From ancient times there have been epics and stories that are passed down from person to person, heart to heart, tales that live on long after the civilizations they existed in pass away. Legends, we call them.
Legends that live on, life stories and biographies of people that continue to burn with a flame even as the ember of life dwindles and fades away, fueled only by words and whispers carried on through generations.
These legends remain as small flames weathering the test of time, hopeful that one day they would meet a Kindle that would burn and burn and engulf the entire world in the flames of its brilliance. The flames of change, of ideals that the legends carried.
This story is about one such legend among many similar legends. The legendary legend of the legendary legend, Skelian 9.
After being punched in the face by their cruel master [Evil King of Skeletons Ian], Skelian 9 truly realized his position.
Brash and youthful as it was, Skelian 9 had initially thought a simple voice against the evil ruler would be enough. He expected his fellow skeletons to fight with him, but not only did he have his rebellion crushed, but he also made it impossible for future Skelians to come by and take the torch of revolt off his hands.
The Evil King was a dictator through and through.
Biting his lips, (he didn’t have any) the skeleton with gorgeous hair (he didn’t have any) and luscious brows (nope) decided to hold in the flames of revolt.
Soon after, a thirteenth member amongst the few Skelians that had been graced with a number was added and battered.
After Ian sent them all to forced labor, Skelian 9 shimmied over to his newest friend and waved his hands.
He knew of the injustice Skelian 13 had faced.
‘We must take back power! That evil king cannot be allowed to continue. By all means, he is not just a bad ruler but also a tyrant!’
‘What the hell are you talking about?’
Skelian 9 shuddered. Even Big Brother would be taking notes on the level of brainwashing their evil king had achieved against his subjects.
Unable to continue, but unable to give up. Skelian 9 slowly tried to convince his fellow skeletons. It helped that within days, the extremely humid forest had become a source of annoyance for the skeletons and the forced labor was just increasing.
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In the days they were asked to go and look for books and items, and all through the afternoon they were forced to learn. Indoctrinated, he should say. Skelian 9 bided his time, slowly convincing all his friends but they called him a madman instead.
Skelian 9 knew. These were just the starting chapters of his legendary legend. People fashioned the different as fools since they could not accept change.
But, as it was, Skelian 9 was stuck. He was stuck until one fateful day while raiding different areas in the forest he encountered a book.
[The Republican Free World]
Those were the words in the book. It allured Skelian, it spoke to his soul. Skelian 9 took it back with him.
All through the day while all the Skelians were hard at work, evidently still working a notch easier than their Evil King, Skelian 9 spent most of time reading The Republican Free World.
The ideals of democracy resounded in his brain (there wasn’t one). Skelian 9 had made a decision.
He started approaching the other skeletons one after another, convincing them with methods mentioned in the grand text to introduce them to the beauty of democracy. Of collective decisions, a system of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Skelian 9 was an exemplary in philosophical thinking. If it were Ian’s original world, it would have ‘thinker’ on its Wikipedia page.
‘Won’t it be interesting to step out of work on vote?’
‘You’re just lazy.’
‘We deserve skeleton rights! We must fight for ourselves and decide on strict working hours’
‘What rights? You’re already dead.’
They were tough nuts to crack, but there was a change. The skeletons started to turn to his side.
One day, perhaps having heard enough of Skelian 9 going on and on about Democracy, while the Evil King Ian slept, the Skelians gathered.
‘Fine, let’s just do this. How should we start?’ asked Skelian 3.
‘We must start by electing a leader. Since there are few of us, let’s vote. Who should lead the democratic process?’
Everyone pointed at Skelian 13. Even the Skelians who couldn’t move summoned their strength to elect their leader—this was truly the beauty of democracy.
Though Skelian 9 was slightly surprised that he wasn’t elected, this was fine too. He had started the flames of revolution, and 13 was an objectively good leader.
‘Now, our leader,’ Skelian 9 said. ‘Lead us to revolt against the Evil King!’
‘Who thinks we should beat Skelian 9 up until he shuts up about his stupid voting?’
Everyone raised their hand.
Skelian 9’s jaw dropped (this part he had) to the ground. In moments, all the Skelians started hitting him. The commotion they caused was enough to wake the Evil King up who quickly pieced the situation together.
“What, was this bastard 9 trying to attack me in my sleep? Thank you, all of you.”
And then he beat Skelian 9 personally.
From that time onward, every time there was a minor inconvenience.
‘Who should run all of our errands today?’
‘Who should we ask to give us all a bone massage?’
They kept pointing at him! Skelian 9 was being democratically bullied!
Democracy as a process was inherently flawed. It might be selected by the people, but what was one to do when the people were fucking stupid? In mere days of experiencing democracy, Skelian 9 had grasped onto Platonic thought and found the flaws in democracy.
Truly a thinker!
It seemed there was still a long way to go before Skelian 9 could move hearts and souls alike. What was a story if it did not start with failure?
Eventually, his exposure to more schools of thought and philosophies continued, and Skelian 9 even caused a socialist revolution that soon collapsed into a working democracy, but that is a tale for another page in the Legendary Legend of the Legendary Legend Skelian 9.