Case 221: The theory of parallel universes.
''...Elaborate.''
Facing Buezrith with a sigh, I say.
Lately, there have been too many confusing things. It's not like I don't get them, but the developments so far are outrageous. First, there is transmigration, then time travel, and now... parallel universes?
''Your guess is correct, Aurora.'' Buezrith nods. ''If your other self has already informed you of her time traveling, then you must know how reality splits.''
''...''
A popular theory on Earth—about parallel universes.
That there are innumerable universes existing alongside ours, each with its own altercations and rules. There, physics might not resemble what we have here at all. Or, they are nearly identical, save for some minor differences. Those are the two ends of a spectrum.
After all, the number of parallel realities is infinite.
''Yes, and I am a version of myself from another universe,'' Buezrith admits. ''Unlike the countless other Buezrith, I was able to conquer the star's temptation and prevent the initial calamity.''
''...How did you get here?''
''As I said, I plan to stop myself from swallowing this—no, every universe whole. I had been through a few before arriving here. Coincidentally, after the last trip, I glimpsed your other self entering this branch when I submerged myself in the river of time.''
''So you followed her?''
''Precisely. Her aura was impeccable, so I thought there might be hope if I cooperated with her.''
So she's here not for me, but for the other me?
Wait, we're becoming one person anyway. It doesn't really matter. Then, the only question left is...
''What is going on with you?'' I ask.
As if it's going to be a long talk, Buezrith takes a sip before steadying herself. Facing me directly, she speaks, ''I'll tell you everything.''
''Go on.''
''Buezrith—most of us, at least—is a person born not long before Neveah did. Was it merely the attractor fields, I wonder... but except me, I haven't found any version that hadn't fallen for the star's allure. In my case, I detected the calamity's arrival and derailed it before it could reach. We called it the 'End's Anomaly,' like a massive, corrosive, and ravaging black hole.''
'The star' obviously refers to the Heavenly Demon, the madness-inducing mess covering this world's sun. And if her story is true, she might as well be an improbable possibility, one anomaly among the sea of normalcy.
''In the majority of world lines, 'Buezrith' ends up as an underling of the star. Rather, like demons and other worshippers, she is infected by it. End's Anomaly itself doesn't have a consciousness. There is no 'Heavenly Demon,' just a living being who has been affected by its energy.''
''...''
''Regardless, if I am an anomaly myself, then the Buezrith you will have to face is even more anomalous than me.''
Taking another deep breath, the woman says worryingly, ''She... took over the star.''
''What?!''
''She made the star's vast power hers. As far as I am aware, her home universe is already destroyed by that very power. Now, she seeks to conquer other realities, eventually combing through every thread possible. It is the reason I am here at this battlefield.''
''That's... new. Are the two Buezriths I've met also you from those other universes?''
''Most likely. The powerful Buezrith is trying to summon an army of herself.''
''Why?''
''Because that is the easiest way. I'm not sure if I can say this, but 'I' am talented. By seizing such talents early, it makes her conquest more effortless.''
So that is why the Buezrith I faced the other day... felt different from the one who took her away. They're not exactly the same person—just the same root.
''If so, how does she deal with the time paradox?''
Here's the problem.
According to what Buezrith is saying, the final boss version of her already conquered her reality, not to mention the numerous hers who cannot come from the same exact time, so, they being here would count as time travel. Some tend to assume that time traveling and parallel universes have little to do with one another, but that's plain wrong.
They tie together, like a knot.
Say, the word 'timeline' or 'worldline.'
Imagine that each world is advancing forward on a passage of time, a line. The other me had swum all the way back from the far future to reach this point in that line. Yet, because of the ripples provoked by her interventions, it had ceased to be the same line since. One might be tempted to compare those world lines to a tree that endlessly branches; however, it's a bit different.
Tree branches don't converge, unlike world lines.
If I have to give an example myself, I would say that world lines are like a rope.
Ropes have countless threads composing them. Universes are similar to that, but with small and large bundles composed of those threads. Some actions are too insignificant to cause a world line to branch—or perhaps they are too fine for us to perceive. And when they branch, they can also converge—that's when the different actions lead to the same result.
The attractor fields are regions within timelines that consciously collapse actions and results of multiple lines to a fixed point. I often separate 'bundles' by these points.
Following that logic, even if the Buezrith in front of me and the final boss are so anomalous that they sit outside of this bundle, the numerous Buezriths who are all under the star's influence can't be that dissimilar to one another.
How are they maintaining under the universe's rules?
''She's likely... chipping away at their souls.'' Buezrith sighs. ''By taking away a piece of their fundamental souls, she can theoretically trick the universe into thinking they are outside the bundle.''
''...''
I see. What a clever way of breaking the rule.
Remembering the lines Buezrith—the one who took away the initial Buezrith—uttered, I feel enlightened. So that one lacked 'patience'... I wonder what the others lack.
And... if everything is true, I can safely assume that Buezrith hasn't made efforts to manipulate minds or anything of the sort. The consequences we have encountered so far are but the results of world lines shifting and overlapping.
''Hah...''
Now that I have grasped the answers to the most pressing questions, I feel strangely relaxed, even though the threat just got exponentially bigger.
''...By the way, what kind of deal did you make with the emperor?''
''Ah, that.''
With a timid smile, Buezrith replies, ''I wanted to contact you through him. I would show him glimpses of his late wife in return. He wanted memories that are 'real.' The man has been deeply hurt and sentimental, I suppose.''
''Why not come straight to me?''
''Well... I didn't know if you would welcome me, you know? In the few ones I've been through, you were hostile. Rightfully, of course.''
''Don't you have a way to scout for information before entering a world line? What if it was all ruins?''
''I have some guarantees.''
''What are they?''
''That... I'll reveal once you agree to cooperate.''
Adjusting her tone, Buezrith extends her hand, ''Miss Aurora, I believe you and I have the same goal. Would you consider working with me?''
I hesitate for a moment.
I don't completely trust her, but if she has bad intentions, I believe the other me would have intervened long before this conversation concluded.
After some deliberations, I decide to take that hand.
''Sure.''