The Heart of All Beginnings

All matter concentrated into the deer as it began to levitate into the air. Number Two tried to crawl away but he gradually got pulled closer and closer to the majestic, universe-inspiring deer. He picked up a loose stone and threw it at the deer but it merely faded from existence.

The deer opened its mouth and taunted, "Let it be known that Mother Sky is in all things that exist. That stone, the wooden beams of the temple, the deer, and the statue are all incarnations of her. Go! You have been commanded to endeavor toward the center of the Deep. Be obedient and all your hopes shall come to fruition."

Number Two sneered, "But my wish is to obliterate Mother Sky."

After he said that, he closed his eyes. Five seconds passed and nothing occurred.

He opened his eyes once more and his face lit up as he spoke, "Why have you not exterminated me for my heresy? You need me, don't you? To spread the glory of Mother Sky to all people under the Tamkit.

You can't touch me so you have to trick me. My anger toward you shall be quenched like a peerless blade of molten steel."

Raising his hand high up into the room, Number Two propelled himself toward the deer and was met with no resistance as he bypassed the deer and grabbed onto its heart. All there was in the first place was a round, clumpy ball made out of nothingness and it was merging with him quickly. He just had to tap it one more time and it would fully assimilate with him.

"I won't touch it, I promise to everyone who knows me."

Number Two couldn't resist such a wrong urge for power, a fake medicine that could alleviate his disease and pain for an infinite shortness. It was a temptation so common that he swore to himself in his head never to succumb to it. Yet he did, transforming himself irreversibly. It took only one millisecond for his world, his life, and his mind to be changed. He failed. He succeeded.

Emptiness, a profoundly unbearable dose of it pervaded his senses.

"I won't be tempted by power again, things will be different tomorrow!", muttered Number Two. He felt his heart beating as he felt inhuman to the bone.

Passion. Shame. Regret. Remorse. Guilt. Solace?

He saw the creation of the world, the evolution of all species, and the world anchor being crafted from nothingness. He saw it all as power rushed to his head. Visions of joyful harmony and the resilient virtue of all souls flooded the senses. Countless lives of good people, bad people all start from one common point. The Tamkit.

Countless voices screamed in his head, "Save us from Mother Sky! Save us from sadness! From tyranny! From death!"

A complete coldness dominated the face of Number Two. With a wave of a hand, all of the struggling voices were extinguished but for one.

Only one ghost of the Deep remained: the Witch Doctor Tong. He was frail, the skin of his body sticking to his bones. He looked eternally tired, resigned. His forehead was covered with deeply entrenched lines, eroded spitefully by the hatred of Time itself.

The last spirit wept, "Can we never win against the forces of fear and supreme truth? I had an inkling of hope that there was a way where all people can obtain happiness. Please, just give me an answer! Is universal joy beyond the boundaries of human understanding? How about immortality? One hint is all I desire. For old time's sake?"

The arrogant monarch of silence reigned as Number Two continued to stare at the ghost of the Witch Doctor as if to say he didn't deserve an answer, not even a quarter of a single word.

Tong awkwardly pleaded, "I am so close, you are right in front of me yet one nudge toward the truth is an insurmountable distance for me."

His face twisted, "You know what, at the end of the day, you are a loser who miserably sits at the peak of all existence. You do not know everything! You do not have unlimited power because you cannot fix the world anchor or conquer the Deep. Only Time wins. It sees everything, is a witness to everything."

The ghost felt like he was onto something, "That's right, who are you to dictate the fates of all beings. They are all better than you. People can learn virtue, change to become virtuous not for external rewards but intrinsic integrity. They are better than you. We can have emotions and enjoy the commodities of modest feasts. You have nothing now! You are no one now. Tell me, now tell me! Who are you?"

The human shell of Number Two fell over. A bright light blinded the Witch Doctor.

"I am Mother Sky."