Otherworld

A gate created by Barde Barde the hands guards desiring souls.

Above area is Otherworld within the Mother Sea

The **Otherworld** (**異界**) is a gap-realm, that is only slightly connected to the Human World. Unlike the Dark World, it is the home of spirits and higher beings, closer to gods and true devils.

It is the highest realm in the Mother Sea, "floating" above and around lesser universes. It is also called Underworld, Spirit World or Unrivaled World. The Otherworld touches multiple Human Worlds or Dark Worlds and the gods can travel between them. The word at times also refers, contextually, to **parallel Universes**.

## Dangers

Based on statements of Neu Eazlane: Should the normal world be connected to that realm with a stable Otherworld Gate, it would not be like the chaos created by the linking of the Demon Gate. It could mean the end of all balance, as the ravenous devils and meddlesome gods of that realm, would drive the world into even greater chaos than any demon ever could. There might also be a significant danger that a connection could destroy the universe itself.

There might also just be a danger for the overall stability of spacetime, which could destroy the universe if an Otherworld Gate is active.

Magicians are known to try to gain access to that realm for knowledge or because they hear the voices of gods that call them. Between universes lies a guardian or multiple guardians, "Black Hands" that steal the souls. Keeping a gate open for longer requires therefore a large quantity of souls to keep it stable.

## History

First mentioned in Witch of Steel Annerose, the realm is mentioned by Neu Eazlane and is the place Barde wishes to reach.

The devil Mitico Fleuretty, came from the Otherworld and was living together with Annerose Vajra in human form. Barde tried to create a stable Otherworld Gate by kidnapping Mitico, gaining a Philosopher's Stone and collecting many souls with his Werewolf (Artificial). The Otherworld Gate is created and a Gatekeeper the "Black Hands" collect the souls, but the gate is destroyed, thanks to Annerose Vajra. Mitico is able to rush from the other side in her dragon form and saves Annerose from the explosion before growing very small now forced to collect magic.

The Otherworld is also mentioned in Onmyo Knight Towako, in it, the Onmyoji can summon spirits or demons, from the "gap" between worlds, this gap seems to be the otherworld. The Shikigami Spirit are mentioned to have been either sealed or have a contact with the user and are called from it. Yuyami's spirit took over her body, and worked for a sealed deity, which appeared 100s of years ago without warning.

In Taimanin Asagi Battle Arena has multiple mentions as the UFS (Task Force G) or Nomad try to open multiple Otherworld Gates to the realm itself and other dimensions with the help of a Philosopher's Stone. These are all deactivated by either Fuuma Kotaro with the help of the Masked Taimanin or Neu Eazlane. Groups like DSO, Magicians Association, Taimanin, Fuuma Organization and Annerose Detective Agency stopped the spread of these stones as interaction with the Otherworld, could fully destroy the normal world. Lilith the First the grandmother of Lilith Abel Bindernagel, is mentioned to have had defeated the "Wicked Gods" and banished them from the demon realm to another realm.

In Taimanin RPGX more gods from the Otherworld are introduced including Bastet, Kiyomaro and Juno. The Lesser Salamander state that they are summoned by Naga from the Otherworld as well, the Naga themselves connected to the Snake Deity. The Lesser Sylphide is mentioned to have been summoned by mages from the otherworld and have become wildlife within the demon realm. Lesser spirits, appear depending on season and even if killed, reform. Lilith the First is mentioned again as the one that had banished the gods, that are feared by demons with the help of ancient dragons. Demons like Efreet have been banished by her temporarily to a place between dimensions as well.

## Policy

It is mentioned as a realm of Devils and Gods, very alien to the human world and demon world. In the past, the old gods existed in the Dark World and would rule over the demons until they were banished from their realm.

One of the devils mentioned is "Beelzebub". Something called the "six superior spirits" or "six pillars", that Mitico Fleuretty was part of, is mentioned as some kind of hierarchy.

## Geography and Topography

Unknown but a place one can travel in.

It could be speculated that powerful enough Gods might create their own pocket dimensions within it, as this is an ability displayed by them.

### Effects and Biology

It is unknown if normal humans can survive in the realm without help. Spirits, Gods and a number of demons, exists in it, but it is unknown if it is their origin. Certain powerful Witches and Magicians, can either "seal" or "summon" creatures from the otherworld, Onmyoji also summon creatures from that realm. Beings native or sealed within these realms, have access to their full powers but lose power proportional to their strength if they enter other realms. In the case of Spirits and Gods, if killed in lower realms like the demon or human world, they reform inside the Otherworld after a certain amount of time.

## Trivia

* Taimanin games, Taimanin Saga, Witch of Steel Annerose and Onmyo Knight Towako all use the word **異界** *Ikai, for it. In English, the term Otherworld, Spirit World and Netherworld are in use.*
* Creatures like Brain Flayers which travel parallel Universes might be able to cross it, but it is unclear if they can enter it.
* Creating an Otherworld Gate, which connects to a parallel Universe, would also need to cross the otherworld. Which could explain why spirit beings, often appear around creatures that cross dimensions.
* Beings from the otherworld, become weaker as they enter normal universes. This decrease seems to be exponentially, depending on the total amount of magical strength. Mitico Fleuretty, states that she herself can only fight with half of her normal strength. While for even stronger beings, only a 10th of their power can be used. As normal characters from a parallel Universe do not lose power, this seems to be a limitation only for those which are at that point connected to the Otherworld.
* The "Otherworld" uses the "**異界**", like Witch of Steel Annerose, and the Taimanin series, they use the term "**異界**" is mentioned as the summon place of Familiar Spirits in Onmyo Knight Towako.
* In its concept as it was explained in Onmyo Knight Towako as a gap realm between worlds. Could be compared to Half-Life's idea of a Borderworld Xen, bordering on multiple parallel Universes.
* In Taimanin Saga uses "Otherworld" (**異界**, *Ikai*) and for "Another World/New World" (**別世界**). However, in translation, Netherworld and Spirit World are also used.
* The otherworld is connected to the Mother Ocean but the true details are unknown.

## Notes and references

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/TaimaninWiki/status/1673354367620075522?s=20Source