In a ghostly void of chaotic space, thunder rumbled everywhere as chaotic energy churned endlessly with a crashing roar, layer upon layer, like rolling waves that piled ever higher.
Within this most mysterious region of the entire universe lay an even more supreme space. The chaotic energy outside protected this exalted space like an eggshell. Beyond that layer of energy shielding, the space within was not as stormy as the outside world; instead, it possessed a sense of tranquil elegance.
This was where Grand Zeno lived. In that fantastical, wondrous world stood a palace shaped like the character "All."
Inside the Sacred Temple, Grand Zeno, who looked like a child, sprawled before a huge chessboard. He extended one finger toward the pieces on it, and at once, like the hand of fate writing the greater course of the future, he began to move them. Unlike chess games played by humans, every piece on Grand Zeno's board was a vibrant, living planet. At that moment, those planets were being watched by fate.
Bang—
Grand Zeno's finger pushed a planet across the board, sending it crashing into another. This was the process of writing "fate." Every movement Grand Zeno made determined a destiny of "destruction" for the planets of the lower realms.
Thud. The two planets collided and turned into powdery stardust together.
Playing alone was boring, and Grand Zeno was not the type who could endure loneliness for long. After playing for a while, he lost interest. His little feet kept swinging, then with a bang, one foot struck the chessboard. The entire board fell to the ground, and the planets atop it rolled around a few times before all turning to powder and vanishing.
"Ah, they're all gone. So pretty."
"Hey, Grand Minister, has anything interesting happened down below lately?"