Awakening.
That single word captures it best–an abrupt emergence from formless nothing into vivid self-awareness. As though I had slumbered for eons only to open… whatever it is a sphere uses in place of eyes.
This was the first coherent thought that bloomed within me the instant sentience was granted.
I later learned we all experienced something similar, though the flavor of each awakening differed.
Countless others floated around me–glowing orbs of every subtle hue, pulsing softly in the boundless dark. I knew they were like me. Not because of sight or touch, but because knowledge simply was inside me now, names for things, concepts, the shape of speech. And I knew exactly where that knowledge came from.
The being before us radiated such overwhelming presence that attempting to comprehend it felt like trying to hold infinity in a single point of light. Superior.
"Hear me, all of you–" Its voice rolled through the void like light itself given sound.
Speech.
The word surfaced automatically. I tested it. "...Can I… talk?"
The sound of my own voice–clear, resonant, mine, surprised me. Around me, others were discovering the same gift, their voices overlapping in a rising chorus of wonder.
I felt no urge to join them. Solitude suited me. At least, that was what I believed then, until she approached me.
—A short while later—
"In the meantime, it seems the others are gathering around that being. We should join them."
The voice belonged to the entity that had drifted toward me earlier–bright magenta, energetically pulsing. We moved together toward the growing cluster.
"I am your creator," the great being declared. "I am the reason you exist. Everything you are is possible only because I allow it. Understand this. Know your place if you wish to continue existing. My will is absolute. Nothing defies it."
The words carried crushing weight–not malice, but simple, unyielding truth. Awe flooded me above all else. Such magnificence… to think I was shaped by this being.
The being explained our creation, our purpose. The knowledge settled easily into every mind present, we accepted without resistance.
"She's amazing, don't you think?" Magenta asked, her tone bright.
"She?" I echoed. He? She? The concepts hovered in my mind like half-remembered definitions, not yet meaningful.
One among us–Rosé, as she would soon be named, gave us more insight regarding the concept of genders.
"Obviously we can't reduce such magnificence to merely 'he' or 'she.' Even without fully grasping the terms yet, that much is clear, isn't it?"
"You're right," I admitted. "But we still need a way to refer to… it. Something that conveys proper reverence."
"What are you thinking?" Magenta asked curiously.
Before I could answer, the being spoke again.
"Hear me! I will now give you all names–"
A ripple of reverence passed through the crowd. Names. Individuality beyond color alone.
We formed a loose line, pulsing expectantly. Names would be drawn from our hues.
"You will be Lime."
Lime. The syllable resonated inside me, etching itself permanently. "I am eternally grateful for this gift," I said, sincerity vibrating through every wavelength.
Afterward we drifted, voices mingling with quiet joy–until that same unmistakable presence returned.
"It looks like you lot are having fun here."
Startled, I pulsed brighter. Magenta spoke first. "We were so grateful to receive names, but we noticed you have none. So we were thinking–"
"Forgive Magenta," I interjected quickly. "She's… very talkative and sometimes forgets propriety."
The being's light gentled with amusement.
"Don't worry about trivialities. More importantly–I see you've already begun distinguishing yourselves with genders?"
"Yes," I answered. "At first we didn't understand, but Rosé explained it. It's another way to differentiate ourselves."
"Correct. Though I myself have no fixed gender. Feel free to use whichever pronoun feels natural to you."
"I knew it!" Magenta burst out triumphantly.
"Calm down," I murmured.
"Yes, thank you–we will," Azure added smoothly, trying to steer the conversation.
"It will be our utmost pleasure," Silver agreed with his usual measured calm.
Excitement shimmered through the group, barely contained. Magenta remained her exuberant self, yet somehow her energy seemed to soften the awe-struck tension rather than shatter it. Her presence dissolves formality before it can even form, I realized.
Perhaps that's why we're speaking so freely with our creator now. I… should thank her somehow.
I turned my light toward her. She fidgeted, suddenly restless under my gaze.
"By the way," the being continued, "you were saying something about giving me a name?"
Magenta brightened again.
"We wouldn't dare presume to name such a magnificent being from our inferior minds, but we hoped to offer one that truly reflects what you are. We gathered to brainstorm. Forgive our presumption." I said.
I felt my own light tremble–not from the being's pressure, but from sudden fear.
What if this offends? What if I'm seen as insolent, unworthy?
"I'd like to hear it," the being said calmly. "I'm curious."
Relief cascaded through me like clear light.
Azure spoke evenly. "Actually, Lime was the one who finally proposed it. We all agreed it was fitting."
Shock pulsed through me. I hadn't expected her to name me directly.
"Well then," the being said gently, "let's hear it."
My core felt ready to fracture from nerves. Azure, Silver, Crimson, even Magenta, radiated the same tension.
"The title I came up with is… The Absolute Being."
Silence stretched–an instant that felt eternal.
"I like it," the being declared sincerely. "Truly fitting. Thank you, Lime. I will cherish this gift."
Henceforth, it was T.A.B.–The Absolute Being.
"Henceforth," T.A.B. announced to all, "you will refer to me as The Absolute Being!"
Cheers erupted, echoing through the void. Pride swelled brightest within me.
"You can all thank Lime," T.A.B. added. "The one who conceived the name."
"Congrats, Lime," Magenta said softly, sincerely. "Your devotion to T.A.B. has always been unmatched."
"He's right. Congratulations," Crimson added–his tone warm, though a flicker of envy hid beneath.
"You did good," Silver said simply.
"I'm so happy for you," Azure murmured, quietly resolving to strive harder herself.
"Thank you, all of you. It means more than I can express."
"Anyways, you can continue as you were," T.A.B. said warmly. "It was pleasant speaking with you, but I must go now."
"Of course," Azure replied.
"We understand," Magenta added.
"Thank you for sharing your time with us," I said, excitement still bright in my voice.
"Think nothing of it."
And then T.A.B. was gone–vanished as swiftly as he had appeared.
No sorrow followed. Instead, an indescribable fullness bloomed inside me. I had only dreamed of speaking with our creator once. Instead I had conversed freely, and beyond all hope, I had given a name to the one who gave us existence.
My life felt complete in that moment. Yet I would continue, determined to live up to the being who created me. That was the only way to express proper gratitude.
"I know I've said it already," I told the others, "but thank you, truly. Without you, I never would have achieved this. Never would have named our creator."
"We're friends," Azure said simply.
"That's right."
"No need to make it a big deal."
Their words were kind. Yet Magenta's earlier thanks had carried a different weight–deeper, quieter. Hearing it again now stirred something familiar, something I had felt the very first cycle we met.
I still didn't fully understand it then. Perhaps I hadn't tried.
But as I looked at her now, fidgeting under my gaze once more, I wondered if I finally wanted to.