Three Possible Options for the Cause of the Universe

Option 1

If there were a cause of the Universe that was uncaused (i.e. it had always just been there, eternal, no beginning, etc.), the creation of the Universe would look like what you see below. The uncaused cause would just be there without anything causing it. Then, at some point, it caused the Universe (effect).

Option 2

Perhaps the cause of the Universe was itself caused by something else. It that case, there might have been an original, uncaused cause that caused the thing that caused the Universe to begin to exist (effect).

Option 3

Of course, it could be that there was no uncaused cause. It might be that there was a whole series of causes that go back to infinity past and lead up to the Universe beginning to exist (effect).