Chapter Text
7-^#41-7
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***
"Good afternoon, Raythe. The Reaper told me you'd be arriving soon," Velius greeted Raythe as soon as she entered the Reapers territory on Interstus. Raythe was something of a legend amongst the higher servants of the Great Astral Beings, having been a Prime Vessel longer than most universes have been around. Of course, now Velius was technically at the same level, being the Prime Vessel of the Reaper.
"Is it?" Raythe asked. "This is more of a morning discussion, a time for discoveries and possibilities."
***
Good morning, Raythe," Velius said. Velius searched his memory and senses, trying to determine how much time had passed. As far as he could determine, however, no time at all had passed. It was afternoon. It is now morning. "I'm a little surprised your master allows such time manipulation."
"Causallity is key. Mindset is the root of possibility. As possibilities are what I'm here to discuss, we must adjust our mindsets before we begin."
Velius nodded at the explanation. "Is that why you're visiting me on my first day as Prime Vessel? My new mindset? If a new mindset is needed for this undertaking, wouldn't our masters want two new Prime Vessels to discuss it rather than just one?"
Raythe produced two books. A table appeared in front of the two Prime Vessels, along with two chairs. The furniture appeared to be made from obsidian, but was far too dense. Raythe set the two books on the table.
Velius sat down to look at the two books. One was titled Velius, the other Raythe. Velius picked up his own and started rifling through the pages. Only 20 pages were filled out. His greatest shame was fully described in two sentences, his greatest accomplishment in one. Velius put down his book.
"How do you know what you know? Just skimming through what is written, only my master and myself should know what is in these pages," Velius said, nonplussed.
Raythe produced a diamond spirit coin and flipped it onto the table. It landed showing an hourglass. Raythe made a white mark on the obsidian table with a thumbnail. Raythe repeated this three more times. On the fifth toss, the spirit coin came up blank. No mark was made.
Raythe produced a screen on the table and flipped the coin behind the screen. Velius could have peeked using his supernatural perception, but did not. Raythe placed a mark next to the other four.
"What side did the coin fall? Spent time or possibility?" Raythe asked.
"Spent time," Velius replied, wondering about the two terms used.
"How do you know? You didn't observe the result."
"I see," Velius murmured as he took Raythe's book. He paused for a moment, watching Raythe for a reaction. When non was made, he opened the book and started skimming through it. Velius' book was written in his native language. Raythe's book was written in the pictographic language the Great Astral Beings use. Pages and pages, thousands filled out.
Raythe held up a finger, and the pages turned to the beginning. "I remember who I was here," Raythe said, pointing at the page.
Velius put the Raythe's book down on the table, still opened to the first page. He took his own and opened it to the first page. He briefly read the first paragraph. "I also remember this. I remember these events more clearly now than I did a week after I lived them."
Raythe nodded. "Yes, you remember the events. You don't remember who you were."
"I see the distinction now," Velius said as he closed his book. As soon as Velius' book was closed, both books vanished from the table, along with the spirit coin, screen, and marks. The table was now pristine once again.
"Are you open to possibilities? After a similar discussion, your predecessor was not. Too rigid in the rules. I believe that is one reason the Reaper chose you to replace him." Raythe's stare was intense, but not intimidating. Velius knew Raythe was not threatening him. If Raythe had to wait a few more millennia for this opportunity, then that's what would happen.
Velius closed his eyes and felt for the Reaper's influence. It was watching. Waiting. All would come to pass, eventually. Even time.
"Yes," Velius said, opening his eyes. "We are ready."
"Very well. Lets go into your abode, away from prying eyes."
The two Prime Vessels stood, the obsidian furniture disappearing. Velius led the way, as was proper in the Reaper's territory. Raythe followed.