Time. Time is the thing feared most by those who have passed beyond the grasp of death. Life Eternal should garner the same sense of dread for those within the sphere of mortality as does an eternal demise. However... only an infinitesimally small fraction of those who have, do or will ever exist understand what it means to exist with no end.

      So what does one do with endless time? The answer will either see an eternal being go mad or gain understanding of existence far beyond the ken of mortals. Yet, the nagging question remains, ‘What then?’ Unless restricted by some means, an eternal being will gain powerful abilities as they continue down an endless path. The extent of such abilities depends solely on an eternal being’s capacity to comprehend how existence works. I have existed long enough to have gained such understanding and how to bend it to my will. Because of this, I am called a ‘Dark God’.

      I bring down a massive hammer formed from planetary core iron. Uncountable ages past, the superheated compressed metal spun at fantastic speed deep within a planetary giant. With a mighty collision that explodes in flaming sparks, the hammer fuses the materials of my latest construct into a new unified form. In reality, the room containing the forge is just a construct of my imagination. Keep in mind as a ‘God’, my imagination brings things into existence! The fires of the forge actually come from dozens of suns and that which makes up the anvil is comprised of the dark matter which holds universes together.

      The construct takes time to fashion. Its components are a complex mixture of that which is real, conceptual and unreal. To blend such dispirit materials into a single entity is challenging even for me. Would I to keep an account of mortal time passing with each stroke of the hammer, it would not be unlikely ages come and go as does days and months. I ignore time for its never-ending passage is what drives each hammer stroke against these unyielding materials.

      Stroke after stroke the construct’s materials accede to my will and it begins to take shape. When the construct begins to gain the conscious resolve to resist, I plunge it deep into the unbridled heat of the forge’s cosmic fires. Before it can perish within the flames, I withdraw the construct and subject it to thousands of punishing blows. On and on the process repeats yet my creation’s will to resist grows.

      In the fullness of time, the initial shape of the construct is completed. Yet, there is still a good deal of material left which must endure the brutal process of fabrication. Desperate, the partially formed construct actively fights against me to prevent what it feels will be a loss of self. This pleases me immensely for now unrealized by my creation, the melding of unrelated and incompatible materials have created a proto-entity which has gained base self-awareness! The more it fights against me, the more determined and brutal my strokes become.

      Inevitably, the second shape is formed within the construct and now it is fully aware. It rails against me questioning its harsh treatment. It wants to know who and what it is in addition to whom and what I am. This is also good. As reward, I increase the power of my hammer strokes causing it to wail evermore. When the third and final shape forms, the construct attempts to out think me. Gone are the direct attacks, pleas for succor and an end to its suffering. In their place come subterfuge, escape attempts and probes for any potential weaknesses I may possess. I find this behavior to be exhilarating!

      With the construct’s final shape completed, I removed it far away from the fires of the forge. While my creation is still ablaze with the savage heat from both the forge and its hatred of me, I took the place where it would be tempered. In this form, the construct can no longer attack me directly. Yet, its questions are unending. Always it probes my purpose for creating it and what it is to become all in a myriad of variations. It is very intelligent. That also is good.

      When we arrive at the appointed place the construct goes silent. Around us stars and galaxies contained within bright pearls of chained universes spread about in a vast briliant web. I stand holding the still glowing construct and feel it still futilely trying to burn me. I laugh for I admire its spirit of defiance. Nonetheless, I know the forging of the construct was nothing compared to what would happen next.

     With the light of chained universes all about us, we stood upon the shore of a gigantic black pool. The brilliant glow from the multitude of universes could not create so much as the slightest reflection upon the pool. Above lay the Light of Existence. Within the pool lay the stygian blackness of Non-Existence. The construct’s silence gave way to palpable fear. Though it could no longer attack me, the construct vibrated in my hand terrified. It knew what was about to occur. I could not suppress a wide grin of satisfaction at the construct’s perception.

      I plunged the construct deep into the pool causing a vast tidal wave to lash the shores between Existence and Non-Existence. I looked up to see the chained universes ripple like curtains in a strong breeze. The construct’s psychic scream was cut abruptly short as it vanished beneath the black waves.

      Within non-existence, no sound or any other sensory input is possible. Yet, there is something within non-existence... cold. Cold beyond any means to describe to mortals was now felt by us both as I held it beneath the now placid surface. Even with the vast powers I possess, the cold of the pool was atrocious! However, instead of allowing the immense heat contained within the construct to be devoured by the pool, I gradually drew it into my hand and arm. Doing so made it possible for me to endure the construct’s tempering.

      Far below I could feel the construct’s vibrations as it experienced the horrors of non-existence. At times, I had to concentrate my efforts and maintain a grip to prevent the construct from being irretrievably lost. Gradually, the leeching of heat caused the construct to vibrate less and less. This was a good sign that the construct was not ‘dying’, but growing to accept the experience. At long last, the most volatile elements were drained away and I pulled the construct free of the pool.

      My hand and arm as the construct were encrusted in tough obsidian ice as they made contact with the medium holding the two phases of existence apart. With a simple thought, the ice exploded away from my limb. I allowed the ice to remain upon the construct for it would be needed to keep it calm during the final phase of its creation. I scanned the vast and unending web of chained universes and chose a direction.

      Planting my feet upon the firmament of the shore I twisted my body and said, “You asked, ‘who I am?’ I am your creator. You asked, ‘why I created you?’ I did so because I wanted to. You asked, ‘who are you?’ You are the Trynaught. Last and most important you asked, ‘what is your purpose?’ That is a good question. Let’s just say, you are my ‘gift’ to existence. What you do is entirely up to you.”

      As the echo of my words expands outward amongst the chains, I violently untwist my body to hurl my creation into the heart of existence. No fires from my forge can thaw the cold reality of non-existence. However, tearing through the barriers of time and space protecting the chains of the unending Multiverse would not only shatter the ice, but truly bring my creation to life. Due to the processes used in its creation, the Trynaught will possess boundless powers. Powers of creation and destruction which stymie the imagination!

      Propelled by the momentum I have given, my creation will travel the long chains and eventually return to me. However just to keep things interesting, I have placed an important limitation within the Trynaught. The device may only manifest powers allowable by the universe it traverses. In some universes, it may be nothing more than a dust mote. While in others, it may span the distances between galaxies! All the while learning and experiencing what it means to exist. Perhaps, I should fear my creation’s return. The Trynaught will gain immeasurable knowledge and power on its long journey. If nothing else, I now have something to look forward to....

The Beginning....

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