Work Text:
...
A long, long time ago, so long ago that even time didn’t exist yet...
There was nothing. Only nothing.
No literally, there was only nothingness itself.
It laid there, curled up like a ball. Alone.
It was probably aware that it exists, but it was so, so bored...
It could see, but there was nothing to see.
It could hear, but there was nothing to hear.
It could feel, but there was nothing to feel.
It could think, but there was nothing to think about. No memories to hold on to.
It was deprived of all sensations.
It was so, so bored.
It had probably tried calling out a few times.
“Hello...?”
“Anyone there...?”
But nobody came. Not even an echo.
So it continued lying there. Until it forgot about calling for help at all.
It fell asleep again, though it was hard to tell when there wasn’t any light.
What a miserable existence.
...
...
But the loneliness accumulates, and one day, the tipping point of change finally happened.
It formed the first thought that wasn’t about how lonely and bored it was.
“I want a friend.”
The tiny desire became a burning determination.
Like an egg splitting open, immense power burst from its form!
The brightest of stars, rainbows, auroras, painted the pitch black void!
The loudest of sounds, thunder, explosions, planets splitting and colliding, rumbled through the silence!
The most intense of sensations, the pounding of rain, the tingle of lightning, the heat of flames, swept away the suffocating nothingness and filled it with life!
The lonely being shrieked and squeezed its eyes shut as everything happened all at once. The creation of the entire universe was truly something unforgettable.
Then it felt something poke its hands.
It cautiously opened its eyes.
Sitting on its held out palms, barely the size of its fist, was a curious little creature staring back at it.
They are blue and they have two eyes just like it. Golden sparkles danced in their pupils. They have legs, but no arms.
This was the friend it wanted. It succeeded!
“One.” It suddenly spoke for the first time in forever. Its voice was hoarse and dry.
The little creature jumped at the sound.
Then when they realized it was talking to them, the sides of their mouth pulled upwards into a cute smile.
“Zero!” They announced. Their voice was crisp and energetic.
And just like that...
Zero and One, and the colorful world of Algebraliens, were officially born.