Bulk

For a more scientific viewpoint, see brane cosmology on Wikipedia (or search for it elsewhere).

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In Solar Storms, the bulk represents the hyperspacial space-time that the component universes of the Multiverse rest in. Here, multiple universes float within an even deeper void than that of space itself, called the aether, which, at least for the purposes of those universes it holds, acts as a 'preferred frame'. No 'matter' or energy as humans know of it can exist within the aether, instead, in order to function, an object moving through it pretty much has to become its own miniature universe first. Regalia and other hypomatter constructs are the only known means by which it can be breached. The aether itself has a top speed, and follows its own form of relativity in much the same way the Universe has a top speed.

The term 'superbulk' sometimes refers to the interactions of individual multiverses within this scheme, but is actually technically a part of the same bulk. It can be visualized by imagining that each individual universe is a thread of seemingly infinite length, bundled and twined together with trillions of others, forming a rope - a 'multiverse'. This rope frays and splits in many areas, binding it to other such ropes, forming the great cosmic web of the Megaverse - the Dark Rein, in the standard case. It is thus possible to imagine that a single universe can be close to, or even a member of, several multiverses, though this does not seem to be the case for the Milky Way's host 'verse.

Even with the immense amount of data gleaned from the renlai and primii over many cycles, the interaction between reins is not fully understood. A few even claim that the rules of logic and math are not 'universal', just as physical laws do not appear to be.