Author : Vasudeva_AY
A colossal mountain, its peak obscured by swirling clouds and snow, seemed to reach towards the heavens, its vast boundaries stretching endlessly. Covered in lush greenery and teeming with diverse flora and fauna, it exuded an aura of divine majesty. At its foot lay a settlement, sprawling over the vast plains beneath, enclosed by towering walls nearly 80 feet in height. Illuminated in a dazzling display of lights, it transformed the solitary mountain into a beacon of human civilization beneath the expansive night sky.
Vivek observed the landscape, noting the smaller hills and medium-sized mountains surrounding the settlement. "These natural barriers would serve as formidable defenses for the settlement. However, considering what I've seen, I can't be too certain about their effectiveness," he mused, his analytical mind at work.
As they approached the settlement's entrance, a massive wooden gate loomed before them, guarded by two towering statues on either side. Vivek's eyes locked at the sight of the imposing statues, their imposing presence commanding respect and admiration as they looked towards each other.
"Wait, who are you?" the guard stationed at the gate demanded, his hand raised in a halting gesture while gripping a spear, his eyes a striking blend of violet and purple.
With a deliberate motion, the veiled man revealed his face, unveiling piercing blue eyes and hair tinged with shades of red and orange.
"Xiao Li Wei," he declared, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.
In response, the guard swiftly dropped to one knee and bowed deeply. "Welcome back, Captain," he intoned, his voice reverent. The other seven guards, stationed nearby, mirrored his actions and echoed his words. Li Wei acknowledged their respects with a slight nod.
Zhen observed the scene, intrigued by the unique combination of eye and hair color among the guards. "And they call him Captain," he mused to himself, pondering the significance.
Following the guard's command, the gatekeepers above the walls swiftly obeyed, and with a resounding creak, the grand entrance swung open, revealing the splendor within the settlement.
The trio strode forward, the gate closing with a solid thud behind them.
"Quickly inform Elder Bi about the captain's arrival," the guard instructed his comrade, who promptly nodded and hurried deeper into the settlement.
Inside, Vivek found himself amidst a lively scene. Colorful crowds bustled through the streets, engaged in animated conversations and perusing stalls brimming with wares. The air was alive with the sounds of laughter, sizzling food, and children's playful cries, while the enticing aromas of various delicacies mingled in the air.
Stalls lined the broad streets, offering everything from delectable foods to clothing and toys, each one meticulously arranged to catch the eye of passersby. The wooden and bamboo houses that flanked the streets added to the charm of the bustling marketplace.
Vivek, nestled in his basket, took in the festive atmosphere, while the woman accompanying him glanced at him with fond smiles, her eyes reflecting the joy of the celebration.
They proceeded through the village and arrived at another entrance, this one bordered by walls made of what appeared to be marble, towering halfway up the height of the outer walls.
The guard halted, confirming their identities with a respectful bow before granting them passage.
Vivek observed the surroundings keenly. "The architecture and layout seem similar, but there's a noticeable difference in refinement and elegance here, reserved for the inner circles," he mused. Across the street, the stalls exuded a sense of opulence, offering a wider array of goods and adorned with finer decorations. The attire of the people also reflected a higher status, their clothing more elaborate and ornate.
"Divided on the basis of status it seems, a very basic strategy to protect the people in power," Vivek pondered, his thoughts echoing through the bustling streets. This arrangement, he recognized, was a relic of history, a timeless method of shielding the privileged from adversity.
In the inner sanctums of the village, where luxury and refinement prevailed, the powerful thrived amidst opulence. Meanwhile, on the outskirts, the less fortunate resided, their lives more vulnerable to the whims of fate. It was a stark reminder of the inequalities ingrained in society, where the weak often bore the brunt of hardship to safeguard the interests of the elite.
As Vivek continued to observe, he couldn't help but reflect on the broader implications of this social hierarchy, pondering the mechanisms of power and privilege that governed the world around him.
Then, another entrance appeared, distinguished by its formidable walls crafted from an unknown, but evidently robust material. The guards stationed here exuded a similar air of authority, yet their demeanor lacked the deference seen at previous entrances. Vivek couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance in their eye colors to Li Wei's.
"They have such different hair colors and eye colors, all within the confines of this small settlement. How is that possible?" Vivek mused, his mind grappling with questions of genetics "Do the power they possess, has something to do with it?".
Inside this enclave, the architecture deviated markedly from the preceding sections. The houses here sprawled out in long lines, covering vast expanses of land beneath them. Their walls boasted intricate designs, composed of marbles, stones, and even precious metals. Unlike the bustling stalls of the outer layers, this area featured an expansive open space, its base resembling flowing water and emitting a soft, blue light, yet retaining a solid and sturdy form.
"What kind of material is this?" Vivek pondered while observing the floor of the open area. In the center of this expanse lay a colossal stone, shaped like an egg and pulsating with a divine glow reminiscent of the full moon that hung high in the sky. People encircled the stone, their hands clasped in prayer as they knelt before it.
The couple carrying Vivek approached and, like the others, knelt before the colossal stone. Standing before the stone was a man of nearly forty, his black hair interspersed with strands of white. His countenance exuded wisdom and authority; he was the clan leader. His golden-yellow eyes, reflecting both the wisdom gained from years of leadership and a connection to the mystical forces, held a captivating allure. The ceremonial robes draped across his shoulders bore symbols of ancient significance, blending seamlessly with the moonlit ambiance.
"Fellow clansmen, today marks the most sacred ritual of our Xiao clan, the Moon Festival. Offer your prayers to the Moon Deity, for today he shall bestow upon us his blessings," the Clan leader proclaimed, his voice resounding in the silent air.
He then turned toward the colossal stone, his reverence palpable as he knelt before its majestic presence. Intricate inscriptions adorned every inch of the stone's surface, their ancient wisdom pulsating with power. As the clan leader began chanting the sacred text, the air seemed to hum with anticipation.
Suddenly, the light emanating from the colossal stone intensified, casting a radiant glow that bathed the surroundings in celestial luminescence. The floor, appearing solid yet imbued with the fluidity of flowing water, shimmered with a mesmerizing blue hue, its essence drawn toward the monumental stone.
Above the congregation of kneeling individuals, ethereal orbs of pure white light began to materialize, their gentle radiance adding to the brilliance of the scene. With a graceful movement, they glided toward the colossal stone, infusing it with even greater luminosity. Soon, the entire gathering was enveloped in a radiant aura, as if touched by the divine.
Vivek marveled at the spectacle unfolding before his eyes, its magnificence surpassing anything he had ever imagined. Such transcendental experiences were often relegated to the realms of myth and legend, yet here, in this sacred moment, they were made manifest.
Noticing the baby, the woman gently lifted him from the basket. "Look at those curious eyes," she whispered, her voice carrying the reverence of one witnessing the sublime.
In a heartbeat, the serene ambiance of the Moon festival was interrupted by an extraordinary occurrence. Little Vivek, nestled in the arms of the woman, defied gravity, his tiny form hovering weightlessly in mid-air. A collective gasp swept through the crowd, every pair of eyes fixed on the mesmerizing sight unfolding before them.
"Now what?" Vivek thought, his composure calm.
As Vivek floated towards the colossal stone, bathed in the same ethereal light that illuminated the sacred monument, the entire gathering fixated their gaze upon the spectacle unfolding before them. It was as if time itself held its breath, anticipating the unknown.
In the next instant, Vivek transformed into another radiant source of light, his tiny form emanating a brilliance that mesmerized all who beheld it. The intensity of the glow grew with each passing moment until, with a burst of energy, the light dissipated from Vivek's body, scattering into a myriad of small orbs that danced around him like fireflies in the night.
Returning to the safety of the woman's embrace, Vivek's eyes fluttered closed, only to reopen moments later, revealing a celestial crescent moon insignia adorning his forehead. The hush that followed was palpable, a silence pregnant with awe and wonder as the significance of the moment settled upon the gathering.
"He... He was blessed," murmured a woman dressed in somber black, her voice a whisper that echoed through the stillness. And then, like a dam bursting, the open area erupted in a cacophony of excited chatter and speculation, the air alive with the energy of surprise and anticipation.
"Didn't that man said they are all here for the blessings." Vivek pondered, looking at the sudden chatter of people around him.
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