"He can speak Osmanian!" Exclaimed one of the elders.
"Did he not require the boy to interpret our words?" Another elder said.
Manusya shook his head at the sight. I spoke up with the 10% language acquisition I possessed to calm them down, but I still can't communicate fluently yet, nor can I understand their every word. He remarked in his subconscious.
"Numa, tell them I am still learning. You need to interpret my words and theirs all the same for some time." Manusya said to the boy.
Numa nodded and explained as such to the elders.
"Then...You are the Aksha, yes?" Elder Yeksha interjected. "You can deny it all you want. What you have shown us and now...being able to learn our tongue this quickly. It's not the feat of a normal person." she said.
"Those filthy Hydarians still speak like a toddler after 5 years!" Another elder said. At their joke, the room almost erupted into laughter before Elder Yeksha's glaring stopped them.
Numa was busy interpreting every word to Manusya's ears.
Again I must say I do not like to play into their legends and religions, but I cannot find a way to break through this barrier without shattering their entire worldview. Indeed, they are not ready yet. Manusya said in his mind. The reason why he would only resurface and proceed with Project Messiah was because if he was awoken too early — like what was happening to him now — humans would have still been susceptible to myths and the spiritual. To some extent, that never went away even until the end of the war, some still believed that perhaps a higher being would rescue mankind.
I need a partial implementation of Project Messiah through careful navigation of their tradition and beliefs. I have no choice. He resolved himself in his mind. He did not have any other choice, lest this encounter and an explanation beyond the minds of these ignorant inhabitants of this current period would have to be repeated endlessly. There was also no telling how they would react if Manusya told them everything from the beginning.
Perhaps some divine explanation would also help explain some of the technologies that I will introduce to them. He thought. Although I have to be careful not to get over my head with this, I must not let these people outright worship me blindly.
"It seems that I am indeed this Aksha you are referring to," Manusya said in his Universal Language, which was translated by Numa to the people in the room.
The first goddess that they were referring to, and how they came to know my name, must be Sapien.
Everyone bowed, their temples nearly touching the floor.
"We greet our great Aksha!" Everyone said in unison. Numa followed suit awkwardly, for the young boy who was not too familiar with this particular legend, was also surprised at Manusya being Aksha, despite the earlier insistence of his divine origin.
"Please, treat me as you would a villager. This is my request. At least, with basic courtesy. I beseech you" Manusya said to everyone and interpreted simultaneously by Numa.
Elder Yeksha frowned, she seemed to disapprove of such a request. "If that is your humble request, then we will comply to a certain extent. Now, how may we be of service in your great duty?" she asked.
After hearing the translation, Manusya replied, "I have just awoken from a long slumber. I am lost and confused. Please tell me three things: where the first goddess is, what the Osma alliance is and all you know about the Hydarians."
The elders discussed among themselves this request for answers. After some back and forth, Elder Yeksha represented the elders again and answered.
"The first goddess of the Seven gods left these lands long ago. As she was The Goddess of Life, her duty extended far beyond the Osma Reaches, and thus did she choose to look for other lands to bring under her bosom," she explained.
Manusya nodded. That matches what Erectus said. So Sapien did leave for somewhere. But why? where?
Elder Yeksha continued, "As for us, we are the Ohm people, a part of the Osma Alliance made up of dozens of different villages and tribes. We are protected by the Druids who reside in our capital, Tuwele, across the Vuvu river. The druids have protected us for generations, for they united the warring tribes into the peaceful era we knew before the Hydarians invaded."
"How long has it been since the invasion?" Manusya asked.
Numa, the young boy, was tirelessly interpreting everything until his entire face was red and drenched in sweat.
Just a few more days, boy. The more I stay here the more I will understand. Manusya looked at Numa apologetically.
"It has been five gruelling years, our Aksha." Elder Yeksha replied. "Our dwindling numbers of Druids and the Hydarians becoming stronger contributed to our subjugation. Apparently, they are at war as well."
"At war? with whom?" Manusya almost stood up as he heard that intriguing information. "What can you tell me about these Hydarians?"
Elder Yeksha shook her head. "I apologize, our Aksha. We do not know much about the Hydarians. They do not tell us anything, and the reason we know some things is...if that person is here..." she trailed off hesitating to finish her sentence.
"No! not that wench!" Another elder said furiously.
"Mind your manners! And what does it matter? Anything that would help our Aksha!" Elder Yeksha barked back.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
They sure like to argue, but this is not something that humans ever truly grew out of. Manusya thought, remembering the war generals of the UPF.
After some arguments, one elder stood up and excused themselves from the Great Hut.
"Please wait, our Aksha. We are bringing someone who can help you." Elder Yeksha stated.
Manusya nodded and waited in silence. After a few minutes, the elder walked back inside with someone in tow — a young woman. She was wearing the typical tribe outfit and her long hair glistened and glowed beautifully. She was brought opposite Manusya and sat down.
"I greet you, our Great Aksha." The woman bowed respectfully. One could sense a melancholic feeling in her.
"Wench." An elder said.
"Nice to meet you, I am Manusya. What is your name?" Manusya asked, translated by Numa.
"Her name is Evui, Aksha. She will be able to tell you more about the Hydarians." Elder Yeksha interjected and answered on the young woman's behalf.
"Please let her answer. Why is she treated like this?" Manusya frowned and asked.
"She is..." Elder Yeksha hesitated.
"She mated with a Hydarian!" Another elder interrupted angrily. "A filthy Hydarian! She's a traitor to our kind," they said.
"No!" Evui, the young woman bravely replied, "He's not like the others! He was conscripted into service! He sympathizes with our kind but has no way to help us! Please believe me!" she said.
"Liar! the disgusting lies of a traitor." Another elder said.
"Even if that is true," Elder Yeksha interjected, "You still mated with the people who have enslaved our kind, he stood by as our children were taken, as our people were murdered, and even today he watched as Lahmi's arm was severed!"
"That is!" Evui almost argued back but found her words stuck behind her tongue.
Numa was uncomfortable translating this entire exchange. He felt ashamed. These elders kept talking about manners yet choose to conduct themselves like this in front of Manusya.
"It's alright," Manusya said to Numa in the Universal Language. "I understand the situation. No one is at fault here."
"Evui, tell me what you know of the Hydarians." Manusya raised his voice so he could be heard, and Numa soon followed with his translation. Everyone in the room swallowed their words and waited for Evui begrudgingly.
"Y-yes, Aksha," Evui said. "The Hydarians come from the lands beyond the great forest, a place we have never reached before for the distance is too great. They are a great civilization, an 'empire' they call themselves. Their cities are vast, stretching beyond the horizons. Each city could hold the entire population of the Osma Reaches, let alone their capital city. Their army is mighty and feared by their foes. Their culture and history are rich, and Aether was a part of their society."
Manusya nodded as he listened intently. Fascinating! He hated their imperial nature, but Manusya would submit to the fact that many great empires in mankind's ancient history were the same. The greed for conquest and land expansion was too great for any developing civilization to resist. It was something Manusya somehow needed to remedy with his mission and duty.
"You said they are currently at war?" Manusya continued his questioning.
"Yes. Apparently, we all exist in this...big land where we all share space. And the entire big land is filled with nations currently at war among themselves. The Hundred-Year War the people out there call them. It is a great war of unimaginable proportions." she explained.
'Big land' seems to be referring to a continent. And this war has been going on for over a century? I have found myself quite a time to wake up. Manusya thought.
"And this Aether you call them...is it magic?" Manusya was still intrigued by such a thing. He did not fully believe their existence yet, but the flaming deer that he encountered surely defied all reason.
"Yes, apparently many other nations also utilize Aether. These 'Magus' they call them, practitioners of the Aether Arts are capable of influencing the battlefield." Evui continued.
If it's something acknowledged in the entire continent and warfare, I can scarcely think that it's all some sort of delusional myth. Perhaps there is credence in this magic. I will have to see for myself. Manusya pondered.
"Finally, this is a question to anyone that can answer. Why are the Hydarians here? Don't they have a war to fight?" Manusya asked.
Evui raised her arm unexpectedly.
"That wench dares!" An elder said.
"Evui, please." Manusya pointed at her.
"They are here to extract these lands of spices, but not just any spices. The Aetherus is crystalline plants that could enhance the capabilities of Aether users. Our Druids have utilised them for generations, but now the Hydarians have discovered this and are using them for war." Evui explained.
Manusya nodded. She's a clever girl. And judging by her behaviour, she wants to curry favours with me. I will need allies I can trust here. Her reputation might have fallen, but she seems intelligent. he thought.
Manusya started standing up suddenly, surprising everyone. All the elders were preparing to get up from their seats in a hurry, it was rude to let the guest stand first in Osmanian culture.
"Please," Manusya held out his hand. "It is alright. I would like to explore the village and think of my next steps. I want Evui, Numa and that man—" he pointed at Ahmi, "to serve as my escorts here. I will not accept any objections. I will take my leave." he continued.
This is an arrogant act, but if they must think I am a legendary figure, then I must play my part. I will need to explore the village anyway and see their situation and what I can do to help.
Manusya, Evui, Numa and Ahmi stood up together and left the Great Hut together, leaving the elders dumbfounded.
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Contrary to what he was thinking before exploring the village, Manusya led them to the forest where the Delivery Bot was.
I must do something first. One must start by getting to know the layout of the land.
"DB, end stealth mode."
The Delivery Bot ceased its transparent state and stood up, it beeped as if to wait for others.
Evui yelped in surprise and fear.
Ahmi took out his bow and arrow and aimed. "A monster!" he shouted.
"Calm down!" Numa stood in between them and DB with both arms open. "It's just Master Manusya—I mean the Aksha's summoned golem. Please let him work!" Numa said.
"A golem! How can this be..." Ahmi looked at it in awe.
Manusya was playing with the interface screen behind the DB. Numerous drones were released and took off into the sky in silence.
"Please wait," After around fifteen minutes or so, Manusya received his desired result. A map of the land. On it, he saw a mountain, this village, a great river, a mysterious pyramid near the mountain, numerous other villages and a town of sorts.
The current layout is too complex for these people to understand. I will create a simpler version. Manusya said in his mind as he adjusted the map to show a simpler image. After a while, a rolled-up piece of paper was excreted from DB. Manusya unfolded it and showed it to everyone.
"Is this accurate?" Manusya asked everyone.
The three Ohms were utterly stunned again. A map was something that they could not make easily, and not to the level of detail that Manusya made in such a short period without travelling anywhere.
Manusya folded the map again as they were staring at it in a daze.
"I assume it is," Manusya said. "But that's for later. For now, give me a tour of the village."
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ART
Simplified Osma Reaches Map:
[https://i.imgur.com/ZCAT32f.jpg]
Evui:
[https://i.imgur.com/l6kRX7R.png]