Proteus' Paradigm and Pandora's Paradox
Three times the universe has begun with a bang, and twice it ended with the stars being devoured by something that does not exist. The third time, however, something that *should not have existed* hijacked the process. 729 eternal proto-stars now orbit the Cornerstone of all Creation, in which sleeps Arius, the Arbiter of the fifteen dimensions Creation exists in, and Nobody; as Guardian of the Non-Euclidean Infinite Archive, existing outside of reality... isolated . Across those fifteen dimensions which the two watch over; preside "Bearers of Sparks," or "Exceptions," empowered by the myriad stars, and metaphysical influence, spread across the multiverse.
Beings across all fifteen dimensions are bound by a plethora of things, but first and foremost aside from causality is something called "The First Anomaly," which exists in all dimensions simultaneously. The dimension it is observed in will shift reality in accordance with a number of precepts, which are determined by the second most prominent binding aspect of the Third Cycle: "The Rule of Three." The Rule of Three is the physical formation of a paranormal law of nature, which acts as a causal filtration device. It also has a secondary function, which allows for Exceptions to offset and utilize any amount of energy in flux by bypassing the typical side-effects of thermodynamic energy transfer as we understand it. This is not to be confused for magic, because magic has a cost. This isn't reality bending/warping in the conventional sense either, as it's not bending the whole of reality but a singular aspect in a nigh-infinite multitude of potential ways, with 100% energy efficiency in cost/effectiveness/application which those who are not Exceptions cannot replicate without multiple sponsorships.
This story follows an abnormality above anomalies; an Exception among Exceptions, a Transmigrator from the other side of an otherwise impassable wall, by the name of Lee Kühren.
Daniel_Weissman_4813 · SF
