[center][h1]Elysium[/h1] [b]Level 9 Realta Hero 31 Khookies[/b][/center] A week after Umu was deemed complete, Elysium became its Queen. But first there was a parade. No trace of the mountain of Solace could be found on the sparkling streets of the now-populated city. All of it had been taken, cut, and reshaped into the spires, bridges, and domed buildings that had characterized the jewel of the steppes. Streets that were packed with people come to see their new Queen, Elysium saw with a tinge of nervousness. She banished her nerves with a shake of her head, jingling the gifted beads of gold and lapis around her neck; it wouldn’t do for her subjects to see her feel fear, and in truth there was nothing for her to fear in the first place. The palanquin began to move as the musicians struck up a powerful tune, all drums and horns. A cheer rose up from the streets around her, and she had the feeling that it wouldn’t die down until she got to the ziggurat. This had not been Elysium’s idea, but Logos’s. The ostentatious parade, the coronation, the city-wide celebration afterwards—all of them just seemed so... [i]misplaced[/i]. Elysium didn’t see what there was to celebrate other than an end to their joined labor. When so many of tasks ahead of them, and the harvest to bring in with winter fast on the way, what right did they have to celebrate? Her father saw it differently. There was, he had said, one thing that humankind had gained from her and that was faith. Most people hadn’t lived with any sort of status of purpose, just lived in poverty and fear. Let her be the symbol of their deliverance, and let her ascendance be the idea they could cling to for comfort. There was no dishonesty in that. Elysium would not deny her subjects that happiness. [b][i]Look calm. Smile. Nod and wave. It’s easy once you remember how much they love you.[/i][/b] And it was. Elysium passed through a throng of people, probably more people than she had ever seen in her life, all a part of the race that banded together for a new future. Perhaps without her they would have failed, but without them she would have fared no better. [b][i]Don’t look too kind, you’re not human. They expect to see a ruler, but also their Goddess. The Mother.[/i][/b] She did her best to look determined and resolute, if that did any good. What was she supposed to do, stare straight ahead? Waving too much made her feel like a bit of a fool, and she wasn’t sure how wide or tight her smile was supposed to be. Obviously she couldn’t stand perfectly still, but striking a pose would make her feel ridiculous. How was parading in front of a crowd so difficult? [b][i]You’re doing just fine, daughter. Stop worrying.[/i][/b] Logos’s voice contained the barest hint of humor. [i]“If I were doing fine,”[/i] Elysium thought dryly. [i]“You wouldn’t be able to tell that I’m worried.”[/i] [i][b]Nonsense. I can always tell when you’re not all right.[/b][/i] She answered with the mental equivalent of a grumble. [b][i]Are you truly so worried about the impression you’re making?[/i][/b] Logos asked. [i]“I’m beginning to think it would have been easier had we stay hidden.”[/i] [i][b]There is some truth to that,[/b][/i] Logos said. [i][b]But perhaps it does take getting used to. Shall I give you a lesson to help you relax?[/b][/i] [i]"I seem to recall you never needing to ask permission."[/i] A flash of [i]something[/i] from her father. [i][b]A courtesy from a fellow ruler. Now I want you to look at the crowd about half a block ahead of you. This way you see them but you still always look ahead.[/b][/i] Elysium looked. At that distance her eyes could still make out individual faces, all of them writ with an awe that she was all too familiar with. It wasn’t just the way her disciples had looked at her—it was the way every creature had looked at her father since Elysium could remember. [i][b]Your smile is one of confidence, not of joy or love. Very good. You never used to able to smile like that.[/b][/i] [i]“You can see me?”[/i] [i][b]Of course I can.[/b][/i] A pause. [i][b]I had thought you wanted this.[/b][/i] [i]“I… I think I do.”[/i] [i][b]A fine way to break my duplicitous heart. Now stand up as straight as you possibly can on your feet and give your wings a little slack. You are rising, Elysium. Let them see it.[/b][/i] [i]“I’m afraid,”[/i] Elysium said as she adjusted her weight. A pause. [b][i]I know, Elysium.[/i][/b] The palanquin moved on, and the parade trailed along behind her. The streets of Umu were vast, even if the city wasn’t as large as the Citadel she first called home. Even the concerted effort of humankind and an incredible amount of magic wasn’t enough to build anything close to her father’s palace [i]“It was good to love you because you were a god, because you were my father, because you were perfect. But it was easy. You designed me this way. And I’ll always be this way…”[/i] [b][i]You need not be. [/i][/b] A gasp escaped Elysium's lips. Her legs threatened to buckle underneath her, but at the same time she felt as if the weight of the whole world has been taken off her back. [i]“You mean I have a choice?”[/i] The very notion was alien, a sort of taboo thrill at the notion of having something other than what he wanted. [i][b]But of course you do,[/b][/i] Logos said. [i][b]As a Queen and my daughter, you may choose to go on living for as long as the sun will rise. And I won't lie, Elysium, that would make me very happy. But you were made more than a simple Realta. If you so wish, you may also live as a mortal and pass on when your time in this world runs out. If that is your choice, I can only hope that day is still many, many years ahead. But even if I wanted to, I could never make you stay against your will. That is impossible.[/b][/i] [i]“Even for you?”[/i] Elysium asked. [b][i]Even for me.[/i][/b] Logos admitted with a fondness was that foreign to her. [b][i]I can stall the sunrise for a little while, but eventually the sun must rise all the same. Then, in time, it must set again. Night follows day, day follows night. This is-[/i][/b] [i]"-part of the natural order."[/i] Elysium finished with smile to herself. [i]“The truth is, I have seen humans at the brink of death continue to fight to the bitter end, raging against the dying of the light with a fierceness and passion that moved me to tears. But I have also seen those who greet death like a dear old friend, facing their ends with such grace and dignity I thought them far more worthy to bear this crown than I ever was. I cannot decide which of them were right and which were wrong, nor is it my place to say when a life should or should not end. All I can say is this: A never-ending life is neither a curse nor a blessing. It is simply a life, not that much different from any other.”[/i] [i][b]A finer lesson I could not have taught you myself,[/b][/i] Logos said. Then, [i][b]Now raise your chin up a little more. [/b][/i] [i]“...You’re joking, right?”[/i] [b][i]You’re about to turn into the main square,[/i][/b] Logos said. [b][i]There are more people here than you have ever seen in one place in your life, Elysium. All of them are going to be looking at you. I want you to look ahead at me alone.[/i][/b] True to her father’s word, the main square was filled with what appeared to be twice the amount of people it had been designed to accommodate—and Elysium, having designed it, would know. A thin strip of space led from the crowd to the foot of palace ziggurat, where a dozen shining Realta stood a foot above everyone else, on the flanks of the many gradual steps that led to the palace proper. [b][i]Do not be overwhelmed, Elysium. Be overwhelming. Tilt your chin up just a little.[/i][/b] [i]"You know,”[/i] Elysium said. [i]“Now more than ever, with my new responsibilities, I need you.”[/i] Across the distance between them, Logos gave the ghost of a smile. [b][i]Need, is it? Spread your wings. Suddenly.[/i][/b] She did so with a great whoosh, and noted the shadow cast on the ground before her, perfectly proportioned by the position of the sun. [i]“Dramatic much?”[/i] Elysium thought as a deafeningly loud cheer reached her ears. [i]“You know,”[/i] she said as her palanquin pulled to a halt. [i]“This actually feels kind of good.” [/i] [b][i]It ought to. Now alight down the side and come around so you don’t have to do a full turn when you get here. You need to be facing the crowd.[/i][/b] Elysium did as she was told, once again doing her best to look... well, [i]regal[/i]. Did she have to walk different, take the steps differently? Should she have folded her wings as she did when she left the palanquin? Such silly things to worry on, but there they were. And there was Umu, she thought as she looked out at the city. The natural slope of the mountain laid it out before her eyes in full. It wasn’t as big as her home, no: but there was room to grow. Perhaps it was only made of stone, and perhaps it was fragile, but it had been built by her subjects and her word, and Elysium couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride seeing it now, just as she had every time she’d seen it before. This would be the cradle of their civilization. [i]“I said need,” [/i] Elysium said. [i]“And it’s true that I will need your help. But I want it, too. I want you to teach me.” [/i] Logos’s voice filled Elysium mind like liquid. [b][i]The first rule of immortality, Elysium Last-Star, is that you will die. All life, even mine, is limited, and this gives it value. Shall this be the way you spend yours?[/i][/b] [i]“Yes.”[/i] [i][b]Then kneel, daughter. Supplicate yourself before them, for you are their servant.[/b][/i] The youngest Realta fell to the stone beneath her and shut her eyes. [i]Wait, that’s it? We’re not going to say anything? Out loud, I mean.[/i] [i][b]Words,[/b][/i] Logos said. Elysium got the distinct feeling that he had rolled his eyes. [i][b]What words are there for this?[/b][/i] A weight settled onto her head, heavy, but not overburdening. The cheering redoubled. [b][i]Now rise,[/i][/b] her father voice echoed in her mind. [b][i]As their champion, my daughter, and my chosen Queen.[/i][/b] Elysium rose, and as she opened her eyes she saw that the Realta had begun to kneel, their silver bodies placating themselves before her. It seemed as though a wave traveled through the crowd, until all of them were giving respect to their new ruler. [i][b]I know you’ll do well, Elysium.[/b][/i] She swallowed, but couldn’t hide a smile nonetheless. She had a choice. [hider=Summarian, haha, get it?] Elysium has a conversation with her father as she's crowned Queen of the City of Umu, the first kingdom of Arcon on the steppes of Simatre. 2 Khookies Spent to teach Stone Houses 2 Khookies Spent to teach Large Architecture 2 Kkookies Spent to teach Mining 2 Khookies Spent to teach Lapidary 2 Khookies Spent to Teach Soft Metal Working (Bronze, Gold, Etc.) 2 Khookies to teach Weaving 2 Khookies to teach Worship 1 Freepoint Spent to teach Monarchy 1 Freepoint Spent to teach Civilization 1 Freepoint to teach Small Settlements 1 Freepoint to teach Large Settlements 1 Freepoint to teach Law 1 Freepoint to teach Wheel 1 Freepoint to teach Hierarchy 1 Freepoint to teach Metallurgy 1 Freepoint to teach Temples 1 Might to Bless the People under Elysium 1 Might to Bless the Coronation of Arcon's Chosen Queen, Elysium Last-Star. (Sovereignty) [/hider]