10 Big Bang

Day 140

At Laniakea

A woman wearing a shirt and jeans walked towards a beautiful man standing by the restaurant, she gave him a note. The man read the note and then nodded at her as she brought him to an orphanage. Nearing the orphanage, the man could see children through the windows. They seemed to be listening to something.

As the woman opened the door, he heard an audiobook of some sort playing throughout the orphanage, the storyteller sounded like Cate Blanchett as she told a mythical story long passed by time. It was a story he never heard of before.

The Story:

A long, long time ago. When the universe had yet to form. There were deities who lived in this vast expanse in a large planet.

These deities could be likened to humans who made families, harnessed their skills, sought to build communities, and so, their hearts also yearned to create a world of their own.

As they formed things out of nothing from their holy minds, little one, you should also take note that their time was not fully invested in just that.

Their kind also loved, also yearned to belong.

This is the story of Horizon, the daughter of the deity, Void and Space.

Space and Void were the only two ethereal deities, and as fortune would have it, they were also fated to be together.

Space was just as madly in love with Void, as he was with her. Their time together was one that was as rare as the universe.

Yearning to become a family, they patiently tried to make a child. And it would seem that her prayers were heard by the laws of nature for Space was blessed, she became pregnant.

When Space was pregnant with her only daughter, it was with the hope that the child will receive all of her and Void's love. But alas, the child's power was beyond even her. As she pressed on with the pregnancy, her body was pushed to the limits until it broke from the inside. Void wanted to restrict Horizon's power but Space stopped him, such an act would affect the child's power after birth.

Void realized the impending end before them and Space understood his heart.

Each moment they spent together became even more precious.

"Void..."

"What is it, love?"

"Make sure to take care of Horizon for me..."

"What are you talking about? We will always be with her."

"We will." she promised, knowing that her vow will manifest regardless of what happens to her.

The universe mourned Space's loss. What should have been the joyous birth of Horizon was now also the time when Space ceased to exist.

Void did not love Horizon less because of this loss. The same with his wife, each time with his daughter was spent as if it was the last.

As aeons passed, Horizon grew into a beauty amongst her peers. Her hair was as black as the boundless universe, her body lithe and glorious, her power... limitless.

She was not to be trifled with for her father taught her of every gift she had received from him and her mother, for he wanted Horizon to be capable of protecting herself when he ceased to exist and also wishing for her to prosper.

His child, the only proof of his wife's existence, was one whom he wished to never be bound to the shackles of which women of her time were bound to. Thus, Void taught her beyond what their culture had grasped: his profound understanding of the current world, its flaws and its beauty.

And yet time will move in accordance to its will. One cannot avoid calamity if it is fated.

Horizon became a dame whom many in the universe sought to wed. But only Earth, child of Sun and Moon was able to win her heart.

At first, Void was wary of this young deity for his ambitions were no less than that of their predecessors. Yet his persistence and devotion towards Horizon moved his daughter.

Seeing the happiness his daughter experienced with the young man, reminded him of his late wife. Thus, Void could only bless their love, in hope's to always see such a sweet expression on his daughter's face.

The love of Horizon and Earth was one many have envied for it was one filled with laughter, patience, love, devotion... almost every good thing in this world.

However, Void's doubt was not baseless.

With time, Earth began to change as he spent more time on his creation, 'earth.'

Yes, this creation of his which he named after himself is the very land we now live in, in the vast cosmos. A land which will host his creations, of which he wishes to gift to Horizon.

Knowing his wish, Horizon could only ascent to his wish to make his creation wonderful. After all, it was a fruit of his love for her.

And so Earth toiled and created many things we know now, like the heavens and the earth. However, the time it took for him to create such things was straining his relationship with Horizon.

Aware of the change between them, this urged Horizon's heart to reach out to her husband to help him with his burden.

"Earth, I understand that 'earth' is a gift you wish to gift to me and it is a legacy for our children. However, the time we've come to spend together is growing smaller. I want to spend more time with you, I would like to help you create 'earth.' Since we are husband and wife, I think I should also share such responsibility."

Earth smiled indulgently at his wife and said, "Darling Horizon, you do not need to be burdened nor think of such things. Let me toil for you, for this is how it should be. We have eternity waiting for us to spend, this is but a day in the time of deities like us. Please, darling, bear with it for now. I assure you, we will have more time ahead of us."

Horizon, being persuaded by his words, agreed.

Time passed just as Horizon expected.

While Earth continued to create intricacies of life on earth.

Many deities showered praises to her beloved for creating such an exceptional and wonderful world, making the knowledge of Earth's love for Horizon spread throughout creation.

Or so, that was what many thought.

Horizon, feeling the distance increasing between them, kept persuading Earth to allow her to help him. To which he will always reject her.

With the recurring time spent in solitude and her husband's fervent rejection, Horizon's heart started to become empty.

Yearning for company, Horizon sought her father, Void.

She went to her father's home, a home which will always bring great delight to her heart.

Void was very happy for her daughter's more than frequent visits, but the number was noticeably increasing.

On account of this, Void asked his daughter, and so she honestly told him of her relationship with her husband.

Hearing the situation, her father said, "Child, I have taught you well. No matter what you decide, I will be with you. My blessings will always be to assure your happiness. Though his works are praised by many, it is not serving its purpose, which was to make you happy."

Seeing understanding in her father's eyes, Horizon felt comforted. Her heart's fears diminished. "Father, you must've made my mother very happy. I feel so loved by you... I also sought such love from Earth, I thought your love and his love were the same. Father, what if..."

Hearing her reluctance, he held her hand and squeezed it lightly, "Speak, child."

"What if I let go of him?"

"So, be it."

"But father, even if you allow it, what of the others?"

"Remember what I said when you were younger?"

Lowering her head, she pondered.

Seeing his child as childish as ever, he couldn't help but gently pet her head, "Even if they say that what you believe in is wrong, different from how many people perceive what women should be, I will not let you feel any grievances. If we have to change this world, so be it. Our family was never one to cower in the face of many. If they fight us, then let us remind them that our power is not one with which they can fathom. And you are the only child of Space and Void, you are certainly not lacking, little one."

Hearing his supportive stance, Horizon hugged her father. "Mm."

With a somber look, Void thought, 'So, it has come to this.'

Some time passed before Earth came back to their home. When he did, he saw Horizon looking at him but not looking at him.

"Horizon... I'm back."

"You are."

"Have you been waiting for me?"

"I have."

"Will you not hug me?"

"Will not."

"Horizon?"

"Earth... once upon a time, your name was one of the sweetest words that my lips have ever spoken."

"Horizon?"

"Earth... a name that now leaves a bitter taste... I wanted to tell you that I do not wish to remain married to you anymore. I do not wish to wait another moment in my life for you."

"Horizon, what are talking about?"

"As I've said, I do not wish to remain married to you anymore."

"Do not be foolish, you are my wife!"

"Weren't you also foolish, forgetting your wife in the name of gifting earth to me?"

"Horizon, so many women are envious of my love and devotion for you. Can you not see all I've done for you?"

"So, it would seem. However, Earth, my love for you no longer resonates in the confines of my heart. My devotion is no longer..."

Earth rushed towards Horizon and pulled her hand grasping it harder than he usually did. "Why? Is there another who accompanied you in my absence?" he questioned harshly.

"So, this is how pathetic you now perceive my previous devotion for you..."

"You and I will not separate. Horizon, you will only ever be my wife."

Horizon felt that her hands were being crushed with force, for the first time, she glared at Earth. She demanded, "Let go of me, can you not feel it? You are hurting me."

"I will not let go." Earth said adamantly.

"Have you forgotten who I am?" she whispered as her power soon loosened Earth's grasp of her. "I am the daughter of Void and Space, I think you've forgotten what my people are capable of."

"All the deities will become your enemy, do not be foolish! What will your father say about you?"

To which she replied, "A measly earth can make them give their allegiance. Do not force my hand, Earth. I want to respect what we once were."

"Is this what you call respect? Suddenly telling me that you no longer want to be with me?!"

"Is this what being with you is? You going off to earth and leaving me here, alone. What's the difference between being married to you and living in solitude?"

Her words ignited indignation in Earth as he raised his hand and slapped her face.

Feeling the stinging pain on her cheek, Horizon was shocked.

"You will never speak like this again!"

Unfazed with his shout, the space around Horizon started to distort. She shook her head an an imposing manner and then snapped her fingers. Following this action, it was if the space around her was alive which moved and seemed to have swallowed her, disappearing from his presence.

Seeing her actions further infuriated Earth, "HORIZON!!"

A few hours later, at the house of Void.

A mass of deities surrounded his place.

"My, oh my. Sun and Moon, what is your child doing making enemies of ethereals? Have you not taught him well?"

"And what of your daughter, Void? Doing as she pleases?! My son has been shamed by your measly daughter!" Sun shouted.

Hearing this triggered Void, "Watch your mouth or else I will cut off all relations with you!"

"What is there to fear? You have long passed your prime, Void. Such words cannot inspire fear anymore."

A soft laughter rang inside Void's house, Horizon slowly walked out and stood beside her father. "But you seem to forget, I am my father's daughter. I am also the daughter of Space. The two most powerful ethereals. You people seemed to have forgotten that I am not just some deity with whom you can throw your weight. Had the time you spent with me as your son's wife blinded you of the fact that I am not really your daughter? My kindness then was to give face to the fact that you borne my love, a man I once loved.

Earth walked towards the father and daughter and offered, "Come back to me, Horizon, and we will forget this incident ever happened. I know, your heart still yearns for me. Fight, and your father's life and your freedom will be mine to judge."

Disappointment could be seen in Horizon as he looked at the man before her. Creating earth seemed to have made him believe that everything was within his control. The praises for his work made him forget that he was just a deity amongst deities.

"My father and I will not fear your judgment. Ethereals were always different from deities of different elements and laws."

She then looked at the crowd surrounding her as her voice bellowed, "Be warned, all of you, I will not be merciful if you move your hands against me and my father. Remember, I was always heavy handed since young. Just because I had not been as willful as before does not mean the power I possess receded with time."

The deities present laughed at her remark. One even taunted, "You are but the wife of Earth. Know your place, woman!"

Hearing this, Horizon looked at her father. To which he nodded at her, with an encouraging smile. As if the masses in front of them were non-existent.

"So, be it, a woman am I. But this woman here will show you that one should never make enemies with Ethereals, regardless of gender."

In disbelief of her arrogance which he had never seen before, Earth roared, "You! Move, capture her! Kill Void, that she may remember that she should never have gone against us!"

The deities swarmed like army ants ready to devour the father and daughter.

As they were almost a meter away from them, the space around all of them started to swirl and have weight in them, as if constraining them to where they stand.

Looking at the horde of people that stopped, she then looked at Earth, gravely she leered at this man whom she can no longer recognize, "Let me show you the distance I felt when you always chose to leave me behind. That you may understand the emptiness you've allowed to grow in my heart."

The space around them started to rampage. Out of nowhere, the ground that they all stood upon started to shake uncontrollably as seams of breaking formed. Gargantuan forms of land separated and continued to move millions of light years apart.

Seeing such force, the deities understood fear in their hearts for the first time. They also felt they were being moved far from one another, with invisible shackles binding them forcefully, no matter how they resisted... it was futile.

Earth's earth was forcefully wrecked out of the land, thrown into the vast expanse.

As the deities were being thrown all over the universe along with the land they once lived in, Horizon's ominous voice echoed into the recesses of their minds.

"Sun and Moon, since you proudly boast of your son's creation, you will be bound to be its watchers until the end of Sun's life. That you may understand the immensity of your foolishness."

"As for you, Earth... the space around you will no longer follow the laws of nature it once did. You will no longer be able to create anything, just as you have threatened my father and I with your so called judgment, I will show you judgement from an ethereal."

"As for the rest of you, you will all be separated by the space of the universe. Do not worry, this will not be for eternity. However, its duration will also not be short that you may understand the powers ethereals wield that you so proudly desecrate."

The baritone voice of her father was then heard like a haunting curse in the universe, "And I grant all of you, the void, an empty, hollow, lifeless power that will forever reside in your hearts. Since you have made my daughter carry such heavy sins, I will let you live a life worst than death. Do not worry, I have no blood enmity with your future children. Your future children will overcome it as long as they have the will to better this chaos they'll inherit from you, but as for all of you here right now. You can only dream of death."

This fight between husband and wife was the first to shake the universe ever since its creation. Some call what Horizon did as the big bang but many believe this as just a myth passed down by the Akean Natives.

It was also the first war of the world, the war between deities in allegiance to Earth and the last two deities of the ethereal line, Void and Horizon.

A war that will never be forgotten for as long as the universe was divided by space and its void. A bloodless war much more haunting than the wars that will soon take after it.

The earth that Earth created still followed the will of its creator and life in it continued to thrive, but the heavens that once was blessing it with its essence was now separated by the horizon, that which lies between the heavens and the earth.

Seeing this, Sun took it upon himself to continuously sens his powers to earth to preserve it from its inevitable demise.

The same with moon, she provided the solace of gentle rays, hoping for the day Earth can come back.

Seeing the world in its new order, Horizon and Void generously gifted the universe in the midst of their judgement.

Gifts that would only be understood by those who search deep within them. Gifts beyond the laws created by humanity, by deities, by creation.

Horizon gifted the universe the beauty of separation, like the accidental beauty of the Horizon in the midst of heaven and earth. Ever present but intangible.

And the necessity of space, but at the same time, the dangers of it.

Void gifted the universe of the void, a tell-tale sign of a bottleneck, the need to think beyond the limitations set by the physical world.

A moment of loss only to be enlightened.

The marriage that once was showered with praise and envy, can only serve as a warning to everyone that marriage should not be taken lightly. Listening and also working out the differences between lovers should be done earnestly.

Children, you must always remember the moral of the story. Do not be blinded by your future achievements as Earth did, as well as do not forget to understand how people appreciate your love for them. Love is only love in the moment it can be experienced, once that time is up, it will be just memories... unless if it was true love after all.

Also, only act swiftly and ferociously if you have same the capability as Horizon and Void. May you have the same heart as them who only sought to do things such as this because the deities around them were planning such evil in their hearts.

Lastly, my dear sons and daughters... May you remember, that women are not weak nor inferior to men. Just like in the story, every adult here (like the father, Void) will support you to become stronger and smarter that you may not be bound to the vicious thinking most people implicate women with outside. Here, in this home, everyone will be treated fairly.

Hearing up to this, the man marveled, "Do the kids listen to this?"

The woman replied proudly, "Yes, sir. It is a tradition in this orphanage that children will listen to such stories."

"Do they even understand this?"

"This is a story they previously heard before. When Ms. Nirvana tells her stories, she usually adds a picture book with it or she even animates a silent film for her stories. However, it's usually at night when such things are broadcasted in the whole orphanage... Today, it would seem the children miss, Ms. Nirvana. That was why they requested Aka to play it at this time."

"I see. That is problematic."

"What do you mean by that, Sir?"

"Nirvana got into an accident... She has no memories of who she is... I'm not so sure when she can give the kids bedtime stories again..." the man spoke each word heavily.

The woman gasped, "Sir, please, tell me it not true..." grasping the edge of his sleeves begging.

"She is undergoing tests in the hospital. I will up..."

*ring *ring *ring

Being disrupted, the man then said, "Please let go of me, I need to take this call."

The woman was in the verge of tears as the man's phone continuously rang.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she gets better. She is my lover. We were supposed to marry a few days from now. Trust me."

The woman meekly nodded as she let go of him. "I will wait for you here in the corridor."

The man nodded. He went outside and answered the call, "Egon, is there a problem?"

"Don't problem me?! What about this marriage I heard from aunt and uncle? Vi, you haven't even met the woman for that long! What's more she's an amnesiac, don't tell me you're pushing through with this!"

"I advise that you never speak of her in this manner ever again. I respect you as a friend, but that is the woman I love. I will marry her no matter what." he strongly voiced before ending the call.

On the other end of the call.

"Vi!"

*toot *toot *toot

"LEVIATHAN!" he shouted in frustration

Andre entered Egon and Conrad's quarters, and heard his shout, "Let me guess, he didn't listen? Then again... amongst us, Levi was the most elusive. This sudden marriage is somewhat aligned with his unfathomable personality."

"Andre, the Athan's don't divorce their spouses. What if he regrets?"

"Then, it will be a price he pays for not listening."

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