Chapter 188: The Story Of Us (Three)
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Chapter 188: The Story Of Us (Three)
A young Ashani threw off a boulder-sized piece of road that had crushed her, emerging from beneath the rubble to a destroyed, blackened world. The Mahdi of the present day, with its lightning storms and ashen rain.
The sight came with a profound revelation. One that threatened to overload Virs mind.
The Ashen Realm hasnt always existed Vir thought, struggling to comprehend the implications.
Logically, it made some sense, of course. The Ash had been continuously expanding, which meant it had to start from somewhere. It hardly seemed like a normal phenomenon, so it must have been created, somehow.
But it was one thing to reason about the origin of the world, and another entirely to experience it firsthand. To feel it for himself.
This was where it had started, all those millennia ago. Vir wasnt merely watching the end of the Prime Imperium. He was witnessing the birth of the Ashen Realm.
Beasts screamed, clawing at each other while others ravaged the few corpses that hadnt been vaporized by the blast. A colossal Wyrm shrieked in the sky, circling around the central spire of Mahdi. It mightve been Virs imagination, but he sensed pain in its shriekas if it was writhing in agony.
When I came to, present-day Ashani narrated, there was nobody left. Self-preservation inscriptions had restored the buildings, but theyd reformed twisted. Blackened and warped into strange dark spires. As if whatever had scorched the skies and blighted the creatures had also tainted the city itself.
Vir watched as a young Ashani stumbled dazedly, screaming Siyas name. The girls floating chair lay ruined some distance away, buried amidst rubble.
Ashani smashed away boulder-sized debris with her white rod, hurling them aside as if they were pebbles. Those too durable to be smashed, Ashani lifted with her bare hands, tossing them away.
Vir could feel her desperation, and his heart went out to her. He knew how this story ended. He knew the tragedy that lay in store for the young automaton.
Ashanis misery was almost palpable as she frantically clawed her way through the rubble, calling for Siya over and over. Each call growing more desperate. Each call filled with ever more grief.
Yet there was no sign of her precious friend amidst the rubble. Her search ended when she found a golden necklace. Siyas necklacethe one shed been wearing.
Young Ashani clutched the memento to her chest. Her rod slipped from her fingers, clanging against the road. She collapsed to her knees, weeping uncontrollably.
Where are you, Janak? Ashani half-screamed, half-sobbed at the falling ash. I need you! She needs you!
I never learned what became of Siya, Ashani said softly, staring at her younger self. For years, I cleared rubble, desperate to find something. Anything that might bring me closure. I never did.
Young Ashanis sobs were broken by the twitching of a nearby corpse. She spun, only to jolt back in horror as the body began to rise. Except what stood was no man. Limbs grew out of the mans back as he steadily transformed into a monster the likes of which Vir had never seen.
The man-beast shambled toward Ashani, who stood stock still, too terrified to move.
Deafening thunder boomed, and the world flashed white. When it was gone, the man slumped to the ground.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Young Ashani stood a short distance away, her lightning rod aimed at the abomination. Her body shivered, and she watched the man with a face full of horror.
Janak created me not only to be Siyas companion, but also her guardian. An entirely frivolous and unnecessary gesture in Imperium societyour magic guaranteed Siyas safetybut a doting father is never assuaged.
Seems to me like his caution wasnt unwarranted, Vir said.
Ashani nodded. Id always thought my powers unbecoming of a lady. But when everyone else was dead or mutated, I was glad for Janaks foresight. It kept me alive. That, and whatever force saw fit to preserve my life when all around me perished.
The scene shifted again. Ashani looked much the same, but now, there was no hesitation in her movements. Wherever beasts roamed, Ashani attacked, mercilessly incinerating them with her lightning powers.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
No. Please.
How many realms were there when the Prime Imperium was at its height?
Vir began to suspect it when Ashani had asked him about the Human Realm. He was almost positive now.
Just the one. There was only ever one realm.
That hasnt been true for the past four thousand years, Vir said. Now, there are three, with who knows how many smaller realms floating around. Ashani, I think I think whatever happened that day didnt just destroy Mahdi. I think it broke the realm somehow. And I think a lot of things broke when that happened. We got the Human and Demon Realms. The moon ceased to be. The Ashen Realm was born, and nothing makes sense anymore.
What do you mean? Ashani asked.
You said four thousand years have passed since the fall of the Imperium, didnt you?
Ashani nodded, wiping away her tears. Vir noted she didnt simply dissolve them as shed done for him.
Just over four millennia, yes.
But how can that be? Vir asked. You said time moved slower here when compared to the Ashen Realm. The thing is, time in the center of the ash moves slower than the Human Realm. A lot slower. Which should mean that only about a few centuries shouldve passed since the downfall of the Imperium, at least from your perspective.
Ashani shook her head. I can assure you that is not the case.
Exactly. Theres something horribly wrong here. How can time move slower here when the same number of years have passed outside? For that matter, how can ash fall perpetually from the sky? Where does it all come from? Where does it go? Why hasnt the ash risen to cover the tallest peaks yet? Unlike Mahdi, the Ashen Realm doesnt have any magic to dissolve the soot on the ground. The Ashen rain never ceases, yet it never seems to pile up. And thats not all. Where did the moon go? And why is there no day or night within the Ash? Reality is broken. And I think your people were the ones to break it.
Ashani gazed out at the ravaged city before them, her expression blank.
You dont know, do you? Vir asked. You dont actually know what caused that explosion.
I do not. I suspected it was some research initiative that went awry, but I was never able to confirm my theory. To this day, I cannot venture anywhere near the central spire of Mahdi.
Why? What happens if you do?
My prana circuits break down. Tis not simply a matter of prana exposuremy body has systems for handling such things. Tis something else. Something not physical.
Janaks words echoed in Virs mind. Find me at Mahdi. But do not venture there until you are ready.
Vir knew he wasnt ready. Not nearly. But that was alright. He didnt need to be. He could always come back If Ashani came with him.
Theres nothing for you here anymore, Ashani. Come with me, he said, extending his hand. You wanted to know what became of society? Ill show you. Come back with me.
Ashani hesitantly extended her hand, but stopped before her fingers touched his.
You are kind, Vir, she breathed. You cant know how much youve already done for me. I truly feel blessed to have met you, in the end.
Vir frowned. What do you mean, in the
Their hands touched, and knowledge bled into him. Ashanis memories. Her long bouts of hibernation to preserve herself, desperately lengthening what little time shed been given. Waking up after decades of deep sleep, to a world that never changed. She had never been designed to survive so long on so little.
You dont have long to live. Do you?
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Chapter 188: The Story Of Us (Three)
A young Ashani threw off a boulder-sized piece of road that had crushed her, emerging from beneath the rubble to a destroyed, blackened world. The Mahdi of the present day, with its lightning storms and ashen rain.
The sight came with a profound revelation. One that threatened to overload Virs mind.
The Ashen Realm hasnt always existed Vir thought, struggling to comprehend the implications.
Logically, it made some sense, of course. The Ash had been continuously expanding, which meant it had to start from somewhere. It hardly seemed like a normal phenomenon, so it must have been created, somehow.
But it was one thing to reason about the origin of the world, and another entirely to experience it firsthand. To feel it for himself.
This was where it had started, all those millennia ago. Vir wasnt merely watching the end of the Prime Imperium. He was witnessing the birth of the Ashen Realm.
Beasts screamed, clawing at each other while others ravaged the few corpses that hadnt been vaporized by the blast. A colossal Wyrm shrieked in the sky, circling around the central spire of Mahdi. It mightve been Virs imagination, but he sensed pain in its shriekas if it was writhing in agony.
When I came to, present-day Ashani narrated, there was nobody left. Self-preservation inscriptions had restored the buildings, but theyd reformed twisted. Blackened and warped into strange dark spires. As if whatever had scorched the skies and blighted the creatures had also tainted the city itself.
Vir watched as a young Ashani stumbled dazedly, screaming Siyas name. The girls floating chair lay ruined some distance away, buried amidst rubble.
Ashani smashed away boulder-sized debris with her white rod, hurling them aside as if they were pebbles. Those too durable to be smashed, Ashani lifted with her bare hands, tossing them away.
Vir could feel her desperation, and his heart went out to her. He knew how this story ended. He knew the tragedy that lay in store for the young automaton.
Ashanis misery was almost palpable as she frantically clawed her way through the rubble, calling for Siya over and over. Each call growing more desperate. Each call filled with ever more grief.
Yet there was no sign of her precious friend amidst the rubble. Her search ended when she found a golden necklace. Siyas necklacethe one shed been wearing.
Young Ashani clutched the memento to her chest. Her rod slipped from her fingers, clanging against the road. She collapsed to her knees, weeping uncontrollably.
Where are you, Janak? Ashani half-screamed, half-sobbed at the falling ash. I need you! She needs you!
I never learned what became of Siya, Ashani said softly, staring at her younger self. For years, I cleared rubble, desperate to find something. Anything that might bring me closure. I never did.
Young Ashanis sobs were broken by the twitching of a nearby corpse. She spun, only to jolt back in horror as the body began to rise. Except what stood was no man. Limbs grew out of the mans back as he steadily transformed into a monster the likes of which Vir had never seen.
The man-beast shambled toward Ashani, who stood stock still, too terrified to move.
Deafening thunder boomed, and the world flashed white. When it was gone, the man slumped to the ground.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m
Young Ashani stood a short distance away, her lightning rod aimed at the abomination. Her body shivered, and she watched the man with a face full of horror.
Janak created me not only to be Siyas companion, but also her guardian. An entirely frivolous and unnecessary gesture in Imperium societyour magic guaranteed Siyas safetybut a doting father is never assuaged.
Seems to me like his caution wasnt unwarranted, Vir said.
Ashani nodded. Id always thought my powers unbecoming of a lady. But when everyone else was dead or mutated, I was glad for Janaks foresight. It kept me alive. That, and whatever force saw fit to preserve my life when all around me perished.
The scene shifted again. Ashani looked much the same, but now, there was no hesitation in her movements. Wherever beasts roamed, Ashani attacked, mercilessly incinerating them with her lightning powers.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
No. Please.
How many realms were there when the Prime Imperium was at its height?
Vir began to suspect it when Ashani had asked him about the Human Realm. He was almost positive now.
Just the one. There was only ever one realm.
That hasnt been true for the past four thousand years, Vir said. Now, there are three, with who knows how many smaller realms floating around. Ashani, I think I think whatever happened that day didnt just destroy Mahdi. I think it broke the realm somehow. And I think a lot of things broke when that happened. We got the Human and Demon Realms. The moon ceased to be. The Ashen Realm was born, and nothing makes sense anymore.
What do you mean? Ashani asked.
You said four thousand years have passed since the fall of the Imperium, didnt you?
Ashani nodded, wiping away her tears. Vir noted she didnt simply dissolve them as shed done for him.
Just over four millennia, yes.
But how can that be? Vir asked. You said time moved slower here when compared to the Ashen Realm. The thing is, time in the center of the ash moves slower than the Human Realm. A lot slower. Which should mean that only about a few centuries shouldve passed since the downfall of the Imperium, at least from your perspective.
Ashani shook her head. I can assure you that is not the case.
Exactly. Theres something horribly wrong here. How can time move slower here when the same number of years have passed outside? For that matter, how can ash fall perpetually from the sky? Where does it all come from? Where does it go? Why hasnt the ash risen to cover the tallest peaks yet? Unlike Mahdi, the Ashen Realm doesnt have any magic to dissolve the soot on the ground. The Ashen rain never ceases, yet it never seems to pile up. And thats not all. Where did the moon go? And why is there no day or night within the Ash? Reality is broken. And I think your people were the ones to break it.
Ashani gazed out at the ravaged city before them, her expression blank.
You dont know, do you? Vir asked. You dont actually know what caused that explosion.
I do not. I suspected it was some research initiative that went awry, but I was never able to confirm my theory. To this day, I cannot venture anywhere near the central spire of Mahdi.
Why? What happens if you do?
My prana circuits break down. Tis not simply a matter of prana exposuremy body has systems for handling such things. Tis something else. Something not physical.
Janaks words echoed in Virs mind. Find me at Mahdi. But do not venture there until you are ready.
Vir knew he wasnt ready. Not nearly. But that was alright. He didnt need to be. He could always come back If Ashani came with him.
Theres nothing for you here anymore, Ashani. Come with me, he said, extending his hand. You wanted to know what became of society? Ill show you. Come back with me.
Ashani hesitantly extended her hand, but stopped before her fingers touched his.
You are kind, Vir, she breathed. You cant know how much youve already done for me. I truly feel blessed to have met you, in the end.
Vir frowned. What do you mean, in the
Their hands touched, and knowledge bled into him. Ashanis memories. Her long bouts of hibernation to preserve herself, desperately lengthening what little time shed been given. Waking up after decades of deep sleep, to a world that never changed. She had never been designed to survive so long on so little.
You dont have long to live. Do you?
Chapter 188: The Story Of Us ThreeA young Ashani threw off a boulder-sized piece of road that had crushed her, emerging from beneath the rubble to a destroyed, blackened world. The Mahdi of the present day, with its lightning storms and ashen rain.The sight came with a profound revelation. One that threatened to overload Virs mind.The Ashen Realm hasnt always existed Vir thought, struggling to comprehend the implications.Logically, it made some sense, of course. The Ash had been continuously expanding, which meant it had to start from somewhere. It hardly seemed like a normal phenomenon, so it must have been created, somehow.But it was one thing to reason about the origin of the world, and another entirely to experience it firsthand. To feel it for himself.This was where it had started, all those millennia ago. Vir wasnt merely watching the end of the Prime Imperium. He was witnessing the birth of the Ashen Realm.Beasts screamed, clawing at each other while others ravaged the few corpses that hadnt been vaporized by the blast. A colossal Wyrm shrieked in the sky, circling around the central spire of Mahdi. It mightve been Virs imagination, but he sensed pain in its shriekas if it was writhing in agony.When I came to, present-day Ashani narrated, there was nobody left. Self-preservation inscriptions had restored the buildings, but theyd reformed twisted. Blackened and warped into strange dark spires. As if whatever had scorched the skies and blighted the creatures had also tainted the city itself.Vir watched as a young Ashani stumbled dazedly, screaming Siyas name. The girls floating chair lay ruined some distance away, buried amidst rubble.Ashani smashed away boulder-sized debris with her white rod, hurling them aside as if they were pebbles. Those too durable to be smashed, Ashani lifted with her bare hands, tossing them away.Vir could feel her desperation, and his heart went out to her. He knew how this story ended. He knew the tragedy that lay in store for the young automaton.Ashanis misery was almost palpable as she frantically clawed her way through the rubble, calling for Siya over and over. Each call growing more desperate. Each call filled with ever more grief.Yet there was no sign of her precious friend amidst the rubble. Her search ended when she found a golden necklace. Siyas necklacethe one shed been wearing.Young Ashani clutched the memento to her chest. Her rod slipped from her fingers, clanging against the road. She collapsed to her knees, weeping uncontrollably.Where are you, Janak? Ashani half-screamed, half-sobbed at the falling ash. I need you! She needs you!I never learned what became of Siya, Ashani said softly, staring at her younger self. For years, I cleared rubble, desperate to find something. Anything that might bring me closure. I never did.Young Ashanis sobs were broken by the twitching of a nearby corpse. She spun, only to jolt back in horror as the body began to rise. Except what stood was no man. Limbs grew out of the mans back as he steadily transformed into a monster the likes of which Vir had never seen.The man-beast shambled toward Ashani, who stood stock still, too terrified to move.Deafening thunder boomed, and the world flashed white. When it was gone, the man slumped to the ground.Updated from novelbin.comYoung Ashani stood a short distance away, her lightning rod aimed at the abomination. Her body shivered, and she watched the man with a face full of horror.Janak created me not only to be Siyas companion, but also her guardian. An entirely frivolous and unnecessary gesture in Imperium societyour magic guaranteed Siyas safetybut a doting father is never assuaged.Seems to me like his caution wasnt unwarranted, Vir said.Ashani nodded. Id always thought my powers unbecoming of a lady. But when everyone else was dead or mutated, I was glad for Janaks foresight. It kept me alive. That, and whatever force saw fit to preserve my life when all around me perished.The scene shifted again. Ashani looked much the same, but now, there was no hesitation in her movements. Wherever beasts roamed, Ashani attacked, mercilessly incinerating them with her lightning powers.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.No. Please.How many realms were there when the Prime Imperium was at its height?Vir began to suspect it when Ashani had asked him about the Human Realm. He was almost positive now.Just the one. There was only ever one realm.That hasnt been true for the past four thousand years, Vir said. Now, there are three, with who knows how many smaller realms floating around. Ashani, I think I think whatever happened that day didnt just destroy Mahdi. I think it broke the realm somehow. And I think a lot of things broke when that happened. We got the Human and Demon Realms. The moon ceased to be. The Ashen Realm was born, and nothing makes sense anymore.What do you mean? Ashani asked.You said four thousand years have passed since the fall of the Imperium, didnt you?Ashani nodded, wiping away her tears. Vir noted she didnt simply dissolve them as shed done for him.Just over four millennia, yes.But how can that be? Vir asked. You said time moved slower here when compared to the Ashen Realm. The thing is, time in the center of the ash moves slower than the Human Realm. A lot slower. Which should mean that only about a few centuries shouldve passed since the downfall of the Imperium, at least from your perspective.Ashani shook her head. I can assure you that is not the case.Exactly. Theres something horribly wrong here. How can time move slower here when the same number of years have passed outside? For that matter, how can ash fall perpetually from the sky? Where does it all come from? Where does it go? Why hasnt the ash risen to cover the tallest peaks yet? Unlike Mahdi, the Ashen Realm doesnt have any magic to dissolve the soot on the ground. The Ashen rain never ceases, yet it never seems to pile up. And thats not all. Where did the moon go? And why is there no day or night within the Ash? Reality is broken. And I think your people were the ones to break it.Ashani gazed out at the ravaged city before them, her expression blank.You dont know, do you? Vir asked. You dont actually know what caused that explosion.I do not. I suspected it was some research initiative that went awry, but I was never able to confirm my theory. To this day, I cannot venture anywhere near the central spire of Mahdi.Why? What happens if you do?My prana circuits break down. Tis not simply a matter of prana exposuremy body has systems for handling such things. Tis something else. Something not physical.Janaks words echoed in Virs mind. Find me at Mahdi. But do not venture there until you are ready.Vir knew he wasnt ready. Not nearly. But that was alright. He didnt need to be. He could always come back If Ashani came with him.Theres nothing for you here anymore, Ashani. Come with me, he said, extending his hand. You wanted to know what became of society? Ill show you. Come back with me.Ashani hesitantly extended her hand, but stopped before her fingers touched his.You are kind, Vir, she breathed. You cant know how much youve already done for me. I truly feel blessed to have met you, in the end.Vir frowned. What do you mean, in theTheir hands touched, and knowledge bled into him. Ashanis memories. Her long bouts of hibernation to preserve herself, desperately lengthening what little time shed been given. Waking up after decades of deep sleep, to a world that never changed. She had never been designed to survive so long on so little.You dont have long to live. Do you?
