Chapter 36: Chapter 35: The Striken God
Zephyria Zolstein
[Library - Deros's Hometown, Orginal]
The smell of old books filled the air as I browsed through the vast collection of the library. The architecture was a blend of modern and ancient, much like the technology of Retra itself. It was far superior to that of Titanos. Our advantage lay in numbers, not technological prowess.
The book in my hands was a grand compilation of Retra's mythology, filled with tales of ancient gods, cosmic events, and heroic figures, all intricately woven into the tapestry of their culture. It was fascinating.
I found a secluded corner and settled down, flipping open the worn leather cover. The first chapter detailed the creation of the physical universe, a story of cosmic entities breathing life into the stars. The text was rich and poetic, filled with metaphors and symbolism that required careful interpretation. But there were oddly no names mentioned. Just a title for those who breathed life into the stars. Beings known as the Lotarh, said to descend from a nameless primordial one.
As I delved deeper, I came across tales of legendary warriors who could manipulate their forms, much like the Orginals. They were revered as demigods, their abilities a gift from the universe itself. It was clear that the Orginals' power had deep roots in their mythology and was central to their identity.
But this seemed like a local myth. Back in our own universe, we had encountered similar departures from what we in Titania believed. Even in our world, there were different versions of myths. But the common denominator were the Titans. Each one was said to contain the beating heart of a titan. All but Titania. That's why Titania was said to be cold, because she lacked a heart.
Instead, Titania was said to serve as a gathering place of the gods who would visit it every thousand years, bringing life to the mostly frozen planet. Although, sometimes destruction came too. The Titans were unpredictable, their nature like a tornado. One couldn't always be sure where it would go.
But amongst all the countless Titans in our vast cosmos, there were twelve who stuck out. The original Titans. Each represented a core concept. The oldest was void, represented by Vorarex. The second oldest was his wife, Nyxeria, the Titaness of the Night. The third was their oldest child, Lumeriana, the Titaness of the stars. All the stars in our universe were said to be her children. Although, some other planets claimed their were her essence.
I ran my fingers over the aged pages, lost in thoughts of our own mythology. The fourth Titan was Ignisar, the Titan of Fire, who was said to have given birth to the stars alongside Lumeriana. His fiery nature was echoed in the fifth Titan, Terrakon, the Titan of Earth and Mountains, whose fiery heart was said to form the molten core of every planet.
The sixth Titan was Aquara, the Titaness of the Seas and Rivers, whose tears filled the oceans. Her counterpart was the seventh Titan, Ventusar, the Titan of Winds and Skies, whose breath created the winds that swept across every world.
The eighth was Vitara, the Titaness of Life. It was said that every being sprang from her essence, and to her, they would return upon death. Her husband was Mortarion, the ninth Titan, the Titan of Death and Decay. He was feared by many, but in truth, he was merely the other side of the coin, as necessary to the balance of the universe as Vitara.
The tenth Titan was Temperatia, the Titaness of Seasons and Change. She was the orchestrator of the grand cosmic cycle, the shifting of the seasons, the rise and fall of civilizations. Her dance was the rhythm of life itself.
The eleventh Titan was Myster, the Titan of Mysteries and Knowledge. He held the answers to the universe's greatest questions, and it was said that he whispered her secrets to those who sought wisdom.
The twelfth and final Titan was Chronosar, the Titan of Time and Space, who bound the universe together, whose heartbeat was said to be the ticking clock of the cosmos.
Each Titan, a pillar of our universe, a core concept that bound us all. Their tales were intertwined with ours, their essence echoed in every corner of our universe.
It was a humbling thought, one that reminded me of our shared place in the grand scheme of things. We were all children of the cosmos, products of the same universal forces, no matter how different our beliefs or cultures were.
That's why I sought to learn about this universe's own legends. It could give me a window to their perspective. It was probably foolish, given we were taking them over. But I was a student of myth.
Suddenly, someone walked in, interrupting my thoughts. I turned and saw Deros's mom. Why was she here?
I eyed my guards and stood up.
"Der... No, the boy who looks like my son. Fancy seeing you again."
"That's my line, Miss. Why are you here? The city is under lockdown. I'm surprised you even got here."
She eyed the books. "My youngest was looking for a book. She really loves reading."
This woman was suspicious... But, her gaze was honest.
Her eyes went to the table I was at. "Are those mythology books?"
I crossed my arms. "Why do you care what I read?"
She raised a hand to her mouth and hummed. "Well, I didn't think the Titanos would be interested in our legends, much less a commander."
I sighed. "Well, you thought wrong. Now, leave. Before my guards start thinking you're up to something."
She nodded and went to grab a children's book off the shelf. The library was close. Yet she got in... how?
"How did you get inside?" I asked.
Deros's mom smiled. "I'm the librarian. I got a key to this place." She took out some keys and jingled them.
I sighed. "Since you're a librarian, know any books about the mythology of Retra as a whole?"
She hummed. "Like about the creator god?"
I nodded.
"I don't think we have it anymore, but I once read a book about the old creator. He was a man called Maquine. A kind, benevolent god who imparted his vast knowledge to the creatures he made. It's why Retra is said to be more developed than the other realms."
"Wait, you know about the other realms?"
She nodded. "Yes. The people of Retra have gone beyond the universal firmament and traveled the dark sea."
Right, that eerie place between warp jumps... Lady Xilonem once told Retas that the dark sea would one day shallow Titanos. I wasn't sure if she meant it literally or figuratively.
"That same dark sea happens to be home to dangerous beings," Deros's mom continued. "Beings born from the shadows. These beings once attacked Retra, long, long ago."
My eyes perked up. "How did you deal with them?"
"We didn't. Our god, Maquine did. He fended them off alone, pushing them back into the sea between universes. But it came at a great cost."
I couldn't help but gulp. "And that was?"
She looked down at the children's book in her hands. "His life. Our creator god died defending his creation. The people who witnessed his demise cried as golden blood rained down on their world as his body crashed down."
"And what became of his body?"
"It disintegrated, not from heat, but from the damage he had sustained fighting the dark beings. He was past his limits. The brightest minds from throughout Retra were said to have recovered a golden core left from our god's body. This core, they placed in a mechanical vessel, in the hope that one day, he would reawaken, should the being of the dark sea return once more."
Shivers ran down my body. No wonder Xilonem wanted us to unite the various universes. Those beings of shadow, they were powerful or countless enough to gravely injure a god.
I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the unsettling sensation that had washed over me. "And has there been... any sign of these dark beings since then?"
Deros's mother shook her head, a solemn expression on her face. "No. Not since the time of Maquine. But the stories have been passed down, generation to generation. A warning, a reminder of the threat that lurks in the abyss. And of the sacrifice our creator made to protect us."
She glanced at the book in her hands, a distant look in her eyes. "We live in hope, Commander. Hope that Maquine will return to us when we need him most. And fear... fear that the dark beings will one day breach the boundaries of the dark sea and invade our universe once more. But his children, the Lotarh continue to live among us. Lighting our way. But... even one day, they might share their father's fate."
There was a heavy silence as her words hung in the air. I could hardly imagine the weight of it, the constant shadow of an impending threat looming over the gods of Retra and the people who knew. Maybe that's why I couldn't find anything on Maquine. It was to make sure the future generations didn't have to live under that shadow. That Mortarian sickle. But they were just enjoying bliss in ignorance. One day that bliss would perish.
And yet, those who carried the weight of that somber past thrived . They advanced, they explored, they made the most of the peace and prosperity that they had, all while keeping the memory of their fallen god in their hearts. It was admirable, to say the least.
"Thank you for sharing that with me, Miss..." I trailed off, realizing that I didn't know her name.
"Dameia," she supplied, a small smile on her face. "And you're welcome, Commander. I hope that understanding our past will help you see us in a different light."
With that, she turned to leave, the children's book tucked under her arm. I watched her go, her words echoing in my mind.
As I returned to my study of Retra's mythology, I found a newfound respect for the people of this universe. They were not just a faceless enemy to be conquered. They were a civilization with a rich history, a people who had stared into the face of oblivion and persevered.
I found myself hoping, for the second time, that there would be a peaceful resolution to our conflict. Because the enemy we should be fighting was not each other. The real enemy were the shadows that lurked in the dark sea, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The abyss wanted to devour all. To return all to the primordial darkness. But, Xilonem and us, her commanders, would be the bulwark against that dark wave. We would save not only Titanos, but the other universes as well.
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