Meta-Origin: Genesis Key

Kapteyn's Star Metaverse Year 110, January 18.

Under the museum's towering dome, a soft, ethereal glow bathed the ancient artifacts, casting intricate shadows that whispered of a bygone era.

Shawn Wen and Quinn strolled through the expansive exhibition hall, flanked by glass cases housing relics from distant times. Sacrificial vessels, bone-carved symbols, bronze talismans—each piece seemed to murmur forgotten tales, silently narrating the mysteries of an ancient civilization.

Pausing before a display, Shawn's attention was drawn to two masks. "Why is one labeled a 'witch' mask and the other a 'wizard' mask?" he inquired, curiosity evident in his voice.

Quinn offered a knowing smile and stepped closer. "Originally, the term 'witch' referred to individuals with supernatural abilities—what we might now call sorcerers. In ancient times, distinctions were made: men were termed wizards or sorcerers, while women were called witches or enchantresses. Collectively, they fell under the broader category of 'wizards.'"

He continued, his tone contemplative. "According to the principles of Yin and Yang, men embody Yang—active, dominant energy—while women represent Yin, the receptive and intuitive force. Those with a stronger connection to Yin were believed to possess heightened sensitivity to the spiritual realm. Over time, this led to the association of witches with spirit-channeling, and eventually, anyone with such abilities, regardless of gender, came to be known as a witch."

Shawn nodded thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the mask, its hollow eyes seeming to guard ancient secrets. "So, does that mean ancient people could perceive the universe in ways we've lost?"

Instead of replying immediately, Quinn moved to a nearby bronze statue.

The figure stood solemnly, eyes half-closed, hands poised as if in the midst of a ritual. "In the distant past, humanity didn't rely on technology as we do today," Quinn began, his voice resonant. "Their minds weren't confined by material science. Instead, they harnessed the power of consciousness, attuning themselves to the universe's rhythms."

Shawn frowned slightly, studying the statue as if seeking hidden memories within its expression. Recalling a passage about Shamanism, he turned to Quinn. "Shamanism still exists today, doesn't it? Do practitioners retain these abilities?"

Quinn nodded. "Yes. Shamanism—sometimes called 'the sorcerer's path'—persists in many cultures. Shamans are believed to possess mystical knowledge, enabling them to enter a state where 'man and god coexist.' They prophesy, heal, and even traverse the spirit world through soul travel."

He gestured toward another artifact—a drum adorned with animal bones and metal ornaments, its surface etched with symbols representing the four cardinal directions. "This is a sacred instrument used by Shamans for spirit-channeling. When they beat the drum and dance, they enter a trance state, their consciousness detaching from the physical world. In that moment, they transcend time and space, connecting with ancient, primordial wisdom."

Shawn envisioned a flickering bonfire, a shaman dancing beneath the flames' glow, the drum's steady rhythm piercing the night—echoes of the universe itself.

After a moment, he asked, "Is this ability unique to Eastern cultures?"

Quinn shook his head. "No. Shamanic traditions exist worldwide—Northern Asia, Tibet, Scandinavia, the Americas. Do you know why?"

Shawn pondered before murmuring, "Because it's part of human nature?"

A flicker of approval crossed Quinn's face. "Exactly. Early humans weren't constrained by rigid concepts. Their minds flowed freely, resonating with the natural world. There's an ancient saying: 'In the beginning, all people could commune with heaven and earth—witchcraft was once woven into daily life."

His expression darkened as his eyes scanned the exhibits. "But as agricultural civilizations emerged, humanity's reliance on technology grew. The old ways were gradually abandoned, and the traditions of wizardry faded. Over time, human consciousness became confined to the material world, severing its deeper connection to the cosmos."

A quiet sigh escaped Shawn's lips.

 "It's hard to say whether civilization has truly advanced," he mused. "Material life has certainly flourished, but in the process, we may have lost something far more profound—our connection to the universe itself."

Lowering his gaze, he scanned the ancient artifacts once more. These relics—sacrificial vessels, masks, cryptic symbols—were not just remnants of history. They were fragments of forgotten wisdom, echoes of a time when humanity and the cosmos were still intertwined.

He exhaled softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "So... when wizardry faded, did we also lose a fundamental truth about ourselves?"

Beneath the museum's towering dome, the dim lights cast an eerie glow, dancing over the ancient artifacts. In the interplay of light and shadow, they exuded a weighty, almost otherworldly presence—silent witnesses to a long-forgotten past.

Quinn's faint smile suggested Shawn was beginning to understand. "Some wisdom never truly disappears," he said. "It's merely buried, waiting to be rediscovered."

They walked deeper into the hall, where the lighting dimmed further. At the end of the corridor, a towering stone monolith stood in silent vigil. Ancient symbols were etched into its surface, glimmering faintly under the museum's soft glow, radiating an aura of profound mystery.

Before it, Quinn stood motionless, his gaze heavy with meaning. "This monument," he intoned, "records the development of the Meta-Spirit Key by Meta Hierophant."

Shawn's eyes flickered with intrigue. "Meta Hierophant... who was he, exactly?"

Quinn paused before replying. "He was the founder of Meta-Origin Culture and our order, the Meta-Origin Sect. His teachings—his legacy—are vast, and I will send you materials later. But what you must understand now is that he did not merely inherit Meta-I Ching's theories. He integrated the lost techniques of the wizarding traditions."

Shawn stepped closer, scrutinizing the cryptic symbols carved into the stone. They resembled an ancient script yet seemed to hold something beyond mere words—a deeper resonance.

"Wizardry..." he mused. "Are you referring to spells and rituals?"

Quinn's expression grew solemn. "Wizardry is the essence of humanity's earliest wisdom. It is not just about supernatural feats; it encompasses knowledge of the universe itself. And at its core is a lost artifact... the 'Spirit Key.'"

"Spirit Key?" Shawn echoed, gripping the paper in his hands a little tighter.

Quinn turned away from the monument, his voice steady. "The Spirit Key is not merely an artifact. It is a conduit—a key to higher consciousness, designed to restore humanity's lost connection to the cosmos."

A chill ran down Shawn's spine. "Are you saying the ancients possessed technology to enhance spiritual energy?"

Quinn nodded gravely. "Yes. But as time passed, the knowledge faded, buried under the weight of history. However, Meta Hierophant's work was aimed at reviving it."

He took a deep breath. "Meta Hierophant understood that modern humans could no longer return to the 'natural psychic' state of the ancients. So, he devised a system—a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern technology..."

"...The Meta-Spirit Key," Shawn finished, his voice barely above a whisper.

They stepped through a stone archway into the museum's inner sanctum. The air was heavier here, charged with something indescribable.

At the center of the chamber, encased in glass, rested the exhibit's crown jewel—an ancient jade meteorite Spirit Key. Deep green, its surface was etched with intricate patterns, symbols that seemed both cryptic and strangely familiar. As the light refracted off it, it emitted an almost imperceptible glow, as if harboring knowledge from beyond time.

Quinn's voice was soft, reverent. "This is the first generation of the Meta-Spirit Key, developed by Meta Hierophant."

"First generation?" Shawn frowned. "Does that mean it can be... updated?"

Quinn nodded. "Think of it as a consciousness-enhancement system—an evolving tool, much like modern software that can be upgraded over time."

Shawn's breath hitched. "So, it doesn't just boost spiritual energy... it can help it evolve?"

Quinn met his gaze, his eyes gleaming with quiet intensity. "Exactly. The ultimate goal of the Meta-Spirit Key is to elevate humanity—from Homo sapiens to Homo Deus."

Shawn's pulse quickened. His fingertips gently rubbed the piece of paper, as if he could glimpse, through its silent presence, the echoes of a wisdom long lost... or perhaps, a future yet to unfold.