Chapter-32 Humans, Not According To Them
Frederique hesitated before cracking open the fourth book Lysandro had given her. The cover was oddly plain compared to the others... smooth black leather with no embellishment or title, only a subtle embossed spiral on the center. Yet the moment she opened it, the scent of ink and parchment filled her lungs as if the words themselves were ancient.
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" Humans: Tools, Threats, and Mysteries "
" To understand the other, one must first understand humans."
" Humans are the backbone of existence, not for their power but their potential. They are weak, fragile creatures, yet every supernatural being requires them in some way."
" Not all humans are aware of this. In fact, most live obliviously, stumbling through life as prey, tools, or fuel for greater forces.
But they are not meaningless."
" They are the foundation on which every tribe of the supernatural stands."
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" 1. Why Humans Matter "
" Vampires: Immortal predators bound by blood. They cannot reproduce naturally and rely on humans for progeny and sustenance. Without a living host to corrupt, a vampire lineage withers into dust. "
" Shifters: Beasts born from bloodlines. A shifter requires a human parent to be born safely. Two shifters mating often results in abominations... creatures too wild, too unstable to survive. Humans stabilize the beast."
" Fey: Spirits of dream and imagination. Fey are bound to the Dreamworld, unable to exist in the physical plane without anchoring to a human host. It is through a pact, a bond forged in hunger or desperation, that they may walk among mortals."
" Demons: Creatures of faith and belief. A demon cannot materialize in the world without human worship. Faith shapes them, giving their formless essence structure and power."
" Every supernatural race needs humanity not just to survive... but to define themselves."
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Frederique frowned, murmuring aloud.
"They make it sound like we're... resources. Not people."
Lysandro, lounging nearby with a glass of wine, chuckled.
"Ah, my dear. To some, you are. But keep reading. It gets more interesting."
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" 2. The Types of Humans "
" Though humans appear simple, they are as varied as the supernatural who prey on them. There are two primary divisions: "
" A. The Magical Humans"
" These are the rare few who can sense and shape reality. They fall into two factions: "
" 1. The Mages "
" The enlightened. Humans who wield power over reality through their understanding of the Nine Spheres... the threads of existence.Each Sphere manipulates a fundamental aspect of reality: "
" Prime: Magic itself, raw and infinite. "
" Space: Distance, dimensions, location."
" Time: Moments, duration, the flow of reality. "
" Causality: Fate, probability, consequences."
" Matter: Physical substance. "
" Force: Gravity, motion, energy."
" Life: Biology, healing, growth."
" Mind: Thought, dreams, consciousness."
" Spirit: The soul, the Umbra, the veil between planes."
" The Mage does not fear the supernatural. They seek balance with it, often acting as scholars or peacekeepers. They believe all beings, so long as they respect the balance of reality, have a place."
" 2. The Hunters "
" Fanatics. Born from Faith, they believe humanity must remain pure and dominant over all else.The Hunters claim divine power, harnessing light and faith to purge anything inhuman. To them, the supernatural is not a curiosity but a corruption... an affront to creation itself. They are relentless. They are unforgiving. And they will not stop until the unnatural is eradicated. "
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Frederique paused, frowning deeply.
"Faith gives them power? What does that even mean?"
Lysandro answered without turning.
"Belief, my dear. If enough people believe something, it becomes true. That's what makes them so dangerous."
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" B. The Non-Magical Humans"
" The majority of humanity falls into this category, though even here, there are distinctions: "
" 1. The Mundane "
" The vast, unseeing masses.They neither perceive nor shape reality. Blissfully ignorant, their lack of understanding makes them perfect tools... or perfect prey."
" 2. The Technocracy "
" The architects of control. A secretive group that does not believe in magic. They reject the mystical and supernatural, instead embracing science and technology."
" Yet their machines can burn even the most ancient vampire. Their weapons can bind a demon or scatter a fey."
" How? Through the power of Consensus."
" 3. Consensus: The Weapon of the Unseeing "
" Consensus is the collective belief of humanity about how the world should work."
" If humans believe gravity holds them down? Then it does. "
" If they believe the dead cannot rise? Then the undead weaken."
" If they believe you cannot fly without wings? Then you can't."
" The Technocracy wields Consensus as a weapon. "
" They control it through propaganda, subtly manipulating mortal belief to erase the impossible. Their goal? To forge a reality where the supernatural cannot exist at all. "
" To them, magic is not just dangerous... it is a lie. "
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Frederique's breath caught.
"They... erase belief? They erase entire truths just by changing people's minds?"
Lysandro's voice was soft now.
"Yes. That is why you must be careful. The Shadow Corp deals in secrets, yes? But the Technocracy? They rewrite reality itself. If enough people stop believing in you..."
He gestured to her gently.
"...you cease to be."
Frederique stared at the pages, the weight of those words pressing heavier than ever before. The book's final lines were scrawled in smaller, hurried script:
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" Remember: "
" The greatest threat to any supernatural being is not guns or bombs... "
" It is ignorance."