"2066

Since it is now illegal to name such a day we resorted to the year.

It was the year of great change, of great progress, evolution of humankind was now in our reach...

2066 was supposed to be the day of great celebration... Happiness…

Leading up to the year we can all look back and see human progress at its prime.

We have accomplished so much, surpassing all other races that were known in the vast universe.

2030 flying cars were available and regular food was turned into pills containing everything a human body needs. We soon realized at the time that it was unneeded to use such relics of the past, such as the so-called planes or trains.

2040 we then set our eyes and knowledge towards the extension of life… and of course we succeeded… it is now common to live past 200 years.

2050 teleportation pads now connect every part of the world together for faster transportation and network between nations.

2060… the infamous decade of the corrupt. Ambition was everywhere, the newer generation was accomplishing so much that it had become a common theme to achieve something before the age of 20. The youth battled, trying to top each other in search of fame and glory far above their peers.

The Council, which had been filled with the brightest, wisest, and most talented governed this utopia. They saw progress at its prime and now became disgusted at the outcome of it. Even mentioning such a word got you on their bad side, hate was evident.

So a solution was drawn up to put an end to progress all together, broadcasted around the globe an announcement was made. A Grand Ambition above all others, the one who is able to achieve such a thing will be written down in history.

It is quoted "the one who shall be able to send a message to the God's above, and have them send a message of recognition to our humble world shall become the one and only King of Knowledge"

And true to their solution, progress was entirely halted. None was able to fathom that there was an existence greater than themselves, they had based everything on the sciences and principles of matter.

5 years go by, none was able to find a way to solve the Grand Ambition.

They cursed the Gods, saying it was impossible to achieve such a thing if it didn't exist.

They were wrong...

In their rage there voices thundered over the world "you see yourselves so high and mighty, to achieve such a thing you must only think that it is real… allow us to send a message not as equals but as existences greater than you"

Not heeding to their words they celebrated, finally the Grand Ambition was solved. They didn't care about the dangers of the Gods, all they understood was the advancement of humankind. They were able to communicate with the Gods, how was it not a joyous day?

2066 the message from the Gods finally came in the shape of a meteor the size of the one that had previously wiped out the dinosaurs.

Seeing the large meteor in the sky they rushed to safety, not being able to bring anything with them. Of course being the planet full of geniuses they had foreseen such a thing, but many didn't have time to evacuate to shelters. Leading to the near extinction of the human race…

I must also say that just like how dinosaurs left clues for us to discover, so did our ancestors. For such a big explosion It was quite shocking that some relics of the past had survived.

3000… Some 1000 years have come to pass, humankind was able to survive in shelters that had rations of food from the old era (regular food- not pills). Leaving the shelters they were shocked when they entered a new world alien to their own. They tried to rebuild the old civilization, the old ways, but all technology and knowledge were gone. As if it had never existed…

You may have wondered why had this happened? Did such knowledge just leave their minds? No, the information was still there but they realized how dependent they were on the technology their ancestors had created. They didnt know how to create metal, tin, or even common clothing or food. All was made by machines, all knowledge and information was put into Artificial intelligence databases.

So in the end technology went back to the medieval age, new generations can no longer live up to 200 years, and food and building materials must now be made by hand.

And just like that, the age of the Guinness Utopia came to an end.

But is that it…? Would time just repeat itself...?"

With the last word said, it shook me out of my day dream. A dream created following the story that was being told. Like the other children, I too raise my hand hoping that mine would stand out more than the other children present.

The old man looked up from the old book he was reading and pointed at a random boy

"Yes, you there what is your question"

Ignoring all the envious faces surrounding him he asked "Old man storyteller, about the so called 'relics of the past' is the book that's in your position one of them?"

"Hu Hu Hu, that's my own little secret! Know that I didn't answer your question so don't start going out spreading such rumors. We all know that such relics get confiscated, no less killing those that had set their eyes on one"

After answering the question he again looked threw the sea of hands

"You there with the silver hair, what is your question for this old man"

Opening my mouth to speak, I sai--

"Actually I have two questions" my brother said "from the way you had ended the story it made it seem as if there was more? It means you'll be finishing the story tomorrow right?"

With an anxious voice the old man replied "actually I was planning to ride west at the crack of dawn--"

"So is it possible to come listen to the end of the story before you leave tomorrow?" someone asked

Looking at the old man I saw his wrinkled brow relax "how could I ever say no to you youths, very well, I shall tell you remainder of the story tomorrow at dawn… so you better wake up early, I won't be waiting for anybody"

With that said we all got up and prepared to leave, I looked around noticing the smiles plastered on everyone's faces. Well I guess I'm not the only one looking forward to tomorrow's story time, I can't even imagine the last time some outsider came to our small humble village. No less taking the time to actually entertain us with a story… Why would he even do that?

Before I could dissect the thought any further a sudden realization came to mind "wait! Where's my brother?!"