PROJECT: NULL (DC)

Venturing into the boundless expanse of space had long been the cherished dream of countless souls, an aspiration to explore the infinite cosmos in pursuit of any signs of life beyond their own solar system or perhaps in search of a deeper meaning to existence itself. Yet for all their efforts, the cosmos remained an enigmatic void, its secrets clutched tightly within the endless stretches of starlight and shadow.

Nestled within the embrace of a crater on the moon, a humanoid figure sat in serene contemplation. Their form radiated a brilliant white energy, illuminating the surrounding darkness, with two piercing black eyes and a mouth devoid of color, all seeming to absorb the light around them. The figure appeared timeless, a sentinel against the vast nothingness that defined the lunar landscape.

As they remained motionless, gazing into the vastness of space, the nearby celestial bodies emitted a stunning heat, yet this warmth never reached the figure. They stared intently at a void where a planet once thrived, a silent testament to the passage of time, before letting out a gentle exhale and reclining flat onto their back, surrendering to the moment's stillness. Their energy pulsed softly, casting rhythmic waves of light across the crater's jagged edges.

"To be powerful is a curse, and to be knowledgeable is a burden, is it not?" echoed a voice from the depths of the cosmos, carrying an almost ethereal resonance.

The figure turned ever so slightly, their gaze shifting as a male figure approached—his skin a striking shade of bright blue, his white eyes gleaming with otherworldly wisdom. He wore what seemed to be simple black shorts and bore a two-layered circle upon his forehead, a symbol of his unique existence, as he calmly advanced toward them. His steps left no trace, as though the moon itself dared not disturb his passage.

"Dr. Manhattan…" the white figure whispered, a hint of reverence in their tone, as they rose gracefully from the moon's surface, their energy shimmering in the dim light. The two figures stood in stark contrast, one a beacon of light and life, the other a manifestation of cosmic stillness and calculated reason.

Standing side by side, the two beings gazed out into the cosmos, embodiments of power and wisdom that many would dare to label as gods. Yet, at one point in their lives, they had both been mere humans, fraught with the same struggles and desires as any other. A silence hung between them, heavy with the weight of their shared understanding.

"What has prompted this visit? Though companionship is often advised to stave off encroaching insanity, I had believed you had already moved on to observe another timeline," the figure inquired, their voice laced with curiosity. Their words carried a softness, an echo of humanity that clung stubbornly despite their transformation.

Dr. Manhattan remained silent, his gaze fixated on the emptiness where the planet once known as Earth had thrived, now reduced to nothingness, a haunting reminder of the fragility of existence. "In due time, even now I watch, I listen, and I learn, but I find myself consumed by curiosity. I have ventured forth many times, yet you seem reluctant to share your story, even in thought. You render me somewhat incapable of perceiving it."

The figure offered a faint smile, a flicker of warmth amidst the vast desolation surrounding them. "I had thought to keep this from you, not wanting to burden you with the tale of how I became what I am now, but it seems even my abilities prove capable of disturbing the great Manhattan."

Dr. Manhattan returned the gesture with a slight smile of his own, the humor in the remark not lost on him. They were two beings who traversed the universe in solitude, yet over the centuries, they had found solace in one another's company, allowing both to reclaim a semblance of the humanity they had long since lost to the passage of time.

"Ah, but please do grace me with your story," he encouraged, his voice imbued with genuine interest. "And take as long as you'd like; time is but a construct, after all."

The figure let out a low chuckle, the sound reverberating softly in the stillness. "Hmmm, I do wonder where I should begin. Each narrative I possess is as fascinating as my own, so it seems fitting to group them together; after all, each tale plays a vital role in crafting the conclusion of my existence."

They raised a hand, and with a deliberate motion, conjured a sphere of shimmering light. Within its translucent depths, fragments of memories danced like distant stars, each one a thread woven into the tapestry of their enigmatic journey. The figure gazed into it for a moment, their black eyes reflecting the swirling constellations of their past.