Chapter 186: The Story of Us (One)
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 186: The Story of Us (One)
Vir thought hed prepared himself for what was to come, but he hadnt. How could he?
Ashani pressed her fingers against the sides of Virs head, and like a drop falling on a still mirror pond, the worldrippled outward. Where the ripple touched, Ash ceased to exist, restored to its former glory. The placement of the buildings and the streets remained the same, but everything else changed.
Gone were the dark storms and the ever-falling ash. Sinister black buildings instead shone a fabulous blue-white, their dull gold emblazonings shining brightly under vast blue skies and a dazzling sun.
Allow me to take you to a time of ages past. To a time of hope and wonder. Of monumental accomplishment, when the Prime Imperium spanned the world. Before the Fall and the end of all things.
The Age of Gods, Vir thought with growing excitement. Im witnessing life as it was in the Age of Gods!
The joyous sounds of life erupted, filling the crisp, clean air.
The same place. A different time.
Virs mouth hung open, and he pointed to the sky. Above the half dozen Vimana that moved lazily through the skies above the city.
There, high up, was a sphere. A bright, glowing sphere. It wasnt the sun.
The moon? Ashani asked. What of it?
What is it? Vir asked, panic growing in his voice. While large in the sky, it felt different to his eyes. It was far. Impossibly, vastly far. Like it was a part of the sky itself.
The moon is a fixture of the sky. Tis natural
Ashani, there is no moon where I come from. Its gone. Completely gone.
Truly? Ashani said with a concerned expression. Tis hard to fathom. Though, the fate of my people is equally difficult to comprehend.
Vir stood transfixed at this moon, his mind going in circles. What was it? The sun was said to be the seat of Adinats power. Was the moon a representation of another god? Perhaps one that was no longer in power?
Um, Lady Ashani? Did your people put the moon up there, by any chance? Or maybe the sun?
Ashani stared at Vir for a long moment, then burst out in a fit of giggles. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was forced to wipe them away as Vir stood there awkwardly scratching his chin.
My apologies! she said at last. I have not laughed like this since Well, since before the fall. Ive been rude.
No, its quite alright, Vir said in embarrassment.
We did not put the sun in the sky, no. Nor the moon. My peoples powers were vast, but we were not gods. The sun and the moon have always been.
An avian beast zoomed by before Vir could reply, forcing him to duck, but he was too late.
Two beasts hit him and passed right through.
This is but a simulation of the world as it was millennia ago, Ashani said. You have nothing to fear.
She brought the world to a halt. The beasts froze, allowing Vir to look at them. Allowing him to distract himself from the mind-bending concept of a moon.
Made entirely of Ash prana, they resembled far more elegant Ashva, with longer, thinner heads and longer legs.
They were tethered to a beautiful chariot covered in golden patterns. Prana overlaid the actual gold, forming artful patterns that seamlessly blended inscriptions with prana. Its twin wheels left behind trails of Fire Affinity prana in the air, and a golden dome hovered above the chariot, seemingly unconnected.
Commanding the chariot was a man wearing the most gold Vir had ever seen on any living being. From gemstone rings to bangles and bracers, necklaces, and even his armor that contoured his perfect abs, everything was bejeweled and gilded. Not even kings looked so impressive.
An enormous headdress flared out behind him, forming a circle of gold. An impressive black mustache decorated his bronze skin that lacked a single blemish.
Ashani resumed the simulation, and the chariot sped forth, disappearing in the distance.
It wasnt the only one. The skies were dotted with such vehicles, speeding this way and that in a maze of lanes that crisscrossed above Mahdi.
Follow me, Ashani said, stepping off the tall building and falling elegantly to the surface of a nearby street.
Vir shelved his thoughts about the moon for later. There was simply too much to take in. If he tried to process it all, his head mightve exploded.
Thats quite the drop, Vir thought, peering over the ledge. It had to have been as tall as the top of the Mahakurmas shell, if not higher.
Vir bellowed a roar and jumped.
The black spires blurred around him as he plummeted, falling through the many lanes of sky traffic.
Light Step softened his fall. Even with the Talent, a fall from such height wouldve normally caused him a great deal of pain, though this time, he felt nothing.
The street was similarly lined with gold, though the avenue itself was a brilliant, spotless white. It was made of no material Vir could place. Hard like metal, but pleasantly warm to the touch, it overflowed with Ash Affinity prana.
Four-faced automatons, at least Vir assumed they were automatonsstrode down the street, each face having a conversation with the others attached to its head.
Women wore silk dresses covered with ornate prana patterns that continuously shiftedpieces of living art. The women wore even more gold than the men, boasting piercings in their ears, noses, and exposed belly buttons.
The gold theme continued, with every single person Vir saw having at least a half dozen ornaments.
My people enjoyed self-expression, Ashani said fondly, walking down the bustling road.
Vir followed behind Ashani, stricken with awe.
A man with baggy pants sat with arms and legs crossed and eyes closed, riding by on a silk rugthe sort Vir saw in the palace at Daha. Except this one floated on a layer of prana, whisking it silently to its destination.
Fine handcrafted weapons! Come get some souvenirs for your children! Theyll love it! a man said, twirling a chakram around his finger.
The deadly disk glinted and buzzed with a deathly sound. Vir felt a deadliness from the chakram and instantly recognized the Ash Prana ringing the blade.
Hes selling that to a child? Vir exclaimed in horror.
The Human Realm? Ashani asked, straightening her sagging shoulders.
Thats where I came from, Vir said.
Interesting, Ashani replied, cupping her chin. My Ash Tears have never shown me such a place. It seems I have much to learn of the outside world. You must tell me everything!
Vir chuckled. Ill try, but prepare to be disappointed. Its nothing compared to what youre showing me here.
Ashani doesnt believe you. How can any tale of what is dead and gone compare to that of the now?
It can when your tale is of literal gods.
Vir couldnt fathom how these people were so comfortable using prana; it was as if they were born with it. Prana was integrated into practically everything at a fundamental leveltheir chariots were drawn by beasts of pure prana. Their clothing and their jewelry incorporated it in their design, and they even used it to conjure objects out of thin air.
A woman walked by, her silk dress semi-translucent cape floating gently behind. Its color shifted moment to moment, matching its prana signature, which flowed in beautiful patterns.
Virs senses were overloaded, and that was ignoring all the sights he didnt understand. There was the whole slew of oddities Vir couldnt even begin to unravel, like the floating orbs that followed several people around.
At first glance, Vir just thought they were packed with Ash prana. They werebut that was only the start of it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of inscription rings ran around them, crisscrossing. Like those inscribed within human orbs, except miniaturized, and multiplied a thousandfold. There was so much going on inside those orbs, it made Vir dizzy just looking at them.
Telepathy node amplifiers, Ashani explained. In-built nodes suffice for short-range communication, but some of us desired a longer reach. The orbs facilitated communication with the Vidya.
Sorry, what? I recognize some of those terms from the transference thing you did earlier, but I dont have a clue what you meant.
Your society does not possess such technology, does it?
Ashanis question was so abrupt that it made him wince. Hed wondered when shed come to that realization. No, he admitted. No, we dont. Im afraid youll find the current state of the world quite pathetic.
Ashanis expression darkened. Id suspected, based on your reactions thus far. I see. Little survived, then
Um, you were talking about those nodes? Vir prompted, hoping to distract the lady. Sadness seemed to be her natural state, though after spending millennia alone in such a desolate wasteland, he could certainly see why.
Right, of course. All of us communicated telepathically. Or at least, we had the option to. Many chose to speak with their vocal cords.
Let me guess. For the experience? Vir asked, moving aside to allow a gilded man with a spiked headdress and an absurdly long cape pass by. The cape, like its wearer, hovered just above the ground, shimmering behind him as he floated by with his eyes closed.
Ashani nodded. Exactly! Though the telepathy nodes did more than allow for communication. Anything we wished to learn was but a thought or two away, made available by the Vidyathe repository containing all the collective knowledge and wisdom of our people.
What do you mean by anything? Vir asked, following Ashani as she turned onto a less busy side road. If hed been any less overwhelmed, he mightve noticed it was the same street hed been summoned onto by Ashanis Ash Gate.
Any skill you wish to learn, you could wield it with the perfection of our greatest masters. Any book knowledge you wished to possess would be yours, with as much clarity and understanding as the sages who wrote it.
Wouldnt that make every single person superhuman?
Vir tried to imagine a society where the youngest girl to the oldest man was not only a Balar 5,000 warrior, but the smartest person in the world.
Wouldnt everyone be the same? he asked. If everyone had the same skills as everyone else?
Indeed. The creation of the Vidya nearly destroyed our society, turning it bare and lifeless.
How did they solve it? Vir asked. The people he saw looked the exact opposite of lifeless.
Through a rediscovery of the things we once loved, though for different reasons entirely. Self-expression became purpose. People cravedneededuniqueness. The Vidya forced people to look elsewhere to obtain new experiences. From evolving art beyond the greatest grandmaster whod come before to engaging in deep social relations and experiencing new emotions, my people found all sorts of innovative ways for culture to thrive.
Vir craned his neck, looking up at the tall buildings that scraped the sky. Between them, entire sky lanes filled with chariots and magic carpets crisscrossed in all directions. Every one of those people wielded unimaginable power and had a hundred times more knowledge than the entire Known World combined. Thrive was certainly the right word.
Yknow? I really didnt think I could get any more impressed. I figured there had to be a limit somewhere.
Oh? Ashani asked with a bemused expression.
I stand corrected. My people worship you as gods. I admit, I used to as well, when I was little. Then I learned of the Prime Imperium, and I thought maybe theyre not so different, after all.
There are some physiological differences between our people, but not to any great degree, I think, Ashani replied, appraising Vir.
Apologies, Lady Ashani, but I disagree. I was wrong. You are gods. The world of today, its Its a hollow, broken shell. We dont stay young forever. We dont have a Vidya repository. Diseases reap lives despite our best efforts. Crime, poverty, all these things exist, and theyre not going away. And we certainly cant fly on magic carpets or create things out of thin air. Let alone fashion gorgeous automatons who think and feel and conjure Ash Gates on a whim! Im afraid youll be sorely disappointed by your successors.
Ashani is touched that you feel that way, but a cultures worth is not determined by its technological advancement alone. Your art, your history, these are unique to you, and in no way inferior to our own. Different, perhaps, but not any less. No, I believe your people are incredible in their own ways. If there is a difference between us, it is simply one of time.
Time, huh? I wonder.
Vir couldnt see humans reaching this state of advancement, even after millennia. It was more likely that the Ash would have taken over the whole realm by then. Their legacy would be nothing more than a land of corrupted monsters and toxic air.
Its just hard, Ashani, knowing these dazzling heights your people once achieved. Today, people sacrifice their lives seeking what your people might have passed off as junk. Just to experience a sliver of that greatness. Every weapon I saw sold on that street would be hailed as a divine Artifact of the Gods. Itd be the treasure of any nations arsenal.
Vir laughed. How pathetic. He was starting to understand what Cirayus was talking about when he waxed nostalgic of greater times long passed. And he hadnt even experienced what the Imperium was like.
Your people came before us, Vir said. We should have inherited your legacy. Why didnt we?
How could we have fallen so far?
It was one thing to strive for greatness when you believed you were pushing the boundaries of innovationventuring into the unknown and unlocking secrets no one ever had.
But what if it was all a lie? What if everything you ever learnedevery advancement you ever madehad already been made before? Learned, and then forgotten. What then? How did one go on, knowing just how much further they had to go? It was like climbing a ladder that had no end.
Vir had lived his whole life with a cloud obscuring those higher rungs. Now, the cloud was gone, and he saw the ladder for what it truly wasbuilt and climbed by his ancestors, long ago. He, and everyone else, were simply rebuilding what they once had in abundance, and they were still at the bottom rungs.
We are here, Ashani said, stopping at a door that Vir recognized.
This is Janaks home, isn't it?
Ashani nodded. This is where it all begins.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 186: The Story of Us (One)
Vir thought hed prepared himself for what was to come, but he hadnt. How could he?
Ashani pressed her fingers against the sides of Virs head, and like a drop falling on a still mirror pond, the worldrippled outward. Where the ripple touched, Ash ceased to exist, restored to its former glory. The placement of the buildings and the streets remained the same, but everything else changed.
Gone were the dark storms and the ever-falling ash. Sinister black buildings instead shone a fabulous blue-white, their dull gold emblazonings shining brightly under vast blue skies and a dazzling sun.
Allow me to take you to a time of ages past. To a time of hope and wonder. Of monumental accomplishment, when the Prime Imperium spanned the world. Before the Fall and the end of all things.
The Age of Gods, Vir thought with growing excitement. Im witnessing life as it was in the Age of Gods!
The joyous sounds of life erupted, filling the crisp, clean air.
The same place. A different time.
Virs mouth hung open, and he pointed to the sky. Above the half dozen Vimana that moved lazily through the skies above the city.
There, high up, was a sphere. A bright, glowing sphere. It wasnt the sun.
The moon? Ashani asked. What of it?
What is it? Vir asked, panic growing in his voice. While large in the sky, it felt different to his eyes. It was far. Impossibly, vastly far. Like it was a part of the sky itself.
The moon is a fixture of the sky. Tis natural
Ashani, there is no moon where I come from. Its gone. Completely gone.
Truly? Ashani said with a concerned expression. Tis hard to fathom. Though, the fate of my people is equally difficult to comprehend.
Vir stood transfixed at this moon, his mind going in circles. What was it? The sun was said to be the seat of Adinats power. Was the moon a representation of another god? Perhaps one that was no longer in power?
Um, Lady Ashani? Did your people put the moon up there, by any chance? Or maybe the sun?
Ashani stared at Vir for a long moment, then burst out in a fit of giggles. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was forced to wipe them away as Vir stood there awkwardly scratching his chin.
My apologies! she said at last. I have not laughed like this since Well, since before the fall. Ive been rude.
No, its quite alright, Vir said in embarrassment.
We did not put the sun in the sky, no. Nor the moon. My peoples powers were vast, but we were not gods. The sun and the moon have always been.
An avian beast zoomed by before Vir could reply, forcing him to duck, but he was too late.
Two beasts hit him and passed right through.
This is but a simulation of the world as it was millennia ago, Ashani said. You have nothing to fear.
She brought the world to a halt. The beasts froze, allowing Vir to look at them. Allowing him to distract himself from the mind-bending concept of a moon.
Made entirely of Ash prana, they resembled far more elegant Ashva, with longer, thinner heads and longer legs.
They were tethered to a beautiful chariot covered in golden patterns. Prana overlaid the actual gold, forming artful patterns that seamlessly blended inscriptions with prana. Its twin wheels left behind trails of Fire Affinity prana in the air, and a golden dome hovered above the chariot, seemingly unconnected.
Commanding the chariot was a man wearing the most gold Vir had ever seen on any living being. From gemstone rings to bangles and bracers, necklaces, and even his armor that contoured his perfect abs, everything was bejeweled and gilded. Not even kings looked so impressive.
An enormous headdress flared out behind him, forming a circle of gold. An impressive black mustache decorated his bronze skin that lacked a single blemish.
Ashani resumed the simulation, and the chariot sped forth, disappearing in the distance.
It wasnt the only one. The skies were dotted with such vehicles, speeding this way and that in a maze of lanes that crisscrossed above Mahdi.
Follow me, Ashani said, stepping off the tall building and falling elegantly to the surface of a nearby street.
Vir shelved his thoughts about the moon for later. There was simply too much to take in. If he tried to process it all, his head mightve exploded.
Thats quite the drop, Vir thought, peering over the ledge. It had to have been as tall as the top of the Mahakurmas shell, if not higher.
Vir bellowed a roar and jumped.
The black spires blurred around him as he plummeted, falling through the many lanes of sky traffic.
Light Step softened his fall. Even with the Talent, a fall from such height wouldve normally caused him a great deal of pain, though this time, he felt nothing.
The street was similarly lined with gold, though the avenue itself was a brilliant, spotless white. It was made of no material Vir could place. Hard like metal, but pleasantly warm to the touch, it overflowed with Ash Affinity prana.
Four-faced automatons, at least Vir assumed they were automatonsstrode down the street, each face having a conversation with the others attached to its head.
Women wore silk dresses covered with ornate prana patterns that continuously shiftedpieces of living art. The women wore even more gold than the men, boasting piercings in their ears, noses, and exposed belly buttons.
The gold theme continued, with every single person Vir saw having at least a half dozen ornaments.
My people enjoyed self-expression, Ashani said fondly, walking down the bustling road.
Vir followed behind Ashani, stricken with awe.
A man with baggy pants sat with arms and legs crossed and eyes closed, riding by on a silk rugthe sort Vir saw in the palace at Daha. Except this one floated on a layer of prana, whisking it silently to its destination.
Fine handcrafted weapons! Come get some souvenirs for your children! Theyll love it! a man said, twirling a chakram around his finger.
The deadly disk glinted and buzzed with a deathly sound. Vir felt a deadliness from the chakram and instantly recognized the Ash Prana ringing the blade.
Hes selling that to a child? Vir exclaimed in horror.
The Human Realm? Ashani asked, straightening her sagging shoulders.
Thats where I came from, Vir said.
Interesting, Ashani replied, cupping her chin. My Ash Tears have never shown me such a place. It seems I have much to learn of the outside world. You must tell me everything!
Vir chuckled. Ill try, but prepare to be disappointed. Its nothing compared to what youre showing me here.
Ashani doesnt believe you. How can any tale of what is dead and gone compare to that of the now?
It can when your tale is of literal gods.
Vir couldnt fathom how these people were so comfortable using prana; it was as if they were born with it. Prana was integrated into practically everything at a fundamental leveltheir chariots were drawn by beasts of pure prana. Their clothing and their jewelry incorporated it in their design, and they even used it to conjure objects out of thin air.
A woman walked by, her silk dress semi-translucent cape floating gently behind. Its color shifted moment to moment, matching its prana signature, which flowed in beautiful patterns.
Virs senses were overloaded, and that was ignoring all the sights he didnt understand. There was the whole slew of oddities Vir couldnt even begin to unravel, like the floating orbs that followed several people around.
At first glance, Vir just thought they were packed with Ash prana. They werebut that was only the start of it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of inscription rings ran around them, crisscrossing. Like those inscribed within human orbs, except miniaturized, and multiplied a thousandfold. There was so much going on inside those orbs, it made Vir dizzy just looking at them.
Telepathy node amplifiers, Ashani explained. In-built nodes suffice for short-range communication, but some of us desired a longer reach. The orbs facilitated communication with the Vidya.
Sorry, what? I recognize some of those terms from the transference thing you did earlier, but I dont have a clue what you meant.
Your society does not possess such technology, does it?
Ashanis question was so abrupt that it made him wince. Hed wondered when shed come to that realization. No, he admitted. No, we dont. Im afraid youll find the current state of the world quite pathetic.
Ashanis expression darkened. Id suspected, based on your reactions thus far. I see. Little survived, then
Um, you were talking about those nodes? Vir prompted, hoping to distract the lady. Sadness seemed to be her natural state, though after spending millennia alone in such a desolate wasteland, he could certainly see why.
Right, of course. All of us communicated telepathically. Or at least, we had the option to. Many chose to speak with their vocal cords.
Let me guess. For the experience? Vir asked, moving aside to allow a gilded man with a spiked headdress and an absurdly long cape pass by. The cape, like its wearer, hovered just above the ground, shimmering behind him as he floated by with his eyes closed.
Ashani nodded. Exactly! Though the telepathy nodes did more than allow for communication. Anything we wished to learn was but a thought or two away, made available by the Vidyathe repository containing all the collective knowledge and wisdom of our people.
What do you mean by anything? Vir asked, following Ashani as she turned onto a less busy side road. If hed been any less overwhelmed, he mightve noticed it was the same street hed been summoned onto by Ashanis Ash Gate.
Any skill you wish to learn, you could wield it with the perfection of our greatest masters. Any book knowledge you wished to possess would be yours, with as much clarity and understanding as the sages who wrote it.
Wouldnt that make every single person superhuman?
Vir tried to imagine a society where the youngest girl to the oldest man was not only a Balar 5,000 warrior, but the smartest person in the world.
Wouldnt everyone be the same? he asked. If everyone had the same skills as everyone else?
Indeed. The creation of the Vidya nearly destroyed our society, turning it bare and lifeless.
How did they solve it? Vir asked. The people he saw looked the exact opposite of lifeless.
Through a rediscovery of the things we once loved, though for different reasons entirely. Self-expression became purpose. People cravedneededuniqueness. The Vidya forced people to look elsewhere to obtain new experiences. From evolving art beyond the greatest grandmaster whod come before to engaging in deep social relations and experiencing new emotions, my people found all sorts of innovative ways for culture to thrive.
Vir craned his neck, looking up at the tall buildings that scraped the sky. Between them, entire sky lanes filled with chariots and magic carpets crisscrossed in all directions. Every one of those people wielded unimaginable power and had a hundred times more knowledge than the entire Known World combined. Thrive was certainly the right word.
Yknow? I really didnt think I could get any more impressed. I figured there had to be a limit somewhere.
Oh? Ashani asked with a bemused expression.
I stand corrected. My people worship you as gods. I admit, I used to as well, when I was little. Then I learned of the Prime Imperium, and I thought maybe theyre not so different, after all.
There are some physiological differences between our people, but not to any great degree, I think, Ashani replied, appraising Vir.
Apologies, Lady Ashani, but I disagree. I was wrong. You are gods. The world of today, its Its a hollow, broken shell. We dont stay young forever. We dont have a Vidya repository. Diseases reap lives despite our best efforts. Crime, poverty, all these things exist, and theyre not going away. And we certainly cant fly on magic carpets or create things out of thin air. Let alone fashion gorgeous automatons who think and feel and conjure Ash Gates on a whim! Im afraid youll be sorely disappointed by your successors.
Ashani is touched that you feel that way, but a cultures worth is not determined by its technological advancement alone. Your art, your history, these are unique to you, and in no way inferior to our own. Different, perhaps, but not any less. No, I believe your people are incredible in their own ways. If there is a difference between us, it is simply one of time.
Time, huh? I wonder.
Vir couldnt see humans reaching this state of advancement, even after millennia. It was more likely that the Ash would have taken over the whole realm by then. Their legacy would be nothing more than a land of corrupted monsters and toxic air.
Its just hard, Ashani, knowing these dazzling heights your people once achieved. Today, people sacrifice their lives seeking what your people might have passed off as junk. Just to experience a sliver of that greatness. Every weapon I saw sold on that street would be hailed as a divine Artifact of the Gods. Itd be the treasure of any nations arsenal.
Vir laughed. How pathetic. He was starting to understand what Cirayus was talking about when he waxed nostalgic of greater times long passed. And he hadnt even experienced what the Imperium was like.
Your people came before us, Vir said. We should have inherited your legacy. Why didnt we?
How could we have fallen so far?
It was one thing to strive for greatness when you believed you were pushing the boundaries of innovationventuring into the unknown and unlocking secrets no one ever had.
But what if it was all a lie? What if everything you ever learnedevery advancement you ever madehad already been made before? Learned, and then forgotten. What then? How did one go on, knowing just how much further they had to go? It was like climbing a ladder that had no end.
Vir had lived his whole life with a cloud obscuring those higher rungs. Now, the cloud was gone, and he saw the ladder for what it truly wasbuilt and climbed by his ancestors, long ago. He, and everyone else, were simply rebuilding what they once had in abundance, and they were still at the bottom rungs.
We are here, Ashani said, stopping at a door that Vir recognized.
This is Janaks home, isn't it?
Ashani nodded. This is where it all begins.
Chapter 186: The Story of Us OneVir thought hed prepared himself for what was to come, but he hadnt. How could he?Ashani pressed her fingers against the sides of Virs head, and like a drop falling on a still mirror pond, the worldrippled outward. Where the ripple touched, Ash ceased to exist, restored to its former glory. The placement of the buildings and the streets remained the same, but everything else changed.Gone were the dark storms and the ever-falling ash. Sinister black buildings instead shone a fabulous blue-white, their dull gold emblazonings shining brightly under vast blue skies and a dazzling sun.Allow me to take you to a time of ages past. To a time of hope and wonder. Of monumental accomplishment, when the Prime Imperium spanned the world. Before the Fall and the end of all things.The Age of Gods, Vir thought with growing excitement. Im witnessing life as it was in the Age of Gods!The joyous sounds of life erupted, filling the crisp, clean air.The same place. A different time.Virs mouth hung open, and he pointed to the sky. Above the half dozen Vimana that moved lazily through the skies above the city.There, high up, was a sphere. A bright, glowing sphere. It wasnt the sun.The moon? Ashani asked. What of it?What is it? Vir asked, panic growing in his voice. While large in the sky, it felt different to his eyes. It was far. Impossibly, vastly far. Like it was a part of the sky itself.The moon is a fixture of the sky. Tis naturalAshani, there is no moon where I come from. Its gone. Completely gone.Truly? Ashani said with a concerned expression. Tis hard to fathom. Though, the fate of my people is equally difficult to comprehend.Vir stood transfixed at this moon, his mind going in circles. What was it? The sun was said to be the seat of Adinats power. Was the moon a representation of another god? Perhaps one that was no longer in power?Um, Lady Ashani? Did your people put the moon up there, by any chance? Or maybe the sun?Ashani stared at Vir for a long moment, then burst out in a fit of giggles. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was forced to wipe them away as Vir stood there awkwardly scratching his chin.My apologies! she said at last. I have not laughed like this since Well, since before the fall. Ive been rude.No, its quite alright, Vir said in embarrassment.We did not put the sun in the sky, no. Nor the moon. My peoples powers were vast, but we were not gods. The sun and the moon have always been.An avian beast zoomed by before Vir could reply, forcing him to duck, but he was too late.Two beasts hit him and passed right through.This is but a simulation of the world as it was millennia ago, Ashani said. You have nothing to fear.She brought the world to a halt. The beasts froze, allowing Vir to look at them. Allowing him to distract himself from the mind-bending concept of a moon.Made entirely of Ash prana, they resembled far more elegant Ashva, with longer, thinner heads and longer legs.They were tethered to a beautiful chariot covered in golden patterns. Prana overlaid the actual gold, forming artful patterns that seamlessly blended inscriptions with prana. Its twin wheels left behind trails of Fire Affinity prana in the air, and a golden dome hovered above the chariot, seemingly unconnected.Commanding the chariot was a man wearing the most gold Vir had ever seen on any living being. From gemstone rings to bangles and bracers, necklaces, and even his armor that contoured his perfect abs, everything was bejeweled and gilded. Not even kings looked so impressive.An enormous headdress flared out behind him, forming a circle of gold. An impressive black mustache decorated his bronze skin that lacked a single blemish.Ashani resumed the simulation, and the chariot sped forth, disappearing in the distance.It wasnt the only one. The skies were dotted with such vehicles, speeding this way and that in a maze of lanes that crisscrossed above Mahdi.Follow me, Ashani said, stepping off the tall building and falling elegantly to the surface of a nearby street.Vir shelved his thoughts about the moon for later. There was simply too much to take in. If he tried to process it all, his head mightve exploded.Thats quite the drop, Vir thought, peering over the ledge. It had to have been as tall as the top of the Mahakurmas shell, if not higher.Vir bellowed a roar and jumped.The black spires blurred around him as he plummeted, falling through the many lanes of sky traffic.Light Step softened his fall. Even with the Talent, a fall from such height wouldve normally caused him a great deal of pain, though this time, he felt nothing.The street was similarly lined with gold, though the avenue itself was a brilliant, spotless white. It was made of no material Vir could place. Hard like metal, but pleasantly warm to the touch, it overflowed with Ash Affinity prana.Four-faced automatons, at least Vir assumed they were automatonsstrode down the street, each face having a conversation with the others attached to its head.Women wore silk dresses covered with ornate prana patterns that continuously shiftedpieces of living art. The women wore even more gold than the men, boasting piercings in their ears, noses, and exposed belly buttons.The gold theme continued, with every single person Vir saw having at least a half dozen ornaments.My people enjoyed self-expression, Ashani said fondly, walking down the bustling road.Vir followed behind Ashani, stricken with awe.A man with baggy pants sat with arms and legs crossed and eyes closed, riding by on a silk rugthe sort Vir saw in the palace at Daha. Except this one floated on a layer of prana, whisking it silently to its destination.Fine handcrafted weapons! Come get some souvenirs for your children! Theyll love it! a man said, twirling a chakram around his finger.The deadly disk glinted and buzzed with a deathly sound. Vir felt a deadliness from the chakram and instantly recognized the Ash Prana ringing the blade.Hes selling that to a child? Vir exclaimed in horror.The Human Realm? Ashani asked, straightening her sagging shoulders.Thats where I came from, Vir said.Interesting, Ashani replied, cupping her chin. My Ash Tears have never shown me such a place. It seems I have much to learn of the outside world. You must tell me everything!Vir chuckled. Ill try, but prepare to be disappointed. Its nothing compared to what youre showing me here.Ashani doesnt believe you. How can any tale of what is dead and gone compare to that of the now?It can when your tale is of literal gods.Vir couldnt fathom how these people were so comfortable using prana; it was as if they were born with it. Prana was integrated into practically everything at a fundamental leveltheir chariots were drawn by beasts of pure prana. Their clothing and their jewelry incorporated it in their design, and they even used it to conjure objects out of thin air.A woman walked by, her silk dress semi-translucent cape floating gently behind. Its color shifted moment to moment, matching its prana signature, which flowed in beautiful patterns.Virs senses were overloaded, and that was ignoring all the sights he didnt understand. There was the whole slew of oddities Vir couldnt even begin to unravel, like the floating orbs that followed several people around.At first glance, Vir just thought they were packed with Ash prana. They werebut that was only the start of it. Hundreds, if not thousands, of inscription rings ran around them, crisscrossing. Like those inscribed within human orbs, except miniaturized, and multiplied a thousandfold. There was so much going on inside those orbs, it made Vir dizzy just looking at them.Telepathy node amplifiers, Ashani explained. In-built nodes suffice for short-range communication, but some of us desired a longer reach. The orbs facilitated communication with the Vidya.Sorry, what? I recognize some of those terms from the transference thing you did earlier, but I dont have a clue what you meant.Your society does not possess such technology, does it?Ashanis question was so abrupt that it made him wince. Hed wondered when shed come to that realization. No, he admitted. No, we dont. Im afraid youll find the current state of the world quite pathetic.Ashanis expression darkened. Id suspected, based on your reactions thus far. I see. Little survived, thenUm, you were talking about those nodes? Vir prompted, hoping to distract the lady. Sadness seemed to be her natural state, though after spending millennia alone in such a desolate wasteland, he could certainly see why.Right, of course. All of us communicated telepathically. Or at least, we had the option to. Many chose to speak with their vocal cords.Let me guess. For the experience? Vir asked, moving aside to allow a gilded man with a spiked headdress and an absurdly long cape pass by. The cape, like its wearer, hovered just above the ground, shimmering behind him as he floated by with his eyes closed.Ashani nodded. Exactly! Though the telepathy nodes did more than allow for communication. Anything we wished to learn was but a thought or two away, made available by the Vidyathe repository containing all the collective knowledge and wisdom of our people.What do you mean by anything? Vir asked, following Ashani as she turned onto a less busy side road. If hed been any less overwhelmed, he mightve noticed it was the same street hed been summoned onto by Ashanis Ash Gate.Any skill you wish to learn, you could wield it with the perfection of our greatest masters. Any book knowledge you wished to possess would be yours, with as much clarity and understanding as the sages who wrote it.Wouldnt that make every single person superhuman?Vir tried to imagine a society where the youngest girl to the oldest man was not only a Balar 5,000 warrior, but the smartest person in the world.Wouldnt everyone be the same? he asked. If everyone had the same skills as everyone else?Indeed. The creation of the Vidya nearly destroyed our society, turning it bare and lifeless.How did they solve it? Vir asked. The people he saw looked the exact opposite of lifeless.Through a rediscovery of the things we once loved, though for different reasons entirely. Self-expression became purpose. People cravedneededuniqueness. The Vidya forced people to look elsewhere to obtain new experiences. From evolving art beyond the greatest grandmaster whod come before to engaging in deep social relations and experiencing new emotions, my people found all sorts of innovative ways for culture to thrive.Vir craned his neck, looking up at the tall buildings that scraped the sky. Between them, entire sky lanes filled with chariots and magic carpets crisscrossed in all directions. Every one of those people wielded unimaginable power and had a hundred times more knowledge than the entire Known World combined. Thrive was certainly the right word.Yknow? I really didnt think I could get any more impressed. I figured there had to be a limit somewhere.Oh? Ashani asked with a bemused expression.I stand corrected. My people worship you as gods. I admit, I used to as well, when I was little. Then I learned of the Prime Imperium, and I thought maybe theyre not so different, after all.There are some physiological differences between our people, but not to any great degree, I think, Ashani replied, appraising Vir.Apologies, Lady Ashani, but I disagree. I was wrong. You are gods. The world of today, its Its a hollow, broken shell. We dont stay young forever. We dont have a Vidya repository. Diseases reap lives despite our best efforts. Crime, poverty, all these things exist, and theyre not going away. And we certainly cant fly on magic carpets or create things out of thin air. Let alone fashion gorgeous automatons who think and feel and conjure Ash Gates on a whim! Im afraid youll be sorely disappointed by your successors.Ashani is touched that you feel that way, but a cultures worth is not determined by its technological advancement alone. Your art, your history, these are unique to you, and in no way inferior to our own. Different, perhaps, but not any less. No, I believe your people are incredible in their own ways. If there is a difference between us, it is simply one of time.Time, huh? I wonder.Vir couldnt see humans reaching this state of advancement, even after millennia. It was more likely that the Ash would have taken over the whole realm by then. Their legacy would be nothing more than a land of corrupted monsters and toxic air.Its just hard, Ashani, knowing these dazzling heights your people once achieved. Today, people sacrifice their lives seeking what your people might have passed off as junk. Just to experience a sliver of that greatness. Every weapon I saw sold on that street would be hailed as a divine Artifact of the Gods. Itd be the treasure of any nations arsenal.Vir laughed. How pathetic. He was starting to understand what Cirayus was talking about when he waxed nostalgic of greater times long passed. And he hadnt even experienced what the Imperium was like.Your people came before us, Vir said. We should have inherited your legacy. Why didnt we?How could we have fallen so far?It was one thing to strive for greatness when you believed you were pushing the boundaries of innovationventuring into the unknown and unlocking secrets no one ever had.But what if it was all a lie? What if everything you ever learnedevery advancement you ever madehad already been made before? Learned, and then forgotten. What then? How did one go on, knowing just how much further they had to go? It was like climbing a ladder that had no end.Vir had lived his whole life with a cloud obscuring those higher rungs. Now, the cloud was gone, and he saw the ladder for what it truly wasbuilt and climbed by his ancestors, long ago. He, and everyone else, were simply rebuilding what they once had in abundance, and they were still at the bottom rungs.We are here, Ashani said, stopping at a door that Vir recognized.This is Janaks home, isn't it?Ashani nodded. This is where it all begins.
