Voice

[bindsthedead]

I've been wondering- [Sabriel's voice is even, thoughtful, but just a bit hesitant.]

What happens after people die, in your worlds? I know what happens in mine, and I have... something of an idea of what happens in this world. There's some sort of afterlife here, but it's inaccessible to any imPort, living or dead. Perhaps that's part of why we're able to be revived and the locals aren't- because we can't pass into this worlds hereafter. [Sabriel's voice shifts, taking on a tone of somber authority.]

In mine... Death is a river with no shores. It starts at the boundary with Life, then flows through nine precincts, each marked by a gate- its current guides all who enter it to follow it, to let it carry them past the Ninth gate, from which none have returned. Those who fight the current, who seek to return to a world that is no longer their own, and linger in Death, seeking to return to Life... the current warps them, and in time, they lose their humanity, growing in power in the process. All they remember is their desire to return to life, at any cost.

[And Sabriel's tone becomes deliberately chipper, like she's forcing a smile.]I understand that some of you come from worlds with similar troubles, though others are blessedly free of such problems. In either case, I'm curious. Is their magic tied to Death in your worlds, or is it just something people have to deal with through mundane methods?

Comments

[devoutish]

Not all necromancers, surely.

[bindsthedead]

No. But there are those who are not necromancers, but have an affinity for Death.

[devoutish]

Well - might be you won't get that debate after all, then. I could tell you what I believe, if you like.

[bindsthedead]

And what's that?

[devoutish]

I think there's something after this - some sort of afterlife, facing God.

[bindsthedead]

But you make no claims to its nature?

[devoutish]

Oh, that I haven't thought about much. If it's a proper heaven, there'd be some sort of cleansing, to wash all the sins of this fucking world off of us. But if it's not, then who knows, really?

[bindsthedead]

Who knows? I make no claims about what lies beyond the Ninth gate, save that something does.

[devoutish]

Do you think about it often?

[bindsthedead]

Occasionally. But I don't see much point in it.

[devoutish]

No, neither do I. It is what it is, innit.

[bindsthedead]

I suppose. But some will always be curious.

[devoutish]

We're told to be curious, where I'm from, but we're also told to focus on this life here.

[bindsthedead]

I don't think that's contradictory. There are so many amazing things, just in this world alone.

[devoutish]

I don't think it's contradictory either.