Day 2: Abyss

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Universe: QuickSilver (Potential)
Rating: PG / TW: Deep water, drowning

[ The following is an excerpt from the book Believe in New York: A Guide for the Newly Keen by Dr. Wyatt Barlow, from the section titled The Veil - Walking Beside Reality. For those who are unfamiliar, the Velanthropoi are the collective name for all magical humanoids who reside on Earth - Shifters, Fae, Mages and the like. This book is meant to be read by someone who has just been introduced to that world. ]

     A common phrase you may encounter in your dealings with other Velanthropoi goes as such: “That’s a stupider idea than trying to swim in the Veil.” Now, given what I’ve told you so far about the Veil, that it is not so much an alternate reality but instead a reflection of our own, what could be so terrible about enjoying a dip into one of its rosey-hued bodies of water? Sadly, plenty. The Veil reflects not only the physical elements of our world but the collected concepts of our minds, our loves, and our deepest fears as well. It is in this context that I place emphasis on the word deep, as all bodies of water beyond that of a puddle are all the same depth in the Veil - infinite. Well, that is the common belief as no exploration team has managed yet to find a bottom to any of the Veil’s seas, lakes, or bathtubs. 

     You might assume that the danger lies in something like drowning, but it is quite the opposite. While the water of the Veil is impossible to float in, thus making the act of swimming itself quite treacherous, you’ll find that drowning is an impossibility. The water can fill your lungs, which I am told is quite an uncomfortable experience, but your oxygen intake will not be affected. It will, however, add to your inability to float. Survivors and Explorers both report a feeling of heaviness upon entering the water. If the head is submerged, the heaviness becomes a feeling of being pulled downwards. If one fails to resist this sensation, they will soon find themselves surrounded by an ethereal, deep violet water that is clear as glass. 

     This, commonly, is known as The Abyss. 

     The Abyss is believed to be the place where all of creation’s fears collect and perhaps where fear itself is created. Anyone who reaches the Abyss will be assaulted by not only their own worst fears, but by the fears of others as well. If one has a strong enough mind it is possible to combat these manifestations, but most succumb and enter a state of paralysis - their eyes frozen open in wide terror, unable to escape as they are even denied the release of drowning from the water in their lungs.

     It is rumored that the Velanthropoi protectors of the Veil, the secretive Wardens, must all travel into the Abyss and return with their minds intact before they can move beyond the role of initiate. If this is true, I personally find it a distasteful type of hazing, but perhaps not unwarranted in a job where one could come across such dangers as Poltergeists, the vengeful Pale Women, or the unstable Mage Eater.  

     Or, heaven forbid, your local swimming pool.