𝒢𝑜𝓃𝑒, 𝒢𝑜𝓃𝑒, 𝒢𝑜𝓃𝑒

CHAPTER I.IX: Neither Heaven nor Hell

--TRAVELLING THE MULTIVERSE--

TIP 113: Don't be impulsive in a universe that you are not familiar enough with. You don't know what forces you may summon; all universes have the same great God, but that doesn't mean they don't have other presences working for themselves, who play just as much a character as you do in your original universe.

Everything that is needed for the ritual, Schlatt already has at home. Candles are lit up, with Tommy preparing anything for it. You can hear Tubbo's shallow breathing in the room, sat against the wall with Tommy helping him, having promised you to regularly wash his hands, only trusting you because he believes you to be, in reality, a servant of XD.

I really hope I won't summon him. That would give me away.

You've read over the words in front of you again and again, the words seeming to be a random mixture of many ideas, not forming a coherent text. In Latin, the script's been written, which could explain why you can't comprehend what it says, but nonetheless, it's feels like a mess. Looks like one. Has to be one, right?

You're anxious. While watching Tommy excitedly prepare everything, you've grown more and more nervous, scared of how he'll react when he – if he – discovers that you're not truly the character of the act you've tagged along with. You care for the boy, an attachment fed by your companionship with the teenager as his teacher, similar to that of Tubbo, but you don't want to break his heart by having him discover that you lied to him.

You glance at him and Tubbo, their faces being the same, despite the very different environment. It's odd how you're so quick to jump to help them out, and you can't quite say why this is the case. Having been so focused on survival and protecting your lover in your original universe, you wonder if it's maybe the relief of constant danger and the absence of he whom you vowed to keep alive that drives this urge, combined with your profession as a teacher and thus the desire to give your students and other young people the opportunity to live the best life they can live. Or maybe it's so you feel you're not misusing your new opportunity at a life, so you feel as if you haven't deserted Jared for nothing.

The idea of doing something good for two unfortunate boys does give you some peace, despite the stress that comes with it. You let out a deep sigh, after which Tommy sends a smile to you. "Are you ready?" He's clearly hesitant, despite his trust in you. Probably because he realizes the seriousness, if this is to work. The ritual may be the easiest method, but that doesn't make it the safest at all.

"I'm sure I am," you smile, doing your best to hide the nerves, as you're promising yourself two things. One, you'll ask whatever deity you summon to save Tubbo from the illness. Second, you'll ask them about Jared. Not priest Jared, but your Jared.

You go to stand in the sigil, looking at Tommy with a smile, as you hold the book tightly. It's not safe, you can feel it in your bones. But you're going to just go for it. This was your choice, so this will also be your consequence.

Thusly, you start citing the words in the book. The mess of sounds and letters, the noises sounding so familiar, almost as if they're reaching to another world, far outside your reach.

You can feel your body warming up, as if an energy takes over, leading to you repeating the words as if it's second nature. Whispers from a world beyond offer you knowledge; colours unknown to you offer you insight; a world not at all like this one seems to become your new location, allowing Schlatt's house to disappear out of your sight. Goosebumps spread all over your skin, but you ignore the fear, prioritizing the necessity of your actions. You're surrounded by darkness, silence and the smell of death, which is when you hear the echoing voice.