Origin: Cycle 7.4.9 – Temporal Resonance Shift
Corrosibility. The term itself carries a weight, a whisper of entropy, a subtle insistence on the inevitable. It isn't merely the degradation of matter; it’s a fundamental property of existence, a rhythmic pulse of decay woven into the fabric of spacetime. We perceive it as rust, certainly, but rust is a mere symptom, a visible articulation of a much deeper, more insidious process.
For millennia, humanity has attempted to combat corrosion – to build walls against the tide. Coatings, alloys, cathodic protection – all valiant, ultimately futile, gestures against the core truth: that all things, fundamentally, are susceptible to the influence of temporal dissonance. The universe isn't static; it’s a churning, resonating entity, and this resonance inevitably interacts with the material world, causing subtle shifts, imbalances, and, ultimately, disintegration.
Consider the basalt columns of Reynisfjara, Iceland. Not just the effect of saltwater, but the echoes of glacial movements, the residual energy of volcanic eruptions, the harmonic vibrations of millennia of wind and wave. These aren't simply contributing to the corrosion; they're amplifying it, creating a localized pocket of accelerated temporal decay. The stone isn’t just eroding; it's unraveling, its very structure re-assembling itself in a distorted, chaotic dance.
The concept extends beyond the purely physical. Think of memories. They, too, are subject to corrosion. Not through chemical reactions, but through the distortions introduced by time, trauma, and the subjective lens of perception. Each recollection fades, shifts, and ultimately, becomes a corrupted echo of the original experience. The stronger the emotional resonance, the more potent the corrosive effect.
We have identified what we call "Temporal Hotspots" - areas where this effect is demonstrably intensified. These aren’t random; they correlate with periods of significant planetary alignment, geological instability, and, surprisingly, with the concentration of highly developed, emotionally-driven civilizations. The weight of collective consciousness, it seems, acts as a catalyst for temporal decay.
Note: Prolonged exposure to Temporal Hotspots can result in the spontaneous generation of 'Chronal Fragments' – unstable remnants of fractured timelines. Containment procedures are paramount.
Formula: Δt = k * (E + C) / R
Where:
This formula, derived from observations across multiple epochs, reveals a startling truth: corrosion isn’t a passive process. It’s an active interaction, a feedback loop where the material’s own energy and inherent temporal distortion contribute directly to its disintegration. Increasing the energetic input (E) accelerates the decay, but the resistance (R) is never truly absolute. It’s a constantly shifting variable, influenced by the subtle fluctuations of the universe’s resonant frequency.
Further research is focused on manipulating the Resonance Coefficient (k) – attempting to create materials with artificially high resistance. Early prototypes utilizing stabilized Chronium alloys have shown promising results, but the potential for catastrophic resonance amplification remains a significant concern.
Epoch: 14th Cycle – The Obsidian Dynasty
The city of Aethelgard, once a marvel of obsidian architecture and temporal shielding, serves as a chilling example of the dangers of underestimating corrosibility. The Aethelgardians, obsessed with extending their lifespans through advanced chronal manipulation, built their city around a massive ‘Resonance Core’ – a device designed to amplify and control the planet’s natural temporal vibrations.
However, they failed to account for the inherent instability of the Core. Over time, the constant manipulation of temporal energy created a cascading resonance effect, exponentially increasing the corrosibility of the obsidian. Within a single generation, the city crumbled, not from simple erosion, but from a self-catalyzed collapse – a vortex of temporal decay consuming itself.
Archaeological analysis reveals traces of ‘Chronal Fragments’ embedded within the ruins – distorted echoes of the city’s final moments. The event serves as a stark warning: attempting to dominate time, rather than understanding its inherent rhythms, is a path to inevitable destruction.