Let me tell you a story

What a mess. A live one, huh? I won’t let this place be your grave, injured young man, through your effort–I'm sure that we've gotten one step closer to the rise of humanity.

You're thankful? You should be. The forest is no safe place for anyone, especially after a conflict of such magnitude. This is really no safe age.

I mean by age, the current times that we're living. You're still a kid, so it might be normal for you. I get it, I get it, you're not. Me? I'm older than I look, actually, I was there since the beginning of it.

You switch your manners quite fast, but why would I tell you the story? I'm kidding. The knowledge from the past should be shared with the people from the present. It is quite a long story and I don't have all the answers, ok? Good.

I'm not entirely sure how it started, as I was a kid like you when they came.

It was a day that changed Earth's history forever...the day that we received visitors from beyond the stars. Back then we had many devices capable of sharing information instantly, so everyone knew when it happened. Oh, you believe the story from visitors but not about the advanced technology that we had? Looking at our situation... I understand why you would think that way.

We welcomed them, threw many events in their honor as they seemed to be peaceful, and for the most part–they were. They were loved as they used something that has changed names over time, but it was not simply advanced technology, rather, in my times, it was the power akin to God...the power to create miracles.

By miracles, I meant: the ability to grant wishes. Although, soon they found out about how humanity wanted them to use their power to destroy each other's enemies. They might have really thought that our species always supported each other to keep growing. One day, I still remember it clearly even to this day. The whole Earth shook in a massive earthquake that changed the landscape forever. In what we used to call an apartment, I used to live near the bay in a very tall building. My mother was carrying me as she tried to get out of the building and I couldn't believe my eyes when from the distance, an island was coming closer and closer to us. The impact made us fall, I lost my mother that day.

Sometime after, I found out that they changed the environment of Earth forever by uniting all pieces of land together into one. A massive single continent was born. Such a cataclysmic event caused massive repercussions for the wildlife.

The survivors received a speech directly into their minds–that some interpreted as the voice of God, however, it was them. The visitors from beyond the stars were now in charge to cleanse and reform the corrupt human race. How a series of changes would be implemented. Their new rules explained how to receive a miracle, what can and can't be done. Society was reformed into Quadrants: North, South, West, East, and Central.

Then there's the devotion–oh, are you still with me? I told you it would be a long story, to cut a long story short, I'll need to grab more firewood. Being in a cave for so long makes you forget about time as it should be time for supper.

You don't want to eat? Your friends are waiting for you? Ah, I get what you're now. A Freedom Fighter. Nice name, but with a lack of results, always going from one battlefield to another in total suicide missions. Ahahaha, I get it–you're different. Come here to eat Mr. Fighter. To eat is to live.

So I was at devotion, right? Don't just drool over the food! It is good food that can't be found easily anymore. I know that it smells good, just eat while I finish, ok?

For their power to grant us our wishes, devotion was to be paid. It's not something tangible, it's more of a state of mind about servitude and to give up unnecessary desires for them to become the firewood of what you want. If you were to say from very deep that you wanted something, you'll get it, as no matter where you are–they're always listening. Even now you ask? Of course they're, yet, they can't affect us directly. Are we going to be safe? Don't worry, I've my own set of tricks and it has been a while since I spoke with someone.

As one could get what they wanted...there were many that wanted the same. Power, fame, wealth. Such a system bred competition between themselves, as many miracles were incompatible with each other or mainly denied another, it became a dog-eat world. The winners of such conflicts proved themselves in front of them, then as the ones standing at the top, they became their arms and legs–soon to be known as their Heralds, and were granted the position to look over the Quadrants.

What happened to the other people? An important question, yes. The answer might not be for your liking. Humanity is a species that no matter the situation that we are in, as long as we can give meaning to it–we can adapt and live. People that didn't wish for those grand desires continue living as normal. As life didn't change much for those living in the Quadrants–it actually became better. No conflicts, no hunger, no suffering, and as much entertainment to keep them busy for life. Really, what else could you ask for?

Considering the end result, even with all the destruction–it became a Utopia. There's nothing more to tell if we need to speak about something...it would be about how groups like yours were born.

What do I mean by that? I'm talking about the Freedom Fighters, such a group that exists outside the regime of the Heralds. I see. You fight for the people against the Herald forces, huh. So you don't know about Sinners.

Sinners are people like you that defected to the Heralds side, they use the very same people that originally fought for Humanity to stop liberation movements like yours. They're definitely intelligent enough to use you like that, you can't underestimate the Heralds, even if you do a big blow against their forces, you're still murdering your fellow former Freedom Fighter. It is two birds with one stone, you know? As...why would they use more resources than necessary to crush you?

You didn't know any of this? Then...what are you exactly fighting for? Just dying in combat to feel you did something for Humanity? Listen, I didn't tell you any of this to shake your belief, it was for you to change your ways. When did I learn about this? Earlier than you, but not by much. They've been playing us as fools for so long, that's not even funny. Nevertheless, you'll need to reevaluate yourself. I'm old, and I can see it now in your eyes. You're scared. I'm not here to judge you...as knowing is half the battle.

There's nothing wrong with running away today to try again on a new day. That's what I would have liked to tell her...the heart-shaped locket? A legacy from the past, to never lose our conviction.

Who am I? For someone so injured, you ask many questions, nevertheless, I'm thankful that it wasn't your first question, as I know, my appearance is...grotesque. Haha, I'm glad a kid like you enjoys my crimson feathers. It is what they did to me that has allowed me to still be here. I just don't want to be grateful to those bastards, we simply use what we have.

The baby then? She's special...or at least that's what I want to think of it. Although she has already lost more than can be counted. A harsh life awaits her. Me? I'll stay with her as much as I can. As Cassandra gave out her life for her.

Who is Cassandra? She's what you should be aspiring to be, young man. You don't know it...but she saved you, she saved us all. It is another story, more recent. Hahaha, it's good to be young, I'll tell you, as she's the reason I'm here.

Cassandra...back then she had a team, a number of people that took great care of her, you know? She followed her grandmother's legacy, to fight against an unjust system, to fight against them...even when she never experienced how the world was before them. Not even can I say that I did, as I only lived on it for a bit.

Her daughter was just born and after a week, she had to leave her behind. The Herald of the North was cooking a nasty plan, her team that cried for joy when the baby was born–was decimated. They were able to obtain the intel though, telling Cassandra's remaining group where it was.

As they planned to take our Force of Nature, without it...we're defenseless. What is that? It is the power of miracles that, like a candle, burns your desires every time you use it like it was wax. It has a costly use, as the more it is used, the more you lose. That's why they take people's desires, to never deal with the consequences.

They showed us how it could be used, although it was already too late to make a difference. We can still use it now...thanks to her.

The place was in a castle that survived the Great Union, as they called it. It was still in baby steps, yet, the Herald was experimenting in different ways of extracting the Force of Nature or FoN from people. In his search, he created a prototype of an apparatus capable of absorbing any FoN, the Mortal Slayer.

Cassandra stormed the castle as a hurricane, dancing as a fiery storm when in combat, her beautiful red hair showed her conviction and viciousness towards her allies and enemies alike. Her remaining team was following behind, the plan was simple. Destroy all of the research regarding such an apparatus and if possible, to slay the Herald. The resistance was unlike anything they had faced before.

The mission...was a success, however, not a single member of Cassandra's team made it out. What about her? She destroyed the Mortal Slayer and all the research data, although...she wasn't able to slay the Herald. She took out with her last breath his right eye with her FoN: Void Existence. Making it impossible for it to get back his eye, even with all the desire in the world–it would never be able to use his right eye again.

How do I know any of this? I was there and wasn't there at the same time. My FoN let me call for the remaining wildlife to help me out, they're useful for scouting and that's how I was able to find you amid the battlefield.

You need to return with your friends to tell them about all of this, huh. Are you sure you want to leave like that? You can walk, however, you have the eyes of someone that wants to die...no, rather, you've conviction. That's it, keep struggling and you'll get your answers, young man.

You want me to help you? Impossible. I'm not what I used to be and even if I were, will they accept someone like me as an ally? Don't worry about the answer as I made a promise I mean to keep, however, ask me again in twenty years and the answer might change. I know that you don't have the time. It was a pleasant experience, young man. Say goodbye, Sophitia–to the striving resistance that will graze its way to survival, just to wait for you.