As Jack stood in the vast, unfinished void of his dimension, the system interface hovered before him. His heartbeat quickened in anticipation. What had his first achievements unlocked? ARI had hinted that they could help with the creation of his dimension's core, and Jack needed that more than anything right now. Without the core, his realm would never truly be complete.
"Alright, ARI," Jack said, his voice steady, but his mind racing. "Show me my achievements."
The translucent panel flickered, and a list of unlocked achievements appeared before him. One stood out immediately: First Being to Exist. Jack's curiosity piqued as he tapped the achievement, and a warm glow surrounded him.
Congratulations, Jack, ARI's voice chimed. As the first being to exist in this timeline, you have unlocked a unique reward: a physical body capable of descending into the main universe.
Jack blinked, caught off guard. "A body?"
Correct, ARI explained. You, as a cosmic entity, cannot directly interact with the physical universe. This body will act as your vessel when you need to interact with the physical world. It will house a fraction of your power, allowing you to influence the universe without disturbing the cosmic balance.
Jack let out a low whistle, impressed. "So, I can exist in the main world, but without actually needing to leave my cosmic form behind. Nice."
There was something reassuring about having a way to engage with the universe directly—when the time came. But for now, his focus returned to the dimension around him. He still needed a core to complete it, and the more time passed, the more that empty feeling gnawed at him.
Jack scrolled down to the next achievement: First Cosmic Being. This one, too, emitted a soft glow, but there was an undeniable sense of power behind it. Jack tapped it, and the information flooded his mind instantly.
**For being the first cosmic entity in existence, you have been granted a unique copy of the Source.**
Jack's breath caught in his throat. "Wait—the Source? Like from the DC Universe?"
Yes, ARI confirmed. A copy of the Source, the primordial energy that exists beyond space and time. It holds immeasurable power, and is the best candidate to act as the core for your dimension.
A wave of awe washed over Jack. The Source wasn't just any energy—it was a fundamental force, capable of sustaining entire realities. The magnitude of it settled on him like a weight. He understood now why ARI had urged him to wait; something like this required more than raw power—it needed care, precision.
"I get it," Jack muttered to himself, half-grinning. "I was definitely not ready for this earlier."
The Source comes with several unique attributes that will enhance your dimension:
- Auto Growth: The dimension will naturally expand and evolve over time, becoming self-sustaining without your constant attention.
- Omni Energy Breeder Reactor: The core will generate infinite energy with any property you desire, but it can only be used within your dimension. This means you can tailor the energy output to suit your creations and needs, whether it be raw power, elemental energy, or something entirely unique.
- Source Wall: A protective barrier that will defend your dimension from external threats.
- System Link: The core can be linked directly to me, ARI, allowing for remote monitoring and control when you are not present.
Jack felt the weight of the Source settle into his mind, a steady pulse of immense power that both excited and humbled him. He wasn't just building a playground for himself—he was shaping something that could stand against the cosmos itself. And with the Source as its heart, his dimension would have a life of its own.
"Alright," Jack said, exhaling slowly. "Let's do this."
He closed his eyes, focusing on the Source within him. Slowly, he reached out with his mind, feeling the core take shape—a bright, pulsing sphere of light at the center of his dimension. The moment it appeared, Jack felt the shift. His dimension, which had once felt hollow and unformed, now began to solidify around him. It was like a pulse, a heartbeat, as the Source breathed life into the space.
The void slowly shimmered with new energy, swirling and expanding, as if the very fabric of reality was weaving itself together. The growth wasn't fast, but it was constant, and Jack could sense that in time, his realm would become something grand—something self-sustaining, just as ARI had said.
Jack opened his eyes and grinned as the weight of the moment hit him. His dimension was alive.
"In the name of a new beginning," he said quietly, the words carrying more weight than he expected, "I name this dimension… Genesis."
Genesis. The start of something bigger than himself. The creation of a new world, a new order, built from the ground up with his vision. The name echoed in the space around him, solidifying its identity as if the dimension itself acknowledged its purpose.
"Alright, Genesis," Jack said with a smirk, "let's make you something special."
He took a deep breath, staring into the vast, open space of his dimension. It was still raw, still full of potential waiting to be tapped into. But the hard part was over—the foundation had been laid. Now came the next step: shaping it.
Jack's mind buzzed with ideas, concepts flooding his thoughts. What would Genesis be? A paradise? A realm of infinite knowledge and power? He could craft entire landscapes, civilizations, or even an endless expanse of stars. The possibilities were as vast as the cosmos themselves.
As the plans began to take shape in his mind, Jack couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with anticipation. This was his chance to craft something truly unique—something that represented the balance between creation and destruction. The thrill of having full control over such a reality sent a shiver down his spine.
"Time to start planning," Jack muttered to himself, his gaze narrowing in focus as ideas poured in, one after another. Genesis would be more than just a dimension—it would be his masterpiece.