If you’ve made it this far, let me take a moment to thank you sincerely. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey so far or, at the very least, found it intriguing.
Your continued trust and interest mean the world, and I’m excited to share what lies ahead.
Happy reading, and thank you for staying with the story.
Chapter 19 – Sun and Moon
After the ratification of the Pact of Elysium, a new, crucial need arose: to perpetually illuminate the skies of that planet.
The responsibility for this immense task fell upon two demigods who had already distinguished themselves for their valor in the battle against Death. Their names were Sun and Moon, destined to shine as the eternal guardians of light.
Orbiting Elysium were two satellites, gray and lifeless as inert stones. Their mission was seemingly simple to understand but extraordinarily complex to accomplish: to occupy these satellites and ignite them, transforming them into two luminous stars that would continuously light up the planet.
However, reality proved harsher than their hopes. As powerful as they were, Sun and Moon lacked the energy needed to turn those celestial bodies into permanent stars. They would need the legendary swords Strength and Courage to channel sufficient energy, but even these had a limitation: once depleted, they would not be ready to face future emergencies.
To overcome this obstacle, the two heroes decided to make an act that calling a "sacrifice" would be reductive but not entirely inaccurate. It was a gesture of conscious renunciation, an act of pure devotion to the common good.
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Once again, I found myself involved in the destinies of this universe.
Sun and Moon realized that the only way forward was to forge a bond with me: in exchange for their eternal presence on the satellites, I would grant them the energy needed to ignite the stars and keep them alive.
If anyone wonders how they knew they could form a bond with me, the answer is simpler than it seems. The concept of a bond is not something one learns: it is a primordial instinct, a deep echo resonating in every creature of Memoriam Loco.
It is part of the very balance of creation, an unwritten law that permeates every corner of existence. For these beings, forming a bond is as natural as breathing is for you.
In any case...
Sun was a majestic presence; his towering stature and golden skin radiated a warm and reassuring light, almost reflecting his wisdom. His eyes shone and could see beyond the surface of things, his voice was deep.
Moon, on the other hand, was his perfect yet distant counterpart. Also physically imposing, with silver skin that glowed with a cold and mysterious light. His eyes were like two moons, often lost in distant visions, as if looking beyond the veil of the real world.
Moon was a dreamer, a soul wandering among abstract thoughts, chasing ideas and concepts beyond others' understanding. Despite his tendency to lose himself in the depths of his mind, his strength in battle was equal to Sun’s, and their bond had been solidified by fighting side by side against Death.
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Before their departure, they had a dialogue, speaking with the awareness that they would be in eternal solitude from that moment onward...
> Sun: Though it saddens me, someone must do it. I am ready for this torment and a thousand others if it serves our brethren.
Moon did not reply; he was gazing at the place awaiting him. He turned and gave a faint smile to Sun.
> Sun: You do not speak? This might be the last time someone hears your voice. Up there, you will be alone—and for a long time...
> Moon: Solitude... so often confused with absence, yet so full of everything that escapes others' eyes.
>
> It is a boundless sea, where every wave is like a thought dissolving into infinity, and every reflection is a fragment of a world belonging to no one but me.
>
> Like a pale glow caressing the dark waters of the night, I journey through this abyss, never touching the bottom, never finding a port.
>
> They tell me the real world is here, beneath my feet, where the ground is solid, and the stars are distant points.
>
> But I see hidden worlds in every shadow, hear whispered voices in the wind, perceive the slow and secret dance of the universe.
>
> And in this solitary journey, I realize I am never truly alone... for solitude is not an emptiness but a mirror reflecting my soul more deeply than any companionship could.
>
> If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
>
> Yet, there is a subtle pain, a longing for what I have never known, for a bond that perhaps exists only in dreams.
>
> In this solitude, there is neither joy nor sorrow, only an eternal search for something I cannot define, something that perhaps does not exist, yet still calls to me in the endless night.
>
> At this, he turned his gaze skyward again.
> Sun: The weight of light, my brother, is a burden few can understand.
>
> While you wander in the depths of thought, I walk the fine line separating dawn from dusk, carrying with me the responsibility of every ray that illuminates this world.
>
> Each day, I will rise to light the path for men, to banish the shadows that seek to engulf them.
>
> It is a silent sacrifice, one that asks for neither thanks nor seeks glory.
>
> Duty is my yoke, yet I do not bear it with sadness.
>
> There is a stern beauty in knowing my existence is dedicated to something greater than myself.
>
> My light is not merely a gift but a consuming fire, burning away all uncertainty, all personal desires, until only the pure essence of duty remains.
>
> What you call solitude, I call service.
>
> Every battle I fight, every decision I make, is for those who depend on me, for those who cannot bear the weight of what I face daily.
>
> And while you seek answers in the reflections of the night, I find my strength in accepting who I am and what I must do.
>
> I am not afforded the luxury of doubt or dreams.
>
> My sacrifice is constant, and even when I dissolve into the last sunset, there will be no regret, for my light, my essence, will have served to maintain balance.
>
> This is my choice, my truth, my strength.
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After these words, they set off, each towards their star.
Once they arrived, each requested their own bond—I accepted.
As usual, an ethereal representation of me manifested before them. They advanced, unaware of the consequences, with their request.
> "I accept."
A sudden glow enveloped the plateau; the bond took shape.
Sun’s body was the first to react. A tremor coursed through him, causing him to fall to his knees. Suddenly, his skin began to crack, like parched earth splitting under the relentless sun. The fissures widened, revealing an intense golden light beneath, pulsating like lava flowing under a thin crust. From the cracks emerged intricate, ancient characters inscribed in the Eden language, glowing with blinding power. Each word seemed alive, dancing along his limbs, chest, and face.
Moon let out a muffled groan as he underwent the same transformation. His skin tore like shredded silk, revealing a silvery light beneath.
The cracks on their bodies stabilized, permanently etching the glowing inscriptions into their flesh. When the column of light withdrew, Sun and Moon remained standing, their figures now transformed into something beyond the demigod, yet not entirely Edenic.
> "The bond is sealed. From today, you are the guardians of these stars. Your light will illuminate Elysium, but the price is inscribed on your flesh. Bear it with dignity, for your sacrifice is eternal."
Sun looked at his hands, observing the inscriptions now faintly pulsing with the rhythm of his breath.
Moon, with his eyes fixed on the sky:
> "A star."
Then, after a brief pause...
> "Does not know the dawn."
Thank You for Reading!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that the story has sparked your curiosity for what’s to come. If you’d like to stay updated on new chapters and support the journey of this universe, be sure to follow this page. Your support means the world to me and helps keep this story alive.
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions—I’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Teo
APPENDIX WARNING:
As we move into the next section, I want to give you a heads-up: the upcoming part is highly intricate and delve deeply into the technical details of this universe. These details are not strictly necessary to understand the main plot, but they are essential for those who want a fuller comprehension of the world-building and its inner workings.
If you enjoy immersing yourself in the mechanics, lore, and finer points of a richly detailed universe, I encourage you to continue reading. However, if you prefer to stick to the core storyline, feel free to skim or skip these parts.
This chapter delves into the astronomical dynamics of Elysium and its celestial environment. We will explore the planet's physical properties, such as its size, density, gravity, and rotational characteristics, alongside the orbital mechanics of its twin moons, Aurion and Thaliel.
These analytical details form the foundation of Elysium's astrophysical context are influencing both its environment and the mythology of its inhabitants.
Elysium:
* Diameter: Approximately 14,500 kilometers (about 1.13 times the size of Earth).
* Density: Estimated at 5.6 g/cm³ (slightly denser than Earth), due to a higher proportion of metals and heavier elements in its core.
* Surface Gravity: Approximately 11 m/s² (1.12 times Earth’s gravity). This slightly stronger gravity contributes to the exceptional physical resilience of the demigods who inhabit it.
* Rotation Speed: Elysium completes one rotation on its axis every 26 hours, resulting in slightly longer days than on Earth.
Aurion and Thaliel (the 2 satellites) :
* Diameter: Both moons are roughly 3,200 kilometers each (slightly smaller than Earth’s moon).
* Density: Estimated at 3.3 g/cm³, similar to Earth’s moon, indicating a rocky composition with limited metallic content.
* Surface Gravity: Approximately 1.2 m/s² (about 1/8th of Elysium’s gravity).
* Distance from Elysium: Each moon orbits Elysium at a distance of 350,000 kilometers, positioned equidistantly on opposite sides of the planet.
* Orbital Period: Both moons complete an orbit around Elysium in 27 Elysian hours, maintaining perfect synchronicity.
* Rotation: Both moons are tidally locked, meaning the same side always faces Elysium, creating a sense of constancy in the night sky.
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Now you know the placement and some details about what's on the planetary system, but how in elysium they are counting the days?
DAYS (CYRIA):
* Each rotation of Elysium (26 hours) constitutes one day, called a Cyria.
* The division of time within a Cyria mirrors the influence of its twin moons, Aurion and Thaliel:
* Aurion’s Rise: The first 13 hours, characterized by a golden, warm light reflected by Aurion.
* Thaliel’s Fall: The second 13 hours, marked by a cooler, silvery glow.
MONTHS (LYTHORA):
* A Lythora corresponds to the orbital period of the twin moons (27 Elysian hours).
* Each Lythora does not align perfectly with a Cyria, creating a natural ebb and flow in the perception of time, a detail the demigods view as a poetic nod to the duality of order and freedom.
YEARS (ELYTHAR):
* Elysium’s orbit around its star defines an Elythar, equivalent to 370 Cyriae (26-hour days).
* Each Elythar is divided into 10 Eras, each lasting 37 Cyriae (roughly analogous to weeks, though longer).
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However, there are more stars and satellites involved in the system that needs to be explained as well, but for the moment i think this is enough.
If you made it this far i want to congratulate you, it seems like you really like details...
Be hungry reader, there will be a lot of them.
But for the moment, goodbye.