Chapter
2 – An Alternative Path
The following week was
turbulent, I rarely had time to rest. The experiences I had that week
were certainly directly connected to the mysterious tome. In the
recurring dream, which I had throughout the previous week:
I
found myself above the earth, just like the last time, I couldn't
move. My body just orbited the blue planet. The next day, movement
began to return, and little by little I was able to move freely
through out space. With my new freedom, I slowly began to wander
among the stars. I gazed at the sun, and the outer and lower planets,
and went to the very edge of our little solar system. Now I know that
this was no ordinary dream, but rather a way of experiencing
existence, a way for conscious beings to wander through the cosmos.
Time in the dream realm is strange, to say the least, it behaves
completely chaotically. For this reason, I realize that years have
passed before I awaken.
For
the remaining five days, I traveled to the ends of the universe. With
each passing second, I gained more control over myself. My travels
took me to the most distant stars, to the most remote planets, to
places never before seen through a telescope, but something prevented
my progress. No matter which direction I wandered, I always reached
the end, the barrier. This mysterious structure reflects the
universal grandeur like a crystal clear mirror, and even after my
studies, I have no idea how to break it.
To
make things even worse, last week, Bob appeared, and still appears,
to be in a bad mood. He hardly eats, and whenever I approach him he
moves away looking at me with fear. I've had him since the first day
of my marriage, the idea was proposed by Anna, and I've always wanted
to have a dog. For this reason, his strange aversion to me saddens me
deeply. I am probably worrying unnecessarily, it must just be
something related to his advanced age.
A
new week begins, and even though I am worried about Bob and stagnated
with my research, I cannot abandon my studies of the obscure tome.
Even though he enlightened me on some issues regarding the elevation
of my consciousness, there are still many passages that must be
unraveled. The descriptions of celestial beings are the most
difficult inscriptions to understand. From the little I have been
able to understand, these are unknown beings, so great, so evolved,
that they can roam freely through out the existential planes, in a
material and immaterial form, or they are forces of existence itself?
I confess, information about them are extremely cryptic, and the
archaic writing doesn't help. I know that I have only scratched the
surface of the occult knowledge, I must persist, and with time, I
believe that I will be able to unravel the secrets that this book
contains.
It's
Friday, almost two weeks have passed since I got the book,
unfortunately, I've hit a roadblock in my knowledge. For now, I'll
just record everything that happened in my diary. This diary will
become a compendium of my occult research, everything will be
recorded in its pages.
As
I record my thoughts, I begin to question why I began this journey.
The only conclusion I have; is that something is calling me, perhaps
curiosity? No, it is something more, I feel that it is the
nonconformity regarding the end of this road that we all walk. Its
outcome is not correct, I have to find a different outcome, an
alternative path. The answers are in the pages of the tome, in the
occult, this is what I feel, no, this is the truth. Even though this
unknown knowledge terrifies me, just the fact that I can obtain such
universal understanding is worth any price, even my sanity.
I'm
going to see Wesley, I should have already handed in the books I
picked up, however, my studies took up all my time. I just hope my
friend doesn't get mad. Besides, he probably has some idea about
books that can help me breakthrough this damn barrier.
I
finish my notes in the morning, and when the afternoon arrives, I
head to the library. The place is emptier than usual and this time
there is no one bothering Wesley. I waste no time, and soon go to
meet him.
—
Good
morning, my friend! How is life? — Wesley says, his eyes watching
me intently. — Is everything okay? Did you like the books? — My
friend questions me, as we greet each other.
—
It's
okay, and the book has proven to be… — I pause for a moment. —
Interesting.
— Is
everything really okay? Did something happen? — Strangely, my
friend continues to question me.
— I'm
fine! Why do you ask? — I counter his question with my own.
—
Have
you been sleeping well? You look a little… — Wesley pauses. —
Strange.
— Ah!
The nights have been difficult, I haven't been sleeping as well as
I'd like. — I say, answering your questions in a false way, taking
the utmost care to omit my research into the occult.
—
What
a shame... well, I hope you get better soon. — My friend says,
trying to encourage me. He probably thinks I'm tired because of my
illness. — Did you finish reading the books? Came to return them? —
Wesley says after a few seconds of silence. — You know, you were
supposed to return them last week, but since you've always been a
great reader, I will turn a blind eye.
—
Here
are the books I picked up earlier. — I say, handing over the books
I had picked up the week before last. I hadn't even opened them, I
had dedicated all my time to studying the tome. — The mysterious
tome... it's not there, I'm still reading it... speaking of which,
wouldn't you have any recommendations for books about the occult...
well, the contents of the book proved difficult to interpret. — I
say as my friend picks up the books I gave him.
— I
knew you would like it, this kind of literature is your style,
horror, occult and such things. Well, the library has some Grimoires,
I think that's how people call them, if you want, I can get some for
you. — My friend says, smiling slightly.
—
Great.
— I say as Wesley gets up from his chair.
—
Wait
here, I'll go get them for you. — Says Wesley, leaving with his
clipboard towards the shelves.
—
Here
it is, I think these six books here can help you better understand
the tome. From what the catalog says, they are grimoires of high
magic, by various authors, most were written in the 19th century,
some are older, I think they should serve you well. — My friend
says after returning from his journey through the library. He places
thick books on the counter, drawings of pentagrams and occult symbols
shine on their faded covers.
—
Thank
you, you can register them in my name. I will keep them for about two
or three weeks. — I say as I start to put the books in the bags
that are next to the computer.
—
Okay.
— Says Wesley, starting to type on the machine. — Okay, you can
keep them for a month, that's the maximum amount of time I can make
them available to you.
—
Thank
you my friend. — I say as I shake Wesley's hand. — See you in a
month, take care. — I say as I leave the place.
—
David,
don't get lost in these fantasy worlds! — Wesley says as I move
away from the counter.
—
Sure!
See you later, my friend! — I say, waving to him.
— See
you! — Wesley says, waving back.
The
grimoires I obtained helped me understand the rituals described in
the tome, and from what I could understand, such rites, if performed
correctly, allow for the complete exploration of existence.
As
the forbidden knowledge is understood, I can devise a plan to cross
the barrier that limits my progress. I will test the symbol tonight.
If my information is correct, the barrier should crumble. When this
happens, I will finally be able to see what lies beyond this
obstacle.
I
did it! I broke the barrier! I am extremely exhausted, breaking it
has drained all my energy. To accomplish this feat, all I needed was
a symbol, a mark that connects the lower to the higher. When I drew
this insignia with my mind, the barrier began to crack. As I
concentrated, the cracks expanded, in the end, the obstacle was
completely destroyed.
When
the barrier broke, my mind was filled with ancient, primordial
knowledge. I saw alien creatures, an infinite array of distinct
species. I contemplated the gods these strange beings worshiped, and
still worship. I observed the connections between the infinite
universes. I saw the gods of the stars traverse the connections
between the universes. I believe these gods are the beings called
“Celestials” by the tome, such beings who wander from universe to
universe, traveling along the great serpent, in search of some
unknown goal. The serpent itself is existence itself, formed by all
that is, and all that will be. By all the universes that have
existed, exist, and will exist.
I
spend the rest of the month traveling through the serpent,
investigating the countless universes. I rarely abandon my research,
I only stop traveling to feed my physical body.
For
three months I have been constantly traveling through the universes.
Once a month, I pause my journey to visit my friend Wesley, seeking
to collect more grimoires. Unfortunately, my dog ??treats me like
a stranger. I'm sorry old friend, but I can't waste my time on you, I
have to continue my research.
The
pain got worse, fortunately, while I'm out of my body, I don't feel
it, however, whenever I'm in the physical world, it comes back to
torment me. I see this as a sign that cancer will soon take my life.
Before the inevitable end of my existence, I must find a way to free
myself from this curse, which afflicts all living beings, death.
The
answer is not to be found in the material worlds, nothing in them can
help me achieve my goal, I have to turn this page, go deeper, now I
must explore the dream worlds. Such worlds were created by the
countless consciousnesses that have existed, that exist and that will
exist. They lead to a central point, the absolute void, the center
beyond the abyss, the place where most living beings, of lower
consciousness, arrive when death takes their lives.
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A
year of continuous study was all it took for me to find the answer. I
explored countless physical and dream worlds, and now I know what I
must do. A pact with the emperor of the void is the best way to kill
death. This discovery had been transmitted to me, provided, so to
speak, while I was exploring the magnificent neon city, the home of
the pigs. As I walked through its streets of light, I had a vision,
in which the ritual of evoking the emperor was provided to me. The
image was engraved in my memory, as was the sentence spoken by the
mysterious voice that echoed through my mind; “The eternity so
longed for can be achieved, if this is your wish, your dream, the
emperor will make it come true.”
Immediately
after this secret was revealed to me, I woke up. I quickly went to
consult the book, and when I opened it, I soon realized that its
contents had been… updated. A new section on evocation simply
appeared in the book. In it, there are rituals to evoke most of the
celestial beings previously described. I have no idea why this
knowledge was given to me, the only certainty I have is that; this is
a blessing from the celestial beings, a small help.
Lately,
the pain has been unbearable. In the few moments that I'm not
exploring the big neon city, I find myself overcome with pain. I feel
death approaching with each passing day. I probably only have a few
weeks left to live, maybe five or six.
I
have not yet had the opportunity to perform a ritual, however, to
confirm the veracity of the knowledge I possess, I need to carry out
an experiment in the physical world; tomorrow I will try to evoke a
celestial being.
I
wait for night to fall and head into the depths of the small forest
that surrounds my residence. With me I only carry a flashlight, and
the dagger.
The
dagger was revealed to me by the emperor's servants, the pigs.
According to them, in order for points of convergence to be created
between existences, a magician must perform the rites with some
symbolic weapon, and this dagger was the weapon I was to acquire.
This weapon has a dark blade, with white marks, like the night sky.
Its hilt is adorned with gold, and is shaped like an imposing dragon.
On the same day I was given the mission to acquire it, I obtained it
from a street vendor for a bargain.
After
walking for a while, I stop and look around. Everything is perfect,
the sky is lit up with the brightness of distant stars, the moon is
at its peak, the wind blows gently through the forest, the only thing
missing is blood.
I
cut my left wrist and draw on the floor the symbol connecting the
superior to the inferior, followed by the cosmic triangles, the mark
of the being I will evoke, called: The Star God. With the
preparations complete, I begin to recite the rite of evocation.
—
Great
Dyeus. I summon you to this reality! Make it part of your great
being, god of the stars, I call you, Dyeus… oh! Great God beyond
the universes, I call you, sail through the serpent and come to me,
everything is part of Dyeus, everything will be Dyeus, the star god.
As
I recite these words, the symbol drawn with my blood becomes viscous,
like pitch. A green pitch from which small tentacles sprout, like a
flower opening, they grow and extend like petals, consuming the air,
the earth, the atoms, everything begins to be assimilated by this
magnificent being. As Dyeus begins to enter this universe, the rite
becomes stronger. With each word I say, my little life force is
drained. I manage to keep the ritual stable for about a minute, more
than enough time to contemplate, no, to feel, the power of a high
being. When my strength begins to run out and my vision begins to
blur, the rite is broken and little by little my consciousness fades.
I
wake up covered in leaves and wet with dew. When I get up, I
immediately notice the place where I summoned Dyeus. The ground is
dark and cracked, a foul smell fills the entire region. It worked!
The ancient myths are real! Yes, they have always been true. Now I
know the power these beings possess; death does not afflict them, the
fate of inferior beings does not touch them.
I
hurry and go back to my house. I know that I have little time left to
live, but before death strikes me, I will become one of them, a
superior being, a human who has overcome his own destiny.
This
morning I woke up coughing, my chest was burning as if it were about
to explode. I felt something being regurgitated, and when I looked at
my hand, I saw blood. The pain increased, I never thought a human
being could feel such anguish. Now it is evening, and I am still
completely unwell. I can barely move, all I have done is lie in my
bed, writhing in agony. Even though I am in this deplorable state, I
know that I must endure this scourge, because soon I will be able to
kill death.
The
next morning, I set off to visit Wesley at the library. This will be
my penultimate visit, as I will soon be leaving this material plane.
It will be a brief visit, just to give him the grimoires I still
have, fortunately, my research has come to an end.
When
I enter the library, I see the young biker, he is talking to Wesley.
Could he be an occultist? Maybe a magician? Impossible to know...
either way, it's better for me to stay away.
The
young man left the library, unfortunately, when he left, for a brief
second his eyes saw me. His brief gaze pierced my flesh, revealed my
soul, unraveled my secrets. Just his stare was enough for me to feel
his intentions. He wants the tome, his goal is to prevent the
celestial beings from entering this existential plane. Fool, your
mission will only lead you to ruin.
I
can't worry, with such an insignificant piece like this young man, my
focus should only be on bringing the emperor into this universe. Even
if his goal opposes mine, his power over this reality cannot compare
to that of the celestial beings who assist me. This fool can never
stop me.
I
don't waste time with small talk, I just hand over the grimoires.
Wesley probably thinks I'm acting strange because of my illness. My
friend, you could never imagine what I've seen, the secrets I've
beheld, the beings who've graced me with their presence.
I
return home, feeling extremely tired, and go to bed. The only moment
of peace I have is when I leave this damned physical world. My
condition is critical, at most I have a week to live, fortunately, a
week is all the time I need to perform the ritual. The week begins
tomorrow, and when the sun rises, I will begin preparing the symbols
and equations necessary to evoke the emperor of the void.
I
begin my work by engraving the circular symbols around the room. I
confess that the hardest part was removing the furniture. Most of the
symbols are in the tome, however, some need to be found in the
material worlds. In addition, the process of obtaining the equations
is more complex. Some notes on numerology help me, but the most
efficient way of acquiring the mathematical formulas I need are the
pigs. The emperor's servants help me create the more complex formulas
and explain to me how to apply them in an acceptable way in the
evocation rite. These equations are engraved in my memory. By my
calculations, the preparations will take about five days. Which is
good, since death is approaching.
These
four days have been productive, the preparations are almost finished,
a few more hours of work and everything will be ready.
I'm
done! The ritual circles are ready, the equations solved and
established, finally, tomorrow the last step will be carried out, the
sacrifice. In order for the emperor to manifest himself physically an
existence must be taken in his name.
Loud
knocking on my door wakes me up. In my dream, I was informed by the
pigs that an outside element would try to stop me. I proceed to the
door with extreme caution, I cannot let anyone interrupt the ritual.
I
peer through the peephole and see the mysterious young man, his gaze
cold and intense. I try to ignore him, but the loud knocking
continues. After a few minutes, I decide I'll just politely ask him
to leave.
—
Yes?
— I say, opening the door gently. I didn't open it completely, I
just left it a small crack open, and I stuck my head out.
— Mr.
Batista, I presume… they told me that you are in possession of a
very special book. — The young man says, looking me straight in the
eyes.
—
Book?
I don't know what you're talking about. — I say, quickly closing
the door.
—
Don't
try to deny it... I know he's in your possession. — Says the young
man, blocking the door with his foot. Bob runs towards him.
Strangely, the animal starts barking at me and not at my unwanted
visitor. — Your dog seems to be bothered by you... That's right,
little buddy.. — Says the young man, while running his hand over my
dog's head. For some reason, he treats him well, damn animal!
—
He's
having behavior problems! Not that that would be of any interest to
you! Again, the only books I have are fantasies, and a few classic
novels. Unless you’re referring to Kafka’s Metamorphosis, or
Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, or… — I say, starting to
list the books that make up my collection. Judging by his indifferent
look, the young man doesn’t seem impressed.
— No,
this book does not contain any fictional or philosophical content,
its theme is unique. Its pages contain the obscure reality of distant
worlds. — The young man says, approaching me. I press the door
against his body, without effect, he is obviously much stronger than
me. — The forces you are moving are forces that should not be
disturbed. No good comes from indifferent space entities! — He
knows... I have to think of a plan... I have to get rid of this nosy
young man. — Give me the book! If you don't hand him over, I'll
have to take him by force. — The biker says, as he prepares to
invade my house. With no other options, I slam the door and force the
young man to remove his foot. I hear a scream of pain, as the barking
intensifies. Quickly, I lock the door and run to my room.
I
hear a bang, the bastard came in... I have to hurry, I have to fix
this problem.
—
Sir,
don't try anything... — I hear the young man's voice echo through
the house. I had already picked up the dagger, I need the help of the
celestial beings, yes, they will help me.
—
Sir?
— Exclaims the young man, standing in front of my room. The dog's
barking stopped, and he was extremely scared and hid under the sofa.
— What did you do? You can't bring them here! You madman, you will
condemn this entire reality! — The young man says, running towards
me. Fortunately, he didn't notice the star lord's summoning cycle.
—
Great
Dyeus. I summon you to this reality! Make it part of your great
being, god of the stars, I call you, Dyeus… oh! Great god beyond
the universes, I call you, sail through the serpent and come to me,
everything is part of Dyeus, everything will be Dyeus, the star god.
— I begin to recite the words, the tentacles begin to manifest.
Quickly they sprout from the ground and wrap themselves around the
young man's legs.
—
Great
star that guides the fallen, help me in this battle. Ultimus Stella,
illuminate the darkness! — The young man shouts. As he begins to
recite his own rite, a white light appears in the room, partially
obscuring my vision, however, I do not let myself be shaken and
continue to invoke Dyeus.
Even
partially blind, I can feel the energies colliding. I feel the power
of the star lord, and I give him more vital energy, causing the
blinding light to gradually fade away. When my vision returns, I
realize that the tentacles have completely covered the young man's
body. The light, once so bright, had become just a tiny spark.
— …
EVERYTHING
IS PART OF DYEUS! EVERYTHING WILL BE DYEUS! — I finish the rite,
loudly shouting the name of the lord of the stars. At this moment,
the tentacles pull in opposite directions.
Within
seconds, my visitor's body was split in two, split vertically down
the middle. All that was left of this foolish occultist was his
entrails and his blood. I spent the rest of the night cleaning up the
mess left by my unwanted visitor.
I
spent a day and two nights cleaning up the pieces of organs, flesh,
and blood from the room. I put them in a large garbage bag. Now I'm
going to throw them into the bottom of the lake. The lake must be
about five meters deep, more than big enough to hold a body. It
doesn't matter if someone finds it, because in a few days I'll be out
of this city.
As
I dispose of the body, I stop and think, “How fragile we lesser
beings are. Life can be easily taken, easily extinguished.”
Strangely, I feel no remorse or sadness, for I now realize that death
comes to everyone. No matter when, it always comes to visit its next
victim, but once I complete the ritual, it will never reach me. It
does not matter if one, two, a hundred or a million people die, all
that matters is that the ritual is performed. Death will be killed,
and my consciousness will transcend to the next stage!
