Lunar: Black Star Rising
By Thomas Knapp
Chapter Eleven
When Toras looked over the notes he had made, and thus compiled them into an article for publishing upon sending it to his contemporaries, he couldn't help but think that it sounded more like a religious doctrine than a historical work. However, based on all that he had seen in the last few weeks, it fit right in to the big picture…
History of the Blue Star
The birth of the Three Deities of the Blue Star
The immortal beings of Althena, Zophar, and Mihall were forged out of what Mihall refered to as the "Twisting Nether" (Possibly some form of astral material residue of the Big Bang) at the edges of the physical universe. Not even Mihall himself is certain if the creation of him and his divine siblings was the action of an intelligent agency, or merely the random result of a series of coincidences.
For several millions of our years, the three drifted through the expanse of space, until they came across a shining blue ball, the planet we now know as the Blue Star. It was at this point that the three, which at all times before had acted as one being, began to show drastically different traits, ambitions, and intents.
Humankind
Contrary to what records claim, it was NOT Althena who found the Blue Star, and created life and humankind to inhabit it. From Mihall's testimony, human beings had existed, and the Blue Star ALREADY supporting them, before the three deities had ever arrived.
Almost instantly (although Mihall gives no clear definition, instantly for an immortal could mean several generations for those merely mortal) clashes among the three began.
According to my divine source, humans seemed to grow very fond of Althena, as she was the first to make contact with the native denizens of the Blue Star. Althena forged a loving, motherlike bond with humans, arguing that with the proper guiding hand, humans could achieve a level of enlightenment rivaling that of the three deities.
Zophar took a complete 180 degrees from the position of Althena. Mihall suspects that out of jealously towards the bond Althena made with humankind, he decided that humans would NEVER reach Althena's desired goal. He wanted to rule the Blue Star through force, and to create a NEW race of humans that would never be able to challenge his absolute power.
Finally, there was Mihall, who took a stance totally separate from his two siblings. He tried to convince Althena and Zophar to leave humanity alone to pursue their own course, to achieve their own victories rather than to cater to the whims of one of the immortals.
Mihall accused his fellow deities of being AFRAID of the potential humankind possessed. Even Althena tried to inhibit humankind from what Mihall considered inevitable; not only did humans possess the potential to RIVAL the immortals, Mihall felt humankind had the ability to SURPASS what the three divine beings could achieve, but only if the deities kept themselves OUT of mortal affairs.
It was these three drastic views that would change the course of humankind, and begin the War of the Gods between Zophar and Althena.
The Splintering of Humans, and the Corruption of the Blue Star
With the parting of the gods, came the seperation of humankind as well. Zophar wooed humankind with promises of power and control over their fellow man, only to betray those who followed him by warping them into hideous and near-mindless monsters, then sending them to destroy the Blue Star and mold it in a manner that Zophar could control.
Most of the other humans rushed under Althena's banner, who promised them protection from Zophar's twisted schemes. Settling in the remaining lush areas of the Blue Star, Althena and her supporters steadily beat back Zophar and his minions until the monsters, and even Zophar himself, seemed to disappear from the Blue Star.
Finally, there was a small tribe of humans who rejected BOTH Althena's promises of protection, and Zophar's promises of power. This group of humans seemed curious about the third god who was showing his presence very rarely. Eventually, Mihall addressed them, and told them of how they should proceed. This was the beginning of the Science Guild of the Blue Star. The Science Guild developed their own society, that while trading freely with Althena's chosen, eschewed the repeated offers Althena made to join her fold.
Several thousands of years passed, and the defenses of Althena's people became lax. At that time, Zophar sensed the time was right for his counterattack. Luring many unsuspecting humans on the fringes of Althena's influence, Zophar rebuilt his army and attacked.
It appears that even Althena was taken off guard by Zophar's emergence back onto the scene, as she repeatedly brought her people farther and farther into retreat towards her center of influence. It was during this time that the connection between the Science Guild and Althena's chosen was broken.
A history of the people of Lunar will be included with this article, while my article will progress with the history of the Black Moon.
Colonization of the Black Moon
The Science Guild upon being isolated from Althena's society recognized that this was the day of reckoning they had been warned of. In Mihall's address to the original human tribe that formed their society (which Mihall reiterated was his ONLY address to them), he had warned them to be ready for when Zophar attacked once again.
They unveiled the massive project that they had undertaken, a colony ship that would take them away from the advancing minions of Zophar and the cataclysm that was sure to follow.
Two prospects were available; one was the Silver Star, which became the home of Althena's chosen. The second was a small black moon, totally invisible to the naked eye, and only discovered mere years before. Due to the position of these moons at the time of departure, the Black Moon was chosen as the site for the Science Guild to re-locate.
So, barely a month before the apocalyptic battle between Zophar and Althena that rendered the Blue Star inert for generations to come, the Science Guild left the Blue Star, settling on the Black Moon. This record coincides with the earliest records of the Black Moon, which picks up the story at this time.
"Have I told you what you wished to find, Toras?" Mihall stated simply, "If not, I apologize, but I shall take no more queries. Even this small meeting is going against all I have taught since I arrived with Althena and Zophar all those ages ago."
Mihall sat, and closed his eyes, blocking out the protests of the gathered heroes beseeching his aid.
Finally Toras raised a hand, silencing them. "People, Mihall has a point. It was our desire to have gods work for us that led to this mess. We can't always rely on divine providence to solve our problems."
Hiro dipped his head, "I understand that… I suppose. After all, we defeated Zophar ONCE, and we can do it again!"
"That's right… it wasn't Althena who ended Zophar's bid for Lunar, it was US." Jean stated.
Lemina nodding in agreement. "We can get out of this mess somehow!"
Mihall opened one eye, and the ever slightest of smiles crossed his face. "THAT, my friends, is the attitude I had striven to instill on humanity. I have no doubt that you can thwart my brother's final desperate attempt if you put your minds to it."
Lucia, however, didn't seem totally convinced. She didn't let any expression cross her face as she addressed Hiro. "Hiro, go with the rest to the Blue Star. I shall join you shortly."
"Why… what's going on?" Hiro asked as he lead everyone out of the strange hall.
"I need to confirm a few things with Mihall about how we should progress." Lucia explained. "Just hurry and get to Lunar. Hopefully, we can figure something out."