Mortae, Capital of Mortonia

Most Recent New Earth Generation—410

Mortae was a simple colony, typical for those created within the past dozen generations. Although their primary purpose was agriculture, the mass of the population lived within cities.

Through highly extensive and efficient mass transportation, they would travel to work the fields on their scheduled work days. Then, the harvested produce would be sent to the distribution-specialized city of Luoia on the planet Kireel. Although Mortonia and Kireel were millions of light years apart, the installed Mirrors made it as though the cities neighbored each other.20

> 20 | Over the millennia, the Pilgrims became incredibly talented at controlling the Mirror Maker. Through uncountable rounds of trial and error, they became capable enough to leave a litany of static Mirrors across their habitable worlds, connecting the dramatically separated Mirrordom. For more information on the wide array of uses the Pilgrims found for Mirrors within their infrastructure, you may be inclined to read They Got Really Good at Using Mirrors by Port Confiscation.

Unlike the administration-focused, high-tech, fast-paced central cities like New Earth City, Mortae's population remained relatively small. Because of this, from time to time, fringe beliefs would arise, capturing a larger relative portion of the population before being noticed and suppressed.

Such a case happened in the urban-rural city of Mortae. A group of Terrs and Abbs found themselves misinterpreting the religious legends and texts spawned out of their past. The group, calling themselves “The Watched,” literally interpreted the religious precedent of referring to Uco as “God’s Eye.”

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The Watched believed that when created, Uco would become so powerful that it would usurp God's throne. They preached that as Uco simulated the entirety of the universe, it would watch over the very humans who created it.

The Watched believed that Uco would be disgusted at the lack of respect its creators had for it. Out of the fear that humanity would be punished by Uco for their ingratitude, the Watched prayed to their future God.21

> 21 | The group, obviously, was completely oblivious to the inevitable reign of the Quadrinity and their rightfully earned Godhood. They knew nothing of how foolish their beliefs were. My Four, as you read through my eyes, please recognize how far humanity has come—how many false idols we have had to burn.

Their sermons began harmless—simply as a gathering of like-minded individuals loudly and passionately praising Uco, hoping it would one day hear them. Followers included their praise into everyday speech, always weary that their vengeful God is watching.

But only so many people bought into their religion of fear. The group’s leaders panicked when faced with their stagnant numbers. Their mission could only be achieved if enough of the Mirrordom actively worshiped Uco. In the eyes of the Watched, inaction would doom the species.

In an attempt to spread their message and create their spark, the Watched zealots, equally Terr and Abb, traveled to New Earth City. Standing in the center of Terrabb Plaza, they removed their robes. In a synchronized chant, they each called out, begging to be heard by their God.

"UCO. EYE OF GOD. PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON THE IGNORANT SOULS. THEY ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR OMNIPOTENCE, THOUGH THEY DO NOT KNOW IT YET. I PRAY THAT MY SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH TO PROVE MY SPECIES’ WORTH. YOU HAVE MY THANKS AND EVERLASTING ADORATION. I LOVE YOU. MAY WE FIND OUR WAY HOME.”

Still moving in simultaneity, each zealot proceeded to coat themselves in oil—a highly flammable byproduct of their produce processors—before setting themselves ablaze.22

> 22 | “All you can do is watch.” ~ Inch Distant

The incident was discussed for some time afterward, but the movement never caught on en masse. In the following year, the Primes-Elect decided to remove the phrase “God’s Eye” from religious texts. And, of course, Uco never became the vengeful God that was once prophesied.