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He ended up sitting down and mulling things over for a while. There were about a million things that he could concentrate on or worry about, right now, but he wanted to focus on only one or two at a time. Maybe if he could come to a better understanding of his iron, then he would also come to a better understanding of whatever the hell this place was. And how to get out of here, hopefully.

Yes. He was sure that the emergent response came from his iron. The more he thought back on those moments, the more certain he became. He remembered the feeling so vividly each time. Coursing through his whole body for a brilliant instant. A flash of realization amid an electric surge.

He’d always kind of assumed that, ultimately, the response came from within himself. That the emergent power had always been there and just needed to be brought forth. Or something along those lines.

But perhaps that was a wrong assumption. Or an oversimplification, at least. If this place was the true home of his iron, then maybe the response wasn’t coming from within. Maybe it was coming from here.

From this world of iron.

Or maybe this world was within him? Now there was a confusing idea. Did this world of iron exist within his own mind? Or his soul? And if that was the case, then how had he ended up here? Trapped in his own head? What sense did that make?

Hmm. Well, if he was in a realm of his own making, then it would logically follow that he wasn’t actually trapped here. He just had to figure out how to free himself.

Unless... this wasn't a world of his own making at all.

Perhaps, instead, this place had always existed, and materialization merely allowed him to tap into it. To borrow its strength.

That... was more believable to him, somehow. Moreso than being trapped in a pocket dimension of his own unconscious creation, at least.

He wanted to reach out to Rasalased, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out. Because there was no air, he remembered. Right. The sound of his voice had no medium through which to be carried.

It was weirdly easy to forget that.

He tried reaching out telepathically, instead. Still no luck, though.

Eh, maybe it was for the best. He had a feeling that Rasalased either wouldn't know much or would be his typically cryptic self. Though, in fairness, the Dry God did seem to be getting a bit better about that, recently.