The second of two origin stories written about Cliff/Granite. Written from Granite's perspective.

The Rock

The Rock stands at the top of a hill overlooking a valley. Throughout most of time, it was simply a rock, nothing more. Then one day, well after the first humans arrived but before the Europeans, something changed. It was not a change one could see, but rather one that could be felt. In the valley, creatures came and went, people came and went, sometimes bedding down for the night for no other reason than a peaceful feeling. Sometimes, however, all creatures great and small fled the valley for no other reason other than a feeling of dread. But, the Rock didn't mind, it wasn't swayed by such things. He simply was.

The Rock stands at the top of a hill overlooking a valley. A breeze whistles past that part of it which juts out into the air above a drop of about fifty feet. From the Rock, one can see the entire valley. At times the wind blew calmly, peacefully and playfully. Other times it blew with a violent, angry and malicious force. But, the Rock stubbornly stood it's ground. Sometimes scolding his windy sister, sometimes laughing with her. He simply was.

The Rock stands at the top of a hill overlooking a valley. Water flows on one side of it over the edge, dropping to a pool some fifty feet below. Sometimes from the Rock one can see a lovely rainbow as the water falls. Other times, especially at night, the water seemingly vanishes into an ugly and dark abyss as it falls over the edge. But, the Rock gently caressed his watery sister and smiled at her capriciousness. He simply was.

The Rock stands at the top of a hill overlooking a valley. On the side of the Rock opposite the stream, is a large burned out stump. The stump has been there for as long as the rock. Sometimes lightning strikes the stump and the flames light a traveler's way. Sometimes the flames spread, consuming much of the forest nearby. But, the Rock knew how short his fiery brother's time was and he always listened. He simply was.

Earth, Air, Fire and Water. All intersected at a point at the base of the Rock as it jutted out from the cliff. From this point, each held equal area and sway in the areas going out from it. Evil or good, light or dark, it was the way of things. The Rock shrugged his shoulders. He simply was.

Draw a line north-south. Draw another east-west. Imagine each pulsing with to its own rhythm, its own power. There are times when their pulses synchronize and converge on the intersecting point at the base of the rock. During those times that the point pulses with power Earth, Air, Fire, and Water wake up. Each chooses the opposite disposition of what he/she was before. Moments before midnight on a night like no other, the point pulses with power. Glorious light bathed the Rock. The Rock said, "Good". He indeed was.

The Rock stood up and held his watery sister's hands. "I have a gift for you, brother," she said as they held each other close for a moment. "And I have a gift for you, sister," the Rock said. Meanwhile, a sickeningly, ugly yellow Fire burned on the stump. At the same time, the wind blew menacingly cold. Across from each other they took form. Fire and Air eyed each other warily, shouting ancient curses at each other. Then they turned their attention to the Rock and Water, hurling even more insults and negative energy. The Rock stood his ground, jutted out his jaw and said, "Try me." This is the way of rock. Unquestionably so.

Both Fire and Air started forward while Water stood by his side ready for battle. Fire and Air clashed with Earth and Water, once, twice, three times. Each licking their wounds, they withdrew. The Rock sighed as, whether light or dark, good or evil, male or female, nothing was ever decided this way. The decision would rest with mortals, rightly so. Good would offer a choice to it's chosen mortal. Evil would simply have its way. This was always the way it was. He simply was good this time and was glad.

The fire went out and lightning struck in the distance. The wind whisked away. Water ran between his fingers one last time and then was gone. The Rock stood a moment more and then fell back into place. But the Rock really wasn't there. He was underground following the fault lines toward an exceptionally good and bright mortal light. The light wavered a moment and then shone brighter than before. "What could have happened?" the Rock thought. Puzzling over this, his essence entered the mortal. The Rock vanished and Cliff felt faint again, but only for a moment. Cliff was Cliff...and something more.

Later, when Cliff was hiking up a trail to a power pole, the wind struck suddenly. Whisking Cliff up into the air, it sought to smash him onto the ground. Cast down upon the ground from a great height, Cliff transformed into the Rock. He hit hard but was not hurt. After all, he was Cliff-the Rock and both were tough.

Grabbing the truck, he picked it up and threw it at the wind. The wind howled away into the distance. Calm returned. "Hmph. Figures", Cliff-the Rock grunted. It was then that he looked at his hands. Giant and rocky they were.

Cliff-the Rock sat down. A voice spoke from within. "Do not be afraid. You are worthy and good." The Rock and Cliff spent a moment of eternity in totally open and honest communication. "You have a choice, Cliff. Together as one, we can do much good. It is your choice." Unlike his darker siblings who would simply take and possess their choices, it was Cliff's choice too. If Cliff said "No", the Rock would go back to his spot in the valley. If he said "Yes", great deeds could be done.

Patiently, the Rock waited as he saw Cliff consider and weigh choices the Rock had never thought of.

"Let me get this straight," Cliff said, "I'll be able to become, well, you, and do whatever I please?"

"Yes", said the Rock.

"What if I choose evil?" asked Cliff.

"We have seen each other. You are a good soul," said the Rock. "You would not willingly do evil things. I trust you. But, the choice is yours. Use it wisely."

Cliff thought for a moment. "My answer is 'Yes'. But, when we become one, what happens to you? What happens to me?"

"I disappear until the point pulses with power again", said the Rock. "You were, are, and always will be you. This way is how it has always been, how it is now, and how it will always be. You have my word on that."

Cliff smiled, "I don't suppose I'll remember any of this?"

"You may forget, if you wish," said the Rock.

"No, no," Cliff said, " I want to remember."

"A wise decision", said the Rock as he strode forward in the internal exchange to shake Cliff's hand.

"Oh, before we do this, do you have any objections to the name 'Granite'?", asked Cliff. "After all, it's one of the toughest and strongest substances known."

Standing tall and proud the Rock said, "Granite. I like it!" Having said that, Granite smiled and they shook hands. Granite and Cliff became one.

Everything was as it should be. Here at the power station and ... at the top of a hill overlooking a peaceful valley not far away.