Quote Originally Posted by Enkidoh View Post
That's not the feeling I got from the Exarch's explanation - he made a very real point of explaining the aetheryte that our 'aetheric link' to the Source is still there, faint, but enough to follow back to the Source via normal teleportation methods (and thus by reverse from the Source to the First in turn). This is also how the portal in the Ocular works and why we can use it to go back and forth at will while the Exarch and the Archons can't - the beacon in Syrcus Trench back on the Source is being looked after by a Son of Saint Coinach who is keeping vigil over it and functions as a sort of gate keeper accordingly.
Yeah, the Exarch does mention in dialogue that "in theory" (his words) you should be able to go back and forth between Source and First due to the "aetheric trail" you have. The aetheryte is one way, but it does seem like the Exarch has more confidence in the Ocular portal route. Either way, the story is clear that you can go between worlds as you please, and that while your primary responsibilities in Shadowbringers is on the First, you can also head back to the Source to do whatever you need to do in the meantime.