After the Knowledge

chapter four: mathematics & natural sciences

hard-boiled wonderland and end of the theory

    Right as the existential clock unseen by any being struck what had seemed like the last and yet first minute of infinity, lighting struck the area of nothingness designated to welcome the reign of the two warriors fated to appease Him. Color danced in every corner of each wisp of matter that swam throughout the space. If a fallen tree does not make as sound unless met by a listening ear, perhaps nothing exists unless met by an awaiting eye. The seemingly never-ending spectrum of color, both known and yet to be, exists only in the frame of thought to those pertaining to a higher celestial rank such as He, for only He could maneuver the switchboard of wires and multi-species tears that switched each gear while a swift yet firm finger decided the fate for nothing but everything.
The skyly room above tore in two, without making a sound of color, only white. Two beams shone from the space seeming to search for its target, like a helicopter beam on a man-hunt. Somewhere in the distance of both time and space, yet to be unwoven, dying candles ceased to flicker yet their flames did not die. Oxygen molecules stood still, yet did not solidify. The world came to a halt yet everything seemed to be teeming with movement.The ravages of time stood dead in its tracks, The Paradigm taking its place. 
The beams converged and battled for dominance still in search of their targets. In a trance of in-sync parallelity, the rays of vibrant satin cerulean and deep vermillion held firmly still. Visible sound waves omitted in their stead as if they were  creating a new form of matter. Simultaneously, two large figures emerged, facing opposite directions. They wore similar clokes, distinguishable by their color which matched their respective beams of light, contrasting yet complimentary. Smoke seeming to have only just appeared, settled, revealing a sky-scraping throne on which another figure sat taking in the scene. With each blink, the third figure's cloak switched from black to white, without any transition to grey. He was the Paradigm, the one they had come to serve. They had been summoned knowing their purpose, and potentially unfavorable fate.
Black.
White.
Black.
White.
Black.
White.
Archoeates of Vermillion presented himself first. His elements stood for nature and understanding. Taking a step forward, he kneeled like a knight and lowered the hood of his cloak. His features were bold and chiseled, feigning perfection, if not for the look in his eye; a tiring wisdom that was running out of space to be kept. He knew both too much and not enough. He was glowing, a light vermillion smoke lingered around the crown of his head. No words were spoken, as all that was needed to know was known. 
Peryhmus of Cerulean stepped forward alongside Archoeates, mirroring his every breath. Upon revealing what lied behind the hood of his cloak, it was evident these beings were carved from the same stone, their gaze held the same truths. Their only distinguishing feature was the color of their radiating aura. Unlike Archoeates, Peryhmus stood for arithmetic algorithms and knowledge. 
The pair, although nearly identical in appearance, were exactly distinct and complementary; the epitome of yin and yang. Their origins are unknown, likely saplings fused with dust from the original big bang. Yet, the Paradigm had not chosen them simply at random. It was them and them only who would be able to assume the roles assigned to them. These roles were essential to maintain the balance and order so that life and thought could co-exist and continue to evolve, change, and transcend infinity. These roles, though complimentary, held the connotation that one was ranked higher than the other, and it was so. This coveted role would be to the consciousness of the universe itself, right-hand to the Paradigm. This role was that of The All-Knowing. With this role came the declaration of superiority over the opponent on the scale of necessity. Though by the unfaltering system of checks and balances, it was mismatched without the secondary role, The Mind Reader. This role came with the acquisition of knowledge by method that was dependent on its superior, and only after then free to be utilized by the beholder of this title. Archoeates and Peryhmus required no explanation. After unwavering obedience to the command of The Paradigm, each would assume a role and the honor that came with it; honor by necessity. 
The Paradigm, seemingly composed of nothing but pure grace despite his statue-like posture sent them forth to complete their first task. Their instruction was to demonstrate their own existence in some sensory manner. Returning to their respective spawn locations, they sat and began to contemplate their existence. 
Archoeates searched for understanding as he observed the memories of time itself. There was an urge to continue to observe the unfolding of time and never look away as each moment seemed to hold a secret begging to be understood, begging to be tested for all that it could offer. His hands became heavy as they were filled by the creation of matter, the essence of his soul. Memories flowed into matter as he created a dough-like material, one that demands to be shaped to resemble existence itself  to foster understanding, manipulated by perception, and yet would not change. With accordance to the viewer, the portrayal of the matter’s shape would change while the dough itself would only ever be just that and still have endless forms to assume.
Peryhmus searched for knowledge as he began to evaluate patterns and sequences within his memories. For each pattern, he created a small block of matter in his fists that would hold a solid and unique shape. The uniqueness of these blocks would impede them from fitting together as they desired. The knowledge held within these blocks could only be unleashed through their arrangement. Both alone and together, they would reveal a unique idea that would surpass bias or intersection for any sort favoritism of the block’s appearance. There was no room for interpretation as its shape and size was pre-defined.  
Simultaneously, they arose and approached The Paradigm. Taking a knee with lowered heads and hands raised, they presented their creations. The Paradigm accepted them without revealing any sort of indication of favorability for one over the other. Waving a hand, the creations were relocated with accordance to His will and sent them on their second quest. He handed each being an empty box and directed them to fill it. This box would mold with accordance to the contents placed inside it. At this point it would merely take up the space of the palm of their hands. Its lack of lid resembled a mouth starving to be fed. Once more the two beings returned to their point of origin, only this time did not sit. Rather they were transported to separate spheres of their shared plane of existence bound to their own shores. 
Archoeates opened his eyes and began to walk toward the ocean. The box instantly filled with water, marine life along with it, as well his own thoughts. The box expanded as he put all the details he could find, into the container, delving deeper and deeper into the water, and greater understanding. 
Peryhmus opened his eyes and was transported to the shore of an island that went on for infinity in every direction. He took one-twelfth of a step back and dug a hole five and seventy-five hundredths inches deep*. He filled his container with the names of everything on the island , discovering things that had yet to be discovered, raw knowledge. His respective box did lose its manageable size despite its content reaching a healthy level of potency as he carried life’s essential code rather than life itself. 
Once more the two beings presented their findings to The Paradigm, who once more did not reveal any indication of a victor. It was time for the final task. Archoetes and Peryhmus would compete in a duel, one in which they would be allowed to utilize every skill and ability that pertained to them, one’s that could have very well caused an unfixable ripple in the very code of the universe, potentially resulting in its deletion. 
The platform below their feet rose to an unheavenly height as each gladiator assumed position at their post. No power  could contain or interrupt what was to follow. What would ignite from this task would be a war that would last nearly infinity, in this minute frozen in time, determining the balance of existence itself. Explosions of color, vermillion and cerulean would be seen light years away, if there were anyone conscious to see them. The shadows of their figures appeared to be dancing amid the blasts of color radiating both a thirst for dominance but also beauty. There would be moments when only one could be seen through foggy eyes, and the dance would seem to end until a single ray of the opponent would come shining even brighter than it had before. It was an endless display of the intricate game of tag that could ever unfold. The color was no longer omitted from the gladiators but rather they had become it as it would often mix to create shades that had not been given the permission to exist. In one final blow, an illuminating white light spread from the immense point of contact like rings of saturn resembling a disturbance in calm waters. 
As the world regained clarity, both beings were once again kneeled with bowed-heads before The Paradigm, awaiting his command. Yet, none came. An infinity later, the coronation would commence. 
With a wave of his hand, The Paradigm brought forth the representations of each being’s existence, as well as their collections. The gladiators bowed their heads even lower as The Paradigm summoned a sliver of their auras to surround itself and infuse with their respective offerings. With another commanding hand gesture, the creations of the first task drifted over to a pedestal on the right side of his throne. Archoeates’ moldable matter and Peryhmus’ unique solid blocks were untouchably assembled to form a statue that bore no resemblance to any existing knowledge. The blocks that could not connect to each other were attached in the structure by the dough-like matter to create the structure before them. Their beams of light were once more seen interacting, undeniably dancing to a ballad sung by the universe. He then called forth their boxes which were directed toward a pedestal to the left of the throne. He placed Peryhmus’ smaller box inside of Archoeates’ larger one. An explosion was heard from within. The border of the box disintegrated and the contents within were now visible as they swam and swirled around each other hovering above the pedestal, following the auras that continued to dance. 
The Paradigm then turned to the beings who remained kneeled and bowed until a gesture of His hand released them from their trance of obedience. He took the remainder of their auras and guided it between them. Upon completing this conjunction, the ball of light grew skyward in the direction in which they had come, tearing a hole in existence. This opening was a door. With one final wave of his hand, The Paradigm assigned them their roles as they were sent through the door, connecting the worlds. On this side, the beings lost their physical gladiator forms as only their souls danced around one another in exploration. Archoeates surged with newfound  knowledge, and Peryhmus with understanding. This new realm required that their gifts be shared, and their roles as well. Each would assume the role of All-Knowing and Mind Reader to foster new memories before the endless switch. Their creations from The Paradigm’s tasks served as a battery for the extending of the universe as each variation of their essence created new knowledge and new understandings of this endless wonderland.  

* because the sum of all numbers from negative infinity to positive infinity is -1/12, Peryhmus used this to travel the whole of the island instantaneously by making his position (-1/12,-1/12, -1/12), relative to his starting point, in other words the sum of infinity.