers were expected to be much more advanced in Material Sciences , and if they were magical , almost certainly conjuration. She shivered briefly as she recalled Eliasson having the whole contents of his blood plasma converted to pure water, as she crossed the threshold.
What was beyond her door was most definitely not the hallway down to the dining room. No , beyond was a single rectangular pool several meters wide , filled with water shimmering with the reflections of the rays of the sun , and of the piercing pure blue sky above it. Around it were marble walkways , covered by a translucent roof where the sky could still be seen through , while offering ample shade from the rising , morning sun. And further beyond was a covered balcony of sorts , looking at out at the scenery below.
It was then she realized that the whole place was constructed on a higher ground , and the balcony was perched on the edge of a ledge overlooking a white sandy beach before it , and a sparkling azure blue ocean beyond. The balcony was facing west , she deduced , since the sun itself was on the landward side.
" Actually" , the Ermine remarked , as he scampered across the walkway – and into the pool . " The planet this is based on rotates in the opposite direction." She gaped as the Ermine did not sink into the water , as expected , but simply casually walked on it's surface. " Here the sun rises in the west , and sets in the east . Which means that the balcony faces east . " Cecelia went down to the side of the rectangular pool , and dipped her fingers in the confirm that the pool was filled with a liquid. Her fingers encountered only cool , flowing liquid , all the way down as she stuck her entire right hand into the pool.
" How- did you do that?" She asked, standing back up. " Did you change your body-density with a Featherweight charm, is this an anti-gravity charm not yet invented , or something else altogether?"
The ermine laughed as he continued strolling across the pool " Something else altogether . Something , very different , though those two methods are viable. I do not have to resort to such methods though , since the... data of this entire space (for the lack of a better word) is completely under my control. Allow me to demonstrate . With a thought-I could change the weather ." - the skies overhead immediately became grey and overcast , and a strong breeze came in from the balcony.
" The environment ." - the whole building around her vanished , except for the pool , replaced by a lush green plain stretching to the horizon, under a starry night sky.
"The size" - the pool itself vanished and the vast expanse became a single rectangular room consisting of four walls with no doors , a low ceiling and a plain carpet floor. The scene changed again , and , she found herself in a vast hall with an impossibly high dome over head ,
"The surroundings and ambiance" - the hall was lit by some gentle homely orange light that suffused the surroundings. Tiers rose around the hall , and multiple orchestras appeared on each tier. Instrumental music filled the hall , playing an orchestral piece she could not recognized , accompanied with an Ethereal choir seemingly coming from everywhere at once.
" As you can see , every variable in this place is modifiable – like the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts , though that room is a rather primitive version. " The initial scene reappeared , and the Ermine was now perched ontop of a transparent , crystalline circular table on the balcony.
She stood there , stunned.
" Well , come on then. Join me on the balcony. Think of yourself being on the balcony. Try it out." A vivid image of her occupying the space in front the table , reclining on an airy , soft rocking chair entered her mind. For a moment , a mental sensation very much like the sensation that accompanied making a decision appeared in her mind. It was a familiar sensation – it was the same mental feeling that came with "requiring" something within the room of Requirement back in Hogwarts. And , for the briefest of instance , she felt as if she had momentarily caught a glimpse of an some infinitely more profound , barely comprehensible higher reality. The next moment , she found herself in exactly the same position she envisioned herself in . Reclining on her favorite chair.
She sank into the chair for a brief while , imitating the same process that her mind was undergoing simultaneously. After half a minute , she straightened up , the world coming back into focus once again , her Ravenclaw shaped curiousity following suit.
"Ok... " she slowly stared. " Tell me more about this place then . It's like a Room of Requirement , and a dream at the same time, complete with some kind of field manipulating time inside? So where is our body currently?"
"Right in here. "
"I don't understand."
"Alright , we are currently in a bubble of reality of sorts. Your body is within the bubble , and that bubble is present in normal reality , physically represented by a single sphere , no larger in radius than the width of your hair. Smaller infact. It's a similar concept to magical trunks , or undetectable extending charms - which you have read about in the Room of Requirement. Now , imagine that that a variant of an undetectable extending charm is applied to an extremely small , virtually indestructible sphere (nothing short of a nuke could threaten the integrity of that object). Imagine that this container is empowered , in very much the same way as the Room of Requirement to allow the intents of those present within to become reality. Now , imagine a much more advanced version of this , where controlling the space within the container is made much more simplified , and make it such that every conceivable aspect of reality within this container is modifiable , even time and space within it, and even the laws of physics that govern this place. Even the laws of magic , which differ from time-line to time-line. Protein molecules and Gold atoms can be conjured in violation of the laws of transfiguration. Tricky by your standards , since some unknown entity has placed a barrier of sorts on doing so.
The Ermine smiled. How could ermines smile anyway?
"And that , is a crude and rather rough explanation of this place. Technical details of course , have currently been transferred , or "uploaded" into your memories. You may pursue them , if you dare." She took one peak at the new memory that just appeared in her mind , and hurriedly looked away , shuddering internally. She decided that she did not need to no more – this place was more or less a spatially charmed room of lucid dreaming, and it was sufficient to leave at that.
" Another question . " She hesitated , the question lodged in her tounge. This was more personal , and something that had bugged her since those mental controls were lifted off her.
" Ask away."The Ermine said . She had the distinct impression that the Ermine was waving his hands .
She hesitated for a moment . Should she ask about the matter? About the relationship between her mind , and the nature of the ermine in front of her ? There was a fear at the back of her mind that she was better off not knowing , that remaining in blissful ignorance was best . There was another side of her though , that would not , could not let it rest . Her curiosity was insatiable.
She sighed, " What happen then ? Last night , in... there." She deliberately left it hanging , lest those memories re awoke.
" I made , for the lack of a better word in this language , landfall in your time-line or , more precisely time-fall. You , of course , understand by now where I come from- "
" I prefer to here it in words. " She whispered.
" Of course , of course . But back to your original question. When I arrived , your body was on the edge of death . Internal bleeding , shock , and that's just scratching the iceberg . Therefore , my soul made direct contact with your original soul, disembodied. You see , there are five general directions in time-travel , which you know . To simplify things , because many of our time-travelers need to go travel in multiple directions at once and with each direction time-traveling becomes more difficult , the most efficient rallying point to time-travel in huge volumes lies outside the Space-time continuum. Due to the risk and expenses of time-traveling in our corporeal bodies using this method at the frontier , we have no choice but to send in our agents disembodied. My original body is actually currently held in spatial-temporal stasis quite a distance from this time-line. Now , usually , we find willing hosts , pro-active idealists mostly to hold our souls within. However, augmenting and syncing a body so that the body "aligns" with the soul (keep in mind that this is a very approximate term) takes time when two souls share the same body, especially if the second soul is unwilling to augment . Then , there are multiple complications. That is the first method . It's time consuming though, and usually used for safe time-lines , where we can take our time in establishing ourselves here, and there's minimal risk that our agents would be exposed to direct combat. There are some exceptions of course , to this rule. " The Ermine explained.
"The second possibility is that the Soul launched into your time-line goes dormant for a period of time , usually a few weeks or a few month, though it can be swift too , depending on the time-travelers , until a body can be generated within the time-line. However , it requires the the soul to alter reality without a body. It's not easy , and there's a need to ensure that your soul is sufficiently present in the time-line before attempting this. It's an unpopular method – not all time-travelers can do this , and of those who can do this , very few can swiftly do this dis-embodied. I can hold out for that long , but it greatly complicates this mission , and many more will die. " the Ermine continued.
" Then , finally , and this is usually used in time-lines where its assessed that the risk of entering direct combat soon after time-fall is high , and where acquiring a body is an urgent necessity, there is the method of approaching a body on the verge of dying. There , we usually secure the agreement of the dying soul , and expedite their release from their damaged bodies. At the very instant the soul leaves the body , the other soul occupies the body , and restore it. Which was what I did. We usually do it this way , since a body that has suffered brain death is unusable , and unwilling souls poses complications and makes this procedure less effective – a resisting mind delays sync. And that's before we count in morality , which we time-travelers need to abide by. Ethic committees still exist, and we at the frontier are mostly chosen for a certain level of morality. Sociopath and Psychopaths need not apply." the Ermine concluded.
Cecelia remained silent again for a minute , processing , and coming to grips with what was just said.
"Then , I'm … dead , and this mind is -" she said in a small voice. No . No , the implications were not good at all. It took all the courage she had to continue. But wait . Was the courage hers? The Ermine's voice disrupted her
" Not dead , simply reattached to another soul. You see , minds are bound to souls. Even if a soul is dead , minds still can exist . They can exist disembodied – that's what a ghost is , actually . A disembodied mind anchored with an imprint , a remnant of the soul. The soul actually still goes beyond , mind you , though in a very convoluted , round about way. But I digress. Your mind , is now part of my soul. You knew this of course , when you made the offer." the Ermine responded.
"Why? Do you need it?" She asked.
" Why yourself , why then , why do I keep your mind? You know the answer to that. Your mind is a collection of memories , and certain habits and personality clustered and condensed into Neurons. The soul is the will driving the body. Together , they form the consciousness . Take out the mind , and the soul is a prisoner , stripped of all it's senses. Take out the soul , and the mind is a prisoner, frozen in time. I could completely wipe your mind , but then , I would need to replace with another mind of my own . There are numerous issues with that – firstly , if someone knew you in live , it'll be awkward without your mind. Secondly , having a native mind makes fitting in much easier. Finally , let's face it - do you really want to be erased?" The ermine replied .
" But I didn't know I would be one of many. " She quietly answered.
" We are the same entity , if that's what you mean . No A.I fully sync regards himself as separate from the soul it is sync to. It's difficult to explain – there are no relationships between different intelligences that serve as an appropriate "
" A hive mind , then . That's what you are. That's what " She paused for a moment ,gathering courage to complete the conclusion, "...what I am part of now."" She had a troubled look on her face.
" Each human , in my time consist of clusters of bound and sync with souls. It has been so for longer the language we are speaking now has existed , for my time-line. "
She wrestled with the concept internally. Hiveminds . Was there anything intrinsically wrong with it ? So far , it was just voices in her head – was every thought and memory of hers open to all? What about her – her individuality -her identity -gone . The rational side of her coldly argued that it did not matter . Without this , she would be gone , mind , soul , everything . With this , even existing for a little longer was sweeter than dying in the gutters.
" I see." Her voice grew firmer.
" If it's any comfort , your mind will still be distinct – but our purpose will be the same . Our will will be the same . But you are still a distinct "person" , all the same, even if you are part of a larger whole. If it makes you feel better , not all are created equal. Only a handful have personalities."
" Because there's a limit right? How many persons can a single soul handle. How many minds?" She asked , a certain trepidation in her voice , and on her face .
Clearly , the girl thinks she's going to be deleted one day. It must be traumatic to learn that you are essentially now a file that can be dumped into the recycle bin.
" You'll be surprised. The answer differs . I know my limit extends up to the thousands . You need to be able to handle a certain number of with distinct personalities and self-actualization to be deployed in the frontiers. So , you don't have to worry about me deleting you away. It would not happen – or rather , even if it does happen , for reasons of instability , your personality , and most of your memories can be salvaged . And that's what really makes a distinct person , doesn't it? Usually , it is all there is to a soul too, in your time." The Ermine adopted a conciliatory tone.
She remained silent again. The ermine waited , patiently .Several agonizing minutes followed. Outside , a gentle breeze picked up and gull like cries echoed amongst the terrain. Introspection passed , a decision was made. That decision did not sit well with her. It was a rational choice , so why did it accompanied by this strange sense melancholy? She gave a sigh. There was no use yearning for what could not be. The soul is worth more than the world indeed.
" Alright then . Thank you." She softly said. "For …. letting this person continue existing. "Her voice choked a little. "I'll do it then . " Her voice again grew firmer , as she brought her emotions under control But you would have to explain your intentions first."
A/N: More shout outs were made at this chapter.
A/N2 : I love orchestral music , so that bit can be chalked up to author appeal.
A/N3 : This chapter was initially meant to be much longer , but I've decided to split it into two.
A/N4 : I don't regard the A.I -Human Soul relationship as squicky as it sounds. Think of it for a moment , of our massive reliance on machinery , and technology of all sorts , from which ever device we are currently using to read this , to our almost total reliance on conveniences like handphones. In any case , the binding of in this story is rooted on the risk (often realized in many time-lines) of A.I rebellions.
A/N5: I've compressed my explanation for time-traveling. I have defined the 5 directions , but I chose not to expound on it at this stage.