The Infernal Aether Box Set: All Four Books In The Series

by Peter Oxley

  In compiling this text I have drawn on my own experimentations and theories, as well as the insights of my friend N’yotsu and the lessons which we learnt from our encounters with the demon known as Andras. In turn, I have drawn on a number of sources, not least of which the grimoire known as The Lesser Key of Solomon (or Clavicula Salomonis Regis, or Lemegeton). Finally, I am also indebted to my brother, Augustus, who has assisted in ensuring that this text is accessible to the layman as well as the more informed reader. Any errors, omissions and (in the immortal words of my brother) “boring bits” remain my own.

  [This last sentence seems to have been the subject of much debate between the Potts brothers, with the final comment apparently left in by Maxwell under duress.]

  Maxwell Aloysius Potts

  London, October 1867

  1) On the Nature of the Aether

  It is worth noting that the term “Aether” is, from an historical and scientific point of view, a misleading and inappropriate one given what we now know about the phenomenon.

  [There follows a long, rambling and detailed discussion as to whether “phenomenon” is the right terminology for the Aether, given that it is actually more like a different dimension or plane to the one in which we exist. This then leads on to discussions about the theories of different dimensions and the works of René Descartes, Bernhard Riemann and Ludwig Schläfli, among others. This digression stretches to around ten pages, all of which have been crossed out with red ink and “WE DON’T CARE!!!” written in Augustus’ hand. Given that Maxwell did not correct or reinstate these passages, and they are pretty turgid in any case, they have been omitted from this reproduction.]

  However, it was during my investigations into what has for many years now been known as the “Luminiferous Aether” that I first stumbled upon the concept of what we now know to be the Aether itself.

  Luminiferous Aether

  To provide the reader with context, it is firstly worth providing a very quick overview of the history of science’s attempts to grapple with the concept of the Luminiferous Aether. Whilst Sir Isaac Newton famously postulated the existence of an “Aethereal Medium” to explain the behaviour of light and possibly also heat (in my opinion as a way to make his equations work, as my work has widely debunked his theory), students of the Classics will also recall that the concept stretches back as far as the Ancient Greeks.

  The word which translates into our “Aether” was one of the primordial deities of Ancient Greece and represented the upper air, the air which the Gods were considered to breathe. This was in turn included in theories propounded by Plato and Aristotle in relation to the qualities of air and the motions of celestial bodies. Of particular relevance to what we now know is Aristotle’s observation that all celestial bodies were effectively encased within crystalline spheres made of Aether, in turn responsible for their smooth, perfectly circular motions through the skies. Whilst this is of little relevance to more modern scientific theories, it is striking how similar it is to the reality uncovered through our encounters with the demon Andras.

  [As above, this is a massively truncated version of the original explanation, thanks to Augustus’ edits. Apparently to make his point, Augustus has (ironically) underlined the words “very quick overview” in the first sentence of the first paragraph above.]

  The Aether As We Now Know It

  As noted above, until meeting N’yotsu I believed that I had tested the theory of the Aether to destruction and proven it did not exist. However, when called to an apparent case of haunting and demonic possession of a young girl, we came across a substance which N’yotsu referred to as Aether. This was a smoky, almost wax-like substance which had the appearance of fog but none of the qualities, for it was impervious to the influence of wind, clinging to the floor more like a solid than a gas. I immediately constructed a device to test this…

  [There follows a detailed discussion of the device created, the different uses of its component parts, and the theories which led Maxwell to utilise them. Augustus has crossed out all of this and written: “Result = big, ugly machine” beneath.]

  …which proved that this substance which we shall hereafter refer to as the “Aether” (even though Newtonian scientists will protest at the term—to whom I would respond that the classical definition has a closer relation, as we shall see) was in fact a different type of medium, somehow connected to the spirit world. This was then expanded on by my experiments…

  [Maxwell then launches into over five hundred pages of description of the events which led to his creation of the portal to the Aether and (in much more detail) the theories he created and used at each point. These are remarkably free of Augustus’ markings, suggesting that they were either kept from him or (more likely) he was unable to bring himself to wade through them. In any event, I have not included these in this document on the assumption that the reader has access to Augustus’ much more user-friendly account of these events (see The Infernal Aether), which provides all the detail that the layman requires.]

  In summary, therefore, our experiences, experiments and theories showed that the Aether embodies the following qualities:

  It is effectively a separate dimension from our own, existing alongside our reality while also being divorced from it.

  It acts as a division between our world and other worlds, or “realms” to use N’yotsu and Andras’ terminology. In this way, from the Aether one can (with the correct abilities, equipment and power) traverse from one realm to any other realm.

  However, it is extremely difficult to pierce the division between a realm and the Aether, requiring immense power and expertise just to generate a portal, let alone to pinpoint that portal at one’s intended target (if one is using the Aether as a starting point) and sustain it for any length of time.

  As a result, the Aether acts as a form of limbo, with trapped creatures existing there for eternity unless they find a way to escape. As Andras revealed to us when we were temporarily trapped in the Aether ourselves, time has no meaning in that place, and as such the poor unfortunates imprisoned there are effectively driven insane by the experience, wasting away due to the lack of sustenance but denied the release of death.

  That is not to say that such travel is impossible, for it has been attempted with varying degrees of success in the past: the following section provides some discussion of this. It is also my theory that small, localised rents in the fabric of the division between our world and the Aether would account for the varied sightings of ghosts and other spiritual occurrences throughout the ages.

  This begs the question as to whether the Aether is in fact the spirit world, and the home of the dead. This requires further experimentation, although I am sceptical: Augustus’ encounter with the creature purporting to be our deceased mother was, I believe, simply a mischievous spirit which had managed to adopt her voice potentially through some form of psychic link with my brother.

  2) On Mankind’s Historic Attempts to Penetrate the Aether

  There have been numerous accounts of the actions of so-called sorcerers, mediums, psychics and ghosts which in many ways link to what we now know about the Aether, its properties and what can be experienced by interacting with it.

  Throughout human history, individuals styled as sorcerers have undertaken rituals to summon demons from other realms, which appear from what we now know to be in fact creating portals to the Aether to allow these creatures through. Indeed, my understanding is that the demon Andras itself was brought through from the Aether by such a sorcerer. However, my own experiences have shown that the latest modern technology is strained to its extremes to create a portal; how, then, did more primitive people with minimal scientific tools at their disposal, manage to do so?

  The answer again lies in something Andras said to us when we were in the Aether—about the impact that the onset of science has had on our world and the abilities of Demonkind to interact with it. From what Andras said, it appears that magic and science are mutually exclusive c
oncepts and (although my scientific mind rebels against the concept) there was once a time when magic was the dominant practice. The development of the scientific method and its spread meant not just a reduction in the number of practitioners of magic but also a diminution in the potency of magic, meaning that even the most skilled sorcerers were unable to perform the simplest of spells because the pure raw materials of magic—I am still in the process of trying to ascertain what these may be—were no longer available to them.

  This would in turn explain how a Mediaeval sorcerer (I believe, although N’yotsu refuses to confirm this to me) was able to summon and bind Andras to this world, and also why Andras was unable to return without the assistance of science: the demon had the bad fortune to journey over at a time when science was in the ascendancy.

  The opening of the portal to the Aether by Andras weakened the fabric between our realm and the Aether to the extent that travel between the two is once again within the gift of practitioners of magic. Not only this, but the large numbers of demons and other spiritual beings which travelled through Andras’ portal have contributed to the increased prevalence of magic throughout the world. It is no exaggeration to say that we are now on the cusp of a new age, in which magic may once again be the dominant practice. What this means for the scientific method, and for the abilities of those such as myself to play a prominent part in the world, remains to be seen.

  [Comparisons of the following sections seem to indicate that Maxwell took an extended break from writing this document following the above words, with the text that follows being in a different pen and a markedly different style to the foregoing.]

  3) On the Creatures which Dwell In and Beyond the Aether

  “Hear Me, and make all Spirits subject unto Me: so that every Spirit of the Firmament and of the Aether; upon the Earth and under the Earth: on dry Land and in the Water: of Whirling Air, and of rushing Fire: and every Spell and Scourge of God may be obedient unto Me.”

  - Extract from the Preliminary Invocation, The Lesser Key of Solomon - Ars Goetia

  As noted above, there have been numerous examples throughout history—both apocryphal and proven—of individuals summoning creatures from the Aether. There have been almost as many books purporting to provide guidance and instruction into the processes of such summonings, of which the most notable and reliable is the Lemegeton, or The Lesser Key of Solomon. It is of course acknowledged that there are many other tomes which may be considered as notable and reliable as this, but for the present purposes I will focus upon The Lesser Key of Solomon as the main source for this text.

  [This last sentence appears to have been added—roughly, and almost as a petulant afterthought—following an exchange with N’yotsu, who has scribbled a number of alternative books and authors which he appeared to consider more worthy of mention.]

  On the Hierarchies and Categories of Demons and Other Creatures from the Aether

  Whilst the shorthand of “demon” has been used to describe the creatures which have infested our world since Andras’ portal allowed them widespread access, it should be noted that this is not strictly accurate. Indeed, the wide range of so-called mythical creatures—not only Demons but also Ghosts, Spirits, Goblins, Little People, Elves, Mares, Banshees, Wraiths, to name but a few—have been witnessed in greater numbers since the portal to the Aether was opened.

  What follows is not intended to be a complete survey of all of these creatures which exist, but instead is a log of those which I have to date witnessed or heard of first hand.

  Goetia Demons

  My classification, in the absence of any details or clarifications from N’yotsu. These include Andras (the Demon with which I am to date most intimately aware) and are the type which have most commonly summoned by sorcerers over the years, mainly due to the powers which they can wield on behalf of the summoner if they are correctly controlled. I have named these “Goetia” Demons after the Book of Evil Spirits (or Ars Goetia, from The Lesser Key of Solomon) in which they are listed. They are assigned ranks in the Ars Goetia namely: Kings, Dukes, Princes and Prelates, Marquises, Presidents, Earls or Counts, and Knights. The ranks relate partly to the powers they wield and the size of their legions, but also to the times of day that they can be bound and the elements in which their Seals are set.

  “These be the 72 Mighty Kings and Princes which King Solomon Commanded into a Vessel of Brass, together with their Legions. Of whom BELIAL, BILETH, ASMODAY, and GAAP, were Chief. And it is to be noted that Solomon did this because of their pride, for he never declared other reason why he thus bound them. And when he had thus bound them up and sealed the Vessel, he by Divine Power did chase them all into a deep Lake or Hole in Babylon. And they of Babylon, wondering to see such a thing, they did then go wholly into the Lake, to break the Vessel open, expecting to find some great store of Treasure therein. But when they had broken it open, out flew the Chief Spirits immediately, with their Legions following them; and they were all restored to their former places…”

  - Ars Goetia, The Lesser Key of Solomon

  It should be noted that it is highly unlikely that the numbers of these creatures are in fact limited in number to 72, but simply that these were the ones which were chronicled in the Lesser Key of Solomon—it is stated that they were captured “because of their pride”, presumably meaning that these were the ones foolhardy enough to answer the summons.

  To give the reader an indication of the type of demon which is included within this category, the following is the description of Andras from the Ars Goetia:

  “Andras - The Sixty-third Spirit is Andras. He is a Great Marquis, appearing in the Form of an Angel with a Head like a Black Night Raven, riding upon a strong Black Wolf, and having a Sharp and Bright Sword flourished aloft in his hand. His Office is to sow Discords. If the Exorcist have not a care, he will slay both him and his fellows. He governeth 30 Legions of Spirits, and this is his Seal, &c.”

  - Ars Goetia, The Lesser Key of Solomon

  This description is fairly typical of the others within the text, and it is worth noting a few points about Andras:

  The fact that it is a Marquis and not listed in the four Demons described as “Chief” in the foregoing quote is worrying—Andras managed to wreak enough havoc on its own; what manner of chaos could Belial, Bileth, Asmoday and Gaap inflict, were they to pass over to our realm?

  In all of our encounters with Andras, the Demon did not appear as described in the above quote, although did display an ability to change appearance at will. It may be that this is a reflection of the times in question, with the ancient people being much more willing to accept God-like creatures which combined animal features in their appearance—the Ancient Egyptian Gods are a prime example of this.

  The “sharp and bright sword” has echoes of the sword which N’yotsu helped me create for Augustus. This may be a coincidence, although I doubt it—we never saw Andras wield a sword, but the demon did confess to using my brother and me as its pawns. Therefore, Andras could have been wielding the sword through Augustus—this is even more likely, given the physical changes which the weapon appears to have inflicted upon my brother.

  “His Office is to sow Discords”: each demon has their own Office or special power. We experienced on a number of occasions Andras’ ability to drive people apart, although this was not the only ability the demon seemed to have had (with other abilities including stealing souls, manipulating magic, not to mention great physical strength).

  Other Creatures

  These include the following:

  Spirits or ghosts - these appear to be mischievous or even malicious in intention, making up for their lack of physical form by inflicting pain on the living. Emanating from the Aether, they are either bound to that realm but able to peak through, like a child through a window, or manage to slip through but without the benefits of a corporeal presence.

  Wraiths - these appear to be a form of spirit, with a ghostly form which resembles something almost skeletal
in appearance. Their primary want is to steal the souls of any poor unfortunates who cross their paths. On the whole they appear unable to cross the threshold of a home unless they are invited in—this can be an implied invitation, such as a person they are pursuing entering a dwelling.

  Banshees - terrible spirits, typically female in form, which appear related to wraiths but characterised by a terrible wailing sound surrounding them wherever they materialise. In Irish folklore, they were believed to foretell the death of a person to whom they were connected.

  Mares - a type of goblin which rides on a sleeping person’s chest, giving them bad dreams (or “night-mares”).

  Hell-hounds - terrible creatures which are dog-like in form but significantly larger and more venomous than their Earthly cousins.

  4) On the Worlds Beyond the Aether

  As mentioned above, the Aether exists as a limbo separating our world, or realm, from multiple others. It appears that these other realms are alternative dimensions, effectively existing alongside our own, although it is possible that travel to other worlds within our own solar system (and beyond) may also be possible through the Aether—I confess that this is an area of study which I have not explored to date.

  It does not appear possible to travel directly from one realm to another: the Aether is a definite barrier in this regard, and one needs to be firstly located within the Aether before one can create a portal through to another realm.