Nexus Structure

Kaz quickly began making a suit that would better defend him outside his compound. He knew adding too much to his suit would way him down so he focused more on his torso, with a few additions around his wrists as well. First he made a plated armoring that was more of a chestplate that hugged his torso tightly, on this chestplate he made a turret using a nexus core that he could manipulate with his domain. He made it have several modes, first the flash light mode where the crystal is recessed into a cylindrical container for the crystal that was on a small arm with 6 degrees of freedom so that he could aim it at almost any angle.

This container can change how much the light can be focused from the crystal and with Kaz's control of nexus energy, he can manipulate the arm, the focus strength and even the output of light from the crystal by controlling the compressed wisps. The other mode is a lamp mode where the container opens up and the crystal acts like a lantern giving Kaz a light that covers a diameter of about 5 meters around Kaz. This one device can act as a mini laser turret as well as a light source.

Next Kaz started changing the design of his spear, originally he did the designs hastily, so the design was easily improved upon. First, he removed the barrel and changed the design to allow the energy build up in the nexus cores to fill the tip of the spear and either do a laser like before or even shape the tip of the spear into different shapes, depending on how well Kaz is able to control the energy within. To make the spear work properly, he made the internal structure from the socket to the tip to refract the energy and light towards the tip, which then can scatter the light to form different shapes or focus it into a laser like point.

His last bit of preparation was to upgrade his rifle to allow for the rail gun feature or the laser feature and the new design was slimmer. Now he could shoot quicker with his lasers and then fire heavier shots that do more damage with the bullets. Lastly he made a railgun pistol in order to be able to fire up close shots instead of lasers, since he has the shoulder mounted laser anyway. Kaz then finally shifted back to the crystal structure. When he shifted back home he left a small bottle cap sized device that he linked so that he could shift back whenever.

Once there he immediately turned on his light to lantern mode. Sudden screeches of pain could be heard as the nearby husks quickly escaped from his proximity. Kaz could feel the stares from the unseen husks within the darkness, but none of them approached, their demeanor towards him changed ever since he killed the Husk Mother, but he wasn't against it, afterall it made it easier for him to explore the structure. He looked towards the giant structure that gave off a faint glow reminiscent of the light glow given off when condensing nexus wisps. 

As he made his way towards he realized that there were less and less husks around. He also started to feel the density of nexus wisps moving through the air increase.

'I can see why they would want to remain close to this structure, it gives off a lot of energy.'

Kaz finally reached the structure and realized it was made of various crystal types, including the nexus core that he made, only those cores were slightly rougher than his own.

"How is it that nexus cores are here? Did I accidentally rediscover something?"

[Over time, the nexus crystals absorb enough energy to change the crystalline structure and create a nexus core. You managed to manipulate the nexus crystals yourself with their own nexus energy as the tool to refine the crystal. There are even more levels above the nexus core stage, introducing different properties with them.]

Kaz immediately began to stash loose crystals within his own inventory. Suddenly he came across a crystal with a slightly more dense material makeup but a stronger conductivity with the nexus energy within the air, It stored around the same amount of energy as a nexus core but the control on energy it exerted was much stronger.

[New material found: {Nexus Fragment}]

Kaz stared at the fragment, and realized that within the structure was the same nexus core as a template for the crystal, but it had more built onto it. Kaz realized that the crystal structure was expanded upon from the previous grade, but the name left him slightly curious.

"Why is this called a fragment? Is it from a different structure?"

[Nexus crystals start out in a refining stage as it slowly becomes a core. Once they become a core they go into a blooming process where they grow out, capable of storing more energy until they become a cluster. After they enter a stage of condensing. During this stage, the clusters begin absorbing energy, if they do not absorb enough to complete the condensing, they will break apart. This is how a fragment is made. The process of the crystal to condense is immensely time consuming due to needing quite a bit of energy.]

"What does it become when it condenses?"

[A Nexus Heart. A nexus heart is a gem that has reached the stage of leaving a mark within the universe, somewhat similar to how a soul does. It is somewhat similar to an inorganic version of your luminal bud staged nexus gland. Do note though, it isn't alive, so it can't develop a soul by itself like a life can.]

"By itself?"

[It is possible for it to be a vessel of another soul, but they cannot form souls, since souls are formed from living and conscious experience. Once something has a will, it can eventually grow a soul, something that never has a will cannot grow one by itself.]

"I'm still confused, what exactly is a soul, is it metaphysical? What exactly is it if it isn't life?"

[In this universe, a being starts its journey without a soul. The concept of 'soul' here is not an inherent birthright but a testament to a being's growth and evolution, a reward for reaching a particular milestone of existence.]

[You see, your existence is a continuous series of renewals, a kind of relay race through time. Every moment, you shed cells and generate new ones, essentially renewing your physical existence over and over again. Thus, the 'you' that exists at this moment is different from the 'you' that existed a month ago, a day ago, even a second ago. The continuous 'you' is, in fact, a series of distinct beings, each inheriting the memories of its predecessors, creating an illusion of a persistent identity.]

[A soul, in contrast, is born when the universe recognizes your existence in its current form. It's like a signature that certifies you are unique, a proof of your evolution and the journeys you've undertaken. This 'signature' is a complex formation, an emergent property derived from your current state and the accumulation of your past experiences.]

[Once formed, your soul becomes a dynamic entity, changing and evolving in tandem with your growth, but without ever getting replaced. It retains a core identity while incorporating new experiences, reaching a level of complexity and individuality that the universe acknowledges as a distinct entity, forever etching your evolving signature into its vast canvas. It is a form of immortality, a guarantee that a version of you, shaped by a lifetime of experiences, will exist forever in the universal memory, continually updating and adapting but never losing its essence.]

[But tread carefully, for this knowledge bears the weight of existential reflection, a deep understanding that every iteration of you is both a continuation and a fresh beginning, walking a fine line between the self and the not-self.]

Kaz remained silent for a few moments, the system's words echoing in the empty space, reverberating in the corners of his mind, touching every fragment of his complex emotions and history. It was a lot to take in, this philosophy of existence, of being and non-being, of continuity in the face of constant change.

A realization hit him suddenly, quietly, like the softest whisper yet carrying a weight that seemed to freeze him in place.

He murmured, the words just barely escaping his lips, "So, I... am not yet solidified, not yet truly 'me' in the eyes of the universe. I am still...becoming." His voice broke a little, the resonance of the revelation jarring against his deep-seated loneliness and his sense of self, of who he was and who he aspired to be.

Kaz felt the ghosts of memories long past flicker through his mind, ephemeral yet potent. The tender gaze that held him, the gentle hands that guided him through the intricacies of a life unasked for, unbidden. A connection that was singular, deep, and irreplaceable.

He continued, a quiet intensity in his voice, the words pouring out almost against his will, a torrent of vulnerability, of loss, and of longing, "It's like a... a thread that ties all the versions of 'me' together, bridging the gaps between who I was and who I am now. But among these threads, there is one that is stronger, one that pulls at my heart with a force that is...indescribable."

Kaz swallowed hard, the sensation of a knot forming in his throat. He felt an ache in his chest, a deep, pulsating ache that had nestled there for years, sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but always present. "That person... she... is a part of this tapestry of 'me,' isn't she? She must be... in the memories I carry forward, in the...in the very essence that strives to become a soul."

His eyes were glassy as he grappled with the weight of his existence, the intricate web of experiences that had led him to this very point, the intermingling of sadness and strength, loss and longing.

A soft sigh escaped him, filled with a sad kind of hope, a tenderness edged with pain. "I hope... when I finally have a soul, she can find some rest in it, some peace knowing that... that she isn't forgotten, that she lives on... in me."