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Of Torana, Ascension, and Descension
This section contains minor spoilers for the series in the context of magic system.
Below are select excerpts from Chitronic Particle Theory: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe, a foundational textbook used in chitronic education throughout Mayana and Paramos.
What are torana?
The torana are the gateways that connect the four realms. In order to travel between one realm to another, one must physically pass through the torana.
When were they created and by whom?
The torana were created during the Great Toranic Separation through an impressive feat of channeling carried out by the seitarius themselves.
How long does it take to pass through a torana and what distance is travelled during the journey?
The spatial relationship between the four realms cannot be described in any recognizable time-distance terms that exist in human science. However, the journey itself is instantaneous; the moment one steps through the torana, they will find themselves in another realm. In fact, realms are visible through torana and. provided the soul-spin limits are fulfilled, it is physically possible to have body parts in two realms at once.
What realms do torana connect?
Each torana is unique in that it connects two fixed points between two fixed realms. So if a torana is used to travel between a specific location in Malin and a specific location in Paramos, it cannot be used to travel to and from Mayana; nor can it be used to travel to and from any other locations in Malin and Paramos. Hundreds of torana exist across the realms, each connecting a distinct pair of cross-realm locations.
What do torana look like?
In general, torana have the shape of open archways. Their architecture and ornamentation varies based on the locations they connect. Torana appear a different color according to the realm they lead to: gold for Paramos, silver for Mayana, copper for Malin, and black for Narakh. The same torana will look different when viewed from a different realm. For example, a Malin-Paramos torana will look copper when viewed from Paramos and gold when viewed from Malin.
Torana leading to upper realms are more ornate, while those leading to lower realms have a more dilapidated facade. Despite the crumbling appearance of some torana, the gateways cannot be destroyed by any physical or chitronic means.
Do torana place any barriers on entry into a realm?
Paramos, Mayana, and Malin each have soul-spin limits wherein only beings (both human and beast) with souls that exceed the limit are allowed into the respective realm. While the exact limits are unknown, the approximations (measured in chitronic rotations per second, or rps) are believed to be:
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Paramos: +1 million rps and above can enter
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Mayana: +1 rps and above can enter
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Malin: -1 million rps and above can enter
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Narakh: no limit, any soul can enter
As displayed in the diagram, torana will only allow a human to physically enter a realm if their soul-spin is greater than or equal to the limit of that realm. If their soul-spin falls short, they will find the torana 'blocked' by an invisible wall, impossible to break or pass through any means.
Typically, humans reside in the highest possible realm that their soul-spin allows for, although they may choose to reside in a lower realm if they wish.
What are ascension and descension?
Ascension describes travel to an upper realm, while descension describes travel to a lower realm. The terms "upper" and "lower" in this context refer to the realms' positions relative to one another. For example, travel from Narakh to Malin, Narakh to Mayana, and Mayana to Paramos all fall under the umbrella of ascension. Similarly, travel from Paramos to Mayana, Mayana to Malin, and Malin to Narakh all fall under the umbrella of descension.
Ascension and descension are also used more specifically to define the process by / moment in which a human becomes able to exist in a higher realm (ascension) or is forced into a lower realm (descension) due to the change in their soul-spin.
While the nuance differs between the two usages, the overall definition refers to a movement between realms.
What are the mechanics of ascension in the context of changing soul-spins?
If a soul-spin rises above the limit of a realm, it becomes possible to ascend into that realm. For example, if a Mayani, through kindness and charity, raises their soul-spin from +999,000 rps to +1,000,001 rps—thereby passing the minimum soul-spin required for Paramos—they will find all the golden torana (which would have previously blocked them) will now allow them through. The same applies for Malin-Mayana ascensions, although that phenomenon is a lot rarer since it requires the soul to flip its spin from negative to positive which is believed to be extremely difficult. Narakh-Malin ascension is unheard of.
How do the torana enforce ascension?
The torana do not enforce ascension, since it is possible for a soul to exist in any realm with a spin limit lesser than or equal to that soul's own. In practicality, it is thus impossible for a human to know whether or not they have ascended based on soul-spin, until and unless they attempt taking a torana into the realm which they believe they have ascended to.
What are the mechanics of descension in the context of changing soul-spins?
If a soul-spin falls below the limit of the realm, descension out of that realm is enforced. For example, if a Mayani committed vile deeds that burdened their soul and made its average soul-spin fall from +10 rps to -1 rps, they would no longer be allowed to exist in Mayana and would be forced to descend into Malin. Such descensions are most common between Paramos and Mayana; less so between Mayana-Malin and Malin-Narakh.
How do the torana enforce descension?
Unike with ascension, descension is enforced. In the instant a soul-spin falls below the limit of a realm, one of two things can happen—either they are physically dragged by an invisible, inescapable force through the nearest torana leading to the appropriate realm; or, if no such torana stands in the vicinity, a temporary one materializes for a few seconds and then disappears immediately after the descension is completed.
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