Summary

In "The Corpse," the narrative shifts to a time before the Company, when the land was unharmed. The first Behemoth lived, and gave rise to others of its kind. There were living creatures everywhere. The leviathan fish grew larger and larger. Small eggs lived along the river and opened into other fish. From these organisms came questions of life, identity, connection, purpose, knowledge, and beauty. Gradually these questions led to ruin, to destruction, and only one Behemoth remained. This Behemoth clung desperately to life. Behemoth was not truly alone, surrounded by friends in the sky and beyond. However, Behemoth's existence eventually became negated by the destruction around him. Life seemed to exist only in dreams. The sky took Behemoth away. Eventually even the City and the Company would disappear.

Further questions of love and need and missions arose. Behemoth tried...