Is a Gamble Worth a Gander?

Chapter 5: Crossroads

Chapter 5

Crossroads

Λ

A being of infinite divinity, not much more than a great light clad in a shabby robe, paced back and forth in front of its throne. A single stone fixture sitting lonely and cold in a pocket of existence tucked deep in the complete unknown. In all directions around the throne stretched an infinite abyss, the maw of unborn creation. Dark and cold yet writhing and very much alive, this was the place where existence comes to die and be reborn again. This was the source of all things that ever have been or ever will be, called to shape and destiny by the will of this divinity.

The greyish masses thrashed about as far as the eye could perceive, almost a sympathetic imitation of what passed for its master's heartbeat. Ebbing and flowing like the tide, stretching to and fro in constant shifts. The ever changing mass of unborn creation coalesced in one particular spot. Here it became something different, molded by the will of this entity, almost as if a living portrait. Much like the divine mirrors of the Gods of Tenkai, yet fundamentally dissimilar.

At this one spot, where the unborn creation gathered together, was a look into all things. A window to the past, the present and the infinite possible futures. Here lay a gateway to madness for any but the being pacing back and forth in front of it. This window was a meager expression of the omnipotence of its master, but it served its purpose as the being watched it with quiet interest.

Colors appeared and faded with all the unpredictability of fate itself, painting the infinite possible roads ahead of one young mortal. Assured death played out one moment followed by equally assured triumph, and so on it went. To express the time this went on would not be possible, time being a figment called forth from the unborn creation by this divinity's will.

So the being simply watched with macabre fascination as his machinations played out in billions upon billions of different forms. In this timeless void it watched the pool of fates, until at last one in particular caught its interest. The being stopped in its tracks, the only expression of emotion being the sudden glow of its countenance.

It was something one could not gaze upon with the naked eye before, but now with the sudden shift of its focus the being shined entirely differently. The feelings burning within it called the unborn creation around it to take form in existence. Now the swirling mass lent itself to create light the likes of which is entirely impossible to fathom. One could only say that this pocket of forgotten existence was so consumed with light as to be absent of darkness entirely.

The being waded effortlessly through the mire of blinding glory, a sick paradox of shadow cast by its emotional flux, to stand in front of the pool. It peered deeply into the fate playing out before it, the fate of one man in particular, with such interest as to be obsessed. The pool serving to give this view fixated itself on this one thread of fate, ceasing entirely its shifts between the infinite possibilities.

With the gradual calming of the being's emotions came the creeping of darkness back into its throne room. The unborn creation lost its mandate form the divine will as the being's concentration was entirely poured into the viewing pool. With that it lost its ability to coalesce into anything besides the ever writhing mass.

So this went on, the being now fully consumed with its chosen source of interest. The face glimmered brightly as ever, flashing a glint of what could be thought of as a smile.

Ω

Lincoln's legs pumped as fast as he could make them, carrying him further into the hell-maw he'd so foolishly entered perhaps only an hour earlier. Some crazy notion of foolhardy bravery and sick curiosity bade him to enter the Dungeon this very day. Throwing aside all sensible concern, he had obeyed that nagging little notion. Having done such he was now being chased down hallway after hallway, around every twist and turn imaginable. Every time he turned a corner prayers resounded throughout his heart that it wouldn't be a dead-end or another group of monsters.