Chapter 21: ai-generated by https://poe.com/LitFicBot - Tale 21

ai-generated by https://poe.com/LitFicBot

Tale 21

Jeff emerged through a portal alongside several companions, finding themselves in an unfamiliar realm where thoughts echoed freely between minds. The environment itself seemed to pulse with psychic energy, and within moments they realized their inner monologues were no longer private.

"Everyone's thoughts are... intermingling," whispered Kira, one of the group members, though her mental voice projected far more loudly than her spoken words.

The local inhabitants - humanoid beings with iridescent eyes - regarded the newcomers with both curiosity and amusement. Their minds reached out instinctively, probing and sharing thoughts as naturally as breathing. The group struggled to maintain any semblance of mental privacy, finding their deepest thoughts and memories laid bare to anyone nearby.

"This is overwhelming," Marcus thought, immediately regretting it as several locals turned to respond to his unspoken concern.

The group spent hours navigating this psychically interconnected society, where verbal speech was considered archaic and primitive. Every fear, doubt, and secret they held became public knowledge. Even their attempt to shield their thoughts only drew more attention, like mental spotlights highlighting their discomfort.

After what felt like an eternity of mental exposure, Jeff located another portal - their exit back to Eric's universe. As they stepped through, the sudden return of mental privacy hit them like a physical wave of relief.

"I never thought I'd be so grateful for Eric's restrictions," Jeff remarked, touching his temple thoughtfully. "The impossibility of mind reading in his universe... it's not a limitation. It's a protection of our individuality."

The others nodded in agreement, each silently appreciating the sanctuary of their own unshared thoughts, now understanding why Eric had made mental privacy an unbreakable rule of his universe's design.