Our Universe

“Will I see you again?” her voice cracked. 

His back was facing her, and he turned his head over his shoulder. He paused and pursed his lips for a second, as if he were giving his response some thought.

“Probably not.”

He continued to walk through the shrine ruins, without ever looking back at Earth.

This is the story about Earth and Universe. Though, it isn’t just any universe. It’s the universe.

In human terms, we often call it our universe.

Long before all the living creatures, there was only Universe and the accomplices. We now call these accomplices, “planets”. Universe and his accomplices were capable of transforming into their desired forms -- be it nature, humans, or wild animals. Each accomplice would oversee their own elemental planet. Some were unoriginal, while others learned how to perfect their place and power. Out of all the accomplices, Universe paid careful attention to Earth. Earth often dwelled amongst lowly elementals, sharing her power to aid in expanding land, sea, wind, and fire. One day, Universe approached Earth.

Universe asked, “Why do you dwell among the weak? You can easily expand the elementals on your own!”

Earth smiled solemnly and gazed at the creations of her elementals. Then, she softly spoke, “My responsibilities lie beyond pure control. Even if I were to tell my elementals what to do, I will never envision what they can do. Having my elementals by my side to help me create the planet I desire is too shallow of a goal. I want to create a home for my elementals and me. A safe haven that has been meticulously made with love. With devotion. I surely cannot make a place so pure on my own.”

For the first time in millenniums, Universe learned about “democracy”. Never had he understood the feelings of love and devotion. Curiosity stirred in the depths of Universe. Universe’s monthly visits soon became weekly. He would assess the “home” Earth was making with the elementals and  frequently ask questions for reasons he did not understand.

“Why do you have so many forms of water? All the other accomplices only make water banks under their soil. Neptune just hoards the water all over her planet, why not just do that?” Universe asked upon witnessing riverbanks, creeks, seas, and oceans.

“The elementals have shown me that with variant waters, there can be variant creatures. For example, here in the riverbanks, these waters do not have salts. Only creatures that feed purely off plants and insects can thrive there. In their own ways, these creatures thrive to make their own ecosystem flourish. There is balance and with balance, there is harmony,” Earth carefully explained.

Universe was confused, but suddenly felt warmth in his core.

 What are these terms he had never heard of? First, democracy and devotion? Now, harmony and balance? What a peculiar accomplice Earth is,” Universe thought.

Despite Earth’s peculiarity, Universe grew quite fond of Earth. Universe knew this was wrong. He knew that he was made to care for each accomplice equally and approve each action in accordance to what is known, not what is new.

One day after assessing Venus’s planet, Universe rushed over to Earth. That day, Earth took him to a place he never witnessed amongst the others’ planets. Earth and her elementals created a meadow with flowers of all colors. There, Universe stood in shock. How could there be so many colors? The colors he witnessed before mostly comprised of yellow, red, blue, and brown. He was simply amazed. Despite the beauty surrounding him, Universe found his eyes wandering towards Earth. He took notice of her smile, the way she gently caressed each flower and giggled with the elementals. He paid careful attention to her movements, her words, and her expressions. His chest squeezed tight.

What has gotten into me? Universe thought, Since when did I realize such things?

After realizing his feelings towards Earth, Universe spent the following days with Sun. Sun was Universe’s first accomplice. Sun was the bright component of Universe, producing the fire elemental for Universe and accomplices.

“Why does Earth act so differently from the others?” Universe sighed as he spoke with Sun. Universe could see green and blue, with white swirls -- Earth’s planet -- from Sun’s position. 

“Isn’t different good? It’s better than seeing the repetitive red and blue from all the other accomplice’s planets. Such a waste, these fire elementals!” Sun responded.

Universe rolled his eyes and rested his chin on the back of his hand, “all you ever care about are whether your elementals are put to good use. I guess…that’s what you were made to do. The same way I was made to watch over the accomplices and their planets.”

“Why do you always consider what has to be done instead of what could be done?” Sun continues, “Maybe that is why Earth is so different; she considers what can be instead of what is.”

Universe realized that Sun was right. Why was he fussing over her differences when that is exactly what makes him feel so affectionate towards her?

“What do I do now, then? I realize my feelings for Earth, but it’s against my purpose to entertain these thoughts…” Universe asked desperately.

Sun placed his hand on Universe’s shoulder, “Do what you believe in and stay true until the end. After all these millenniums, we both have come to know that every action- good or bad- has consequences. Whether we choose to stand by those consequences or run away from them is up to us.”

After that, Universe thought long about Sun’s words. Despite his doubts, Universe decided to press on with his emotions and chose to see its capabilities for what it is. Universe finally paid Earth a visit.

“Universe! I haven’t seen you in so long! How have you been? Are the other accomplices’ planets coming along?” Earth asked with excitement.

Universe cleared his throat and said, “I’ve been doing well, just needed some time to think. I’ve come with a present for you, Earth.”

Universe tugs out of his pocket, a small glowing sphere with freckles.

“This is Moon,” Earth says, “He will compliment your planet well, guiding a light during your nighttime.”

Earth handled Moon meticulously, aiming it at the right hemisphere sky and then threw Moon as far and hard as she could. In a distance, Moon sat complacently in the sky. Barely visible but waiting patiently for dusk.

Earth then turned towards Universe and grabbed his hands, squealing, “Thank you so much, Universe! You don’t know how much I appreciate your gift! I love it so much! It will bring light to the darkest part of my planet, what a thoughtful gift!”

Overwhelmed by emotions, Universe turned red, bringing a lunar eclipse amongst Earth’s planet. 

“Earth...,” Universe started, “I must confess, I have fallen deeply for you. I know it’s against my nature to harbor such emotions towards an accomplice, but I am choosing to see the capability of what we can be instead of just focusing on what I was made to be.”

Earth was speechless. Without a doubt, several thoughts had run through her mind, “How is this possible?” and “Why me?”. As she gained back her state of mind, Earth simply nodded and said she understood.

As the night went on, Universe and Earth thought of an agreement to start their relationship. Earth would scatter shrines throughout her planet, and every night they would meet at a shrine under the shadows of Moon. They spent the following nights together where they would learn more and more about each other and come to find no fault in their fondness.

Despite this, the unfortunate truth would have to be revealed, and with it, the consequences reaped with their decision. Without Universe’s knowledge, Time already witnessed it all. Time witnessed from beginning to end but thought best not to play a hand due to Reason. Reason told Time that this love must blossom for the best outcome. And just like that, Universe and Earth were pawns in Time and Reason’s game. As the outcome was coming near, Time summoned Universe.

“I know what you have been doing with Earth, I have seen it all. I let it take its course as Reason suggested, but the outcome is near. No longer will you be able to love Earth.” Time meticulously explained.

“How can this be? Why would you allow our feelings to grow when you had plans to reprimand us?! Who are you to have a say in our love?!” Universe argued.

Time could see the desperation in Universe’s eyes. Despite this, Time’s thinking could not be clouded for he could see the outcome of the affair: the conclusion, the end. Because of this, Time simply said, “It is just not possible. I am not one to say. I am one to know. Aside from your emotions, one of you will leave no matter what outcome. Even if there were to be multiple outcomes, your love will suffer, and the outcome will be inevitable. It’s best to say goodbye now, while you can still see with clarity.”

Time saw that Universe was not convinced, so Time surrounded him with possible outcomes, all ending in the disparity of their love. Universe did not expect Time to be so cold towards his emotions. As Universe saw all the possible outcomes, his heart turned cold towards Time and rationalized that no matter what happens, it will be incomparable to the strength of Earth and his love. Against Time’s will, Universe continued to meet with Earth and their love grew every day.

Then, one day, Universe was walking with Earth and he saw the vast mountains she had created. He suddenly remembered one of the outcomes Time had shown him. The mountains had dried up, turning into a dark brown and the water sources at the bottom of the mountains were no more. There were dead carcasses all around, and he could envision Earth in the middle of the barren land, sobbing in despair.

“Universe? What’s wrong? You look pale, as though you’ve just seen a ghost!” Earth gently reached for Universe’s arm and had an expression of great concern. Universe snapped out of it.

“I-It’s nothing. I just thought I saw a wild deer peering from the forest under the mountains, that’s all,” Universe lied. Universe wondered to himself why he had envisioned an outcome so morbid, but quickly closed the thought. He focused on Earth and centered his thoughts towards the time they were spending together.

The unfortunate truth was that Universe spent the whole week seeing destructive outcomes amongst planets made by the other accomplices, too. It wasn’t just Earth. He could see the creations worked hard to be built, would tremble at the knees of chaos and despair. Universe grew ill and was unable to visit Earth. Earth grew concerned and spoke to Sun.

“Sun, is Universe alright? I haven’t seen him in seven days!” she asked worriedly .

Sun’s eyebrows furrowed at the look of concern Earth had. “Earth, do not fret. Universe is a busy being, running around to make sure everything is in order. I am sure he will come to visit you as soon as things settle down!” Sun reassured Earth.

Regardless of Sun’s reassurance, Universe had fallen ill. He was bedridden and during the time of his sickness, he dreamt awful dreams of destruction and befall. After two weeks, Universe had awoken from his deep slumber. The accomplices surrounded him, bringing charms and trinkets from sacred places in hopes that he would get better. All the while, the creations of the accomplices were chipping one by one. Without Universe to set order amongst the creations, there lacked balance and harmony. Without the balance of power and equal distribution of love, the accomplices and their planets would be doomed.

Universe realized what he had to do. A death for a death. To prevent the death of all, he would have to allow the death of his love: the ultimate form of altruism.

Once Universe was able to roam again and had time to collect his thoughts, he visited Earth once more at the shrine under the shadow of Moon.

“Earth, you have brought bliss into my existence. You have taught me values that I never knew about in all my millennial years-,” Universe managed to say with a soft smile, “My love for you has grown far too deep. So deep that it has created an imbalance amongst the creations and the accomplices. I understand now why there was such harmony and how to maintain it. The unfortunate truth is, I cannot maintain it by your side. It is time for me to depart from you, from us.”

Earth did not understand. “What do you mean this is the only way? Please do not leave me, there must be another way, another chance for us to be together-,” Earth could not hold back her tears.

“I…I am sorry. This is the only way. I cannot love you anymore. It will always be at a great price, the price of you.” Universe tried to explain. He could no longer hold back his tears, so he turned away.

“Goodbye, Earth. Please stay well. Continue to bring light in the darkest places.” Universe spoke while clearing his throat.

“Please…please…,” Earth repeated, as she fell to the ground sobbing.

That night, Universe cried for the first time. His tears transformed into floods that covered all the accomplices planets, washing away any sort of inequity or trace of love that could not be, or love that was not enough. This went on for what felt like eternity.  

As time passed, Universe never forgot about Earth and the love they shared. He merely never acted on it. Only in the rare occasion, though, Universe presented Earth with gifts unknown to her. Gifts that were a reminder of their love. He presented Earth’s planet with stars to accompany Moon during the night. It was to remind of how bright his love for Earth no matter how much time had passed. Some millenniums later, Universe gave Earth’s planet “continents” to allow land animals to roam in various places. This was to assure that Earth would always have places to explore without needing him by her side. And lastly, Universe gave Earth “humans” for companionship, to assure that Earth would never be lonely again. These gifts immortalized Earth and Universe’s love, an assurance that though it ended prematurely and for the greater good, it will never truly die. So, these landmarks live on even today, amongst people, nature and the harmony of planet Earth.