Legacy

Location: Unknown / Artificial cave / Aether City

Time: Y0019 / 16th day of the Bloom Moon

POV: Warden Mi'Kai'Ra

*walk slowly* (Mi'Kai'Ra, Former Warden)

Looking around, I cant help but be proud at our children and what they have accomplished.

It fills my old hear with joy.

Just two generations ago, this was but a slab of rock, buried deep under a continent. Or an ocean for all I know. Only the old metalways run here, the escape route meant to carry us to safety, to other hidden cities.

And look at this place, today.

*look up* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

We have expanded the main cave so much ever since Jashaaari held back the . The ceiling of the cave is at least half a kilometre above us, barely visible through the magically enchanted rock pillar that look like a spider web and hold this place together.

The whole place is lighted up by the green-yellow light of our mushroom crops hanging from the suspended gardens and covering the walls of every building. A tint of yellow light is added by the web like enchantment weaved on the pillars.

"Do you want to take a moment to rest, Father?" (Fee'Mi)

My daughter Fee is no spring chicken either, she has family, children and all. Her brown fur has silver streaks, here and there. Mine has turned fully white, of course.

"Nonsense!" *cough* *cough* "How can I face the ancestors if I stop~ *cough* "... you get it, youngling." (Mi'Kai'Ra)

*smile* "I do, Father." *slowly walk* (Fee'Mi)

I say that, but I my old body is barely holding together. My old bones have seen much Snakes, Earthshakes, Dragons. You name it!

"He he he." *cough* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

*glance* *smile* (Fee'Mi)

Despite all that, I got to live to see not only my children grow up, but even my children's children giving birth. Being three generations old might even be a bit too much.

In my current state I cannot help our people further. Well, you got to leave it to the kids at some point!

It won't be long until I join the ancestors. And what stories I do have for them! Their envy as I recount them how I witnessed the Dragons' reign fall for good!

*grin* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

*glance* *chuckle* (Fee'Mi)

I slowly approach the rail of the suspended metal-road I'm walking on.

The middle level of the city are mostly allocated for the living space of our growing population. Below us, the lower level is dedicated to the service equipment.

Despite being around this I still don't get any of it. The Mechanomancers really are something else. The Dragons might have had no equal when it came to magic, but our people have the ability to do things without magic!

*look down* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Looking down, a familiar red glow form a lava stream filters through. Our Mechanomancers make use machines made of metal to mix two opposites, fire and water and create a new element! The White Smoke!

The White Smoke holds incredible power, allowing us to move heavy things without magic!

The no magic part was important. We needed something the Dragons could not feel. Many hidden cities were destroyed by Dragons once our people started using too much magic, but with White Smoke, we can live without it!

*slowly walk* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

My back is killing me. I grow shorter almost by the day and my daughter, I once held in my arms, is now much taller than I am.

"Fee, don't you have better things to do than~ *cough* *cough* "Help and old geezer like myself around?" (Mi'Kai'Ra)

"Father, you should be more aware of yourself. If I leave an hero, the Warden of the Aether City alone people would imprison me, you know?" *smile* (Fee'Mi)

My foolish children.

I did nothing special, I kept watch over the snake, than I helped around when rebuilding the city. And for some reason they decided to make me chief of the whole thing!

Before I knew it, Warden became the title of the ruler of the city.

Of course I already passed on the title, but people still call me like that. So foolish.

"Warden! It's nice to see you around!" (Mechanomancer Ja'Sa'Mi)

"Take care of him, will you, Fee'Mi?" (Carrier Sa'Sa)

"Of course Sa'Sa! You can count on me!" (Fee'Mi)

A group of youngster pass by, they never fail to say foolish things. Why they waste their energy on someone like me is beyond me.

*shake head* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

We keep walking and reach one of the towers. This is the middle section, with the homes of our people.

The core of the tower is an enchanted stone pillar, a dozen of meters in diameter. Around it, metal platforms are stacked on top of each others, with spiral stairs and white smoke lift carrying people and goods from one level to the other.

"Good morning, warden!" (Rat'Kin)

"Warden, it's a pleasure to see you around in the Gray-Mane tower." (Rat-Kin)

"Warden! I just cooked up this new dish with a special seasoning, do you want a taste?" (Rat-Kin)

*smile* (Fee'Mi)

Foolish youngster. Why they look up to me like this is beyond me. I just helped their grandfathers in building this city!

As long as they call me Warden, it's my duty to keep patrolling the town and ensure everything is in working order! I'm not doing anything worthy of praise, here.

Just my old fashioned duty of watching and making sure things don't go down the shitter!

[Greetings, Warden.] (Copper Mole)

[Yes. It's reassuring to see that you are well, Warden.] (Silver Mole)

A group of moles passes us by. They must be miners that are going to the lower tunnels, feeding on the bedrock to expand the city.

The green one must have fed on green iron, she is about half a meter in length. Little more than a youngling. The silver one looks promising, she is one meter in length and must have lucked out, getting to feed on precious ore.

Back in the days I was shocked to hear our kinds were working together. Not anymore. Great things happens when Rat-Kin and Moles join hands and work together. It's still a little creepy how they use mind magic to communicate, but it can't be helped, they can't make sounds we can hear.

“I think we should get back, Father.” (Fee'Mi)

“Nonsense! I just~ *cough* just~ *cough* *cough* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“Father! Is everything alright?!?” (Fee'Me)

*kneed down* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Poor Fee. She was the best of my daughters, but she was stuck helping an old timer like me. Now she is all worked up just because my time has come.

I can barely see her figure above me. Her tears dripping from her snout over my face.

Don't cry, Fee.

It's.

Time.

Ancestors~

Death Bed

Location: Unknown / Artificial cave / Aether City

Time: Y0019 / 16th day of the Bloom Moon

POV: Warden Mi'Kai'Ra

*ngggg* *open eyes* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“Father!” *hug* (Fee'Mi)

It was not my time, still? I can't speak. My body is barely even moving. I won't be long anyway. I am thankful I get to see my loved one before the end.

*hold hand* “Dear. I can't do anything for you anymore. Everyone has come for you, look.” (Me'Ra)

My faithful wife. She struggled between life and death because of the and when she finally came around it was years of pain. In the end she overcome her trials and became the new Shaman of our tribe. We worked hard together to rebuild our civilization, and before we knew it, we fell in love.

She is very old too, but her beauty is untarnished by age. Her pure white fur and red eyes are of great comfort to my heart.

I'm glad for this last chance. I look around, I see my children, their children. So many known faces.

“Warden.” (Warden Le'To'Ji)

Another old geezer come close paying his respects. The current warden, whom our people entrusted our fate.

Warden... Why did they choose to name the title of the Rat-Kin ruler of the city Warden is beyond me. It should have been chief, or something...

*cough* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Well, I have to say my title, Warden, has grown in my heart. I guess it's an acquired taste.

*chuckle* *cough* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

*shake hand* “Thank you, Warden. For everything. Rest easy, the Aether City is in good hands.” (Le'To'Ji)

Ahhhh... I guess it is.

“Greet the ancestors for me as well. I won't be long after you.” *kiss hand* (Me'Ra)

Don't come too early~

*close eyes* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“”Warden!!!” *voices fade* (Loved ones)

Paradise

Location: Unknown

Time: Y0019 / 16th day of the Bloom Moon

POV: Warden Mi'Kai'Ra

*wake up* *open eyes* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

A blue sky.

...

...

...

Wait, what?!?

There is no mistaking it.

It doesn't matter how many times I open and close my eyes in disbelief. What I see won't change.

That's the sky!!!

*tears up* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

The last time I saw the sky was right before the .

And even back than I spend most of my time underground guarding the Snake.

I saw the sky only in my dreams ever since.

It's huge. I feel like I'm free.

Clean air. It's like I can breath for the first time.

The light from the sun! A warmth I can feel through my fur.

*stand up* *sit* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Beautiful.

I was laying down on my back on a meadow of short green grass.

*look around* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Looking around I can see low hills stretching out as far as the eye can see.

No rocks.

No structures.

No civilization.

No animals.

It's just me.

*breeze*

*close eyes* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

The wind! I forgot that air moves like this on the surface!

Down here there are currents, but nothing compares to the unpredictable and refreshing air carried by a gentile breeze.

I spend minutes basking in this peace.

“What is this place?” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Eventually my mind can't help but ask the obvious question.

I lived a long and good life, and I died of old age, surrounded by descendants. Great persons I can entrust the future to.

Waking up here...

If this is this where the ancestors live, where are they?

“The expressions they'll make when I tell them about Dragons is going to be a sight to remember!” *grin* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

I spend more time basking in the warmth of the sun.

I have an eternity ahead of me.

I'm in no rush.

*stand up* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

As I thought. I'm not really the type to stand still.

I look around once more.

“Someone's there!” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Behind me, far away from here, there seems to be a cliff, and on the edge one, sits of my kind.

*walk closer* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

It takes a while to get there.

The feeling of walking on soft living grass is wonderful. Nothing like walking on the hard sulphurous rocks or the metal of the passageways.

As I get near the edge of the cliff, I see another breathtaking scenery

Mountains far away, their tip covered in snow.

Large rivers crossing the plains at the roots of the cliff.

A kaleidoscope of colors with green forests, yellow and green grass, red bushes and more.

The beauty of nature is unmatched.

I'm so glad the afterlife is such a place.

“Hello there, ancestor. Mind if I sit down?” *sit down* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

*smile* (Female Rat-kin)

It wasn't really a question, but it's nice my kin allows for it.

She is a young adult, in reproductive age. Her short fur is white in color and carefully groomed. Her hip look the perfect size to give birth to an healthy progeny. A remarkable female. If it were my younger days I would have courted her.

...

Wait. Something feels off.

I look at my own body.

My fur is of an healthy brown color, with no missing patches.

My legs and back don't hurt anymore.

My eyes can see crystal clear.

Am I young again?!?

This afterlife keeps getting better and better!

“Warden. You find this place pleasant, yes?” (Female Rat-kin)

Her voice... Something feels off about it, but I can't put my fingers to it...

“This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. And so you are.” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“I'm glad. Yes. Do you wish to lay with me?” (Female Rat-kin)

Was she put there by the ancestors to tempt me? Is this just their way to welcome me?

In any case, my answer can only be one.

“I'm sorry. As beautiful as you are, I already have a mate.” *look away* (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“I created this place to give you comfort. My way to thank you for all you have done for my kind and yours. Do not feel bound by chains. You earned this. Yes.” (Female Rat-kin)

That manner of speaking...

It can't be!

“Jashaaari?!?” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

*smile* “Yes. You were always quick witted, Warden. I had no doubt you would understand.“ (Jashaaari, Aether Crystal Mole Queen)

Jashaaari is the apex of her species, a seven meters long mole queen, and the only mole to have ever survived after feeding on aether crystals. Seeing her in this form is... Weird.

“What are you doing in the afterlife?!? Why do you look like that?!? Only the ancestors should be here!!!” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“Be calm, Warden. I will explain.” (Jashaaari)

I was freaking out, but my uneasiness is melted away by her voice. She has this strange power of calming down people to make them think. It helped so much during our reconstruction efforts.

“Your body is dead, but your consciousness is yet to be released. Yes. I created this place in your mind to give you solace. I took this form because that is what you desire.” (Jashaaari)

We spend the next few minutes looking at the scenery in front of us in silence. It takes a while to take her words in, but I don't doubt her in the least.

One thing bothers me...

“Your throne room is coated in Black Gold how are you inside my mind? And from such distance?” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“I trained to see past my room, still It is taking a lot of effort to achieve this. Yes. I constructed this place by piecing together everything your kind considers pleasant. I gave shape to what your heart desires.” (Jashaaari)

“You do this for all our dead?” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“No. You are a special case, Warden. This place exists just for you.” (Jashaaari)

“... How long~ (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“I do not know. Time flows differently, here. But it will not be long before your consciousness is fully released. Even I cannot prevent that.” (Jashaaari)

“It's better this way~ Say, Ja. Do you know what the afterlife looks like?” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

“I do not know.” (Jashaaari)

This could end at any moment, but I don't mind. I have been ready to embrace death for a long time now.

And if the afterlife is half as good of what Ja created for me, I'm in for a treat!

“Is this place pleasing to you, Warden?” (Jashaaari)

“It is, Ja. Thank you.” (Mi'Kai'Ra)

Looking at the mountains ahead, for the first time I notice a waterfall. It's very far from here. The water looks like it's moving in slow motion. And that feels right. That's how a waterfall is supposed to look like at this distance. This place is so well made, with its incredible beauty.

I grab a few blades of grass and smells them. All the sensations feels right.

What should I do with what little time I have here?