"Hello everyone!" We're back! Finally, something to do again ＼(^o^)／! "As you can see from the title of this chapter, we'll be explaining Soul Chambers and how they work. It's way better to do it here rather than wasting an actual story chapter where the characters wouldn't even be able to fully explain these things in the first place," So yeah, for tomorrow's chapter, just imagine the characters got a watered-down version of what we're about to cover. Now then, no more stalling, let's begin. "Set the scene, Mr. Narrator."
We're in one of the quieter wings of The Library again. The shelves around us are lined with books dedicated entirely to souls—their nature, power, applications, varieties, and so much more. The Librarian strolls along one of the rows, his finger brushing lightly across the spines until he pauses, selecting a pristine white volume embossed with the title Soul Chambers. With book in hand, he makes his way back to the same cozy corner from last time. Nothing's changed—the chair, the small table, the warm lighting—everything's set. We're all ready to learn.
"To understand Soul Chambers, one must first understand the soul. Unlike in the real world, where the soul is usually treated as something religious or philosophical, in The Dark Novels, souls are real. They're a tangible part of a being, or in some cases, an object." And the power of a soul isn't to be taken lightly, it's insane some of the things you can do with one—or the lack of one! The Librarian holds the book open, eyes gliding over the page before looking back up. "But we won't dive too deep into that today. It's not the topic at hand. Just remember this: the soul is immensely powerful, and it is the very foundation that makes Soul Chambers possible—as you might've guessed from the name."
The Librarian flips a page. To begin with, souls are malleable and can be shaped in different ways to make different things happen. "And one of those manifestations is the creation of a Soul Chamber. Theoretically, every living being has one. The difference is, most people can't access or use it."
'Cause a Soul Chamber is exactly what it sounds like—a chamber within your soul. "Invoking a Soul Chamber means you've gained control over your soul to the point you can pull that chamber outward and bring it into reality. And, let's be honest, if you're using it, you're fighting. Because not only are you bringing out your own chamber, you're dragging your opponent into it—forcing them to face you in the place where you are at your absolute strongest: within your own soul."
A Soul Chamber doesn't just appear as some blank slate, either. It takes form from your life—your experiences, your memories, the very essence of who you are. "Not always static, however. A Soul Chamber can evolve, shift, and change over time as you yourself grow or alter through experience. But there will always be something in that chamber that is permanent—an immutable truth about you that can never change."
He snaps his fingers, and a magical projection springs to life in the air: the image of Sir Calvinel. "For example, Sir Calvinel's Soul Chamber will always, without fail, embody his nature as a torchbearer. Even if the form of his chamber shifts into something entirely different from that dark tunnel depicting memories, that unchanging core will remain."
Now you're probably wondering, how do you invoke your Soul Chamber? And are there any consequences for using one? "To answer that first question, it's complicated. Just getting enough control over your soul to invoke it in the first place is something around 95% of people won't ever be able to do. And that's counting the entire reality of The Dark Novels, not just the people of Aetheria. As for how you gain that control…well, that part is different for everyone."
The Librarian flips through the book, its pages filled with records of countless first invocations—all wildly different from each other. "As you can see, some unlock it in a moment of rage. Others in a sudden flash of clarity. Some through faith, others through sorrow. Every soul is unique, so the way each person reaches that point is unique too. But once you've gained the control to actually invoke your chamber, there's usually some kind of motion involved—something with your hands, maybe forming a symbol or lifting them a certain way. Think of it as a key unlocking the door to your Soul Chamber. After that, you say the words: Soul Chamber, followed by its name—which you'll instinctively know when the time comes. And then, just like that, your chamber manifests."
Don't worry—I'll make sure it looks as cool as possible whenever it happens in the story. And just wait until the stuff I have planned for double invoking. "Now, to answer that second question. Yes—there are consequences. For one, invoking it can leave you completely exhausted. So if you're thinking you can just spam it over and over to win fights, give up on that idea right now. It isn't possible. The record for the most Soul Chambers invoked in a single day is five. Most people can barely manage two before they're done."
The Librarian snaps the book shut with a sharp thump. "And that's about it. What happens inside a Soul Chamber is different for every user, so there's no single rule to explain that. But if you've got more questions, go ahead and drop them in the comments."
It's been great talking to you all again! Goodbye and "Happy learning!"