Observing the End, Volume 3: Protagonism

Chapter 1: The Arcane Orb

Observation Log: 153435

Observer 131, reporting on our situation.

One rotation of Orcheim is approximately 7 hours. Although the days are typically longer than the nights, they are slowly becoming shorter. It has been 113 days since my last official report. Although observation is important to me, there is another matter that has consumed all of my attentional lately.

The Arcane Orb and the White Cube within, along with the study of magical phenomena have become my primary focus. Michael’s routine has stagnated, making him less interesting than this strange piece of technology.

First, the Arcane Orb in its natural state, has the exact same dimensions as my own body. Could that be a coincidence? Certainly not. No, I discovered within less than 40 hours, that I am able to adjust the size and shape to a certain extent. In order to perform tests safely and unobserved, I wait until Michael leaves the tent for the day. He usually leaves me along with the Arcane Orb, ‘safely’ stored within a leather pouch.

It does not require much effort to escape and take the sphere with me, to the center of the room. Using my nanites, I am able to infiltrate the very outer layer of the Arcane Orb, which is covered with microscopic runic symbols. There are 900 languages, all of which I already know. The problem is understanding, rather than reading.

Eventually, I realized that if I sacrificed some nanites and energy, I could activate a singular rune for a time. Then from there, it is possible to form words or commands. My first test was related to “Help” or “Settings”, “Tutorial”, “Search” and eventually, “Open”.

There is no help menu, settings, tutorial or search engine, but “Open” literally opened a small extradimensional portal. I was almost pulled inside… Fortunately, I was able to retreat a few meters away and the dangerous suction ended shortly thereafter. The amount of energy and nanites required to open the portal is far more than simply activating random runes.

Nearly 10 days of siphoning Michael’s energy later, I was able to restart my investigation and open the portal again. I was prepared, so the time it was able to be sustained was much longer. Thus, I peered inside and saw the White Cube. Yes, oddly enough, even though the exterior is spherical, the interior space is cubic.

Although the massive space was almost completely empty, there was something rather familiar, resting within…

Observer 77, Warsteed, a Combat Drone in the form of a metallic silver horse. It is a self-sufficient model, capable of consuming various organic materials and converting them into energy. It went missing thousands of years prior to my creation. Thus, I never even placed it on my list of items to procure.

Unfortunately, even if it is right before my optical sensors, I am unable to figure out the method with which to remove items from the extradimensional pocket. It is so frustrating to have something you desire, placed before you, yet being incapable of seizing the object of your obsession…

If I had an organic body, I would have most likely lost my patience long ago. However, without hormones to influence my thought processes, I can continue endlessly searching for the answers I seek. Eventually, I shall solve this conundrum and unlock the mysteries of this Arcane Orb.

For now, I have been focusing on writing and implementing ‘magical’ algorithms. Programs designed to replicate various magical phenomena that I have encountered recently. Most importantly, the method to absorb and store mana effectively.

After being exposed to mana-radiation for so long, I was able to develop a separate optical sensor. One which has been designed to observe mana, in its various states and forms. I used Michael’s novels as a reference point for the most basic factors, but I still needed to fill in a lot of blanks. Obviously he never attempted to use any ‘real’ scientific explanations within his stories. Only rough estimations and guesses, based on his own flawed understanding of both magic and physics.

The problem is that from what I can tell, the mana-radiation within this planet’s atmosphere is negligible. Compared to what I experienced within the Kitsune Territory, the planet is much closer to Earth in its mana-density. Yet, there are still places that have a higher concentration of mana. For example, those planetoids that are orbiting Orcheim.

Each of them radiates mana in pulses, but most of it is dispersed in the upper atmosphere. Only small quantities of the ethereal substance are able to be collected and stored within my primary ‘Mana-Core’. From there, I am able to channel it through my nanites and simulate various unnatural phenomena. Such as the alteration of gravity within a specific field, the manipulation of localized temporal anomalies, creating or obliterating matter. The possibilities are endless, but my time is not.

I can ‘cast’ magical spells now, but only within the limits of my insignificant power. Also, from observing the Riverstone Tribe, I have learned that magic can be extremely harmful. For example, acceleration of fetal growth can cause birth defects, but the true danger is with the mother. Although Michael’s nanites were able to counteract some of the cellular damage, they are not designed to function within an orcish body.

All of the women that Michael has been breeding with, are aging rapidly and beginning to suffer from various unpleasant disorders. Their bones are becoming weaker, muscles atrophy, they need more food and water, yet their bodies absorb less of the nutrients. Aside from the Prophetess, the other three are dying.

This is not a particularly surprising piece of news however… At least not to the three women and the Prophetess. They were determined to make the sacrifice for the tribe and their offspring, since the very beginning. In fact, although he is unaware, Michael’s vitality was also drained as well. Fortunately, his constitution allows him to recover rather swiftly. Perhaps that was what happened to the previous Chieftain?

Regardless, the camp is being moved again today. Their goal seems to be the mountains in the distance, which are covered with lush forests. Redwoods on Earth were able to grow over 100 meters tall and incredibly thick, but the lower gravity of Orcheim allows even Birch trees to reach that height, much less the Redwoods that I can see along the base of the mountainside. There are also some massive pine trees near the summit.

However, at the snowy peak, there are artificial structures… I suspect that this mountain range was originally a resort or perhaps, within the interior lies an ancient fallout shelter? Many human military facilities were built within mountains and inactive volcanoes. It would not be strange if thousands of such facilities existed throughout this world.

Logically, at the late stages of pregnancy, the four women should take this time to rest and prepare for labor. Yet they are pushing their bodies instead. Michael created some simple wooden wagons to carry the tents and various other items, but the hand-carved stone wheels are not very efficient. He attempted to use slices of wood from some trees he found on the prairie, but within a few days, they were too eroded to use properly. Even the planks of the cart were infested with termites and other insects, but they were able to hold out for a short time.

For now, I will continue researching the Arcane Orb. Hopefully I will make some progress...