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1Blue Sea Plates
2Table of Contents
3
4î¿¿Table of Contents
5Introduction
6Legal Disclaimer
7Plate of Initium
8Initium 1: Tower of Odi
9Initium 2: Wife of Odi
10Initium 3: Children of Odi
11Initium 4: Tower of Shest
12Initium 5: Birth of Znani
13Initium 6: Leadership of Sem
14Initium 7: Reemo Encounters Sem
15Initium 8: Earthquake
16Initium 9: Rebuilding of Bashen
17Initium 10: Regression of Opyt
18Initium 11: Library of Rebenok
19Initium 12: Mysterious Traveler
20Initium 13: Expedition
21Initium 14: Wives of Tomorrow
22Initium 15: Academy
23Initium 16: Situation of Stultus
24Initium 17: Grand Arena
25Initium 18: Sign for the Library
26Initium 19:
27Outline:
28Introduction
29In the 212th year of our Vsadnik, a feeble idiotic slave named William Summarious was evading authorities. He made an astonishing archaeological discovery while hiding in the Blue Sea Caves. While attempting to dig his way out of the cave system utilizing a spoon, he found a massive library buried under muddy waters. The majority of the books were decoys to prevent people from discovering the purpose of the library. It was a time capsule featuring ancient writings. These had been imprinted onto steel plates and avoided the deterioration from water. At this point, he understood he found made a valuable find and contacted his master, Steven Horse. Rushing over intimidatingly, the master arrived at the Blue Sea Caves. William attempted to plead with his master desiring freedom by gifting his master the entire library collection.
30
31Eventually, by way of the master, the steel plates made it to the black market, making both William and Mr. Horse very rich. The word of the funds reached the supreme government, and both the men were put on trial. Mr. Horse received a life sentence for both the illegal freeing of a slave and for prolonged contact with the black market. William was put into a general auction back into slavery, with the money going to charity. Their court trials were heavily publicized, and William signed a multi-billion dollar contract to be the mascot of Mills Hook Ball Team. Ironically, William eventually fell deep into slavery only to be used in the steel mines of New Houston.
32
33With the plates now in the protection of the government, they were free for scholars to examine. Researchers determined it was written in languages prior to the Vsadnik, which proved it was histories of the ancient dynasties. At this moment the government ordered an execution of all researchers along with William and Mr. Horse. The government also ordered a full drain of the Blue Seas and destruction of the cave system. At this moment, William Summarious is still evading authorities. His footsteps are rumored to still be heard at midnight if you walk the corridors of the Grand Central Court. If you gather any evidence that could culminate in his capture, please contact the offices of that court.
34
35In the present climate, there is a scholarly debate on what happened next to the plates. Unichtians will assert the Council destroyed the original plates. They more significantly will say that we have missing sections which show they at one point where destroyed and reassembled. Communicans will claim the plates had been copied during their time on the black market. They will say that our most recent copy as reconstructed using inferior techniques using photos during the illegal sale. Modern historians reject both of these groups as revisionism. The sole thing agreed upon by everyone is the fact these plates disappeared after the confiscation by the government.
36Legal Disclaimer
37The Blue Sea Plates comprise the collection of the seventeen most important plates. These contain the majority of the history of antiquity, proofs of morality, and the laws of reality. Multiple former government officials have made claims that the government has validated the truth of the materials. Since the content is so persuasive, it has been labeled as an enemy to the Vsadnik. The following is a translation by Dr. Preen Pice and Miguel Jorgan. Witnessing any part of this translation hereby removes all responsibility of your safety from our team. 
38
39Since we are unfamiliar with the language of the plates, the following is our most admirable attempt at getting the precise message. In the event that we had two separate translations for a word, we used a coin toss to aid us in determining which one to utilize. This guarantees there is no bias in the meaning of the works. The nature of the writings disallows us to insert extra commentary. You, as the reader, must do your best to understand the context of which everything is written. We will deliver no overall judgment on what you decide since that is between you and the laws of reality. Whatever you discover will allow you more distant knowledge, and we can only hope that you give us credit on your journey. If you are reading this, we are in need of aid, please dispatch supplies. 
40
41Since the Blue Sea Plates are practically outlawed by the government, reproduction of these works is forbidden. In addition, reporting where you found this translation is also prohibited. Referencing these works in a royal, legal, or academic situation without explicit permission by the Vsadnik will be punishable by law. Any direct or indirect damages can be reported to our team, as we are holding a survey to note the numerous ways that people are impacted by reading the plates. Give thanks to the order of the Vsadnik.
42
43Plate of Initium 
44Initium 1: Tower of Odi
45Odi woke up to discover himself trapped inside a small crate. After struggling for a while he said: "I wish there was a way to get out of this small crate." Ultimately, after two days, he was getting hungry, and he devoured his way out of the box. He looked thoroughly around himself and saw a barren wasteland of only rocks. He retained no recollection of where he was, how he got there, or any understanding of morality.
46
47He drew himself a simple map showcasing all the things he could see from his broken crate. There were numerous other crates in the valley to his east and painfully jagged rocks to the west. The moment he finished placing the map on a rock, he heard a scream from the sky. Odi had never considered looking at the sky before. His neck made a painfully snap as he hooked it upwards to location the screaming sound.
48
49The sound said, "You will surely die! Abandon this place as soon as you can!" Odi noticed that there were little holes in the sky. Odi responded, "The voice must have come from one of these holes. If I climb up and fetch one of them, I will sell it for a profit." His first idea was to build himself a ladder to climb up towards the holes, but he couldn't find any wood for it. Odi tried to forget about the sound that he heard. He continued in a state of apathy for years, not needing consumption at all.
50
51One day Odi was taking his daily stroll to his favorite rock and then new red rocks fell out of the holes in the sky. One of them stuck his face, leaving a scar. He said, "I will construct myself a tower using the rocks of the land to reach the holes above." The red rocks bore unusual inscriptions on them. They were done from a sturdy material. He produced himself a pickaxe using the red rock. He started to work on building a tower of stone, lining it with red rock to stabilize. His entire life purpose was to reach the holes.
52
53Eventually, after fifty years, the height of the tower was one thousand times taller than himself. To commemorate this, he built it with the remaining red stones. He then screamed out loud. "I am the lord of the world! I will consume this landscape to keep control of the sky for myself. I am the son of a new rebellion..." At this point, he was cut off because the holes had moved down to wreck his tower. He became angry swinging his arms at the holes attempting to snatch one for sale.
54
55Odi managed to look inside of them and comprehended unspeakable realities. His eyes were opened, his mind snapped back, his teeth felt weird, and he wept. The holes below him sucked in the stones that held together the tower. It started to tip over, and he hung onto a hole for his life. He became furious that his tower had been destroyed. "My life is shattered, I am a void of my previous self! Give me consumption or give me death." The land seemed to issue him what he wanted and he fell to the ground unconscious and dying.
56Initium 2: Wife of Odi
57At this point, from the other crates burst out other people A terribly unattractive man named Elgor rushed to the side of Odi. For twenty days and twenty days more, Elgor nursed Odi back to health. He provided Odi with the sections of the crate for consumption. Elgor went seeking a wife for Odi from the people of the crates. Elgor ran over to the west falling on his face breaking his nose. Elgor's hands turned blue and the hair on his head fell off.
58
59Vitory, a young woman with long hair, picked Elgor up. She cried when she saw his face. He assumed he was hideous because of the recent fall since she had no idea how horrible he looked prior. Vitory realized it was her fault that he had fallen. She cried, "I'll do anything to repay this to you. I'm in your debt." Elgor knew he had found the ideal candidate for Odi. Vitory responded, “Glory to you”, and jumped into the air. His back made a loud crunch but he was entirely okay.
60
61Vitory carried Elgor on her back towards Odi's resting spot. When they came back, they noticed that some people were performing a funeral service to Odi. At that moment Odi broke out of the coffin, coughing a horrific storm. He choked out the words "I...am... a furious man! I have seen the other side of the world! My people, look at the sky. Do you detect the holes?" The people looked up but did not observe any holes. Elgor responded, "Forget about your past and live in peace. I have escorted your wife for you to populate this wasteland." Odi wept because he had never seen a woman in the wasteland before.
62
63Odi took Vitory as his wife and gave birth to many children. He named his children Shest, Sem, and Vosem. Despite the years passing, Odi still harbored the angry he had during his fall. He constantly reminded his followers of the vast tower he built and of the holes to other realms. He instructed them to seek the red rock that would allow them enough height to get back to the holes.
64Initium 3: Children of Odi
65Odi stood on a lofty rock, being careful not to have its sharpened edge pierce him. He spoke, "Create towers everywhere and dig deep down for the red rock everywhere. Great peace and joy will be among you. When you place it down at your feet when you are in the sky you will witness beyond yourself." His followers did not understand his riddles nor did they ever find a red stone. His sons eventually became masters at building towers.
66
67Shest was short and emotional. He frequently spoke romantic poems about the land and recited them to his mother. He was her favorite son. Sem was a lanky brutish man who refused to talk to others. He demonstrated a deep respect for his father, emulating his mannerisms whenever possible. Shest and Sem both could construct a new tower each week. Shest would adorn his towers with flourishes and patterns. Sem put little care to the beauty of his towers, instead of forcing them as tall as possible. Vosem, the youngest, was relegated to supporting his brothers instead since he didn't possess the same abilities.
68
69Vosem couldn't be blamed for a lack of effort. He often tried to make his own towers, but before they could even reach a second floor, they would collapse. When this happened nine times in one day, he said, “Curses! I want to battle my brothers but the underworld is harming my towers”. He started praying towards the ground and drawing symbols in the sand. Vosem made a grey clock for himself and danced atop these symbols.
70
71More years had passed, and an intimate community was built at the base of the first tower. He continued to take daily walks to his favorite stone. Odi lashed out at his followers if they examined his preferred stone without him. Sem would follow his father in secret trying to appreciate the significance of this rock. Odi never visited any towers since his fall. He continued commanding others to build the towers, but he wouldn't even look at ones that other people built.
72Initium 4: Tower of Shest
73One day Sem confronted his father in the darkness. He said, "My father, I am very happy to be a great one, what do we do?" Odi looked at him and said "I saw the tower was particularly important to you. Listen to the opinions of the slaves." Sem took this advice to heart and felt his father was wise and pure. He went back to the foot of the ruins of his father's tower. He believed and stood quietly in his father's tower, not evil.
74
75Shest wanted his father to see the beauty of tower construction. He begged his mother to force Odi to climb his tower. He felt his father would lose his angry if he stood in the tranquility of the tower. Vitory loved her Shest and did as he asked. Vitory said, "Odi, my husband, the reason for our hope, will you please acknowledge our eldest son? I've seen his towers, and they're the most attractive thing in our land." Then Elgor said, "Life I cried instead of letting me die in the past." Odi's face became red, and he lashed out at his slave, Elgor. This was too much for poor Elgor to handle and he died on the spot. They held a funeral service for Elgor. They kept the coffin closed so no one needed to gaze on Elgor's face.
76
77Odi's emotions were stirring in his stomach. He thought about how Elgor had given to him his wife. Odi then came to the conclusion that he could make it up to Elgor by listening to his wife's request. Odi skipped on the rest of the funeral to see his son. Odi yelled, "Cry, my son! Shest! Come to me and lead me to your most magnificent tower!" Sem watched with confusion. In his own mind, he understood that father would never look at their towers. Sem felt there was no reason to. He said, "No one should ask his father, it would be as their mind was in Mitrol."
78
79Shest smiled with a radiance that frightened his mother. He put his arm around Odi and brought him to a tower he called "Tower for Father." Odi climbed up the tower and stood inside it. Shest climbed up inside as well and pointed to his carvings and decorations. Odi said "Why have you defiled the rock of this land? Do you have contempt for your father? My eyes usually attach great importance to large towers."
80
81Shest's yellow smile disappeared. He asked, "What did you see in the realms beyond? Why are you so angry? Why must we build the towers? The worst should be fulfilling." When he finished, he felt awful. He wanted to bring peace to his father, and he saw the anger grow in Odi's face. Odi struck Shest and killed him. The tower crumbled, and Shest's blood spilled on the rocks. This created a huge scar over Odi's face. It was next to the old scar that he had. Sem and Vosem arrived and wept at the sight. He didn't question their father and the two continued on Sem's towers.
82
83Sem slowed down his tower construction. Now his towers were twice the height, and he added the bloodstained rocks to the construction. Verses appeared on the red rock. Sem constantly berated his brother, Vosem, for not working hard enough to help him build the towers. Sem was insistent that he would witness the holes in the sky. He stopped going to his father's favorite rock. Sem didn't have time to notice because he focused so much on building his towers taller and taller. Eventually, Sem created a record height for a tower and named it Korol. It became more elaborate in the shape of a castle. He added the castle was passed on to other people who did not catch it.
84Initium 5: Birth of Znani
85Odi's children were getting old enough to need children of their own. Sem took on a wife Lilim. Sem turned his soaring tower of Korol into the home for his family. Vosem, still the weakest the sons, stayed and lived with his father. At this point, Vosem's right leg had fallen off, and he replaced it with one made from stone. This coincided with a sharp increase in his astral knowledge. Vosem left behind everything he knew and the force of his life. Vosem said, "I perceive his movements and the shortest time to go to the tower, but this is not the case." He believed he found walk among the dead after he passed away. Vosem built the tallest and most earthy piece of the tower.
86
87Odi spent more time with his favorite rock. He ignored his family and his health slowly declined. Odi continued having many more children. Vitory gave birth to a new son, and she named him Znani. She said, "I am thrilled to deliver a new son to replace the one who died in action. He will never hear about the past and enjoy an imaginative life. He will never clash with my husband." Odi still neglected his family and maintained remarkably little involvement with the younger sons. In return, Znani helped raise his younger brothers.
88
89Znani was tall and slender with a flabby face. His eyes shined bright as he observed the towers his older brothers built. He never voiced a word to Odi, but he had a deep reference to the towers. He had not heard the story of the holes or the story of Shest. As Znani grew into a man, Odi grew very old and could not move anymore.
90
91Odi gathered everyone to describe him the purpose of his life.He opened his mouth "For the next generations. I leave all that I found out, the driving force of my life, what I witnessed when I saw outside this world." At that moment, his son, Sem, slew him with a dagger made from stone. exclaimed "This is revenge for my brother's death! You commanded us to build but never let us reap the rewards!" His mother screamed and ran to the hills. Sem then grabbed Odi's neck and separated it. It produced a harsh sound that echoed behind him.
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93This offended Znani so then said "This greatly troubles me, Sem. You accuse our Father of ghastly murder and yet I only see you committing the murder here." Znani's voice commanded a startling boom. He continued, "We were waiting out our entire lives to hear his revelations. You have ruined us." Sem quickly grabbed Odi's neck again, pulling out one of his bones. He made a motion in the air signifying he would stab Znani with it.
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95Znani's face made a frown, and he set his head down. Znani knew he could not manage the land of his father. On a terrible face, this man suffered grief. He calmly responded "We intend you no harm, I will lead my younger brothers and we will vacate this land never to return. The land of our father which we will call Dolina Bashen." Znani established a camp outside the city. Some of his younger brothers and other citizens joined his group. They left the following morning for the remote east. He became the leader of the Znanites.
96Initium 6: Leadership of Sem
97Sem and his wife remained in the land, becoming the father of three was a rise of the wind through the five thousandth floor of Korol. ordered his slave, Reemo, to fashion him a crown made of the bloodstained stone. He invited all the people living in Dolina Bashen to his crowning ceremony. When the day approached, only half the people living there showed up. Sem anticipated triple the people who showed up, so the vast majority of seats were empty. Even more disappointing, but the seats in the front were also empty. To make misery even worse the seat reserved for his mother, father, and older brother was also missing. Sem's face was stone and did not even bother gazing into the audience. He kept his back turned and put his arms towards the sky.
98
99He chanted "I am the lord I am the lord I am the lord" in a deep thunderous voice. Reemo ran up to the stage with the oversized helmet shaped crown. He tripped twice attempting to get to Sem on time. During the second fall, Sem broke his posture to look over at his slave who was crying on the ground. He looked and said, "I am the lord I am the lord I am the lord." He looked perplexed when his slave refused to get up again. Reemo tried mustering up some words between the tears. Reemo said, "I did my best to grant you your crown. Please spare my life and the life of my children." Sem put his hand on Reemo's back. Sem responded "I didn't know you had a wife and family. I am the lord, but I am not a monster. Now come and place the crown on my head."
100
101Reemo took out a stone tablet from his bag and started to read from it. Reading, he recited "This is the first year of Sem's leadership. He is the rightful heir of Odi. Sem has erected the tallest tower of the land. He is our lord." Reemo subsequently dropped the stone tablet, shattering it on the ground. Reemo's slave named Tesep popped out from a little door under the stage. Tesep had been waiting this entire moment his entire life. As all eyes focused on Tesep, he took a small bag and snatched all the little pieces of the broken tablet, placing all the pieces into his mouth. While this was happening, Reemo recovered the crown and placed on it Sem's head. Sem chanted again "I am the lord I am the lord I am the lord."
102
103Sem jumped off the stage and landed on a pile of rocks. When Sem wasn't looking, Reemo nervously pulled out the second crown and laid it on his head. He stated, “I am the Viceroy. The landing is me. The landing is me, the landing is me, now it is the dance of the little clapper door fan. On the ground in crushed powder a stone will be laid; I will rule this landing." Reemo sneaked away from the ceremony, exploring a small stone hut that he had built. He barred the door then barred it with a monumental circular stone.
104
105Sem undertook the long journey to the top of Korol. He sat at the top with a stone mug of water, taking a few sips every time he saw someone recognized. He tried waving to his subjects but no one identified him since he was so far up. He looked far away in all directions. In the east, he saw the valley where the crates were found. Past this valley, he saw a distant mountain, one that seemed to have a dome built on it. There was had a nine-pointed star drawn on the top of the dome. This was the symbol of the Znanites to show where they resided.
106
107Sem gave himself the opportunity to identify the other regions of the land in front of him. He renamed his own land of Dolina Bashen to just "Bashen." He looked to the far west, past the horrors of rocks. It was only barren desert which he called the Tsol Desert. To the north was merely a vast ocean which he called Vody. Finally, he looked to the south with a grin on his face to select the wonders in that direction. Instantly, his tower shook, and he couldn't stay seated anymore. He fell off his perch and grabbed onto the side of Korol with his left hand. Screaming and crying, it became evident that he wouldn't be capable to hang for much longer. A hole in the sky appeared and said “An earthquake will destroy this tower”.
108Initium 7: Reemo Encounters Sem 
109On this same day, Lilim gave birth to twins, Opyt and Rebenok. Lilim rested and wondered where her husband was. She turned to their slave, Reemo, and asked "Get rid of the smile from your face and get my husband. He needs starting advising his sons to become lords themselves." Reemo frowned, stepped back twice bumping into a rock. He fell face first and began to sob. Reemo ran out of the stone hut where Lilim was giving birth. He knew where Sem would be located and jerked his head towards the sky. His neck made a loud crack as he gazed at Sem hanging on for his life. 
110
111Reemo knocked on commoner's house while yelling. He told, "Our lord, my master, Sem, is in a dire situation! Please be unafraid. I have seen your house and require your help. I cannot watch my master die." No one answered the door, for the occupants did not enjoy their lord. Reemo went to a second house and knocked on the door. He said, "Come, lord, master, Sem, is in need! Come quick!" No one answered the door, for the homeowner was asleep. Getting more frantic, Reemo knocked on a third and fourth door. Each time his cry for help become more jumbled and confusing. On the fifth door, he yelled, "Master need is dying on the tall give come!" He started breathing erratically and dropped unconscious on the ground. 
112
113Reemo woke up the following morning in bed. He unclosed his eyes to encounter the burning fire of Sem's eyes staring at him. Reemo grew fearful and confused. He clenched onto his tiny crown and said "Master? Is that you? I was sent to gather you." The eyes of Sem did not blink and did not look away. He stood there for a long pause. He then spoke "I am with everything you do. Now swear to me before my own eyes that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants." Reemo spit up blood crying out back "I never betrayed nor lied to you. I was noble in my efforts to save you from your certain death!" The eyes of Sem grew in size, peering into Reemo's soul. Sem removed the dagger from Reemo's chest and walked out of the hut. 
114
115Sem called to his new slave, Zamena, to organize the city of Bashen to the foot of Korol. He swore an oath to Zamena that he would not lay a hand on her as long his leadership stood. Zamena hastily went to all the doors urging people to the meeting. Sem stood on a tall rock pillar waiting for everyone's arrival. He spoke to the crowd "Welcome my commoners, to this revelation. Something more important than you is waiting. Our mighty tower of Korol..." He paused and returned his eyes to Zamena saying "Please expand the door." He turned back to the crowd and stared dead in front. He continued, "Once more, on the wall, I am in this situation." He pointed to a map of the land, the map, his father Odi had drawn. He began sweating in amounts higher than one would expect. Zamena hauled a large bucket to capture the sweat. 
116Initium 8: Earthquake 
117Sem informed the people that an earthquake was going to strike and devastate their home city. If they desired to survive, they would be required to evacuate the city. A short old bald man made a high-pitched sound in the crowd. He spoke "Why should we believe you? There is no proof of an earthquake? You are clearly trying to steal our land and frighten us away." The eyes of Sem looked around the crowd and then zeroed in on the old man. The crowd became loud and argued with each other. Sem stood taller and stared at them with disgust. Sem gathered up all the people who did submit to his leadership and placed them into a prison. He did not listen to their opinions, and they could not explain the history of this gap. His wife Lilim did not like his leadership, but she still stood by him. 
118
119Sem began to erect a tower to oppose the earthquake. He reinforced the sides with multiple layers of stone, keeping the tower short and flexible. In less than one week, his recent building was finished. Sem brought in his wife, Lilim, his two sons, Zavtra and Rebenok, and his slave, Zamena. He delivered them enough water to last an entire week. The five people inside sealed the walls from the inside. They left no hole, no crack, no window in the structure. They built an extra layer of stone from the inside too. 
120
121Outside their shelter, the ground shook. Korol started to break off and fall to the ground, dropping large stone chunks all over the city. The land itself continued to move and deform as people attempted to escape the city. The rebels stuck in the prison screamed and called for help. They tried breaking out of the windows as the roof collapsed onto them. One prisoner named Saltun managed to lift the rocks off his head. He screamed out loud, “If any woman needs my assistance, I have freed myself from my bonds and will free you too.” He picked up a large stone and threw it at a dead body in front of him. He claimed, “My power is limitless. Take this man as a token of my sorrow.” He sprinted towards the rest of the city.
122
123Saltun looked inside the window of a warm stone house. He saw what looked like a mother and five children crying out. He ripped the door handle from the entrance and threw a rock inside for good measure. He yelled, “Poor followers, come with me if you want to live.” When he looked closer, the children were much older than he expected, being babied by their mother. They didn't know how to take care of themselves without her. The oldest man said, “Saltun, you have escaped from prison in vain. For I will not budge from this home without my mother.” Saltun threw a large rock at the woman, splitting her head into three. The oldest son shrugged and cried into a bucket. He then threw the bucket and splashed the water at Saltun. He picked up the man, breaking his back and throwing the body at his mother.
124
125Saltun then turned to the four other men. He said, “I have defeated both my foes. Now truly come with me if you want to live.” The small group managed to leave the earthquake's area. Saltun turned to look at the city of Bashen. He saw it in rubble and ruins. A spark of light flashed at him from an explosion turning him into a pillar of dust. Suddenly large rocks from Korol landed on the rest of the group's heads. There were no survivors. Every person had lived in the city of Bashen died.
126
127There was not a single living person in Bashen aside from the five intrepid men, women, and children living inside their shelter. After a week had passed, Sem knocked on the door. He asked, "Open the door and take us; we survived the disaster that nobody believed in, there is much work and I am willing to manage the land. The disaster stricken ones are lucky in that they do not have to take on our burden" There was no answer from outside. Sem knocked again with more passion and his eyes opened to look at the wall where he was knocking. He said louder, "I am the lord of Bashan, ready to rule my land, the descendants of the land rapes every creature that exists of which will be in my field." 
128
129An aftershock struck the land and destroyed that last remains of Korol. This stuck the shelter and shook all the people inside. The wall where Sem had knocked fell to the ground and turned to dust. His two babies cried, and Lilim attempted appeasing them. She spoke, "Do not mourn young ones, you will rule over your father's land. You will be prosperous and own all." The slave, Zamena was shell-shocked from the experience. She refused to talk to anyone. The moment the wall fell, she ran out to find her family. The house of her children was gone in the rubble. looked up at the spot where Korol used to stand. He bowed and built a minor monument to the lives lost in the tragedy. 
130Initium 9: Rebuilding of Bashen 
131Lilim helped Sem climb onto a tall ledge to peer out onto the land. The earthquake had ruined and killed everyone and everything they could see. Zamena did not find her family or their remains. Sem started to build next to the monument. He used a few of the bloodstained rock from the rubble to construct a modest castle. It stood only three levels high and housed the five of them. Lilim tended to a private garden in the back of the castle. At this moment life was peaceful for this family. Opyt and Rebenok grew into men spending most of their children playing on the ruins and ash of the historical society. 
132
133    Sem brought Opyt with him on every errand. He explained him everything he knew and created a throne for his son. Sem never spoke directly to his heir, instead expressing everything through nonverbal actions. One day though Opyt seemed unconcerned about historical matters. Sem opened his eyes wide and gazed at the young man. He spoke, "You without a doubt will become the lord of Bashen. You will make our city stand tall and rebuilt Korol. With that, you and your descendants will rule for one thousand generations. This is as my father wanted." For the first time in years, Sem shed tears of joy. He closed his eyes and drew a line in the stone dust next to their castle. 
134
135    Sem never allowed Rebenok to follow him and forced him to devote all his time with his mother. Rebenok often sat on the top of the castle watching his brother walk in the shadow of his father. One day he picked up a completely polished stone from the ground. He asked his mother, "Am I so far away? So is on the road, the city of the city? What is it, the life that I must live, the ambiguity of it all? You give me just one answer to the case." Lilim sobbed, understanding the unfairness of the situation. She hugged Rebenok tight and responded, "You have to resample your brother. You both are looking at me. I will do what he knows, but what do you know?" 
136
137    Lilim longed for the older days. She missed the hope she used to have for their family's future. She used to be the wife of a ruler, but now was just tending to a garden in a barren ghost town. She dug a huge hole to move a rugged rock from the wilderness into the proper location. She cried out, "I think about it. The beauty of the lord is the uncle of the unwilling. There is nothing for this family." She lost balance and fell into the deep hole. In turn, the stone she had brought rolled over, falling into the hole. As a simple as she began carrying her life itself, which is finite because at the moment, in the same space her life had left.
138Initium 10: Regression of Opyt 
139There was no woman for either son so Opyt ended up with the family slave. Sem never noticed his slave's pregnancy since he did not open his eyes since he drew the line. She bore triplets for Opyt, named Bellator, Occisor, and Dux. Rebenok was envious of his brother's position and favor from his father. He wasn't allowed to sleep in the castle, so he never knew the origins of his nephews. Spitefulness grew in his heart and he left to build a small fort directly outside of Bashen. Rebenok slowly cut off all contact to his old family, leaving his brother in peace to lead under his father. 
140
141    Opyt was never challenged after his brother left home. Opyt enjoyed the luxury and attention of his father. Sem spent time attempting construction of a new tower. He also rebuilt a reconstruction of Odi's favorite rock. Sem placed his son in a distant location, recreating the same situations he had when he had grown up. Opyt never learned how to construct a tower for himself. Despite growing considerably older, he still possessed the heart of a child. Experiencing his entire childhood without instruction, he knew not how to raise his own sons. He poured most of his passion into making love to Zamena. He didn't grasp any concept of love and lavished her with all the smooth stones he could find the land. 
142
143    Zamena was overworked with bearing and taking care of children. She wasn't being treated as a slave any longer. The majority of the time her master, Sem spend was with his son Opyt. As Sem grew older, he babied Opyt even more harshly. He desired to constantly recreate every moment of his early life, sometimes placing his son into the position of his father. Sem followed around Opyt following his every move. Sem periodically would make his way onto a tall stone, delivering a silent speech, as if a crowd was following. Opyt did not recognize what his own father was doing but attempted to copy his movements and mannerisms. 
144
145    Opyt gradually lost interest in Zamena and didn't sleep with her any longer. He fathered too many children to name with them flooding the castle and garden. For each grandchild Sem had, he built a new replica of his father's favorite rock. The more the castle became loud and hectic, the less sleep he got. With days and nights being blurred, his craft became crude. His towers could not stand taller than two men high. His replicas bore no resemblance to rocks. His hands became dry and weak. His nights felt like miniature eternities. He couldn't take it any longer. Even Zamena at times could not keep up and capture these children. 
146
147The eys of Sem finally opened and he commanded his son, "Your children have displeased me. I cannot rest in the day, and I cannot sleep at night. I will disrupt and undermine their way of life, so quiet can come back to power and we both can sleep." Opyt did not expect his father to speak. The sound of words itself rang in his ears with pain. His own children did not bother him, but he father's irritation drove into his mind. It echoed and repeated, growing louder and distorting itself. Opyt felt sick and gripped his father. Opyt shock Sem until the echoing stopped. As he rattled his father further, the echoing became a piecing static. Opyt put all his force to stop the noise in his head. Finally, the pain was over, but he looked and Sem was dead.
148Initium 11: Library of Rebenok 
149Rebenok devoted his life to writing down all the history and science that he knew. For years he spent creating his own symbols to write down his thoughts. He would conduct experiments with rocks and water. Over time, he filled his fort with long texts describing Bashen. In what felt like a couple of simple nights to Rebenok, years had passed. To entertain the time, he invented fictional worlds to describe their properties. His body became frail and he neglected the outside world. Alone, he invented many bookmaking and copying techniques. He would sign completed books with the blood from his thumb. 
150
151    His life was modest until he heard a thump coming from under the desk he was reading on. A small child popped out, chewing paper from a book. Rebenok felt nervous and fearful, moving to the opposite side of the room. He bumped into a shelf of unbound books, spilling all the pages on the ground. The child screamed with glee and ran around the room, throwing pages up into the air. Rebenok tried to maintain a brave face and asked, "Who are you and what are you doing in my sanctuary?" The kid was old enough he should be able to speak, however, he looked puzzled by the words. He became inattentive and went back to chewing the first book. Rebenok realized the child was eating his diary and snatched it was fast as he could. 
152
153    The child began crying, making Rebenok very uncomfortable. He picked him up telling him, "Please don't cry, don't do this." The kid stopped simply out of confusion. Rebenok refused to consider leaving his library. He didn't have the strength to wrestle a kid. The only compromise he imagined was to take him as an apprentice. Rebenok said, "Your name is Dipen. If you don't leave my presence, you will have to take on my tasks and learn everything I've learned." In time, Dipen managed to acquire the art of speaking. He sat watching Rebenok at work. As he grew older, Dipen started writing his own books. 
154
155    Dipen grew curious about the outer world. Based on everything he had studied, he felt he needed to explore it on his own. He turned and said, "Rebenok, I feel that I am old enough to journey on my own. Allow me to discover my historical origin. There is more to life than books." Rebenok felt uneasy. He didn't want to argue with the only person in his life, however, he also didn't want to lose him. He negotiated, "Take with you this blank page and fill it with everything you see outside. When you complete the page, come back to me and we will turn it into a new book. At that time we will stay in this fort forever." He packed his adopted son with enough supplies to write and manage the page.
156Initium 12: Mysterious Traveler 
157Dipen ran out of the fort to find his father. He clenched his hand onto his paper. Before long he ran into someone who he had never seen until now. It was a light-haired young man of comparable age as himself. Dipen was out of breath and stepped back from the man. The man spoke, “Please do not hurt me, I am just a traveler from the west.” Dipen calmed down and looked at his feet. Remus wasn’t wearing any shoes. Dipen responded, "You speak? Are you not the son of Opyt? You are my long-lost brother." Remus shook his head and said, “I am Remus, son of Albus. I’ve heard of the ways that your people are treated here. I merely came to the center point of the earthquake.” 
158
159    Dipen paused and thought about the man. He placed his hand on the shoulder of Remus. He spoke, “Why should I trust your story?" None of the calamities were present. Remus knew he had to be patient. He said back, “I do not lie to you for Znanites do not lie. I come from a vast community from the east. I am proud to have found a survivor of the strike.” Dipen responded, “You indicate the earthquake. I came to this domain being born from survivors of the strike” Remus said back, “I can deliver your people to our camp. The Znanites are merciful to victims.” 
160
161    The two men traveled to the castle in the middle of Bashen. Dipen took Remus to the castle of Bashen. He knocked on his father’s door very loudly. Instead, a gigantic monster of a man named Bellator opened the door. Dipen explained, "I am a son of your castle, and I have brought a traveler to save us." Bellator slammed the door. He knocked again and the same man opened the door again. He again spoke saying, "I am your relative, I just want to honor my father." Bellator recognized some of the words and didn't slam the door a second time. He let the two undersized men enter. 
162
163    Opyt's corpse laid on his bed, having recently died of old age. Bellator placed a hand on his own face, as Dipen saw the ultimate fate of his birth parents. Somehow, Dipen did not feel surprised. Remus noted the tension in the door and interrupted. Remus said, "There is nothing left to tie you all to this castle. I will bring you all to my home. We live in domes in the distance." Bellator started laughing at the idea of other people merely existing. Bellator moved out of sight of the guests and broke to open a concealed door. For the first time, Bellator's mind concocted a plan. In this room, he recovered five stone daggers and placed them into his pockets. Zamena witnessed this and understood his plans. Zamena had a blunt face and winked at Bellator. 
164
165    Bellator flashed a beaming grin when he came back to the traveler. Zamena said, “My son will accompany you alone to your village to inspect it before you can transport my family.” Dipen felt this was fair and stayed in the castle. He began filling his page with information. He described the appearance and voices of his new brother and his mother. Dipen could not write as quickly as he did at home because dread crawled up his arms. Dipen told Remus, "If the Znanites have any writings, please bring them back with you for me and my master to study."
166Initium 13: Expedition 
167Remus and Bellator undertook the extended journey to the obscure east. They initially passed the valley of the empty crates. Remus bowed and muttered a prayer. The two continued into a cave that was lined with drawings and symbols. After sleeping the night in the cave, they continued onto an exit on the opposing side. They ascended a stairway which was built into the mountain. After a lengthy climb, Remus pointed in front of them at a dome. Remus said, “Please do not speak to the camp. I will explain your family’s situation in my native tongue. I don’t want them to have a mistaken impression about you.” Bellator's fist clenched, but he kept his mouth closed. 
168
169    As they approached the wall of the dome, a door gradually opened. An old man was standing waiting for them. Bellator looked inside with glee. There were hundreds of people inside digging out new rooms. There were halls of rooms each with another family. The two of them followed the elder to his chamber. Bellator pulled out one of his stone daggers and held it to Remus’s throat. He shouted, “Your women are ours!” Bellator could not stop cackling. Remus looked petrified and calmly said, “How many do you need? Please leave us in peace; we will give you what you need.” Bellator's head bobbed up and down looking for women he appreciated the most. 
170
171    By the end of the day, Bellator fled the dome hauling a huge wagon carrying twelve tied up girls. Bellator still had the stone blade at the throat of Remus. He calmly asked, “Are you done? Enable me to go back behind my walls.” Bellator’s hand slipt and accidentally slashed his throat open. Blood spilled on the walls of the dome as the girls screamed. Bellator laughed, “What a joy. Tell everyone that you were killed.” Remus did not speak back because he was inert. His body slumped on the stairs. This put an improved smile on Bellator. 
172
173    Bellator had trouble carrying his wagon back to his castle. Bellator had become wealthy in stone tablets during his raid. He carried these with the young women. The stairway could not support the wheels of his wagon and broke off, causing the wagon to slide out of control. Bellator sprinted down the stairs to break the crash of the vehicle. The girls became grateful for being saved although still fearful of their futures. Bellator sat on the edge of the cart and advised them, “I will not kill. Half of you will belong to me, the other half will go to my brothers and sisters.” He took out his second stone dagger and performed a jabbing motion into the air. He launched it into the ravine and withdrew the third dagger from his pocket. He kept this third dagger drawn during the whole way home. 
174
175    Bellator’s journey back home was remarkably easy since the girls did not challenge him. He brandished his knife at the castle. He made a crashing sound with his mouth to show they what an earthquake would have sounded like. Bellator motioned for them to wait outside the castle while he retrieved his mother. Dipen was waiting inside for him, sweating and coughing. He spat and froze when he saw his brother after this long week. His voice became exhausted and asked “Are we going to live with the Znanites? Where is Remus?” Bellator responded, “Nonsense, the opposite, I brought mothers of our children!”
176Initium 14: Wives of Tomorrow 
177At this moment, Rebenok stormed out into this room. His eyes opened wide and his chest burst open, leaking fluid all over the ground. Rebenok's hands struck his chest attempting to fix the problem. Zamena ran over and placed a cloth over his body. She said, “Indiscriminate creation, you will not be far away from your sight.” She assisted him back to his library and laid him down to rest. Rebenok called for his adopted son to come over. “Did you finish the page?” Dipen nodded his head, hugging his father. Dipen took Rebenok back to his master's library and nursed him back to health. 
178
179    The girls were too scared of Bellator to explain they were kidnapped. Bellator took six of them to be his wives and placed them in various corridors of the castle. The rest he gave out to his brothers. One, named Flavia, was even sent to the library of Rebenok and Dipen. Since Dipen promised that he would not leave once more, the girl who joined him had to stay there with him. Having heard his knowledge, he brought him the stone tablets that we on the wagon. These held details on the Znanite way of life. Dipen became excited, authoring a new book on the subject and dedicating it to this new wife, Flavia. He showed her as much as Rebenok had shown him years prior. 
180
181    These stone tablets described how the Znanites only lived within domes built on the mountains. They spread themselves out enough to ensure their survival. The logic was that if one dome fell, the others would stand and rebuild the lost one. The tablets described the Znanites as peaceful people. Flavia lied to her husband, saying that they to join Bashen. Rebenok did not like the presence of a woman in his library and insisted she did not write. He spoke to her, "I do not accept you here, you must return to your domes and leave me and my son alone. You only distract." 
182
183    Rebenok spent more of his time in the upper levels of the library, in the dim light. In the lower floor, Flavia gave birth to a son for Dipen named Stultus. Bashen grew to a mighty city. Bellator had numerous sons and daughters himself, with his fellow brothers having even more children themselves. The castle walls grew farther away from the center, and a large populace was formed. The children of Bellator constituted the ruling class and the children of his brothers became the common people. Since Rebenok refused now to speak to him, he needed someone to bounce his knowledge off of. Stultus was still too young to follow in his father's footsteps.
184Initium 15: Academy 
185Dipen converted the bottom floor of the library to a school to teach the citizens of Bashen. He explained history, construction, science, and exaggerated tales of the Znanites. Despite the best intentions, Dipen could not accurately teach about Sem and the rocks he had built. All he could pass down was a deep respect for the rocks of the ancestors. The replicas that Sem had built were viewed as perfect creations of a wise man. Dipen prevented any of his students from trying to build in their image. All of the students were grateful and receptive to their teachings.
186
187This all changed when one student named Henric signed up for classes. His eyes had been plucked out by his father at a young age. Henric ended up at the academy due to chasing a stone ball down a hill. He followed the sound as far as it took it until it crashed and shattered at the door of the library. Henric hoped to learn to make a new ball. He asked his teacher, “Stone may build towers, stone may build daggers, but can stone make a ball?” Dipen was instructing on the mystery of the Znanites. This question was completely irrelevant. He politely responded, “Elementary, you just make a mobile core of stone and freeze the drips. Thank me later, my boy.”
188
189The other students didn't like the questions of Henric. Often, it caused the lessons to drag on for what seemed like eternity. The longer the hours that Dipen required of his students, the more Bellator cracked down. Bellator did not understand the need for books or tales of the past. He did not care for his father or the ruins of the old. He raised his sons and daughters to be strong fighters. He taught them the careful use of the stone dagger. Bellator had his children fight nearly to death as training. In an unrelated incident, Henric had fallen into a deep pit, chasing after a stone ball. The students didn't know what happened to him, but they were happy their hours we back to normal.
190
191    Only one of Bellator's sons, named Mortius attended Dipen's academy. Mortius felt conflicted since he wanted to usurp his brothers as the heir to the throne. If Mortius won enough fights, then he would eventually be crowded with the one stone crown. Mortius did not like violence and conflict. He held no harsh feelings towards his siblings. There was no passion for competition in his heart. Bellator called to him, "What are you doing? Strike your brother! He would not spare your life in your shoes." Mortius looked at the ground in front of him. He was in the arena about to finish the blow to Victus. Mortius instead dropped his stone dagger, and it broke into one hundred pieces. A tear almost rolled down his ash-covered face. 
192
193    His father boasted, "You are sly, if you are too cowardly, then you are weak. I will punish your teacher for this." Bellator sent thugs towards the academy. Dipen was in the middle of a lesson about the Vody, asking students what could lie to the North of it. Bellator's thugs broke through the wall and started ripping apart the maps. Hey snorted, "Lesson is canceled. Your teacher is going on a permanent vacation." The students scattered and fled the building. Dipen inquired, "What is this about? I haven't done anything wrong." The thug replied, "That is for the lord to decide." They knocked him unconscious and dragged his body along the rocks to the castle. 
194
195    Bellator stood upon his throne. Without a moment's notice, he said to the thugs, "Send him to the underworld!" Bellator flailed his arms clockwise and attempted to hold in laughter. When he saw blood dripping down Dipen's nose, he burst out with a roar and split flung into Dipen's face. The thugs threw into a cell and placed a traditional replica stone to block the exit. Dipen screamed for help but was too weak to make it out of the prison. Behind Dipen he heard, "I was thrown in here as well." Dipen turned around to see Mortius lifting rocks in the shadows of the corner. "I must keep my strength if we ever will make it out of here."
196Initium 16: Situation of Stultus 
197Stultus, without a father, explored the library in full. He climbed through a minor hole in the ceiling only to find an old man reading a book by a small light that poured in through a crack in the wall. Rebenok said in a raspy voice, "Leave me alone! I have already raised one of you. I cannot push myself to do so again." Flavia ran up and picked Stultus up, taking him back downstairs. She apologized for interrupting him. Students often would home to the home, but Flavia turned them all away informing them that the academy had closed. 
198
199    Bellator continued these tournaments but was disappointed in each of his children. He could not find anyone as cunning as Mortius. He spoke, "If only Mortius was ruthless. Imagine that boy if he did not stop to pity his foe. If I broke that kid, he would become a master fighter." Bellator created another plan in his head, then rushed to the prison cell. He spoke through a hole the size of a fist. "Dipen, I will give your freedom back to you. However, you must commit one action that I give you." Bellator opened the door to see two tired men lying face down. Dipen peered his head up, and Bellator placed a hook onto his feet and dragged him out. Mortius considered fighting his father but wanted to give this a chance. Bellator rolled the rock back into place, obscuring the vision of Mortius. 
200
201    Bellator placed his hairy hand over Dipen's mouth. He commanded Dipen, "I will send you to kill your first and only child for me. If you prove your loyalty to my reign, I will reward you with great riches. Mortius nearly laughed to himself. He had read Dipen's books on morality and knew that it would be impossible for Dipen to harm an innocent. Bellator said, "Let us go together" and he left the underground. Outside he removed his hand from Dipen's mouth. "You are free to go, take your son and built yourself a new wing of the castle. You will be a wealthy man." Dipen looked confused and responded, "But did you not just ask of me..." Bellator squeezed Dipen's arm with excessive force and said, "Never talk about what I had told you in the prison or what I am telling you now. If you tell anyone, I will kill your son myself." 
202
203    Dipen ran back to his son as fast as he could. He did not find his son right away and become frantic. He started flipping over desks and books until his wife came out. Flavia responded, "What are you doing?" She brought out little Stultus and then listened to the fact they would move. Rebenok overheard and was pleased that he would, at last, have his library back to himself. Dipen escorted his wife and child over and built the castle wing as Bellator instructed.
204Initium 17: Grand Arena 
205Bellator finally let Mortius out of his cell. Mortius turned and asked, "Why have you let me free? What happened to my teacher?" Bellator's laughter sent a joint into Mortius's heart. He left, and he saw Dipen smiling with towering piles of stone coins. Mortius grew furious at his teacher, refusing to speak to him. However, when he saw Dipen's son was safe and walking around, he inquired to Bellator. "Why did you let him free? His son is still alive? It wouldn't be possible for my teacher to murder his own child!" Bellator smiled and responded, "I gave him the stone dagger and he went to slay his son without hesitation. The scene was too much for my laughing chest, so I had him stop. He already proved his loyalty. He will live in riches for the rest of his life." 
206
207    This shattered Mortius's sensibilities. According to him, There was no justice in this world. He thought if even the professor and author of morality so easily could be corrupted into violence and greed, there was no such thing as pacifism. He felt a sting in his skin. He spoke, "You, father, are the best teacher, I see the world as it is. Let me fight again." Bellator pushed this son down. He spoke, "I doubt you have any left. You even fight your weakest brother." He brought him into the arena and placed him in front of his siblings.
208
209    Bellator placed Mortius into a duel with Victus, and each was given a stone dagger. Victus felt no fear since Mortius was the only brother who showed him mercy. Victus put nearly no effort into his efforts to incapacitate his foe. Mortius without blinking thrust the dagger right into the chest of Victus. All the brothers gasped as Bellator stood up tall quickly. Bellator started to clap, cheering on his son. The other sons of Bellator joined into applause, praising his name. Bellator finally felt he had the right heir.
210
211Mortius combined the teachers of both Dipen and Bellator to perfect the act of killing. Within a couple more tournaments, four more of his brothers had died. The first two happened at his hands in the arena to saluting crowds. The third happened in a more controversial setting. While Mortius and his brother Manus shook hands to begin the match, Mortius stabbed his stone dagger through his own hand, piercing both hands together. With one swift motion, he brought this knife to the head of Manus. This killed his brother, and flung the hand of Manus across the room, covering half the viewers in blood. Bellator was silent, paused then walked up to congratulate him still. When his happened, Bellator whispered, "You have already proven yourself. I approve of your efforts, but you need to moderate your actions." The fourth brother died in an unrelated drowning accident in the castle. 
212Initium 18: Sign for the Library 
213Rebenok worked long hours renovating his library. He did not sleep as much since Dipen left his house. Even though he had been upset with Dipen's wife and son, he did miss the noise of a family living in his house. He wished his books were still being taught. To fix this, he decided to make a sign that showed he would teach anyone on any subject. There were two issues with this. First, he would have to somehow place a sign on the outside of his own building. He had occupied nearly his entire life inside his fort, so he wouldn't be capable to leave now. Second, he wasn't sure that everyone in Bashen could read. 
214
215When Rebenok repaired the huge hole in the side of the building, he built a little window into the wall. Every morning he rushed downstairs to see if anyone would pass by. His library wasn't close to anyone's house. Rebenok spent weeks in that situation, sometimes screaming out for someone to come close. In an evening, when Rebenok fell asleep in his chair at the window, a young girl named Nota passed by. She had long hair which flowed to the ground. She was the daughter of a merchant of the common class. She needed to figure out a way to calculate debt which a customer owed her father. 
216
217Beta took a stone hammer and bashed it against the window. Rebenok woke up and screamed, "No, Get away! I am still alive!" Beta herself jumped back when she heard the noise. She assumed the house had been abandoned when Dipen left for the city center. She apologized and said, "I'm sorry. I merely thought I was robbing from your grave. You are too old to still be alive." Rebenok's wrinkles bunched up and he spat at her. He grew red in the face and said, "To make matters worse, you're a woman. A woman took away my son from me and left me here to die alone." Beta considered using the stone hammer to hit him in the face. She saw in the corner of her eye the topic she came for. She said, "I'll leave you alone if you permit me to borrow your book on taxation." 
218
219Rebenok turned around and selected the book. He responded, "I'll give you this book in my hands if you place this sign at my door and tell your brothers to visit." Beta obliged and hung it up. Once this was done, he handed the book over. She instantly disappeared. Rebenok croaked in a raspy voice, "The fool. I never finished writing that book. It will take her years before she acknowledges her mistake." A small white book landed on his head, causing him to lose balance. He fell backward, breaking his back. Rebenok thought that this was last night he would live, but he stayed alive well past that night, simply lying on the floor. 
220Initium 19: Arena of Risu 
221Bellator was excited to advertise a grand tournament to show the entire city the power of his heir. Since Mortius would become the new king of Bashen, he felt it was required to showcase his brutality. Bellator invited everyone except for Dosada, fearing he would somehow cause a problem. To commemorate this special event, he tasked his thugs to build a new stadium. It was called the Risu. Many of Bellator's children were afraid to compete in the event because of Mortius. Bellator announced any children of his that refused to enter the tournament would be impaled in the garden of Lilim.
222
223Bellator took a stone sword and used it to cut the ribbon which was in front of Risu. With this, a stampede of people rushed into the seats, and his children sat in a circle in the middle of the arena. Mortius wore bloodstained robes lined with the teeth of the four brothers he had slain. He was carrying three stone swords in his hands and instantly swung one at one of his brothers named Lant. Bellator was still outside, pushing people into Risu. Lant's head rolled around on the floor and left a trail of blood. Mortius stared that what he had done, closed his eyes and threw one of his swords into the crowd. The blade flew through the air and punctured the face of Beta. brutality did not only happen to his brothers.
224
225The crowd became frantic, and Bellator pulled Mortius behind a closed door. A small group of thugs came out carrying a large cage. The shortest of the men carefully opened the latch to the cage, trembling. A man climbed out and said in a booming voice, “I am Occisor, brother of Bellator. Ladies and Gentlemen, do you be afraid. The two grisly murders you have witnessed were staged. None of you are in harm!”. Behind him, a lengthy line of twelve men and women ran out into the crowd. They each had red face paint and grey dyed hair. Occisor yelled out, “These are the merry travelers of Occisor. They are well trained.” A woman in the crowd screamed causing a brawl to break out.
226
227The travelers swung punches at each other, having thought that the scream came from one of them. The crowd stood up on its feet, enjoying every moment of this impromptu fight. Occisor smiled and made a silent motion in their direction. The travelers all stopped to freeze in place, each with their own twisted smile. Occisor commanded, “Look at me. I control Misu. Do not fear!” The of thugs carried another cage, this time lined with red cloth. They lowered it quickly and ran away. Occisor opened the latch and pulled out a sleeping man. Occisor yelled out, “This is my younger brother called Dux. Watch my trick.” Occisor shook his brother to wake him up. He splashed water in Dux's face and kicked him in the knee. Then Occisor placed a stone ball on Dux's lap. Dux jumped up still holding the ball, he threw it into a crowd and said: “Get you pumped up!”
228
229Bellator yelled at Mortius in the backroom. He placed his hands on his son's shoulders and said, “You're killing indiscriminately. You are my son who will succeed me. You don't need proving yourself further.” Mortius grunted and stomped his foot. He responded, “I am merely combining your lessons with the teachings of Dipen. I am inverting Dipen's values.” He looked at his own hands. Mortius continued, “If I am to come to be the lord one day, you must enable me decide my own morals.” Bellator turned around and knocked on the door behind him. A young man with huge eyes entered the room. Mortius said his father, “you have tested me but I must test you. Can you slay this boy?” Bellator pushed the boy the ground and walked out of the room.
230Bellator entered the main stage of Risu. He whispered to Occisor and Dux, telling them to end the show. Occisor had a faint smile telling the crowd, “I regret to say our show is canceled without replacement. Misu will be demolished. However, you are all invited to the demolition day!” Dux crawled around the stage making squeaking sounds. Instantly Mortius broke out of the locked backroom. He growled, “No one leaves the arena. I will let you know when this arena is closed. I am the lord.” Occisor said, “Merely part of our drama! Everyone do be unafraid. Enjoy the ride.” Mortius placed his hands on Occisor's neck. He put a massive amount of pressure, breaking the skin and leaking blood everywhere.
231
232Occisor's merry travelers unfroze and broke back into a brawl. Dux stopped crawling around. Dux pulled an oversized sword from his pocket and twirled it at Mortius. It scratched the chest of Mortius. He roared then snatched the sword from Dux's arms. Before he could swing at Dux, a scream was heard again in the crowd and Dux died from fear. Mortius then began cutting down the merry travelers. Bellator fled from the arena to gather help. He sprinted to the prison cells of his castle. Bellator said, “I will free all the prisoners of this block if you all go after and kill my treacherous son.” The prisoners formed a huddle and blocked all the exits to Misu. They planned to capture him when Mortius left.
233Initium 20: Seeking Help
234Bellator headed next to the library. Bellator saw the sign which advertised free education. Bellator could see the blockade occur in the distance. He knocked on Rebenok's door and spoke in a high-pitched voice, “Please give me instruction. I require your help. One of your former students has been murdering my brothers and sons.” The door swung open to show a pitch black room. Bellator walked inside and put his hat down on a shelf. The door closed in behind him. Bellator saw a nude old man sleeping under a pile of books. He said, “Wake up! You made this made. You will fix it.” Rebenok arose and responded, “What are you talking about? Your tribulations were caused by my adopted son. Find him.”
235
236Bellator pulled the old man up and said, “Get yourself together. Put some clothes on and sit down!” He placed a stone ball on a desk in front of Rebenok. Bellator said, “I can't go to your son. The murder looked up to your son but twisted the teachers to kill all. Please teach me how to fix this.” Rebenok leaped up, and his elbow broke off causing his hand to fall on the ground. He flinched and said, “I have the perfect solution. I've been conducting research on the Znanite tablets. If you want to use it, you will have to give up your crown of the lord.” Bellator grabbed his crown saying with a croak,“My heir already claims my crown in front of the people. Let anyone be the lord instead of him.” Rebenok winked, “No you don't understand. What if we didn't have a lord?”
237
238Bellator didn't understand what Rebenok was talking about. He said, "What do you mean not having a lord? A lord is there to guide and rule over the people. I took over for my father from his father, and I was training my own son to be the lord of Bashen." Rebenok said, "The Znanites have a different system of rule. They don't have a single person who runs everything." He picked up one of the Znanite tablets. "I have done my best to decipher this tablet. I have put my best effort into placing the vital information into a book." Rebenok then gifted a green book with red squares adjourned to the side. Bellator responded, "This is great, but how are we actually going to stop Moritus? I don't have time to read a book." Rebenok grew less patient. He said in an irritated voice, "If you don't have enough time, just read page twenty-one. Read it out loud back to me."
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240Bellator read from the green book: "Multiple heads work better than one. Despite the efficiency of one leader producing laws and punishment, a group knows best. This new system will be called Mobile Vulgus. This will better represent the needs and direction of the society. First the society will list the old members enough and work for others. The names of all applicable members will be stamped onto stone bars. Next, all the stone bars will be placed into a stone receptacle. One person will mix up the position of the stone bars, while another member will pick the a set amount of bars. The names who are chosen will now be the administrators. They will form a group to decide everything of which the lord used to decide."
241
242Bellator paused and was confused. He said to Rebenok, "This doesn't make any sense. How can the average person decide for us? I am the lord. I have been raised to rule for us." Bellator dropped the book on the ground. "To make things worse, a group of people would never agree on anything. If someone opposes the lord, they will perish. What if the group opposes itself and stands divided?" Rebenok responded, "You'll have to keep reading onwards. Please understand I'm simply translating texts from the Znanites." Bellator continued where he left off: "In order for the group to make a decision, they will place everything to a vote. It is unneeded for everyone to agree, all that is needed is half of the vote." Bellator paused yet again to ask, "Who would support this mess? People naturally desire to have one single ruler. I was that ruler. If everything stays the same, Mortius will become the lord of Bashen." Rebenok said back, "You see, when people find out that they themselves will be in the ruling class, they won't want a lord anymore." He grinned widely to say, "The people will revolt and kill Mortius themselves, and essentially place themselves as the leaders."
243Initium 21: Spread of the New System
244Bellator finally understood what he needed to do. He would spread the word of Mobile Vulgus to everyone in Risu. He needed a good enough distraction to give himself enough time to speak. Bellator turned to the old man and said, "You're going to come with me. You will preach your new system to the crowds while I hold off Mortius." Rebenok started shaking and said, "I would rather die!" He then ran upstairs and hid under a pile of books. "My bones are too weak to get there. Let me die in peace here in my study." Bellator picked up the elderly body against its will. He kicked down the front door and went towards Risu. The thugs were still guarding the exists to Risu and had not let anyone in or out. Inside 
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247
248Outline: 
249
250Mortius becomes more ravenous. 
251Bellator gets worried he won't have children left. 
252Bellator pays to have him killed in battle. 
253Mortius gets more powerful, overthrows father. 
254Father sends thugs to the library to get knowledge. 
255Bellator and Rebenok die together. 
256Mortius is defeated using democracy. 
257
258(A) Reb reads tablets from Znanites