The Nature of Existence Revealed. The Building of Heaven

by Shadow Ranger

The Foundation of Creation

And it came to pass that the foundation of existence was revealed to be twofold.
The first was called The Grid, a mighty sea of energy, swirling in chaos without purpose.
At its edges, the energy was divided: light unto one side, and darkness unto the other.
Where these forces met, the energy was either balanced in neutrality or cloaked in the shadow of the darkness.
Yet verily, those who drew upon this power saw but a portion, for the depths of The Grid were untamed and destructive, mutating all that dared to touch its core.
Only they who approached with reverence and fear might wield its strength without destruction.
And the second was called the Material Realm, the place of form and substance, wherein all things physical were given their dwelling.
As The Grid had its depths and heights, so too was the Material Realm layered:
From the spiritual heights above, to the earthly plane wherein mortals reside, and to the shadowed depths beneath, which are the underworlds.
Between these layers was set a vast and boundless void, a barrier ordained to keep them apart.
And this void was neither energy nor matter, but a place of mystery, wherein beings without form or explanation dwelt.
The void surrounded the far reaches of the Material Realm, and there abided mighty spirits that embodied the forces of creation.
Some regions of the void were filled with destruction, yet others seemed hospitable, though no mortal mind could long endure them.

The Interplay of the Realms

And though these realms were sundered, they were not wholly apart, for there were unseen apertures wherein the boundaries were pierced.
Through these apertures did the energy of The Grid seep into the Material Realm, and thus came forth magic and life itself.
Yea, for The Grid is the source of all vitality: it sustains the stars, the worlds, and all living things.
Likewise, there were places where the Material Realm pierced The Grid, and there did spirits dwell—beings who were twofold in nature, both of the flesh and of the spirit.
These beings, mighty and revered, were named gods by the mortals who beheld their works.
And at the heart of all creation lay the kingdom of The One, who is beyond all reckoning, for The One is neither matter nor energy but all in one.

The One and His Servants

Now when the work of creation was completed, the Celestials who had laboured in faith returned unto The One, seeking rest.
And lo, they found themselves within the void of His dominion, a place of eternal peace and glory.
And The One spake unto them, saying: "Well done, thou faithful servants. Enter now into My presence, and receive thy reward."
And The One transformed them, raising them to be multi-fold beings, greater than they had been, to dwell forever in His light.
Some retained their former shapes, but others accepted the gift of renewal and became Angels, shaped anew by His power.
And among these Angels, The One chose leaders, calling them Arch Angels, to guide and shepherd the hosts of Heaven.
To these Arch Angels He gave dominion over the Angels that followed, that they might bring order and fulfil His will throughout the heavens.
Then The One commanded them, saying: "Build now the realm of Heaven, a place where I shall dwell with you for all eternity."
And it was so. The Angels laboured, and the heavens were established.
Yet others among the Celestials were sent forth to guard the energies of The Grid, each becoming a keeper of its power.
And unto those deemed worthy, these guardians would lend their strength, for they were as mighty beasts, sacred in form and purpose.

The Darkness Beneath

But at the lowest depths of The Material Realm, where the shadows of The Grid lay heavy, there was a prison.
And there was cast down The Dark One, who had rebelled against the order of The One.
Though many say that the darkness sprang from Him, it was not so, for the darkness was there from the beginning.
Yet The Dark One became its keeper, lending his essence to those who sought its power, twisting it to their desires.

The Twofold Beings

Over the ages, there arose those in the Material Realm who learned to divide their essence, becoming twofold beings, part of the physical and part of The Grid.
These mighty ones wielded vast energy, channelling the power of The Grid through their forms.
Some hoarded this energy for themselves, yet others gave it freely to those who called upon them.
Thus the realms of The Grid and the Material remained bound together, each shaping and being shaped by the other, according to the will of The One.

From the words of an unknown prophet.