Negative Subspace

What is nothing?

Ask a person of science what best explains nothing and they will start with how our senses are dictated by our perception similar as to how we perceive an empty box removed of all its contents.

Then they will take the definition a step higher and describe that the nothingness within the box is not really “not nothing “as there is still air present in it which is made of molecules.

So in order to define what is nothing is, then we will have to slowly remove those molecules.

For a normal quiet room, the amount of molecules found is an average of septillion per cubic meter.

Suppose a laboratory vacuum would suck or expel out those molecules, the best it can do is to leave that empty space and be still left with air at around ten billion per cubic meter which when compared to interplanetary space is twenty times denser as the space between two planets is around ten million molecules per cubic meter.

As we move further to the regions of space, that amount of molecules becomes lesser and lesser. From interstellar space to intergalactic space where there is barely any atoms per ten cubic meters, and even if we remove those atoms, that nothingness is still “not nothing” as what will be left will be Quantum Physics where virtual particles exist.

They come in and out of existence so from that empty box example, removing those matters will still no define nothing as it is still seething with virtual particles. But suppose we remove those matters and virtual particles, just when thought we arrived at the definition of nothing, unfortunately we will still have been left with the Laws of Physics which is still something.

Now assuming we step out of the universe and remove everything. No energy, no matter, no Laws of Physics, and not even time, then that is when we have truly arrived at the definition of nothing.

For a normal person, it is easy to follow the logic of explanation but it is just too much to comprehend that even Clay got confused listening to it, especially that his question was not even about “nothing”.

Before participating in the experiment, Clay found out that Vidri was attempting to understand the relation of Dao and Mana and to do that, they would have to observe how Dao manifest within a pure mana-background-nothingness which is why Clay is being sent to a Negative Subspace.

And this prompted Clay to ask what is within a Negative Subspace but the next thing he knew, Vidri was talking about the definition of “nothing”. It was then he realized that Mur Brung was probably right that being a scientist is not for everyone.

Clay is currently dreaming about Vidri explaining “nothing” while under the spell of deep sleep inside a cryogenic pod.

Today marks his 57,000th day or approximately 157 years since he was transported into the Negative Subspace and today as well, a humanoid robot just pressed a button to open his compartment an and forcefully wake him up.

*Tish

“Huh, huh, huh”

Clay got up as unknown liquid is dripping all over his body. Panting from the sudden awakening, he immediately composed himself and released his Qi as he scanned his surroundings.

(My apologies for startling you. I’ve been set to wake you up upon the slightest sign of spatial opening.)

Clay’s heart is still pounding and having sensed no danger, he took a few deep breaths and completely calmed himself.

“How much time before retrieval?”

(A safe passage will have been completed in less than five hours.)

“Prepare for second phase.”

(Aye!)

Clay looked at the face of the robot. They have been designed to show the number of hours both real time and the passage of time within the Negative Subspace.

In the past, he would find it ridiculously unbelievable but having experience it himself, even if he would be put to sleep and wake up after a million year, he would still not feel surprised. Thanks for the deep sleep, he did not feel the passage of time.

The robot’s face is currently showing 380 seconds which is roughly close to seven minutes. Only seven minutes in the real world yet almost 157 years had already passed in this god forsaken abyss he had been transported to take part in Vidri’s experiment.

Originally, he wanted to take this time to meditate but given the altered state of Spiritual Qi when exposed to Subspace, he can only choose to rest in a cryogenic pod to let time pass.

Clay stepped out of the pod. His naked body is drenched in an unknown medicinal liquid contained in the pod. It is said that it would help strengthen the body.

He wiped his body and after putting on some dry clothes, he walked towards the control room.

Similar to a captain’s bridge, there is a seat at center.

(Psionic Rods had been deployed. Surrounding background has reached 99 percent stability. Optimal conditions have been met. You can imbue your Dao any time now.)

“Ready in 20 seconds.”

(Beginning countdown. 20, 19, 18..)

Clay took a seat as he listened to the A.I. Doll.

Prior to being transported into the Negative Subspace, he was briefed with only three instructions. Upon arrival, he will imbue his Dao towards the Psionic Rod extending outside the ship via the control room, sleep, then do the same thing upon waking up.

While being forced to partake in the experiment, he had some expectation but much to his excitement, it was the most mundane thing he has ever done.

Accordingly, Vidri and his team is trying to prove a theory regarding the relationship of Dao and Mana. And to understand their relationship, they needed a subject who can at least manifest Dao on the 2ND Phase and within Lutrania Galaxy, there are less than a thousand who were blessed with luck and only six have had participated and not because they wanted to but because they had been forced as well just like Clay.

Clay remembered what Lord Lao said that Dao is actually a version of Primordial Mana and even his Godly Eyes could attest to their relationship but as of the science behind it, he has not a clue so when he heard what Vidri was after, he thought that it may not be a bad idea to actually cooperate.

In terms of academic intelligence, Clay he may not have the real qualification to become a scientist but having knowledge about it is another matter.

(Officer Clay, samples had been secured.)

“Good. Prepare for lift off.”

Clay tried to expand his divine sense. Like the first time he arrived, there is not much to see.

Within an emptiness of space, he is currently inside a 500 meter long disk-shaped ship floating in the void of nothingness. Everything around the ship is dark that even light itself with be consumed.

Upon confirming that all the long coral-looking Psionic Rods had been secured, he began feel anxious. Whatever is within wave forms within those rods which Vidri is after, all he knew is that these involves his secret.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Negative Subspace, a massive circular ring Formation the size of twenty kilometers is emitting purple lights. If Clay is present, he would recognize the same magic tool used to safely open a portal for him to enter and is being activated again to drill another spatial tear for Clay to exit from.

At the center of the ring, space was distorted creating an image like a black hole and in less than two seconds, it the size expanded until it reached a diameter of a kilometer. Then another second a later, a silver disc-shaped space ship passed through the center.

It is none other the ship used to transport Clay.

In the mean time, a six kilometer navigational ship not from the ring is currently docked on a giant asteroid. The ship contains a group of six scientists and their leader is none other than Vidri.

Seven minutes ago, they have successfully opened a portal allowing Clay to enter and if not for the need of safely retrieving Clay back, they would have reactivated the portal seconds later.

Seeing the ship resurfaced in one piece, they all wanted to celebrate.

“Send medics now and open a channel.”

Meanwhile, Clay stretched his hand and moved his back as the ship reached the exit. He wanted to request to speak to Vidri as soon as possible but a few seconds after exiting from the Negative Subspace, Vidri took the initiative to actually talk to him.

“How do you feel, friend? I have medics on their medics on their way. Just relax. ”

Clay’s first impression of Vidri is someone who only cares about the experiment but to hear him utter such caring words comforted Clay a bit. He was getting ready to demand his price but since Vidri seem to care and worry of his condition, he decided to give this friendship a chance.

“It would have had helped if there was some form of entertainment.”