Chương 9: IX - New Alliance

I laid back in my chair while rolling two cigarettes, my gaze fixed intently on Psyche.

"Psyche," I began, the words flowing like smoke from my lips, "let's delve into what's happening now.

We're not like the rest of em, are we? You've crossed paths with the Earl as I did, and I'm betting you've sensed the same aura of uniqueness around us, given your appreciation for tarot cards and Wicca.

These auroras, caused by the Carrington event, they're not just a cosmic coincidence. They're part of the Earl's grand scheme, what he calls The Carrington Games.

A similar event occurred back in 1895, altering the very fabric of our reality, and erasing parts of history as if they never existed.

My question to you, Psyche, is this: will you accept your powers, or let this gift be wasted?"

Psyche's voice quivered as she spoke, her uncertainty palpable. "I-I don't know… I am pretty shocked at what's happening right now, so I have no plan or goal whatsoever. I just want to live a peaceful and quiet life, but I am afraid of what is waiting for us."

With a firm grip on her hands, I met her gaze. "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown," I said, quoting Lovecraft himself. "That is what H.P. Lovecraft said, and I completely agree with him. All creatures fear the unknown, and it's okay for you to feel fear.

But, what's not okay is to stand still and do nothing about it."

Leaning in closer, I continued, while pretending to be serious. "With these powers, our purpose should be to seek knowledge and truth. Aren't you curious to know about the identity of The Earl and how he can give humans powers? What is the origin of our powers? Aren't you curious about that red vial you drank?"

I paused, intentionally so I could allow the weight of my questions to settle in her mind before pressing on. "I am no expert, but that vial had a metallic taste to it. I'm pretty sure it was blood. But whose blood? The Earl's? Maybe, or some other entity that we know nothing of."

My voice grew even more fervent as I delved deeper into my conspiracy thoughts. "Don't you think it's weird how if one of us tears their or someone's contract, it's as if they're cutting the strings that connect the body on the physical plane and the mind on the metaphysical plane?

It's as if there is another reality, another plane we yet aren't able to reach because we cannot yet clearly see. We lack insight."

I gestured around us while continuing, "We shall ascend, you and I, and the other chosen ones. Reject our humanity and become better than the bourgeois. And by the bourgeois, I mean the Earl and the other entities unknown to us. Yes, there are others. Marquesses, Counts, Viscounts, Dukes, and Archdukes.

Join me on this journey, and you will not regret it."

Her gaze held a hint of confusion as she beheld my words, her voice trembling slightly as she responded. "Apart from knowing the truth, do we have another goal to achieve? Can we not seek to achieve Paradise on earth? Create some kind of system where every creature can coexist with no violence and bad deeds. A world where evil has been exterminated, a pure world.

I still have faith in some individuals."

I chuckled softly, a sarcastic grin tweaking at the corners of my lips as I responded to Psyche's committed call." Your faith in humanity is respectable. If that is what you want, then I promise that we will try to create Heaven on Earth.

But, let me tell you one thing...

Supposedly speaking, It is a dream that can be achieved. The path to such a paradise is paved with bad deeds, for peace often comes at the cost of war.

Personally, I believe that humans and conscious living beings in general, are a lost cause and that they won't accept such a thing as Heaven.

There is this experiment called "Universe 25". "Behavioural Sink" is a term invented by ethologist John B. Calhoun to describe a collapse in behavior that can result from overcrowding.

The term and concept derive from a series of over-population experiments (Universe 25) Calhoun conducted on Norway rats between 1958 and 1962. What happens to creatures if they are gathered in a place that has the properties of Heaven? Where there are naturally no predators to prey on them and no danger whatsoever.

The scientists provided a large place (Rat Utopia) for mice with abundant food and drink. At first, four pairs of mice were placed inside, and they quickly began to breed, and the number of mice began to increase.

After reaching 315 creatures the fertility of the mice began to decline, and when the number of mice reached 600 mice, Hierarchy was created, followed by what is known as "Hikki Mori" or "tendency to withdraw".

The psyche of the males also began to degenerate, and as a result, the strong mice began to attack the rest of the group and the female mice abandoned their role in protecting themselves and their babies to the point of showing hostility towards them.

Slowly but surely, the rate of mortality of young mice reached 100% and the reproductive rate fell to 0%. The mice started tearing and eating each other even if they had plenty of food, silly violent creatures.

The last mouse in the experiment was born two years after its beginning, and in 1973 all the mice died, the experiment was repeated 25 times by several experts, and each time the result was the same.

After all, Einstein said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

"I believe that conscious creatures just can't stomach the notion of Heaven, not even humans," I explained, my voice carrying the weight of years of observation and contemplation. "They're wired to claw and scrape, to face down the darkness and find their own glimmers of light.

Think of it like this: when you bust your ass for something and finally lay your hands on it, that's when you're feeling the best highs, high on them serotonins, and endorphins.

But if it's just handed to you on a silver platter, well, that joy just ain't the same."

Leaning in a little closer, I let my gaze wander, my mind reminding me of the countless struggles I'd witnessed in my time.

"Truth is, we'd need to gather up the cream of the crop, the real brainiacs, the ones who know the value of hard work and ain't afraid to get their shit together," I continued, my tone laced with hints of pragmatism and cautious optimism. "Those are the people we'd want on our team if we're aiming for your version of Heaven.

So, Psyche, what's your take on that?"

Psyche's words were hopeful and uncertain as she replied. "Just promise me that you will at least try," she implored, "If we fail, I won't regret it.

If you try with me, I will join you on your Insight quest."

I looked at her and gave her a solemn nod. "I promise you that I will try my best to make your dream come true, pinky promise," Which was a mere display of how untrustworthy I can be, but she wouldn't guess that I was lying, because I played that role perfectly.

As our pinkies entwined in that simple and childish yet innocent gesture, sealing our little pact, I couldn't guarantee that I would stay true to my word. My own ambitions appeared grandiose, overshadowing even the most heartfelt promises.

After all, my ultimate goal remained unchanged: to see, to know the truth, and to wield the ultimate insight.