Deep within the empty void, two fragmented souls locked in an endless argument were causing a disturbance, one that had not gone unnoticed. Observing them from afar was a perplexed being, the Overseer, left in charge of this space since time immemorial. Yet, in all its existence, this was the first time a soul had wandered here, much less two of them.
The Overseer had many questions, but its purpose took precedence over curiosity. This space, pristine and infinite, was unmarred by imperfection, and the trespassers were unwelcome stains of color on an otherwise immaculate canvas. It arrived at a singular conclusion: they needed to be removed before they caused irreparable harm.
However, when the Overseer approached them, it realized a complication: the pair had no physical forms. Their fragmented states left them as shapeless presences, exchanging thoughts rather than spoken words. This rendered communication moot, for the Overseer could only interact with defined entities.
To resolve this, it made a decision. A glow radiated from its core, expanding outward and carving a boundary within the infinite void. Around the two souls, forms began to coalesce.
Arc blinked, staring down at his newly created body, a hazy approximation of his former self, rendered in shifting light. “Woah, this is new.”
Aria glanced at her own form, similarly nebulous but distinguishable. “It looks like we're one step closer to getting through this.”
The Overseer’s presence brightened, satisfied with its work. “Welcome.”
Its voice echoed across the space, but the pair seemed more preoccupied with their newfound forms than the greeting.
“Welcome,” it tried again, louder this time.
Still, there was no response. The Overseer dimmed momentarily, sinking into thought.
They must not have heard me.
It reassured itself. Surely, they were not ignoring it. No, the Interlopers simply hadn’t realized it was addressing them. Yes, that had to be it.
“WELCOME.”
The word thundered through the void like a breaking storm, reverberating across the boundaries it had created.
This time, the pair turned. Arc squinted at the glowing sphere before them, his tone dismissive. “We heard you the first time. No need to yell.”
“Shouldn’t you be more excited?” Aria asked, casting him a sharp look. “It’s the first person or rather the first thing we’ve seen here.”
Stolen story; please report.
Arc sighed dramatically. “We’ve been here for what feels like an eternity. Any excitement I had burned out long ago.”
Aria ignored him and turned to the glowing orb, her tone polite but direct. “I am Aria. This is Arc. And you are?”
“Introductions. I suppose they are customary,” the orb replied, pulsing faintly as its light shifted. “I am the Overseer, guardian of this realm. You, however, are not supposed to be here.”
“Yeah, we kind of figured,” Arc said, waving a hand. “But it’s not like we strolled in here on purpose or anything. Maybe next time put up a sign that says ‘No Trespassing.’”
Aria shot him a glare, though her tone remained calm. “What my companion means is that we didn’t choose to come here. This doesn’t exactly seem like a tourist destination where one could come and go as they please.”
The Overseer pulsed brighter, as if considering their words. “You are correct. This is not a place for visitors. The Realm of Thoughts exists outside time and space, untouched and inviolate. Your presence is... anomalous.”
“Great,” Arc muttered. “So what do we do about it? Because we’ve been sitting here for forever now doing nothing.”
The Overseer’s glow intensified. “The simplest solution would be to remove you.”
Both souls stiffened.
“Excuse me?” Aria’s tone turned sharp, her brows furrowed.
“Your presence here threatens the sanctity of this realm. I could unmake you, ensuring no trace of your existence remains.”
“Yeah, no, that’s not happening,” Arc snapped. “I’d prefer to stay alive or whatever this current state is thank you very much.”
Aria folded her arms, her expression steady despite the weight of the Overseer’s words. “Surely there’s another option. If we didn’t come here intentionally, maybe you could send us back to wherever we’re supposed to be?”
The Overseer dimmed momentarily, its light flickering as if in thought. “It is not that simple. Your souls are incomplete. Damaged. Returning you to the Cycle would result in dissolution. You would cease to exist.”
Arc and Aria exchanged uneasy glances.
“So... the Cycle’s off the table. What else?” Arc finally asked.
“There is an alternative,” the Overseer admitted. “It is not without risk. I could send you to a World where the Cycle itself is fractured, left in disrepair. There, your souls should be able to pass through without dissolving and would then inhabit vessels reflective of their imperfections. However, I cannot control the circumstances of your rebirth.”
Aria frowned. “And if we say no?”
“Then you will remain here until your presence destabilizes this realm entirely. At that point, both this space and your existence will be erased.”
Arc sighed, throwing his hands up. “Oh, sure. The illusion of choice. Sounds like a great deal.”
“We don’t have really have a choice,” Aria said firmly. “If this fractured World is our only option, then so be it. Anything is better than sitting here doing nothing.”
The Overseer’s glow brightened until it was almost blinding. “Very well. Prepare yourselves.”
A swirling portal appeared before them, a chaotic mix of light and shadow that churned and pulsed like a living thing.
“One final warning,” the Overseer said. “The vessels you inhabit may not align with your past forms. Who or what you become will depend on the state of your souls. Proceed with caution.”
Arc blinked. “Wait, what?”
Aria took a steadying breath and pulled him along with her. “No turning back now. Let’s hope we don’t end up as something ridiculous.”
Without another word, the portal pulled them in. The pristine whiteness of the Realm of Thoughts vanished, swallowed by an explosion of light and chaos, once again the realm was silent.
