The following events took place shortly after Prism was dispatched on her mission.
"I take it you sent Prism to handle that matter?" a resonant voice inquired aloud, carrying through the boundless void.
"I believe she is more than capable of surpassing even my highest expectations." Cubix replied calmly. "That is precisely why I chose to test her."
"Reasonably sound judgment. And what of you?"
"My place remains by your side, Milady, as it always has."
The two shared these quiet, casual exchanges often. Such conversations delighted Milady, bringing a subtle shimmer to her vast, multicolored surface. In turn, Cubix found deep joy in indulging her, serving as both companion and confidant in the endless expanse they inhabited.
Yet as their dialogue flowed, the atmosphere began to shift, almost imperceptibly at first. Cubix sensed it instinctively, a subtle tightening in the light that radiated from Milady, a cooling in the warmth of her presence.
He had long anticipated that some profound change loomed on the horizon. Now, without warning, that foreboding crystallized into reality.
"Prism," Milady said softly, though her voice carried the weight of eternity, "can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Milady." Cubix answered, striving to mask the flicker of unease that pulsed within his cubic form.
"How do you feel about this place, about everything that has transpired here?"
"I am overjoyed by the marvel you have wrought," he replied with measured honesty. "Yet I also believe it holds the potential to become greater still than it is now."
"I see."
Cubix spoke neither out of disrespect nor dissatisfaction. He simply answered as truthfully as his nature allowed. Over time, he had learned that Milady valued straightforward candor far more than lavish, empty praise.
"Well," Milady continued, her glow dimming faintly, "I am greatly dissatisfied. In truth, I am utterly disappointed. Most of them seem content to remain as they are–stagnant, unwilling to strive for more. Everything has become…" She paused, the silence heavy. "…mundane."
A storm of emotions swirled within her regarding her creations, but boredom dominated them all, vast and suffocating.
"This was the very outcome I sought to avoid," she murmured. "And yet it is precisely what has come to pass."
"I understand your feelings, Milady." Cubix said gently. "Those who genuinely wish to improve remain few and scattered across the void."
He had sensed for a long while that renewal was necessary, yet no one had dared to initiate it. In Milady's eyes, such complacency could not stand.
The entities had been granted ample opportunity to prove themselves worthy of growth and yet, more than ninety-six percent had failed to rise to the challenge. That alone provided sufficient cause for Milady to intervene. Change, one way or another, had become inevitable.
"At this point," she declared, her tone stripped of all warmth, "it would be better to restart from the beginning."
The words carried no trace of emotion, only cold, unyielding logic.
Though Cubix had braced himself for something of this nature, the confirmation still struck him with profound sadness and a deep sense of personal failure.
"Forgive me, Milady," he said quietly, "for failing to serve you to your satisfaction."
"None of this is your fault," she replied. "nor anyone else's, for that matter." Everything had begun on impulse, without careful design or forethought. In other words… "It's my fault."
"No, Milady. We the entities are the ones at fault."
Milady turned her immense, multicolored gaze upon him. Though she acknowledged her role in the outcome, she felt no guilt, no remorse. She never had. If she desired something, she brought it into being. If something displeased her, she reshaped or erased it. Not out of simplicity of mind, but out of absolute freedom.
She could do anything, at any moment, with nothing to hinder her. So why refrain? That philosophy had guided her more than once.
"Shifting blame, whether to oneself or to others, changes nothing that has already occurred." she stated.
"Even so–"
"The only path forward is to correct the mistake, not to dwell on its origins."
"I understand." Cubix's glow steadied. "What will you do now, Milady?"
She outlined a rough vision of what must come next. Cubix accepted it with grace, bowing inwardly to the inevitable fate that awaited him and his fellow entities.
"Nothing would bring us greater fulfillment," he said, voice resonant with unwavering devotion. "than knowing our existence served you, however great or small the contribution. As their representative, I humbly accept our fate."
"Good." A faint spark of anticipation flickered across her surface. "Then let us entertain ourselves one final time."
"By your will, Milady."
"And while we are at it, why not make it truly grand?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"I have a new project for you."
"I will fulfill it with flawless service."
"Excellent. And ensure it is completed before our guests arrive."
"Understood, Milady."
"Here is what I require…"
Cubix received the directive eagerly. Milady wished these final moments with her creations to be unforgettable, at least for those capable of forgetting. She herself could never truly forget, every memory remained eternally accessible, recalled with perfect clarity no matter how distant the event.
Cubix, however, wasted not a moment. Armed with only broad instructions, he was trusted to fill in every detail, to exceed where possible. Even from a sketch, he could envision the complete masterpiece, and often surpass the initial outline. Such was the caliber of his devotion.
No task he undertook ever remained incomplete, each was executed to perfection. He would complete a work, then refine it repeatedly, eliminating every imperfection until it met, or surpassed, Milady's exacting standards.
This occasion proved no different. Cubix set to work at once. The void around him–except for Milady herself, faded into irrelevance as he focused wholly on the labor. He was precise and eticulous.
Waves of energy rippled outward, brilliant lights flared in sequence as he shaped, adjusted, and perfected.
A few drifting entities paused in their aimless wandering to watch in silent awe.
Wow, one thought, its emerald hue brightening.
Among them hovered Green, a steady emerald sphere who always positioned himself near whenever Cubix labored on something grand. He absorbed every nuance, gathering inspiration for the day he might craft an object of his own.
Nearby floated six others, equally captivated.
"I want to be like that someday." Orange murmured, her warm light pulsing with longing.
"Do you think we could become like him if we worked hard enough?" Violet asked, her tone hopeful.
"Don't be stupid." Red snapped, his crimson glow flaring sharply.
"Don't call her stupid." Yellow interjected calmly, her golden light steady.
"Yeah." Indigo and Blue added. "We'll never know until we try."
"Oh, come on." Red pressed. "We all know it's impossible to reach that level."
"Speak for yourself." Green said at last, breaking his silence.
He had listened quietly, waiting for the right moment to contribute, and now it had arrived.
"What did you say?" Red demanded, drifting closer until their lights nearly touched.
"I will work hard," Green declared firmly, "and I will reach that level."
The two spheres launched into a heated exchange.
"You don't have what it takes." Red asserted.
"How could you possibly know? Maybe I do and you simply can't see it."
"You don't even look like someone capable of such a feat."
What? the others thought in unison.
"That sounds like a dumb excuse." Yellow observed coolly.
"Hehe." Violet let out a soft giggle, her violet sheen twinkling.
"Don't call me dumb!" Red flared brighter, anger crackling in his voice.
"It doesn't matter." Green replied evenly. "I will achieve this, and I refuse to let anyone convince me otherwise."
"Whatever."
Red withdrew slightly, pride stung. He had lost the exchange and wanted no further part in it, though he lingered nearby.
"Don't worry about him." Yellow said to Green.
"Yeah," Orange added. "If you want to be like sir Cubix, then become like him."
"Thank you, all of you." Green said sincerely.
"Don't mention it." Orange replied warmly.
"Why don't we all work hard together," Green proposed, "to become more like sir Cubix?"
"Sure."
"Why not?"
"It's fine with us." Blue and Indigo said together.
The six agreed readily, pledging to support one another in their shared aspiration.
"You know," Green continued, turning toward the still-hovering Red, "you can join us if you'd like."
Red froze, stunned by the invitation.
"Why would you want me in your group? I tried to tear down your dreams."
"It's all right." Green said with quiet confidence. "It's not as if you're a bad entity, at least I hope so."
Red's glow dimmed in surprise as he regarded Green, then the others.
"If Green says it's fine, then I'm okay with it." Yellow said.
"Yeah, me too." Orange agreed.
"The same for us." Indigo and Blue added.
The moment felt strangely surreal. Green had declared Red not a bad entity despite barely knowing him–guided, perhaps, by pure instinct rather than familiarity.
"Do you really mean that?" Red asked, hope threading through his voice.
"Of course." Green replied cheerfully. "I'd like to have you with us."
"Thank you." Red said, sincerity warming his crimson light. "I appreciate it."
The seven introduced themselves properly, their glows mingling in harmony. Soon after, working in unison, they shaped their first shared creation–an object they named [Rainbow].
But that is a tale for another time, maybe.
It is heartening, Cubix reflected as he continued his labor. to see that my efforts can inspire others to strive for betterment. It is unfortunate that only a minority feel this drive, perhaps then Milady would not have grown so disappointed. Then again, perhaps this was always how things were meant to unfold. Either way, such thoughts are no longer relevant. My place is to serve Milady, until the very last moment.
With renewed focus, he returned to his task, every facet of his being aligned in perfect devotion.