Three days have passed since the First Dark chose existence. Three days of transformation. Three days of ancient nothing learning to become something.
It was not easy. The First Dark struggled. Every sensation was overwhelming. Every emotion was confusing. Every moment of existence was difficult.
But it tried. It persevered. It continued.
“This is harder than I expected,” the First Dark said. It had taken a smaller form now. Still massive but not overwhelming. Still present but not crushing. “Existing requires constant effort. Constant awareness. Constant choosing. Nothing was effortless. Existence is exhausting.”
“Yes. Existence is exhausting. But existence is also rewarding.” I sat with it near the Elder Tree. The ancient tree that taught Hope about enduring. “You have existed for th
