There was a procession nearby, of chanting priests wearing ornately coloured robes entering the large Temple of Universal Truth, with churchgoers and tourists walking in behind them. Saveela approached them, blending into the crowd, when suddenly she heard a voice behind her. She looked behind her and saw a tall half-Vvardeni with a big smile and brown eyes. It was a work colleague, Flint.
Flint was half-Vvardeni, the bastard child of a Herardeni tourist who enchanted a woman and never saw her again after he gave in to his desires, though Flint never seemed to see it from the negative. "At least," He'd say "I'd blend in with a Herardeni crowd."
He raced to catch her “Hold on, hold on.”
Saveela sighed and greeted him. He was not supposed to be here.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
Flint smiled "That's some greeting. I'm here to see the High Priest. You?"
"Same." Saveela replied.
"You don't look like you've been here before." Flint spoke, digging his hands into the pockets of his yellow trench coat, possibly in reaction of the crispness of the evening. Saveela smiled and replied.
"No, I'm usually skeptical of the church. I'm just here because I'm curious."
"Well, who knows, perhaps you'd be amazed. Universali Vvar is a very interesting religion."
He smiled and led her to a small copper pot near the doors. They waited as an elderly couple ahead pulled out two amulets and wore them. Flint then plucked an amulet and turned to her “Go ahead, take one.”
“I told you. I’m not very religious.” She said a bit frustrated.
He laughed, “You have to take one before going in.”
"Does everyone in Zoroshthurvan have one?"
“Hmm, some people I guess. But most people in Zoroshthurvan don’t come to Temple often. Maybe only a few times in their lives. I grew up in Orvamus, by the coast. It’s rather traditional there, despite the massive foreign population. We attended every month.”
“The services are held monthly?”
“Yeah, on the full moon actually!” He made as if howling like a wolf and smiled. She loved him just for that smile.
She hadn't wanted to fall in love with him at work, never expected to meet him here, but the Universe moved in mysterious ways. She felt a sharp pang in her chest. Her heart raced and a voice cried in her head, "Don't! Don't!"
They walked through the great wooden doors of the Temple of Universal Truth in Zoroshthurvan and immediately entered into a colossal chamber. Pillars stretching up into the sky surrounded the circular room, and people could barely see the roof. In the center was a circular stone, several steps above the main floor. In the center of that lay a large glass rectangle, with a small black granite-like stone in the corner. Great tapestries lay on every wall, telling the story of the Vvardeni and their faith, murals of the first Vvardeni formed from lakeside water-foam, murals of the first High Priests leading the Vvardeni to the Lake of Creation, after being exiled from realms seeing the new faith as a threat, murals of the Vvardeni settling in the ruins of the cities of the former empires, creating prosperous city states, murals of the Vokun conquest, ending Vvardeni self-rule for half a century, murals of the Vokun Emperor Quaygaris converting to Universali Vvar, murals of the Emperor-Under-Universe Ralos I who united the Vvardeni states when the Vokun collapsed, murals of the discovery of the Stone at the bottom of the Lake of Creation, and finally murals of the destruction of Zoroshthurvan and the final charge of the Last Emperor.
Ahead, Saveela saw the High Priest read out passages from the original book of the Universali Sacred Writings, created two thousand years ago in a dead language only the High Priests can understand. Of course, the High Priest translated it, as it would be useless to speak passages of a speech nobody knows.
...."And so since the Beginning the Deni were pure. They grew and prospered, not physical beings but spiritual ones, but soon their sins, greed, lack of judgement, slothfulness, pride and lust, manifested, and the Deni split in wroth, causing mountains to rise and seas to shrink. Landmasses changed because of their sin, and in the end, the fragments of the Deni exiled themselves to different continents and worlds, where they remain today, becoming physical in the process. The Vvardeni were the first and only to stick to the truth of science, reason and faith. The others focused only on faith or science. Yet one day, when the Universe decides, they will know the truth, but until then, we must not go to war against them for their faith, or to enslave them or convert them. Let them hear our voices and come to us, and then they will know..."
By now the crowd was thick. Close to a thousand people lined up inside of the building. Saveela decided she was going to do it, but she had to go away from Flint, hopefully he would be saved. She pushed her way through the crowd, nearing the front where the High Priest sat, the people around Saveela getting more richer and more ornately dressed the closer she went. Finally she stopped. Out the corner of her eye she saw Flint move closer. Saveela had to make sure Flint would be spared from what she was about to do, and that meant doing it as quickly as possible. She pulled her cell phone out and dialed. Before Flint could protest she detonated in an amazing blast of light and fire.
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Zoroshthurvan News Service: Foreign EditionTel Indrar Officially Established,
Mining Facilities Currently Under
Construction. Local Fisheries Expanding"
The Tel Indrar settlement has been
fully established in the Dulo Isles
the facility provides a local
military base, fishing port and construction
base for the development of offshore
underwater mining complexes. The city was
recently built to help the population
expansion occurring in Vvarden"
Grand Senate Condemns Samak Wargames"
The Grand Speaker officially condemns the
wargames taking place near the claimed
territory of the Dulo Isles, declaring it "an
act of aggression and an action that will
only raise tensions". Tensions have hit their
heighest in several years since the rise of the
Socialist People's Republic of Samakia from
the former capitalist nation."
Top Headline: Temple of Eternal Truth Destroyed in Suicide BombingTonight at approximately 7:15pm a bomb was detonated in the middle of a procession in the Temple of Universal Truth in Zoroshthurvan's central district. At this point the death toll stands at 965 while there are 918 people wounded, 129 of which are in a critical condition, including the High Priest Magnus XI. Many of the later casualties were caused when its southern tower weakened by the explosion collapsed into the plaza, killing over a hundred rescue workers. In a video released after the attack, an armed militia Vokun-Vvardeni group named "Garlas Malatar" claimed responsibility for the attack and explained why Zoroshthurvan lies within it's cross hairs.
"This is an official message from Garlas Malatar to all Vvardeni that lurk in their backwards state, promoting sinful and decadent behaviour. Our organization has successfully made an attack in the heart of your city of immorality, your city of false priests and false texts. Long ago, the Vvardeni state was one of immense piety, and the Universe blessed us. After Ralos V, all that had changed. The Old Empire was wrapped in sin and immorality. I call upon every right minded Vvardeni to shatter the senate into ashes. Then we will usher a new Empire to light the world.The terrorist group known as Garlas Malatar seek revenge for what they call aggression into isolated Vokun sparsely-populated areas such as Draahran. In the video the group lectured viewers about how artificial and sinful the Vvardeni state is. The group also claimed that the country's form of Universali Vvar religion is root of all sin in the world, and needs to be destroyed for progress into a state of spirituality. They also eventually seek the restoration of the Old Empire under their ruler, whose identity still has not been released. They have managed to gain a following among some Vokun based on the Senate's review of the video, which is not suprising given the heated nature of the recent protests for an independent Vokun state, a demand that the Senate strongly disagrees with.
The group also claims that the Senate underwent several massacres in the Draahran area, a claim that has been fervently denied by the Senate, and that there are plans to commit genocide on the people in the area because "they are not Vvardeni". The Grand Speaker has planned to make a speech to the Senate tomorrow morning concerning these recent events.
Diplomats Sent to Various NationsThe Foreign Affairs office has now sent out several diplomats to various countries after a long period of global isolation has now ended, sparking the beginning of a new, more connected world, and hopes that these diplomats chosen by the Senate will be able to improve the Restored Oligarchic Senate's prestige and help warm up nations to the Senate. The diplomats come from a scattered past, with some brought up to mixed race families and others born far from the cities and towns.
Lyrdelius OrilyonThe Grand Duchy
Lyrdelius Orilyon was born in Falsdstar and rose to political prominence early in his life whenever he was among the first to call for diplomatic relations with Vokun separatist groups. Always favoring diplomacy over hostility made Orilyon popular within the senate, and eventually allowed him to be the Vvarden's first official diplomat to the Grand Duchy.Maduisie LletathramThe United States of Colombia
Maduisie Lletathram was born and raised in Falsdstar, where she studied to become a Counselor. Recently, however, she studied International Diplomacy. She also has a deep fascination for other ways of life, and this affinity has made her perfect to be the the Restored Oligarchic Senate's first official diplomat to the United States of Columbia.Thallasa DouthasThe Celestial Empire of Trodenheim
Senator Thallasa Douthas was born in Helovon, but moved to Zoroshthurvan a few years after her birth with her family, due to her father getting a job offer in the capital. A brilliant environmentalist, Douthas excelled in school, and has written a number of scientifically-renowned journals about agriculture and environmental preservation. She also made several improvements to Vvarden's systems of agriculture in harsh conditions, adapting the methods that the Vokun had been using for centuries beforehand, greatly improving crop yields and production, earning her a place in the senate. Her love for knowledge and improvements has allowed her to be the Restored Oligarchic Senate's first official diplomat to Trondheim.Essu IltunipitashuSaratoga
Essu Iltunipitashu was born in Draahran to a migratory Vokun family, where he had lived practically almost all of his life. Iltunipitashu was frequently truant, and got in trouble for skipping the local schools, wherever they migrated to on several occasions to help his parents hunt and build tents for other memebers of the tribe. Eventually, however, Essu opted to attend a specialty school for economics where he quickly demonstrated an incredible ability to analyze financial figures under pressure. As a result, Essu became a prominent economist, which has allowed him to serve as the Senate's first official diplomat to Saratoga.Jordan AdusethylThe United Democratic Emirates of Onza
Speaker Jordan Adusethyl was born in Orvamus to an Onzaian-Vvardeni couple, where he studied law and worked as a lawyer for the city for many years. He was ranked number two in the nation on a list of the 500 Greatest Lawyers, earning him a place in the senate. He was also an immensely popular writer for sometime for his political works on democratic socialism and Vvarden during it's history during the Seven States period. His extensive ability to analyze data and debate has made him prominent in the senate, as well as qualifying him to serve as the Senate's first official diplomat to The United Democratic Emirates of Onza.More news updates will occur shortly.
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"Garlas Malatar, you say they're called." The Grand Speaker spoke, slowly saying the words, bouncing them on his tongue. Around him was his fellow chancellors, his Speaker for Defence, Major Thorval Mavadil, his Speaker for Economics, A'lashari Ientnevanni, his Speaker for Citizen's Affairs, Relns Aradingi, his Speaker for Infrastructure, Etharvyne Tilnes, his Speaker for Foreign Affairs, Luaosi Telaandil, and finally his Co-Speaker and good friend, Tavthis Samarus.
"From an old Vvardeni phrase meaning "The strings will be severed", correct?" The Speaker walked slowly to his desk and sat down on the large chair where he did most of his administrative work. The Speaker looked troubled, a frown etched across his face, and his eyes became tired, as if feeling a heavy crown upon his head.
"That is correct, Grand Speaker," Thorval spoke, rubbing his pointed chin and scratching his stubble. "We've recently gained information from Saveela Arinari's computers at her place of residence and it seems she was contacted six years ago, and spent five of those years on a "Overseas business trip", no doubt a training camp."
"Universali Suo." The Grand Speaker spoke. "Tell me again how many were killed?"
The Speaker for Citizen's Affairs spoke up. "Close to a thousand, the High Priest hospitalized in a serious condition. The entire Temple's foundations were practically destroyed from the impact, it could collapse at any moment"
The Grand Speaker winced when he heard the number. "That is far too many," He placed his head in one of his hands for a moment and looked back up.
"Luaosi."
"Yes sir?" Came the light voice of the Speaker for Foreign Affairs.
"Let us seek help from the rest of Yukon. If any diplomat or foreign journalist asks, let them be briefed on what we know. Let the world know."
Luaosi nodded and walked out of the room.
"A'lashari, give 1% of the GDP to the anti-terrorism forces. We need to prevent any more events like this. Go with Thorval." The two nodded, made a small bow and left the room.
"Etharvyne, try to keep the building from collapsing. And make sure the Stone is removed." She too nodded and exited the room, leaving behind only Tavthis.
"Tavthis. I need your help." The Grand Speaker said.
Tavthis stood up from the small couch, nodded and spoke "Anything. Anything for a friend."
The Grand Speaker smiled slightly and his face went back to the withdrawn nature he had before.
"I need your help battling my personal demons. Especially with this news."
"Do you want me to send a therapist?" Tavthis asked concerned. It wasn't the first time he had seen his superior become immensely tired of his job, and also somewhat disturbed inside. Tavthis always helped in his friendly way, but this time the Grand Speaker looked more forlorn than usual.
The Grand Speaker raised his hand in opposition. "No. No Tavthis. You stay here. I need to tell you something, something about the Garlas Malatar." He sighed and then spoke what he felt needed to be said.
"I joined them once." The Grand Speaker confessed.
"It was back when they only targeted Herardeni politicians. I never did anything, apart from throw a rock at a high ranking official." The Speaker noticed his friend's surprise as Tavthis approached the desk and so he spoke in reason. "What was I to do? My parents were arrested and killed for being enemies of the state! What was I to do? Now...now they've turned away from them, and targeted their own fellow countrymen." The Grand Speaker put his head in his hands. "What if I...encouraged them when I left to go after me? They knew my bloodline. They knew I was the only one left that wasn't killed. They knew. What if...what if all this is to get back at me?" The Speaker looked up at Tavthis placed a hand on the desk.
"Tell me I did no wrong."
"You didn't do anything. It was...it was a long time ago, you've no reason to be upset over it. People make mistakes sometimes."
"But I do all the time, Tavthis. I just can't help thinking that those thousand died because of me. And that is far too much to die." The Speaker got out of his chair and crumpled down on one of the lounges nearby, Tavthis sitting opposite him.
"You don't know what it's like, having a nation out there relying on you alone, the senate, the people, relying on you. This is the first time in centuries our species has been united once again. Do you know what it's like? All of them, relying on me, me! ME!" The Speaker paused for a second, then he spoke again "And now something like this happens, who knows what'll happen next? Will the empire dissolve into petty warlords clinging to their fiefs like before?"
"It isn't all on you,
Ralos Nivastar tred Zorosh. The people rely on
us. The people rely on the council. The people rely on the senate. It isn't just you. Look, you must stop putting yourself responsible. Every time something happens, you feel feel the blame for it. You aren't the cause. You are not responsible. You are a brilliant person, and you should not be like this. This is coincidence. The things you've done do not outweigh the benefits you've caused. You've united our once scattered race into the ruins of their former capital. We've done a great many things, you have to make us even greater, my friend. The fates spin men's lives..."
"What was may come again." The Grand Speaker finished his friend's sentence.
"Thank you. I must leave now. I need to sleep." He said with deep gratitude, shortly before the two departed for their different rooms. The Speaker would need his rest so he could construct his speech to the senate in