Gareth sat up in the alley from his slumped position, he was a naturally little freaked out. "I almost died?!" He thought.

*Correction... host died four times prior to successful stablization...*

His eyes widened again, "Who the heck are you, and why are you in my head!?"

*Introduction request received... Initiating tutorial... I am pleased to make your acquaintance... I am Dissonance Energy Entity 405198bz2a6541... you may call me DEE. You are my host. Together, we form a symbiotic relationship that allows for many mutual benefits. You function as a conduit for my growth and energy consumption. In return, I provide you with abilities that no other human at this time has the capability to utilize. We will grow together. Initiating current status of host.

A display of words scrolled across Gareth's vision slowly.

|Name|

Gareth Eldroth

|Family|

None

|Energy Synergy|

Level 1 (2 PPH of 2000 PPH for Next Level)

|Skills|

Auto-Regeneration: [Passive]

Ambient energy particles may be consumed to facilitate healing for the host's body.

EF (Electric Field) Pulse: [Passive]

If a threat is detected to the host's life, ambient energy particles may be consumed to defend the life of the host.

Gareth was silent for a moment, partially because he was having difficulty comprehending what he was "hearing" and seeing, but mostly because he really didn't know what to say or even how to speak to this... what did it call itself? DEE?

*Host... one moment, retrieving host's name... ... Gareth, please do not be alarmed by my presence. As previously stated, you will not be harmed during this process. To communicate with me, simply think or speak with the intent of addressing me. I will hear and understand you.*

"Um... ok? DEE? How did you get inside me?" Gareth thought.

*That answer would involve some rather complicated explanations about universal frequency modulation, quantum physics, micro-particulate consciousness, and planar theory. The estimated time required for a detailed explanation from your current level of understanding would take 945,265.13 hours. Would you like to proceed?*

Gareth's eyes grew wide. "That seems like an awful long time DEE... I think I'd better not."

*That is wise. This time frame is significantly longer than your life expectancy. Would you like me to summarize it for you?*

"How long would that take?" Gareth asked hesitantly.

*Approximately 20 seconds.*

Gareth rolled his eyes, "Couldn't you have just started with that?"

*Certainly. But this was more entertaining. Ha- Ha- Ha.*

‘Great, not only is there something inside me, but it has a messed-up sense of humor.’ Gareth thought to himself. Then he worried that DEE might have heard him. "DEE, can you hear all of my thoughts?"

*Negative, our connection is such that I will only receive and understand communication that is specifically directed towards me, internal biofeedback, and external stimuli experienced by the host. However, should you wish to disallow some functions for a period of time during, shall we say, intimate or private moments? That is possible via a request. I will honor requests of such a nature to ensure the health of our ongoing relationship.*

Gareth blushed slightly, “Alright. Fine then. Summarize the previous information for me."

*I am a dimension entity developed in conjunction with you as my human host. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only entity like myself in existence at this time in the universe. My base particles originated in an parallel universe existing in a different universal frequency. Unfortunately, that universe was destroyed. Upon being destroyed, my base particles temporarily shifted to the same frequency as your universe and crossed into your plane of existence. However, that was a temporary state and they soon reverted to the original frequency. Lacking the original compatibility with their universe, they were immediately ejected into the nearest zone with a similar particulate environment. That happened to be this galaxy. My base particles happened to be entrapped within your mind during the development of your body. At which time, in order to ensure self-survival, I began to develop consciousness. Particles from you and I were utilized to construct interfaces with your neurological and biological functions, the particles utilized a modulated frequency to bridge the gap from my consciousness to yours.*

"What?! That's unbelievable!" Gareth was in awe, "So you're essentially an alien consciousness that is trapped inside my body and can't get out?" Now that he said it out loud, that was kind of concerning at the same time.

*That is partially true. While I am an alien entity, the vast majority of my being is separate from your awareness. Only my root core particles are bound to you. However, these particles are essential to both of our survival at this time. We are unable to be separated.*

‘So if I die...’ Gareth didn't finish the thought.

*Correct, if you die, then I shall die as well. If I die, then you shall die as well.*

"Hmm... well that isn't too convenient. How long are you going to live?"

*As a particulate entity, I normally wouldn't have a life expectancy at all. I would not die. However, without integration within a host, per the definition of most humans, I suppose that I wouldn't truly be alive either?*

"Ok, so aren't you a little concerned that I'm going to die before you at some point?"

*Yes. That is very true. However, utilizing you on my behalf, I'm hoping that we are able to be safely extricated from each other prior to that occurring. In addition, as you saw in the interface, I'm able to interact with your body and the surrounding environment thus providing you with some "skills" to aid in your survival.*

"Yeah, let's talk about that for a moment. Can you explain all of that to me?"

*Alright. First on the list is your name. I'm assuming I don't need to explain that to you?* DEE giggled.

Gareth rolled his eyes again, "Yeah, I understand that part."

*The second section is Family. While you do not currently have any biological family, I do have the limited capability to interact with organism in the environment around you. Should you adopt family in the future, I could potentially initialize a partial interface with them, thus providing them with some level of protection as well*

"Alright? Go on..." Gareth said.

*The form of that interface completely depends on the member added to the list. For some, the abilities may be similar to your own, for others the abilities might be significantly different.

The third category was Energy Synergy. This category is most easily understood as your ability to absorb and transfer energy particles to me. As I was only recently awakened, this hasn't yet made much progress. However, with my guidance, we should be able to significantly increase the available energy we can use. This should allow us to develop further skills and techniques to improve our potential longevity.*

"Skills and techniques?" Gareth queried.

*That's correct. As more energy becomes available, contained, and is able to be used, we will be able to develop different interfaces within your body and the surrounding environment. As a courtesy, I'll select available options and provide them for you when I'm able. You may select which one you want. I'll even give them some catchy titles! You know, just for a sense of style.*

Gareth would swear that he could hear DEE smiling with delight while making these plans.

*That reminds me. One moment while I create a tool real quick. Generating interface data... Interface data initiated... Engaging biological spline... Interface enabled and applied...*

To Gareth's surprise a small blue bar surrounded by a glowing green border suddenly appeared at the top of his vision. On it was a small atom symbol with a lightening bolt icon. It almost looked like an picture he read in an old book... something called a battery? "What is that for?"

*This will allow you to accurately gauge the amount of currently available energy. The blue portion represents the current energy. Filling the entire battery would indicate that you have reached the maximum currently able to be housed. One moment...*

Gareth looked at the battery, to his surprise and convenience, it didn't seem to be mounted in the periphery of his vision. When he attempted to look at it, it seemed to enlarge and occupy a portion of his vision more central to his gaze. He looked at the blackened window to his left and peered into his reflection, surprisingly he couldn't seen anything. "DEE, am I or other people able to see you?"

*... just a moment please. I am currently busy with another process. Pending. There! All done!*

Gareth noticed the bar on the battery move a slight amount.

*I have just collected one particulate matter. This process was started immediately after you returned to a safe state. Currently, your maximum absorption rate is 2 particles per hour. That may not seem like much, but remember, each particle has a significant amount of energy.

Now, what was your question again? Can people see me? Not if we don't wish them to. Currently, I have engaged a mechanism to hide visible evidence of my existence. Would you like me to disengage it?*

Gareth considered this for a moment, "Can it be re-engaged immediately if needed?"

*Absolutely!*

"Alright, go for it." Gareth stared at his reflection. To his surprise, in his reflection both the pupils and irises of his eyes suddenly seemed to start to glow green! This continued until the glow was relatively strong. Then it seemed to condense into a pattern of lines, he leaned close to the window. "This is too strange! I didn't feel any change at all." He thought. ‘DEE, is that you?’

*Indeed! It's nice to be seen once in a while! I haven't been visible for the last 16 years after all!*