The Chained Watcher

Cosmic Child Support

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I think this portal's winding down. One or two more chapters, maybe three if inspiration strikes, then it's back to Minecraft.

~~~

Countless repetitions guide practiced motions, tough transparent crystal being molded effortlessly into innumerable strands, upon which miniscule runes are impressed. It's something he's made many times before, refined to near perfection since its design was first conceived. Or, well, as close to perfection as his previous Tier could manage.

Perfection is something that can never be achieved. It's just a pretty lie used as an excuse by those who have given up on reaching further. To say that something is perfect is to betray the ambition that got you to that point, to let it die in spite of how far it carried you, abandoning the hope of reaching greater heights.

Perfection is meant to be pursued, not achieved.

That said, the more mundane, less absolute form of perfection is something that should always be strived for whenever undertaking a task with any degree of sincerity. In this case, the perfect gift! Something that is different for every individual.

Now, you might be asking yourself how his task can be truly achieved. How is one supposed to give a gift to a god that can be considered truly perfect? And it's true. He doesn't know enough about Quaxel's strengths and weaknesses to craft a gift that can perfectly synergize with his skillset.

That's not to say he can't make a suitable gift for him though. He knows enough about gods to know the burden divine creations put on the god creating them, just as he knows that Quaxel kept up his old habit of crafting artifacts for exceptional mortals who pledge themselves to his service. That's an expense of energy that almost certainly comes out as a loss in the end. An expense he just so happens to have a way to reduce.

The innumerable runic crystal threads weave together into a seamless orb, completing the matrix that will allow this creation to perform its core purpose. A hardened shell of a rather rare metal comes next, protecting the already tough core with an even tougher shield. Not that he expects this one to come under attack. It's just a matter of principle, ensuring his gift won't be easily damaged or tampered with.

With the core now complete, he goes to create the structure that will house it... and stops. This design is optimized for interactions with Watchers. It's purely algorithmic, to deal with the vulnerability an artificial mind presents in the face of the oppressive mental strength Watchers can bring to bear.

But this isn't for Watchers. This isn't even intended for public use, even if its products will be given out as if it was. The only being who will have access to it is Quaxel.

Moving slowly at first, then faster as he adjusts to this new model, Grian sculpts a draconic body around the core, forgoing the usual stationary monolithic design in favor of something that can move in a mimicry of life. Why use a limited analysis algorithm when he can use a mind that can learn and grow?

For that matter, what need has this for a valuing algorithm? He's not going to charge Quaxel to use this gift. And without taking extra material as payment, what need is there for a linked storage?

Magic begins weaving through his newest creation, bringing to life the marble body of the majestic dragon statue. Sized perfectly to be a companion to Quaxel, of course. With a little splurge on the eyes too, to make sure interacting with it won't require any exertion on Quaxel's part. No point in making something to ease his energy usage only to make it unusable without manifesting physically.

Shimmering diamond eyes regard him calmly. He smiles. "Welcome to the world, little one. There's much I need to teach you for you to fulfill your purpose."