Seven days in the cave; a thousand years in the world.
Such things from mythology truly existed in reality. Time could be accelerated or slowed.
More precisely, relative to other things, the passage of time for one or more objects could become faster or slower. Everything was relative and independent; there was no true objective standard.
Relativity described how time did not possess uniqueness. Two carbon-14 atoms with completely identical physical properties—if one moved at the speed of light while the other traveled at a human walking pace—would inevitably see the latter decay first in the eyes of an observer.
This was the phenomenon of time passing more slowly at light speed. Acceleration was the exact opposite.
Within the galaxy river called the "Myriad Heavens and Worlds," which Perpetuity and the others had occupied, a brand-new megastructure lifeform existed in an empty region.
At its center was a sphere resembling a globe, composed of rings and elongated gravitational rings.
Si named this thing a "time acceleration entity."
As the name implied, the closer one got to this individual lifeform, the faster time passed relative to the rest of the universe's matter.
"Si, this is our first time doing this. The risks are impossible to determine. Perhaps we should consider things more thoroughly to ensure safety."
Si was preparing to lead a group of fellow kin into this time-accelerated domain, but one individual voiced concern. It believed they were acting too hastily.
"There is no need. The danger facing our race has not been eliminated for even a moment, and I do not wish to wait another moment."
Si rejected the suggestion without hesitation and instructed the successors.
"If I die, let other individuals continue."
"Remember to keep up with material supplies. That cannot be interrupted."
Scientific research could not be