So......
There’s a natural phenomenon in my universe called Flares.
These were inspired by the real world rare atmospheric phenomenon called Ball Lightning.
In reality, ball lightning is so rare, that it’s tough to study. Everyone has theories about it ranging from collections of gas to aliens to orbs from a different dimension. Ball lightning has been caught on camera. There are stories of it showing up all over the world for hundreds of years, where it floats through houses, across tracks like the picture above taken from a video, and in fields. And they can sometimes explode. People who have seen ball lightning said it didn’t make any sound.
Scientists agree that ball lightning is a real thing - they do exist - they just have no solid idea on what it is or how it’s formed.
In my universe, I have Flares.
Flares are the same color. They’re blue varying in hues from deep electric to moonlight.
Now I can explain mine to you perfectly, since I made them up. :)
Flares are stationary, floating blue balls of light. This anomaly is made of localized high concentrations of Source Field energy that are formed when the flow of energy entwines, creating an eddie in the Field that gains more and more energy until a Flare is formed.
They’re usually the size of volleyball.
Flares can last anywhere from a few seconds to years. There’s no way to know where a Flare will form, or how long it will last.
If an area contains a higher concentration of Source Field energy, then odds of flare formations are high, and more frequent.
They are incredibly potent. For those who can see the Field, Flares are like a flashlight in your face; you can’t miss it even if you tried.
To put it briefly, the Source Field is the life force of the galaxy itself.
It exists on a wavelength between the visual spectrum and UV that is impossible to detect by any electronic instruments. That wavelength was dubbed, “Blueshift.” It was discovered recently, so it’s not common knowledge.
The Field - and Flares - are invisible to all but a few species of animals, and one species of humans - the Altarans.
Altarans are the only sentient species who can not only see the Field, but use it, along with their own living source. Their living source is on the same frequency and wavelength - thus their power is blue. Even though technology was developed to see the Field, it’s still completely undetectable by instruments. Only someone who’s living source is in tune with the Field can perceive it.
Most beings will dissipate a Flare by touching it, but Altarans are the only ones who can handle a Flare.
They can move them, carry them, play with them - as Altaran children love to do - and in some unfortunate circumstances, absorb them, making them sick with “light poisoning.”
Source Field energy and a living source are not compatible. It’s not alive in the same way. Trying to merge them would be like blending oil with water. One cannot transmute into the other. Field energy is far too potent for someone’s body to handle. Having a Flare inside you is like having a wild animal thrashing to free itself from a cage too small for it.
Since Flares are high concentrations of Source Field energy - the energy of a planet, or a nebula, or a star, ect. - that makes me wonder if that’s not the same as Ball Lightning. - created by the energy of our own planet.
Only unlike in my universe, everyone can see it.
