Chapter 3 - Origins 1

Tau's eyes gleamed with excitement, like a pioneer on the cusp of a groundbreaking discovery. "And now, we're ready to take the next step," he said, his voice trembling with anticipation. "To transcend the boundaries of existence, and forge a new reality."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I considered the implications of his words. The possibilities were endless, yet terrifying. The thought of venturing into the unknown, of pushing beyond the limits of what was thought possible, was both exhilarating and daunting.

But before I could ask any questions, Tau continued, his voice steady and measured.

"Now, what we're talking about is not actually creating a whole new reality. Even with existence, there are dangers lurking in the shadows. We're not naive enough to think we can simply create a utopia, a paradise without flaws."

He paused, collecting his thoughts like a scholar gathering rare manuscripts. The room was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the universe, waiting with bated breath for Tau's next words.

Then, he launched into a history lesson, his voice weaving a tale of ancient civilizations and forgotten lore.

"In the beginning, existence was unusable and unstable, like a tempestuous sea. There was a case of trauma amongst the Supremes who survived that period, a psychological scar that would take eons to heal."

I listened, entranced, as Tau spoke of the Supremes, beings of immense power and wisdom, who had wielded existence like a child playing with fire.

"The way they used existence was like how you would wish for something as a child, without understanding the consequences, without grasping the delicate balance of the universe."

I nodded, intrigued, as memories of my own childhood wishes flooded my mind. I had wished for toys and candy, for fleeting pleasures, without considering the broader implications. Tau's words struck a chord deep within me, and I realized that I had been guilty of the same naivety.

"I'm sure any wishes you made when young were simple and selfish," Tau said with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling like stars on a clear night. "You wished for immediate gratification, without thinking of the long-term effects. That's how the Supremes used existence in the beginning. They wished for power, for safety, without understanding the intricate web of consequences."

Tau's expression turned serious, his voice taking on a somber tone, like a prophet warning of impending doom. "But as they continued to use existence in this way, the universe began to retaliate, like a beast awakened from a deep slumber. The fabric of reality began to fray, threatening to unravel completely."

Tau paused, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of intensity and trepidation, as if searching for an elusive answer. "Even if we venture outside for a while, we may be betrayed, chased, and walk into death traps, as our luck was both bad and good. The universe is unpredictable, and we must be prepared for anything."

His words hung in the air like a challenge, a reminder of the unforgiving nature of existence. I couldn't help but think of the Supremes, who had learned the hard way that the abyss is a difficult teacher.

"If a person wishes for safety," Tau continued, his voice measured and deliberate, "the results could be catastrophic."

He began to list the potential consequences, each one more dire than the last.

" They might find themselves trapped in a secure facility, unable to leave or experience the world outside. The walls that were meant to protect them would become their prison."

"Isolated :They could be completely isolated from others, with no human interaction or connection. The silence would be deafening, the loneliness suffocating."

"Overprotection :They might be surrounded by overly protective measures, such as excessive security systems, making it difficult to move or act freely. The very measures meant to keep them safe would become a straitjacket."

Tau's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if driving home the importance of his words.

"Loss of autonomy :They could lose control over their own life, with every decision made for them in the name of safety. They would become puppets, with strings pulled by unseen forces."

"Sensory deprivation: They might be deprived of sensory experiences, such as sight, sound, or touch, to prevent any potential harm. The world would become a dull, gray place, devoid of beauty or joy."

"They could become stagnant, unable to grow or develop, as all risks and challenges are eliminated. The comfort of safety would become a stagnant pool, devoid of life or vitality."

"There were also Unintended consequences," Tau mused, his eyes clouding with concern. "Their wish for safety lead to unintended consequences, such as attracting unwanted attention or creating new dangers. The universe has a way of balancing things out, and excessive safety would be no exception."

I nodded, understanding the delicate balance of existence. The universe was a complex web of cause and effect, where every action had a reaction.

"Now, think about what happened to those who wished for power," Tau said, his voice low and ominous. "They sought to dominate and control, to bend the universe to their will. But power, like safety, is a double-edged sword."

Tau's words hung in the air like a challenge, inviting me to consider the consequences of unchecked ambition.

"Some became tyrants, ruling with an iron fist, crushing all opposition. Others became consumed by their own ambition, losing themselves in the process. And a few... a few became something else entirely."

Tau's eyes seemed to gleam with a knowing light, as if he held secrets he was willing to share.

"They became puppets, controlled by the very power they sought to wield," Tau said, his voice dripping with a mix of sadness and warning. "They lost their autonomy, their free will, and became mere pawns in a game they couldn't control."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I grasped the true nature of their downfall. The reason for their demise was simple yet profound: their definitions of power were flawed, incomplete, and ultimately, self-destructive.

"Well, they learnt the hard way that they were the weakest," Tau continued, his eyes clouding with a deep understanding. "They thought power was about dominance, control, and manipulation. But true power is about balance, harmony, and wisdom."

I nodded, beginning to comprehend the nuances of the universe. The pursuit of power, like the pursuit of safety, was a dangerous game. It was a game of unintended consequences, where the players often became pawns in a much larger scheme.

"The universe is full of mysteries and contradictions," Tau said, his voice low and mysterious. "It is a labyrinth of twists and turns, where the brave and the foolhardy often meet the same end."

"The saddest part was that those stronger than them even turned them into slaves."

I shuddered at the thought, realizing that only those who approached the universe with caution, humility, and an open mind could hope to navigate its complexities. The others, blinded by their own ambition and ignorance, would stumble into the abyss, never to return.