Jepilstiltskin
He/Him- 655
- 262
N. Opening
So, this is a thread I've been wanting to do for a long time. If it's accepted, it will greatly enhance the quality and reach of Shadow Fight. Something that at this point has not happened even though several previous threads have been made as strong as possible in terms of explanation and evidence.
I hope I'll get this right, and I also hope this thread isn't like some of the previous ones where almost all of them had no input at all. So, without further ado, let's get to the discussion.
I. Definition
Before we move into the main explanation, it is important to first understand what Monism is.
Monism ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism ), particularly Priority Monism, is a philosophical position which states that there is only one truly fundamental reality (the whole). Everything that appears as a part (whether objects, concepts, or entities) does not possess independent existence and is entirely dependent on that unity. In this view, the basic structure of reality is not a collection of separate units, but a single unified system that serves as the foundation of all existence. As such, what appears as plurality is not fundamental, but rather a result of how that single reality manifests or is perceived.
This concept is closely related to the idea of oneness, which is the understanding that all existence is, in essence, a single undivided whole. Oneness asserts that all forms of distinction (such as subject and object, or seemingly contradictory phenomena) do not indicate real ontological separation, but are instead variations or expressions of the same underlying reality. Within this framework, diversity is not eliminated, but its status is reduced to something dependent, while unity remains the fundamental basis underlying all of reality.
In metaphysical traditions, this idea is often associated with the concept of The One, a singular principle that transcends all forms of distinction and serves as the source of all existence. The One is understood as an absolute foundation that depends on nothing, while everything else depends on it ontologically. Thus, the relationship between priority monism and oneness lies in the assertion that reality, at its most fundamental level, is one, and that all apparent plurality is merely a manifestation or derivation of that fundamental unity.
In a broader context, monism provides a philosophical framework for understanding reality as a unified system, where change, contradiction, and diversity do not indicate ontological division, but rather the internal dynamics of a single whole. This approach carries important implications across various fields, from metaphysics to the study of language and logic, as it challenges the basic assumptions of how humans categorize and understand the world. Therefore, monism is not only a theory about “what exists”, but also a framework for rethinking modes of thought that rely on separation and opposition.
In short, Monism is the concept that: everything is one, and one is everything, while still appearing distinct as expressions of that unity.
II. Base Assumption
The concept of Monism is not explicitly explained in Shadow Fight, considering that its narrative is presented in a gradual and non-linear manner. Even now, it cannot be definitively determined why Monism exists within the verse without taking prior story updates into account. Therefore, a deeper analysis is required to assess whether Shadow Fight truly qualifies under this framework.
As a starting point, the Calligrapher states that the Void (in this context referring to Void Energy or Tenebris’s language) does not operate with the logic of “not” (negation). This statement implies that such an entity does not perceive reality through a dualistic framework. It is important to note that the logic being referred to here aligns with logical “gates” similar to those in many-valued logic, where reality typically depends on the function of negation as a fundamental operation, even if not always explicitly stated.
Furthermore, the Calligrapher provides a simple illustration using fire and ice. From a human perspective, these are understood as opposing and dualistic phenomena. However, from the perspective of the Void, they are treated as a single phenomenon, where each holds the potential to become the other at a certain level.
The implication of this statement is the absence of boundaries defined by negation or opposition in the structure of reality. As such, all phenomena that appear as “dualities” are, in essence, part of a unified whole. This aligns directly with Monism, which asserts that distinctions such as “this” and “not this” are ultimately illusory. Without the concept of negation, all existence becomes part of a single, undivided unity. However, within the framework of conventional reality, duality is still perceived as two distinct properties. This is reinforced by May’s statement that Light and Shadow/Darkness are contradictory substances, yet still require each other to exist and that they have roles in the creation of the multiverse as some of the Void energy.
From this, it can be concluded that deviation or difference does indeed exist at a foundational level, but at a conceptual level, it is illusory from the perspective of the Void. This is consistent with prior narrative descriptions, where dualistic understanding applies only within the layer of reality that assumes boundaries or separations between opposing concepts (such as “Real” and “Unreal”).
Additionally, entities like the Void are described as perceiving “past” and “future”, as well as “truth” and “falsehood”, as a single, inseparable unity. These are not truly distinguished as separate categories, but instead exist simultaneously as one and that both categories are non-existent. This becomes significant as it implicitly reflects a many-valued logical structure, where “truth” and “falsehood” no longer function as strict binary opposites (1 and 0), but as part of an integrated spectrum, effectively embodying both and neither at once.
Thus, the absence of negation, as previously stated by the Calligrapher, can be understood as the elimination of the boundary that allows contradiction to exist in the first place, indicating that the Void itself exists outside of such a system. The implication is that all substance (normally categorized within dualistic frameworks of “truth” and “falsehood”) is fundamentally unfragmented and unified.
This further strengthens the indication of Monism within Shadow Fight. Within this framework, the notion of “separation” does not truly exist as an ontological category (neither), yet still manifests simultaneously as a unified whole encompassing all oppositions (both). As a result, distinctions that are usually considered fundamental lose their status as real boundaries. While Monism itself does not depend on many-valued logic, interpreting it this way allows it to be reasonably described as a fourth logical state.
Moreover, substances or property within the Void are stated to be equal, with no hierarchy placing one above or below another. This demonstrates the absence of ontological differentiation, which is another key characteristic of a Monistic framework. Even the essence of the Void (particularly Shadow Energy) is described as being one with creation, as Shadow himself states that it feels as though Shadow Energy is a part of him, across both his past and future selves. At this point, the presence of Monism in Shadow Fight becomes increasingly evident.
One explicit reference to Monistic principles appears in the Tale of a Hero event, where a boss from the first chapter states:
“All is nothing, nothing is all” which is a nod to “All is one, one is all” but in the style of the Void being the fundamental part of everything
In the same event, Hoaxen (an abstract representation of illusion) states:
“Two sides of a curved mirror are twice as mad!”
Because life itself is ultimately an illusion, this suggests that two seemingly opposing sides are like a curved mirror bent to face itself... an absurdity, as they ultimately only reflect themselves (Oneness).
Similar implications are also expressed by Tenebris, who describes the world as fundamentally chaotic, and states that concepts such as life and death operate simultaneously within reality. A reality trapped in an endless cycle of creation and destruction eventually “dreams” of a vessel in an attempt to understand itself. However, this pursuit leads to the conclusion that all meaning becomes insignificant, and ultimately, all existence returns to the Void. Philosophically, this mirrors principles found in Neoplatonism, particularly the concept of The One... an ineffable, simple, and transcendent entity that exists beyond all determinations, while simultaneously serving as both the source and the ultimate end of all existence. Within this framework, the Void can be consistently interpreted as an analogue to The One: an absolute unity that is both the origin and the conclusion of all reality.
III. Monad or The One
Based on the previous explanation, it has been shown that the characteristics of the Void bear significant similarity (particularly in its ineffable nature) to the concept of the Monad within a Monistic framework. The next question, then, is whether the Void truly fulfills the criteria of the Monad itself. In short, yes.
The Void is described an as an unknown world, emptiness (not-place), and the foundations of creation in which everything can exist, as well as a domain where all possibilities can occur. Furthermore, the game developers explicitly identify the Void as the “starting point” of all creation. This aligns directly with one of the fundamental characteristics of the Monad as the first principle that precedes all forms of existence, consistent with its literal meaning as “the One”.
In addition, the Void is portrayed as being one with existence, creation (all of them exist simultaneously as a part of the Void at the same time, though this scan were specifically talking about the Beacon), stars (we do not yet know what the hell does this represent), and the energies responsible for the formation of worlds. At the same time, however, it is not bound by these manifestations. This is emphasized by the statement that the most accurate description of the Void’s “content” is “empty space”, or nothingness. Transcending the duality between “everything” and “nothing” (with Darkness itself representing absence), the Void functions as both the ground of being and something beyond all ontological determination.
In other words, it can be understood as the ground of being to all of creation, one with existence, yet simultaneously transcendent (where true freedom, peace, and enlightment can only exist in the Void) or incomprehensible from it due to its absolute and non-fragmented nature. This also implies that the Infinity attributed to the Void is fundamentally distinct from conventional Infinity, as it renders entire universes (despite being infinite within their own framework) as merely finite subsets within the Void itself.
Any attempt to fully describe the nature of reality ultimately collapses into meaninglessness when applied to the Void, as no existing conceptual framework within the world can adequately correspond to it. The scale of the Void is so vast that movement itself becomes literally impossible within it. This further supports the idea that the Void exists as the baseline or default reality of all that exists or has ever existed, being, in itself, eternal.
This characterization is reinforced by the statement that the Void is “eternal”, while all creations that emerge from it are not. This distinction reflects the classical relationship between the Monad and its emanations in Monistic philosophy, where the source is eternal, while its manifestations are contingent. Adding to that, the Void can be understood as existing in a state of immutability, where everything is perceived within a single, unified state of time. The distinction between “past” and “future” does not meaningfully exist (as mentioned earlier), and this state extends across all universes. This is reflected in how entities like the Descendant and Shadow Mind are shown to exist and act simultaneously across multiple alternate timelines, even in cases where, from a linear perspective, they have not yet reached those points (they're already in those multiple alternate timelines even though they haven't traveled yet). So, the Void essentially see everything across every creation as they happened and how they happened, in a single unified moment (because they are essentially one). Furthermore, conventional frameworks simply do not apply within the Void, not even “universal laws”. While the exact scope isn’t fully explained, it is reasonable to assume this includes all laws governing reality, given that they are treated collectively (plural 's') rather than as isolated systems.
Therefore, based on these attribute (as the origin of all things, an absolute unity, a transcendent emptiness, an eternal existence, and a totality of information) the Void can be consistently interpreted as a representation of the Monad, or The One, within a Monistic framework.
IV. Conclusion
Based on the overall analysis presented, it can be concluded that Shadow Fight implicitly constructs an ontological foundation that aligns with a Monistic framework, particularly in the form of priority monism. Although this concept is not explicitly stated within the narrative, various statements and descriptions related to the Void demonstrate strong consistency with Monistic principles.
First, at the structural level, the Void operates beyond dualistic logic by eliminating the function of negation (“not”), which is fundamentally the basis of differentiation in conventional logical systems. The absence of negation implies that boundaries between oppositions such as “truth” and “falsehood”, as well as “past” and “future”, are no longer absolute, but instead integrated into a single simultaneous unity. As a result, the dualities observed within reality are merely phenomenological, rather than ontological.
Second, at the conceptual level, phenomena that appear contradictory (such as fire and ice, life and death, or light and darkness) are positioned as manifestations of the same underlying substance, effectively both and neither at the same time. This reinforces the idea that differentiation is not fundamental, but rather a consequence of a limited perspective in interpreting a higher unity. In other words, what appears as plurality (the whole in its manifested form) is ultimately reducible to expressions of a single absolute unity.
Third, at the metaphysical level, the Void fulfills the characteristics of the Monad, or The One. It functions as the origin of all existence, encompasses and sustains all creation, and at the same time transcends all determinations that arise from it. Its nature as “eternal”, non-fragmented, and simultaneously “everything” and “nothing” indicates that it is not merely a part of reality, but the very foundation of reality itself.
Thus, the Void can be consistently interpreted as a representation of the Monad within the Monistic tradition, as well as a concrete expression of the principle of oneness in the context of Shadow Fight. The entire structure of reality (including dualities, contradictions, and existential dynamics) does not indicate true ontological separation, but rather serves as manifestations of a single unified whole. In this sense, the Void is capable of embodying all such properties without limitation.
V. Scaling
Based on the aforementioned explanation, Tenebris and Architect would possess the following:
Abilities: Paraconsistent Physiology (Plurality), Non-existent Physiology (Type 2 and 3: All Aspect), and Acausality (Type 5)
Tier: The exact scaling remains somewhat uncertain, but they would reasonably fall within the 1-A range for being one in unity intrisically with the Void (with Architect as an exception as he is obviously beyond it).
Agree (6): @DarkDragonMedeus (Low 1-C, possibly 1-A; Comment), @ActuallySpaceMan42 (allowing Low 1-C, possibly 1-A rating; Comment), @Udlmaster (Low 1-C, possibly 1-A), @Secimatar, @Re5yh, @VoidWalker777, and @Richard5128pm
Neutral (2): @Voidnether and @Astral_Trinity439
Disagree (2): @Vietthai96 (more lenient with “possibly Low 1-C rating”; Comment), @ActuallySpaceMan42 (a solid 1-A rating, but could see it without the monism stuff; Comment), @Iyke2077, and @Vesxpura
So, this is a thread I've been wanting to do for a long time. If it's accepted, it will greatly enhance the quality and reach of Shadow Fight. Something that at this point has not happened even though several previous threads have been made as strong as possible in terms of explanation and evidence.
I hope I'll get this right, and I also hope this thread isn't like some of the previous ones where almost all of them had no input at all. So, without further ado, let's get to the discussion.
I. Definition
Before we move into the main explanation, it is important to first understand what Monism is.
Monism ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism ), particularly Priority Monism, is a philosophical position which states that there is only one truly fundamental reality (the whole). Everything that appears as a part (whether objects, concepts, or entities) does not possess independent existence and is entirely dependent on that unity. In this view, the basic structure of reality is not a collection of separate units, but a single unified system that serves as the foundation of all existence. As such, what appears as plurality is not fundamental, but rather a result of how that single reality manifests or is perceived.
This concept is closely related to the idea of oneness, which is the understanding that all existence is, in essence, a single undivided whole. Oneness asserts that all forms of distinction (such as subject and object, or seemingly contradictory phenomena) do not indicate real ontological separation, but are instead variations or expressions of the same underlying reality. Within this framework, diversity is not eliminated, but its status is reduced to something dependent, while unity remains the fundamental basis underlying all of reality.
In metaphysical traditions, this idea is often associated with the concept of The One, a singular principle that transcends all forms of distinction and serves as the source of all existence. The One is understood as an absolute foundation that depends on nothing, while everything else depends on it ontologically. Thus, the relationship between priority monism and oneness lies in the assertion that reality, at its most fundamental level, is one, and that all apparent plurality is merely a manifestation or derivation of that fundamental unity.
In a broader context, monism provides a philosophical framework for understanding reality as a unified system, where change, contradiction, and diversity do not indicate ontological division, but rather the internal dynamics of a single whole. This approach carries important implications across various fields, from metaphysics to the study of language and logic, as it challenges the basic assumptions of how humans categorize and understand the world. Therefore, monism is not only a theory about “what exists”, but also a framework for rethinking modes of thought that rely on separation and opposition.
In short, Monism is the concept that: everything is one, and one is everything, while still appearing distinct as expressions of that unity.
II. Base Assumption
The concept of Monism is not explicitly explained in Shadow Fight, considering that its narrative is presented in a gradual and non-linear manner. Even now, it cannot be definitively determined why Monism exists within the verse without taking prior story updates into account. Therefore, a deeper analysis is required to assess whether Shadow Fight truly qualifies under this framework.
As a starting point, the Calligrapher states that the Void (in this context referring to Void Energy or Tenebris’s language) does not operate with the logic of “not” (negation). This statement implies that such an entity does not perceive reality through a dualistic framework. It is important to note that the logic being referred to here aligns with logical “gates” similar to those in many-valued logic, where reality typically depends on the function of negation as a fundamental operation, even if not always explicitly stated.
Furthermore, the Calligrapher provides a simple illustration using fire and ice. From a human perspective, these are understood as opposing and dualistic phenomena. However, from the perspective of the Void, they are treated as a single phenomenon, where each holds the potential to become the other at a certain level.
The implication of this statement is the absence of boundaries defined by negation or opposition in the structure of reality. As such, all phenomena that appear as “dualities” are, in essence, part of a unified whole. This aligns directly with Monism, which asserts that distinctions such as “this” and “not this” are ultimately illusory. Without the concept of negation, all existence becomes part of a single, undivided unity. However, within the framework of conventional reality, duality is still perceived as two distinct properties. This is reinforced by May’s statement that Light and Shadow/Darkness are contradictory substances, yet still require each other to exist and that they have roles in the creation of the multiverse as some of the Void energy.
From this, it can be concluded that deviation or difference does indeed exist at a foundational level, but at a conceptual level, it is illusory from the perspective of the Void. This is consistent with prior narrative descriptions, where dualistic understanding applies only within the layer of reality that assumes boundaries or separations between opposing concepts (such as “Real” and “Unreal”).
Additionally, entities like the Void are described as perceiving “past” and “future”, as well as “truth” and “falsehood”, as a single, inseparable unity. These are not truly distinguished as separate categories, but instead exist simultaneously as one and that both categories are non-existent. This becomes significant as it implicitly reflects a many-valued logical structure, where “truth” and “falsehood” no longer function as strict binary opposites (1 and 0), but as part of an integrated spectrum, effectively embodying both and neither at once.
Thus, the absence of negation, as previously stated by the Calligrapher, can be understood as the elimination of the boundary that allows contradiction to exist in the first place, indicating that the Void itself exists outside of such a system. The implication is that all substance (normally categorized within dualistic frameworks of “truth” and “falsehood”) is fundamentally unfragmented and unified.
This further strengthens the indication of Monism within Shadow Fight. Within this framework, the notion of “separation” does not truly exist as an ontological category (neither), yet still manifests simultaneously as a unified whole encompassing all oppositions (both). As a result, distinctions that are usually considered fundamental lose their status as real boundaries. While Monism itself does not depend on many-valued logic, interpreting it this way allows it to be reasonably described as a fourth logical state.
Moreover, substances or property within the Void are stated to be equal, with no hierarchy placing one above or below another. This demonstrates the absence of ontological differentiation, which is another key characteristic of a Monistic framework. Even the essence of the Void (particularly Shadow Energy) is described as being one with creation, as Shadow himself states that it feels as though Shadow Energy is a part of him, across both his past and future selves. At this point, the presence of Monism in Shadow Fight becomes increasingly evident.
One explicit reference to Monistic principles appears in the Tale of a Hero event, where a boss from the first chapter states:
“All is nothing, nothing is all” which is a nod to “All is one, one is all” but in the style of the Void being the fundamental part of everything
In the same event, Hoaxen (an abstract representation of illusion) states:
“Two sides of a curved mirror are twice as mad!”
Because life itself is ultimately an illusion, this suggests that two seemingly opposing sides are like a curved mirror bent to face itself... an absurdity, as they ultimately only reflect themselves (Oneness).
Similar implications are also expressed by Tenebris, who describes the world as fundamentally chaotic, and states that concepts such as life and death operate simultaneously within reality. A reality trapped in an endless cycle of creation and destruction eventually “dreams” of a vessel in an attempt to understand itself. However, this pursuit leads to the conclusion that all meaning becomes insignificant, and ultimately, all existence returns to the Void. Philosophically, this mirrors principles found in Neoplatonism, particularly the concept of The One... an ineffable, simple, and transcendent entity that exists beyond all determinations, while simultaneously serving as both the source and the ultimate end of all existence. Within this framework, the Void can be consistently interpreted as an analogue to The One: an absolute unity that is both the origin and the conclusion of all reality.
III. Monad or The One
Based on the previous explanation, it has been shown that the characteristics of the Void bear significant similarity (particularly in its ineffable nature) to the concept of the Monad within a Monistic framework. The next question, then, is whether the Void truly fulfills the criteria of the Monad itself. In short, yes.
The Void is described an as an unknown world, emptiness (not-place), and the foundations of creation in which everything can exist, as well as a domain where all possibilities can occur. Furthermore, the game developers explicitly identify the Void as the “starting point” of all creation. This aligns directly with one of the fundamental characteristics of the Monad as the first principle that precedes all forms of existence, consistent with its literal meaning as “the One”.
In addition, the Void is portrayed as being one with existence, creation (all of them exist simultaneously as a part of the Void at the same time, though this scan were specifically talking about the Beacon), stars (we do not yet know what the hell does this represent), and the energies responsible for the formation of worlds. At the same time, however, it is not bound by these manifestations. This is emphasized by the statement that the most accurate description of the Void’s “content” is “empty space”, or nothingness. Transcending the duality between “everything” and “nothing” (with Darkness itself representing absence), the Void functions as both the ground of being and something beyond all ontological determination.
In other words, it can be understood as the ground of being to all of creation, one with existence, yet simultaneously transcendent (where true freedom, peace, and enlightment can only exist in the Void) or incomprehensible from it due to its absolute and non-fragmented nature. This also implies that the Infinity attributed to the Void is fundamentally distinct from conventional Infinity, as it renders entire universes (despite being infinite within their own framework) as merely finite subsets within the Void itself.
Any attempt to fully describe the nature of reality ultimately collapses into meaninglessness when applied to the Void, as no existing conceptual framework within the world can adequately correspond to it. The scale of the Void is so vast that movement itself becomes literally impossible within it. This further supports the idea that the Void exists as the baseline or default reality of all that exists or has ever existed, being, in itself, eternal.
This characterization is reinforced by the statement that the Void is “eternal”, while all creations that emerge from it are not. This distinction reflects the classical relationship between the Monad and its emanations in Monistic philosophy, where the source is eternal, while its manifestations are contingent. Adding to that, the Void can be understood as existing in a state of immutability, where everything is perceived within a single, unified state of time. The distinction between “past” and “future” does not meaningfully exist (as mentioned earlier), and this state extends across all universes. This is reflected in how entities like the Descendant and Shadow Mind are shown to exist and act simultaneously across multiple alternate timelines, even in cases where, from a linear perspective, they have not yet reached those points (they're already in those multiple alternate timelines even though they haven't traveled yet). So, the Void essentially see everything across every creation as they happened and how they happened, in a single unified moment (because they are essentially one). Furthermore, conventional frameworks simply do not apply within the Void, not even “universal laws”. While the exact scope isn’t fully explained, it is reasonable to assume this includes all laws governing reality, given that they are treated collectively (plural 's') rather than as isolated systems.
Therefore, based on these attribute (as the origin of all things, an absolute unity, a transcendent emptiness, an eternal existence, and a totality of information) the Void can be consistently interpreted as a representation of the Monad, or The One, within a Monistic framework.
IV. Conclusion
Based on the overall analysis presented, it can be concluded that Shadow Fight implicitly constructs an ontological foundation that aligns with a Monistic framework, particularly in the form of priority monism. Although this concept is not explicitly stated within the narrative, various statements and descriptions related to the Void demonstrate strong consistency with Monistic principles.
First, at the structural level, the Void operates beyond dualistic logic by eliminating the function of negation (“not”), which is fundamentally the basis of differentiation in conventional logical systems. The absence of negation implies that boundaries between oppositions such as “truth” and “falsehood”, as well as “past” and “future”, are no longer absolute, but instead integrated into a single simultaneous unity. As a result, the dualities observed within reality are merely phenomenological, rather than ontological.
Second, at the conceptual level, phenomena that appear contradictory (such as fire and ice, life and death, or light and darkness) are positioned as manifestations of the same underlying substance, effectively both and neither at the same time. This reinforces the idea that differentiation is not fundamental, but rather a consequence of a limited perspective in interpreting a higher unity. In other words, what appears as plurality (the whole in its manifested form) is ultimately reducible to expressions of a single absolute unity.
Third, at the metaphysical level, the Void fulfills the characteristics of the Monad, or The One. It functions as the origin of all existence, encompasses and sustains all creation, and at the same time transcends all determinations that arise from it. Its nature as “eternal”, non-fragmented, and simultaneously “everything” and “nothing” indicates that it is not merely a part of reality, but the very foundation of reality itself.
Thus, the Void can be consistently interpreted as a representation of the Monad within the Monistic tradition, as well as a concrete expression of the principle of oneness in the context of Shadow Fight. The entire structure of reality (including dualities, contradictions, and existential dynamics) does not indicate true ontological separation, but rather serves as manifestations of a single unified whole. In this sense, the Void is capable of embodying all such properties without limitation.
V. Scaling
Based on the aforementioned explanation, Tenebris and Architect would possess the following:
Abilities: Paraconsistent Physiology (Plurality), Non-existent Physiology (Type 2 and 3: All Aspect), and Acausality (Type 5)
Tier: The exact scaling remains somewhat uncertain, but they would reasonably fall within the 1-A range for being one in unity intrisically with the Void (with Architect as an exception as he is obviously beyond it).
Agree (6): @DarkDragonMedeus (Low 1-C, possibly 1-A; Comment), @ActuallySpaceMan42 (allowing Low 1-C, possibly 1-A rating; Comment), @Udlmaster (Low 1-C, possibly 1-A), @Secimatar, @Re5yh, @VoidWalker777, and @Richard5128pm
Neutral (2): @Voidnether and @Astral_Trinity439
Disagree (2): @Vietthai96 (more lenient with “possibly Low 1-C rating”; Comment), @ActuallySpaceMan42 (a solid 1-A rating, but could see it without the monism stuff; Comment), @Iyke2077, and @Vesxpura
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