Chapter 138: Questions and Requests
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Chapter 138: Questions and Requests
Tala slowly sipped her tea as she watched emotions play over Master Jevins face. Eventually, she lightly cleared her throat. If I may, how old are you?
The sadness returned to the forefront as the dominant emotion evident in his features. Old, Mistress. I was not lying when I said that humanity is all I have.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.
She glanced away, noticing the obvious deflection for what it was. Alright, dont press, there. So, the tree.
The tree. He nodded. I am soul-bound to the entire city-tree.
Canyou leave?
He barked a laugh. Oh, yes. It isuncomfortable to be too far. That is one reason I remain on the front line against the Leshkin during the years in which humanity moves north, working against these ancient evils until my fellow man returns. I do go to the northern cities, but I return to the northern edge of the forest as quickly, and for as long, as I can.
She cocked her head in interest. Not here? She nibbled at her scone while he answered.
Oh, no. This tree will be sealed up tight, and the spell-workings powered down. We have to do that so that the ambient magic can equalize once more. After a long moment, he shook his head. So, do you have any questions?
Way, way too many, but none really seemimportant.
He shrugged. Well, Im here, if you ever wish to ask.
Tala considered for a long moment. She really did feel like he was genuine in his openness, and it caused her to realize something: She didnt really feel afraid any longer; she feltheavy. Like shed increased her own gravity to be near her limit. But there is none of the energy I feel from such a challenge
It was a weight that seemed to settle into her spirit. How many years has this man suffered, denied the one thing he cherishes above all: Humanity?
As she stared at her hands, a small plate moved into her vision. She looked up quickly, but Master Jevin was still in his seat. The plate, loaded with scones, sat in the air as solid as if resting on an invisible table before her.
Scones help.
Hes comfortingme? She glanced down at the scones and felt a smile break through her melancholy. She huffed a laugh and shook her head, but the solemnity of the conversation was broken. Thank you.
He nodded, returning a slight smile.
So are the workers whove replaced parts of themselves bound to you?
He shook his head. Oh, no. The tree is still separate from me, though it is bound to my soul. They are simply gaining a weaker version of the bond I have. After a moments pause, he amended. Much, much weaker.
She sat back, considering.
Master Jevin tapped the armrest of his chair. One last thing on this topic.
She refocused on him, waiting.
I would ask that you not spread this information around. It could cause all sorts of issues.
She grimaced. More secrets.
You can talk to Master Rane about it; I think avoiding that, now, would be a bigger problem than just telling him, and hes a clever boy. Hell understand the need to keep it to himself.
But why would it be so bad for people to know?
Master Jevin gave her a long look.
Tala shifted in her chair under his scrutiny.
Can you really not think of anything that might go wrong?
She opened her mouth, then closed it, thinking. After a moment, she found herself nodding. Well, it might bring back that old trend, Mages seeking power and all that. Many would just see that it worked, not the costs.
Master Jevin nodded and waited.
The mundanes would likely want to leave, in vast numbers. She hesitated, then sighed. He seems to want honesty. It is a bit creepy that you watch everything, all the time.
He raised a finger. I actually dont. I have triggers in place to notify me of key things, like your conversation with Master Rane on this topic, but for the most part I see no more than anyone would.
But people might not believe that.
They might not.
Shouldnt that be their choice? I mean: shouldnt they have the choice on whether or not to believe you and whether or not to stay?
He cocked an eyebrow at her. If you focus, could you construct what someone looks like under their clothing with your mage-sight? He clearly already thought he knew the answer.
Can I? She considered. Yeah, I suppose I could. I guess so, yeah.
So, do you tell everyone around you: By the way! I could see you naked, if I wanted, I just choose not to. If that bugs you, you should probably not be around me.
I obviously dont.
Why not? Shouldnt that be their choice?
Tala grimaced again. I see your point. She groaned. I still kind of hate it.
Maturity requires doing things we dont like, because it is right.
She gave him a deeply skeptical look. Did you just state that being mature means telling unpleasant lies?
He coughed, scratching his neck. Lets not think too deeply on that one.
Tala snorted, shaking her head, but didnt comment further.
But! We arent here for me, not really. Lets discuss your questions and requests.
Tala nodded and smiled. Id appreciate that. Thank you. She poured herself another cup of tea as Master Jevin finished off his last scone.
So, Mistress. You asked for throwing darts?
Ah, yes!
He smiled. Can I have the anchor?
She unclipped it from her belt and tossed it to him.
He caught it with a nod. You know, you could keep it in your dimensional storage. That might keep it safer.
That is a good idea.
Though, now that you have these darts that probably isnt as good an idea as it would have been before.
She gave him an unamused look which he ignored.
He pulled a small rack of throwing darts from a dimensional ripple in the air beside him. While holding the rack and the anchor, Master Jevin closed his eyes and exhaled.
Tala watched the mans aura grab inscriptions on each magical item.
Oh, dont worry. I dont plan to do any of that. He laughed. And if I did, you really couldnt stop me.
Yeah but you didnt have to mention She frowned, glanced at his eyes and saw poorly hidden mirth. Fine, it can be better to not tell someone all the ways you could harm them or invade their privacy. Youve made your point.
He gave a slight bow. The tests I will perform are perfectly safe.
She waved an assenting hand, drinking more tea in stubborn silence.
He rose and went to one of his work benches, pulling out myriad tools.
As the star moved around, Tala continued to be able to tell exactly where it was.
Flashes and flickers of different magics radiated from the workbench, and Tala felt odd sensations coming from the Archon star.
What are you doing?
At the moment? He glanced over his shoulder, a small smile evident, tugging at his lips.
Tala sighed. He really likes destroying his own mystique. Yes, at the moment.
Seeing if I can engender enough curiosity in you to draw you away from your tea. He gave her a full, mischievous grin.
She huffed a laugh and stood, resolutely refilling her teacup and bringing it with her.
He laughed, seeing her cup. Good enough. He gestured to a hammered bronze sheet with silver-filled inscriptions worked across the surface.
Why bronze? Why not wood?
He smiled. Well, the foremost expert on the human soul, in the last few hundred years at least, was a Bronze Archon, and she perfected the diagnostic inscriptions in that medium far beyond what I have time to develop in any other medium.
Could you just use your aura?
Of course, but that would require much more power, and still wouldnt be as precise in the information it could pull.
Huhgood to know.
He gave her a sideways look. Tallying up my weaknesses, eh?
She decided to run with it, giving him a winning smile. Anything you care to add to the list?
Caramel Liqueur. It is most potent against me when contained in a smooth dark-chocolate. He closed his eyes, clearly enjoying a memory. And pair it with a full-bodied whiskey? He shook his head. MMM, mmm.
Tala huffed a laugh. Alright, alright. What have you learned?
This is, indeed, an Archon star, and can be used for a soul-bond to a non-sapient item.
She waited for a long count of ten. When nothing else was forthcoming, she turned back to regard him. And?
I ran one test, Mistress Tala. He was grinning again.
I thought you were busy today.
When you get to be my age, you have to make your own fun.
You sound like a librarian I ran into.
He snorted. I dont doubt it; most Archon Librarians are of an age that theyd agree with me.
Fair, I suppose.
Power moved through the bronze plate and the inscriptions engraved into it.
Tala watched power twisting around her archon star, now free of its vial and held, suspended, over the empowered item.
Interesting.
What is it?
Im not sure. I need to run a companion test on you. He motioned with his hand, and a bronze plate moved from a nearby cabinet and settled onto the floor. If you would?
Tala shrugged and stepped onto the inscribed surface. As she did so, she felt Master Jevin empower the spell-forms, and magic swept through her.
Fascinating.
Yes?
Your soul does have a tendril just free-floating, in addition to the connection to this star and your weapon.
What does that mean?
Hmmm? No idea. I dont know of any specific use for a stretching of your soul.
Does it weaken it? Strengthen it? Allow me to temporarily claim things?
No? He shrugged. These spell-forms are registering your soul as quite strong, for a human, but Id expect nothing else from an Archon, moving towards Fused. Though, this would indicate that you have a bit more strength than that would imply. Soul exercises?
Every day.
Seems to be helping.
So, ignorant question, why is a strong soul good?
He nodded. Ahh, yes. There are too many words for the same thing. The strength of your soul is roughly equivalent to the strength of your will. They are intertwined and interconnected, to the point that they have never been proven to be different aspects of a person.
But theyve never been proven to be the same?
He hesitated a moment. Are your fingers and the bones of your hand the same? Are they distinct?
I think I understand. Which is the soul, and which is the will, in this analogy?
Thats just it, we dont really know.
That is massively unsatisfying.
He shrugged. We dont know everything. Are you willing to create a star, while being monitored?
She thought about it for a moment. Just a little one?
That should do, yeah.
Finally, she nodded. I think the information we can get from it is worth the effort.
Alright, then! Lets get to it.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 138: Questions and Requests
Tala slowly sipped her tea as she watched emotions play over Master Jevins face. Eventually, she lightly cleared her throat. If I may, how old are you?
The sadness returned to the forefront as the dominant emotion evident in his features. Old, Mistress. I was not lying when I said that humanity is all I have.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.
She glanced away, noticing the obvious deflection for what it was. Alright, dont press, there. So, the tree.
The tree. He nodded. I am soul-bound to the entire city-tree.
Canyou leave?
He barked a laugh. Oh, yes. It isuncomfortable to be too far. That is one reason I remain on the front line against the Leshkin during the years in which humanity moves north, working against these ancient evils until my fellow man returns. I do go to the northern cities, but I return to the northern edge of the forest as quickly, and for as long, as I can.
She cocked her head in interest. Not here? She nibbled at her scone while he answered.
Oh, no. This tree will be sealed up tight, and the spell-workings powered down. We have to do that so that the ambient magic can equalize once more. After a long moment, he shook his head. So, do you have any questions?
Way, way too many, but none really seemimportant.
He shrugged. Well, Im here, if you ever wish to ask.
Tala considered for a long moment. She really did feel like he was genuine in his openness, and it caused her to realize something: She didnt really feel afraid any longer; she feltheavy. Like shed increased her own gravity to be near her limit. But there is none of the energy I feel from such a challenge
It was a weight that seemed to settle into her spirit. How many years has this man suffered, denied the one thing he cherishes above all: Humanity?
As she stared at her hands, a small plate moved into her vision. She looked up quickly, but Master Jevin was still in his seat. The plate, loaded with scones, sat in the air as solid as if resting on an invisible table before her.
Scones help.
Hes comfortingme? She glanced down at the scones and felt a smile break through her melancholy. She huffed a laugh and shook her head, but the solemnity of the conversation was broken. Thank you.
He nodded, returning a slight smile.
So are the workers whove replaced parts of themselves bound to you?
He shook his head. Oh, no. The tree is still separate from me, though it is bound to my soul. They are simply gaining a weaker version of the bond I have. After a moments pause, he amended. Much, much weaker.
She sat back, considering.
Master Jevin tapped the armrest of his chair. One last thing on this topic.
She refocused on him, waiting.
I would ask that you not spread this information around. It could cause all sorts of issues.
She grimaced. More secrets.
You can talk to Master Rane about it; I think avoiding that, now, would be a bigger problem than just telling him, and hes a clever boy. Hell understand the need to keep it to himself.
But why would it be so bad for people to know?
Master Jevin gave her a long look.
Tala shifted in her chair under his scrutiny.
Can you really not think of anything that might go wrong?
She opened her mouth, then closed it, thinking. After a moment, she found herself nodding. Well, it might bring back that old trend, Mages seeking power and all that. Many would just see that it worked, not the costs.
Master Jevin nodded and waited.
The mundanes would likely want to leave, in vast numbers. She hesitated, then sighed. He seems to want honesty. It is a bit creepy that you watch everything, all the time.
He raised a finger. I actually dont. I have triggers in place to notify me of key things, like your conversation with Master Rane on this topic, but for the most part I see no more than anyone would.
But people might not believe that.
They might not.
Shouldnt that be their choice? I mean: shouldnt they have the choice on whether or not to believe you and whether or not to stay?
He cocked an eyebrow at her. If you focus, could you construct what someone looks like under their clothing with your mage-sight? He clearly already thought he knew the answer.
Can I? She considered. Yeah, I suppose I could. I guess so, yeah.
So, do you tell everyone around you: By the way! I could see you naked, if I wanted, I just choose not to. If that bugs you, you should probably not be around me.
I obviously dont.
Why not? Shouldnt that be their choice?
Tala grimaced again. I see your point. She groaned. I still kind of hate it.
Maturity requires doing things we dont like, because it is right.
She gave him a deeply skeptical look. Did you just state that being mature means telling unpleasant lies?
He coughed, scratching his neck. Lets not think too deeply on that one.
Tala snorted, shaking her head, but didnt comment further.
But! We arent here for me, not really. Lets discuss your questions and requests.
Tala nodded and smiled. Id appreciate that. Thank you. She poured herself another cup of tea as Master Jevin finished off his last scone.
So, Mistress. You asked for throwing darts?
Ah, yes!
He smiled. Can I have the anchor?
She unclipped it from her belt and tossed it to him.
He caught it with a nod. You know, you could keep it in your dimensional storage. That might keep it safer.
That is a good idea.
Though, now that you have these darts that probably isnt as good an idea as it would have been before.
She gave him an unamused look which he ignored.
He pulled a small rack of throwing darts from a dimensional ripple in the air beside him. While holding the rack and the anchor, Master Jevin closed his eyes and exhaled.
Tala watched the mans aura grab inscriptions on each magical item.
Oh, dont worry. I dont plan to do any of that. He laughed. And if I did, you really couldnt stop me.
Yeah but you didnt have to mention She frowned, glanced at his eyes and saw poorly hidden mirth. Fine, it can be better to not tell someone all the ways you could harm them or invade their privacy. Youve made your point.
He gave a slight bow. The tests I will perform are perfectly safe.
She waved an assenting hand, drinking more tea in stubborn silence.
He rose and went to one of his work benches, pulling out myriad tools.
As the star moved around, Tala continued to be able to tell exactly where it was.
Flashes and flickers of different magics radiated from the workbench, and Tala felt odd sensations coming from the Archon star.
What are you doing?
At the moment? He glanced over his shoulder, a small smile evident, tugging at his lips.
Tala sighed. He really likes destroying his own mystique. Yes, at the moment.
Seeing if I can engender enough curiosity in you to draw you away from your tea. He gave her a full, mischievous grin.
She huffed a laugh and stood, resolutely refilling her teacup and bringing it with her.
He laughed, seeing her cup. Good enough. He gestured to a hammered bronze sheet with silver-filled inscriptions worked across the surface.
Why bronze? Why not wood?
He smiled. Well, the foremost expert on the human soul, in the last few hundred years at least, was a Bronze Archon, and she perfected the diagnostic inscriptions in that medium far beyond what I have time to develop in any other medium.
Could you just use your aura?
Of course, but that would require much more power, and still wouldnt be as precise in the information it could pull.
Huhgood to know.
He gave her a sideways look. Tallying up my weaknesses, eh?
She decided to run with it, giving him a winning smile. Anything you care to add to the list?
Caramel Liqueur. It is most potent against me when contained in a smooth dark-chocolate. He closed his eyes, clearly enjoying a memory. And pair it with a full-bodied whiskey? He shook his head. MMM, mmm.
Tala huffed a laugh. Alright, alright. What have you learned?
This is, indeed, an Archon star, and can be used for a soul-bond to a non-sapient item.
She waited for a long count of ten. When nothing else was forthcoming, she turned back to regard him. And?
I ran one test, Mistress Tala. He was grinning again.
I thought you were busy today.
When you get to be my age, you have to make your own fun.
You sound like a librarian I ran into.
He snorted. I dont doubt it; most Archon Librarians are of an age that theyd agree with me.
Fair, I suppose.
Power moved through the bronze plate and the inscriptions engraved into it.
Tala watched power twisting around her archon star, now free of its vial and held, suspended, over the empowered item.
Interesting.
What is it?
Im not sure. I need to run a companion test on you. He motioned with his hand, and a bronze plate moved from a nearby cabinet and settled onto the floor. If you would?
Tala shrugged and stepped onto the inscribed surface. As she did so, she felt Master Jevin empower the spell-forms, and magic swept through her.
Fascinating.
Yes?
Your soul does have a tendril just free-floating, in addition to the connection to this star and your weapon.
What does that mean?
Hmmm? No idea. I dont know of any specific use for a stretching of your soul.
Does it weaken it? Strengthen it? Allow me to temporarily claim things?
No? He shrugged. These spell-forms are registering your soul as quite strong, for a human, but Id expect nothing else from an Archon, moving towards Fused. Though, this would indicate that you have a bit more strength than that would imply. Soul exercises?
Every day.
Seems to be helping.
So, ignorant question, why is a strong soul good?
He nodded. Ahh, yes. There are too many words for the same thing. The strength of your soul is roughly equivalent to the strength of your will. They are intertwined and interconnected, to the point that they have never been proven to be different aspects of a person.
But theyve never been proven to be the same?
He hesitated a moment. Are your fingers and the bones of your hand the same? Are they distinct?
I think I understand. Which is the soul, and which is the will, in this analogy?
Thats just it, we dont really know.
That is massively unsatisfying.
He shrugged. We dont know everything. Are you willing to create a star, while being monitored?
She thought about it for a moment. Just a little one?
That should do, yeah.
Finally, she nodded. I think the information we can get from it is worth the effort.
Alright, then! Lets get to it.
Chapter 138: Questions and RequestsTala slowly sipped her tea as she watched emotions play over Master Jevins face. Eventually, she lightly cleared her throat. If I may, how old are you?The sadness returned to the forefront as the dominant emotion evident in his features. Old, Mistress. I was not lying when I said that humanity is all I have.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.She glanced away, noticing the obvious deflection for what it was. Alright, dont press, there. So, the tree.The tree. He nodded. I am soul-bound to the entire city-tree.Canyou leave?He barked a laugh. Oh, yes. It isuncomfortable to be too far. That is one reason I remain on the front line against the Leshkin during the years in which humanity moves north, working against these ancient evils until my fellow man returns. I do go to the northern cities, but I return to the northern edge of the forest as quickly, and for as long, as I can.She cocked her head in interest. Not here? She nibbled at her scone while he answered.Oh, no. This tree will be sealed up tight, and the spell-workings powered down. We have to do that so that the ambient magic can equalize once more. After a long moment, he shook his head. So, do you have any questions?Way, way too many, but none really seemimportant.He shrugged. Well, Im here, if you ever wish to ask.Tala considered for a long moment. She really did feel like he was genuine in his openness, and it caused her to realize something: She didnt really feel afraid any longer; she feltheavy. Like shed increased her own gravity to be near her limit. But there is none of the energy I feel from such a challengeIt was a weight that seemed to settle into her spirit. How many years has this man suffered, denied the one thing he cherishes above all: Humanity?As she stared at her hands, a small plate moved into her vision. She looked up quickly, but Master Jevin was still in his seat. The plate, loaded with scones, sat in the air as solid as if resting on an invisible table before her.Scones help.Hes comfortingme? She glanced down at the scones and felt a smile break through her melancholy. She huffed a laugh and shook her head, but the solemnity of the conversation was broken. Thank you.He nodded, returning a slight smile.So are the workers whove replaced parts of themselves bound to you?He shook his head. Oh, no. The tree is still separate from me, though it is bound to my soul. They are simply gaining a weaker version of the bond I have. After a moments pause, he amended. Much, much weaker.She sat back, considering.Master Jevin tapped the armrest of his chair. One last thing on this topic.She refocused on him, waiting.I would ask that you not spread this information around. It could cause all sorts of issues.She grimaced. More secrets.You can talk to Master Rane about it; I think avoiding that, now, would be a bigger problem than just telling him, and hes a clever boy. Hell understand the need to keep it to himself.But why would it be so bad for people to know?Master Jevin gave her a long look.Tala shifted in her chair under his scrutiny.Can you really not think of anything that might go wrong?She opened her mouth, then closed it, thinking. After a moment, she found herself nodding. Well, it might bring back that old trend, Mages seeking power and all that. Many would just see that it worked, not the costs.Master Jevin nodded and waited.The mundanes would likely want to leave, in vast numbers. She hesitated, then sighed. He seems to want honesty. It is a bit creepy that you watch everything, all the time.He raised a finger. I actually dont. I have triggers in place to notify me of key things, like your conversation with Master Rane on this topic, but for the most part I see no more than anyone would.But people might not believe that.They might not.Shouldnt that be their choice? I mean: shouldnt they have the choice on whether or not to believe you and whether or not to stay?He cocked an eyebrow at her. If you focus, could you construct what someone looks like under their clothing with your mage-sight? He clearly already thought he knew the answer.Can I? She considered. Yeah, I suppose I could. I guess so, yeah.So, do you tell everyone around you: By the way! I could see you naked, if I wanted, I just choose not to. If that bugs you, you should probably not be around me. I obviously dont.Why not? Shouldnt that be their choice?Tala grimaced again. I see your point. She groaned. I still kind of hate it.Maturity requires doing things we dont like, because it is right.She gave him a deeply skeptical look. Did you just state that being mature means telling unpleasant lies?He coughed, scratching his neck. Lets not think too deeply on that one.Tala snorted, shaking her head, but didnt comment further.But! We arent here for me, not really. Lets discuss your questions and requests.Tala nodded and smiled. Id appreciate that. Thank you. She poured herself another cup of tea as Master Jevin finished off his last scone.So, Mistress. You asked for throwing darts?Ah, yes!He smiled. Can I have the anchor?She unclipped it from her belt and tossed it to him.He caught it with a nod. You know, you could keep it in your dimensional storage. That might keep it safer.That is a good idea.Though, now that you have these darts that probably isnt as good an idea as it would have been before.She gave him an unamused look which he ignored.He pulled a small rack of throwing darts from a dimensional ripple in the air beside him. While holding the rack and the anchor, Master Jevin closed his eyes and exhaled.Tala watched the mans aura grab inscriptions on each magical item.Oh, dont worry. I dont plan to do any of that. He laughed. And if I did, you really couldnt stop me.Yeah but you didnt have to mention She frowned, glanced at his eyes and saw poorly hidden mirth. Fine, it can be better to not tell someone all the ways you could harm them or invade their privacy. Youve made your point.He gave a slight bow. The tests I will perform are perfectly safe.She waved an assenting hand, drinking more tea in stubborn silence.He rose and went to one of his work benches, pulling out myriad tools.As the star moved around, Tala continued to be able to tell exactly where it was.Flashes and flickers of different magics radiated from the workbench, and Tala felt odd sensations coming from the Archon star.What are you doing?At the moment? He glanced over his shoulder, a small smile evident, tugging at his lips.Tala sighed. He really likes destroying his own mystique. Yes, at the moment.Seeing if I can engender enough curiosity in you to draw you away from your tea. He gave her a full, mischievous grin.She huffed a laugh and stood, resolutely refilling her teacup and bringing it with her.He laughed, seeing her cup. Good enough. He gestured to a hammered bronze sheet with silver-filled inscriptions worked across the surface.Why bronze? Why not wood?He smiled. Well, the foremost expert on the human soul, in the last few hundred years at least, was a Bronze Archon, and she perfected the diagnostic inscriptions in that medium far beyond what I have time to develop in any other medium.Could you just use your aura?Of course, but that would require much more power, and still wouldnt be as precise in the information it could pull.Huhgood to know.He gave her a sideways look. Tallying up my weaknesses, eh?She decided to run with it, giving him a winning smile. Anything you care to add to the list?Caramel Liqueur. It is most potent against me when contained in a smooth dark-chocolate. He closed his eyes, clearly enjoying a memory. And pair it with a full-bodied whiskey? He shook his head. MMM, mmm.Tala huffed a laugh. Alright, alright. What have you learned?This is, indeed, an Archon star, and can be used for a soul-bond to a non-sapient item.She waited for a long count of ten. When nothing else was forthcoming, she turned back to regard him. And?I ran one test, Mistress Tala. He was grinning again.I thought you were busy today.When you get to be my age, you have to make your own fun.You sound like a librarian I ran into.He snorted. I dont doubt it; most Archon Librarians are of an age that theyd agree with me.Fair, I suppose.Power moved through the bronze plate and the inscriptions engraved into it.Tala watched power twisting around her archon star, now free of its vial and held, suspended, over the empowered item.Interesting.What is it?Im not sure. I need to run a companion test on you. He motioned with his hand, and a bronze plate moved from a nearby cabinet and settled onto the floor. If you would?Tala shrugged and stepped onto the inscribed surface. As she did so, she felt Master Jevin empower the spell-forms, and magic swept through her.Fascinating.Yes?Your soul does have a tendril just free-floating, in addition to the connection to this star and your weapon.What does that mean?Hmmm? No idea. I dont know of any specific use for a stretching of your soul.Does it weaken it? Strengthen it? Allow me to temporarily claim things?No? He shrugged. These spell-forms are registering your soul as quite strong, for a human, but Id expect nothing else from an Archon, moving towards Fused. Though, this would indicate that you have a bit more strength than that would imply. Soul exercises?Every day.Seems to be helping.So, ignorant question, why is a strong soul good?He nodded. Ahh, yes. There are too many words for the same thing. The strength of your soul is roughly equivalent to the strength of your will. They are intertwined and interconnected, to the point that they have never been proven to be different aspects of a person.But theyve never been proven to be the same?He hesitated a moment. Are your fingers and the bones of your hand the same? Are they distinct?I think I understand. Which is the soul, and which is the will, in this analogy?Thats just it, we dont really know.That is massively unsatisfying.He shrugged. We dont know everything. Are you willing to create a star, while being monitored?She thought about it for a moment. Just a little one?That should do, yeah.Finally, she nodded. I think the information we can get from it is worth the effort.Alright, then! Lets get to it.
