Sand of Reality

Hex-

A mysterious formation resembling the text of an archaic language. Discovered by researchers to effectively control the effects of force on the materials around them. Materials both physical and spiritual.

As a researcher found in an experiment on the interactions between force and particles in nature, the resonance produced when force flows into a hex can influence existence at a fundamental level.

Drawing a hex requires a deep understanding of this resonance and the Frequency of Origin. The frequency is then controlled and manipulated by the nature of the hex.

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Alex was stumped as he stared at the hex on the door knob. Mystified by the nature of the arcane formation he tried his hardest to glean the smallest key in deciphering the Frequency of Origin that resonates with this hex.

The relation between the Frequency of Origin and the hex that affects it is similar to that between heat and cooking.

Without the right frequency being used the outcome would be entirely different.

Just like corn, it could be boiled roasted or popped by heat, only under different conditions the outcome would vary greatly which is where the hex comes into play.

Alex understood this basic concept of how hexes worked. After all, he was the best graduating student at his interstellar high school.

Applying this, Alex strained all his senses as he stared into the hex trying to sense this unique frequency.

Meanwhile, within his mind on the barrier of the Sea of Consciousness, the faint shadow of the hex continued to grow clearer and more defined unknown to Alex.

After a while, the shadow had solidified into a seal and imprinted itself on the barrier.

At that very moment, Alex discovered that in his perception tiny particles became clear in his senses floating unhindered in the nearby air.

However, these particles reacted strangely when they neared the vicinity of the hex. They began to fuse into the hex and vibrate at a steady rhythm.

"What is this?" 

Alex continued to observe these strange particles as they interacted with the hex and soon he noticed the particles were a unique component of the hex that allowed them to influence the reaction of force when it came into contact with it. 

"Is this what force looks like?"

Alex was puzzled by the strange particles as they didn't seem like force. The particles were everywhere, even around his body at a constant volume.

It seemed to be completely independent of everything around him. 

Using his hands, he tried to touch them. However, there was no reaction. The particles were untouchable by his physical form.

Try as he might Alex could not even capture one of these particles. 

With no other viable methods to access these particles or even influence them, he was back to square one.

Disappointed he was frustrated by the challenge. However, he felt that he was missing something.

And as he continued to observe the hex closely this feeling became stronger and stronger. After much thought about what he could be missing, Alex turned his attention back to the particles he discovered. 

Focusing all his attention on a particular free-floating particle he tried his hardest to influence its direction. 

"Go left, go left."

Alex strained his will and applied his intent for the particle to move left and he noticed that to his shock the particle had veered slightly left. 

Shocked, Alex searched through his basic knowledge and remembered an absurd concept that entered his mind from his long-term memories.

In a random research paper he read in the general virtual library, the researcher proposed that the various supernatural phenomena caused by the new experts were a result of their unconscious influence on tiny free particles in space.

The researcher called these particles the Sands of Reality and stated that the supernatural phenomenon was only possible because the ability they awaken had an intrinsic effect on some of these free particles and that these free particles were responsible for the existence of all laws in the universe. 

Strangely this research was heavily criticised during its initial release and the researcher was called mad.

However, this very researcher was the one who discovered the means to stabilize the breakthrough of humanity by creating the initial model of the Consciousness Genetic Module.

Before this, human experts were created by the risky consumption of a gene-stimulating elixir, which after generations of reviews had become safe for consumption by the general population.

This was also during the period of rapid interstellar colonization by the newly formed Alliance. There was a heavy demand for strength beyond the ordinary.

However, the human powerhouses found it incredibly difficult to upgrade their supernatural abilities until this genius researcher created the CGM.

With this understanding, Alex finally knew what these particles were and how he could access the Frequency of Origin affected by the hex through them.

Focusing all his attention on the particles as they entered the engraved hex on the door knob.

Alex gathered his intent into a small sphere and encased the particles within it and soon he was able to feel a strange rhythm on his intent sphere which he used to assess the changes in the particles.

Restraining his excitement, Alex tried once again to feel the rhythm of the particles.

The rhythm seemed to echo within his mind, and the more he sensed it the more it echoed within him like a massive bell.

Gradually the vibrations of these particles generated a resonance within his mind. The resonance grew stronger that even when Alex lost his focus on the particles surrounding the hex he was still resonating constantly.

His mind was entranced by the rhythm within him. He reached out his hand and touched the hex on the door knob and the next instant the hex flashed with white light and the door suddenly unlocked.

At that moment the seal on the membrane of Alex's Sea of Consciousness flickered with a white light and faded away into the membrane turning invisible once again.

However, when one took a closer look at that region and focused their attention on it a faint rhythm could be felt.

Alex looked stunned at the moment the door was unlocked. He instantly understood the effect of the hex.

It was a simple Strengthen hex. It could use a small amount of force to enhance the strength of an object or person. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts he organised his strategy for what to do next.

"I don't have any experience with Hexes. However, within this trial, it seems much easier to sense the Sands of Reality than in the outside world.

And if there is anything I can be sure of from previous experience, there is no way the trial would be so easy. If anything the Frequency of Origin of these hexes would be much harder to sense after a few rounds.

I have to train my intent to be able to capture frequencies as fast as possible. The trial will only get harder from this point on."

With this thought in his mind, Alex walked towards the door next to him.

This time the hex was engraved into the doorpost. Sitting down Alex got the hex at eye level. Taking a deep breath, he once again began to focus all his attention on the air just before the hex.

Slowly, the floating free particles reappeared in his sight. Smiling confidently, Alex began using his intent to envelope these particles and try to sense the rhythm.

Gradually on the membrane of his Sea of Consciousness, another shadow of a hex appeared in the opposite direction of the previous hex, growing bolder and bolder.

At the same time within Alex's mind, another rhythm appeared and began to stimulate him, entrancing him gradually. The resonance formed became clearer and stronger, building a clear frequency within him.

The whole process was much shorter than the first attempt. It took Alex nothing more than 45 minutes since he sat down to completely resonate with the Frequency of Origin for the new hex.

Smirking Alex stood up and pushed the door. With a soft creak, the door opened.

At the same moment, the hex on the doorpost flashed with a white light.

The seal engraved on the membrane flickered with white light and gradually faded away.

With the door opened Alex calmed down and a clear meaning was transmitted into his mind from the hex.

Weaken is a simple hex that uses a small amount of force to weaken the strength of a person or object.

The two hexes were polar opposites.

Gathering his thoughts Alex looked at the two doors opened before him and after a brief deliberation decided to enter the door with the Strengthen hex.

With a smile on his lips, Alex walked into the next hallway confidence building up within him.

Meanwhile, up in the clouds above the tower, the mysterious mist-cloaked crimson figure was stunned once again by Alex's performance as it had never expected that the weak mortal below would so easily overcome the complexity of the hex stage.

At this moment his heart was palpitating with a mix of emotions, expectation, anger, hope and shock.

However, the most predominant feeling he had was that of surprise clearly no matter how ordinary this challenger looked he was a force to be reckoned with.

However, no matter what he had to test this challenger to the very limits of his ability. Before he could give his consent.

After all, it was saddled with heavy duty. One he does not take lightly and would see to its completion by all means necessary.