Descent (1)
From 'above' to another dimension, no—a bizarre sensation of falling 'downward.' Not my body. A tiny fragment of my mind detached from me and began plummeting. In the vast cosmic expanse where everything appeared as dust, what broke away was 'me'—a mind crossing beyond dimensions into that realm. Dust. In other words, galaxies in a space of infinitesimally low density. My mental fragment passed through what had felt like utter emptiness. A space far larger than dust, lined with slender threads stretched out endlessly. It was more fitting to call it a dense cluster of masses. That too was traversed. It slipped through the gaps in a space sprawling like a net. But there was still a long way to go. Soothing my mind, which felt a touch boring, I pressed on. Heading toward the ritual circle that had called me from the clusters of dust. Among thousands, hundreds of clusters—one spot. Found it.
Paaaah—
When I opened my eyes, I had finally set foot on the ground. Information received not as senses but as vision. Sounds entering through ears, an auditory organ. The tactile sensation of something brushing my skin. After my body turned strange overnight, a torrent of sensations I hadn't felt in ages overwhelmed me. A stark contrast to drifting weightlessly in space without breaking anything. Insight. Far-seeing vision. The star cluster visible from my body. Even the power that had felt so feeble. All gone in this flesh... but this was exactly what I'd longed for.
With my heart swelling like this, I placed my foot on the ground.
"C... Constellation?"
Why wouldn't my mouth open? My legs wouldn't move properly when I tried. Was it because I'd drifted in space for so long? Mortals controlled legs through nerves, but I could barely recall how. In my previous life, it had been natural, but now an awkward, stifling sensation enveloped me. Slowly. Let's try slowly.
Thud.
My right leg inched forward, followed by the left. Was walking always like this? It felt less like natural neural control and more like puppeteering an avatar. My balance faltered, and I staggered briefly. Yuna, standing a short distance away, rushed over to support me.
"Ah! Be careful, Constellation!"
I tried to say thanks, but words wouldn't come out. Did this temporary body lack vocal cords? Or had I messed up somehow? Stay calm for now. Think of vibrating the throat to produce sound waves, like this...
"Ah. Aah... Yuna."
"Constellation?!"
"Thanks for the support. You can let go now."
Now I could act a bit like a mortal. Even these trivial actions filled me with a sense of humanity. Stepping forward. Speaking aloud. Giving thanks. Meeting eyes with people. Everyday for mortals, but just this much stabilized my mind.
But was the body always this sluggish?
"Is adapting to a temporary body always this tough?"
Director Vivian gazed at me with a faint smile.
"Yes. According to my brilliant intellect, constellations whose true forms are so immense struggle with initial adaptation upon descent into temporary bodies."
"Indeed... I heard even our planet's Red Goddess tripped during her first descent-wa yo."
"It's confirmed, since single-planet restricted spirits had no such issues."
The descent into the temporary body didn't last long. Enduring the bizarre tightness constricting my form, cautiously moving what felt like a shell ready to shatter at any moment...
Fsssh—
"Ah."
My body dissolved into a glow starting from my toes. Even if it was just mind, lingering here long was tough. Maybe because it was my first time. The more I adapted to the material realm, the longer I could probably stay.
"Lord! You're returning already-wa yo?!"
The temporary body had reached its limit. Guess that's it for today. So don't make that wistful face. I'm not vanishing forever; we'll meet again...
With a burst of golden light, the temporary body evaporated. My consciousness faded into the air. Precisely, the mental fragment returned to my cosmic main body. But...
Thanks to that descent, I could now exist fully as myself. The tactile, auditory, visual experiences from the fragment I'd sent kept me from losing myself further. Not perfect, but the erosion of my humanity had slowed dramatically. This would suffice as a stopgap.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster conveys that voluntary descent is now possible.
"Ah...! So you can descend anywhere now?"
The black witch, Selene Arcana, followed with an explanation. Previously, descent was only possible near my contracted avatars. A limitation of using avatars infused with Cosmic Power—mortals who'd accepted part of me—as mediums. Pure mind, yet burdened by constraints.
"For now, descent seems limited to areas around your contracted avatars. And the duration is quite short."
Don't rush it. The pathway there is open, so I can descend near avatars anytime. But I doubt I'll descend often. My true body, where galaxies look like dust, made the temporary flesh feel suffocatingly confining. For conversations with descended constellations or slowing humanity loss, minimal time descents only.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster inquires about descent feasibility on the Federation's capital planet, Solaryon Planet.
My question was relayed by the avatars. Director Vivian answered.
"Yes, it's possible. While the AI granted to constellations can't view the capital planet, records confirm descent is feasible."
"Lord. Will you head straight to the Federation's capital planet-wa yo?"
I pondered briefly. The inviter was Councilor Alserian of the High Council. His invitation wasn't pressing, but heading to Solaryon might yield clues on galaxy spirits and Outer Gods. However, temporary body descent lasted only 1-5 minutes. Not enough for proper talk.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster states that a visit to the Federation capital will occur once more accustomed to descent.
About a month passed since then. Even with ground descents possible, little had changed overall. Relations with avatars grew closer, my humanity somewhat stabilized and slowed in erosion—but the universe spun on naturally.
Yuna and Beatrix, still at the Central Avatar Research Institute, seemed quite friendly now. Rolling around the same room, chatting familiarly.
"Constellation! Can I post this on the network?"
"When did you take a photo of the Lord-wa yo?!"
"When you descended earlier, I asked to take one together?"
"H-How rude-wa yo!"
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster conveys no objection.
Yuna hummed happily with the photo, accessing her terminal and tapping away. Straight into the avatar community without hesitation. Tap.
Beatrix sidled up beside her, and they began watching posts roll in. The deep web avatar community guaranteed perfect anonymity. What would the reactions be?
Posts poured in as expected. Rumors of me as a galaxy spirit were gaining traction—laying groundwork to ease Federation citizens' confusion?
"Hardly anyone believes the Constellation truly rules a galaxy-wa yo."
"Hehe! When the Federation officially announces it later..."
"Yuna's got those weird thoughts again. That 'power hidden real' thing-wa yo?!"
"Nooo! It's not that!"
Grinning slyly while awaiting my reveal? That's peak 'power hidden real,' right? Even if it's about me, her constellation, not her identity.
"But why did the councilor invite the Constellation to the capital planet?"
"...Probably political-wa yo."
"Right, Beatrix was a politician. So you're sharp on this stuff?"
"Ultimately, the Lord's will matters most-wa yo."
Silent Starlight, known to the Super Galactic Empire Federation as a galaxy spirit. Curious what they're thinking. Checking me? Approaching with goodwill? Trying to use me? Or indifferent since I'm other-dimensional? If true they contract Federation leaders generationally, this chance reveals their true intent.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster conveys intent to head to the Federation capital.