As Axis approached the woman, he took in everything: the delicate scent of the flowers, the captivating images of the clouds in the brilliant blue sky, and the sweet, uneven chirps of birds echoing from somewhere unseen, layered like distant music, rising and falling as if the world itself were breathing.
"Hurry. Do you not want its power?" the woman asked.
"What does 'its power' mean?"
"You'll find out if you come along."
Axis is seated at the table; it reflects sunlight from above and below with its gold exterior. But wasn't what was truly gold as he looked upon her? He startled himself; he couldn't seem to take his eyes off the stunning woman in front of him.
The light seemed to gather around her, clinging to her form as though it had selected her over everything else in the realm. Her light blue eyes were a perfect match for the ocean. Her hair was long and dark, reaching her back, with blue highlights that matched the color of her eyes.
He couldn't find a flaw in his masculine mind, but to top it all off, she was wearing a long dress adorned with exquisite jewels and embroidery, all of which were, of course, blue. On top of her head was a crown that shone brighter than anything he had ever seen.
"Hello, anyone there," she said, gesturing to him with her hand.
"I apologize, yes. What is this place?"
"This is the fractal realm, which is somewhere outside of space and time, so it's not really a place."
What on earth is she talking about? He was able beyond space and time.
She then began to explain that since this realm was the beginning of the universe, the gods used it to discuss issues long ago.
"Now that I've given you a brief history lesson, are you familiar with this realm?"
"I think so, too."
"Okay, let's return to the main reason why you're here."
"Yes, how do I use powers like they did?" is Axis's response.
"Well, my dear, if you're referring to THOSE so-called powers, you're talking about weavers, who are manipulators of everything I just discussed and more," staring at her with a blank expression.
"According to, well, everything, the fractal realm is composed of the substrate raw energy that powers the cosmos. Substrate energy is found in this table, these chairs, and the fractal realm in particular. Now those people who were using the substrate to fight were turning that raw energy into an application of anything. You hear anything? Isn't that just amazing?"
"Yeah, I guess, but there are more axes."
"Wait, how do you know my name?"
"Never mind that. Now I'm getting too deep into this right now. Raw substrate energy can't be contained due to its overwhelming ability to exist freely, so for instance, say if you turned that raw energy into fire, what do you think would happen?"
"Uhh..." to slow the axis. I'll just answer for it; it would explode!!! Your teeny tiny little human body wouldn't be able to handle it.
"That's where people like me come in, dealers. We are people given special orders by the gods to place rules and restrictions on the substrate and energy when you turn it into an application, helping you safely use it, but one more thing you see. We don't just place restrictions upon you humans; we give contracts. How do I explain this? Ahh. Yes, contracts are the substrate of reality itself, so if you misuse their powers, you not only harm yourself but also reality itself. But reality itself, we also give power, but like anything else, it comes with a price, and that is decided fairly by me, so really the restriction is a part of the contracts with clauses on them about the use of power and such, so, Axis, my boy, you get it."
Looking at her, Axis says, "I get the gist of it."
"I knew you would; you're a smart one," looking at her with a hint of confusion. "You could see his brain rattling, lady. You leave me with this one question: Who are you? Because you sure aren't a human calling me. Tenney, you're tiny, and you're no god because you're doing this. What are her expression changes from smiling and cheerful to sad and mellow to me?"
"I don't truly remember," as if snapping back into her regular personality. "Enough of that. I would like nothing more than to formally give you my name, Axis," raising her arm out, palm facing downward. "I am the eternal queen."
"Aiona Swan, nice to meet you," nudging her hand a little closer to his face.
Axis says, "What are you doing? You're supposed to kiss it."
"Kiss my hand, you fool."
"Oh, sorry," placing his lips upon her hand. He kisses her.
"You're welcome. You made this awkward."
"Well, I guess there is one more thing left to do: your contract. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I am," with snap words floating all over the fractal realm. The words didn't just float—they twisted, bending into shapes that almost made sense before slipping away again, like a language that refused to be understood. Substrate flows all over.
"How will you use it well, Lady?"
"I've been thinking… you say substrate energy is something that can't be contained. It wants to exist freely, and you are the only one who can do that. But what if you weren't? What if I became a conduit for that substrate energy?"
"Did you not listen to anything? I said you would explode."
"No, I wouldn't, see. I think I found a little loophole to substrate energy. People before were fighting to control the substrate energy. What if I didn't? What if I let substrate energy flow freely through me? If I had a container inside of me, something flexible, not a hard construct, so it wouldn't feel restricted, it would essentially be free, and when I deem fit, I would essentially use my power to create constructs of hard substrate energy, and at that point, when I expel them, it's an application. So, did I crack the code?"
Left in awe. Aiona was puzzled; she thought he was crazy for a moment until he wasn't. Could he be right?
"Axis number one, this is very dangerous. What you plan on doing would take serious control to harness the infinite power of energy."
"Yes, I know that, and that's why I need something infinite myself, something that's always expanding to contain it."
"Placing minimal restrictions on you is fine. I have to add lots of clauses; that's fine, I can handle anything. All my life I've never been heroic; I'd always stick to myself, you know, and when I saw all those people die, I was scared for my life, but people, I mean, Weavers, saved them, so I don't feel like a hero or anything. I feel an obligation almost for all those who died; I must do this, finally, in their memory."
"What you mean to control is reality itself, so you would not only be controlling energy but also the space it manifests in, and I have nothing left to say."
She then started to pull the letters surrounding them from left to right, up and down, drawing them all in to her hand once more.
"Axis," she says while extending her palm face down, and this time with no hesitation, he grabs it and kisses it.
Then nothing but white; a bright blue light envelops them and then, almost 3 seconds later, instantly dissipates.
"Contract complete. How do you feel?"
"I feel different. I feel cold."
"That's because you need to turn it on."
"What do you mean, 'turn it on'?"
"Turn on your heart, your engine."
Heart… You turned my heart into an engine.
Listening for a thump, he couldn't hear anything but an irregular whir.
It's not just some engine; it's an infinite one. It's constantly storing energy then spewing it out, but the sad part about this is that, my friend, you need substrate energy to survive.
"I've replaced your heart and all your blood. I'm so sorry; it was the only way for you to channel through your body."
"It's all right. I told you I would take on anything, but I'm wondering what it all means."
"Well, it means even if it infinitely expands to hold your energy, if you lose control, it can burst, causing you to slowly die."
"How slowly?"
"This is serious death, not the fast kind, slow and agonizing. Remind me of that when my life's in danger. For now, take me back. Take me back to the battle. I want to fight."
"If that is your wish, Axis, I shall grant it. Remember, Axis, rev your engine and change the world as you wish, my eternal queen."
And just as suddenly as when he left, he was back to that bubble, back with Kael, but with something new: determination to fight, to fight with his infinite engine.