Clicks of dreadful duty resounded quietly within the depths of John's mind.
Surrounded by instruments of science and screens of harsh blue light, he felt himself reduced to a mere corporate machine.
For the last three years, he had mindlessly pursued this path of labor with little to show for it.
Sure, he made as much as an honest family and lived in relative comfort as a thirty-year-old man—but was this dullness worth it? This lack of…purpose?
Depressing thoughts came to him in frequent waves, bringing with them echoes of potential doom.
Was he working for change? Had he made use of his life's education?
Would his parents, God rest their souls, be proud of who he is today?
As he was, would he ever accomplish anything valuable? Anything of significance to this pale blue dot he—and countless others—called home?
'Snap out of it.'
It would do him no good to linger on such thoughts. They made him think, made him consider things in a unique—albeit dark—way.
'I'm a research assistant in the greatest university in the world! I should be proud, if anything.'
With every shadow, a fire loomed.
It was this balance that allowed him to sustain his fragile sanity. But wasn't the human consciousness fragile for all, anyway?
'I can bring small, insignificant change, but that's fine."
He was human.
And he was proud of that.
***
Rays of harmful light slithered across a faraway ashen sky, violently rippling through the air in resounding thunder.
Below, far below, a body of colossal stone and snow pierced through the heavens—not quite reaching the inky clouds above.
At the mountain's peak, a figure stood firm and strong. His flowing gray hair and sharp crimson eyes reflected a surreal existence, worthy of standing atop all zeniths.
"Isgard… You have tarnished our holy lands and disgraced the lives of many before you, all for reckless greed…" A heavenly voice echoed, traced by the strictness of man, plagued by the inhumanity of beast.
The figure, now smiling with otherworldly grace, remained still and silent.
Perhaps triggered by the lack of response, the voice continued. "What do you say in the face of such accusations?"
"Ha…haha…hahaha!" Clutching his face in intrigue, the figure laughed and chuckled without restraint. His once mighty spear fell towards the rough ground, echoing with a soft metallic clink.
Golden flashes erupted in the dark clouds above, reflecting their might in the trembling land below.
Yet still, the man remained unchanged.
The lights began to form clear shapes, gathering in number and power. They moved towards an epicenter, parallel to the figure far below.
"A shame. Your life brought us hope, and your death shall be meaningless."
On that cloudy night, a sun was born.
In an instant, the man stood facing the star above—wielding his spear in beastly defiance. His shadow depicted a man-beast of overwhelming strength, unperturbed by his lost grace.
A man who sought strength above all else. And a man who would die with that purpose alone.
The orb of brilliant energy unfolded, searing the lands and boiling distant oceans.
On that momentary day, an island was reduced to ash. An Emperor, reduced to legend.
***
In a reality beyond reach, ascended from the shackles of space and time, a tremendous change occurred.
For such an existence, free of time, this was a clear impossibility. Yet, it occurred.
The Book of Fate turned, and a new entry formed.
Things would change.
A grand era approached.