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Edge of the Universe
At the boundary of an impossible universe, two men confront a choice that could decide the fate of worlds. A new writer introduces an ambitious speculative story of power, guilt and survival.
Introducing the work
Tyjae McClanahan's Edge of the Universe opens with an image of physical and moral peril. John kneels at the end of a spaceship plank, facing a vastness he cannot comprehend, while Justin demands that he jump. What first appears to be a confrontation between two individuals quickly expands into a dispute over an entire universe. John insists that he can save it, invoking a mysterious Infinity Tree and a future in which he becomes king. Justin sees the same man as a threat whose return would bring suffering to others.
The excerpt offers the raw ingredients of speculative fiction, including cosmic scale, contested authority and a protagonist whose claim to heroism is challenged by another character's experience of him. It is an early submission, presented as a sample of the writer's developing voice. The feature does not constitute an acceptance for book publication or an endorsement of a completed manuscript.
The submitted first page
The Word Edge is so unique that it can mean many different things. You can be on the edge of doing something so evil that you would never be forgiven , but you change your mind right before you do it. You may be on the edge of discovering your magnum opus. Perhaps you're on the edge of finishing your masterpiece, but you keep adding to it. We are always on the edge of making history, or history being changed, or everything going just right. Every second, you're on the edge of death or on the edge of life, but you'll never know which… But anyways, welcome to the edge of the universe and to the man who will change The Universe and much more.
A tall, slim man is on the end of a spaceship plank, on his knees, staring forward into pure nothingness. Yet somehow, it's expanding both ways like it's getting closer and getting farther. It feels like it's almost calling out. It feels so tempting to fall into. It feels so relaxing. It feels like it goes on for infinity . He doesn’t know how to comprehend what he’s looking at. He’s just lost and Intrigue .Then, he feels a tap on his back. He looks up as a strong figure stands over him.
“John... stand and jump.” The voice filled with authority. John stands but doesn't jump, I said jump, the voice sounds unrelenting. John doesn’t move. His voice trembles, breaking under the weight of Facade of fear , but soon Switch is activated. The performance begins.
No... I can’t, he pleads. I know I have more to give. I can’t leave it like this. Justin, you have to understand I’M NOT DONE. I finally had a chance to save them! I won’t run again! Justin, please, let me go back and Do the job that has been given to me. Justin, your dad lost. It's me. My father won me the battle. My dad's rule is over. It's my turn Justin's face goes red as he BAM!
Shut the fuck up, John! You failed. It’s over... It’s too late. I’m sorry.Justin grabs him by the back of his neck, gripping John tightly, picking him up over the edge, ready to throw him off. I can't believe you really came with me. You're a fucking idiot. the Stories have to be true
John, with a hint of pain and Conviction, starts to yell, Justin, please! You’ve gotta understand, I have to do this! I wanna save them... I wanna save the universe... I wanna save you, your kids, your family... your whole bloodline. In a way, when you think about it, you're grabbing onto your whole generation right now. Let me go, and everything gets fixed with me as king. Now let me find the Infinity Tree so I can be the god I’m meant to be!
Justin’s grip tightens. His voice turns cold.If I let you go... I would’ve failed everyone and everything. Justin’s voice grows harsher with anger, hate, and disgust. From the bottom of my heart... I can’t let you win. That would just be wrong. After everything you’ve done, you don’t get this fucking heroic ending.
You don’t deserve that. Everywhere you go... pain and death follow.You're the problem, Justin growled as he let go of John. But John leaned back, letting his upper body slam against the ship. His legs dangled off the edge, but he managed to keep part of his body on the ship. He had closed his eyes to brace for impact, only opening them once he hit the metal surface.
When he looked up, he saw Justin raising his foot, ready to stomp down on him. John rolled to the side, barely dodging the blow but there wasn’t much room left for him to keep moving. He tried to think, feeling trapped... until a crazy idea hit him. Justin lifted his foot again, preparing to slam it down with all his might.
I'm sorry, Justin muttered. For what it's worth maybe in Another universe, this is me doing it to you... but I must save the universe.BAM! BAM! BAM! Justin stomped the ground like there was no tomorrow, but John grabbed his leg and refused to let go.BAM! BAM!Come on! Let go, you monster ! Justin snarled.
This time, Justin tried kicking John forward, but John clung tighter, his grip like iron. As Justin lifted his leg to kick again, John used it as a base, twisting his body and launching himself backward in one desperate motion.