Temporal Nexus

Volume 1. Chapter 1

confusion and wonderment

(V.O.) You shall glimpse the days yet to unfold. Immerse yourself in the study of epochs that might seem distant yet learn from a past that closely intertwines with your essence. Mortals do not traverse this realm once only to fade into oblivion. Though their presence in this world is not perpetual, their spirits reincarnate, living repeatedly across diverse locales. Our doctrines assure eternal existence; eternity, an unending circle, has neither a beginning nor an end. In the eyes of humanity, the Divine manifests in numerous forms; each individual is adamant their perception is the absolute truth. Yet, they are simultaneously mistaken and correct. Love deeply, and should loss ensue, find tranquility in knowing that death is merely a guardian, gently coaxing the beloved into slumber, only for them to awaken amidst companions of old.

(V.O.) When the Divine decreed, 'Let there be light,' shadows emerged as if by design. In the darkness, where no light penetrated, humans endeavored to create their illumination. This darkness, spawned from deep-seated fear and malice, has persisted since humans first walked the Earth. Their marks upon the land have invariably ushered in war and disease. Story after story has been crafted, each morphed by the teller's desires and aims. Humankind asserted dominion over territories through fear and the manipulation of religious fervor, merging faith with political schemes—a dangerous liaison that fostered strife and division, giving rise to distinct tribes and cultures.

(V.O.) As eras passed, these tribes founded villages, which blossomed into cities, expanded into states, and unified into nations. These nations stretched their influence across continents in an ever-widening canvas of human endeavor.

(V.O.)Throughout the epochs, from the moment humanity first grasped tools in their hands, conflict was born. If devoid of implements, they resorted to bare fists. Those few who survived such skirmishes often fled their kin to seek new beginnings. Yet, this quest for peace was fleeting; even those who yearned for a brighter future found themselves ensnared in a cycle of strife, as their descendants, too, succumbed to discord. From the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, this relentless pattern of battle and bloodshed wove itself into the fabric of human existence.

(V.O.) As a deity observing from the realms of eternity, I lament the ceaseless tumult of war that plagues humanity. From the ancient sands of Egypt, where pharaohs and warriors vied for transient glory, to the stoic grandeur of the Roman Empire, where the thirst for power drowned voices in blood—each era echoes the same grievous folly.

(V.O.) An empire that stretched its fingers wide across the known world, its legions marching in unison. Yet, beneath the banners of the eagles, blood soaked the earth, and the cries of the vanquished echoed through the ages, a testament to Rome's might and its eventual decay.

(V.O.) urge of Genghis Khan across the vast steppes, his conquests leaving a legacy marred by sorrow and destruction. This relentless pursuit of dominion, driven by mortal desires, heralded nothing but despair for both conqueror and conquered.

(V.O.) And then, the fervor of jihad, where Muslims, inspired by a call to defend and expand their faith, waged wars in the name of the Divine. ‘They wage war for religion? In the name of God?’ What scant understanding they hold of the Divine essence. Should an alien with powers akin to the gods proclaim itself a deity, humans might kneel, mistaking might for sanctity, yet they would remain blind to the true essence of their Creator.

(V.O.) Then came the Crusaders, wielding the cross as a sword. 'They fight for Jesus Christ as God?' How they err, and yet, how they hold a shard of truth. Each proclaims their truth as the ultimate, yet all are flawed. How I yearn to unveil the reality of the Divine to them, but their minds, so narrowly focused, could scarcely grasp the infinite. To explain the inexplicable to such singular perspectives is to diminish its essence; simplifying the profound only obscures its true nature.

(V.O.) In the cradle of Europe, the Balkans writhed under the yoke of endless conflict, where ancient ethnic strife sparked flames that no treaty could extinguish. This region, rich in history, became a tapestry of turmoil, each thread woven with the blood of generations.

(V.O.) The world wars, twin cataclysms, brought humanity to the brink of annihilation. The first shattered empires and redrew the face of continents with lines drawn not in ink, but in blood. The second unleashed horrors so profound—the fires of atomic devastation—that even I, a timeless watcher, recoiled at the sight of shadows forever burned into the earth.

(V.O.) humanity has also been beleaguered by disasters of nature's own making. The Black Plague, a shadow of death so profound, swept across continents, sparing neither peasant nor prince.

(V.O.) It was followed by the Spanish Flu, a miasma that claimed millions in its silent fury. Each of these pandemics, like the wars that preceded them, tested the resilience of human spirit, laying bare the fragility of life and the enduring struggle against the unseen and the inevitable.

(V.O.) And now, 170 years after humanity’s relentless cycles of conflict, history repeats itself with the eruption of World War III. This is where our story unfolds. At that time, I was a mere mortal known as Gabriel Carter, a young man of only 23 human years, studying engineering. Amidst the backdrop of global conflict, I found myself on a journey to a place where an elegant suit was required—a stark contrast to the war-ravaged lands around me. I was headed to a diplomatic gathering, where leaders and scholars alike sought fragile truces and shared knowledge, hoping to weave peace out of chaos.

(V.O.) Despite being a student, I was already recognized as a highly skilled engineer, which unfortunately involved me in the development of weapons of mass destruction. This grim expertise led to my invitation to a special meeting to discuss the pros and cons of such formidable tools. For reasons I couldn't quite explain, instead of driving, I felt a compelling urge to walk to the meeting. Naively, I did not fully consider the dangers of traversing a war-torn city on foot, a decision that might seem foolhardy, yet it was one that would unexpectedly alter the course of my life Naively, I strolled through the small town, believing it to be a safe haven from the war. However, I had not accounted for the strategic foresight of the United States, which had already made its next move long before us