chapter 2

Hello,

I apologize for being late, but this week has been hectic and continues to be, especially with the end of summer and the return of the kids to school (if you're not a teacher, I can't explain the struggles of the back-to-school season).

I don't plan to abandon this story or my original story that some of you may have read, but chapter releases will be delayed. I know I don't have the right to say this, especially since I've barely written twenty chapters in the other story, but maintaining a consistent release schedule is challenging. Even if I'm used to it, especially when you have another job, and due to the lack of support, both financially and morally, it's hard to keep up with chapter releases, especially if you don't consider it a profession and just a way to spend time you don't have in the first place.

I don't deny that if I had the choice between writing novels and teaching kids, I'd choose novels, but I can't consider it a profession at the moment, at least until I see profits reach around $400, enough to sustain my livelihood. So, until that time, please forgive me for the slow releases.

Now, enjoy the chapter, and apologies for the lengthy introduction.

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In the silent void of space, a planet resembling Earth but larger appeared, its majestic form suspended against the velvety backdrop of the cosmos. From this cosmic view, it appeared like a captivating celestial body, brimming with shades of blue and green. Its white clouds etched patterns like whispers across its atmospheric envelope, which, when breached, revealed a intricate tapestry of diverse landscapes painting its surface.

Tower-like mountain ranges stood like majestic pillars, touching the heavens with their peaks, while verdant valleys stretched below, adorned with rivers that meandered like the veins of life. From barren deserts to tranquil oceans, every corner of this world told a story of the changes that had touched its history.

In one of the planet's valleys, a group of nomads, clad in worn leather attire, stood firm, their eyes fixed on the towering beast before them. This immense creature, over three meters tall and stretching five meters long, combined reptilian and insectoid features. Its shimmering scales resembled polished bronze, catching the morning sun's rays, while its lower jaw clicked ominously. As its six legs tapped the ground incessantly, the nomads tightened their formation, poised for a dance of survival.

As the colossal creature lunged forward with a deafening roar, the nomads moved in perfect harmony. Their leader let out a rallying cry, splitting the group into two sections that flanked the creature on both sides. One group engaged in a bold diversionary maneuver, waving their sticks and striking its legs before swiftly retreating. The other group, led by a seasoned warrior, targeted the creature's vulnerable underbelly. They slid beneath it as it charged.

The creature's movements were a blend of unpredictable brute force and agility. It struck its attackers with swift and sweeping tail movements, sending sand and gravel flying, while its relentless jaw continued attempting to bite anything in its path. One of its legs managed to sweep a man away, tearing a portion of another man's shoulder flesh with its short, multiple teeth. Though the man barely escaped, he ignored the pain in his shoulder and redirected his attacks to target the creature's other legs.

The battle raged on, forcing the men to endure multiple wounds and injuries. Eventually, one of them succeeded in shattering the creature's outer shell after a series of strikes. Three others joined him in an attempt to expand the wound.

The creature was trapped, its injuries and impaired legs forcing it into a desperate situation. Although its instincts urged it to flee, the men prevented its escape. Eventually, it surrendered with a reluctant cry.

Unharmed men remained by the fallen creature, while the wounded retreated. The injured used strips of skin or fabric for makeshift bandages. If bones were dislocated or broken, they either reset them or sought help from others for temporary fixes. Interestingly, the only audible sign of pain was a subdued gnawing, amidst the worst injuries. The rest of the sounds were simply bone creaks and joint crackles, implying a high pain tolerance.

The leader signaled to the others with his hand, avoiding words and communicating solely through silent gestures, as if sound could attract unwelcome attention. Luckily, the rest of the men comprehended the signals, displaying impressive coordination and skill in their movements, a testament to their experience. They hoisted the prey's body and set off towards the north, unaware of a colossal black eye resembling their planet's moon that observed them from above with a curious, analytical focus.

However, even if they looked towards the eye, they wouldn't see anything unusual. After all, the eye didn't belong to their dimension. The eye withdrew from observing as the man with the eye pulled out a brown notebook from an inner pocket of his clothing and opened it to a blank page, starting to write

1980/11/July Update

_My ability to partially control the miniature galaxy remains stable.

_The average height continues to decrease with each generation.

_The reduction in height and limb length combined with an increase in mass and size due to heightened gravity has rendered the population more akin to fantasy dwarves than humans.

_An increase in average strength and resilience, along with the ability to adapt to varying temperatures without complications, has been noted.

_The modifications to the growth plant are still in testing and cannot be shared at this time.

_The most significant current risk lies in the ongoing decrease in average lifespan due to accelerated cell deterioration. No clear solution has been found to this problem thus far.

_Doubts persist about ceasing extensive modifications to the ways of life on the planet and allowing the creatures to evolve on their own. However, I am leaning more towards this option.

He omitted the last line without a clear reason before he began flipping through the pages, reviewing the most significant changes that had occurred since he acquired this galaxy, without forgetting to accelerate time for the galaxy.

Since this galaxy appeared in his basement and since he discovered he could partially control this dimension, he had spent most of his time in the basement, except for short periods of sleep and trips to the grocery store.

He vividly recalled the pounding headache he endured during his initial attempts at harnessing his powers, and the issue persisted for several days. It became evident that he possessed near-absolute control over inanimate matter. He could effortlessly transmute soil into gold and diamonds, and manipulate fire into lightning. However, substantial alterations, like reducing an entire planet to dust, would cause him to lose consciousness. Mastering plant life manipulation proved to be even more intricate.

While he could enact changes to their

structures, they were minor alterations that accrued over generations of plant life. However, with animals, he discovered his inability to make any biological changes. His capacity was limited to controlling their minds and bodies for specific actions. This limitation was most prominent with conscious beings like quasi-humans on that planet. His influence was restricted to entering their dreams, inducing hallucinations, and mental communication at their behest.

This restricted control left him doubting if he truly possessed this dimension.

In the initial months, he dedicated himself to experimenting with his abilities and staying in the library until he deemed himself proficient enough to test his powers on a planet filled with living creatures. Despite differences in plant cover and animal life, the planet resembled Earth.

More importantly, there were humans,

or at least human-like beings.Creatures standing upright on two legs, embodying elegance in their movements, their agility forming a symphony of muscles and bones. Their faces embroidered scenes of eternal emotions, from the warmth of laughter to the depths of sorrow. Their eyes, windows to the soul, reflected the depths of their dreams and desires, gleaming with an inner light that mirrored boundless empathy and an unfathomable cruelty, forming the fabric of their existence.

Such a discovery led him to do the smartest thing any rational being could do

make their lives more challenging...

He swore that he wasn't insane or mentally ill.