LRAB Chapter 615: Aether's Story - Execution of a City
Chapter 615: Aether's Story - Execution of a City
Chapter 615: Aether's Story - Execution of a City
MEMORY FRAGMENT
Erekol, Second Age
The star pupil wants to see you, divine one, the man said, bowing so low that his head almost touched the ground.
Aether could feel a significant amount of magic within him, just as he felt the other thingthe coldness of the void. Lately, his roost was the only place in which it couldnt be felt. This was one of the inventions of the star pupil that disgusted him. Ever since its initial discovery a decade ago, the aetherbird had stayed as far away from it as possible. He had matured enough to know not to interfere with events in the city, even if he really wanted to. Normally, Aether wasnt one to care. The physical didnt affect him as much as it did the mortals. He was fine with the development of the cities. Of the new devices that brought in ease and chased away so many people. Even the new set of mega-buildings and monuments didnt bother him in the least. The void, however, was an entirely different matter.
The star pupil, of course, claimed that it was merely another different form of magic, and from what was demonstrated, no one could say any differently. Aether had asked the Moons on the topic, but they had refused to answer. That didnt stop them from spending more time in the sky than in Erekol itself. There was a time when theyd stay in the buildings the architect had created for them, even walk about the streets among mortals. Those times were gone. Now they only appeared briefly within their temples, and even that was becoming rarer and rarer.
I dont feel like it, Aether replied.
The star pupil will very much like to discuss an important matter with you, divine one. The plans of the device are almost complete and your input is required to ensure that
I said, I dont feel like it. Aether remained calm, but his tone was as hard as ice.
He knew that the real reason the star wanted to see him was to discuss the prospect of gaining the title second architect. Apparently, a century effectively ruling over the city as the architects star pupil wasnt enough. In the past, that hadnt been a particular issue, but apparently not it was. The star was starting to lose patience.
Tell the star Ill come when I feel like it, the aetherbird spread its wings and flapped off into the sky. At least there he could have some calm.
Given everything that had happened since the dawn of time, he thought that it would take at least as long before he started to find the world annoying. Sadly, it had already started to happen. Erakol was getting wrapped with the unpleasant chill of the void, while the rest of the world remained exceedingly boring. Even the Purple Moon, who had insisted that things were certain to become interesting, was no longer pleased with the current developments. One of the reasons was the star being one of his followers.
As Aether flew, a piece of cloud peeled off, forming a condor-like entity.
Are you going to avoid me forever? the cloud-condor asked with a crackling voice. It didnt take a genius to guess what was the cause of this. Arent we friends anymore?
Its not personal, patron, the star replied, not in the least bit phased. Youve made it clear that youll never give me what the architect had, so I decided to be a bit more convincing in the matter. Youve seen the side effects of my device. Even a few seconds are enough to have a void spill into your world. Of course, the area guardians are keeping it at bay, but thats temporary. If I start my latest device, the door wont be open for just a few seconds. A permanent connection would be established and while it lasts, void would flood the world.
Youll just destroy yourself, Aether said, perched on the Moons shoulder.
I doubt it. The star pulled off a glove, revealing a hand completely covered in blackness. I mastered the manipulation of the void long before I started work on my device. And Im not the only one. My supporters also have that power. If the world is overtaken by void, well be the ones left, not you.
For the first time since his existence, Aether felt chills pass through his entire body. How was the star so calmly discussing the destruction of the world?
I should never have helped! The aetherbird thought. If he had ignored the star pupil back at the time, all this wouldnt have happened. There would have been no void-magic, void-objects, or complex Earth-based technology. Everything would have remained the same as the architect had created it.
Of course, I dont want that, the star continued. This world is a magnificent place. Im not talking just about Erekol, but everything surrounding it as well. Just do as I ask, and Ill dismantle the device and erase the knowledge of it in everyones minds.
Is that all? The Red Moon smirked. You just want to become a deity?
Ive done enough to deserve it! Everything in Erekol is created by me! The architect might have been the one to build this city, but I recreated it ten times better! Without me, people would take weeks to cross the city, theyd have to work months to acquire a harvest, or wood for the night. I created an age of bliss and I want to continue driving it forward. All that I ask is that you allow me to
No, the voice of the Blue Moon thundered.
As he did, a ball of blue light hit the grand city, shattering it to pieces. An explosion filled the space between ground and sky, reducing all structures to dust. Blue fires covered the land, though they were quickly put out by a heavy rain that appeared, pouring down through the entire world.
Now you have no device to threaten us with. The only thing left of the city is this room, and it, too, will break up soon enough. The Blue Moon turned around and started walking away.
You killed an entire world? the star asked in disbelief.
No, the Blue Moon replied. We just destroyed the buildings of Erekol and all your inventions within it. The people will continue to live. Theyll have no memory of what happened. They wont even know how the city looked, or even that it had been. History will start from scratch. You wont live long enough to pick up the pieces back together again. But youre welcome to try. Watching you will be most interesting.
Barely had the Moon said that than the room itself was reduced to dust. Nothing but a wild world remained, a world full of members of the seven races, none of which knew where they were or what they were doing.