It began not with a bang, but with a subtle shift in the viscosity of time itself.
Initial observations were dismissed as sensor malfunction. Readings indicated a localized distortion in the fourth dimension, a localized thinning of the temporal fabric. But the data persisted. It wasn’t merely a glitch; it was a resonance, a faint, repeating pattern echoing across moments that shouldn't have coalesced.
The affected area, centered around the abandoned observatory on Mount Cinder, exhibited peculiar phenomena. Objects would momentarily flicker, their history subtly altered. Individuals reported experiencing ‘echoes’ – fleeting glimpses of events that hadn’t occurred, or had occurred in a slightly different iteration. The sensation was not of memory, but of *potential*.
“The past isn’t a river, it’s a shattered mirror, and Diminutional is the hand reaching out to collect the fragments.” - Dr. Elias Thorne (Speculative)
The source of the distortion manifested as a recurring glyph – a complex, spiraling symbol dubbed the “Diminutional Glyph.” It appeared on surfaces, in the refractive patterns of light, and even imprinted itself onto the minds of those exposed for extended periods. The glyph wasn’t a language, but a key. A key to unlocking… something.
Researchers theorized that the glyph acted as a conduit, amplifying the inherent instability of the temporal field. It seemed to attract and concentrate the echoes, creating pockets of intensified distortion. Some believed the glyph was not created, but *discovered*, a dormant signature of reality itself.
There's a discernible cyclical pattern to the Diminutional activity. Every 72 hours, the intensity of the distortion peaks, accompanied by a heightened frequency of echoes. These peaks are correlated with specific planetary alignments, suggesting a celestial influence. The exact relationship is still unknown, but the prevailing theory involves the interaction of gravitational fields and the inherent quantum fluctuations of spacetime.
The most unsettling aspect is the gradual alteration of personal timelines. Individuals exposed to the glyph report experiencing 'temporal bleed': moments where their own past – their memories, their relationships – begin to unravel and re-form, sometimes seamlessly, sometimes with jarring contradictions. The line between reality and potential becomes terrifyingly blurred.
“Don’t try to understand it. Just… feel it. Let the echoes wash over you. The universe doesn’t want to be understood, it wants to be *experienced*.” - Agent Lyra Vance (Unconfirmed)
Containment efforts have been largely unsuccessful. Standard temporal shielding techniques prove ineffective, as the distortion seems to bypass conventional defenses. Attempts to physically neutralize the glyph have resulted in catastrophic energy releases, further exacerbating the temporal instability.
The most alarming development is the emergence of “temporal duplicates” - individuals who exist simultaneously in multiple states of their own timeline. These duplicates are not merely copies; they possess a degree of independent consciousness, driven by conflicting desires and memories. Some believe the duplicates are the result of a runaway cascade effect, a self-reinforcing loop of temporal instability.
The situation is rapidly approaching a critical paradox: the more we attempt to understand and control Diminutional, the more unstable it becomes, threatening to unravel the very fabric of reality. The question is not whether we can stop it, but whether we *should*.
“The universe is a cruel joke. A beautiful, terrifying, infinitely complex joke. And we, in our arrogance, are trying to rewrite the punchline.” - Dr. Aris Thorne (Post-Observation)