Mortal Form

[Ow… wait. It actually doesn't hurt...]

{it's… heavy.}

Tau felt like she was being squeezed through a slowly narrowing tunnel. The logic of the world quickly tangled around her, binding her into place. Tau could feel her existence being stretched out like a thread. The world would only accept her origin; the other aspects of her existence remained loosely attached threads floating outside of the world. Once the initial shock of the dive subsided, Tau realized that the fitting embrace of the world was quite comfortable.

As the light subsided, Tau found herself standing in the middle of a forest. The thick underbrush in all directions. Although it was supposed to be new, everything somehow felt deeply familiar. The smell of the greenery, the feel of the wind, the sound of birds, the warmth of the sun. But, more than anything, the inherent feel of the world. It was all so familiar.

At the same time, everything just felt so small. Her vision felt limited like she was seeing the world through a hollow cylinder of considerable length. Her body, too, felt too small; she had to exert an effort to keep her consciousness from spilling out. Even then, she could still feel her immediate surroundings so well that she may as well have been looking down at herself from a third-person perspective.

Tau looked at her hands. They felt tiny and distant. She clenched and unclenched her fists. The act felt like she was operating a piece of machinery, not a part of herself.

[This sure is strange.]

{No kidding.}

Tau tentatively took a step forward. Easy. She started to run. The grass and other shrubberies could not hide the roots and stones which threatened her footing; she made them her footholds, leaping to each one, balancing briefly, and kicking off. The occasional branch or section of the thicket was no obstacle either; Tau maneuvered herself through them so skillfully that even her dress remained perfectly intact.

It was just a series of taps. Select the target. Land. Kick-off. Repeat. It was much easier than Tau had expected.

Soon, her run brought her to the edge of a small lake. She collapsed on the shore, breathing hard, legs aching. It was amusing, finding the physical limitations of her body. At the same time, she knew that if she wanted, she could probably push her body further. The already distant physical pain could be easily ignored.

Knowing this, she laughed. Being a mortal was fun. It was like playing a game: choosing to obey rules that she knew she could easily bend, or even break, at any time.

"Ah. There you are."

It was a sharp voice, almost like a high-pitched humming, which played directly in Tau's mind. Soon afterward, a thin sheet of steel flashed through the air, coming to a stop above Tau.

"Hey, Kant. Wait for me!"

There was a rustle in the underbrush.

"So annoying!"

A section of the underbrush disappeared into thin air.

"Phi…"

"Sorry, Kant!"

With her physical body, all Tau could see was a flying sword slowly circling above her head. However, as a god, she could feel Kant's domain emanating from the sword and Phi's presence next to her.

"Kant, you're a… sword? And Phi's invisible...?"

"Heehee."

Tau could feel Phi dancing around her gleefully.

"We merely took the form that best conforms to our original logic while still obeying the inherent logic of this world."

"Huh… okay..."

Now that the sword was closer, Tau could get a better look at the form Kant took. It was a simple double-edged sword blade without any elaborate engravings or complex shape. There was also no handle or guard: just a blade tip at each end.

"Well. Tau? How does it feel to manipulate a mortal body?"

"It was a bit strange, but I'm used to it now. Moving this body is so easy; it feels great!"

Tau's stomach growled.

"Huh…?" Tau put her hand over her stomach, "Why does it feel so uncomfortable…?"

Kant chuckled, "It appears you have not yet adjusted to mortal life within this world."

He then flew back into the forest. Tau sat up, curious.

After a few moments, he returned, carrying an assortment of nuts, berries, and leaves on the flat of the blade, which Tau sat up eagerly to receive.

As she ate, the familiarity of the act reasserted itself.

"I see… I was hungry."

"Indeed. Organisms require energy to function in this world."

There was a faint hiss, and Phi materialized next to Tau. Her dress was torn in several places, the result of her running through the forest.

"Oh," She gasped, surprised, "I did it! Kant, look! I did it!"

She proceeded to blink in and out of sight while jumping up and down.

"See! I can control it! This must be one of my better days!"

"Yes, I can see that. Stay still for a moment."

Phi materialized herself and stood still with her eyes closed and arms outstretched. Kant spun over to her. Tau felt his domain merge with the logic of the world and distort it slightly. Then, his domain retreated, and the tears in Phi's dress had been repaired.

"This is what you will learn," Kant said, noticing Tau's attention, "But first you must be able to feel your domain."

"How would I do that?"

"Domain is observation and control. You are already enveloped within your domain, which has resonated closely with the logic of this world. You should be able to feel it. The detail to which you are aware of your immediate surroundings and the level of control you exercise over your mortal form."

"That's it?"

"That is only the starting line. The next step is to develop an understanding of the logic of this world, so as you may better use your domain to manipulate it."

Tau closed her eyes and felt the world. She gradually became aware of distinct threads of logic that were binding everything in the world together.

{Oh… Wait… This is…}

As she dived deeper, the number of threads grew exponentially. Even worse, she soon found that many of the threads she had initially encountered were, in fact, an amalgam of more distinct threads. And, she hadn't even begun to unravel the actual logic within the threads yet.

[Too much...]

Tau opened her eyes, sweating mildly and out of breath.

"Take it slow. You have plenty of time," Kant reassured her, "Understand it bit by bit. The world-"

"Kant. I'm bored! Can I go and fight one of the Demon Kings?"

Tau felt a chill down her spine.

[What's a Demon King?]

{I'm not sure… It just… feels like something terrible...}

As Tau stood there lost in thought, Phi started happily marching away, only to be blocked by Kant.

"Not so fast. You forget the purpose of our visit. We are here to teach Tau."

"But that's no fun! Besides, that's your job! Come on! Just let me go, okay?"

"Absolutely not. It would be problematic for this world if you deleted all the Demon Kings."

"Oh, come on! At this rate, it'll be just as boring as last time!"

"Be patient, Phi. I promise to let you play all you want when we get back to Vagus."

"Fine," Phi gave in, "You better keep your promise."

"In the meantime, why don't we start preparing for dinner. It's getting late."

Phi's eyes lit up, "Then, I can start the fire?"

"Of course."

Phi turned and ran back to Tau, who was still lost in thought.

"Hey, Tau. Come help me get some wood..."

"Huh, but the Demon King-"

"Ah, forget about that. I can one-shot that stupid Demon King anytime I want. Come on, I need you to help me find some good tinder and kindling. Just you watch," Phi pointed a finger towards Kant, "This time, I'll get it right for sure."

"We shall see."