Chereads / Of the Stars, Sun, and Moon / Chapter 36 - Concern

Chapter 36 - Concern

Bell was disgusted by the way Arc - no, Monty - had died. Pherel was unable to give her the full six months he had lived, much less his entire life, but it was enough for her to gather just what qualities his soul has.

In short she was concerned.

The final moments in the shell worlds had the most impact on a reincarnated soul.

She couldn't be sure, but she thought that his dying words were a declaration. Declarations were something that were imprinted onto the soul. They represented the resolve of an individual, a crystallization of their goals and desires. Until the goals or desires were achieved the Declarator could not make another Declaration. Those who make Declarations will receive benefits and detriments in regards to their goal, but they are heavily dependent on what that goal is. For example, someone who declared they will become the strongest will see an increase in their strength gain but will lose something in return. What that might be depends on their justification.

Declarations had many conditions, that was why Bell was unsure that what Monty had put forth was ACTUALLY a Declaration.

The first condition for a Declaration is a verbal justification of right, often just called a Justification. It must have an audience of greater than 100 witnesses. That ship, the Scripture, had more than 500 people on it, but she wasn't sure if it counted due to the radio. People are not considered witnesses unless they hear the original voice, meaning amplification arts simply do not work. She had never seen a situation with a radio as the heavenly laws reject technology beyond a certain point. She didn't know if it counted.

The second condition is that the Justification must be recognized by the Heaven's themselves. If the Justification was illogical or did not fall along a Heavenly path, then the Heaven's would reject the Declaration. A good example of this would be the Declaration of 'might makes right' in that it can be justified, in fact it's fairly easy to do so as there are many paths that prove it. However, if the Justification of the Declaration does not satisfy the Heavens, then it will fail. There was no way of knowing where this line was as it changed by person. She had never seen someone challenge the Heavens, so she had no benchmark for a success or failure.

The third condition is that the Declarator must fully believe in their Justification. If there is even the slightest doubt in their minds then their Declaration will fail. This condition must be maintained, if they lose their resolve then the Declaration will cease even after its formation. Bell did not know if this would apply to him, did he hold his beliefs even after his run through the Fissure Chamber?

The final condition is that it must be achievable. If it is impossible for someone to reach the goal set by their Declaration they will die on the spot. Their nexus will shatter and their soul will fade. How many cultivators had declared that they would become the strongest only to drop dead? How many people had declared their revenge only to fall over dead? How many claimed that they would solve a problem only for their soul to be destroyed? Bell could not remember. A fair few candidates had suffered similar fates.

It was because of this condition that Declarations were something of a taboo, a last resort. Many wanted to make a Declaration, but how could they know it was possible for them to achieve it? Thus they were only made when they had nothing left.

Bell knew that with the potential Arc had displayed, he would absolutely be able to influence the Heaven's laws. Every person in Anima Operantium was powerful enough to do that, and he was set to be one of them. She wasn't concerned with him dying to lack of potential.

Her concern came from the effects of this possible Declaration.

The Heavens made an active resistance to anything that went against them. The 'Technology' of the shell worlds went against these laws. They naturally draw people away from advancing in that regard. The best that could be done technologically was multi-stage traps and mechanical clocks, but even those were rare. Electricity was out of the question. How many candidates that hadn't had their memories completely wiped on accident were eviscerated by lightning when they tried to put together something as simple as a flintlock rifle?

How heavy of resistance would the Heavens put up against someone hell-bent on destroying them? They wouldn't be able to act on him instantly like those poor bastards who had been struck by divine might. It wasn't an action. It was a goal. They would not kill him. They could not kill him. At least not directly. They would influence those around him that were somewhat hostile into conflict with him, as well as make the world energy harder for him to absorb.

All of the sudden she had a better understanding of why Sirius had sent him to the world least influenced by the Heavens.

She was concerned his already slower growth was going to be much slower.