The entrance to the spaceship was to be the vessel of mankind's final and only hope. Numerous senior officers were there, some whom Manusya knew personally and those who practically raised him. Manusya was wearing his uniform, a light exosuit. Suddenly, sounds of explosions. Red flashing lights filled the surroundings, an alarm was triggered. The entire ground where they stood shook violently.
"I still don't understand," Manusya muttered. "Why am I being sent alone?" he asked in tears. He was chosen for this mission, a mission that he knew would accommodate only one person, yet he still could not comprehend why. The tactical analysis would state that there a full crew would be more beneficial, yet no one would tell him or any of the other candidates why there would only be one 'winner'.
"Kid." An imposing man wearing the uniform of a UPF General grabbed Manusya's shoulder. He wore an eyepatch and a face full of facial hair. "This is my final order to you, depart now and complete your mission," he said.
"Answer me! If I am to do this, then I need to know why! This is my last chance!" Manusya bellowed.
The ground shook again. The imposing man pushed Manusya inside the ship with immense strength, the door was slowly closing.
"Goodbye, kid. You are our only hope." The man saluted. Every other officer there began saluting Manusya as well.
"For All Mankind!" They all shouted in unison.
Manusya fell into a black hole as he fell. The sight of the door closing played in slow motion before he descended into the void.
'For All Mankind', the chant replayed itself inside his mind. Suddenly, the sound of an alarm clock.
Manusya opened his eyes slowly. A few seconds passed as he adjusted his vision to see the ceiling of a hut that was given to him as his abode by the villagers of Ohm.
He sighed. Manusya raised his body and sat on the side of the uncomfortable rattan bed.
I suppose this is the day when my work finally starts after millennia in slumber. He thought.
After the spar with Ahmi yesterday, Manusya met with the elders once more. They requested him to reveal his identity in a grand evening feast to celebrate the coming of the Aksha. Manusya declined, feeling guilty that they would waste precious resources on him when the villagers were already struggling. More than that, he needed time to think about some of the plans that he was crafting in his brain. Instead, he proposed a morning meeting and breakfast with everyone, where he would reveal his intentions with the villagers and his plans here. He also remembered the Flame Deer that the Delivery Bot was carrying, and he thought it would be a great gift to the villagers as a guest.
The spar yesterday, was fun. Manusya smiled as he recalled the fight against Ahmi. He did expend his full capabilities, he did not even use some of the combat aid that his universal chip provided, which would have allowed him to predict his opponent's movements, among other features. Nonetheless, entertainment which included elements of socializing was something that he had missed dearly. He was not a social butterfly back in the Ark, but an unfathomable amount of time in solitude would turn any misanthrope into an extrovert.
Right, I should start. They will be waiting for me as well. Manusya thought. He put on all of his clothes and a light exosuit before exiting the hut.
It was a peaceful morning, he could see that the villagers woke up earlier than him, even with the internal alarm clock that he placed inside his AR interface. The villagers all greeted Manusya with a smile as he passed by them, they saw him as an honoured guest that bested one of the best warriors. He did not behave like an arrogant Hydarian, but like a humble guest.
Manusya took his time to greet everyone before travelling slightly outside the village to where the Delivery Bot was.
"D.B., turn off stealth mode and follow me." He said. The D.B. beeped in response before turning visible again, it stood up with its legs and started to follow Manusya into the village.
I hope they would not be freaked out, but they need to get used to seeing things like this if I am to help them long-term. Manusya said in his mind. Thankfully, at least I can explain this as being some sort of arcane summons, as they are wont to believe that.
As he approached the village, the villagers pointed at the gigantic golem in shock. Some hunters began pointing their bows and arrows before Manusya calmed them down. Manusya briefly told them that the golem was his, and many of them began singing praises to him instead for not only being a powerful fighter but an Aether user as well.
Truth be told, the fact that they believe me so readily is disturbing. He thought. Because that means something like this is possible with Aether, and in the wrong hands...He was becoming more and more concerned about the scope of things one could do with this unknown energy that not even Sapien could analyze.
But if Sapien is out there, it must have already figured out everything. I must find a way to contact Sapien.
When Manusya approached the Great Hut where the meeting with the elders were held, he saw that the elders and some other villagers were already there waiting for him. One elder from that crowd took a step forward to welcome him. It was Elder Vanir, Numa's guardian.
"You Elder Vanir. Numa told me about you. " Manusya raised his hand instinctually to shake his hand, his broken Osmanian was slowly getting better.
The elder started at his hand absentmindedly, not knowing what to do with that gesture. The elder improvised and bowed down while putting Manusya's hand on his forehead, almost as a sign of utter respect.
"E-elder! Please raise your body." Manusya said hastily while retracting his hand.
"I greet the Great Aksha. My name is Elder Vanir. As his guardian, I am delighted that my Numa has been chosen as your envoy, and I will gladly serve you to my death as well." Elder Vanir still kept his head bowed and eyes closed.
Manusya stared uncomfortably. "I understand..." he did not understand every word but understood the gist of what the elder said. he grabbed the elders directly and raised him again. "But please, I do not need worship. I am here to help instead."
Elder Vanir stared at Manusya with glowing, admiring eyes." As expected of the humble Great Aksha. As you wish!" he said.
Something tells me he did not fully get what I just said. Manusya thought.
"May the morning sun bless you, our Aksha." Elder Yeksha approached and said. "Are you ready for the announcement?" she asked.
"Almost," Manusya replied and lowered the corpse of a Flame Deer from the Delivery Bot. "Please cook Flame Deer and serve people. After everyone eats I introduce myself." he said.
Elder Yeksha stared at both the Flame Deer and the magnificent golem in utter shock but quickly regained her composure. "I should have expected this much from our Aksha. Very well."
"You!" she shouted at some villagers nearby. "prepare this with some of the best ingredients we have! make it quick!" she said.
Well...I suppose I can't argue against that. Manusya did not want them to waste resources, but he was curious about what human-made meals tasted like.
"Also, Elder. Can lend me ears?" Manusya asked.
Elder Yeksha took some time to decipher his words but understood that he wanted to whisper something to her. She leaned forward, Manusya needed to crouch down as his height was already taller than the villagers, let alone the old elder. He started to whisper words into Elder Yeksha's ears. Her eyes widened briefly before returning to normal.
"Understand?" Manusya asked again.
Elder Yeksha nodded. "By your wisdom, it shall be done."
Some of the other villagers were staring from a distance, the sight of their elders being so respectful to this unknown guest was surprising. It was unlike the reluctant submission they displayed to the Hydarians, this was genuine heartfelt respect for this individual. They knew something significant was about to occur and they can only wait for this morning's gathering to start.
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Everyone felt delighted. A Flame Deer was not something they had the chance to eat every day. Ever since they were required to turn in a high amount of Aetherus to the Hydarians in the name of taxation, the Ohm people did not want to waste their energy hunting down dangerous beasts but settled on simple animals which did not possess a lot of Aether. Apparently, animals with more Aether tasted better and were able to nutritiously fill the stomachs of the people here. While Manusya was not sure of its effects, he was still up in the air for tasting his first-ever meal made by the hands of another human being.
This is delicious! Manusya thought. The meal was simple grilled meat seasoned with wild herbs, but the organic taste was something that Manusya had never tasted before. Humans of the Ark ate meals created by machines, produced in assembly lines. They did not taste terrible, but one would find them bland after tasting all the limited amounts of flavours available. Anything handmade would taste good to Manusya, but this truly was heavenly.
"Hearken to me!" Elder Yeksha shouted at everyone suddenly. People who were eating and conversing among themselves instantly quietened down.
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"We have an announcement to make. It is something that will forever change the fate of not only us, the Ohm, but also we, the Osma people." Her volume was not high, yet everyone could hear her every word through her impressive cadence.
"What could it be?" a village muttered.
"It must be related to our guest." Another chimed in.
Elder Vanir also took a step forward next to Elder Yeksha. One could sense that these two were the most influential figures in the village.
Elder Vanir began explaining, "Not everyone knows this, but the doctrine of the First Goddess Suwepi'en states that a great Aksha—Lightbringer—will grace himself upon our Osma people in our time of greatest peril. That was why our ancestors decided to settle these lands, to await the coming of this saviour and to preserve these lands for the Aksha to utilize."
"I've heard of that!"
"But why is he telling us this story? could it be?"
The villagers were not stupid. They pieced it together and were anticipating the next words that would come out of Elder Vanir's mouth. Some of them began to slowly stare at Manusya.
Suwepi'en? Manusya thought as he heard the explanation, even when he was barely following the words. I suppose it must be a Bastardisation of Sapien.
"Indeed, my people!" Elder Yeksha joined in the explanation. "Our Aksha is here! Trust in the wisdom of your elders, for we have confirmed this ourselves. Our honoured guest, Manusya who descended from Mount Hoop himself is our Aksha!" she shouted.
"By the Seven!"
"Him? How do we know it's him?"
"We trust this outsider as our saviour!?"
The crowd erupted in commotion. The majority took the elders' words readily but were still confused about why this had occurred suddenly. While some were in utter disbelief and suspicion at the unknown stranger.
"Could any normal human summon this great golem?" Elder Vanir pointed at the delivery bot. "Aside from everything else we have confirmed ourselves, our Aksha is real!" he said.
The crowd exploded in discussions again. After witnessing Manusya's battle prowess and hearing the rumours that he was the one who re-attached the severed arm of Lahmi, they were slowly starting to be more convinced.
"Hearken to me! Silence!" Elder Yeksha shouted and everyone followed her command. "We would like to invite our Aksha and the boy who had found him, Numa to the front so they could explain everything."
Manusya swallowed his saliva. It seems it is my turn.
He stepped forward, and the only child in the village, Numa, also followed next to him.
"Master Manusya!" Numa said excitedly. "Do not worry, I will translate everything." he nodded up and down like a cartoon character.
Manusya smiled. I can do this. I have spent the entire night planning. he reassured himself.
"My people! Listen to how I found our Aksha!" Numa said to the crowd. He began explaining everything that had occurred from the meeting at the cave/spaceship to their arrival in the village.
"Preposterous!" A sceptical villager said.
"But if what the boy said is true then he is our Aksha!" another villager said.
"Let's hear from the supposed Aksha himself!"
Manusya looked around the crowd. Eyes of admiration and doubt divided the crowd. But one could see that many were starting to believe.
The people who doubt me are the correct ones. he thought. One should not blindly believe prophecies and legends like this. This was how religion was used as tool for power throughout history. But alas...
He had no choice. As he established in his mind, he was going to play along to a certain extent so he could implement all of his plans and not delay everything a couple of years.
Manusya looked at Numa and nodded before facing the crowd again.
"I am indeed the Aksha sent by the first goddess of life," Manusya said and translated by Numa.
Sounds of elation and confusion erupted again in the audience.
"But hark! I do not intend for any of you to serve me or worship me, rather, I want to be of service. And for people who still doubt me, continue to do so! your scepticism is the fuel for discoveries! If you have questions on my legitimacy, then let me prove it to you and help me play my role and fulfil my duty!" Manusya explained and was quickly interpreted by Numa.
"Forgive me, Aksha!" A young man stood up.
"Insolence!" Elder Yeksha lashed out.
Manusya raised his hand to motion that it was alright. The elder backed down but was still staring daggers at the young man.
"Please, anyone can speak freely. This is a public forum." Manusya said through Numa.
The young man gulped his saliva and nodded. "H-how can you help us? Forgive me, but I would understand if you have the abilities to move mountains and change the landscape, but if not, then we still have our problems with the Hydarians and our missing children..." he motioned.
"It's true!" A middle-aged woman interjected. "We have but one week till our taxation day. We failed to fulfil our quota, and now they want more. Our surroundings have been lacking in Aetherus, how are you going to solve this?"
Manusya closed his eyes to think. I have considered this, I cannot simply help them with the sheer power of my technology. I need to work with them and gradually build their trust, not their worship. For the sake of their future, they must not be dependent on me, but rather use my knowledge and tools to rise. he told himself in his head.
Manusya opened his eyes again and began opening his mouth. "We give them what they want," he said himself in Osmanian.
"What!?" A villager said.
"A fraud! he was indeed a fraud!"
The villagers were confused at his answer, they were now starting to be suspicious he was a Hydarian spy sent to neuter them.
"Hark! I have a plan." Manusya said again in Osmanian, he turned to Numa and nodded again. His next explanation would require the boy to interpret. Numa gritted his teeth and prepared himself to translate every word. It was something that a young boy's brain would not be able to keep up with usually, but the cognitive aid that the universal chip provided boosted the boy's thinking capacity.
"I have asked you and yours about the situation. Is it not true that while some of your older children and teenagers have already been sent to Hydarian lands to serve their people, the younger children were still held in some sort of fortress that the Hydarians have near the Osma Reaches?" Manusya asked.
"Yes!"
"Indeed!"
Manusya nodded. "Then tell me, what would happen if we attack them when they come to collect their taxes? consider that your children are still kept in that fortress," he asked.
The villagers swallowed their words and their faces turned grim.
"Indeed! If I have heard of the savagery and cruelty of the Hydarians, they would certainly use your children as hostages! We cannot jeopardize their safety with such a method." Manusya said.
"T-then," The young man was still standing. "What do you propose, Aksha?" he asked.
This young man is brave. I can tell someone important to him is probably being kept by the Hydarians, that's why he's so desperate. Manusya nodded.
"Back to what I said before, we give them what they want, the quota of Aetherus that they would require. I can conjure a magical summon that I can sneak into that batch of spices to spy on them and gain an understanding of their fortress's defences. After we ascertained the children's whereabouts in the fortress, we plan our attack and strike!" Manusya said, raising his fist.
Commotion yet again.
A direct attack with my help is our best chance. Manusya thought. One week is not enough time to create proper defences around the village, I have analysed that fact. I would be able to use the Nano Printer to make walls and other defences, but with the time we have, it would simply be not enough. Anything that would entail a direct fight against a stronger foe is useless.
"A direct attack!?" A villager shouted. "We don't stand a chance!"
"No, a sneak attack. We catch them when their guards are down and take them out. " Manusya said.
"But can we really do that?" The young man from before asked again.
Manusya nodded. "With my help, yes."
"What about asking the other villages for help?" A villager asked.
I have considered that option, but my analysis concluded that the best way to gain the trust of the other villages, especially the people in the capital was to perform an extraordinary feat without their help, only then would they be indebted to the Ohm village especially and we can leverage that to unite the Osma people once again fully. he thought.
"No," Manusya replied. "Too many individuals will defeat the purpose of a sneak attack. We must defeat them with the warriors of this village and my help. Trust me, people. On behalf of the first goddess, I guarantee this victory."
The people talked amongst themselves, the majority was already starting to become convinced of the plan. They have seen what Manusya could do. Hell, they even thought the delivery bot would be able to take on the Hydarian soldiers single-handedly as they looked at how imposing it was.
"One more thing," Manusya said. "For the people who know, the Hydarians are also themselves currently at war with other 'tribes' out there beyond the great forest. They took painstaking effort to arrive here, a place that to them is the edge of civilization. Once we have driven them out, it will take them quite a while to reorganize their forces and make their way here again. They would need to divert their forces away briefly when they need them on the frontlines. Make no mistake, their next wave of invaders will be stronger and greater in number in the name of vengeance. But with my aid, we will have prepared ourselves enough to defend ourselves with dignity and drive them away for good!" Manusya explained and raised a fist in the air.
"That's true!" The young man said.
"Our Great Aksha!"
"Aksha! Aksha!"
"Our salvation is nigh!"
"Death to the Hydarians!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and chants.
It should be soon...Manusya was happy that the villagers were receptive to his plan. But he turned his attention away and scanned the crowd with his augmented eyes. His AR interface started to highlight some figures in the crowd, they began to sneak themselves away from the crowd silently.
Manusya looked at Elder Yeksha. She nodded and smiled.
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It had been around an hour after the announcement and the reveal of the Aksha. The villagers were motivated as they began their day hunting and foraging. Today was also the first day that they enthusiastically searched for the Aetherus spices.
Inside the hole of a great tree, some individuals of Ohm gathered. One could spot some elders, men and women of the village.
"What should we do?" An elder said.
"What do you think!? We report to the Hydarians!" A woman said.
"B-but what if he's the Aksha? Are we not betraying our religion? this is heresy!" A man said.
"We already betrayed our people! Cease your hypocrisy. The Hydarians guaranteed us citizenship and a comfortable life in the Empire in exchange for being spies. We have chosen our path and we must carry it to the end." The woman said.
"B-but..."
"Do you think we can stand a chance against those monsters? Even with the help of this false prophet? The Hydarians will decimate them and the entire village once they caught wind of this. This is our goodbye to the village. We must depart now and report every—" As the woman was saying that, she felt a sudden sting on her chest. She looked down to find a black metallic ball. Without warning, a shock was administered to her. She fell to the ground and began convulsing.
"W-what!"
One by one, everyone in attendance fell to the ground in the same manner — a black metallic ball which shocked them with great electrical force. Everyone was shot until the man who was doubting their plans remained. He looked into the forest, and a nearly invisible outline could vaguely be seen. Slowly, it revealed itself to be Manusya as his camouflage was turned off. He was holding some sort of gun.
"I have committed a great heresy! Forgive—" The man was about to beg for forgiveness before he was also shot in the chest and fell.
From the forest's shadows, multiple figures emerged. Ahmi led the hunters of Ohm.
"Traitors!" A hunter said.
"Despicable scums."
Ahmi approached Manusya. "Aksha, we ought to make an example out of these traitors. We gut them, parade their bodies." Ahmi was angry at these people. He was furious. His rage could almost not be contained.
Manusya shook his head. "Please, no. Take back to village. Tell everyone their crimes, and keep them secure." he said in improving Osmanian.
Ahmi gritted his teeth but nodded. He ordered his men and began tying up the traitors.
I expected this would happen. I told Elder Yeksha before the meal of the possibility of this, and I was right. Manusya looked up into the tree canopies. The shadows of leaves were cast on his face from the sunlight that pierced the forest.
"This is where it begins." The man muttered silently.
The tale of Manusya, the Aksha of the Osma had begun. And the history of the beginning of the Great Osma nation was now etched into the annals.
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Manusya (Definitive Version for now):
[https://i.imgur.com/2ahllZP.png]