by RobCharters
'What is the "Vortex"?' asked Ernie.
'Some of you, in your reading and education, have come across theories regarding what nuclear physicist call "hyperspace", a dimension outside the three dimensions of space and that of time. In your Zondon consciousness, you have witnessed some of its interaction on atomic activity. The Vortex is that realm of hyperspace, and it is the Vortex which enables multidimensional existence.'
'Before the Vortex, then, was there no existence?'
'There was existence, but it wasn't measurable by anything you can conceive of now. I, Wisdom, designed multidimensional existence and enabled it by inventing the Vortex.'
'Have you always existed then?' said Gil.
'One cannot say I've always existed, nor can one say I haven't always existed.'
'How so?'
'One cannot say I've always existed, because the word, "always" assumes time. Before multidimensional existence, there was no time relative to space. Sporadic spurts of time happened when we called it forth, and material spaces likewise existed, either as nothingness or as dense solidness, and energy force was, but not necessarily in relation to the other dimensions. The Supreme One is the most basic force, and birthed all other energy forces into existence.
'And, one also cannot say I haven't always existed, because as long as the Supreme One is, and is wise (and He always has been and forever will be infinitely wise), I am that Wisdom. Because I am Wisdom, I have always been with the Supreme One. It can be said I am the Supreme One, just as the rays of the sun exist by virtue of the sun's existence, and that the light of the sun is the sun. The one does not exist independently of the other.
'To create anything apart from empty space and dense solidness, and for matter to contain life; atomic structure must be enabled. Atomic structure requires movement, and movement can only happen relative to both time and space. Force is necessary to generate movement, and the movement of the various sub atomic particles enables energy forces to exist within time and space. Thus, multidimensional existence is basic to all matter, and this is dependent on the power of the Vortex to process time, material space, and force. The Vortex is like a CPU, and the universe as you know it, the computer -- to use the analogy of a recent human invention. Because atoms are scattered throughout the multidimensional universe, hyperspace can be said to be everywhere, because it is one with every atom. Yet, the vortex has a fixed location.
'It would be possible for a knowledgeable individual, from that location, to use it to manipulate time and space in ways that would be impossible from anywhere else in the universe. However, that was not its intended purpose -- only to facilitate the coexistence of time, space and energy. To use it for ones own advantage would shorten its life, not to mention to create a logical dilemma with history.
'Originally, very few other beings inhabiting material existence knew about the Vortex -- only that some particles, such as zoetrons went in and out of hyperspace. They were thus aware of it as a vague concept. Fewer still knew what it consists of, and how it might be manipulated.
'The human was the special creation of the Supreme One, designed to reflect His attributes, and be a carrier of Wisdom. He was placed in the most important point of the universe, where the Vortex is situated. He was made the guardian of the Vortex, which he maintained, not necessarily through conscious effort, but by passing zoetrons into hyperspace in a way only human DNA can do, thereby nurturing the Vortex.
'Before humanity was birthed, a temporary system was in place, in which a previous species also had a part. That species became extinct, except for one, who has become a part of the Glaat hierarchy. Nakhash is his name. His kind was capable of maintaining it, but not of manipulating it. For that, they needed the help of the Glaat. That was the reason this solar system was forbidden to all but native species.
'Humanity, having been created in His image, was installed into the Vortex as the perfect maintenance system, an improvement over the previous one. Since then, the Vortex has been dependent on humanity.
'However, when the first human forsook Wisdom, and chose the dark knowledge, humanity's probability factor began to increase, inhibiting the passage of zoetrons into the Vortex. Also the zoetron flow became polluted by knosa-negative particles. This adversely affected the health of the Vortex. Eventually it would have died, beginning at the source, and all motion would have ceased, beginning with the regions around the Vortex, thus becoming a black hole, into which the whole universe would be drawn.'
'So the Supreme One assumed guardianship?' suggested Les.
'Once the Supreme One bestows guardianship, he will not take it back. Humanity was the permanent system that replaced the temporary one, and guardianship will always remain with the human species.
'To prevent collapse of multidimensional existence, the Supreme One came to an understanding with a certain clan among humanity -- a clan into which I was eventually born. As long as that understanding exists, the essence of the Supreme One can maintain enough of a presence on Earth to to supplement the flow of zoetrons, and to cancel the effect of the knosa-negative particles by infusing knosa-positive from his own essence. The arrangement required that that clan actively maintain that agreement. The area round about the Vortex was given to this clan as their home. That is, Jerusalem.
'In honouring the conditions of that understanding, the Supreme One emanated Wisdom as human energy force, and I, Wisdom, was born as a human in a fashion similar to how you seven were born into human bodies.
'With the authority of a human, I solidified that understanding into an indestructible force field. I expended all the energy I had been given, and all the authority I had, until there was no more to expend, so I underwent death. It was therefore the perfect exercise of human authority, and thereby rendering it possible to completely undo the damage to the Vortex, by opening the door for Wisdom to return to humanity.
'As long as it was only an agreement, it was temporary, and the Vortex was still doomed to collapse, except that one stipulation of the agreement was that I do what have now done.'
'So you...!'
'Yes,' said the old man. He rolled up the long loose sleeve of his right arm. His skin was gnarled and looked every bit as old as the man claimed. There was a crease that ran from his wrist half way to his elbow. He pressed his forefinger from the other side so that it emerged through the crease. He did the same to his left arm.
Gil stammered 'B-but if you're the Wandering Jew...'
'As I said, the legend is opposite from reality. The Wandering Jew didn't insult the One to be Crucified. Certainly that sin would have been forgiven, and not incurred such a curse, for the Crucified One covered sins far worse than that through His crucifixion! The Wandering Jew is the Crucified One, and it is the very ones who claim to follow the Crucified One who insult Him by driving the Wandering Jew from their midst and making up lies about him.'
Gil said, 'You refer to the Catholic Church, don't you?'
Les shifted his position.
The old man clarified, 'It makes no difference what the sign in front of their building says, or the icons with with which they decorate their interior, nor if they even have icons or a signboard. In every movement, however lofty their ideals, are those who have turned away the Wandering Jew, not remembering that he who accepts one of these, the least of my brethren, accepts me, and he who so much gives a cup of cold water to the least of these, my brethren, will not lose his reward. Likewise, in every movement, including those who claim apostolic succession and those with no claim at all, there are those who have taken me in and extended the cup of cold water to quench my thirst. They have not lost their reward. For them, the power released from my death, and from my return to life, creates energy and moves mountains, just as it will for the whole, once they open their eyes and see who I am.'
Whenever their eyes wandered off as he spoke, or when the sleepiness of the warm afternoon began to creep up, there came with it a slight impression that they
were listening to a 33 year old Mediterranean Jew rather than a 2000 year old man. However, on shaking themselves awake, the old wrinkly skin, the sunken eyeballs and the few remaining strands of white hair dispelled the waking dream.
'Only when they open their hearts,' he went on, 'and the Wandering Jew is the test of whether they indeed have, only then will they no longer see me as the pauper, but as the awaited King. Then will stability return to the universe, and the Glaat empire face ultimate defeat. That's why the Glaat empire is set on making sure that never happens.
'The Glaat also lust after the power they would gain by manipulating the vortex. Dosh of Asvork attempted to drive the planet into chaos and despair, so that humanity would collectively invite the Glaat to extend their empire to Earth. That could have potentially set things back another thousand or so years in much the same way as the Dark Ages. By then, the Vortex would certainly be destroyed through their meddling. Your mission is to fend off the Glaat threat in that regard, and buy time for the human race. This will be of great value, because just enough of humanity embraces Wisdom that it can soon begin to spread spontaneously. There will still be major hurdles -- humanity is corrupt enough without help from the Glaat -- but that will be for them to sort out, and to seek for Wisdom through the doors already opened to them. The dragon king and the serpent king, Nakhash, maintain a presence here, but the king of the Glaat must be kept at bay so their power here won't be compounded. Your job will be to enforce the restriction so things can be allowed to follow their course.'
'But if the Vortex were destroyed, wouldn't that destroy also the Glaat? Doesn't that mean anything to them?' said Gil.
'It would take a few thousand years for the black hole to spread to the farthest reaches of the universe. The Glaat, in the mean time, would simply intoxicate themselves with their victory over the Supreme One and indulge their desires with what's left of the universe while it lasted.'
'That almost happened didn't it!' exclaimed Les. 'This all seems so touch-and-go!'
'To you it seems touch-and-go. But I am Wisdom. No scheme can run so crafty and deep but that I don't go deeper still.'
'But -- I mean -- look at us! We almost didn't make it out of the jungle! Joseph almost got blown up!'
'True, I gave you only enough wisdom to stay half a step ahead of the Glaat. That was for your training for what's to come. By passing the tests you have been through, you have proven that you are up to the tasks you are to be assigned, because every problem you encounter will likewise seem daunting, and require you to search out Wisdom from every source, especially from your unique human capacity, for which reason humanity was chosen as your medium of activity.'
Joseph asked, 'What is so special about human abilities? Wouldn't it have been so much better to allow us to retain our Zondon bodies?'
'The human mind, while seemingly limited in comparison to that of a Zondon or a Glaat, has the ability to perceive the same, and more besides. Your Zondon minds, as you have already experienced via the crystal, could discern the physics and chemistry of things human science will never delve into. However through what is sometimes called, "extra sensory" or "spiritual perception" that you have as a human (sometimes referred to simply as the "right half of the brain"), you can discern some of the same things as you could as a Zondon. Because it's so subjective, it's been relegated to the realm of "the spirit", or "religion". It's really all the same. What a Zondon uses his twelve natural senses to perceive, a human uses his five, plus a "sixth" sense. This can be a good thing, if one is motivated only by pure Wisdom, but destructive if one has given oneself over to the evil wisdom of the Glaat. That's why it's so elusive. This is also how the Glaat was able to impart special powers to those of you under his control. Had he gained enough psychological control over you, he could have made you more powerful than himself. That's what the Glaat want to do with the whole human race -- that, and manipulate the Vortex.'
'So, how will we go about keeping out the Glaat?' said Ernie.
'For right now, you must rest. I have been giving Tsav, bit by bit, the clues how you are to do it. He, the smallest and weakest among you seven, is at this moment on a mission to seek the tools you will need.'
'What about May Lin?'
'Ah, yes! You haven't had a proper honeymoon...'
Just then, there was the sound of a vehicle grinding and shifting gear and whining as it made the steep climb to the hilltop village. An ancient looking four-wheel-drive lorry came into sight.
'... here she is now! May you two have happiness together, success, and many many children!'
The old vehicle stopped several meters from them, and out stepped May Lin.
Ernie got up and ran to her. Then, he looked about for the old man.
He was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter 59
Every tool Ibrahim had brought into the pyramid had failed him. Now, even his size betrayed him. His body was just too big to go forward through such a small tunnel, yet he couldn't go back
He wanted to cry, but who would hear him?
Take courage and remember the dream, the crystal had said.
What dream?
He remembered the dream he had at Ed and Nitaya's flat, going through the jungle in a Jeep. An old man was in the back with him.
For some reason, he could now remember details that he couldn't on waking up from it. The old man had been saying things to him.
'You have a difficult job to do, son, but with the light of Wisdom, you can do it.'
Then, the old man slid his sleeve up and showed him scares in his wrist, and poked his fingers all the way through from the other side.
'Remember these, and strength will come.'
Ibrahim had exclaimed, 'You are the Word of Allah!'
The old man nodded and smiled.
'Remember me, and you will make it through.'
Now, Ibrahim remembered, and strength came.
With the light of Wisdom, you can do it.
Not only did somebody, thousands of years ago, think Ibrahim was well chosen for the task, but whoever that person was, also knew he would have a dream to remember. Though he was still stuck fast in the hole, a confidence began welling up inside.
Somewhere up ahead was what he was looking for. He stretched his neck to look. He had to hold his head sideways just to see in that direction.
There was a faint white light.
It was so faint, he could only see it now that his eyes were adjusted to the pitch blackness. Had the headlamp still been working, he wouldn't have been able to see it at all.
He lay there and gazed at the faint white light.
That gave him hope.
'Oh, Allah! Oh, Word of Allah, help me get to that light.'
Was it growing in brightness, or were his eyes just becoming more adjusted?
It was reflecting off the roof and the floor of the passage.
Was that an irregularity in the rock surface just beyond reach of his fingers? Could it be a hand hold?
Just the possibility that it might be gave him more hope. He pushed as hard as he could.
Then he pushed even harder.
He stretched his fingers. They sunk into the niche, and fit perfectly. He pulled himself forward with all his might, and there was another niche.
His body seemed to be lubricated by something, particularly down his front side. That's what made it possible to go forward at all. It wasn't sweat, because it was too cool for him to be sweating.
It was his tears.
Bit by bit, with every ounce of strength he had, he continued pulling himself forward towards the light.
* * *
Nicolai was beginning to see a light turn on every time the two made it clear they were addressing him, and not that other thing. It was becoming more and more real to him who he was. That other voice wasn't him at all. He was really himself, and he belonged in this body.
It had begun with the beam of bluish light that
seemed to be speaking to him. He forgot the words, but somehow he could think more clearly as a result. Then, came the old man wielding the staff, who looked as though he would smite anyone who didn't clear out of the way, who suddenly paused before him. The thing that controlled him hadn't allowed the body to move, but the old man stood there and looked at him, not the other thing. His eyes seemed to emit the same bluish light.
Then, the old man addressed someone else, 'Dosh of Asvork!' he had said.
Fear had filled his body, but it wasn't him, but the thing -- the thing named Dosh of Asvork. Nicolai didn't see any cause for fear. Yet, the thing made him turn around and run.
Now, as Nicolai reminisced, he could still see the soft eyes that the old man had for him, not for Dosh.
'Dosh of Asvork,' said Nicolai softly, so he didn't awaken the other two. 'You don't belong here any more!'
* * *
Ibrahim pulled himself, inch by inch, towards the opening. He could see by the faint light ahead of him that it was a much bigger chamber than the others.
He emerged and then just sat a while, exhausted, looking up at the pedestal from which the light shone. It was an indistinct sort of light that seemed to have more to it than was visible to the eyes, rather like ultraviolet light, except it was white.
Just looking at it gave him strength. Soon he stood to his feet. As he walked towards the light, it became brighter.
From standing position, he could see it was a crystal pyramid many times the size of the other one. The pedestal was low enough that he could easily take it.
He picked it up. It was so large and heavy he had to hold it in both hands.
Looking about himself, he could see by the dim light that the room was the same shape as the pyramid.
Suddenly he heard a noise, the sound of stone sliding against stone.
Turning around, he saw the pedestal sink slowly into the floor.
When the top of the pedestal was level with the floor, he could see a pair of crystal footprints embedded into the rock surface.
He paced his right foot on the right footprint, and found it was exactly the same size. The ancients even knew the size of his feet!