Prana, accompanied by two guards, came to Argos. She was

greeted as a friend and asked in Orcish to help them feed her language to the

system so that they could speak directly to her. She was immediately impressed by

the technology and asked her guards to help as well. A few hours later, the language

was fully registered, and Alex was ready to begin his conversation.

“Prana,” Alex began, “I am happy to be communicating with you in your own

language.”

“I am still surprised how your technology talks our language so fast,”

answered Prana. “So, what will we talk about today?”

“Let’s start with the reasons you attacked us. Why did you side with Habo and

come to attack someone you know nothing about?”

“This is not a valid question. We were told that gods returned to the world. But

these gods are not with us. They are probably Pars, which are enemies of everyone.”

“Who are those Pars, and why are they an enemy of everyone?” continued

Alex.

“They are a species that many think they are legend. We, however, know

things about them. Things that most do not believe, but we keep records. Every time

someone develops strength, one of them appears and destroys everything. They

have not made an appearance in many centuries, so we thought they were extinct.

Habo was convinced you are the Pars and that you are here to destroy what we

built.”

Alex turned to his communicator and spoke to Jain, who was listening. “I get a

feeling that our guests in the sky yesterday might have a connection to that.”

“I was just thinking the same thing,” answered Jain.

“You are talking to your people from here?”

“Yes. We have the technology for that.”

“So, you use ether!”

“What is ether?” asked Alex

“Ether is waves that don’t need water or air.”

“That is a very nice way to put it. Yes, we use ether. Getting back to the point,

do you know why Habo would think we are those Pars? He spoke with us a few

times; we got to know each other in a way.”

Prana looked at Alex curiously, like she was expecting him to know the

answer. “You look like them. From the descriptions we have from the old legends.

You also use technology that, for most, exists only in legends. Just like the Pars.”

“I think I understand now,” said Alex. “We are not here to destroy anyone,

though.”

“I am not so sure this is something you should be saying after your display of

power,” said Prana with attitude. “Also, every piece of land you lay your feet on

belongs to someone else. Like it or not, you are conquering, and you will soon be

faced with new resistance.”

“So, you know there will be more attempts to destroy us? Why are you here

then?”

“I prefer to be on the winning side. You see, we are a semiaquatic species.

We can survive underwater for hours. Our ancestors made underwater cities, which

managed to stay in better shape than the land-based cities. The first few years of the

war were the most devastating. We still have some history of these ancient times.

We are even attempting to create ether and see if the Pars appear. Now, however,

we have only to wait and see if they come to you. Since you are using it for a while.”

“What does ether have to do with the Pars?” asked Alex.

“We have a history that explains how they can feel ether, and if anyone is

producing, they come to destroy.”

“So, since we have been using ether for a while now, you think the Pars might

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

be paying us a visit soon?”

“If they really are out there, they will come. Spears and arrows, swords and

shields mean nothing to them. Just like they mean nothing to you.”

“We can be allies if you wish. But before we share any technology with you

and before we can fully trust you, we need to spend more time getting to know each

other,” said Alex.

“You are quick at offering peace. It feels like you have not thought of it well

yet. What happens when your population grows? Will you come to our lands? Do you

expect me to take your side in the upcoming conflicts?”

“You keep repeating this about conflicts. Is there something you know that

you are not telling me?” asked Alex, slightly irritated.

“There is nothing I know that you don’t. There are many species on this world.

None will accept being ruled by a different species. You might be strong, but you are

few. I am sure there are many that, by now, know of your existence and are scared.

They must have heard of the outcome of the battles that were fought here. Soon their

fear will lead them to the warpath.”

Alex looked surprised, but deep down, he knew her words were true.

“I offer peace quickly because my mind is set on peace and coexistence. I

might be naïve to think this way, but it has brought us to where we are now,” said

Alex with mighty determination. “You can join our list of allies, which I hope will grow,

and we will figure out the way to coexist, in time.”

Prana smiled. “You might be naïve, but perhaps this is what was missing from

this place. We are keepers of honor, so I will not answer you so early. First, I must

consult my people, then I will give you my answer.”

“I understand,” said Alex. “How about we switch the subject a bit? Tell me

about this world. What do you know of the history when those cities were built?”

“We cannot be sure of the accuracy of our history, but what we know is this,”

said Prana and took a breath. “Tens of thousands of years ago, it was the time of the

great kings. The world was ruled by a group of kings, one from each species.

Together they prospered and created a utopia, a world with no war and no hunger.

They could travel to the stars, and they could build other worlds. Among them were

the Pars. They were always few in number, but they wanted to rule alone over the

rest. They began corrupting the kings and turning one against the other. Soon a war

broke out that lasted a thousand years. By the end of it, nothing was standing. Some

even say that the war never ended; it is still going on, and it will end when only one

species remains. It was at that moment they took control, and they have not let

anyone advance technologies again ever since.”

Alex smiled. “This is a different, short version of a story I have already heard,

but it has many holes. Where are they if they won? Where are their cities? Their

civilization? If they have the technology on their side still, then why aren’t they

building?”

“We don’t have answers to everything. This is what our story tells us. We

know there are gaps, but we have the best-preserved ancient library of information,

and this is what we know. Perhaps when you meet them you can ask them.”

“It might happen sooner than expected. Yesterday we saw a flying chariot.

One that is not our own,” he said and noticed Prana’s eyes opening wide. “Also, what

is this library of yours? Does it have things that look like this?” He held up a data

cube.

Prana was in near shock. “You saw a flying contraption that was not yours?

So, it’s truth. They are here.” She looked at the cube. “No! This is a decoration,” she

said. “We have thousands of them since the old days, but they are all just nicely

shaped transparent cubes. They are not good for anything. Our library is of stone.

Sunk under the waters you can find stone walls that we preserve over the centuries,

which explain the past. Most of them talk of things that make little sense, like names

of Naga, items and texts of heroes.”

“That sounds interesting. We would love to see those one day. However, now

we need to prepare for the Pars’ visit.”

“You should prepare. I can leave one of my people here with you, and if

needed, he can come and call us.”

“That will not be necessary. Here, take this,” he said, giving her a small

communicator. “If you hear it making sounds, press this, and we will be able to talk. It

can work under water too. Keep it on you.”

Prana took it with joy. “It’s difficult to believe this is not magic.”

“Perhaps one day we can show you how it works. For now, we need to

prepare. Thank you for everything.”

“Thank you too, Alex of the humans,” said Prana. “See you.”

Jain, who was listening to all the conversations, waited for Alex to return to

the city. “After hearing all of this, I thought of something. Is it possible these things

are more than storage devices? Margaret, what do you think?”

“I am not sure of what you mean.”

Jain looked confused. “Well, I am not so sure of how to describe it, but if

those things were everywhere, they must have other functions. I started thinking of

those crystals as keys. Perhaps my imagination took me very far.”

“Perhaps they were very artistic and used them because they are pretty,” said

Gakuto, half joking.

“Really? That’s your best guess?” asked Konoya with her eyebrows raised in

surprise.

“We can’t completely discard this possibility, can we?” asked Juuda. “They

could function as decorations and at the same time as something more.”

The preparations for a possible advanced warfare began immediately. They

did not leave things to chance.