Exiting the warm, inviting atmosphere of the kitchen, Ray, Ra, and La'ru made their way through the winding corridors of the temple, eventually stepping out into the open air of the back gardens. The transition from the cozy interior to the vibrant, life-filled gardens was immediate and refreshing. The sun, hanging low in the sky, bathed the area in a golden hue, highlighting the lush greenery and the myriad of colors from the flowering plants that adorned the space.The gardens were not just a place of beauty but also of learning and contemplation.
A group of temple clerics stood at the far end, surrounded by a small assembly of interested listeners. They were deep in discussion, their voices carrying through the air, infused with passion and reverence. Today's lesson spanned the breadth of Helios's rich tapestry of faiths, from the storied deities of the Olympic pantheon to the formidable figures of Norse mythology.
Ray's gaze drifted from one cleric to another, each taking turns to speak, their hands animatedly sketching the air as they described the feats and follies of gods and goddesses. He found himself drawn in by the stories, a testament to humanity's enduring need to make sense of the world through the lens of the divine.Ra, on the other hand, listened with a more critical ear, his mind analyzing the strategic elements of the myths, the battles, and the alliances. It was another layer of understanding, another perspective on power and how it could be wielded.La'ru, familiar with many of these tales, watched the brothers' reactions with interest.
For her, the myths were old friends, stories she had grown up with, but seeing them anew through the eyes of Ray and Ra added a fresh dimension to their significance. She was familiar with the lessons, her time in the temple was filled with lessons from across the pantheons. Keron was always talking about the gods.
In the serene ambiance of the garden, amidst the teachings of various pantheons, one monk's voice rose above the rest, capturing the attention of Ray, Ra, and La'ru. He spoke of "The First Ones," a pantheon so ancient and mysterious that it predated the known gods and goddesses of Helios and beyond. According to the monk, these deities were not born of myth or legend but had emerged spontaneously from the very fabric of existence itself, embodying the primal forces that shaped the cosmos.
"The First Ones," he explained, "were the architects of reality, the unseen weavers of fate who laid the foundations of the world and its many inhabitants. They did not create out of desire for worship or adoration but as an expression of their intrinsic nature, an outpouring of the raw, unbridled energy that constituted their being. Many were said to have come from an ancient mythos and Supreme Deity known as The Throne. They were said to have been the first race crafted by this Throne."
As the monk delved deeper into the lore, describing how these primordial gods ascended to godhood through their acts of creation, the listeners were drawn into a narrative that seemed almost beyond comprehension. These beings were responsible for the birth of entire races, each endowed with unique attributes and destinies, all playing their part in the grand tapestry of existence.
Ray absorbed the tale with wide-eyed wonder, his imagination ignited by the possibilities of such power and the mysteries of the universe. Ra, meanwhile, pondered the strategic implications of the First Ones' actions, considering the balance of power and the role of destiny in the shaping of nations and individuals.
La'ru listened with a mix of skepticism and fascination. To her, the story of the First Ones was a reminder of the vast, unexplored depths of their world's history, a testament to the endless potential for discovery and understanding.
As the monk's lecture concluded, Ray, Ra, and La'ru found a quiet spot in the garden, surrounded by the lush greenery and the gentle hum of nature, to discuss their thoughts on the First Ones.
Ray, ever the optimist, was the first to break the silence. "Can you imagine the power the First Ones must have wielded? To create worlds and races out of mere thought and ascension? Do you think anyone can get powerful enoughto just become gods?" His eyes sparkled with the excitement of endless possibilities.
Ra, more contemplative, nodded slowly. "It's fascinating, for sure. But power like that... it's bound to come with its own set of challenges. How does one decide the fate of entire races? The responsibility must be immense."
La'ru, leaning against a tree, folded her arms. "My people have tales of the First Ones, too," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of disdain. "But I never liked them much. They always seemed like selfish gods to me, caring only about their own whims, not the lives they affected. The way I see it, if they truly cared, our world wouldn't be filled with so much strife."
Ray turned to her, intrigued. "But don't you think it's incredible that they could just create life? That they had such a tremendous amount of power.?"
La'ru shrugged. "Maybe. But power doesn't impress me much if it's not used wisely. From what I've heard, the First Ones were more interested in their own legend than in the wellbeing of their creations. Most of them left their creations to venture out into the world and continue to just thinkof themselves. They never even stopped to check on the worlds and lives they made. "
Ra nodded, understanding her perspective. "It's a valid point. Absolute power without oversight can lead to disastrous outcomes. The balance is essential, and perhaps, they lost sight of that."
"I think there's more to it," Ray insisted, his voice carrying a mix of hope and conviction. "Maybe the First Ones are part of a larger system, something that keeps everything in balance. It's not just about them; it's about maintaining the harmony of the universe or even many universes."Ra raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "History tells us a different story, Ray. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's rare to see anyone, mortal or divine, wield such power without eventually abusing it. The First Ones, with all their might, were no exception."
La'ru, who had been quietly listening, shrugged dismissively. "Debating the morality of gods seems pointless to me. They do what they want, and we're left to deal with the consequences. I'd rather focus on living my life, free from their shadows. What good does it do to speculate on their intentions or the balance they supposedly maintain?"Ray nodded, acknowledging their points. "I understand where you're both coming from. It's just that the idea of a grand design, a purpose beyond our understanding. I don't know there has to be purpose to existencesome sort of truth beyond just wasting away. I know we can find our own way and life doesn'thave to have some ultimate goal. Yet, I belive that there is more to life than just living. But you're right, we have our lives to live, and that's what's in front of us."
As they sat there admiring the garden, Ray's gaze turned thoughtful, a new idea brewing in his mind. "I've been thinking," he began, capturing both Ra and La'ru's attention. "I want to meet the Hyarchs. They're known to be deeply connected to Alma, holding some of the most secret knowledge in the world. There's so much we could learn from them about Alma and its manipulation."
Ra considered his brother's words carefully, intrigued by the prospect. "The Hyarchs, huh? That could be interesting. They've always been shrouded in mystery, guardians of ancient wisdom. It might be our best shot at understanding more about Alma... and what we're capable of."
La'ru, however, fell into a noticeable silence, her usual lively demeanor dimming at the mention of Alma.She did not want to speak on what Keron had said. Ray and Ra picked up on her sudden quietude, their conversation halting as they turned to her."La'ru? What's wrong? You've gone quiet all of a sudden," Ray asked, concern lacing his voice.
He and Ra exchanged a look, both sensing that the topic of Alma touched a nerve they hadn't anticipated.La'ru sighed, a complex mix of emotions flickering across her face. "It's just... Alma and everything surrounding it. It's a lot. My people, we... let's just say we have our own views on Alma, and they're not all positive. The Hyarchs hoarding knowledge, deciding who gets to learn about Alma and who doesn't,it doesn't sit well with me."Ray nodded, understanding her hesitance. "I get that. It's just that after everything that's happened, I feel like we need to know more. Not just for ourselves, but to make sure we can protect each other and anyone else who might need our help."Ra added, "Yeah, and we'll make sure we're not stepping on anyone's toes. If the Hyarchs can teach us, great. If not, we'll find another way."