Spirit Realm

Remy and Wexler in the spirit realm.

The **spirit realm** is an ethereal and parallel dimension inhabited by spirits in the VGHW franchise. It is not a place readily accessible to ordinary individuals but rather is reserved for those possessing certain unique abilities, or those who meet their demise at the hands of someone with such powers.

In essence, the spirit realm operates parallel to the world as we know it, mirroring reality while housing those who have transitioned into this spectral state. Despite this transition, inhabitants of the spirit realm maintain **full consciousness** and possess the ability to **observe happenings in the corporeal world**. This unique feature can lead to many interesting narrative twists and revelations as the storyline unfolds.

The spirit realm made its debut in *VGHW: The Original Saga - Episode VI (The Mini Movie)*. It was discovered under harrowing circumstances by characters Jason Wexler and Remy following their defeat in the Battle of Fortuna at the hands of Chris, a character with special abilities.

This unexpected transition to the spirit realm marked a crucial turning point for Wexler and Remy, plunging them into a whole new world of spectral existence. It represented a fresh challenge and a chance to gain unique insights into the larger workings of their universe. As a recurring setting in the VGHW franchise, the spirit realm continued to play a key role in the unfolding events, expanding the narrative possibilities and adding another layer of complexity to the storyline.

## Entrance

The process of entering the spirit realm, as depicted in the VGHW franchise, is tightly linked to special abilities and is typically related to the concept of death. Two distinct scenarios are known to precipitate the transition:

###### Death of an entity with special abilities

This method is more commonly depicted within the franchise. If a character with special abilities meets their demise, they would transcend into the spirit realm instead of experiencing a traditional death. Their physical body ceases to exist in the tangible world, but their consciousness, their "spirit," transitions into the ethereal spirit realm. This has been experienced by several characters in the VGHW franchise, including the Brother, Chris, and most notably, Remy.

###### Death caused by a character with special abilities

The second scenario involves death not of, but caused by, a character with special abilities. In this case, even an ordinary, non-ability endowed character would enter the spirit realm if their demise is brought about by someone with special abilities. This method of entering the spirit realm is relatively rare and was first demonstrated following the Battle of Fortuna when Jason Wexler and Remy, both without powers at that point, perished at the hands of Chris, a character with special abilities. Upon their death, Wexler and Remy found themselves as ethereal beings in the spirit realm, leading to the initial discovery of this parallel dimension.

Each method of entry significantly impacts the narrative, leading to new challenges, character growth, and unique storytelling opportunities within the spirit realm. It represents an intriguing mechanic that deepens the complex nature of life, death, and existence in the VGHW universe.

## In The Realm

The spirit realm, as depicted in VGHW, offers a unique perspective of reality. Those who find themselves in the spirit realm are not confined by the limitations of the physical world. Instead, they exist in a sort of transcendent state, fully conscious and possessing an unparalleled degree of freedom to explore the universe.

Remy's description of the spirit realm as "the spectator mode of life" is an apt metaphor. It suggests that, much like the spectator mode in a video game, inhabitants of the spirit realm are privy to all happenings in the physical world without directly influencing them. They can observe events unfold across time and space, unhindered by physical boundaries or time constraints.

This mode of existence has a profound impact on inhabitants of the spirit realm. They're privy to information that would otherwise be obscured, and their unique vantage point allows them to observe the broad sweep of events from a detached perspective. They are, in essence, invisible observers, capable of being anywhere at any time, watching the ebb and flow of life in the physical realm.

The spirit realm, therefore, is not simply a destination after death but a new dimension of existence where one can observe and reflect on the world with a newfound perspective. This condition, however, is eternal unless the spirit is somehow revived or brought back into the physical world. This dynamic interplay between life and death, between active participation and detached observation, adds depth to the VGHW narrative and its exploration of existential themes.

## Return

The prospect of returning to the physical realm from the spirit realm provides a fascinating layer of unpredictability within the VGHW narrative. Contrary to many traditional conceptions of afterlife, the transition into the spirit realm is not a one-way journey in this universe. Instead, powered entities have the ability to "resurrect" spirits by striking them with a projectile ability.

Two notable instances of this phenomenon involve Remy, who found himself accidentally resurrected from the spirit realm on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred when the Brother unintentionally restored Remy to the physical world following his death in the Battle of Fortuna. In this instance, ghostly Remy was struck by the laser cannon from the Brother, which unexpectedly caused his reentry into the world of the living.

The second incident occurred several years later. Remy, who had once again transitioned into the spirit realm due to an unfortunate event involving the Brother, was accidentally restored to the physical world by Chris during a series of events at TLS. Here, Chris misinterpreted Remy's ghostly presence as the spirit of the Brother, leading him to unintentionally resurrect Remy.

These incidents highlight the intriguing dynamics of the spirit realm in the VGHW universe. Not only does this realm serve as a fascinating dimension of existence in its own right, but it also introduces a level of unpredictability and complexity in the story. Spirits aren't forever confined to spectatorship; they can return to the fray of the physical world, often at unexpected times and due to unforeseen circumstances. This prospect adds suspense to the narrative, as characters thought lost could suddenly reemerge, changing the direction of the story.