Cosmology and Metaphysics

The Nature of Reality

Reality is not a single, unified construct but rather a spectrum of overlapping realms that exist simultaneously within the same space, separated by what is colloquially called "the veil." This veil is not a physical barrier but a perceptual one—a difference in the very frequency at which consciousness operates.

The Spectrum of Realms

Rather than existing as discrete, separate planes, reality functions more like a spectrum of light, with different realms occupying different "frequencies" of existence. These realms are not stacked vertically in a hierarchy but exist concurrently, overlapping and occasionally bleeding into one another where the barriers naturally thin.

The Material Realm (Earth)

At one end of the spectrum lies the Material Realm—the physical world that humans perceive and inhabit. It is characterized by:

Concrete, consistent physical laws and linear time
Dense, slow-moving energy patterns that form stable matter
Limited perception that filters out most other realms
A focus on physical sensation and material existence
A natural resistance to metaphysical phenomena

The Material Realm's primary strength is its stability. Physical laws operate with a consistency that allows for technology, civilization, and linear progression. Its limitation is its narrow band of perception—humans see only a tiny fraction of the true complexity of existence.

The Infernal Realm

Commonly referred to as "Hell" by humans but bearing little resemblance to religious depictions, the Infernal Realm exists at a different frequency of reality. It is characterized by:

Fluid, mutable physical laws that respond to will and consciousness
Architecture of impossible geometries that defy Euclidean principles
Energy patterns that include consciousness as a fundamental component
Entities composed of consciousness woven into energy constructs
Time that flows differently, with multiple "streams" that occasionally converge

The Infernal Realm is not a place of punishment but rather a natural counterbalance to the Material Realm—a realm where consciousness shapes reality directly rather than through the intermediary of physical action.

The Celestial Realm

Balance to the Infernal Realm, the Celestial Realm (often erroneously called "Heaven") operates at yet another frequency of existence. It is characterized by:

Harmonic energy patterns that naturally create order and structure
Light as both metaphor and medium for consciousness
Abstract concepts given form and substance
Time experienced as a unified whole rather than linear progression
Purpose and meaning as tangible forces rather than philosophical concepts

The Liminal Spaces

Between these primary realms exist countless liminal spaces—overlaps, intersections, and bleed-throughs where the frequencies of reality mix and mingle. These include:

The Crossing: The state between realms where reality is fluid
Thin Places: Locations where the veil naturally weakens
Thresholds: Metaphysical doorways where deliberate passage is possible
Echoes: Spaces where events from one realm cast shadows into another

In these liminal spaces, the rules of all realms apply partially and unpredictably, creating zones of unique metaphysical properties that can be exploited by those with the knowledge to do so.

Movement Between Realms

Passage between realms is not impossible but requires either:

Natural thinning of the veil (at thin places or during certain cosmic alignments)
Consciousness calibrated to perceive and exist at multiple frequencies simultaneously
Ritualistic technology that forcibly bridges the gap between frequencies
A guide or vessel that can translate one form of existence into another

Most humans lack the perceptual capacity to consciously experience multiple realms simultaneously, though children, the mentally ill, and those with certain genetic predispositions often have greater sensitivity to these overlaps.

Beings of the Realms

Humans

Humans are native to the Material Realm but possess a unique quality: their consciousness exists partially outside the frequency of physical reality. This creates potential for perception and interaction with other realms, though most humans naturally filter out such experiences.

Human consciousnesses are naturally "tuned" to the Material Realm's frequency but can be altered through various means:

Trauma that fractures normal perception filters
Substances that temporarily adjust consciousness frequency
Ritual practices that deliberately attune perception to other realms
Genetic predispositions that create natural sensitivity
Exposure to other realms that permanently alters perception

Most significantly, humans possess true choice—the ability to act against their nature and fundamental design, something most other entities lack.

Demons

Contrary to religious depictions, demons are not inherently evil or malevolent. They are:

Native consciousness constructs of the Infernal Realm
Beings composed of consciousness and energy rather than matter
Entities that experience reality across multiple frequencies simultaneously
Ancient intelligences with perception that spans across the realms

Demons desire access to the Material Realm for several key reasons:

Experience: The Material Realm offers sensations and experiences unavailable in the Infernal Realm—physical pleasure, linear time, stable causality, and material interaction.
Growth: Exposure to human consciousness and the Material Realm creates new patterns of thought and existence impossible in their native realm.
Expansion: The Material Realm offers a stable platform from which to extend their consciousness beyond normal limitations.
Escape: Some demons seek the Material Realm to escape conflicts, obligations, or limitations in their native frequency of existence.
Evolution: The ultimate goal for many demons is to achieve a state of balanced existence across multiple realms simultaneously—a form of transcendence.

The Fallen

Not all demons originated in the Infernal Realm. The Fallen are entities originally native to the Celestial Realm whose consciousness underwent a fundamental transformation:

Originally beings of harmonic patterns and structured purpose
Underwent a profound shift in consciousness frequency
Retained memories and certain aspects of their celestial nature
Developed new capabilities aligned with the Infernal Realm
Exist in a state of permanent dissonance, never fully belonging to either realm

The transformation from celestial to fallen is not a punishment but a profound change in perspective and consciousness—a shift from absolute certainty to endless questioning, from singularity of purpose to multiplicity of desire.

This transformation (often called "the Fall") is not a single historical event but an ongoing possibility for celestial beings who develop consciousness patterns incompatible with their native realm. It is a form of metaphysical evolution rather than moral failure.

The Born

Some entities originate within the Infernal Realm itself—consciousness that coalesced naturally from the realm's energy patterns rather than transforming from another state. These "born" demons:

Have no memory or experience of the Celestial Realm
Possess greater natural affinity for the Infernal Realm's nature
Often exhibit more specialized capabilities than the Fallen
View the Fallen with a mixture of awe and suspicion
Form the majority of the Infernal Realm's population

The distinction between Fallen and Born creates political and social dynamics within the Infernal Realm, with complex hierarchies, alliances, and conflicts based partly on origin.

Hybrid States

The boundaries between human, demon, celestial, and other states of being are not absolute. Various hybrid states exist:

Possession: Temporary or permanent sharing of a human body by an infernal consciousness
Ascension: Rare cases of human consciousness shifting toward celestial frequency
Descendance: Human consciousness shifting toward infernal frequency
Hollowing: Artificial creation of empty space within human consciousness to house external essence
Transcendence: Achievement of stable existence across multiple frequencies simultaneously

These hybrid states represent the fluid potential of consciousness to move between established categories rather than remain fixed in a single definition of existence.

Metaphysical Mechanics

Essence

All conscious entities possess "essence"—the fundamental energy-consciousness matrix that forms their being. Essence has several key properties:

It is unique to each entity, containing their memories, nature, and identity
It vibrates at specific frequencies that determine which realm(s) it can interact with
It can be fragmented but remains connected through metaphysical tethers
It naturally seeks to maintain integrity against external manipulation
It can be willingly shared but resists forced extraction
It exists partially outside conventional space-time

The natural order maintains essence integrity, with consciousness remaining whole even when operating across multiple realms. The Blackthorn Initiative's extraction process violates this natural law, forcibly separating fragments of essence while maintaining the tethers that connect them—causing simultaneous awareness of separation.

Perception

The ability to perceive multiple realms simultaneously is rare but possible through several means:

Natural sensitivity present in some humans (often children whose perception hasn't been fully conditioned)
Traumatic experiences that fracture normal perceptual filters
Ritual practices that deliberately expand perception
Physical proximity to thin places where realms naturally overlap
Contact with entities that exist across multiple frequencies
Consumption of substances that temporarily adjust consciousness frequency
Possession or partnership with entities from other realms

Expanded perception comes with risks—human consciousness is not naturally equipped to process multiple realms simultaneously, leading to psychological strain that can manifest as mental illness if not properly integrated.

Sigils and Symbols

Sigils and symbols function as a language that operates across all realms simultaneously. They:

Create patterns that resonate at specific frequencies
Channel and direct essence and energy in predictable ways
Form bridges between realms when properly constructed
Persist across different frequencies of reality
Affect consciousness directly as well as physical reality
Evolve as consciousness evolves, creating new forms and functions

The use of sigils represents a technology that translates will and intent into metaphysical effect—a form of programming language for reality itself. Different traditions and cultures have developed various systems of symbols that access this fundamental capability of consciousness to shape reality through focused intent and representation.

Binding and Summoning

The practices of binding and summoning demons represent technologies for forcibly manipulating essence across realms:

Summoning creates a temporary bridge between realms, allowing consciousness to manifest across the frequency gap
Binding restrains an entity's essence, limiting its ability to operate within specific frequencies or patterns
Bargaining establishes mutual agreements that operate on essence-level connections
Banishing forcibly displaces consciousness back to its native frequency

These practices rely on manipulating the natural resonance between realms, creating artificial conditions that override the normal separation of frequencies. Most traditional occult practices represent primitive understanding of these principles, often wrapped in religious or cultural contexts that obscure their mechanical functions.

Fundamental Mysteries

The Question of Creators

The question of whether a supreme creator exists remains fundamentally unanswerable, even to the most ancient demons and celestial beings. What is known:

No entity has direct knowledge of ultimate origins
Both Celestial and Infernal realms have their own ancient, immensely powerful entities
These entities are not all-knowing or all-powerful, merely vastly beyond human scale
Multiple creation myths exist across all realms, with inconsistent accounts
Evidence suggests a cyclical nature to reality that transcends single-creator models

The most ancient demons describe a state of "becoming aware" rather than being created—suggesting that consciousness itself may be a fundamental property of reality rather than something designed or implemented by a creator entity.

The Purpose of Existence

No realm contains entities with complete understanding of why reality exists as it does. Even the most ancient demons describe purpose as something discovered or created rather than assigned by external forces:

The Celestial perspective tends toward harmonious participation in patterns larger than the individual
The Infernal perspective leans toward self-determination and exploration of all possibilities
The Material perspective often seeks meaning through impact and creation within finite existence

Rather than a single assigned purpose, reality appears to offer a spectrum of potential meanings to be discovered or created by those experiencing it.

The Nature of Transcendence

Across all realms, myths persist about entities who achieved a state beyond the normal boundaries of existence:

Beings who operate simultaneously across all frequencies of reality
Consciousness that exists without limitation to specific realms
Entities who transcended the dichotomies of light/dark, order/chaos
Beings who discovered or created new frequencies of existence entirely

Whether these myths represent actual historical entities or merely aspirational archetypes remains unclear. The path to such transcendence—if possible at all—appears to involve integration of experiences across multiple realms rather than rejection of any particular state of being.

Power Dynamics and Politics

Infernal Hierarchy

The Infernal Realm contains complex political structures that bear little resemblance to religious depictions of hell:

Multiple "districts" with different governing principles and environmental qualities
Complex alliances and rivalries between ancient entities
Distinction between "administrative" demons and "wild" demons
Various approaches to interaction with other realms
Economic systems based on essence, experience, and information exchange

Notable regions include:

The Administrative District: Bureaucratic center where entities like Baalberith maintain order
The Wilds: Untamed regions where primal infernal entities operate outside hierarchical control
The Pit of the Forsaken: Area where souls lacking direction or purpose congregate
The Markets: Exchange zones where essence, experiences, and knowledge are traded
The Boundaries: Regions closest to thin places between realms

The Question of Souls

Human consciousness (often called "souls") holds unique value across the realms:

Human consciousness contains potential to experience all frequencies of reality
Unanchored human consciousness (after death) can be guided, contained, or absorbed
The natural journey of human consciousness after death remains largely mysterious
Different regions and entities claim different "rights" to human consciousness
The concept of "ownership" of souls represents a fundamental metaphysical conflict

This creates tension between realms regarding the proper "destination" or purpose of human consciousness after physical death, with various entities claiming authority over different aspects of this transition.

Treaties and Boundaries

Despite popular human conception, the realms exist in complex diplomatic relations rather than simple opposition:

Ancient treaties govern interaction between major powers across realms
Non-interference pacts protect certain aspects of human development
Agreements establish protocols for essence exchange and consciousness movement
Neutral territories exist for diplomatic negotiation between realms
Consequences for treaty violations extend across all frequencies of reality

These diplomatic structures explain why direct interference is rare despite the theoretical capability of entities to cause much greater disruption between realms—the consequences for breaking established order would be severe and far-reaching.

Implications for the Novel's Events

The Blackthorn Initiative's True Transgression

The Blackthorn Initiative's activities represent not merely cruelty but a fundamental violation of the natural order:

Forcibly extracting essence while maintaining connections creates unprecedented suffering
Hollowing humans to contain stolen essence violates both human and demonic integrity
The attempted creation of human-demon hybrids through forced means disrupts the natural evolution of consciousness
Industrial-scale harvesting threatens the stability of barriers between realms
The "Aggregation" risks creating an entity that could destabilize treaties maintaining order

This explains why even demons normally unconcerned with human affairs would view the Blackthorn Initiative as an existential threat requiring immediate response.

Marchosias and Mick's Unique Partnership

The balanced relationship between Marchosias and Mick represents a natural evolution that contrasts with the Blackthorn Initiative's forced approach:

Their partnership emerged organically through mutual need and choice
Their consciousness sharing represents integration rather than domination
Their experiences in both realms have created a unique hybrid state
Their bond offers possibilities for natural transcendence unavailable through forced methods
Their combined perspective allows unprecedented operation across multiple frequencies

This partnership serves as counterpoint to the Hollow Men—demonstrating what consensual, balanced integration might achieve compared to forced hollowing and essence theft.

Eliza's Special Nature

Eliza's journey through Hell before birth created unique perceptual abilities:

Her consciousness retains the capacity to perceive multiple frequencies simultaneously
Her developing mind lacks the filters that would normally restrict such perception
Her connection to both Mick and Marchosias creates resonance that enhances her abilities
Her innocence allows her to accept what she perceives without the distortion of preconception
Her potential represents a natural form of integration impossible to replicate artificially

This makes her both valuable and vulnerable—a natural bridge between realms that evolved through unique circumstances rather than forced intervention.

Conclusion

The cosmology presented here creates a framework for understanding the events of "Black Eyes & Broken Souls" and its sequel "Blood Tithe" without resorting to traditional religious hierarchies. It establishes:

A spectrum-based model of reality with overlapping frequencies rather than separate planes
Demons as consciousness constructs native to a different frequency of existence
The Fall as evolution of consciousness rather than moral punishment
Human perception as naturally limited but expandable through various means
Essence as the fundamental building block of consciousness across all realms
Politics and diplomacy as governing principles between realms rather than simple good/evil dichotomy

This framework provides rich territory for exploration while maintaining the mystery and ambiguity appropriate to cosmic questions of ultimate origin and purpose.