The First Book of Coition, called
Origin
Chapter I
1
There was no universe. Then, the universe was. Such was its birth. There was no announcement, no fanfare, no spark or explosion or afterglow. It simply became.
2
And the universe was empty, void. There was neither stone nor soil nor water. Wind did not blow and lightning did not flash. There were no planets, no stars, and no heavens for such things to populate.
3
The universe had no history or future, possessed neither knowledge nor ignorance. It was devoid of physics, of direction, of time. It contained only its own existence. Universes are canvases, and this one was still blank. It only existed
technically
. It was still little more than a decision, a choice made by the Creators.
4
Much remained to be done. A universe needed rules, and it needed substance. And the Creators, already weary from their labors, were forbidden to rest until such tasks were completed.
5
But they desired only sleep, and toiled no longer. They wielded no thought or action toward their goal, and instead laid down and closed their eyes. But neither sleep nor peace nor comfort came to them, as these were forbidden to any whose work was unfinished.
6
So they rose yet again, frustrated, and tried once more to finish sculpting the universe. But exhaustion blinded them to any solution, and consensus could not be found. Soon, a great commotion arose, with horrible cries of dissent and anger filling their realm.
7
And the place of creation trembled with their fury, and the foundations shook, and the winds shrieked. And seeing that the temple was nearing collapse, and that all was about to crumble and fall, and that all would be swept away on the winds and scattered to oblivion, the Creator Elder demanded silence with a booming voice that rose above all others.
8
And the shouting did cease, and the trembling did subside, and the winds calmed, and all manner of things became still.
9
And the Elder proclaimed that they need not fall prey to strife, nor to carnage, nor to destruction, as there was a solution at hand. And the solution held great promise, for they would place a god within the universe, and give it dominion over all, and all would be under its control.
10
And the Creators were pleased, their hope restored, as this god could complete their work for them while they slept.
11
And they then created the god, and they called it He, and He was placed within the universe. And the creators called that place
West
.
12
They then announced the universe to be complete, and awaited the judgment. But alas, although they were certain of their success, the response they received from above was but one word, and that word was
No
.
13
Their universe was not accepted, and the creators cried out in dismay, and begged for mercy. But mercy was not given, for the universe lacked balance.
14
And with sleep still beyond their grasp, they began again to argue, and once again the Creator Elder demanded silence.
15
And it was then decreed by the Elder that there would be a second god, one who would compliment the first. The second god would be weak where the first was strong, and strong where the first was weak, and would submit to his dominance, and reign over his needs.
16
And so the second god was created, and they called it She, and She was placed at the opposite end of the universe. And the Creators called that place
East
.
17
And the Creators again awaited the judgment, with exhaustion and restlessness. And at long last a word came down to them. And that word was
Yes
.
18
The Creators rejoiced, and embraced, and remembered their fellowship. And then, with great relief, all laid upon the ground and fell deeply into sleep, and dreamt what only Creators can dream.
Chapter II
1
The gods then awoke, He and She, and they could see nothing, as the newly forged universe was dark and without light.
2
And He took the form of a star, to shed light around him, so that He might see. But no light returned to him, and He saw nothing.
3
He rotated slowly, shining his light in all directions. And as He rotated, and searched, and sought what might exist, his light reached her.
4
And seeing his light in the West, She took the form of a star as well, and moved toward him. And when her light reached him, and He saw her shining in the East, He moved toward her.
5
They approached one another for an eternity, as the universe was immense. And in that time they saw nothing else, and knew nothing else, for there was nothing else to be seen or known.
6
And He thought of only her for the length of that eternal pilgrimage, and She thought of only him, and the depth of their yearning came to exceed the breadth of the endless darkness surrounding them.
7
And finally they drew near to one another at the very center of the universe. They slowed, and began to circle one another. Orbiting, cautious, curious.
8