Chapter 676: The Hyper Incident

"A Black Guillemot?"

Duncan was deep in thought about how to best explain the complex and abstract concept of the "Great Annihilation" and the realities of the Deep Sea Era. The idea that the world had changed in ways that were incompatible with certain aspects of existence was challenging to convey. But Duncan was caught off guard when Lune began this intricate discussion with the example of a seemingly simple bird.

He looked at Morris, who stood beside him, deeply fascinated as he watched the bird they referred to as the "Madbird."

With the audience's focused attention, Lune placed the bird on the table and started to speak in the clear, calm tone of a teacher addressing students. He revealed the profound truths about their world to the assembled bishops:

"This bird, the Black Guillemot, is an ancient and widespread species, found along the peaceful shores of various city-states and even on the remote, barren islands across the open sea. These birds are also found in some of the most challenging and dangerous maritime areas affected by various visions, where explorers have noted their presence. Yet, the Black Guillemot appears ordinary in both looks and behavior. It is a resilient species with no apparent supernatural features."

"However, in 1723, scholars proposed a fascinating and somewhat unusual theory—what does the 'world' look like through the eyes of animals? These creatures, sharing the world with us but experiencing it in very different ways, could offer us a unique perspective."

"The originator of this idea was the esteemed scholar Hyper Strom from the Academy of Truth. The concept occurred to him while playing with his pet dog, pondering the animal's distinct visual and cognitive traits. This led him to wonder how these unique sensory perspectives might interpret and understand their environment, which might vastly differ from ours. Driven by this deep curiosity, he initiated what would become known as the Hyper Experiment."

"In this experiment, he attempted to merge his sensory experiences with those of an animal using intricate mystical methods. The first test subject was his pet dog."

"Unfortunately, the initial experiment failed and nearly resulted in the dog's death. The dog suffered severe mental distress the moment the connection was established, which was too much for its animal mind to handle."

"Undeterred, Hyper Strom planned a second experiment. This time, he selected a 'simpler' organism, one with a less complex brain. His goal was to share the sensory experiences of this creature without overwhelming it with human cognitive complexities, which could have been fatal. His chosen subject was the Black Guillemot."

"On a warm afternoon in August 1726, everything was meticulously prepared by Hyper Strom for his pioneering trial. He placed the Black Guillemot in a specially designed cage with a clear view of the sky, while he lay on an experimental bed nearby."

"An hour into the experiment, disaster struck. Hyper Strom died suddenly, his death marked by his chilling screams and a strange, loud rumble that shattered every window in the laboratory. His death was dramatic; as his soul collapsed, it emitted a spiritual cry that injured twelve of his assistants and apprentices."

"In the broader context, particularly compared to other experiments and supernatural disasters that had much worse outcomes, the deaths from this incident might seem minor. Yet, the disturbing 'truths' revealed by what came to be known as the Hyper Incident cast a long, troubling shadow over the academic community. It made any attempt to bridge sensory experiences across different species absolutely taboo."

"This was the unsettling 'reality' that the experiment revealed."

As Lune recounted the story, he reached into his robe and pulled out an item. To Duncan, it initially looked like a simple, folded piece of paper. But as Lune unfolded it, Duncan saw it was covered with intricate patterns.

"Next to the distorted body of Hyper Strom, whose flesh had grotesquely twisted into a monstrous form as if tainted by ancient gods, a torn piece of paper was found. This paper, clutched in the scholar's still-human hand, was believed to be a frenzied sketch made during his rapid descent into madness..."

"Don't be alarmed; this is merely a 'replica' of the original sketch, recreated from the records. We've removed any harmful elements, making it safe for us to examine."

Lune then displayed the paper for everyone in the hall to see.

The image on the paper was puzzling: What had Hyper Strom witnessed through these 'shared senses' in his final, agonizing moments?

Even Duncan, knowledgeable as he was, struggled to connect the chaotic, abstract squiggles on the paper to the narrative of the Hyper Experiment. He observed a mass of erratic lines, quivering shadows overlapping bizarre geometric shapes, and various structures that resembled eyes or strange voids scattered across the paper. The overall impression was one of disturbing chaos.

Silence enveloped the hall. Although the Hyper Incident was no secret, its complex details were not well known outside of academic circles. Many bishops from the Storm Church, the Death Church, and the Flame Bearers were learning these details for the first time. The odd and unsettling nature of the incident left everyone deeply reflective.

"This," Lune's voice softly echoed in the quiet hall, "is what Hyper Strom perceived through 'shared senses' in his final moments. What you see is the 'world' as seen through the eyes of the Black Guillemot. The cluster of quivering lines at the edge represents Hyper Strom himself."

The room filled with a buzz of reactions as Lune's words sank in. Bishops around the hall whispered among themselves, their expressions ranging from astonishment to deep contemplation. Occasionally, their attention shifted to the unassuming black bird, the "Madbird," on the table, which now seemed entirely different.

Startled by the noise, the "Madbird" became restless in its cage. It jumped and flapped its wings, emitting a series of sharp, clear cries, as if it sensed the significance of Lune's revelations.

Lune, undisturbed by the commotion, continued calmly yet assertively, "This is the reality we face in our world—a reality that continues to shape the 'fundamental nature' of everything around us. The 'essence of corruption' we discuss arises from a deep incompatibility at the very core of existence. What appears benign or normal from our perspective can, under a different viewpoint or set of cosmic rules, become a source of deadly pollution and erosion..."

He proceeded to explain the Great Annihilation, the truth behind the catastrophic collision of worlds, the causes of the pollution and erosion defining the current Deep Sea Era, and the ongoing 'Eternal Collisions' that influence the fundamental laws of their reality.

"...The Great Annihilation was a day when countless worlds collided. The origins of these cataclysmic events remain a mystery, but their impacts were a Hyper Incident of unprecedented magnitude, engulfing numerous civilizations, races, and worlds. In this cosmic turmoil, each world became a 'Madbird,' a 'Hyper Strom' to the others. According to the fundamental world rules, indescribable pollution and distortion devastated everything, erasing established orders. The survivors..."

Pausing, Lune slowly stood, his gaze methodically sweeping across everyone in the room.

"We, and everything in our present existence, including the entire Deep Sea Era, are akin to the final, echoing scream of Hyper Strom at his moment of death. That scream, though still resonating, is nearing its end," he spoke softly, his voice fading as he gently exhaled and sat down.

"I've said what I needed to. Does anyone wish to add anything?" With this, the elderly, portly elf turned his gaze towards Duncan.

"You've covered it thoroughly," Duncan acknowledged, appreciating the depth of Lune's explanation about the Great Annihilation. "That pretty much sums up all we understand about it at this point. Now, let's shift our focus to the gods. I'm particularly interested in the theories about their nature and your recent findings. That's my main concern."

As Duncan spoke, a subtle ripple of reaction moved through the bishops, and the four Popes sitting across the table exchanged significant glances. After a brief stir, the hall returned to quiet. The Pope of the Flame Bearers, a towering orc with gray-white skin and dressed in simple robes, nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The conversation then turned to the nature of the gods. Frem, with his deep and resonant voice, began to share his thoughts, gently touching the flame amulet on his chest. This action seemed to be a gesture of penance or reflection, given the potentially blasphemous nature of his next words.

"It seems from the evidence we've collected that the gods may actually be remnants of powerful or uniquely enduring entities that survived the destruction of the Great Annihilation. They are like the smoldering 'embers' of a once-mighty fire, bearing traces of a world now lost."

Frem spoke with a sense of gravity, "The Great Annihilation destroyed everything from the old world. In a strict sense, the gods didn't come through that disaster unharmed. We've known about this for some time."

Duncan's face showed mild surprise at Frem's disclosure: "You knew about this earlier?"

Simultaneously, he noticed the shocked expressions on Morris and Vanna's faces, seated next to him. Clearly, even they, as saints of their respective churches, were hearing such frank and disturbing revelations from a Pope for the first time.

Frem was revealing secrets usually confined to the most private circles of the "Arks"!

Seeing Duncan's surprise, Frem nodded slightly.

"Yes, this realization came to us quite some time ago. However, it's only now that we're beginning to understand the full implications of it."

He paused briefly, then locked eyes with Duncan. "The gods are essentially dead, and they are now in a state of decay... But this information has been restricted to a few high-ranking members of the church, those who work closely with the Arks. There's another critical point to grasp..."

Frem stopped again, collecting his thoughts, then looked directly at Duncan.

"The inception of the Arks was an attempt to delay the 'rotting' process of the gods. And as of today, this 'delaying' action is nearing its limit. The 'corruption' that results from the decay of the gods... it's on the verge of leaking into the mortal realm."