The Elsewhereness and the Unworld.
AU worldbuilding under cut
(NOTE: The worldbuilding and lore discussed here is for Vitriol AU only. Be advised that these are NOT for the main timeline of DP.)
The Elsewhereness and the Unworld are dimensions that were formed alongside the creation of the Ghost Zone (former aliases: the Spirit Realm, the Abstract World, the First Existence). The two worlds were one of the first dimensions connected to the Ghost Zone after Light and Darkness collided with each other to create the universe and the Equilibrium. Their existence differs greatly from the various pocket dimensions and from the Living World (former aliases: the Physical World, Pre-Abstraction World, the Post Existence) as the Unworld and Elsewhereness are worlds much older in concept, yet they are the least explored in terms of background information from the public within the Ghost Zone.
The two dimensions were first discovered during the phenomenon of black holes happening throughout the Ghost Zone. Black holes are caused by two realms colliding with each other due to the pull of either highly similar or contrasting energies. With enough highly contrasting energy, the black holes can lead to the Unworld, which when summoned, can also lead to the Elsewhereness. This is because the Elsewhereness is only accessed to an area that is completely void of energy, which sounds impossible due to the Ghost Zone being an entire dimension of energy. However, when a black hole is summoned, the energy around it will be absorbed by the Unworld, creating a void leading to an opening to the Elsewhereness. They were originally believed to be the leftover essence of Light and Darkness. An old myth was developed by ghosts from the Primary Era stating that the type categories, deities and wraiths, originated from the Elsewhereness and Unworld due to their polar opposites within ghost typing.
The two worlds were later explored and experimented by [REDACTED] with the help of the nomad and philosopher ghosts of the Foundation Tower. They were also the first ghosts to discover a portal to the Unworld and Elsewhereness during the Primary Era.
Throughout trial runs of entering each portal, the philosopher ghosts drew up descriptions for the two worlds:
The Elsewhereness is described as a calm atmosphere with two oceans parallel to each other. There is a thin horizon in between them with an unknown light source. There are also clouds circling around the light. These spiral clouds are viewed in different perspectives depending on where the ghost would be. The world closely resembles a beach during a sunset like in the Living World, except there is no terrain nearby. The only evidence of terrain are the large rocks that would peek out from both oceans. There are no beings of existence within the Elsewhereness' oceans. Ghosts have reported the atmosphere to calm the mind and create a sense of clarity. Nomads have claimed that all negative emotions, grievances, and trauma inflicted on the mind would be healed once any ghost steps into the Elsewhereness due to said clarity. A few philosophers have stated that bathing or drinking the ocean water in small quantities would heal all physical wounds, even theorizing that the water could heal core wounds as well. Taking samples of the water by itself would immediately evaporate as soon as it is taken out of the Elsewhereness. The water can be infused into items and/or other liquids, but it will become diluted. Any overdose of the substance could lead to horrible dissociation and mental breakdowns. Other ghosts have supported this theory by the reports of staying within the Elsewhereness for too long. Long periods within the Elsewhereness will cause too much clarity to the mind, which could lead to unwanted psychological afflictions that can affect both soul and core. Nomad ghosts believed that the energy is so potent that it may be impossible to contain. From their explorations, the philosophers and nomads have concluded that the Elsewhereness is meant for healing, however, ghosts can only be exposed to it in a short period of time.
The Unworld is described with an eerie, yet peaceful atmosphere surrounded by clouds of red, with bright red colored stars, similar to the galaxies from the Living World. The terrain contains a few streams along with floating, red, magenta, and violet crystal stalagmites with some crystal shards floating around. Just like the Elsewhereness, there are no beings that reside within the Unworld. Ghosts have reported to have a better understanding of oneself after entering the Unworld. They would have steadier control over one's emotions and mind. Philosophers and nomads claim that the energy within the Unworld gives the soul alternate perspectives while also increasing willpower, confidence, and self-control. However, just like the Elsewhereness, too much exposure can lead to dire consequences and side-effects. Ghosts who remain in the Unworld for long periods of time will feel themselves "slip away into the void." They will lose their psychological autonomy and will succumb to persuasion from the energy, becoming mindless drones in the process. The crystals from the Unworld hold potent energy that could be used to absorb one's psychological autonomy, making them susceptible to hypnosis or– if used by one soul against another for malicious purposes– mind control. From their explorations, the philosophers and nomads concluded that the Unworld is meant for inner balance, however, its energy should only be used for a temporary period.
Both worlds have highly potent energy that, if used irresponsibly, could destroy anything in its path.
The philosophers and nomads from the Foundation Tower began further experimentation in containing the two worlds' power via ancient artifacts.
These experiments have led to destruction of artifacts along with the destruction of fellow ghosts as well. When ghosts are affected by these energies, markings will appear near the eyes and other parts of the body. There are also potential risks of core failure if the energies were abruptly stripped from the body and soul.
From additional, harmless experiments through further explorations, any being from the Living World is unaffected by the Elsewhereness and Unworld. This further proves that the two worlds are more connected with the Ghost Zone.
After a deal between the Dragon King, Lord Theoderic, and fellow ghost philosopher, [REDACTED], the first successful containment was created: Two amulets successfully contained the Unworld and Elsewhereness energies.
Unfortunately, more losses within the Foundation Tower were made. The existence of the amulets caused the tower to corrode and fall apart due to the overwhelming energy of the two worlds. It was also discovered that the amulets were created with the infusion of the remaining essences of recently destroyed deities and wraiths, aligning them with the Taboo.
Due to the many losses, impending dangers, and the unethical practices that created the amulets, the philosopher and nomad ghosts cut ties with [REDACTED], removing all information of the Elsewhereness and Unworld by destruction or seclusion from the public.
Many pieces of the tower's location are scattered around the Ghost Zone. Some of the Unworld and Elsewhereness research made their way into hidden books, a few of them entering the libraries of the Living World centuries later.
The destruction of a few unfortunate ghosts within the Foundation Tower has proven that there would be no need for soul experimentation. Therefore, the philosophers and nomads have theorized that no ghost would be able to handle the energy from the two worlds via connection and survive.
(However, that theory was later proven wrong thanks to the existence of the Hero of Hope and the Villain of Hatred.)
