In a flash, all became one.
She felt the living, breathing network of life—each organism moving in accordance with laws she did not understand but somehow knew. The boundary between herself and the world dissolved, and then—just as suddenly—returned.
For the first time, she saw herself as separate.
And nothing that followed would ever be the same…
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In the beginning there was complete unification and symmetry between Snufo, Wenufo, Grafo, and Elmfo. Though they existed in symbiosis, each contributing and doing its part to maintain balance, it remained true that they were not equal in force and played vastly different roles within their alliance.
In a time before light, Grafo became jealous of the power inherent in the others and struck out on its own. Its departure from the union triggered a destabilization and unleashed a violent explosion of elemental fragments. Never having had the freedom to shape anything independently, the initial outcomes gratified Grafo. But quickly the remnants of its temperamental fit drifted into a hot, dense fog that expanded at an alarming pace. Terrified by the chaos triggered by its actions, Grafo reached out for help. As the strongest member of the group, Snufo reluctantly agreed.
Snufo further separated itself from Wenufo and Elmfo and, after assessing the situation, concluded that reunification was not an option. The long-held balance was wholly destroyed by Grafo’s withdrawal from the harmonious union with the others.
Deciding that the only path forward was to restore order within the expanding fog, Snufo tapped into its full power and drew the scattered fragments together, binding them into stable cores and anchors. With the help of Elmfo, these foundations gradually joined to form Fundaria, the primal building blocks from which substance and form would arise. It was the growing weight of these physical entities that gave Grafo something to grasp, allowing it to gather and shape rather than disperse.
As the process unfolded, each fell into its own role. Elmfo carried the interactions between the Fundaria, enabling the exchanges through which structure could arise, while Snufo continued to drive the violent unions that forged ever more stable forms. Wenufo, ever subtle, transformed what had been formed, quietly allowing change where none would otherwise be possible. The result was a nearly smooth distribution of matter across the still-expanding expanse. For a time, Grafo held itself in check, and a fragile balance emerged.
However, restlessness returned and, like a petulant child, Grafo wanted to see what would happen if it deliberately caused matter to be attracted to itself. While Snufo, Wenufo, and even Elmfo were vastly stronger locally than Grafo, Grafo saw a niche. Unlike Wenufo and Snufo, which acted only at the smallest scales, and Elmfo, whose reach faded across distance, Grafo was able to gather what had scattered, pulling matter inward until large structures began to take shape.
Unable to change their make-up and relatively unaffected by Grafo’s behavior, Wenufo and Snufo went about their activities. Elmfo, following the interactions as they unfolded, held no preference so long as balance and symmetry were maintained within Space.
And so unleashed, Grafo, using all the tools at its disposal, set to work with the passion of a frenzied artist. It gathered, compressed, and kindled. And when Grafo rested, it looked at what it had created and was pleased.
Previously dark, Space now radiated with an overall glow. Turning its attention in all directions, Grafo noted the glow was punctuated by individual light sources that burned steadily and brightly. Having, without knowing, moved in accordance with the Law that was never born and would never end, matter drew more matter to itself, kindling energy and light. Satisfied and tired, Grafo hung back and allowed what had been set in motion to unfold. It was good.
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Lynn Crocker Creative 