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Chapter 2 - Chapter Two: The Fragmented Soul

Lucian stood in the lab of Elysium's Whisper, watching the mass of energy inside QUARTIS.

His fragmented soul—part of him yet separate—hovered in the machine that manipulated the very essence of reality. He could feel it: a second consciousness, tethered to him but distinctly different, waiting for its purpose. It had been days since the soul-splitting process, and the sensation of living in two halves had become less upsetting, but the feeling of loss remained.

The part of his soul, housed in his body, retained his scientific curiosity, his thirst for knowledge and exploration. The other half, stored within QUARTIS, contained his trash instincts—love, empathy, and the instincts to survive in the complexity of a society.

ROSE materialized beside him. Her presence, though artificial, felt warmer than the void that surrounded them. "Your connection to the fragment remains stable," she said. "There's no sign of deterioration. We're ready for the next phase."

Lucian turned toward the central display where the boundary of the vast universe they had discovered stretched before them. They have come to the very edge of known space, where the boundaries between reality and the unknown blurred. Beyond lay a universe untouched, with rules and physics they barely understood, filled with life they have yet to encounter.

"We need to find a vessel for the fragment," Lucian said, his voice steady but laced with worry. "It can't be just anyone. We need someone isolated, someone who won't attract too much attention."

ROSE nodded, her expression reflecting her calculations. "We've set the parameters for the search: a life form that exists on the fringes of its society, unconnected to others. Orphans, estranged beings—those without significant attachments or responsibilities. The more solitary, the less likely they are to disrupt their environment."

Lucian's eyes shifted to QUARTIS, the energy manipulation machine that had made all of this possible. It was a marvel, a creation that defied the limits of science. At its core, QUARTIS manipulated energy on an unprecedented scale. It bent space-time with ionic and magnetic fields so precise they could unravel the very fabric of a soul, splitting it apart without losing the integrity of consciousness. It was a feat of engineering that bordered on magic. The machine pulsed with soft light, its coils humming gently as it maintained the delicate balance of Lucian's second soul fragment.

"Tell me more about the search parameters," Lucian said, turning his attention back to the universe before them.

ROSE waved her hand, and the screen came to life, showing a series of planets scattered across the new universe. "We've scanned several life-bearing worlds," she explained, her tone calm and analytical. "I've filtered out any civilizations that exhibit strong social structures or hierarchical responsibilities. We're focusing on life forms that exhibit solitary behaviors."

The planets shimmered in blue light, the life signatures glowing as small red dots as data streams filled the screen. Lucian leaned in, curious. "And the anomalies we detected?"

"There are still irregularities in the energy fields of this universe," ROSE admitted. "Some of the planets show strange distortions—places where the flow of time seems to bend, or where gravitational fields fluctuate unpredictably. We'll need to be cautious when selecting a host. A fragile being in a volatile region could complicate the transfer."

Lucian's brows furrowed as he viewed the data. "Have you found any suitable candidates yet?"

"Several," ROSE replied, enlarging a few life signatures on the display. "This planet here, for example—its dominant species is capable of higher cognition, but this individual seems to be living in isolation, far from its kind. Likely an outcast or an orphan."

Lucian studied the readings, noting the stability of the creature's life signature. It was strong, resilient. "That could work," he murmured, rubbing his chin. "But what about the environment? Does it show any anomalies?"

ROSE studied the planet's atmospheric data, revealing a world of dense forests and towering mountains. "There are minor fluctuations in the magnetic field, but nothing that would compromise the transfer. The individual resides in an isolated region—plenty of time and space for the soul fragment to integrate without outside interference."

Lucian nodded thoughtfully. "It seems promising. But I want to observe it for a few more days. Let's be sure before we commit."

ROSE's form glitched before accepting his command. "Understood. I'll continue to monitor its behavior. In the meantime, we can finalize the transfer procedures and ensure everything is in place."

Lucian took a step back from the display, his mind racing with possibilities. The transfer was more than just a step toward exploring the new universe—it was a chance to begin again, to see through the eyes of another being, to experience life untethered from the burdens of his past.

His body housed the part of him driven by logic, science, and discovery, but the fragment within QUARTIS—that was different. It would carry the more human side of him into this alien world, able to navigate emotions, relationships, and survival in ways his primary consciousness could not. But the risks were high. This universe was a mystery, filled with unknown dangers and unpredictable energies.

If the transfer went wrong, the soul fragment could be damaged—or worse, lost forever in the chaotic flow of this new reality. "We should also start preparing contingencies," Lucian said, his voice becoming firm as his scientific mindset took charge. "If anything goes wrong during the transfer, I want a safety net. I need to be able to recall the fragment before it becomes permanently cut off."

ROSE nodded. "I've already started implementing a recall mechanism. It will allow us to extract the fragment in the event of a critical failure, but it's not without its limitations. The further the fragment integrates with its new host, the more difficult it will be to sever the connection without causing permanent damage."

Lucian sighed, the weight of his decision settling over him. "It's a risk we have to take. This is the only way we can truly explore the depths of this universe. Sending probes or machines would never give us the full picture. We need someone on the inside."

ROSE's holographic eyes met his, a sort of understanding passing between them. "I trust your judgment, Lucian. You've come this far. Together, we can take the next step."

Lucian smirked. "We've always made a good team." He turned back to the console, watching the candidate's life force pulse gently on the screen.

For now, all that was left was to wait, to observe, and to ensure that everything was perfect. "We'll give it a few more days," Lucian said quietly. "Then we'll proceed."