Chapter 13: The Chronicles of Falmart
Darwinian Calendar Year 61639, Month 7, Coda Village.
Lelei La Lillehammer stared at herself in the cracked mirror, her once vibrant eyes now dulled with the weight of despair. The high-tech collar around her neck served as a constant reminder of her enslavement to the Russian overlords who had conquered her land. Each passing day only further fueled her desire for freedom, but the collar's grip on her life seemed unbreakable.
Ever since the arrival of the Russian army, Lelei's world had been turned upside down. The once peaceful village she had called home was now a hub for construction, military operations, and harsh labor, all under the watchful eyes of the Russian soldiers. It felt as if her people had become mere cattle, herded and treated as disposable servants.
As Lelei trudged through the mud-filled paths towards the makeshift barracks, she caught glimpses of her fellow villagers, their faces etched with exhaustion and resignation. They too wore the collars, their movements restricted, their spirits broken. It was a bleak existence, devoid of hope.
Lelei's heart pounded as she stood before General Youji Itami in his austere office. The room emitted an air of authority, adorned with maps, military insignia, and the subtle smell of aged parchment. She felt vulnerable, exposed, stripped of her dignity. Yet, her resolve remained unbroken.
General Itami leaned back in his chair, studying her intently. He was a man of average height, with dark hair and piercing brown eyes that held a hint of weariness. Despite his position as a high-ranking officer in the Russian army, he seemed different from the others. Lelei couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about him inspired a flicker of hope within her.
General Itami held out a picture, displaying a symbol that was oddly familiar to Lelei. "Do you know what this symbol represents?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
The symbol of the Falmartian Orthodox Church, a sacred emblem representing the faith that guided her people. As she looked at it, memories of her ancestral history flooded her mind, and she could feel the weight of her people's struggles and sacrifices.
"It is the symbol of the Falmartian Orthodox Church," Lelei replied, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and reverence.
General Itami leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Falmart, you say? Is that the name of this world?"
Lelei nodded. "Indeed, General. It is named after Falmart, the deity who brought this world closer to the sun, shaping it as he desired. He even crafted the continents and islands to facilitate the flourishing of life."
Fascinated, General Itami clasped his hands together. "How intriguing. Please, enlighten me further. Tell me about the history of Falmart."
Lelei took a deep breath, her eyes glimmering with knowledge passed down through generations. "In the beginning, there existed the Old Gods. Falmart was among them, and he chose to bless this world with his divine touch. He erected giant Divine Gates at the poles, allowing magic from the Immaterium to flow freely into our realm."
She continued, "With the power of this enless magic, Falmart created the Immortal Beasts, incredible creatures that graced his garden world in the Age of Monsters. However, our mortal races are not the natives of Falmart. Our ancestors hailed from a distant world called Paradis, which was tragically destroyed by our own creation, the Thinking Machines more than 65,000 Falmart's years ago."
General Itami interjected, his eyes widened with astonishment. "Thinking Machines? Tell me more."
Lelei nodded, her voice tinged with sorrow. "The Thinking Machines were extremely powerful automatons created by our ancestors. However, they turned against us, causing the annihilation of Paradis. Over 100 million survivors embarked on a thousand-year journey across the stars, seeking refuge on this world
A somber expression crossed her face as she continued, "But Falmart did not immediately welcome us. Our arrival sparked the First War of Heaven and Earth. This devastating conflict shattered the continents and claimed the lives of billions of Immortal Beasts and tens of millions of Pathians."
Leiei's voice trembled with reverence as she explained, "Throughout the century-long war, the Gates, created by Falmart himself, collapsed upon their destruction, rupturing realities and connecting our world to the Realm of Chaos. Sorcerous energies, demons, and warpstone flooded Falmart, threatening to unravel the very fabric of reality."
Taking a moment to compose herself, Lelei spoke of sacrifice. "In an act of supreme determination and monumental sacrifice, 20 million Pathians gave their lives to contain the dimensional rifts, sparing Falmart from destruction. Touched by our sacrifice, Falmart granted us the privilege to remain in his world. From the souls of the fallen, he created 20 New Gods who now act as our Guardians."
General Itami listened intently, his gaze locked on Lelei's every word. "A Divine Pact was forged," she continued, her voice firm. "On land, all Pathians were bound within 400 kilometers of the coast. At sea, no Pathian settlement could exist deeper than 800 meters below the surface. The Outback of every continent and the Aphotic zone of every ocean, where light struggles to penetrate, were forever claimed by the Immortal Beasts. The Falmartian Orthodox Church became the spiritual cornerstone of our society. Its followers revere Falmart as the Supreme God, the one who paved the way for our salvation. We honor the New Gods as our guardians, seeking their blessings and protection. Their temples are scattered throughout our lands, serving as sanctuaries of faith."
"But our struggles for survival were far from over," Lelei spoke, her voice heavy with sorrow. "Around 10,000 years ago, Tiamat, our second moon, was consumed by the Tyranid, also known as the Great Devourer. From there, they descended upon Falmart, their numbers beyond estimation."
She spoke with a mix of fear and awe. "The Tyranids arrived in organic drop pods, crashing onto our lands with a fury unmatched. Seas turned red with blood, and the beaches were littered with the remnants of oceanic life desperately trying to escape. These abominable creatures scaled even the tallest bastions of our cities with ease."
Her eyes met Itami's, filled with sadness. "The defenders of Falmart, Pathians and the Immortal Beasts fought valiantly, inflicting heavy casualties upon the Tyranids. Countless lives were lost as we fought back against the Tyranid onslaught," Lelei continued, her tone filled with solemnity. "But even in the face of overwhelming odds, wherever our forces clashed with the Tyranids, they suffered unimaginable casualties. Yet, the hordes of the Great Devourer seemed inexhaustible. And so, the Eternal War began, as we fought to protect our world from these insatiable monstrosities."
General Itami leaned back in his chair, eyes widened with every revelation, his mind struggling to comprehend the scale of the tragedy that had unfolded in this world. "Lelei," he finally spoke, his tone full of empathy, "Your people have endured unimaginable challenges and shown profound resilience. It is a privilege to hear your account."
Lelei nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Indeed, General. We have faced unimaginable challenges and sorrow. But we continue to survive, to fight for a chance at a better future. The symbol you showed me, the Falmartian Orthodox Church, represents our faith in the New Gods and our unwavering determination."
Lelei seized this opportunity to inquire about her people's fate. "General Itami, what is to become of us? Why have you brought your militaries from another world to ours and subjected us to this torment?"
"Because that is the only thing we good at," he confessed, his voice laced with regret. "My country, the Greater Russian Empire, has a history of conquering other nations. We search for resources to sustain our failing homeland." The general sighed heavily, his expression troubled. "Lelei, this world of yours, Falmart, and its inhabitants have become a strategic concern for the Greater Russian Empire. Not to mention, the Tyranid swarm threatens not only your lands but ours as well. We had no choice but to intervene. As for your fate, it rests upon your ability to serve, to prove your worth to the empire."
Lelei's heart sank at his words. The grim reality of their situation seemed inescapable. Yet, a sliver of determination glimmered within her. "I will serve," she declared, her voice steady despite her fear. "But I will never forget the suffering of my people, nor will I surrender to this collar of servitude."
General Itami regarded her with newfound respect. "Lelei, your strength and resilience are commendable. I see a spark of rebellion in your eyes, a spirit that refuses to be crushed. Remember this: sometimes the greatest battles are fought not with swords and magic but with words and ideas."
His words resonated within Lelei's very being, igniting a glimmer of hope. In that moment, she resolved to use her position to undermine her captors, to leverage her knowledge and skills to reclaim her people's freedom. Though she remained under the watchful eye of her overlords, she knew she had found an unexpected ally in General Itami.
Różakawa City, Naerok Peninsula, Southern Azjania
In the western coast of the Naerok Peninsula resided the majestic Różakawa fortress city, a formidable stronghold that stood as a testament to centuries of strength and resilience. At the very nucleus of this ancient city, amidst a lush grove of towering trees dating back to the age of mythology, lay a hidden sanctuary. Known only to a select few, this secluded haven was shrouded in an aura of mystery and enchantment.
Inside the sanctuary, beneath the heavily-canopied ceiling that filtered somber rays of sunlight, countless High Councils convened throughout the ages. Encircling the heart of this hallowed space was a weathered stone table, said to resonate with the primal energy emanating from the depths of the planet. Surrounding the table were imposing stone seats, each imbued with the weight of history.
On one fateful day, as concerns gripped the hearts of those assembled, Knight General Grey Co Aldo found himself overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. Just as he began to lose his composure, the audible reverberation of heavy footsteps upon the dry stone floor interrupted his thoughts. The sound heralded the arrival of a figure whose presence evoked both awe and trepidation, sending a shiver down the spines of the councilmen. Indeed, it was none other than the illustrious Princess Piña Co Lada, sovereign of the principality of Różakawa and one of the revered Sea Lords of the Holy Empire.
Clad in a flowing white veil and dress, Princess Piña's alluring facade masked her true nature – a woman of formidable strength and unwavering determination. As she made her regal approach, her figure seemingly touched by divine grace, the councilmen rose from their seats, willingly prostrating themselves before her commanding presence.
"Your Highness!"
The councilmen's voices rose as one, their collective reverence resonating throughout the sanctum. The Princess, standing tall like a deity observing her subjects, cast an unyielding gaze upon them. Her crimson eyes glinted with a mix of scrutiny and authority as they landed upon Knight General Grey Co Aldo, who lay prostrated before her.
"Grey."
With a single syllable, she called his name, her voice an intoxicating mix of arousal and intimidation. The Knight General promptly rose to his feet, his body taut with anticipation.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Princess Piña's gaze remained fixed upon him, her aura both commanding and enigmatic. With a voice that held both power and intrigue, she posed a question that sent a chill down Grey's spine.
"Who has violated our airspace?"
Startled by the simplicity of the query, Grey felt a wave of uncertainty wash over him. He frantically searched his mind for answers but came up empty-handed.
"W-We do not know, Your Highness!"
As she neared him, the Princess's steady gaze never wavered. Standing before Grey, she exuded an overwhelming presence, though her tone grew more relaxed, less demanding.
"An unnatural, artificial flying object devoid of magical essence, swifter than our swiftest Ornithopters. Does this not remind you of the legends?"
The councilmen exchanged knowing glances, their eyes reflecting a shared understanding. "The Thinking Machines," they murmured in unison.
Aeon ago, their ancestors had created the Thinking Machines—powerful automatons of immense intellect. Yet, these mechanical marvels had ultimately turned against their creators, resulting in the cataclysmic downfall of their homeworld.
Now, faced with the possibility that their ancient nemesis had returned, the councilmen braced themselves for a battle that resonated with the echoes of their forebears. Little did they know that their journey into the depths of time and conflict had only just begun.
