The Cycle of Existence

The universe is conceived of as going through several different "cycles" or "ani," which will ultimately repeat.   The first ani is the Úta Ani (Beginning Age). During this period, all the realms except Tarakom are formed and are converged into one. It is a time of peace and abundance, without the presence of want or need. Everything is in balance. It ends when Taram creates Tarakom.   The second age is the Denú Ani (Golden Age), also known as Taramka, or as "the time before empires, kingdoms and tribes." This is the period at the beginning of Tarakom before the creation of linear time. Gods and mortals exist together in Tarakom during this period and in holy hierarchy. None will suffer in this age. Men may live for the equivalent of thousands of years, for though the sun does rise and set, there is no such thing as a day or a year for the Denú Ani is beyond and before time. This age will end with Hronar Táslag's betrayal of Taram.   The third age is the Trok Ani (Conflict Age). This is the worst of the cycles of existence, and the only one during which linear time exists as a concept. There is much suffering in this age, and a distinct seperation between all things relating to mortals and all things relating to immortals, spirits and gods. The Kynarek can only come to be during this age of disharmony; they are symptoms of the chaos and unbalance. This age will worsen over time. The people will forget the ancient truths. Virtue will be lost. Until at last, brothers will fight brothers, mothers will kill their children, all oaths will be broken, the castes will become one, wars will be fought over nothing, the dead will lie unburied, the Kynarek will war with the gods and nothing will be as it was before. This age will end when Taram destroys Tarakom with his greataxe, Taratok, during the final convergence, which will in turn destroy all of existence and everything within it.   After the Trok Ani, the Úta Ani will come again. The cycle will forever continue. It cannot be escaped.